Celtic Roots

I remember sitting in my sons bed, writing out my 2015 New Years resolutions, with a heavy sense that this year was going to be one of change. The list consisted of becoming a blogger, spending more time with my family and growth as an individual. Little did I know that creating a blog would open the door to writing articles, create an awakening within myself to see what drives and motivates me. What started off as a lifestyle blog, became more of documentary of what was taking place within myself and I felt inspired by what was around us, obtainable, beautiful and free. My time spent at home consisted of creating decor or personal remedies through nature. Time spent with my family consisted of being outdoors and recognizing the glorious bounty of land, trees, plants and open space to breathe. I was creating and sharing my creations with my best friend Sara, whom started to create within her home as well, all from natural ingredients and essential oils. It was therapeutic for me, it was reeling me back to a time as a young girl when my imaginations drove me to create special lotions or cook fresh herbs on a cast iron pan heated by the sun alone. I was always living in a slight magical world! My imagination only grew as I read Anne of Greene Gables or Little House on The Prairie, all of which were spun and woven with natural remedies and living off the land. My heart still skips a beat thinking of living a life like that!

 {Our Lady Bergamot body cream, smells heavenly!!!}

{Foraging Cedar for our smudge bundles within my backyard :)}

As long as I have known Sara, which boasts a friendship well over 13 years now, she has always been curing herself or her family with natural remedies. Her grandmother passed on this beautiful legacy through old worn herbal books and passing her infinite knowledge of old culture ways to Sara. Aligned, creating products, sharing our love of nature, herbs, medicinal and therapeutic...something within us stirred and within a moment of clarity we forged what was once a beloved hobby into a young blossoming business. Combining  our Irish heritage, my Celtic sir name Mahoney and Sara's, O'Malley we both agreed upon the name Celtic Roots LLC.

{My business partner (and bestie) Sara and I in her gorgeous garden}

Our goals and dreams are to bring back what once was, what was simply second nature at one time. Surrounding us, in our yards, roadsides, pathways and forests thrives an abundance of plants which are medicinal, that at one time our ancestors foraged and prized as potent healers. A lot of these herbs are considered weeds. We want to create and offer salves, home remedies, personal remedies all from what we have foraged and crafted from our land. To teach you, share our knowledge as we grow and learn ourselves, to become acquainted with what has been freely given to us.

         

       {Celtic Roots facial grains;  a great way to exfoliate and cleanse in one product}

We live in a world that has been mesmerized by quick and easy ways to get what we want, but are laced with pesticides, toxins, hormones, the list could go on. Our hope is to introduce a "living off the land" mentality, to connect with nature yet again, to simply get back on a path that leads us to health and knowledge. Where we can help ourselves. Our business is still young, we are still paving our way and fine tuning. But we have stock to sell from within our homes. You can find us on Facebook, Celtic Roots. Feel free to like our page, leave us a note or send us a message! We have some amazing products that we have hand crafted; lotions, foot scrubs, cleansing grains, face cream, lip
balms....check us out!

{Our Rose Petal facial moisturizer}

We are currently working on opening up shop on Etsy, eventually we will own our own apothecary nestled within our community, our attic adorned with fresh drying herbs and shelves lined with blue bottled tinctures, the fragrance when you walk through our hearth will be heavenly (which of course is our real dream!). But patience and hard work is key to success, as well as passion, which is like a mountain spring within Sara and I. We hope to hear from you, meet you at local fairs and become friends! We hope you fall in love with our products as much as we do. There will be something for everyone; women, men and children! Lastly, If you have a dream, follow it, never dull what you are passionate about!

{Cedar smudge bundles}

Back With a Bang!!

