Bittersweet and the little soap company

Books I ♥

My book collection consist mostly of  reference reading, cookbooks, herbs and flowers, essential oils and soap making.

When I start something new it's common practice to go crazy with the books!

The book pictured above  is my favorite go-to book I continue to reference time and time again even though the book is quite old. It's illustrations and pictures are stunning and timeless. As I browse through the pages I  want to climb right into the picture!  

Very seldom does a book evoke  passionate admiration and inspiration and talk to me with its pages.  

At Home with Herbs is one of the first books I purchased when I began making soap. I guess you would consider it a vintage book since that was some 15 years ago.

I probably posses fewer than 3 or 4 books that continue to fill my cup with creative inspiration.

If I were to publish my own book my wish would be that it would be filled with timeless information and how-to projects like this one. A book that becomes old and tattered before all other's.

The book is still available and you can purchase it here.

At home with herbs is filled with stunning summer time projects and handmade gift idees that are soulful and sweet.

Enjoy caring and sharing spring days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 

 

Refreshing

 
I have been digging through old slides taken by my uncle Richard.

This one is refreshing to look at.

My mom, dad and uncle Richards wife, Charla. Back in the seventies I would imagine.

Then this timeless one of my dad.

 
Looks as though it was taken right from the show Mad Men doesn't it?

More coming...

Enjoy caring and sharing refreshing summer days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one)

Summer poke

 
A little summer poke to my readers. Ugh, air conditioner went out several days ago! Living the old fashioned way with window fans blowing and early morning chores. Boy oh boy do I appreciate air conditioning! Especially when the thermometer reads triple digits, ooh, la, la.

Positive from a negative...

Have been spending our evenings at my dads. MJ has a prepared meal each night awaiting our arrival. Nice comfy beds with our own baths and COOL!

Not to mention the WONDERFUL quality time I'm spending with my dad.

We've watched baseball the past couple of nights. Royals looking good and winning, which makes it more fun to watch.

Spending my days in our HOT  home attempting to wrap up some design work. I must admit, much easier to concentrate when the indoor temp reads 76 instead of 92!

On another positive note...

Lennis yelled from the front door yesterday. "You should come take a picture of this large butterfly!" I did not have my big zoom lens on the camera, but still managed to get a summer butterfly shot..

 I feel as though I'm on vacation, kinda. Laid back, no worries, no cares, just going with the late summer flow and taking in these simple memorable moments.

NEW AIR CONDITIONER COMING ON MONDAY!

Here I thought this summer was boring and uneventful. Changed my thoughts about that one.

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

Warmly, and I mean that literally...

Jill 00 (two sweaty hugs are better than one)

summer passing

 
Summer is passing by quickly.

The extreme heat and high humidity has placed a damper on our outside summer activities. 

We've had little rain on top of the horrid heat and our garden has required watering almost every day.

  Summer days and nights have been spent mostly indoors. Not my favorite way to spend summer at all.

Having said all that...I believe...

Summers come and summers go. Each one arrives different than the next allowing me to realize I have no control in the matter.

Saddened by summer's current events and those sad feelings reflected in my mood and this post.

Remember to treat each day as a gift and honor and love your neighbor the best you can.

Life is short and what you do during your time here matters more than you know.

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one)

more summer recipes

 
You might say I'm mildly obsessed with this delectable frozen summer treat from Gina's. I've talked about how Gina has some wonderful skinny girl recipes and how they're all divinely deli-sh!

If you're a fan of coconut cream pie then you'll be a bigger fan of these creamy melt in your mouth pops.

Gina's even included a handy link so that you can order the popsicle molds.

Are they hard to make, you ask? Not at all! Mix the ingredients into a large bowl and simply pour into molds and place in freezer.

Gina's Cream Pop Recipe

The wee ones will love making and eating their own Popsicles! You can make these next.

I also found this recipe book.   

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (Two hugs are better than none)

 
 Nourish the love and cherish the joys...

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one)

how to make a fabric lined journal

 
How about another fun summer craft!

