Cedar House Farm
-
Transforming a Garden into a Gathering Space
But how did my garden transform from a plot of wooden beds to a tranquil backyard sanctuary? I’ve laid it all out below, and many of these same concepts can be applied to any outdoor space including back patios and apartment balconies. -
My Secret Garden in the Woods
Like many of you, my love affair with gardening began as a child. I have fond memories of my grandma walking me around her backyard, with my skinned knees and pigtails, showing me how beautiful it was to grow things. Since then, I’d always dreamed of a big garden. One with a maze of raised beds and archways, trellises and arbors, and gravel paths wide enough to pull a wagon for hauling bountiful harvests. A place to retreat to when I need a moment of solace. It would be the garden I would cherish the rest of my days. -
Naturally Dyeing Eggs
Well, it’s official. We’ll never buy artificial store-bought dye packs again. We naturally dyed our flock’s eggs this year and are blown away by the gorgeous variations of rich, vibrant colors and textures. -
Calendula Borage Lotion Bars
Nourish your skin with these bars, packed with the soothing properties of calendula and the moisturizing benefits of borage. These compact bars are crafted to provide a convenient and mess-free way to hydrate and rejuvenate your skin, with a luxurious texture that melts upon contact. -
Rose Chamomile Milk Bath
February is a beautiful month for many reasons. But between the homemade valentines and new year resolutions, this is a gentle reminder to take time to love yourself. Here is a simple single-use milk bath that will leave you feeling relaxed and nourished. -
Growing, Harvesting, and Preserving Calendula
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is well-known and most widely used for its anti-inflammatory properties, helping sooth skin irritations and heal wounds. It is also a pain reducer. The beautiful colorful petals of calendula are not only edible, but rich in flavonoids. It is mild and safe to be used topically on children. -
Herbal and Orchard Garland
I call this my Herbal and Orchard Garland. It beautifully weaves together my love for gardening, herbalism, and home décor. The herbs I used here were grown from seed in my greenhouse and garden and were added to the garland fresh alongside dried fruit from our small orchard. This garland is multifunctional and can be used year-round to decorate your mantle, window frames, banisters, chicken coops and barn doors. It can also added to a fresh evergreen holiday wreath or Christmas tree! -
Nasturtium Vinegar
Belonging to the Tropaeolaceae family, nasturtium is a vibrant and unique herb popular for its striking appearance and earthy, peppery flavor is most often used in culinary dishes, particularly salads and sandwiches. It’s colorful blossoms and unique lily pad-shaped leaves make it a popular ornamental addition to gardens. The trumpet-shaped flowers are usually vibrantly colored and come in a range of sunset colors. -
The Gardener's Bath Soak
My garden is my sanctuary. It is a place where I go to turn my thoughts. To breathe. To find solace. It is a dwelling place for creativity. I wanted to bottle that calming energy into a bath soak that would cleanse the mind and ease tired muscles and joints.
