The Grounded Rebel

The weather change has sent some creative spark my way. Lots of new things in the works, but this here was too pretty not to share.
100% botanical perfume rollers, using basil blossoms, citrus peel, yarrow and elderblossom, and jojoba oil. It's gotta sit for a few weeks in the windowsill yet, but it already smells pretty heavenly.
I made some for headaches a while ago with rosemary, cayenne, ginger and essential oils. Those are ready now, and I'll post em when I get a chance, reckon I don't forget.
But these here flower ones really made my heart swell. Arent they pretty ?? Made with all botanical ingredients, 98% of which were either grown or foraged by yours truly.
If only I could make my own jojoba oil, and grow oranges successfully. Maybe one day I will!
Tutorial vid is in editing mode as I type this. Can't wait to show ya.
Thanks for looking 🥰
Stay grounded, y'all.
Much ❤️ from
🌿The Grounded Rebel 🌸✨️

I've tried for a good while to caption this post... and am still at a loss for words; there is no way I could even begin to explain the magic I witnessed while standing amidst all this beauty earlier. So let me just give you a little taste. This was just a portion, and I'll post the others later. Not a single edit ot filter applied- nature just showing off, unashamed, as she should. 😭✨️💠🌸🌿🍂🌅

Life has been busy for quite some time.... and though I swear by the tallow products I make and use daily, I often forget to promote them.
Truthfully, homemade is something I've gotten so accustomed to that I don't really see it as a business. I work to promote healthy lifestyle changes and show others how beneficial (and easy) self reliance is. The simpler, the better.
That said, I really want to thank those of you that have continued to make orders and buy from me ❤️
My clientele is growing, and it's such an encouragement.
So thank you all SOOOO MUCH ❤️❤️❤️

This tallow face cream is a product I've been making and using since March. And I will never use anything else on my skin. Tallow is by far the best moisturizer, especially for mature skin, in my opinion. It not only works as an occlusive that locks in moisture so good I'm surprised Billy Mayes didn't advertise it, but it also mimics sebum which is a natural oil that human skin produces, so it's absorbed easily also. I've never gotten so many compliments on my skin before, but since switching to tallow, my confidence has skyrocketed. If anyone had told me a year ago that I'd be posting unflitered selfies, I'd have laughed out loud and cried inside about it. One of these days I'll have to search my camera roll and find a before photo to compare. There ain't too many of those cuz I was so insecure I hardly ever took a photo without makeup or a filter... but now I don't have to. And its all thanks to switching to natural products and holistic remedies.

Of course I make these for sale as well, but if you've been holding back on creativity, have a little willingness for adventure hitched to your giddy up, and a bit of time to spare, you can make them too!
I've said before that gatekeeping is for the birds, so I'll post my recipe as well. But feel free to take chances, make mistakes and get messy with your own ideas! That's the best part!!

I start with a double boiler to slowly melt the tallow before adding jojoba oil. I also have fun working with different infusions with that oil, using a variety of foraged or home grown herbs. So far my favrotite is Elderflower. Its fantastic for skin, and smells heavenly. It's anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and astingent properties sooth skin, reducing pores and redness. Just lovely all around. So its perfect for using in my face cream and body butter
When the infusion cools, honey from our very own bees gets blended in, which also soothes and adds extra protection. Folks have been using honey for just about everything for millenia, and it's great for skin because it's antibacterial and provides excellent hydration.
Then I add a few drops of carrrot seed and rosehip oil, both of which fight the appearance of aging and repair damaged skin.. Lastly, frankincense, bergamot, ginger, grapefruit, ylang ylang and vanilla essential oils are all added. Truthfully I just like this fragrance combination, but there are many properties with these oils that benefit the skin as well. So the aroma therapy factor is really just an added bonus here. And boy, let me tell you... does it smell WONDERFUL.
Finally I whip it all up til its nice and fluffly and then portion it out. My favorite thing is sampling the left over bits I can't scrape out before storing.
It smells just as good as it feels, and I can't wait to use it again.
Speaking of which, samples are available if anyone would like to give it a try!!
And of course, let me know if you'd like me to make some for you. ❤️ place orders anytime, shoot a message or give me a call or text. I'd love to let you try it and see the difference for yourself ❤️

Joel Salatin is teaching me how to do just this ❤️

I don't just want a pretty garden. I want a useful one. 🌿

Food to eat, herbs to cook with, something to preserve, and plenty to share.

Because growing a garden isn't just about growing food. It's about growing the kind of life we want. 🏡🌱

🌿🌸✨️ There's a saying: everything happens for a reason.
Knowin that perspective is everything, it's still a challenge for me see it as a comfortin thought when things dont work out my way.. However, that doesn't make it any less true. And I'm learnin that despite my pride, most things wind up workin out nomatter how chaotic it feels when you're in the midst of not knowin.

