Patti's Potions Natural Soaps

Patti's Potions Travels

2010-08-19T17:21:00.000-07:00

While I couldn't be there my Patti's Potions hat was. My sister Brigid & my nephew Chris went to Belize late this spring. The did a week of sailing and fishing on a catamaran.

I was there in spirit I assure you.

Recently these two along with another sister Angel climbed a 14'er in Colorado. This is Mount Quandary. What is this you might ask? It is a mountain that is over 14,000 feet high. I believe Angel has summit-ted seven and Brig six of these high points in the Rockies. This was Chris's first attempt. I'm thrilled that my hat made it too. More adventures to come.

Peru Medical Mission Feb. 2010

2010-03-06T07:54:00.000-08:00

I'm back from Peru and hope to get some good pix up soon of this great adventure.

This journey started on Feb. 6, 2010. It was one of those cold, gray, and damp February days that just set your teeth to rattle. My roomie Rachel and I boarded the bus at the Brat Stop in Kenosha and made our way to O'Hare International
where we would meet up with the rest of the gang. From Chicago, we flew to Miami, then on to Lima.

The top picture is Lima center in the evening obviously. It was interesting that we were told by others not to bother with the town as there is nothing there. That wasn't our experience at all. Our docs hired a private tour for us and we found it to be quite beautiful. We believe that the poor information was about 10 years out of date when Lima was experiencing difficult times in it's history.

There were nine of us that flew first to Lima and then to Pucallpa. Lima is a lovely sea coast town with moderate weather. Ah, such a joy after the cold Wisconsin winter.

It was late when we arrived at our hotel and believe me, a drink was on the agenda after the long flights. Many of us worked together during the day and because of this, we had a nodding knowledge of each other. We were firmly cemented in this great adventure during that cocktail hour the first night.

Pictured here from left to right: me, Rachel, and Dr. Markian.

Sexy Soap

2009-09-16T09:06:00.000-07:00

The latest addition to my soap line is "SEXY".

I have to tell you what a sleeper this fragrance was in the bottle. I took a whiff and thought, "Oh that's nice." I wasn't rocked by it though.

This is a fragrance from my favorite supplier, Lezlee Williams at Simple Soothings. She consistently has the best fragrances and this one was always highly praised so figured it was time to give it a try.

I make the soap, cut it the next day and put it on the drying rack to cure. I pretty much forget about it for a couple of weeks then revisit it to see and smell the progress. In cold process soaps, fragrances do change. Early conclusions can be invalid.

After four weeks it is time to test and trim and do the final prep for sale. What a huge surprise this soap turned out to be. First, it changed color to this lovely rich tan. Then the aroma hit me and I was amazed. What was wimpy in the bottle developed into this rich, deep, haunting, and very sexy fragrance.

Love my morning shower!!

Discover Wisconsin

2009-08-08T07:19:00.000-07:00

The Kenosha Harbor Marketplace was filmed for the Discover Wisconsin TV show last Saturday. Maybe our market managers knew about this in advance, but I was taken by surprise.

Stephanie Klett is a regular contributor to the show. I was thrilled when she came by my booth and had her team do extensive photo shoots of my product.

Why? It turns out that Capitol Brewery is a sponsor of the show. And of course I use their beer in my two beer soaps. Why choose this beer you may ask? I love it and I'm a stock holder in the company.

The wheat is grown on Washington Island Door County, WI for this beer. That makes this soap truly a home grown Wisconsin product.

Beer Soap

2009-08-08T07:15:00.001-07:00

Patti's Potions Island Wheat and Wisconsin Amber beer soaps have been selling like crazy at the Kenosha Harbor Marketplace this summer.

Beer is not just for breakfast anymore. You can bathe with it.

new items

2009-08-03T07:38:00.001-07:00

We have some fun, new, handcrafted, soap decks at Patti's Potions.

As you can see, they range from very light to quite dark to compliment any bathroom decor.
All are made of oak for long lasting quality. Each soap deck features grooves so that your handmade soap dries rapidly.

Why a soap deck? A wet soap bar or soap ball has more surface tension than a dry one. The desire is to create less surface tension with your soap container. Wet soap will melt away much sooner than one that is allowed to dry out between uses. This saves money in your wallet and means that less product is wasted.

Clematis

2009-06-08T05:57:00.001-07:00

Clematis from a rainy day.

Pansy

2009-06-08T05:35:00.000-07:00

I recently purchased a new camera and have been having a blast getting to know it.

This is my first trip into the SLR photography.

Recently we had a baby shower and these pretty girls were given as gifts to the guests. I kept the ones from the flat that looked sad and plunked them in an available pot. They seem pretty happy now.

That lone fella is one that managed to reseed himself from last year. He's living in a crack in the pavement.

Newest Soap

2009-05-03T10:41:00.000-07:00

This is one of the newest soap to arrive at Patti's Potions. We call it Lavender Love.

This is one of our most complex soaps. It contains our best blend of natural oils, topped with Goat Milk. We've used a blend of Essential Oils to create this lovely fragrance that is very unisex. It includes Lavender 40/42, patchouli, tea tree, & some rose geranium to smooth it all out.

This is one that I would recommend for frequent hand washing, which is especially important today with the reports of swine flu.

How to do this? While lathering up, simply hum or sing a small little song such as Happy Birthday. If you have children, teach them a simple nursery rhyme song like Mary Had a Little Lamb.

Make hand washing fun and wash frequently, especially before eating and after using the rest room. Using handmade soaps insure that your skin won't dry out.

Week 10 of the Herb Blog Contest

2009-05-01T04:41:00.000-07:00

Torchsong Studio will be hosting the 10th and final week of our blog contest.

Maryanne is offering something a little different to close out the contest.

A lead free pewter garden pin with a little glass ladybug charm in the middle and garden tools on either side.

Just comment on this, or any of the other blogs participating for a chance to win one of ten pins to be given away. MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE A CONTACT email.

Remember all of the blogs below are participating, so visit all of them and post to increase your chances of winning.

The Essential Herbal magazine subscription
Garden Chick - fairy cookie kit
SunRose Aromatics - facial exfoliant and liquid soap
Herbs from the Labyrinth - tea sampler
Patti's Potions - lip balms
PrairieLand Herbs - healing wand
Aquarian Bath - lip balm and soap
The Rosemary House - Bertha Reppert's "Twelve Month Herbal"
Nature's Gift - purse-sized inhalers & inhalation blend
Torchsong Studio Our final contest - check back on May 8 for the list of winners!

Thanks everyone for participating and for playing!

Week NINE blog contest

2009-04-24T06:49:00.000-07:00

At Nature's Gift we have been pleased and excited about hosting this week's contest. The hard part has been trying to decide what to offer as the prize!

We chose Deluxe Personal Inhalers from our new shipment, filled with the winner's choice of several healing synergies.

We'll ship one of these pretty purse-sized inhalers filled with your choice of our SineEase Synergy, for easing sinus pain and congestion, Happy Morning Synergy, recommended for easing the nausea of morning sickness, but also helpful for motion sickness, etc., or our research based depression fighter "Citrus Smile."

To be entered in the contest, respond to this post, here, and at all the blogs listed below.

To make the contest even more exciting, ONE lucky entrant, drawn from one of the listed blogs, will receive a signed copy of Marge's Book "Essential Oils and Aromatics".

You may check these links for some of the reviews, from the Journal of the Northeast Herbal Association, or from The Massage Therapy Journal.

Remember all of the blogs below are participating, so visit all of them and post to increase your chances of winning.
Aquarian Bath
The Essential Herbal
Herbs from the Labyrinth
Patti's Potions
PrairieLand Herbs
The Rosemary House
Nature's Gift
Torchsong Studio
SunRose Aromatics
Garden Chick

Good luck, and thank you!

It's contest Time -- Week 8

2009-04-17T18:17:00.000-07:00

Bertha Reppert (1919-1999) was the founder of The Rosemary House and our mum. She was a Renaissance woman ahead of her time when she opened a herb and spice shop in a conservative East coast town in 1968. Convinced that once everyone learned about herbs they would love these plants as much as she did, she became an avid educator about the secrets of herbs. Lecturing, writing and always promoting herbs, Bertha Reppert became a mentor to many. This weeks prize is a copy of her last herbal and one of our very favorites.

Bertha Reppert's TwelveMonth Herbal features 365 herbal essays one for each day of the year. Written like she is speaking to a friend this book is fun, informative and easy to read. Many folks have told us they reread the book every year and make their own daily notes in the margins. Be sure to leave a comment to this post and at the other participating herbal blogs (see the links below) for your chance to win this clever book (an $18.00 value) filled with herbal lore, recipes and crafts (priceless).

Sisters Susanna, the herbalist, and Nancy, the culinary artist, continue to share their Mother's love of all things herbal at The Rosemary House, the herb and spice gift shop, and at Sweet Remembrances tea room.

The following blogs are also participating, so stop over, post a comment on these blogs for additional chances to win this weeks giveaway AND the chance to explore some cool blogs.

Nature's Gift
Torchsong Studio
The Essential Herbal
Garden Chick
SunRose Aromatics
Herbs from the Labyrinth
Patti’s Potions

PrairieLand Herbs

Aquarian Bath

The Rosemary House (where a list of winners will be posted on the 24th)

Check back we have a couple more weeks of give-aways!

Strawberry WontonTarts

2009-04-15T10:57:00.000-07:00

I just have to share this recipe with you.
I made it for Easter & it received rave reviews.

24 won ton wrappers \
6 Tbs. melted butter / spread butter on wrappers & place in mini muffin tin

2/3 c brown sugar\
4 tsp. cinnamon / Mix together & place in bottom of wrappers & bake @ 350 degrees 8 minutes.
Allow to cool completely

8 oz. cream cheese \
4 tsp. orange juice or Triple Sec /beat until fluffy & light
4 Tbs. honey /

Place 1 T. of cream cheese mixture in each won ton wrapper top with a fresh strawberry. You may slice the berry in quarters & fan out to make it more elegant. Or you may choose to top these individual tarts with some cherry or blueberry pie filling.

Week 7 of the Herb Blog Contest Featuring Aquarian Bath

2009-04-10T16:03:00.000-07:00

Welcome to week 7 of the herbal blog contest! This week we are featuring Aquarian Bath your source for all natural gentle soaps, herbal balms, salves, deodorants, and spa pillows. Aquarian Bath's soaps, balms and salves are either unscented or lightly scented with only pure essential oils. This week, enter to win you choice of a Lavender Spearmint Lip balm in a 0.15 oz tube OR a Lemon Lime Lip Balm in a 0.25 oz slide tin, and 20% off on your next order with Aquarian Bath.

The Lavender Spearmint Balm is made with Extra virgin olive oil, Shea butter, Beeswax, Castor oil, Spearmint and Lavender essential oil.

The Lemon Lime lip balm is made with Coconut oil, Shea Butter, Castor oil, Beeswax, Jojoba, Lime and Lemon Essential oils, and Zinc Oxide, a mineral used in sunscreens.

To win one of these lovely balms, enter by posting a comment in response to this blog entry and take a chance at winning! Entrants must include their email address to be eligible to win. US and Canadian residents are eligible. You can receive additional chances to win in the following ways:

* Tweet about this blog contest on twitter.com including @aquarianbath in the tweet. Come back and log your tweet with a comment to receive 1 additional entry.
* Visit and join Aquarian Bath's fan page on Facebook. Leave a comment so we know you joined to receive 1 additional entry.
* Make a comment about your favorite item from Aquarian Bath's etsy or 1000markets stores to receive 1 additional entry.
* Make a purchase with Aquarian bath to on etsy or 1000markets to receive 3 additional entries.

*The following blogs are also participating, so stop over to enter with them for additional chances to win AND the chance to explore some cool blogs.
Aquarian Bath
Make a purchase from one of these 9 host blog's online stores to receive 2 additional entries and leave a comment at the host's blog's contest:
The Essential Herbal
Herbs from the Labyrinth
Patti's Potions
PrairieLand Herbs
The Rosemary House
Nature's Gift
Torchsong Studio
SunRose Aromatics
Garden Chick

One lucky winner from one of the 10 host blogs will be contacted to receive 2 free soaps of their choice along with their lip balm and 20% off coupon, so be sure to visit and enter at all 10 blogs.

