Wednesday, August 31

As autumn approaches, and I observe fewer feather guests at my bird feeder, I am reminded of a favorite poem.

The Harvest Moon
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
 
It is the Harvest Moon! On gilded vanes
And roofs of villages, on woodland crests
And their aerial neighborhoods of nests
Deserted, on the curtained window-panes
Of rooms where children sleep, on country lanes
And harvest-fields, its mystic splendor rests!
Gone are the birds that were our summer guests,
With the last sheaves return the laboring wains!
All things are symbols: the external shows
Of Nature have their image in the mind,
As flowers and fruits and falling of the leaves;
The song-birds leave us at the summer’s close,
Only the empty nests are left behind,
And pipings of the quail among the sheaves.

I hope you have enjoy this beautiful poem by  american  poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, as much as I do!
 

Wednesday, August 24

Autumn Lavender in a roll on perfume

Lavender's fragrance is so beautiful, clean and fresh, not heavy or overpowering and appropriate for just about any occasion.
New in my shop for the fall season is a wonderful hand blended roll on perfume oil. It will be available Friday, August, 26
My lavender perfume oil is made using  fractionated coconut oil and lavender essential oil.
Fractionated coconut  oil  is a non-greasy oil that is easily absorbed into the skin. It is an excellent emollient that gives my perfume oil  a smooth and silky feel.

This fragrance in this oil is absolutely wonderful, if you like clean scents you'll love lavender!
Celebrate the changing of the seasons with something new!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/EldoradoSoap

Wednesday, August 3

Promotional Frenzy Mega Sale Aug 1 - 31

So many fabulous items are being featured in the Promotional Frenzy Team's August Mega Sale. The Mega sale is running from Aug 1 -31 and offers savings of 10% to 25% on beautiful handmade items. This sale is the perfect opportunity to get a jump on your holiday shopping!

Just a few of the fantastic shops participating this month:

The complete list of beautiful shops participating in August's Promotional Frensy MegaSale:


1) jQjewelrydesigns.etsy.com - 15% off all items over $20

2) Galla15.etsy.com - 30% off all items over $20

3) SymbolicImports.etsy.com - 25% off orders over $10 (some exclusions apply)

4) CalliopeAZCreations.etsy.com - 20% off everything in the shop

5) KrystalsJewelry.etsy.com - 20% off orders over $20

6) SunnyCrystals.etsy.com - 'Summer Special Offer' section - items already reduced plus buy 2 or more of my 3D Decoupage Cards and receive 10% Discount (refunds via paypal)

7) CrochetedbyCharlene.etsy.com - 20% off all orders

8) NewCreationz.etsy.com - 20% off everything Plus free gift Plus entry in to a draw for a voucher to my shop

9) DellCoveSpices.etsy.com - 5% off everything in the shop

10) BountyofBeads.etsy.com - 20% to 25% off Lampwork Beads, Sterling Silver and Polymer Clay Beads (no coupon coded needed, I am using etsyonsale)

11) PaintedMemoriesByRos.etsy.com - 15% off these sections - BLANK CARD SETS, MATTED CARDS and FRAMED CARDS (also using etsyonsale, no coupon)

12) Bijibijoux.etsy.com - Use coupon code frenzyspecial for 10% off any purchase $8 & UP PLEASE

13) TurtleXIII.etsy.com - 15% off entire purchase, NOT INCLUDING destash which is already super cheap

14) delightfulprints.etsy.com - 15% off everything in my shop, does not include custom orders

15) CrimsonHill.etsy.com - 15% off any order over $10, before shipping with team code.

16) nangatesdesigns.etsy.com - 15% off everything in shop

17) Sewinggranny.etsy.com - 15% off everything in my shop

18) MoanasUniqueDesigns.etsy.com - 10% discount on orders $20 and under, 15% discount on orders over $20

19) lindab142.etsy.com - 10% off of all combined purchases over $15 dollars (except destash and paper items)

20) prodigycrafts.etsy.com - 20% off everything in my shop

21) cigarboxbeads.etsy.com- 20% off everything over $30.

