Another Wish List

Well - there are only 24 more shopping days till Christmas!! Are you ready? We got the last of the presents in the mail today (thank goodness for online shopping!)
But of course there were a few things that I wanted and had to look for on Etsy. Seems that I link melting tart thingies. And so I went looking for the best price and with the best shipping to Canada. I found this amazing shop!! Of course I ordered some right away :) Want the house smelling nice for the holidays. I ordered the tarts in Harvest Mix, Vanilla Cream and Pumpkin Spice. Oh I'm sorry - I didn't tell you where to get them? LOL I purchased them from the first shop in my wish list! But please take time to check out all the other shops too - they have such amazing items!!

Neck Warmer/Ornament/Soap/Lotion Tart & a Recipe!

This month has been a great month for me as far as getting stuff in the mail! Did so many swaps the last month and now items are starting to flow in :) But before I get to that - could you please take time to check out the Etsy shops on the left sidebar. Just changed mini's yesterday. There are lots of amazing shops for you to browse!

I was part of a Secret Santa swap, these are so much fun. You have no idea who will send you something, or what it could possibly be! Well - I was very lucky to get Tattoo Annie as my Secret Santa!! She made me this amazing knitted neck warmer! I absolutely LOVE it! In a note Anne sent along - she thought I could use it while riding ATV's, but I will also be using while driving the very cold school bus all winter! It's the perfect color to go with my new jacket! LOVE red!!


As you may remember - I am addicted to handmade soap. Just purchased some from Green Love Store. Almost forgot to take a picture of the soap before heading off to the shower :) Purchased: Just Say Ahhh, Smile, & Paradise. They smell amazing! Starting with Smile, and did just that through the whole shower!


Another ornament from the Christmas Ornament/Decoration Swap came in this week too. This is just too cute for words!! It comes from Toni at Cool Tricks. I'm going to have to ask if I can copy it! Every year I make ornaments for the children on my bus. I was going to paint wood ones - but I just love these!! Could make the mittens different colors. Hmmmmm.


The last thing I will tell you about that came in the mail is some amazing Soy Was Lotion Tarts from 2 Virgos Designs. You would not believe how awesome this smells!! Jackie asked me to try her new product for a future Give Away! (in one week or so) Had to go buy a tart melter thing (isn't it cute) but it was so worth it!! That's all I'm going to say for now :) You'll just have to come back and see the review and enter to win your own.



I'm going to leave you with a picture of one of my favorite soups - Cream of Cauliflower - and also the recipe of course! It only takes about 30 minutes to make and is soooooo good! I usually use more cauliflower than the recipe calls for, to make the soup a little thicker.



Cream of Cauliflower Soup

Cook in salted water until soft:
1 medium head cauliflower, chopped

Saute' in large saucepan until yellow:
4 tbsp. butter or margarine 1/4 cup chopped onion

Blend in: 1/4 cup flour

Add: 3 cups chicken broth
2 cups milk
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
cauliflower and cooking water

Cook until mixture thickens slightly.

Add: 1 cup shredded cheese

Stir to melt cheese and serve sprinkled with herbs.

Enjoy! Have have an awesome weekend.

Sweet andTranquil

Lily is currently living in a small town in Halton Hills Ontario. Her shop is Sweet and Tranquil. She has some amazing looking soap. One is called "Chocolate Covered Strawberries"! Lily also has a wonderful variety of lip balms, whipped parfait soaps, and foaming scrubs. The names all sound so yummy!!


How did you decide on your shop name?
I came up with the name of my business while looking at my products and noticed that the fragrances were both Sweet and Tranquil. Voila they name was born!

When did you start making soap and how long have you done it?
I started making soap about 3 years ago for myself and family, but did not start selling to the public until early last year. It has been wonderful hearing from my customers how much they love my products.


What is your favorite scent?
Hmmmmm that is a tough one. I love so many but right now I am partial to anything chocolate scented. That may change next week, since I am always trying new scents.


What or who inspires you?
I was inspired initially by my mother who was a crafty lady. I was always helping her with whatever she was working on. Now I find that I get inspired when I am in the kitchen cooking or baking. I find that creating a new soap is just like creating a new recipe.

Are there other crafts you would like to try?
The list would be to long! :) I am always trying new crafts, sometimes successfully and sometimes not. I would love to try silk screening.

What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?
I do not think I can just think of just one. I enjoy making everything, but for different reasons. I started making Cold Process soap about a year ago now and I am really enjoying that technique.