DIY :: Homemade Vanilla Extract

As we step gently into the darker side of the year, I have been finding deep comfort in preparing our little den for hibernation. In frosted kitchen windows and folded flannels and pots simmering contentedly on the stove. Bell jars pinging on the counter. Dough rising and dishes stacked neatly in the cupboard. The quiet productivity that settles in as winter descends.

There is something deeply soothing about working gently with my hands and turning inward this time of year. One of my favorite autumn rituals is infusing a big batch of this simple homemade vanilla extract and dreaming of all the sweet things it will soon become. Cherry Almond Biscotti with hot coffee on a snowy evening. Homemade Maple Pecan Granola with our little family piled around the kitchen table. Grandma’s famous Christmas Tea Ring with cinnamon and maraschinos.

Extracts take time to infuse. Like all things, they need space to rest and integrate. So this is a lovely project to start now and have ready just in time for winter baking and gifting. It only takes about 15 minutes of hands-on time, and then a little darkness and a little patience. There are few things more magical than reaching for this sweet little amber bottle in the back of the cupboard when the time comes. Truly.

To say it’s been a strange year is a massive understatement. But when nothing seems certain, and every day brings new terrain to navigate, taking time to quietly prepare for the colder days ahead can be oddly comforting.

 Sending you warmth and love and peace of mind, dear friends.

Supplies:

• Small amber jars (any size will do. I used 5oz.)

• Organic vanilla beans (about 2 - 3 beans per small jar)

• Bourbon - at least 80 proof (vodka also works well, but I prefer the sweet notes of bourbon)

• Optional: Sealing wax and wax seal for packaging

Step 1:

Begin by washing and sterilizing your jars and caps. You can do this with boiling water, or in a high temp dishwasher. After the jars are sterilized, allow them to air dry on a clean towel.

Step 2:

Using a sharp knife, cut your vanilla beans lengthwise to expose the seeds inside. Then cut the beans in half vertically so they can easily fit into your jars with a little headspace left over.

Step 3:

Place the equivalent of 2 - 3 whole vanilla beans (4 - 6 cut halves) in each clean bottle.

Step 4:

Fill each bottle with bourbon or vodka, ensuring that the beans are completely submerged.

Step 5:

Cap bottles and place them in a dark cupboard for 5 - 8 weeks. I like to gently shake mine every day or two for the first few weeks to help the vanilla integrate.

Though you can start using the extract as soon as 5 weeks, the flavor will continue to deepen and improve with time. No need to remove the vanilla beans! You can continue to refresh the bourbon and add more beans to the jar as needed to ensure you have a perpetual supply of vanilla magic in the cupboard.

Packaging:

Since I will be gifting most of my bottles, I wanted to elevate the presentation a bit. I kept the packaging simple by melting a little red sealing wax onto each lid, and pressing firmly with a metal seal. I would love to try submerging the entire lid and neck of the bottle in wax to truly seal in the old world magic…but the light was fading and the baby was fussing, so this quick alternative did the trick in a pinch.

xo,

Apothecary :: Herbal Sinus Steam for Winter Colds

The last few weeks have been a blur of stuffy noses and early bedtimes and endless pots of soup around our house. Winter is here, and she brought with her a marathon of headcolds. This Herbal Sinus Steam has been the only thing luring me out of bed in the morning.

Herbal steam baths are an ancient practice used to help ease congestion and moisturize inflamed airways. I have been using a mix of dried eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary, thyme and rose petals to help soothe my poor respiratory system. Eucalyptus and rosemary to break up congestion, lavender to open up airways and calm the nervous system, thyme as a gentle expectorant, and rose petals to soothe dry winter skin. I don’t follow a strict recipe…just a few pinches of this and that until it smells aromatic. Feel free to experiment with different ratios of these herbs, dried or fresh, using whatever you might have on hand. If I’m really congested I will also add a drop or two of eucalyptus essential oil to kick it up a notch.

This warm fragrant steam does wonders for a scratchy throat and burning sinuses. A simple healing ritual to sooth the mind, body and spirit when you are under the winter weather.

Sending you lots of tea and healing thoughts, dear ones.

***Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor, nurse, herbalist or licensed healthcare practitioner. Some herbs and botanicals are not safe for children, pregnant women, or nursing mothers and may not be suitable to take with certain medications or conditions. This information is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your doctor before beginning any kind of new vitamin, herbal, diet, or exercise regime. Make sure to research all of the ingredients to make sure they are safe for you and your family. 

Ingredients:

A few pinches of any of the following herbs (dried or fresh.) Make sure you are only using high quality herbs that haven’t been sprayed with anything.

• Eucalyptus (feel free to add or substitute 2 drops eucalyptus essential oil)

• Rosemary

• Lavender

• Thyme

• Rose Petals

• Optional: 2 drops eucalyptus essential oil and/or lavender essential oil* (may not be suitable for children)

Instructions:

1. Put a full kettle or pot of water on to boil.

2. While the water is heating up, place herbs in a separate large pot or heat-resistant bowl.

3. Carefully pour boiling water over the herbs. Fill the bowl or pot about 2/3 full. Optional: Add 2 drops of eucalyptus essential oil and/or lavender essential oil

4. Immediately cover bowl with a towel and allow herbs to steep for 5 minutes and the water to cool a bit.

5. Hold your face about 10 - 12 inches above pot. If the steam feels uncomfortably hot, wait a few more minutes for the water to cool then try again. When the steam has reached a comfortable temperature, cover your head and the bowl completely with a towel to make a little tent.

6. Close your eyes to avoid irritation and breathe deeply for 5 - 10 minutes. Try to clear your mind and visualize the healing energy you are inhaling.

xo,

House Spells :: DIY Samhain Blessing Wreath

And now we step into the darker side of the wheel. Into the days of roots and stones and antlers and bones. A time to shed what we no longer need to carry, and to squirrel away what will carry us through the cold months ahead.

Samhain, Hallowe’en, Witches New Year…there are many names for this liminal time. For these in-between days when the veils are thinnest. We are now exactly half-way between the Fall Equinox and the Winter Solstice. This is a potent time of magic and transformation. A time that asks us to send our energy downward. Into our roots. Into the Underworld.

Homemade wreaths and swags have long been prescribed by folklore as talismans to protect the thresholds our homes. This simple wreath is a lovely way to enchant your space with protection and abundance for the darker days ahead, and to quietly honor the natural cycles of life and death.

I spent a few minutes wandering through the garden, clipping hearty herbs that had managed to escape the morning frosts, and departed flowers that had dried on their stalks. I used whatever called out to me. Rosemary for remembrance and protection. Lavender for a restful hibernation. Yarrow to shield against melancholy. Eucalyptus to remove negativity. Black feathers because they just kept appearing in my path. I highly recommend wandering through your own yard or neighborhood and taking small clippings of whatever catches your eye. Let your intuition guide you. Don’t worry if they are dead or faded, they will look beautiful. I also had a few pomegranates rolling around our kitchen fruit bowl, which I included to honor Persephone’s decent into the Underworld.

This quiet ritual takes just a few minutes and is best performed with a steaming pot of tea and a few glowing candles. There are no rules or complicated steps. No incantations to recite. Just plants and herbs and a few moments of quiet intention.

Wishing you all a magical, mystical Samhain, dear ones.