22) vervecolor.etsy.com - 20% off everything in shop before shipping

23) rabbitdogprints.etsy.com- 20% off everything in shop before shipping

24) bloomandbling.etsy.com - 15% off everything in shop before shipping

25) Prittyfy.etsy.com – 15% off any order $20 and up (excluding shipping)

26) iaFlowerPower.etsy.com – 20% off any order $20 and up (excluding shipping)

27) Camillescloset.etsy.com- 15% off any order.

28) TheMayFlower.etsy.com - 20% off on any item in shop (sale price already applied! no need for a coupon code!)

29) Five0101.etsy.com - 15% off on any item in shop.

30) PowersOfLove.etsy.com - 25% off your purchase.

31) BellaTheBead.etsy.com - 15% off purchase of $20 or more (excluding shipping)

32) IdeasBloom.etsy.com - 15% off purchase before shipping

33) KrisKraftnMore.etsy.com - 10% off photography prop orders (before shipping). Buy three patterns get one free.

34) CrystalPhotography.etsy.com - In stock section is 30% off. (Prices already reduced via etsyonsale).

35.) cindydidit.etsy.com - use FRENZYSPECIAL to enjoy 20% off

36.) RomanticThoughts.etsy.com - 15% OFF everything in shop, before shipping

37.) Impactjewelry.etsy.com - 15% off all purchases (before shipping)

38.) ToyStoryNutty.etsy.com (Kater's Acres) - 10% off store prices before shipping

39. justByou.etsy.com - 10% off everything in our shop

40.) desertshinejewelry.etsy.com - 15% off everything in our shop before shipping

41) TheCraftingPlace.etsy.com - 20% off everything in our shop OR Free shipping on orders $20 or more (order must still be $20 or more once coupon is applied)

42) Galla15whatnots.etsy.com - 15% off of all orders over $25 dollars!

43) AshlynDesign.etsy.com - up to 20% off all in-stock jewelry designs (coupon not needed, prices are already reduced)

44) GlitterbirdGlamour.etsy.com - 15% off of all orders

45) craftycreations81.etsy.com - 10% off all orders

46) www.etsy.com/shop/TownandCountryVntage -25% off any item (before shipping and DOES NOT include clearance items).

47) kellyjsorenson.etsy.com ~Kelly Designs~ 20% off all PreMade Logo Designs! Prices already reduced, no coupon needed :)

48) babypenguincreations.etsy.com - 25% off any order $10 or more!

49) laugingpenguincreations.etsy.com - 25% off any order $10 or more!

50) magdamagda.etsy.com - 25% off anything in "ready to ship" section plus free gift

51) IsabellesAttic.etsy.com- 15% off everything!

52) uniquecozytreasures.etsy.com- 5% off everything over $25. All orders receive FREE my eBook, "Vintage Ice Creams".

53) EldoradoSoap.etsy.com - 20% off all orders of $15 or more (before shipping)

54) www.etsy.com/shop/uglyducklingbeads - 20% off selected items in "MegaPromoFrenzySpecials" section.--- use coupon code "Frenzyspecial"

55.) www.etsy.com/shop/desertshinesupply - 15% off all orders over $20 (excluding shipping). Use coupon code "Frenzyspecial"

56) kristinskeepsakes.etsy.com - free shipping for the month of aug plus a free gift! Just enter coupon code "frenzyspecial"

57. LovelaceDesigns www.etsy.com/shop/lovelacedesigns - 15% OFF everything in the shop (except tax and shipping) :-) Use coupon code: Frenzyspecial at checkout **PLUS** All orders will be entered in a drawing for a *FREE* Wooden Letter of his/her choice!! Winner will be announced Sept 5th.

58. pepindor www.etsy.com/shop/pepindor - FREE shipping WORLDWIDE, FREE gift wrapping!!! Enter coupon code " frenzyaugust"

Eldorado Soap  is offering 20% off on all orders of $15 or more (before shipping)
Be sure to visit, browse and enjoy all of these incredible shops!




Wednesday, July 13

Citrus Trio

Brand new in my shop today are three of my most popular saturday market soaps. I have packaged them in a beautiful trio which includes pink grapefruit, lemon blossom, and juicy orange.


This set is is summer fresh and available for 10.50 at my Etsy store http://www.etsy.com/shop/EldoradoSoap
If you love citrus, you will love this beautiful set!

