Bittersweet and the little soap company

Swiss Chard and Windows...

Since we're spending more time at home and I'm finding myself yearning for fresh produce I'm growing lettuce and chard in pots on the porch. Did you know that chard is a superfood? You can cut the veins out and chop it up or you can simply chop it up with the veins depending on your personal preference. Eat if raw or sauteed with onion and garlic in a bit of olive oil. We could all use some Super Foods now! I ordered seeds awhile ago and I'm going to begin to sow them today in the big clay pots. It's always rewarding to grow one's own food. Once the chard matures we can get fresh cuttings every week. 

We starting cleaning our windows today. If you live in an old house then you know that cleaning your old windows is not such an easy task. Thankfully, Lennis is a carpenter and he can easily take the windows off safely for cleaning. We're doing it the old fashioned way with soapy water, squeegees, and rags. Squeaky clean windows!

Our home was built in 1921 and most of the glass in the windows is from that time. There are also a lot of windows in our home. Our dining room has six large windows. I remember that way back when I first saw this home that was one of the buying points. I love a home with lots of windows!

This window was broken. So you see what I mean when I say that cleaning old windows is not an easy chore. We got the glass out safely and a new piece will be installed by my husband aka, Super Lennis!

My friends from the chicken farm sent me this picture. 

 It's baby chick time!

Do you remember when they brought the wee ones to the store? I've had chicks and birds and baby goats visit me at the store. 

Outside the home front, I'm working on an Essential Oil Alcohol Hand Sanitizer.  I had the formulation down within a few minutes because I'm familiar with how things work, but I was in for a surprise when I began to order the bottles. I have about ten large manufacturers that I order glassware and bottle from and low and behold they were all sold out of plastic spray bottles! This really surprises me because we're talking big manufacturers that carry thousands upon thousands of plastic bottles. 

Since Bittersweet is in the manufacturing business we rely on these companies to provide our packaging. It might just get interesting to see how long the arrival of such things will take. 

I've already noticed a stop on certain essential ingredients that we use to create cremes and serums. Lucky for us we always have an extra supply of bottles and jars just in case. I've already done a mock-up for the bottle. Simple to the point labeling. My favorite, by far. 

With the medley of state and county re-openings, Bittersweet has chosen to re-open our door store on Saturday, May 16. We'll be launching a soft re-opening and only be open on Saturdays until we see how things play out. We put much thought and concern into this decision and feel that it's the correct one for our business. Our state will officially be open this Saturday at midnight, but restrictions will be put into place. It will be interesting to hear what those restrictions are, but I would imagine the safe distancing and social distancing will stand firmly regardless of when your state is opening back up. 

 

Little Elle is loving the fact that I'm home. Every day she basks in the sunshine and smiles. 

Keep the faith. 

Jill 

 

 

 

this life...

Are you like me during this crazy time and pulling out all the stops to clean and organize neglected rooms and cubbies? 

It's hard to put into words my feelings. The words that I want to use to describe my feelings sound harsh and unappreciative. I don't want to complain because so many are suffering and yearning for food and everyday essentials.  

I read a recent post on a social media site that really hit home. 

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WE ARE NOT IN THE SAME BOAT ...
I heard that we are all in the same boat, but it's not like that. We are in the same storm, but not in the same boat. Your ship could be shipwrecked and mine might not be. Or vice versa.

For some, quarantine is optimal. A moment of reflection, of re-connection, easy in flip flops, with a cocktail or coffee. For others, this is a desperate financial & family crisis.

For some that live alone, they're facing endless loneliness. While for others it is peace, rest & time with their mother, father, sons & daughters.

With the $600 weekly increase in unemployment, some are bringing in more money to their households than they were working. Others are working more hours for less money due to pay cuts or loss in sales.

Some families of 4 just received $3400 from the stimulus while other families of 4 saw $0.

Some were concerned about getting a certain candy for Easter while others were concerned if there would be enough bread, milk, and eggs for the weekend.

Some want to go back to work because they don't qualify for unemployment and are running out of money. Others want to kill those who break the quarantine.

