It All Starts Somewhere

Everything has a beginning and an end.

Sometimes we know which is which and sometimes we don't.

That is part of the adventure called life.

It is an adventure for sure!

Life with Amb started with a simple idea that quickly exploded into something way bigger than ever thought. The Christmas season was quickly approaching and gifts were going to be handmade this year. Several family members had a similar idea. Grandma was going to make vanilla extract and Aunty was going to make hot cocoa mix. That left me without a gift idea, or so I thought.

I have always enjoyed the simpler things in life that many deemed "old school" or something a grandma would enjoy. I enjoy being in the garden getting my hands dirty and growing food. I enjoy crocheting scarves and blankets. I enjoy making things from scratch. At the end of the day, I enjoy lighting a candle and spending time in the peace and quiet of the night. The idea to make candles and scarves for Christmas gifts came to fruition.

Having an idea of what I wanted to make was quickly growing into something much more than I realized. I never knew making candles was an art form that existed. There are different kinds of waxes, fragrance oils, vessels, and more. There are percentages needed for the best candle scent, later coming to find out it's called "scent throw." Not to mention the weather affects how the candle cures. Ideally, the candle has to cure for 14 days before it can be lit and enjoyed.

Having found all this to be fascinating and intriguing I knew it was the gift that was going to be made for Christmas gifts. Each family member was asked about their preferred scents and so each candle was "made to order". My daughter took the lead in picking out each scent with the favorites being: hot cocoa, mint hot cocoa, sugar cookie, coffee cake, white Christmas, sleigh ride, and Dicken's Christmas. There were several others, although those were the top choices. After the candles were poured, cured, and labeled they were carefully packaged for gifts.

Alongside the candles would be a crocheted ear warmer that was the person's favorite color. Seemingly enough, each family had similar favorite colors so one was green, one was blue, one was purple, and one was grey. After my daughter picked out the pattern she wanted and yarn of choice, I got to work crocheting each piece. These paired nicely with the candles.

The art of pouring candles paired with the relaxation brought on by crocheting was something magical. It combined things I enjoyed and things I wanted to learn more about, and improve on. Several coworkers and friends requested handmade candles and crocheted items for Christmas gifts for their friends and family. Life with Amb came from something so simple and humbling: sensible gifts made with love and hope.

Life with Amb strives:

to inspire sustainability,

to encourage kindness,

and to foster hope for a brighter tomorrow.

One moment at a time, and one day at a time.