Bittersweet and the little soap company

a great example

There are many things this man has graciously taught me through the years which in turn have guided me to make good decisions. I can't imagine my life without my dad, this dad! His wisdom comes from experience and his goodness shines through his smile. His spirit shines with God's love and grace.  I'm forever grateful to God for choosing such an amazing dad! It's interesting how now that I'm at an age that I'd once considered to be old when I was young,  I feel closer in age to my dad. When you're young your parents seem much older, but as you age, you learn to realize that they're closer to their children's age than you imagined when you're young. It's somewhat of a miracle if you ask me how God designed this life system. I read something that touched me the other day. It said, "aging is an extraordinary process where you become the person you always should have been."  I find this to be true. 

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

xo Jill 

 

 

cooking, planting, holiday, and a sale...

Last Sunday I hooked up our clothesline. We have one of those pulls and hook set-ups. The memories that are wrapped up in fresh clothesline linens and old-fashioned clothes pins put a smile on my face. When I was a kid most all households had some sort of clothesline. They were usually in the backyard, but if you lived in the country you would probably place your clothesline close to the kitchen door or basement. Most washers and dryers in those days were either in the garage or the basement. On a sunny summer day along a Missouri country road, you'd see bed linens blowing in the wind along with farmers' denim shirts and a large gathering basket sitting below the line. Seeing this always gave me a sense of nostalgia and hominess feeling. You still see such things if you travel north to the Amish country, but not as frequently. As with all things they come back. Watch for the wave of clothesline popularity to return. I will welcome its return. If you're thinking about having one in your backyard here's a quick and easy way to do that. Your reward will come after you climb into your bed and place the crisp fresh air top sheet over you or reach for the clean fresh-smelling towel after bathing. 

The Peonie bushes have almost withered away. I'm sad to see them go, but appreciate their beauty and amazing scent while they last. I snapped the stunning blooms early in the morning. There's something about the fusia-colored blooms blending with the light pink ones. Let's just call it magic! My gardens are filled with layers of blooms. Some bloom early in the spring while there are others that thrive in the hot summer sun. It's what I call a layering of blooms that scatter about proud and joyful just when you least expect them to. One of the things that I love about gardening is that each year is different. Sometimes you'll have a hearty crop of hydrangea and roses, while other times you'll have Shasta's and lemon balm. It's never the same. Your flowers evolve just like you do! 

The paper scrolls are one of my favorite styling tools! You can find them here. I warn you, it will be a challenge to choose! 

 The Bulgarian Rose Oil is here! The green bottles are here! This means that we will soon start the Back to Basic Collection. After the sale is over, I'll begin to work on the new line. The ideas are fresh in my mind and will transform into an aromatic assortment of summer body essentials that will help calm you and cool you in a most marvelous way! The excitement grows!

My cookbook is coming along. We're making final choices on covers and the recipes have been carefully chosen for this book. Most of which are recipes that have been handed down from my great grandmother, grandmother, mother, my Aunt Vivian, and myself. It's interesting how over the course of time your method of cooking and eating evolve. I'm a Southern girl at heart, so my cooking reflects that, but I'm also a clean eating girl, and the dishes that I make simmer around that too. When my grandmother Lola owned her restaurant she was best known for her fried chicken. When I was a kid growing up we'd always go to grandma's house on Sundays and she'd prepare her famous fried chicken and potatoes and gravy.  All of those soulful memories are wrapped inside Taste & Eat. I'm not only honored to share these recipes but excited for you to try them in your kitchen. Cooking is and always has been a way for me to show love. My son used to say, you've got to put love into it, mom! This is a trick that most good cooks already know. It's like the great cook code! 

The shipment of beaded bracelets is here! I like to think of these artfully crafted cuffs as works of art. Which they are and kind of our jewelry trademark pieces at the shop. They are well made and this soap maker's go-to pieces. Sometimes I prefer wearing a bracelet over a necklace. I'm kind of weird about jewelry-wearing. I used to layer, but now I gravitate towards just a few favorite pieces like the beaded bracelets. If you were to look at my jewelry shelf you'd see more than several of these bracelets. I love wearing them!

