Balanced Seasons

I love gardening and often tell people I don't really know what I'm doing, I just love playing in the dirt. I remember my first garden. It was in a tiny box planter off the patio in my townhouse. I grew my own spinach, strawberries, and green beans. I was hooked ever since. Fast forward 20 years and I have finally upgraded to a fenced space space 30' long and 23' wide. I have 8 Vego Garden Beds and here I share all the details so you can build your own!

There’s something deeply grounding about baking in winter, especially recipes that have been passed down through generations. These Vanillekipferl, traditional German vanilla crescent cookies, feel like the embodiment of the season: tender, nutty, lightly sweet, and meant to be enjoyed slowly. Originating in Austria, these are an easy addition to the Holiday treat tray.

The Winter Solstice always invites me to slow down and honor the quietest turning point of the year. It’s the longest night, a pause, before the light begins to return. This year, I marked the solstice not with anything elaborate, but with warmth, intention, and simple rituals that felt deeply grounding.