Supplies:

• Wreath base (I picked this one up years ago for just a few dollars at a craft store. Every few months I change out the flowers and herbs to honor the changing seasons.)

• Foraged herbs and flowers

• Pomegranate + small kabob dowel (optional)

• Wire (whatever you have laying around.)

Step 1:

Once you have gathered your clippings, start by playing around with the overall layout for your design. At this point you can just loosely stick them into your wreath base (not securing them yet) so you can easily experiment with what looks good where. Trim the clippings to size if needed, leaving enough stem to secure them to the base later. I find it’s easiest to start with the larger elements, and then weave in the smaller clippings to fill in the gaps. Like I said, there are no rules here. Just play with combining colors and textures until it starts to feel right. As you are working, see if you can tap into the energy of each plant. Notice the beauty of weaving together the natural cycles of life and death.

Step 2:

Once you have settled on the placement of your clippings, begin securing with wire as needed. With this particular style of wreath, I was able to secure most of the stems simply by pushing them firmly into the base as far as they would go. During this stage, I like to visualize the intentions and feelings I am calling in and weave them into my wreath. If you are calling in protection and abundance, for example, visualize yourself in your cozy home, safe from the wind and rain, with a cup of tea and everything you need.

Step 3:

If you are attaching larger fruit like pomegranates or apples, insert the sharp side of the kabob dowel firmly into the bottom of the fruit. This gives the fruit a nice long stem to securely stick into the base of your wreath. Watch out for the few drops of pomegranate juice that may escape…they stain big time.

Step 4:

Stick the doweled fruit into the base of your wreath. Cut about an arms length of wire and begin wrapping it around the dowel and the wreath base to secure it.

Step 5:

As you are working, hold your wreath up from the top center point (where it will hang) every few minutes to make sure the weight and balance are evenly distributed. You may find as you do this that certain elements need to be additionally secured or moved to keep from falling out. I found that 2 pomegranites was simply too heavy and ended up removing one. Perhaps you use these moments to reflect on the balance in your own life. Does anything need to be adjusted or redistributed?

Step 6:

Once everything is safely secured, you are ready to hang your wreath. I like to visualize a shield of protection as I hang the wreath on my front door. Maybe ring a bell or blow out your candle to complete the ritual. Whatever feels right.

xo,

The Language of Flowers :: DIY Love Spell Bouquet

I have always been fascinated by the Victorian language of flowers. By the idea that a bundle of fragrant Narcissus left surreptitiously on a doorstep meant unrequited love, while a single sprig of Oleander was a clear warning that the recipient should be very cautious. Acacias were for friendship, Melianthus for secrets, Hyacinths to beg forgiveness. Red Roses only if you were really serious about someone.

In an era when courtship was largely relegated to calling cards and chaperoned dances, flowers provided a covert way for lovers to make their true feelings known. And though the Victorian's obsession with floriography played a major role in it's popularity, they were by no means the first to attribute symbolic meanings to different plants. Many ancient cultures, including the Greeks and Egyptians, documented complex systems and symbols associated with the flora around them. Even Shakespeare was fluent in the language of flowers, as we see time and time again, most notably in Ophelia's famous speech, "There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance. Pray you, love, remember. And there is pansies, that’s for thoughts...There’s fennel for you, and columbines..." (if you haven't read it, she goes on to slowly unravel while dancing with flowers and it's pretty much my favorite scene in all of Shakespeare.)

So for this year for Valentines, I teamed up with the wonderful Melissa Emily of Earth Within Flowers to create a conscious and intentional love token. Melissa sources all of her flowers from local farmers in the summer months, then dries them by hand for winter bouquets. What a lovely and earth-friendly alternative to the standard cellophane wrapped blooms we so often see piled into supermarkets this time of year. 

We wanted to create an arrangement that held layered messages and deep symbolism. Something that was thoughtful and seasonal. A floral love spell, of sorts. Each of these plants was chosen for it's heart opening and protective properties. A secret message of love and protection for your parter / mom / lover / kids / sister / bestie / self. ❤

Please note that even though we used dried blooms, you could easily create a similar arrangement with live flowers if that's more your speed. Just look up the traditional meaning and symbolism behind each stem to create your own secret love spell. 

Step 1 ::  Start by creating a horizontal, rounded shape with branching foliage. Here we used eucalyptus and locally foraged juniper, which are both believed to provide protection.

Step 2 :: Next, add in your filler flowers. Anything that has sprays of multiple buds on the same stem works beautifully for this. Try to fill in the gaps between your foliage.  We incorporated local yarrow for courage, lavender for serenity + devotion, and white larkspur for lightness + laughter.

Step 3 :: Next, pop in your focal flowers. We chose these sweet little peach and pink spray roses for love + desire.

Step 4 :: The final step is to add in your "sparkle" flowers. These are pointed or uniquely shaped blooms that add interest and texture to your piece. Here we chose tulip pods, traditionally associated with declarations of love, and poppy pods for magical dreams. And that's it, dear ones! All that's left is to bundle up your floral love spell with a simple ribbon and handwritten note with the symbolism of each bloom.

So much love and gratitude to Melissa of Earth Within Flowers for sharing her magic with us. Be sure to visit earthwithin.com to order something lovely and learn more about her eco-friendly-flower mission. 

Wishing you all my love today and every day.
xoxo,

9 Simple and Intentional DIY Holiday Gifts

There's still time, dear ones! We have scoured the Lovely Wild archives for a few of our favorite DIYs this holiday season. From herbal beard oil to hand-painted moon phase flags, each of these simple and intentional gifts can be made in a single afternoon. A lovely excuse to slow down and breathe deep and work with your hands. All you need is a few supplies and a fresh cup of peppermint tea. Oh, and a few inches of fresh snow if you have it. 

Sending all my love to you and yours, sweet friends. 

xo,

Release + Receive :: A Winter Solstice Ritual for the Month of December

What is it about darkness that can make us so uneasy? Perhaps it's the thought of what might be lurking in the shadows. Or an instinctive impulse not to stray too far from the safety of the fire. Maybe it's simply a deeply-rooted, deeply-human fear of the unknown. Of that which we cannot see.

But there is great healing to be found in the dark, if we are willing to step into it. If we allow our eyes to adjust and our senses to heighten. It's where we dream, after all. And incubate. And rest. And look towards the stars. It's a place of deep transformation and magic. 

The Winter Solstice marks the darkest point in the year for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. A time that asks us to send our energy downward. Underground. Into our roots. To tap into the wealth of nutrients and healing that lay beneath the surface. 

This beautiful ritual was created and shared with me by the lovely Bridget Ambrose of becrowbe. Bridget is an Intuitive Reiki Master, Integrated CranioSacral Practitioner, Energy Medicine Healer and all around modern mystic. What I love about her ceremony is that it is practiced the entire month of December. A wonderful way to stay conscious and mindful during the holiday season. To clear out any residual negativity and make space for the abundance of the new year. To honor the darkness, and welcome back the light.

The only thing you really need for this ritual is five large white candles. Everything else is totally optional. Bridget and I have put together a list of suggested stones, scents, and rituals to work with each week, but also encourage you to follow your intuition. Your ceremonies can be as simple or elaborate as you wish. You do you, loves. 

