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EMAIL:
Connect@BluebirdHillHomestead.com

CALL OR TEXT:
(612)910-9756

ADDRESS:
456 Old E East, Hudson, WI 54016

We are located 45 minutes from Minneapolis/St. Paul,
5 miles east of Stillwater, MN and 10 minutes north of Hudson, WI.

Our Herbal Apothecary Farm Stand is open Monday – Friday until dusk, and by appointment on the weekends.
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Cultivating Connection with Nature

It’s been a few months since I’ve posted here.

It’s been a few months since I’ve posted here. Just before Christmas I learned I had stage 2 cancer and that stopped everything for a bit. I just finished treatment a few weeks ago and am feeling more and more myself again, stronger every day. My prognosis is good, spring is here and the gardens are calling me. I’m slowly coming out of my hibernation.

These photos are from a sad but beautiful day last fall. Driving my daughter to Amery one morning, I saw a large black shape lying curled in the ditch. I said “I think that was a bear!” My daughter replied “Mom, do NOT pick up the bear.” She did not deter me.

On the way home I called the DNR and got a tag, then called my friend with a strong son to help me. It took all our strength to slide her onto my big black sled and then up into the back of my car. She might look small in the photos but she was likely close to 300lbs. What an incredible creature!

We carefully brought her back to a sacred resting spot on the land where she will remain to decompose respectfully. I brought the Earth Warriors back in small groups to see her that day. Several of the kids whispered as we approached, “Are you sure she isn’t just sleeping?” It’s true, she looked so peaceful there, just resting. Certainly her spirit was nearby.

The kids were able to touch her fuzzy ears, her calloused feet, her front claws. And then we buried her in pine needles and said goodbye.

This spring when she is fully decomposed we will visit her again to see her skull and bones and perhaps put some pieces of her in our “nature museum” soon to be in our gazebo classroom.

This beautiful bear lost her life on the highway, but she inspired awe in all of us, and hopefully what remains of her will continue to cultivate an intimate connection for the kids with the wild creatures we share space with on this Earth.

We are all set up and Nahko is waiting to greet yo

Our first fire in the gazebo and it turned into th

Our first fire in the gazebo and it turned into the cutest art project! Please swipe to see these sweet little ornaments the Earth Warriors made.

Mandarin oranges carefully cut, peeled, and dried over the fire. Then a little paint, wire and a hot glued stick transformed them into these Amanita ornaments!

#firstfire #outdoorclassroom #earthwarriors #natureclub #naturecamp #gazebo #amanita #amanitamuscaria #ornaments #artprojects #kidsart

Candle Dipping Day…getting ready for our Holiday

Candle Dipping Day…getting ready for our Holiday Open House this Sunday!

Aspen likes to think she’s helpful, watching over all the tasks. Today is her birthday, 6 years old now!

Sunrise this morning! I ran out in my pjs and wint

Sunrise this morning! I ran out in my pjs and winter boots half awake to get a better view. It’s gonna be a day in the kitchen, getting ready for our Holiday Open House on Sunday. I hope you can stop by! 11-4, this Sunday, Dec 10.

#openhouse #holidaysale #apothecary #herbalapothecary #sunrise #shoplocal #hudsonwi

A dusting of snow outside but look at how the gaze

A dusting of snow outside but look at how the gazebo roof is working!

We are taking a brief break from our gazebo classroom building to tidy up the house and welcome you for a warm and cozy Herbal Apothecary Sale!

Please join us this Sunday, anytime between 11am-4pm. We will have a toasty fire in the hearth, warm tea for tasting, and a few other treats in the works.

All proceeds go toward purchasing the final roof materials for our outdoor classroom. Thank you so much for your support!

Holiday Open House details at link in bio.

#shoplocal #outdoorclassroom #gazebo #holidaysale #openhouse #hudsonwi #apothecary #holidaymarket

I'm taking a couple day break from the gazebo buil

I'm taking a couple day break from the gazebo build to set up our Herbal Apothecary at this wonderful market at Tattersall Distillery in River Falls.

We'll be there today and tomorrow, 11-5!

I hope you can stop by, there are so many unique vendors there!

(Link in bio to event address)

Ok all this happened today. First…kids in the

Ok all this happened today.

First…kids in the cupola. Kind of like bats in the belfry, but way more awesome.

This crew, led by an Earth Warrior dad and grandpa team, got the entire main roof sheathed. In one day!

I’m a bit blown away. And absolutely exhausted.

The cupola roof fascia and sheathing is next. Hoping for some friendly weather next week after we all catch our breath over the holiday.

#octagon #gazebo #octagongazebo #outdoorclassroom

With generous help from several Earth Warriors and

With generous help from several Earth Warriors and their families, we’ve been making all sorts of progress this week on our beautiful outdoor classroom. All the roof joists are now officially up! Tomorrow we build the cupola (a raised central roof to allow fire smoke to exit), and then start adding the roof sheathing. Yeehaw! What a glorious sunset tonight!

#natureclassroom #gazebo #octagon #outdoorclassroom #naturecamp #earthwarriors

The MN Waldorf School is hosting their Annual Holi

The MN Waldorf School is hosting their Annual Holiday Fair this weekend and we’ve been invited!

