Mmmm Delicious!

A couple of new additions to my Etsy shop today:

The Black Cherry Bath Bomb

The "Birthday Cake" Bath Bomb

Off to make more! Happy Saturday!

Layla

One World, One Heart Giveaway - CLOSED AND WINNER ANNOUNCED!

** ** ** THE WINNER OF MY OWOH GIVEAWAY IS "LADYBUG" FROM www.thelightifind.blogspot.com! ** ** **

***********************************************************************

I just learned about the most amazing blog called "One World, One Heart". A woman named Lisa Swifka is the author of this blog, as well as the host of this worldwide blogging event that is taking place January 19-February 12. Rather than me trying to explain it all to you, I'll share an excerpt from Lisa, the creator of One World-One Heart:

"The original idea behind this giveaway event was to bring bloggers together from around the world who may never ordinarily meet. It closes the gap of the blog community and enables us to interact, discover new and wonderful people, and in the process possibly win a prize or many prizes along the way...This is more than wanting to win something.......that is only the means.......in the end it's about finding kindred spirits."


I am participating in this event (OWOH) and this drawing is open to ANYONE and EVERYONE!!!

HOW TO ENTER TO WIN:
All you need to do is leave me a comment ON THIS POST some time before February 12th and be sure to include your name and email so I have a way to get a hold of you if you are the winner! It's that easy! On February 12th, I'll pick a winner and post their name right here on my blog!

THE PRIZE:
The winner will receive *all* of the following items:

One bar of Vegan Key Lime Soap


One Fragrant Rose Garden Scented Sachet


A sample of our delicious Black Currant tea


Good luck and have fun!
Layla

Have a Heart!

Click to Play: http://www.itsmeowornever.org/valentine/

You're invited to a fun Valentine's Day contest! Give a little love to a shelter animal and win a great prize! Everyone that participates is a winner!

Please visit http://www.itsmeowornever.org/valentine/ for the details!

Love,
It's Meow or Never
Animal Rescue & Sanctuary

P.S. Help us by spreading the word and sharing this invite!

Lime Lilac Bath Bombs - Featured!

I'm so excited! My lime lilac bath bombs have been featured in an Etsy Treasury!


Thanks to That70sShoppe for selecting my bath bombs!

Layla

Whooopiee!

Photo Credit: Delta Niner's

One of my favorite web sites for food inspiration is Purely Delicious Magazine. Just look at this beauty that I discovered on their home page!



Here's the recipe - do let me know if you try it!

Lemon Raspberry Tart

Raspberries smothered in lemon cream with a nice, crunchy almond crust. This cream is also very nice with mangoes or apples.
Fills 8, 8 cm brioche shells

Crust Ingredients:
3 C fine almond flour
4 T. honey
4 medjool dates, pitted and soaked in water for about an hour
1/4 C coconut oil/cream
1/2 tsp. sea salt

Filling Ingredients:
6-8 raspberries, per serving
1/3 C lemon juice
1 C cashews soaked in water for about an hour, rinsed and drained
2 C fresh young coconut meat
1/2 C honey or agave nectar
4 T. coconut oil/butter
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. vanilla or 1" of vanilla bean, ground

Preparation:
To make crust, place almond flour, honey, drained dates, coconut oil, and sea salt in a food processor and blend until it balls up. Line small pans or brioche shells with plastic wrap. Press crust into shells and place in the freezer for at least 1/2 hour. Carefully remove these from their shell and remove plastic. Replace in freezer until ready to use. These can be made well in advance.

To make the filling, place ingredients, except berries, in a high-powered blender and run until smooth and creamy. Place a 1/2 tsp of honey in the bottom of your frozen crust shells. Place 3 raspberries on top of the honey. Pour the filling mixture over the berries. Allow this to chill in the freezer until ready to serve. Top w/lemon zest.

You may also keep this in the fridge alternatively, if you prefer a softer, more pudding-like consistency for the filling.

Happy Monday!
Layla

Featured!

My beautiful new yellow parchment roses have been featured in an Etsy treasury and it's a particularly nice one:


Thanks to Nature Manipulated for including Flowering Tree Botanicals in such a beautiful line up!

Here's the direct link to the treasury which (sadly) expires on Tuesday: http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=34123

Layla

Parrot "Pets" Cat

Parrot 'pets' cat @ Yahoo! Video

Peacock Feathers

One of the most popular products in my shop are peacock feathers. I have always admired peacocks for their stunning color and regal appearance. Just how can a bird bear such vibrant color and striking marks?

