Bittersweet and the little soap company

Winter Dandle

 

I love the new chalkboard wall! I'm always impressed with change. There's always room for improvement and usually after I change something I think, why didn't I make this change a long time ago. When you own a shop, change is always good.

I've been spending an enormous amount of time at the shop and I feel I'm needing a break. So I've vowed to spend more time at home the next few days. Having said that. it's been so very cold, below freezing and soap manufacturing has been on hold during the cold blast. Now it's warming up, (really nice today), and I'm heavy into soap making. Every soap maker has a different technique and way of doing things. I have found when it's below freezing the cold temperatures interfere with the saponification process. So when it gets really cold like it's been, I do not make soap. It feels good to be back in the swing of soap making.

I love being at the shop at night. I've told you that before, I know.

We're in the midst of a Winter Dandle...

I'm making Grandma Christine's Chocolate Pie.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sweetened whipped cream
• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups milk
• 1-1/4 cups sugar
• 1/3 cup cornstarch
• 1 baked 9-inch pie crust or graham cracker crumb crust , cooled
• 1/2 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa

Directions

• 1. Prepare crust. Combine cocoa, sugar, cornstarch and salt in medium saucepan. Gradually add milk to dry ingredients, stirring until smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil; boil l minute.
• 2. Remove from heat; stir in butter and vanilla. Pour into prepared crust. Carefully press plastic wrap directly onto pie filling. Cool; refrigerate 6 to 8 hours. Top with whipped cream. Cover; refrigerate leftover pie. Makes 8 servings.

Make Pie!

Enjoy caring and sharing days.

With all good wishes.

Jill 00

 

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I'd love to introduce you to the artist that helped turn the shop chalkboard into a beautiful work of art. Katie McCoy you are an amazing artist! Thank you for spreading your art love.

It was evening when she finished. Before I turned out the lights, I took one last look and smiled happily. I love it when an idea turns into something you can see and touch. I love it more when that idea transforms into something even better than your imagination envisions it. It's going to be a blast filling the table in front with artisan soap and sundries! I can't wait to stack mountains upon mountains of soap in front of the art wall!

 
I love being in the shop at night. It takes on an entirely different look. The glow of the fire casts warm cozy shadows on a cold winter's night.

The new clothing line is beginning to take shape. I love this little jean jacket!

The weather is suppose to warm above freezing. Winter soap production will soon be running full speed ahead. I don't like to make soap when it's below freezing. The extreme cold interferes with the process. I've never really figured that out, but it does. New essential oil's and aroma's await for the alchemy process.

The shop is busy most days even when it's cold and snowy. I'm thankful for that.

The new signs should be arriving any day. I can't wait to see them and get them placed in the shop. The new modifications and changes have boosted my excitement and I'm welcoming new ideas and improvements. For there is always room for improvement. One of my favorite things to say.

Enjoy caring and sharing winter days.

With all good wishes.

Jill 00

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I've been capturing images in reflections. It's kind of cool.

The Vintage Gatsby Hat! The downtown has a Derby event in April and I'm thinking that hat is calling my name!

I've been waiting on a truck shipment of goods that seems to be in la la land. Translation: I spent the entire day at the shop (seven hours) waiting. It was suppose to arrive between 10 - 2, but did not. Issues with the truck line. Issues...Life goes on.

The lesson I've learned... Do not plan delivery's or anything for that matter on days off. Do not!

Modern Vintage Heart Sachets. Only a few left.

New Cleansing Cloths and I love the new packaging!

Home Sweet Homing it today... Gooey Fudge Brownies in the oven and a crock of pinto beans simmering on the stove. Kind of a sunny gray day and it feels good to be inside warm & cozy.

Enjoy caring and sharing winter days.

With all good wishes,

Jill 00

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Having lived in the Midwest most of my adult life I've learned to appreciate each season, including winter. Even cold, Missouri January and February. We dig out the stashed quilts, and bake and prepare winter soups and hearty butter biscuits and cornbread. It's a Winter thing. I've always found it to be interesting how our meals reflect around what the weather is doing. When it's hot we eat lighter and yes, you guessed it. When it's cold, (and it's really cold now), we prepare comfort food. I'm guessing that's why they call it comfort food. Preparing a warm savory meal does add comfort to the soul on a cold Winter's day. I love that! The little things are much appreciated. Having the luxury of shopping for groceries, riding in a warm car, and nestling up under a hand made quilt to read a book or watch Downtown Abbey. Simple pleasures that help me to feel appreciative and thankful for everything. This is on the stove simmering. Simple pleasures, and Winter lust.  

