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,

Apothecary :: New Moon Herb Bath

The new moon asks us to set intentions. To turn inward and greet the part of ourselves we have maybe been neglecting. To take careful inventory and plant the seeds we want to grow. This Friday, May 6th, marks the new moon in Taurus. And this isn't just any new moon, dear ones.

It's got a special magic.

A knack for manifesting abundance and bringing things into the physical realm. It invites us to take the first step. To write it down. To get really specific about what it is we want. This is fertile ground, lovelies. 

And for those of us in the Northern Rockies, this new moon ALSO just so happens to hit right smack dab in the middle of our stunning-but-fleeting lilac bloom. Which is pretty much my favorite week of the year. Abundance abounds.

Since the new year, I have been marking every new and full moon with a moon bath and I am now totally addicted to the practice. Our deep, century-old porcelain bathtub has become a very sacred spot in our house. A quiet respite to soak and think and meditate and release. To sing and stretch and practice self care. To steep in all the luna love.

My moon bath recipe changes from month to month depending on what is in season and what's happening astrologically. Many of the herbs used in this recipe are prescribed by folklore for purification, release of negative energy and/or manifesting and were chosen specially for the new moon in Taurus. Feel free to substitute or amend this recipe, but make sure to research each herb or flower you wish to add to confirm it is safe to be used in a bath. 

So tonight, channel your inner Cleopatra and bathe yourself in herbs and petals by candlelight. It's a nourishing way to stay connected with the natural cycles of the moon and to make space to reflect on what you want to manifest in the coming month. Oh, and it smells amazing. Win-win-win.

Ingredients: 

Note: I don't use any specific measurements for the herbs. Just a handful of this and a pinch of that. Feel free to adjust amounts as you go. A little lavender goes a long way. :)

• Lavender - for relaxation, release & higher consciousness
• Sage - for cleansing energy
• Rose petals - to manifest love & happiness
• Rosemary - to enhance concentration - it is also full of anti-inflammatory & antioxidant compounds
• Bay Leaves- for purification & protection
• Lilac blooms - for their gorgeous scent and to honor the abundance of spring
• Epsom salt - to detoxify the body
• Pink Himalayan salt- to reduce inflammation and provide mental balance
• Cheesecloth

Instructions:

1. Start by crushing any larger dried herbs with a mortar and pestle. Then tie the sage, lavender, rosemary and bay leaves in a square of cheesecloth. I also added the pink salt to my cheesecloth but it ended up falling out so I wouldn't recommend it. You will use this bundle like a tea bag in the bath.  

2. Tie the bundle below the faucet so the hot water passes through it as the tub fills. This will wake the herbs up and infuse the bath water as it fills.

3.  As the tub is filling, add 1 to 2 cups epsom salts and 1/2 cup Pink Himalayan Salt directly to the bathwater. 

4. Throw in a handful of lilac blooms and bay leaves. You can also add rose petals or eucalyptus leaves.

5. After you have filled the tub, untie the bundle from the faucet and let it continue to steep in the bath water. 

6. Light a few candles and turn the lights out. Maybe dry brush your skin if you feel so inclined.

7. Focus on what you would like to manifest. On what you would like to release. Get specific. Breathe deep. Soak in the new moon energy.

Pro tip: After you have drained the bath, just let any remaining herbs or petals dry in the tub so you can easily sweep them out the next morning. Much easier than trying to clean them out while they are wet. 

Looking for last minute Mother's Day ideas? Simply use dried herbs instead of fresh and package your custom new moon bath blend in a pretty jar or tube. An easy, thoughtful gift for the lunar goddess in your life. 

xo, 

Apothecary :: DIY Lemon + Rosemary Sugar Scrub

We are still restlessly hibernating here in the mountains of Montana. A fresh six inches of snow over the past few days has dashed any hopes of an early spring and forced us to retreat back to our blankets and books and baths with a general harrumph. For someone who strives to live seasonally and embrace the beauty of each phase, late winter has always been the hardest to love for me.  One of my favorite littles recently asked her Mama, "Can we at least pretend it's spring?" I hear you, sister.  And yes. Yes we can. 

But if we can see past the grey, there is also a lovely energy buzzing beneath the surface this time of year. Days are slowly getting longer. Seeds are stirring in the ground, preparing to launch triumphant green shoots when given the word. Animals and humans are rolling over in their dens. It reminds me of that final hour of sleep in the early morning, when you are subtly aware the sun is rising, but still lost in a dream world. 