Each week, we invite you to light the candle for that week, as well as all the candles from the previous weeks. Sit in quiet meditation for a few minutes with the associated mantra. Maybe do some gentle journaling, or pull a card if you feel called to. Make a special cup of herbal tea. Practice self-care. Whatever feels good to you and your body. By the Winter Solstice on December 21, you will have all five candles burning. Continue to light all the candles every night, from Solstice through New Years Eve. 

December 1 - 7. This first week you will actually light two candles, one to release that which is no longer serving you, and another to call in love and healing. You can choose to light both these candles on the same day, or to separate them into different ceremonies. This is a lovely way to ground and cleanse your space as you initiate the Solstice Ritual. 

Release Meditation:  I am grateful for my shadow teachers and I surrender the patterns that are no longer serving me…

Focus on clearing any negative energy you no longer want in your life.  If you feel you need a fresh start or want to clear the air of any heaviness, start the process by burning this candle. Visualize it burning and composting that which is no longer serving you. I sometimes like to sweep the house or work with cleansing herbs.

Receiving Meditation: I open my heart to receiving love freely from self and others and I honor those walking this earth with me…

For the second candle, focus on opening your heart to give and receive love.  This candle surrounds you with the essence of love and harmony.  It can also be used to create passion or love possibilities and allow self-love to flow freely. This can also be used as a energetic candle, choosing to light it for a period of time when a love energy in your space is desired.

Altar Suggestions: Red or pink, rose quartz, rose oil, rose petals, ylang ylang to elevate the affectionate energy. Sage, cedar, celenite to cleanse.

Ritual Suggestion: Call in cleansing energy and loving self care with a candlelit herbal bath or shower. We recommend sprinkling in epsom salts, lavendar or sage for cleansing, and rose petals for love. Turn off all the lights and bathe by candlelight. Pour yourself a glass of lemon water. Let the healing water melt away any negativity or tension you may be holding on to.

---

December 8 - 14. This week you will light the third candle, as well as the first two which were lit last week.

Meditation: I open myself up to the infinite source of creativity and inspiration from spirit and honor the impulse to follow where it leads. Every day I am creating healthy cells, vitality and a wonderful life...
 

Focus on unlocking a creative flow and accessing a confident source of inspiration from the Universe. Imagine it flowing into your being effortlessly. Use this candle to stimulate an artistic venture and create a visionary perspective.

Altar Suggestions: Orange, orange calcite crystals, oranges, bergamot essential oil, art supplies, or images that inspire you.

Ritual Suggestion: The second chakra responds to all of your wild, wonderful and difficult emotions. Its real essence is creativity or change. The moment we think of something different to do, we are creating. If you always walk or drive the same route to work, purposefully pick another route. Even playing music or dancing stimulates the creative center. You can dial up the creative energy in your space by creating these simple Dried Orange Garlands or Cloved Pomanders. The scent of oranges is also believed to inspire happiness and positivity.

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December 15 - 21. This week you will light the fourth candle, as well as the three previous.

Meditation: I open myself up to receiving from the infinite universe as I am worthy of prosperity and abundance…

Focus on manifesting success and good fortune into your life and creating a world of unlimited possibilities. Envision an endless river of abundance and prosperity flowing towards you. This is the perfect candle to burn to attract a new opportunity in your life or accelerate your desires.

Altar Suggestions: Green, patchouli, jade, citrine, green aventurine, incense, cash or coins, healthy plants.

Ritual Suggestion: Abundance Journaling :: Pour yourself a special drink and find a quiet place to journal. Light some candles. Get cozy. Practice feeling grateful for the places you have already been, and for the circumstances that brought you to where you are in life. It’s never too late to realize your dreams. Now is the perfect time to begin. Commit to the adventure of you. Imagine what you want and feel that you have it. Appreciate your life as if everything you want has already happened. It doesn't matter what it looks like. Fall in love with the feeling, not the how. Find even small things about yourself and others to appreciate. Maybe you can appreciate the way your morning coffee smells, or the warmth of a coat or the way a person holds a child’s hand. Begin jotting these down in your journal.

Here are some examples of what you might write to manifest your own abundance:
I’m a happy, healthy person and I will always be successful.
I am wealthy beyond measure.
My life is transforming in important ways.
True happiness lives in my life now.
I now allow the universe to send its unlimited treasures my way.

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December 21 (Winter Solstice) - 31. This week you will light all five candles.

Meditation: I love and honor my connection to spirit and the Universe…

Reinforce your spiritual connection with a white light of purification and peace. Use this candle to express love and gratitude toward the Universe. This can also be used as a energetic candle, choosing to light it only for a period of time when a spiritual connection in your space is desired, perfect for meditation.

Altar Suggestions: White, quartz, amethyst, frankincense, feathers, antlers, cedar, representations of light + dark, cranberries, evergreens, elements from previous weeks altars.

Ritual Suggestion: Gather with dear ones around a fire (or just the five solstice candles.) Make a special hot cocoa for kiddos or this lovely golden turmeric milk for adults. On a small slip of paper, have everyone write down one thing they would like to release for the coming year. Safely burn the slips of paper in the fire, releasing them to the dark.

Keep lighting the candles every night from Solstice through New Years to close the ritual.

So much love and gratitude to Bridget Ambrose for sharing her magic. To schedule a healing session with Bridget, (which I highly, highly recommend) please reach out to healing@becrowbe.com. You can also follow her everyday sacredness on ig @themysticbecrowbe and @becrowbe. 

Happy December, dear ones.
xoxo,

Setting the Table :: the Art of Everyday Ritual

As we retreat into the darker days of winter, I find myself deeply drawn to daily rituals. To simple acts like steeping and sweeping and setting the table. Making the bed. Stirring a pot of simmering soup. Perhaps it's the long dark nights, or the primal need to cozy in and hibernate. To turn inward. To retreat into our little burrows. Whatever it is, my homebody tendencies are off the charts right now. 

It's a little ironic that in this season of rest and retreat, it's so easy to get swept up in the cult of busy. To rush from place to place, laptop and presents and to-do lists in tow. To convince ourselves we don't have the time or space for slow living. I'm constantly reminding myself that all it takes is a little intention to transform daily chores into personal rituals. It doesn't need to be anything fancy. Quietly meditate while your tea steeps. Focus on clearing negativity as you sweep the kitchen floor. Light some candles on a weeknight. Start a gratitude journal. It can literally be anything. Whatever it looks like for you, finding ways to incorporate a little intention and ritual into daily habits can be a lovely way to stay nourished and grounded during the holiday bustle. 

One of my favorite personal rituals is setting the table. I love to weave in a little symbolism. To play with herbs. Light a few candles. Maybe break out the nice napkins. It's my way of creating sacred space for dear ones to gather. An altar to honor togetherness. This winter pomegranate and eucalyptus tablescape is admittedly much fancier than I would normally attempt on a weeknight, but hey, it's the holidays. Pomegranates have long symbolized the decent of Persephone into the underworld and the seasonal transition into winter. They are associated with abundance and prosperity. Eucalyptus is believed to ward off arguments and clear any negative energy. Grey candles promote balance. Magnolia leaves for relaxation. A secret spell to bless our table.

Sending you all love and light and lots of hygge today (and everyday.) I am so grateful for each and every one of you. 

xo,

Wild Huckleberry + Strawberry Jam

The mountains are burning. The forests are parched. The hills and valleys are choked with smoke. There's no escape. The whole damn West is on fire. 

