Fragrance: Sweetgrass, Gingergrass, Bergamot, and more. 

There has always been something so beautiful, to me, about a field full of hay bales. Such preparation and organization. Like they are sentient beings out there waiting for their usefulness. The sight always brings happiness, plus freshly mown hay smells amazing. 

If there is not enough rain, like the droughts we sometimes have in Oklahoma during the summer, then there is not enough hay. Hay prices skyrocket and some people like to take advantage of others when that happens. The summer before last was one of those such years. I had been willing to buy hay off of social media for about $150/bale until I realized that the driver was going to charge almost as much or more than the cost of the hay to haul and deliver it here. I would have spent about $1000 for just a few bales. So I made do, instead.

We almost did not have enough to last through the winter for our cows. We learned fairly quickly that we needed to conserve hay, and that the cows wasted too much of it when we would haul a bale at a time out to the pasture. A lot of it ends up getting scattered, walked on, and pooped on that way. So I began hauling hay to them twice a day last winter after the first couple of bales. We had to stretch the hay to last through February at least, but hopefully enough through March. So I began hauling it in wheelbarrow loads and throwing it over the fence. It's a lot more work, and it doesn't sound very efficient because of that. But it has proven to be effective and logical. 

This past summer, we were able to get more hay than we were able to get last year. I was overjoyed when we got them all rolled off of the trailer and it was the very picture of preparation lined up in a row. I've learned that farm life and country life in general means being prepared for what will come in the future. It's a good lesson for anyone to learn. 

But this winter, I still conserve hay. I still use the wheelbarrow. Just because there is plenty doesn't mean we should waste. My method may seem silly. But I peel it off by layers, starting at the top, down the sides, and when I get to the middle, that's what I like to call the center of the cinnamon roll.  When it gets to where I can't peel any more off without getting the core out, then I gotta lift the core out. By myself. It gives me a sense of accomplishment. But also is not easy. 

I don't go to the hay bales alone, though. That is my prayer time with God. I pray outside because I feel close to Him there. I can say anything there, it is a place set apart. It's my special place. And I also ask Him for help lifting out the center of the cinnamon roll that is the hay bale. And I guarantee you, He does. I wouldn't be able to do that without Him. I'm a sturdy country girl, but those are a lot heavier than feed bags that I'm used to carrying. But once that is out, it can be unwound until it is manageable for me to lift over the fence. And from there I can continue hauling layer by layer until that bale is done. I think my method is a good one. It works.

But I have learned that when you're in the country, if something's gotta be done, then you've just gotta do it. Whether it's carrying 5 gallon buckets of water, trying to keep newborn baby goats from freezing in a blizzard or ice storm, fixing fence in the heat of summer, or digging graves in frozen ground for a goat that didn't make it, or burying a pet that passed. Just because something is hard doesn't mean it doesn't still have to be done. All of the mundane as well as the difficult tasks are meant to teach us lessons. I have learned that I can do hard things, and I have also learned that I can rely on God.  

I've had some difficult things that I've had to go to the hay bales and talk to Jesus about through tears. Sometimes it be like that. But He always meets me there. 

This listing is for one votive candle. Fits in standard glass votive candle holder. 

About my candles:

Burn time: Approximately 10 hours, most likely longer. I recommend burning no more than 4 hours at a time.

Candle is made with my own special blend of paraffin and soy waxes. There are many types of paraffins as well as soys, and I have been making candles for four years and have tried many different types and combinations of waxes. This is my own secret combination that I prefer above all others. Paraffin is hard, and has a higher burning temperature than soy. This means that a paraffin-only candle will burn slowly, and the wax may pool and drown the wick out or make your candle burn unevenly. A soy-only candle will burn quickly because the wax is so soft. It is also very difficult to de-mold soy-only candles from molds. The paraffin wax I use has a high melting temperature, and the soy adds a creaminess for smoother melting and wax flow. So you get the best of both worlds with my candles. 

I use wax-coated zinc core wicks, which burn cleaner and longer than other types of wicks. The zinc core causes the flame to burn cooler, which makes your candle last longer, and it is ideal for waxes that have a lower melting point. Your flame won’t go crazy and make the glass too hot, which can cause potential breaks. It also has added rigidity to make it stand up straight. With some other wicks, if the candle melts too fast and you have a lot of melted wax in your votive cup, the wick can lean or slump, which can cause the glass to get too hot and break.  If the wick is too large, the candle will burn too quickly, If the wick is too small, it will burn too slow and not melt all the way to the edge, causing the wick to drown out. Plain cotton wicks burn too hot and too fast, which sometimes can make a candle go out because the wick gets much too short to continue burning. 

About my candle fragrances: I have been blending essential oils for over eleven years, and all of my candle fragrances are my own unique creation. I do not use pre-blended fragrance oils, and I use only the highest quality essential oils in my blends. I have tried many brands over the years, and not all essential oils are created equal. Almost like music, fragrance can trigger emotions, memories, and take us to another place and time. It can help us with clarity, courage, and calmness. Our sense of smell is almost as important as our other senses of sight, hearing, and taste. I have a very sensitive nose, and I feel that creating fragrance is an art form, and I hope my God-given talents and creativity will help transport you to a place of beauty, hope, love, and peace where you feel that anything is possible. 

*Never leave a burning candle unattended. Burn only in a safe place on a stable surface, away from curtains, drafts, pets, or children. Mind the surface on which you set your glass candle holder, as the glass can potentially get extremely hot. If the glass is hot, so is the surface/furniture underneath. Safety first, and always use common sense and an abundance of caution when burning candles. 

Tip: add a splash of water (a water bottle cap full, approximately) to the bottom of your votive holder before placing candle in holder. If the water goes beyond halfway up the outside of the candle, it's too much. But adding a little water makes for a cleaner disposal of candle remnants upon completion, with less cleaning needed for your candle holder. It is best to let your candle burn for at least 1-2 hours before extinguishing. otherwise, if the wax has not had a chance to melt all the way to the edge, it may gutter upon relighting. If your flame becomes too tall, blow out your candle and trim your wick before relighting. (Your wick has already been trimmed to the appropriate length when I make the candle, and it will be ready to light when you get it home.)

Note: My candles are produced in small batches for the best quality. They are not mass-produced and will not all look exactly alike. They are highly fragranced, containing a generous amount of my essential oil blends. They are hand-poured, and as such variations or slight differences in appearance / color are naturally bound to occur. Each one comes shrink-wrapped, which protects your candle as well as preserves the beauty and fragrance of the candle.

Legal Disclaimer: I am not responsible for how responsible you are in burning your candle or where / how you choose to use it and claim no liability for any damage or injury. A warning label is placed on the bottom of each candle. Remove the label before burning.