after bat guano

lady sunflowers after days of rain
I wonder what they'll do. I started them late from seeds, but I figure they'll grow by late September..
I'll keep showing you..

I went to the hydroponic store to get the organic food for my plants..that place was cool..bat guano all over the place in neatly arrange packaging..little grow light set ups, big set ups..:)
I bought an organic liquid and a bag of dry guano. You just mix it with water and feed your plants.
I was inspired to get it because I saw some plants that were fed with it..like actually giant strawberries from one or two plants..
my plants so far make small tart berries because I have been only using compost..gardening is all about learning, changing, clearing, constant clearing and then feeding the plant. they like it when you pay attention to them..
and every time I pluck a weed, I wonder how smart they are, they make themselves look like your plant so you are always surprised when they've grown enough and then you see them...I have tried mulching and only by the sunflowers to keep the heat down. It seems silly to be paying for decorations and dirt..but pay we must since there aren't any horses nearby anymore, no chickens either. I think you can have 3 chickens in Livonia. Still, like I need one more thing to do, right?


I am feeling this Mercury retro big time.


friendly faces re telling
forgetting the telling
remembering the goodness
forgetting the whys
why
because
remembering the be causes
rudeness
self glorification
rudeness again


me, "hello ma am, how can I help you?"
the lady, " why is there no expiration date on this extract?"

"this company abides by herbalist standards, therefore, does not put an expire date but they do put a date when the item was prepared"
the lady,
"no, don't tell me, I am a pharmacist, I know, there has to be a date!!"
me in my head,
"hey how about you educate yourself on herbs and stop being rude??"
"how do you get to be a jerk, how?
Go to the companies web site if you care so much..why are you putting your ignorance on me and my service abilities. You are a pharmacist but do not own a computer..humm
Do you get up in the morning and decide to be mean and nasty to everyone you meet?
Are you so self glorified that, you cannot imagine anyone above you?

I tend to make space between someone like that and myself and she let someone else console her over her tragedy of no date on the herbal vial and another opportunity to proclaim that she is a professional woman, a pharmacist.
I am like, (in my head again) "well, I am a soapmaking witch and I could care less about that, how about you smile at me and speak gently?"
:)

Our Hearts Are Shining

bleeding heart
Vania Zouravliov

This is considered dark art, but I find Vania's lines and ideas fascinating..look at the girls eyes..
I like her rooster too:)

It says a whole lot about controlling a wild creature (or person), you would have to have the right bindings and contraptions...


I know that I would rather have my heart bleeding than have to bind a creature that could at any moment take an eye or worse, grab a nipple..(sorry:)))

delphinium blues

delphinium.. blues... after the rain a heavy rain..I am having to hold them up, the blooms are so heavy and soaked like sponges from all the rain water. they don't mind much getting drenched but can't take the weight. I had  one that  broke off..it was too much..:)
 They smell odd to me, sweet like a flower but dry, and obviously showy..I held the broken stalk of flowers in my hand and thought about what I am feeling now holding this amazing thing.
for sure
 happiness
looking out at the future kindly
knowing things end
getting on with it
being honest
trying in earnest
overlooking at all the madness and always
showering them all with gladness..



in the back there,
I tried to make a chamomile chair..:)) it looks like a 3 year old did it..I keep thinking I'll have time to pack it with dirt and just use the chair as a mold..and you know put thyme on the dirt..or chamomile..fine I'll toss the red broken chair..or not..
oye, being a Libra is hard some days, but not today..
today, I'll learn more about my printer, and have an open mind and leave the chair alone till August when Mercury moves on from Cancer.
Retrograde Mercury is about refresh, renew, look over, re do, do it again, and then one more time, save a buck, be grateful, eat something good, not too much, and tell the truth, yes, but also be clear so that there is no gray area..to me Mercury can be meddlesome and jealous too..at that point..stop, re-think and love yourself because you are just fine..also that to know and live by that there are some things you cannot control  but your own mind.

I'll stop:)
xo

distracted dilly

distracted dilly
photo: a special belnd of old whore and spike lavender soap~ wonderful, glorious, deep, woodsy, refreshing, smells great on you all day....


