Homemade Oregon Grape Holly Jelly
Mahonia aquifolium, Oregon grape holly
Oregon Grape Holly is neither a grape nor a holly. Botanically known as Mahonia aquifolium, it is a flower herb/shrub that has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to treat numerous conditions, including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, stomach issues, heartburn, and depression. All parts of the plant are edible. The root and stalk contain active plant compounds which may combat bacterial and fungal infections, as well as inflammatory and skin conditions. One of the compounds is berberine, which has both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. These are reasons I chose it as one of the ingredients in Big Jim’s and Comfort Cream. The berries are very tart but rich in Vitamin C. To combat the tartness — I add a little juice from a sweeter berry.
I’ve begun growing my Oregon Grape many years ago because it is my practice to grow and learn about the plants I use in my products. It is a shrub that gets to a healthy size, and I wondered about the clusters of purple berries. Little did I know that they would make good-tasting jelly!
This year my Oregon Grape Holly bush was filled with berries, and I decided to give it a try. There are recipes online that I read over to get a general idea. Since I have been making jams and jellies for many years, I decided to use the information I had gathered from the online recipes and rework those into a jelly recipe I was already familiar with.
Gather 10-15 stalks of berries and strip off the berries.
It’s simple enough, so if you ever have the opportunity to harvest these berries (It is a popular landscaping shrub), gather your berries carefully (the holly-like leaves are sharp) and make a batch. Note: When using landscaping shrubs or wild-crafting, be sure you have permission and that they haven’t been sprayed or exposed to chemicals in the lawn nearby.
Wash them in cold water and put them in a large stainless steel pot.
Oregon Grape Holly Jelly can be made by following the recipe on the Sur Gel package for Grape Jelly, substituting Oregon grape juice for the grape juice. You will need about ten cups of Oregon grapes to have enough juice. I used four cups of Oregon grape juice and added one cup of cran-grape juice to cut the tartness of the Oregon grape berries.
Ingredients:
About ten cups Oregon Grape Berries
1 - packet Sur Gel
7 - cups of sugar
Supplies:
8 - one-cup jelly jars, or 4 - one-pint jars
Lids and rings
Soup ladle
Funnel
Rubber gloves
Water bath canner*
It will take a day or so for the jelly to firm up. To enjoy some of your jelly right away, pour about half a cup into a bowl and let it cool in the refrigerator. It should be nice and firm as soon as it cools.
Summer Open House
Nature's Common Scents - Summer Open House is Saturday, July 3rd, 10 am - 7 pm
We'll have lots of handcrafted plant-based herbal products:
• Soaps, balms, creams & oils
• Grab bags
• Herbal refreshments
• New seasonal products
Sample of product selection at:
The address is:
640 Simons Way, Front Royal, VA 22630
Email for written directions:
sondrancs@embarqmailcom
or call 540.635.7073
Highland County, we miss you
March and the coming of Spring means so many things to Nature’s Common Scents, one of the most important? The annual Highland County Maple Festival.
2002 was the first time Sondra and her husband Larry went to Highland County to be a part of the festival and in the nearly 20 years since it has become an important part of the fabric that makes up Nature’s Common Scents. Unfortunately, the show has been canceled for the last two years due to Covid, but we are very hopeful about it returning next year. Of course, we plan to be there if so. We miss meeting customers and, well, just being in “Little Switzerland."
Below is a flyer that Sondra created for the 2013 festival. She would include these in all orders leading up to the March event to help get people out to the show. You’ll see flyers like the one below in your orders late this year and into next.
The festival started in 1958, so 2022 will mark the 64th year since it started. Importantly for us, it will be the 20th anniversary of the first time Nature’s Common Scents set up a booth there. We can’t wait and are planning for it already.
The Story Behind “Fields of Dreams”
“Fields of Dreams” is a therapy bar that goes back about 15 years here at NCS, and every time we make it we are reminded of its unique qualities. As I was making Fields of Dreams recently, I began wondering what made my mother think of those specific, unique ingredients.
Fields of Dreams is one that we don’t see on our bestseller lists, and the recipe is not even in Sondra’s book, but it is definitely one of the more complex and aromatic bars! Of course, like any of Nature’s Common Scents products, all the ingredients have special healing qualities.
