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According to the tale, the fable of the Pussy Willow goes; a mother cat was crying on the bank of a river, as her kittens had fallen in while chasing butterflies and were drowning. The willow trees along the riverbank wanted to help, so they dipped their branches into the water to save the kittens, allowing them to cling to the limbs. The kittens were saved, but they left their soft, furry fur behind on the branches. Since then, willow branches sprout tiny, kitten, fur-like buds every spring in memory of this rescue. As the old poem goes; A Polish legend tells the tale, of tiny kittens, ohs o frail. Along the river's edge they chased. Whith butterflies, they played and raced. They came too close to the river's side, and thus, fell in. Their mother cried. What could she do but weep and moan? Her babies fate were yet unknown. The willow, but the river, knew just what it was that the must do; They swept their graceful branches down Into the waters, all around. To reach the kittens was their goal; A rescue mission, hears and soul. The kittens grasped the branches tight. The willows saved them from their plight. Each springtime since, the story goes, Willow branches now wear clothes. Tiny fur like buds are sprung where little kittens had once clung. And that's the legend, so they claim, How Pussy Willows got their name!  Other Willow Folklore
The Quiet Power of Willow Bark: From Ancient Medicine to Modern Herbal CareWillow trees grow across much of the world, from Europe and North America to northern Asia and parts of Africa. For thousands of years people have turned to this quiet tree for relief from pain and fever. Nearly 2,000 years ago the Greek physician Dioscorides recommended “willow leaves, mashed with a little pepper and drunk with wine” for lower back pain. During the Middle Ages, willow bark continued to be used throughout Europe to reduce fever and ease aches. In 1899 the Bayer Company in Germany introduced a drug based on a synthetic compound similar to the active ingredient found in willow bark. That product eventually became one of the most recognized medicines in the world… aspirin. Like aspirin, willow bark is a proven pain reliever, though it works more slowly and tends to last longer in the body. Traditionally it has been used for fever, colds, headaches, minor infections, and rheumatic aches. On the farm, willow bark has found its way into several of our products including our Rosemary Hair Oil, Peppermint Hair Oil, White Fir Beard Oil, and our Easelixer ~ Create your own Elixer. Willow contains a natural compound called salicin that gently exfoliates the scalp, helping remove dead skin, balance excess oil, and reduce dandruff. Its anti inflammatory plant compounds soothe irritation and help create a healthier environment where strong hair can grow. You will also find willow bark in our Easelixer blend, a plant that herbal traditions have long turned to when the body needs a little extra support. Each spring we harvest the young willow shoots at the same time the maple sap begins to run. The days rise above freezing while the nights still dip below zero. During this brief window the sap moves through the trees as they awaken from winter’s sleep. This is when the bark is richest and most potent, and when we gather what we need for the oils and elixirs we craft through the year.  Our registered White Willow tree at Mingle Hill Farm, one of the largest in Canada.
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Wild Roses, Scurvy Sailors, And How Their Legacy Lives On In Our Rosehip Oil And Rose Clay Mask12/9/2025 Across the prairies, forests and coastlines of North America, native wild roses grew long before European ships appeared on the horizon. These roses, such as Rosa carolina, Rosa virginiana, Rosa nutkana and Rosa woodsii, were not bred for beauty. They were shaped by wind, winter and time. Their true treasure was not the flower at all. It was the bright red rosehip left behind once the petals fell. Indigenous communities understood the importance of these fruits. Through long winters, rosehips were dried, brewed into teas, turned into syrups and added to food as a source of strength. Rosehips are naturally rich in vitamin C. They hold one of the highest concentrations found in any wild plant across the continent. For generations this small fruit supported wellness and resilience when fresh food was scarce. When sailors arrived during the age of exploration, they faced a deadly problem. Months at sea meant no fresh food, which led to scurvy. Indigenous knowledge offered a solution. Sailors learned to use dried rosehips from North American shores to create teas that supported their health during long voyages. Rosehips were light to carry and remained nutrient rich even after drying. As a result, they became a simple and reliable protection at sea. This quiet plant became part of maritime history and a bridge between cultures. The wisdom of how to use rosehips travelled across the Atlantic just as the ships did.  Roses at Mingle Hill Farm Today the same fruit continues to offer nourishment for the skin. At Mingle Hill we use organically grown and carefully processed rosehips to create our Rosehip Oil. It is packed with antioxidants and naturally occurring vitamin C that supports a healthy glow and helps the skin feel soothed and renewed. Our Rose Clay Mask is blended with rosehip powder to brighten, calm and refresh the complexion. These products honour the long history of this plant. They carry forward knowledge that has supported people for centuries.
