So far so good, I go to pick the roses up next weekend, but I called the other day and my roses are ready and the order is still there :) They even promised to call me back after checking on something, and did, about an hour later. I was impressed. Only disappointment is the Kron princessin Viktoria, which is apparently sold out. I ordered it back in January, so I would assume I'd be near the top of the list, but this is the second year in a row that I've ordered it and, come Spring, there aren't any more. Its too bad, and I was looking forward to it, but other than that everything is good. The lady on the phone tried to convince me that Souv. de la Malmaison was the same rose as the Kron Princess. I told her that one was the original pink rose and the other (that I wanted) was a white sport, but she wouldn't be pursuaded :) In her computer it said KPV aka Souv de la Malmaison, so it HAD to be the same rose. lol.

Long time lurker here. I created an Access database for all my garden plants, including daylilies, and would be utterly lost without it. I can track all the plants I currently have, as well as all the ones I've lost over the years. I can run reports on different suppliers and see whose plants I kill most regularly and which survive my attentions. Unfortunately, as Julie said above, I can no longer deny that I am a plant addict. With well over 2600 entries (one for each plant) and a report that adds up the costs (what was I thinking when I wrote that one???), I can see my garden probably cost more than my car! Fortunately, here in the great, white north, rust will only be a problem with the car!

Okay, in a round about way, I found your blog, and then your "location". LOL So I can give you some places to look near you and far from you.. Two of my favorite West Coast Suppliers (far) LOL Brambleberry~WA and OregonTrailsoaps~OR Candle Cocoon (her regular line) has alot of great multi purpose scents. (meaning B&B and soap and candles) Fabulous oils they are a bit pricey, but you don't need nearly as much as other companies (mid way~she's in WI) Nature's Garden ~Ohio Southern Scentsations~MI East Coast side...hmmmm Fragrance Oil Heaven~NY Candlewic~PA All the ones I've listed in the body of this thread, I've either done business with, or know friends who use them as well. Good companies for sure. But the link below gives you even more choices. Here is a link that might be useful: A little resource you might like. :o)

Susan, First, I was intimidated by CP at first because I was afraid i would not know what trace looked like. Well, it is very easy to see. Once you add the lye water to the oils and start stirring you will see the mixture start thickening, as you stir you will see track marks in the soap, you can actually drizzle some of the soap over the mixture and you will see "traces", with the recipe I am going to give you this will happen in about 4 minutes if you use a stick mixer, (if mixing by hand could take hours). I recommend the stick mixer, I did by hand the 1st time but got very disconcerned with the stirring. This recipe is not organic but you can probably purchase the items organically. Here is a very easy and mild CP recipe: 38 oz veg. shortening 24 oz Olive Oil 24 oz Coconut Oil 12 oz lye 32 oz distilled water 3-4 oz EO or 2 oz FO 1/4 oz herbs (optional) Items needed: 2 plastic pitchers 2 candy thermometers 1 stainless steel pot mold freezer paper Goggles rubber gloves 2 wooden spoons scale that weighs in ounces and pounds old blanket piece of cardboard that fits into mold so lay on soap as not to create soda ash Wearing goggles and rubber gloves weigh out 12 oz of lye into a plastic pitcher, in another plastic pitcher weigh out 32 oz of distilled water. Slowly pour the lye into the water stirring as you add. The mixture will be very hot, stick a thermometer in and start on the oil phase. In a stainless pot add weighed veg shortening and coconut oil, let melt, as soon a mixture melts remove from heat, add olive oil. Add a 2nd thermometer to the oil mixture, let both (lye and oil) mixtures cool to between 90 - 100 degrees. While waiting for mixtures to cool you can prepare your mold by greasing and lining with freezer paper. Also get your additives ready. Both mixtures will need to be at exactly same temp before incorporating. If one cools faster than the other put the warmer on in a cold water bath until it reaches the correct temp. Once both are at the same temp slowly pour the lye water into the oil. If using a stick blender you will see the mix thicken and then you will see "tracks" or "trace" in the soap, this is when you will add you FO, EO, additives or color. You can also superfat with 2 oz of Shea butter or Avacodo butter at this time. Use your stick blender to stir again until trace then pour in prepared molds. You can lay a piece of freezer paper directly on soap then place the card board or a lid on the container. Wrap in a blanket, leave in blankets for 18 hours, then uncover and let sit another 12 hours. After 12 hours remove soap from mold and cut into bars. This makes (1) 4LB block or (2) 2LBS loafs, I get 20 bars from this recipe (you can get 24 depending on your mold. ***Clean up tip: I let the mixture in the pot and blender sit and begin to set up so it is more of a soap mixture when I clean than oily.** ~~If you are nervous about making just make sure you have everything ready before you begin and read the directions several times before attempting. I have to say as nervous as I was all of my soaps have turned out great, not one messed up batch~~ Good Luck Elle By the way Susan, ordered the Coffee FO today for the Kitchen Soap