Tuesday, June 14, 2011

I made a batch of Cider Mill soap yesterday. I think with the higher percentage of goat milk, I am going to have to force myself to wait an extra day to unmold it. I also need to remember to get the loaf mold into the refrigerator as soon as it's poured. Yesterday's batch heated up - not too bad, but I could see a little difference in the top. Also, when I cut the loaf I could really smell the ammonia. When the liquid is all water, I think it evaporates faster. The thicker goat milk needs more time. The soap looks fine, but it was very soft when I unmolded it today.

Word of the day:
Tuesday of the Eleventh week in Ordinary Time
Saint(s) of the day : St. Elisha, Prophet (9th century BC)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 5:43-48.

You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same?
So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Been doing some of the more fun things around the Sugar Bush. My favorite thing to do is package products. I made a batch of Country Apple Bath Fizzies yesterday and they turned out really nice. I packaged them this morning.

Also, my first batch of soap made with fresh goat milk from Diane Davis is ready to package. It will be fully cured on Monday. I tried a bar this morning. All I can say is OMIGOSH! It is so creamy and nice! This is scented with Raspberry Jasmine Spice.   These would make really cute gifts for wedding or baby showers.

Last night Anna hosted an Album Making Party at her house.  I'm going to use it for Grandbaby pics.  Of course I'll need to make a few more to hold all the pics I have.


Word of the day:
Saint Barnabas, apostle – Memorial
Saint(s) of the day : St. Barnabas, Apostle
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 10:7-13.

As you go, make this proclamation: 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'
Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.
Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts;
no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep.
Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave.
As you enter a house, wish it peace.
If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Well, I finally got to make soap last night. I made Pumpkin Spice (sorry Deb). I make our Autumn soaps in the summer because our craft show season is insane starting with late September (when the stocking orders begin to roll in too.) I upped the goat milk on this. The lye concentration was 6.5 ounces of water and 16 ounces of goat milk. I put the batch in the refrigerator to keep it from gelling. I took it out this morning and it is really oily. I can't tell if the zap I am getting is from lye or fragrance oil. We shall see. The soap began to heat up a bit after I got it out of the refrigerator. I used no coloring, but swirled it with a cocoa powder mixture. I have used this in bar soap but it did not turn this gorgeous shade of orange. Perhaps the oven processing made a difference in the bars. I love the way these turned out. I am hoping the the moisture really is oil and not something else. Time will definitely tell.

Word of the day:
Saturday of the Sixth week of Easter
Saint(s) of the day : St. Francis Caracciolo, Priest & Co-Founder of Congregation (1563-1608)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 16:23b-28.

On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.
Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
I have told you this in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures but I will tell you clearly about the Father.
On that day you will ask in my name, and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you.
For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God.
I came from the Father and have come into the world. Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father."