Happy autumn, friends! I hope this beautiful season finds you enjoying the spoils of harvest and soaking in the colors and scents of nature’s grand finale. The trees are performing their yearly ritual of dazzling transformation—from green to glowing golds, rustic browns, and deep oranges—and I can never get enough. Autumn always sparks my creativity.
This season is a busy one for me: craft shows, shop work, substitute teaching, and the never-ending list of homestead chores. I’m halfway through my annual firewood cutting, splitting, and stacking marathon, and soon I’ll be prepping the chicken coop for cold weather, tucking away the last traces of summer, and making sure the winter essentials are ready. Around here, you never quite know when Old Man Winter will make his first appearance! For now, though, I’m loving these crisp, sunny days and the comforting smell of the wood stove—filling my home with cozy autumn scents and textures that make this time of year so special.
As I move through the season, I can’t help but think about how much my daily rhythms and habits have changed over the past decade—and how those changes have shaped not only my home, but my outlook on sustainable living
My Story
It wasn’t an overnight change—and honestly, I’m still learning and evolving—but about ten years ago, I started rethinking what I brought into my home. I began by asking a simple question: Could I make this myself instead of buying it?
The first thing I tackled was candles. I’ve always loved the calm, cozy atmosphere of a flickering flame and the gentle scent of a good candle, but I didn’t love spending so much money on store-bought ones filled with ingredients I couldn’t even pronounce. So I gave it a try. My early creations weren’t exactly beautiful—the wicks were crooked, the wax didn’t always pour smoothly—but they smelled lovely and burned clean, and that was enough for me. What began as an experiment quickly turned into a small act of independence and joy.
After candles came my first batches of all-natural bug spray, now called P’ss Off, which is available on my website. I wanted something safe, effective, and free of harsh chemicals. Once again, I found that I could create a version that worked as well or even better than commercial brands and smells great too. Each success led me to try something new.
Now, I make a growing line of apothecary products for everyday ailments that have become part of my daily routine. As someone who deals with arthritis and occasional muscle pain, these homemade remedies have brought real relief. And maybe I’m a little biased but since switching completely to my own natural skincare, I’ve noticed a real difference in my complexion. My skin feels calmer, brighter, and less inflamed, with fewer fine lines than I expected to see at this stage in life.
This coming spring, I’m planning to launch my first facial moisturizer, made with oil infusions from herbs I’ve grown, harvested, and dried myself—plants like lemon balm, mint, and calendula. It’s deeply satisfying to know exactly where my ingredients come from and to watch them transform from seed to skincare.
Unsustainable Commerce
Five years after we made it through a global pandemic, the world feels more uncertain than ever. Extreme weather, supply shortages, and environmental stress have become part of our everyday reality. It’s clearer now that our choices—especially the way we consume—have real consequences.
For decades, we’ve been told that convenience is everything. We’re sold new products before we even need them, drawn into an endless cycle of buying, tossing, and replacing. This kind of runaway consumerism mostly benefits a handful of corporations that control nearly everything we use, while the rest of us lose touch with what’s actually in those products and where they come from.
Most commercial goods, even the ones labeled “natural,” are packed with synthetic fillers, artificial fragrances, and single-use packaging. The more I learned about that, the more I wanted out. I realized that making and using my own products wasn’t just about saving money—it was about regaining control, reducing waste, and reconnecting with the simple satisfaction of making something with my own two hands.
Living sustainably doesn’t have to mean living perfectly. It means choosing more thoughtfully, using what you have, and supporting makers and businesses that value transparency, craftsmanship, and care for the planet.
Conscious Holiday Shopping
As we head into another holiday season, it’s impossible not to notice how expensive everything has become. Prices keep climbing, yet the quality often feels like it’s slipping. The truth is, much of what we buy from big-box stores only benefits corporate shareholders and CEOs—people far removed from the communities where we live and work.
This year, I encourage you to shop differently. When you choose to buy from small, independent makers, you’re not just purchasing a product—you’re supporting creativity, craftsmanship, and real people trying to make an honest living. You’re helping families, not corporate headquarters. You’re keeping your dollars close to home and sending a message to both Corporate America and Washington that we value fairness, sustainability, and authenticity over excess and greed.
And the best part? You end up with something more meaningful—something made with care, heart, and purpose.
A Note from the Heart
If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s another way—one that feels more intentional, grounded, and genuine—I hope you’ll explore what I create. Every candle, balm, and oil is made by hand, in small batches, using real ingredients from nature. My goal isn’t just to sell a product, but to share a slower, more sustainable way of living—one that nurtures both people and the planet.
You can browse my handmade collection at Dandelion & Burdock Home, or join my newsletter to follow along as I develop new herbal skincare for the coming seasons. Together, we can take small steps toward a gentler, more sustainable future—one homemade jar at a time.
Leave a Reply