Instagram story viewer> @flippster1> Posts

Ｊｏ-Ａｎｎａ

@flippster1

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Pics from our stay in Bussana Vecchia. One of the most memorable and beautiful places on Earth in my humble opinion. It’s a medieval village high up in hills close to Sanremo and the French border. It was destroyed in an earthquake in the 1800’s, and suffered a unstable past up until the 1960’s, when a community of artisans and artists decided to take it over, rebuild it one stone at a time in its original design, and create small apartments/studios to live and work in. They didn’t ask permission, nor was it ever really granted and they lived with the risk that it could all go away at some point, however in 2024 the governing bodies in the region have ultimately decided in favor of the artists. I met one of the original founders, Luisa, who moved in in 1962. She was wonderful in every way. The current relationship is considered one of mutual benefit, as the artisans survive off of seasonal tourism, as well as the locals making the mountainside trip from Sanremo to enjoy dinner on a Saturday night. Bussana Vecchia is still very very rugged, not easy to navigate through ( steep stone stairwells, narrow alleyways, all in its original medieval fashion) but totally worth the effort. I fell in love and wanted to stay. I mean…they don’t have a hair cutter/barber or a town herbalist🥰😘🤌🏽🤌🏽 Here is a pic of my sister @pcassino Paula and my cousin @criss8669 Cristina in one of the tiny squares among the structures.

#italia #bussanavecchia❤️🏰 by @flippster1

81

3

5 months ago

In Ithaca studying with one of my favorite Teachers of Botanical medicine, 7Song and the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine. He is also a founder of the Ithaca free clinic, and a Wealth of wisdom and knowledge. I was accepted for this 7 month intensive, so I’ll be here 3 days a month for the next 7. It’s been a lifelong dream to study with him in person, and I get to do it with my sweet friend and now farming partner, Emily @queenofbones_ and @earth.riot . Making new plant loving friends from all over, as we get into the deep study of botany, responsible wild crafting, and medicine making together, trying to build a better world for our communities and our planet. by @flippster1

32

3

5 months ago

Woke up to this magic. The beauty of our planet always takes my breath away. Last day of Capricorn season❄️

#january #capricornseason #snow #winter taken in Providence, Rhode Island by @flippster1

23

0

9 months ago

Whatever today may mean for you, here’s to kindness, connection, compassion, community. Here’s to a time/season to reflect deeper, carve out a direction that nourishes meaningful relationships and most of all, a knowing that we must reconnect to our Mother Earth in order to truly connect with one another, as she is truly the life giver…May we find childlike joy in that reconnection! I hope we can all find moments to breath deeply, to find beauty, opportunities to grow, to evolve, to find peace.

#happy2026 taken in Mother Earth by @flippster1

37

2

10 months ago

Today was a special day at the farm. I dug up the roots of Angelica, Echinacea, Valerian, and Elecampane! Some will be dehydrated for tea, cough syrups, and other therapeutic infusions. Some will be tinctured. It’s a massively labor intensive process, but these earthen gifts will serve the community well!
•
What made today so special is that I grew all of these beautiful medicinals from seed about five years back, and as of this Autumn those roots are ready and ripe! Of course I left behind at least half of the plants I planted those years ago, as they still serve the ecosystem and all its critters.
•
In the images you can see the fragrant Angelica root being cleaned, chopped and dried. I will use it in making Strega among many other things. I can still smell the perfume Angelica has left on my hands. Try to imagine fresh ginger mixed with a pungent note of cilantro and rounded out with the ever so slightest scent of melted butter. I can also still taste the soil after digging all day. It has that same mild aftertaste you get from chewing on celery.
•
On another note, we are collecting donations for the R.I. food bank at Flipp. There is also a sign at the desk with a QR code if you would prefer to donate that way. We have done this for many years in the past, but this year feels even more urgent.
•
I hope the plants will also serve us (the community) well. Massive shoutout for the help to my friend and farming partner @earth.riot aka @queenofbones_ aka Emily! Together we are on a mission to heal ourselves and the community with the things we love most…the plants 🍃🍂 by @flippster1

64

1

a year ago

Lately. Cardinal Fire, fixed Earth, mutable Air.

#spring by @flippster1

31

1

a year ago

Life lately…regardless.

•

#friendship #art #music #herbalism #haircraft #smallbusinessowner #planetearth #love by @flippster1

162

31

2 years ago

Some Winter foraging this early afternoon down at the farm where I grow my medicinal herb and aromatic gardens. Collected some beautiful White pine and Spruce to infuse in a variety of menstruum, such as olive oil and jojoba ( which will serve as a base for salves and balms and Winter season body butter ), oraganic cane and flax glycerine ( tincture and base for an emulsion such as a face cream), and distillation with my Alembic copper still to make a gorgeous hydrosol ( face, body and hair mist, water phase for face cream).

•

Collecting sap and resin this coming weekend to infuse as well. Some resin will be dried and powdered for incense blends.

•

If you would like to see more of this process, go over to where I create these lovely alchemical earthen treasures @botanicprovidence . I cherish this season, the early dark and sometimes bitter cold and making peace with the “death” all around us. The season can bring a lot to the surface. So hard yet so necessary. It makes Spring that much sweeter. Being outside with the evergreens and bringing their medicine and magic into our rituals is such a soothing way to acknowledge the beauty of this moment. Just steer clear of the yew trees if you want to bring the conifers in. They are really poisonous. Get outside! Enjoy the gifts of the season.

#winter #evergreens #aquarius #aquariusseason #saturn by @flippster1

60

1

2 years ago

Happiest of Holidays to everyone 💚✨🎄

•

Super grateful to be in Italy with family and friends, my beautiful step daughter @clarimelia and her beautiful family. It’s been sooooo long since we’ve shared a Christmas holiday together.

•

Spending most of the time unplugged and it’s wonderful. The adventure continues with a short, 3 day stop in London before coming home for the new year.

•

I’ve been horrible at sharing photos and stories during our stay so far. I have some beautiful photos and tales of our stay in Oxford and surrounding areas with Toby’s lovely family as well. I’ll create a lovely collage, probably once I’m back…for now, the time is meant to be spent in company, eating and drinking all the things, wail king the towns, cities and through some lovely forests and parks. Savoring every second with the folks we love so dearly.

•

A heartfelt wish that all may experience moments, hours, days of joy, even through whatever hardships our journeys include.

#love #joy #warmth #togetherness by @flippster1

50

1

2 years ago

64

21

2 years ago

Tricks, Treats, Friends, so many children in my neighborhood 🖤✨🍬🍭

•

Spent some time walking in the woods, sitting quietly to reconnect with my dad. They say the veil is thin now…I feel that.

•

Cher by day, Morticia by night. Really just a dress change and darker eye shadow, and a blood red lip. October…you swoon me✨

#scorpioseason #allhallowseve #theveil #trickortreat #friendship by @flippster1

118

9

2 years ago

Life lately. 💫 by @flippster1

109

8

2 years ago