APRIL

Subscriber First Name, welcome to the Art of Harvest, where we will journey together to slow down and nourish the soul, soil, and senses.

In a world that often moves too quickly, this newsletter is intended to be a place for pause—a monthly invitation to mindfully connect with the rhythms of creativity, nature, and kitchen.

STUDIO

— for the soul

Creativity For One’s Own Sake

I have been leaning into my creative self these past few months. After many years of my energy being spent taking care of our kids, my creativity has laid dormant, only surfacing in small spurts. I have began playing piano again, singing, and improvisational dancing, along with my painting and poetry. It just feels so good — which is different than it used to be for me.

I have realized that I’m doing these creative pursuits simply because it makes my heart sing — not because I need to be the best or to impress. Our relationship with creativity can be complicated. You may have been told you weren’t creative, only in some ways, or you were really good at something and so it became your identity. For me, writing was something I was told I was not good at, whereas visual arts was where I was praised. I put the pen down and kept only the paintbrush. This art form defined me so early that I felt like I couldn't afford to fail. I couldn’t be messy or experimental; it had to be “realistic” or “beautiful”. Creativity became constrained and away to show my worth.

Because art was “my thing”, I let go of other creative forms. One of those being music. But oh goodness, I wish I had persisted. Re-learning the piano this past year has taught me that the resonance of music in my body is unlike anything else. It seems to dissolve some of the physical tension hidden within: to the unanswered questions, uncertainties, and unresolved emotions. It finally gives them a house.

Have you let go of anything creatively because you just weren’t “good” enough? I wonder what it would be like if we took a step back from the pressure of performance into the pure presence of it being with it.

Tensions & Works in Progress

Another place where the tensions of life can find a home is in poetry. I am preparing to submit some poetry to The Malahat Review for their May 1st emerging poets deadline. I know the outcome may be a rejection, but it is motivating to actively be working towards an artistic milestone.

Lately, I have been writing lines here and there, refining poems, and slowly building a collection. I have learned in the poetry world that most literary journals will not accept previously shared poems, which also includes self-published ones. This creates a different kind of tension for me: in wanting to share them with you, but also reserve some for the submission process.

Now that my class is over, I have only been in the studio a couple times the past month. I have found it difficult to carve out the time for painting with so much else going on — especially with the garden coming in with full force! But even with the limited time, I have managed a couple small studies that are still in progress:

GARDEN

— for the soil

Letting Go of Perfect Rows

The garden has been on the back burner the past couple months. I have had my head in the clouds with poems, and other creative ideas, and I only made a very loose plan of the garden and haven’t really followed it. Usually I am quite a meticulous gardener and take great joy in pricking out seedlings and planting them in individual seed trays — really babying them.

This year, I’ve experimented with a much simpler method: sowing almost everything in different ziplock bags and setting them outside. Mostly it has worked with a handful either not sprouting or being eating by a rogue slug that ventured inside the bag and made meal of the lot. Note to self for next year: put the bags on a shelf! Overall, with the amount of time and effort it saved me, a success!

Garden Bursting Forth

But now the longer days are beckoning me outside.

My garden to-do list has grown four-fold these past couple weeks and I am not unhappy about it. I feel a gentle settling into my body as I pull away the soil to plant out lettuces, sweet peas, potatoes, and onions. It somehow still surprises me how grounding it is to get my hands in the dirt — embodied gardening at its finest!

Since a few sowings in the bags didn’t quite make it, I went to the local nursery to fill in the gaps. It’s a great reminder that you don’t have to do all the heavy lifting to grow a garden. Buying some “starts” is a very sensible way to grow with a lot more ease, saving you not just money, but also a significant amount of time and effort. And honestly, with the state of the world these days, investing in growing your own veg is just straight-up practical, if not wise. So this is your sign: get a pot, soil, and plant some food! And now is the time! This next month is the magical window for most veggies to take root in the garden.

