Thursday, March 26, 2020

Staying Busy and Loving Spring

Hello from the hills!
Masses of violets are all around the house this year.

The azaleas are budding and ready to burst open.

My white peony is budding, too, so it won't be long until it blooms.

This volunteer mullein is looking great.  The leaves will be picked in a month or so and kept for respiratory teas when needed.

Be sure and check your gardens for cleavers, aka the velcro weed, for yourself and especially if you have pets.  Young dogs love them and they're very beneficial to their health as they cleanse the blood of toxins.
Read about cleavers here.

Here's our Rat Terrier, Tillie having her tonic (fresh cleavers) for the day. (Yes, Rat Terriers catch mice and rats.)

So, I was grilling burgers with a little friend.  We think it's a tree frog.  Linking with Eileen at Saturday's Critters.

I've been working on a 6 pound batch of soap this week.  I make a basic batch then hand-mill the soap and add oils for fragrance and beneficial properties.  This lavender soap is great for it's antiseptic qualities and it smells heavenly.

Have a great weekend y'all!

23 comments:

  1. Your soap is beautiful! I need to make soap for laundry this evening as I thought I had a full batch and found the bucket empty - oy! Have you ever made violet jelly from those heavenly little blossoms? Good stuff:-)

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    1. I've never made violet jelly, but I might try it this year. I've only done syrup, candied blossoms and violet sugar. I have to say the blossoms were too time consuming.

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  2. Violets are beautiful.

    Before I got busy with online classes I wanted to make a batch of soap, then I decided to save the oil for a while. 😊 your soaps are so pretty.

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  3. Hello, your flowers are so pretty. Our bloom time here is so much later. I love your cute pup Tillie! The soaps are pretty. The lavender scent is one that I do not seem to be allergic too, some scents really bother me. Stay safe, healthy and happy. Enjoy your weekend!

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    1. Thank you, Eileen. Lavender is hubby's favorite scent so I try to keep a good stash for him.

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  4. Lovely to visit with you, dear Toni. Your soap looks so beautiful! And the violets and azaleas must be adding such cheer to your garden...Springtime is such a happy season!
    I spent a good hour or so pottering in my garden today; I planted out broccoli and spinach seedlings and weeded my pea patch. I spent most of the day making fig jam - we got ten kilos in yesterday. {{smiles}}
    Today was the first of 21 days of official lockdown in our corner of the world...how strange it is to not even be able to take our dog for a walk, and not hear or see anyone about. I miss ordinary life, but I am grateful for the cosyness of home and all the wonderful things I now have time for.
    Sending much love across the miles!

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    1. Thank you, Kelly-Anne. I do hope the quarantine you are under will be lifted soon. We're limiting our movement, too, but will be so glad when this virus business is over. Your garden sounds lovely.
      Thank you for stopping by.

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  5. Your garden in bloom looks lovely and inviting, and I am glad to meet Tillie. I bet she loves going hunting in your courtyard. Luckily for me, I wasn't grilling next to you and your little friend for it would have scared the wits out of me. lol
    What a great soap batch! A friend of mine used to give me some of her handmade soap but I had to stop using it because the oils and fragances she added sadly triggered my allergies. :-(
    Winter, rain and snow are back here. Stay safe and healthy!

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    1. Thank you, Alhana! I have to admit I jumped like a frog when I noticed it on the grill. I will look closer next time, lol. I'm so glad you have winter, again. I'd love some snow today, but it's not going to happen. We already have 23°C today and not yet noon.
      I hope you and your family are well. :)

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  6. Hello, thanks so much for linking up your critters and post. Your dog is cute, I am a dog lover. Neat capture of the frog.
    I heard the frogs this morning, singing in the rain! Take care and stay well! Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Enjoy your day, happy weekend! PS, thanks for the visit and comment.

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    1. Thank you, Eileen, we're fine and enjoying a lovely warm day here in Tenn.

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  7. Beautiful flowers. Photo of the frog is awesome.

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  8. That soap sure looks pretty and I know it smells wonderful! I love lavender...as you know! What a cute little frog. We have them get under our grill cover here too! Take care!

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    1. Thank you, Diane. I love making our soap. Thanks for stopping by.

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  9. We have a soap lady in our town that makes wonderful products to sell at the farmer's market. Right now she is selling from her home, placing phone orders outside for safe pickup. - Margy

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    1. Hi Margy. I love that your town's soap lady is still in business.

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  10. giggling, love the froggy legs :) :)

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    1. Glad you enjoyed the photo. Thank you for stopping by.

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  11. We have a huge plant behind our shed that looks just like your mullein! I would never have thought to do anything with it!

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Thank you for your comments!