There’s a quiet magic in making marmalade on a sunless, rainy spring day. The fire crackles while the rain gently taps the window, like the sky rinsing away winter’s weight. Sweet, ruby-fleshed Cara Cara oranges meet the bite of lemon, creating a marmalade that captures the fleeting brightness of citrus season, a bittersweet alchemy sealed in a  Ball® half pint jar. You can find this recipe for Orange Marmalade on my blog or in the 38th Edition Ball® Blue Book Guide to Preserving! 

Preserving isn’t just about saving food. It’s bottling up a season, tucking sunshine away for darker days. I find a messy, grounding ritual always slows time down, connects us to generations past, and roots us in sweetness even as life swirls around us.

These workshops are more than just sessions; they are invitations to step away from the busyness of everyday life, to connect in real time with kindred spirits, to the plants, and to nurture a sense of belonging in a world that often feels so fragmented. In this space, we have the chance to truly see one another and to weave threads of community that sustain and uplift us.

One of the most exciting aspects of this conference is the opportunity to hear Robin Wall Kimmerer, the beloved author of Braiding Sweetgrass and The Serviceberry, as the keynote speaker. Robin’s work has touched countless lives, reminding us of the sacred reciprocity between humans and the natural world. To hear her wisdom in person, surrounded by a gathering of women dedicated to healing and connection, is an experience I am certain will stay with us all long after the weekend ends.

I spent a few hours in the studio of Cecile at Blanche Patine learning more about her process and the beautiful antique ceramics Terre de Fer she finds these vintage plates all over France and brings them to Paris to share their stories & resilience.

Herbal allies to our thirst in the high summer heat. This recipe is simple, easy, refreshing & calms the nervous system.

Let me share making bagels is easier than you think. And a good use for your hands when your head is a mess.

When giving to friends + family, I’ve always enjoy hand making gifts. Throughout the years, I’ve gifted blends of mulling wine spices with a yummy bottle of wine, homemade wreaths, lotions, balms and salves, homemade candles, and tea blends too. With the overconsumption of the season, I want to normalize giving secondhand treasures, saved seeds, our favorite recipes written on cards, homemade preserves, & consumable gifts.