Years ago after my mother-in-law passed we inherited that old Hoosier. I really didn't know how to style it in our home and finally decided that I'd place my home office in the antique cabinet. It's worked out great. Technology changes and now we have wireless connections for everything but that old Hoosier never changes. It has lots of nook and crannies and storage space and it sits just off our 1921 kitchen. I really have always loved having my office off of the kitchen. I can pour myself a cup of tea, gaze out the window, or fix myself a snack. Old homes do have a charm about them that can't be found in a new one. I've lived in both and can happily say that I prefer old over new. My roof is solid oak! If you're not familiar with roof material, you won't get it, but I will say that you would be hard-pressed to find a solid oak roof in any home, new or old. The reason I know this is that when we had a new roof put on the guys shooting the nail guns had a heck of a time getting their nails in that hard oak. They couldn't believe that we had an oak roof and said that they had never seen it before. 

Our Porch Sale is this weekend! This event offers a perfect opportunity to pick up some early holiday gifts or gift closet stash. If you are on our mailing list you'll soon be getting an invite, but invitations are not needed to attend. My friend Deb will be helping with the sale. She's so much fun to hang with. I'm looking forward to visiting with her. We always have a blast during these special events!

We have two cubby holes next to both sides of our fireplace. When we moved into our home we tore out some cabinets that were there. I kind of wished that we hadn't gotten rid of them and have been looking for the perfect piece to fit in the two spots. After searching for months, and years, I finally found a cabinet that would not only fit but offer some additional storage. When you live in an old home one thing you're short on is storage. Anytime that I can replace a piece with functional storage it's a good thing. You can see my fiddleleaf fig that is going crazy! Both the ones at the shop and at home grow like crazy. Folks are always asking me how do you get them to grow like that?  I'm at a loss for words as I really don't know. I kind of neglect them most of the time, so maybe that's something they like. I water them once a week, very little and that's it. They have had an assortment of north, south, east, and west exposure, and no matter where they're placed they seem to thrive. Let me tell you that I do not always have this type of luck with plants. Norfolk Pines and Petunias hate me! 

We're planning a low-key holiday weekend with some grilling with family and friends. I'm doing the grilling and have just recently discovered these. They're inexpensive and a healthier way to start your coals. I'm going to add some applewood chips to my chimney. I love the smoked taste of wood in grilling!

I'm looking forward to seeing you at the sale!

Enjoy a safe and happy holiday!  

Jill 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

black dirt and a birthday

Helena said it well...

Well, it's here! Our twenty-five-year anniversary has already officially arrived, but we will be celebrating at our shop this Friday and Saturday. I'm not sure how twenty-five years buzz by, but I'm appreciative of each and every year. The ups and the downs, the mistakes, and the lessons, the rewards, and the gratification have forged this small business into a dream of sorts. I sometimes need to pinch myself to let me know it's all been real because it's such a marvelous ride. Mostly I'm reminded of my blessings through my customers. You bring joy to my heart and soul. Each of us is on a journey of sorts. Helena said it best, life is art!  Thank you!

Today marks the start of what will fast become a fast-moving couple of seasons in the months ahead. Our events seem to bump up right next to each other. Our anniversary celebration, May Day event, and then I'm seriously thinking of having another shop sale the first week of June. The shop has a surplus of pillows and a variety of what I call lonely merchandise. Means we have only one or two of something. This translates into one or two of some things just sitting in our backroom, and our back room is small. It's hard to merchandise one item. We had so much fun at our sale last summer! I'll keep you posted with the date. We're looking at the first Friday and Saturday in June which is the same time we had our sale last year. 

The golden morel is back! I've heard through the mushroom grapevine that they are finding them left and right. The tall and proud morel picture was shot a few years ago at the shop. There's more to the story than what meets the mushroom eye. You see in what I refer to as the olden days, once there was talk about finding the foraging treat I'd put on my boots and head to the woods. I'd hunt all day long or until I found a bag or two. Most of the time I'd come home with pounds upon pounds and sometimes I'd have to get clever on how to transport my foraging friends home. I'll let you run with that! Anyway, back to the story... That day that the mushroom was found I was yearning to go mushroom hunting because the old-timers were talking about how they were finding them like crazy. You probably won't get it unless you're a mushroom hunter.  It was a busy spring as it often is, and I knew that I  just didn't have time to go hunting. Low and behold the tall golden morel had popped up next to the trashcans at the shop! Let me first say, this is highly unusual for a mushroom to pop up in such a way that this one did. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it! Given its location and the habitat, I'm convinced that the mushroom was a gift from God. I picked it, took it home, and ate it! It was probably the best-tasting mushroom I've ever had! Little things. 

