Not Quite as Proud as a Peacock

Thursday, I was prowling around at the blogs I like to read when I happened upon Amanda Griffin's blog Lovin Soap if you haven't checked out Amanda's blog you must-it's full of great tutorials and fun swirling techniques etc. Anyway, back to Thursday-I was prowling around and stopped dead in my tracks at the sight of  Amanda's beautiful Peacock Swirl, and I new had to try it. Amanda was using a slab mold for hers and so I knew there would be some tweaking to translate it over to my long narrow log mold,but I just had to see if  I could make it happen. I also had a concern about how much work time I would have with my formula as she suggests a formula that allows plenty of open time to work and I didn't want to change formulas.Turns out the open time was fine, but I need to rethink my peacock swirls, we initially started out with our loops too tight - so no real peacock effect, we then loosened them up, but they still aren't loopy enough. I still think it's very pretty even though it didn't come out as planned-I'm still pondering and will post the next trial batch.

For my colors I used-bamboo charcoal, cocoa and titanium dioxide over a pale yellow base-I had also intended for the base to poke through some,but it didn't so there are only 3 colors showing with a pale yellow base underneath. The scent is a lemongrass with cedar it smells fantastic and I think it will still be a looker.

Fir Needle

Fir Needle - 4.5 ounce $6.00

Fir Needle - Bring the clean, fresh aroma of a coniferous forest to your morning shower. I just adore the smell of this soap-colored with wheat grass this soap is as natural as the great outdoors.

A Cathartic Letter to Early Morning Theives

To the individuals that broke into vehicles up and down our street - at first I was very angry that you would destroy and steal property that clearly didn't belong to you. You shattered glass and took things that weren't yours -  that's what thieves do. I wonder if you ever see beyond the loot you take in such a cowardly manner? Do you stop to think about the middle class American that goes to work day in and day out to provide for his family? Do you see the nice vehicle parked in his driveway that he has worked overtime to buy, the vehicle that takes him to work each and every day, or the vehicle that takes the family on their much anticipated annual vacation that has been tightly budgeted for- the vacation that you have now compromised? Do you see the child that is now afraid to go to sleep because you have threatened his world? Do you see my neighbor that has to call the insurance adjuster and pay a deductible that may mean less food on the table this Thanksgiving? Do you see the dismay, the anger, the fear you caused with your actions? Probably not-because you think only about you-how sad.

Even though ours was one of the vehicles you made your mark on-I'm sorry for you. Even though I will undoubtedly have trouble sleeping tonight-I feel pity for you. I feel sad that you weren't snug in your bed in the wee hours of the morning. I feel sad that you thought it would be a great idea to take from others for your gain. I feel sad that you don't have that moral compass that tells you stealing/vandalizing is not right. I feel sad that you thought you had so much to gain by taking random useless things that meant nothing to you. I feel sad that you stole the wistful innocence away from a child - shattering the security of the place that is home. I feel sad that you don't feel....

Trying Something New = $7.00 Flat Rate Shipping!

 Citrus Honey Hand Balm in metal re-usable tin -1 ounce $7.00

With Christmas fast approaching it's time to finalize and tie up loose ends in the area of Christmas gift ideas. Beautiful cold processed handmade soaps and all natural hand balms make great gifts and stocking stuffers too! So, with that in mind we are trying something new-from now through January we will be offering $7.00 flat rate shipping - this is a great value that allows you to load up on several products to fill in those Christmas gift voids. Keep soap and  hand balms handy for teachers' gifts, parties at Church, office parties etc.Shop Now!

Shampoo Bar Challenge - Six Month Update

I was thinking yesterday that it's been six months since I began on the Fourteen Day Shampoo Bar Challenge. I have to say that in the beginning I was very skeptical as to how my hair would respond to a "shampoo bar." I had doubts that I would be happy with it. I had the same questions that I think most people have 1) would it lather enough to be satisfying 2) would I be able to get a brush/comb through it if I don't use silicone laden product on my hair 3) would it be too harsh. Well, six month later I am happy to say that my hair loves it. My hair is soft and manageable-every bit like my hair prior to the switch and maybe even better. I use strictly shampoo bar with a vinegar/water rinse. I never ever deviate I am very consistent,and my hair is totally adjusted and loving it.;-))

For those of you who have been brave/curious enough to try it-what has your experience been like? 

Phew! That was Close

So sorry for the interruption. Seems it's very important to back up your template if you make any sort of change to the html code.duh! Anyway, the long and short if it all, is that I almost lost my entire content - over a years worth of blogging and photos.Ugh! As you can see, my dear husband was able to save the day,but in the attempt something went awry with the header. Oh well! We'll just have to live with it awile until we have a chance to re-work something - maybe it was time for a change anyway.

12 by 2012

So, I saw this on my favorite blog Modish,who saw it on Indie Pretty, who saw it on Oh Hello Friend -that built the house that Jack built-oops! wrong story line. Anyway,I thought it was great motivation to get some looming things that I've been putting off out of the way, and also a way to build some momentum to start 2012 off in a productive way.

