Hobbie Addict

2010-08-16T14:59:00.000-07:00

My mind's eye is still on the prize, but not much else at the present time... I moved a few months ago and put all of my "non-essential" things in storage. I thought it was only going to be for a short time, but alas, it has gotten away from me and I now find myself wanting to create things and not being able to get to the item needed to make them. Sad.
On a better note, my time has been taken up with travel, some short trips close to home, and one fabulous trip to Alberta, just south of Edmonton, to spend a week with my favorite cousin! As well as tending to my garden. Nothing beats yanking something up from the ground and eating it!! I even relish in the weeding and other tasks that are necessary, once I get my behind out there and do them. For the first time we have planted potatoes!!! I wasn't able to find any Yukon Gold starts by the time we decided to plant them, but I did get several Kennebec starts. YUM. I find myself wandering out to the garden and grabbing a potatoe just because I can. Sweetie says that I need to stop doing that unless we actually need a potatoe, but what has need ever had to do with want? It's just too much fun to stick your hand in a mountain of dirt and come out with a beautiful, delicious potatoe.
I have also re-discovered the wonderment that is tea. I found a neat little shop in the Edmonton Mall, and have since stopped drinking coffee all together and have been experimenting with all sorts of different blends. I think my obession that cannot be soap at the moment has gone to the tea effort. Much to sweetie's dismay... haha.

Trying a new leaf :)

2010-04-25T10:15:00.000-07:00

I'm going to become the peace and happiness that I seek! That is my goal. I recently went to Powell's Bookstore in Portland for the day and could not tear myself away from the red room (natural health, self help, religion, metephysics...). I found a "workbook" of sorts that gives you daily tasks to becoming a more positive and peaceful person. I already love the daily prayer...

Today, with heartfelt gratitude, I live my life throught the experience of peace and happiness. I easily focus my attention on thoughts that enhance the flow of love in my life. I know I create my experience through the point of view I choose. Through inviting and allowing peace and happiness, I acknowledge that I am peace, I am happiness, I am love. I ask for and receive all the help available to me, visible and invisible, to easily release habit pattern of fear, to have faith in a loving future, and to live in love in the present. To the eternal peace and happiness of all- and so it is.

So on to my first week of positive engergy!! Making the laws of attraction work in positive ways for me :)

And on the soap front, I have sucessfully made double batches that were neither burnt or messed up in another way!!! It has saved so much stinking time, I have to idea why I haven't pushed for this sooner. But, I picked my two biggest sellers, Fig Blossom and Bees Knees. The castile soap turned a pinkish tint, but I believe that to be more from the honey then the metal pot?? Dunno, but it turned out just fine. I see in my minds eye that I am attracting beautiful, delicious soaps :)

Heading to New Orleans in a few days, then on to Floriday to visit my sis. Maybe I will find some new and exciting ideas down there!!

Yearly Post??

2010-03-25T21:43:00.000-07:00

Yes, it has been a week shy of a year. Yes, I have nothing but lame excuses. Yes, I'm still alive.
It's been a year filled with stuff. Fun stuff. Boring stuff. Stuff stuff. I've made some really fantastic soaps, got on a chocolate run. Made a bunch of bars that closely resemble brownies and smell fantastic. Had to stop making those, everyone wanted to eat them, including me. I also tweaked my lip balm recipe and made a ton of those little sticks. Broke down and bought some flavored oils too! Peach Mango was my hands down favorite, but Cranberry Orange was a very close second! I did manage to do one bazaar over the holidays. Not too bad, but I only sold my soap, I haven't created any lables for my lip balm or massage oils yet. I'm kinda keeping those for myself for some reason...
In other news, I got my hands on a digital SLR camera and I'm loving it! As with my other SLR, it's been so long since I've used one (I believe I was photographing live dinosaurs at the time) as it is intended to be used, that I have forgotten how to properly use them. But I have managed to read the manual enough to set it to point and shoot!! Yay me :) One of these days I will hook it up to my computer and download some pictures... Maybe not, this sucker holds like 1,000 pictures!
On a more current note, I was grocery shopping the other day and they had all the Gordon's fishy stuff on sale. I thought WOW, I haven't had fish sticks on SOOOO LONG! So I finally choose a fillet with some type of potatoe chip breading and I thought "what a fun dinner!" Back to childhood n all. WRONG! Wrong, wrong. It made my house smell like crap, tasted worse and gave me a terrible stomache ache after two bites. Yes, it took two, I thought maybe I was being snobbish after the first one.
As for my childhood, I also used to run around naked, play in the mud, cry when I didn't get my way, and fight with my mom at every chance I got. Huh, maybe things haven't changed that much. But the fish sticks still sucked!
Haha, love you mom. And thanks for never feeding me that stuff when I was in my formative years :)

2009-04-01T23:17:00.001-07:00

So, after nearly 6 months of being workshop-less, I have finally transformed by "junk room" into it's intended workshop status. Being me, I made two batches of soap today, and being the universe (and April Fools Day?), they both gave me grief! The first batch I went in with the intention of finally winning the salt bar battle...I used the regular amount of Coconut Oil, but I changed the second oil. I gave it several hours to set up, and then I went about my cutting it into bars, without really looking at it. Halfway into it, I realized it hadn't finished gelling in the center yet :( We'll see how that turns out!