{Back with a Bang, get it?! LOL! Super corny! Still getting used this new look myself though....}

Now that tax season is over and I have been able to fully unwind, I feel as though I have truly hit the reset button and have gotten to enjoy the comforts of home. I had a much overdue date night with my husband accompanied with new business contacts that have become friends through my husband's business. They are such a great couple, I am in much hope for a future get together! We had a great time at a local brewery, I enjoyed a delicious dinner of bacon wrapped shrimp stuffed with wasabi sided with an array of fresh steamed veggies, it was heavenly! It was so nice to share laughs, great conversation and just relax. I was also able to see my husband's work (beautiful remodeled bathroom), which I rarely get to see in person. He is so talented and it was amazing to see his craftsmanship in real life, I am his number one fan-girl!  In all, Saturday was simply smashing!

{There is something so magical about spring and waiting for those first blooms. These are some beauts}

Sunday was just as divine. My husband took the day off to spend with Logan and I, we enjoyed a lavish homemade breakfast. That has always been a tradition of ours and its THE best way to start off a family day. I whipped up some scrambled eggs, used a heavy hand with shredded cheddar cheese. Then sauteed onions and potatoes, both of which came from our local CSA. Tossed in some fresh pork sausage, sprinkled it with dill and freshly ground pepper. Sided with apple slices and of course a frothy cup of coffee, it was delicious!

{So happy that my hens and chicks have made a comeback!!}

We then did some fun shopping together. My husband bought me a small greenhouse that I am completely over the moon with! Whilst the weather refuses to warm up, I am keeping it in our living room. As soon as it warms up, I will move it to our mudroom. But for now, I rather like it right where it is. I have never started a vegetable garden from seeds, but there is simply no going back. I have gotten the utmost enjoyment watching our baby plants grow, nurturing them. Its so exciting and amazing! Putting together my greenhouse and lining our little Dixie cups holding our future veggies on its shelves was a delightful way to spend my afternoon soaking up the little bit of sun that there was.

{All planted with organic love}

Afterwards, Logan and I took off on the four wheeler to do some forest foraging. We found all sorts of artifacts. We brought home a beautiful birch branch, which is now showcased in my kitchen waiting for herbs to be hung and dried. We also found a perfect sheet of birch bark which I will be framing, its AHHHHmazing. We then took off down towards the creek to collect rocks in which we will paint and use as markers in the herb garden. It was a grand adventure and seeing the excitement on my son's face as we collected together is always priceless.

        

{I was super duper excited when I came up with the idea to hang this little birdhouse from my branch and pop a tiny airplant in its hole! I mean, cereal?!?!}

The best ending to our afternoon ride was when he picked me some flowers and had us smell them together, he is just the best and I am so smitten with my little guy. He makes my heart swoon :)

{He is the blue to my sky} 

To end our perfect Sunday, we painted, one of our favorite crafting activities we do together. Then cuddled together and watched 101 Dalmatians, which he took a keen fascination to. It was by-far one of my favorite weekends of all!!!!! 

 I have missed you and now that I'm back, I'm feeling as though I've connected with an old friend and hopeful for the future! I am so glad to be back! Leave me a note, I would love to hear from you! 

{Love life, because life is too short NOT to!}

Mossy Eye Candy

I find myself drifting to warm sunny days with my hands in the dirt, tasting the sweet aromas of dill, bee balm and old English rose on my lips, humming to the tune of high perched wrens and the hum of swooping hummingbirds. Then my mind snaps to reality and I place another log on the wood-stove, wrap my hands around a steamy cup of coffee soaking in its warmth while my eyes adjust to the bright vast stretch of land blanketed in white and....I am over it!  Seeing months of black and white can lead to a brain full of static! So let's be rebels eh and add some color to this picture!! Time to bring the garden indoors my friends. I am going to show you how to make some lovely terrariums with the use of bright green succulents and lovely blooming air plants, both of which are very low maintenance & cost! The process is super duper simple and the outcome looks extremely mod! Little glass worlds of eye candy.

Where will you start?! How about in your pantry, cupboards, china closet....your home has a plethora of containers just waiting for you to showcase their style, time to dust them off and give them time to shine! Have you any vases, tea cups, cheese platters with glass tops, round cake tins? Or have you any pieces that you store in your china cabinet as heirloom pieces that are simply for display? All of these pieces make perfect containers for donning your new indoor gardens!

