It's that time of year! Spring has erupted and the lilacs are in full bloom! I can see the row of lilac trees in the front yard, all abloom in several shades of purple. They were started from shoots taken from my in-laws home more than twenty years ago. They have thrived and ended up growing so tall that I could no longer reach the blossoms. Last year we decided to trim them to a manageable height, and although we were careful to trim at the right stage of their bloom cycle, I will admit to being somewhat fearful that we wouldn't have blossoms this year. But they are more abundant than ever! A walk down lilac row is filled with their fragrance. Extraordinary! Just wonderful. And with the gentle hum of bees as they work their magic among the blossoms. Someone is going to be fortunate to have some lilac honey in their hive! It's the little blessings, like lilacs, sweet fragrance, and beauty that make life happy and complete.
French Milled Rose Cinnamon Molded Soap is fragrant and so easy to make. The fragrance lingers and the oil in the recipe make your hands feel soft and smooth. Here's the recipe:
French Milled Rose Cinnamon Molded Soap
1 cup grated soap (mild, non-scented, like Ivory)
1/4 cup rose water
1/4 cup coconut oil
Place the above ingredients in a large glass measuring cup. Place this in a kettle of boiling water. Melt and stir the soap until it becomes like marshmallow cream with a small amount of stringiness or rope-like. This takes 10 - 15 minutes with constant stirring. When this stage is reached, remove from heat. Add:
1/4 tsp. powdered cinnamon
Red or pink candle dye melted in 1 Tbsp. almond oil
10 drops rose oil
5 drops cinnamon oil
Stir well and place soap mixture on waxed paper. Then, drop by tablespoons or scoops onto anothersheet of axed paper. Allow to harden, gently molding and forming to smooth surface over time.
Fragrant; gently soapy. Place in a crystal bowl or pretty basket on a rose-embroidered hanky. Enjoy!
Lavender; a wonderful fragrance. When it's gentle message wafts across a room, tranquility and relaxation automatically are triggered in my head. It is my favorite fragrance!
Even during the winter months, there are many ways to enjoy this lovely smell. Here are some ideas for turning your home into a fragrance-haven!
~ place some dried, lavender bud in a crystal bowl and put on a sunny windowsill so the heat of the sun will draw out the scent
~ add a drop or two of pure, lavender fragrance oil on a lightbulb so that the perfume can be broadcast throughout the room when the light is on
~ place a small kettle of lavender bud (or oil) and water on the stovetop or wood stove and let it simmer
~ toss dried bunches of lavender stalks into a fireplace that's burning brightly
~ store some lavender oil in a porous container or jug so that the perfume seeps into the room
~ place dried lavender arrangements around the room and crunch them occasionally with your hands to release the fragrance oils
Table runner made by my friend, Karleen
Teacup by Royal Doulton
Lavender bouquet contains Spanish, Grosso, Hidcote, and Hybrid lavenders from my garden last summer
