Lavender Hydrosol and An Awesome Giveaway!!

Here it is the first batch of Lavender Angustifolia Hydrosol...I managed to make 2 - 2 oz. bottles. Due to the sensitivity of this organic infusion it has to put in amber glass not plastic. This smells amazing, soft lavender, just perfect. Since we have had so much rain and my bedroom isn't quite finished I wanted to do something a bit different for your patience.

  

In the package will include the following below in robins egg blue in ceramic. All packaged safely wherever they may go....they are Brand New!

 Mason Jar Measuring Cups feature a design inspired by vintage canning jars. Use each layer of the jar to measure liquids or solids; after cleaning, stack the durable ceramic cups into an aqua blue mason jar for a cute counter top display.

and....

Mason Jar Ceramic Measuring spoons are embossed to capture the look of vintage blue mason jars. These chic measuring spoons are tied with cotton ribbon and nest for easy storage.

To enter all you have to do is leave a simple hello...no need to repost or do anything else.
A name will be picked out of a jar on Monday June 29th. They will be shipped directly to you  Pleave leave your email so I may contact winner.

In the meantime have a wonderful day.

Everything is Blooming

A weird and busy summer...rare birds (male house finch) clouds, than rain, than sun...all day everyday. It's hard to pick a moment when there is enough time outside to do anything, before a cloud burst. I look forward to the sunny days to hang laundry outside where are they I think, what is mother nature doing...all beautiful, yes. The lavender is gorgeous and the wands are so much fun to make and smell awesome. Because I have so many varieties of lavender it blooms pretty much all summer long and is a favorite among the bees and the neighbors. Sometimes I sneeze... due to ending up right in the middle cutting away, as I am, surrounded by mounds of lavender. It's truly very relaxing to be in the field. Things are moving along I just made the first round of Organic Lavender Hydrosol  and it smells amazing...refresh your face, spray on your bedding, through the air. This lavender is infused so nicely the smell is not over bearing at all. I've also made some soap of lavender which must set for a bit as it's all entirely organic. My daughter is due to have her second son in July and has gone everything organic since the birth of William. We had such a great time a week ago at the park with my William (the one on the left side of the blog in the gray cocoon and hat) what a delightful character he has...and always smiling. Boy, does he love his mommy. In all summer has been great thus far...just a little bumpy. I suppose maybe mother nature has periods of menopause too!

Learning the Natural Ways

What a beautiful day as summer makes it way to us. I have found it to be so incredibly delicious in so many ways.  I've walked the woods nearly daily, dug up small new trees and wild roses to replant in the yard. There is really no need to purchase these things when nature produces them for us...luckily in our area the owner of the woods lets us walk along and inside anytime we wish. It's truly amazing. I've been visiting with my neighbors mother in law who is 85 and still gardening, pulling weeds,

cutting down limbs...as I always say age is simply a number, it truly is, I can't express that enough.

Joann (who is 85) has a huge handmade pond that houses fish and a bull frog she calls, spotty even hand feeds him worms. The way all nature around her shows how much they love her is amazing, birds etc, live in no fear of her and hang around her all the time. I have learned so much from this elderly woman whom I have come to adore. How milkweed is so important to Monarch butterflies and other species...I've even learned so many different bird species that I can now recognize on my own. Sadly we don't seem to appreciate our elderly especially the baby boomers and above, we have so much knowledge to share, simple yet important. Joann also educated me on all the natural plants she's has in her yard that help cure, and aide us humans, over all the chemicals in products we use today. Its no wonder there generation seems to have lived way into there 90's and often 100's. I want to know, I want to pick her mind daily, I want to recognize trees and plants and know what each does for us and wildlife. 

The lavender is doing well I've begun the cutting process to the drying. I am making the soaps for the shop and even quality essential oils you can purchase. I learned so much about essential oils, bases, and herbs from a long time friend of mine, Kim, who's basement has been filled with natural cures since I've known her...she treated all her children naturally, no synthetic man made medicines. She truly is amazing, so I will be adding a lot of that to the shop too. I know it's taking awhile I had no idea what it took to get a shop up and running I apologize for that, so hang in there, I am working on it daily. Have a beautiful day, enjoy the weather wherever you may be.

Making Progress with Shop

Production for our Lavender products has begun...this hand soap is amazing the scent is that of Lavender Bulgarian, a very soft fragrance which does not contain near as much menthol, making it an easier scent for those who are sensitive to Lavender. The older I become I find myself sensitive to many scents...this one is for those with the same sensitivity. So finally we are on track and moving forward. We are also adding natural oils that will not only moisturize your skin, add elasticity, and will penetrate your skin almost immediately without any oily residue. Have a grand baby or a baby yourself, we are even offering a Lavender Baby Oil...which contains Watermelon Seed oil that contains no mineral oil and will not clog the babies sensitive skin..simply soften. It's also great for adults. The Labels will be similar to our display photograph only will contain our logo

I've also decide to photograph some of the long ruffled pillow cases outside on the clothesline. Lay a blanket and photograph in other ways....there is much work left in finishing the bedroom and would like to get things rolling a bit sooner. The weather I hope begins to change, we've had much rain and lots of cooler weather lately. I think we've been a bit spoiled with the warmer temperatures earlier in the month, which makes it hard to adjust to the cooler weather that just came our way.

