Calendula

Well, I'm finally getting to completing the Calendula. I'm making this because it is my "baby" soap. Super-mild but lathers better than a castile. I'll be curious how this turns out color-wise because it turned a taupe color, and usually its fairly white. It may cure to white.

Made with infused oils and a ton of Calendula extract, its a great soap.

Soundtrack: Madonna, Hard Candy

Starting Calendula

This soap takes a while because I need to infuse the Calendula in the oils. First I blend all of the oils together and then melt them with the Calendula buds and petals. You have to use fresh Calendula that is throughly dried or risk getting mold issues, but not so dry that there is nothing left to infuse. Then I let it cool, reheat (slowly) and then filter out the petals. Then I add NEW petals and repeat. I do this cycle slowly over several days to really let it infuse into the oils. So today is day one, perhaps on Monday I will get to make the soap.

Peppermint Tea Tree

I have nostalgia for this scent combination. The second soap I ever made (after my first try of Castile) was Peppermint Tea Tree. I think the blend is so bracing and revitalizing that I try to always have some around. Also its one of my husband's favorites. I have a few sets of lobster molds that I use in emergencies and when I make soap that I know we will want lots of, this soap got made into several lobsters today. I also like to make this one naturally white so this was made with beeswax and while I was making non-vegan soap I used lots of lanolin in the recipe.


Soundtrack: Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, The Swell Season

Orange Cucumber

On my husband's last day of paternity leave I have managed to sneak in a couple batches of soap. The first is Orange Cucumber made with an essential oil blend of Sweet Orange, Lemon and Petitgrain which happens to smell just like Orange and Cucumber. Made with powdered Orange Peel this is a gentle scent that is tangy and fresh.


Sountrack: Galaxie 500, Today

Belated Introduction

I was just reminded that I had not announced the birth of my daughter, Astrid! She was born on March 28th at 8lbs 8oz and 20 inches. She is absolutely lovely and we are all enamored with her.