From Soap to Nature

Remember when I used to make soap? Me too, and I really miss it, but my husband has a few sensitivities, and strong scents no matter how pleasant, give him headaches and worse, sometimes migraines. I reluctantly sold many of my supplies years ago. I loved soapmaking, which is basically working with butters and oils, etc. 

The world has been a strange place of late, and I sense a draw to the old ways that were strong and secure and had served us many generations until big business, large governments and oligarchs exploded on the scene and gained control. As many perks as that has brought, I still long for some of the old ways and the old days when people seemed friendlier, more courteous, considerate of young and old, and more self sufficient.

I guess that’s what eventually led to this interest. So for my birthday this year I bought a couple of books and began picking dandelions. Just the heads for now.

I have plans. But I didn’t stop there- - -

Meet my Echinacea Purpurea, also known as cone flower.

Here we have St. John’s Wort in the foreground and French Lavender in the back. These are in pots now and doing well.

And here  I’ve started some basil and peppermint. 

Yes, I’m growing and drying my own herbs and plants. I will be drying, making oils and salves, potpourris and teas. I’m quite excited as I just needed something new and useful to do. Oh, I also have a gorgeous Aloe Vera plant I will be putting to good use. 

Also this

This is sage. It grows wild around here and there’s tons of it on our back hill. These can be dried and used as culinary sage, but they can be made into smudge sticks as well. I’m actually drying them in the dehydrator Right now, but will try hanging some to dry too. 

We also have lilac bushes in the back yard. I’ve dried a bunch of the flowers. On the left is a jar of dried dandelion flowers. Both jars are full now.

And these are calendula petals (pot marigold) and dehydrated ginger root. I have a jar with coffee inside infusing in almond oil inside my cupboard as well. Plus there’s some basil and peppermint air drying. My house smells pretty good. 

I bought some supplies and containers using my old soap contacts and am almost ready to go. Also, here are the books I picked up. Apparently Rosemary Gladstar is a herb whisperer of sorts, so I bought these first two of hers. Then a good friend brought me the last book, which I’m enjoying as well.

What I found interesting is that some of the essential oils I will be using are different than the ones I used for soap making. More expensive, some of them, but just lovely!

I will be sharing what I make with all of these in the near future.

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings to you and yours,

Carmen