A LITTLE PEEK

Things are generally quiet around the farm this time of year.

So I thought it would be a good time to share a few bits of the farm.   

It has been unseasonably warm here during the past few weeks.  Everyone (and everything) has been enjoying the sunshine.  

This beautiful boy seemed to savor his lazy Sunday afternoon stroll...

Heirloom Flower Bulbs

These little guys are confused...

My grandmother called this type of flower a jonquil.  I have heard others refer to them by other names.  

 I transplanted these bulbs to their current location a few years ago.  The original "home place" on this farm is long gone.  However, in the Spring, it is possible to see where the flower beds and gardens and walkways were located, thanks to the old flower bulbs.  

One Spring while they were still in bloom, I journeyed to hilltop where the old home place once stood, and flagged the flowers I liked.  I returned in the Fall, dug around the staked flags, located bulbs, dug them up, and transplanted them to my flower beds. (Perhaps I'll do a tutorial on transplanting bulbs in the Fall...)

The flower bulbs were originally planted over 100 years ago.  

Return to winter

The jonquil photo was taken two days ago, when it was 60 degrees.  Today is a different story.  According to the local weather expert, winter is here to stay. 

 I don't know about you, but I'm secretly hoping it snows.  

Monday Musings: Raw Honey Skincare Regimen

For the past several weeks, I have been washing my face with raw, local honey. 

It has totally transformed  my skin.

No moisturizer necessary, even in January, when my skin is the driest.

Generally speaking, I'm a big fan of honey...in the same way this guy is a "big fan"...

I buy honey from my neighbor (to use primarily in cooking, tea, and battling seasonal allergies).  Honey is basically a superfood in that it will never spoil and it does not require synthetic preservatives.  While I could go on and on about the glories of honey, it never occurred to me to slather globs of it all over my face in the name of cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing.  Until recently.

The search for decent natural skincare

(read: does not smell like oatmeal and actually removes makeup)

As you probably know, the cosmetics industry is not well regulated as far as labeling is concerned.  Many products have plants on the bottles or contain "natural ingredients", but also contain harmful ingredients that are absorbed into the bloodstream through the body's largest organ--our skin.  Google "ingredients to avoid in cosmetics" and you'll find several lists ranging from this to this.

For the past 7 years, I have used a skincare line available at Whole Foods.  While I really enjoyed the products, because of the high quality of the ingredients and glass packaging, the products weren't cheap (prices comparable to the higher end of Estee Lauder).

All you need is honey.  

Raw Honey.

Raw honey is perfectly unprocessed.  It has not been heated, filtered, strained or altered in any way.    I keep this jar in my bathroom and just scoop out a blob bit with my fingers and massage on my face.  Then rinse with water.  It melts off with warm water.  When I first read about this, I thought "what a sticky mess".  By some miracle, it isn't.

I find that it has balanced my combination skin.  I do not use a separate moisturizer.  Honey has natural properties that gently exfoliate.  Additionally, I find that it is an effective daily makeup remover.  (For reference, I primarily wear bareMinerals makeup.  If an extra boost is needed to remove eye makeup, I use a touch of oil on a cotton pad).

I store honey in this airtight glass jar.

I hope you decide to try this.  It was a strange idea for me, too.  It is inexpensive, environmentally friendly, and non-toxic.  As with any change in skin care regimen, it may take your skin a couple days (or weeks) to adjust.

 I have read that adding cinnamon does certain things, as does adding baking soda or nutmeg or vinegar.  I have found that plain honey is perfection for my combination skin.  I encourage you to do your own research and experiment to find what suits you.  Please let me know how it turns out!

 Rumor has it that Cleopatra used honey as an integral part of her skincare regimen.  Isn't that reason enough to give it a try?  If it's good enough for the Queen of the Nile, it's certainly good enough for me.

Note: I'm a honey superfan, not an expert.  If something above is incorrect, do let me know.