Annies Goat Hill Handcrafted Soaps

The Book, Changing Email Addresses for Dummies

May 27, 2010 by Mary Humphrey

Yes, I need that book.

It isn’t difficult to open and close an email account.

It does become difficult when the email account you are closing is attached to so many different accounts, especially a Google account. Delete one email address and you no longer have access to Google Reader, or any other valued Google feature. A person thinks they have thought everything through oh so carefully until they hit the big red delete button!

Note: attaching an alternate non-Gmail email address to your Google account is a good thing, however, you first need to create a non-Gmail email account as a 2nd alternate if you intend on deleting the first one.

Today, I felt like I worked through a maze after I deleted my personal email from one account. I was having major withdrawal over not having my normal sources at my fingertips. It felt like I was working the back side of a puzzle as I carefully plotted and planned. I did temporarily find a fix. I am such a nerd, but I think we all have to be up to date with our electronics and internet accounts, otherwise we would not have access at all.

So, why am I writing about this? Spouting off, wanting to hear your spouts in return! Have you made such a change before and found it to be much more difficult than was necessary?

Last but not least, if you are interested in partnering with me in writing the Changing Email Addresses for Dummies book we probably could make bundles.

Humor, again, a valuable thing! We need to hang onto it, by our fingernails!

Posted in All In A Day's Time | Tagged email addresses, Gmail, Google account | 10 Comments »

The Development of Annie’s Goat Hill Facial Creams

May 25, 2010 by Mary Humphrey

This is what I have been concentrating on, facial creams.

What you are seeing in jars are a variation of cream try-outs. I am looking for a whipped cream consistency, not too thick, not too heavy.

When a cream or lotion is created, it should be created for the skin type and needs of the person that will use the product. In this case, I am creating a product for mature skin. I use botanicals, essential oils, and ingredients that are known to help with skin rejuvenation such as antioxidants, moisturizers, and humectants.

Why am I starting with mature skin? Skin fitness, my own.

I created a skin serum in February 2010 that I have been very happy with. I roll it onto my skin diligently twice a day, and yes, I did see results. The serum will be available in my online store very soon. But, I also enjoy using a cream late-night, as I suspect others do as well. So the brain went into action. As my husband says, she “put the little chemist hat on.”

Trial one began a few weeks ago. The result is a cream that is beautiful to look at. And it definitely is moisturizing, but it leaves a waxy feel. Not good.

Trial two, today, too thin. Lovely and refreshing on the skin, but it runs around in the jar, despite the beautiful creamy look to the product.

Trial three, today, exactly right. Light, yet thick enough to not move from side to side in the jar. Thin enough to place the product in a dispenser where fingers will never touch the cream.

Now I wait. Creams and lotions will continue to thicken within the first 72 hours.

My carefully laid out notes, with each trial, began with research. I researched the natural ingredients, matching them to skin types. Essential oils and botanicals, all plant derived, are amazing. I researched the preservative, the one and only part of a cream that will not be natural. I researched the emulsifier (the ingredient that binds water to oil), to ensure it was as natural as possible, yet, gave the cream body without a heavy drag.

How long have I been working on the formula? Off and on for 3 months.

Patience is key.

And I am the lucky recipient of the trial products. I have sensitive skin, but have not had a reaction to the creams or serums as of yet. As I tell my clients, test the products on a small patch of your skin to ensure you have no reaction. Even though a product is marked all natural, it does not necessarily mean it is not going to cause a skin reaction.

A natural product that contains citrus oils, for example, can cause your skin to be extra photosensitive (be cautious with sunlight exposure). There are also known allergies. For example, if you have hay-fever, you may have a problem with a chamomile essential oil.

Have fun, enjoy…and if you have any questions, please let me know.

Posted in In The Soap Shop, Products | Tagged mature skin cream, natural facial creams, natural facial serums | 8 Comments »

Fit Body Fit Mind

May 23, 2010 by Mary Humphrey

A healthy body does help maintain a healthy mind.

Ask a runner the question, “When do you feel at your worst?” They generally reply that they feel sluggish and downcast after skipping their exercise routine.

I have not felt 100% since mid-winter. I (try to) blame it on February 2010 – snow storms, no outdoor activity, and a lot of dreary weather. There wasn’t much to be done except eat and look forward to spring. Now that spring is here, and nearly summer, I have extra pounds around my middle, and I am out of excuses. Even though I will not turn this blog into my personal fitness journal, I will be checking in now and then to talk about my trek towards a sharper mind and body.