Once the soap was finished, I marveled at the wonderful aroma and the obvious deliberateness of the ingredients, so I asked Sondra about the soap and how it came to be “born” (as she calls it).
“It dawned on me one day that the ingredients I was using in most of my soaps were actually mentioned in the Bible, so I decided to make a purposefully biblically-based soap that would tell a story. The well-known Joseph and the Coat of Many Colors was perfect for that. I love how Joseph, the boy, went from being hated, hopeless, and discarded by his brothers to being a slave, imprisoned, and then rising to a high position. Through all that, God used him to save the land from famine and reunite him with his beloved father and younger brother. It’s a reminder that we all must keep slogging through with faith regardless of present circumstances. If you read the story in the Bible, it describes the gifts the brothers brought Joseph, and that’s what I included in this sweet-smelling, musky soap.”
It’s entirely possible some of the ingredients (all listed on the label, along with a short-form of the Bible story) have never been used in soapmaking before. But I can tell you they are wonderful; they all can help your skin as well as please your senses as you bathe with it.
The very popular Myrrh & Frankincense bar and another sleeper, Scripture soap, are also biblically based and excellent for skin issues. Scripture soap is a good one to give to a priest, minister, or Sunday School teacher as it has you guess the scriptures based on the ingredients (a “cheat sheet” is included).
Through Easter (April 4th) we are offering the 3 pack for $20 - a $7 dollar savings if purchased individually.
Shrinking Shipping Cost
Happy New Year everyone. While we are in the middle of a “THANKYOU” free ship month, I wanted to let you know that we are lowering the shipping costs that customers pay -permanently.
Some of you may have noticed already, but at the start of the year, we lowered our standard First Class Shipping cost 30% and Priority 24%. They will remain this way indefinitely.
We’ve also completely eliminated shipping on orders that top 5 lbs. There’s no catch. No sign-ups, no monthly fees to pay, no creative add-ons. No extra work at checkout. It’s automatically applied. Free.
The reduction in shipping comes with no increase in product prices. Believe it or not, Sondra’s prices, like the ingredients in her recipes, have remained practically unchanged for over a decade - and we don’t have any plans to make changes.
We’ll have more offerings like this in the future, so keep an eye out for our newsletters. Thanks for reading.
Larry Jr.
Christmas Open House
Will be Friday and Saturday,
December 4th & 5th
10 am - 3 pm each day
5% discount on all items*
(except grab bags).
The whole staff will be here to serve you an array of herbal refreshments while you take
time to look around, shop, and prepare for the holiday season.
A favorite at this time of year are my "Grab Bags" which include a variety of products you already love at very, very low prices and combination gift packs, as well as special items made especially for the season.
Hope you can join me on this festive occasion!
Just about everyone has been affected in some way by this particularly strange and difficult year! I see many comments on social media about how much people are looking forward to the year ending. Without wanting to sound like a Pollyanna, I would like to put forth the idea that we can all feel better if we make the year-end -- from the Christmas season through New Year's Eve -- especially wonderful for each other.
We at Nature's Common Scents would like to help you kick off the "year ending" month joyfully, with hope and love, by focusing on the meaning of the season. Our Christmas Open House will be filled with items that do just that!
Among all our Bible-centered therapy bars we will have plenty of the Myrrh & Frankincense soap, which makes the perfect hostess gift or stocking stuffer. As always each bar comes in a gold bag with a card explaining the benefits of the valuable essential oils and tree resins, and why each would have been helpful to a young mother with a newborn baby more than 2,000 years ago.
Many folks order these bars in quantity. It helps us if you reserve these ahead of time. You tell us when you want them delivered and we contact you for payment when we're ready to ship them. We need to have bulk pre-orders by November 1st. See the website, www.naturescommonscents.club for an easy way to pre-order.
Yes, it has been a rough year in many ways. I so look forward to seeing you at the Christmas Open House -- you, my customers, who have become my very good friends!
With my love and sincere appreciation, Sondra.
