A place on earth...

What can I say?  I checked the mailbox today and jumped for joy when I saw a package from Kim in Florida.  I had bees' knees in the grocery store and on the beach walk with Casper and was itching to get home so I could peek inside.  She sent the most beautiful journal made by Gwen Frostic and it came jammed with incredible prints...wispy, ethereal images that took my breath away.  Imagination abounds.  Just look at this little bird standing tall to face the world.  I want to hold him in my hand...

Then there's fiddleheads heralding spring, speaking to my inner child of memories growing up in New Brunswick, savouring that first taste of these freshly picked greens heaped high on the plate and slathered in butter and lemon juice dripping down my chin. 

As soon as the children were able to walk, they joined us each early May as we headed off to secret woodland places, spending hours kneeling on the soft forest floor filling pails with fiddleheads as large as silver dollars.  We were taught at an early age to pick only a few from each clump, leaving enough for the ferns to grow tall in the dappled sunlight and to ensure a harvest for the following spring.  The time in the kitchen cleaning off the tissue-papery thin covering, the blanching in boiling water, the straining and the bagging up for the freezer was more like play...we knew what gourmet treats were in store for us when winter rolled around again, if they lasted that long.  One thing for certain...we had to have a few bags saved for holiday meals.

I love this place on earth, my place on earth and the people who top it up with joy every day.  Thanks, Kim...the journal and journey continues.

* only the tightly curled fronds of the ostrich fern can be eaten...the other kinds you steer clear of.   

Comments

[arlee]

o i haven't thought of fiddleheads forever--going hunting today :}

[gwendolen]

I love fiddleheads- they just taste of Head Lake and Baltimore! I think I love fiddleheads and shaggy mane mushrooms fried in butter more than key lime pie! The journal is really great, you could frame some of the pages they're so beautiful. I love this place on earth too!

[Fi]

We have a native fern called the piko-piko which sounds just like your ostrich fern - enjoyed steamed or in salads.

Absolutely love the gorgeous prints. Lucky you to receive such a lovely gift :)

[Marie]

Mmmm...fiddleheads...we used to collect them down on the banks of the St John river, right across from our house in Fredericton...in early spring....no finer delicacy on earth is to be found. Nice journal as well. Lucky you!

[jayne]

What a beautiful journal to receive in the mail! I have such fond memories of fiddlehead picking with dad and tossing them up in an old sheet to get the brown fluffy stuff off. It just make my mouth water!

[Veronica TM]

lovely gifts and lovely memories!

[Kim Sherrod]

i am so pleased that you like it. i knew you would. i pulled it from my shelf and it said your name. i never knew you could eat ferns though- we just ate weeds like poke salad and collards and my grandma grew asparagus and rhubarb.

[dilling]

that little bird is about the sweetest thing i've ever seen

[Betty Jo]

What a precious gift! I've never tasted fiddleheads, but have always wanted to do so. xoxoxo

[Mirre]

Wow, such beautiful prints!