It’s been a quiet few weeks here at home as we avoided going out into the unusual amount of snow that fell on the Pacific Northwest. Some reports said the 20” we received was the most this region has seen in 70 years! While beautiful and other worldly in its ability to morph the landscape into something totally unrecognizable, I am glad it’s melting away. Thankfully, the flower bulbs in the garden seem unfazed and continue stubbornly to push upward! So, our rainy grey skies

As a child I always struggled with the fact that my birthday was in the depths of Winter. It seemed incredibly cruel to me that I could never have a swimming party, with a slip'n'slide in the heat of summer. However, as an adult I coordinate an annual bathhouse spa day, so I get my swimming party after all! I’ve truly come to cherish the winter months and their quiet contemplative beauty. It’s a lovely time of year to walk in the forest completely alone with a chill breeze

Many cold days and wind storms have descended upon us already this December in the Pacific Northwest. Frost covers the land like snow and cold winds numb my face on my morning explorations into this dark and silent time of year. I feel myself yearning for more naps and quiet times under blankets working on small projects. I try to allow myself the pleasure of hibernation. It’s also a time of year that I am unable to resist small gatherings of friends and the warmth it bring

The evenings come quickly now as we near the Winter Solstice. Looking at my weather app, I see we’re averaging just nine hours of daylight and the sun is below the horizon at 4:30pm. Often our nights here on the Salish Sea are cold and clear with sparkling stars, the frost creeping crystalline over everything. The full moon of November is traditionally called the Frost Moon since this month usually brings the first frosts of the season, turning all the crops and plants brown

Autumn is in full splendor here in the Pacific Northwest. Just this morning I found myself continually entranced by the dance of Big Leaf Maple leaves to the forest floor from their high perches. The long days of grey have begun, and I often find myself wanting something special on these short afternoons, something earthy and caffeinated! This is a first for the tea blog to include a caffeinated blend, but it is one of my favorite afternoon teas when the weather turns wet a

The rains have returned here in the Pacific Northwest, heralding autumn, truly my favorite time of year. The cool weather, moody clouds, and dancing leaves feel refreshing after our dry sunny summer. The rains and roving clouds make curling up with a book and tea under a blanket a favorite activity this time of year. So I crafted a recipe this month for a dark sweet herbal tea. My inspiration came from a Celestial Seasonings tea called Roastaroma that I encountered back in

August has arrived and we’re having long sunny dry days here in the Pacific Northwest, just like most of the country right now. One of my favorite ways to cool off in the summer is with ice cubes. They aren’t something I normally partake of because they are so internally cooling that they can be tough on digestion. However, they are perfect for hot days when I just can’t seem to cool down. Freezing herbal tea into ice cubes to pop out later for long afternoons siting on por

I won’t lie, the strong and clear sun of summer is not my favorite. Its rays just seem to burn me and make me feel ill if I’m out too long. You’ll mostly find me haunting the deep shade of the forest this time of year loving the way the light illuminates the layers of green leaves like stained glass. I’ve taken to making a cold brew on the go and adding ice to it throughout the day to keep cool. This month my go to herbs have been Elderflower and Chrysanthemum. Chrysanthemum

As the first day of Summer approaches, the days are beginning to get warmer even here in the Pacific Northwest. Sunny hot days are perfect for cold brewed herbal tea in the afternoon. Cold brewed tea is typically made without adding heat to the plant material. This changes the flavors that are released into more light and savory notes. Bitter herbs tend to be less intense with this method which is nice since they have such a cooling action on the body. Nettle is no excepti

I don't recall experiencing a wetter Spring here in the Pacific Northwest. The restless energy of our long arriving Spring can affect my moods, even though I am a staunch lover of our cloudy skies and of wandering in the drizzle. I can't deny my body's discomfort from the long dark months. This April blend felt like it should be Nervine heavy (an herb that nourishes and calms the nervous system) with tonic properties to help soothe and bolster my spirit as my body craves mor

Here in the Pacific Northwest Winter is beginning to fade into Spring. The cusps of seasons are times of intense change for our bodies as we acclimate to different weather patterns. It's so easy to become ill during these times that I like to be proactive. I also just like tea :D The taste and smell of an herb can give us immediate insight into how it will interact with us. For example, Astragalus scent immediately makes me feel calmer, and supported. I settle back into my