Candles And More

Growing up, my grandmother’s house was always the default venue for family gatherings. She had the right temperament to put up with crabby relations, and she has always been a great cook to boot. Some of my fondest memories are still inextricably linked to that modest home. I remember rushing to finish Thanksgiving dinner just in time to watch the Detroit Lions playing football on TV.

These days, grandma is no longer expected to play hostess over the holidays. My parents, siblings and cousins all do our best to pay her back for the great times we had as children. For my part, I buy her a few new jar candles for her birthday each year. The candles have taken up a prominent place on the coffee table, and, when the tops are removed, their scents are simply divine.

Warm your home with fragrance, sounds silly doesn’t it.  Well it is not as silly as it sounds.  You can actually make your home feel warm and cozy, especially this time year.

There are so many scents out there that will give your home that warm cozy feeling.  Just light your candle and let the scent fill the room.  You know your windows can still be open for a while this year and that crisp scent that comes in is so refreshing.  I wish I could have that feeling all year long.

Now that we are going into the colder seasons, the dampness, the chill that goes to the bone, it is nice to come home to that cozy feeling and cuddle up with a warm blankie and have the scent of cookies, vanilla, pumpkin, or hazelnut scent.

I don’t know about you and maybe I’m weird, but I feel funny burning citrus or flowery scents in the fall and winter.  Now maybe spring, but not in the cold season.  Doesn’t it seem like the bakery scents, spice scents, or nut scents should be burned?  Well any way, jar candles, votives, or tartburners, any way you like them.  Happy burning in any scent!

Everyone wants long burning and clean burning candles.  The way to get both of those is to be sure to not let the wax pool after burning for a while.  Did you know that you should trim your wick?  Also you should never blow a candle out.  First of all it is very dangerous because it could splash, it really needs to be snuffed out with a snuffer.   Snuffers don’t cost very much and will save your candle.

It is not always the wax that is the problem, for instance, if you don’t keep your wick trimmed, the flame burns higher and will cause soot.  Also, it will cause the wax to build up on the walls of the candle, ie, burning in the center and not evenly.  It seems kind of silly to have instructions to a candle, but it is the truth.  Just like anything else, you have to use them properly!

If you do these things, your scented candle will last a lot longer and not cause these problems.  I know personally, once I find a scented candle I like, I want to get the most of it.  So follow these instructions along with taking care not to place them where they will get a breeze and you should get a longer life from your candle.

Green products seem to be all the rage these days as our populace becomes increasingly educated about environmental issues. Eco-friendly items have worked their way from a small niche market into the mainstream, and many people are beginning to take notice. Most products that are derived from mineral oil and other fossil-fuel byproducts are being replaced at a rapid rate by environmentally friendly alternatives.

Soy candles are no exception. Whereas traditional candles are constructed from paraffin wax, a soy candle is made from partially hydrogenated soybean oil – a renewable substance that can be created easily in the United States. Americans already consume plenty of soybeans, so it’s especially useful that their byproducts can be used to derive tasteful candles for the home.

_Dipped stuffed animals are all the rage now because you don’t have to worry about a wick or a  flame and you still freshen the air.  These things are adorable!  This is a safe alternative to candles also.

These things are neat, at least I think so.  You just place your  dipped stuffed teddy bear or any other animal on a plate or something else that matches your decor and you have instant air freshener.  You can’t just place them on furniture though, because they are wax and may stain or damage your furniture. When they start to lose their scent, all you have to do is heat them up with a hair dryer to renew the wax.

I should get a yellow lab dipped in memory of our dog buddy that just passed away.  It may help my children to think of good memories of him.  It would be a nice gift for someone losing their pet.  You can get any animal of choice dipped in any scent and since we know everyone, even men, like candles, it would be a nice gift for just about anyone.

It could be a gift for any occasion, and with christmas just around the corner, how easy is that.  I think it would be a unique gift, but I love all those crafty things.

Scented candles create a unique ambience from the moment they are lit. The small orange flame flickers with every fluctuation of air, dancing on the end of the wick in a mesmerizing manner. The pleasing aroma permeates the room from the center outwards, catching passersby pleasantly off-guard. Even the slowly melting wax creates a nice visual effect, as the very structure of the candle evolves during the course of its use.

Unfortunately, we can’t always be around to safely observe the burning of a scented candle. Tart burners provide a perfect substitute, offering all of the olfactory stimulation without any of the safety concerns. Homeowners can flit carelessly from room to room going about everyday chores without sparing a thought for the tart burner. The only reminder of its presence is the soothing fragrance it constantly emits.

Babies, babies everywhere.  Anywhere and everywhere you look you can see new babies. Baby blankets are probably in high demand right now.  It’s such and awesome sight to see a new baby swaddled in a new blankie.

When my children were little, they each got a special blankie.  Now you can get them personalized.  How special to hand down, not only your baby blankie to your children, but even personalized.  That is a keepsake for sure.  There are so many neat things now days for babies, but how many things can get handed down as a keepsake.

Remember the blankies with the satin edges, so soft when you rub them on your face.  One of my children, I can’t remember which one of the four (terrible I know), used to go to sleep that way.  Think of how special that would have been if it had been personalized to hand down and tell stories about.  I know my children love to hear stories of how they were as babies, sounds and all.  Sometimes I feel kinda goofy trying to mimic the sounds until I see their eyes staring off into space trying to imagine themselves doing that.  The little giggle and the way their eyes light up next takes the goofy feeling away and tickles me too.

Time sure does get away from you doesn’t it.  My babies are all in school now and one is married and living miles away, and now I am waiting for the time I can give that darling, wonderful, bundle of joy something special from grandma, (gee that sounds funny) , I can’t wait to have a grand child to love.  I know he or she will be spoiled rotten, not only by me but aunts and uncles also awaiting the time.  Well all in due time I guess, I am still trying to accept the fact of her moving away to start a life so far away without me.