Happy Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for....

• A wonderful husband that makes me laugh everyday
• A family that shares their funny stories with me
• Phone chats with friends
• Well behaved puppy dogs
• Having money in the bank
• A warm house
• A fire to sit next to - either inside or outside
• My yoga mat
• Food on the table
• Bright colors to wear
• Fragrance oils!
• Creative people who share their gifts with the world
• Barnard Griffin's Rose de Sangiovese to share...

Happy Thanksgiving to you all - may you share this day with those you love the most!

Make it a special holiday...

I have an extremely talented cousin who designs the most exquisite jewelry. Maybe you are looking for that very special present for a friend or family member or perhaps that one special piece to finish your outfit for New Year's Eve. Because most of you who visit my blog understand artisan work, I think you can appreciate her style and level of craftsmanship.

Karin Worden Jewelry

She may just have that one perfect item for you to make it a very special holiday....

Imperfections are Natural

I have these beautiful cloth napkins that were made in India and I just noticed a little tag on them. The tag says "Imperfections are Natural". I love that! It is so true! I get so hyped up about getting everything done, doing everything well, and not calling any attention to my self by making sure that everything works out they way I think it is supposed to. For some reason I feel like if I do something wrong the world is going to fall off of its axis. I have spent all week stressing out about something that I shouldn't even be worried about. But you know what?! No one is perfect and I can't expect myself or anyone else to be! So keep that in mind when you are stressing yourself out trying to make everything right in the world and maybe even appreciate the flaws and funny things that happen...

Imperfections are Natural!

Calendula Infused Shea Butter Soap

Here is my latest soap - and I'll tell you, it is heavenly.... it is made with calendula infused olive oil and shea butter. Calendula is a skin calming herb and of course shea is a yummy moisturizer. I made this batch unscented because I really wanted to test the recipe and not be distracted or have a scent interfere with how it came out.

Although, I'm not quite happy with the calendula petals on top... it kind of looks a mess... or like it needs a haircut... oh well, live and learn.

Well...I'd marry me...

Another lovely Sunday cooking up a storm! Have I told you recently how much I love to go grocery shopping? It is one of my happy places. I love imagining what we can make for the week and feel challenged to think up new and exciting ways to present the regular stuff.

Today I made chicken pot pie, apple pop-overs, and homemade chicken stock. Yum! The house smells amazing! And if we didn't destroy all of it by devouring it at dinner - I would show you a picture.... So, if I was doing the choosing... I'd marry me... :)

What a whirlwind!

It's been a fun few weeks. I was in CA for a training class and had the opportunity to go with a friend to Napa for the weekend. It was absolutely beautiful and the vinyards were in full bloom. We did quite a few tastings and had a wonderful time. There is nothing to compare to the wine, food, and level of service you get all over the valley. We tasted at Sterling, Hess, Darioush, Acaciaand Rubicon Estate. All of them lovely and all so unique! We ended the weekend at a fantastic vegetarian restaurant that was AMAZING! We left full and satisfied and had not a bit of meat included.

To check it out the restaurant go here.

What do you get....

when you get to be a lazy soaper? Speckles in your soap! Don't be afraid - it isn't unsaponified lye. (For you non- soapmakers, that means lye that hasn't been eaten up by the oils that can burn your skin).

I've been using the heat transfer method in my soapmaking because it is fast and easy - But I've also been using a recipe with a lot of solid oils. Duh! (Smacks myself on the forehead) So there we go - speckles. Now that I have a microwave and a single burner in my soaproom, there really is no reason for not melting my solid oils. I'll be more careful with my next batch because I, like you, like my soap smooth to the look and feel!

I'm just a soapmaker - learning everyday! And the lesson learned - don't be lazy...