“Ultimate” for a reason
the ULTIMATE Antioxidant Bar
It was probably sometime in the 1990s when words like EXTREME, BLAZIN’, ELITE, and ULTIMATE became product buzz words just as commonly used as traditional words like NEW, FREE, 20% MORE! Whipping up a fresh batch of Sondra’s Ultimate Antioxidant Bar last week had me thinking about such things. Why? It’s absolutely amazing how much is put into this Bar. Safe to say… it definitely earns the ULTIMATE distinction regardless the decade.
Let’s take a closer look at exactly all that is in an Antioxidant Bar.
1. Soy: It has been shown to even the texture of the skin. The collagen-boosting power of soy helps smooth lines, keep pores clear and reduce puffiness. Lecithin is known to hydrate and repair the surface of the skin, due to its fatty acid content. Even better, this skin-improving element is abundant in soy.
2. Coconut Oil: Reduces inflammation, keeps skin moisturized and helping heal wounds. The medium-chain fatty acids found in coconut oil also possess antimicrobial properties that can help treat acne and protect the skin from harmful bacteria.
3. Olive Oil: Acts as an antioxidant, which is a substance that prevents oxidation. Oxidation is a process that can produce free radicals, which are chemicals that can potentially damage cells and may contribute to cancer development.
4. Avocado: Contains a high percentage of Vitamin E, as well as potassium, lecithin, and many other nutrients which can nourish and moisturize your skin. The oleic acid also promotes collagen production, which helps grow new skin. This accelerates the healing process, helping with issues like sunburn.
5. Jojoba: Has anti-inflammatory properties which help to tame chaffing and chapping, reduce redness caused by drying, ease the effects of eczema and rosacea, and keep skin calm and comfortable. The Vitamin E and B-complex vitamins in the Jojoba Oil help in skin repair and damage control.
6. Sweet Almond: Reduces puffiness and under-eye circles. Improves complexion and skin tone. Treats dry skin. Improves acne. Helps reverse sun damage. Reduces the appearance of scars. Reduces the appearance of stretch marks.
7. St. John’s Wort: Eczema, wounds, minor burns, hemorrhoids. John's wort has antibacterial properties and may also help fight inflammation. Applied topically (to the skin), it may relieve symptoms associated with minor wounds and skin irritation.
8. Evening Primrose: Not only does evening primrose oil moisturize and soothe, it can enhance the texture and elasticity of skin, addressing dryness, irritation, roughness and wrinkles. Applying Daily Prep Protecting Facial Oil, on a daily basis can result in a clear and healthy complexion.
9. Rosehip Seed Oil: As mentioned earlier, Rosehip Seed Oil contains Vitamin A which is useful in evening out skin tone and promoting cell regeneration for a more radiant, brighter look. This oil also contains essential fatty acids, which help with cell regeneration—thereby reducing the appearance of scars—and keep skin soft and supple.
10. Honey: It has antibacterial and anti-septic properties, so it gets rid of dirt and bacteria, perfect for both preventing and treating acne. It’s full of antioxidants and boosts collagen production. Honey is naturally soothing and has healing properties. It nourishes damaged skin to fade scars. The enzymes work as a gentle exfoliator, sloughing off dead skin cells and leaving you with a radiant complexion.
11. Turmeric Powder: It has anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and antioxidant effects. Turmeric has been reported to help with eczema, psoriasis, acne, and wound healing. It helps with eczema, psoriasis, acne, and wound healing. Lightens pigmentation. It helps heal and prevent dry skin. Anti-aging: Turmeric slows the skin aging process, and is used to diminish wrinkles, keep skin supple, and improve skin’s elasticity.
12. Ground Rose Hip Seed: It hydrates. It moisturizes. It helps exfoliate and helps brightens skin. It helps boost collagen formation. It helps reduce inflammation. It helps protect against sun damage. It helps reduce hyperpigmentation.
13. Ylang Ylang Essential Oil: Purifying: The potent anti-bacterial properties of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil make it a very effective skin cleanser. It also acts as a healing powerhouse, boosting the regenerative process of the epidermis. Balancing: Ylang Ylang Essential Oil works wonders to regulate your sebum production.
14. Basil Essential Oil: Like most herbs, basil has antioxidants, which help protect the skin from environmental stressors, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Soothing: It can help soothe and give a calming feel to the skin and helping you find relief from temporary itching.
