magnolia oil and cherry blossoms- outdoor challenge
More tree blossom love to share-
“It’s just like snow,” yells Araina as she runs through the falling cherry blossoms. Give cherry tree and pear tree limbs a gentle shake to make it snow (gentle shakes not needed on a windy day).
Climb a blooming tree and see how it looks from a bee’s point of view.
MAGNOLIA BATH OIL
Capture the lovely aroma of a magnolia blossom by
1-collecting the petals
2- tear petals into pieces
3-put petals into sterilized glass jar
4-pour a carrier oil (olive oil, grapeseed, sesame) over the petals, make sure all plant material is covered with oil or mold will form; cap jar tightly
5- let infuse in a dark place for at least 2 weeks; shake infusion at least once a day
6-after 2 weeks, strain out the petals and let rest for a day; strain again then you will have a fragrant magnolia bath oil.
Outdoor Challenge Participant of the Day- Two little cuties from Charlie and Judah, enjoying the cherry blossoms (and a kiss) in Washington DC.
Visit the other Great Outdoor Challenge players- 133 so far! It’s never too late to join; people are still entering daily!
lisa, sanders, angelina, phyllis, sarah, christie, jennifer, debbie, dong dong, denise,luisa, joy, stephanie, cori, alex, dawn, kristen, catherine, tricia,becky, christy, ruth, kari, courtney,branflakes,jessica, renee, haiku,brynn, amy, clemencia, sherry, leslie, lise, renee, anet, jenn, marina, amy, ella, marcia, karen, beth,julie,kyndale,kelly,lizzie, eileen,ag, mari-ann, cindy, robin, nicole, debbie, julia, renee, anita,lisa, jenn, montessori, marita,jeannie, hallie, mandy, kangaroo, andrea, joey, carmen, teena, stephinie, gidget, elizabeth, emma, rosina, saminda, melissa, katie, becca, atouria, barbara, ariella,missy, elizabeth, sarah, eileen, lisa, stacy, jennifer, tulsileaf, lisa C, morticia, angela, rana,jamie,lisa c, luz, charley, heather, valerie, kirsten, rachel, annie, kendra, beth s, lindsey, michelle, megan, jen, jenni, gabby, renee,korina, linda, adventurekerrs, laura, melissa, eva, jenny, amber, deb, wendy, courtney, shanti, msrev, kellyi, tammy, julia , maureen,indigomum, andrea, mindy, becky, dawn, sarah,michelle, shelley
If you leave a link on the days you participate, I will know I have permission to share for Outdoor Challenge Participant of the Day.
“The purpose of Children & Nature Awareness Month is to celebrate the benefits of experiences in the natural world to children, and to all of us, and to offer alternatives to nature-deficit disorder,” said Dr. Cheryl Charles, President and CEO of C&NN.
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Such lovely photos and I love this recipe. I have a huge magnolia in my yard and now I can make some lovely gifts from the blossoms. Thanks so much for sharing.
Yay for Charlie and Judah!
We were so excited to see this–Charlie said, “Mom, that girl looks just like me!”
Thanks for the magnolia oil recipe, too. Can’t wait to try this!
Oh, I love the pictures in this post, especially the one the the “snow.” And I wish we had a magnolia tree, it’s one of my favorites.
I can’t tell you how much we are enjoying this challenge – though we’ve often spent a fair amount of time outdoors, I am being more intentional with it and I am seeing such absolute joy in my little grandson. Of course, I’m having a great time, too! Here’s today’s adventure: http://geminiriver.blogspot.com/2010/04/great-outdoor-challenge-april-14-2010.html
you have the best ideas! I wouldn’t have thought to make that oil.
here’s our day outside. http://adventuresofaflake.blogspot.com/2010/04/stepping-stones-farm.html
Here is our post for 4/14! http://therearepagansafoot.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/is-it-the-weekend-yet/
Thanks so much for this challenge! Just read about it on a cousin’s blog. I know we are jumping in a little late, but I’m so looking forward to doing it!
Today we just took a walk and then played in the grass in our backyard. So much fun!
http://littlehouseinhillsboro.blogspot.com
Nothing quite so beautiful going on here in Minnesota, yet! Thanks for the bath oil recipe. My 12 year old son probably wouldn’t want to do this, but I sure will! He did find the first caterpillar of the year yesterday!
http://barbarasblueskies.blogspot.com/2010/04/first-caterpillar-of-year.html
We’ve been painting outdoors today. We’re going to make your infused oil tomorrow but with different blossoms.
I’ll let you know how they turn out!
http://wearehere-kellyi.blogspot.com/2010/04/outdoor-painting.html
We’ve been painting outdoors today. We’re going to make your infused oil tomorrow but with different blossoms.
I’ll let you know how they turn out!
mmmm, magnolias!
We used to have a gorgeous Gardenia tree but the weird Floridian cold we had this year killed it. I tried to bring it back, but there was no having it. It is gone. I am so sad, it smelt amazing. Our grapefruit tree is now blooming, so at least we have that to smell.
Great pics.
