Trial & Error: Altar of Incense, the Golden Altar

One of my favorite things about making incense is the research and testing involved. I've been working to translate the Torah's recipe for the Altar of Incense recipe. Breaking it down into manageable quantities, I then have to figure out what the modern names for a few ingredients are and if necessary, provide replacements when necessary.

Tonight's experiment, Altar of Incense (aka 11 Spices) in tablespoons:

Cloves 2
Cinnamon .25
Cassia .5
Frankincense 2
Spikenard .5
Saffon .5
Ginger .4
Cedar .1
Galbanum 2
Balsam 2

Sadly, I'm completely out of Galbanum & Spikenard, the latter much to my befuddlement. How the hell did I run out of Spikenard? I rarely use it. Even without these two ingredients, its quite wonderful. They've been ordered, so in a few weeks I'll be able to finish the experiment and see what we've got.

Along that note, I've made an Exodus (30) Anointing Oil, we'll see how it sets up. For those curious, equal parts: Frankincense, Myrrh, Galbanum, Cinnamon, Cassia, Calamus & Styrax. So far, so good!

I'm also experimenting with the idea of offering bulk herbs, woods & resins, some powdered, on Triple Pillars. Not quite sure how I'd work that, but its something to consider.

Loot post

Received a lovely box from Mum today, something I had sort of expected as I'd left a few things at the Berkshire House.

The theme must have been Oriental, tucked around the tea pot were several books on Feng Shui & Zen, chopsticks (which I mostly use to hold my hair up) and a few poem/philosophy books. There is one Celtic book, which I have to wonder if Dad tucked in there. An absolutely gorgeous terracotta iron tea pot, which I'm absolutely thrilled to add to my collection.



I have the coolest Mum!

Rabbits don't do subtle

Walking through the living room, I glanced outside and notice Bunhalla's watering can had been dragged into the center of the entryway from its position on the far left side. Martha was hunched up in the "bun-hunbun" stance, glowering at me murderously. They sent the Big Bun of Disapproval to deal with me, they have. The Heavy hath spoken!

Yes, indeed, did I race outside and fill the watering can. And then I filled their bowls with pellet and backed away slowly. Whew, that was close!

*shudder*