I love this time of year! My garden is absolutely exploding with color and scent. Every morning at 6 a m I walk out into my wonderland. What is new today? I am never disappointed!

I have several varieties of gardenias and they are literally covered with blooms. It takes a basket to collect all of the blooms to take into my studio to macerate and tincture them.

The gardenia fragrance is so intoxicating…I sit and swoon when the breeze hits the plants. Heaven, I’m in heaven! What joy… simple pleasures.

Come and join me in a tour of my garden …and take an aromatic class. I teach natural perfume classes and aromatic journeys on Saturday. Private classes can be arranged during the week.

How about a custom bespoke perfume using some of these gardenia blooms?

I love the smell of grapefruit in the morning…My tree is overflowing with ripe pink grapefruits….When you pick the grapefruit from the tree the quick pop of the fruit separating from the tree sends a zest of fresh tang to your nose…Ooohh heaven..

I don’t know if this will make me any younger…as the new claims in the fragance market are trying to sell me on…I do know being an aromatherapist and perfumer…that the smell makes me happy, uplifted, and anti depressed all in one fell swoop…

Studies have also shown that the smell of grapefruit will curb your appetite…Not for me…I get very hungry when I cut into the fruit and it sprays me on the face…Nice red flesh and juicy to boot…tart flavor and enchanting aroma..
I love using grapefruit as a top note in a natural fragrance….Ruby red, pink grapefruit, or white grapefruit..they all lend a freshness that is undescribable…

Looking at the calendar today I can hardly believe that we are in December 2008.

I have been busy preparing holiday fragrances and tying ribbons on them.

A year ago I moved to the desert – the Palm Springs area. At that time I did not imagine that in December is when the desert is really spring…Flowers are blooming, beautiful pink blossoms are hanging on huge trees…bulbs are sprouting up…lemons, grapefruits, tangerines, and oranges are getting ripe and falling down. What an amazing time ..!!!!

The burst of color and the wonderful lush blooms of my multi color roses greet me in the garden. The lovely floral sweetness of the double delight roses. The many varieties of yellow roses compete for the most fragrant display…The gardenias are exploding with blooms. What a great time to share coffee or tea poolside.

The scent of the juniper lining the fence is very strong and comforting at the same time.