Homemade Apple Sauce Recipe

I picked a few apples today courtesy of my neighbors, a kindly older couple with fruit trees that sprout more than they can eat. I made some yummy apple sauce with my pickings and thought I'd share the recipe with you, even though it's not completely precise.
You'll need:
6 medium apples
lime juice
1-3 tablespoons of sugar or honey
cinnamon and nutmeg

Cover the bottom of a medium pot with a little water and add a splash of lime juice (or lemon if you're more traditional). Peel apples and cut them up into small pieces, as you do toss them into the pot. Simmer them on low for about an hour, stirring occasionally. When they start to get soft, use a potato masher to start smashing them down. If the apples are on the tart side, add one to three tablespoons of honey or sugar (raw sugar is my favorite) to taste. Spice it with cinnamon and nutmeg. It makes about 8 servings depending on your apples.
Serve while still warm or chill it in the fridge for about an hour.
It goes great with pork or peanut butter toast at breakfast.

Happy Anniversary Morning Valley Soaps

This week I'm celebrating my shop's 1 year anniversary! It's a few days premature, but tomorrow is my turn as the Shop of the Day on the Fun and Friends promotion team, so it seemed fitting to start the festivities early. I've prepared by listing a few new items as well as bringing back some of my classic items from last year when I was starting out.
Use coupon code ANNIVERSARY for 10% off anything in my shop this week.
My herb drying has also inspired me to start experimenting with blending teas for personal use, but who knows if it could expand?

Herb Drying for Winter

I know it it early, but the herbs have been abundant and yield better when they're trimmed, so I've started drying for winter. All summer long I've been updating my herb book, investigating natural remedies, aromatherapy, compiling all the wonderful uses for herbs and oils.
I am so interested in natural medicine and herbal remedies. The earth's abundance always amazes me. I took care of my own sinus infection a few weeks ago with teas and chest rubs. The many uses for things like lavender and geranium are incredible.
Currently I am drying peppermint, spearmint, lemon mint, lemon balm, lemon verbena, thyme, sage, tansy, and rosemary. When the days aren't too humid I hang them off of the porch to let the sun help dry them, the verbena is currently in my closet, which is warmer than the rest of my room. It perfumes all of my clothing with its loveliness. I have discovered that tending my garden and being around my herbs makes me happy. It gives me a sense of fulfillment to work with the earth and help her to grow wonderful things. I've enjoyed it ever since I was a little girl.