Firefly Gathering
Firefly Gathering is a yearly coalescing of primitive skills experts and novices of varying degrees, coming together to share knowledge and community in the beautiful mountains of Barnardsville, NC. A highlight of this Firefly in particular was the visiting of Marc’s folks for part of the day on Friday.
This year at Firefly, over 700 people gathered for over 300 classes offered by over 100 teachers. Marc was there to facilitate learning on three topics: Woody Ethnobotany, Plant Sex, and Supernatural Sodas, Magical Meads, and Local Liqueurs.
Forage and Feast at Ceara Foley’s
Nothing makes the heart sing quite like eating a delicious meal prepared from wild foods. The unique flavors and incredible nutrition of these plants combined with a handful of chefs and an armful of eager amateur chefs made the Forage and Feast at Ceara Foley’s house this past Sunday a gastronomical delight.
Though the skies looked ominous, the rains held off for a leisurely plant walk and harvest around a medicinal plants garden and the woods on the the property. At least 27 plants were covered and many harvested during the walk, including Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus), wineberry (Rubus phoenicalasius), Quickweed (Galinsoga sp.), Violet (Viola spp.), and Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota).
