The First Snow On The Farm In 2014!

The First Snow On The Farm In 2014!

If my memory serves me right, we didn't get any snow last winter.  I missed it, I really missed it.  I'm a Florida girl, and I truly don't like the cold, but if I must endure the cold, a bit of snow seems to make it worth while..  We got our snow this year, just the right amount, a couple of inches.  It is now two days later, and there is still a remnant of snow on the ground.  It will be all gone by tomorrow.  A world of pure white will transform into a world of winter brown once again.

Homemade Coconut and Kaolin Clay Soap!

Homemade Coconut and Kaolin Clay Soap!

More soap creations from the farm!  My daughter must inspire me.  When she places an order for soap, my brain goes into overdrive thinking of ways to make them different, and pretty. These are my latest.  I used coconut melt and pour soap base.  I just love coconut oil for my skin.  I love the way it moisturizes, protects, nourishes, and exfoliates all at the same time.

Homemade RX Dog Food, Is It A Good Thing?

Ziggy, after a grooming from Hannah at Animal Trax today!

Our adorable little canine baby, Ziggy!  Isn't he cute?  He is very camera shy, this is the best I could do, he's really much cuter than this!  He just got home from visiting one of his favorite people, Hannah, owner and groomer at Animal Trax.  He loves to look handsome!  He is almost nine years old with some health problems.  You'd never know it tho', he is such a happy and lovable dog, I still think of him as a puppy.  He has bladder stones, calcium oxalate type, and a higher than normal squamous cell count in his urine.  Because of that, I decided to look into the health benefits of making his food and treats as opposed to buying commercial prescription food.  My reasons for going down this road are three-fold:

Check Out These Chicken Butterfly Saddles!

Chicken Butterfly Saddles!

Life on the farm can sometimes be brutal!  I'm not referring to myself but to my poor little hens.  I've been out of commission for quite a long time recently, so my husband took up the slack of doing my chores.  And, I must say he did a wonderful job handling nearly everything by himself, along with the added burden of caring for me.  Around eight weeks ago I finally decided to go under the dreaded knife, and had a total hip replacement.  That was one of the best decisions I've ever made.  Dr. Bruce Cox at Shelby Bone and Joint worked his magic, and I'm pleased to say that I'm more pain free today than I've been for many years.

Homemade Coconut and Turmeric Soap!

Homemade Coconut and Turmeric Soap!

When I look at these soaps, I immediately think of those Creamsicles that I used to love as a child.  I probably still do, but I deny myself the pleasures.  I shouldn't, life is short.  But getting back to this soap, it not only looks delicious, but it smells wonderful, too!  It is colored using Turmeric powder,the benefits of which I noted in my post Homemade Pumpkin Turmeric Aloe Olive Oil Soap.   Blood Orange and Citrus Basil essential oils make taking a bath or shower with these lovely big bars an enjoyable experience.  Sweet Almond Oil will lightly moisturize, leaving your skin feeling soft and smooth to the touch.

Homemade Jasmine and Green Tea Soap!

Homemade Jasmine and Green Tea Soap!

This soap was inspired by a comforting cup of tea.  The generous size makes this honey and green tea soap great for the bath or shower.  The amber tea leaves mix wonderfully with the earthy green color of the wheat grass powder.  Bergamot, jasmine, and blood orange essential oils give a warm, sensual fragrance to the soap.  Olive oil softens the skin for a soft, smooth feel.

I used one pound of honey melt and pour soap.  I didn't have suspension soap base on hand, so I used Honey base instead and as a result, the tea leaves sunk to the bottom.  I steeped the green tea leaves for several minutes, then pressed out the water in a sieve before adding to the melted soap.  Then I mixed in the wheat grass, olive oil, and essential oils.  I made three large, 4.5 oz., bars, with a little left over for tiny sample bars.  I froze the unused tea leaves that had been soaked for later use, and used the tea water on my face as a detoxifying rinse.  Waste not, want not!