15. Rosewood Essential Oil: Relieves pain. It is a mild analgesic that can help alleviate headaches, toothaches and muscle and joint pain. Heals wounds. This oil’s antiseptic properties help prevent wounds and cuts from getting infected, as well as stimulate faster healing. Helps treat colds, coughs and sinusitis. It has the ability to regulate smooth muscle contractions, helping control bronchial disorders such as asthma. Works as an aphrodisiac and stress reliever. It can help treat impotence or frigidity, arousing sexual desire and improving sexual performance. Rosewood oil’s fragrance also has a calming and relaxing effect on your mind and body.
16. Aloe Juice: Historical records reveal that aloe vera was an essential component in herbal medicine. The Ancient Egyptians highly valued the plant like a cure for infections, rashes, and burns, and known it as the “plant of immortality.” Other civilizations, like the Arabs, Greeks, and Spaniards, utilized aloe vera in reducing perspiration and also remove body odor. Spanish missionaries frequently carried aloe vera along with them to assist in treating the sick.
17. Green tea: Applying green tea fights skin cancer by promoting DNA repair. Green tea contains a powerful antioxidant called EGCG that fights DNA damage from UV rays to prevent skin cancer. That means it's also a potent anti-aging ingredient that combats signs of aging when applied topically.
The Ultimate Antioxidant Bar is one of Nature’s Common Scents perennial best sellers. With visitors in the shop it isn’t uncommon for it to sellout the fastest, as it did during our last open house.
“All ingredients to help prevent age related and environmental skin damage.”
“A wonderful bar for prematurely aged or environmentally damaged skin. Soothing and healing with pure antioxidant plant oils (providing natural vitamins C, A, D, and E), as well as bright red St. John’s Wort oil for damaged skin, and turmeric and rose hips to reduce inflammation and to help speed skin regeneration.”
“There is no other cleansing bar like this one at any price!”
Find the bar by clicking HERE!
NOW OPEN: Workshop - Fridays and Saturdays
After a wonderful Open House last weekend we are excited to announce that NCS will open the doors on the physical workshop location in Front Royal, Virginia every Friday and Saturday (10 AM - 4 PM) for the remainder of the year. Of course, everyone is welcome to shop, chat or just enjoy our quiet corner of the Shenandoah Valley. We’ll have products outside and in to ensure there is plenty of space for everyone to shop. We’ll also have a few tables to relax and have a cup of tea, coffee, water, soda if you so wish.
The store’s physical address is: 640 Simons Way, Front Royal, Virginia, 22630
If you search NATURE’S COMMON SCENTS on Google you’ll get all the info on us pretty quickly (directions, hours, etc.) Your preferred GPS shouldn’t have any trouble bringing you here, but if you want clear instructions on how to get here just email us at sondrancs@embarqmail.com. Lastly, if you’re traveling from outside the Northern Virginia area and would like to visit on a day we are not technically open, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are more than willing to work with your schedule.
We are very excited about opening the doors and look forward to meeting you if you can come out.
Fall Open House is Here
We are very excited about our open house tomorrow. If you would like to let us know you are coming or would like more information head on over to our Facebook page. One last important note - we will be opening the shop on a regular basis after this weekend on Saturdays for walk in customers for the remainder of fall and early winter. We will have more information on that in the coming week. Thank you!
The size and weight of Nature’s Common Scents Therapy Bars
Soaps come in all shapes, sizes, and textures. Here’s a look at some characteristics of Nature’s Common Scents soap products.
One of our Coffee Bars on the scale with a weight of 5.25 oz
Coffee Bar
Size: 4” x 2” x 2”
Weight: 5 ounces
For comparison, most common soaps (including homemade) are 3 - 4 oz. in weight. Ivory Bar Soap Original Scent is 3 oz., Irish Spring is 3.7 oz., Dial Antibacterial Deodorant Bar Soap is 4 oz., Dove, Zest, Lever are all in that 3 - 4 oz. range.
Brands like Harry’s make a specialty soap that tops 5 oz., and Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Bar Soap - RainWater Scent is 5.3 ounces, falling around where Nature’s Common Scents bars range. These are commonly available.