The green meadow picture is from our Arkansas trip last summer. This area is adjacent to Blue Spring in Eureka Springs Arkansas. The meadow is part of the Trail of Tears.  Every time I visit this enchanting place a feeling of melancholy overcomes my mood as I gaze over the meadow. I can almost see the men, women, and children walking this trail and sadness overcomes me. Is it possible that remnants of their sadness are woven into the earth? I kind of think so. I've had this feeling before at burial sites and battle sites. It's always the same sad feeling so I have to believe there's more to the story. It's ironic how we as humans, don't learn from our mistakes. We seem to repeat the same mistakes over and over.

On a happier note...

In an impromptu moment, I constructed thirty goody bags to be handed out during our twenty-five-year anniversary celebration. They're a delightful little token of appreciation that includes a new summer perfume, our favorite orange-vanilla bath salt, lip balm, and soap. I rushed to get the bags filled and managed to finish construction right before closing yesterday in between customers. We will be handing out fifteen bags on Friday and the other fifteen on Saturday. 

I've been on the hunt for cookbook props for the cover. The wooden spoons were a recent discovery that I think will be the perfect touch to the cover. We also have them available at the shop. 

The redbuds are in full bloom! One of the reasons I love our yard is that we have planted every tree, bush, or flower and when they start to bloom or pop up, memories do too! Years ago I traveled to the country and dug up a carload of flowers from an old farm. Peonies, Iris, and Bridal Spirea. All our old-fashioned plants, but nothing compares to their beauty in the spring. 

 We received our shipment of One Day at A time T-shirts, but I'm afraid we sold out of most of our inventory this week. The good news is that I've re-ordered more and they should be arriving any day. I love the wording on this t-shirt! They are organic cotton and oh so soft and comfy to wear.

Wood Sorrels, the mere name is intriguing. They are also an old-fashioned flower.  

Two new lip balms hit the shelves last week! The cherry vanilla was inspired by a memory of sipping cherry coke. Not the kind you buy in a can, but the one that you'd get at an old-time drugstore where they'd add the cherry and vanilla syrup to the beverage. Oh my!  Honestly, someone should bring that back! 

We look forward to seeing your smiling faces at our birthday and mayday celebration on Friday and Saturday!

Jill 

 

        

 

freedom

First, let me please say that with the current unsettled climate that surrounds us, I'm leaning towards prayer and hope, and I feel blessed to have the freedom to share both whenever I can. I try not to take anything for granted, and to be thankful for the good and the bad that fill my days as it teaches me to overcome and remain strong in my faith. Just always remember, everyone is going through something, and it's not us to judge. We often do, simply because we are human. We live our lives learning as we go along, and if you're lucky, you realize how short life is, and appreciate all that it brings. I find it superficial to browse through social media pages and pretend that all is well when it's not. It's not a time of worry or fear for me because of my faith, and I'm forever grateful and thankful for both. My life, the way that I operate my business are centered around those thoughts. There is hope, and there is God... Turn that around. 

With that said, I'm digging knee-deep into my work. Having the luxury of melting myself into botanicals and fragrances has and always will be a gift. One spring officially arrives I'll begin to dig and cultivate and nurture. There's something peaceful about gardening or tending to a garden. I can't wait! Those feelings wrap around each new spring, and the anticipation grows by the day.

We received our shipments of garments this week, and I'm blown away by those tangerine trousers! 

I believe our Lip Balm inventory is well stocked and up to date, and that Lavender Honey flavor is the bomb! It's a toss-up between, Orange Vanilla and Lavender Honey. Honestly, you can't go wrong with either. 

