Broňa Wingell from Bratislava, Slovakia, now resides in the Haliburton Highlands region of Ontario, Canada. She has a deep reverence for the spirit in all things and paints for the beauty inherent in the process.

Fruits of the Summer at Lake Cecebe

While facilitating art workshops and creating a large painting for a cottage at the Lighthouse Landing Camp, I engaged in foraging, a hobby that reminded me of my childhood spent mushroom picking with my aunt and collecting flowers and herbs with my grandmother, who was knowledgeable about their healing properties. I found foraging to be a peaceful and liberating experience.

Summertime Love

As a growing girl, I used to go mushroom picking with my Aunt, who always seemed to know which mushrooms were safe to pick and which ones to avoid. She would often surprise me by pointing out a mushroom that I thought was poisonous, but turned out to be edible. I have no idea how she knew the difference. I also used to pick flowers and herbs with my grandmother, who had a deep understanding of their healing powers.

Although there was a great variety of mushrooms of all shapes and sizes at Lake Cecebe’s, Lighthouse Landing Camp, this summer, I only went for those simple “safe” ones. It always surprises me how a big heap of fresh mushrooms can shrink into such small pile when dried. The smell is divine!

From the beautiful meadows, trees and bushes I collected fragrant morsels of natures best medicines. Carefully dried and mixed they will bring back the healing warmth of Summertime in the winter months ahead. I called the tea blend Summertime Love! It tastes, smells and looks like a lush meadow!

Broňa Wingell