Not every bar of NCS soap is exactly 4” x 2” x 2” and 5 oz. due to being a hand-made product, but all of them come near that. If the soap is a little bit too large for you, don’t hesitate to simply cut it in half (most cut easily with a knife. Sort of like block cheese, they won’t crumble or fall apart).
Take a look at product descriptions to find out more in regards to basic characteristics like lather and texture.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email us at: sondrancs@embarqmail.com
Thank you!
Making an everyday soap that survives a full moon and is named after a bear
Perhaps it’s an unreachable itch comes from a background in product development and manufacturing, but ever since we immersed ourselves in Nature’s Common Scents back in April the idea of making my own therapy soap bar was ever present.
There were a few hurdles, of course. First, being, well, how to comfortably make any soap, let alone my own. The second was simply finding the time between keeping up with the business and settling back into Virginia after a couple decades away. Third! Picking up enough knowledge about herbs, oils, and lye to make a soap that doesn’t melt bathroom tile or dissolve completely when there’s a full moon about (soap making is a close cousin to alchemy after all, and I’ve seen all those Disney movies with cauldrons and such).
Fast forward half a year and I feel that I’m comfortable enough with the soap making process to give it a try. Knowledge in hand, the first order of business was to figure out what the soap should remedy. This was the easy part as I knew the only person that would volunteer to test it (me).
A Mighty Few
Outside of olive oil and cocoa butter, this is everything in the “everyday” bar.
Simple enough. Okay. In the morning, not only do I want to be clean, but I want something for soreness as well as whatever is out there to clear my head. Wake me up.
With an unfortunately healthy knowledge of inventors, scientists, normal people who test on themselves (and all the mangled limbs, burns, and other scars they accumulated) in the back of my mind, I decided that it best to not veer too far from what works. Which happens to be what is in my mom’s Nature’s Common Scents catalog already.
Finding an oil to reduce soreness and inflammation is no easy task outside of walking out of the shower and into work smelling like Icy Hot. I most certainly didn’t want that. Thankfully, there’s frankincense. Yes, that herb from one of the three wise men. It has been found to help with just what I’m looking for. It has even been shown to help with arthritis.
The second essential oil that would be perfect for clarity and waking you up seems a little more simple at first glance. Wintergreen, peppermint, pine, eucalyptus are all common and likely used in your daily soap.
I settled with Scots Pine (Scotch Pine or Pine Scots). Not just because it has a bit of a sweeter smell to offset slightly musty frankincense, but because my wife is in love with her Scottish heritage. From mining the BBC’s Walking Through History with Sir Tony Robinson for Scotland episodes all the way to hit show (beautiful, but racy!) Outlander.
The scent clears the head. Some say it enhances mood and is uplifting.
Next up was the fun part. From here I just used simple olive and sunflower oil and a bit of cocoa butter. I’m still working on the exact levels of each but I’ve already got a great bar that I’m testing out daily!
KING GEORGE THE BEAR’S EVERYDAY SOAP
King George
Here he is near the driveway. “You probably shouldn’t tell people there’s a bear that roams around the shop,” they say.
That’s the name of the soap.
Why George? and Who is George. We have a black bear that likes to roam around the Nature’s Common Scent’s property here in Front Royal. He likely resides in George Washington Park that’s not much further than a stone’s throw from here. I figured, name him George. We’ve seen him twice in the last five months or so. He’s very shy, but friendly. We, and everyone around here haven’t had any problems or bad run-ins with bears in the area. It’s only rarely that they lumber out of the woods. When they do, they become Ring and Facebook stars. Maybe that’s why they do it.
The first person I told about the name “George” was Sondra (my mother, born in England), and her first thought was “King George.” Which is great. I think had I told Larry Sr. first it would have been General George.
After testing and some tweaks to the recipe, we will have this available at an affordable/competitive price and likely in packs between 4-8.
In the meantime, we will make test bars available sold as a set with Castile Soap for anyone who might like to try it out. We wanted to pair it up, so that way you can compare and contrast and get a great NCS favorite.
Tada!
Here it is. King George the Bear’s Everyday Soap. Handmade in Front Royal, Virginia.
We expect the final product to be up by the middle of this month.