My other loving creation was a test to see how a mainly Coconut Oil bath bar would work. Oh, and I used some Lanolin for the first time. I got it to a very thin trace, added the Coconut Milk, stirred a teensy bit then left the stick blender in there for just long enough to open my bottle of smellies. I poured in the fragrance oil and tried to stir some more. I couldn't even move the stick blender! I have NEVER had a batch seize so quickly! Luckily I just read yesterday that if that happens, to try pouring in some boiling water. Of course I didn't have any boiling water handy (mainly because I've only had... now 2... batches seize on me), so I used some scalding hot water from the tap. I'm not sure how its gonna turn out, but it definately looked much better than I could have hoped for if I had just stood there and cried (which I was about ready to do). So, I'm not sure what actually made it seize, seeing as how I badly broke the rules and not only used Lanolin for the first time, but also a fragrance oil that I have never used before, AND the extremely high percentage of Coconut Oil. So...... next time I may just do as I've been taught and change only ONE variable at a time.

Or not.

HAHAHAHA - APRIL FOOLS TO ME!

It's still winter...

2009-01-27T07:38:00.000-08:00

It's been months, literally, and my excuses are lame, but between the holidays, the snow, and then moving I've been fairly distracted. I haven't made any soaps since mid November and I'm feeling very uncreative :(
I moved into a two bedroom place specifically to have a "studio" in my house, but since I haven't been able to wrangle my workbench down here, it's more like the junk room at this moment. I was just looking at some other blogs and the pictures of soap "porn" they've put up and it makes me want to run in my kitchen and throw everything off the counters just so I can make a loaf (or two).
So I guess after three months, that's about all I have to say... and yes, I was partying with my family on January 20th!

Yay OBAMA!

2008-11-05T07:01:00.000-08:00

Looks like there is hope for the next four years?! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he does at least some of what he has promised. Not that I'm jaded, but I personally feel that all politicians lie through their teeth and don't really intend on following through with what they promised. BUT, I did vote for Obama and I'm pretty ectatic that he won, uh, by a LANDSLIDE! We also passed our Death with Dignity initiative, which I also voted for. Having a father that died from brain cancer not long ago, I feel pretty strongly that people with terminal diseases should have the right to pass on a little sooner, should they choose. Very contraversial topic.
So, here's to holding on for a few more months. Just make it through it (haha). And on January 20, 2009, you can bet you'll find me partying with my family (again!).

Bazaar Season!

2008-10-30T20:54:00.000-07:00

I finally have a free moment, sitting here waiting for the new CSI: Vegas to come on (in 6 minutes!). I've been making some pretty cool soaps these past few weeks, kinda have to force myself sometimes, but it's all in good fun. I made one this morning scented with Blackberry and Almond...YUM! I have to hold myself back from taking a bite out of it. The one problem with soaping is the patience part. I HAVE NONE! I want to cut a chunk out and use it in the shower NOW. My other new venture was a castile soap with beeswax and honey in it (Bees Knees, haha). The smell is very subtle, but the texture and look of it is like custard. I'm gonna test that one out at 3 weeks. I don't care. I'll throw caution to the wind!
Oh, the Fig Blossom? I had my niece and nephew pick out smells for their own soaps last weekend. My niece picked Lemon and Lime. My nephew picked Orange Blossom and Fig. I laughed. Then I stopped when I realized that he was serious. OK. I told him he could mix any scents that he wanted to. Well, I made it the next day, and was VERY pleasantly surprised at how yummy it smelled! I told the kids maybe I would name the soaps after them, but then decided that not everyone may want to wash with a bar of "Spencer"? I don't know. But maybe I just wouldn't want to know the kind of people that would wash with it?
Here's a pic of my first bazaar that I sold my soaps at. I heard a rumor that comparatively I did very well, although I only sold 10 bars, and mainly to the other vendors at that! But the one coming up next weekend is actually IN town, and I should do better. Ah, wish me luck?! Oops...9PM!

It's that time of year... again...