The winners will be announced at the Aquarian Bath blog when the results are in from all participating blogs. Enjoy.

Keep coming back and keep entering. We have some great prizes coming up, and we'll be having the contests until the middle of May!

New Store

2009-04-05T12:44:00.000-07:00

We have added a new bricks & mortar location for purchasing Patti's Potions Soaps. They will now be available in the Wisconsin Dells area at:

The Treasure Mill
211 W. Main
La Valle, WI 53941
(608) 985-7300

If you are in the area, stop in and say hello.

Wisconsin Trails magazine had this to say about The Treasure Mill:

Looming over a bend in the river in a former gristmill, The Treasure Mill is now a sprawling antiques shop that also offers a rare glimpse of local history. Free tours of the 1903 water turbine are available upon request. Open year-round. 211 W. Main St., La Valle; (608) 985-7300.

Sound like great fun when you are in this fabulous part of Wisconsin.

Winners Week 5

2009-04-05T12:34:00.000-07:00

All the winners from the Week 5 contest have been notified. Not all of you have sent me your information for shipping, so please check your spam box and make sure that the notification is not lost there. I don't want any of you to miss out.
Fragrantly Yours,
Patti

Week 6 Herbal Blog Contest

2009-04-03T04:47:00.001-07:00

Welcome to week 6 of the herbal blog contest! This week, enter to win a .15 oz. Healing Wand from Prairieland Herbs! These healing wands contain herbally infused certified organic olive oil, locally produced beeswax, vitamin E, essential oils of tea tree and lavender, and are the perfect size for your pocket, purse, or diaper bag. They work wonders on cuts, scrapes, rashes, burns, dry skin, hangnails, etc.

To win one of these useful and natural healing balms, simply enter by posting a comment in response to this blog entry and take a chance at winning!!! Don’t forget to include your email addy so we can contact the winner! The following blogs are also participating, so stop over to enter with them for additional chances to win AND the chance to explore some cool blogs.

Aquarian Bath
The Rosemary House
Nature's Gift
Torchsong Studio
The Essential Herbal
Garden Chick -
SunRose Aromatics
Herbs from the Labyrinth
Patti’s Potions
PrairieLand Herbs

Keep coming back and keep entering. We have some great prizes coming up, and we'll be having the contests until the middle of May!

Week 5 of the Herbal Blog

2009-03-27T05:39:00.001-07:00

This is Week 5 of the Herbal Blog Contest. Friday March 27th to Thursday April 2nd.

Featured this week are moisturizing Lip Balms from Patti’s Potions Natural Soaps, Ltd.

Did you know that most lip balms contain petroleum products that are NOT eco-friendly? This is your opportunity to experience fine natural oils in your lip care experience. Food-grade lip-safe flavorings and essential oils may be used to add flavor to the lip balms. No sweetener is added.

Ingredients: calendula infused olive oil, shea butter, natural beeswax, jojoba, castor, & vitamin E

To win TWO of these luscious lip balms, simply enter by posting a comment in response to this blog entry and take a chance at winning!!! Don’t forget to include your email addy so we can contact the winner! The contest is open to US residents only.

The following blogs are also participating, so stop over to enter with them for additional chances to win AND the chance to explore some cool blogs.

PrairieLand Herbs
Aquarian Bath
The Rosemary House
Nature's Gift
Torchsong Studio
The Essential Herbal
Garden Chick -
SunRose Aromatics

Herbs from the Labyrinth
Patti’s Potions

Keep coming back and keep entering. We have some great prizes coming up, and we'll be having the contests until the middle of May!

Herbal Blog Contest Week 4

2009-03-20T13:14:00.000-07:00

Welcome to week 4 of our Herb Blog Group Contest!
For the week between Friday, March 20 and Thursday, March 26, you can enter simply by entering a comment in response to this blog entry and take a chance at winning a sampler of hand-blended herbal teas from HerbsfromtheLabyrinth.com, including one each of the following: Moontime Tea, Lover's Tea, Spring in My Step, FemininiTea, Dandy Lion Tea, Hush-A-Bye, Strong As Nails, SereniTea, SmarTea, DigestiviTea, Nursing Mother Tea, Endo-Liver Tea, Love Your Liver Tea, and Mid-Summer Tea

(PICTURE)
HerbsfromtheLabyrinth.com has a wide range of herbal products to choose from.

The following blogs are also participating, so stop over to enter with them for additional chances to win AND the chance to explore some cool blogs.

Patti’s Potions
PrairieLand Herbs
Aquarian Bath
The Rosemary House
Nature's Gift
Torchsong Studio
The Essential Herbal
Garden Chick - Where the winners from week #2 will be listed :-)
SunRose Aromatics

Herbs from the Labyrinth

Keep coming back and keep entering. We have some great prizes coming up, and we'll be having the contests til the middle of May!

Week 3 Herbal Blog Contest

2009-03-13T04:44:00.000-07:00

This week (#3) our herbal blog contest swings over to SunRose Aromatics, where Roe whips up the most delightful of aromatherapy and pampering products. For the week between Friday, March 13 and Thursday, March 19, you can enter simply by posting a comment in response to this blog entry and take a chance at winning!!!
Here's the prize:

Facial Scrub w/ Organic Liquid Soap Set::
Pamper your face with all natural ~
* apricot kernel meal
* organic liquid castile soap
Mix in the palm of your hand & then apply to your face.
A wonderful exfoliate!

The following blogs are also participating, so stop over to enter with them for additional chances to win AND the chance to explore some cool blogs.

Herbs from the Labyrinth
Patti’s Potions
PrairieLand Herbs
Aquarian Bath
The Rosemary House
Nature's Gift
Torchsong Studio
The Essential Herbal
Garden Chick - Where the winners from week #2 will be listed :-)
SunRose Aromatics

Keep coming back and keep entering. We have some great prizes coming up, and we'll be having the contests til the middle of May!

Winner from Week One

2009-03-06T10:19:00.000-08:00

Blogger Lisa said...

The Essental Herbal is one of my favorite sources of information. I can no longer afford the subscription. I miss the magazine so much!
scorpiolis@gmail.com

Welcome to week 2 of our Herb Blog Group Contest!

2009-03-06T10:14:00.001-08:00

For the week between Friday, March 6 and Thursday, March 12, you can enter simply by entering a comment in response to this blog entry and take a chance at winning Fairyland Cookie Cutter and Fairyland Recipe Card. Each cookie recipe comes with 1 "friend of the fairies" fairy cookie cutter and fairy sprinkles. Cutters include bird, dragonfly, fairy, gnome, flower, butterfly – she’ll choose one for you!

Garden Chick has a delightful selection of products that are either created by Karen or something she found on her adventures and loves enough to share!

The following blogs are also participating, so stop over to enter with them for additional chances to win AND the chance to explore some cool blogs. If you are already a subscriber, we’ll just add the free year on the end.

SunRose Aromatics
Herbs from the Labyrinth
Patti’s Potions
PrairieLand Herbs
Aquarian Bath
The Rosemary House
Natures Gift
Torchsong Studio
The Essential Herbal
Garden Chick

Herb Blog Group Contest

2009-02-27T06:04:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our Herb Blog Group Contest!

For the week between Friday, February 27 and Thursday, March 5 you can enter simply by entering a comment in response to this blog entry and take a chance at winning a full year’s subscription to The Essential Herbal Magazine!

The Essential Herbal is written by, for, and about herbie people and the things they love. It is a grassroots publication that talks about the things you want to know when it comes to herbs.

The following blogs are also participating, so stop over to enter with them for additional chances to win AND the chance to explore some cool blogs. If you are already a subscriber, we’ll just add the free year on the end. Be sure to leave an email addy in your response so that we can reach you if you win!

Possum Creek Herb Farm

Blessings of an Herbwyfe

Garden Chick ***

SunRose Aromatics ***

Herbs from the Labyrinth ***

Patti’s Potions ***

PrairieLand Herbs ***

Aquarian Bath ***

The Rosemary House ***

Natures Gift ***

Torchsong Studio ***

The Essential Herbal ***

*** These blogs will be having contests for the next 10 weeks. Be sure to come back!

Contest

2009-02-25T08:23:00.000-08:00

In up coming weeks, I will be posting information about a contest. This is open to USA customers with a valid email account who love getting something for free.

We are a group of business people with reciprocal blog links. It is our desire to have you, dear reader, become acquainted with our fine products, at no cost to you.

We will provide links for you to make it easy to apply to each and every blog for free product. All you have to do is tell us why you would like to participate. The more entries you make, the better the chance of winning.

The best comment will be chosen by the giver and voila! It's yours. Be creative and have fun.

As a matter of privacy, the information you provide for these contests are seen by no one other than the business owners. No information will be released for any other purpose.

Keep watching the blog! This will be starting within the next couple of weeks if not sooner. Tina Sams from The Essential Herbal Magazine will sponsor the first contest.
This is my favorite magazine by the way and I eagerly devour each and every fun filled informative page.

Her blog is always inspiring. For a real treat take a visit to her part of the world.

Enjoy and Good Luck!

Care for Chapped Lips

2009-01-31T07:01:00.001-08:00

In our house, winter time means more time to do simple things. We love to spend part of our days reading.

Recently we started to receive Prevention magazine. I was pleasantly surprised to read an article on lip balms for chapped lips.

Dry, chapped lips are certainly one of the more annoying aspects of winter here in Wisconsin. Our houses are dry and the weather can be harsh.

The article went on to mention staying away from lip balms that contain petroleum as this ingredient can trigger allergies. It also states that it is a non-renewable resource.

The promoted lip balm is one which contains moisturizing oils such as beeswax, sunflower and almond oil. No particular brand was mentioned.

Here at Patti’s Potions you can find lovely, environmentally friendly lip balm products.
Our lip balms contain locally harvested beeswax and moisturizing oils, which may include: olive oil (often infused with herbs), shea butter, sweet almond oil, coconut oil, hemp oil, emu oil, castor oil, jojoba, vitamin E.

Buttery Caramel Corn Microwave style

2008-11-16T12:36:00.000-08:00

Fall is a time for some favorite comfort foods.

I've always loved old fashioned caramel corn but it is sure a headache to make and clean up. I found this recipe many years ago when I was taking a microwave class.

16 cups popped pop corn. Place in a large brown paper bag after popping.
In a 4 cup Pyrex measuring cup combine:
1 C brown sugar
1 stick butter
1/4 c corn syrup
1/2 tsp. salt
Microwave for 2 minutes on full power and stir well.
Microwave for 3 more minutes, stirring after each minute. Watch carefully so that it does not bubble over.

Add and stir until frothy
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla

Pour over popcorn in the paper bag and shake well.
Microwave on high 1 minute and shake
Microwave on high 1 minute and shake
Microwave on high 30 seconds and shake
Microwave on high 30 seconds and shake

Pour onto a aluminum foil lined large baking pan and let cool. Break up and enjoy.
Store in an airtight container.

I like to add some almonds to mine.

FDA Globalization Act

2008-09-19T02:59:00.000-07:00

Soon many of us could be out of business due to the FDA Globalization Act that is being proposed. This was originally designed to keep our food safe, which is a good thing. Yet somehow our little home-based companies came to be included.

What this means to us is that each and every product we make would have mandated testing at a cost of thousands of dollars per product. It also means that the cost of each ingredient, which are the same oils you use in the kitchen to cook with, would require the same testing and subsequent costs.

What does this mean to you? Well think about the your currently soaring food costs and know that olive oil and every other oil that you use in your kitchen will now be prohibitively priced.

Are you missing having lettuce on a regular basis because you can no longer afford it? There is more to follow if this legislation goes through. All of your food supplies will be affected.

Cosmetic companies of all sizes will have comply or go out of business. Our small handmade home based companies will cease to exist and no longer will you and your skin be able to enjoy the gentleness of vegan soaps. You will be stuck once again with high priced-low quality soaps, if you could afford to purchase even the poorest quality.

