March is an odd bird. She’s dark and wet and heavy with it – heavy with the weight of winter’s end and the cold of brutal months past. Yet somehow, she also manages to carry hope . . . hope and promise and newness. Without fail, every year here in the heartland she plays host to a seasonal tennis match of sorts, March does. A constant back and forth game between winter and spring that has us all reeling, our heads spinning with the dizziness of their play. We woke up to several inches of snow this morning, the world covered in a blanket of cold, blue-hued, silence. Now, as I write this, I can’t see a single trace of that snowfall. The day’s temperatures rose enough to melt it all away, leaving us, yet again, on the edges of our proverbial seats wondering what’s next? We’re only spectators in this game, and all we can do is wait to see what happens.

There is an equinox today, though. Of that we are certain. The sun rising at the same time that it sets. The balance of that is always so satisfying to me, and so beautiful. Seasonal symmetry . . . Ebbing and flowing. Suns and moons. A fresh start, today.

Regardless of how many times winter wants to rear her head at us in the coming weeks – no matter what her sequels may look like – it is officially spring. Calendar says so, and I couldn’t be happier. To celebrate, I’m thrilled to be sharing this stunning recipe for a Honey Rose Face Wash from Lily Diamond’s Kale and Caramel Cookbook.

I had the pleasure of meeting Lily, albeit briefly, last fall during a lovely vegetarian Thanksgiving meal at a local creamery here outside Indianapolis. She was in town from LA to co-host the evening with two other blogger friends of mine, in celebration of their cookbook releases, and during that very quick encounter (there was a lot going on) I knew right away that I liked this woman. She was kind and warm and seemed so very comfortable in her own skin.

Speaking of which, I’m so excited for you guys to give this DIY face wash a try. Lily’s book is filled with intoxicatingly beautiful recipes, writing and imagery that make it the kind of cookbook you never tire of flipping through; something special to discover every time. She lets you into her world in the most welcoming way and seamlessly, impressively weaves her recipes and stories together, from the first page to the last. Many cookbooks are described as “deeply personal” but I’d say few are more so than Lily’s. You feel like you’ve really gotten to know her by the time you’ve made your way through the pages in this book, and it’s those intangible qualities that really give a book its heart. And this one is made of pure gold.

Congrats again to you, Lily.

xo, L