Katie's 2013 Highlights

Stationery Card

View the entire collection of cards.

2012 Photo Highlights for Grace

Our Moments Christmas Card

Personalize your holiday card this Christmas with Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

for Bryant and Sandra - a universally popular vegan soap recipe

DISCLAIMER:  FOLLOW STANDARD COLD PROCESS SOAP PROCEDURE (NOT TO BE ATTEMPTED BY NON-SOAPMAKERS).  WHEN MAKING SOAP YOU ARE WORKING WITH SODIUM HYDROXIDE, OR LYE, WHICH IS A CAUSTIC, DANGEROUS CHEMICAL.  WEAR PROTECTIVE SKIN, EYE & RESPIRATORY EQUIPMENT & WORK IN A WELL-VENTILATED AREA.  AUTHOR IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE OR INJURIES.

This is my original recipe.  If it ends up being close to someone else's, that is a happy coincidence.

Orange Cedarwood w/Moroccan Clay Vegan Soap

25.7 oz filtered water

9.8 oz lye

24 oz olive oil

23.8 oz organic palm oil

19.3 oz organic coconut oil

1.4 oz castor oil

1 oz raw organic cocoa butter

.6 oz shea butter

15 grams grapefruit seed extract

1 ounce Moroccan Clay **(see note below)**

Pure Essential Oils:

1.7 oz Orange Essential Oil

.3 oz Tangerine Essential Oil 

1 oz Cedarwood Essential Oil

**Note:  I've made this soap two different ways.  My preferred method is, after the lye is dissolved into the filtered water, I add the Moroccan Clay to the lye/water mix, stirring 'til dissolved.  This makes a uniform, consistently colored soap.

 

Another option is to add the clay after trace, to a portion of the base, then swirl this in.** 

Once I get the oils & butters measured & melted, I add the GSE to that, stirring well.

I stir periodically while I wait for the lye/water mix and the oil/butter mix to get to 100 degrees F.

I add the Pure Essential Oils at trace.

I let the soap goo insulate in molds for 2 to 3 days.  Then I  remove, cut & lay out to cure.  After 2 weeks I label.  Should be ready to use 3 weeks from original date of manufacture.  I label each bar, listing all ingredients & date of manufacture, weigh, wrap & then ship or hand deliver.

Matthew 23:26  Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

2 Corinthians 7:1  Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

1 Kings 6:18  And the cedar of the house within was carved with knops and open flowers: all was cedar; there was no stone seen.


Isaiah 41:19  I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together:


Psalms 92:12  The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

Job 33:6  Behold, I am according to thy wish in God’s stead: I also am formed out of the clay.

Psalms 40:2  He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

Isaiah 29:16  Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter’s clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?

Isaiah 45:9  Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

Isaiah 64:8  But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

Jeremiah 18:4  And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

for Lisa and Jill

DISCLAIMER:  FOLLOW STANDARD COLD PROCESS SOAP PROCEDURE (NOT TO BE ATTEMPTED BY NON-SOAPMAKERS).  WHEN MAKING SOAP YOU ARE WORKING WITH SODIUM HYDROXIDE, OR LYE, WHICH IS A CAUSTIC, DANGEROUS CHEMICAL.  WEAR PROTECTIVE SKIN, EYE & RESPIRATORY EQUIPMENT & WORK IN A WELL-VENTILATED AREA.  AUTHOR IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE OR INJURIES.

This is my original recipe.  If it ends up being close to someone else's, that is a happy coincidence.  

Vegan Extra Conditioning Soap

539 grams filtered water

197 grams lye

398 grams organic palm oil

458 grams organic coconut oil

11 oz castor oil

3.9 oz jojoba oil

2 oz sweet almond oil

2.9 oz raw organic cocoa butter

2.2 oz shea butter

5 grams grapefruit seed extract

5 grams Vitamin E oil

Once I get the oils & butters measured & melted, I add the GSE & Vitamin E oil to that, stirring well.

