The Night Before

It's May, and time to work. I've been freelance writing, which I'm continuing, and now its time to make soap again. I have all the materials and ingredients I need, and as of tomorrow, my adventures into the world of cold processing will begin. The best part is, that I'm using wood ashes to make my lye water. After discovering this "ancient" processing method tied into Vermont's history, I began to brainstorm how it can be broken down from gallons and pounds of ingredients, larger than life equipment to process, to a more modern, kitchen countertop method. After some research through Vermont historical accounts of "the potash industry," notetaking, more brainstorming, and extensive thought, I decided to give it a try. I will be writing about this method to post here, as well as taking pictures to give visual confirmation, as I move through the process.
Market season is upon us, and I'm really hoping to be where I planned to be this year; I know my season will be "as it goes" in the beginning, having to fill the absence in the middle, and coming back as strong as I can towards the end. So, here's to soap making, sun filled days to come, and endless possibilities. ~Momma G

Decisions, decisions

After some time to think, go over my current inventory, and access the situation in regards to creating new product and being ready for next weekend, I've decided to bow out of the last Shelburne Winter Farmer's Market. Bad news? No, not necessarily. I realize what I have on hand and as opposed to make the trip to put out what little product I have left until I start the new stock, I feel it in the best interest of my business to pull back, regroup, and prep for the new season to come. What also came with my decision was the epiphany that its time to create my ARTFIRE store front and to post the link to my page here; for the time that I felt apprehensive to open that account, I now feel very confident to get started.

Today is project completion day, both in business and personal levels. My list may not be very big but what counts the most is the progress made and effort put into it. Here's to Spring in Vermont-cheers!

~Momma G

Back to Business

Wow! Its been some time since I've posted here, let alone posted anything pertaining to business. Spring is almost here, and with a new season, lots of sunlight, and longer days, things they are a'changin'. I've been tied up in fiber projects lately, some that I desperately need to finish and some that I love the idea of doing something new but need to complete the unfinished before moving further ahead.

Speaking of moving ahead, I am currently securing the last of my much needed supplie to move forward into the territory of cold process soap making. My choice of adventure moves into the historical aspect of using wood ash, or potash as its more historically known, to execute my decision to keep producing and improving my natural ingredient personal care products. In addition to learning the process of soap from raw ingredients, I am also researchng and writing an article about my journey and the results of my decision.

Soap making has been my passion, biz wise, since the early days of 2008, and as I move further into 2010, I realize I'm moving along at a good pace suited for this stay-at-home mom who loves her little one and preparing for the arrival of my next set of tiny feet in July. This summer is sure to bring many surprises as each day unfolds, and the courage to take each day as it comes is what's needed. Rough drafting plans and then moving ahead, step at a time...

Looking back, I realize I need to complete posting my products, enhancing my formulas, being realistic about my plans (ideas) to add new product before the end of the year, and tighten up a few essentials to avoid feeling overwhelmed with motherhood, shifting hormones, and eating like champion eater to breastfeed my newborn. One step at a time, right?

So, welcome back, pull up a chair, stay tuned, and keep an eye open for this season's unfolding. Its all good.

~Momma G

Retracing Our Steps Through Our Creative Project

Wow...I don't think I've ever seen my pictures get posted in reverse order but hey, let's run with it; this could be fun!
Tristan and I set aside each Wednesday as a day to get creative and work on a project or two. To me, baking is like chemistry; you have math through the measurement of ingredients, and then the science component comes into play with the change from a raw form of combined ingredients to the final product-edible and yummy-through the baking process. Today was about baking "Vanishing Oatmeal Cookie Bars" and we had a good time, even if the majority of mixing was my role and my assistant was a great foreman. I will include the recipe in my next post, along with a picture of the final product. By the way, they do taste good, especially with a glass of milk.

"Pre-bake status"

"Yes, this is good!"

"And you stir like so...."

"Do we have time for this today?"

So, as you see, my assistant had to check his schedule, see how much time he had in his day, gave a stir or two, tasted the pre-poured ingredients, gave a thumbs up, and let me finish the rest. A fun day, as we added another project; another posting. ~Momma G

The Story Blanket

This is our new "home" project; I found the book at our local library, saw it as a good read, and it wasn't until after I got home and went through the bag of books we picked from the library what it really entailed. How sweet! A Russian based tale about the kindness of the heart when it comes to giving. What starts out as a blanket for local children to sit on to hear stories being told, becomes gifts of warmth and love for those in need. I won't give away the details of the book, as I feel anyone should really read it, even if its a kid's book that you could easily flip through in a matter of minutes. I feel its the time invested in the telling of the contents of the pages that mean the most. Telling Tristan this story really helped me connect to it, love it, and then look at Tristan and ask, "What if we made our own story blanket?"

