Autumn is the season of goldenrod (solidago), a final flowering herb of summer with bright yellow flowers and long, slender stalks. Their leaves hold a heavy herbal aroma cherished for their mood-uplifting qualities. Indigenous and nature-loving artists have long used goldenrod as a natural dye source. The bright flowers generate a shocking yellow color that…
Goldenrod, with its yellow bunches of flowers on long stalks, gets blamed for allergies and allergic reactions. In reality, it’s ragweed that is to blame, and Goldenrod is one of the best plant allies for immune support and calming itchy skin. Often used to ease eczema and other skin conditions due to seasonal shifts, Goldenrod…
These cinnamon and clove DIY shower steamers are fun and fast to whip up. They are the perfect way to warm up on chilly mornings and add a touch of essential oil aromatherapy to your days. Plus, they are fantastic homemade gifts that give a spa-like experience to anyone this holiday season. Spice up your…
How to make a Natural Herbal Face Steam for overcoming anxiety and finding calm. Pamper yourself and bid farewell to dry skin with a nourishing facial steam featuring a bouquet of floral botanicals and herbs! Facial steaming is a relaxing way to revitalize and deeply cleanse the skin. It’s a safe and easy way to…
If you’ve never tried growing garlic, autumn is your chance to get started. It’s one of the last plants we sow in the fall, and the first to appear in early spring. Hardneck varieties are easy to grow and have a more robust flavor than softneck varieties. For most growers, October and December are the…
Five years ago, I made my first-ever Lilac Cordial. I read about the recipe in an old Victorian cookbook ( a wildly fun find at a flea market). At that time, we had just relocated our family back to the foothills of California to be close to the trees, soil, and bedrock I knew in…
Mother’s Day is almost here, and if you’re still wondering what to gift to the special mother figure in your life, don’t sweat it; we’ve got you covered. This year, we are gifting our mothers beautiful bouquets of tulips. We’ve arranged the tulips into thrifted vases and adorned them with our new free printable Mother’s…
Spring is here, and a great way to celebrate the season is by making lilac flower-infused honey. Yes, lilacs are edible flowers (Syringa vulgaris) and safe for humans to consume, as they are part of the olive family Oleaceae. Infusing spring blossoms into honey captures their aroma and preserves their compelling sweetness long after the…
When our family received our celiac diagnosis, it wasn’t bread that we all cried about. It was pie. Delicious fruit pie, chicken pot pie, quiche, and all the tasty dishes that require pie crusts. What’s Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie or Independence Day without Grandma’s cream pie? Fortunately, the goal with most pie crusts is to…
Springtime means an abundance of eggs here on the farm. One way we enjoy having fun with eggs is when we make Huevos Hamanidos, or slow-cooked eggs. I hope you will explore that simple and delicious recipe that puts leftover onion skins to use, creating onion flavor-infused eggs that are tasty and gorgeous. However, our…
Seasonal changes bring temperature fluctuations, which can negatively affect our hair health. Using heat tools too often, over-washing, and indoor heating can damage, create excess frizz, fade colored hair, or cause dry hair or dry scalp irritation. Fortunately, you don’t need to run out and buy another beauty product or pay for an expensive hair…
A Free Peter Rabbit Seed Packets Printable is a simple and fun way to welcome the new season with a touch of whimsy. Beatrix Potter’s A Tale of Peter Rabbit is one of our favorite springtime reads. The story is set in the English countryside, and among the quaint charm of Mr. Mcgregor’s garden, this story…
Summer flowers are meant to be shared, so don’t let not having the right vase deter you from spreading joy! With a little creativity and simple supplies from your recycling bin, you can craft a rustic country vase in less than five minutes. Then, simply add your favorite cut flowers from your garden for a…
Spring has arrived and it’s time to keep an eye out for all the beautiful flowers to forage, including the common dandelion! Dandelions (taraxacum officinale) have yellow flower petals that are packed with vitamins and nutrients. Although the whole plant can be consumed, this dandelion jelly recipe uses just the dandelion flower heads. Sarah Barron…
Every time my family wakes up with a tickle in their throats, I know it’s the start of a cold or flu. If you don’t act fast, the tickle will quickly turn into something more severe, especially during cold and flu season. Long before I knew anything about plants or herbs, I learned to make…
Our family adores this simple lemon juice and fresh garlic vinaigrette and it’s one of our favorite recipes. It uses just a few ingredients including fresh garlic, fresh lemon juice, and extra virgin olive oil, which are easy to keep on hand or pick up at your local grocery store; making this a great last-minute…