Gifts from the Heart of Nature & Herb Society Open House

What a beautiful sunny day we’re having here!  Overall, it has been such a pleasantly mild Autumn that it is hard to believe that the holidays are ahead.  I’m still harvesting some greens and even a few frost-escaping tomatoes from the garden, but somehow Thanksgiving is right around the corner!

15748430319_1332b56ab4_zI’ve attended a few holiday-themed craft shows already, but wanted to make a little announcement for those of you in the area that you can find a few of my favorite products at this year’s Gifts from the Heart of Nature at Holden Arboretum (non-locals, stay tuned, I have something for you, too!).  Thirty of the region’s artists that create nature-inspired works are featured in the lobby of Holden all season.  There are some truly amazing, handcrafted, one-of-a-kind finds there from ceramics to jewelry to fine art (and of course my botanicals!).  The display is open every day from 9 – 5 and until 8:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays (check the link above for details on days that they are closed for the holidays).

There will also be a meet-the-artists Ladies Night from 5 – 9 on December 2.

IMG_3339Please come have a look at the Gifts from the Heart of Nature show now through January 3rd.  While you’re there, make sure to take a lovely walk through Holden’s gardens.  They are beautiful all year long!

Another upcoming event where you can find me and learn more about a national herb organization is the Herb Society of America’s open house this Sunday, November 22 from 1:00 – 4:00.

Come do some holiday shopping and learn about the benefits of membership with the Herb Society.  The Herb Society headquarters is located at 9019 Kirtland-Chardon Road in Kirtland, Ohio 44094.

For those of you who are not local, I don’t mean to leave you out!  You can use the code BLOG10 to get 10% off all orders in my Etsy shop throughout the holiday season (expires December 31, 2015).

Many thanks for your support of our fledgling farm and small business.  The love and attention we have been receiving is so affirming and appreciated!

The Solstice Within & Without

“The winter solstice happens in nature around us.  But it also happens inside of us, in our souls. […]   In the dark place of our soul, we carry secret wishes, pains, frustrations, loneliness, fears, regrets, worries.  Darkness is not something to be afraid of.  Sometimes we go to the dark place of our soul, where we can find safety and comfort.  In the the dark place in our soul we can find rest and rejuvenation.  In the dark place of our soul we can find balance.  And when we have rested, and been comforted, and restored, we can return from the dark place in our soul to the world of light and new possibilities.”  – John Halstead
FullSizeRender-25I finished my holiday gift gathering last week.

This week, I rested.  Continue reading

The Day After the Solstice

I’m late in wishing you a Happy Solstice and  Festive Yule — one of the most promising Earth-based holidays of the year (the light returns!), but you’ll have to excuse me for I am often distracted by my favorite gift of the season. Continue reading

The First Days of this New Year

On New Year’s Eve we went cross-country skiing (on snow that clumped a little too easily…). Continue reading

A Light Footsteps Year

Although the 31st of December is somewhat of an arbitrary date in a calendar that was implemented in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII, it is the calendar we have used throughout our lives, and therefore today serves as a useful day for reflection before the beginning of a new calendar year. Continue reading