hortus conclusus

I don’t know if you remember my post on trying to create an aftershave for my husband ? Well, it has macerated for long enough and I have bottled the resulting fragrance—a light vetiver splash,  along with a more spicy flower water intended for my mother and mother-in-law for Mothers Day. They are both good enough fragrances, but certainly not something I would review too kindly if they were made by a professional. Here’s the method I followed for the orange/spice fragrance, if you’re interested: one nutmeg, freshly ground, one teaspoon freshly ground cardamom one teaspoon freshly ground allspice a small amount of freshly ground clove one teaspoon ground ginger 5 tbs homemade vanilla extract 1 tablespoon freshly ground cinnamon 10 drops sandalwood oil 5 drops jasmine oil allow to macerate in small amount of alchohol for two weeks. add alcohol in which has been steeped grated pepper, nutmeg, and mandarin peel. Strain thoroughly. The result —a not unplea