If you are like me, perhaps you do not like the couch or armchair very much. Perhaps you do not like to park your tush at the television either. You might be active, as I am, but you do not engage in deliberate exercise. That is where I am at, always active, but have never been athletic.

My initial plans are to dust off the exercise bike and the weights, all done in “baby steps.” I am a strong believer that too much pain leads to too much discouragement.

Cutting out seconds at the dinner table normally does the trick for me. And watching the fat content as well. And, there will not be any purchases of trigger foods for a while. Do you have a trigger food, one that you simple cannot stay out of if you know it is in the house? My problem food is cheese. I love it all too much! Me and cheese have a love affair going on!

How about you? What do you do to maintain a healthy body?

P.S. I do not believe woman need to be a size 2 to be beautiful or healthy. We can be healthy, feel healthy, live healthy, and be happy, while enjoying the bounties of life.

Posted in Health | Tagged diet, exercise, fit mind, fitness, healthy body | 12 Comments »

The Depth Of Positive Customer Service

May 22, 2010 by Mary Humphrey

We all have bad days, days when we feel we could improve upon ourselves. But, in my opinion, decent customer service is a requirement regardless of any extenuating circumstances.

What is good customer service?

In my opinion it stretches across an expanse that includes (but is not limited to): problem solving, assistance, congeniality, and availability.

In today’s world, I am just as swayed to give my business to a company that has excellent customer service as I am to do business with a company that helps me to keep pennies in my purse. Customer service holds value.

Recently I was purchasing groceries in a large department store when I came upon 3 employees in one aisle. As I managed my cart around them, one looked at the other, without a minced word or lowered voice, “Another d**n rollback! I am sick of these stupid d**n rollbacks.” All 3 women agreed, and mumbled their own thoughts in unison. I am trying to hold onto a thread of reality. Despite the television coverage depicting the big happy W-M family, I am sure many employees have unhappy days just like everyone else. But, I cannot help but remember the words, your life is now. Customer service is now.

The point I want to make here is, are we truly responsible for good customer service wherever we go, or perhaps, is it more like “good people service?”

Perhaps I am still virtually living in the olden days?

I believe in them.

Posted in All In A Day's Time | Tagged customer service | 6 Comments »

The Many Faces of Soap Making

May 21, 2010 by Mary Humphrey

Farm House Goat Milk Soap

I received an email from a much appreciated customer. She had been surfing sites that sell handcrafted soap, specifically goat milk soap, and wanted to tell me that she was glad I was not into all of the crazy colors, additives, and other things that deterred away from good-for-your-skin goat milk soap.

I feel soaping is artwork.

A soap maker has numerous options at their disposal when creating a bar of soap. If the notion hits, they can swirl color in. If they feel like being different, they can make a multi-colored bar of soap. Fragrance is at a soaper’s whimsey. I even read an article recently about soap painting, beautiful.

I pretty much have followed my heart with soaping. I do not sway much in any direction with my basic recipe, but I do occasionally move from color to color, or design. I lean on a rustic cut of soap. I do keep the weight as uniform as possible, by the electronic scale. If you see a wave to the top of the soap, it usually occurs naturally. Or, occasionally I scrape the soap pot and dribble the fresh remnants onto the soap in the mold. I love that look.

I enjoy looking at soaps that others make too, just like my customer said she did. Personally, my skin is sensitive enough, even with skin safe colorants and fragrances, that I cannot use soap for extended periods of time that isn’t basic (with no colorants, and only natural oils). But I truly give a “high-five” to the creative soaping artists out there! Seriously…there are a lot of fantastic talented soapmakers!

Me, I started with a dream of farm-house soap, and that is where I pretty much remain grounded. Farm house goat milk soap…similar to my love of primitive and plaid.

How about you?

Posted in In The Soap Shop, Products | Tagged artisan soap, Goat Milk Soap, handcrafted soap | 14 Comments »

Internet Connections

May 19, 2010 by Mary Humphrey

I have been missing in action, living with aggravation. And now I am trying to write in a manner that includes humor. That, in itself, is funny. I asked my husband for help, words of wisdom, his reply was, “Throw eggs at it.”

The basket of joy has included mobile phone problems, computer troubles, and signal connection problems.