Wednesday, July 6

hummingbirds

With summer in full swing the hummingbirds are very active around my garden.
So for today's blog post I have decided to talk about hummingbird facts.

  • A hummingbird's brain is 4.2% of its body weight, the largest proportion in the bird kingdom
  • Hummingbirds can hear better than humans.
  • Hummingbirds have no sense of smell.
  • A hummingbird's tongue is grooved like the shape of a "W".
  • A hummingbird's metabolism is roughly 100 times that of an elephant.
  • 30% of a hummingbird's weight consists of flight muscles, Humans pectoral muscles are about 5% of body weight.
  • Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly both forward and backwards, Hummingbirds can also hover in mid-air, fly sideways and even upside-down.
  • Hummingbirds are only found naturally in the Americas.
  • Early Spanish explorers called hummingbirds flying jewels.

These are just a few of the wonderful and interesting facts about hummingbirds.
I have several feeders in my garden and these delightful little birds will frequent the feeders up to seven times and hour. A hummingbird will consume between 1/2 and 8 times its own body weight in nectar each day.

My nectar recipe is as follows:

Hummingbird Nectar Recipe(Smithsonian National Zoological Park)

Directions for making safe hummingbird food:

1. Mix 1 part sugar with 4 parts water and bring to a boil to kill any bacteria or mold present.
2. Cool and fill feeder.
3. Extra sugar water may be stored in a refrigerator.
4. Red dye should not be added.

Red food dye is often added to homemade solutions. Commercial products sold as "instant nectar" or "hummingbird food" may also contain preservatives and dyes. studies on laboratory animals indicate the potential to cause disease and premature mortality at high consumption rates.
I avoid using any product that contain dyes when feeding my hummingbirds. Big Box hardware stores are currently selling hummingbird food mixes that contain red dye. As a concerned hummingbird observer I would encourage other bird lovers to avoid the commercial mixes.

Remember to change your home hummingbird nectar about every five days in cool weather below 70 degrees.
In hotter weather I like to change it every other day to prevent fermentation of the nectar.

I hope you have enjoyed this article and that your hummingbirds will bring you joy in the garden!

Friday, June 24

Vote for our beautiful handmade items!

The promotional frenzy team on etsy, of which I am a member, is participating in a contest worth $450 in advertising. The contest is a part of a website called Handmade Top 10.

Members of our team have chosen two of their beautiful items to be featured in the contest list.

We would love your support. You can vote for our team by clicking on the orange colored link below.
There is also an facebook icon located in the upper right hand corner of the Handmade Top 10 page, where you can "like" our contest as well.

Thank you for your support and have a wonderful weekend!


Wednesday, June 22

It's a little late this year...spring vegetable gardens

So it is June 22 and the second official day of summer, my vegetable garden should be in full swing. Until a few days ago it was not, lettuce and radish had been refusing to grow, chives were not poking themselves through the moist dark soil, peas lay dormant. April and May in the Pacific Northwest were cold, frigid and much like winter. As a result the soil is still a little colder than it should be for this time of year.

Over the weekend, I built three little hoop houses for my chilly garden soil. In just three days since the completion of my hoop houses, I have seen improvement beyond my expectations.

New zucchini plants are brilliant green.
 
 
My first bean plant has arrived.
Lettuce, radish and chives have yet to make their appearance, however, my tomatoes look gorgeous!
By August I know I will  have a wonderful harvest of salad greens, herbs, legumes and garden roots!
Hooray for hoop houses!!!

Wednesday, June 15

Creamy cold processed photo essay

A few photos of my fabulous cold processed soap. All of these featured soap bars are  made using the cold process method. Each  cures for more than six weeks, and the finished bar it retains all of it skin nourishing glycerin. The result is mild, smooth, creamy and full of delightful lather!



 http://www.etsy.com/shop/EldoradoSoap?section_id=10033584&view_type=gallery
These creamy olive oil soaps and a few more are featured in my summer sale. Save 54% now one these beauties and a few more.

