November 15, 2008
It's been a grey, rainy, November day. Although the sun was shining earlier this week I feel tired and worn down. Tonight I miss August's sun, wait a minute, it rained all August. I miss July's sun. The perfect time then to post this photo.
</span> Doesn't this soap look lovely in the morning sun?
Soapmaking is not just a utilitarian hobby for me. It's one of the ways I observe and celebrate the seasons and add beauty to my everyday life. Who doesn't love a bar of homemade soap sitting in a pretty dish in the bathroom?
Mind you, my soap dish gets kind of gunky with three kiddos washing up but when people visit, which is often, I try to at least clean up the soap tray. (But don't you dare lift up that toilet seat.)
But fall and winter are the time for luxury and spice. Richer oils that moisturize and soothe dry skin. Scents and textures that remind you of gingerbread and hot cocoa.
I usually give away bars at Christmas to friends and family so I like that soap to be "Christmasy". Last year's bar was Christmas Orange. A rich soap with expensive oils, scented with orange, myrrh, frankincense & clove essential oils. Family and friends have in no uncertain terms ("hey, you know that orange soap - I really liked that one best") let me know that was one of their favorite soaps of mine. So I was inspired to do something similar this year.
Once I choose the oils, based on availability and the properties I want for my soap, I use a lye calculator to determine how much lye to use based on how much of each oil I'm using. I haven't wrapped my head around how these things work, chemistry was never my favorite subject. Soapmaking is art and science. I leave the science part up to a computer program and focus on the art.
The fun part of course is choosing the essential oils and trying to mix and match scents to achieve "perfect aromatherapy harmony" (that was a joke, but I do want the bars to smell nice and hold their scent). Depending on the soap I also love adding natural ingredients for texture; oatmeal, coffee, cocoa, dried herbs, flower petals.
Here is this year's Christmas recipe for Orange Clove Pomander Soap. My house smells heavenly orange and these bars make me smile every time I see them in the kitchen. Soap making is good for my soul.
Wow! I really love these photos. They draw you into their depths; their natural symmetry and peacefulness. Really inspiring. I need to find an evening to do this!
What a GREAT gift. I love homemade soup and always pick up a few bars at the farmers market.
You amaze me yet again.
a.
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Cori on Nov. 15, 2008, 1:34 p.m.
Looks heavenly!