Light in the dark, magic winter

In these dark winter times, I relish every opportunity to remind myself that the light is returning. I light candles to illuminate the dark...for me, winter is a time to relish love and light (thanks to Andyblalok for creating this!):

Memories come cascading in during winter...here's a delightful, playful reflection on memory told through light painting (all thanks to mrtigerrr):

 

And of course, Kate Bush captures the magic so brilliantly:

Queen Isabel and her Hungary Water

Ah summer...

For this teacher, it means the appalling luxury of indulging in whimsical artsy-crafty projects for the soul sake of my own enjoyment. Today's adventure is Queen Isabel's Hungary Water. I used to purchase a version of this astringent/body splash from a lovely tea-reading gypsy who has since moved on. Legend has it that a Queen (could be Isabel or perhaps Elizabeth but no-one really knows) Since I am at the bottom of my last bottle, I must try to concoct my own.

First, the harvest. I clipped these various ingredients from my own and my neighbors' gardens (we're all chummy like that): roses, lavender, thyme, spearmint and chamomile. It was a particular delight to harvest lemon balm, a weed that grows in our driveway.

Then I put them all into a jar with some lemon and orange rinds and covered them in vodka. Now the smooshed ingredients sit in the sun for three weeks. Then I'll add some rose water and hopefully end up with a delightful, cooling splash...or it could end up a smelly, moldy mess. Hopefully, the former...

It is a tremendous blessing to have this leisure available for me to play like this.