HAPPY FALL BEGINNINGS!

The leaves are starting to turn here in good ole New England...my favorite time of year! I love the smell of the crisp air, ripe apples, pumpkin pie! I realize apples are available year round but there is something special about going to the apple orchard in the fall and having the air "ripe" with the smell of apples!



And yes...I COULD make a pumpkin pie anytime...but I reserve it for this special time of the year...to keep it special! (So don't rain on my parade!) Add to that...scuffling through the leaves like I did when I was a kid and sitting on my deck enjoying an aromatic fire... a season to be enjoyed. I just have to concentrate on its joys without anticipating the leafless trees and the cold, cold weather to come. However, I DO enjoy sweaters!


There are some soaps which will add to the fall season nicely...for instance, what fall is complete without cranberry? This contains cranberry juice with all its vitamin C skin tightening properites and the seeds act as an exfolliant.

Cranberry Crush

And who doesn't enjoy all the myriad of breads that we make during this season? The fragrance of baked goods that comes from the oven warm the "cockles" of our hearts! And wouldn't you know it...the smell of banana nut bread CAN be enjoyed while showering!

Banana Nut Bonanza

And with that ...a delicious "fresh-brewed cup" of orange hazelnut coffee and cream....of course!

Hazelnut Coffee & Cream

For those cold days when you want to think "warm"...try one of the newly created "drink" soap collection...so far, there is a Cocoanutty Cocoa which is a coconut "flavored" cocoa which comes complete with cute miniature marshmallows...who has cocoa without them? A Holiday Cheer apple cider punch with ice cubes and a cinnamon stick...told ya I love apples! Or...guess what? a Rootbeer Float...smells like the real thing and is appropriately topped with a scoop of vanilla scented "ice cream"...and don't forget the straw!


Or you can just relax with a good book in front of a fire...or maybe you are one of the lucky ones with an all seasons room or a skylight where you can just look to the skies and ponder the vastness of the stars...and the goodness of our Creator. That in itself...could take quite a while.....

Vanilla Dreams

And don't forget vanilla - Vanilla Dreams - a wonderfully homey scent married with lavender..the things dreams are made of...a lovely way to bring comfort to the end of a day.

There is always a time and a season for everything under the sun...this time, this season is one of thanksgiving. Enjoy it wholeheartedly, for it is a short season...but be thankful and full of thanksgiving, always. Make it a way of life.

Be blessed!

What do you wash with?

Do you think you are using soap?

Check the label.
Chances are the word "soap"
will never grace the packaging!
It isn't "allowed".....
because it is not real soap.

Most bars are labeled "bath"
or "beauty" bars.....
and most are synthetic petroleum based products.
(Care for a dip in an oil well?)

I often wondered why my skin felt like it was on fire after using commercial "soap". Petroleum based products clog the pores, besides being.....well, petroleum! Again, check your labels! Mineral oil, another petroleum by product, is in a lot of skin care products, especially lotions.
Skin is the body's largest organ so we should take special care of it - it will be with us for a lifetime. Thank God it is in a constant state of renewal, so all hope is never lost. We can all start catering to our skin today.

Another skin irritant used in many skin products is a detergent sudsing element called SLS or sodium laureth sulfate. This additive can be very drying to the skin.

Two other possible irritants in commercial "soap" are triethanolamine and propylene glycol. Triethanolamine is a frequent sensitizer used as a dispersing agent - also a detergent. Detergents strip the skin of moisture and its natural oils. Propylene glycol is now being replaced by safer glycols, so this is good for us how?

So what do I use?
Well... an all natural glycerin soap base.....
a vegetable oil based product (which can be labeled vegan) containing coconut oil, palm oil, castor seed and safflower seed oils.

These chief ingredients add significantly to the moisture enhancing characteristics of the glycerin soap itself, making the soap much kinder and nourishing to skin.

This is my starting point...my healthy start...to which I add a variety of skin-pampering "goodies" to create many kinds of soaps (all good for you) for lots of different purposes.

Kickin' Kiwi

The seeds exfoliate.

Homey Nutti-Honey

Oatmeal softens.

Many of the herbs and spices are naturally anti-bacterial,
antiseptic and many other "anti's" while smelling good too!

Italian Kitchen Soap

Melon Medley
And the ones containing the actual fruit puree or juice carry the benefits of all the vitamins and minerals as well. For instance, fruit contains high concentrations of vitamin C which clarifies and
tightens the skin.



And many contain more than one of these qualities because they are a combination of ingredients making them that much better to use!

Razzberry Oat

REAL SOAP.....
with real purpose.....
check it out at Sonata Soap!

So there you have it......your lesson is done for today....

but the question still remains.....

.........what do YOU wash with?

P.S. Take a minute to scroll to the bottom of the page
and "sign" my guestbook..... just for grins and giggles!