What better way to celebrate the coming new year than with a look back at some of our favorite recipes of 2011?

The mere thought of oils, vinegars, butters, and salts infused with the essence of savory herbs is enough to make the taste buds swoon.  Simple to concoct, these preparations are eminently useful for creating flavorful dressings, marinades, rubs, beverages, vinaigrettes, sauces, and so much more.

Calendula is one of my very favorite herbs. The cheerful orange and yellow blossoms look gorgeous in the garden and are incredibly versatile in an array of preparations.

Here in Eugene, Oregon, summer has been playing hide-and-seek with us. We'll have a day or two of brilliant sunshine and warmth, followed by a few days of gray skies and sprinkles. It's hard to know how to prepare for the changeable weather! That's why I'm glad I have one of these Elemental Herbs SPF 30 zinc sunsticks tucked into my bag.