Some are home spending 2-3 hours/day helping their child with online schooling while others are spending 2-3 hours/day to educate their children on top of a 10-12 hour workday.

Some have experienced the near-death of the virus, some have already lost someone from it and some are not sure if their loved ones are going to make it. Others don't believe this is a big deal.

Some have faith in God and expect miracles during 2020. Others say the worst is yet to come.

So, friends, we are not in the same boat. We are going through a time when our perceptions and needs are completely different.

Each of us will emerge, in our own way, from this storm. It is very important to see beyond what is seen at first glance. Not just looking, actually seeing.

We are all on different ships during this storm experiencing a very different journey.

Unknown author

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I can't get my head around it!

However, it is what it is...

 

I also know the future will be very different, and the unexpected ways heavy on my mind. I wouldn't be honest if I pretended that the uncertainty of it all doesn't cause concern. I seem to have good days and bad, and I must remind myself of the many blessings that my family has.   Being a shop owner I ponder thoughts of will I have my regular hours when I re-open? Will folks be eager to shop inside stores? Will this hit again in the fall? Will I have trouble re-stocking essentials because of shipping restrictions from certain countries?

 

My thankfulness always overrides these serious thoughts. This is a blessing in its self. 

I have Devotion books within an arms reach. It helps to clear the air and cancel out those negative feelings that try so hard to push through. 

 

We're making the best out of a bad situation. Isn't that what you try to achieve? Knowing that others are grieving and feeling extreme sorrow can easily churn some negative thoughts. 

 

I also know that we're not in this forever. We shall overcome and have some sense of normal soon. We must keep our eye on the prize... There will be a prize! 

 

I'm trying to maintain a healthy attitude. How are you doing? 

 

I'm fortunate in having the luxury of being able to continue to do the things that I love. Making soap, and researching new skincare formulations, blending and mixing, experimenting and re-experimenting. Re-visiting the past and recreating the future our constantly in the back of my busy mind. I make every attempt to appreciate my time and energy. Something that I've always been thankful for, but now even more. 

 

What are you thankful for?

If you sit down and begin to write down the day to day blessings your mind begins to feel more at ease. 

When you write down things it helps you to focus and fine-tune your spirit. 

This is an ideal time to fine-tune our spirits. To make improvements and recognize our downfalls and to set goals to gain a happy medium, balance. 

 

Keep the faith. 

 

Jill 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honeysuckle Roses

The New Spring Flavors are arriving weekly. We're not going to let a virus stop us from doing what we love!

Violets and White Flower, Honeysuckle and Sage, Lemongrass and Basil are but a few of our latest offerings. 

Behind the scenes, we're working steadily on new Skincare formulations and perfecting our existing recipes. 

Our studio received a much-needed clean-up and we're anxiously awaiting Spring to share her mild temperatures and blue skies and spring showers. 

 

I've been trying to stay in contact with our customers by releasing live videos each week. I'm kind of discovering that I enjoy shooting live. Who knew? 

We celebrated a low key Easter. We planned a light dinner and did the best we could while complying with home isolation. That sounds like a bad word, doesn't it? I have not found it to be such a bad thing. I'm making the best of it all and honestly enjoying my time at home. 

Before the Corona Virus, I was in a constant state of hurry and get it done, and the shop kept me super busy. Now, it's low key and slower and I've had the luxury of slowing down. H'm... 

After this runs it's crazy course, I suspect that my life will be much different than before the virus hit. I'm not sure exactly how it's going to be different, but I suspect it will change in many ways. My small business will not just automatically go back to the way it was. This I know...

Hygge holds new meaning now...

Savoring the present moment. 

That huge mushroom popped up right next to the trash cans at the shop last spring! I sure hope another fills the spot! It's habitat consisted of mulch and limestone. I've never seen a mushroom living in such an environment before! It was somewhat of a Mushroom Miracle!

Little things...

This is a picture of my grandfather. I never knew him because he passed before I was born. He resembles my dad. My dad is much more handsome, but I can see that my dad favors his father. 