I stir periodically while I wait for the lye/water mix and the oil/butter mix to get to 100 degrees F.

I add the Pure Essential Oils at trace. 

I split this recipe as follows:

for Lisa S.

2/3 of base

21 grams Pure Lavender Essential Oil

for Jill 

1/3 of base

4 ml (or 1 dram) Pure Citronella Essential Oil

I let the soap goo insulate in molds for 2 to 3 days.  Then I  remove, cut & lay out to cure.  After 2 weeks I label.  Should be ready to use 3 weeks from original date of manufacture.  I label each bar, listing all ingredients & date of manufacture, weigh, wrap & then ship or hand deliver.

Psalms 19:12  Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

Psalms 51:2  Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

Psalms 119:9  (BETH) Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

Ephesians 6:7  With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:

for Paulette, Emily & Betsy

DISCLAIMER:  FOLLOW STANDARD COLD PROCESS SOAP PROCEDURE (NOT TO BE ATTEMPTED BY NON-SOAPMAKERS).  WHEN MAKING SOAP YOU ARE WORKING WITH SODIUM HYDROXIDE, OR LYE, WHICH IS A CAUSTIC, DANGEROUS CHEMICAL.  WEAR PROTECTIVE SKIN, EYE & RESPIRATORY EQUIPMENT & WORK IN A WELL-VENTILATED AREA.  AUTHOR IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE OR INJURIES.

This is my original recipe.  If it ends up being close to someone else's, that is a happy coincidence.  For the longest time, this was my absolute favorite.  Enjoy!

COBBLESTONE SOAP RECIPE
Takes a while, but worth it:  a wonderfully mild base, with subtle hints of peppermint, tea tree and lavender.  First I make the elements:

> Rhassoul Clay, Myrrh & Peppermint Vegan Soap
> Rhassoul Clay Tea Tree Vegan Soap
> Lavender Vegan Soap

I don't generally wait for the elements to cure for 3 weeks - just a few days.  Then I cut them however I like (I've used small heart shape cookie cutters, or just a knife, or even sometimes used a grater).  I really like the way this soap looks, smells & feels. Once I've got the elements ready, I make the base.

Cobblestone Soap Base

25.7 oz filtered water

9.9 oz lye

1 lb 6.8 oz olive oil

1 lb 7.2 oz organic palm oil

1 lb 4.4 oz organic coconut oil

1 oz sweet almond oil

1 oz castor oil

1 oz raw organic cocoa butter

1 oz shea butter

4 grams grapefruit seed extract

6 grams Vitamin E oil

Note:  After the lye is dissolved into the filtered water, I add the Rhassoul Clay & Myrrh to the lye/water mix, stirring 'til dissolved.

Once I get the oils & butters measured & melted, I add the GSE and Vitamin E oil to that, stirring well.

I stir periodically while I wait for the lye/water mix and the oil/butter mix to get to 100 degrees F.

Mixed into base at trace, generous chunks of:

• Rhassoul Clay Tea Tree Soap
• Rhassoul Clay & Myrrh Peppermint Soap
• Lavender Vegan Soap

I let the soap goo insulate in molds for 2 to 3 days.  Then I  remove, cut & lay out to cure.  After 2 weeks I label.  Should be ready to use 3 weeks from original date of manufacture.  I label each bar, listing all ingredients & date of manufacture, weigh, wrap & then ship or hand deliver.

Paulette likes "logs" to slice off bars as needed for herself and her family.  When I deliver a big block of soap to someone, I still give them a label & wrap their soap.  I also offer to email extra labels for them to print (and edit) as needed.

Matthew 23:23  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Luke 11:42  But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Ephesians 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

James 4:8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

a personal favorite with Peppermint and Myrrh

Disclaimer:  Follow standard cold process soap procedure (not to be attempted by non-soapmakers).  When making soap you are working with sodium hydroxide, or lye, which is a caustic, dangerous chemical.  Wear protective skin, eye & respiratory equipment & work in a well-ventilated area.  Author is not responsible for any damage or injuries.