Let me say a few great things about Dry Oil. It's amazing! If you're searching for a moisturizer, your search is over. It's a perk that you're able to choose a scent to flavor your liquid gold. We are finding that the notion of scenting your own skin essentials is catching on. We enjoy helping you create a signature blend. It's our thing!

I seldom have time on Saturday for new posts, but I'm all caught up and thought I'd switch it up with a fresh Saturday update. 

The Apothecary shop is flourishing and eager for this fresh new season to arrive. We're excited to celebrate our birthday next month, and even more excited to share year twenty-five! That boggles my mind! So much has happened in twenty-five years. For one thing, I'm older. Hopefully wiser, and kind of stuck in my ways. I don't consider that to be a bad thing.

Peace be with you, always. 

Jill xo 

 

before and after

It's a transitional time at Bittersweet. Our excitement grows as we unbox new shipments of sneakers, sandals, and yes, socks. I've always been a sock girl. Meaning, I love socks! If you're at all familiar with how things run around here, then you know how my fondness for such things transfers to the shop. Typically, that's how a shop works. Each shop reflects its owner and the things that they admire. Knowing that each human has a love for different things you know how your taste is not always going to appeal to some, but if you explore your creativity and style with your favorite's chances are they will be other's favorites too. 

This same rule applies to an apothecary business. 

I always joke and say how when you're a soap maker you have out of the ordinary items sitting around your home. Tape dispensers, decorative papers, ribbon, string, dried flowers, and the unusual list goes on. We're either wrapping, designing, or snapping photos around here. I was just reminded that I didn't charge my big camera yesterday. I very seldom use my "big camera" anymore. I used to use it all of the time. A variety of favorite lenses accompanied it. A macro lens for up-close shots of product and a simple lens for pretty much all of the other captures. It's amazing how your phone has the ability to capture a great image. Then there's the photo tweaking apps that can change the look of your photo in an instant. Technology...

Next week will mark a few days of package design for our Valentine line. The line is short and sweet and limited, as we're moving straight into SPRING! Having said that, the pretty in pink assortment of artisan soaps and sundries planned is easy on the eye and adds some sweetness for your body. 

We introduced a new Perfume last week. The aromatic tincture has notes of sweet orange, almond, peach, musk, lavender, patchouli, and several other fastidiously chosen flavors. The fragrance offers many different layers, and I believe will be well received by just about everyone. In other words, there's not too much of this or that, and it's difficult to pick up on any of the fragrances I just mentioned. 

Bunny Tales...

That little dried flower is one of my favorites. I prefer a tiny bouquet rather than a large one. We've offered them at our shop before. In fact, we had an entire section of dried flowers a few years back.  

My weeks at the shop continue to bring with them bursts of kindness, love, and thoughtfulness from the humans that walk through the Bittersweet door. You'll never know what an impact your kindness has on my life and attitude. Your kind thoughts shower down like rays of sunshine on a cloudy day. They have a huge impact in my writing, and my life, and remind me that good will always overcome bad. Thank you. 

Stay strong and share love. 

Jill xo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

home body

I just know that Great Grandma Lucy is smiling in heaven when she gazes down and sees her name carried on in the products that her great granddaughter makes. I've mentioned many times how soul satisfying it is to create Bittersweets that are wrapped in family inspiration. I feel blessed that to be a soap maker and skincare manufacture! Even more blessed to incorporate my loved ones values and ideas into a one of a kind creation!

Bittersweet is enjoying our down time and weekend off during the downtown festival. I ventured downtown last night, but scurried back home quickly because the traffic was awful. I'm not used to the congestion and I can honestly say it's just not my thing. I guess you could call me a country girl!

I pulled my moms table out and am planning on starting to strip and refinish the piece. It's a great size, and the wood is oak. I'm going to strip off the current finish and sand it down and place a natural finish on it. Then I'm going to carry it to our living room and put it to use as a desk. I'm anxious to get the piece done. If all goes well I'll have it finished in a few days. 

The holiday wrappings have been chosen and I'll start wrapping the seasonal soaps this week. I know, I know, it's not even Halloween! Remember what I told you, Bittersweet crafts winter offerings in summer, and summer offerings in winter. 