Our insurance options for home based operations became limited a couple of years ago. Two companies, Indie and Handmade Beauty Network got together and helped to find a company to insure us at a much higher cost. This high cost alone drove many soap makers out of business.

As soon as I can figure out how to add the link to this blog, you can see for yourself how this new legislation will affect us.

Fresh Hops

2008-09-07T11:50:00.000-07:00

The harvest of our hop crop took place last weekend and bountiful it was.

Now you may ask dear reader, why we would grow hops? The answer is simple, we love beer and they look so pretty!

Hops come from a rhizome that is planted near a trellis or wall which will support it's weight. Harvest takes place in late August or early September when the pretty cones start to have a parchment type look and just begin to open. When you squeeze the cones, a lovely beer fragrance is emitted.

There has been a world wide shortage of hops in the recent past and prices have reflected this with some going for $15- $24 per pound. One reason is basic supply and demand to deliberately raise the price of the crop. With the need for more bio fuels, some farmers are now planting corn rather than hops.

Jim Koch founder of Boston Beer, which is the maker of Sam Adams beer, offered his stockpile to the smaller breweries. There were so many that clamored for his hops that he had to institute a lottery system. They were gone in a New York minute.

We used to brew our own beer but no longer, due to the time factor. The soap business keeps me really busy.

We now have around 5 pounds of fresh frozen hops available for purchase. If you are interested, you can email me through my website, www.pattispotions.com.

So how do you use fresh hops when you are used to the dry pellets? It's really simple. Replace the dry hop pellets with the fresh at at 3:1 ration by weight. You can use these fresh hops for your whole recipe, which gives a unique dry beer flavor, much like you would find in a light beer.

I prefer to use the fresh hops as my last hop step in the beer making process. Yum!!

Making Soap in the studio

2008-07-22T07:12:00.000-07:00

We've been very busy here at the studio making new soaps. The price of patchouli essential oil has gotten very pricey in the last year due to weather, the exchange rate, and of course shipping costs.

Patchouli Odyssey is made with a fragrance oil and contains some loofah for exfoliation.

Give it a go and see if you can tell the difference!

In our Manly collection, we have added Cedarwood and Sage to remind the men of their origins in the great forest.

In our Manly collection, we have added Cedarwood and Sage to remind the men of their origins in the great forest.

Don't be fooled though, women love this great fragrance too!

Sage green is currently a popular color in bathroom decor and this will make a wonderful addition. Not only will you smell great but so will your bathroom.

Sometimes we are gifted with new friends. I met Suzanne just about a year ago when she placed her first order on my website.

Little did I know the ripple effect of that chance meeting. I now feel very much like an extended family member and look forward to emails not only from her but from her sister and daughter.

She and her sister Michelle have been incredible inspirations and I was compelled to honor both of them with their own special soaps.

Suzanne is the sun, sea, and the wind tousling our hair, reminding us of our connections to all things ethereal.

Michelle is ever the muse, mystical with her lilting voice and laughter as she teases us to enter her magical realm.

Avon Breast Walk Colorado '08

2008-07-03T03:20:00.000-07:00

This is from my sister Brigid McClaire in Colorado. She and another sister, Angel Eder just finished the marathon and a half for the Avon Breast Cancer Walk in Colorado.

These ladies are an inspiration! 39 miles is one heck of a walk in the Colorado mountains!

We left Friday after work and arrived about 6:30, in time to check in, find Angel’s boyfriend
Paul, and go find something to eat. Most of the restaurants were jam packed, and though we
were all craving Italian, ended up with Mexican food.

Only 3 of the 4 of us that originally
signed up to walk made it up there. My friend Janet, who actually raised over $5,000 did not go, as she began having heel problems in March during her training.

So Angel, a girl named Kathleen, and I stayed in a beautiful condo overlooking Keystone Lake Friday night, and not one of us slept well.

We had to get up about 5:30 to get our gear loaded onto the trucks, then get into the starting area for the walk, which started at 7:00 a.m.

You can see Angel with the brown hat on, and me with the white shirt and the ski lifts and runs
of Keystone in the background. The first part of the day was a little cool, and the walk was 13.3
miles from Keystone to Frisco.

It was beautiful, all around Lake Dillon, and we chattered on. It went really fast! With the mountains in the background and the lake right next to us, it was just like a beautiful walk with 1,800 of our closest friends.

Kathleen is a girl from work that is about 43 and has a close friend with Breast cancer. She had done the 3-day walk out in San Diego a couple of years ago. Later in the walk, she developed some really sore hips, as she has scoliosis. But she persevered!

After those 13 miles, they set up an altitude checkpoint where they checked pulse/oxygen content and actually turned a few people back. A lot of people came in from out of state and
weren’t acclimated. A lot of people also just opted to do only half that day.

We were the bussed from the town of Frisco up to Breckenridge, where we walked from Breck to Frisco. That course was along a bike trail, through woods and along a creek. There were some pretty crabby bikers, too, at having to share the trail with us! As I said, Kathleen started to hurt, and about mile 21, my right knee started to hurt, too. But we slowed down quite a bit and Angel was kind enough to wait for us when necessary, and all 3 of us walked into the Wellness Village together, after 8 hours of walking, 26.6 miles, and 9 hours total on the trail.

Angel and Kathleen went into the medical tent to get a little treatment for blisters, and while there, after sitting down, I immediately got pretty sick—queasy and dizzy.

Upon big sister’s advice, I acquiesced and decided to forego the tent and went with her and Paul to the condo so I could recover there, under her compassionate care. By then both of our knees were paining us! Angel put me right to bed and brought me tea and toast. Thank the good Lord for good sisters!

I think all three of us seriously questioned whether or not we would be able, and would want to complete the walk the next day. But we agreed to meet at 6:15 a.m. to head back to the wellness village.

Kathleen came up with a knee brace for me and an ace bandage for Angel, not to mention moleskin for the blisters. I have to say, those damn toe socks recommended by Tim O’Grady saved my life again this year, and nary a blister was had by me!

Throughout both days, Angel’s good friend Paul cruised up and down the bike trail with us, meeting up at certain specified ‘cheering’ stations. He was on his bike and served as pack mule, support crew, coach, and friend to all of us. We never knew when he would pop around a corner to take our picture or provide a hug, or shoulder to lean on to tie shoes, etc.

I initially forgot my hat, and he immediately jumped on his bike and toured 17 parking lots and 89,000 cars to find mine with my hat in it. All that for the privilege of hanging with thousands of beautiful women!

He wasn’t the only man out there, though. There were husbands, significant others, friends, dads that came along to cheer and a few of them walked. There were motorcycle brigades that stopped traffic for us, and a youth cheering station that sang banana songs, and songs encouraging us to hydrate, urinate, and ……... You fill in the blank!!!

I liked this guy with the red bra and panties! They weren’t my size, though!

And so on Day two we started out from Frisco to head to the town of Breckenridge, limping,
sore, and bandaged. We were now officially feeling like the Crips and the Bloods! Sunday’s
walk was a bit warmer than Saturday, and we got half an hour reprieve on the start time,
leaving at 7:30.

As we went down Main Street of Frisco, I heard my name called out, and lo and behold, there was Peggy (Roanhouse) Wolfe from Waterford, Wisconsin, come out to walk, too. I went all through St. Thomas and high school with her, and Angel went to school with her older brother Jim.

A few minutes later, a car going down the street started waving money out the window and wanted to give a donation. Of course, Angel was the one to grab it (now we know what she was doing when I crashed at 7:30 the night before!). So she had an extra $20 to put into her fund raising efforts!

Although we ached, and only 1200 people started on Sunday compared to Saturday, we felt we could make it.

It seemed that about the time we’d get overwhelmed, cars would drive by and wave and beep, the scenery would get even more spectacular, and we also saw a guy leading a llama on the trail.

Toward the end, when the trail became open and hot, we saw a fox kit that just sat and watched us all walk by, scratching his little whiskers and yawning. There was always just that little bit of motivation to keep you going. And we had each other.

So you can see, that despite the challenge, the frustration of trying to fit in training, the fear of not finishing, and of becoming injured, we carried on through 2 days, 39 miles. Through it all,
the three of us were always in the top third of people passing the checkpoints, and we stayed together nearly all the time.

Will we do it again next year? I think yes. And the year after that? And the year after that?

I don’t know, but one of the sayings said, I’d rather have blisters than chemo. And survivors walked with us, and so did people currently undergoing treatment.

There were those that mourned their friends, their mothers, sisters, brothers, aunts and uncles that have been lost to breast cancer.

I thank God that you and Rae Jean are still here, and I still mourn Gael. When it’s all over, I know that Angel, Kathleen and I made a difference.

Milwaukee Magazine July '08

2008-07-03T02:09:00.000-07:00

In May of '08, I was contacted by a Judith Ann Moriarty of Milwaukee Magazine for an interview about my beer soap. With great anticipation I awaited the publication of her article. Here it is in the July issue.

I couldn't have been more pleased with the prospect of having my soap featured in this premier magazine.

I'm a stock holder in Capital brewery located in Middleton, WI which is a micro brewery. I love the beer that is produced and felt that this would make a great soap to lather up with in my morning shower. I sent Judith Ann a bar of both of my fragrances and she was just as pleased with the aroma and the lather.

Now you can have your favorite beer any time of your day. How fun is that?

Opening Day at the Market

2008-05-27T03:36:00.000-07:00

It looks like the season is up and running well. Our Harbor Market started this past Saturday and was quite the success for most people involved. We had a record number of vendors for opening day and the crowd was heavy and constant.

Gas prices are very high here reaching $4.09. This may have been a reason for more people to stay home rather than travel for the holiday weekend. What ever the reason, it was a great day.

It started out cold, in the 40's and I was dressed in my Irish wool sweater and ski socks to keep the chill out. It did warm up by noon although the wind was from the NE and the "cooler by the lake" temps prevailed.

I had done a mailing from my customer appreciation list complete with a coupon and a list of my summer events. I'm sure that this brought many repeat customers back to the market. The market opens at 9 AM and by noon I was more than half sold out.

I always look at last years sales for the projected inventory needs but man, I was way off. I only brought home about 10 unsold bars of soap. I could have brought and sold much more I'm sure.

On a fun note, the local NPR radio station was there and did an on site interview with me. How fun is that? All day I had people coming up to tell me they heard me on the radio in the morning. Sweet! A little more advertising is always helpful. I pushed the environmental, sustainable green, movement in the interview to keep the buzz about local buying going for all vendors.

It was great to see my regular customers and vendors once again.

I hope that anyone else that is involved in local markets had a great weekend too.

Have a great rest of the spring and summer
Patti
www.pattispotions.com

What's growing in the garden

2008-05-10T05:11:00.000-07:00

Spring is always and interesting time in our garden. Every year I plant more perennials and many reseed themselves.

A few years ago my daughter gave us a mushroom log. This is the first year it has produced. Of course I can't find the information on what kind of mushroom this is. Some say shiitake and some say portabella. If anyone has a clue, please let me know.

Gifts

2008-04-29T18:44:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day is right around the corner and she can be really tough to buy for.

Think about pampering her with a special treat from Patti's Potions Natural soaps.

These great vintage enamelware bowls make a lovely show piece in any room. And it is amazing just how much you can get in it should you wish to make your own gift.

We also have some lovely baskets available which we shrink wrap and finish with a lovely bow to reflect the season.

Wedding Favors

2008-04-29T18:34:00.000-07:00

The month of weddings is fast approaching.

We are frequently asked to provide personalized favors for the wedding guest or for a shower prior to the big event.

Now how fun to have a personalized environmentally friendly gift from the bride and groom!

We can do full bars and guest size half bars with your wedding or other special event details on the label.

Of if you wish to save a few dollars, you can do this yourself. We'll be happy to tell you how. There is always an internet special soap on sale!

Make sure your guests smell great and have skin as soft as yours!

The Cheese Maker

2008-04-13T16:18:00.000-07:00

A very fun day was had recently in Cedarburg, WI.

