CHAPTER 1

Candle Magic

We are not sent into this world to do anythinginto which we cannot put our hearts.

-John Ruskin

An easy way to make the house cozy is to use a lot ofcandles—in the bedroom, living room, dining room, evenin the bathroom. They give a nice glow to a dark evening and, ifscented, also add a soothing fragrance. Try anointing your candleswith a few drops of your favorite essential oil—rose, bayberry,and vanilla are nice—or use your favorite combination for a customized scentedcandle.

You can also decorate candles with herbs and ribbons. Uselarge, slow-burning candles and attach small sprigs or herbs by using a richlycolored ribbon. Be sure to always place candles on fireproof saucers, and neverleave them unattended.

Simple Pleasures of Candles offers many more easy and affordable ways todecorate your house and garden area with candles. Also terrific housewarminggifts, these can be made in groups or while you're finding some quiet time foryourself. After you're done creating a Zen Centerpiece (page 54) or a Stained-GlassVotive (page 40), soak in one of the bathtub recipes offered here. Butdon't forget the main ingredient of any bathing experience—an array of candlesto illuminate the room.

BY CANDLELIGHT

I love to bathe solely by candlelight. The warm glow givesa relaxing atmosphere to dream and let stress melt away.I used to live in an apartment with a nice-sized bathroom shelf thataccommodated a dozen votives, but recently I moved and thereseemed to be no suitable place for my candles. I thought I wouldhave to give up this pleasure, but then I put up corner bracketshelves and mounted candle lanterns on them. Now, even whenthe candles are not lit, my bathroom has a wonderful exotic flairthat everyone comments on!

FLOATING CANDLES

Candles do add a magical element to any room. I especiallylove the floating ones as a centerpiece for the dining roomtable. It solves the problem of having an arrangement that interfereswith conversation. Simply float a few candles and someflowers in a bowl and you have an elegant focal point.

12 ounces paraffin
60 drops of your favorite essential oil
12 metal pastry tins or candle molds
12 1-inch floating candle wicks (available at craft stores)

In a double boiler, melt the paraffin and then add the essential oilwith a wooden spoon. Pour wax into molds slowly to avoid air bubbles.Let set partly and then insert wicks in the center of each. Letcandles set fully and then unmold. Makes 1 dozen.

RESTORATIVE BATH

This bath a great pick-me-up.cotton bath bag or piece of cheesecloth
2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
1 ounce fresh rosemary
20 drops rosemary oil
20 drops lavender oil
1 cup rose water

Place the fresh ginger and rosemary in a cotton bath bag, or bundlein a 1-foot square piece of unused cheesecloth. Tie it closed. Place thebag under the bathtub spigot and run under hot water. Add oils androse water to the bathtub, swirling with your hand to combine. Thebath bag makes an excellent scrubber and exfoliator, and the gingerand rosemary will leave skin pleasantly tingling and feeling revived.

Light your favorite scented candles. Linger for awhile and let yourself relax and revive all at once.

PAPER CUP LIGHTS

These are great strung on your front porch or out on a deck fora party. The trick is to poke enough of the design in the cup to letthe light through, but not to cut it completely.

cut-out patterns
solid colored paper cups
pencil
craft knife
large craft pin (looks like the letter T) or large safety pin
string of small indoor/outdoor Christmas lights

Find in a craft-pattern book or draw your own, a small design thatwill fit on a paper cup. (A small flower or a star works fine). Cut outthe design to make a pattern. Hold the pattern against a cup youhave turned upside down, and trace the design lightly onto the side.

With the craft knife, cutalong sections of thepencil marks and pushthe cup in a bit along thecut. Do not cut out thedesign! The little cutsalong the pattern will let the lightthrough. With the pin, poke holesalong the top and bottom of the designfor effect. Punch a hole in the bottomof each cup the size of the Christmaslights and push the bulb through. Stringup when finished.

SAND CANDLES

These are some of the easiest candles to make yourself. They aregreat for outdoor barbecues—they actually repel insects—andthey look beautiful too—as they burn more and more, the lightshines through the sand. As with all candlemaking, be aware thatwax heated too high can burst into flames. If this happens, turnoff the heat and smother with a lid or damp cloth—do not pourwater on; that will make it burn more!

damp sand (not too wet, about 1 cup water per bucket of sand)
large mixing bowl
smaller bowl, the desired size of candle
wick
paraffin
wax dye if desired
few drops citronella oil
candy thermometer
wicking needle

Pour sand into the large bowl until it's half-full. Tamp down with yourfist. Push the smaller bowl into the sand and add sand around to fillin edges. Remove the smaller bowl, being careful not to disturb theremaining hole.

Measure the depth of the hole and cut the wick to fit, plus 1 inchextra. Heat the wax gently in a saucepan, adding the dye if desired andthe citronella; mix well when the wax is melted. When the wax reaches261°F, remove from heat and gently pour a bit into the center of themold, trickling it over the back of a metal spoon so that the sanddoesn't lose its shape. Wait about 5 minutes, as it seeps into the sand.Then add more, making sure the wax is still 261°F.

After about 2 hours, a depression will form in the middle of themold. Again, heat the wax to 261°F and fill the depression. Push thewicking needle through the center of the well and lower the wickinto the hole. Wind the top of the wick around the needle, and placethe needle across the sand (so the wick stands upright).

In about 3 hours, the wax will have hardened completely. Removethe candle from the mold. Trim the wick and smooth the base of thecandle with an iron on medium heat. Makes 1.

SETTING THE SCENE

If you want great sex, think about creating a bedroom that'sconducive to intimacy, says Will Ross in The WonderfulLittle Sex Book. "It doesn't need to be elaborately furnished, butit should be uncluttered, have pleasing colors, and not be merelyutilitarian; it should inspire a sense of beauty. The bed you usefor sex ought to have a special, exotic, otherworldly feeling, almostevocative of an altar. There should be an air of reverence. Somepeople enjoy making love under a canopy, and you may want toconstruct one. Soft lighting is immensely helpful [light severalaromatic candles all over the room!], and so is quietly pulsatingmusic. When the whole room feels like a retreat from the hustleand bustle of everyday life, won't you relish the thought of spendingtime there with your beloved?

SENSUAL BATH

This bath feels luxurious beyond belief.

2 drops cedar essential oil
2 drops clary sage essential oil
2 drops lavender essential oil
2 drops orange essential oil
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Combine all oils and pour the mixture into the stream of a warm bath.Before stepping into the tub, light tea...