Midsummer Faire & Celtic Celebration

Summer is the time of year that we travel to outdoor festivals and exhibit our herbal soaps.  Last Saturday we went to the Midsummer Faire & Celtic Celebration at The Farm on St Mathias in Brainerd, Minnesota.  The weather was a bit challenging, with more like fall temps than July ones and some strong wind gusts all day.  I almost lost the tent a few times to the wind...but no pain no gain.

 

 

I love all things Irish and this is a fun show with lots going on and wonderful customers. The folks who put this show on are very helpful and the setting on the farm couldn't be more beautiful.

 

 

 

Here's a peek at all the happenings.

 

What's a Celtic Festival without sheep shearing?

 

 

Live Irish Music

 

 

Spinners

 

Face Painting for the kids

 

Our Irish Soaps

 

A Blacksmith Demonstration

 

Hens to watch

and eggs to discover!

 

Horses

 

and stacks upon stacks of hay.

 

 

Till next year~ Féach leat níos déanaí!

 

Christine Kennedy

www.AllThingsHerbal.com

Summer Reading and the Joy of Herbal Books

Reading in an Adirondack chair - now that's what I call summer!

Today I slipped outside and enjoyed rereading a few of my favorite herb books.  What a summer treat!  I not only felt rejuvenated being outside but inspired with some new ideas!

One of my all time favorites gems is this book by Melissa Placzek. Her charming books are filled with her watercolors and recipes for little indulgences plus, she's a Minnesotan.  I love the title too, as I often feel chin deep in bubbles!

Ahhhh….looking over recipes and planning for the hot days of summer.

Let's make gallons and gallons of iced tea with fresh mint leaves, lemons and honey.

Looking over the meaning of different of flowers, books on the Language of Flowers by Kate Greenaway and Pierre-Joseph Redoute.

And, I finished with Tasha Tudor.  Her books are classics and I think of them as comfort food for the soul, with their old fashioned simple beauty.

I hope you all enjoy some treasured time with books this summer.

~Christine

Newest Handcrafted Soaps for Summer

Introducing our three newest summer scents:

Jasmine Nights, Lavender Lemon & Lavender Cucumber

Jasmine Nights~

Jasmine flowers are renowned for their beautifully distinctive fragrance, and this soap captures the essence of that captivating scent.  Featuring brightly colored layers in beautiful shades of stunning pink and divine orange, this wonderful herbal soap bar has the look and scent of summer - perhaps a summer night filled with the warm sweet scent of jasmine.

This herbal soap is carefully handcrafted with skin-loving botanicals, oils and butters with swirls of clay and a sprinkle of poppy seeds on the very top.  After a date with this bar, your body will look and feel silky smooth.

Lavender Lemon~

Within the stunning lavender, lemon and cream swirls, Lavender Lemon is fragranced with a garden fresh blend of tangy lemon and classic lavender, brightened with just a touch of orange and eucalyptus oils. Sooo delicious!

 

We used our skin-loving formula including shea and cocoa butters, olive and coconut oils.  And, for an extra touch, a light sprinkle of dried blue cornflowers along the top.

Tangy and uplifting, you will be captivated by this bar after just one use!

Lavender Cucumber~

Our Lavender Cucumber bar is the perfect summer combination wrapped into one feel good bar of soap! The soothing aroma of lavender calms your nerves while the cool, fresh cucumber awakens your mind and senses, making for one delightful summer skincare treat. 

Handcrafted with our signature blend of oils, we've added creamy goats milk and fresh cucumber purée to provide a natural source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that helps cleanse, condition and protect your precious skin.  Finally, for an extra luxurious touch, French green clay and superfine flax seeds are added, both used to help detoxify, cleanse and clarify the most sensitive of skin types, naturally.  You will love the glow this little powerhouse of goodness leaves behind!

May you enjoy a wonderful start to a beautiful summer,

Christine Kennedy

http://www.allthingsherbal.com/



Hello Red Wing!

A few weeks ago, David and I took a little trip to Red Wing, Minnesota with my parents.  For Christmas, we had given them a night at the Candelight Inn Bed and Breakfast.  And, surprise.....we had purchased a night for ourselves too!  It was SO much fun to get away together!  It was amazing to spend a few days relaxing and exploring another city together.

Our first stop was to the Red Wing Pottery Museum.

I love these vintage Red Wing dinner plates!

 

As you may know, during the summer months, David and I run an ice cream shop in our hometown of Pequot Lakes.  But, perhaps you didn't know, that you can place an All Things Herbal order online and select local pick up for our ice cream shop and receive a FREE Ice Cream Cone - in your choice of flavor when you pick your order up.  Ah, summer and ice cream!

So, whenever I travel with David, I know that he is always on the look out for ice cream shops.  He'll never miss an opportunity to visit an Ice Cream Parlor and enjoy MORE ice cream!  This time, he also bought a few candies, a cayenne pepper one for himself and a dark chocolate carmel for me.  I think he had planned that we'd split them but, I'd already eaten mine, so he had the spicy one all to himself.

Next to the Red Wing Pottery Museum are several antique shops. Filled with glassware.

I love all the colors!

For dinner we were told Red Wing Brewery was the place for pizza and handcrafted local beers.

They even took the time to give our party of four a personal tour of their brewery!



This one is mine - a delicious dark chocolate stout.

Time to head back to the Candlelight Inn. 

 

The Innkeepers brought us a glass of wine to enjoy in their sitting room.

 

 

 

A peek into the dining room ~ it was ready for all the breakfast guests in the morning.

 

 

Before leaving, I had put together a giftbox of our handmade bath treats to surprise my parents with.  Everything one might need for a relaxing whirlpool bath: sea salts, lavender jojoba oil, soaps and chocolate.

In the morning, we were awoken by music. Our hosts had placed a music box outside our door to let us know that morning coffee had arrived and soon we should head down for breakfast.

When we opened the door, warm muffins and hot coffee were nestled inside the basket.

My parents, Art & Colleen walking together in the morning.  What a wonderful example of love for us.

Would a visit to Red Wing be complete without a stop at Red Wing Shoe Factory? I think not!

Love the built in scissors holder in front!

Almost time to head back home, but before we did, we decided to head about 1/2 hour further down the river and visit the National Eagle Museum.

And are we glad we did - up close and personal with these majestic Eagles!

On our way out of town, we stopped at Caribou Coffee for Mocha's to go and were handed these - a perfect reminder to enjoy these special times together.

Happy Spring,

Christine Kennedy

http://www.allthingsherbal.com/