One of the groups that I'm active in, the Essential Herbal, had a discussion recently on the joys of making your own cheese. In the process of research I discovered that there was a workshop available in this lovely little town. So yes indeed, I had to sign on for the class.

For more information on the workshop, please visit the website http://thecheesemaker.com/
Tell Steve I sent you!

These are some of the pictures from the event that he hosts upon request. The top picture is Steve Shapson, the owner of the cheese maker store. He also sells a variety of home brew and wine making supplies. On the eclectic side, he has surf ware. How is that for unique?

We made some Camembert that was surprisingly easy. The middle picture shows a ripe, ready to eat wheel of Camembert. The one we made in the class is now happily living in it's cheese cave and is producing it's distinctive white bloom that is characteristic of this cheese. Steve tells me that it should be ripe and ready in about 30 days. Yum! I can't wait!

I was in this quaint little town for a benefit to raise awareness for breast cancer. My daughter Erin lives here and she is involved with her local Jr. Women's Club. They sponsored a "wearable" art show and a three mile Awareness walk on Saturday. We really enjoyed our weekend together.

New Items on the website

2008-04-12T06:02:00.000-07:00

Blogging can certainly be a challenge sometimes. I've had some recent posts that some dastardly cretin was spamming and adding links to a download. This download would automatically install so I've had to delete the entries and make the blog protected from these undesirables. Yes, it is a cross to bear.

I love to show off some of my mother's newest designs for her hand knit washcloths that are made of 100% cotton. These pictures are just some of the ones she has made available.

Mom likes to tell me she makes these cloths to feel "useful" and that the knitting keeps her hands nimble and strong. I'm certain that it does help her hands but she is always useful in more ways than just her contribution to my business. Thank you Mom for all of your hard work.

SM from Maryland is one of her best customers and has this to say about Mom's work:

"HEHEHE... well... tell your mom... there will be no set-adrift icebergs in her future...AND when her hands give out on her and she can no longer crochet/knit... then she will be revered and respected as the "elder of the tribe" and her wisdom will be sought by those who have not journeyed as far on the trail of life as she has....

Funny, how the elderly have these perceptions of being "allowed only if they're useful". AND (for me anyway).. purchases of those cloths happen BECAUSE she's your mom... Like I said, magic to magic... hers to yours.. it just heightens your Oh so very aptly named "potions"...

And sap (sometimes to the point of maudlin) that I am, I have a soft place in my heart for the crafts and skills of generations that have come before us... and those who still practice their "arts"... if ya know what I mean. What a treasured piece of history they are.. even more so when they "share" their skills.. y'kno??

My own mother was very gifted with crocheting... yet somehow her talents were never shared... sooo many stunning pieces of art Mich and I came across after she passed... broke my heart. (all I keep telling myself is Karma...karma will happen for ALL of us threefold). I have memories of being a wee child asking her to teach me to crochet... alas... never happened.. I ended up teaching myself when I was grown... sooo... I've studied these things hehehe... your mom sharing her gift/magic... will have big karmas.."

Memories

2008-04-06T06:01:00.000-07:00

Some years ago we sold our house out in Waterford and the new owners decided to build a new one on the property. The new house takes up most of the lot now. They did keep the boathouse which now looks like a small play house. It's all kind of sad to see the old times and so many of the memories fade as progress marches on.

Natural Cleaners

2008-02-28T17:43:00.000-08:00

At the Essential Herbal yahoo group, we have been challenged to share our natural cleaning products.

My all time favorite is this simple, all purpose cleaner made with vinegar and ammonia. I use it on windows, counter tops, floors and just about everything but wood.

To a half gallon of warm water, add:
1 cup vinegar
1/2 cup ammonia

I prefer to use rubber gloves on my hands.
Use a 100% cotton wash rag and apply to the window or surface.
If you are washing windows, try using a squeegee or newspaper to wipe the solution off for a finish that is streak-free.

If you have previously used a commercial spray product for washing your windows you will find that there is usually some type of film left behind, so it may take two washings to complete rid the pane of the residue. No residue is left behind with the vinegar and ammonia.

It works great on car windows and interiors.

The smell dissipates rapidly and you are left with a nice clean smell.

Returning Soaps for Patti's Potions

2008-02-28T17:25:00.000-08:00

I've been very busy in the studio now that I've finished my taxes. It sure is good to have that ordeal over for yet another year.

There have been some soap fragrances that were introduced in recent years that were very popular. Summer Solstice and Lilac have been favorites for folks of all ages. Now you would think it would be easy to find great fragrances that behave well and have great scent. That is not the case.

I've tried several lilac fragrance oils and this one that I offer is just the best out there! It is just like sticking your nose in an old fashioned and very fragrant lilac bush! How wonderful is that! This is not the cloying smell that you get from those horrid air fresheners that just smell fake and very chemical. Ick to that I say! I want the real thing and this is it.

Summer Solstice is a fragrance that my customers just fell in love with and were really unhappy when I ran out. But hey, I always have to test the market to see how a new one holds up over time. This one is just clean and fresh, not floral or spicy. Everyone loves it!

If you skin is suffering from winter dryness, then try our soothing lavender and oatmeal soap. It is made with organic oatmeal and a pure lavender essential oil.

All the soaps have an olive oil base and are enriched with shea butter and jojoba for the best in a moisturizing handmade artisan soap.

Fun in Maui

2008-02-03T07:40:00.000-08:00

There are so many things to do on this small island. Lahaina Town has the banyon tree that fills a full city block. The shopping and people watching is pure pleasure.

One of the really fun things to do is to go up to Up Country and visit the Tedescherie Winery.

Then of course there are the spectacular views on the Road to Hana.

I hope that all of you can get to paradise.

Whale Watch

2008-02-03T07:34:00.000-08:00

The whales return to Maui in early December from their summer season in Alaska. Our first year in Maui was in November so we didn't see them that trip but have on all the rest. Last year with my sister Brigid and nephew Chris, we went on a whale watch excursion. They were so incredibly close to the boat and you could really see just how huge they are! You can see them from the shoreline too during high season.

Maui Wild Life

2008-02-03T07:20:00.001-08:00

The Manta Ray in the tube of the Ocean Center in Ma'alea Harbor is awesome!

This little gecko always comes to say howdy to us. His chirping is so friendly and welcome.

Then of course my favorite is the Green Sea Turtle. This big fella was nearly on top of me at Black Rock! My eyes just bugged out of my mask and some words that my mother would hate issued into my snorkel.

And my favorite little fish friend is the Humuhumunukunukupukuapua'a. It's a wonder to finally be able to learn to say it! I wish that I could say I took the one of him but alas, mine are all pretty cloudy. The underwater cameras you buy are pretty good, but the pros really know how to do it.

The first time I saw him I was so excited. "I saw a plaid fish"! Woo hoo!

Hang Gliding over Hana

2008-02-03T07:12:00.000-08:00

Maui is known for it's beaches and the famous Road to Hana.

I discovered the little known activity of powered hang gliding on the travel channel and just had to DO IT!

We had to drive to Hana which is spectacular to say the least. It take about three hours to travel 50 miles. It is hair raising with very tight hair pin turns on one lane. At the end of the road is the Hana airport and Armand with his little craft. I soared for an hour above the clouds and at that point he turned off the engine. What a view!

Big Beach

2008-02-03T07:04:00.000-08:00

My favorite place in the whole world is Big Beach. It is pristine. Words cannot say what pictures can.

In the early morning we have seen a pod of dolphins crossing the channel. Around 11 am the surf really kicks up! And the backdrop is as natural and unspoiled as it was ages ago before Captain Cook discovered this paradise.

Haleakakala Crater

2008-02-03T06:57:00.000-08:00

A must see if you visit Maui is Haleakala Crater and the Summit. It is amazing to say the least. At sea level it can be 80 degrees but at the summit there can be snow as was the case this past week. It is truly no mans land! The wind howls and it is dang cold!

Golfing in Pukulani

2008-02-03T06:51:00.001-08:00

One of the activities that we really enjoy is golfing. Most of the courses are for the rich-y rich as we like to say. Pukulani is in Up Country and more for the locals who do not have the need to impress anyone. We sure were impressed and felt very rich with the affordable prices. The holes are challenging and the view can't be beat!

Yes, it may mist a bit in the afternoon but when the golf course is not crowded and you have rainbows, no problem man!

Maui Vacations

2008-02-03T06:46:00.001-08:00

We have been to Maui several times. We found this great condo unit in Kihei. The building is a low rise on Sugar Beach in Ma'alea Harbor. Most units are around 800 sq. ft. and very comfortable. All are ocean front.

These pretty orchids are on the property.

Spring Break 2007

2008-02-03T06:30:00.000-08:00

Last year, 2007, I joined my sister Brigid and nephew Chris Moore for spring break. Chris is one happy 12 year old!

We spent three days in Oahu and three in Maui. Honolulu is a huge city with over 70% of all the island population located here. It is a mass of high rise buildings. Our beach view was eclipsed by this.

This is a view from the window of the airplane of Diamond Head Crater.

We visited the Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor. My Dad was there during WWII and I was humbled.

The little fellow in the sand was just too cute!
We found this fun little crabbie on a sea wall.
The view from the whale sighting trip of Honolulu gives you an idea of how concentrated the population is on Oahu. We did some snorkeling in Honauma Bay during low tide.

Hand Knit Washcloths

2008-01-29T07:21:00.000-08:00

My 85 year old Mom has been quite busy this winter making up new washcloths for Patti's Potions Natural Soaps, Ltd.

They are always perfectly made with a variety of new and interesting patterns.

I buy her the yarn and she is makes what ever her heart desires. Sometimes it's for us here in the studio and sometimes just for family and friends.

The knitting keeps her fingers nimble and keeps her out of mischief on most days.

Thanks Mom for your great washcloths and your contribution to a greener environment.

Maui Sunset

2008-01-19T05:42:00.001-08:00

While I am missing a great chick trip skiing with my dear friends, this is what I have to look forward to each evening when in Maui.

This is the view from our ocean front condo on Kihei Beach in South Maui.

No, we don't own this lovely place. We discovered it on the internet a few years back. A simple search led us to this place.

We dreamed of going to Hawaii and friends who have been there consistently said that Maui is the best! The price was very reasonable off season. It seemed to good to be true so we were a bit skeptical but what the heck! Take a chance right? It is beautiful and perfect for us.

We enjoy six miles of great walking beach right out our back door. This is not a high tourist traffic area but more of a local place near Kihei Town. Yes there certainly some top dollar accommodations on the island that are gorgeous, yet we prefer the beauty and quiet of our little bit of paradise.

Apres Ski

2008-01-19T05:23:00.000-08:00

Of course there is nothing quite as lovely as soaking in the hot tub after a day of skiing.

My nephew Chris has been a regular on our ski trips. He is our token male and just loves all the attention he gets from his pseudo aunties. This picture of him and his mom Brigid was taken about three years ago at our condo in Breckenridge. I think he was about three years old when he was introduced to skiing and is now quite accomplished as an almost teenager. He leaves us in the powder as he sails across the snow with boards attached as an extension to his feet. You would swear he was born with skis!

You can choose to gripe about winter or you can embrace what nature offers with some enhancements from man to tame the mountains.

When my dear friends get back they will regale me with stories of how they conquered the mountain this year and of course make me miserable looking at the great pictures of the time I didn't go!

Colorado Chick Trip

2008-01-19T04:53:00.001-08:00

Skiing in Colorado is a great break from every day ho hum life.

I've been going with a fabulous group of women for many years. I've had to miss a couple of trip and always regret not going but sometimes it just cannot be helped. Life can get in the way.

I have two fabulous sisters who live there and are able to get us great deals on both lift tickets and ski rentals. My dear friend Mary always organizes the trip and gets us great airfares and fantastic condos.

The top picture is a bit of Apres ski at the chalet at the base of the mountain. Cocktails are always appreciated after a lovely day frolicking in the snow. We have so much fun together.

