Annies Goat Hill Handcrafted Soaps

Merry Christmas

December 23, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

I wish you a Merry Christmas!

As you celebrate Christ’s birth, may your Christmas be filled with love, peace, all that you wish it to be!

P.S. I also believe in Santa. Note to Santa, I need a new camera! I promise to not drop the new one (twice).

Posted in Family & Friends, General Reflections | Tagged Merry Christmas | 20 Comments »

Challenges

December 21, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

Have you had one of those days where the challenges felt nearly unbearable?

One minute you are gliding right along, the next you realize your well-laid out plans are going to crash, and fast.

What do you do?

And, why do things seem so much more challenging with Christmas 4 days away?

What does this tell us?

Pay attention to only the big things, and remember, everything is small stuff?

When everything is going in fast motion, and your head is still wanting to sort it all out, how about stepping off the fast-moving train and sticking your tongue out to it all? Sounds good to me.

Children are able to do that exact thing, shrug it off, live for this very moment. I think we can too.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9

Posted in General Reflections, Inspirations | Tagged daily challenges | 12 Comments »

Are You Ready For Christmas?

December 17, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

Are you ready for Christmas?

Usually I do not know how to answer that question because I do not do a lot of decorating at Christmas, and gift buying is limited to a few special little ones.

This year I am ready. I went pink.

No, I didn’t put up a pink Christmas tree. The photo did remind me, however, of how I do my shopping. For the grand daughters, and regardless of what I set out to purchase, I end up with bags full of pink fluffy things. You know, the comfy girly items from slippers to nightgowns, to soft fluffy pink blankets to snuggle under.

Today I will be putting up our tree. Guess what? It isn’t pink. It is a large ceramic tree, hand-painted, with beautiful boxers doing all sorts antics on and around the tree, along with garlands made from dog bones and other treats. After my first boxer got busy with the Christmas tree about 7 years ago, and I still have the ornaments (many broken), I opted to go with a permanent tree that wasn’t in harm’s way.

I may just bring out my Christmas village as well. My favorite pieces are the church and stable.

My husband has a head cold, and I am down in my back. Funny how when I walk I feel as if my legs are going in one direction, my waist and back in another. But, sales and soap making are right on target. My in-store sale ends tomorrow, and the last day for priority shipping (to deliver by Christmas Day) is 12/21/09. So…I am winding down in that respect. I am blessed, absolutely blessed. Very happy. After Monday…I am going to recuperate at the desk, making business plans for 2010!

And…of course, I am going to enjoy my Christmas, with those that I love, and with the true meaning of CHRIST-mas close to my heart!

Have a wonderful day!

Posted in AGH Business News, Family & Friends | Tagged Christmas, Christmas decorating, goat milk soap sales | 7 Comments »

We’ve Come A Long Way…Baby

December 16, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

There are distinct placements in the working world for men and women. But the dividing line between the two is miniscule.

I do not believe women belong at home, “barefoot and pregnant.” However, the world is rather lopsided in the fact that women are often unable to stay home and raise their families, tend to their children and homes, as they would like/need to. Current times call for 2 paychecks, sometimes 3 or 4.

When a woman earns a living she absolutely should receive pay commensurate to the job that she performs.

I do think there are jobs that men are better at, not many. In many cases, in a physical sense, men can be the stronger sex. Fact is…5 foot tall men, 120 lbs, are not the norm.

In most cases, women definitely have a strong sense for business. In the business world, equal pay should be the rule.

Equal pay should be the rule for any job that can be performed to its maximum potential, male or female, on a level playing field.

I have caught numerous comments these past few months regarding unequal pay. For example, a woman writer adopts a male name, publishes her blog, book, or article with a fictitious male name, and earns significantly more money as a male than as a female. Why?

Myself, I have had the battle cross before me. The battle of telling someone (especially a male) what I do. The reaction was clearly positioned as I cannot possibly be a farmer, I am a woman. I cannot operate a serious business with potential for growth, it surely is a hobby, because I am a woman.

No, this isn’t about me, this is for equality. Not the bra-burning 1960’s outlook on equality. Not the “cry tears for me” equality because we are still mis-understood. Personally, I am not often mis-understood, nor do I make a huge effort to be understood. I know how to present myself. What I am speaking for is the overall world…if a person does a job well, male or female, equal compensation must follow.

Do you agree? How do we fix the gap?

Note: Female copywriter reveals: Why I’ve been writing as a man. You know me as James Chartrand of Men with Pens, a regular Copyblogger contributor for just shy of two years. And yet, I’m a woman. — James Chartrand, Copyblogger (posted at http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/12/16/media-briefs-female-writer-makes-more-money-as-a-man-murdochs-merry-xmas-memo/)

Posted in General Reflections | Tagged equal pay, equality in the workplace, female business owners, stay at home mothers | 6 Comments »

Product Monday Cedarwood Oakmoss Goat Milk Soap

December 14, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

With overtones of cedarwood and oakmoss…undertones of geranium and graepfruit, this is definitely a soap with a masculine scent. However, some of us women wo love the “earthy” tones, favor this one as well. Myself included.

I love the color, a light tan/peach. Completely natural.

Annie’s Goat Hill Cedarwood Oakmoss goat milk soap has now been added to the online soap store.

Happy Monday!

