Trying out some new tricks

 I got myself a loose-incense burning setup the other day, so that I can test some of the blends I want to make. Ran my first attempt today -- just, using the charcoal, seeing how a few things smell individually when burned so I can guess at how they'd smell in combination, and how much of each thing I might want to use to get the effects I'm after. 

I have sort of vague plans to make an incense blend for each of the equinoxes, solstices and cross-quarters, ideally with exclusively ingredients that I can grow or forage myself in my area. It's at least an aspirational idea, I might end up bowing to the need for more variety and incorporating other stuff than just what's naturally available here, but I've at least got a pretty solid baseline concept for a Samhain blend already, and might be able to concoct a good Yule blend in time for actual Yule, if I primarily go with evergreens.

The charcoal tablets sure do leave a large quantity of ash behind, which will maaaybe make certain of my magical powders and other recipes that use general ash as a key ingredient easier to make in quantity, anyway. Saving up ash from incense cones and sticks takes a while to get enough. 

Also finally got the issue with my paypal sorted out so I could send money for a Pillowfort code. Because I really, REALLY want an actual tumblr-like thing to use that isn't run by complete idiots (which doesn't mean I'm planning on ditching DW as soon as I get on Pillowfort, just... really do want a few options).