Wednesday, June 8

Introducing a lavender hand cream

New for june is a wonderfully moisturing and lucious hand cream. It is made with lavender essentail oil and evening primrose. Evening Primrose  has been recognized for its anti-oxidant properties. This hand cream also contains mineral oil, which is non-irritating and has been considered a skin protectant because moisturizes and protects the skin.
My lotion is light and easliy absorbed. It does not leave a heavy or sticky residue on your skin. I found that some commerical creams would rehydrate when I washed my hands, and felt somewhat slimey.( I really don't like that feeling.) I wanted a lotion that left my hands feeling soft and silky smooth, and this is it.
The lavender essential oil that scents this little treasure is a fabulously fresh scent that I love, it is so uplifting and clean. I this is one scent I always look forward to using.


This great cream is a available in a 4 ounce jar. It is so convenient, I carry one in my purse wherever I go.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/EldoradoSoap
http://www.etsy.com/listing/74488898/lavender-scented-hand-lotion-with 

Wednesday, June 1

A late start to the garden season

There was a day in February when I thought that spring was going to arrive. I remember that day so clearly, it was near the end of that month. The buds were beginning to pop, the earth was stirring with life and the sun warmed my back. As days progressed through March and April and May spring was placed on hold.
If it were not for the arrival of songbirds and bumblebees evidence of this joyous new season would have escaped me.


Today is a new month, the strawberries should have blossomed. Those low growing plants with green round leaves should be with a bounty of fruit. Sweet peas should be climbing the old post and rail fence, punctuating the breeze with a heady, sweet scent. Tomatoes, waiting to be planted in soft loam soil, still seek shelter under winter cold frames.

Spring is late this year and so are the trappings of a beautiful June garden.

Wednesday, May 25

Evening Grosbeaks

He started to bark, my dog, a deep defensive bark punctuated with an occasional shrill and ear piercing beller. His fat, round feet carried him through the entryway and to the front door. There he pressed his nose against the heavy wood, wagged his tail and sniffed  voraciously. His sausage dog body danced with anticipation because on the other side of the door was an evening grosbeak that  had collided with the breezeway glass.
Now having been alerted to the situation, by my dog, I opened the front door and picked up the small green gray bird. She was limp in my hands, stunned from the impact, but there was no evidence of blood and her feet had the strength to grip my skin.
I found a place for her on my deck, in the sunshine and elevated, that kept her safe from roaming felines and a little dog. Her recovery lasted for nearly an hour and a half. Gradually she lifted her body, fluttered her wings, blinked her eyes and surveyed her surrounding, before flying away to join her grosbeak friends and family.


She was a lucky one. I was happy to see her fly again.It reminded me of how important it is to take steps ensuring that future birds will not fly unsuspecting into the breezeway glass. I have hung two reflective wind socks against the glass, both have exceed my expectations. They gently sway in the wind, capturing  the sunlight, hindering any bird flight.
If your interested,  http://www.backyardbirdsandgardens.com/(I found the beautiful wind socks at this site)

Grosbeak Facts:
  • Large, robust finch.
  • Tail relatively short.
  • Heavy conical bill pale greenish yellow.
  • Large white patch in wing obvious in flight.
Measurements:
Length  6.3-7.1 inches
Wingspan   11.8–14.2 in 
Weight  1.9–2.6 oz

Diet: Wide variety of small fruits and seeds, especially maples. Also insects and other invertebrates.

Wednesday, May 11

Which do you prefer?

Today I have put together a simple poll, that asks the question " Which type of scent do you prefer in a hand cream or a soap?"  With the farmers markets just starting to kick off for the late spring and summer season, I have been hearing a lot of discussion lately about perfume blends.  Many of my customers seems to appreciate a single scent in their product, most are expressing the desire to move away from the blends found in commercial boutiques.

I would love to know if you enjoy a single fragrance or if you prefer the blended scents, please feel free to complete the survey on the left hand side of this blogspot.

Have a wonderful day!

Sunday, May 1

May Day Sale now until the end of the day!

*Today Only,  May 1, 2011 from 12AM until the end of the day I am hosting a special May Day sale! Every Item in my shop is on sale today! Just enter the Coupon Code MAYDAY15 and receive 15% off your entire purchase.*

http://www.etsy.com/shop/EldoradoSoap

You'll find an assortment of wonderful items; bath fizzies, soap, sugar scrubs and more....