Some things over the past week have given me pause, and caused me to think deeply about spiritual warfare and how important it is to stay rooted in the Word in order to prosper, especially when hard times come.

The scripture says that we should count it all joy when we fall into diverse temptations, for the trying of our faith worketh patience (James 1:2-3)
It also says that all things work together for good to them that love God (Romans 8:28)

I sure wish I was better at applyin these lovely little scriptures to life the second things go awry, instead of after the fact. But God knows my heart.. and He's been teachin me that it's a learnin curve, and not givin up is the crucial part, however hard it may be. So I'm gonna share my experience with some of it.

In an attempt to help out and give mom a break, one of the Petit Rebels took over the landscaping last Saturday, and accidentally mowed down both of my elderberry bushes. When I discovered they were gone, it almost gave me a heart attack.
I may know a tad more about plants than I did last year, but I'm no expert by any means, and considerin how young they were, I was sure the brutal attack of the lawn mower did them in.
And yes, I did cry. Not only is Elderberry sentimental to me as my absolute favorite plant, these beauties were also my Mother's Day gift from hubby, and it's taken almost 4 months for them to reach the size in the first two pictures. Seeing one vanish entirely and the other reduced to a bare stem was like a punch to the gut.
While I was certainly grateful to have willing and helping hands, there was also an overwhelmin sense of regret and shame for needin them to begin with. For if only I'd have been able to squeeze in the time to mow, my plants would still be beautiful bushes..
At the time, I was so distracted with overwhelm (and pride), all I could see was the shaven stem.
Luckily, elderberry is a native plant, and quite hardy. Within a week, new shoots have already popped up and pleasantly surprised me. Just look at those last two pics! Clearly they are still goin strong, and the sadness I felt seems so silly now.
If anything, mowin them down might have been the best thing for them- its encouragin their roots to push even deeper, which will definitely improve their sustainability through the winter.
If the roots are strong, the plant can survive just about anything.

Job 14:7-9 says
For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.
Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground;
Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.

The simple truth is that nomatter what plans we may have, whatever schedules we make for ourselves, however many boxes we can check off to feel accomplished, the Creator is the one in control of everything. If we accept this, and hold the mindset that we are stewards here, and everything He has blessed us with should be used for His glory, there won't be much time left to be worryin about whatever may come, or frettin when somethin happens that we think shouldn't. And if we stay grounded enough in the Word and trust in Him, we will develop a deeply rooted relationship with our Creator that can sustain even the harshest winter.

I know this post is a bit all over the place - and in all honesty there's so much more I could say.. but I'll hush for now. Hope the message in it can bless someone. And if you're able to, try to bless someone else today. A random act goes a long way ❤️
Remember that you are important and loved, and to love others.
Stay grounded, y'all. And thanks for lookin ✨️🌸🌿
Much ❤️

🌿 The Grounded Rebel

Wanna share a lil sumthin with y'all about just how good God is.

1 Peter 5:10 says
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

Today as I was tending the homestead, I was reminded of this yet again.
We've had a small flock of chickens for almost 7 years now, which is one of the first dreams the Lord made come to life for me. I raised Rhode Island Reds as a teen, and made best friends with a rooster who'd charge and flogg anyone but me. I was hooked after that.
Late last July, we purchased some pullets from Rural King in an attempt to expand. The first photo is of the few I could get together for a Pic at the same time.
Out of the set, the 2 white Sussex, Golden Laced Wyandotte and Gold Comet were my favorite. I was in love.
Within 3 months, all the chicks died. Same with the next batch we bought, as well as three sets that we hatched ourselves afterwards. Then, even the mature chickens started dying as well, and before long, we were down to our lone OG hen, an Americauna who still lays to this day...
We're not sure what happened, and I've spent too much time being sad over it to speculate any further. Anyone who works with animals will tell you loss is inevitable, but I got to the point where I had to accept that they were just gone, and to do my best to keep my one hen happy. I refused to buy anymore chicks just to watch them die. It was a sad time for me, and I had to work to push it all away and keep going. But man, I missed the chicken keepin life.
In June this year, I saw a trusted animal lover asking folks to help rehome a bunch of animals, including mature chickens.
Without hesitation I reached out to see what was available. I took the most frugal option, a quad containing one Rhode Island Roo and three hens, without even considering their breed. She told me what they were but I wasnt even focused on that. I just wanted chickens... and figured it was the right place and time to start again. So my oldest daughter and I went out the next day and picked them up.
It wasn't until after I brought them home and cleaned them up that I realized the three hens we purchased were 2 fully mature White Sussex, and a Welsummer- a hen that really resembles a mix of the Wyandotte and Gold comet. Some may say its just a stupid coincidence, and it very well may be. But best believe I broke down in tears that day. 😭
I decided right then and there to just let nature take its course once we stocked up on a couple dozen eggs. So that's just what we did. And so far, they all seem to be thriving here. Doing so well, in fact, that we already have a new adorable addition! And more to follow shortly!
I can't even begin to list the things that the Lord has blessed me with in life, especially in the last decade. But today, I had to share just one of the many ways He's doing it.
Talk about some restoration!!! 🥚🐤
What a blessing ❤️