I simply wanted to keep you posted, to let you know, I am working on everything daily. Again make sure to follow along things will be sold on first come bases...everything will be listed as completed.

Have a wonderful week..it's nearly June. Enjoy!

Bedding Shop and Gardening

What's going on...Well currently I am waiting for my new bed to arrive for photographing the linens and such....there has been a bit of a delay in delivery. Once it arrives all will begin with photographs then uploading to the online shop.

In the meantime, I have prepared the garden for all the veggies to be planted this weekend.  Its smaller this year as you can see in the back. I am fencing in the area this year to keep rabbits and deer out, with my neighbor not planting in the last few years, my garden gets a lot of wild life attention not wanted. So far its just been preparing the area for the outdoor furniture and things. It is however, so very nice to see all things spring blooming.

With the cold weather the Lavender really took a beating this past winter. Oh how sad, I was to see all but two survive. Although the lavender plants are clearly not deceased there was a ton of pruning back the dead areas. Last spring I only had to prune one as far back as the one in the photograph which turned out fine, it came back as the season progressed. I am hoping the same. I did have a couple lavender plants damaged from rabbits nesting. Bless their hearts I had to take them out, no babies yet, however I did have to remove the nest to cut back the damage. I've had my lavender nearly 4 years, and oh, how beautiful they have been, until this year. There are new shoots appearing so I hope all turns out well for the plants. I darn not say I may not get much as far as blooming this season. On the good side my new lavender plants arrived today, so, they will be planted in a couple days.

Before I close this post I do have a question and would appreciate your input. Currently I have the online shop set as Nesting in Love...I am also considering Naturally Nesting. Any input would be nice.

Have a wonderful Day!

Long Ruffled Bedding Decor and More...Online Shop

Well it's about time..

I am so happy to announce.... I have finally did it took the necessary steps, bought my domain, for my online shop "Nesting in Love." appropriate name I thought for all things that nestle us with love. I am setting up the shop with branding, which means logo's, packaging, etc.

What will you find there....

Many things lavender, home grown, without pesticides by me on my farm land. I've been growing a variety of Lavender for 4 years now and bringing it to the internet for you. Currently I have 21 plants and more arriving this spring. I am in love with Lavender and it's natural calming properties.

You will also find my personally designed Long Ruffled Bedding, Pillowcases, Prairie Bedding Line just what is that...something I am sure you will love. All are handmade using a french seam and quality material I assure you. If I don't like it I won't sell it, picky gal here who also likes reasonable pricing. We should all be able to live the way we want without saying, "why is it only rich people have nice things?" Not at "Nesting in Love" quality sure, great pricing you bet. I know what it's like to live check to check or on a budget. At my shop you will be able to have a beautiful bedroom linens. So hang on...I am working on it this week and next, which means I will not be posting again, okay maybe one or two, until the shop is complete and ready to roll.

In the meantime, enjoy the nice weather and spread the word!

Have To See to Believe... Even I Was Stunned!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Despite the fact the weather has changed and nature is producing some really high humidity there are just some things that produce on there own. After a evening of cutting all my lavender, which I might add is making the house smell awesome! Which is expected...There are just somethings you don't except. On my way back in to the apartment I noticed something small black and white struggling in the grass, in fact, it keep falling over and getting back up. Being the curious person I am I had to explore this creature. My first thought at a distance it was a baby kitten after all we do have many sheds in the yard which many animals of nature use to have there babies. Usually it's cats!

 

As I approached it started looking really familiar...yes my thoughts immediately recognized this little one has a skunk. Helping it get back home I spent nearly 30 minutes trying to direct the little guy back to a huge hole under the old seed corn shed. Believe me when I say it was quite the task it was clear his eyes had just opened, and he had found his legs only they hadn't quite meet up to his expectations of just thinking, he could take off. Fell left and right has he tried to balance those little legs. Oh, it was so sweet....well I just had to do something so I grabbed a hard boiled egg and trailed his way home. Skunks just love them! Well for the past couple nights I have been feeding them a hard boiled egg to keep them safe from predators. After all they are a huge benefit to nature and your veggie garden.

 

Although it has been fun the last couple days feeding them just at dusk, sitting still and watching as they climb my shirt and pants. Even the mother has become comfortable having me around. I have to get a pic of her as she is the most beautiful with more white than I have ever seen on a wild skunk.

Despite the fact she is comfortable with me there is one thing I did not expect...Today I opened my door to go outside unhitched the screen and there they were two little ones at my door at the top of my deck. How they managed to climb up I could not figure out nor could I believe as they walked right into my kitchen. I propped open the door so they knew they could leave and the tinest of the two just roamed around the apartment playing with things it came across. What the heck I was thinking and by goodness had it spoke to me (like in the movie Dr. Doolittle) I would have ran and ran and ran...like Forrest Gump without stopping.

