Annies Goat Hill Handcrafted Soaps

Rose Garden Therapy

May 21, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

I had forgotten how therapeutic digging in dirt can be…

This evening we put 12 small rose bushes in the ground.

When we were first married we had a large rose garden. Our favorites were the Sterling Silver, Tropicana, and any red or yellow variety.

Tonight it felt good to be on my knees, pushing the cool soil back into its place. It felt good to get dirty (not that I don’t as a goat farmer). It was like taking all of the cares in the world and hanging them on a hook, good-bye worldly thoughts, hello to God’s earth. And it felt good to stand back and have high hopes for a beautiful rose garden.

And if all goes well, I will be sharing beautiful photos of blooming roses in the future with you. And if the spot proves to be successful, more rose bushes will be added. We can call it the Annie’s Goat Hill Rose Farm. Soap and goats and roses.

Have a lovely evening!

The “real” baby rose bush…the photo above is a borrowed one:

Posted in Goat Care (and General Farm) | Tagged Garden | 5 Comments »

Goat Milk Soap Making In The Shop Today

May 20, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

Power outages are definitely challenges to any of us, and it is truly a challenge to me on the farm.

Yesterday evening the power went out right before I brought the girls into the barn. I waited 20 minutes and then…I hand milked the 9 girls. Needless to say, my carpel tunnel syndrome is doing double duty today. But I am surviving. I really do enjoy milking, and wish I could do it by hand each and every day.

I was determined to make oodles of goat milk soap today, and I got the job done (a little later). Right before I started the 3rd batch the power went out again. So, the husband and I headed to town to get a much needed garden rake and a few flowers. I always get the red, purple and white petunias for the front porch.

I was able to resume soap making later in the afternoon.

I made a soap today that smells wonderful, grassy, with a touch of juniper berry. I love it. So far, so good!

I am running behind again…scooting down to the barn. Oh, by the way, we ran into the power truck down the road on our return home, my husband had to tease them, “Are we going to lose power tomorrow too?” Nope…the switch has been repaired.

Have a good evening!

Posted in All In A Day's Time | Tagged Goat Milk Soap | 4 Comments »

Goats and Hay

May 19, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

Bonnie, my largest and oldest alpine says, “Mom, put that thing away, it is time to feeeed ussss!”

The alfalfa is receiving its first cutting in our area this week. Boy, does it look nice. I will receive my new bales some time around Thursday or Friday.

The Mennonite man that we purchase our hay from has been very apologetic because the 16 bales that he had remaining this week was not the usual alfalfa rich mix that I normally purchase from him. He did well, though. When I asked him last fall if he could supply me all winter, he answered, “I believe so.” He did…wow…right on the nose.

My goats are spoiled. I supplement them with good hay and a once a day grain (the girls on the milk stand are grained twice a day). Throw the “bad” hay to them and they instantly come to the fence hollering for something else.

They have been a pushy and picky crew this week, not real settled. Not at all. Soon girls and boys, soon, remember, patience is a virtue! Actually, most of the bucks do not care. It is the does creating the scene!

I love this photo of Bonnie, taken a few moments ago as well. But darn, we didn’t get the chin in the photo. She is a big, big gal!

On to feeding now…busy on the farm today!

Posted in Goat Care (and General Farm) | Tagged Goats | 3 Comments »

Ocean Breeze Goat Milk Soap Passed The Test

May 18, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

When I create a new soap I always save the small sliver from the end of the batch as a test soap. Yes, I am blessed. I get to try all kinds of soaps. For the tried and true soaps I leave the end pieces for customer samples.

I am happy to announce that the Ocean Breeze goat milk soap passed the test yesterday!

It smells wonderful, best described as fresh!

What inspired me was the dream of a clear ocean, beautiful blue green color, white sand, gently rolling waters, along with a cool breeze. I have not gone on a vacation in years, but I am one to get up before anyone else and take a beach stroll. Absolutely heaven. Back to the soap…does the soap smell like the ocean? No! It can also be described as a scent close to clean cotton. Fresh!

The soap lathers well and has some nice glycerin qualities.

Ocean Breeze will be moved to the website tomorrow.

I do not need to tell you this, but I appreciate and enjoy it, half of the first batch is on reserve for Alix at Casa Hice. She scooped the bars up as soon as she learned that they had been cut. She has an Annie’s Goat Hill Goat Milk Soap addiction. There is no cure.

There will be more Ocean Breeze soap in the soap pot in the near future, it is a keeper!

Have a good evening!

Posted in Products | Tagged Goat Milk Soap | 10 Comments »

Was It The Blue?

May 16, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

As I was doing dishes early this morning I heard a bird hit the window right in front of me. I am a softie for animals and nature, so I immediately wondered if the bird was okay.

I looked up from a window a moment later and much to my surprise, because I had not seen one for years, was a beautiful indigo bunting perched on the picnic table. He appeared to be admiring the 12 packages of roses that we had purchased (at a deep discount) yesterday!

I am even giggling at myself over this one, but do you think he was looking at the blue? Do you think he first thought he saw a flock of indigo buntings on the table?

I remember the first time I saw an indigo bunting. It was the bird that got me interested in novice bird watching, 10th grade biology. We had walked into the field behind our school, and then into a small wooded area. There he was, a beautiful indigo bunting perched high up in the tree. He was beautiful. The colors were striking.