Our hangout spot has been our tree house porch. I had to run off a woodpecker earlier today. The little bird was pecking away on the decking. I put fresh water in the birdbath and no sooner than I filled it a plump turtle dove splashed around and got a fresh drink. I love turtle doves! I'm especially fond of their cooing call. It's relaxing to listen to. I could easily be a bird watcher! If only one had oodles of time to just do nothing but listen to birds. It does do a soul good to do it every now and then. 

The new mattress is set up! I love it! A friend came and picked up the old one and I can see how I might just call it an early night just so I can give it the good nights sleep test!

Next week I'm going to release the fuzzy pajamas and slippers. A new kimono, and some really cute tops. A new weekly soap, probably Persian Pear will also hit the shelves. I have several to choose from and I haven't really made up my mind which one it shall be. I will know next week. That's the way it works at Bittersweet.

We have already released Nag Champa, Safari Bain, Apples and Oak, Dragons Blood, and Pumpkin Spice. 

I've mentioned many times how rare it is for a soap company to present a new soap each week. The labor intense process of making soap is time consuming and complicated, but for me it's Zen like and relaxing. I am even more passionate about soap making then I was some twenty-four years ago when Bittersweet was born. This little system I've developed seems to work well. I wouldn't change a thing. Well, I guess if I could clone myself and have two people making soap that would be attractive, but as you know that's just not possible. 

Next best thing...

Keep smiling. 

Jill xo 

 

keep smiling

I feel like something needs to be said about our current state of being. It feels like folks are spread out too thin nowadays. The world in which I once knew does not feel the same, and it's easy to stress with the uncertainty that surrounds us. I have some advise... Keep smiling! I'm not trying to make light of our current conditions, I'm simply offering a compassionate response to this everchanging world in which we live in. I will stop there. 

I'm one of those people that when chaos surrounds me I dive deep into my work. Deeper and deeper I go until I'm so busy and wrapped up into something I don't have time to watch the news or spend too much time on social media platforms. When I do have down time it's spent studying the stacks of books on recent genealogy finds. Which by the way, I've hit a dead end for months. I feel like the only resolve will be to travel to Scotland and Ireland to research. That seems to be on hold for the time being, so my studying continues as I investigate the history of migration of my Scot-Irish relatives. 

Meanwhile, this past week was the release date for Bittersweets two new lines. Each collection is very different from the other. Sunday morning is all about self care, while Safari Bain borrows inspiration from African Safari's and wilderness. The two scents are on opposite attractions too. Sunday morning has top notes of raspberry and vanilla, while Safari Bain lends its notes to sandalwood, cedar, and amber. In store...

That cup! It's a favorite now! In store...

The new glass propagating tubes for the wall, amazing! Great for our fiddle leaf fig starters! In store...

The Bittersweet collection of natural skincare continues to expand and grow. Folks ask me how do you decide on what type of skincare product to make. That's easy, it's always out of necessity. My skin always tells me what I should make! Sounds easy enough, right? I must confess it is fabulously rewarding to make skincare essentials that offer positive and productive results, but there's a lot of work that goes into researching the ingredient list that goes into each and every one. Over the years there have been numerous skincare trends come and go. They start out hot and then cool down over time. My philosophy when making these products is to always offer something that doesn't follow trends, but results. That means old school ingredients are sometimes used simply because they remain to be the best no matter what is trending. Ingredients like glycerin, lanolin, bees wax, and vitamin e, are considered tried and true and not only offer clean and natural, but bring amazing results!

It finally started to cool off a little, and I can't help but feel the fall bug! I started going through paperwork and clearing out some areas in our home. When you have a small business paperwork seems to accumulate quickly. There's taxes, more taxes, bills, expenses, reports, etc. Even though I've switched most of these trails of paper digitally it still seems to pile up. I'm guessing that a person should sort out and go through a little more often than this business owner does. In my line of work it's all about priorities. Some are more important than other's. 

