Wandering Wisteria

Our new Petal Power Gardener's Salt Bar

Be sure to check out the great July sale at the bottom!

You can't blame me. I'm a northerner. I knew it grew like crazy in the south, but I would see small, well-behaved wisteria trees here in NY, so I thought it would be a beautiful addition to my garden. It took years to do anything, and finally bloomed after about 7 years. Suddenly, it took off, spreading runners everywhere! I didn't realize the full extent until I discovered it growing into the house siding today. Yikes! I got my clippers out and began pulling and clipping it out.

I got everything I could, and will pull more wisteria out of the siding once it dies. I also hunted for and pulled runners out of the soil, as close to the original trunk as as possible. This one is going to need constant checking!

Does Wisteria have any herbal usages? I'll have to do some research. Maybe I should make wreath bases with the vines.

What about you? Have you ever planted anything you've regretted?

It's time to harvest the catnip. I've got Jewelweed infusing and drying, and lemon balm drying. Love lemon balm tea, and using it in lip balms. I really should cook one of my daylily blooms and see what it tastes like. Have you ever eaten them?

What are your flowers and herbs doing now? I'd love to hear.



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Celebrate your independence by making your own sale. Take 50% off any one item with a $30 order (before shipping). Just let me know which item you want 50% off of. Check out www.SoapAndGarden.com, and see me on Facebook.


Soap scents include: Lavender*, Gingered Orange, Lilac Breeze, Groovy Patchouli*, Black Raspberries & Vanilla, Rice Flower, Mint Medley*, Sultry Sandalwood Vanilla, Fresh Clean Herbs, and Spun Sugar. (*essential oil), Daybreak* (spearmint & eucalyptus), Oatmeal, Milk & Honey, Black Raspberry Vanilla, Midnight Merlot, Peppermint Breeze, Pina Colada, Gardener's regular, Cedar & Sage,and Petal Power Salt Bar, Cucumber Mint, Biergarten, and Rice Flower.

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Not on my site:

Herbal Bath Teas: Oatmeal, Milk, & Honey, Purely Herbal Blend, Four Milk Blend, and Relaxation Blend - just $2/ea.
Liquid shower gel: All natural. 2 oz. for $4; 4 oz. $6.00. In any scent listed above.
Lotion: Hand and body lotion - 4 oz, $7
Foaming Soap: Comes in the seasonal Apple Pie, plus Gingered Orange, Summer Tropical, and Lavender. Just $7/bottle for 6 fl. oz.

You must email me to get the savings. Simply mention GMB.
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Did you know that many people in the world cannot afford the basic necessity, soap, and that many become ill and die simply from the lack of something we take for granted? We at Soap and Garden participate in efforts to provide people with life-saving soap.

It's 2009!

It's hard to believe that another year has gone by, already. I'm working at catching up on all I've fallen behind with during the holidays, and will be setting goals for the new year. This month, I'll be catching up record-keeping for tax time. What about you? What goals do you have for 2009?

Right after Christmas, we drove to see our newest baby, Giovanna, as well as her siblings, Noah and Frencesca, and their parents, David and Amy. We had a good trip, and enjoyed them all very much. It's great to be home, though.

I would be remiss if I didn't add how spoiled I was by my family today, on my birthday. They helped clean up, shopped, and cooked a delicious dinner for me, and I had a wonderful day. They even got me some sweaters, one a periwinkle cashmere. How nice!

Now, I'm energized for getting back to normal and accomplishing what I set out to do this year; one of which is convincing my readers to take a bath. But, don't take an ordinary bath, take a bath with something that helps your skin, or just smells lovely.

We've seen how bath salts, oils, milks, oats, baking soda, and cornstarch all play a part in a therapeutic regime. Now, let's see how herbs can help.

* Chamomile has been used historically for skin healing and for relaxing. Do you remember Peter Rabbit's chamomile tea? Use this herb in a bath for its cosmetic value, and relax at the same time! If you have ragweed allergies, however, use it with caution, as they are of the same family.

* Lavender is a classic bath herb, thought to have both cleansing properties as well as relaxing properties. It also has been used historically for skin healing. Just like chamomile, lavender is an ideal bath herb, and most people love its scent.

* Comfrey has little scent to add, but does contain allantoin, a cell-regenerating ingredient. This herb is a plus for any bather!

Now, add lip balm to the list of products that are not on the website. For just $3/tube, you can protect and moisturize your lips with many terrific flavors.

Throughout January, I'd like to extend this offer:

Buy any 5 products, and get the 6th free! If the item is not on my site, just email me, and I'll take care of things for you. All products are included, and the free item will be the one at equal or lesser cost than the other 5. Shipping is not included.