My list consists of things I've been dreading that would be "oh so satisfying" to get out of the way, as well as habits I want to instill for 2012 sprinkled with a few things I want to do for me as sort of a built in reward system.

1) Pull all the ahem "stuff" out of the garage - categorize as either stuff to keep or garage sale. Sweep and clean garage thoroughly and pack all the keeper "stuff" back in.
2) Walk daily and  enjoy the feel of sunshine on my face
3) Drink water daily - unfortunately I have to make a conscious effort to make sure I do this
4) Go on picnics with my mister
5) Take time out for "date night"
6) r & d  on new product - so fun!
7) Market, market, market those soaps and hand balms.
8) Lose 10# before 2012 (is it possible with Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner?)
9) Think about and make handmade gifts this year for Christmas
10) Paint and freshen up the kids bathroom
11) Take time to read real books
12)  Learn to step outside my box to purposefully do things I'm not so comfortable with - face fears head on setting a new precedent for 2012.

The sky is the limit, what would you like to achieve before 2012?

West Texas Dust Storm - It's a Brown Out Folks

View out my backdoor - oh, and it's only 5: 40 p.m.

Ummmm, we're having a bit of dust + 60 mph. winds! :-(( The dust completely devoured the sun.
I told you I'd get picture of a really good dust storm.

Soap - Good for What Ails You

Today is Global Handwashing Day-washing hands saves lives...
"Handwashing with soap is the most effective and economical way to prevent diarrheal and acute respiratory infections which take the lives of millions of children every year.Turning handwashing with soap before eating and after using the toilet into an ingrained habit could save more lives than any single vaccine or medical intervention, cutting deaths from diarrhea by almost half and deaths from acute respiratory infections by one-quarter." 

Source-www.globalhandwashingday.org

Cinnamon Cajeta - Rich and Creamy

Cinnamon Cajeta - 4.5 ounce bar $6.00

 Cinnamon Cajeta- will be ready mid Nov.

After a bit of a re-work Cinnamon Cajeta is cut and on the curing rack. Cajeta is a creamy rich caramel sauce typically made from a base of goat's milk - it differs from dulce de leche in that it is usually goat's milk and not cow's milk.

Cinnamon Cajeta - a rich caramelly goat's milk base with a decadent speckling of vanilla bean aromatically complimented with hint of cinnamon. Perfectly delicious!

A Penne for Your Thoughts

So sorry to be a day late and a dollar short,but I wanted to post a note about yesterdays delicious lunch. Enjoy!

Penne Pasta with Bell Peppers and Leeks

1 box of Penne Pasta
1 leek cut into rings
2 red bell peppers
2 yellow bell peppers
1/3 cup of organic chicken stock
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup chives, minced

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and saute leeks for 5 minutes
3. Stir in bell peppers, and 1/3 cup of organic chicken stock(if you are a veg that doesn't use chicken stock you can do a dressing of olive oil and lemon as a substitute-it's good stuff too!),season lightly with salt and pepper to taste and cook for 6 minutes. Then add chives.
4. Cook pasta according to package directions (about 12 minutes.) Drain and toss with sauce.

"You've Got to Find What You Love..."

Steve Jobs Stanford Commencement Speech

He was an innovator that changed the world. Listen, as he talks about how nearly dying taught him to live.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
- Steve Jobs

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle." -Steve Jobs

 R.I.P. Steve Jobs-1955-2011

Happenings in Lubbock

Looking for something fun to do this Friday night? Head on out to the First Friday Art Trail- on the first Friday of every month, galleries, restaurants and businesses open their doors in support of the local arts. This event is free to the public you can drive to each venue on your own or take the trolley for a guided tour. How fun is that? This Friday night as an added extra-the Lubbock Downtown Art Market will be participating meaning extra handmade goodness will be available BONUS! Please note the Downtown Art Market part of FFAT is dependent on nice weather.

My friend, Donniece Smith will be selling her beautiful jewelry at Ron Simon's studio over at the Underwood Center's Studio Flats 1010 Mac Davis Lane- from 6-9 p.m. Admission is Free.

Some Deliciousness for Fall

A sneak peek at Cinnamon Cajeta-coming soon!

Synonymous with the scents of Fall, are all the spicy notes of cinnamon, clove, ginger and nutmeg. I wanted to incorporate a scent in conjunction with the theme of Cajeta- a caramel like sauce typically made from goat's milk, and cinnamon seemed the perfect accent. I've been dreaming of this soap for awhile, and finally things came together so that I could make a sample batch. I think it came out brilliantly-can't wait to cut it. I'm thinking things will darken up a bit, the white will hopefully go a bit towards a caramel color and the swirl a darker brown. (fingers crossed) The above photo was taken prior to gel-so I expect it will go through quite a change.

Cinnamon Cajeta -a creamy,caramelized goat's milk base with a sprinkling of brown sugar thrown in-finished off with a tantalizing hint of cinnamon. Delicious!

Quote of the Day

"To be successful, you have to have your heart in your business, and your business in your heart."
 Thomas Watson Sr. ~