I find myself yearning for the crisp clear days of fall like never before. Praying for rain or snow or even a friendly wind to provide some relief from the relentless smoke. To clear our burning lungs and clouded thoughts. It's hard to breathe deep when you can't breathe deep, you know? 

So we have been spending lots of time indoors. Watching the last few weeks of summer fade slowly into the haze. Puttering around the kitchen and garden, canning and preserving. Trying to coax fall into an early arrival. There is something deeply grounding to me about putting up the summer harvest. Squirreling away a few jars for the colder days ahead. Connecting with our food and the changing seasons in a tangible, practical way. 

It's no surprise that jam was one of the first foods we, as humans, learned to preserve. Take some fruit, add honey or sugar, and you have a delicious preserve that lasts well beyond the growing season. A recipe for jam was even included in the earliest known cookbook, De Re Coquinaria (The Art of Cooking), written in the 1st century AD. It is rumored Joan of Arc ate quince jam for courage before battles, and that Mary Queen of Scots used marmalade to cure seasickness. Sailors ate jam rich with Vitamin C to prevent scurvy on long voyages. And during WWII, the Women's Institute put up over 1600 tons of jam to help combat food shortages. Jam has long been our friend in times of scarcity and uncertainty. A small comfort when winter is coming. 

So in the face of fires and floods, after I have called and donated and helped however I can, I make jam. If for no other reason than to carry on and lift morale. To remind myself of the quiet afternoon spent picking huckleberries under a clear sky not so long ago. To thank nature for her gifts even as we stand humbled by her power. 

Stay safe, dear ones. Sending all my love to you. 

Please note, this recipe is for a small batch of fresh or freezer jam (because water bath canning is a whole thing...) 
Makes about four 8 oz jars.

Ingredients:

- 2 cups crushed huckleberries

- 2 cups crushed strawberries

- 1/4 cup lemon juice

- 1 pkg Pomona's Universal Pectin* 
*I like Pomona's because it sets the jam using calcium instead of sugar. This allows for a much lower sugar jam. Low Sugar Pectin would also work just fine. If you choose to use that, follow instructions on that package to ensure jam sets well.

- 1 to 2 cups sugar (depending on how sweet you like it)

Instructions:
 

1. If using Pomona's pectin, mix the calcium powder with 1/2 cup water in a small jar. Shake vigorously.

- Put a small plate or saucer in the freezer (you will use this later to check if your jam is set.)

- Make sure your jars and lids have been cleaned and sterilized. 

2. After cleaning fruit and hulling strawberries, crush strawberries and huckleberries in a medium bowl using a potato masher. You should have about 4 cups crushed fruit. Feel free to adjust ratio of strawberries to huckleberries to taste.

3. Measure 4 cups crushed fruit into large pan. Add lemon juice.

4. Add 2 teaspoons of the premixed calcium water. This is all you will need for this recipe (you can keep the rest of the jar for several months in the fridge if you plan to do more canning.)

5. In a separate bowl, combine sugar and 2 teaspoons pectin powder.  

6. Bring pan with fruit, lemon juice and calcium water to a full boil. Stirring to keep from burning. Add a small pad of butter to help reduce foaming. Gently spoon off any foam that forms at the top (it won't hurt ya but it makes the jam less pretty.)

7. Add sugar / pectin mix all at once. Simmer and stir vigorously for 3 mins to dissolve pectin and sugar. 

8. Take the cold plate out of the freezer and spoon a small dollop of jam onto it. Let it sit for a few moments then gently run your finger through the puddle of jam. If it leaves a clean line through the jam, and it is begining to take on a gelatinous structure, it is done. If the jam runny and saucy, and your finger doesn't leave a clean line, simmer for a few more minutes and then repeat the test on another cold plate.

The longer you cook the more "set" your jam will be. If you like a softer runnier jam cook for only 2-3 mins. If you like your jam to have more structure and gel, cook for a bit longer. I cooked mine for 5 mins and it came out just right. 

9. Fill sterilized jars to within 1/2" of top. Screw on lids. Let cool in fridge and then move to freezer as soon as they are no longer warm to the touch. Keeps in freezer for 1 year. 

10. Spread on good crusty bread with butter. Hibernate. 

xo,

Apothecary :: New Moon Herbal Dream Pillows

I've been having the strangest dreams lately. Dreams of stones and bones and old forest women. Of moons and mountains and ancient skeleton keys. Dreams heavy with a symbolism I can never seem to untangle. Songs that slip through my fingers the moment after I wake. Perhaps it's the lulling hum of our old ceiling fan. Or the warm breeze fluttering in the bedroom curtains. Or the late summer lightning flashing over the mountains. Whatever it is, it has been pretty magical.

There is something undeniably intriguing about the etherial nature of dreams. Perhaps that's why humans have always tried to decode them. To find meaning and symbols amid the bizarre and tangled plot lines. To interpret the images like runes spread upon a table. It makes sense when you think about it...dreams take us to the delicate space between our conscious mind and unconscious spirit. They allow us to peek below the veil. To see what might be lurking in the quiet corners of our psyche. To remember things our soul knows, but minds have forgotten.

This Sunday's New Moon in Leo is a particularly auspicious moment to look for the messages hidden in our dreams. The New Moon asks us to set intentions. To turn our gaze inward. To get very quiet and very clear about what it is we are trying to manifest. These simple Herbal Dream Pillows come together in just a few minutes and are a lovely personal ritual to honor the lunar cycle and connect to our subconscious. The herbs listed have been long prescribed by folklore for deep sleep and vivid dreams. To quiet the mind and soothe the spirit. To peek into the space between.

Wishing you a dreamy New Moon, dear ones. 

***Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor, nurse, or licensed healthcare practitioner. Some herbs and botanicals are not safe for pregnant or nursing mothers and may not be suitable to take with certain medications or conditions. This information is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your doctor before beginning any kind of new vitamin, herbal, diet, or exercise regime. Make sure to research all of the ingredients to make sure they are safe for you and your family. 

Supplies:

- Small linen draw string bag

- Lavender (for relaxation)

- Rose Petals (for love)

- Chamomile (for deep sleep)

- 1 bay leaf (for prophetic dreams)

- Lemon Verbena (for light and happy dreams)

- Sage (for cleansing and protection)

Instructions:

1. Start by dip-dying your muslin bag. I used some lovely indigo dye I had rolling around in the back of my craft closet. Follow dye instructions and allow bag to dry. Once dry, I used a small glass to trace the new moon with gold ink. 

2. Add your dried herbs to your moon pillow. There is really no precise formula here. Just add small amounts of each herb, smelling as you go until you reach your desired mixture. Follow your nose on this one. Don't forget to toss in a bay leaf or two to inspire prophetic dreams.

3. Place dream pillow beneath your pillow and breathe deep.

xo,

Flower Moon Shortbread with Earl Grey + Lemon

I love how every full moon has a slightly different magic. A special energy. A unique personality derived from the sign and the season and the astrological climate. Tonight marks May's Full Moon. The Flower Moon, to be exact. A moon to honor the season of abundance and fertility and floral magic that is springtime. A moon that buzzes with growth and transformation.

