Welcome to Lydia McCauley's Garden of Simples Blog

The highest reward for a person's toil is not what they get from it, but what they become by it. - John Ruskin



Lydia McCauley and Kurt Scherer are owners of STONEHOUSE ARTIFACTS, offering Treasures from Colonial India. Online Here.

Our shop is located in Bellingham, Washington. We welcome you to come and visit our small estate, enjoy the grounds and share a cup of Chai.



Monday, March 31, 2014


COTTONWOOD OIL

Today is a good day.  I started this year's Cottonwood Oil.
I live in the Pacific Northwest and our cottonwood trees release a wonderful scent in the spring.
The scent comes from the sheath that surrounds the new leaves.
When it's time for the leaves to pop, it is time for me to collect the pods.
And that is today!

If you want to make Cottonwood Oil here's what you do:

Find cottonwood trees in the early Spring.
Pick up the pods that have dropped.
Collect them in a jar.
Add olive oil.
Repeat.

I collect them until the jar is full.
I shake them once a day for 6 weeks.
I open the jar and breathe in the wonderful scent.

Then I make Cottonwood Lotion.








I especially enjoy using a blue glass jar and zinc lid.
Vintage Ball Jars are perfect for this.
And it brings me joy to see this color blue.


Monday, March 10, 2014


Half Price Sale Starts Today on Select Items!  See the Sale Selection in the Shop.

Lost in Time Today!  We won't be finding the hour we lost until October.  Oh well!


     

'lost in time' by gardenofsimples


Childrens Viking Helmet with Horns Toddler Hat - AandBDesignStudio
Vintage Ledger Journal Weekly Wages Weekly Time Book Vintage Ephemera Altered Art Scrapbook - SeasideRoseCreations
Misty and dreamy landscape, fine art photography, 11"x17" - hayagold
Antique Downton Abbey Maids Dress: Edwardian Scullery Maids Blue & White Striped Dress 1900 Titanic - missfarfalla
Vintage Terra Cotta Emperor Shi Soldiers and Horse Figurines - 4EnvisioningVintage
Gigi detective - Lemarchanddeprose
White Graniteware Plates, Set of Two - RushCreekVintage
Marie Beartoinette - Altered Image - 8 X 10 Art Print - BeatUpCreations
handwritten letter 1827 with its little old key - frenchmanufacture
Vintage Fan Grill Blade Cover - forgottenPLUM
Metal Rabbit Chocolate Mold - Modred12
Antique Mid Century Purple Lavender Linen Rectangular Table Cloth, Unique Mothers Day Gift For MOM Grandma Wife, Antique thick Linen 1950's - TheNewtonLabel
Antique Blue White Bowl Flow Blue China Pottery Serving Bowl Fruit Bowl Antique Kitchen - WhimzyThyme
Turquoise And Bali Silver Dangle Earrings, OOAK - VonCliecXclusives
Reflections of the Louvre- Signed Fine Art Photograph - TheLeftBank
Cross-Eyed Blue Eyed Cat - Digital Download Fine Art Photography Animal Photography Tonkinese Cat - PatrickRabbatPhotos
 


Enjoy the confusion!