It's a blessing to have the honor of sorting for some twenty-four years. After awhile even if you don't know how to perform a task, you learn. I also believe that when you own a small business there are things you just aren't good at. Sometimes it's best to farm those tasks out to an expert. It will save you time and money in the long run. I used to do our taxes, and after a few years, I decided that this was not my thing. We know have accountants, and my life is sweeter since. Don't ever be afraid to admit that you're not good at something. You can practice till perfect, or you can delegate the chore to someone that is familiar with whatever that is. 

I refinished our dining room table a few months ago. The table has been in my family for three generations! It still needs a couple more coats of varnish and sanding in between. Did you know that when you strip a piece and then begin to varnish that you should lightly sand in between? I learned this many years ago. Sanding between the coats of lacquer will make it smooth. Smooth is good!

We have a tiny pantry in our kitchen that we've made into a coffee bar. I hug metal hooks to hang the cups and we store our coffee spoons, coffee and coffee maker in the small pantry. I have a thing about coffee spoons! The round shape of the wooden spoons fascinate me! Now you know, it doesn't take much to fascinate me!

Bittersweet's fall is short and sweet. Since we're a manufacture we move quickly into holiday mode in November. We always release the start of our Holiday Soap on the third week of November, and continue offer two new soaps each week for six weeks. Believe it or not, I've already began holiday soap manufacturing! The four to six week curing time forces Bittersweet to be a few months ahead on everything. Retail in general is kind of like that too. Bittersweet has always referred to it as Summer is winter, and winter is spring... That's how we roll. 

I can't help but feel that my grandmother Lucy would be proud of her soap making great granddaughter. I wish that she was still around so that we could share soap making stories. My aunt has shared a few of her stories, and I find them fascinating! Great Grandma Lucy made her soap in an old black kettle and stored her bricks of soap in a trunk and on the back porch. She used the valuable essential for cleaning her home, bathing, and laundry. Look at as zero waste before zero waste ideas existed. Personally, I believe she was a professional zero waste expert, as were most woman of her time. Times change, and I really believe that one get's overwhelmed with all of the choices we have nowadays. Not to mention, it's a challenge to know which one is good and which one is bad. Both are available to the consumer. 

Keep Smiling.

Jill xo 

 

 

 

 

Blowing through the jasmine in my mind.

I ordered fresh jasmine and eucalyptus for the shop. Both plants are two of my favorites! The jasmine sits across from our checkout table so that I can really take in its beauty as I wait on customers. Spring!

A little nook of goodness at our shop. Those black woven pillows go outside in the rocking chairs on the porch. I have to tell you that I'm thrilled with pillow covers! I ordered the covers here. The concept of using old Turkish rugs to make pillow covers is nothing short of amazing! I must warn you, if you love pillows you may get lost with all the choices. I'll also ease your mind about shipping because I received my orders in about a week even though they're shipping from Turkey. 

The purple thistles and the woven basket were a recent find that I found here. 

My heart skipped a beat when I spotted this healthy jade plant at a recent trip to our local home improvement store. I have had hundreds of house plants over the years, but I don't recall ever having a jade plant. They are in the succulent family. After researching I found that they prefer southern exposure. I might add that the price on this vibrant jade plant was incredible! Bonus!

Our new sofa arrived early which means it's sitting in the middle of our living room for the time being until I get the trim cut out with fresh paint. I'm quite pleased with the craftsmanship and to know it arrived in a box! I love the smoky grey! I can't wait to share our new remodeled space with you. It's coming along nice, but it's slow going and work is in between soap making and packing orders. I'm one of those people that thrives on many projects going at once. After searching high and low I found the sofa here.  

I can't wait to get the trim painted and start merchandising our living room! Oh yeah, I'll be sharing and I'm also going to share sourcing. I feel like sourcing is the most time consuming and hardest part of designing a room. I'm happy to ease the hassle by sharing. 

We've been gifting customers with fiddle leaf fig starters at our shop! My Jack in the Beanstalk Figs are needing a trim so I'm dipping the stalks in root hormone and propagating starts. Fiddle Leaf Figs are one of the easiest houseplants. Seriously, they are super easy and low maintenance. I give my shop figs and home figs a tiny drink of water each week, and they get filtered sun at home. If you're local and you would like to grow this plant in your home I'm happy to share starters after they are rooted and ready to be stuck in dirt and a pot. 