The middle picture was taken at mid-mountain at Copper. The guys and gals must have had a blast building the monster who eats skiers for breakfast.

And finally, can you beat the view from the top?? It is inspiring to say the least.

Our women come from all walks of life and from all parts of the country. Ellen the wench as we call her comes from Tennessee and works in the nuclear field. Mary is from Wisconsin and is a real estate developer. Cindy now lives in WI and is formerly from MN and is a RN. Brigid and Angel, my sisters from CO work in the environmental industry. Debbie is from WI and recently sold her barber shop business to become an independent hair dresser without all the hassles of being a business owner. Kim is a sales rep in WI. Heather is formerly from Las Vegas and now lives in MN and works in construction management for green buildings.

Our group changes every year as new friends join us.

I'm really missing them this year.

Only in Wisconsin

2008-01-15T03:35:00.001-08:00

A very dear friend of mine, Scott from Arkansas sent me this picture recently. It was taken up in Eagle River, WI by a fellow sky diver.

It really made me laugh as my brother Michael lives in that area. His daughter started a garden nursery there and one of the things she had to learn was which plants do NOT attract deer and will survive their foraging.

It would appear that this guy is quite friendly and would like to know some of the domestic critters just a bit better.

Happy New Year

2008-01-04T04:42:00.000-08:00

Wishing all of you a very Happy New Year!

Celebrate the Season

2007-12-23T03:57:00.000-08:00

The Holidays are here. If you haven't finished your shopping, it's too late so you may as well just sit back and enjoy some good times with family and friends as we did recently.

This is a picture of some of my family members, my Mom, daughter Lisa, and granddaughter Sam. It was taken at Lisa's house last Sunday.

We sure had a grand time.

Here is a quick recipe for a fun cocktail to ward off the cold during the holidays

A Recipe for Hot Irish Punch

Ingredients:

4 cups of red wine
2 cups of white wine
1/2 cup of brandy
1/2 cup of whiskey
8oz of light brown sugar
2 fresh pears
2 oranges
1 lemon
1 pint of spring water

Method:

Add red wine, white wine, brandy & whiskey to the water and sugar.

Bring to a slow simmer - Do not boil.

Add chopped pears, oranges & lemon.

Serve in a large wine glass.

AND TO DRINK IT THE TRADITIONAL IRISH WAY,
ONLY DRINK AS MUCH AS YOU NEED
TO GET ABSOLUTELY PLASTERED
...BUT LEAVE THE CAR AT HOME!

Holiday Gifts

2007-12-13T14:25:00.000-08:00

The holidays started with the grand kick off of Thanksgiving. It has been a whirlwind of activity here getting orders sent off to my appreciative customers.

The website has been receiving an incredible amount of action. The phone has been ringing like crazy and emails have been abundant.

One of the most popular gifts of all are my reproduction vintage enamelware bowls that are filled with goodies.

I finally have a moment to make a quick post and wish all of you a merry and safe holiday.

Fragrantly Yours Dear Reader,
Patti

Things to Be Thankful For

2007-11-29T13:27:00.000-08:00

Recently I received this wonderful customer appreciation letter and wanted to share it with all of you.

Here it is in it's entirety:

Hi Patti,

I just had to take a few moments and let you know how a small ripple in a pond can really spread out. My daughter called me last night and told me how she took time on her lunch break (something she hardly ever does) and explored your website a bit and found herself ordering a couple of gift baskets for her co-workers and some soaps for herself.

It tickled me because this child (now 27) so gave me that suspicious "what are you trying to pawn off on me now Mom" look when I gave her one of your soaps a few weeks ago. This child has always had problem skin and since being out of the "nest" so to speak, has spent quite a bit of $$ buying skin care products.

I never thought she'd switch to something so simple as a natural soap... but switch she did, very quickly and you really ought to hear her now going into the virtues of natural soap, staying away from the chemical additives (which she paid dearly for before)..

First of all, thank you for taking the time on your website and giving an education about soaps, WHY natural is better over processed and going into the healing properties of the different ingredients you use. I find it interesting how such information that was probably readily available 2 generations ago got lost or put aside as the industrial age marched on -- so again, thank you for making this information available for us again -- a lot of other soap sites just tend to stay on the selling end of it.

Anyway, getting back to the ripples...as my daughter pointed out to me... that the natural soaps are this tiny bit of luxury you can give to a female (or male) friend, particularly someone difficult to buy for. And as I am discovering, the small gifts I have given to those I care about have created that ever expanding ripple effect to their friends and acquaintances.

My co-workers (who again, would never even think of buying an artisan soap) are RAVING about their gifts and I am sure, when their supplies run low, they will be poking around your site looking for more -- creating more ripples and waves as they recommend to their friends...

I had to chuckle when I read my sister Michelle's comments on the web.. I can really see her doing that kind of thing (telling everyone about her back heheh).. and she's absolutely correct in that she's a walking billboard for your products (she tells me now, "We just LOVE Patti")... It's as though we know you personally (because you do take that time and add your personal touch to things) and you've become "our new best friend".

She also tells me that she would have NEVER tried that kind of product before -- never even thought of it before unless/until I actually GAVE her a bar of the soap and told her to at least TRY it.(She ROLLED her eyes last summer on vacation when I splurged and bought someone else's soap).. now she's hooked (and she DOES have horrible problems with her skin -- or should I use past tense on that?hehehe)..

Business folks tend to get a TON of feedback when their products or services aren't up to par. I felt you should hear more of the details of just how "special" your soaps are and how much I am enjoying watching the ripples spread ever so wide as your soaps and lotions touch more and more lives...

We live in a computer age, and it is so very easy to communicate and touch someone else's life hundreds of miles away in almost an instant. All of my co-workers work in a cyber-atmosphere and we are physically spread across the entire continent. The emails getting passed now during the work day discuss the properties of your soaps and just how lovely they are -- more ripples -- I am pleased to see the ripples spread (specially with the previous "hard sells") -- and I'm sure it will turn into more well deserved $ business for your website.

I really did mean what I said about getting such lovely energies every time I visit your site. It is very evident how much time, effort, and love you've put into your business. Blessings on you my dear.

Thank you for sharing your passion with the rest of us and helping us get back to our roots, which truly is nature based.. Meanwhile, I'm going to watch the ripples spread even further -- now they're in Massachusetts, MD, New York, and Missouri... and probably spreading now into NH and Maine.. heheh.

Well, that's it.. Kudos to you.. and now I really do have to take a work break.

Suzanne Minnick

Holiday Recipe

2007-11-16T05:47:00.000-08:00

All this talk about the holidays comes with mixed feelings. Part of me screams that it is waaay too soon to even think about it yet when I look at the calendar, it is right around the corner.

The blogsters yahoo group that I belong to has issued the challenge of posting a favorite recipe.

A favorite memory is spending days making holiday cookies and candies. Some recipes were very complicated and others, oh-so-simple.

Here is one of my all time favorites to make and to receive. It falls into that simple category.

English Toffee
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt

Over medium heat combine ingredients and stir constantly until mixture turns brown.
Pour into a foil lined jelly roll pan.
Top with:

4 oz. melted chocolate
1/2 cup chopped nuts of your choice. (optional)

When cool and chocolate is solid, crack and enjoy!

Do not substitute the butter for margarine. It's just no where near as good. Salted nuts are simply yummy and add striking contrast to the sweetness.

Old Man Tree

2007-11-04T04:19:00.001-08:00

There were certainly some wonderful sights to see on this walking tour of Hawthorn Hollow.

This fabulous tree was one of them. I do believe it was an oak, but it certainly could be a willow since it was near the river. It was huge and very old.

It had some interesting gnarls, whirls, and mushroom growing on it.

If you look closely, you will see a face. Enjoy!

Hawthorn Hollow

2007-11-04T03:29:00.001-08:00

It was a lovely fall day on November 3rd for a walk in the woods.

We are just past peak for the fall colors. Hawthorn Hollow is a few miles away from our house. It is a sanctuary that is filled with trails. I enjoy all seasons here in Wisconsin yet fall is one of the nicest.

We are blessed with many warm days and no time could be better to share with friends to enjoy this spectacular season.

I couldn't resist taking this photo of the crabapple tree which framed out one of the lovely paths.

Little did I know that Kenosha would have it's own Stonehenge. I was dumbstruck by the beauty. Of course it isn't a henge yet the arrangement and view from the walk reminded me of this place.

Henge is defined as a spiritual path dedicated to revering the Nature Spirits, honoring the Ancestors, and worshiping the Deities of our ancient Irish ancestors.

Our late fall is just past Samhain. Samhain marks one of the two great doorways of the Celtic year, for the Celts divided the year into two seasons: the light and the dark, at Beltane on May 1st and Samhain on November 1st.

Some believe that Samhain was the more important festival, marking the beginning of a whole new cycle, just as the Celtic day began at night. For it was understood that in dark silence comes a whisperings of new beginnings, the stirring of the seed below the ground. Whereas Beltane welcomes in the summer with joyous celebrations at dawn. The magically potent time of this festival is November Eve, the night of October 31st, known today of course as Halloween.

Pineapple Sage From Our Garden

2007-11-04T02:45:00.000-08:00

In recent weeks the garden has been changing to accommodate the lower light of fall. Many of the tender annuals have faded away yet there have been some striking surprises.

One lovely, unusually warm evening in late October we were sitting outside discussing the events of the day when Mark pointed out these small but vibrant red flowers near the fence.

What could it be? It turned out to be the pineapple sage herb that we had planted in the spring.

I belong to several yahoo community groups. One of my favorites is the Essential Herbal group. Pineapple sage was one of the herbs that was discussed and I just knew I had to have one for my garden.

I found the plant at one of our local gardening centers and so enjoyed planting it with much anticipation of what the coming summer would bring. Needless to say, I was not disappointed.

We have been delighted with the incredible scent of pineapple when we are near this plant which is very strange in our mid-west habitat of Wisconsin. Rubbing the leaves has been a sensual delight bringing back lovely memories of our trips to Maui.

There are more than 700 species of Salvia, and many gardeners have become Salvia collectors. The "salvias" are also referred to as "sages", most are tough and easy to grow and many attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

The fresh leaves of pineapple sage are used in fruit salads and drinks. Crush a few fragrant leaves into hot or iced tea for a flavorful treat. The delicious flowers add color and flavor to salads and deserts.

I have been taking online classes in Paint Shop Pro for several months. Now you may have thought that I have enough to do with my soap making business and the day job, yet one of the things I have learned is the need to take lovely photos for my website.

It is not just a matter of taking good digital photographs. It is necessary for a potential buyer to see the products that I make here in my studio in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The photos must say "come hither" and that is the whole point of this software.

Initially I found the software to be far too daunting for this novice, yet with the generous help of the moderators for these free online classes, I have been able to rehab many old photos of my family and enhance my product photos.

I've Got Press!

2007-10-27T16:38:00.001-07:00

This was an incredibly exciting day for me. I received a copy of Draft Magazine with my Island Wheat Beer Soap featured in their Style section.

The editor had contacted me in August requesting a bar of this soap for a photo shoot. Imagine! I couldn't have been more surprised and gladly sent them a bar of this soap.

I was hopeful that it would be included in the photo shoot but you know how that goes.

Heck, last year at the Harbor Marketplace in Kenosha, we were visited by Discover Wisconsin. The market managers sent them to my booth and they did some extensive photo work, but the day was not nice with much wind.

I eagerly awaited the show and of course told all my relatives when it would be on, but alas, no Patti's Potions was included in the show.

What are my hopes for this you might ask. Success of course and recognition for all the research and development I have put into my product and business.

This particular soap has been a terrific seller for me both at the market and with my wholesale accounts. Needless to say, I'm hoping that this unsolicited press will bring in the orders.

It is made with Island Wheat beer from from Capitol Brewery in Middleton, Wisconsin. I'm a stock holder there so certainly have a bias for their fine micro brews.

The beer in the formula adds an extra creaminess to the lather, so you see, beer is not just for breakfast anymore!