So for anyone struggling in a season of loss right now, may this be an encouragement that God has the power to restore, and He always keeps His promises. ❤️
You are important and loved, and you're here for a reason. Remember to love others, you never know what they're going through. Gentle reminder to be extra kind today, and help someone if you can. And give God the glory ✨️
That's all for now, my friends.
Thanks for looking.
Stay grounded 🌸🌿✨️

Much ❤️ from
🌿the Grounded Rebel

Maxey Marsh Nature Trail 🌅☀️🌿✨️

Plenty of sunshine, even in the thickest parts.
Only took the short side, but looking forward to going back and exploring some more. It was lovely.
However, next time I'm probly dousing myself in deet beforehand. Mosquitos so thick they could pick you up and drop you in another county.

Heres a little ditty all about some

🌿✨️🌸Echinacea🌸 ✨️🌿

An herb that has demonstrated antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, metabolic, immune-system enhancement, wound healing, antiseptic, and even antineoplastic (anticancer) properties, depending on the type of plant species.
This here is Echinacea Purpurea, and while I had no idea there were so many differences in the species and their medicinal benefits, I lucked out and wound up with the one I can make the most of.
It's a good thing, too, cuz it takes two years for the flowers to bloom, and a whole nother year after for the roots to be potent enough for medicinal use without killin the entire plant for harvesting them. But, when the time is right, every single inch of this plant can be used for good, in some way or another. 🌸
Foraging this lovely little flower is a no go for me ...because sadly, wild echinacea is getting scarce out there. Most herbalists recommend leaving what's left alone for now, so it can replenish itself over time.
I started this flower from seed last spring, and was beyond thrilled to see blooms poppin up a couple months ago.
Harvested some a while back to hang dry the old fashioned way. However, the other day I noticed there were so many blooms about to fade (perks of being a busy mom), I just chopped down a good bit of the aerial parts, separated the stems, leaves and flowers, and put my dehydrator to work.
When they were dry and brittle (and resemblin sea urchins), I threw it all in the food processor and ground it to dust for teas.
With the aid of a ProCap Machine, I also filled up 100 beef gelatine capsules, which make a right wonderful and time saving supplemental route when we need immune support.
I do this exact same thing with the pulp from my fire c***r after it gets strained. Figure there was just too much good stuff to throw out, and frankly, its much easier to stomach this way. It's also great for picky kiddos ❤️
This species in particular is excellent for boosting the immune system, but it really has so many other beneficial properties, I can't even name them all. I've posted some pages from a few of my favorite books on herbs.
That Physicians Desk Reference absolutley blows my mind.. and makes me wonder if I should study Latin just to understand it better. Its a powerhouse of information, and I love having it on hand. But those 13$ words leave me feelin dizzy and kinda stupid if I stare at them too long. 🫠🤣 so much to learn, and so little time. Whew!
Trying to roll with the idea that this is what will keep it interestin and make it fun for..... the rest of my life.....
For now, I'm just thrilled to have somethin to work with, whether it be herbs I've either foraged or succesfully grown, or the books to back me up ❤️ I've heard it said that time is not your friend... but if herbalism has shown me anything, it's the opposite of that. ✨️ any kind of true growth, whether it be spiritual or photosynthetic, takes time. And in that time is where the magic happens. Things like joy, peace, patience, gentleness, temperance, faith, endurance, and even love, all need to happen in order for there to be any fruit! And caring for all these pretty little plants, waiting for them to produce the fruit I need.. tending to them, learning them.. and even letting go when that's the last thing I wanted, is doing more work on me than I could ever do for them, promise! 🥹
Next up is Elderberry Syrup, and if I can get my wits about me, I'm thinkin maybe some gummies as well. Heart this if you'd like a tutorial for either of those!
In the meantime, I've got plenty more to do, and hopefully get around to postin!
Til next time, remember to get out into nature and see what you can find. And as always, know that you are important and loved, and to love others.
Stay grounded y'all 🌸 thanks for looking
Much ❤️ from
🌿✨️🌸The Grounded Rebel🌸✨️🌿

The pictures don't do it justice. Sugar Ridge will forever be my happy place ☀️🌿✨️🌅