Bringing Life

Category: Outdoors

  • Bluegill Supper

    Bluegill Supper

    Some of y’all might disagree, but nothing tastes quite like fried bluegill that you caught yourself. Especially when it’s pan fried so nicely and combined with foraged Train Wrecker mushrooms and sautéed green beans.

    Tim brought in most of the fish, but Micah managed to land one too.

    I cleaned them the night we caught them while Tim made the marinade for them.

    Once all 10 were ready to go, Tim placed them in the marinade and we put them in the fridge overnight.

    Then, the next afternoon I went looking for mushrooms. We had seen a cluster of them, so I knew where to go.

    Train Wreckers, or Neolentinus lepideus, earned the name by their ability to grow on highly treated railroad ties. If they’re ignored, the tie would eventually disintegrate and could cause a train wreck. Thankfully for us, these mushrooms were growing on a pine root which meant they were safe to eat.

    They do have some look-alikes, some of which are poisonous, so a positive ID is essential before they go in the skillet.

    Fresh green beans were in the fridge just waiting to be used. And so the meal came together.

    The results were delicious and filling. We’re already planning our next fish meal. 😊

  • The Delights of Echinacea

    The Delights of Echinacea

    purple coneflowers or echinacea growing next to bright yellow flowers

    You’ve probably seen echinacea purpurea before—even if you didn’t realize it. With its drooping purple petals and bristly orange center, it looks like a daisy that tried hairspray. But don’t let the frilly look fool you—this plant has earned its place in herbal medicine cabinets for centuries. And like a lot of herbs, the more I learn about it, the more I find myself marveling at how God packed so much usefulness into a wildflower.

    I’ve been looking into echinacea more lately—what it does, how it works, and why people use it—and I thought I’d share some of what I found in case you’re curious too.

    What Is Echinacea Purpurea?


    Echinacea is a native North American plant, often called “purple coneflower.” The purpurea species is the one most commonly used for medicinal purposes, though there are a few other types as well. It’s been used traditionally by Indigenous peoples and adopted into folk remedies for everything from infections to snake bites.

    echinacea flowers, also known as purple coneflowers, growing in a field

    What Is It Used For?


    The most common reason people reach for echinacea is to support the immune system—especially when cold or flu season hits. But its uses go way further than that. Here’s a quick list of what echinacea is said to help with:

    • Immune support: May shorten the duration and lessen the severity of colds.
    • Anti-inflammatory: Can reduce swelling and irritation, helpful for sore throats or skin issues.
    • Wound healing: Used in salves or teas for cuts, burns, or skin infections.
    • Antibacterial/antiviral: Traditionally used for bacterial infections and to support the body during illness. It works better in larger doses, maybe 3x what you would normally use of dried herbs.
    • Venomous Bites: Stops the venom from snake or spider bites and helps the body heal.
    a bee sleeping on top an echinacea flower

    How Is It Taken?


    Echinacea is often taken as a tea, tincture, or capsule. Some folks also use it topically (like in a salve or poultice). Most herbalists recommend using it at the first sign of illness—not as a long-term supplement. That’s because it works best to ‘kick-start’ your immune system when it’s under attack. Long-term use might reduce its effectiveness and may even overstimulate your immune system if taken constantly Think of it like a herbal first responder: ready when needed, but not meant to be on duty 24/7.

    A Few Notes to Keep in Mind

    • Not recommended for people with autoimmune disorders unless you’ve done your research or talked to an herbalist. Echinacea stimulates the immune system which might not be something you want to do in this instance.
    • Some people may be allergic—especially if they’re sensitive to plants in the daisy family.
    • Pregnant or nursing? Best to double-check safety guidelines before using it. Though it is generally considered safe, doing your own research to see if something is right for you is always a good idea.
    a single purple coneflower head with drooping purple petals and a bristly brown and orange center

    Final Thoughts


    Echinacea isn’t magic. But it is a great example of how God designed plants with more than beauty in mind. I like knowing there are things growing in the world—and in some gardens—that can help strengthen the body instead of just masking symptoms. Even if I’m not using echinacea all the time, it’s one of those herbs I like having on hand. Kind of like that friend who shows up with chicken soup when you’re sick—only this one grows from seed and doesn’t need a nap afterward.

  • Nature Reset

    Nature Reset

    Good day!

    Where do you go for your relaxation? When the day seems too long or the work seems too hard, what do you do to reset yourself and your family?

    For us, it often means loading all eight of us in the van and driving off into the wild.

    Tim and I feel the pull of nature pretty strongly and it didn’t stop with us. Each of the kids, from Micah to little Niel, love to be outside.

    Tim has recently gotten a camera to develop his nature photography skills which means we get to enjoy the beauty of God’s nature both while we are out in it and after we come home.

    There is nothing so relaxing as sitting or walking through wildflowers and trees with no sounds but singing birds, buzzing bees, and running water. Oh, and chattering children. 🙂

    Every time I’m out foraging or exploring or picnicking, I’m reminded again about how much care God has put into this world of ours.

    Every bird has so much attention to detail from how its bones are formed to how its beak and feet are made for the life it leads.

    And then the flowers, like this little oxeye daisy, bloom with exquisite beauty even though they are often passed over in favor of flowers that are larger or more flashy. But God took the time to make each little part of this daisy to not only look lovely, but to be great for herbal medicine as well.

    At the end of the day, spending time with God in His beautiful world is our favorite way to relax and recenter ourselves to Him and His purpose for our lives.

    All pictures in this post were taken by Tim Kinnaman.