Last Days at the Market

2007-10-14T06:53:00.001-07:00

The Kenosha Harbor Marketplace is drawing to a close. I have been a regular vendor there since it all started about six years ago. This year we had to change our location due to construction on the lake front. Initially we had beautiful vistas with green grass and Lake Michigan as our backdrops. We are now placed in front of the museum. While that means less space for our vehicles for set up, we have a longer distance for more vendors.

The museum and the lake front condos also provide a wind break which is a much needed respite. It is still necessary to anchor our canopies yet since there is less wind, the Mary Poppins effect is greatly diminished.

The day dawned quite cold with the temps in the high 30's. Last week it was 90. Whew! What a difference but as awe say here in Wisconsin, stick around it will change, and that it did.

The crowds were down yet there were many familiar faces and many new ones who braved this biting cold. It was a day for sweaters and long johns for those of us who were displaying our wares for the next several hours.

Sales were excellent with many of my repeat customers stocking up for the long winter ahead. That was a good thing for all of us!

The museum is in this last picture. As the day wore on and some of the chill dispersed with the advent of a bit of sunshine, the little kiddies came out and splashed in the fountain.

Beach House

2007-10-09T05:44:00.001-07:00

This a fabulous old beach house along the shoreline of Lake Michigan here in Kenosha.

It was a popular gathering place in bygone days. If you put your imagination to work, I'm sure you can see the fashionable folks promenading along the walkways. I still can't quite imagine anyone swimming in this icy lake. Rarely is the temp warm enough.

Today, much of the building is in disrepair and no longer open to the public. I do understand that there is one room that can be rented out for private parties.

Bloggers Challenge

2007-10-09T05:22:00.001-07:00

Recently I joined a blogging group with some of my favorite list mates.

We have been challenged to make an everyday type of entry that affects our lives.

This photo is of the Lake Michigan Shoreline. Now, we do have beautiful sandy beaches in addition to breakwaters.

The lake has been low for several years now, but during the high water time, many places along the shore have had to place rip rap to prevent erosion.

The changing lake levels has always been cyclical. As you know, much of the US has been in a drought state. Here in Wisconsin, we have had very light snows in the winter. Oh you wouldn't think so when we are shoveling out after a blizzard. Yet I have memories of my childhood where snow by Thanksgiving was a given and it stuck around until April.

Now you might ask dear reader, why I bring this up as a daily affect in our lives. There is a saying here, "Cooler by the lake". Yes, Lake Michigan does have a moderating effect on our daily climate.

This past Saturday I had a show at a local high school. One of my customers came in and had been looking for me at the lake front where I am a regular vendor at out local market. She said it was so cold down there that she had to go back to her car for a jacket. In contrast, we were sweltering in 90 plus degrees just two miles west.

Our heat wave is now over and more fall like temps are here. That makes me sad but it is easier to sleep now.

Soap Making

2007-08-31T03:26:00.001-07:00

I come from a frugal family. We were disinclined to treat our environment as disposable and used what we had.

The local butcher would wrap our meat and tie it with string which was always saved. Pieces of tin foil was washed and flattened for other uses. Food scraps went back into the garden.

Mom always saved her bacon grease to make the most tasty potatoes and chicken ever fried.

At some point in time, Mom decided to save other oils left over from cooking and made soap out of it.

This picture show Pam and Mom making soap the old fashioned way.

The oils were cleaned, rendered and then added to the pot in the amount that her original recipe called for along with a can of lye. She always said that the most difficult part was to find some type of fragrance that would hold so I'm sure she used some of the vanilla extract that was used for cooking along with small amounts of perfumes and colognes that were off duty. I wish I could find the formula right now but it isn't at hand.

Sometimes the soap that my Mom and my sister-in-law would make was terrific and other times it was on the harsh side and best for laundry. It sure was nice most of the time.

Soapmaking has advanced quite a bit. We now have calculators that tell us how much sodium hydroxide to add for each oil which has a specific number for saponification. We now use digital scales to weigh each ingredient and this is often done in grams. Best of all is knowing the properties that each oil add to make a well balanced conditioning soap with a lather that creates big fluffy bubbles and small creamy bubbles that cleans yet leaves your skin moisturized.

We also have access to some very fine skin-safe fragrances that are manufactured just for soaps and lotions. Many herbs and clays make fine natural colorants. We also have oxides that have been processed for some fun colors.

The one big difference in a handmade soap and commercial bars is naturally occurring glycerin. The handicrafter leaves the glycerin in the soap while the big boys take it out and use it for other products. Our skin loves glycerin. This is a product that commands a high price in the marketplace and I'm sure that the big manufactures actually make glycerin and soap is the by-product.

Most commercial soaps are made using beef tallow, coconut, and fragrance. If you look at the ingredients on a bar of soap you will see the INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) name of sodium tallowate and sodium cocoate. Perhaps you will see other long complicated names in soaps like Dove. Dove isn't a soap. It is made with syndets or synthetic detergents. While there is nothing wrong with these oils and I certainly use coconut for lather, there are much nicer oils that condition and clean the skin.

Olive oil is always my base oil in any formula and it is known for it's gentleness and balanced ph for fine skin care. I also use hemp and emu oils known to help eczema and acne problems.

Colorado Summer '06

2007-08-05T07:05:00.002-07:00

Now I should be working at a gazillion other things but I'm still hanging around the computer doing my lessons and posting to this blog.

I've been telling my family and friends about all that I have been learning with the paint shop pro classes. These two photos are further examples of the artistic expressions available to us with good software.

This trip started with a trip to Minnesota to celebrate my dear friend Cindy's 50th birthday.

My niece Heather lives there also. Mary and Cindy have adopted her into their extended families and have been watching and aiding this beautiful young woman grow her career.

The trip progressed to Colorado for more fun with Brigid and Angel.

We came across this little town with a portion of the old West preserved. The town itself was not accessible unless you paid an admission price. We had a white water rafting destination so did little more than look around and snap a few pictures.

I find it fascinating that people lived with so few of the modern conveniences that we take for granted now.

This last photo is an artistic colored pencil rendition of the first.

Summer Monsoons

2007-07-12T18:17:00.001-07:00

It has been said that if you don't like the weather in Wisconsin, stick around and it will change.

That is exactly what has been going on here in Kenosha county. One day you have the heat on, the next, the a/c.

We have had several big storms in this part of the state. This one came up rather abruptly in early evening after a very hot and humid day.

It had been fairly still but suddenly the winds started to howl, the sky went very dark with a green hue and torrential rains fell. Thoughts of tornados and hail were very much on our mind at this point. It did get rather scary. Time to round up the candles and flashlights.

We were lucky. Our patio furniture and a couple of large plants were scattered but overall damage was minimal. Many parts of this town did not fare as well with downed trees and power outages. We have to do some pruning for the plants that did sustain some damage. That will be the weekend project. Nature starts what we have to finish.

If you look closely on the right side of the picture, you will see our 10 year old spike plant with nearly horizontal fronds. Yes, those are those little $1.29 accent spikes that we have nurtured over the years and are now small palm trees. Yes it can be done. We have one that is a good five feet tall.

I took this photo from our opened patio door. The spots are raindrops on the lens. Other than bump up the contrast and brighten the shadows a bit, this picture is as it was taken by my little Canon A530. That is a rather low tech camera but it works well.

Welcome and Congrats!

2007-07-10T13:57:00.001-07:00

Best Sisters!

It is wonderful to be blessed with family and friends who are supportive of our endeavors.

Our sister Angel was there every inch of the way. She manned the refreshment stands along the way. She also was on the phone to us to let us know where Brigid was on this extraordinary marathon.

Who could possibly ask for more. Oh, and she snuck in a little of the old Irish refreshment to make the painful body parts all feel just a bit better. You have to love a woman like that!

That is a V for Victory I'm told. Silly rabbit!

May you all stay strong and healthy.

Finish Line!

2007-07-10T13:42:00.000-07:00

It took Brig and her friends 11 hours to complete the first 26 miles. One of her fellow walkers had very sore feet and had to stop frequently for some TLC. No one was about to be left behind in that heat so the group stuck together. These are some amazing women!

2007-07-10T13:17:00.001-07:00

Denver Marathon June 23, 2007

My sister Brigid recently celebrated her 48th birthday in a most unusual way. She finished a two-day walking marathon and a half to raise funds for breast cancer. For those of you who are unfamiliar with marathons, that equals 26 miles the first day and 13 the second day.

She trained diligently for this event The weather in Denver was not terribly kind to these athletes of all ages. It was a record high in the 90's on that June 23. It was even hotter the second day.

This is day one of the marathon after approximately 8 miles. Here you see my sister Brig (on the far right). Janet (far left), age 56, from California, lost a sister 5 years ago. Rachel's (middle, age 21) whose mother was misdiagnose a year ago and the cancer has spread to her lymph system.

Brig's dear friend Gael died this past winter. A dear friend Bonnie came, from the east coast to commemorate Gael and to cheer Brigid on. The three met while on a trip to Ireland some years ago.

So what's that picture on the right you might ask? Toe savers. This was a cure for very sore and blistered feet Brig found out. Pretty darn cute aren't they?

Sweet Summer

2007-07-01T03:26:00.001-07:00

This is what we have been waiting for. Winter grew very long and with eager anticipation spring began to unfurl the lovely perennials to give us hope once again.

Our backyard is our refuge after long days in the day job. Weather in Wisconsin can be quite tumultuous with tempting days of warmth, followed by the need to turn the furnace on once again. Will summer ever arrive is the question we ask ourselves continually.

June can be a real stinker but it is finally here. The days are long and we can enjoy evening golf if we so desire. Weekends are full with the Harbor Marketplace where I am a regular vendor with my soaps and potions.

I spend many hours getting ready for my market. This year we started Memorial Day weekend and the weather was perfect until about 1 pm when the monsoons hit and we had to break down early. Sales were fantastic as customers flocked once again to the enjoy not only the market to restock their soap supplies, but also to enjoy our gorgeous Lake Michigan lakefront.

When all is said and done, it is a joy to come home, settle the accounts and crack open a frosty beer and just enjoy the fruit of our labors in what is becoming our lush backyard.

It is fully summer. The birds reward us with their songs, the honey bees gather the nectar from our carefully planted flowers with hopes of pollination for our small vegetable garden. Everything is growing in abundance and many of the plants are having their glorious show.

My mother used to work at a small flower center in Waterford and was able to bring us some plants that were in need of a good home. With some tender care we have been rewarded with these fabulous blooms of clematis that linger for weeks. The roses are happy and the spikes are once again happy to be outdoors.

Yes, we have saved the spikes for from the small accent plants to grow them into trees, giving our northern climate a hit of the tropics.

Happy and safe July 4th to one and all.

Rhubarb

2007-05-27T16:26:00.001-07:00

Springtime is one of the best times of the year. The trusty rhubarb plant delights us yearly with it's recurrent appearance. They require little care and nurturing, ask nothing in return but our undying devotion to new ways to serve it's bitter sweet essence.

This year I made my standby rhubarb sauce. All you need to do is clean, and cut the stalks into 1 inch pieces and toss it into a sauce pan with a little water or juice on the bottom to get it going. Cook over a medium heat just until it is soft. Remove from heat and add sugar to taste.

Serve it plain or over your favorite ice cream.

This year I found a fabulous website http://www.rhubarbinfo.com/
Anything you could possibly want is here.

I'm posting a recipe from this site that is a real winner, but I made my own variations by making my own basic yellow cake from scratch and adding some of my favorite spices. Cinnamon, allspice, mace, and nutmeg always go great in any cake! Be creative and add your own topping in place of the sugar. Yum!

Rhubarb Custard Cake

Ingredients:

Two-layer yellow cake mix
4 cups chopped rhubarb
1 cup granulated sugar
1 pint whipping cream (2 cups)

Procedure:

Prepare batter for cake mix according to package directions; turn into greased and floured 9x13" pan. Dump the chopped rhubarb on top of the cake batter. Sprinkle the sugar on top of the rhubarb. Pour the whipping cream (unwhipped) over the sugar. Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes, until cake springs back when lightly touched.

