warm light

photograph by kristin karch

mandy's anemones pt.1

mandy made another beautiful arrangement last week...you can see a full photo of the arrangement on  from a week ago, but, today, i wanted to share images from after the arrangements were taken apart...mandy grew these anemones in the greenhouse at 3 porch farm. enjoy looking at them...next week, we will look at them again, in a different way...

photographs and words by rinne allen

making simple soap

a few years ago i purchased some soap base so i could make my own soap.  i know this might be cheating a little bit and isn't really making soap from scratch but it is what my life has time for these days.  i love filling my house with warming smells and we get a months worth of soap out of each batch and some to give friends and neighbors. 

this weekend i made some of my favorite blend and is one that i make most often.  All you need is a soap base, lavender oil, patchouli oil, and some dried lavender flowers.  it's such a simple way to have good soap all of the time.

the wanderer blend soap

2 pound block of soap base, I purchase mine here  (there are many varieties, try them out and find your fav)

1 1/2 teaspoon of lavender oil

1/2 teaspoon patchouli oil

1 teaspoon dried lavender, optional

>>>>

-In a double broiler, melt your soap base, it may take 20-30 minutes

-when base is completely melted, add oils and stir until mixed

-pour your mixture into a soap mold, I use a simple rectangular bar mold

-sprinkle dried blooms

-wait a few hours or overnight to cut your bars

recipe and photos by kristen bach