2008-10-15T21:29:00.000-07:00

You know, that time of year when you realize that the holidays are right around the corner, the nights get VERY chilly (well, for some of us), and we get to layer back on those comfy clothes (ok, so some of them shrunk in their boxes over the summer, how rude!). We just started our first fire tonite, but my toes are still kinda cold :( Sweetie told me to put on some socks, but I think we just need a hotter fire! (?)
I recently decided to branch out on my own (a very small twig, thank you), and found a WONDERFUL woman who is willing to share her massage room with me while I'm deciding if I really want to do this or not. So, I've built my website, ordered my business cards, updated my insurance provider info, and ? phew! THEN, Bazaar Season has snuck up behind me! So now, I've designed a wrapper for my soaps (then remembered that I'm missing some critical info...like how to contact me?), inventoried my current soaps (oops!), and decided to make more, 'cause apparently I've gotten give-a-way happy these past few weeks. Then, I realized that I need a website, and after considerable consideration, I've decided to go my own way and not open an Etsy Shop. Now, I'm trying to build that and make a little pamphlet.
Ok, so I like being busy. But I find that I usually put stuff off and wonder why nothing is happening. Then one day... POOF! I get off my behind and feel a great and unending need to do EVERYTHING. Right NOW! haha
But in all fairness, I've been having a lot of fun making more soap. I even tried not gelling my soaps...I should've listened to those who've already "tried" and used Sodium Lactate from the get go. Oh well, it's not like the first coupla batches are ruined or anything.
I'll put up some pics in the next day or so. I just made a 2nd Apple Swirl and a pumpkin-y one (yet to be named) tonight.

iTunes = BIG Headache!

2008-10-06T08:34:00.000-07:00

Because of the nice sister that I am, I volunteered to help my sis with her iPod updating. Apparently, her old music files have been deleted off her computer, and she didn't want to update her iPod for fear of losing the 185 songs she currently had on there. Soooooo, I thought, sure, easy fix (hahahaha). So I took a list of music she wanted back on her computer, came home, and began to download the songs, some of which I already had anyways. A few days and a lot of hours later, I had them ALL :) So, I burned a TON of cd's with all her precious songs, and proudly took them over to her house to download onto her iTunes. NOPE. No track info on ANY of the cd's. OK. FINE! So I burned all her "purchased" music and came home to put them on my computer. NOPE. Absolutely nothing on either cd. Not one single peep coming out of them...

In the meantime, my wailing to everyone who would listen yielded some pretty useful info! My dear friend told me to Google using your iPod as a hardrive and taking the music directly from it and copying the music files back onto a computer. Well, my first several attempts weren't super successful, but at least I've found the damn files and figured out (somewhat) how to open the iPod as a hardrive.

Oh, did I mention that she's going on vacation in two days and the whole point was for her to be able to take her newly updated iPod with her?! Needless to say, I finally checked my email today after 4 days, and maybe one day I will be able to actually enjoy my computer again.

No worries though, my iTunes is fine, just how I like it :)

What a joke, how can something so widely popular be such a pain in the ass if you step one centimeter off the beaten path?? NEVER GIVE UP! Off to Plan D!

End of Summer...

2008-09-21T21:06:00.000-07:00

I guess it's the official end of summer today and the beginning of fall. Literally, it rained this weekend, and I find myself dodging falling leaves on the road (not quite used to them yet!).

We've been trying to wrap up all of our outdoor projects (the shed), get the lawn mowed, soak up a few more rays of daylight before we're cast in the eternally dismal gray/mist that is fall, winter, and spring in the Northwest. Not to complain, I love it here! I can't think of anywhere else I want to live (this being said coming out of a very nice summer).

Not much soaping lately, but I have been using my salt bars in the shower. They are pretty nifty little creations...I wonder who experimented with that concoction? Soon, sooooo soon, I will be back in the kitchen working on lovely creations for all those pre-holiday bazaars that are heading our way.

Going, Going, GONE

2008-09-05T20:28:00.000-07:00

The sad end of our greenhouse... After years of growing blackberries and housing snakes, with the occasional actual use as a greenhouse, it is gone, down to a small pile of fiberglass (which actually makes VERY sparkly air when repeatedly crushed).
However, the bright side of this demolition (and the purpose) is that sweetie promised a nice size "shed" to be constructed in its place! Complete with pantry space so that I may actually be able to can more than 2 items next season :) I have not had the nerve to ask for space to soap and/or cure my soaps...maybe at a later time? Or more possibly a later structure! More to show when it actually gets built! haha
So what was I doing while this was going on? Well, I mowed a tiny section of our lawn with my old fashion push mower (quite fun!), visited with our neighbor, drank martinis, and ordered in dinner :) Yes, I can be very helpful when need be. Oh yeah, I also took pictures!

New week, New day!

