Lavender Soap with Citrus

I have some left over bits and pieces of citrus soap from trimming the bars of soap up and making them more presentable.  Those bits and pieces can be melted down and used to rebatch soap.  I prefer using bits and pieces in new soap batter.  It adds color and interest, and it is not ugly, like some rebatch soap can be.  Sometimes when I rebatch soap, it turns brownish. (all of the various colors mixed together make a brown color)  Even though I leave a few un-melted lumps of soap in the melted soap batter, it is still not as attractive as using the bits and pieces this in fresh soap batter.

I love the smell of lavender.  It gives me a romantic, clean feeling....................  Our grandmothers were known to use floral fragrances.  Lilac, rose, lily, lily of the valley, lavender, etc.  Well, I am a grandmother and I also love floral fragrance too.  Not only does lavender smell good, it is is said to help deter fleas.  This summer was a difficult summer for our dogs.  They had to be treated twice for fleas.  We even tried putting salt and diatomaceous earth all over the floors and the furniture.  It didn't seem to work and lavender soap would be a lot easier to deal with and it would smell good too---if it works.  When the dogs bring in fleas, I get bit.  The lavender soap is mostly for me. 

Back to the subject of the preferential fragrances of our grandmothers.  They didn't have the choices of fragrances we have today.  However, I don't understand why we want to make soap smell like leather, grass, dirt, tomatoes, lettuce, campfire, etc.  It may make for an interesting soap, but I don't want to smell like dirt.  I try to remove the dirt smell!  LOL  I know, these fragrances appeal to kids more than old women. 

I made a batch of lavender soap, with bits and pieces of citrus soap, and lavender buds.  I swirled some lavender color in the batter.  The background is a tad bit of lavender color, but it will probably change as soon as it cures.  I expect the color to go to an antique looking lavender.( a little pink and gray in the lavender color)   I used lavender essential oil, some lavender mica, and some lavender buds in the soap. I also used some ROE (Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract) which makes the white batter a little brownish, even-though I use a very small amount.  ROE helps keep the soap fat from going rancid.  I have seldom seen this in my soaps, but I have smelled the old fashioned lye soap in the hardware store and it smells like it was made with stale oil.  12.5 percent of the oils is organic unrefined shea butter which is a light golden brown in color.  Instead of water, I used raw cow milk from an Amish dairy for all of the liquid.

I think most people prefer lighter colored soaps.  Some soaps turn brown due to the fragrance oils (vanilla scents) and due to what additives are placed in the soaps; such as honey, or herbs.  I use a little titanium dioxide in my soap to help offset the brown colors.  What color(s) of soap do you prefer?

With this inside view you can see the lavender buds and the tiny specks of citrus soap. 

 

Thank you for viewing.  I hope you had a great week!  Dawnie

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http://www.custercottage.com

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Cranberry Sauce

How do you make your cranberry sauce?  Do you buy it canned or do you make it from scratch?  Do you like it jelled, or with berries?  In the past I have used orange or nectarine slices.  Cumquats are my favorite fruit to add to my sauce, but they are not in season at the same time.  A little nutmeg or cinnamon also adds to the flavor.  This year I cooked the usual cranberries, water, and sugar.  Then I added apple chunks.  My most favorite ingredient of all time is is...................................................


brandy.  Yes you heard me right, about 1/4 cup per bag of cranberries.  It mostly cooks out, but it adds a lovely flavor.

Please view my web store at: http://www.custercottage.com
And my Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/CusterCottage  

How was your holiday?  I miss spending the holidays in the country with family.  I didn't realize I missed that until I looked outside today and I saw my chickens and the fall colors in the grass and trees.  

I'll visit with you soon!  Dawn 

In a Jam

I had my strawberry apron on hand too. 

I made a double batch of Strawberry Citrus Jam yesterday.  I found a lady on Craigslist that was ordering in strawberries from Florida.  I had to get some.  The car had that heavenly scent of fresh strawberries on our trip back from her farm.  With a 19, 20, and 21 year old and myself, the food budget needs all of the help it can get.  I haven't canned for several years, but I decided it was time to give it a go again.  My ingredients were: 14 cups sugar, 2 extra large lemons, 2 blood oranges, (I crushed and pureed the citrus fruits and used most of the rind, 9 cups crushed and pureed strawberries, 2 boxes pectin, 2 tablespoons of citric acid, and one tablespoon butter.  The jam tasted OK last night, but today after it set longer and I refrigerated the family container, it was wonderful!  The texture turned out perfect too.  If you haven't made jam or it has been a while for you, maybe it is time to go for it again.  It makes great gifts too.  Thank you for viewing my blog.  Many blessings for you and yours!  Dawn