Which way to Fairyland?

In late July the lovely green wide leaved annual herb Basil tastes especially fine and we traditionally make pesto to freeze for the winter months.

I plant our Basil in mid to late April from seed in my greenhouse and transplant the seedlings come late May into raised beds nestled up to colorful Cosmos Flowers; dry seeding Hollyhocks and lettuce. We like harvesting basil to use in salads, tomato dishes, soups, stews and stir fries.

Preparing to make some fresh Home Place Fairies Pixie Pesto a granddaughter removes Basil leaves from their stems and sets them aside. Then we begin gathering together our ingredients.

Home Place Fairies Pixie Pesto

Ingredients:

1. 4 cups packed full of fresh Basil Leaves, rinsed if needed, and stems removed.
2. 4-5 cloves of Fresh Garlic
3. 1/4 cup Pine Nuts
4. 1/4 cup Sunflower Seeds
5. 3/4 – 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan Cheese
6. 1/2 cup extra virgin Olive Oil
7. Salt a wee bit to taste (and maybe Pepper)
8. Optional you could apply a small squeeze of Fresh Lemon, just a tiny nip!
9. Many folks add a tablespoon of melted butter, I generally don’t but you can

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients into a food processor or a blender. (I use a food processor) and blend on low speed, then medium, then high. Sometimes the basil leaves bunch up in which case, turn off your machine and rearrange the ingredients with a wooden spoon so blade will move more effectively. Blend until everything turns into a smooth paste. Presto! That’s it! That’s your pesto!

There are many delicious ways to serve Pesto. You can simply smear your Pesto on crackers or toast and top with freshly harvested cherry tomato slices. Try topping this with sprinkles of goat cheese and pinched tiny basil leaves and florets.

You can serve Pixie Pesto over cooked pasta, smear on roast chicken, fish or chops.

Pixie Pesto can be frozen for a late winter treat. I like to freeze my basil in little heart ice cube trays, or heart shaped baking sheets, or simple ice cube trays will do. Just smear Pixie Pesto into your tray, place in freezer uncovered and wait until frozen then remove and place in freezer proof ziploc bags, return to freezer for later use.

We might toss 6-8 (or more or less) frozen or thawing hearts onto a dish of hot pasta depending upon how much Pixie Pesto we are craving.

Yum!

A hot July afternoon is the perfect time for hosting a fairy tea party.

Home Place Fairies are generous and kind.

They know that gentle acts of kindness reach far and wide.

What touches one, touches all.

“If you want to go fast

Go alone.

If you want to go far

Go together.”

African Proverb and Fairy Proverb too!

Hidden somewhere deep within an Enchanted Forest on the north side of a small mountain in Maine,

An ancient oak tree grows.

Deep within the hollowed heart of this tree lies Sacred Chambers,

The secret home of the Home Place Fairies.

At her base an alter stands holding precious stones, feathers, tokens and gems, all gifts from believers to the Fae.

If you are out searching for Fairies I do not think you will find them because they are always one step ahead of you and looking your way.

Home Place Fairies possess the ability to shape shift, which means when the occasion suits them they can increase in size to that of mortal children.

They also possess powers of partial and total invisibility.

Often times they choose to make their wings invisible to the human eye, this way they can walk among mankind undetected.

If you should go seeking Fairies some fine day just remember they are out there and watching you!

Old Horse with Nightingale and La Rosa.

Late June through July is when Foxgloves bloom here in Maine, a favorite plant of the fairy folk.

Tall, lovely plants they are biennial, which means they bloom the second year when started from seed and then their life cycle is completed.

Here at the farm I gather seeds once the blossoms have dried on the stem, sprinkling them here, there and everywhere.

The scattered seeds settle on the ground; when  summer draws to a close fairies gently tuck them into the soil where they will rest through the winter. The seeds will “slumber” beneath dried leaves and deep snow, sprouting the following spring.

The first year foxglove seedlings will grow lush green foliage but they will not produce a single flower.

It is during the second year of their life cycle that Foxgloves grow tall bursting into full blooms.

The fairies all the while continue to sprinkle them with magical dust, nourishing and encouraging the plants to grow.

Early in the morning the Home Place Fairies Nightingale, La Rosa and Delphinia affectionately greet Old Horse.

Old Horse is their companion; the loyal guardian of all the Home Place Fairies.

Through the long cold months of winter Old Horse stands vigil guarding the entrance to the Fairies secret woodland chambers.

Old Horse was long ago enchanted by the Home Place Fairies

and though Old Horse ages, he never grows old.

The bond between Old Horse and the Fairies is very strong. Forged from integrity and respect as well as love and commitment the bond has solidified, becoming everlasting; suspended in time.

In the earliest hours of each and every August morning before humans are awake, the fairy folk greet Old Horse with hugs and kisses, showering him with fairy dust.

Later in the day when an old friend comes to visit, the fairies will have left the stable yard and gardens for the shade of the Enchanted Forest.

Old Horse will greet Nina who being magical herself in a Nordic gardening kind of way will never let on that she can see the fairy magic that  surrounds her dear old friend.

Together they will reminisce about the past as they walk into the Future of Possibilities.

Home Place Fairies are always on the lookout for new and illuminating discoveries.

They search way down low, sprinkling nourishing fairy dust, encouraging the smallest of flowers to blossom and grow.

Fairies flutter up high into the tallest of trees where wondrous beings hover and fly.

“Don’t you know everyone has a Fairyland.”

      P.J. Travers

Sometimes if a community is lucky they might have an individual or two who stands out for their selfless acts of giving. Here in mid coast Maine generations of children have been fortunate enough to have been acquainted with an entire family of such individuals whose hearts overflow with generosity and love. A big shout out to Miss. Bette, Miss. Angie, Miss. Jo, Mr. Jerry and Miss. Suzanne!

The Wizard and I have hosted many annual end of the school year Grand Fairy Tea Parties for one of the most dynamic preschools we know of. Lovely Annie, a fairy fine wandering minstrel delights us with her music, she is beautiful to behold.

Adults and children dance and prance as we parade through gardens with shy little fairies glimmering beside us.

With the assistance of parents and friends wishes are collected from all of the children and deposited within a tiny wicker basket. This basket is dusted with magical fairy dust, carefully attached to environmentally safe balloons and carried by the currents of the wind to Fairyland. What fun on a brilliant day!

Here’s a little movie/ slideshow of our wonderful morning of celebration. Click on the link below…enjoy.

Grand Fairy Tea Party

I wonder what kinds of wishes the fairies received?