I decided to see what lovely "peacock" items are being made on Etsy and here's what I found:


Fantastic Peacock Feather Comb by wildspirits


Gold silk peacock feathers - luxury clutch bag by redrubyrose


Eggplant Peacock Feather Hand Silk Screened Metallic Overlay by Gypsies Tramps and Thieves


Peacock table by Peggitha's Pieces


Padded Gadget Case ideal for Ipod, Cell Phone, Blackberry, Digital Camera - Peacock Feathers by Dory Designs


Green Peacock Enclosure Cards by Michelle Brusegaard

Happy Saturday!
Layla

The Hungry Hedgehog

This was just too cute .. I had to share it.

Hedgehog eats a carrot @ Yahoo! Video

The "Kylie Bomb"

I listed a new item in my Etsy shop that I'm particularly proud of - a new bath bomb in honor of a really cool little boy named "Kyle".

Kyle is an amazing 7 year old. He is in second grade at Wade King Elementary School in Bellingham, Washington. His family learned that he has a rare brain stem tumor (a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma) on February 9, 2007. Kyle has his own blog and it's really great to see pictures and read about him.

Kyle or "Kylie" and his brother LOVE bath bombs - they use them every night! I learned about Kyle when I was featured on the Soap Queen's blog and was inspired by the story so I packed up a big box of bath bombs and mailed them his way. I also created the "Kylie Bomb" in his honor and to help raise funds for the Kyle Roger fund.



Please consider purchasing a set of 2 for $6 - you'll be supporting a really neat family and you'll enjoy a wonderfully citrus bath!

Thanks!
Layla

Resolutions

One of my resolutions for the new year is to kick my creativity up a notch. I'm going to take a shot at being more crafty... starting today.

This afternoon, I made these wonderful lemon-lime bath bombs:


And also these orange-strawberry parfait ones:


Needless to say, they both smell great and I'm off to take a bath and try one. You can pick up a four pack of my bath bombs in my Etsy shop for $10 - mix or match!

See you tomorrow!
Layla

Confessions of a Pyrex Addict

In my first self-discovery exercise of 2009, I'm admitting to the public that I have a secret addiction to vintage Pyrex. I haven't told a single soul until now. I hope you'll keep my secret safe.

I have a piece of Pyrex from my Mom and I never use it - I keep it safely hidden back in the depths of my kitchen cabinet. You know the one... the one that has the serving dishes you really only use once a year?

It's a serving dish and it's pink and matches nothing and it's perfect and I love it for the huge amount of sentimental value it holds in it's two little divided sections.

Here are some more items that I am secretly envying and drooling over this morning.




So, my question to you .. if you only have one piece of vintage Pyrex but secretly lust over every piece you see, does that really make you an addict or are you an enthusiast?

Thanks for letting me get this off my chest. I feel so much better now that you know.

Hugs,
Layla

Look for the silver lining ...

One of my very favorite songs seems like the perfect one to share as we greet the New Year.


"Look for The Silver Lining"

[Boy]
Please don't be offended if I preach to you awhile,
Tears are out of place in eyes that were meant to smile.
There's a way to make your very biggest troubles small,
Here's the happy secret of it all.

Look for the silver lining
When e'er a cloud appears in the blue.
Remember some where the sun is shining,
And so the right thing to do,
Is make it shine for you.

A heart, full of joy and gladness,
Will always banish sadness and strife.
So always look for the silver lining,
And try to find the sunny side of life.

[Girl}
As I wash my dishes, I'll be following your plan,
Till I see the brightness in ev'ry pot and pan.
I am sure your point of view will ease the daily grind,
So I keep repeating in my mind.

Look for the silver lining
When e'er a cloud appears in the blue.
Remember some where the sun is shining,
And so the right thing to do,
Is make it shine for you.

A heart, full of joy and gladness,
Will always banish sadness and strife.
So always look for the silver lining,
And try to find the sunny side of life.

Happy New Year!
Layla

Back in the land of the living!

It is so nice to be back! We had a series of snow storms come through and really bring everything to a screeching halt! Christmas Day was spent in the dark with no power and snow coming down like crazy!


My poor little Japanese maple nearly disappeared so I had to keep brushing the snow off the top!


All in all, it was a nice quiet Christmas with much time spent getting caught up on inventory and organizing everything for my shop, reading, knitting and relaxing. Not much else to do when the power's out!

I am so grateful to all of my customers who were so patient with me - it was impossible to get out, let alone mail orders out! Because my customers are so important to me, I'd like to offer a special discount... enter code SNOW08 at checkout and you'll receive 50% off any one item when you place your order at Flowering Tree Botanicals by 1/31/2009.

