Presidents Day Sale

It's Presidents Day Weekend and there's a big sale going on at the Manor. 20% off your order, all weekend long. Just enter the coupon code PRESIDENT20 at checkout to receive 20% off your order. (Note: Coupon does not apply to the Mischief Makers, which are already discounted.)

Now is the ideal time to try our new Moisturizing Body Lotion and Foaming Bath and Body Wash. Or maybe one of our new Nourishing Face Creme or Aroma Roll-Ons. With a 20% discount, you can't go wrong.

And to help your shopping dollar go further during the month of February, all orders will receive $6.00 shipping. Any weight, to anywhere nationally by Priority Mail. No coupon needed, our cart will apply the $6.00 shipping for you.

Ends Monday the 15th at midnight. What a way to celebrate Presidents Day!

February Freebie

Every month I get to enjoy giving away a free bar of soap with every order. Never a mystery and always full size, the order box freebie for the month of February is a Complexion Bar. Check out the freebie page to see what else can be free inside your order box this month.

We're Open

I'm happy to say that we're back, and the Manor is open once again. Thank you to everyone for your well-wishes and support during Jason's surgery. The web site has been updated. The newsletter has gone out. It's good to have him back.

A Little Less Mellow Yellow

I've enjoyed this last week of soapmaking. Having the web site closed while Jason's been recovering has afforded me the time to play a little more.

I mentioned back in September that I would be kicking up some of my classic staples. Now it's Lemon Poppo Mint's turn. I've added some tangy May Chang essential oil to the Lemon and Peppermint blend and swirled the bar with some green nettle leaf.

It smells heavenly and I think it looks awesome.

Update on My Hero

"It's President's Day Weekend at the end of the week," said husband techy guy, while printing off a few soap labels for me yesterday.

"I know..." says me. "I wish you were driving, then we could go out." I carried on wrapping the bars, and piling them up on my workbench. I've been in America for the best part of ten years, and I still can't get enough of our days out. I do adore New England. It reminds me of back home in so many ways, and I never tire of visiting the many picturesque towns and villages it holds.

"So, how would you like it if I took you somewhere good on Thursday?" And he walked through, handing me a few sheets of Ooh La Lavender.

"Don't be silly," I said with loads of love in my heart for him. "It's gonna be another ten days at least before you can get back behind the wheel again."

"Oh, I wasn't thinking of driving anywhere. I was thinking more of taking you somewhere." and he looked over at me with a big grin on his face. "Like... into everyone's email box with a Presidents Day Weekend newsletter."

I love my husband!

Yes... Jason is up and about. He's printing, though for much shorter stints than I am used to. His staples were removed last Thursday, and he's been managing to sit for a short while in the computer chair. He's eating well, still a little sore, and he's definitely bored.

Looks like he's really on the mend. I may be opening on Thursday. How can you not love this man!

State of Grace

Meet Grace.

Rich olive oil, sunflower butter, and mowrah butter... all stirred in with a heavenly scented blend of rose geranium, ylang ylang, and patchouli kissed with fragrant jasmine and sun ripened raspberry. A wonderfully moisturizing layered silken soap, drizzled with pretty ribbons of pink.

She's the newest bar at The Manor. Coming soon...

Little Waft of Calm

Soap making is therapy - and then some!

Part of Jason's recovery at home is having to sleep apart. I am terrified of bumping into his sore tummy while we're both asleep... so he's in the bed, and I'm on the couch. Not that I'm grumbling too much. It means I have the company of telly all night long.

This morning I woke to a silent room. The TiVo DVR was downloading something or other from the base unit up in the sky. I think that's how it all works. It receives messages from a satellite, and updates almost weekly with new bells and whistles. I daresay Jason will enjoy himself with the remote when he's up and about, checking all the new at his fingertips. Me? I wasn't so thrilled.

Half asleep, I took a look at the clock... 4.10am. Now, don't know about you, but I'm one of those who wakes early. No alarm needed... usually around 5.00am. Needless to say, I was awake and cursing technology. I mean, in this day and age of satellite thingies, wouldn't you think they'd find some way of talking to your DVR that didn't involve putting your television to sleep for half an hour?

So, my morning cup of Tetley British Classic Blend in hand, I padded down the stairs and headed for my workshop. Ahhhh, my old friend. By 4.40am I'd opened the various pails of oils, and an hour and half later, I'd gotten sixty pounds all weighed out into my pans, ready for some serious soaping.

On the menu today is:

Oooh La Lavender and Oatmeal
She She Shea and Lavender
Lavenders Wild
Golden Jojoba and Oatmeal

It feels so good to be back in the saddle. I'm hoping the smell of Lavender wafting through into the house will help soothe Jason's pain a little. If nothing else, it'll certainly help relax him for the day.