Going Into Spring

By |2026-03-13T00:52:54-04:00January 31st, 2026|Events & Celebrations, Musings|

Red-Wing Blackbird returning for spring - photo by Brennah Yesterday turned out to be the perfect day for our Equinox celebration. It was sunny with cool breezes as we shared the crossing over time from winter to spring. We had 16 people who came out for our ritual, walk, and potluck... our little community continues to grow, thanks to the support of everyone here. 🪴Volunteer DaysVolunteer days will be starting again soon. They will be on Wednesdays at ...

Event Reminder: Monthly Member Walk & Bonfire

By |2026-03-18T18:51:38-04:00January 31st, 2026|Events & Celebrations|

Icy area in the woods - taken on March 1st, 2022 by Brennah   Sunday, March 13th at 2:00 p.m. - Member Walk & Bonfire Bring a dish to pass if you'd like. 🥧 We've had some warm days since the photo above was taken, and there has been quite a bit of melting. This is definitely the muddy time of year, so boots are highly recommended. You are also welcomed to simply enjoy the bonfire if ...

Winter Glory

By |2026-03-13T00:42:19-04:00January 31st, 2026|Musings, News|

Trail to the Pond Site by Brennah Cavanaugh Photography LLCThe snow storm we had earlier this month left the shrubs and plants so weighed down that some of the trails became almost impassable. But not completely so, as Dan found when he decided to crawl through because our dog was so insistent on going on his usual walk! Photos by Dan Cavanaugh - Walking the DogI wanted to share these pictures of the Sanctuary in all its winter ...

Changing Culture

By |2026-03-18T18:50:49-04:00January 31st, 2026|Musings, News|

We have had lots of beautiful snow and ice creating gorgeous scenes over the past weeks. Ice covered maple leaf by Brennah Cavanaugh Photography LLC   It is such a joy to be able to share this abundance with all of you. And your support is making it possible for us to do that. You are what is known as the "early adopters". By becoming members, you are reducing others' uncertainty about whether this is a worthwhile ...

Imbolc Gathering

By |2026-03-18T18:49:56-04:00January 31st, 2026|Birds, Events & Celebrations|

Just a reminder that our Imbolc gathering will be this Sunday at 2:00. It will not be a ritual this time, but an opportunity to appreciate the season together. We will have a bonfire, hot coco, some mead, and perhaps cookies or similar fare. We also invite you to walk the trails and enjoy the land at your own leisure, with the fire awaiting to warm you upon your return. ...And I wanted to share with you ...

Chickens in the Springtime

By |2026-03-18T18:48:36-04:00January 31st, 2026|Birds, Flora|

For those who are counting down the days until spring, I think the chickens are going to be just as happy! Here they are happily foraging at Beltane in May of 2018. Violets and dandelions are healthy herbs for people and chickens alike. 😀   violets and dandelions, Luna, Penguin and Flame - Photo by Brennah Cavanaugh Photography LLC   I hope you are all doing well! Jean

Speckled Alder

By |2026-03-13T00:37:43-04:00January 31st, 2026|Flora|

Unopened catkins, a dried leaf, and buds on a speckled alder branch - January 2019Dried flower "cones" and dried leaves on an alder branch - January 2019Back in 2015, several years before the nonprofit was started, the Cavanaughs were planting quite a few different kinds of trees. We moved to the property in 2013 after having lived in South Florida for 14 years.  Many of those years we were learning permaculture design techniques and growing tropical edible ...

Winter Quiet

By |2026-03-18T18:42:41-04:00January 31st, 2026|Musings|

Snow has arrived again at the Sanctuary and it has been mostly quiet over the last week. Taking time to pause at this time of year is so helpful. (And on a personal note, I have not had much choice in that matter. It turns out after having an MRI last week that I broke eight different bones in my foot.)   Snowflake on Mitten by Brennah Cavanaugh Photography LLC   But as we approach ...

In Memoriam

By |2026-03-18T18:41:30-04:00January 31st, 2026|Musings|

Photo by Brennah Cavanaugh Photography LLC - Beech trees are one of the only deciduous trees to hold onto their leaves throughout the winter.   This post is in honor of one of our community members who passed away suddenly this past week. Those of us who knew him will greatly miss him. And the land will remember his gentle spirit. Blessed Be, Jean  

Winter Solstice

By |2026-03-18T18:40:55-04:00January 31st, 2026|Events & Celebrations|

Dried Aster in the Sun by Brennah Cavanaugh Photography LLC   As we approach the time of the return of the sun, I hope you find some ways to celebrate. We are not having an official gathering for this holiday at the Sanctuary, but members are always welcome to set up a time to come out. In the meantime, here are a few suggestions for anyone who might appreciate them. Tell stories from your tradition, ...

