Anchors Away - Sumer Sea Salt Soaps

Oh Summer...
long days of sun, surf and sand.

What better way to clean up than with Sea Salt Soap?!

I just made a boat-load of anchor soaps for all the summer sailors I know.
Creamy and cute, with just a touch of salt to exfoliate and
perfect for last minute hostess gifts.

They are so easy to make.

In a microwave-safe bowl 

(preferably with a spout - I use a glass gravy boat) 

put in 2 to 3 cubes of Shea Butter Soap

(available at craft stores like Michael's) and 1 teaspoon of sea salt.

Melt in microwave in 10 second intervals, stirring after each until soap has melted.

(should take about 30 seconds total)

Then pour into anchor molds...

and add blue soap colorant for some nautical fun...

Is it me, or do they look like they're smiling?

Anchors Away!

I got my molds at Paper Source but the Sunnylife website is here.

bloomdesigns

Star Spangled Sugar Scrub

We always spend the 4th of July with dear friends in the Napa Valley.

Five fun and festive families.

But the tide is starting to change for our annual reunion.

The oldest child, is about to head off to college 

and this may be the last summer we are all together. 

I wanted to do a simple, spirited treat for all the moms...

Exfoliating sugar scrubs are so easy to make 

and great to slough off all of that dry summer skin. 

To add some red and blue pizazz to my regular white scrub,

 I used rose and agapanthus petals.

I rolled and ...

snipped...

then stirred in oil...

and Star Spangled Scrub is ready for the fireworks!

Wishing you a sweet and smooth 4th of July.

Star Spangled Sugar Scrub

to fill one 8oz mason jar

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup light (in color) olive oil

10 to 12 rose petals (or any red flower) rolled and cut into ribbons

10 to 12  cut agapanthus blooms (or any blue flower) 

stir all ingredients until well combined and fill your jar

Farm to Table BLTs

I've got the perfect summer, farm to table hostess gift.
There is nothing better than going out to your garden
and picking sun-ripened tomatoes and gorgeous leafy lettuce.
Why not give a barrel of farm fresh, BLT fun that anyone will love.

Fill a wine barrel planter from the nursery with potting soil...

then add your favorite lettuces and tomato plants...

Drop in a "Just add Bacon" note...

then a great bottle of wine, 

and the ultimate BLT gift is ready...

They will think of you every time they dig into their

crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes...

and BACON!

BLT lovers know there is nothing like savory, smokey bacon
but we have been jazzing ours up with a slightly spicy twist.

A few red pepper flakes sprinkled on sliced bacon, then baked in the oven on a rack, 

adds a touch of heat and an added tasty treat.

(Place bacon on a rack, sprinkle with red pepper flakes then onto a foil lined baking sheet. 

Bake at 450 degrees for about 10-12 minutes)

Cheers to a Summer of BLTs!