 

So I watched as he played, I even picked him up and of course with gloves and softly spoke to him. Then I took him back outside to the whole put him down and under he went. How strange I thought and yes a bit of a smell. Knowing nature as I do I was aware they can spray at any age, yet only if they sense fear. Note to self...although making friends with nature is kinda cool, stick to humans at least they don't have the ability to spray at random.

 

 

BTW- this little guy just found a new home here with me! And in case your wondering he is a pygmy monkey it's all the bigger he gets...they are very well trained and make wonderful pets. At least better than a skunk!

 



It Smells Amazing...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last night before dark I was outside in the garden tending to all the veggies, covering my tender beets from the rabbits, when a small breeze drifted across the lavender and ohhhh, the smell was truly amazing! All my older lavender plants are just blooming with color and scent. I noticed a couple of them were beginning to bloom flowers from the buds, this is the prime time to cut the lavender when the scent is the strongest and actually the best for making fragrant oils. Inside I went with the cuttings wrapped them in a rubber band to hang and dry, and the kitchen... whee.... the smell is beyond wonderful. It's the best!

 

I am heading back out to the garden shortly right before the sunsets to take some more cuttings, only this time I am putting them in water for awhile, to enjoy the scent before preparing them for drying out. And when I am done, it's a bit of hook time for the grannie square blanket.


Thanks for stopping by...enjoy your evening!

Perfect Easter Gifts

 

It was a wonderful day of surprises, yes, first my son's family stopped by briefly... I always love to see them and to give me a receipt from Garden Harvest Supply, I absolutely love this online shop. It's were he purchased the very first ones I planted in my garden. The receipt has 6 plants, Yeah, hidcote, munstead, and one I don't have, lady lavender, a combination of 2 each. They won't arrive until the first week of May which is always the way it's done. Garden Harvest Supply is always right on with there shipping dates and they are packaged with great care.

I love a combination of Lavender when I make my Lavender products or even just working with Lavender. I will combine a mixture based on scents, meaning there is a soft scent blend for those who have trouble tolerating a strong scent, right down to a luscious strong blend. I love not only the beautiful way this plant stands, it's elegance, but also, it's color combination of lavender and green. If you see a field of Lavender it just makes you want to lay down upon it or following the path of it's scent.

 

HAPPY EASTER...I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday!

Lavender Tutorial

 

Isn't this jar just too cute...I am so obsessed with them they are tiny Atlas ball jars. Yet, it's not about the jar it's about the Lavender inside.

 

 

Today I was busy removing the Lavender from there stems. If you grow lavender make sure you leave a bit of stem and do not throw them out. you will find out as your read. Those of you who think you can't grow Lavender not to worry it's fairly easy. I have grown it before at a previous home, and it did very well. It's also lends an amazing aroma and gorgeous view. It loves a bit of lime in the soil, yet still the same, it's quite forgiving.

What your are viewing.. 4 different types of Lavender, please don't ask, Ms. doesn't document everything forgot to write them down, and the detail is on the sticks outside buried in the snow. Make note to self...Write things down or go get the receipt...ah, maybe later.

  

 

Wow, I thought I pulled off a pretty good magic trick, the disappearing act, much to my own surprise it's just a paper towel over the lavender. I'm preparing the method of removing the lavender. Some use towels, me, no, I just use paper towels.

One on the bottom, one on the top and the beauty of the paper towels, when I am done with all the lavender, I have two gorgeous smelling paper  towels.

Folded 4 ways stick them in a zip lock bag for a few days and walla, great smelling dryer sheets. Waste not want not. Right!

  

 

Let's continue...next I take a rolling pin, looking at the words rolling pin just says weird, doesn't it? Rolling pin...it's the pin part that gets me. It is rolling pin, right?

Taking both palms of my hands lay them on the roller and gently roll back and forth, taking a few peeks to see how it's coming along.

  

 

After you're done begin picking up the stems. You will find some lavender still attached just pull them off, but don't, throw away the stems. They have a wonderful purpose.

 

 

Once you have them all gathered take out some raffia, holding the end at your fingertips, stretch it to the top of your shoulder. Don't cut it yet, measure another piece the same length, roughly 72 inches. Seems like a lot I know, but it's not.

Center the raffia under the stems as shown in the photograph and begin wrapping it around the stems, leaving enough to make a nice little bow.

 

 

This is what it will look like when done. Now for the fun part! Most people don't know that Lavender stems, in fact, the whole plant not just the buds contain the scent. If you have a burning fireplace, wood burner, and in the spring through fall simply throw the wrapped bunch in a fire and walla, your house is sure to smell of lavender. Even your fire-pit outside. So waste not want, don't throw them out until you burn them out.

 

 

For those who wonder where I got the little atlas ball jar in the first photo. At the grocery store in the spaghetti sauce isle, are these tiny little ball jars called Classic Pesto, of course, this one contained ready made Pesto. There are others that are different pasta sauces that are delicious, and when they are on sale I grab them up. They're just too cute! The only problem none of the canning lids fit them. I just wash and save the lids, you  can use them for so many things. Just let  your imagination go!

 

In my section Everything Lavender I will be adding some really cute items soon. So stick around lots more to come!