Thankful For Soapmaking Skills During This Pandemic

public restrooms in Santa Monica, California

 
The other day I made a batch of soap.  I am so glad that I stocked up and ordered plenty of the oils and butters that I needed.   Like most of us, I never realized that this virus was coming.  It is now even more important  to wash our hands and face regularly.  It gives me comfort to know that I have plenty of soap stored in my cupboard, curing on the racks, and ready to use in the bathroom.

I had a little bit of trouble with my scale.   I think it needs a new battery.  It's so important to weigh all of your ingredients carefully,  and it's critical to be accurate.  It took several tries, but I finally got the scale to give me the exact reading that I needed. 

sinks on the island of Capri, Italy

For this batch I used: olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter, lye and distilled water.  I added some Energy fragrance oil at trace.  It's been sitting in the molds on the kitchen table for a few days, under slabs of cardboard and a terry cloth towel.  I plan to put them into the freezer this afternoon and pop them out of the molds this evening.

After that, they will cure on the racks for several weeks.  It's so enjoyable to have mild, fragrant soaps that you have made yourself.  The bars moisturize your skin instead of drying it out or irritating it.  It took me a while to build up the nerve to start making it, but I am so glad that I did.       

Do you have enough soap at your house?  Do make your own, or do you buy it?

Thank you for your comments.  They add so much talent and energy to the blog.  Please comment in English.  I'm sorry, but comments with links will not be published.  If you enjoy the posts here, share them.  Comments may take a few days to appear; they are moderated.

Saving Money on Fruit

During the summer, I eat a tremendous amount of fruit.  From June until October, our weather is very hot and dry.  Eating watermelon and other melons helps to cool the body down, and the taste is divine.  I add some fresh lime juice to mine, it really brings out the flavor of the  fruit.

Yesterday I stewed the rest of the rhubarb that I had purchased last week.  I added some water and sugar, and let it simmer on the stove for about twenty minutes.  I stored it in a rectangular pyrex dish, and chilled it in the refrigerator.  It's so refreshing to enjoy as a snack.  I've been trying to eat less baked goods, and find that  the stewed fruit is just as delectable as a cobbler, crisp, or pie.

Today I bought some nectarines that were only .50 a pound.  The bananas are always a good deal, but when it's super hot I slice them up and store them in the fridge with the sliced melon.  Otherwise they get brown, mushy,  and overly ripe.

I defrosted some bbq sauce that I had made a while back and stored in the freezer.  It was delicious on the chicken breast filets that I picked up on sale at the Armenian market today.  I rode the bus to the store and back home with my friends.  We always have a animated chat  when we see each other.  It's a little public transportation community.  Some of them ride the Beach Bus, as well. 

I came home to an Etsy order for six goat's milk soaps, in the blueberry scent.  I was elated.  I still get so excited every time I make a sale.  I checked my supplies and there is still have plenty of the blueberry fragrance oil.  It's one of my favorites.

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Inexpensive Haircuts

view from my computer

I have been going to the same place to have my hair trimmed for the past twenty years. It's  a small shop with a sign in the window that reads, "Haircut $10.00." The owner is a little lady from Korea, and she has a steady stream of loyal customers.

I stopped by there today on my way home from the store. I had an Etsy order on my dashboard this morning, so I wrapped and packaged the soap at the kitchen table, and then drove to the library. After printing out the packing slip and shipping label, I dropped it off at the post office. I had them scan it for me and give me a receipt. Etsy sent the customer a shipping notice.

I love seeing the woodpeckers here this time of year

I found some great bargains at Food For Less. I bought four large round steaks for five dollars. Pineapples were on sale for $2.00, and they had marked down the berries. I bought a large carton of strawberries, and a couple of small boxes of raspberries. I splurged on a pint of whipping cream, too. It's so delicious sweetened with sugar and a splash of vanilla extract.

I like to combine my errands, so I stopped off at the hair salon and got my hair trimmed.  I think it's a pretty amazing price for a good haircut. The owner works alone. She's fast, but talented. I always get compliments on my hair after seeing her. I gave her $15.00, cash. She smiled and thanked me. I came home, tenderized the meat, dipped it in flour, and pan fried it in olive oil. It was delicious seasoned with salt and pepper, alongside a buttered baked potato. For dessert, I whipped up the cream and enjoyed it with the fresh, bright red strawberries. I was glad that I decided not to buy the tempting Easter candy that I saw at the store. I also found a pair of tennis shoes on sale for $20.00 at Ross. They fit me perfectly! I have needed a new pair of walking shoes, but didn't want to pay full price. It's such a rewarding feeling to find bargains on what you need. How are you doing?

