The perfume Chaparral is not a reference to the creosote bush, Larrea tridentata, which sometimes goes by many name chaparral, as well as greasewood and la gobernadora. I named the fragrance after the California biome distinguished by wet winters, hot summers and drought-tolerant shrub land. This biome is also found in the Mediterranean, South America, Australia… Continue reading The alchemical trinity of Chaparral
Tag: Quercus
Oak Tree Circle
Yesterday, just as I was about to head off to the perfumery a gardener with a chain saw almost starting going at the oaks on the neighboring lot. We were able to fend off the fellow by taking photos and calling the police. Since I’m not sure if this method of protection will be sustainable… Continue reading Oak Tree Circle
Branch Out
“The creation of a thousand forests are in one acorn.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson The rain from the last few days has caused quite a bit of challenges here in the wood lands. Many non-native trees, like the Pink Pepper Berry, have landed in the street. This morning one of the neighbors conifers was blocking… Continue reading Branch Out
A New Green Cloak for Spring
The last batch of the solid perfume synergy for Q ran out. As I pondered the formula and moved to make more I choose to reassemble the composition with an intention of creating a few subtle shifts. Sometimes when a fragrance formula gets translated from a liquid to a solid state the fragrance will shifts.… Continue reading A New Green Cloak for Spring
O is for Oak
Q stands for Quercus agrifolia the botanical name for the coastal live oak of California. At this time of the year the oaks are very heavy with acorns, proving a very busy time for the local squirrels. I’ve been dutifully gathering both acorns and acorn caps daily from the Quercus agrifolia on my property. The… Continue reading O is for Oak
The Giving Tree
Once there were four large oak trees and three smaller ones in a grove and they loved a girl. And everyday the girl looked out at the trees but didn’t really see them. Until one day, the girl learned about the value of native plants and old growth oak trees. The girl learned that the… Continue reading The Giving Tree
Inch by Inch
The fruit of the California live oak, the acorn, matures between August and October. From there, if conditions are right, a little sprout will eventually emerge. That little sprout, inch by inch, over many years will develop into a gorgeous tree. Like the California live oak, my perfume company continues to grow, inch by inch.… Continue reading Inch by Inch
Q, Quercus agrifolia
I have been working on a new batch of Q, Quercus agrifolia, the botanical perfume devoted to the California Live Oak. Since I have gotten some on my hands and am now inhaling it throughout my activities, I’ve decided to deem the Scent of the day Q! Here are a whole bunch of links which… Continue reading Q, Quercus agrifolia
The Duir Way
“I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees,for the trees have no tongues.” – Dr. Suess The latest issue of Sniffapalooza Magazine, March 23, 2008, contains a contribution titled “The Duir Way” detailing the inspiration for the perfume “Q”, formerly known as Quercus. The word Duir means Oak, the letter D corresponds to the… Continue reading The Duir Way
The Duir Way
“I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues.” ~ Dr. Suess Have you ever tracked what you love, what inspires you, makes your soul sing? Recently I discovered a deep reverence for the mighty Oak, which unknowingly opened the portal to a series of botanical perfumes. Since purchasing… Continue reading The Duir Way