Mushroom Days

By |2026-03-18T18:36:37-04:00January 31st, 2026|Flora|

The woods have been filled with mushrooms this fall, which is a nice change of pace from the mosquito filled summer. A big thank you to Brennah for once again generously sharing her photos with us.

American Goldfinch on Sunchokes

By |2026-03-18T18:34:05-04:00January 31st, 2026|Birds|

Though these pictures were taken through a screened window as it was raining, the clarity is still incredible. We wanted to share with you an advanced peek of this set of photos of an American Goldfinch who is feeding on the seeds of the sunchokes here at Crossing Hedgerows Farm along with others of her flock. She has donned her fall / winter nonbreeding plumage which is not such a bright yellow as the breeding plumage. Photos ...

Wildflowers

By |2026-03-18T18:29:50-04:00January 31st, 2026|Flora|

For your weekend enjoyment, here are some pictures of a few of the wildflowers now blossoming around the farm and sanctuary. I love how you can walk the same path every day, and it will never be the same walk twice. There is always something different to see in nature.   bull thistle   New England aster   jewel weed   boneset   goldenrod   evening ...

Portrait Gallery

By |2026-03-18T18:27:21-04:00January 31st, 2026|Fauna, Flora, Musings|

A recurring theme that is emerging in these posts is the portrait gallery. I occasionally select some of Brennah's photos (with her permission) which highlight the inhabitants of the Farm and Sanctuary. Brennah captures the magic of each of her subjects exquisitely and you are often the first to see her most recent work.   A young Kildeer next to the pond   Tiger Swallowtail butterfly on Teasel plant   A true ...

I Spy

By |2026-03-18T18:25:53-04:00January 31st, 2026|Birds, Fauna, Musings|

Brennah has been practicing her skills with her new telephoto lens. Here are a few or of her recent portraits of CHFS creatures. What a joy it is to provide a healthy habitat for all the wild spirits who pass through or reside on this land. May the Holy Guardians encompass all places of sanctuary and protection, all places of retreat, healing and restoration of spirit, that those seeking enclaves of quiet peace may find healing of ...

Meandering Monday Musings

By |2026-03-18T18:20:11-04:00January 31st, 2026|Musings|

I snapped a few photos this vapory morning to share with you all. It rained steadily all day yesterday (Sunday), giving the plants another good soaking. The wild creatures all seem to be quite happy.     Also a baby dragon has come to live at the Farm. I can't wait for Sarenth and Silverleaf's little Charlotte to see it. She loves the "glass chicken" decoration we have in the lemon balm patch.     It's lovely ...

American Woodcock

By |2026-03-18T18:10:32-04:00January 31st, 2026|Birds|

Yesterday while we were walking in the woods, we came across three American Woodcocks sitting quietly in the leaf litter. They were so quiet in fact, that they almost got trampled. It looked like they were perhaps a mama and her two young chicks. In the photos, you best can see the length of the Woodcock bill on the young bird. In the last photo you can try your luck seeing if you can spot the two ...

Forest Life

By |2026-03-12T23:31:27-04:00January 31st, 2026|Musings|

Excavating a fallen log, a little native bee works busily away to build a nest for her offspring. Blossoms of wild geranium, violets, and anemones peek out here and there. Insects go about their business breaking down the detritus that would overwhelm us if not for them. The alchemy of creating life out of death goes on constantly under our feet, in a world that mostly goes unnoticed.Oftentimes, that is the way of things... the true stars ...

Happy Mother’s Day!

By |2026-03-12T23:37:47-04:00January 31st, 2026|Birds, Events & Celebrations|

In this photo, the white banty hen is trying to shelter all her grown chicks under her wings. A banty hen is a type which is smaller than regular hens. The chicks in the picture are not bantys, but the banty mama sat on the eggs from other hens and raised the chicks as her own.Happy Mother's Day to all the Mamas of the world!

Sacred Geometry

By |2026-03-12T23:27:47-04:00January 31st, 2026|Musings|

A Snail and a Bud"Sacred Geometry charts the unfolding of number in space. It differs from mundane geometry purely in the sense that its moves, concepts and products are regarded as having symbolic value and meaning. Thus, like good music, the study and practice of geometry can facilitate the evolution of the soul. ... This material has been used for a long time indeed as one introduction to metaphysics. Like the elements of its sister subject, music, it ...

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