I'm using these last moments of rest to indulge in some serious self care. At home spa days have become a weekend staple over here. This Lemon Rosemary Sugar Scrub takes about 5 minutes to make and feels super pampery. I love using lemons in beauty rituals because they are bright and cheerful as well as highly beneficial. They have antibacterial and immune-boosting properties and also reduce the sight of blemishes. Win-win-win. Rosemary is an inflammatory and improves circulation. Also, it smells awesome. Sugar is a great exfoliator and moisturizer. Coconut oil has approximately one million beneficial properties. You are killing like 15 birds with one sugar scrub. 

Take a few moments to slow down and pamper yourself. You deserve it. 

Ingredients

2 cups organic raw sugar

1 organic lemon 

1 - 2 sprigs of rosemary

3 - 4 tablespoons coconut oil (olive or jojoba oil work great too)

10 - 15 drops lemon essential oil

Instructions

1. Add sugar to medium bowl and squeeze in the juice of one lemon.

2. Coarsely chop the rosemary leaves and add as much or as little as you'd like. 

3. Melt coconut oil and add a little at a time until you reach your desired constancy. I like my scrubs to be a little grittier so I used about 3 tablespoons. Mix in chopped rosemary leaves and essential oil.*

4. Store in mason jars or other airtight container for up to one month. 

* Tips: Add a few drops of essential oil at a time to make sure you don't create an aroma that's overpowering. There is no right way to do this, just keep adding ingredients until it feels finished. I like to use this in the shower so that there is no cleanup and the sugar goes right down the drain. My skin has been so so soft. I used 1/2 pint jam jars (recipe makes 5) and delivered to some of my girl friends as an early Galentines day treat. (Yep. Galentines. I went there.) 

xo,

Dark Chocolate Cherry Almond Biscotti

January is...formidable. For humans. For animals. For all living things really.  We don't get enough sunlight. The days are grey. Our feet are cold. 

But there can also be something lovely about the quiet productivity of this first month. I personally find a lot of comfort in slipping back into my daily rhythms after the chaos of the holidays. Reading new books. Rearranging furniture. Trying recipes. Making plans. Folding laundry.

I woke up the other morning with a need to bake. To do something with my hands that didn't involve a screen and get a little dough under my fingernails. This Cherry Almond biscotti recipe came to mind immediately.  It's barely-sweet, with a crisp crumbly texture perfect for dunking in your morning coffee. They are great right out the oven, but just wait. They get even better in about 2 - 3 days. 

This is also one of those recipes that can be endlessly experimented with, which is my favorite kind. I think next time I will try pistachio cranberry. This recipe makes about 30 cookies so you will have plenty to share the love and run a quick batch to a friend or neighbor or colleague or mailman. A cozy little winter pick-me-up. 

Ingredients

3 tablespoons Amaretto 

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup melted butter

3 teaspoons almond extract

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup whole almonds

1/2 cup dried cherries

3 eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

2 3/4 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350° and toast the almonds whole for 5 - 10 mins. Remove from oven and let cool. Chop almonds coarsely. 

2. In a medium size bowl, stir together sugar, amaretto and melted butter until well combined. Stir in the almond extract and vanilla extract.

3. Stir in the eggs, chopped almonds and dried cherries.

4. Stir in the baking powder, flour and salt until well combined. Cover and chill in the fridge for 30 - 45 mins. 

5. Remove the chilled dough and moisten hands to help make it more manageable (it will be a bit sticky.) Split the dough in half and make two 14 x 3" loafs on the baking sheet. Flatten the loaves so they have an even thickness all the way through. 

6. Bake loaves at 350° for about 25 minutes or until golden brown. 

7. Remove loaves from oven and let cool completely. Slice into 3/4" slices with a very sharp knife. 

8. Place the biscottis back on a baking sheet and bake for an additional 25 minutes or until toasted. I like to flip them halfway through to make sure both sides get equally browned. Let cool. 

9.  Optional: Melt dark chocolate chips to dip biscottis in. You can just dip one end in, or if you are like me and are in it for the chocolate, dip one whole side in. Place on parchment paper and chill in the fridge until chocolate hardens. Keep biscottis on the counter in an airtight container. 

Enjoy lovelies! 

xo,