Thursday, May 1, 2014

Happy May Day everyone! As I write this, it is 42 degrees outside. Gotta love Michigan. I have been super busy the last few months. Since I am a church musician when I'm not making soap, candles, rugs, stockings, fudge, or lamps, April was especially busy. Easter, you know, the busiest time in the church. Add to that additional grandkid time and something had to give - blogging. We had the Shepherd Maple Syrup Festival last weekend and our little Claire competed in the Princess pageant. Here she is hamming it up on the parade float with one of her friends. She's the one on the left.



So now it's time to gear up for making soap for the Girls on the Run race bags. So far I have 87 soaps done out of the 650 that I need to do. Also, I did 4 batches of Apple Jack and Peel soap for a barn wedding. This is the third request I have had to make soap for weddings. Must be a new trend.



I've also started making tin can lamps. I absolutely love them!! These are timer lamps. Some are electric and some are battery. They glow for 8 hours and then automatically turn themselves off for 16 hours. Then they turn back on.













In February I had surgery on my hand for carpal tunnel. That slowed me down for a couple of weeks, but I am back to making rugs



This summer I plan to get back to quilting. I have missed that so much. The problem is, there are too many things I love to do and not enough time to them.

Monday, June 10, 2013 - Cutting Lemongrass Soap

Ugh, my big chore for the day is to get soap oils measured. It's my very least favorite part of soapmaking. I have somewhat streamlined the process, so it isn't as bad as it used to be. The part that makes it so tiresome is actually only measuring the hard oils. I hate having my hands all greasy, but at least with the coconut oil, soybean oil, and palm oil, I can scoop it out and be done with it. But cocoa butter - oh, that evil cocoa butter. In order to keep prices down, I order it in a 50 pound chunk. It requires a hammer and a butter knife to chip off the chunks. And my lovely scale always decides to shut off before it is all measured. Today I hammered the butter knife down so far into the chunk that I couldn't get it out again. Sooooo, I have one batch of oils measured. I will pour these into four smaller buckets and each of those is enough for one batch of soap. I think I will do several of these today and then I won't have to bother with it for a month or so.

The girls were here this morning so I finished my Lemongrass video from yesterday.  They like to watch me cut soap and they absolutely LOVE to sniff it.

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Friday, September 21, 2012

I spent the morning blending a new fragrance oil for our fall products. It brings to mind the crunch of leaves in the fall, the freshly turned earth in the fields, a touch of maple and some other fantastic scents. It reminds me of our beautiful country road in the fall and so I have named the scent in its honor - Autumn on the County Line. I made a batch of candles and will post a pic of those when I have the labels. They are sage green and smell so wonderful.

 I usually make soap on Mondays, but I made another batch today using our new fragrance so that it would be cured in time for our October 27 craft show in Carson City.  Here is a pic of it in the mold.  I can't wait to cut it tomorrow!

Saint Matthew, apostle and evangelist - Feast

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 9:9-13.
 

As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him.
While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples.
The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
He heard this and said, "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
Go and learn the meaning of the words, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Here is the Cranberry and Spiced fig cut up. It looks a lot different doesn't it? I smells wonderful!!   I did a combo of "in-the-pot" swirl, plus I went in with the bottom of a wire coat hanger and rotated that a bit.

Wednesday of the Twenty-fourth week in Ordinary Time
Saint(s) of the day : St. Januarius, Bishop and Martyr († 305)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 7:31-35.

Then to what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another, 'We played the flute for you, but you did not dance. We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.' For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, 'He is possessed by a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said, 'Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is vindicated by all her children."

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

I am just thrilled with the way last night's batch of soap turned out. I made Candy Apple, but I did something a little different. The last time I did this soap I was still making bars and hadn't yet switched to Cold Process. I used pink kaolin clay to swirl color. This time I decided to add pink kaolin clay to the entire batch and swirl with a burgundy mica. Because the fragrance oil has vanillin in it, the finish batch turns to a light beige. The color in the kaolin clay doesn't do much to color the soap, however, the clay is a wonderful addition!!

Last night I added the kaolin clay before adding the lye/goat milk solution. When the lye solution hit the oils they became thick and creamy. I was a little alarmed at first because I had never seen it do that before. I thought it was trying to seize on me (which doesn't usually happen until fragrance oil is added). But I kept blending. When I added the fragrance oil, it didn't want to blend in at first. I was very nervous, to say the least. But I kept blending and poured it into the molds. It stayed creamy and smooth. I was able to unmold the leaves last night. I waited until this morning to unmold the wooden mold because I was afraid that batch might decide to gel and leave me with a huge caustic mess to clean up in the morning. Normally, if it's going to heat up and gel, it does so in the first couple of hours, but I wasn't taking any chances.