Estimating Your Retirement Income

hot processed soap in the crockpot

This morning I searched Social Security's website and entered my personal information. I was curious to see how much money I will receive when I reach retirement age.

I was very pleased when I read the  results. If I start collecting it at age 62, the amount will be $662.00 a month.  If I wait until I'm 67, it goes up to $941.00 per month. If I stay disciplined, and collect it at age 70, it jumps up to $1,167.00 a month. Wow! I plan to wait until I am 70, (if I make it,) and collect the maximum amount.

I will also be eligible for Medicare, which will help my budget. Health insurance is my biggest expense. It will continue to get more expensive as I age.  When I hit age 65, I will probably buy a gap policy; I need to research them. I have always been in excellent health, and I hope to stay that way. At that time I will be able to take the bus for free, and will qualify for a  free gym membership through Silver Sneakers. I find that very exciting!  It pays to have a long work history.

I plan to continue to work, making my soaps, selling my hand knits, and writing for magazines. I will have investment income, as well. So, the future  looks bright and fulfilling. I called up Equity to inquire about my pension, and it turns out that I am two weeks short of the amount of work that I need to qualify.  I thought that the AGVA shows I did as a Rockette and with Juliet Prowse count as working weeks, but they don't. Oh well. Maybe I can drum up something. I will look into it.

It's a relief to see the totals and to plan for the future. I filed some more paperwork today. I do a little bit each day now, instead of letting it pile up into an intimidating mountain. (which is what I used to do.) I am so glad that I bought a small, modest home, and paid it off like Suze Orman teaches.  Onward.

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Cutting the Confetti Soap

This morning I took the soap out of its mold. I let it sit for a few hours before cutting it. I wasn't able to get as clean of a cut as I would have liked, but I think the soaps are still lovely.  I was nervous about how they would come out; I can trim off the raggedy bits.  It's a relief when a new technique works.

I've been doing a lot of housework today. I needed to clean and straighten. I've really got to go through my kitchen cupboards and get rid of the things that I don't need. They are taking up too much space. I will put together a donation bag for the Salvation Army.

I plan to spend some time knitting my sweater today. For some reason, I haven't been knitting. I think it's because this is a new technique that I'm doing.  I have to concentrate and study the directions.

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90 Sales On Etsy

Ojai clouds and mountains

On Sunday I hit my goal of ninety sales in my Etsy shop, pinkcottagesoaps.etsy.com. It was very rewarding. Now I will shoot for a hundred. It's hard to believe that my little home based business has grown and developed so quickly.  I started it after having my hips replaced. I had always wanted a mail order business, especially after closing my dance and yoga studio.  I find it so much easier to work from home. You don't have to worry about paying business rent and all of those other expenses.  I just listed a couple of new batches of soap. The Shea Butter Goat's Milk and Coconut Dream soaps have finished curing.  I need to pick up some macadamia nut oil and coconut milk at Sprouts so that I can make more Shampoo Bars. I am sold out of them. I bought the avocado oil for that recipe at Costco yesterday. I paid for it separately, with my business debit card.  

Short rows on Stockholm Sweater

I am completing the pair of blue ribbed  hand knit socks today. Tomorrow I will  focus on the Stockholm Sweater. This is what I have so far...isn't the yarn  gorgeous?  All of the ladies in class were knitting it in different colors. The shades were just divine! I want to make one in purple. It's so lovely. I am happy with my choice of color, though. For some reason, knitting with other women seems to trigger yarn envy.  I mean it  in a positive way, though. It's more like admiration. We were oohing and aahing at each others' work.

Huge orange trees near the highway

I'm cooking a rack of lamb and  baked potatoes for dinner. I made a spinach salad earlier for lunch. I will season the lamb with fresh rosemary, garlic, salt, and pepper. It should be  delicious; I love lamb.  I spent a huge amount of money at Costco yesterday, but stayed in my monthly budget. I will need to buy very little for the rest of March. I like to have a full fridge and pantry. It gives me a feeling of security.