Cream, sugar, and rhubarb sink to bottom, forming a custard layer. Makes 1-18 (depending on how you cut it!!) dee-vine servings.

Wisconsin Spring Gardens

2007-05-01T17:07:00.000-07:00

Chive (Allium schoenoprasum L.)

Chives are one of the first signs of spring in Wisconsin. They peak their little green spires up through the last vestiges of snow. As the first warm days are welcomed by all of us, the little chive gladly imparts it’s freshness to spring dishes.

The subtle and pleasant taste of chives makes them an extremely popular food addition in Central and Western Europe. Fresh chives, finely chopped, are frequently sprinkled over soups and vegetable stews, and several sauces, especially such based on egg or yoghurt, greatly profit from chives. Boiling, frying or baking will, though, destroy most of chives' fine aroma.

I love to go out and just pick a few and nibble on them. Very soon they produce a very pretty purple flower. This can also be used in cooking. One of my favorite way to say spring in my home it to cut the flowers and place them in a fine crystal vase. It is incredible how long they stay fresh and make a pretty centerpiece for spring entertaining.

Try this delightful chive pesto the next time you are having company and impress the heck out of your guests.

Chive Pesto

In addition to making a great past sauce this pesto is wonderful over steamed red potatoes.

2 1/2 cups coarsely chopped fresh chives
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh parsley
1 medium garlic clove crushed
1/4 cup pine nuts
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup best-quality extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Freshly ground black pepper

Place all of the ingredients except the cheese in a food processor or blender. Process until very finely chopped, but not pureed. Scrape the mixture into a bowl and stir in the cheese. Serve over hot pasta with freshly ground pepper and additional Parmesan.

Flavorfully Yours,

Patti

Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

2007-04-27T13:26:00.001-07:00

Yes it was in beautiful Sebring Florida with my good friends. It all started when my good friend Mary came over to celebrate handing her taxes over to the accountant. A bottle of wine later found us at the computer booking a spontaneous vacation to her home in Florida that she co-owns with her sister Ann.

The love of my life has asked what is with the two of us, when wine and the computer equate to a trip somewhere! It just does and yes we do have a terrific time escaping the dreary Wisconsin weather for a steady 85 degrees and sunshine.

It was one of our famous chick trips where we just laugh and eat quiche! Mary makes a wild salsa and I managed to not burn the croutons or chicken on our Caesar night!

Cindy had promised to entertain us with her extreme gecko routine, but the little lizard wasn’t about to be cornered this time.

Alas, we had to golf, drink, swim, roll over, apply more suntan lotion and swim in the pool. Life is tough sometimes but look at the great lemon we purloined from the absent neighbors tree!

Waikiki Beach

2007-04-08T10:50:00.000-07:00

It has been a week since I returned from Maui - - my true home. I have many people ask me if that is where I reside or do I own property there. The answer is no to both questions. It is a desire and love affair to be sure.

My husband and I took our first trip to Maui six years ago and I truly found paradise there.

It started in my youth when I first saw the movie Blue Hawaii and I knew in my heart that someday I must go there. When friends returned from the islands, I never heard any of them say that they hated it, only that they wanted to go back.

We found an affordable condo and flight and made our first trip and have returned several times. This is the most delightful place that has everything you could want in a vacation spot; mountains, oceans, rain forest, waterfalls, desert, and best of all, the “aloha” spirit.

This trip was different for me because it was planned with my sister and nephew. We visited O’ahu as well as Maui. While I am not a city person and shopping does not interest me in the least, Honolulu and Waikiki were fascinating. There is a figure of something akin to 80% of all the Hawaiian island population is centered in this area! I find that to be staggering but given the sheer volume of people, I do believe it.

I much prefer the small town feeling of Maui. On our last day there we went to my favorite place, Big Beach. This is a protected state park and the only concessions to modernization are the rest room facilities and a few picnic tables. The rest is natural. It is truly such a startling beauty to behold.

My 12 year-old nephew’s eyes grew wide with wonder and amazement when he first entered the beach area from the access trail. The water is a pure crystalline turquoise, with wild waves thundering onto the shore of beautiful soft sand. The backdrop is the spectacular red hill, which is a steam vent created from the last volcano. The colors are vibrant contrasts of black, red, brown, greens, and the many shades of blue water. Each color is more brilliant than the adjoining one.

This particular day fell to the full moon and the surf was up. While beautiful, it was not conducive to snorkeling. I failed to see one of my most favorite sea creatures, the majestic green sea turtle. Due to the time of year, we were rewarded with frolicking whales enjoying the last of their season in Maui, soon to begin their long journey back to Alaska. We were also rewarded with a visiting pod of porpoises from La Perouse point. I find their paired and undulating swim through the channel to be an exciting privilege to view. We were also privileged to see what appeared to be small deer traversing the hillside.

My heart yearns for this place and simply feels settled and at home when I am at Big Beach. It is unlikely that I will ever leave Wisconsin and settle in my dream place, but it is good to dream of paradise. This is where I have found it and will return at every opportunity.

Aloha and mahalo.

Winter’s Lion

2007-03-04T06:07:00.000-08:00

It has been one cold nasty spell here in Wisconsin and throughout the states. How very strange to have thunder and lightening while snowing. Driving is 3 inches of slush is no great delight either.

The folks that didn’t need to go out this past week should have been wise and just stayed home. It was ugly. I am located near the lake as the weathermen say and we do get a great variety of weather that does not apply to the rest of the state.

One of the funny weather events involved a drive to the hospital one morning. The lightening was striking directly into the ground and how I wished I had a camera to capture this most unusual event, since it was also snowing like crazy. When I arrived in the parking lot, my first thought was that Aurora was right on top of things and had the foresight to get out and salt the lot. Foresight is not a usual part of our maintenance team, so why I would think that for even a moment is ludicrous.

What I initially took for salt, was little ice balls, making the trek from the lot into the hospital all that much more treacherous. One of my great fears is falling while “and I can’t get up” echoes in my mind. Yup, must bet getting older with a fear for my hips.

Little old ladies are ladies with broken hips are our frequent Sunday companions in surgery. They go to church and never quite make it home the same day without a stop at the local hospital.

Visions of seed catalogs are dancing in my head these days as the light is now a part of my drive to and from work. I do like that. It gives me hope for spring. I am weary of the darkness, cold, ice, slippery travel, and the numbskulls on the road that haven’t bothered to invest in decent tires event though snow is an annual event in Wisconsin. And of course they feel they own the road and must drive in the left lane and block all the drivers who do know how to drive and plan for the weather.

Even though I no longer commute to Milwaukee daily, it never ceases to amaze me that I can still feel road rage at the other discourteous drivers who feel that they are the only ones on the road and that they own it. In my particular instance, sometimes I hope that it is their relative that is waiting for me in surgery on an emergent basis, while they slow me down with unconscious driving habits.

As usual dear reader, I remain
Fragrantly Yours,
Patti

New Beginnings

2007-02-18T16:45:00.000-08:00

It may be the start of a new week to most, but for my house it is much more. So much of January is taken up with recovery from the holidays and then taxes. Ick, ick, and ick some more. How do I hate thee? Let me count the ways! Done and thank you very little Uncle Sam for making January such a miserable month.

The weather hasn’t been too spectacular of late either. It has been nasty cold here. Recently I took a trip to Oak Creek to see the store Just 4 Ewe, of my friends and wholesale customer Jan Massie. She has the most beautiful yarns and fiber imaginable in this quaint little shopping district. I purchased some yarn and made myself a hat and mittens from this incredibly soft wool. It sure has kept me nice and warm.

I digress though. February is my month to start working on all the things around the house that have been neglected since the Harbor Market started last Memorial Day. Oh sure, I keep up with the daily things, but the big overhauls have to wait until now. Honestly, I am booked every weekend from Memorial Day until Christmas with shows, markets, and of course the day job. They get me for a full weekend every six weeks.

I have a wonderful and large office with a cathedral ceiling which I love for its’ spaciousness and light. It was time to paint it though and oh my, but those ceilings are high! I had entertained thoughts of doing some fun faux finish but with two days into the project, I don’t think so. I just want it done at this point. I have one more section to go and then I can start putting some accent color on the mish-mash of furniture that I have collected. Then I move into the upstairs hallway and the bathroom.

My computer desk is so old, it used to house a 286. Yes dear reader, there was something before a Pentium! Ah, I think that was one generation away from the military issue back in the 50’s. I think my son was a sophomore in high school when we got it and he must be almost 28 by now.

I think it is time to do a little something different! And while I have priced new window treatments, I will probably just enjoy making them for a quarter of the price. I’m a smart girl and can do this.

Days Off

2007-02-13T07:56:00.001-08:00

Days off of work are such a wonderful thing. I never quite know what to do with myself first as the to-do list is always so long.

I love to take my coffee back to bed and snuggle for just a bit longer under the quilt. Delaying the day is so nice after having to hop out of bed onto the cold floor when the alarm clock signals the start of the day job! I’m always on a tight time schedule on those days.

While I’m drinking those first cups of coffee on my day off, it is nice to check my emails and see what my family, friends, and colleagues in the soap business are up too. There is always something new to learn.

Recently we had a discussion on one of my lists regarding favorite books. The Outlander by Diana Gabaldon was a hot topic which compelled me to go to my local library site and put the book on hold. How nice is that service by-the-way! Do a quick search, place it on hold, and the library calls when it is in.

I’ve been enjoying this book. It’s mostly a nice escape from reality to a time in the distant past. It is a Time Machine type of book or a Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. I loved both of those books. Serious literature it is not, but what the heck! My day job is serious enough and lightness in a book is good for me. It’s nice to delay the start of the day with a book too.

Then off to the treadmill to get in some cardio and stretches. I learned long ago, that no matter what the day brings, I deserve some top time for myself and that is a nice work out. I do it only for myself because I just plain feel good afterwards and no one can take that away from me. Even if the rest of the day is not satisfactory, I did something nice for myself.

Now I can do some of the things that I love most. I have new fragrances to test and make into soap so that is where I’m off to now. Feel free to stop by my website and see what’s new!

Brrrrr! It's Cold!

2007-02-03T05:25:00.000-08:00

It is 9F outside. Feels like –8F. No matter what it feels like, it is darn cold. The kicker s that this is now February and it is just plain wrong. Of course some would say that it was wrong to be playing golf continually through the second week in January I don’t think so.

Back in my youth and hey day, the weather was much more predictable. Frequently we had snow by Thanksgiving here in SE Wisconsin. It was mandatory UP North – yeah dare hey. November is deer hunting season and snow makes for good tracking.

Snow was a mixed blessing that early. We grew up on a small lake in Waterford and our number one activity was ice-skating. There was nothing as sweet as fresh ice that had not been tarnished by snow. It was a slick and smooth as it could be. Oh how we loved it.

Once it snowed, well, first we had to shovel and that was work. After the ice was cleared we would beg Dad to hook up the hose and flood it to once again regain the smoothness of that first fresh ice.

We were pampered kids. Not only would our dad shovel and flood the ice, he had floodlights hooked up so that we could skate in the evening, and skate we did!

Ours was the biggest skating rink on our little lake. Hockey games were the norm. I didn’t play hockey but I dreamed of being an Olympic skater and practiced my twirls with great diligence.

There was no such thing as staying indoors any more than was absolutely necessary. The snow begged for sledding and the ice for skating. So what if you had to shovel first. It was better to shovel than have the smallest bump on the ice that could cause a nasty fall.

As adults, we would gather our parents house on Christmas Day and once again skate our hearts out. We had children of our own by then and introduced them to the joys of skating. They were always amazed at the speed with which my older brothers could smack a hockey puck.

I digress. It’s cold and it’s February. We should be thinking about spring. The seed catalogs have been arriving for weeks already causing us to dream about lush greens and vibrant flowers.

No longer can we expect snow at Thanksgiving, a white Christmas, and accuracy Punxsutawney Phil’s forecast of spring.

Fragrantly Yours

Patti

Special Days

2007-01-28T08:09:00.000-08:00

I love my grown up children. I have been blessed with extraordinary ones. They are of the independent variety which is something that I forced upon them. I was a single mom for much of their formative years and was known to use some unusual tactics to get their attention and listen to what I had to teach them.