2008-09-04T09:03:00.001-07:00

Absolutely worth all the traffic and people! Just to eat those freshly fried funnel cakes :) We wandered around all the booths, not much to see that really excited me...I bought a new link for my "charm watch", it says I love yorkies! We only stayed in Packwood for one night, then the rains came, so we packed up and off we went to Naches, and the WIND! But I guess it was better then the rain. It was fun though, to get out of town and relax with family.
No news on the soap front...I hurt my back pretty bad over the weekend, so I haven't been able to lift anything, bend over, walk straight...I LOVE getting older! But it's getting better and soon, sooooo soon I will be making more soapies! My mom found a handmade soap with fennel EO in it, and she's been raving about the smell. I'm not too sure I want to make some, but I think I do have some stashed in my, well, stash. So maybe just one batch??
My rebatched papaya soap is still pretty soft, maybe I added too much liquid? Not too sure it's worth the hassle? We'll see, for now maybe I'm just gonna stick with the ones I know...if only I could get my hands on some Wheat Germ Oil and Shea Butter! God what I wouldn't give to have a decent supply store in this town!AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH

Yay for Labor Day!!!

2008-08-30T07:08:00.000-07:00

Gotta love the chance to have an extra day off :) We are off to go camping near Packwood...if you can call hauling a trailer loaded with food, clothes, down comforter, and ALL the things two puppies could ever want for the weekend, camping!? Anyways, it should be fun, we haven't actually used it yet this year! There is a big annual flea market-ish thing that they have in Packwood, complete with food vendors and all those yummy things.
So, no new soap for the near future. Well, that's not the real reason, I had most of yesterday to do as I pleased, so it pleased me to nap and be lazy :) I made a second batch of Salt Bar's, which I will now refer to the devil's soap! I don't have much patience when it comes to most things, and so when my second carefully prepared and slightly tweaked batch crumbled when cut I got somewhat discouraged. My mom said "keep trying honey, you'll get it right", I said (what's the sound of sticking out your tongue?). Maybe I'll give it a few more goes, it didn't really crumble THAT badly, and the slivers that I tested seemed to be pretty cool....

Salt Bar!!!

2008-08-26T09:24:00.000-07:00

My first batch!!! The bars are kinda small, and a few of them cracked, but what the hell! It worked!? They set up REALLY fast, less then an hour, and I may have waited a tad too long (hence the crumbling), but I'm SOOOOO excited to try them out... Common sense would say that 75% coconut oil and 18oz of salt would dry your skin out and make you sad, but everything I've been reading about these little beauties says that they are WONDERFUL to use :) And who really listens to common sense anyways? Rich, lotiony lather, and smooth, sexy skin... crossing my fingers.... 4 weeks is a long time to wait for sexy skin.
They kinda look like tapioca pudding, and they smell really fresh and clean, hope I can start adding them to my soap family!
OK, I haven't really been doing much lately, except waiting for the chance to make these salt bars. I have finished my first re-batch of soap, apparently Papaya FO does a little number on CP soap. I'll but some pics up of those when they're cut. I got to add coconut milk to those, so maybe that was just fate stepping in? It was a fun little experiment, but for futures sake, I hope that most of the others come out lovely the first time :)

2008-08-20T10:25:00.000-07:00

Left: Kitchen Koffee Bar, made with coffee grounds and coffee to help get rid of cooking related smellies; Right: Bath Time Bar, made with yogurt, almond, honey and oatmeal :); Center: Soymilk, with Chamomile, Lavender and Oatmeal...

Left: Yogurt Bar with French Green Clay; Top: Grapefruit Bar, made with Goats Milk, Grapefruit rind, with Copper Mica swirls; Bottom: Cardamom Spice Bar made with yogurt.

So, there you have it to date. Most of my pretty little soap friends that I've managed to not mess up :) I made a few more batches today, especially love the one with ground peppermint and rose, but I'll put those pics up when they are ready.....

I've been having a lot of fun creating these soaps, even the one's I've completely messed up! Such as the one I tried with a nice Merlot (turned out looking like head cheese), and the one I actually used a recipe I found online for a Banana Soap. EEEWWWW! I was gifted with a river of lye and banana mush when I cut it open. haha Since then, I've been cutting back on the food sources for my soap.

So off I go to attempt my first rebatch... I hope all turns out well, I scented it with Papaya and I REALLY want to use it :)

Here I Go!

2008-08-18T17:40:00.000-07:00

I am a blogging newbie... but I've recently been checking out several others due to my recent obsession with CP soaping, and my inevitable oopses.
So, I guess this is what I'm supposed to be doing? Writing about what's going on with my life... well, not a whole lot at this time, just trying to come up with the perfect recipe for soap, going to work, and attending all those end of summer BBQ's :)
I recently went on a month long road trip with my boyfriend. We left from Olympia, Wa and headed East to Niagra Falls (hence the header pic), then down the East Coast to Florida, West thru Texas, then up towards home again. It was an awesome adventure, we traveled close to 9000 miles, and we got to see more then some see in a lifetime in a month. But I am happy to be back at home, in my own environment close to my family and friends...