This is my original recipe.  If it ends up being close to someone else's, that is a happy coincidence.

Rhassoul Clay, Myrrh & Peppermint Vegan Soap

25.6 oz filtered water

9.9 oz lye

23 oz olive oil

18.5 oz organic palm oil

24.5 oz organic coconut oil

2.6 oz almond oil

1.6 oz castor oil

1 oz raw organic cocoa butter

.7 oz shea butter

13 grams grapefruit seed extract

29 grams Rhassoul Clay

29 grams Myrrh powder

1 oz Peppermint Essential Oil

Note:  After the lye is dissolved into the filtered water, I add the Rhassoul Clay & Myrrh to the lye/water mix, stirring 'til dissolved.

Once I get the oils & butters measured & melted, I add the GSE to that, stirring well.

I stir periodically while I wait for the lye/water mix and the oil/butter mix to get to 100 degrees F.

I add the Pure Peppermint Essential Oil at trace. 

I let the soap goo insulate in molds for 2 to 3 days.  Then I  remove, cut & lay out to cure.  After 2 weeks I label.  Should be ready to use 3 weeks from original date of manufacture.  I label each bar, listing all ingredients & date of manufacture, weigh, wrap & then ship or hand deliver.

Genesis 37:25  And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.

Genesis 43:11  And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:

Matthew 2:11  And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

for Lou

Disclaimer:  

Follow standard cold process soap procedure (not to be attempted by non-soapmakers).  When making soap you are working with sodium hydroxide, or lye, which is a caustic, dangerous chemical.  Wear protective skin, eye & respiratory equipment & work in a well-ventilated area.  Author is not responsible for any damage or injuries.

This is my original recipe.  If it ends up being close to someone else's, that is a happy coincidence.

Lou's Vegan Lavender Soap

25.7 oz Lou's well water

9.9 oz lye

1 lb 7.8 oz olive oil

1 lb 7.8 oz organic palm oil

1 lb 4.6 oz organic coconut oil

1 oz sweet almond oil (?)

1 oz raw organic cocoa butter

1.2 oz shea butter

4 grams grapefruit seed extract

6 grams Vitamin E oil

1.7 oz lavender essential oil

Once I get the oils & butters measured & melted, I add the GSE and Vitamin E oil to that, stirring well.  

I stir periodically while I wait for the lye/water mix and the oil/butter mix to get to 100 degrees F.  

I add the Pure Lavender Essential Oil at trace.

I have used this recipe as is, and other times included 1 ounce finely ground dried lavender buds.  Some folks like scratchy texture, some like creamy smooth.  Lou likes creamy smooth.  Yes, you can use filtered water in place of Lou's well water.  

I let the soap goo insulate in molds for 2 to 3 days.  Then I  remove, cut & lay out to cure.  After 2 weeks I label.  Should be ready to use 3 weeks from original date of manufacture.  I label each bar, listing all ingredients & date of manufacture, weigh, wrap & then ship or hand deliver.  Lou likes nice big chunks, to slice off bars as needed for herself and her family.  When I deliver a big block of soap to someone, I still give them a label & wrap their soap.  I also offer to email extra labels for them to print (and edit) as needed.

1 Corinthians 2:12  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

Strawberry Syrup

4 pounds fresh local strawberries
1-1/2 pounds turbinado sugar
2 ounces lemon juice

Get your honkin' boiling water canning pot boiling.  Wash your canning jars & lids.  I recommend new canning jars & canning lids for best results.  After washing, I put my sterile canning jars into the oven - laying down on their sides - at 225 degrees F.  They stay there 'til I'm ready to fill 'em.  Yes, most of the time I do remember to use hot pads to take them out ;)

Rinse strawberries in cool water.  Remove caps.  Weigh out four pounds.  Puree with lemon juice.  Put liquids in large stainless steel pot (I use my 4-1/2 quart Revere Ware soup pot).  Add sugar.  Stir thoroughly.  Bring to boil - boil for five minutes.

