Ruby’s House

11/19/2025

🌲Picea sp.🌲

Let's meet the Spruce tree!
Though we can include pine and fir in this as well, each tree can be used in a similar fashion at this time of year.

Key points:
🌲High in vitamin C
🌲Antibacteral/antimicrobial
🌲Can help with coughs and colds, opens up the airways
🌲Spruce pitch is antiseptic and can be used to soothe sore throats

❗️Always be sure of your identification - yew resembles fir and is toxic. Yew has NO cones, emits NO scent when crushed, and has short flat needles. Also, avoid ponderosa pine. It is also toxic. Key features are bundles of needles in 3's that are 5-10"" long and large egg-shaped cones 3-6" with sharp points on the ends of the scales.❗️

I made tea this morning with fresh blue spruce needles, added some honey, and away we went. It is very grounding, deeply warming. Not nearly as citrus as I would have expected, but it was nice and subtle all around. 💚🌿

Happy Wednesday friends!

11/19/2025

Well. It happened. 😓
The tallow didn't want to cooperate with me today. I could feel something different about it when I went to whip it the first time.

It didn't look quite right.
It was too heavy.

Did I not put enough olive oil in?
Is it too cold?
What's going on?

Had a bit of a come apart and stood outside in the rain/snow, whatever it is that's falling out there. Took a deep breath and got back at it.

Gently melted the tallow again.

Went through my process. Even added a smidge more oil.

Same thing happened. I could see it happening and feel it in my hands.

As it stands, it works, but it's not good enough.

I'm wrecked.
I'm tired.
I'm sitting on the kitchen floor with tallow covered dishes scattered across the counter tops.

Not really sure what to do. And right now, I'm fighting tears for the hours lost infusing and mixing and remixing.

But tomorrow is another day. Right now, I need to stop.

And at some point I WILL have more lavender tallow for you all 😅 (I only have a few left on hand but hopefully more before next week).

If you made it this far - thank you from the bottom of my heart for being patient with creators, makers and small business owners. We really do put in blood, sweat and tears to try and make the very best for you. 💚💚

11/18/2025

Lovely group of ladies! You won't be disappointed. 🥰

❄️ Winter Refresh Retreat ❄️.

Soul Mommas are at it again. Loretta & invite you to join us in this Winter Refresh Retreat.

We are offering these 2 days (night optional) at an amazing price! So don’t miss out.

Winter Refresh was envisioned from the desire to share, teach and show others that it is okay to take a step back, enjoy and be cared for, by Soul Mommas! This weekend releases you of all your daily responsibilities and allows you to nestle in and refresh. Allowing play, creativity and community. Together we planned a Winter Weekend Refresh. This weekend is cozy and nostalgic, refreshing and vitalizing. A beautiful winter getaway.

Here are some of the modalities and activities to Refresh the body , mind and spirit.

Massage( lymphatic, Indian head, Thai)
Sound Therapy/Drumming
Breathwork
Raindrop Therapy
Wood burning sauna & cold plunge (childlike style)
Snow shoeing/ice skating/hike (optional)
Community paint canvas
Creative Creation
KARAOKE 🎤

Cozy Fire Cirlcle

🗓️ When: Saturday Feb.7th - Sunday Feb.8th

🏠Where: Rochon Sands. Alberta

💰Investment: $444 for the 2 days
(8 min -10 max). 5 spaces left

Add on for lodging if staying $50 (6 max)

To claim your space txt Loretta @ 403-740-6839

3 payments can be made to help elevate finances

Nov.30 , Dec,30 & Jan.30

Or $250 deposit to claim space with final payment Jan.30th

Everything supplied

❄️

11/18/2025

Had to share how pretty my tea looks this morning. When that first cup just brings the day into focus. 🥰
(Yes, I'll concede, coffee counts too! 😅)

11/17/2025

Are ya ready?!

🌿Package 1: Herbal Goddess Spa Package (40)
All herbs are chosen for their skin soothing, anti-inflammatory, and nourishing properties. Helps improve circulation and leaves your skin nice and soft. This makes a great excuse for a "Girls Night In".

🌹Ruby's Herbal Face Mask - French green clay with dried chamomile, rose petals, and lavender.
🌹Rose Face Toner - witch hazel infused with rose, red raspberry leaf, and rosemary. Essential oils of melissa (lemon balm) and myrrh give it a bright, uplifting, and very refreshing scent.
🌹Whipped tallow - YOUR choice: Lavender, Unscented, Frankincense, or Lemongrass. All are infused with yarrow and calendula.

🌿 Package 2: Festive Tallow Trio (30)
All tallow infused with skin loving and supporting yarrow and calendula, known for their soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. These "mini" tins are half the size of my larger ones, so they are easy to take on the go!