A humble wild rose once protected sailors on an open sea. It still protects us today through gentle skincare that comes directly from the land. Every family has that one holiday dish that feels like home. For us, it’s this Egg Free Fruited Turkey Dressing. It’s sweet, savoury, comforting, and a little magical, and it has been on our table for more than two decades. I first found the original version in Food and Hospitality Magazine back in 1999. I placed it in my recipe binder and since then have been making it every Thanksgiving and Christams. Every holiday I would tweak something. A little more sage. A touch more fruit. A splash of rum for depth. Fresh herbs from the garden instead of dried. Slowly, it became ours. And now it’s the only stuffing or dressing I make because nothing else ever compares to it. People ask for it. They expect it. This recipe originally included egg but my son in law and grandkids have an egg allergy so removing the egg from the original recipe made it even better. For others it is easily made vegetarian with a simple swap of olive oil and vegetable broth. It’s the kind of dish that holds warmth, nostalgia, and the smell of a holiday kitchen.  Ingredients
Instructions Prepare the Bread - make your croutons Cut the sourdough into small cubes. Lay them on a baking sheet and toast under the broiler. Watch closely because they colour fast. Flip and toast the other side. When they’re lightly golden, move them into a large bowl. This step gives the dressing structure and that perfect texture. Build the Flavour Warm the butter or olive oil in a deep pan. Add onions, celery, and garlic and cook until they soften and smell like the beginning of something comforting. Add apples and pears and let them cook down. They should soften and release their natural sweetness. Bring in the Warmth Pour in the rum and let it cook off. Add the fresh sage, thyme, parsley, ground cloves, salt, and white pepper. Taste and adjust. This is where the dressing comes alive. Combine Everything Stir in the broth. Pour the mixture over the toasted bread cubes and gently fold until everything is coated and fragrant. BakeSpoon the mixture into an oven safe dish with a lid. Bake at 325 to 350 degrees F for about 30 minutes until warmed through and aromatic. It’s even better made the day before, giving the flavours time to settle in and mingle beautifully. Final Step As always. Add love. Notes Fresh herbs are ideal but dried herbs will still give wonderful flavour. This recipe becomes vegetarian by using olive oil and vegetable broth. It reheats beautifully and has a way of tasting even better the next day. Garlic scape season is here! These whimsical, curly green stalks are the flowering shoots of garlic plants. We harvest them early so the energy goes into growing a big, beautiful bulb below. But while they’re here, they’re one of the tastiest short-season treats from the garden. Think of garlic scapes as garlic’s milder, greener cousin, like a cross between green onions and fresh garlic, with a lot of personality. We dry them and mix them with our dried parsley and salt to make our Farmstead Salt Seasoning Blend. Great to sprinkle on pasta, eggs, chili, or anything you would sprinkle salt and garlic on. If you’ve never tried them, start with this quick pesto recipe. It’s bright, peppery, and versatile delicious tossed with pasta, spread on toast, spooned over grilled veggies, or swirled into soups. And of course, we finish ours with a dash of our house-made Mid Summer Heat chili oil for a little farm-grown fire. 🌿 Garlic Scape Pesto with a Kick You’ll need:
 photo by Oleg Gapeenko
🐾 From Cats to Cleansing: A New Tea is Born - CuriTea Our sweet little fur babies in the farm store have been hard at work lately—keeping mice at bay like the true farm MVPs they are. But with all that mouse-catching comes a downside… worms. 😬 Tomato (our brave little representative) took one for the team and went to the vet, and sure enough, everyone got a round of worm meds. They're now happily back to their routine—napping in their beds by day, patrolling for mice by night.  Photo of Tomato the Cat 📸 by Zach Rozema But that whole situation got me wondering: Can humans get parasites from their pets? Well, the rabbit hole I went down was both fascinating and kinda gross. Turns out, studies suggest that up to 85% of humans may be carrying some form of parasite. Ewwwwh. Yep. I said it. Gross. So I did what any herb-loving human would do... I Googled: “What herbs help get rid of parasites?” And to my surprise, I came across a scientific paper that confirmed something herbalists have said for generations: 🌿 Oregano, rosemary, thyme, cumin, and sweet marjoram have all shown effective anti-parasitic properties. Read the study here. And of course, I couldn’t resist adding Wormwood (a.k.a. Sweet Annie)—I mean, the name alone screams "get rid of worms!" right? 🌕 Introducing Our Newest Tea Blend Inspired by this little adventure, a new tea has been born. Rooted in folklore and backed by science, the traditional way to use these herbs is to drink the tea five days before the full moon and five days after. (One 40g tea bag will last you two full months of this lunar cycle cleanse.) I tried it last month and felt so much better—especially digestion-wise. And the best part? These herbs don’t just support parasite cleansing—they come with a whole host of other health benefits too. That’s the magic of plants. Order Here Are We the Only Ones Who Think Herbs Are This Fun? Because honestly… learning weird facts, reading ancient folklore, testing teas, and watching cats do weird stuff? That’s the dream life over here. 🐱🌿✨  Photo of the CuriTea testing
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AUTHORMeet Emily Rozema: The Heart Behind Mingle Hill Farm CATEGORIES
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