DIY Bug Spray: Essential Oils for Natural Protection

Summer has made its arrival here and with it the joys of being outdoors more, along with the miseries of insect pests. Mosquitoes, ticks, and other irritating or dangerous insects can definitely inhibit our enjoyment of the great outdoors but the many negatives to heavy chemical solutions like DEET leave most of us feeling discouraged.…

Keeping Cool with Hibiscus

Of the hundreds of species of hibiscus in the world, almost all of them originate in hot, tropical climates. In hot-weather cultures the world over, hibiscus is used to cool the body, relieve stress, and mitigate the effects of excessive heat. Today we will share three summer recipes to bring the cooling beauty of hibiscus…

Keeping Cool with Hibiscus

Of the hundreds of species of hibiscus in the world, almost all of them originate in hot, tropical climates. In hot-weather cultures the world over, hibiscus is used to cool the body, relieve stress, and mitigate the effects of excessive heat. Today we will share three summer recipes to bring the cooling beauty of hibiscus…

Signs of Spring

The grackles have arrived. I seem to forget, each year, how early they come, well before the green herbs or tree buds come out to show their delicate spring beauty. In my neighborhood, the grackles come in a large flock along with almost as many cowbirds, and their combined calls fill up my yard with…