As I write to you today, there’s the most perfect cool yet warm breeze coming through my window and birds of many species chirp and sing outside. If I am being honest, I am re-writing my letter to you today. The original letter felt a bit too heavy (linked if you’re curious). Instead, I wanted to share something lighter, something a bit more in rhythm with the season. It is summer after all and hopefully we are finding ourselves connecting more with Nature than we are our scr

Happy June to you! As we enter into June, so many plants are either flourishing or are on their way toward flourishing. Throughout the summer I find myself often meandering through my chaotic yet “organized” garden, admiring each of the plants. Noticing them. Learning from them. Marshmallow as the sun sets. Within the last week, I’ve really noticed their vibrancy. The Yarrow is forming flower buds. The Elecampane is sending up its flower stalks. The Marshmallow nearly comes u

I am officially married and although my website, newsletter header, or anything else for that matter doesn’t yet mirror it, my name will be changing to Kara Fischenich. So, if you see this name instead of Kara Swenson in the future, no need to be alarmed. It is still me… Kara, Thistle Patch, “The Herbalist” 😉💜 This said, I am not in my office this week. Instead, Aaron and I are away for a week to relax, make some memories, and explore some new lands. I thought it’d be perfe

Summer Solstice has come and gone (June 20/21) and it feels to me like the solstice passed through, delivering peak summertime energy and aliveness. My garden has taken off in the last couple weeks and the daily harvests of Calendula and Raspberries (and soon Chamomile) have begun. I wander through my garden beds, the woods, along the water, and through prairies, my hands gently grazing the plants in appreciation and admiration. The long, hot and humid days of summer come wit