5 comments about Lavender: How to Grow and Use the Fragrant Herb (Herbs (Stackpole Books)).

1. Well written, detailed, and informative book, with lots of pictures and useful tips. The subtitle describes it all!



2. Nature's beauty challenges our ability to describe in mere words or even in photographs. Ellen Spector Platt's new edition of Lavender - How To Grow And Use The Fragrant Herb (Stackpole Books 2009) meets this challenge and then some.
   
   The book, 145 pages, contains photographs of lavender fields, garden paths, wreaths and more images. The beauty of lavender dazzles us; however this book invites us to discover more about this plant. Platt's book describes its history from ancient times when Roman soldiers used the herb to perfume their bath water to now when lavender is celebrated in festivals around the world.
   
   Platt provides useful advice about growing lavender. Full sun is a must for this plant. Good drainage and alkaline soil are also preferred. For harvesting Platt offer tips for cutting, drying and using lavender making it easy to enjoy its beauty even after summer is over.
   
   Farms and festivals offer visitors opportunities to "observe essential oil being distilled from the harvest; hear the banjo picker, the country trio, the six-string electric violin, or the Celtic fiddle." Once again Platt speaks to all our senses and invites us to appreciate lavender for its beauty, fragrance, usefulness and its taste. She provides a list of festivals so you can discover the experience of lavender yourself.
   
   Taste, my favorite part, is now coming into its own in America. In France, lavender has been a favorite in the kitchen for a long time. Platt shares recipes for Poached Apples, Aromatic Chicken and instructions for serving Edible Flowers. I am pleased to have contributed one of my special recipes - Roasted Halibut a la Provence.
   
   If you are intrigued with Lavender, this book will help you discover its array of attributes. If you are looking for an unforgettable Mother's Day gift, look no longer. Pick up a copy of Lavender - How To Grow and Use The Fragrant Herb and why not splurge and add a lavender plant!
   
   Gifts That Bloom ~ Aromatherapy Lavender Garden
   
   Munstead Lavender Herb - Perennial - 8 Plants



3. Ms. Platt has once again demonstrated her ability to provide a wealth of information in an entertaining and engrossing manner. There is truly something for everyone - from growing tips to wonderful desserts. Her practical advice as well as the easy to understand project directions encourage even the "bumblers" like myself to undertake a creation. The lavender farms and festivals are now on my vacation "wish list". This is an inspiring book from start to finish complete with beautiful photos and wonderful memories.



4. This book was everything I hoped for: projects (lots more than the first edition), recipes, tips on drying, propagation, and perhaps most importantly, recommended varieties and suggestions on how to grow lavender in containers and in the ground. Pretty pictures, clear instructions, tasty deserts...what more could a lavender lover ask for?



5. This is the companion for anyone starting a love affair with lavender. The author, in an easy to understand style, covers the history, the different varieties and the how to of growing. There are chapters showing how to use the plant in home projects and in kitchen recipes. Lavender festivals and sources are even part of this all in one book on lavender. The accompanying pictures are an added bonus in this 5 star book.

5 comments about Making Herbal Dream Pillows : Secret Blends for Pleasant Dreams (The Spirit of Aromatherapy).

1. This book does have some nice recipes. I have seen some better sources with many more recipes as well as ways of actually making the pillows themselves, I also didn't like the fact that in the book it was recommended to NOT use essential oil, I dissagree & many others do as well.



2. "Making Herbal Dream Pillows : Secret Blends for Pleasant Dreams" is a perfect gift choice for that someone special. If you or a friend like herbal fragrances, arranging flowers or just potpourri in general this has many possibilities and suggestions. Thoughtful in its approach this is very well conceived. Highly recommended.



3. This was a Christmas gift for my 30 yr old daughter in law. (It was on her wish list). She read me a few 'recipes' from the book over the holidays. The book seemed to hold her attention. The recipes sounded fun and made one want to start on them right away. But a trip to an Herbal Store is definitely needed. There are a lot of herbs required to make the pillows that won't be on your pantry shelf. Overall though, she seemed happy with the book. 5 stars if there weren't so many herbs not commonly on hand. The book is nicely made, not cheap looking.