 I made some old whore soap with  the organic oils of patchouli and vetiver that I currently I have..not for long though..
Jeez, I go through a  whole lot of patchouli and this one was amazing..the old whore soap is deep and filled with good oils and extracts, and this one is just as special:)
She turned out nice, the old whore did. Course, she always does and she is always a little different, you know that..she is on a constantly evolving course because every patchouli and every vetiver oil is different..not one distilation is the same.. She can feel the earth move and her electric currents, the old whore can... I had some extra soap base   of the old whore  and also a little extra lavender  grosso soap so i put them together..why wouldn't I, right?
I used a ton of honey in the lavender soap because I want a new complexion bar and I am working on something gentle that I do not have to dig out of a jar to use or have to have a ton of extra ingredients..
here  is one version;
                                                                                                                                                                              lavender soap with green clay and local raw honey
2 pounds olive oil
1 pound coconut
1/2 cup honey
good clean water

og lavender grosso
spiky
clearing of the mind
inhaling of good thoughts
shrinking down the holding on to




inflammation  across this nation, too many temptations, lack of irrigation, not enough compassion, stubborn pride galore....

don't worry too much about the mass collective
do something you love and be reflective of each thing that you say and each thing that you do
and then you will empower that timid and shy part that old whore always knew about you:)

ha ha ha
have a good day

some of annie's key words for jup in cancer for 12 signs

Aries: upgrade on home life, mom and dad and real estate..I see you owning a new home
Taurus: broader more evolved perspective, more travel..
Gemini:  realism and awareness serving your goals or are they serving you?
Cancer: terrific rewards, coming out of your shell, fast track..
Leo: your imagination is spectacular and inventive, go for happiness and the rewards will follow..you cannot lazy your way out of it..I know, it isn't right..you should be always creating and eating grapes, but it is time to hunt, my lovely Leon!
Virgo: you will expand your circle and rewards follow for something you've been working on.
Libra: confidence and security means you allow for others to be exalted. This is the key to becoming a leader.
Scorpio: old habits die hard but they die, it is you who is best suited for this type of personal maturity with depth and decision.
Sagittariuss: personal transformation, understanding , teaching
Capricorn: great new partnerships, new beginnings
Aquarius: pave the way to tomorrow by doing all the dirty work first..it may not look like much now, but rewards come..
Pisces: relationships blossom, your heart shines with love and compassion and you have some more love to give? I know!
Thank you"_:::)))

Jup at 29 degrees Gemini

Feeling a little rushed lately? Feeling like a part of your body has been needing some care. I am thinking psoas muscle and I am thinking hands or both..they say your psoas is a window to your heart's mind..:)

Jupiter is about to enter Cancer. I like this. I know there are endings and with Jupiter in Gemini and, we were presented with powerful and painful swords at the finish..the powerful part is where you shed wasted time and  and learn to deal with the truth, the painful part  is when you shed it and it hurts you to the core..and you keep it and suffer more...move on without too much fuss and you are better and broader of mind.

Gemini is like that. The truth is so simple to them that they sometimes are rude, inconsiderate and envied because they are so pretty, they do not have to do as much as other people..
Look at every Gemini that you know. Pretty, hugh? They seem to just say things which are on their minds and sometimes, I swear I detect snidliness..ok ok  now I'm  thinking of that cartoon dog who used to snicker, heheee
Gemini People need a ton of space. make too many demands and they will retreat further in to their mind.
It is isn't because they are mean. it is because they are delicate and wish to have the least amount of nervous tension or "drama" as people in moderns times call it. They used to call it "nerves.."


Cancer planets  dominate for the next few weeks and with the Sun moving in on Venus, I think we'll have a nice few days where we will enjoy and appreciate our awesome lives...let's allow the boons which Jupiter brings to highlight our lives and let's allow ourselves to secure and nurture our homes and family members.
Cancer loves;
learning
tonics
food
home
tradition
gut instincts
unique contentment
loyalty
forgives
learns easily
remembers

Jupiter loves
everything
brings boons to home
brings interesting world events

the moon was glowing last night

It was so pretty..I was able during one of my rants to still observe her and say thank you for her beauty.
That said, don't think I didn't notice all day that people are emotional and wonky!
So emotional, me too really..a little bit..
I mean, I cannot solve peoples psychological problems..all we have to do to be happy is accept ourselves and our bag of bones..right?