I did gain some knowledge. I will admit to it, I now know the difference between wireless and WiFi (no, I did not know a few weeks ago). I am now on a wireless plan, and hope to pitch the satellite if all goes well. No more missing signal when it rains or snows. I can live with slow related to weather, of course, I do choose to live in the country.

Do you ever think about how much time a person burns up while dealing with these types of electronic issues? Personally, I saw (and still see) myself behind in the soap shop, at my desk, and with personal chores as a result of spending countless hours on the phone with technical support departments. I sometimes wonder, is it all worth it?

My answer is, yes, it is worth it. We wouldn’t have the opportunities in life of connecting here if we didn’t occasionally need to update. And it keeps us young, I am sure you will agree, when we are forced to learn to keep up to date with technology. Oh yeah, that would be it. Right? Uh-huh.

I vaguely remember a commercial jingle that fits here, “Sometimes we feel like a nut, sometimes we don’t!”

Humor works.

Posted in All In A Day's Time, Humor | Tagged Humor, Internet Connection | 10 Comments »

Product Monday – Garden Inspired Soaping

May 17, 2010 by Mary Humphrey

Now that is a very technical term, everyone: soaping!

I have had garden inspired goat milk soaps on my mind lately.

In this case, basil, thyme and mint. Beautiful aroma. I cannot wait for the bars to cure in 3-4 weeks.

I am also putting together color cordinated handcrafted cotton washcloths, goat milk soaps, and barn siding gift crates for a retail location. A touch of raffia, biodegradable cellophane bags, and labeling, and they will be set to go.

A bright garden spot on a peaceful rainy Monday morning!

Posted in In The Soap Shop, Products | Tagged Goat Milk Soap | 9 Comments »

The Sense Of Smell

May 15, 2010 by Mary Humphrey

Because I am fond of aroma I am very much aware of the miracle of our olfactory system (the sensory system in our body that is used for our sense of smell).

I do believe humans are less sensitive to scent than they were when they were created. Humans that have not been subjected to chemicals and man-made fragrances throughout their lives have a much sharper sense of smell, nearing the level that an animal has. Almost a 6^th sense to us. We, on average, obviously do not have such capabilities.

I also find it interesting that our perception of aroma is swayed by the scents that surround us. An example of this is an essential oil blend that smelled one way to me in the house, quite different in my shop, and once again different outdoors.

It has been said that our sense of smell is 10,000 stronger than any of our other senses. I believe it! And I feel we depend upon it much more than we are aware of.

Try to eat when you cannot breathe through your nose. Food becomes unappealing. Take a walk in the woods, or at the beach without the sense of smell. Much would be missing. Cooking, and even cleaning, also depend upon our wonderful noses. Imagine searing a beautiful cut of meat, or a vegetable, without the use of the nose to detect the changes occurring in the pan. Even the suggestion of danger from smoke reminds us that our sense of smell is priceless.

I was surprised last week while shopping for tomato plants. All at once I was reminded of beautiful pure essential oils. It was absolutely refreshing. As I looked up I saw three potted herbs; lavender, thyme, and rosemary. What a blessing!

Are you too an aroma-aware person? Try to live without it, wouldn’t it be difficult?

Posted in All In A Day's Time, Health | Tagged aroma, olfactory, sense of smell | 7 Comments »

The Peachy Dilemma Continues – Video

May 14, 2010 by Mary Humphrey

My very first You Tube video featuring the crazy Peachy (you’ve read about her before here as the goat scratching her belly on the rock) and Anona.

Enjoy!

Posted in Goat Care (and General Farm) | Tagged Dairy Goats, goat video, snubian goat | 3 Comments »

I Do Not Miss It

May 14, 2010 by Mary Humphrey

After traveling on a number of congested roads today I silently reminded myself that I do not miss big town or city life.

My father was in the Army. We traveled a lot. We always lived in a town somewhere, sometimes on a busy military base. Later in life when I finally reached my dream of moving out of town I was incredibly happy. I still am.

This isn’t an easy life. It can involve dirty work. And the work does not take vacations. I can even say I have bitten off more than I can chew from time to time.

It truly is a choice though.

Is there anything you want to change, or have already put behind you, that you can say “I do not miss” to? Do you agree, the world really can bud out, and blossom, when we allow it to?

Posted in All In A Day's Time, General Reflections, Goat Care (and General Farm) | Tagged country life, lifestyle choices | 1 Comment »

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