Here is a little information on the indigo bunting, along with a photo that I borrowed (not a photo taken through a rain streaked window, ha):

A brilliantly blue bird of old fields and roadsides, the Indigo Bunting prefers abandoned land to urban areas, intensely farmed areas, or deep forests. The Indigo Bunting migrates at night, using the stars for guidance. It learns its orientation to the night sky from its experience as a young bird observing the stars.
The sequences of notes in Indigo Bunting songs are unique to local neighborhoods. Males a few hundred meters apart generally have different songs. Males on neighboring territories often have the same or nearly identical songs

Borrowed info from : http://www.allaboutbirds.com/

Posted in General Reflections | Tagged Nature | 15 Comments »

Rose Goat Milk Soap Wanted Today

May 15, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

I worked in the soap shop today until a few minutes ago. Working with soap makes for some of my most fulfilling moments in life.

To the left is rose scented goat milk soap, and to the right is the plumeria that I always carry. Both contain a touch of complexion clay. The colors are very nice, they do fade somewhat while curing, which I like. The rose soap will be ready for sale in 4 weeks. Plumeria can be viewed in the soap store on my site.

I have received a lot of requests for floral fragranced soaps recently. I think it is the spring bug!

I had a lovely phone conversation with a potential customer today from New Hampshire. She had been reading the blog and stated that she saw that I studied soap making books (years back) that I had borrowed from the Indianapolis Public Library system. It is a small world, the friendly woman on the phone was also from Indianapolis! And, she asked for rose scented goat milk soap, the second request that I had received today. I told her, “Would you believe I have a fresh batch in the mold right in front of me?” I enjoyed our conversation tremendously!

There is a rose blend soap in the discount section on the website currently. The scent definitely has lingering rose base to it. That particular soap also contains the complexion clay.

Have a wonderful Friday!

Plumeria from the website:

Posted in In The Soap Shop | Tagged Goat Milk Soap | 5 Comments »

Rosemary Mint Goat Milk Soap Spotlight

May 12, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

Today I am spotlighting my rosemary mint goat milk soap.

Rosemary is not for everyone. If you love it, you normally seek it! I am one that likes it, especially in the summer months. If you have never had a chance to experience the scent of rosemary essential oil, I can describe it as fresh, strong, pine like, yet sweet.

Aromatherapists report that rosemary essential oil is helpful for re-energizing (due to mental fatigue or depression). Rosemary essential oil is used in soap products to help remove excess oil secretions in the hair, and assists with skin blemishes and dandruff. It also has some antibacterial properties.

This soap contains a touch of peppermint, along with finely ground rosemary leaves. Peppermint is said to have some energizing benefits as well.

I want to remind everyone, when considering the use of essential oils (especially in their natural oil state) always pay attention to your allergies or special health concerns (such as pregnancy, epilepsy, etc..). Be safe and be aware. There are a lot of good sites on the Internet that explain the precautions, such as Aromatherapy.Suite101.com .

Have a good evening!

Posted in Products | Tagged Goat Milk Soap | 9 Comments »

Sunday’s Tractor Project-Sandblasting Begins

May 11, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

The tractor project continued yesterday. I always have a good time with our friends, learning about tractor parts, listening to the guys find more problems, and better yet, find solutions. They love what they are doing! I loved hearing the tractor run.

Sunday was the day to begin removing parts from the old gal that need repainted. My husband, pictured above, finally got to use his new sand blaster. He donned a mask, then a hood, long suede gloves (his welder’s gloves) and went to town sand blasting.

Pictured below is the “before photo” of the tractor’s pull hitch (in an old water trough converted to a sand blaster tub) before it was sand blasted. The next photo is the hitch looking nearly new. Amazing. The guys then put the metal frame of the tractor seat in the trough. It came out beautifully clean, ready for paint too. The cushion part of the seat itself is on order. Expensive!

The ’56 Massey Harris model 50 is going to be really spiffied up!

Posted in Family & Friends | Tagged Tractor Project | 5 Comments »

Happy Mother’s Day

May 10, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

Mother’s Day holds fond memories in my heart.

Imprinted in my mind is the visual of my younger brother sneaking off to a shopping area on his bicycle, with pockets filled with change he had saved. He would return home balancing baskets or trays filled with petunias.

I can feel the warm May sunshine as I reflect on my mother happily planting her new petunias in her window boxes, and later, the tall hollyhocks that grew from seeds in the back yard. She definitely would not work outside in cool weather. But she also never liked to close the windows to her house, something that I believe I acquired from her. The love of fresh air, the openness. Thank you, mother, for your devotion, for being my best friend.

The other special lady in my life was my grandmother. She was something else. She spoke her mind. There was no shy bone in her body! And she still was not very quiet about her appreciation for getting kisses from the “nice young man (men),” even at 80-something years old. I loved her stories. And I also loved her sayings, such as, “You ornery wart!,” with her Southeast Missouri draw. She inspired me with her gardening, canning, cooking and crafts (sewing). Grandma clearly lives in my heart. Grandma was a good lady who left wonderful warm memories. I hope she knows that.

Savor your memories, grab them now if you can, and I wish a Happy Mother’s Day to you, and to your mother as well!

Posted in Family & Friends | Tagged Holiday | 8 Comments »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »