Three Things I Loved About Portland

Rhodies in Portland

I recently made a combined business/pleasure trip to Portland, OR.  The Board of Directors strategy meeting for the HSMG was held there and involved me, so that was the business part (not to say it didn't include pleasure), and meeting my newest granddaughter was the pleasure part (it didn't include any business, unless one were to call changing diapers, work).

Of course, being the gardener I am, seeing the local flora was also on my to-do-in-Portland list.  I wanted to visit the Portland Rose Garden and see what was growing in the area.

Isabella and Mommy

We came in a little early so we could spend time with our dd, sil, and grandbaby, Isabella.  This is a totally unbiased opinion, of course, but she is nothing less than adorable!  A mostly happy baby, she smiled and cooed and charmed her grandpa and me in a moment.  We loved spending time with her.


She was very nice about taking me to the rose garden, as well.  For those of you who don't know, Oregon is an ideal location in terms of climate for rose growing.  The famous rose company, Jackson & Perkins, began not too far from me in New York, but moved west when somebody saw how well roses grew in Oregon.  After visiting the garden, I could easily see why.  And it isn't just roses that grow well there!  Oh, no, the Rhododendron was absolutely spectacular, with large bushes just bursting with color, from white to pink to purple and red, and every shade thereof!  I even saw one that was blue-violet, which I had never seen before.  Our trip to the garden, with a baby in tow, was short, but not too short to fill my eyes and brain with breathtaking color and beauty!

A gorgeous rose in Portland Rose Garden

The strategy meeting, my first, went very well.  Charting out the course of an organization is never an easy task, but necessary, and I believe that we made some strides and decisions that will benefit the HSMG members for years to come.  I was privileged as a newbie to be in the company of some very smart and dedicated women, working to make the organization the best it could be.


Once we finished the meeting, instead of jumping on a plane for the east coast, we lingered in Portland and visited Multnomah Falls.  It was awesome!  Beautiful, majestic, picturesque, all could be used to describe the waterfall and area.  Again, I enjoyed checking out the flora and took lots of pictures.  Soon, it was time to head to the airport to begin our long trek home, and that's all I'll say about that!  Well, except this note to myself:  "Self, never, ever, book a flight with two stops again!"

Oh, wait.  One more thing about the flight.  It was overcast much of the time during our stay in Portland, so I couldn't see Mt. Hood until the plane went above the clouds after taking off.  Wow!  It was amazing!  We saw not only Mt. Hood, but Mt. Rainier, St. Helen's, and Mt. Adams (I think).


I will say for home, though, it felt good to be back in the warm weather and sunshine!  Photos of Multnomah to follow.


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Reminder:  June is still bustin' out all over here, and so is our sale, but just through the 30th!  

Here's this month's offer:  With any $30 order, get a bar of soap free!

Not on my site, but also available:

Herbal Bath Teas: Oatmeal, Milk, & Honey, Purely Herbal Blend, Four Milk Blend, and Relaxation Blend - just $2/ea. 

Liquid shower gel: Natural. 2 oz. for $4; 4 oz. $6.00;  8 oz.  $11 -  In any scent listed above. 

Lotion: Hand and body lotion - 4 oz, $7; 8 oz., $12

Foaming Soap: Comes in the seasonal Apple Pie, plus Gingered Orange, Summer Tropical, Lavender, and any other scent I sell. Just $7/bottle for 6 fl. oz.

Look for Soap and Garden on Facebook and Twitter.  We just love gardeners!

Tell me the three things I loved about Portland, and get an extra gift with your order.  :-)

Moon Over Miami

View of Miami from my hotel room

I recently attended the Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild conference in Miami, Florida.  It was not only my first trip to Miami, but my first conference being a member of the HSMG Board of Directors.  The conference was fantastic, offering attendees a variety of informative speakers, good food, and even a couple of great parties!

You might be asking yourself, "Do soap makers really have conferences?  Are there enough of them to even have a conference?"

The answers are yes and yes.  The HSMG boasts some 1,500 members worldwide, although the majority of members are from the USA.  Over 300 of them attended the conference.  Our members are either in the process of making a business selling soap or are in business selling soap.  The guild exists to support those members, offering programs and services to promote them.

Each person who attended returned home inspired and motivated to put into practice what she has learned.  Keep in mind that while most members are female, we do have male members, also.  It's just difficult to be grammatically correct without excluding one gender or the other.  But, I digress.  

Our keynote speaker was Barbara Corcoran, of NBC's Sharktank, as well as appearing on the Today Show, showing homes for sale throughout the US.  Barbara was in turn funny, a little crude, and motivating.  She was also kind enough to sign her book and take photos with attendees.  We certainly enjoyed her and gained tools to use in our businesses.

Other speakers helped us with business or with soapmaking techniques, and I for one, hope to swirl better, making soap with greater artistry.  I will employ better business methods that I hope will help my business grow and will serve my customers better, all without losing that personal appeal.

I'll be posting more photos this week, so stay tuned!

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We northerners are just getting out in our gardens.  It's muddy, but it's now time to transplant perennials and to sow outdoor seeds.  It's also Lilac time!  The lilacs are ending their bloom, but the scent is still heavenly.

We are getting dirty, so I've been making good use of my Gardener's Soap.  It features natural "scrubbies" to help clean out the dirt, yet it's still moisturizing.

It comes in several types:

Classic:  essential oils and exfolliants such as cornmeal and poppy seeds for men and women

Salt Bar:  uses salt for exfoliation and a floral scent.  Lovely lotion feel. Very pink!

Cedar & Sage:  same exfoliants as Classic, but specifically for men

Garden Walk:  fragrant floral for women, with exfoliants

Get 5 bars for 25.00!

Don't forget about our lilac-scented products!  Get 10% off of any Lilac scented products totaling $20 or more!

Not on my site, but also available:

Herbal Bath Teas: Oatmeal, Milk, & Honey, Purely Herbal Blend, Four Milk Blend, and Relaxation Blend - just $2/ea. 

Liquid shower gel: Natural. 2 oz. for $4; 4 oz. $6.00;  8 oz.  $11 -  In any scent listed above. 

Lotion: Hand and body lotion - 4 oz, $7; 8 oz., $12

Foaming Soap: Comes in the seasonal Apple Pie, plus Gingered Orange, Summer Tropical, Lavender, and any other scent I sell. Just $7/bottle for 6 fl. oz.

Look for Soap and Garden on Facebook and Twitter.  We just love gardeners!

Sweet Violet

Violet Flowers & Leaves

I picked a bowl of violets and their leaves a couple of days ago.  I'd pick more, but it's been raining.


Did you know that violets are useful herbs?  They are!  They've been used infused in oil and as a tea for centuries, and are even known as an herb that inspires courage, which is rather interesting, since it was thought to help a person sleep.  Ah, the dichotomies of life!


Assigned as a cure in the past for respiratory illnesses, it was taken as a tea or oil.  It was used to fight insomnia and as a laxative, and contains an aspirin-like property.


Considering how prolific violet is, it's no wonder people used them extensively in the past; and yet, they are rarely used today. A pity, methinks.


It seems unfortunate to me that the violet's scent is so fleeting.  If I pick a handful of flowers and take a sniff, I catch a momentary fragrance that never fails to delight.  It's a light, refreshing floral, to my mind.  I would be a very happy camper if I could bottle that scent!


You might be wondering what I plan on using mine for.  First, I make a batch of Violet Eye Cream every year.  I love how it smells and how it makes the skin around my eyes feel moisturized and appear non-baggy.


For the last two years, I've made violet syrup.  Yum!  I wish I could think of more things to use it on, but alas, only ice cream for now.


This year, it's the eye cream, for sure.  Then, assuming I can harvest more before their short season ends, I will make tea and try it in lemonade.  One of my Facebook friends suggested that, so I hope I get the opportunity to experiment.  Since I can dry it, I can create at my leisure--even though uttering the word, "leisure," makes me laugh!


If you're in a region where violets are blooming, go ahead and pick them, provided they are subjected to pesticides and herbicides or vehicle exhaust.  Make a tea and allow yourself to sit and enjoy one of the plants that God gave us.

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May Ad

I would like to introduce you to my Classic Gardener's Soap.   

It took me several tries before I found the formula and additives that made it a winner in my book, but I am very pleased with my final product.  It's as natural as soap can be, with exfoliants to get the dirt out, but not harsh and drying to the skin--and it contains skin-loving essential oils, to boot!  Both men and woman use this one.