Ojai Spanish casita

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Got My Taxes Done

Yesterday I had my taxes done at our local senior center. VITA provides volunteer tax accountants who will do your return free of charge. To qualify, you need to  make under a certain amount of money. I had a wonderful woman who was very helpful. She carefully went through all of my expenses with me, and gave me some excellent advice. She reminded me of  a teacher. I so appreciated her kindness and caring. She was so detailed and exact.

From there I drove over to Mail America and faxed my proof of income to Covered California. They had sent me a letter saying that they needed a copy of my tax return in order for me to keep my health insurance. It felt so satisfying to get those things done. I will be receiving almost $4,800. back from my health insurance payments. That money will go directly into savings and retirement. It's such a relief to have a financial cushion.

I had an Etsy order yesterday for some heart soaps, so I sent those off at the post office. I made another batch today. I took my time, and enjoyed stirring the soap batter. I scented it with Cranberry Chutney fragrance from Brambleberry. It smells heavenly!

I've got to do my physical therapy exercises and yoga now. I haven't done my push ups in ages, and I meant to be doing them every day. My dad is 88, and he does thirty push ups each day! I hope I'll be able to do them at that age, if I live that long. How are you?

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How Long Does My Soap Need To Cure?

hot processed olive oil soap

I have received some questions about cure time in soapmaking, so I decided to write a post on it today. When making cold processed soap, we normally wait four to six weeks to use the soap. It's raw, and the lye will damage your skin. Soap needs that time to mellow and age. If you have ever used a soap that gives  you a stinging, prickly sensation that is from the soapmaker using too short of a cure time. You can't rush the process. It takes patience. The longer the soap cures, the milder it becomes. Three months or longer is ideal. 

When making soap, we  wear shoes, gloves, goggles, and long pants,  and long sleeves so that the lye water does not splatter on  our skin. You don't want to risk a chemical burn from the lye water mixture spilling accidentally. I mix mine in the kitchen sink, with the windows and front door open, and have the ceiling fans running.

With hot processed soap, the batter is safe to handle once it has gone completely through all of the stages. You can see it turning from a creamy mixture like cold processed soap to something completely different. Here are some photos to show you the transformation.

early stages

 

 At this point, I had added half of the six ounces of coconut milk that I was using to make the batter more fluid. You can see how the oil is separating from the rest of the ingredients. It needs more cooking and stirring.

vaseline stage

 Now it's starting to shift.  At this point, I added 1 T sugar dissolved in 1 T hot water. It's important to have your measuring cups and ingredients warm, not cold. Temperature is critical in soapmaking.

applesauce stage

 Things move very quickly once the soap starts to thicken and come together. This is how it looks at applesauce stage. You are cooking off the lye. It's important not to breathe in the toxic fumes and to keep the room well ventilated.

Just before mashed potatoes stage

 Once the soap finishes cooking, it starts to stick together and pull off the sides of the crockpot. At this point you can turn the machine off, and add your extra ingredients. If you are scenting your soap and coloring it, now is the time. You want to heat the water and cup that you are using for your clay. I used 3 T yogurt at room temperature, and the second half of my warm coconut milk. I also added 1 T of fine seal salt dissolved in 1 T of hot water.

Using all of these additives felt counter-intuitive to me the first time. It seemed like so much extra liquid to add, as I am used to making cold processed soap. I was afraid that it would throw off the thickness and ruin the batch. Fluid hot processed is an entirely different technique. It's very effective, though. It helps to watch Youtube videos and to study the method. You can also make it without the additives, but it will be thick and gloppy.  You will have to plop it into the mold, and work very quickly. It hardens like candle wax when it hits the cold air.

You can sample a bar of this soap right away because it is no longer caustic. That is one of the reasons hot processed  appeals to so many soap makers. I let my hot processed bars cure for a couple of weeks, four weeks if I am going to sell them. It's fun to try out your latest soap immediately, and to enjoy the scent and the rich, creamy, bubbly lather. The fragrances don't fade and the bars really feel different, because they are cooked. I also enjoy the clean up, because you just have the crockpot, and you are not worried about touching raw soap with lye. For me, it makes me feel more relaxed. I still clean all of my utensils with boiling water. That's what they do in the labs. It's also a good idea to towel off your faucet handles and clean your counters with vinegar water.