4. I give this book four stars because of the beautiful artwork and wonderful recipes. Very beautifully illustrated and simple to follow. However I have one complaint: most of the herbal recipes call for mugwort which I cannot find. I haven't yet tried any of the recipes in here because of that but in my opnion it is very original and definitely a keeper.



5. Wonderful book! Jim Long has done alot of research into the origins of the pillows. Very informative compact book.

5 comments about Essentially Soap: The Elegant Art of Handmade Soap Making, Scenting, Coloring & Shaping.

1. This book was recommended to me when I deceided to start making soap on my own. This is the essential book for all beginners. I must admit I was VERY nervous when making my first batch however I forged ahead with the help of this book and I havent looked back.



2. Well written with lots of excellent tips. As this book is written by a chemist, it answered a lot of my questions and gave me insight on soapmaking as no other book has. I highly reccomend it.



3. In my opinion this is the best soap book there is. It is the answer to any soapmakers questions--beginner or advanced. Being a visual person the many pictures with pictured step by step instructions are invaluable to me. If you do not have the space or money for every book that is out there this one book can be the one guide you refer to time and time again.



4. In my opinion this book is a must read for any soaper. It introduces both the history and the science behind soap making in a way that is easy to understand and enjoyable to read. My favorite piece of information gleaned from this book is that regarding the INS Scale. Being fairly new to the art of soap making this was a new concept to me and the simplicity with which it is presented is wonderful. The one drawback that I found to be most notable is the authors lack of encouragement in attempting CP soap at home while discussing the re-batching method. He frequently stresses how dangerous CP soap making is and how much safer it is to buy already made CP soap. While it is true that the process of CP soap making can be dangerous I don't believe those interested in giving it a go should be intimidated. As long as you are well informed and follow basic chemical handling safety you'll be fine!



5. I'm new to soapmaking and have taken 1 class on it. I'm obsessed with this new art and have poured thru 6 books in 4 days I love it so much! I can tell you this book was one that I got from the library (but will own soon!) and it's a MUST HAVE! It's informational more than a book of recipes but it's very clear and one I will refer to always. Don't get me wrong, the recipes are great but they are for 4 lb batches which seem a bit big for me right now (2 solo soap adventures so far)....very new. The other must have book with 2lb recipes is "Smart Soapmaking" by Anne L. Watson! YOU have to have this book in your soap library!

No comments about How to Make Incense Guide.

4 comments about Making Your Own Incense: Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin A-226.

1. you might be tempted to pass this little booklet by because it's only 40 pages long, but there is a lot of good information packed into those pages.
   
   If you make herbal incense or are wanting to learn, you should get this book. The author talks about several different ways to make incense and describes the smell of the ingredients.
   
   She does like putting saltpeter in everything, and mentions getting that idea from Wylundt's book of incense (also highly recommended). Saltpeter is not actually needed for a lot of blends, and it can be hard to get, so don't let that keep you from trying them without it.
   
   What I liked about this is that the instructions are very clear. Wylundt's has the necessary information but you really have to hunt it down as it's spread all throughout the book. In this little manual, the author presents concise and straightforward information.
   
   The only downside is that there is just a short list of ingredients and not a bunch of recipes. However, once you learn the techniques you will find that you are just going to go on a spree through your spice cupboard trying out everything, and there are a zillion recipes online, so putting that stuff in this booklet would only make it cost more. Once you get the basics down it's anything goes. Most people who make incense are naturals at experimenting, and the whole process will inspire creativity.
   
   Highly recommended as a companion to Wylundt's book of incense, Carl Neal's Incense Crafting book, and others. On its own, a little scant, but a must have for anyone who likes to make incense.



2. Very informative and step by step. All the materials listed are realistically common and can be purchased almost anywhere.



3. This book is short, yet covers all the basics of creating incense. One of the things i don't like is that the authors recommend using salt peter in self burning insense. Salt peter is a known toxin, and according to other sources wood charcoal or makko can be used in place. However aside from that it can be a decent starting point. A more indepth book and one that doesn't include salt peter is Incense by Carl F. Neal.