This weeks new soap has arrived a week early! I've been offering early releases so that I can get a jump on wrapping. Speaking of wrapping, isn't this paper stunning? I'm also working on putting together goodie bags for the upcoming May Day Celebration. 

If you placed an order recently or visited our shop you received an invitation!

This luscious soap is back!

Oh, these two go together, don't they?

Keep the faith.

Jill 

 

I believe...

I love the slowness of winter! The way the sun seems to shine brighter on a cold winter day. The scent of candles flowing through our home. A mountain of books just sitting, waiting, while reminding me they're there if I desire them. 

These things ring true and offer substance even though they might seem to be trivial. Sometimes the simple less thought-out method of living especially during winter warms the heart in a way that compares to nothing else. 

Once January arrives Bittersweet begins to get back into the swing of manufacturing. It always feels as though I'm starting over since I begin building inventory from the ground up after selling out during the holiday season. 

It's a time of renewal and growth and new beginnings for mind, body, and spirit. It feels like a well-rounded opportunity!

I've already begun soap manufacturing, and new prototypes are being examined carefully. New 2021 shipments are beginning to arrive and our store will once again get a make-over as we begin celebrating the New Year by ushering in our new ideas and creations. 

 I know that I say this each New Year, but it's always true. I'm more excited about this year than any other! 

Our home is quiet and peaceful. 

Keep the faith.

Jill 

 

 

December to remember...

We sold out of soap on Saturday!

Every holiday season I make a projection on the number of bars needed to fulfill online orders and door store customers. I used to work for a small book fair company and I was taught to make projections on the number of books needed for each school. I was amazed at how accurate it was. Without fail, it always came super close! Little did I know then that the knowledge past would help the knowledge future with my own business. The projections are usually accurate but just as I was amazed then, I'm amazed now at how their accuracy works with soap!  I always call it a Christmas miracle! 

This past year, however, has not resembled anything close to other years. So I really didn't know what to expect. My expectations were met when we sold out of soap on our last day open for the year. Visions of sugarplums have been dancing in my head! I'm feeling blessed and thankful for this holiday regardless of any obstacles and stumbling blocks that have popped up in the past ten months. As you know even without a pandemic challenging things to come and go so it's best to keep your chin up and fill your heart with joy. This is something I've especially nurtured and cultivated this year! 

The Bittersweet Apothecary is closed for our annual winter break. I've added a few days this year simply as a reflection of the climate. 

I'll take a week off or so and then start to rebuild inventory. It's like starting over!

My Christmas lingers into January as I begin planning our Spring lines, new soaps, flavors, products, etc. 

It's always a happy moment to ponder thoughts of spring in the dead of winter. I'll also vamp the store designs and play with merchandising. One of my favorite things is to design my store. 

 

A few years ago I purchased this picture. I love it! At night the little lights on the tree shine brighter and the old farmhouse windows glimmer. You actually want to climb into the picture! At least I do!

I spent the day delivering gifts to neighbors and some of my elderly friends. This year has been particularly hard on older folks. If you can share a tiny piece of joy, then I say do it!

I also made rum cakes. The petite cakes are the perfect size for sharing. I wrap them in cello and tie a ribbon around them. I've also sampled a couple! They are tasty and a twist on the usual holiday treats. I usually make toffee and pralines, but this year Rum Cakes won the toss. These recipes are floating around the internet. I used this one. I also poured the cake dough into small individual bundt pans like the picture. These little mini bundt pans are nice to have in your kitchen stock. They also offer them smaller. A set of twelve that I find are handy too. I have an obsession with individual cake pans! I feel that a girl can never have enough of them!

During my break, I'm planning on painting our dining room. I've decided on a dark color for the walls. We have white shutters and lots of them along with white molding along the top and dark color will look amazing. 

A customer sent me this handmade card a few years ago. I treasure the sentiments and it helps take me back to my roots. 

Some sweet memories... I am almost certain that Santa had just asked us if we had been good little girls and boys. My eyes are closed which means I said yes, but I might have been telling a fib. 

Merry Christmas!

May your heart be filled with blessings of joy, peace, and love.

Jill