Annies Goat Hill Handcrafted Soaps

Artisan Goat Milk Soap

February 17, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

Today I drew a blank…just what to write about?

My inquiring mind began to think about the term artisan. Many of us have a general idea of what the definition of artisan is, but mainly speaking for myself, really did not know how to term it. An artisan is a person that is a skilled manual worker, a craftsperson, practicing a trade or handicraft. The handicraft items produced by the craftsperson can be either functional or decorative.

I believe we can call soap, such as my lemon berry goat milk soap, artisan soap. No doubt!

We can also call craft wares such as cheese by Jama at Prosperine Goat Hill, weaving by Kathy at Spot On Cedar Pond, knitting by my friend Annie at Knit4dolls (please visit her brand new blog and leave a comment), and many others as artisan.

I am glad we have the opportunity to craft what we feel creative at doing! Just the thoughts of the blessing of our abilities can push the winter doldrems out, and bring forward a renewed sense of…marching forward to make soap, cheese, knitting, and weaving!

By the way…I have all but 3 of my business goals crossed off the to-do list for the year of 2009. The remaining goals are long term. Just as with my “renewed sense,” I hope you are marching forward too! The thoughts of spring helps too! 🙂

Posted in Inspirations | Tagged Goat Milk Soap, Inspirations | 8 Comments »

Lilac Goat Milk Lotion Day Accompanied By Memories

February 16, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

After running chores this morning, and checking on Annie’s Goat Hill products placed in a shop in the next town south of us, I decided to dive into lotion making for the day.

The vanilla goat milk lotion came first. Smelled warm and clean. Then the Sweet Pea type was next. I love that scent! Today was a “spring” scent type of day. Then I decided the next batch would be a lightly scented lilac goat milk lotion. I can still smell it. It will be with me all day. And it smells wonderful!

My grandmother did not wear heavy perfume. But now she is on my mind. Aromatherapy? My grandmother had “treasures.” From the beginning of my memory, I have always loved soap, scents, bubble bath, you name it, and grandma’s house was not short of anything in that realm.

She loved to sew as well. And that is what I am really writing about today. Her sewing machine and table were handed down to me. I rummaged through the drawers a bit ago, just like I did when I was a child.

I first stumbled across her aprons. I distinctly remember her wearing the three in the first photo. Aren’t they great? They need a good ironing. And then I need to find a special place to show them off some day.

Then I looked through her tiny boxes and jars of things that she could not bear to throw away. In the marshmallow creme jar was pins, old buttons, snaps, and even bra straps that grandma would cut off before she discarded the undergarments. You can see the singe marks on some of these items (on the lid of the jar above). Grandma and grandpa’s house burned down to the ground once. She salvaged things, bless her heart, and now they are treasures to me (and probably only me). Everything filled with memories.

There is an old Singer box, filled with attachments for a machine that no longer exists. Sort of ironic that I can not throw it away either. A Sucrets box as well. Vintage compared to what we see on the store shelves these days.

Then there are the pin and knife boxes. Filled with other tiny things that grandma could not part with. Perhaps some day she would have used those things when she stitched up a new project. Amazing what she kept. I can open each treasure box and find they smell like “her” things. They smell good. Wonderful.

Memories are treasures!

Posted in Family & Friends | Tagged Reflections | 9 Comments »

Sunday’s Musings

February 15, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

A friend gave this beautiful framed gift to me a couple of years ago. What a perfect prayer. Simple, and so open-hearted.

Had a great afternoon with friends. I have really enjoyed this weekend. Did a bunch of nothing, yet really did accomplish a lot of things good for the soul.

Now…for the next Sunday item. This knob appeared in my yard yesterday, apparently blown up here by the 74 MPH wind gusts during our recent storm. Does it look familiar to you? I think it is beautiful, and I will find a place in my garden for it, perhaps on a wooden gate or door? It might be old, but could be newer and just weather worn. It is crafted from some sort of metal, what you cannot see is the floral pattern. Apparently it is weather worn. I like it. Are you surprised? I am not! 🙂

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

Reflections Of Love

February 14, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

Valentine’s Day…a day made by man…a day that reflects the love that is unique to a human being. So blessed we are to have the ability to love.

