Somehow when I wasn't looking autumn came creeping in. It wasn't until I looked at the calendar and saw October that I had to acknowledge that yes, summer is really over, and fall is here. Fall tastes good, doesn't it? I do love the fresh fruits of summer, but autumn has some yummy flavors as well. I made split pea soup this week and butternut squash with apricot "leather" and I really wish I had some pumpkin bread right now (or pumpkin anything).
Fall feels good too, doesn't it? Warm, sunny, low humidity days followed by cool clear nights, when you can enjoy the novelty of wearing a sweater again. I like to eat supper on my front porch enjoying the cool air, then coming into the house later and appreciating the warmth of home. Fall sounds good too - crunchy dry leaves to walk through. And of course fall looks good with new colors showing up daily on the mountainside. I guess fall is a feast for all the senses.
What does fall mean for the herbalist? Time to start thinking about putting your herb garden to rest for the winter. Cut the last of the basil and other annuals and tender perennials. Cut back the hardy perennials and mulch them thickly with a nice winter quilt. I have an herbalist friend who sings her garden to sleep on the day the first frost is expected!
Unfortunately, fall with its cooler drier doesn't do my skin any favors. I have dry skin and I need to constantly moisturize from now to spring to stay comfortable. To keep skin from drying out too much, start with soap. All Coyote Cove
soaps are made with a combination of eight different skin friendly oils that will keep you moisturized but not oily. Secondly I find
Lip Balm to be my best friend as winter comes on. I keep one in my car, one in my purse, one in my coat pocket, and one on my bedside table! Next is
lotion, which I apply daily, and twice a day when it gets really cold. I use
Anti-wrinkle Lotion on my face and neck, and my regular hand lotion on my arms and legs. Coyote Cove Lotion is thick, rich, and creamy, and you'll find that a little bit goes a long way. Finally, to really pamper myself, an exfoliating session with the
Sugar Scrubs leaves my skin silky smooth and baby soft. I make the scrubs in two different ways - in a solid formula with shea butter, or the classic jojoba style. Both work great!
There are other Coyote Cove products that are great for cool weather skin issues too -
Peppermint Foot Butter for dry feet,
Miracle Cream for really difficult hands or for your entire body, and
bath salts for the nice warm tub baths you just aren't in the mood for during the hot summer months.
Happy Autumn to you all, and please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.