I was reminded of such simple pleasures on Saturday. As I drove to the shop and passed the little park, I noticed a man huddled upon the picnic table. He looked cold and sad. I couldn't get him out of my mind. My thoughts turned towards the many blessings I encounter each day. Some of which are small, but each little one considered a blessing.

Saturday morning I received Bittersweet's year end reports. I was in awe as I read the reports. My brick and mortar shop picked up five-hundred and fifty six new customers in 2015! Since the shop is only open sixteen days out of the month, that's a phenomenal increase. The New Year is glowing! Having said that, I have a different take about that report than most shop owners. I believe my business is a gift from God. It can be taken away at any moment. Simply saying, you never know what the future holds. I have strong business ambitions and take those feelings seriously, but I also know that each day is a gift. Having this thought mind, helps keep my psyche in sync and balanced. Steve Jobs comes to mind...

Next week marks the beginning of soap production. Typically, I'm already knee deep into manufacturing but the expanded area, parfumerie has been occupying my time. It's a happy occupy and I believe we're ready to roll! No pun intended as we'll be offering roll-on custom perfumes.

Time to make the cornbread and rice.

Enjoy caring and sharing Winter days.

With all good wishes.

Jill 00

 

  

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New soaps, vintage Valentine's and fresh bouquets. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

Jill 00

Tiny round thoughts...

Tiny round thoughts circle. I love rocks! I especially love rock shrugs! Smooth river rocks are my favorite. One can only imagine a life as a rock. Hee, hee...

I also love this paper! I believe April Cornell line. 

The week of Valentine's Day...

The apothecary shoppe will be busy. New soaps are being bagged up and transported to their proper place. 

That large table with drawers... One of my favorite things. Why is it your favorite? I found it a a local used builder supply for twenty dollars. The legs were five dollars and added to make the piece taller. The drawers are tall and deep. Big enough to store baskets of soap! 

Picking up speed... 

Our weather is cold one day, warm the next. Typical Missouri weather. We have a saying... If you don't like the weather today, simply wait until tomorrow. So true. 

Working on the next Jill & Jules show. I've had to grab a new notebook. The other was full. How many shows has there been? This will be no. 7, I believe. An entire notebook filled! 

Peppermint soap, a favorite, waiting to be cut into bars. Round one's. 

I'm making turkey meatloaf and baked potatoes for dinner, salad. 

Enjoy caring and sharing days. 

Warmly,

Jill 00

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There's a carved wooden heart that sits on a table at the apothecary shoppe. It's filled with lavender seeds and muslin bags so that customers can easily scoop up some of the aromatic herb to take home. I've always been impressed with the extended length of time lavender seeds hold their scent. They maintain their sweet perfume for a  long time. When customers purchase lavender dryer sachets I always pass on to them instructions about how to release the oils from the tiny purple seeds after they've been tossed around in the clothes dryer. Simply crimp the muslin pouch with the tips of your finger nails. This helps the seed, each tiny individual one to release more of its potent fragrance.  I love the thought also that something so pure and natural would perform better simply by an easy prick of the finger. No fixing, figuring out, adjusting. Just a modest little ordinary rub.

 
It's a lovely thought, winter blooms. Having been a Midwest soap making girl all these years, a much necessary one. I love experiencing all four seasons, but winter sometimes lingers and I yearn for spring. Having the luxury of creating and pondering spring Bittersweets helps ease and stagger my anticipation for the season. My favorite word. Simply because I've learned that sometimes the anticipation is much more thrilling than the final moment. I won't get rolling on another philosophical discussion and bore you to a stiff stare. 

Warning... Spell check is still MIA. 

I've been doing some soul searching and pondering thoughts about the radio show. I feel that the show is lacking in substance and informative topics. I enjoy and love doing the show, don't get me wrong. Simply feel the show is lacking in some areas.  Since we pre-record the show, all guests and topics must be lined up ahead of time. I'm learning about radio and that in its self is substantial and fulfilling. I wish to add more informative material to the show. I'm one of those people that loves challenges. Life would be boring to me, if I didn't have them. 

I also believe that nothing comes easy. It takes hard work, determination and love for what you do to pull off a successful anything in life. 

Won't go any further on that topic with the risk of boring you more. 

Essential Oils... Please listen up. 

Having been in the business of fragrance for almost twenty years I've learned a few things regarding this topic. 

Firstly, animals have a keen sense of smell. A much higher sense of smell than humans. Hundreds upon hundreds even thousand times stronger than ours. Please be extra careful when using essential oils on pets. For example: Open a bottle of peppermint, lavender, rosemary, lemon, etc. Take a sniff into the bottle. Now imagine, taking another sniff only this time your nose is 500% more sensitive. Honestly, the mere thought freaks me out. Please use caution when introducing essential oils to your pets. 