When making cold processed milk soaps, (like goat's milk,) the bars need to cure for eight weeks. They require more time than a non milk soap. You can also make hot processed goat's milk soap, and it is safe to use right away. It's a bit trickier, though, because it separates during the cook time.   I hope that this answers some of your questions. Let me know if you try it. It's fabulous soap!  It is a lot of work, though. 

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Sending Out Soaps For Christmas

Yesterday I received an order in my Etsy shop. It was from a dancer  friend who now lives in Pennsylvania. She wanted ten soaps; she plans to give them as Christmas gifts. This morning I wrapped each of them  in bubble wrap. taped it carefully, and then stuffed them inside small muslin drawstring bags. I wrote out the vintage Santa labels by hand , and wrapped and secured them around the soaps. After that, I printed out the packing slip and shipping label. I really enjoy getting holiday packages ready to ship.

Knowing which size to use for sending boxes can be tricky. In this case, the medium size flat rate box was the best deal. Sometimes I also use the Regional Box A size.  Small business owners in America can order special Priority Mail boxes in different sizes online through the US Postal Service. They are free of charge, and can be delivered to your business or home. I keep a stash with my packing supplies. I also recycle bubble wrap, newspaper, and popcorn, as long as it's clean.

After sending off that order, I had another waiting for me when I got home. This one is for six bars of soap. The customer is  a lady who plays bridge with my father. She gives them as gifts to her friends at the bridge club.  She's a very kind and friendly person. It's fun to connect with people annually and be part of their traditions. Each December, I always wish that I had made more soap. I plan to whip up a few batches this week to store for the future.

At this time of year, the hard work that I've done over the summer starts to pay off handsomely. There are oranges to pick, pumpkins and squash to harvest, and soaps to mail to customers, family,  and friends. It inspires me to continue to sow seeds for the future.  Do you plan to mail many packages this year?

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Made Some Green Christmas Soaps Today

soap batter

I made a batch of Shea Butter Goat's Milk Soap this afternoon.  I used green mica to color it; I'm really pleased with the result. It will be exciting to cut and unmold (unmould) these soaps in a few days.  This was my first time using the mica for coloring. I normally use Brazilian clays for swirls and accents. I like how the milk soaps turn out with color. They have a pastel hue. It's subtle and  pretty.

fir tree soaps

My Etsy shop  usually gets pretty active this time of year, so I am busy making soaps for the holiday season. I plan to make several more batches this month. I need to start printing out extra labels, too. I've got a huge box full of small muslin drawstring bags that I ordered last year. I also have several blocks of shea butter in the fridge. It's nice to have plenty of supplies. I'm glad that I invested in all that I needed last year.  

I have been making an effort to try new things and vary my diet lately. If I watch the news or read about people who are arguing, it makes me feel depressed. Even the dance publications have gotten very political. I decided to get grounded in the home, for peace of mind.  I tend to gravitate toward the familiar. I made hash browns for lunch, which I hadn't done in ages. I'd forgotten how delicious they are. Now that the weather is getting cooler I can start cooking and baking some traditional favorites. It's funny how just a small change in what we are doing, creatively, can lift our spirits.  Can't wait to see how these soaps turn out! It's funny how just a bit of color changes the whole vibe. I used Energy fragrance on this batch. It's a fresh, fruity,  jasmine scent. Everyone seems to love it.

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Back to Soapmaking

Yesterday I made a batch of coconut oil soap with a 20% superfat. I love this recipe; it creates a wonderful, creamy soap. The color is a snowy white. It has a terrific lather, and works very well in hard water. I unmolded the soaps this morning. I popped them into the freezer for a few hours after making my morning coffee. When I turned them upside down, they fell out of the molds.  It's always a great relief when the soaps don't stick.  Now they are on the racks, curing.

I also baked a loaf of banana bread yesterday. It felt good to use up the ripe bananas that were in the fruit bowl. This recipe called for two large eggs, so I used three of my tiny Silkie eggs. It's rewarding to have them from your own backyard hens. They're so fresh, and the yolks are bright orange.  The bread came out very nicely. It was soft, moist, and flavorful.

I don't bake very often anymore. I have noticed that I don't have any aches or pains if I avoid eating baked desserts and bread. Yesterday I pigged out on the fresh banana bread and ate THREE pieces! That was a mistake. My legs ached a tiny bit during the night, which they never do anymore. (since having hip replacement surgery.) If I'm going to bake, I'll have to practice more self control. Today I've been much better; I just had one piece. It's funny how your tolerance for certain foods changes as you get older. Have you been doing any baking these days?