Classic Gardener's Soap

I'm so concerned about products for gardeners, that I now have gardeners in mind for all of my products and tailor them for gardeners using herbs and other wonderful things from the garden.  Of course, any of them can be used and appreciated by those who claim to have brown thumbs, too!

If Classic isn't enough, you might like one of our other types:

Classic:  essential oils and exfolliants such as cornmeal and poppy seeds for men and women

Salt Bar:  uses salt for exfoliation and a floral scent.  Lovely lotion feel. Very pink!

Cedar & Sage:  same exfoliants as Classic, but specifically for men

Garden Walk:  fragrant floral for women, with exfoliants

Get 5 bars for 25.00!  Try it today.

Not on my site, but also available:

Herbal Bath Teas: Oatmeal, Milk, & Honey, Purely Herbal Blend, Four Milk Blend, and Relaxation Blend - just $2/ea. 

Liquid shower gel: Natural. 2 oz. for $4; 4 oz. $6.00;  8 oz.  $11 -  In any scent listed above. 

Lotion: Hand and body lotion - 4 oz, $7; 8 oz., $12

Foaming Soap: Comes in the seasonal Apple Pie, plus Gingered Orange, Summer Tropical, Lavender, and any other scent I sell. Just $7/bottle for 6 fl. oz.

Look for Soap and Garden on Facebook and Twitter.  We just love gardeners!

Into the Garden!

It dawned glorious, sunny and warm, a treat for us in upstate NY as we experienced a difficult winter and spring.   Wednesday was just lovely, and it was a pleasure to help in the herb garden at the Tinker Home in Henrietta.


The garden was the brainchild of my friend, Arleen, a number of years ago.  She was instrumental in its design and implementation.  She also did a great deal of the maintenance, keeping the garden spiffy and beautiful for park-goers to enjoy.


It was a lovely garden, with interest for both adults and children; but, due to circumstances, it quickly fell into the chaos that gardens do when left unattended.  Occasionally, groups would come and do some weeding and tidying, but as anyone with gardens knows, a garden must be tended faithfully in order to keep it in check.


Along came a group of Master Gardeners, headed by John C. and Kathleen R., with a plan and an army of gardeners to renovate the garden.  Hallelujah!  Since I have an interest in and history with this garden, I was immediately enthused by their project, and offered to help.  They have developed a plan for the garden and the work that needs to be done, and Wednesday was the first work day.


I am happy to report that in just a couple of hours, we were able to lay down cardboard and mulch on almost 1/4 of the garden's perimeter.  I wish I could get that crew to come to my garden and work.  Just think how fast it would go!


The work wasn't easy, but it felt good to be out in the fresh, warm air and sunshine and to work outside with the herbs.  It gave me a spring in my step for the remainder of the day.  I came home and took a shower, using my freshly made Classic Gardener's Soap.  It took me several tries before I found the formula and additives that made it a winner in my book, but I am very pleased with my final product.  It's as natural as soap can be, using exfoliants to get the dirt out, but not to be harsh and drying to the skin--and it contains skin-loving essential oils, to boot!

Classic Gardener's Soap

I'm so concerned about products for gardeners, that I now have gardeners in mind for all of my products and tailor them for gardeners using herbs and other wonderful things from the garden.  Of course, any of them can be used and appreciated by those who claim to have brown thumbs, too!


Here's to hoping for many more of those beautiful gardening days.


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We are getting dirty, so I've been making good use of my Gardener's Soap.  It features natural "scrubbies" to help clean out the dirt, yet it's still moisturizing.

It comes in several types:

Classic:  essential oils and exfolliants such as cornmeal and poppy seeds for men and women

Salt Bar:  uses salt for exfoliation and a floral scent.  Lovely lotion feel. Very pink!

Cedar & Sage:  same exfoliants as Classic, but specifically for men

Garden Walk:  fragrant floral for women, with exfoliants

Get 5 bars for 25.00!  Try it today.

Not on my site, but also available:

Herbal Bath Teas: Oatmeal, Milk, & Honey, Purely Herbal Blend, Four Milk Blend, and Relaxation Blend - just $2/ea. 

Liquid shower gel: Natural. 2 oz. for $4; 4 oz. $6.00;  8 oz.  $11 -  In any scent listed above. 