"what should I eat?"
 (Really, at almost 80 years old, you still don't know which food you should eat)
I asked her about her childhood..she grew up in Austria during WW2 and they never had enough to eat. There wasn't enough flour for the village so they always ran out of bread. She remembers going hungry as a child..that can change a person. Now she is always worried about the food.
I told her to eat anything she likes and not worry about candida but she does. She worries and worries about it. I gave her probiotics and I always tell her to breath in and say that she is calm..
She'll do it too! "calm"
I told her to write that word down on the outside of her glass of water because it would energize the water. She does it and says it works..awe!!

" I can sleep"
"why?"
"I don't know!"
"well, tell me about it.."
"I wake up at 5 am  automatically!"
"Oh, ok, I do to, everyday. Why not just get up then?"
"No! It isn't enough"
hum mm
clearly it is enough..what are you going to do just lay there and make yourself suffer and think about all the bad things people have done to you and frown more?
I remember as I approached menopause, I couldn't sleep. I would get up at 4:30 and do work and get everything done by tenish and then take a nap at 3 or 4..
I am not saying it is a perfect plan for everyone. At that time I was a stay home mom, but if your body wants to get up, I say do it..if you need to rest, rest..that is always best:)
Go make something or go read something..
I am reading a book of short stories by F Scott.
I might enjoy that..

I hope that you are well and happy as you read this and that you remember how wonderful life can be because of its crazy blend of heads and what they think of..

Happy Solstice 2013

Thank you for being my friend and always accepting me the way I am.
:) I wish that this year brings us joy and compassion and lots  of money and boons
I wish that my soap business continues to grow and flourish with the best soapie friends ever and the best work mates for me that I could have even wished for
I wish for you to know your own divine right that you and I and the divine source are one..
everything that is possible belongs to us belongs to us belongs to us


I am dreaming now that our health will improve and that our words will continue to be kind because we monitor every one of them that comes out of our mouths..(a hard one for sag or sag rising, hehhh)
I wish that when you and I go on line we get to learn something from each other and not some lunk head hater talking  mean things about some pretty girl on the TV..who  cares!


I am saying thank you thank you thank you because I get to work with oils....and..I get to spread my seeds all over earth..one bar of soap in Spain and one in Australia, one in UK..now the rest, yes??
Easy there, not too fast, I like a gentle trollop..usually:)

I have been feeding the roses some sort of kelp based tea once a week. pretty, yes?


have a wonderful  day

when I go back

and read all of my typing errors, I cringe a little and hope that who ever reads my blog can cringe and laugh a little with me..it is about the message and not my language skills, :) right?
I will really take time to proof my words and be a better typist.



speaking of going back, I was thinking about the past and some of my choices during  times  and now that I am so much older I should have new guidelines in which to choose my direction for the next 5 years.
I won't be angry about the past. I will forgive myself and others. and I do but some folks you just have to walk away from. They are bad for you and your environment. I mean, who wants to live in a constant state of emergency and battles?  It can take years off of your liver..better to use them bitters for your best body's health instead of for releasing toxic stress chemicals, right?

I will take into account the energy now, Cancerian all day and all summer and well suited to caution and reality.
Jupiter enters Cancer and stays for one year. I think that during Jupiter's opposition to Pluto later in this cycle, we'll have even more opportunity to get to know our inner self..and yes, some of us will suffer inside a little..people do not always live the life you think they should. When you find out some things about someone you love, it is shocking and relevant because maybe you can remember something in yourself...
That was then..this is now.
Think about the powerful aspects in our solar system and in our neighborhood in this galaxy and how we can measure our neighbors in space at this moment in time and how we are a part of something big.
Think about Summer Solstice and make  the powerful wish you'd like to make and how this is the time to get what you want by taking care of the things that need done to clear the way..Mercury is about accepting the simple truth.
As Merc slows down a little we seem to be speeding up..be patient with yourself and be honest. fakers suffer the most inside..and Cancer energies do not put up with that too long.. we can all look at Cancers and learn..
xoxo

