When the good Lord gives you basil and plenty of it, you hike up those maternity support hose and google 1.7 million ways to use it all over and that is what today is all about. Let’s have a very crafty Tuesday and make some basil lemongrass candles!
So for whatever reason, I’m good at growing basil. I mean…I literally kill 99% of other plants LIKE A BOSS. It doesn’t matter what I do…I’m pretty much the angel of death. You should see my pathetic hydrangea on my deck right now….aka the stick in dirt that is living in a swamp of algae.
BUT Basil?! I got that. Remember the garden that I’m attempting….
So I did a really big harsh trim a couple weeks ago thinking that the basil would be done after that….but surprise surprise….it has come back! Woe is me! Just kidding….I really am quite proud of my basil abilities and I even have a bumper sticker that says MY BASIL IS ON THE HONOR ROLL.
So now I am trying my hand at creating some basil-themed gifts – and after reading that lemongrass essential oil is a natural mosquito repellent, I thought…what a perfect outdoor mini present for anyone that loves being outside, enjoys fresh scents and hates those darn biting bugs! And dude….fall can’t come soon enough….the hot weather is KILLING me.
So first you will need the following goodies….
- basil
- lemon slices
- a glass jar with lid
- unscented floating candles
- lemongrass essential oil
- water & witch hazel
The first thing you do is pop a little basil and lemon slices into the jar…
Then I filled it with water and two droppers full of lemongrass and two droppers full of witch hazel. Pop the candle in the middle and you are DONE!
These smell SO good. Jeremy is obsessed with anything citrus smelling (ok, ok, or anything that smells of cinnamon brooms or Hawaiian vacations) so these are perfect for leaving outside for evening lounge sessions. We both really enjoy the fragrance and make being outside in the heat a little more sufferable 🙂
Don’t forget to keep the lids because when you are done for the night, you can close these back up and use them again!
And since I had most of the stuff already (jars were leftover from a party, the candles were from my wedding, basil from the garden)….I only needed to get the $9 bottle of essential oil and each lemon for a buck…I made ten of them as ready to go gifts…so each one cost about $1 (I can make more since I still have more oil)! Isn’t it so cute?! I mean…function and beauty and uses up that basil!
And I’d love to hear if you have any other basil in a jar suggestions….I mean…we can’t get enough! In fact….maybe I should name my next baby that….Basil. (Speaking of baby….we want to share her name this week! wish me luck getting my act together on a cute video!)
What a great idea!! I bet they smell so good and they are beautiful as well! Just curious, what does the witch hazel do?
(I feel ya’ on the hydrangea thing…I’m on my 3rd attempt at keeping one alive!)
You should make pesto with all that basil! and then you can freeze it and have it year round. 🙂
If not Basil, then is the name you chose Rosemary? 🙂
Aren’t you going to wait to see when the baby is born if she looks like the name you chose or this time the name is so good it wouldn’t affect your decision much?
Basil salt is a great way to use up that bounty. It is easy, lasts forever, makes a great gift, and can be used in place of regular salt to give your cooking a little extra flavor.
This time both the first and middle is a family name on both sides and we decided early to make the transition a little easier on the boys….they didn’t really even know the word sister so having that name has helped tremendously 🙂
xo – kb
Oh yes, I’ve done that. And made those olive oil cubes with basil. That’s why I need different ideas 🙂
xo – kb
It evaporates the oil into the air apparently…that is what I read. So I added it but it’s completely optional.
xo – kb
That’s a great idea!
xo – kb
I dry my Basil – slowly in the oven on low heat (warning – it will make you want to cook something Italian.) Then crumble leaves, put in cute jars, label & give to family for cooking in the winter. I also do it with Rosemary. Friends/Family in the north particularly love this – guess these don’t grow as well up there.
Love this! Does the basil stay looking nice in the liquid?
In 48 hours or so it fades but it doesn’t look terrible.
xo – kb
Aww that is a good idea too!
xo – kb