I began making fabric lined journals years ago when the shop was downtown. You can cover the paper ma-che book with your favorite fabric swatches or remnants since it doesn't take a large amount of fabric. You will need the paper ma-che book to begin. I found a couple of resources available on the Internet.

paper mache journal supplier no. 1

paper ma-che journal supplier no. 2

Lining and binding the journal is quite easy, but I have found practice makes perfect.

You will need... Journal, 2, 8 1/2 x 11 pieces of white card stock glue, I use Elmer's, case knife, 2 pair of scissors, one for cutting fabric and one for cutting paper.

Lay journal on fabric. Cut around allowing a little extra to wrap around front and back binding. Cut two pieces of card stock the same size as front inside and back inside. These will be used to cover uneven fabric pieces. Spread a generous amount of glue to front, back and sides of journal making sure you apply glue to all. With your hands carefully fold fabric over front and back pressing as you make sure there are no bubbles and the fabric is taught. Continue to make small cuts here and there to adjust the fabric to completely cover the journal. Pour a small amount of glue in between binding and with your case knife poke fabric down into binding until secure. Take one of your card stock pieces and apply a generous amount of glue to the back making sure to spread it evenly. Apply card stock over uneven fabric trim and press with your hands making sure no bubble appear. Repeat this process with the back cover. Sandwich your journal between heavy books and allow to dry completely. Make sure there is no glue on fabric or your journal will stick to the books!

 A fabric lined journal makes a lovely gift! I must warn you... You won't be able to make just one!

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one)

summer desserts...

 

Summer just wouldn't be summer without preparing and mixing up a few summer deserts.

Yesterday I made Gina's Trifle and was wowed with it's final presentation. Gina's recipes are calorie conscious but if I may say one more time...Each and every one is delicious, scrumptious and divine in lieu of that! You must trust this foodie! I would never steer you wrong!

 I thought with July 4 approaching the "red, white and blue trifle" is a great desert to wow your family and friends.

and I have a confession to make.... I had TWO helpings last night!

NOTE: I used regular boxed pudding. I have this thing about fake sugar. 

 Those un-like feelings I possess towards artificial sweeteners stem back from my childhood. Having been brought up during an era when artificial was considered ba hum bug and taboo. You remember don't you? This web site explains that time quite well.

This desert was fun to make and quick and easy.

Here is the recipe. 

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one)

Country Fair Inspired

 
 
I really wanted to ring in the first day of summer with some new creative summer soap packaging. Introducing a trio of rich savon assembled in patchwork summer wraps.    
Imagine fresh homemade pies perfectly perched on a picnic table lined with red gingham tablecloths along side colorful patchwork quilts piled high and stacked in neat squares. Golden daisies and Queen Ann's lace bouquets assembled in old mason jars as their petals sway with the warm summer breeze.      
 
 
I've been working on some new summer crafts I think you would enjoy making. Easy breezy and very much inspired by summer. Coming....

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one) 

échelle de jardin

 

Happy Summer!

Today officially marks the first day of summer, and the solstice.

I thought it appropriate to honor the day with talk about flowers and earthly natural things.
The echinacea is beginning to bloom throughout the garden. Did you know there are more than several varieties of the plant?

Summer itself lends a hand to my inspiration when creating new soaps and tinctures.

Remember the twig ladder Lennis so graciously made for me?

 
He made the twiggy ladder to my precise request with only the aid of my description. I was amazed with his accuracy. It turned out exactly the way I envisioned it!

He gathered twigs and branches from trees in our yard. You could easily make one too.

 
I used the ladder for displaying sassafras aprons at a show. Do you remember?

 
Isn't it grand when you create something with pieces found in nature? Some of my favorite things can be found like that.

Remember the huge dried flower arrangement I picked for an autumn show?

I traveled to the outskirts of town after the first frost and picked naturally dried field flowers. They are preserved naturally. An idea I borrowed from my creative mom.

 
The large dried bouquet now sits in our living room!

The bee balm is blooming!

How appropriate for Miss Bee Balm to begin blooming on this day, the summer solstice!

 
Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

Happily,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one)