Tuesday, June 17, 2014

First Batch



We are trying to get back to some sort of "normal" around here, whatever that is. Friday the 13th with a full moon proved to be a day we won't soon forget!  

I cut my first batch of soap yesterday. It was just like opening a kiln! Examined every bar, enjoyed the results of a day's labor, loved that I made this myself. Great rewards come from making something with your own hands, especially if the item created is useful and beautiful.  I could really get into this soap making thing. The whole house smells of sweet orange and patchouli while the soap cures. I got several books from the library and I am now obsessed with figuring out fragrances. top notes, bottom notes, there is a whole world of essential oils out there waiting for me to explore!


Gerry got his bandages off yesterday, a thin scar runs from the corner of his eye to the end of his chin, but it's healing nicely and I think with some research we will come up with something that will help fade the scar. I have read olive oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, and coconut oil. Anyone got any other home remedies that have worked for them?  His parents are settling in to their new life, we will go visit this week and check up on them. Wesley has a friend staying a few days, and I finally got my house cleaned yesterday. From the looks of things, it has been awhile, I have no idea when I last cleaned the bathrooms, it showed!


I am reading The Good Life, by Scott Nearing. This book has been around awhile and like a lot of things, I am late finding it. But what a treasure of wisdom this book is. I imagine his other books are equally as good, this is the only one the library had available. Gerry and I are moving more and more towards having a self sufficient life and this book is full of helpful wisdom. We have started small, three chickens, vegetables grown in buckets so we can chase the sun on our shady land, eating as many whole foods as possible, eliminating processed foods, meat and as much sugar as we can stand. Little things, but they make a difference without being drastic and impossible to achieve. Now making soap. Have you read a label on your soap or shampoo lately? and we wonder why our world is cropping up cancer centers like a wildfire spreading......

I was going to write about my feelings on hand made soaps, but it is early morning, I just decided I am still sleepy, so I'll come back to it later, I think..... enjoy your day!

16 comments:

Sandy Miller said...

Oh Helen and Scott Nearing........ started reading their columns in Mother Earth News in the 70's, then read their book and I was hooked. Still have it on the shelf and still thumb through it. I LOVED the cameos they gave in the movie REDS. It was the first time I had seen them on camera.

and wow that soap looks scrumptious! It's beautiful!

Oh and vit. E oil is great scars and don't forget comfrey :) Enjoy it all....... :)

Dennis Allen said...

Looks like soap, or maybe candy, be careful where you put that stuff! With all the assignments Gerry has had over the years he doesn't need to hide the scar, just come up with a good story to go with it.

Michèle Hastings said...

I think I can smell that beautiful soap from here!

I like Dennis's story idea :-)

Tracey Broome said...

Sandy, I KNOW! Where have I been!!! yes, I also read about Vitamin E
Dennis and Michele, we also thought about that, make up a good war story or something :)
Yes, the soap is smelling edible and mouthwatering!

Laura Farrow said...

caster oil. I have some I can share... magic stuff. xo

Tracey Broome said...

We got some, I remember you saying that. Also found soap recipes for castor oil

littlemancat said...

The soap looks beautiful - want some! Ha,ha! I like that it has the bits and pieces of lovely herbs and citrus in it - wonderful texture. And then the fun of cutting it - great.
I have some goat milk soap with an almond scent that is so good - there is just something wonderful about homemade.
Glad Gerry's healing well - I think the scar is too interesting to lose.
Mary

oldgreymareprimitives said...

I can almost smell it along with Michelle
Bio OIL is great for scars too
but I bet he looks dashing with it <3

June Perry said...

What works great to diminish that scar is vitamin E. Open a capsule and rub the oil in the scar a couple of time a day. I did this 37 years ago with a hysterectomy scar. As an experiment I only did it on half the scar and went I went in for my post op exam, the surgeon was amazed at the difference in the look of both sides of the scar.The side rubbed with Vitamin E was very faded, as opposed to the redness of the untreated side. Vitamin E is the way to go. In fact, after my hernia surgery a few months ago, the surgeon recommended vitamin E, so it seems that after all these years it has hit mainstream medicine. PS The soap looks lovely!

Denise said...

Your soap looks great! I think potters make great soap makers from all our experience mixing glazes. Love Helen and Scott Nearings books, you can visit their homestead in Maine still...I think it is run by a volunteer organization. It's a few hours drive from our house in Atlantic Canada, definitely with a visit.

Denise said...

Your soap looks great! I think potters make great soap makers from all our experience mixing glazes. Love Helen and Scott Nearings books, you can visit their homestead in Maine still...I think it is run by a volunteer organization. It's a few hours drive from our house in Atlantic Canada, definitely with a visit.

jffollies said...

Soap looks absolutely wonderful. Vit.E and avoid sun exposure if possible. A duel?

Tracey Broome said...

Thanks for all the suggestions ya'll.
A duel! I love it!! Yes, fighting for my honor, haha!

Lori Buff said...

Vit. E is what I've always known, and if asked about the scar, he could just answer "you should see what the other guy looks like."

Lori Watts said...

I caught the soap bug about 18 months ago. Slicing the bar is very much like opening the kiln! So satisfying.

Vicki said...

Those soaps look truly awesome!
So naturally beautiful, filled with organic flecks and scented goodness.
The sorcery of scent is a powerful pull on our senses :)
I've always wanted to make my own soap... hmmm.

I've sent you an email regarding the healing of scars naturally. Too long for here :)