April’s To-Do List:

• Sowing:

  • Indoors:

    • Eggplant

    • Melons (near the end of the month)

    • Squash

    • Pumpkin

    • Zucchini

  • Direct sow:

    • Beets

    • Carrots (need to be damp for 2 weeks to germinate)

    • Endive

    • Fennel

    • Parsnips (need to be damp for 2-3 weeks to germinate)

    • Potatoes

    • Spring Onions

    • Swiss Chard

    • Turnips

• Planting out:

  • Onions (if you haven’t already)

  • Bok choy/ Pac choi

  • Rutabaga

  • Cabbage

  • Cauliflower

  • Broccoli

  • Leeks

  • Lettuce

• Weeding: They will be there - get em’ while they're small. Once again, using a dutch hoe is very hand.

• Mulching garden pathways.

• Setting up irrigation/getting it running.

• Putting on row covers or fleece to help with dipping temperatures. This past week temperatures got to 1 degree! Tender leaves, like lettuces, can wilt and die. So ensure to cover them overnight!

• Supports for peonies & peas:

  • We thankfully have hazel growing here so I can create some beautiful natural supports with their flexible branches. Willow also works lovely too!

** Note: Where I live, my hardiness zone is 8a - so quite mild. If you live in a lower zone (Okanagan: 6-7; Southern Alberta 4), you may a bit more time to some of these tasks. Check if sweet potatoes are possible in your zone.

KITCHEN

— for the senses

MELTED FRENCH ONION CABBAGE

With plenty of overwintered cabbages in the garden and the onions starting to go in storage, this side dish capitalizes on both! A take on French onion soup, caramelized onions that are topped with the charred cheesy cabbage that melts in your mouth. Make it into a meal by pairing it with sausages and mashed potatoes.

INGREDIENTS

Melted Cabbage Wedges:

• 1 medium to large cabbage, cut into 8 wedges

• 2 tbsp of olive oil

• 1 tbsp of butter, melted

• 1-2 garlic cloves, crushed

• salt & pepper to taste

• 1 cup of grated gruyère (or parmesan)

Caramelized French Onions:

• 2 lrg or 3 medium sweet onions, sliced

• 1 tbsp olive oil (and/or butter)

• 1 tsps soy sauce, tamari or coconut aminos

• 1 garlic clove, crushed

• 2 tsps of fresh thyme

• 2 tbsps of dry white wine (optional)

• ¼ cup of broth or water

• 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar

• salt & pepper to taste

SEASONAL REFLECTIONS

— for the heart

Slim shoots and buds are pushing through the ground now in the garden, and I can’t help but relate to them. My creative dreams have been planted and have emerged, leaving them feel vulnerable and exposed. Not enough water or a frost, and I feel myself shrivel. A passing rabbit or hungry slug could make my progress lunch.

There is a part of me that wants to bury back deep into the soil. Another part is wondering how on earth I could imagine myself as a bold pepper or a juicy strawberry, when really I am just a plain potato. Meant to remain in the dark, practical for substance, and better left unseen. (Disclaimer: I have nothing against potatoes here, just fit the metaphor hah).

This is part of the process where the roots are still shallow, stems slender, and flowers and fruit are a long way off. This is the vulnerable first breaking through. Pushing oneself out of hiding takes a lot of mental and emotional effort. The brain and heart like to create a lot of “what-if” and doomsday scenarios to keep you back in the ground. So when you finally put yourself out there, self-doubt seems to come along with.

This is a beautifully tender and terrifying place to lean into. Much work lies ahead, but it feels like the right direction to be growing. I will continue to lean into the light, even when if shifts. I may become something I never expected, but I am committed to the slow work of refining my roots, learning how to leaf out, and finding out what flower or fruit will finally unfold. May that be poetry, paintings, gardening — I will continue to put myself out there.

What are you tending to that feels so small it could easily shrivel? Many times I have retreated at this stage. But I have realized, that if something makes your heart sing and race at the same time, it’s worth the risk to carry on. Don’t uproot it just yet.

Also, huge thank-you to all who shared photos of what you are creating! It was a highlight for me to see what you are doing behind-the-scenes of life. The invitation to send me what you are working on is always open - I’m here to cheer you on!

With hands in the dirt,

Rachael

P.S. If you know someone who might enjoy learning how to create, grow, and eat with the seasons, please feel free to forward this email to them.

P.P.S. Feel free to reply with reflections, questions or your own creative projects. Always love hearing from you!