Marking the new and full moons with a small ritual has become one of my favorite ways to tap into the natural cycles. To reconnect to a time when we relied on the moon as our primary calendar. To a time when we lived by her seasons. The moon affects everything from female fertility to animal migrations, so it makes perfect sense that for much of human existence, tracking her progress across the heavens was an essential part of daily life.  It's only been the past few centuries, with the advent of electric lights and 10-day forecasts, that we have started to move away these intrinsic cycles. And I have a sneaking suspicion we are missing her...our sister moon. That we feel her pulling on the tides of our bodies and yearn to mark her phases. To remember the old rituals. The forgotten songs embedded in our DNA. She control's the tides, after all, and what are we if not mostly water?

So to honor tonight's lovely Flower Moon, I filled a basket with the first delicate pansies from the garden and whipped up a batch of these super simple shortbread cookies. The earl grey is subtle and earthy, while the lemon adds a cheerful brightness that feels like spring. And who doesn't love eating flowers? It always makes me feel extra goddessey.

These little guys came together in about 30 mins and I pretty much made up the recipe as I went. Like I said, the primary goal here was eating flowers. Oh, and finding and excuse to use this sweet little vintage moon cookie cutter from my sister. Pansies are indeed edible, but make sure you are only harvesting where you know no nasty chemicals have been sprayed. A happy afternoon of flower foraging is an essential part of the process.

So pour yourself a cup of tea and gather a few fresh blooms, sweet friends. Tonight's moon feels extra sparkly. 

Wishing you love and flowers and full moon blessings.

Ingredients: 

- zest from 1/2 a lemon

- juice from 1/2 a lemon

- 1 tsp earl grey tea

- 1/2 cup butter

- 1 cup flour

- 1/3 cup powdered sugar

- 2 TBS granulated sugar

- 1 tsp vanilla extract

- 1/4 tsp salt

- 2 tsp meringue powder

- a few fresh organic edible pansies (picked from a location that hasn't been sprayed with anything nasty)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.

2. Using a mortar and pestle, crush the earl grey tea into a coarse powder. Finely chop the zest from half a lemon.

3. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 of the chopped lemon zest with the granulated sugar. Mix together until fragrant.

4. In a mixing bowl, beat together the remaining lemon zest, earl grey, butter, flour, powdered sugar, vanilla extract and salt until combined. 

5. Keep beating and slowly add in the flour until the dough starts to come together. It will still be a bit crumbly, so add in the lemon juice until a fragrant dough is formed.

6. Form into a round of dough and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill in fridge for 30 mins to firm it up a bit.

7. On a lightly floured surface (you don't want to add too much flour if you can help it), roll out the dough to 1/4" thickness. Sprinkle the top of the dough with a bit of the lemon sugar you have set aside and lightly roll with the rolling pin to help it adhere.

8. Using a cookie cutter of your choice, cut out cookies and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.

9. Chill baking sheets with cookies in fridge for additional 10 mins to keep cookies from spreading.

10. Bake at 350° F for 10 - 12 mins or until edges begin to barely brown. (Decorating instructions below.)

Decorating:

1. While cookies are still barely warm, use a chopstick to make a little indentation in the center of each cookie. This will be used to help "sink" the back of the flower and help it lay flat.

2. Wash flowers and allow to air dry on a clean towel.

3. Allow cookies to cool completely. In a small bowl, mix 2 tsp meringue powder with 2 tsp water until a paste is formed.

4. Decorate cookies one at a time. Using a new clean paintbrush, paint the top of the cookie with the meringue paste. I like to put a little extra paste in the indentation to help secure the flower. Paint the back side of one pansy as well.

5. Using your fingers, gently press the back of the flower into the indentation, then delicately press each petal onto the cookie. 

6. Sprinkle with a bit of lemon sugar for extra sparkle. The meringue paste will help it adhere. 

7. Allow meringue paste to dry and enjoy!

xo,

Slow Coffee :: Homemade Rose + Vanilla Bean Iced Lattes

I have been thinking a lot about time lately. How we spend it. How we value it. How we never seem to have enough of it.

We live in a culture that idolizes "busy" and pencils in happiness for a later date...for some fabled time in the distant future when the work is done and the bills are paid and the to-do lists have finally been conquered. It's so easy to forget that we are only allotted a few fleeting hours on this planet. That they will pass no matter how we choose to spend them. That time is a precious and non-renewable resource.

Lately, I have been falling into the trap of "busy." Hook, line, and sinker. Days have been blurring into weeks, and weeks into months, and it isn't until a friend sincerely asks, "What's new?" that I realize I haven't been making time for any of the things that bring me joy. That I have nothing to say except, "Oh, you know...just working a lot." That I have been so caught up in the day-to-day grind, that I have forgotten to actually enjoy life.

So for my birthday this year, I am promising myself the gift of time and committing to carving out a little space, each and every day, to live slowly and mindfully. To start manifesting the creative projects that have been rolling around in the quiet corners of my mind for the past few months. To make things by hand. To play. To plant. To make room for the quiet daily joys I so often rush past. 

And this means I'm going to need to get real cozy with the word "no" (something I have historically been terrible at.) I'm starting to realize that slow living is as much about saying "no" to things that don't serve you, as it is about saying "yes" to things that do. Prioritizing, lovelies. Cutting out what's not essential. Simplifying. Like Marie Kondo-ing your closet, but with your planner. 

So to mark my renewed commitment to slowing down and celebrate the first few glorious days of spring, I made a batch of these lovely Rose + Vanilla Bean Iced Lattes. Infusing the almond milk with whole vanilla bean and rose petals takes a little more time and a little more love, but really, don't all the best things? The end result is floral and creamy and refreshing and barely sweet. The perfect addition to a sunshiny morning spent lounging on the patio, ignoring your inbox. 

Ingredients:

*Please note, like many of my recipes, the amounts here are merely suggestions. Feel free to adjust to your taste. Makes enough for 2.

- 2 cups organic almond milk (soy, coconut or dairy would also work beautifully)

- 1 whole vanilla bean

- 3 T of organic food-grade dried rose petals 

- 2 cups cold brew coffee or fresh espresso shots

Instructions: 

1. Freeze cold brew coffee in ice cube tray to make coffee ice cubes. This will keep the ice from watering down your latte as it melts.

2. Add almond milk to a small pan. Using a sharp knife, cut vanilla bean length-wise to expose the tiny seeds inside. Scrape the inside flecks of vanilla bean into the pan of milk, then add the empty husks to the milk as well. Add rose petals.

3. Heat pan over low heat until it begins to simmer. Once the creamer simmers, remove from heat. Cover and allow to steep for 30 mins - 1 hr. (The longer you steep, the stronger the rose flavor will be.)

4. Strain creamer into a clean jar or bowl to remove vanilla bean husks and rose petals. Those gorgeous little flecks of vanilla bean will stay in the creamer. Chill in fridge.

5. Add coffee ice cubes and fresh espresso shots (or cold brew coffee) to highball glass. Add creamer to taste. Garnish with crushed rose petals.

xo, 

DIY :: Sandlewood Beard Oil with Rosemary and Cedarwood

A fast and furious post for you today lovelies!

This little elixir comes to us from one of my very favorite souls - the lovely Kendra Potter of Sistermoon Wellness. Kendra whips up a batch of this fragrant oil for the bearded men in her life every holiday season. My husband has gotten so addicted to the stuff that come November he starts to drop her a series not-so-subtle hints that his supply is running low. It smells warm and earthy and woodsy and romantic all at once.  A subtle fragrance for the man who loves the mountains. 