Lotion: Hand and body lotion - 4 oz, $7; 8 oz., $12

Foaming Soap: Comes in the seasonal Apple Pie, plus Gingered Orange, Summer Tropical, Lavender, and any other scent I sell. Just $7/bottle for 6 fl. oz.

Look for Soap and Garden on Facebook and Twitter.  We just love gardeners!

Get Outside!

 This is the time of year where I begin to get very excited.  Why?  Because I can finally get outside and into the garden.  Even though I realize that I have an overwhelming amount of work to do trimming and weeding, it's yet energizing and refreshing.  


Of course, I also regret not starting seeds indoors, but that's another story.


If you are like me and just getting outside, it's time to clear away all of the flower stalks that provided winter interest.  I know some gardeners do it in the fall, but I prefer to complete it in the spring.  This is also a great time to weed, but make sure you harvest the dandelions now, before they bloom!  The greens are great for salads or cooked like spinach as long as you get them early.  The roots can be dried and used, as well.  Dandelions are very nutritious, providing us with vitamins A & K.  In fact, people used to make a spring tonic with dandelions, giving themselves a shot of vitamins they had likely been lacking over the winter.


This is prime time for planting or transplanting perennials and shrubs, as well.  Everything is small and easier to divide and plant, and the roots are already full of power to propel your plants into new growth, so they'll be growing into hardy and healthy specimens.


What are you working on in your garden?


With all of that work, you'll be getting dirty, and you'll need soap for cleaning up.  Soap and Garden has just the thing--Gardener's Soap!  We have worked on this formula for several years, wanting to create a soap that cleans well, yet isn't like sandpaper to use and keeps your hands in the best shape possible.  The result is just that--cleansing without being harsh.


This soap comes in a few different varieties.  First, is our Original, made with gentle scrubbies, rich oils, and skin-loving essential oils.  It is great for both men and women.


Second, is our "Men's Only," a Sage & Cedar scent sure to appeal to any man.  It includes the great oils and scrubbies found in our original formula.


Third, since we had something just for our male gardeners, we had to create something special for women, and so our Summer Garden Spa Salt Bar was born.  Salt bars feature gentle exfoliation and a lotion-like feel upon use.  It's also very pink!


Last, we offer a "In the Garden" bar that is a floral blend, admittedly, quite feminine and lovely.


All of our bars include great oils and scrubbies and are priced the same as our other bars, $6/ each or 5/$25.00.


If that's not enough, our April Showers sale continues throughout the month of April.

<"In the Garden"
<"Sage & Cedar"

     Ladies Salt Bar >

April Showers Sale!

Yes, the April Showers have arrived in my region, and even though warm, sunny days are more to my liking, I take hope in the adage, "April showers bring May flowers."


I'm celebrating by offering you a  Shower of Savings!

5% off purchases $20 - $30
10% off purchases $31 - $40
15% off purchases $41 - $50
20% off purchases $51 & over
(before shipping totals)



Save on everything for the month of April!


Featuring Body Glow, a wonderful exfoliant for the shower.  It comes in a jar, so you can just scoop out what you need.  Start with your hands, working up your arms, gently massaging your skin.  Then, go to your feet and work your way up your legs.  Finally, massage your torso toward your heart.  Rinse.  This product will not "oil up" your shower, but it will help remove those dead skin cells from winter, and clean those gardening hands for those in milder regions.

Soap scents include: Lavender*, Gingered Orange, Lilac Breeze, Groovy Patchouli*, Black Raspberries & Vanilla, Rice Flower, Mint Medley*, Sultry Sandalwood Vanilla, Fresh Clean Herbs, Spun Sugar, Daybreak* (spearmint & eucalyptus), Oatmeal, Milk & Honey in scented or no scent added, Black Raspberry Vanilla, Midnight Merlot, Peppermint Breeze*, Cucumber Mint*, Biergarten, Busy Bee, and Rice Flower.  *denotes essential oils

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Not on my site, but available: 

Herbal Bath Teas: Oatmeal, Milk, & Honey, Purely Herbal Blend, Four Milk Blend, and Relaxation Blend - just $2/ea. 

Liquid shower gel: Natural. 2 oz. for $4; 4 oz. $6.00;  8 oz.  $11 -  In any scent listed above. 

