Making my own natural cleaning products ...

I know many share my concern about the quality of air in our homes. We are now very aware of the products that we use because they influence the quality of air in our homes & thereby impact directly on our health, especially in Winter when we spend more time indoors with the windows closed.

I recently had the opportunity to join a workshop lead by an aromatherapist with the view to looking at natural cleaning products to cut down on air pollutants in the home.

For those who have septic tanks, natural cleaning products do not kill off the essential microbes needed to break down the waste so it is essential to think of this when using products.

She uses various natural oils in her treatments so I was excited to learn more about natural products as I am very aware of pollutants at home.

I already grow a variety of house plants that are recommended to help clean the air.  I have found that peace lilies & aloe vera seem to thrive in our inglenook fireplace space. I like to think that our living room has the cleanest air in our house with all the plants in it.

This was our sample of natural oils to use in the workshop

A graduated bottle was useful for making up the mixtures ...

Natural products that we all have at home anyhow & which don’t impact on air quality

Our handout / booklet with recipes

A small group of us ladies gathered on a Sunday morning with our bottle to mix up the potions. 

My philosophy is that we can each make a difference to the environment by starting with ourselves, making changes that can have a ripple effect - less chemical, more natural products, small changes that help.

I am pleased for the warmer Spring weather when I can fling open the windows & doors to clear the air & by making changes with more air cleansing plants & less chemicals, I know I am making a small difference.

I hope I can inspire you to do the same too. Thank you for stopping by & taking the time to read & comment,
Dee ~💕~

Easter blessings ....

Easter is very late this year & this term has been long but at last it is our break & I can concentrate on relaxing & enjoying Easter with friends & family.

My sideboard / dresser in the conservatory has transitioned from the blues to Easter favourites - a quiet time at home with special things close by.

A few favourite Easter things have once again appeared; a mixture of vintage (the blue plates), hand made bunny bowl & matching jug; the little bunny dish & round dish & the bunny glass bowl were bought in South Africa  while the two bunny plates are modern high street ones. I love how the ages, patterns & styles all somehow sit well together.

The little knitted easter chicks were bought last year in aid of a Dorset charity & I love them. Don’t  you just love the bunny pottery that is not Easter specific ... 

The 'running hares’ bowl & jug by John Atkinson of Bell pottery in Oxfordshire is so lovely, they are definitely not just for Easter. 

A little Easter tree with some fragile glass ornaments & then craft bunnies - always mix things up. It is a reminder of the fun part of Easter. Godsons gifted me some tiny wooden decorations for it - can you see them?

Easter is of course a Religious time & my collection of Ethiopian crosses (bought on my many trips to that amazing country) keep me grounded, a reminder that faith & spiritualism is at the heart of our Easter.

I am sending many blessings from my home to yours at Easter - however you spend it, enjoy your time with family & friends.

Thank you for your company, stop by again soon, and have a blessed Easter,
Dee ~💕~

Classic blue & white of Burleigh Pottery ...

It is no secret that I love china of all ages & colours but the classic blue & white is a Spring favourite because it brings a freshness to the decor after the festive red & gold colours

I love mixing up patterns & even era’s  which brings it right up to date. While having some visitors recently, we decided to visit the Burleigh pottery factory at Middleport in Stoke on Trent. Middleport potteries is on a canal & it featured as the place that the Great British Pottery Throw down was filmed.

Stoke on Trent is the home to British potteries, the town are famed for their bottle kilns & fine china wares.  I took pottery classes many years ago & it is a craft that I love.

The shop with its familiar patterns & colours ...

It was a lovely day doing some of my favourite things - exploring the origins of various china patterns & methods. 

Views from the upstairs looking towards the canal which runs alongside the factory.

We enjoyed a cream tea upstairs surrounded by lovely wares ...

The factory & museum plays tribute to the many patterns it is famous for ...

Dainty grape hyacinth are potted up in the pretty bowls

The twinkling lights soften the views between the industrial buildings

Many of the original moulds are on display; they are interesting as the shapes are still familiar

How can you not love this space?

The lovely thing about all the patterns & hues all together give a clue as to how they can be used & displayed together

It was a fascinating visit which I really enjoyed because of my love of blue & white wares. It is the success story of how many of these Potteries had to reinvent themselves to be financially viable.

 I hope you share my love of such lovely things, and that it has inspired you to mix it up. 

Thank you for your company, stop by again soon,
Dee ~💕~