shreem to cypress oil and lavender

i am making soap with cypress..
an excellent inflammatory oil and pleasantly in its odor.
I will add some stone pine oil from Austria and also some wonderful blue hemlock spruce..
I will then round things off with a few helpers, like lime and sweet orange, not too much and a drop or two cardamom cedarwood and lavandin..

It is an excellent blend for breathing due to terpineol-4 and linalyl acetate  in the lavandin..but mostly, you will love it because of it well rounded refreshing quality. Highly coniferous and cleansing this blend is. Great for any man or woman..great for any skin condition too!

cypress 2 ounces
stone pine 1 ounce
blue hemlock spruce 1 ounce
Himalayan cedar wood 40 drops
lavandin 1/2 ounce
lime 1/2 ounce
sweet orange
1/2 ounce
cardamom 40 drops

this I will add to a, 4  pound soap block and after that we will simply smell and take it all in and relax our mind and body even if it is just a smidgen..it'll be good!
xoxo

sandalwood cream

I have been asked to make a sandalwood cream.
I want that, you want that and in order to make it an amazing sandalwood experience, I will have to use a proper amount of sandalwood oil to make it the experience we are looking for.
it'll cost us..
In order to make a 4 ounce jar of cream with sandalwood oil, i will use about 100 dollars of oil to make 4 jars
That is 25.00 cost of supplies..
So I will  offer it  as a sort of co-op purchase..
$30.00 each I am charging an extra 5 dollars for the jars and my time and all that..

I will buy an Indian sandalwood oil and make this cream this week..there are only four to start with..
:)
One is for Michelle R..Miss Rod..a gal pal I have that is like you and me:)
she loves sandalwood, patchouli and the old whore..
like me and you do:)
Have a wonderful Monday as Mercury is in his set up for his retro action next week.
Ah, justice and the balancing our harmonious life:) our money, our home and our food..

House Blend No 44

red mandarin
jasmine
vanilla
frankincense
sweet orange
nutmeg
mimosa
champa flower ( a wee bit)


85% olive oil and only 15% organic cold pressed coconut oil

I cannot wait to cut this..it is still warm right now so I cannot even look in there, alright, I looked..after all these years in soapmaking, I get thrilled with each batch as if it is the first day!
xo

LAVENDER SUMMER 2013

I am going back to lavender and as Mercury goes back and forth in Cancer till August, I will review lavender's awesome qualities one by one.
There are many lavenders to choose from at the moment in aromatherapy.  From Kashmir to Bulgarian to French hybrids, they are all lovely.
At  the present time and for the next batch of lavender soap, I will mix a hybrid distillate called French grosso, a spiky one, plus it is organic. I will try it with a couple of things..maybe even nothing.

Here are some notes I have at the moment...

Lavender Grosso  Soap  with a hint of green clay
thick dense soap
spiky, fresh, breathing, encouraging

Moss on Neptune Soap
I will add oakmoss and patchouli, nothing more..and the patchouli  is not so much standing out as it is exalting everyone else and standing in. Where everything draws to him like some enchanted thing weaving itself lovingly around all. So secure and so happy as to allow for lavender's beauty to shine forth.
spiky attractive secure

Lavender Brightening Face wash and serum
(with a beautiful sweet orange to brighten the skin and also chamomile to soothe)
polished aware alive

Lavender is nice on the face. I know that we all love, rose, neroli or even vetiver, but on the face and for my everyday routine,  I like just plain ol' lavender.
You can spray lavender on your pillow and sleep better and you can mix her with just about anything and be happy.
I would think a lavender juniper berry soap would smell pretty amazing in the shower right about now..
I'll wait on the juniper berry, and intend a soap like that for July. I hope I can wait that long!:)


I can wait, there is nothing to hurry about..

xo