And if you are a procrastinator like myself, you're in luck! This little gem only takes 5 minutes to mix up. Package it up in a vintage tin with a beard brush or comb and you have a unique and personal handmade gift he will actually use. 

Happy love day, dear ones!

***Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor, nurse, or licensed healthcare practitioner. Some herbs, botanicals, and essential oils are not safe for pregnant or nursing mothers or children and may not be suitable to take with certain medications or conditions. This information is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your doctor before beginning any kind of new vitamin, herbal, diet, or exercise regime. Make sure to research all of the ingredients to make sure they are safe for you and your family. 

Recipe by Kendra Potter. I used organic oils wherever possible. If you are looking for high quality essential oils, I highly recommend our friends at White Stone Essentials. 

Ingredients

• 2 oz organic Jojoba Oil

• 7 - 9 drops Cedarwood essential oil

• 7 - 9 drops Rosemary essential oil

• 7 - 9 drops Lavender essential oil

• 4 - 5 drops Sandlewood essential oil

• 4 - 5 drops Cypress essential oil

• 4 - 5 drops Rose essential oil

Instructions

1. Add jojoba oil to a small vial. I found that the metal tip of a pastry bag makes a perfect little funnel.

2. Add all oils, feeling free to modify amounts to preference.

3. Close vial and shake well. Use a few drops in beard after bathing.

xo,

Apothecary :: Mood-Lifting Lemon + Rose Winter Tea

I learned a deep love of tea from my mother. Growing up, every morning before school I was cheerfully greeted with a tiny steaming mug of English Breakfast and a thick slice of homemade pumpkin bread. It's her answer to just about every scenario. Bad day at work? Tea. Horrible breakup? Tea. Being audited by the IRS? Double tea. To this day, the first words out of my mother's mouth every morning are, "Let me make you a cup of tea." Before "good morning." Before "hello." Before anything - tea first. There's a woman who has her priorities straight. 

So it's no surprise that a cozy cuppa is my go-to when I am in need of a little comfort. I don't think I'm alone when I say these past few weeks have been...challenging. The political and meteorological climate, combined with a marathon of sunless grey days has left me feeling a bit lost. Untethered. Overwhelmed. Exhausted. Let's be honest - January is always a little brutal, but this year felt particularly rough.

In life's more difficult seasons, it's especially important for us to double down on self-care. In order to show up for each other and the world, we first need to fill our own tanks and hold space for ourselves. Brewing a cup of soothing herbal tea is a wonderful exercise in daily self-care. I love the act of mixing the fragrant herbs, boiling the water, quietly meditating as it steeps. This simple ritual feels so grounding and restorative. A momentary time-out from the daily chaos. One of my favorite recipes for this time of year includes lemon balm and rose petals. The lemony flavor is bright and cheerful while the rose adds a lovely floral note and the smell of spring. Both have been long prescribed by folklore to lift the spirits and chase away the mid-winter blues. 

So let's all take a moment to slow down and breathe deep and drink some flowers. Here's to a brighter month ahead, dear ones.

***Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor, nurse, or licensed healthcare practitioner. Some herbs and botanicals are not safe for pregnant or nursing mothers and may not be suitable to take with certain medications or conditions. This information is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your doctor before beginning any kind of new vitamin, herbal, diet, or exercise regime. Make sure to research all of the ingredients to make sure they are safe for you and your family. 

Ingredients

- 1 part organic edible rose petals

- 1 part organic edible lemon balm

- 1/2 part organic edible linden leaf

- 1/2 part dried lemon peel

Instructions

1. Loosely measure out all ingredients in a bowl. You can use a mortar and pestle to break up any large pieces if necessary. The ratios here are merely suggestions so feel free update according to taste. I would recommend experimenting with a few pots of tea to see what you like before mixing a large batch. 

2. Store in an airtight jar or tin (these also make lovely gifts!)

3. Use 1 tsp of the mixture per cup, or 2 - 3 tsp per pot of tea. Pour boiling water over strainer with tea and let steep for 3 minutes. I like to use this opportunity for a little mini-meditation.

4. Garnish with a slice of fresh lemon. Breathe, relax, enjoy. 
 

xo,

DIY :: Dried Orange Garland and Cloved Pomanders

When I think back on childhood holidays, my earliest memories are wrapped in the warm glow of white candles. I see baskets of apples and hot waffles with jam and garlands of happy gingerbread men in the window. My father teaching me to ski in our driveway. Making salt dough ornaments in a cozy mountain hytte with my mom and siblings. Long nights and endless snow. We left Norway when I was only seven, but the quiet simplicity of a Scandinavian Christmas planted deep seeds I still carry. 

The Norwegian concept of koselig, similar to the Danish hygge, is one that has no direct translation. It can be used as both a noun and a verb and essentially captures the cozy contentedness you feel when you warm chilly feet by the fire or gather with dear ones over a candlelit dinner at home. Koselig is simple and handmade and nurturing. It values the little things. The important things. Like fresh coffee and good friends and cozy slippers. In many ways, koselig is the original art of slow living.

When it comes to the holidays, I love to make our home feel warm and welcoming and koselig. I tend to keep decorations simple and handmade. Foraged juniper boughs. Straw ornaments. Endless white candles....you get the idea. I always make a few batches of these dried orange garlands to hang in windows and gift to friends. The winter light shines through them like little stained glass windows and makes me smile. Little drops of sunshine to brighten the dark winter days.

This year I also took a stab at making simple orange pomander balls to bring in the scents of winter. You guys - I don't know how I have never tried these before! First off, they smell incredible. Warm and spicy and Christmasy. And the super complicated DIY instructions? Stick some cloves in an orange. That's it. Done. They look lovely hanging on the tree or in a happy bowl on the kitchen table (where I may or may not have grabbed one as I rushed out the door for a last minute hostess gift.) Everybody wins. 

Some years it's all too easy to get lost in the hustle of the holidays. To get overwhelmed by the commercialization and travel itineraries and endless to-do lists. To lose sight of the quiet moments that make this season magical. I think we could all benefit from slowing down and cozying in and lighting a few more candles. It's the most koselig time of the year.

Happy Holidays, lovelies. Hope your week is warm and fuzzy. 

Supplies

- Oranges or mandarins

- Wooden or metal dowel

- Twine or ribbon

Instructions

1. Cut the oranges into very thin slices (about 1/4" if you can). Some will be thicker than others. Just remember, the thinner the slices, the less time they will take to dry.

2.  If you don't have a food dehydrator, I can't recommend them enough. It has quickly become my favorite kitchen tool. I purchased this one on Amazon a few years ago and we get a ton of use out of it for everything from kale chips and fruit leather, to dried herbs and sun-dried tomatoes. This thing pays for itself in time and deliciousness. 

Dehydrator: Place the orange slices on the drying racks of your dehydrator. Set the temperature to 135° F and leave to dry for 12 - 14 hours. Flip after about 8 hours. You'll know they are done when you press your fingernail into the slices and they crack or crunch a bit. Make sure they are fully dry and not sticky or soft. 

Oven: Preheat the oven to 170° F or as low temp as it will go. Place the oranges on a parchment lined baking sheet and place in the oven, leaving the door propped open a few inches. Bake for 3 hours, then flip oranges. Continue to bake until they fully dry out (usually about 8 hours.) I would recommend checking in every hour near the end until they reach the desired texture and lose their stickiness.
Note: I haven't used the oven method in years since we purchased our dehydrator. You may need to add or decrease baking time depending on the size of your slices and your oven. It goes without saying, but always babysit the oven when it is on for extended periods like this. 