Posted in Products | Tagged Goat Milk Soap | 11 Comments »

2009 Christmas Shipment Schedule

December 13, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

Just a little reminder…

To ensure delivery by Christmas, the cut-off date for Parcel Post (USPS) is 12/14/09. The cut-off date for Priority Mail is 12/21/09. I normally ship Priority Mail. In most cases it is cheaper than Parcel Post.

In my own shipping department, orders must be received no later than 12/19/09 to ensure delivery by Christmas.

Reminder: my Christmas Discount, 20% on all in-store product purchases, will remain in effect through 12/19/09. The 20% is refunded electronically within 24 hours of receipt of order. An email is sent when the refund is processed advising of the discount amount and the ship date.

As always, I do accept checks as well, if you wish to place a “manual” order, you may email me at anniesgoathill@gmail.com .

For gift giving, I also drop ship to the address you specify, and add a Christmas tag with a hand-written message (of your choice).

Merry Christmas!

Posted in AGH Business News, Products | Tagged Christmas gift ideas, discounted handcrafted soap, gift packaging, Goat Milk Soap | 4 Comments »

Frequent Washing Of Hands Can Lead To Skin Problems

December 12, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

With H1N1 on the scene, people are washing their hands more frequently and are using antibacterial products more often as well.

With frequent hand-washing, I recommend products that are natural, or as natural as possible.

Dry your hands completely between washing. Do not expose your hands to extreme cold temperatures while damp.

When bathing, do not use overly hot water. Hot water tends to sap the skin of its natural oils. When the hands and skin become stripped of natural oils, they are more susceptible to bacteria and skin irritation. Skin allergies can also flare following over-washing of hands.

Use products that moisturize the skin often. Products that contain natural oils are beneficial to dry skin in the coldest of seasons. They can provide a thin protective barrier to the elements.

I read an article, and have chosen to not link to it, that advised readers to not use a bottle of soap if it lists “soap” on the label. I disagree with part of that statement. Soap that is just that, soap, and not a detergent, is better for sensitive skin than a soap that contains detergents and surfactants. A “true” soap simply does just that, it cleanses the skin without additives that may/or may not irritate your skin.

I have talked about anti-bacterial products before, and I am not going to dive back into them in-depth today. In my opinion, for your own immune system to work properly (to not develop immunities), and for the environment’s sake, I personally avoid anti-bacterial products.

Simple skin care…less irritating, the bottom line.

Posted in Health, Skin and Hair Care | Tagged antibacterial products, dry skin, frequent hand-washing, natural skin care, sensitive skin, skin irritation | 11 Comments »

The Joys Of Cold Weather On The Farm

December 10, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

Yep, as many of us just experienced, the winter blast arrived, hasn’t quite left yet, and is leaving winter permanently in it’s tailwinds.

Frozen water buckets. Slick slopes down to the barn. Winds. Static electricity in the clothes and hair.

The new Carhart is a joy. No cold air penetrates. The Muck boots that I ordered last season grip the ground and keep the toes and legs warm.

But there is a draw back. Everything feels stiff, bundled up.

As I placed myself next to the doe on the milk stand, I didn’t bother to turn on the light. I have a window. It provides dim light in the early morning. I was too cold to bother much today at all. Feeling awkward in my arctic attire. I began the milking steps. Step one…wash teats. Step two, place fingers around fully engorged teat. Step three, squeeze in the proper manner. Step four, squirt, squirt…but something went wrong. No milk in bucket.

Wait a minute…did I say no milk in bucket?

Uh-huh…I was milking down my sleeve. Nice aim.

The joys of bundling up. The joys of winter. I bet my coat loved its refreshing milk bath. But, yeah, it did a good job! I didn’t feel a thing.

I have been busy, almost too busy to notice. I am still here, alive and kicking. Doing the silly things I normally do.

You don’t know the half of it. And, boy would I love to hear your funny stories too. I bet you have some!

Posted in Goat Care (and General Farm), Humor | Tagged farm life, Goat Milk, milking a goat, winter blast | 24 Comments »

Raw Milk Sales

December 8, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

In most states the sale of raw milk is illegal.

Raw milk has been linked to certain illnesses over the course of history, however, raw milk, especially goat milk, has acted as a “wonder drug” according to those that drink it. Many report lowered cholesterol, improved blood sugar, and children that thrive on the milk as well, with overall allergies tremendously lessened.

I read an article this morning, posted to the Wisconsin State Journal regarding the safety of raw milk. All the while thinking, so many illnesses are blamed on certain types of food. Take the big spinach scare – the problem was not the spinach, it was likely the water in one location that was contaminated. One farm, one isolated problem…not the spinach itself! You might find this article in The Atlantic interesting as well, re: Why Small Farms Are Safer, it touches on the food safety issue as well.

I make no bones about it. I drink raw milk. I am not a huge milk drinker, but I feel safe in knowing where my milk came from…what went into it…what did not go into it. If I were to sell raw milk, I would definitely want it to be tested, for the peace of mind, safety for others.

As the article from the Wisconsin State Journal mentioned, why can tobacco be sold? Tobacco has been tested. It has no healthy benefits. It has been proven to cause deadly health issues on a consistent basis, unlike raw milk, yet, it is one hot commodity. Hmmm?

Posted in Goat Care (and General Farm), Health | Tagged Farm Sustainability, Goat Milk, milk sales, raw milk, small farm | 28 Comments »