Happy Lammas!

It is Lammastide once again and that means different things to different pagan families. Some- especially those who follow the Celtic traditions- call it Lughnasadh, a celebration of the Celtic craftsman god, Lugh. It is also called First Fruits, the first of the three harvest celebrations and my favorite time of year.

Lammas celebrates the first grain being harvested and is often honored by baking bread with this year's grains. My accidental little wheat crop that sprung up from the straw we used as chicken bedding was summarily harvested by squirrels. Next year, I hope to have a real wheat harvest of heritage Red Fife with which to bake my Lammas bread. This year, I will have to settle for store-bought whole wheat flour. The loaves are rising now in my warm kitchen, and Erika and I will make butter this afternoon to go with it.

My little harvest in pots on the deck is looking a little sad. The only thing that grows well this time of year in Savannah are peppers and tomatoes. Apparently, the squirrels like tomatoes to go with their wheat, so I'm left with mostly peppers: yellow sweet banana, jalapeno, poblano and San Marco. I will have to find a creative way to use them for dinner.

I checked my next door neighbor's fig tree this morning, certain that the figs would be ready but they are still very green. No figs for dinner either! I think a trip to the market to pick up fresh local apples is in order.

We will give thanks for our little homestead and the food that we grow. I look forward to next Lammas when we will be growing so much more of our own food. The best thanks that we can give is to continue learning how to be the best stewards of our blessings and how to live more lightly on the land. Happy Lammas all and brightest blessings!