Bittersweet and the little soap company

Roasted Pumpkin Days

When my friend Clarice came to visit last fall she prepared a wonderful meal for us. The dish she served was Roasted Pumpkin with Onion and Panchetta. It's easy to make and oh so delicious! Recipes that contain fresh pumpkin are tastier than when you use can pumpkin. It doesn't take very long to roast a pumpkin. When you choose your roasting pumpkin pick a fairly small one. Cut in in half and place the cut size up on a roasting pan. Roast at 375 degrees for 30 - 45 minutes. Then spoon out the rich golden meat and place in a bowl. Then after it's cooled you can spoon it in a ziploc bag or storage container. If you're planning on making pumpkin bars, cookies, or bread, you can refrigerate it, but if you're planning on using it later you should freeze it. Honestly, you will notice the fresh pumpkin taste in all your cooking and baking. Give it a try. 

Clarice's Roasted Pumpkin Pasta Dish

Cut a small pumpkin into bite size pieces. Place in large bowl. Add one large onion chopped coarsely. Place in bowl with pumpkin. Slice pancetta and add to pumpkin and onion mixture. Sprinkle a couple of tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, molasses, and olive oil  and gently stir to cover. Grate fresh nutmeg and add a teaspoon of garlic powder or fresh garlic, salt & pepper. Place on cookie sheet and bake at 375, stirring every once in awhile. Remove from oven and spoon all the brown drippings up before transferring and rolling in pasta. I use Penne, but you can use whatever you wish to. 

Clarice would love it if you send her a note after making her dish. 

Enjoy caring and sharing fall days.

Warmly,

Jill 00

 

Wild Weekend

The festival weekend, long days and nights always makes me feel tired and weary. Now it's time to regroup and freshen and prepare for our Autumn Open House coming this weekend. 

Apple savon will be ready this week along with Cranberry Plum. The mountain of Pumpkin Spice is melting away. Only a few bars left. We almost sold our entire lot in one week!

I have to be honest and tell you I'm relieved the festival is over. It's always a wild week. Patrick's birthday falls on the 27th, same day as the festival and for the past sixteen years since launching Bittersweet the mood is fast paced and crazy as I juggle birthday preparations while preparing for the event at the same time.

The open house is more relaxed and fun for me. I know Julie feels the same. We know everyone and we're amongst friends. Those are my personal feelings. 

The perfect description of my hand-made shop. Modern trimmed with vintage inspiration.

Apple Soap. I'm not sure how to describe the excitement this soap is generating. It's wrapped in cotton cloth. Love the cotton cloth wrapped soap. Cotton labeling too. 

Peppermint Savon is kind of cool looking too. I brought back a past design and wrapped the aromatic soap in tissue. It resembles a large peppermint candy. 

Cranberry Plum will be arriving next week to the soap shop on water street. Seriously, this soap smells out of this world!

 It was a joy to meet new Bittersweet friends this weekend. 

Enjoy caring and sharing days. 

Warmly,

Jill 00 

Fall week

Mums are arriving from the mum farm. This is where we get them. A shot of Aggie Cat from the shop last week.  The bathroom after a mini makeover a couple of years ago. I still love the paint color on the dresser. Wood knobs and fluffy white towels also still on my favorite list.

Straw Flowers I love you.

Girls modeling Bittersweet Aprons and head bands, I love you too!

Little handmade Bittersweet sign that hangs above our door you hold a special place in my heart.

Cinnamon Twists. I made mine with cookie press. So good! Easy too. Much better hot and sprinkled with powder sugar. Lots of cinnamon on mine. Sometimes I crave cinnamon. Thinking there's a reason but don't put to much mind to that I simply prepare a dish sprinkled with the aromatic spice. 

Elle, sweet Elle. She's the best little cairn terrier doggy.

Homemade Apple Dumplings but not ordinary ones. These are bathed in a from scratch gooey caramel sauce.

Apple Dumplings with Caramel Sauce

1 sheet frozen puff pastry
4 Golden Delicious or Jonathan apples
4 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp cinnamon
1 egg lightly beaten
1 tsp water
1 tsp sugar

On a lightly floured surface, roll the pastry into a 16 inch square then cut in 4 squares.

Peel and core apples. Trim the bottoms so the apple sit flat. Place 1 apple in the center of each square. Combine the brown sugar, butter and cinnamon and spoon into apples.

Beat the egg and water together in a small bowl. Moisten the edge of the pastry with the mixture. Bring the pastry up around the apple, pleating the pastry as needed to form a seal.

Place the dumplings in an ungreased baking dish. Brush with the remaining egg mixture, then sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 375 degrees for about 35 minutes until golden brown. Pour over dumpling and add a dall op of whipped cream. 