Yesterday, I was able to enjoy my favorite middle child. Yes I have favorites. I have a favorite first born, a favorite middle and a favorite son.

My Erin - a.k.a. favorite middle child, called me this past week and demanded some mom time. “I miss my Mom!” Gosh, I hated hearing that. She recently advised me on purchasing my first down comforter and said that she would help me make a duvet cover.

I’m a fairly accomplished seamstress but have heard something about ribbons on the corners which meant nothing to me.

My beautiful daughter arrived around 10 am and we started the project. It was a whole day affair and I’m so glad that she brought her duvet cover along so we could examine some of the finer points. Had I been doing this alone, it surely would have been a much greater struggle.

Isn’t it only a big bag you might ask? Well yes it is, but since this is a king sized duvet cover it was a bugger just getting it laid out.

We had a fine time and gabbed our heads off while working pretty steadily. She showed me the houses that they are looking at and more that they will attend open houses for. Obviously we did not work all the time.

It was a fun day with my favorite middle child. My Joey, son-in-law extraordinaire, sent some Godiva chocolates to make me feel better. I love that young man. He knows how to treat his favorite mom-in-law!

Fragrantly Yours,
Patti

Amazing Technology

2007-01-25T17:26:00.000-08:00

I have just returned from a mini vacation in Colorado. This was the girls annual ski trip and we all had a blast. My sister Brigid was cut off by an out-of-control skier on a catwalk and was slammed into a tree. This was not a happy event. She was fortunate to ski away with bruises and scraped and no broken bones.

It never ceases to amaze me how many people go through major airports and how much luggage is handled. A little tag with a bar code does it all. I have no concept of how a bar code works but I am thrilled that it does! All of our luggage and skies arrived safely at both ends.

Today I was working with my new photo editing program and again, I’m amazed! It can do so many things. The training videos explained so much that was not intuitive for me.

And I will post some of this handiwork soon.

Meanwhile, I caught a bit of a bug while on the airplane. With all the security measures in place you would think the air could be sanitized in some way. Today I am drinking copious amounts of lemon balm tea. I also found a terrific recipe from Prairieland Herbs for whiskey tea.

Whiskey Tea (Irish version)

1 lemon
1 teabag black irish tea (Barry's, if you can get it)
honey
Irish whiskey (I prefer Jamesons)
whole cloves
cinnamon stick

Cut a 1/4 inch slice out of the middle of the lemon. Stick 4-6 cloves into this lemon slice, and set aside. Juice the 2 halves of lemon into a large cup (using a clear cup is easiest). Then add a roughly equal amount of honey, and a roughly equal amount of whiskey. Stir whiskey, lemon, and honey together, and add a cinnamon stick. In a separate cup, brew a strong cup of black tea - about 6-8 oz. Remove teabag, and pour tea into the whiskey/lemon/honey mixture. Float the clove-studded lemon slice on top of the entire mixture, and drink quickly before all the "good" stuff evaporates! This really does work to help cut phlegm, soothe coughs and sore throats, make you warm and toasty, and make you feel better!

Fragrantly Yours
Patti

Holiday

2007-01-17T03:00:00.000-08:00

In Europe they say holiday. In the good old USA, we say vacation. Plans were made months ago and today we leave for skiing in Colorado. This is an annual trek to the mountains for a handful of women to bond and giggle. Hopefully all limbs will remain intact. That has not always been the case.

We are quite the mixed group. Mary is a land developer and is the mastermind behind all the arrangements. Cindy is a nurse from MN and is our resident musical director. She always brings her traveling guitar and plays for us. I’m not quite sure what Kim’s title is but she travels all over the country for her business. That woman can talk and keeps us entertained in numerous ways with her stories. Deb is a barber and up until this past year owned her own business. Most of us that are local go to her to be beautiful. Ellenthewench, and that really is one word, comes in from Charleston and is in the nuclear business. She is another quite fascinating woman.

We are hoping that the Colorado sisters will join us. Right now it looks like Brigid the tech writer will be up on Thursday after work with her 12 y/o son, our token male and Angel, receptionist/girl Friday and pursuer of recreational activities will join us on Saturday for our last ski runs.

We never fail to have much laughter and revelry along with some reading and some quieter activities. Our condo this year looks to be another winner. It is very large and has it’s own hot tub which we need at the end of the day.

Kim and Ellenthewench are quite extraordinary skiers and we only see them at lunchtime. The rest of us are solid blue intermediates and don’t care to take too many chances but if we get into trouble, we can get out.

We've always said, no men unless he can sling his ovaries around his neck. Christopher is the exception. He has been on the boards since he was three so he can hang with the gals or meet us at the bottom of the mountain. It is amazing sight to see him fly down the mountain. It’s ever more amazing that he actually seems to enjoy being doted on by a bunch of females who have moved into the grandma generation.

Oh yeah, our bones know that we are grandmas, just our brains have not engaged in behaviors typical of grannies. We are the Golden Girls and hope to continue with these annual treks for many years more. Hopefully, as we become more stable financially, we can add a warm weather vacation also. Several in this group are certified in scuba and some have already done the Belize trip. I missed that one. Heavy sigh. Maybe next year.

The journey begins dear reader and I remain,

Fragrantly Yours,
Patti

Taxes

2007-01-09T06:35:00.000-08:00

I always dread the times right after the holidays
since it means that I must do my taxes. When you are
in business it is not as simple as waiting for all the
forms to arrive in the mail, crunch a few numbers,
fill in the blanks and wait for your check to come.

In my business, my file drawers are overflowing with
invoices and I welcome the time to organize and put to
bed the ones from last year as the orders are flowing
in every day for 2007. It means that I have to do
inventory and for some reason I really dread that. I
shouldn’t. It’s not hard. It’s just counting and
weighing. It’s just tedious.

What is fun is the discovery of: “Oh wow! That’s where
I put that!” I wonder what I wanted that for is the
question that most often comes to mind.

This year is the additional complication of having an
investor interested in my company. This is someone
with real connections that could lead to a true launch
of my product in a much larger venue than my little
corner of the world. My mind is boggled. He wants me
to meet with several attorneys to get the process
started. What to do first and what would be the
outcome later on? Fear of success is a true fear and
with my age factored in there are just so many more
questions.

While I am in business, getting my mind around a
larger entity that would include having employees is
something else. Yet what I have been longing for is to
get out of the dang day job and just do this.

All of this before my morning coffee dear readers.

Fragrantly Yours,
Patti

Patti's Potions Natural Soaps
Where it is always polite to
Stick you Nose in My Business
www.pattispotions.com

My Day Job

2007-01-05T07:31:00.000-08:00

I am often times asked just how got into the beauty business and am I a chemist.

The answer to this could lead to a long dissertation on where I come from, which by the way is Glidden, Wisconsin in the north-central part of the state. My family owned a town pub but we moved to the southeastern part of the state when I was around five years old.

Waterford was home to me for the majority of my life but I have been a Kenosha resident for about eight years now.

I worked in surgery at St. Luke's Aurora in Milwaukee as a surgical technologist/surgical assistant for over twenty years. No, I’m not a surgeon and I’m not a nurse. I do carry other titles and certifications but that’s for another day. Currently I’m employed at the Aurora Kenosha campus in the same capacity. Some days I hand the instruments during surgery and others I’m the first assistant and ask for them.

Years ago St. Luke’s had a surgical residency program and when it was discontinued, the doctors selected certain techs to learn the role of the residents in the first assist position. I’m part of that original group which dates back to the mid-eighties. Oh my gosh but wasn’t that a long time ago!!

The adjacent pictures show me assisting on a total knee replacement surgery. Some days we have to wear the space suits. Pretty wild & crazy hey? And that my dear readers is my day job. I work in all specialties but am the resident "neuro" queen doing the majority of the "big backs". What I don't do much of is orthopedics and rarely now do I do eyes. I did plenty of that at the big house with the retinal guys.

We do all the big cases at the little Aurora house in Kenosha except for open hearts and craniotomies and I'm the only one left that has a background in those cases. I serve as a resource person to all my colleagues.

And that is the day job. It pays the bills until such a time that my business can sustain me.

Favorite Things

2006-12-29T12:01:00.000-08:00

This time of year wouldn’t be complete without some of our favorite things. There are certain traditions in everyone’s family that are a “must” every holiday season.

When I was a little girl, I loved to visit my grandparents in northern Wisconsin. It was a long trip for us. The mileage from Waterford to Glidden was about seven hours long and with great anticipation we counted off the last of the towns that we drove through before getting to Grandma and Archie’s house. Yes, my grandfather was named Archie and that is what we called him. I guess grandpa made him too old sounding.

Upon arrival at my mother’s large, old, family home we would scamper about to burn off some energy. The barn was always a favorite place to explore and see what new places the barn sparrows had made their nests. There was a rope that we could swing on and land in the hay while giggling like crazy and of course a bit fearful at the same time that we might not land as gently as we would like.

When we burned off some of that pent up energy we would go in and listen to the adults tell their stories of a life rich with laughter and hit the cookie jar. We were always sure of finding a few favorites. I never did know if grandma planned these special cookies just for us, or if it just happened because it was a favorite of theirs. Fairy cookies. Yummy. what could be better than that!! They were so fragile and had this incredible melt-in-your mouth taste and texture.

Not only was this one of my favorites, but one of my children’s favorites. Everyone loves a good sugar cookie. Fairy cookies take sugar cookies to the next level while maintaining simplicity of recipe elements.

Often times I take these cookies to gatherings as a contribution to the party. They are consistently a hit and I’m always asked for the recipe. Interestingly enough, my husband Marks family has a very similar cookie tradition but it is called an Amish cookie. No matter what you name it, everyone loves it. So here is the recipe

Fairy or Amish Cookies

Cream Together:

1 C Sugar

1 C Powdered Sugar

1 C Butter

1 C Oil

2 Eggs

1 tsp. Vanilla (substitute almond or lemon for variety)

Slowly Add:

4 C plus 4 TBSP Flour

1 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Baking Soda

Drop a teaspoon of batter onto a cookie sheet. Press cookie with bottom of glass coated with white, colored, or turbinado sugar. Bake 10-12 minutes at 350.

Now, I dare you to only eat one!

Bon Appetite

Holidays and Resolutions

2006-12-25T13:27:00.000-08:00

I think that it is always nice to know who is posting and what a person looks like. This is me, Patti, at our local Kenosha Harbor Marketplace on beautiful Lake Michigan in Wisconsin. This was taken a couple of years ago and except for a little longer hair and a pound or three, I'm that same gal.

I can't help but miss those warm days at the lakefront. It was an incredibly busy summer since I'm a vendor every Saturday, but as the gray cold days of winter settle in these bones, I just want sun and warmth.

We can wish away our precious days or long for the old ones, but I'm determined to take advantage of every single one available to me. There are a thousand things I could and should be doing, but I'm on call with my day job. Yes, it is Christmas day but I'm a surgical technologist and people get sick no matter the day of the week. Someone has to be available to take out that pesky appendix or help to fix that hip of the fragile person who fell going to church on this special day.

I should be taking inventory for my handmade soap business and make my taxman happy by getting my information to him early. Next weekend. I could be working on my projects to organize all my working implements in my designated soap room. Naw, that is too sweaty and dirty of a project with drills, hammers, and nails. I could be feeling sorry for myself since my family is out with other parts of the family and I have to stay close….just in case…… but I’m not. The quiet is rather blissful.

We had family over yesterday complete with a two year old and four year old. OMG! What a whirlwind of noise and activity! Fingers were everywhere. Upstairs and downstairs their little feet scrambled. The piano was pounded in ear-splitting k flat! We had to remove fragile possessions from the level of the little ones. And sometime soon I’ll have to scrape the handprints and globs of unidentifiable stuff from the patio doors. Meanwhile, I’ll just savor those little memories for a bit and remember my own kids when they were little. Did they really create such chaos at their grandma and grandpa’s place??