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Guest Garden Photo

Jean and Greg's Angel

The above photo is of Jean and Greg’s angel guarding the entrance to their garden. Like many of us, they started from scratch with a nearly blank slate last year. I’m happy to say that the Garden of Nemesis contributed some plant material to their efforts. If you’re in Rockford, Illinois or close by, send an email and come by for some free daylilies!

Berm 2004

Sometimes we have to hold the vision of our new garden until it comes to fruition. Here are two pics of the berm. The above was taken in April of 2004 and the one below yesterday from almost the exact same angle.

Berm 2014

 The weather has warmed up and the garden is “catching up”. Generally, the bleeding heart is finished blooming before the iris pop out, but this rare pic shows them blooming together.

Iris and Bleeding Heart

I was a good girl this week and weeded and planted herbs and veggies instead of making soap. The next two soaps are gestating: “Lavender Fields” and “Synchronicity,” and will may be born as soon as tomorrow. Meanwhile, the tomato and pepper plants I took time out to plant are sending out new roots into the garden soil as we speak. The new herb garden on the hugel we built last fall is planted with medicinal herbs such as black cohosh, lavender, soapwort and marshmallow.

 

Yellow Iris

Soap Creations and Spring Garden Pics

Allium in Bloom

 The last week has had crazy weather. It got really hot and then a few days later it snowed!

Snow on 5-16

 Meanwhile, I made soap. The cocoa butter soap almost sold out, so I made more.

Original Buttercup

 I couldn’t resist adding the cookie cutter hearts I made from the Suminagashi soap scraps.

New Buttercup Love

 This one has the same recipe but with honey.

I got this bee pic from "Birds and Blooms" magazine

The original Hand Milled Tomato soap sold out, so I made this cold processed version with added herbs and a little Tomato Leaf and Coriander fragrance.

Cutting Tomato Soap

I don’t know why it came out this peachy color, but it’s still beautiful.

Fresh Cut Tomato Soap

 Next, I tried my hand at shampoo bars, which I named “Lustrous Hair”. Since it PH tested at 8, I used it last night. My hair is soft and lustrous, thus the name. It’s still too soft to sell, but it should be ready in a month.

Shampoo Bars

Last but not least, I had a little fun with colors and made “Serendipity”.

Serendipity

Today I must forget soap and get more veggies planted. The bedding plants in the potting shed are outgrowing their containers and need to go in the ground.

Pink tulips blooming with white Bleeding Heart and Flowering Quince in background

Here’s some pics I just took of the last of the tulips.

Last day for these tulips. Whaaa!

The Colors of Spring

 

Pink Tulips in the Garden of Nemesis

          

The colors of spring inspire me to make a batch of soap to try to mimic Nature. Maybe today, although I’ve got a garden to plant and weeds to compost.

Our niche at the Sandy Hollow Mini Mall

Bechard’s Botanicals has been on the road the last few weekends. The Grand Opening, otherwise known as Practice Run, was at the Sandy Hollow Mini Mall the first weekend in May. We didn’t sell much soap, but learned a great deal. It was easier to pack and transport our little Soap Shop last Saturday, when we set up in Loves Park at the North Suburban Women’s Club Arts and Craft Show.

Outdoors at the NSWC in Loves Park

We met some wonderful customers and communed with other vendors. Best of all, our dream of bringing a quality product appreciated by the public was validated. Yes, people want to ditch the toxic petro-chemicals and use something natural.

Soap Displays at NSWC

 What people bought surprised me. Nearly everyone who stepped up to the table had some kind of a skin problem. The Hand Milled Tomato soap sold out to acne sufferers. Those with the dry-itchies gravitated to those wonderful cocoa and Shea butter soaps. Many just bought the olive oil-rich castile soaps they knew would nourish as well as cleanse. The wonderful scents wafted through the crowd and attracted those who just plain want to enjoy their bathing experience.

I feel blessed.

Bechard’s Botanical’s Debut on Saturday!

I was going to name this post, "Put Away the Lawn Chairs!" but thought better of it.

Not too bad for homemade

 This has been one hectic week, as we’re getting our soaps ready for their first public appearance. Between wrapping and sign making, I’ve only had time to make one batch of soap, “Angel Kisses".

Angel Kisses

I’m not really happy with the outcome, but the soap thickened up too fast to create the design I had in mind. It’s okay, just not my vision of soft and sweet angel kisses.

We need SUN!

The plants in the sunporch have not seen the sun for a week, but continue to grow anyway.

Tulips waiting to open

The cold rain has prevented the tulip buds from opening. Whaaaa. 

Cool Candied Apple all dressed up

Mocha Cappuccino--Take me home!