The Nostalgia of Brown
Growing up I fell in LOVE with the gentle illustrations of Beatrix Potter. The way the subtle brown lines seemed to hug her whispery watercolor was comforting like a favorite well loved blanket.
Beatrix Potter purchased Hilltop Farm when she was 40yrs old. We purchased our farm when I was 40 and named it UpTop Farm since it’s on a mountain with a magical view. It’s now been just shy of a decade and I’ve only begun to explore the treasures that this property has to offer.
From the moment I first looked out my window here at UpTop Farm I fell in love with the walnut tree that stands sentry and anchors my view. Over the years since we moved in she’s been witness to and helped form so many core memories. Her branches make the perfect place for the most epic swing that any child (or mom with the heart of a child) could ask for. As you swing out into the universe you know she will hold strong and bring you back to the safety of earth once your tummy has had enough butterflies. Just be mindful what time of year it is or you just might find more than clouds bopping onto your head!
As the beloved sentry begins to lose her leaves and nuts in the fall I begin to gather these lawnmower bombs into buckets. You want the fresh lovely scented balls to start to decay and turn black and juicy.
Disclaimer: there will be maggots so it’s NOT for the faint of stomach, but simply a part of nature’s process.
Walnut ink is actually made from the husk and not the nut itself. Once the husks begin to blacken and soften I put them in my large pot with lots of water and slowly brew and brew and brew! The process can not be sped up no matter how much you want to.
Once you feel you have color and consistency you want it’s time to really become patient! If you thought brewing was a mind numbing experience you are about to test your limit!
The nature of walnut ink being brewed from organic material means it needs filtered, filtered, filtered and again FILTERED!! This is the process that separates the women from the boys.
Used with either a dip pen or a fountain pen that works well with natural ink this handcrafted walnut ink is a joy to write with. Sending letters to friends or writing notes in my journals and sketchbooks has never felt more connected to the earth. This is what slow and intentional living is all about.