But poison ivy, Lord'll make you itch!!

As the song goes, yes it does indeed make you itch, but you do not need an ocean of Calamine lotion if you've got Jewelweed around.  

Man, this stuff really works!  I have no idea how in the world I got poison ivy - maybe from camping during Labor Day.  Why am I the only lucky one to get it?

I'm using my Jewelweed Salve about twice a day and it has stopped it from spreading, stopped the itch and seems to be calming the inflammation so it can heal.  I'm on day 2-3 and (knock on wood) it seems to be almost clear.  Now I know to always have this stuff handy!

Sunday soaping

Casa de Dusty Tree was super soapy this Sunday

in the line up....Eucalyptus, Mint Scrubbie, Ocean Salt Bar & Jewelweed

Always a nice way to send an afternoon.

 (unless of course you are me and realize you are short on one of your oils half way through the soaping process and you need to make a run to the store....but still fun!)

As a side note, a customer told me she took a Master Gardener's Herb class at our local extension office and the teacher used MY Jewelweed soap as an example during her presentation of how herbs are used in a therapeutic method.  This girl is uber- excited!  So cool to hear.  I wish I knew who the teacher is to thank them!

Summer is slipping away.....

Who stole my Summer?  I'd like it back...it is either too hot to do much outside or it is raining.  I want to be outside to enjoy the Summer days before it is too late!!  But instead I've been stuck inside.  Don't get me wrong it has been nice and I've got a bunch done, but we are all a bit stir crazy.

Pictures are easier to describe my last couple of weeks....

 Here is a second batch of Jewelweed Tea brewing on our Frigidaire Custom Imperial Flair gem from the late '60's.

Dried Calendula flowers from our garden.  I'm plucking the bright yellow petals off to infuse in some oil.

And here is the jar of oil that I'll let sit for a bit and I'll shake every time I walk past.

Two different batches of soap...the same but different.  Each is made with exactly the same ingredients and the same recipe, just used different style methods.

All of my shaved 'bits' for my latest batch of Bits & Bobs soap

Jewelweed SOAP (aka Anti-Poison Ivy SOAP)