My dad frequents my blog. So he's going to be surprised to see these pictures! Hi Dad!! I love you!!

My neighbor, The Jesse James Bank Museum is closed but their crab apple tree is thriving. The museum has a small courtyard beside the brick foundation and in early spring houses a large crop of Lily of the Valley. During the spring months and if the wind is blowing from the south you get a delightful whiff of the delicate plant. It's one of my favorite things about our downtown. The courtyard is quiet and usually unnoticed by folks passing by. There's a concrete bench that sits in the courtyard, but it's unusual to see anyone sitting on that bench. I was told by the tour guide that the Lily of the Valley was planted by Mrs. James. The mother of Frank and Jesse. 

On Saturday I dropped by the shop. As I entered the main entrance I couldn't help but take in the aroma of freshly baked pies from the pie shop that sits below Bittersweet. If not for a moment, it was as though things were untouched by this strange and mysterious virus. It left me feeling surreal. 

I was excited to order live plants! Tomatoes, Lavender and Butterfly Bushes will be arriving the first week of May. My mother was a wonderful gardener and shared her gardening ideas with me. I have always followed her instructions on not planting until Mother's day. Seldom do we not get a bonus frost before Mother's day. Do you know what they say? Mother is always right! Remember that kiddos!

Our spring has taken a turn for the worst. It's been super cold and winter-like. It was just a few days ago that the temperature reached eighty-eight degrees! That's Missouri weather. She loves to go back and forth this time of year. 

The poor little birds are confused and my winter coat is still hanging on the hook. One of my favorite things to do is to grab that winter coat and place her in hibernation!  We're not quite there, yet. 

Keep the faith. 

Jill 

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful Grace...

I've always been the type of girl that tries to find the good in everything. I believe that most humans possess the same way of thinking. That's the way we were made. After a time, sometimes we fall prey to negativeness. I have learned that it's much more soul-satisfying to look on the sunny side of things rather than the dark. I also believe that no matter the crisis or dilemma there's always a positive vibe sitting right beside it. Grab it and hang on to it and always believe that good things will develop. Keep that thought...

I've seen a shift in my designs. They're brighter and usually contain flowers! When I ponder a name for a new soap I'm reminded of the kind and compassionate humans that live in our world. A world filled with people that are wrapped in Beautiful Grace.  

The sun shines a little brighter and the shadows are lightened with love. 

This is you...

I enjoyed reading this.

Speaking of reading... We now have time to lessen our loads and take in a good book. Do you have any suggestions? Music... Listen to music and read books and possibly start a quilt. 

Do you remember the Prairie Quilts? Let's call them "Beginner Quilts." I cut large squares from quarter round pieces. It's fun to pick your fabrics. There are great tutorials online so that if you get in a bind, no pun intended, you can easily figure things out like binding, and quilting or even tying your quilt. I have made several of these quilts. I even believe you could finish one in a day or two. Talk about instant gratification. Well, maybe not instant, but pretty darn close. 

Cooking... My favorite pastime next to soap making...

I mentioned in my last post that we made these. If you're grilling burgers they are the cherry on the top of that burger!

We also made these, and they were decadent and chocolaty! 

They resemble a brownie but in a cookie. I ended up taking some to our neighbors because I would have eaten them all!

We're making this for dinner. 

Cooking continued...

My dad has been cooking steaks on the stove. This is an old fashioned way of preparing steak and one that compares to, well nothing. When I was a teenager my friends' housekeeper and cook prepared steak in a cast-iron skillet. She rubbed the steak with butter and then dotted on fresh garlic to the buttered steak and plopped it into the hot skillet.  It was the best steak I've ever eaten! Thank me later...

Family Game Night...

And just like that, I'm playing cards and games again!

Hearts, Spades, Rummy, Concentration, Pitch, War and yes, dear I say, Backgammon! Scroll down on that link, there's an entire list of card games!

Get out the karaoke! However, I must warn you, certain family members are probably more talented in this category! Record it! 

Speaking of recording...

Keep the faith.

Jill