late winter in the shop + studio

"There is always in February some one day, at least, when one smells the yet distant, but surely coming, summer"

- Gertrude Jekyll -

Wood and Garden, 1899

The snow begins to melt and the steady return of the light brings a sense of reconnection to the flow of life. I find myself finally dreaming of the season ahead, it feels within reach. A subtle enlivening.

In the studio, the tiniest green buds emerge from the bare twigs of the lemon verbena plant I brought in ahead of the frosts in late autumn. I cluster the amaryllis from last year around a space heater in hopes of waking them up to bloom again.

Oils infused over the last several cycles of the moon are strained, fresh batches of aromatic mists and butters come together in the longer daylight of the afternoons. My calamondin tree is about to burst into bloom, a favorite scent of the season. Still here committed to sharing beauty and nourishment with you, despite it all. 

And a few things for you, as always…

reading:

Rebecca McMackin on the marvels of snow, and adding Winter Botany to my reference library, plus this very intriguing book to my library queue. And this poem.

And then also about a very methodical approach to observing the arrival of spring, and adding Ellie Irons' Feral Hues book to my wishlist

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listening:

to a new album from Noura Mint Seymali and this album, too.

and to Nina Simone for her birthday on the 21st, Willie Colón, in honor of his recent passing, and this beautiful album from Kankou Kouyate

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admiring:

floral still-life paintings of scented flowers like this one (carnations forever) and this one, and stopping by this show in person

and, this soil chromatography workshop (!) and photos from the Delcy Morelos show currently at Museo Universitario Arte Contemporáneo in Mexico City

above from top left:

sending a few things out to our beloved stockists this week

lots of new growth on the rose geraniums

a big batch of botanical perfume on the way to Hand & Land

paperwhites to lift the spirits

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Also, delighted to share that I spoke to Karen Templer this past week about my gardening life, on her wonderful Future Tiny Forest blog. Hope you’ll enjoy!

above:

I know it’s just a touch early, but I’ve put together a little spring skincare essentials kit for you

my first year of growing the “Evergreen” cybister amaryllis, I’m thrilled with it!

just added this gorgeous piece to our collection of vintage tea strainers

returning to an old favorite, out of print, but can be often be found used

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below:

lovely luminescence gift sets on their way to Sparrow’s Flowers

the late winter light

and more sweet vintage pieces

confession: I kept the snowdrop perfume bottle for myself!

"Suppose we did our work like the snow, quietly, quietly, leaving nothing out."

- Wendell Berry -

"Like Snow" from Leavings

Wishing you many happy late winter hours of perusing your seed catalogs. I was so glad to get myself a paper copy of the Prairie Moon Nursery 2026 edition this year. Dreaming of the season ahead…

Until next time,

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more winter musings

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