lavender soap! and riesling!

lavender soap- that is actually lavender!

I wish my camera batteries weren't so low, otherwise I would have totally taken a picture of how ridiculously tomato-soup colored this soap was when we poured it into the mold. Fortunately now, it smells like heavenly lavender fields, but a few days ago, it looked like tomato bisque just waiting for a dollop of cream and a basil sprig.

For added texture, I even saved a handful of dried lavender I yanked (thievishly) from a huge field just outside Sault in Provence. They've been drying for about a month, and this weekend I ground up the buds and put them in the mix. Needless to say, I'm glad the soap didn't turn out orange, because it would have been such a shame that I would have had to back to Provence to pick another handful...

Either way, overnight, the magical, poisonous munching powers of lye turned it from orange-red to a beautiful plum color, and now it's cut and hardening in the basement. When we opened the door downstairs, we were met with huge whiffs of pungent lavender, mixed with the fermenting smells of yeast eating away at our riesling grapes. Yep- we have 30 bottles of wine on the way, if you haven't noticed my nice little 'what we're brewing' update on the right.

So things are turning out well, and lots of things I'm looking forward to are coming up quickly, which always means that there don't seem to be enough weekend days. This weekend, we have a work baseball game outing (eh), a visit from a couple we haven't seen in awhile who have since moved... they're expecting their first baby, so I'm sure we'll have plenty to talk about! Then next weekend-- a very belated and rescheduled camping trip with our best friends for Jed's birthday (hope the weather is a perfect balance of sunny days and cool starry nights)... and *then*... somewhat out of the blue, I got a facebook message from one of Jed's relatives who has moved up to a 40-acre farm in Wisconsin and has a pair of horses that 'need some attention.' There's nothing like to dangling a hook with horses and the possibility of riding them to lure me into hanging out with Jed's side of the family. Although, I'm pretty pumped to see everyone up there and have a very authentic farm-girl weekend.

Either way... I thought I'd post a pic of the lovely set of old jelly jars I bought at the flea market a few weekends ago. Darling, aren't they? Can't you see them filled with ice tea and mint leaves?lemonade with lime slices? mojitos? So cute!!