I brought up a tote of yarn that I keep in the basement, and opened it to let my little one pick through the colors and various textures of yarns within the box. I found a cardboard box, unused, and as we picked colors together, I told Tristan to put the yarn he picked in the other box. Some yarn went in the box, and some went flying all over the room; no big deal as its yarn and he's a toddler testing the waters. I think I laughed as hard as he did with trying to put the yarn in the box, got tackled, put in a headlock, and my retaliation was to wait and tickle him into a frenzy when he least expected it. What a clown but what a moment!

So, there's our new project. A story blanket of our own. These are the perfect months to work on this project, snow and cold blanketing the outside world. ~Momma G

"Knitting is cosmic thinking."-Rudolf Steiner

Pretzel Making and Brainstorming

Be careful leaving the bathroom door opening while working in the kitchen....

Aunt Annie's Soft Pretzels Recipe

1 1/2 cup of warm water

1 1/8 tsp. active dry yeast

2 Tbsp. brown sugar

1 1/8 tsp. salt

1 cup bread flour

3 cups regular flour

2 cups warm water

2 Tbsp. baking soda

coarse salt, to taste

4 Tbsp. melted butter

Directions:

Sprinkle yeast lukewarm water in mixing bowl; stir to dissolve. Add sugar, salt, and stir to dissolve; add flour and knead dough until smooth and elastic. Let rise at least 1/2 hour.

While dough is rising, prepare a baking soda bath with 2 cups water and 2 Tbsp. baking soda. Be certain to stir often. After dough has risen, pinch off bits of dough and roll into a long rope* (about 1/2 inch or less thick) and shape. Dip pretzel in soda solution and place on greased baking sheet. Allow pretzels to rise again. Bake in 450 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until golden. Brush with melted butter and enjoy!

http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes

This is my "Home" creative project; I make Wednesdays our days to work on creative stuff, things that Tristan can have hands on with, and most importantly, make it fun. He was great with helping, trying to roll out the pretzel sticks before shaping them into the classic bow style you see at fairs and in malls; after attempting to use the soda bath as a hand soak, he felt his time was done and he needed to get down and go play. I'm fine with that; I don't force my child to go any further than he's comfortable with at this stage in his life-after all, he's not quite three years old yet. He can sit in on policy making when he's older....

My brainstorming has been about my business; focusing on new methods of processing soap, making lotions and adding on things like lip balms, shampoos, etc...I want to keep my expanding list short this year, as with the arrival of another child, I have enough on my plate to keep me busy. So, when you need to brainstorm new ideas, get creative-I do. I find it helps my thought process with new ideas, new projects, etc...I also use my creative outlet as a form of meditation; I'm not one to sit and try to empty my mind-I really don't have that much time on my hands with a little one running around, a house to manage and maintain, and a business to run....besides, I really don't want to miss those priceless moments....would I have found the dog in the bathroom if I were focused on something else? Who knows.

Blessings,

~Momma G

New Month, New Creative Theme

The Foreman Checking The Job-

So, here we are in the first couple of days in Feb. Nothing new to report on the business end, except a Winter Farmer's Market date set for Saturday, the 13th in Shelburne, VT. Time is the same: 10 AM-2 PM at the Town Hall Gym.

I am continuing with the Creative Every Day project, and we are focusing on HOME for this month's theme. Home, and what it means. Home, and what you would like, where you've lived in the past, etc....the creation of a sacred space was the first thing on the list, and carving out a space just to sit and focus without the distractions of house chores, tv, etc....that's very important to me. Now, if I can just get my man to stop throwing his work clothes on my chair, we'll be ok.

Home is an important place to me. Yes, our house is where we live, I create products to sell at Farmer's Markets, we eat, rest, play, etc....but the essence of HOME....Home has always been where I can find time to unwind, relax and set aside "those things that just have to be done today." As a mother, home is where my children grow up, aside from being out in the world, guided by my hand and voice to instill in them what is good and what we have to question if instinct doesn't kick in right away. And home is where I can take a box of chocolates from a cute little downtown Burlington business, savor the taste, pose for the camera, and wonder who keeps putting Cheerios in my shoes.

~Momma G