I still remember spotting wintergreen for the first time—not in the forest like you might expect, but tucked neatly into a local landscaping display in town. It was one of those crisp winter days, and the little shrub with its glossy leaves and bright red berries just popped against the dry browns o...

If you’ve ever stood over a pot of soup and wondered why the recipe calls for one lonely leaf that you’ll fish out later, you’re in the right place. That simple dried bay leaf, the one that often gets overlooked, isn’t just filler in your spice cupboard. It’s part of a tradition that stretches back ...

When it’s cold outside and you’re craving something hearty but also wholesome, this herbal beef stew hits the spot. Whether you're short on time or planning ahead, it delivers rich, slow-simmered flavor with the power of herbs—no bland, boring stew here.

When I make stew, the first things I reach f...

There’s something about a plate of buttery shortbread and a hot cup of tea that feels like slowing down at the farmhouse table. Around the holidays, it becomes even more special. I started experimenting with tea in shortbread a over a decade ago, and now these cookies have become a tradition for o...

Around the farm, hot cocoa is more than just a sweet treat—it's a warm hug in a mug. It starts our slow winter mornings, warms us after feeding the animals, and makes the perfect evening treat around the fire. But if you were raised on those little packets of powdered mix and chalky marshmallows, yo...

When my dear friend Michele over at Chocolate Box Cottage gifted me Sweet Remedies: Healing Herbal Honeys by Dawn Combs, I wasn’t expecting it to change how I saw honey. Around here, honey is as common as a jar of jam on the counter, but until then, I’d mostly used it to sweeten tea or drizzle over ...

Warm up the holiday season with this Spiced Cranberry Orange Wassail recipe, a cozy and alcohol-free twist on a traditional Christmas punch that’s full of festive flavor and symbolic meaning.

When I think of wassail, I always think of the Feast of Saint Nicholas on December 6th. When I converted ...

If you ever find your mind hitting a wall around 2 or 3 in the afternoon, you are not alone. That midday fog seems to creep in just when there’s still so much left to do. From homeschooling lessons to prepping dinner and keeping the household running smoothly, mental clarity isn’t just a luxury—it’s...

In the days following the passing of Charlie Kirk, the internet filled with memories—not only of his words but of the small details that reminded many who followed him. Many of those people were you our readers. One memory that quickly spread was his go-to Starbucks order: a Mint Majesty Tea with tw...

Here’s something about that first bite of ice cream on a warm day that sends you right back to childhood—sticky fingers, barefoot grass, and the hum of bees nearby. Whether it’s high summer or one of those lingering sunny days of early fall, a cool treat made with real ingredients feels just right. ...

When I think of gummies, I tend to think of the brightly colored red, green, and yellow gummy bears of my childhood. While they bring back nostalgic memories of traveling to California to visit family, I shudder now as an adult when I think about what they are made with… corn syrup, synthetic dyes l...

I am a huge fan of elderberries, and not just because they are a natural plant here in the Pacific Northwest! They have such wonderful medicinal value and are probably the best-tasting medicinal herb — aside from maybe peppermint. These berries can be made into various products, including tea, tinct...