Cedar House Living -- Botanica, Books, Travel

One of my favorite children's authors and illustrators is Jan Brett, known for her richly detailed and beautifully crafted children's storybooks. Her works often draw on themes of nature, folklore, and cultural traditions, bringing stories to life with intricate illustrations that captivate even the youngest of readers. Since our children were very young, we've been collecting her storybooks. After first reading Mossy, I had the idea of turning this sweet tale into a craft, most suited for children ages two to six.

In the realm of vegetables, there exists an under-appreciated gem that often finds itself sitting on the sidelines of culinary appreciation—the Brussels sprout. These miniature cabbage-like orbs might not immediately elicit excitement in the minds of many, but delve a little deeper, and you'll uncover a world of flavor, versatility, and nutritional prowess that deserves recognition.

One advantage of living in the woods is having neighbors who keep bees. I grow several herbs that attract and feed our neighboring bees and other beneficial pollinators, and then my neighbors process the honey, which ends up gifted back to us, an agricultural ecosystem at its core.  Herb-infused honey is so fragrant, flavorful, and versatile, you’ll wonder why you haven’t done it before now.