This morning I got up and cut the batch first thing. Omigosh!!! The loaf is beautiful. The camera doesn't quite pick up on the creamy quality. I think I will be adding kaolin clay to all of my soaps from now on!  I tried an end cut (no it's not cured and I should wait a month, but I gotta be me.)  The lather was thick and creamy.  I cannot wait until this is cured.  Tonight I am going to do a Lavender batch.

I hadn't realized that this is the last week I can make soap and have it ready for the Maple Syrup festival.

In other news, we went down to visit our newest grandbaby. It was so nice to only have to drive an hour. It was 2 1/2 hours when we went to Grand Rapids. The longer drive wasn't bad, but it cut into visiting time. Sam, Kelli, and the girls were there when we arrived. Madison and Meghan were quite excited about baby Ben. We got to hold him for a long, long, time!!

It's been a very good week so far!


Word of the day:
Tuesday of the Fifth week of Lent
Saint(s) of the day : St John of Egypt (+ 394)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 8:21-30.

Jesus said to the Pharisees: "I am going away and you will look for me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going you cannot come."
So the Jews said, "He is not going to kill himself, is he, because he said, 'Where I am going you cannot come'?"
He said to them, "You belong to what is below, I belong to what is above. You belong to this world, but I do not belong to this world.
That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins."
So they said to him, "Who are you?" Jesus said to them, "What I told you from the beginning.
I have much to say about you in condemnation. But the one who sent me is true, and what I heard from him I tell the world."
They did not realize that he was speaking to them of the Father.
So Jesus said (to them), "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM, and that I do nothing on my own, but I say only what the Father taught me.
The one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do what is pleasing to him."
Because he spoke this way, many came to believe in him.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Tuesday's batch of Peppermint soap turned out fantastic. My whole work area smells wonderful! I garnished the top with pip berries and some red pods that I had.  There are chunks of peppermint soap embedded in the loaves.  I cant wait for this to cure!!

Ooooooh, our Christmas Stocking ad is out in Country Sampler!  You can see it here.

On a sad note, I found out last night that one of our elder parishioners passed away.  She lived alone, but we have some wonderful men in our parish who maintained her lawn and checked in on her.  I remember her face the night she was baptized at Easter vigil.  I don't think she ever stopped glowing.  She was one of our lectors and despite her small size, she had a vibrant, rich voice.  We will miss her!

Word of the day:
Our Lady of Sorrows - Memorial
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 19:25-27.

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son."
Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother."
And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Madison and Meghan were here today and they helped me with the fall decorations.  I could not get Madison to smile.  She is holding an artificial fall mum and taking her job very seriously.

It's been a busy but productive week and a half. I have upped my soapmaking schedule to 4 days a week so I can get all of our seasonal soaps cured before the craft shows. So far I have made Pumpkin Spice, Apple Jack 'n Peel, Vanilla, Honey Oats and Milk, and last night I made Sugar Plum Fairy. I put heart embeds in the loaf. I've never done embeds before. The hearts were from the batch of Fairy Tales I made a few weeks ago. I am pretty pleased with how the Sugar Plum Fairy turned out.

Last Sunday, I sang at a 9/11 Mass of Remembrance down at the Cathedral. There were about 350 people there.  Most of the people I knew had been there earlier for the Commissioning Mass and left shortly after I arrived.  In the video below I am singing at the very end and the song is chopped up because the videographer is trying to capture different scenes.

 


Word of the day:
Tuesday of the Twenty-fourth week in Ordinary Time
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 7:11-17.

Soon afterward he journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him.
As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her.
When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, "Do not weep."
He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!"
The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.
Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, "A great prophet has arisen in our midst," and "God has visited his people."
This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Well, Deb E., you have created a mini cupcake monster. I don't know why I didn't try this before.  They were so much fun to do.  I may need to include them in my regular soap routine.  Maybe do 5 large cupcakes and 5 small.  These are just way too cute!!! Thanks for the prodding, Deb.  Of course I will set aside one of them just for you as a thank you.  I also have 3 little granddaughters who will love this soap.  It's scented in Fairy Tales fragrance oil.