🌲Woodland Wonder: immerse and ground yourself in the scent of woods. Think fir needles scatter across the forest floor.
🍬Peppermint Bliss: minty and uplifting, there's just no other way to describe it!
🌱Cinnamon Spice: Sugar, spice and everything nice! It smells good enough to eat. 🤤 (But don't, it won't actually taste like cinnamon buns 😅)

If you are interested in putting your name down for a package, let me know ASAP! These make great gifts (even if it's for yourself, I won't tell).

I have a LIMITED supply, so don't wait too long. 🥰 Markets are coming up too, I'll keep you posted on dates because there is going to be one this month as well!

11/13/2025

Curious to know.... gift certificates?
Yeah or nah? Yes, there's a difference between certificates and cards 😅. I'm really just wondering if this is something you'd utilize or want to receive? I don't have a website I can use them on (yet) so it is a bit limiting. Thoughts??

I'm a little hesitant for, reasons, BUT, I also want to give people an opportunity because I know I would love a gift certificate for a bunch of dried plants! 🤣

**ignore the expiry date... it won't be on there. And there will be some conditions like you have to come to me directly etc**

11/12/2025

We are getting closer, friends!

I will have two exclusive packages available just for you veerrry soon 😅 as all the little bits are starting to come together.

This lovely blue bottle is going to be a fantastic, uplifting face toner, that will be paired with the herbal face mask I gave you a peek of recently!

The toner is witch hazel infused with rose petals, rosemary and red raspberry leaf. All of this brought together with the bright, uplifting scent of lemon balm and myrrh.

Soothing, cooling and aiding in skin health, all the ingredients have been chosen with intention and care in mind.

Stay turned for the full package reveal (yes there's one more product in here to make it a lovely trio)

Pre-orders on this limited package opening soooon!!!

11/11/2025

Lest we forget. Poppies hold deep meaning in remembrance and healing.

Ever wonder about the story behind the poppy on your lapel? ✨

As Remembrance Day approaches, poppies start showing up everywhere, a symbol of memory, honour, and resilience. But beyond what it represents, the real flower itself has a fascinating story that stretches back thousands of years.

Records of poppies being used as herbal medicine date back to 2700 BCE, when it was cultivated in the Mediterranean Basin for their calming and pain-relieving properties. Across North America, Indigenous tribes like the Mendocino, Chumash, and Costanoan also valued poppies as food and medicine, using them to help with sleep, ease discomfort, and calm the mind.

Today, herbalists still turn to poppy for similar reasons. In smaller amounts, it can gently reduce anxiety and tension. In stronger doses, it’s more sedating, helping with pain and promoting deep, restful sleep.

And while the o***m poppy tends to get most of the attention, there are actually over a hundred varieties of poppy, most of which don’t contain those same potent compounds. Many are mild, soothing, and safe when used properly.

So as you spot those poppies this week, take a moment to remember their deeper story, one that speaks not just of loss and remembrance, but of healing and the enduring wisdom of plants.

Love diving into the history of plants like the poppy? The Herbal Village is the perfect resource for you. Learn more by visiting our site! 🌿

🌸 www.wildrosecollege.com

11/10/2025

Had some fun things arrive. 👀 💚
Ruby is going to look really good on a seal!

11/08/2025

The best thing about coming up with new ideas... experimenting!

I'm reeeeallly enjoying this one... French green clay with crushed rose petals, chamomile and lavender, all skin loving and soothing herbs.

Just one element of my winter herbal spa package... 👀 More on that real soon!

(Sadly, my kid wouldn't let me take a picture of her too, but I assure you she looked great! 😎)

11/07/2025

🌿Chaga - Inonotus obliquus🍄

One of my favourite mushrooms to work with, chaga has become a staple in my house as these mornings turn cold. I've been creating a decoction of chaga, reishi, and cinnamon for 4 days now, with the SAME pieces (you read that right). This is how easy it is to use.

Wait - what's a decoction?
I put them in a pot of water on the stove and simmer them all gently for about a half hour before drinking as tea. This, versus warming the water, THEN adding herbs.

Chaga is known for
🌱Aiding in boosting immune function
🌱 Aiding in digestion
🌱 High in antioxidants
🌱 Some studies suggest that chaga may prevent cancer and slow tumor growth.

Where can I find chaga?
🍄On birch trees!
🍄 Often, they look like a clump of dirt either low on the tree, on the trunk, or large branches.
🍄Typically found in the spring and summer in Northern climates. Canada has a lot of chaga! My supply comes from the forests of eastern Canada.
🍄Identifying and harvesting takes practice, especially because we don't want to damage the tree, and also need to be sure we leave some chaga behind so it can continue to grow.

Have you ever tried this gem of a fungus?

*Information is for educational purposes only.*