Tis the season for colder nights, extra hot tea in the morning, and wearing a scarf just for good measure before venturing out into the elements. It’s almost Winter and if the weather doesn’t give you that impression, your garden will. Now is the time for plants to start winding down, grounding into the earth a bit more, and for buds to go to sleep rather than bloom. As a gardener, I mourn my roses, calendula and lavender this time of year. I’m so fortunate to be able to go out and pick flowers most of the year - for baths, salads and tea making, but when it ceases in the winter it can be a bit rough to take. One thing that gets me through this horticultural lull, is by bringing the nature that is left this time of year indoors for some at-home apothecarian projects. Our skin is our largest organ, absorbing so much throughout the day and night - and this time of year is important to nourish it as much as possible. Crafting your own organic, botanically infused bath and beauty products can be easy and a great way to ward off the dehydration caused by the cold and rough skin this chilly season can induce.
Here is one recipe that motivated me to start my organic bath/beauty line, Garden Apothecary (www.gardenapothecary.etsy.com). Projects like this inspire me to create healing treatments for my customers, using organic, whole botanicals. Try this one for yourself:

Honey Mask -
Ingredients: -Raw, local honey (you can find at a farmer’s market or local natural food store).
-Petals (this time of year try using any left over geranium, pansy or marigold petals) 1. Take about 3 tbsp of honey and about 2 flower heads of petals, and emulsify together in your hands. The mixture will be tacky at first, quickly becoming soft and creamy with the heat of your finger tips. 2. Apply to your freshly washed face and neck. 3. Let sit for about 30 minutes. The honey mask will never dry, but will warm up from your body heat, allowing your skin to absorb the nutrients from the petals and honey.
4. With warm water, wash the mask off your face and neck, and pat dry with a soft towel. You face will feel incredibly clean and fresh!

*To really indulge your skin, apply the honey/petal mask above, then shower your face, neck and hair with Garden Apothecary’s organic rose water refresher - this can be found at any Cafe Gratitude store or online (www.gardenapothecary.etsy.com).
This post is brought to you by Jenn of Dirty Girl Gardening.