My geese layed their first egg!

It’s been cold here this week, and I’ve been thinking about what actually does well when the temperatures drop. Some plants melt at the first frost, but others don’t seem to care at all. If you’re wanting to grow through the cold, here are a few things that usually hold up well: 🥬 Leafy greens: kale, collards, mustard greens, Swiss chard 🥦 Brassicas: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi 🥕 Roots: carrots, beets, radish, turnips 🌿 Herbs: parsley, dill, cilantro (they like it cool) 🥗 greens: spinach, mache, arugula Most of these don’t mind cold nights, and some even taste sweeter after a frost.

I was looking at my little herb patch earlier and thinking about what I want to grow this season. I always end up planting things that are easy to use fresh and also good for tea. Lemon balm, chamomile, mint — that sort of thing. There’s something nice about stepping outside and picking a few leaves for a cup, instead of buying everything dried. It feels simple and kind of old-fashioned in a good way. If you’re growing herbs, what do you always plant? Or if you’re just getting into gardening, what would you want to grow?

I’ve been working with henna and cassia for my hair for a while now. It’s one of those routines that feels earthy and old-fashioned in the best way. For my mix, I usually do about 70% cassia to 30% henna. That gives me the shine and strength from the cassia, without going super deep red from the henna. It lands somewhere warm and natural. I mix it with warm water until it’s like a pudding or yogurt consistency, and let it sit in the bowl (not stainless steel) for 3 hours before putting it on. I leave it in my hair for 2 hours and then rinse. My hair always feels thicker and stronger after, and I love that it’s just plants and time — no chemicals. If you’ve tried henna or cassia before, I’d love to hear what ratio works for you. And if you haven’t, are you curious about it?

I’ve been curious about Moroccan body care lately — things like clay, oils, and slow routines in the bathhouse. It feels very earthy and simple. Nothing fancy, just natural ingredients and time. I love how other cultures use herbs and minerals for beauty and healing. There’s a lot of wisdom in that. I’m still learning, but I’ve been really enjoying reading about it and trying a few things here and there. If you’ve ever tried henna, clay masks, or herbal hair rinses, I’d love to hear how it went for you. Or if there’s another tradition you’re curious about, tell me that too.