Lotion: Hand and body lotion - 4 oz, $7; 8 oz., $12

Foaming Soap: Comes in the seasonal Apple Pie, plus Gingered Orange, Summer Tropical, Lavender, and any other scent I sell. Just $7/bottle for 6 fl. oz.

Look for Soap and Garden on Facebook and Twitter.  We just love gardeners!

Getting Ready for Summer Fun--What You Need to Know

• 
  I hope this isn't a topic that's a turn-off. My hope is, rather, that it will serve as helpful advice to my female readers.
  
  
  Awhile ago, I read something interesting. It was a short piece explaining how, over the winter, dead skin cells build up in the armpit area. The result being that come summer, aka sleeveless season, if you look at your underarms, you'll see a darkened area where those cells are caught up in your deodorant or anti-perspirant. Not too attractive, is it? The article I read claimed that this was a particular concern of blonde-haired women, but I think it probably applies to others, as well.
  
  
  What's the answer? Fortunately, it's quite simple. Give that area a good cleaning and some good exfoliation. I use soap with "scrubbies," such as a salt bar or something with seeds or pumice. Additionally, a good shower scrub, such as my Shower Glow (I know, a shameless plug) will make this an easy task.
  
  
  Use it once or a few times, and you'll be ready for tank tops!
  
  
  
  Now, if the weather would just cooperate.

Is it Spring Yet?

Although we will likely get snow before spring and summer slide in for certain, I can say with all certainty that spring has arrived in my corner of the world.  My crocus are blooming, enjoying their place as the stars of the garden.  My earliest daffs are swelling with buds and the promise that they will shortly be smiling at me with sunny faces.  My tulips and hyacinths are no longer hiding their location.


Yes, it is spring and I am ready for it.  My dogs are ready, too!  Beau and Mickey go outside more often and they stay out longer.  All is well--except for the old and too true adage, "after winter comes mud."  Ugh.  My pooches are tracking in so much dirt!  We (I) clean their paws at the door, but they just seem to accumulate the mud until it looks as though they're wearing boots.


It is for them that I developed my Pooch Soap.  It is a solid bar of soap with egg yolks and essential oils that help clean, relax, deodorize, and repel fleas.  I love it because it's such a rich, creamy soap and it leaves their fur smelling good and feeling soft and fluffy.  To be more specific, our Peek-a-Poo is fluffy and our Cockapoo, whom we like to describe as a lot of Cocka and not much Poo, is silky.  It's more fun bathing them because I like the soap so much and the results, too!  And believe me, it's happening often now.


Pooch Soap, like my others, retails for $6/bar.  Tax for New Yorkers, of course is added on, as is shipping for those not local.  Get yours today!

Pooch Soap that Beau is advertising

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Yes, the April Showers have arrived in my region, and even though warm, sunny days are more to my liking, I take hope in the adage, "April showers bring May flowers."
I'm celebrating by offering you a  Shower of Savings!

5% off purchases $20 - $30
10% off purchases $31 - $40
15% off purchases $41 - $50
20% off purchases $51 & over
(before shipping totals)

Save on everything for the month of April.


Soap scents include: Lavender*, Gingered Orange, Lilac Breeze, Groovy Patchouli*, Black Raspberries & Vanilla, Rice Flower, Mint Medley*, Sultry Sandalwood Vanilla, Fresh Clean Herbs, Spun Sugar, Daybreak* (spearmint & eucalyptus), Oatmeal, Milk & Honey in scented or no scent added, Black Raspberry Vanilla, Midnight Merlot, Peppermint Breeze*, Cucumber Mint*, Biergarten,  Honey Good, and Rice Flower.


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Not on my site, but available: 

Herbal Bath Teas: Oatmeal, Milk, & Honey, Purely Herbal Blend, Four Milk Blend, and Relaxation Blend - just $2/ea. 
Liquid shower gel: Natural. 2 oz. for $4; 4 oz. $6.00;  8 oz.  $11 -  In any scent listed above. 
Lotion: Hand and body lotion - 4 oz, $7; 8 oz., $12Foaming Soap: Comes in the seasonal Apple Pie, plus Gingered Orange, Summer Tropical, Lavender, and any other scent I sell. Just $7/bottle for 6 fl. oz.

Look for Soap and Garden on Facebook!  We just love gardeners!


http://www.SoapAndGarden.com