Some words evoke toasty warm and sweetness when you hear or say them. I believe cocoa is one of those words. When you marry that word with artisan olive oil soap and particularly when pondered by a seasoned cold process soap maker it's a lovely thing. I am a bit bias, of course.
This soap maker's behind the scenes studio that I don't often share. My favorite place next to the apothecary shoppe on water street. By the way, a few years ago a friend commented how funny it was that the soap shop was located on water street. I wonder if there are other soap shoppes with a water street address? Some more sweetness, Bittersweet always more sweet than bitter. For most of the time you need the bitter to appreciate the sweet. Something I feel honored to have come to realize in recent years.
Chamomile, Sandalwood Powder, Elder Flowers, Peppermint Leaves, Rosemary Powder, some of my favorite dried herbs. I love the chamomile flower heads. Their scent is soft and distinct while stirring up thoughts of a sleepy time tea.
I'm sorting through the studio. Since I make so many different things there are a variety of components that help make up the space. Vintage, Textiles, Paper in a variety of weights, colors, sizes. Lot's of paper! In fact, I'm contemplating storage ideas for the many reams of paper. The hand made Italian paper on my favorite paper loving list.
A treasured rose bud pine cone that my friend Clarice gifted to me while visiting her Storybook Wood Home Sweet Home. She hand picked the beautiful cone from her yard. Everytime I gaze upon the woody cone I think of her.
I made a big crock of this for dinner. The dumpling recipe was yummy. I added organic cornmeal to the dumpling and had some cream left over from Christmas. I do believe the cream and cornmeal enhances the dumpling. This will be my new go-to dumpling recipe.
I have a pile of herb and garden books to indulge in. Fat, fluffy pillow mounds and layered prairie quilts also on my winter mind while the weather man forecasts an arctic blast arriving tonight. For some winter is a burden. Shorter days, longer nights, north winds and hot cocoa appeal to me in ways I can't begin to put into words. I enjoy the tranquilness and slow down that winter ushers in. I'm also fond of soft candle light, prairie quilts and piles of books. Winter helps to cast a warm shadow that is unlike any other season.
I guess that's why I enjoy sled riding, ice skating and playing in the snow.
Enjoy caring and sharing winter days.
Warmly,
Jill 00 (two hugs are better than none)