 

Word of the day:
Friday of the Twentieth week in Ordinary Time
Saint(s) of the day : St. John Eudes, Priest (1601-1680)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 22:34-40.

When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together,
and one of them (a scholar of the law) tested him by asking,
Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?
He said to him, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.
This is the greatest and the first commandment.
The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."

Friday, July 29, 2011

I never did make it to the quilting room last night.  Well, I did walk in there but then I thought of all the things I didn't get done and felt guilty so I folded laundry instead.  LOL!

This morning I cut the new soap, I Remember Mama, and I am really happy with the way it turned out. I wasn't sure I would like the coral that I used with it, but looking at it now, I really like it!  The soap batter accelerated on me a bit.  That may be due to the other fragrance oil I blended with it.  Next time I think I may not blend it at all, but just use the one FO. 

Word of the day:
Saint Martha - Memorial
Saint(s) of the day : St. Martha - Memorial
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 11:19-27.

And many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother.
When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home.
Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
(But) even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you."
Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise."
Martha said to him, "I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day."
Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live,
and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
She said to him, "Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world."

Thursday, July 7, 2011

First of all, today is the birthday of my beautiful second born child - Melisa! We will be celebrating tonight.

This morning I went for a run and then made some Apple Jack 'n Peel soap.  Mmmmmmmm.  It smells like Autumn in here.  I love Autumn.  I actually love every season in its turn, but since I have to do Fall soaps during the summer, I am able to enjoy two seasons at once.

Got another order today, this one from Etsy.  We are starting to get inquiries about Christmas stockings and I've had a couple of orders so it looks like the stocking season will be starting early.  :)

Word of the day:
Thursday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time
Saint(s) of the day : St. Pantaenus, Father of the Church, (+ c. 216), Bl. María Romero Meneses (1902-1977)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 10:7-15.

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.
Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words--go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet.
Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Today I absolutely HAVE to get my dungeon workroom straightened up.  These are the things I need to get done today:

Clean dungeon workroom.
Measure soap oils
Start figuring out inventory for fall shows
Package Primitive Blessings soap
Make stockings
Fold laundry

And then the evening is mine to quilt, quilt, quilt.  I love Thursdays!!

Oh, and I made a paper box from a video tutorial I saw on YouTube.  

Word of the day:
Thursday of the Thirteenth week in Ordinary Time
Saint(s) of the day : 1st Martyrs of Rome (+ 1st century)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 9:1-8.

He entered a boat, made the crossing, and came into his own town.
And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Courage, child, your sins are forgiven."
At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming."
Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, "Why do you harbor evil thoughts?
Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'?
But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" --he then said to the paralytic, "Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home."
He rose and went home.
When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to human beings.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Here we are at the end of June. The days are sliding by so quickly. We had our Moeggenborg Family reunion last Sunday. The numbers are fewer and fewer each year. It's kind of sad to see. Entire branches of the family are not coming any more. We had a good time, but it was discouraging to see how few people come to it any more.

I made some soap last night. I'm getting in the the Christmas soap mode and made a batch of Pepperberry Wreath. It's a blend of an essential oil and a fragrance oil. I like it - reminds me of Christmas.  As usual, I made a large loaf, a mini loaf, 4 maple leaves, 5 cupcakes and a bunch of dobbies for future cupcakes.

 

I am still very bad about waiting to unmold and I managed to mash a little of the bottom of the larger loaf - but it was on the end where I cut samples from so I guess it's okay.  I just can't seem to leave it in the mold.  LOL!

Word of the day:
Saint Peter and Saint Paul, apostles - Solemnity
Feast of the Church : Saints Peter and Paul - Solemnity
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 16:13-19.

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, «Who do people say that the Son of Man is?»
They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Oh, I am a sad, pitiable soul. I have absolutely no patience or discipline. Look what I did after saying that I would wait until Sunday. I figured since the loaf was in the fridge, it would be easy to unmold - and it was, but it is still soft. You can see that it started to gel even though it was in the fridge.

Here is one of the bitty bars.  I got a little too close with the camera.

Word of the day:
Saturday of the Eleventh week in Ordinary Time
Saint(s) of the day : St. Elizabeth of Schoenau, St. Gregory Barbarigo, Bishop (1625-1697), Sts. Marcus and Marcellianus, Martyrs (+286)
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 6:24-34.

Jesus said to his disciples: «No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat (or drink), or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they?
Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span?
Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin.
But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them.
If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?
So do not worry and say, 'What are we to eat?' or 'What are we to drink?' or 'What are we to wear?'
All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.
Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.