3. Once the oranges are fully dry, use a wooden or metal dowel to poke one hole on the left and right side of the orange. Make sure they are parallel, as you will be threading the twine through them later. I like to place mine in the top third of the orange.  

4. Weave your twine through the holes to string the orange slices together. I like to hide my stitch on the back side of the orange.

5. Hang in a window where the winter light can shine through. I also hang any extra slices on the tree or use them to spruce up my wrapping!

Supplies

- Orange or mandarin

- Whole cloves

- Ribbon to hang (optional)

Instructions

1. Push the sharp end of the cloves through the skin of the orange or mandarin. Create a simple design by studding the cloves around the orange.

2. Hang to dry with ribbon. As the orange dries out, it will fill the house with a spicy, wintery aroma.

xo,

DIY :: Bay Laurel Eucalyptus Wreath & the Dark Days of Winter

For thousands of years, the approach of winter was a dire, fearful time for humans. It meant famine and illness and death were on the horizon. That the world would be plunged into relentless cold and darkness and that not everyone would survive. It was a time to huddle together. To batten down the hatches. To hide away and hold on till spring.

December (and the winter solstice specifically), marked the pinnacle of this desolate season. But many cultures also used this as a time to celebrate life and light in the face of the encroaching darkness. To gather with loved ones around the fire. To feast and sing and share what little we had squirreled away. To celebrate the simple fact that we were still alive. Now don't get me wrong, humans have plenty of flaws, but I think there is something deeply beautiful about that. That on the longest, coldest nights of the year, when all was quiet and frozen and bleak, we shined our flickering lights into the vast darkness and found joy. 

I love that you can still find remnants of these ancient rituals in our modern holiday traditions. Little echoes of forgotten customs. We still hang lights in dark windows. We feast and sing. We bring in evergreens that don't mind the cold. Perhaps one of the most ubiquitous of these symbols is the humble wreath. There are many theories on the origin of this tradition, but my personal favorite is that the hearty evergreens and circular shape represent eternal life in the face of winter. We hang them in our doors and windows to remind our neighbors, "It's alright, friends. Even on the darkest days of the year, something green remains." What a lovely thought.

I made this simple wreath with bay laurel and eucalyptus and an old embroidery hoop. Nothing too fancy. Just simple supplies, a little time and a cup of peppermint tea. It felt good to slow down and breathe deep and play with plants for a while. A nice slow segue into the bustle of the holiday season. 

Happy December, dear ones. Here's to sharing and celebrating and shining our little lights. So much love to you. 

Supplies

- Hearty greens (I used branches of bay laurel as my base. They hold up nicely and smell amazing)

- Smaller greens & berries for texture (I used gunny, blue and seeded eucalyptus as well as a few dried pepper berries)

- Embroidery hoop of any size

- Floral wire

- Ribbon

Instructions

1. Start by cutting your bay laurel branches into more manageable lengths. I cut mine into roughly 1 foot sections. The size of these will depend on the size of your embroidery hoop. I set aside a few small sprigs to fill in any sparse spots later.

2. Play with the natural curve of the branches to find where they want to lay on the hoop. Word to the wise: don't try to fight the natural curve of the branches. Let them lay how they want to lay and work around their natural shape. Bay laurel lends itself beautifully to a circular wreath. Using segments of floral wire, begin wrapping the branches in segments around the hoop. It's okay if the wire is visible or there are some bare spots. You can cover these will smaller greens later. Use small lengths of wire to attach each branch in 2 - 3 spots.

3. Once you have your base greenery secured around the hoop you can start playing with the smaller greens. I wove in blue and seeded eucalyptus to fill in bare spots and cover any exposed wire. I also added a few more sprigs of bay laurel here and there. Even some pheasant feathers would be cool. There is no right answer here! Have fun and play with finding the right balance. I tend to like things a little more organic and unfussy so I left mine a bit wild. You can easily tame it with some additional floral wire if thats more your style. It helps to hold the wreath up to the wall now and then to get perspective and make sure the weight is balanced.

4. Tie a pretty ribbon or twine around the top of the wreath. You can either use this to hang it, or if you have a wreath hanger you could opt for the traditional bow. As a finishing touch, I wove in a few dried pepper berries left over from our Thanksgiving table. Those little guys last forever. 

5. Hang and enjoy! You can definitely hang these little loves outside, but I couldn't bare to be parted with the spicy, earthy aroma of the bay leaves. I opted to display ours in our front window so it can be seen from the street, but we can still smell it in the house. Everybody wins.

xo,

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A Foraged Thanksgiving Table & Frost Kissed Cranberries

There is one spot in our home we always seem to gravitate to. A warm little corner perfectly suited for morning coffees and late night cribbage and quiet moments alone. For simple evenings spent with good friends, sharing food and stories. Laughing. Being together. They say the kitchen is the heart of the home, but I have a sneaking suspicion it's actually the table. 

For years we all crammed around our tiny kitchen table, bumping elbows and balancing toddlers on laps. It was close and cozy, but often left someone standing at the counter or retreating to the couch in search of a seat. So my ever-talented husband built this gorgeous blue spruce coffee / dining / everything table, which has quickly become the centerpiece of our household. He made this in like an afternoon, you guys. He's like a little wood gnome, that one. And I am totally smitten with the result. There is something so grounding about sitting on the floor. Down-to-earth in the most literal sense. And lord knows I love to set a pretty table.

Setting a table can feel like something of a lost art these days. A relic of a bygone era of stuffy place cards and pickle forks. But I think there's something deeply satisfying about creating a lovely space for dear ones to gather. To set the vibe. To make things a little special. So this Thanksgiving, I wanted to create a table that felt simple and balanced and seasonal. Pretty and inviting and unfussy. 

I started by foraging through the garden and chilly neighborhood alleys for the heartiest herbs. The ones that have managed to survive early morning frosts and howling November winds. I returned with pink ears and cheeks and a fragrant bouquet of rosemary, sage, thyme, and eucalyptus. I supplemented with aromatic pepper berries and magnolia leaves from Habitat, my favorite little neighborhood flower shop, and mixed them in with this simple candle train I found for pennies at the flea market. The whole display cost less than a bag of coffee and smelled amazing.

I also whipped up this classic pumpkin pie with frost kissed cranberries (because c'mon, what's Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie?) I thought about writing a whole DIY on the sugared cranberries, but they are so embarrassingly easy it seemed like overkill. Simply dissolve 1 cup sugar with 2 cups water on the stovetop. Pour the mixture over a bowl of cranberries and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, drain the cranberries and lay them out on parchment paper. Roll them in fresh sugar and let dry for 2 hours. They taste delicious and look sparkly and festive on the table. Easy. Peasy. 

Hope you all have a lovely, restful holiday weekend filled with love and food and gratitude. I am thankful for each and every one of you. Happy Thanksgiving, dear ones! 

xo,

Wild Wanderings :: Montana Lookout Tower

These past few weeks threw us off our tracks a little. Sent us down some some unexpected roads and left us wondering how we got there. Questioning our place in it all. Yearning for a quiet moment away. It's so easy to lose yourself in the relentless hustle and digital hum of our current society. To lose touch with the quiet little moments that breathe joy into our daily lives. That give us peace. That resonate at a deeper level. 