Now that you have decided what you will use, you might ask....where can I purchase air plants or succulents in the middle of winter?? Check out your local florists! This has become a huge trend, one that my father stated was a mega hit back in his day. Isn't it funny what we think is NEW and FABULOUS is really history repeating itself?! If your local florist doesn't carry them, do some research on Amazon or Etsy. This past week I had a blast visiting a florist in my neighborhood whose name instantly caught my attention, Flowerkraut, and it was love first step into their gem of a shop! They boasted a vast collection of air plants throughout their shop hanging in tiny clay pots from the ceiling to peeking at you from shelves among eclectic finds of stationary, bath salts, stained glass feathers.....my eyes and brain were drooling! Having to narrow down my purchases was no easy task.

(Do you SEE those poppies?! They are breathtaking!)

(my heart was swooning over all the eclectic pieces this little shop bestowed. It was exactly what I needed on a frigid winters day to revitalize my heart and soul)

Once you have your plants, you now need to purchase your other supplies: activated charcoal (for the succulent terrariums), soil and moss. I also used two wooden skewers to help place the moss and plants where I wanted them (which helps if your container is narrow at the top). I purchased my charcoal from Pet Smart. Its the same charcoal used in fish tank filters, thus working the same way as to keep the water pure within your terrarium and helps to keep mold out. The soil I simply purchased at Lowe's, it's Miracle-Gro potting mix. And the stones I harvested from outdoors, but feel free to use any decorative river stones, gems or baubles. Now, I must admit, I did cheat as far as the moss goes. I purchased a package of preserved sheet moss from Jo-Ann fabrics, don't judge! Once spring rolls around, I will harvest my own (and share the process of course). But for now, a cheater I am! 

(I used these three pieces. The tiny flowered pitcher is a family heirloom from my son's great grandmother. The cheese platter has collected dust for years, what a perfect way to showcase it! And the tall glass vessel I purchased at TJ Maxx on the clearance rack! Be sure to also check out places like Goodwill or any local thrift store!)

Once you have all of your goodies lined up, we can begin the fun part, creating your own little conversation pieces. Tap into you imagination, allow your mind to run rampant and create something magical or simple. This is your little world, so be sure to make it what you want.

First we will begin the simple steps to creating terrariums. The first step is to fill your base with your stones. Then top them with 1/2 inch of charcoal, followed by soil. Depending on the depth of the container you are using, you will have to use your judgement as to how much soil you will be using.

Next, take the plants gently out of their containers and tickle the roots to "activate" them, as well as to loosen their soil. If you have a narrow container that you will be placing them in, use your skewers or whatever tool of choice to maneuver them within their new home. 

Once your plants are in and planted, you can start decorating its new habitat with moss. I personally cannot get enough of the stuff, its like a plush blanket of vivid green....I really go crazy when it comes to moss. And their are so many varieties that you can play with! HAVE FUN with this project. 

You can incorporate fairies, stones, ANYTHING. I used a dinosaur from my son's vast toy collection and he thinks its the coolest ;) 

If your container is closed, be sure to water lightly, as it becomes its own biosphere and the moisture will retain. If you over water, simply take the top off and allow it to breathe for a bit (a day or two, use your own judgement!). No need to keep your terrarium in the sunlight, they prefer shaded areas, thus making the perfect indoor decor pieces! 

Last, but never ever least, is our air plants. These little beauts hold up to their name, simply because all they need to thrive is air alone, no soil needed. Pretty magical if you ask me! I do suggest giving them a bath in a basin of water or your sink in tepid water twice a week. This dry winter air has a tendency to dry these babies out, much like it does our skin! But that is it, that is all they require. And of course a good dose of  love :)

Simply place these little guys wherever you see fit! I personally love mine within tea cups or tiny pitchers. 

Hope you are convinced that you too need a tiny world of green! 

Carla, XO