Bittersweet and the little soap company

Lavender day dreams

I'm contemplating new creations infused with this treasured herb.

While on my morning walk my mind traveled to and fro with thoughts of sweet lavender Valentine's.

A new idee inspires me to create...all on its own...

The idee whispers ever so softly ♥

 Winter ushers in creative idees...that flow slowly...

Enjoy caring and sharing winter days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one)

♥ reflections

Although the studio is closed for a long winters nap until February 4, she's preparing for Valentine's day. The love day  falls behind Christmas so quickly and the studio re-opens for only two Saturday's before  ♥ day.

Manufacturing is about to kick into high gear. Pondering thoughts of soap flavors wavoring back and forth in my mind, idees simmering while old man winter settles in for a spell.

I'm excited about the new year. It seems new idees, new faith, new beginnings, new trust and new spirit are reflected in those feelings I carry.

Anticipating the unknown with a postitive perspective. Believing the best is yet to come! Remember, trust and faith? I believe those two beautiful words hold hands!

Thoughts of spring will begin to overcome my spirit in the month of February like they always do.

I'm thankful for the sweet tiny things in life for they can be the biggest and best! Something you learn to appreciate more as you get older I believe.

It is true, your spirit grows as each season passes... That's a beautiful thing.

Enjoy a caring and sharing New Year.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than none) 

 

     

Bittersweet Studio

flowering thoughts...

I hope you enjoyed a lovely Christmas. Lennis and I hosted our annual Christmas Eve party and dinner for family. My brothers smoked brisket was absolutely divine! That chocolate gingerbread toffee cake was delectably rich and dense, melt in your mouth delicious!

I received a new griddle that I'm in love with. We prepared latkes for Christmas brunch on the handy grill. The moment brought back memories of when I used to cook on a flat grill at the restaurant I worked at years ago. I loved that job! Also remembering how I made Grandma Lola's famous fried chicken one Sunday and folks lined up outside the door awaiting its arrival. I had no idee that would happen! Thrilling moment that was for me.

Thinking about how my Grandma must have felt when she prepared her yummy friend chicken for folks when she owned her small town cafe, Lola's Cafe. Soulful and sweet those tender feelings.  

This picture inspires me in many ways.

The flower picture above is also inspiring. Thoughts of new spring Bittersweets begin to evolve when I gaze upon the beautiful flowers.

The studio will be closed through January. It's spring soap manufacturing time! Hard to believe, I know. Manufacturing is always ahead of the seasons.  New designs in the works and so many idees floating around in my head. I can hardly keep up! It's a fun keep-up though.

Looking forward to a festive New Year.

Contemplating new soap flavors and brews.

Enjoy a caring and sharing New Year!

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one) 

 

 

Happy Holidays

My wish for you!

Remember, don't sweat the small stuff and enjoy a caring and sharing holiday season.

Bittersweet will be signing off for a spell. Believe it or not, after Christmas is our busiest time ever. We're planning and pondering thoughts of spring products. Visions of new soap flavors dance in our heads. The soap table will be once again filled with rows of fresh savon.

I have received several good books from friends. Planning on taking a few days off to chill and indulge in some heavy reading before the New Year arrives.

Merry, Merry Christmas Bittersweet friends! Love you all!

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two holiday hugs are better than one)

Sweet thoughts at Christmas...

I was blown away with the many birthday wishes. A few tears rolled down my cheek as I read some of your birthday greetings. You'll never know how much the sweet thoughts mean to me.

I had a great day and it was made even better by your thoughtful gesture.

Another round of homemade marshmallows sits on the kitchen counter. I'm getting ready to cut them. I have found cutting them in squares is easier if you use pastry scissors. Sprinkle lots of powdered sugar on them before you begin cutting.

Christmas prepping...

Cutting some fresh greenery from the pines and cleaning the Bittersweet home. Studio will be on hiatus for awhile. Already spinning new Spring idees around. Seems appropriate on this first day of winter. Thoughts of spring are a bit premature. Usually late February those thoughts kick in high gear.

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one)

Birth-Day

I've always carried sweet happy feelings on this day. For me, having a birthday so close to Christmas has always felt special. For instance, when I was young my mom would host a birthday party on this day, usually in the evening. Grandma Lola and my dad, brother and my sweet mother would always treat the day as special and their generosity and kindness was reflected always on my birthday. My Grandmother Lola would even get my brother gifts on this day so that he would not feel left out. She was the kindest woman I've ever known! The gift would have an enclosure card that read... "To Mark on Jills birthday."

    As I've gotten older the day remains a special day as all birthdays should, I believe.

I remember a few years back I had this crazy idee not to make a big deal about the day. No birthday wishes, no gifts, just another day! I felt like crap that day! Don't ever do that!

Your birthday is a gift from God I believe. A celebration and blessing from him. You've been blessed with yet another year of life on earth! Really that's a great birthday present in its self, isn't it?

