Sweet Summertime

6/30/2026

"Live in the sunshine. Swim in the sea. Drink in the wild air."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

It's been a blissful June in the Garden! We are all beyond grateful for these magical sunny days, learning and playing with our whole hearts in the blossom scented breeze!

Here are a few snapshots of our blessed summer days:

Raspberry Rose Brownies

We collected fresh rose petals and raspberries...

...and then gathered fresh eggs from our sweet hens.

Ingredients:

½ cup coconut melted
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
¾ cup coconut sugar
3 large eggs for cakier or 2 eggs for fudgier
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ cup Coconut Flour
¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 325°F.
Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking pan with coconut oil. Line with parchment paper (or baking paper); set aside.
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the melted coconut oil, cocoa powder and sugar for about a minute.
Add the eggs and extract using a wooden spoon or spatula.
Add in flour and salt and mix into the wet ingredients until combined.
Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing the top out evenly.
Sprinkle in rose petals, or other add-ins if you wish.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the center of the brownies in the pan no longer jiggles and is just set to the touch.
If testing with a toothpick, the toothpick should come out dirty for fudge-textured brownies. Remove and allow to cool to room temperature.
Makes 9-16 brownies depending how you big you cut them.
Top with soft butter mixed with cacao powder and honey to taste and a raspberry on top.

Butterfly Pea Flower Experiment

We made a rich brew of butterfly pea flower to add to our smoothies. This vibrant flower is a powerful anti oxidant and anti inflammatory.

The bright blue pigment begged to be experimented with!

I wonder what will happen if we add lemon juice?

Or how about adding vinegar?

Let's add baking soda!

How did it go from blue to purple to turquoise?

Hmmm, let's add more vinegar and even more baking soda!

Here comes a big one!

So many wonderful expressions!

We had to share them all :)

Diffusion of Water and Color in Bloom

Community Fruit Smoothies!

Foam, Glorious Foam

Rose Beads

Rose and Lavender Soap

Let Them Eat Quiche!

Summer Solstice Celebration!

We walked through the land and gathered yarrow, lavender, and mint to make some herbal bundles to bring blessings and share with our families. Then we prepared some lemon balm sun tea and sun butter cookies to share at our Solstice Storytime.