Ruby’s House

04/27/2026

Soooo.... spring is...here?... which means things are growing and ready to flourish and flower. It is a great time to learn new plants because typically they are easier to ID when they are flowering.

BUT... I often get asked what app I used to identify herbs out and about.

The short answer: I don't.

I utilize others knowledge - teachers, mentors, herbalist, gardeners, plant enthusiasts.

I use books and resources I trust. (Because believe me, there are AI generated books out there too, sadly)

And most of all...
Practice. Lots and lots of practice. 😅

Don't get me wrong, I do have a basic plant "app" on my phone but honestly, I only use it to cataloge what I have, tell me the name (because I know it but its on the tip of my tongue 😆) OR to start me in a direction - because I'm still going to pick up the book and go through my process.

Biggest thing is - don't be afraid. Don't be afraid to learn. Start with what is immediately around you, in your yard. Write it down, sit with your plants. Take note of who their friends are (what's growing close) and how they all grow.

Pick one. Start there.

Get to know them like you would after just meeting someone new. Sit and have coffee with them, enjoy the sunshine. 😄

It works, trust me.

They might not speak with words, but I assure you, they have a lot to say. 🥰

04/24/2026

New tea blend for the ladies, coming in hot. 😎

Official taste test happening on this cold very blustery day. Some great herbal supporters and flavours in here. (Did you see the cinnamon?!)

I have high hopes for this one. 😅

04/22/2026

Komhucha update: First fermentation done and its just so simple and tasty as it is! Can hardly believe how easy that was. (Knock on wood!)

Now to actually find some proper bottles and try another round that I'll take into a second fermentation with some fun experimenting.

04/22/2026

👀 🪻Looking for an easy way to stock up on some pretty flowers, herbs or veggies?! Check out Stettler Town and Country Museum fundraiser! Support our lovely community museum AND get yourself some blooms! 🌷

Now with the warm weather are you starting to think about planting? Check out our fundraiser at https://stettlertownandcountry.growingsmilesfundraising.com/home! Growing Smiles is a Canadian company that provides fundraising opportunities for groups across Western Canada. All plants are hardy for our region and are grown with care.

04/21/2026

Populus tremuloides - Trembling Aspen

Today we are checking out the catkins on the trembling aspen- which are usually used in a culinary setting to add extra vitamins and flavor to dishes like soups and stews.

But there are many other ways this herb can be used!

Parts we can use:
🌳 Inner bark - please use bark from properly pruned branches, not the trunk.
🌳 Leaves
🌳 Catkins
🌳 Dust on the bark - mild sun protection for the skin

Some actions it is known for:
🌱Anti-inflammatory
🌱Analgesic - pain relief
🌱Anticoagulant
🌱Anti-rhuemtic
🌱Antiseptic
🌱Bitter astringent

Ways we can use them:
🫖 Tea
🌱 Tincture
🥣 Culinary
🌿 Salves, balms, ligaments
🛁 Baths, soaks and steams

Aspen bark is smooth and a white/greyish colour with a greenish tinge. They are often found in groves - which means there's almost always many more than one, but really, its one giant organism because they are all connected! Their leaves (when they leaf out) are oval/ovate in shape and have flat petioles- the "stem" of the leaf - which is what makes the sound like they are trembling in the wind.

**Do not use if you are allergic to poplar, the fuzzy/fluffy trees, and/or asprin. I am not nor do I claim to be a medical doctor or clinical herbalist. Please do your research, this information is for educational purposes only. Please forage responsibly and ethically.

04/20/2026

Things are slowly appearing in my gardens and my heart is happy! This flax didnt even care that it snowed 3 days ago. 😅 What has started growing in your space?

04/13/2026

Guess who's giving kombucha a go?! 😅 Special thanks to my new friend Shelley for the beautiful scoby!

Ever tried to make some?! What's your favourite recipe? Im excited to try it with herbs in the future - could be a grand experience!

04/11/2026

I'm so excited to once again, join Loretta and Felicity and share some plant medicine for women, at the Summer Solstice Celebration in June! Such a wonderful, welcoming group. Come ground yourself and connect, how ever that may look for you. 🌿💚 Click the post for info!

Join Loretta and Felicity for a Summer Solstice Celebration in a beautiful space Indoors and outdoor at Rochon Sands, Buffalo Lake. June 20 and 21

This day is curated with guidance from our ancestors, as we gather in celebration honouring the land, season and blessings.

