Because I was so lucky to have a semester off from teaching, I hung around Basin Pond, paddling and walking the trails daily.

Besides the usual garden projects, I harvested cranberries, lavender, and pine cones! I decided I would make all my Christmas presents!

Although it didn’t prove to be cheaper, my family all enjoyed the pine cone wreaths, cranberry infusions, and homemade lavender lotions and lip balms.  I enjoyed the satisfaction of working with my hands and feeling the onset of Christmas a month early when I was baking pine cones and setting vinegar bottles to infuse.  Stay tuned for Basin Pond Gifts next year – fa la la la la!