Friday, April 29

May Day Sale...all day Sunday May 1, 2011

This Sunday May 1, I will be celebrating May Day and hosting a fabulous soap sale. Everything in my inventory will be 15% off. Choose from scented lip balms, bath fizzies, glycerin or cold process olive oil soaps, whipped soaps and sugar scrubs!
 Herbal Peppermint Spa Fizzie
 Sweet Strawberry
 Lemongrass and Poppyseed
 Granny Smith Apple Sugar Scrub
 Cafe Latte Scented Lip balm
 Fresh Florida Orange
Your Choice of Three Olive Oil Soaps




Wednesday, April 13

Cherry Blossoms and Lilac Blooms

I can smell the cottonwoods, a sweet soft fragrance that arrives every year about this time. It fills the air and mingles with the newly blooming cherry blossoms. I know that in just a few weeks the lilacs will paint the horizon in shades of dusky purple and cornflower blue.
These beautiful spring flowers are the inspiration for my newest treasury. I have showcased some amazing etsy shops, I hope you'll stop bay and take a peek at what they have to offer.
 http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4da5c09b978c6d91c373f73e/cherry-blossoms-lilac-blooms

Tuesday, April 5

Visions of Springtime Gold

Today the rain falls again. Cold hard drops which belong to winter and not to spring. I'm trapped in my small, cozy writing room. And if it were not for the liquid ice falling from the heavens  today, I would be in my garden tending the fresh sprouts of spring.
On days like this I find myself discovering new and beautiful Etsy crafts. I explore  pages filled with gorgeous vintage items, bath products so divine, radiant jewelry and tempting edibles! Handcrafted one of a kind clothing, pottery and paperart. It is endless, this discovery and it inspires me to create a collection that I hope will be discovered by others in a place Etsy calls the treasury.
Looking out onto the heavy skies I have decided to capture the sun in sixteen beautiful items. I want to wash away the rain with shades of yellow and gold.
So with no further introduction needed I introduce to you " Visions of Springtime in Gold "

Wednesday, March 30

My favorite springtime recipe

Fresh spring rolls are a delight anytime of the year. When the sun starts to shine and the breeze is summer like warm in the last days of March, I begin to think about outdoor dining, Spring rolls are prefect for outdoor dining.
Throughout the Seattle area there are all sorts of Asian markets. These stores are filled with so many glorious gastronomical treats, and they are were I pick up all of my spring roll supplies.

Goi Coun or spring roll has many different names including, salad roll and summer roll. The ingredient are often either fish, shrimp, pork or beef, rice noodles, lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, and various herbs. All of these ingredient are rolled into a rice wrapper that resembles the shape of a burrito when finished.
Spring rolls are fresh not fried and are often served with a peanut or fish dipping sauce on the side. The blend of flavors in these rolls combined with the dipping sauces create a fantastic tasting experience.


The following recipe is one of my favorites, if you don't have Asian market in your area many of these items can be found in the foreign foods section of your local grocer.

Dipping Sauce:

2  tablespoons  fresh lime juice
1  tablespoon  fish sauce
1  tablespoon  water
1  tablespoon  chile paste with garlic
1  teaspoon  sugar
2  teaspoons  grated peeled fresh ginger
2  garlic cloves, minced

Combine and set aside.



Spring rolls:

1 teaspoon salt
1 pound small shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 ounces thin rice vermicelli noodles
1 head lettuce (romaine or butter)
1 bunch fresh mint leaves
1 bunch fresh basil leaves, removed from stems
1 English cucumber, thinly sliced 
15-20  chives
1 package rice paper (banh trang) about 8.5 inches in diameter

1. Fill a  saucepan half full of water, add salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the shrimp, reduce heat to simmer for 2-3 minutes or until cooked through. Remove the shrimp with slotted spoon and set aside to cool.

2. Follow package directions and cook rice vermicelli noodles

3. lay shrimp flat and cut lengthwise in half.

4. Fill a medium bowl with warm water and dip a piece of rice paper into water; make sure to wet the entire piece. Lay it the rice paper flat. Place the 2 or three shrimps on the rice paper, followed by a lettuce leaf. Add rice noodles, mint, cucumber, 2 or 3 chives and basil evenly across the rice paper.

5. Roll the rice paper over the filling and tuck it underneath. Continue rolling while keeping tension on the rice paper for a tight roll. The roll will seal itself.