☀️Water Ceremony

☀️tea and bannock

☀️creation of spirit

☀️nature meditation

☀️medicine making

☀️drum circle

☀️ sacred fire

This is a soft outline of all the blessings as we allow ourselves to be guided by Mother Nature.

All of the above gifts, blessings, space, food and drinks for the day are provided in cost.

$444 registration fee for 2 days
( payments plan available)

$ 50 for lodging at house ( spaces limited)

Camp at the provincial park ( this is at your cost )

https://letscamp.ca/camps/rochon-sands

Travel back and forth, come for the day

Please txt or call Loretta at 403-740-6839 to register, June 6 deadline

Please note at time of registration any dietary concerns.

Watch Broken Drum Creative and Goals with Soul for details on the beautiful souls joining us in creation.

04/07/2026

🌿📚Ruby's Reccomendations April Edition📚🌿

Refence Cards and Decks

A quick one this month - and not necessarily a "book" but absolutely a valuable resource.

I love my handy cards - mostly for the at-a-glance information but also because it's a valuable tool when teaching people what things look like (in a general sort of way, nothing's perfect 😅)

Enchanted Foraging Deck - Ebony Gheorghe
🌷Nice variety of plants, and you can find pretty much all in AB
🌷Quick glance info including the science-y stuff, identifiers, tips and uses.
🌷BONUS - it suggests best times to forage.

A Kitchen Full of Herbs - Holly Farrell
🌱More culinary focused combine with usage on how to support health
🌱Lovely sections that separates the best herbs to use for cooking, baking, making drinks and best ones fresh.
🌱If you grow or want to grow your own, quick snapshot on each card. Size, zone and some growing tips.

Mushroom Spirit Oracle Deck - Nicola McIntosh
🍄Beautifully panted mushrooms, many of which can be found locally.
🍄Each one has a description in the booklet provided, including scientific name, brief description and whether or not it is poisonous or edible.
🍄Have I mentioned the artwork?! 😅

All card decks were found in various places along my travels. Costs ranged from about $20-30. There are loads like these ones out there, sometimes the trick is just finding ones with local plant information.

If I HAD to pick just one, I'd start with the Enchanted Foraging Deck.

Definitely handy as a quick guide, I would follow it up with more detailed resources until youre 100% confident in your IDs.

Which one would you choose? 🤔

04/02/2026

Spent a little time this afternoon at Vintage Thistle and couldn't help but treat myself to a new plant and some super cool seeds from Nova Scotia. 😁 It was so hard to decide which ones to get!

Loads of glorious gifts, beautiful Canadian made products and of course flowers and plants. Stop in and see!

My products are also there if you need a refill in your travels:
🌿Plantain Salve and DIY kits
🌿Elderberry Syrup Kits
🌿Muscle Balm
🌿Lavender and Lemongrass whipped tallows

Have the most amazing weekend friends, I'm taking some time off with my family. Have a blessed Easter!

04/01/2026

😆 This is absolutely my sense of humor.

03/30/2026

How gorgeous! 😍 No filter either, just sunshine!
This, my friends, is Balm of Gilead in all its golden glory.

If you've been following along a few posts back, I explained a little about this fantastic and very historical herb, the salve in particular made from the resin on spring poplar buds.

This resin is known for its analgesic (pain relieving), anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and expectorant (helps get mucous loosened and moving outwards) qualities. It actually contains salicin, which is a similar to the pain relieving chemical in ASA.

Thats great!
But what does that mean?

🌳 It is excellent for soothing and supporting skin health, especially with issues such as eczema and psoriasis,

🌳It can aid in healing wounds,

🌳 Can ease muscle soreness, joint pain from arthritis and rheumatism

🌳It is a lovely chest rub for coughs, to help loosen mucous from your lungs and may even aid with reducing headaches and fever

I have prepared a batch with love and care, harvesting only from fallen poplar branches. (We are leavers, not takers).

If you are interested in trying some, let me know!

*This information is for educational purposes only. I make no claims that this product will cure anything but merely support the body in healing. Always speak to your physician before using herbs as a part of your daily regemin. Do not use if you are allergic to poplar/willow family or asprin related pharmaceuticals. External use only.