Thank you for reading,
Larry Jr.
Elderflower Liqueur Recipe
This Elderflower Liqueur recipe is an excerpt from Sondra’s Book of Knowledge- Herbal Recipes & Things.
This is the tonic so many of my friends, family, and customers have come to rely upon for colds and other viruses. It is actually based on a recipe for a liqueur called Limóncello. I have dubbed it “The Recipe” with a nod toward the beloved Baldwin Sisters, characters in The Waltons TV series.
You will need:
1.5 cups of dried Elderflowers
3 ounces fresh Lemon balm leaves or 1 ounce dried
Peel of three lemons or one lemon sliced (I like to use the entire lemon)
1 liter 100 proof vodka (if you are gluten intolerant, use potato vodka)
Add herbs and lemons to a sterile half gallon jar. Pour vodka over the herbs and press down so vodka covers everything. If it doesn’t, add more vodka. Cover. Let jar sit on the countertop for four weeks. You may have to add more vodka to keep the herbs covered. Shake the tonic once a day. Herbs may float initially and that is all right.
After four weeks, strain out the herbs and lemon. Squeeze them well to remove all the flavored vodka. Strain the now-amber colored vodka through a fine sieve. Clean the jar and return the vodka to it.
Make the sugar syrup:
Bring 4 cups water to a boil. Add 2 cups sugar. Return to boil and simmer until liquid is clear. Remove from heat and let it cool. Add cooled sugar syrup to the jar. Cover.
After two weeks, pour liqueur into individual bottles. It can be kept in a cool, dark pantry or cupboard a year or more.
For better taste, chill until it’s very cold. It can also be kept in the freezer (if your glass bottles will accept freezing temperatures) and is to me more tasty at that temperature. Take an ounce at a time if you have cough, cold, flu or have been exposed to large crowds or viruses. Otherwise enjoy as a cordial.
Workshop Pick Up Now Available
We are excited to announce that Curbside Pickup is now an official way to get Sondra’s Nature’s Common Scents items. There is no fee for this service, just select it as an option when you are checking out and tada! You can come to the shop to pick your order up. We keep just about all the items you find on this site in-stock so there is no need to check in with us to see how long it will take for us to get ready. For almost all orders we’ll just need about an hour to process (gather) it for you. If something is not available, we will let you know.
“WHEN CAN I COME?!”
The short answer is ANYTIME! We prefer it to be during normal business hours (Mon-Sat 8 am-4 pm), but understand that most people are working during those hours. We are flexible. If you are unsure about when you want to pick something up or have any questions, don’t hesitate to call or text us at (614) 312-9605.
We feel like this is a great way to “open” our shop during these COVID-19 times. In the near future, when it is all clear, we will open the shop to walk-in customers. Until then, we feel like this is a great way to visit the peaceful area our shop is in.
DIRECTIONS
The shop is the very last house on Simons Way. It’s a two-story white house. Park anywhere on the gravel. 640 Simons Way, Front Royal, VA 22630 is the physical house address. It is part of the 582 Simons Way property (if 640 doesn’t show on your map).
You can find us on Google Maps HERE!
The Book is Here!
Last week we finally got the printed book here at the shop and it looks fantastic. All of us are so happy with the way it turned out. Thank you so much to all who pre-ordered, you will be (or already have) getting the book in the coming days.
Because of the success of the book we have already had to ask the printer to make us another run. Limited stock is still available, but we expect to run out soon. If so, don’t worry. We will have more in shortly.
Below are some behind the scenes shots that I hope you’ll enjoy.
Thanks again to everyone that has ordered a book. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or comments.
Larry Jr.
What’s Coming (and a little about the new team)
Sondra and Baker in Falls Church, Virginia (where Sondra grew up).
Hello! Thank you for visiting this new site. My name is Larry Jr., Sondra’s son, and I wanted to introduce a couple of people and talk about fun things to come!
Along with myself, my wife Autumn and (almost) 4-year old daughter Baker are the newest members of the Nature’s Common Scents “team.” A couple of months ago we moved here to Virginia from Columbus, Ohio to help keep Nature’s Common Scents (NCS) open and serving Sondra’s customers as she has almost single-handedly for the last 20 years.