4. I found "Making Your Own Incense" to be a good guide. As a beginner with incense, it was very helpful for me to have advice from people who have already tried out the things they're talking about. "Making Your Own Incense" has good definitions and explanations, and the descriptions of what certain things smell like when they're burned was extremely useful. This Bulletin really helped to take the guesswork out of incense making.

No comments about The Art of Perfumery.

1 comments about Georgia Bonesteel's Patchwork Potpourri.

1. Always a treat instruction wise,this one offers totally new ideas.. great color reproductions and an overall theme to follow.

1 comments about Scented Potpourri & Floral Gifts: Gifts from Nature Series.

1. Straigth-forward. This author doesn't spend too many words to get to the point, which I like. It gives you basic instructions and ingredient proportions for any potpourri you'd like to make using any materials, by both methods: dry and moist potpourris. In addition, it includes several potpourri recipes, which you can follow or alter, just like cooking recipes. The last section includes several projects, which, although not real fancy-looking, are very good as basic ideas from where you can take-off. I like this book because, as compared to others, it makes this potpourri-making science/art un-complicated.

3 comments about Potpourri and fragrant crafts.

1. Sensational ideas for capturing, preserving and enjoying aromatic gifts from the garden. Simple techniques for gathering, drying, storing and blending herbs, flowers & spices. Step by step how-to photographs plus detailed, easy to folow instructions for every project.



2. Betsy articulate approach to the topic combined with the beautiful detailed step by step photography made my purchase of one hundred books for gifts to my garden club members a smash. A MUST READ!



3. Betsy articulate approach to the topic combined with the beautiful detailed step by step photography made my purchase of one hundred books for gifts to my garden club members a smash. A MUST READ!

3 comments about The Good Earth Bath, Beauty & Health Book.

1. This is a great beginner book for those who want to try to make their own personal care products. Easy to follow recipes using products that are readily available at your local health food store with some being available at your regular grocery store. Good variety of recipes.



2. For me, it was love at first glimpse. I grabbed this book and raced to the nearest checkout lane. I couldn't wait to get home and read it from cover to cover.

   I am a self-proclaimed "beauty Products Junkie" and addict. There are worse things to be addicted to. My one problem is that I have fairly sensitive skin and am sensitive to overpowering scents. I also get migraines on a regular basis.

   There's nothing worse for a migraineur and cosmetic-junkie than to get home with a fabulous new product, only to realize that the scent makes you sick! This book teaches you how to make your own homemade products with your own custom-blended scents. I am now able to smell good and FEEL good at the same time.

   I've discovered which scents I like and can tolerate and am able to make products with those scents using fragrance and essential oils. Don't limit yourself to the fragrance and essential oils available to you in your town or city, however. Explore the internet for websites that sell fragrance oils and essential oils. You will find many, many different scents. Choose an odd one and you'll be guaranteed not to wear the same fragrance as your friends and co-workers do!




3. What I did like about this book is the fact that it truly is a book based on natural products you can make yourself, and if it is a natural ingredient, it probably is healthy. The one thing that puzzles me, is where on Earth are busy, working people going to find the time to not only go out and purchase some of these little basic ingredients, but find the time to mix up the wonderful little potions and lotions? I have a top-management position and a family that keeps me going from sunup to sundown. Then, there is the clean-up afterward. With all the brands in existence today, I cannot for the life of me figure out why I would want to make my own toothpaste! I barely have time to brush my teeth, let alone make the toothpaste. If I am fortunate enough that my husband has time to give me a message at the end of the day, there are times when I would not know if he was using an exotic message oil or WD-40 for his car!

   For those people on a limited budget, by the time you run around and buy the basic ingredients(even "basic" can be expensive today,) I cannot see where this would really be a great money saver. "Dollar Stores" sell the finished product for less than some of these basic ingredients, and it is certainly not a time saver. Is it better for you....worth the hassle? I guess that is a matter of personal opinion. As for the book, it was ... in Canadian funds and definitely not worth the price!