Any-who, no biggie day planned. Packing last minute orders, opening the studio for some pick-ups and a quiet dinner with my best friend later tonight. Lennis is taking me to the new Indian restaurant! I love Indian cuisine! Curry, curry, yummy, yummy!

The baked goods have been delivered accompanied with Christmas hugs and kisses. I have a few more deliveries of some handmade gifts to friends. 

What a glorious time of year, this time of giving. I wish it could last forever!

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one)

 

Holly Jolly...

This is a picture of my brother and I taken some blankety blank years ago.
Lennis says this picture speaks without saying. How so Lennis, I ask? You have your eyes closed and Santa has just asked you if you've been a good little girl. You answer yes, but since your eyes are closed that means you're not telling Santa the truth! Oh Lennis, you're so silly!

This is an interesting story about THAT SANTA. Sad about the mall. It used to be our favorite hangout place when we were kids. I have found what once was usually always comes around again!

Popping in to say Hi! I've been assisting guests choose last minute Bittersweets, packing holiday orders and enjoying some domestic duties. 

Studio open by appointment this week until Christmas Eve. 

 

a cookie with soul...

I baked all day yesterday! Our home was filled with delightful home-baked smells like cinnamon and toasted pecans.  A switch from the homes usual aroma of patchouli and lavender. After making the holiday goodies I hurried to get the morsels into tins and platters so that I could begin delivering them to friends and neighbors. 

While mixing up the shortbread dough I always experience the same soulful warm feeling. I can't really explain those feelings. I'm pondering why those feelings occur. Possibly because of the simplicity and the number of ingredients needed to make Scottish shortbread. Or could it be the mere name itself, "shortbread." The delicacy of the rich buttery dough. The sprinkling of the sugar before popping the scalloped shaped cookie in the oven. The pretty decorative molded shapes and designs used to create an even more beautiful snow dusted cookie.  

Thoughts of how this "plain Jane" cookie transforms herself into a holiday princess.

Continuing those thoughts when I think of the sod lined roofed kitchens and the mountainous highlands surrounding the cozy Scottish cottages.  The Scottish home maker probably had some of the same feelings I have when I prepare shortbread. I'm sure her wee ones anxiously awaited the special treat. I can envision little fingers reaching for the cookie fresh and warm from the old stone hearth.

Those are some of my personal shortbread feelings.

Enjoy a caring and sharing Christmas.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than none)  

 

The perfect topping...

The little bags of homemade marshmallows are assembled and placed in cello bags. I needed one final touch to the packaging. While searching through images at Pinterest I found it!

Only Susan Branch can turn a marshmallow recipe into a beautiful work of art! I of course requested permission to use Susan's adorable marshmallow receipt on the packaging. Kellee Rasor, Susan's graphic gal quickly responded to my request and gave me permission to use the sweet adornment. Thank you Kellee♥

You may visit Susan's blog here. She has some darling Christmas family photos on her web site and a wonderful holiday story to read.

I thought it be nice to return the kind gesture of allowing me permission by posting some pictures of the little marshmallow bags.

I made the recipe into a label and stuck it onto the cello bag filled with marshmallows. It adds such charm to the homemade chutney and cocoa, sweet.

Lennis and I began delivering some of the gifts to neighbors last night. We dressed Elle in her little red coat. She did not like the coat at first, but soon seemed to approve. Her mind was occupied with the greeting of neighbors and visiting with some of her doggy friends. I took this picture afterwards. She was tired from all that visiting! This picture is funny! It appears her head is extra big and her body is small almost like a mystical creature, don't you think?
We visited our elderly, ninety five year old neighbor Mrs. P. You may remember reading past posts on Mrs. P. She lives in a lovely old home across from ours. I took this picture several years ago right after a snow. I made copies and gave them to her children.

 It's a beautiful estate. There's a carriage house that sits next to home, perfect♥

Last night while visiting with Mrs. P. I was reminded of something...

Christmas is love. It's the simple things like a kiss on the cheek or a smile to a stranger that really help  make it a joyous time of year. As I gave Mrs. P a little peck I thought about that. Her mind is slipping and she did not know who we were, but that kiss made everything seem okay. She went on about how she did not know who to thank for the gift. I told her, no need for thank yous, seeing you tonight is the perfect thank you gift. We wish you a Merry Christmas Mrs. P. You are an extraordinary lady and I'm so very grateful for having you as my neighbor for the past 23 years! 

I feel blessed to live in a neighborhood with neighbors that are kind and considerate. I want them to know that! Christmas seems the ideal time of year to reflect on those thoughts.

Enclosure card inside gift baskets...

MERRY CHRISTMAS

During this special time of year we're grateful for friends and neighbors like you!

From our house to yours....

May you enjoy a peaceful loving Christmas.

Love,

Lennis, Jill & Patrick xo

Enjoy caring and sharing holidays.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one)