Bittersweet and the little soap company

white thoughts...

Oh, I'm loving the new cotton whites that are arriving at the shop! We're getting another shipment next week. 

I'm also loving the fresh flowers, Queen Annes Lace that arrived last week. It's kind of fun to have the flower van pull up in front of your shop and hand you an oversized box of fresh flowers. A different flower each week will be announced. If you're hosting a summer party or simply wish to bring summer blooms inside, Bittersweet has you covered. I've always wanted to be a flower girl almost as much as a soap girl!

This has been a whirlwind of a week! We hosted Make Music Liberty on our shop porch! This is a national event that does not get enough recognition in our town. These performers offer their talents free of charge and I believe deserve a grand audience. This is the fourth year we've hosted the music event. We had a couple of fewer performers than last year and past years so my mind ponders those thoughts of lack of appreciation. Some folks don't even seem to like music. I'm definitely not one of those people! Music is nothing short of amazing!

It's officially Summer!

Remodel projects and garden tending are on my summer list. I'm thinking of taking a little home vacation during the week of the fourth so that I can focus on home sweet home. When you're a shop owner especially one that makes most of their inventory, there is seldom little time for home hggee. I'm one of those people that requires a balance between home and shop. With my business continuing to grow, it's a challenge to maintain that balance. All focus goes to a growing business. Having said that, it's a great feeling to see such growth. I've met my goals that were put in place last year. It's funny how when you set goals, you're encouraged to meet them. Exceeding them is a wonderful feeling of accomplishment. 

We made chicken enchiladas for dinner. The recipe is basic and free of frills, but you'd never know that by tasting them. I've posted the recipe before, but in case you want to make them here's a link to the post. 

I'm getting ready to turn the calendar over to July!  The firecracker month ushers in new soaps. I'll visit the soap curing room and sniff four different soaps until I get their names. Then I'll post the chronology. An idea that came from a customer, and a grand one indeed! Helps me keep on track fifty-two weeks of the year. 

Our Farm To Skin Series of Milk Soap is amongst July's new soap arrivals. 

Keep the faith. 

Jill 

 

bluebirds and dads...

It's hard to put into words the gratitude and thankfulness that I feel today, but I'm going to give it a shot. 

Many of my friends have lost both parents and sometimes I feel guilty posting on social media pictures of my dad because I know my sweet friends are missing their dads. Father's day is a gentle reminder of our father's unwavering love that they unselfishly share throughout their lives.  

So often daughters and sons speak highly of their parents both living and passed and I believe it's good for your soul to do this. 

I think about how our parents are very much like us, their children. They too were once young. Isn't it odd how when your parents were young you never saw them like that? You see them as your parent.  

When I was growing up my dad was the king of my world! Present day and those thoughts are stronger than ever.  My dad has taught me numerous things, too many to count, but lessons that have guided me throughout my entire life. 

In turn, I have passed down some of those teachings to my son. The good dad trickle down effect...

When I was younger it was hard to imagine my dad being the age that he is and me the age that I am. You just don't stop and ponder those kinds of thoughts when you're young. But as you age, you begin to think about things differently. In turn, you see things differently. 

Today I'm thankful for many things. 

I'm thankful for the young bluebird family that moved into my dad's hand made birdhouse that he recently made. Little things really translate into meaningful ones. 

I'm also thankful to God for giving me the best father in the world! 

I'm thankful for my family and our health and strong minds. 

Putting it simply, I'm thankful for bluebirds and dads...

 

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Jill xo

 

living in the past

It's kind of fun to dig back through the archives and reminisce on past Bittersweet designs. 

Those were the days!

Keep the faith. 

Jill 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

living in the past

It's kind of fun to dig back through the archives and reminisce on past Bittersweet designs. 

Those were the days!

Keep the faith. 

Jill 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer of home...

The Modern Apothecary shop is welcoming summer by offering crisp white blouses, dresses, and summer perfume!

At home, we're in full speed ahead with home upgrades. We had a new front stoop and sidewalk installed. This particular project has been on our list for a few years, so I'm appreciative of its arrival! Almost every day since it was finished,  I've opened the front door and just stood and admired the concrete work. 

This is what it looked like on Friday before I left for the shop. 

This is what it looks like now. We still have landscaping work on our home improvement list, and a few other aesthetic projects, but we're getting there. It feels great to put into motion these long-awaited home improvements.  

We're getting a break from the rain for a day or two which has come in handy for the outdoor work. 

It's hard for me to believe that our home was built during the depression. I can only imagine what a challenge it would have been to shop for materials and get the home built during such a dark time. 

Cool Drink Time...

Dragonfruit, Mango and coconut milk create a refreshing drink, aka Starbucks Dragon Fruit Drink. My Washington friend, Clarice turned me onto this cool as a cucumber blend. 

Start with about one-third cup of mango juice and add a half packet of frozen dragon fruit, a splash of vanilla syrup and coconut milk. Add ice and shake. You can thank me, later. 

Lake House Cleansing Bars sitting quietly awaiting their labels. 

Seriously in love with these jean shorts and the fabric of this new summer top!

New straw hats fit in perfectly with the Lake House Collection!

Oats and Goats made with fresh from the farm goat milk. One of my favorite things when sitting on top of an organic French terry face cloth and wooden soap dish. A new little package and part of our Back to Basics line. 

Simple inspiration. 

Keep the faith. 

Jill