Here's wishing you and yours a VERY happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Hugs,
Layla

Featured Guest - Dozen Flours

I recently stumbled across another blog and I have to share it with you all. Julia at "Dozen Flours" has got to be one of the most talented ladies I have ever "met"! Trust me - you have got to go take a look! Just look at her little snowman cupcakes!


Please swing on over and say "hi" to Julia and tell her that I sent you!

I thought I should also let you all know that my special for Christmas Eve is FREE FIRST CLASS SHIPPING for anything in my Etsy shop! One day only! http://layla.etsy.com.

I'll keep this posting short but want to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Hugs,
Layla

Storm Preparations ...

We're in for a nasty storm tonight/tomorrow so today was all about storm preparations. I got up early, dug out the truck and off I went! At the grocery store, I picked up canned soups and fruit and some packets of apple cinnamon oatmeal. I think I got the very last "D" batteries in all of Woodinville too!

My Mum (aka "LizzieJane") would be proud of me ... I picked up five giant Hershey's chocolate bars too.

My street lost power a couple days ago and during that time, I had a really exciting revelation! It doesn't take electricity to make bath bombs! This is what I made:


Mmmmm... the scent of lemon is so lovely!

I also made these rose ones:


Both are available in my shop - just $10 for four!

I thought I'd also share this lovely photo of Panda - she got a nice new yellow Cuddle Sack bed - a fundraising item available from It's Meow or Never Animal Rescue & Sanctuary. She won't get out of it - I had a good giggle today -- I think she looks like she's sleeping in a giant banana peel!



Happy holidays!
Layla

Homemade Lavender Lemon Biscotti

Mmm... what do you make when you've got nearly 25 pounds of culinary lavender on hand? Lavender Lemon Biscotti!

First the dry ingredients come together .. flour, sugar, nuts, lavender, baking powder...


Then the liquid ingredients are added to the dry, forming a dough:


This is a photo of the biscotti, halfway through baking .. looks promising and the kitchen smells *delicious*!


Here's the finished product. I decided to dip them into a little dark chocolate to make them extra special. They are *delicious*!

Two New Teas!

I am so excited - I have two new teas in my shop and they are DELICIOUS!

The first is "Tropicana":


To say this tea is delicious is an absolute understatement.

A smooth black tea which is infused with thistle flower petals, marigold petals, cornflower petals, rose petals and natural tropical fruit flavorings. This one makes you go "mmmmm" even before you brew it.

Imported from Germany, this tea serves well both hot and iced.

The second is "Pomegranate Green Tea":


This tea has the most wonderful, fruity aroma! Sweet berry pomegranate flavor over smooth mellow green sencha cup.

Just $6 for a quarter pound ... treat yourself to a nice, hot cuppa!

Hugs,
Layla

Big Sale! White Elephant and Time for Baking!

Firstly, I'm doing a Buy One, Get One Half Off sale in my Etsy shop today! Woohoo!!

I've got a White Elephant at work next week so some lucky person is going to receive something lovely from my shop. I still haven't decided if it will be some of these:


Or these:


Or perhaps this:


We're also doing a cookie swap and I have decided to give this recipe from Napa Valley Lavender Company a whirl:

Lavender Biscotti

Equipment needed: Cookie sheets, 1 small and 1 large mixing bowl, whisk or hand beater

2 c All-purpose flour
2 tsp Baking powder
¼ tsp Salt
½ c Coarsely chopped macadamia nuts
2 Lg Eggs
½ C Granulated sugar
3 tsp Dried lavender flowers
¼ c Melted butter
2 Tb Honey
1 Tb Lemon rind
Juice of 1 lemon
3 Tb Milk
½ tsp Vanilla or lemon extract

Optional: melted chocolate for dipping

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In large bowl combine all dry ingredients, lavender and nuts. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, butter, honey, lemon, lemon rind, milk, and vanilla (may use beater on slow instead of the whisk). Add to flour mixture. Stir well. Dough will be soft and sticky.

Spoon onto cookie sheet into 2 "log" shapes: approximately 2 " wide.

Bake 35 minutes until golden. Remove from oven. Cool 10 minutes. Place on board, cut into 1" wide slices. Place on sides on cookie sheets.

Return to oven cook 20 minutes longer, turning once. Cool on rack.

Optional to dip or decorate with melted chocolate. Yield: 2 dozen.

I hope you're all enjoying the holiday festivities!

Hugs,
Layla