He's Back

An old fave is back for the fall, as Hardy Har Harvest rolls off the log splitter. Essential oils of Bay Rum, Cinnamon, and Sweet Orange, speaking the coming season loud and proud. Is it really August tomorrow?

Photo Journal - July

August is almost upon us. Here's some of my July in pics. It's been a great soap making month, and it's also been the month where Manor Hall Soap Company turned nine years old.

Inside the brand new black and white batch. Scented with essential oils of Anise and Peppermint, it's an eye opening blast of natural fresh. Exhilarating!

New Anise and Peppermint essential oil scented batch, all logged up and waiting for the slice. This smells as good as it looks.

Another brand new soap, waiting for the unmould. It's a beautiful blend of Basil, Lime and Cedarwood essential oils. It's warm, and it's earthy, but not overpowering. It's sweet, and a little minty. I keep going back to it to sniff it some more. I'm really excited with how the notes play off each other. Colored naturally with ground parsley and activated charcoal, and sprinkled on top with Kosher salt. I couldn't wait to cut this one open.

Inside the new Basil, Lime and Cedarwood. The bottom layer is dead sea mud, and I'm really pleased with how it's turned out. No name yet though.

Another new essential oil kid on the block. Bergamot, Sage, and Cedarwood, anchored with West Indian Sandalwood. It's light, but not without strength. This is a fresh barefoot in the dew blend, with all the forest flowers nodding in approval. Whoa there!

I knew I was heavy handed when I first poured the white layer onto the green of the new Bergamot, Sage and Cedarwood batch. Aaaargh! Not to worry... the bars from that section will be headed for my shower when the cure is complete. What a real shame that is, huh?

Worked on another two orders of facial products for Whole Foods Market. If you're local to Boston, you can find us in the Whole Body department at the Symphony store on Westland Ave. If you're local to Hadley, you can find us there too. Thank you, Whole Foods Market!

Walk outside early one evening and what did I see perched on one of my naturalized fleebane weeds? A teeny little butterfly, and I tell you its whole wingspan was no bigger than a silver dollar. I ran in and grabbed the camera. Thankfully she was still there when I came out so I just snapped away. She hung around for quite a bit before flitting off. It turns out this one was called a Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)... and they like weeds. I did NOT know butterflies came this small. So excited!!!

Close up of ground rose petals on top of the batch of Ruby Moon. It smells incredible. A gentle waft of real rose, followed by the bewitching aromatics of cedarwood, patchouli and ylang. I couldn't wait to break into it to see how the colors had played.

Batch of Honey Me Smooth, all logged up and getting cut into bars in 3... 2... 1. Good Monday morning to you all!

The Damp and the Dew

It's one of those damp and dewy summer mornings of mugginess out there. Just the right conditions for weeding out the flower beds, dividing a few plants, and continuing the pathways. I love getting lost in my cottage garden, but the real plus is that I get to harvest the herbs and florals that grow through the seasons, then dry them for infusing in the wonderful oils that go into the soap.