Humans: Just because it's an essential oil by no means makes it a safe one. There are many, upon many essential oils that can be extremely harmful to humans. Allergic reactions are common. Although you may not frequently hear about the negative effects of essential oils. Always use a carrier oil when applying any essential to your person and if you're referring an essential to a pregnant soon to me mom. Well, I'd suggest you don't. 

I'm sorry if you feel this warning offensive. I feel a need to open up the door and shout out this information.

Enjoy caring and sharing days. 

Warmly,

Jill 00

 

 

 

 

 

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If you're a Bittersweet blog reader you already know how I love and collect vintage scales. The one in this picture is the granddaddy of all to me. I found it while browsing an antique store with my aunt Vivian. Firstly, having my aunt with me that day was a joy and secondly, the scale itself on top of the story the vendor shared with me about the scale. He said it was from an old time New York grocery store. I use the scale to measure salt. It's quite heavy and solid so I love that it's being used and sticking in one place. 

Coral what I refer to as Peter Max admiration soap. Are you familiar with Peter Max? When I was a child my parents had some of his work in our home. I was in awe over it. I still love it. It's very much 60's, 70's.The vibrant colors and unique art are recognizable for sure.

The soap is Lemon Grass & Grapefruit and it's the most popular soap at the apothecary shoppe currently, well second to this one anyway.

Love, love the cocoa nibs in cold process soap!

I just made a beer soap and added barley and coco nibs, beer too of course, and a chocolate wheat dark ale from our local brewery. I purchased the beer back in mid summer and had opened the big brown bottle thinking the carbonation would be long gone by now. Not the case, surprisingly. Since carbonation and sodium hydroxide are enemy's and they react quite hostile when in the same room, I boiled the beer for about 20 minutes as to remove the carbonation. No bombs at this soap makers studio!

Final result after removing the carb, pleased as pudding. 

A fresh batch of soap boxes are at the hand made shop. Do you know the story behind the boxes? It evokes joyful happy thoughts when a creation is wrapped with sweet memories. Wouldn't you agree? Here's an active link to the HGTV show if you're interested in seeing how I make the boxes. 

It's heavy manufacturing time at Bittersweet. January, February is my spring. As I type this and gaze out the kitchen window, my mind wanders past the current brown landscape and gray sky and it enters a Peter Max world. Even with my fondness for neutral ecrue and sand colored linen, in the back drop a lining of colorful botanical prints peek from around the corners.

Enjoy caring and sharing winter days.

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than one) 

 

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Feeling a little under the weather the past few days. I'm guessing a winter break sometimes yields less work more rest. I'm not a very good patient when I'm sick, probably because I'm seldom sick. I also crave the most interesting foods. Peppermint tea and gingerbread are my latest go-to foods. I guess I'm not sick enough to not cook, ha!

I also believe your body tells you what you need to get well. It's interesting, ginger has been known for its healing upper respiratory tightness and peppermint helps open constricted blood vessels. Since I don't take medication when I'm sick, these foodie medications, I call them, help my body heal. 

The old fashioned gingerbread like my mom used to make, my favorite.

I had some lined wooden loaf pans so I made two small size loafs. 

 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup molasses 
• 1 egg
• 1 and 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ginger
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 cup boiling water

Directions:

Cream butter and sugar, add the molasses and egg and mix. Sift the spices and baking soda with the flour. Add flour, ginger, cinnamon, and soda and stir. Add boiling water and mix well. Pour into a greased and floured loaf pan for 25 minutes at 350 degrees F.

You can double this recipe and make a large Gingerbread to be baked in a 9x13 inch rectangular pan for about 30-35 minutes. Test for doneness.

 I've been laying around pondering thoughts of ecru linen aprons and soap wrapped in little cloth bags. Sweet Lavender Sachets and these stunning preserved roses. Aren't they beautiful? They will last forever!

New cloth, paper tags and thoughts of greening it up by using and utilizing the piles upon piles of textiles I currently have. This is a prototype of one of those packaging thoughts. 

New soap is curing and time has slowed down. 

I also wished to create some lavender handkerchief sachets or pillows. Not exactly the way I want it to look, but it's getting there. 

Low key "ring'in the new year."  You'll probably find this soap making girl in bed early!

Wishing you a happy peaceful beginning to an adventurous and prosperous upcoming year. 

Enjoy caring and sharing winter days. 

Wishing you could smell the gingerbread resting on the kitchen table. I believe it's calling my name as is the cream. 

Warmly,

Jill 00 (two hugs are better than none)

 

 

cocoa house

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)  

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