Remember to use your hot pads to protect your fingers & hands when working with hot stuff!

Ladle extremely hot strawberry syrup carefully into extremely hot sterile canning jars (I leave just over 1/4" head space since this is in the jam/jelly/syrup category), wipe rims, add two-part canning lids.  Very carefully put in canning rack that's hovering over boiling water in honkin' boiling water canning pot.  Once rack is full, carefully lower into the boiling water.  Make sure there's at least a couple of inches of water over the jar lids.  Put canning lid pot on.  Once the water returns to a good boil, set timer for 20 minutes.  Turn off heat & remove lid.

My Ball Blue Book says to use a jar lifter to remove the jars from the canner and set them on a towel to cool.

I have had successful results using my long handled wooden spoons to get my canning rack handles above the boiling water & lifting the rack so that it can sit on the rim of the canner for a moment.  Then, with my hands & fingers protected in my hot pads, I carry the full canning rack of extremely hot jars over to my towel-covered area & lift jars one by one onto the towel.  Then I place another clean dry towel over the jars.  Then the glorious sounds:  pop, pop, pop.  Those are the lids sealing.  I love those sounds!

I let the jars sit overnight (or 12 hours at least).  I put labels on every jar with name of product (strawberry syrup), date, ingredients and a note in bold reminding folks "please refrigerate after opening".  I make sure that note is loud and clear!  And jars that have lids that didn't seem to seal properly go in fridge and are used within a day or two.  The rest go in the cardboard box with dividers that the canning jars came in, with labels on the outside of the box (I just print extra ingredient labels & tape those on the box).  I generally give some of these for gifts, but we try to keep some for us to flavor plain yogurt or pancakes or whatever through the year.

the soap thing

I began making soap several years ago for a lot of reasons.  First because most of us in our family have sensitive skin - different sensitivities. 

Most days I wash my hands at least a dozen times - with the wrong soaps, that will wreak havoc on my skin.  Years ago someone told me that you can tell the age of a woman by her hands.  I'm not HUGE on vanity, but the appearance of my hands is a point of concern for me.  I don't want my hands announcing my age (although I'd tell anyone who asked w/very little hesitation).  I also don't want them announcing where they've been in the last 24 hours... so I wash them frequently, and moisturize often.

Natural hand made stuff just seems so RIGHT ♥  I don't feel the need to make EVERYTHING so, when I find someone else who makes something natural that works & I have peace about the ingredients, I'm all for keeping them in business!

I have recently added another dimension to the whole soap thing - teaching others.  Sharing the joy of soapmaking is even more fun than just making soap.  I taught my first local student in December 2010.  GREAT fun!  So cool to be creative with kindred spirits, and to know that others are out there helping to keep our community naturally clean ;)

My second student was my high school friend, Terri, in January 2011, during a recent trip to Virginia.  Terri is a Chemistry major, so she knew far more than I before we began.  And knows so much more than I ever will today.  More great fun!

• "Terri Student here... I had so much fun learning to make soap, and contrary to Tonia's thoughts, I didn't know much, but I read up! I had forgotten how soap works. Cool substance. BTW, I'm actually an Environmental Science major with experience in chemistry, but Env. Sci. majors LOVE to dig in the dirt, so we really need the soap."  (added from Terri's email received 2/5/11)

I highly recommend all of Terri's vegan soaps, but my favorites are her awesome liquid soaps ♥

Both students shared some of their first soap batches, for which I am very grateful.  Clean karma.

I still love to make soap, and will continue to do so as long as the Lord allows.  And I will continue to teach others I have peace about, as they come along.  Because there's so much dirt in this world, the more soapmakers the better!

Philippians 4:8 

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.