Cut you spring rolls in half on the diagonal, arrange on a plate, serve and enjoy! Don't forget to serve these rolls with the dipping sauce.

Wednesday, March 16

This weeks photos and a lip balm...

I have decided to post a new photo each day this week, which features some of the wonderful products that can be found in my shop. http://www.etsy.com/shop/EldoradoSoap
Today's photo is my lightly scented maraschino cherry lip balm. I really love a lip balm that smells great, is not filled with artificial sweeteners, and leaves my lips feeling wonderful.
So, I created a line of spring lip balms with these very qualities. Currently, my lip balms are available in root beer, banana, watermelon, cotton candy and bubble gum. In the next few day I will be adding fresh grapefruit and a lovely berry scented tube. Spring is here and everything is filled with freshness!

Wednesday, March 9

Lemon Blossoms

Spectacular Fire

I have always been fascinated with geology, and particularly the science that surrounds volcanoes. This week the activity of Kilauea, a volcano in Hawaii's Volcano National Park was in the news. I found the story to be incredibly interesting and I have decided to share it with you.
On Sunday of this week the floor of the Pu'u O'o crater on Kilauea volcano collapsed, the result was an eruption and what followed was the emergence of a new fissure.The new fissure has grown to a length of just under 1.4 miles in the days since it's creation.

The aerial photo above provides an illustration of the size of this fissure. On both sides of this photograph you will notice large patches of forest. The molten rock, lava, pouring into this new fissure has temperatures of up to and possibly exceeding 2000 degrees.

Kilauea's name means spewing or much spreading . Curtains of lava were released from the fissure, some of these molten curtains reached a height of 80 feet ( just under 30 meters) throughout the day. It is understandable to see from this most recent eruption why the volcano earned such a name.
Kilauea is one of Hawaii's most active volcanoes. If you are interested in reading more about Kilauea's activity eruption information can be found at:
http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/lava2.htm

Wednesday, March 2

A brief history of the jasmine flower

The Jasmine flower has a long and interesting history. The flower belongs  to a group of shrubs and vines in the  olive family, with nearly 200 species. It  thrives in warm temperate and tropical climates . Jasmine with its creamy white flowers is thought to have originated in the Himalayas. References to its blossoms can be found in ancient Chinese, Egyptian and Persian writings. The name itself, Jasmine has its origins in the  Persian language "Yasmin" meaning " gift of god . This Gift of God  has been cultivated  for its flowers over the centuries.
Jasmine opens only at night when temperatures are lower, allowing the plant to release its beautiful scent. It must be picked early in the morning when the flower is still tightly closed. After the flowers are picked they are stored in a cool place for later use.

The flowers are used for many things. In China, they are used to make jasmine tea. The process requires that tea leaves and  jasmine petals are blended together in machines that control temperature and humidity. After several hours the tea absorbs the flavor and aroma of the blossoms, resulting in a delicious combination. If you have ever dined in a chinese cafe, I'm sure you have tasted this wonderful beverage.


Much to my surprised there exists a  jasmine syrup, widely known in France and used in the United States to flavor scones and marshmallows.

Jasmine essential oil is highly prized because of the sheer number of blossoms required to produce a small amount of oil. Blossoms picked after nightfall are laid out on  cotton clothes soaked in olive oil. This mixture is allowed to rest for several days, extracting the true jasmine scent.  The essential oil is produce in Egypt, China and Morocco.

Jasmine is also culturally significant in many countries, below are just a few examples.

  • It is the national flower of Tunisia and Pakistan, it represents the city of Damascus in Syria.
  • It is the Mother's symbol in Thailand.
  • In the Philippines it is strung on garlands for religious ceremonies  and in Indonesia is an important wedding symbol.
  • Throughout India jasmine is cultivated in gardens and pots, is used in a variety of important ceremonies. The beautiful blossom  is also worn as hair adornments by women.

Soaps, lotions and perfumes are well known for the  irresistible and mysterious scent of jasmine blossom.
 http://www.etsy.com/listing/60453094/jasmine-and-gardenia-soap-bar


With its rich and wonderful history it is easy to understand why the world has been enchanted by jasmine for centuries.