Category

Circle of Seasons

Preserved gifts to share in autumn

Autumn has always carried a spirit of generosity. As gardens wind down and the last of the harvest comes in, many homesteaders and home cooks turn their attention to preserving. Jars line the shelves, freezers fill up, and baskets of dried herbs and fruits find their way into cupboards. But these preserved goods aren’t just for keeping—autumn is also the…

Old garden wisdom that still holds true

Long before gardening guides filled shelves and tutorials popped up online, knowledge was passed down quietly—from grandmother to granddaughter, from neighbor to neighbor, from farmer to the boy trailing behind with a bucket of seeds. Much of this wisdom was rooted in observation, patience, and a closeness to the land that modern life often overlooks. And while today’s gardeners have…

My seasonal cleaning list: what I actually do (and what you can skip)

Every season comes with its own rhythm. Just as the garden shifts, the pantry changes, and the light slants differently through the windows, I’ve found my cleaning habits fall into a seasonal rhythm too. Over time, I’ve let go of the pressure to tackle every chore on a checklist. Instead, I focus on what truly makes my home feel fresh,…

10 Things I Always Do on the First Cold Morning

There’s a certain kind of morning—the first one that carries a bite in the air, a crunch underfoot, a sky pale with quiet. The first cold morning doesn’t announce itself with drama. It just is, and if you’re paying attention, you’ll feel it before you even step outside. I have a quiet little rhythm for these mornings. It’s not a checklist,…

Cozy autumn tasks that welcome the season

The first cool night always catches you off guard. You find yourself reaching for a sweater that still smells faintly of summer, lighting a candle you forgot you owned, and standing at the window just long enough to notice the shift—the world dimming earlier, the air heavier with promise. Autumn doesn’t rush in. It lingers at the threshold, patient, waiting…

Winter traditions that carried communities through long nights

Winter has always been a season of both hardship and togetherness. Before electricity brightened every corner and central heating kept the chill at bay, communities relied on tradition as much as firewood to carry them through the long, dark nights. These customs were more than just ways to pass the time—they wove people together, offering warmth in spirit as well…

12 things to do before the first frost

My garden always seems to grow quieter when frost is on its way. The sun softens, the days feel stretched thin, and even the air carries a message of rest. This is the season when I like to walk slowly through my beds, gathering what’s ready, tidying what’s spent, and preparing the soil for its long winter sleep. These little rituals…

Seasonal teas you can brew straight from the garden

There’s something grounding about stepping outside, snipping a few fresh leaves or flowers, and steeping them into a simple cup of tea. Unlike a box from the grocery store, these teas carry the scent of the season and the satisfaction of being homegrown. They don’t require fancy tools or complicated recipes — just hot water, a mug, and a handful…

Old autumn superstitions tied to harvest time

As the seasons turn and the fields are gathered in, autumn has long carried with it a sense of mystery. The shortening days, falling leaves, and final harvests of the year created fertile ground for folklore and superstition. For centuries, farming families watched the skies, the soil, and the signs of nature, believing that small rituals and warnings could protect…

Weather signs farmers once trusted to guide planting

Long before satellites and 10-day forecasts, farmers relied on the sky, the wind, and even the behavior of animals to tell them when to plant. Generations of agricultural wisdom were passed down in sayings and observations, forming a body of weather lore that guided planting decisions. While modern science has explained why some of these signs worked — and why…