On August 22nd in the afternoon we met with Stu and Helen from the Puget Ridge Edible Garden. First, Emory and Sarah welcomed the other Ambassadors and parents to PREP and Stu and Helen gave an introduction on how we would make cider using an apple press. 

While we picked up all the apples from a giant apple tree in the middle of the garden, some more people arrived to join us. We worked together pretty well and it did not take long at all to fill up the giant wheelbarrow and all crates with apples. We started sorting all the apples we found on the ground and ended up with one pile of good apples, we then washed in a big tub of water and cut them up in four pieces. The other apples went on a compost pile so nothing would be wasted. It smells pretty sweet.

All the cut up good pieces ended up in an apple masher. We took turns turning the handle to mash. Whenever the bucket was full we dumped the mashed up apples into a big cider press. Rusty and Marco helped us using the press. The cider ran into a red circular spout and dripped into big Mason jars we all brought, so we could take some fresh pressed apple cider home with us. Once we had our first batch we all got to try some and everyone was pretty happy with the final result.

We also learnt that the difference between apple juice and apple cider is that apple juice is more processed and apple cider usually has some chunks or pieces of apples still in them.

Emma also gave us a little tour of the Garden and we harvested a few carrots from her little fenced-in experimental area to showcase how many different things can grow in only a very limited space.

​We all had a lot of fun and can't wait to come back. We recommend you visit, too.

After a long rollercoaster ride through many many potholes up the steep hill to Mt. Tuam in our 36 year old VW Bus Willie, Sarah needed a little bit to orient herself to the new environment at Camp. It didn't take her too long to figure out how to make new friends. She was in the 'Leafwalking Bandits' group with the 10 to 12 year olds with more girls than boys and the 3 instructors, Barnaby, Stephanie and Teresa. They practiced a lot of skits, played Quiddich (from HP) but some nearby wasps made it not fun for everyone. It seemed to be a common theme, as whenever the group tried to play games something else came up instead, so Sarah can't remember playing much games.
The nonstop request for snacks from one very hungry starving fellow helped the rest of the group get snacks earlier and earlier every day.
They found a very pretty hangout spot with a bunch of trees and a nice ocean view. The initially spot wasn't as nice, but after some search parties for a better home they all agreed on the new spo being awesome. So pretty.
Sarah (Ladybird Beetle, short: Bird) made 2 new best friends, Spiderwasp and Rosegall. They discovered making leather pouches at the skill tent and were quite crafty. They also liked to chat a lot and Sarah was a little surprised how quickly she become best friends with the friendly boy with crutches (he had a rock fell on it 2 weeks before Camp).
The Bandits also played Foxtails (stealing Bandanas out of each others pockets in a circle) with the Fawn families. Sarah's favorite part was when she (Bird) and Spiderwasp volunteered to help out a Fawn family, one with little ones, and got to watch a 3 year old girl during mealtimes.
She didn't like to be quiet for a long time during campfire to listen to very long stories, but really liked the yummy dessert for lunch.

Planted 20 trees and shrubs and braved heavy snow.

Seahurst, Lincoln Park and Alki Beach

Another great weekend at my Wild Plant Intensive at WAS.
​Plant Medicine. Elderberry Syrup. Usnea Tinture. Nettle Rub. Spirit Plant Walk. Lichen Dye. Learnt so much with my fellow plant dorks.

My questions I contemplated on my spirit plant walk.
What is in store for me?
What do I have to offer?
I got lots of answers from my nature friends: Huckleberry, Moss, Vine Maple, Oregon Grape, Funghi, Cedar, Devils Club, 

Prickly and vulnerable, fresh start, odd ball

Obstacles request flexibility

So much beauty everywhere. Sometimes easy to oversee. Stop and smell the roses!

My parents: sturdy support, different-but-alike, sunny, watching over me, once joint but now grown apart

Sunlight projects myself on an old stump. Reflection reminds me of a Jester. I like to entertain, build community, making encounters feel light but memorable.

Picked up 3 trees from the 'Trees for Neighborhood' program from the City and planted them along the Rainbow Fence on Roxbury. While planting I was wearing my cape, of course.

Had to do a photo scavenger hunt at Camp Long. Six groups of 5 competed for the most points by finding the biggest tree, spider web, sign of birds, 2016/17 flagging, GSP signs, Neighborhood Bullies, madrone seed, a heart in Nature, climb the rock, make a Haiku, dance and all kinds of shenanigans. It was quite fun, but our team didn't win.

Removing Blackberry canes in the rain. Kids did great. Got a lot done. Soon there will be lots of native plants grow instead.

Got my new waders today to help with the Salmon Survey at Longfellow Creek. So excited I get to do this with my friend.