Caramel Sauce

2/3 cup sugar
1 cup whipping cream
1 tsp vanilla

In a heavy sauce pan over medium heat, tilt and swirl sugar until melted and amber-colored, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in whipping cream. Mixture will bubble and sugar will harden. Stir until sugar melts again and sauce boils, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Let sauce cool for 10 minutes. Serve warm or cool.

The way we were...

The girl in the swing, my old logo that has always kind of quietly been tucked away. She's coming back. The font, you can  Download Before_the_rain if you wish. The font is my signature font on signs and packaging.

Kind of funny, a vintage postcard image of a days gone by soap maker. A little ironic too, since the background in this old postcard resembles my kitchen when in full soap production. However, the girl in the hat, I don't wear a hat or a long apron. Sometimes though you can catch me in my pajamas!

The Downton Hats are going! The hydrangea green one sold on Saturday. 

About half-way done wrapping Apple Blossom Savon. I always love using cotton cloth when wrapping round soap. 

Brown and Cream colored Button Flowers. Brown is my favorite color. 

The hand-made Italian papers are stunning! I started wrapping the Patchouli Savon with the paper. 

Pumpkins and lavender kind of go together. At least at Bittersweet. I have a few baking size pumpkins to roast tonight. I then spoon it out and freeze it. My friend Clarice taught me that. If you've never used fresh pumpkin in your fall recipes, you're in for a treat. Especially yummy in stews and soups. Don't worry, you don't notice the pumpkin taste. 

Pumpkin Spice. I have a confession to make... I've been selling it at the shop. The big basket full of freshly wrapped soap is sitting on my desk. Kind of not fair because it's too tempting. Once a customer picks up a bar and sniffs, they want it! It is pretty much ready. I've been using it in the tub. Love the scent!

Keeping up with the Sweets...

Enjoy caring and sharing Autumn days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (Two heart to heart hugs are better than one) In case you're a new reader. 

 

something about Saturday

I can't think of any place I'd rather be on a Saturday. Our little downtown explodes with Autumn ambiance this time of year. Fall Festivities surround the heart of our city. Harvest gatherings, Farmers Market, Parades and Boutique Open Houses help to usher in the season of change.

The shop is taking on a seasonal appearance as is the Vintage Boutique. No need to look far to find where I'm at on a Saturday. I'm simply performing my duties at the soap shop on water street. The word duties has taken on an entirely new happy, gratifying, peaceful meaning. 

Whipping out the new Autumn soaps and wrapping, tying, gathering, sorting through the freshly made hand-made merchandise.

Pumpkin Spice and Apple Blossom savon is wrapped and almost ready to share. I have a sneaky feeling it will disappear in an instant. I'm going to get it listed at the web shop by the first of October. That is the plan, MAN. 

There's something about Saturday. She carries a special place in my heart. 

Enjoy caring and sharing Autumn days. 

Warmly,

Jill 00

 

 

turning

We had a cool front move through last night. A crazy Missouri cool front and she brought wind and monsoon rains. I went to a fashion show yesterday evening hosted by this little downtown boutique and when I walked outside the wind was whirling and blowing in every direction. I ran inside the shop next door and browsed until the crazy weather calmed. Picked up a new belt, (I have this thing for belts) a new purse and a necklace that shouted to me over the thunder outside. I finally braved the wicked wind and rain and ran back up to my shop, (a very short jaunt), I was drenched. Don't recall how long it's been since getting soaking wet from running in the rain, but it felt satisfying and soulful. My little leather shoes were making smushy, (I know that's not a word) but that's what it sounded like as my feet splashed into the rushing water on the street. It was like a river!

The Autumn season officially starts tomorrow. It feel like autumn today. Crisp pumpkin frost air in the morning now and cool breeze and beautiful golden sunshine during the day. Jean jacket is a must have after the sun sets, (it's beginning to disappear earlier now.)

Something I want to say this morning...

Owning and managing a shop allows me to meet some fascinating souls. I'm always honored and somewhat amazed on how like magic these folks touch me and graciously bless me with their kindness. Merci to you. You make my world a wonderful place.

I've been putting together some fall banners. They are used in marketing venues. I'm working on some for the Vintage Boutique. We both have a somewhat different look, but then we also intertwine. Does that make sense?

Packing orders for shipping this morning and pondering thoughts of Autumn and holidays soaps as visions dance though my head.

Enjoy caring and sharing autumn days. 

Warmly,

Jill 00

 

 

pre-fall

Gathering rose petals for drying. They will be used to make an autumn potpourri, and taking a short jaunt to see if the buckeye tree has fallen buckeye's. If you keep one in your pocket you're sure to have good luck, (an old wise tale that I believe to be true.)