I love so many different things, but what is most important are the people that I love. I love my husband, my friends, my sister, my family, and my neighbors. I love other things such as my farm, but “things” are very much secondary. I love my role in life, the things that I have the ability to do, and I love knowing that I have the blessings that enable me to do them.

I met my husband, Bob, in 2001. I never frequented chat rooms but decided to step into one that afternoon. I did not need a date, and I was not looking for one! There he sat, even though he was not a chat room fan either. We chatted briefly. He asked me a few things, so innocent, such as, “Do you like pick up trucks?” What sort of question was that? But it was far from some of the indecent questions that a person might get, it was genuine. I went about my busy life and one quiet afternoon about a month later I ran across Bob again. The genuine person came through as it did the first time we chatted. I asked him if he would like to meet for coffee. I thought he needed a new friend, sounded lonely, and I knew that it wouldn’t hurt for me to have another buddy. The next day we stepped out of our vehicles in the parking lot at a local Shoney’s restaurant (at the same time)…wow, like two peas in a pod. There were sparks, yes, but it was more like an old friend emerged. We sat up talking all night, never slept a wink, never shut up. Three weeks later, and many calls and visits later, it was obvious to me that the friend that I asked out to coffee was honest, genuine, and obviously someone that was looking out for my best interests. I treasured him. My oldest son said to me one day, “Moommmm…he is SO country!” You betcha’! And so??? Long story short, we married 8 months later. He is my best friend. Oh, there are moments when I feel like taking the frying pan to his head, but he is precious to me. We are both goofs, neither of us like a mushy sort of love, and the sense of humor from both of us is wacky, to say the least, but it was meant to be, and I (again) feel very blessed.

Whatever and whomever you love today, I hope you can embrace today, Happy Valentine’s Day!

Posted in Family & Friends | 5 Comments »

Testing Apologies

February 14, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

Hello!

I am doing some testing this morning with my PDA. Cannot use the normal blogger route, but can blog post via email. I have one more test to make (with a pic attached), and hopefully, I can stop posting and deleting soon!

If you follow the blog, sorry for any problems this posting and deleting might have caused for you this morning.

Thanks, Mary

Posted in Blogging | Tagged Blogging | 3 Comments »

Aleecia Says Goat Soap And Lotion

February 13, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

Aleecia says, “Mom, some day I will make you milk!” Aleecia is one of my does born during the blizzard last year. Her dam is Cammille. Camille is spotted, but in a reverse sort of way. She is tan with some slightly darker rings and spots.

Today was a soap and lotion day. I felt creative today, tried some different soap combinations. Cutting will be interesting tomorrow.

The sun is wonderful! I am sure you can see that in the pic. It isn’t exactly warm, but it feels like spring is definitely on the way! I received some more seed catalogs in the mail. I need to hideaway with them. I just may order some chicks this year.

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

Annie’s Goat Hill Email Address

February 12, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

Here is the other side the rainbow (from the post earlier today).

Annie’s Goat Hill Handcrafted Soaps is adopting a new email address. This will allow me to get email on my mobile phone. If you have the AGH email address bookmarked somewhere, you will want to change it to anniesgoathill@gmail.com . The transition from the old address will take several months. I will not be cancelling the old address until then, and after notices in several locations.

Posted in AGH Business News | 8 Comments »

In Between Wednesday’s Storms…

February 12, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

A beautiful rainbow shot in between storms yesterday.

And a time where Tyra was able to run outside for a bit as well.

I also thought the remaining ice on the pond was interesting.

Posted in All In A Day's Time | 3 Comments »

Goat Milk Soap On The Curing Rack

February 11, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

Today was a day away from the shop and office that included running chores.

I did get new bars of soap on the curing rack after lunch. I always like to see the curing area fill back up. I am happy so far with the chunkier bars!

Storms are going to roll in. The wind was strong enough earlier that Bob had to turn the truck sideways so I could get the cab door shut.

Took a photo a short bit ago of the slowly darkening skies.