So we ran away to the mountains. 

To recharge and reconnect and reprioritize. It's amazing what a wood burning stove and a clear starry sky can do for morale. We sang and laughed and played cribbage. We read entries in the lookout record and watched the sunset fade slowly into the Milky Way. We tromped happily among the rocks and told ghost stories and drank endless french presses of good strong coffee. In short, we totally blissed out. 

Places like these are special. Important. This particular lookout has been standing since the 1930's and is available to the public year round. Each traveler chops wood for the next guest and leaves the place a little nicer than they found it. It is a beautiful exercise in community preservation. Nearly everyone who stays does their part to make sure it continues. 

As we drove happily down the frosty mountain, hearts full and minds quiet, we vowed to find more time and space for places like this. To seek them out when we feel lost, like little lighthouses in the dark. To remember we are mountain kids, born and bred, and that every now and then we just need to go home. 

xo,

All Hallows High Tea :: The Secret Gathering

Happy Halloween, my lovelies!

Yesterday marked the New Moon in Scorpio. The Witch's New Year. A time to honor our ancestors and make offerings and lift the thinning veil between worlds. A time to meditate on the natural cycles of life and death as we step from the final glowing days of fall into the long night of winter. A time to get a little witchy and burn herbs and gather with our chosen ones.

To celebrate the darkness of the New Moon and the coming season, my creative partner and co-conspirator, Lindy McKay, and I hosted little gathering. We mixed herbs and sipped tea and read tarot. We spoke of the stars and our pasts and our presents and our futures. We swirled tea leaves and watched the black candles burn low. It was a magical space and time to connect with some of the women in my life I rarely see.

I think we, as a society, are really starved for these moments of communion and ritual. There are few things I love more than setting a beautiful space for people to gather. To slow down. To connect. All Hallows High Tea was the first in a series of seasonal pop-up events Lindy and I will be manifesting in the coming months to do just that. This new project is called The Secret Gathering. If you are interested in attending future gatherings, be sure to subscribe below. I'll make sure to let you know when the next event is brewing. 

Have a lovely All Hallows Eve my witchy ones! 

xo,

Wild Wanderings :: Copper King Mansion

Sleeping in a haunted Victorian mansion seems like a lovely idea until it's time to go to actually go to sleep. Then you lie awake all night listening to the hiss of the radiator and the tapping of soft footsteps in the ballroom above. This was the sitting room attached to our suite. Everything left just as it was a century ago. Protected from the garish light of day by heavy velvet drapes and moth-eaten tapestries. What a strange and creepy and alluring portal to another time. I like to imagine who else has walked (or walks) these creaky oak floors in the quiet early hours.

xo,

Apothecary :: Elderberry + Echinacea Syrup & Golden Turmeric Milk

When I was a kid, I always had this strange sense of dread when it came to Sundays. Sundays meant piles of unfinished homework and lists of chores and early bedtimes. They meant the weekend was over and it was time to get back to reality. To responsibilities. To the daily grind. Sunday was just a nicer word for Monday. 

But the older I get, the more and more I appreciate the quiet productivity of a slow Sunday spent at home. Baking and cleaning and preparing for the week. Folding laundry.  Making lists. Roasting chicken. Sharing space.  I notice I tend to have a markedly more positive and productive week when I carve out the time to cleanse and nest and practice self care on Sundays. Slowing down for even a moment can feel like such a luxury these days. 

This Sunday I found myself trailing my fingers across endless rows of glass spice jars in my favorite little dusty corner of Missoula. If you are from around these parts, you know that Butterfly Herbs is a magical apothecary/teashop/bulk-spice oasis located in a turn-of-the-century pharmacy. Floor to ceiling bookshelves house enormous jars containing every herb, tea, and spice you can imagine. Oh, and did I mention they have a sliding library ladder used to access said herbs, teas and spices? Yeah, well...they do. It's the dreamiest and the loveliest and it's my happy place. 

After much meandering and much jar-smelling, I chose dried elderberries, echinacea, rose hips, calendula flowers, star anise and turmeric to add to my fall apothecary. A personal arsenal to fight off a lingering head cold. Oh, and a few scoops of my favorite loose leaf Irish Breakfast tea. Just for good measure. 

Elderberry syrup is one of the most effective herbal remedies I have ever personally experienced. I admit, I was very skeptical at first, but when I take a spoonful daily, I just do not get sick. Which is saying something, because I get sick a lot. And when I run out, like clockwork, I will come down with something within a week or two. This elixir is powerful stuff. To kick it up a notch for cold and flu season, I also threw in some dried rose hips (loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants), echinacea (immune boosting and antiviral), ginger (anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant), and cinnamon (anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.) Top it off with some local, raw honey and you have a cold and flu fighting powerhouse. 

Another immune booster I have been brewing this fall is this gorgeous Golden Turmeric Milk. You guys. This is the coziest, most soothing fall drink. Think foamy hot-spiced hug in a mug. And that color! Come on. Not to mention how wonderful it is for you. An ancient Ayurvedic remedy, Turmeric has been used to treat everything from inflammation and arthritis, to depression and even cancer. Combining Turmeric with black pepper greatly increases it's bioavailability, so be sure to include an extra dash of pepper just before drinking.  

So take a moment to slow down and reset. To brew up something warm and natural and soothing and seasonal. To prepare for the coming week and the coming season. To tend to the housekeeping of your space and mind and body. 

Happy Sunday. Have a lovely week, dear ones. 

***Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor, nurse, or licensed healthcare practitioner. Some herbs and botanicals are not safe for pregnant or nursing mothers and may not be suitable to take with certain medications or conditions. This information is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your doctor before beginning any kind of new vitamin, herbal, diet, or exercise regime. Make sure to research all of the ingredients to make sure they are safe for you and your family. 

Ingredients

2.5 cups water

1/2 cup dried elderberries

1  TBS dried echinacea root

1 TBS dried rose hips

1/2 tsp cinnamon or 1 cinnamon stick

1 tsp dried ginger

1/4 - 1/2 cup raw local honey (to taste)
 

Instructions

1. Bring water and all ingredients except honey to a boil in a small or medium sized pot. 

2. As soon as the water boils, reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 45 mins. Stir occasionally to keep anything from sticking.

3. After 45 - 60 mins the mixture will have reduced by half. Remove pot from heat and let cool. 

4. Use a mesh strainer to strain the juice from the berries into a clean bowl. You may want to use the back of a wooden spoon to really squeeze the liquid out from the mixture. Lining the strainer with cheesecloth can make cleanup a bit easier. 

5. Transfer liquid to mason jar and mix in honey until combined. Keep in fridge. Take 1 TBS of this medicinal syrup every day to boost immune system. 

Ingredients

1 cup milk or almond milk

3/4 tsp dried turmeric 

1/2 tsp dried ginger 

1/4 tsp cinnamon (or to taste)

1 tsp coconut oil

2 cloves (or a dash of powdered)

Fresh ground black pepper (I usually do about 5 grinds on our pepper mill)

Star anise (optional - if you are into that kind of thing. I add mine after as a garnish.)
 

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients in small saucepan over low heat.

2. Gently simmer, stirring constantly, until coconut oil has melted. Use a whisk to foam up the milk to make it nice and creamy.

3. Pour and serve. Garnish with a few grinds of black pepper, a dash of cinnamon, and a star anise. 

xo,