The purple mums, my favorite colored mum. The faded golden straw flowers, and its everlasting beauty. Hydrangea's in baskets and lavender bundles stuffed here and there.Stop and smell the flowers. Bittersweets pre-fall view.

Treasured Snow Berries are dear to my heart. One of the plants Lewis and Clark discovered during their journey. They transported the plant back to Thomas Jefferson. Knowing how Thomas was passionate about horticulture and plants he surely must have had a smile on his face when first laying eyes on the cream colored berry.

I couldn't resist the urge to create an autumn banner and yes I reallly ♥love autumn.

Soon it will be time to pick bittersweet. I have a favorite secret spot. It's better to pick it when it gets cold or right before a frost. Field flowers may be picked during this time too. Just imagine a naturally freeze dried bouquet. I'll share when it gets closer to picking time. 

Browsing this book and thinking I love each and every pattern. Cute layering patterns for fall, I think with a pair of those Molly Jump Boots. On my wish list... The Molly Jump Boot. Maybe because I always loved the pair I had when I was a teenager. 

I made my friends yummy roasted mushroom dish for dinner tonight. It was more than yummy! Fond of the fat pasta and mushrooms. Restaurant style bacon of course. What is restaurant style bacon? Baked in the oven on a rack. Seriously, once you cook it this way you'll never prepare it any other way.

 Headband mania continues and I have a large supply of freshly made goods to take to the shop tomorrow. Another favorite thing. Picking out a basket full of quarters at the fabric store. Favorite in a way that it's gratifying to be able to make something useful and pretty from a small piece of cloth.

Enjoy caring and sharing days. 

Warmly,

Jill 00 (Two hugs, heart to heart)

 

weekend warrior

I'm finding it's much easier and more time is available on the days off from the shop for writing. Although having just said that, I'm preparing the shop for fall festivities and open houses, debuts and events. 'Tis the season! 

I've been shopping for a pair of lace up boots. I want them to fall to the calf. I can't tell you how many pairs I've seen, but none have caught my eye. Except maybe these. Still pondering... But then I really like these too. A considerable difference in price. I used to have a pair of calf lace up boots when I was around 16. I loved them, and I love them now. 

The new Gatherings magazine arrived Saturday morning. Customers snatched up three copies before I could even get it displayed. It is beautifully done. The pictures are stunning and it's an inspirational magazine. I've found myself going back to it more than twice. My friend Clarice is the food editor and her features, recipes are fabulous. I would expect nothing less of Clarice as she always shares the most fabulous ideas and receipts. I love her dearly. We met years ago through our blogs. Isn't that remarkably sweet? Aggie shop cat just happened to be sitting nearby. 

A few Downtown Hats left but I've sold several. I'm not sure I'll have time to make more since the holidays are fast approaching in retail world. You know the drill.

Hand-made with love and from the heart

Here for a short time and limited quantity

Unique and one of a kind

Sometimes you may get the last one

Making it even more special

That's kind of how it works around here.

My dear old fashioned ticking friend, where have you been? The red and white fabric seem to be a good fit for my heat pillows especially during the holidays. I like blue too.

Hand-made Italian Paper you have mesmerized me with your presence. Putting together an order and the holiday soaps will be packaged in the treasured paper. I'll give you a glimpse of its beauty soon.

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

Warmly,

Jill 00

 

 

 

 

 

September mood continues...

my little oyster

My soap manufacturing facility has suddenly turned into a headband production plant. I'm currently obsessed with making these headbands. Honestly, who wouldn't be? While making some for the soap shop on water street, I'm also making extra ones for me! They are undeniably cute on and they're light and so soft that you will forget you're wearing them. I'm making big girl and little girl bands. It's fun to pick and choose different little fabric quarters to make them. I had a fairly large pile of fabric spools on my shopping cart. When I went to have them cut the lady asked my what I was making. Do you have that same question asked when you're purchasing fabric? I know that if I worked there I would most certainly ask everyone what they were making! It would kill me to not ask. 

The soap apothecary cabinets are filling with autumn and winter soaps. Sorry, I took the picture in bad light this morning, kind of grainy. However, even seeing a grainy picture of soap curing leaves me weak in the knees. My passion for sixteen years, soap making in case you forgot. 

The tuberose is blooming! I can't even begin to explain or tell you how wonderfully delightful those white clusters of blooms are next to my nose. That small bloom in the flute is filling our living room with its aromatique scent. The tuberose is a late summer blooming flower. Its perfume is similar to jasmine. 

Always remember... The world is your oyster!

Needing to dig into my long list this morning. Making Nail Creme, Autumn Room Spray, Salts, Shower Bursts, Laundry Powder, and Lip Balm. It should be around 10 p.m. when I finish everything. 

Enjoy caring and sharing days. 

Warmly,

Jill 00