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Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Balm of Gilead
BALM OF GILEAD
An aromatic gum or spice used for healing wounds (Gen. 43:11; Jer. 8:22; 46:11; 51:8). A bush producing the resin from which the balm was made grew so plentifully in Gilead in Old Testament times that the balm came to be known as the “balm of Gilead” (Gen. 37:25; Ezek. 27:17).
There is also a hymn we sing that mentions this balm. It can be a physical ointment or in this case the healing ointment is compared to the healing that comes when we unburden ourselves to our Heavenly Father in prayer.
So now, isn't it something that in one of soap researching sessions on the internet, I stumbled upon an article of how to make your own balm of Gilead from the buds of a cottonwood tree. It's not the original balm but is as close to it as it comes. The buds are picked in the winter and are resinous. When infused in olive oil, the resin is extracted and you end up with a healing oil that has many beneficial properties.
Well guess what Clayton has in his yard...yep Cottonwood trees! I checked them out on Thanksgiving and they still have their leaves as winter has not yet hit us here. However there were some dead branches on the ground and when I looked at them guess what I found, resinous dried buds!!! Score!
Into the mini crockpot they went and I covered them with olive oil where they were warmed to extract the resin. These buds have a pleasant scent to them as well. The instructions say to keep them in a jar for as long as you want and for better infusion.
I think I'll try my hand at making a balm out of the oils after they have sufficiently infused and I will let you know how it goes. Wish me luck!
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Current Stock of Soaps
Soap, Soap and More Soap!
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Pine Tar Soap
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Naked Mummy Soap
Saturday, September 7, 2013
R.I.P. Halloween Soap Tubs - Freshly Poured
Lemon Dream Bars with Poppy Seed Sprinkles
Limewood / coconut
Star Anise $5.00 per bar
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Freshly Poured Lemon Bars
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Lulu's Heritage Soapworks is Born!
Rub a dub dub, Lulu in a tub! |
Soaps have come a long way since my great Aunt Reba's and my Grandparents days. Now they are works of art with all sorts of fragrances, skin loving oils, additives, coloring techniques, etc. Once you try these soaps you will not want to go back to the detergent and chemically laden bars sold by the big manufacturers. Your skin will love the natural glycerin bi-product contained in home made soaps. If you are like me, you will come to appreciate the beauty of continuing a tradition of soap-making that I know my ancestors would be proud of.
My sweet family members always come in to check out the latest soaps on the drying/curing racks and like to help out by sampling products, wrapping soaps and everything in between. I love my family members and friends (new and old) wherever they are for the support and love they show me time after time. Thanks guys, you are the best!