Thanks for the recipe. Such a wonderful idea. I wonder, can one use the mini ‘port wine magnolia’ blossoms as well? I passed on the ‘beautiful blogger’ award to you. Thanks for the beauty of your blog!
xxx http://www.wherewildstrawberriesgrow.com/uncategorized/beautiful-blogs/
We used to have a magnolia tree at our old house I loved that tree it was beautiful. I’m going to have to snag some blossoms from our neighbors yard and try this. It looks like fun.
http://freetolearnanlovinit.blogspot.com/2010/04/outdoor-hour-challenge-digging-for.html
That looks like so much fun! I can’t wait for the trees to start blooming here.
We had fun outside this week, too! http://musicalmama08.blogspot.com/2010/04/outdoor-challenge-week-1.html
Oh, that oil looks so goooood!
Love all the flowers! We just saw some magnolia flower today at our public gardens! Beautiful!
Thanks for the challenge!
http://totheoutskirts.blogspot.com/2010/04/grandmas-here.html
Oh Man I want a magnolia tree!!! I just called my friend the other day to let her know that she could taste her magnolia petals if she wanted to… now I think I’ll let her know she can make bath oil… I’ll live vicariously through those who can…
Yes, the first picture just looks like real snow!
~magical are those moments you captured and heavenly i can only imagine is the magnolia bath oil…aaahhh! warm wishes and brightest blessings~
Cute pictures of your girls in the trees! I love cherry blossoms. Thanks for the recipe for Magnolia bath oil. I want to try it!
mmmm! Magnolia – that’s something we definitely don’t smell up here and I miss it – it was so common in SC…
Gorgeous images! Thanks for the magnolia recipe. I’ve always been disappointed when the cut blooms brown within a day’s time. Now I can keep that fragrance in my house always!
Lisa, this is incredible!!!!!! Thank you so much for the recipe for the magnolia oil. I so miss watching the cherry blossoms come to life, so thank you for the gorgeous reminder
Here is our great outdoors challenge post (at the bottom) for today. LOVING this challenge
http://www.shivayanaturals.com/2010/04/natural-dye-tutorial-part-i.html
We’ve been enjoying the trees that are in bloom in our area too!
The raining cherry blossoms are so pretty!
We are playing today. We were sooooo proud to be photo of the day yesterday
Beautiful blossoming trees, I think we might go on a quest to find some ourselves today.XX
Can I just say, that I am super jealous. I wish we had magnolias conveniently growing in our backyard to make a wonderful bath oil with. The daffodils haven’t even come up yet…
I love falling cherry blossoms!!
It is so much fun to run under the blossoms. You had asked if our fluttered down like snow the other day when the kids were running through the plum trees and it does. It’s incredibly beautiful
Can’t wait to try your magnolia bath oil recipe!! How neat. My sister has a magnolia tree and we’re going to have to get some petals from her. We’re having so much fun participating in the challenge 
I love your ideas! Thank you for the infusion recipe
We had a class at a nature center today – but we didn’t go outside. Hmmm. We did a little planting outside at home today though… http://urbancottagehomeschool.blogspot.com/2010/04/great-outdoor-challenge-tuesday.html
Your girls are just so pretty! The oil sounds lovely!
We had more fun in our backyard today. http://chocoeyes.blogspot.com/2010/04/singing-his-heart-out-great-outdoor.html
Becca
oh my! I have done a horrible failing job on this challenge, but I have very much enjoyed what you guys have done. Life has just interfered! oy.
Hope you have a great week! Karen
this looks wonderful!! today was about the dandelions for us…
http://plotfiftyfive.blogspot.com/2010/04/she-calls-them-wishing-buds.html
sigh. aren’t you so enjoying spring????
I remember a time when you ran around the university saying the same thing
I love the picture of araina running in the petals and the picture of fauna smelling the magnola (reminds me of the flower you put on her head when she was a little one)
very nice: can almost smell the scents of home….
Wish I’d known about the Magnolia oil a few months ago! We have a Japanese Magnolia right outside of our front window. Only down here in Florida, it bloomed in February and now the tree is full of gorgeous green leaves (and chickadees!).
Love the snowing cherry blossoms! Awww…look at Charlie and Judah! Their mom is my bff from childhood, and I’m happy to see their cute little faces here.
We decided to step outside the yard finally and see some new things. http://www.anartfamily.com/2010/04/evening-with-spring-wip-wed.html
Joy, that is amazing that she is your bff from childhood! Small world!
I never realized infusing oil is so easy… Thanks for the instructions!
I forgot to post links the first 2 days! Arg! Here is the link to our 3rd day of the challenge!
http://therearepagansafoot.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/outdoor-challenge-day-3/
Well you KNOW I’ll be making this. Our (neighbours) magnolia is in full bloom and since it hangs over our fence, we’ll be sure to gather up the petals once they start dropping. Great idea. (And you have my permission for any of the days.) -Debbie
My little boy saw the first picture and said “look at the cute little girl in the snow”! Such beautiful photos.
Today is our first day participating in the challenge – we planted seeds:
http://thebinkerfiles.typepad.com/the_binker_files/2010/04/the-peas-are-in.html
Thanks for this great idea; what a good gift that would be! Hmmm…wonder which neighboring magnolia tree we might be able to get some petals from?