Autumn and Baker in Ohio (near where Autumn Grew up).
Autumn and I have over 30 years of combined experience in retail and eCommerce. Some of the places you might recognize are Amazon, Art.com, Inc., Bath & Body Works, and Gap, Inc. Most of the beautiful images you see on this site have been created by Autumn. She has been hard at work getting all the products up and updated, while I have been helping on the operations side. It’s impossible to describe how excited we are to be helping NCS continue on for the foreseeable future.
Speaking of looking forward, here are a few things that are on the horizon:
JULY 2020: Physical books will be shipping out as well as making available digital copies online that you can download to your tablet, phone, or computer to use when making and/or reading one of Sondra’s 60+ recipes.
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2020: Re-opening of the NCS Store that anyone can visit to shop here in Front Royal, Virginia.
OCTOBER 2020: A meet and greet with the new team (Autumn, Baker, Myself, and of course Sondra).
FALL 2020: Introducing a subscription-based model where customers can sign up for monthly shipments of soaps, oils, and other products similar to other services like Dollar Shave Club. It’ll be simple and easy to use.
Along with those, we will also be planning more workshops and setting up our booth at shows again once things get closer to being normal. If you have any questions, already want to plan a visit or just want to say “hi”, never hesitate to reach out to us (sondrancs@embarqmail.com).
Thank you for reading and visiting our new site and an extra thank you to everyone who has pre-ordered a book. We think you will love it.
-Larry
Myself and Baker just outside of Hillsboro, Virginia (near where I grew up).
Sondra’s Book of Knowledge is now available for pre-order!
GOOD NEWS. The long-promised “book of knowledge” is now at the printers and will soon be ready!
A pre-oder special offer is up on the online shop, here.
Thanks to all those who have helped with the process, it is going to be a unique book full of my recipes, of course, but also lots of other information including plenty about herbs and their uses.
Reading it will be a lot like sitting down and chatting with me. That’s exactly what I wanted it to be.
Sondra.
Exploring Sondra’s Garden
Discovering:
Lemon Balm Plant
This is lemon balm (melissa officinalis) growing in my garden where it decided to plant itself. Once it establishes in your garden, you will find it almost anywhere! It is wonderful for attracting bees.
It is a nice addition to lemonade and baked “lemony” items. Medicinally it helps fight many kinds of viruses, including herpes, so it can be helpful for people who get cold sores. It also acts as a mild sedative, promoting relaxation. It is easy to grow in a pot, so if you don’t have room in your garden (or don’t want it to take over your garden) grow in on your porch.
Make it into a tea by using a handful of fresh leaves to a quart of water. Bring the water to a boil, add the leaves, cover, remove from heat, and steep about 10 minutes. Strain. Drink it for pleasure or when you feel a cold coming on or when you are feeling nervous or uneasy. I like to make it into a strong tea and freeze it in small containers for later use.
- Sondra B Johnson
For more information, contact me!
We Are Open!
[A message from Sondra to friends and customers about the continuation of Nature’s Common Scents]
Dear Friends: Remember in December when I wrote about my impending retirement, and also said:
BUT SOMETHING NEW IS ON THE HORIZON. LOOK FOR A SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE SPRING!
Well, spring has sprung! I am delighted to announce that my son and his wife have moved here to help me with Nature’s Common Scents. While I will still be making the products, they will be taking on some of the many tasks that took so much of my time away from making products – ordering, inventory, supplies and the ever-more-difficult for me technological side of things.
So the Website is now working again. And I look forward to hearing from you. Look for some new ideas and specials as we go forward.
My “Book of Knowledge” which was mentioned in my retirement note is well underway. I believe it will be ready and available for sale by mid-May.
Before I close I want to mention how sorry I am for everyone who has been adversely affected by COVID19 and social distancing and let you know that Larry and I pray daily for this situation. We have been fortunate not to have been affected by it (except, of course, to be separated from friends and family). Herbs and herbal products are so important in times of adversity. If you have any questions about growing a garden or including more herbs for your health in an existing garden, don’t hesitate to email me.
God bless us all as we go through and come out of this unusual situation!
Stay safe. Many blessings, Sondra.