Let's talk about our "everything balm", our Prairie Gold Balm.  This is the go-to product that we run for in our home whenever there is skin irritation that needs to be soothed. I'm talking EVERYTHING: cracked heels scraped skin (frequent kid injury here) minor cuts chapped, rough skin extreme dry spots rashes stretch marks scarring cradle cap (we are past that now but it was used effectively a few times over the years) bruised, swollen sprains or strains sore arthritic, inflamed joints See? I meant everything!  So you're maybe wondering, but "how?".  The herbal properties fro ..read more

(Original blog post from 2019) The leaves are just budding out here in central Alberta in Mid-May and we finally have a green hue over the prairies. We had an exceptionally long and cold winter, so the anticipation for Spring was doubled with my new foraging interest. The snow was melted in April but nothing yet sprouting so my eyes were searching for something I could forage and create with. That’s when I discovered balsam poplar buds filled with that aromatic, sticky resin. Most people know of this tree as the one not to park underneath as you would end up with sticky sap all over your hoo ..read more

  If you're someone who is always on the lookout for natural and effective skin care products, then using our Renew Oil Cleanser may be just what you need to take your routine to the next level. Oil cleansers have been gaining popularity in the beauty world for their gentle yet powerful cleansing abilities, making them a must-have for anyone looking to maintain healthy and radiant skin. So WHAT is an oil cleanser? An oil cleanser is formulated with primarily... oil. One of the biggest benefits of using an oil cleanser is that it effectively removes dirt, makeup, and impurities from the ..read more

Most people don't believe that I grow eucalyptus in my garden, but I do! It's one of my favourite plants to grow and I'm excited to share my information with you. Typically associated with warmer climates, eucalyptus can be successfully grown on the prairies with just a few essential tips and considerations. Eucalyptus is a favourite of mine for its unique look and amazing scent.  I love getting creative and using it in our products, like our eucalyptus body butters this year. In this blog post, we'll delve into the world of eucalyptus and provide you with all the information you nee ..read more

On this blustery winter day, I can’t help but to dream about my next garden. This is the best part of the planning process… the dreaming.  Dreaming of having a bumper crop, filling my baskets with lots of beautiful growth and RAIN! Dreaming of all the seeds that I will be planting indoors soon, and seeds that I will be direct sowing in May. Isn’t it great to just pause and think for a moment of all those stunning flowers we will have in July, cutting to make a fresh bouquet for the table.  I’m still using up dried herbs and flowers from my 2023 garden for products now, but my jars w ..read more

We are so humbled and excited to share that we were featured in the "In Her Studio" Nov/Dec/Jan 2024 issue. Our creative space was featured over nine beautiful pages showing our Soap Shack and our Studio spaces.  The magazine says "In Her Studio takes readers on a tour through the creative spaces and lives of female artists, designers, and makers. These women share the places where they create and tell the stories behind developing their spaces, from the traditional to the unusual, the intimate to the extraordinary. Within these pages you'll discover studios in every style and size, idea ..read more

This winter we are so excited to share with you a special soap that has a family story attached. Just like every Christmas in our family household, we carry forward a tradition of having Carrot Pudding, with a lucky almond inside.  And whoever is served this bowl with the lucky almond, will have good luck for the upcoming year. Introducing our “Carrot Pudding Soap” with a lucky almond on top of one bar. And whoever receives this lucky bar, will receive free soap for the next year!* (*Twelve bars of soap with a unique one-time discount code). *Note when I was trying to find my Grandma's C ..read more

It’s pumpkin season and that has different meanings for everyone!  For some, that means drinking Pumpkin Cold Brew or Pumpkin Spiced Latte drinks, devouring pumpkin pie for thanksgiving, using pumpkin soap (from prairie soap shack!) or are you saving the iconic autumn squash to decorate and carve for Halloween? But in classic Jess fashion- I am here to share some more of my ideas of what you can use pumpkins for! "For those of you that know me, having homegrown and homemade food is really important in our family." Cooking with Pumpkin Being able to provide highly nutritious and simple fo ..read more

Indulging in a warm cup of rose hip tea is like treating your senses to a delicate symphony of flavors and aromas in autumn. This tea is derived from the vibrant and vitamin-packed rose hips, the fruit of the wild rose plant. In this blog post, we will share detailed instructions on how to create our fall-favourite hot beverage in the comfort of your own home. So, grab your foraging basket and enjoy this fall activity! Step 1: Harvesting the Rose Hips Now is the optimal time to be harvesting rose hips during autumn, when they reach their peak ripeness after the first frost. Look for wild or t ..read more

A deciduous tree from coast to coast, the chokecherry is often overlooked but it is such an important part of the ecosystem, providing a home and food for many animals and insects. From fragrant white blooms in the spring covered in pollinators, to colourful foliage in the fall with drooping clusters of deep purple berries, it is a plant to be admired. Chokecherries are astringent or puckery, especially before the first frost, but the berries can be made into jelly, wine, syrup...or soap! Our chokecherry soap is a featured soap in our 2023 Fall Soap Collection. A favourite on our farm is to m ..read more