Come visit our Herbal Apothecary this evening (Fri, Nov 17) 6:30-9 or tomorrow (Sat, Nov 18) from 10-4!

#shoplocal #holidayfair #holidaymarket #apothecary #herbalapothecary

I was honored to be invited to this wonderful even

I was honored to be invited to this wonderful event this year, so in between gazebo building we’ve been restocking and packing up our Herbal Apothecary.

Please come visit us at the MN Waldorf School for their Annual Holiday Fair this weekend!

Our Apothecary will be all set up this evening for the “Shop & Sip” grownups event…and all day tomorrow for the family day.

6:30-9pm Fri, Nov 17
10-4 Sat, Nov 18

#shoplocal #holidaymarket #holidayfair #apothecary #herbalapothecary

Just a handful of the amazing Earth Warriors helpe

Just a handful of the amazing Earth Warriors helpers yesterday!

They are oiling all the cut boards to prepare them for burning. We are using soybean oil (since it’s the most affordable in bulk), so it smells a bit like french fries when we burn it.

Also, you can see how the gazebo roof is coming together. I’m not gonna lie, octagon math is keeping me up at night. But it sure is satisfying to problem solve each step!

#octagon #gazebo #yakisugi #woodburning #outdoorclassroom

We’ve been painting with fire again! The gener

We’ve been painting with fire again!

The generous help from the Earth Warriors families and a loan from a friend means I was able to pick up all the remaining lumber for the gazebo roof, so I’ve been working non-stop to take advantage of these last warm fall days.

Measure, cut, oil, burn, install. Repeat. So satisfying!

#yakisugi #woodburning #shousugiban

These Earth Warriors very politely asked if they c

These Earth Warriors very politely asked if they could use our freshly sharpened hatchets today to help split kindling. They made quick work of all the scraps from the gazebo building. Also, please admire the progress on the gazebo roof. It’s coming along!

#earthwarriors #natureclub #naturecamp #woodsplitting #kidsinnature

The Amanita Fairy popped in and did her magic agai

The Amanita Fairy popped in and did her magic again this year. It always feels a little otherworldly down on the Aspen Trail when they make their appearance. I’m so thankful for all the rain we’ve had recently, after a summer of drought, to encourage them to appear.

#amanita #amanitamuscaria🍄 #amanitamuscaria #mushrooms #fungi

A little snippet of Fox Tails, their favorite game

A little snippet of Fox Tails, their favorite game of tag, where everyone is “IT”, trying to swipe each other’s (bandana) Fox Tails. It’s so beautiful right now up in the game circle, surrounded by the glorious fall colors.

#foxtails #tag #naturegames #kidsinnature #fallcolors

The view from the Tippy Top. All 8 rafters are up

The view from the Tippy Top. All 8 rafters are up and secured! One more step to having a solid roof for our outdoor classroom.

#octagon #gazebo #outdoorclassroom #natureclassroom #kidsinnature

Some progress on our gazebo classroom in the last

Some progress on our gazebo classroom in the last few days!

When it is summer camp season, I admittedly can’t do much else. And then there is a recovery time afterwards to catch up in the gardens and in life in general. But now that I’ve had a chance to catch my breath…

We’ve been working on the gazebo roof! It’s a big task getting that heavy central octagon up high and perfectly in position. But with the help of the bobcat and some scaffolding we got the first two rafters up today! Yeehaw!

Many thanks to my very generous, very skilled boyfriend Ande, who stays awake at night problem-solving these tasks. And who took it upon himself to make the heavy duty metal brackets needed for all these connection points. Lots of sparks flying and metal bending in the last few days.

The remaining 6 rafters will be up soon, and then a whole lot more joists and decking before the metal roof goes on top. Many steps until completion and octagon math certainly makes the process more interesting. But it sure feels good to make progress!

#octagon #octagongazebo #gazebo #outdoorclassroom

My dear friend, fellow homeschool mom, and long-ti

My dear friend, fellow homeschool mom, and long-time Earth Warriors parent, Amy, has created this beautiful magazine for families.

It is full of sweet stories of nature connection, activities for families, and scrumptious fall recipes, including the tale of our pot of apple oatmeal we made one morning camping with all the kids.

You can see more of her hand-painted illustrations over on her @underthemoonlightmagazine page and I would so love for you to check it out and support her!

#natureconnection #magazine #zine #illustration #kidsinnature #shoplocal #autumn

Well, that was fun! Thank you to everyone who came

Well, that was fun! Thank you to everyone who came out Saturday to see us at the Fall Harvest Fest! It was so fun to see so many kids from camp and to meet new folks too!

If you missed our Salve-Making demo and want to learn more about herbal medicine, mark your calendar!

I have an upcoming weekend workshop…The New Moon Herb Sessions are scheduled November 11-12, where we meet in our homestead kitchen 10-5 both days and make 6 wonderful herbal remedies for you to take home.

Herbal Salves, Tea Blends, Tinctures, Fire Cider, Water Kefir & Elderberry Syrup!

I provide all the materials. This workshop is for adults and accompanied teens. $300 or $180 for a single day.

Registration is at the link in bio. And space is limited so I recommend reserving your spot soon!

#newmoonherbsessions #fallharvest #harvestfestival #herbclasses #plantmedicine #herbalremedies #salve #salvemaking #shoplocal #hudsonwi

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