Thank you for your comments. They add so much energy and talent to the blog. Please comment in English. I'm sorry, but comments with links will not be published.  If you enjoy the posts here, please share them.  

Enjoying the Rain

In Los Angeles we have been having some light, steady rain. It is such a treat! I know many of you live in places that get heavy rainfall. On the West Coast,  we have experienced several years of drought. I really feel excited and appreciative when I hear the patter of raindrops on my roof. It's such a welcome sound.  The garden and plants look so happy. I had just spread out some homemade compost underneath the citrus trees and artichoke plants. The timing was perfect.

Yesterday I received a private message from an Etsy customer, expressing interest in a pair of lace leg warmers that I  knit last year. I sent her a couple more photos, and she decided to purchase them. They are so colorful, and I just love the sock yarn that was used for them. It's by Viking of Norway. I bought it with a gift card from my brother, last Christmas.

One of the many things that I really like about Etsy is that you can earn money while you sleep. You never know when someone is at home shopping and browsing through you items. I am excited for her to receive these; they took a few days to make.  After messaging her, I decided to get  busy working on another set. This time I went stash diving, and selected some Austermann Step yarn that is exquisite. The colors are just gorgeous. It's German yarn that was hand dyed in the Czech Republic. The German yarns are my favorite sock yarns. They wear so well.

With this weather, I have been doing a lot more cooking and baking in my cottage. I got some excellent deals at the market today. Asparagus was only .99 a pound, so I bought a couple of bunches. I love it topped with homemade balsamic vinaigrette, and dipped in mayonnaise. I baked a few tiny potatoes in the toaster oven, and fried some Neiman Ranch bacon on the vintage stove. I love eating this type of food in the cold weather. It's hearty and delicious. It reminds me of living in Seattle with my family when I was a young girl. The days there were almost always rainy and cloudy. It's so relaxing and comforting. The dogs and I slipped in a bike ride when the rain abated.

I've been getting good use out of my hand knit shawls and sweaters. It's such a pleasure to wear them. All of that time and effort becomes makes something  practical and useful when it's slipped over your shoulders. I'm especially enjoying the shawl I'm wearing  because I got such an excellent price on the llama yarn. It's wonderfully soft and luxurious.

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Working on Etsy Orders

This past week has been excellent, as far as business. I received a big knitting order at my Etsy shop, Pink Cottage Soaps. The customer wants a lovely hand spun cream colored cashmere scarf and hat. The yarn is so soft, and is such a pleasure to knit! It has a delicate diamonds pattern that gives it a very nice texture. I love the feel of it. Scarves take a long time to knit, though. I've been working for several hours a day on it.

This morning I received an order for two pink valentine soaps. I love this mold. It's so feminine and pretty. I boxed them up and shipped them off to Texas. I've got to make several batches of more soap. My stash has gotten pretty low, since I sold most of what I made for Christmas presents. On Wednesday  a woman in my knitting group purchased a couple of bars of olive oil soap for her husband. He has sensitive skin, and this mild soap works for him.  Each little sale matters. I like knowing that so many people are scattered around the country, enjoying my handmade soaps. It makes me feel happy.

Lana and I went for a lovely hike this morning. The oaks were just beautiful. They have such a calming presence. I brought home a few acorns. I plan to plant them in my backyard, and see if I can grow a wise oak tree of my own. It's just amazing to me that such a huge tree can come from such a small nut. The power of a seed is incredible.  How are you doing?

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In the Flow...

This morning I woke up at quarter to four, jumped out of bed, padded to the back door, and let out Lana. I made a small pot of espresso coffee, then heated it up with hot goat's milk and coconut milk on the stove. I sat on the couch with the Christmas lights on outside. I have done this since I was a little girl. I love it when the house is dark, and the Christmas trees are lit.  I felt very motivated to do some housework, so I got an early start.

After sweeping the floors, I mopped them with hot, soapy water. I used some of my homemade liquid soap and a tablespoon of baking soda in the water. I went over the floors a  second time with hot vinegar water. I am determined to clean my floors once a week, since that has been a weak area for me. I always used to procrastinate.

From there, I emptied my dresser drawers, and organized them. I was shocked to find about twenty bars of soap in bags that I had stored in the very back corner. Shame on me. I am basically up to my ears in soap at this time of year. I want to be able to fill every order. I can't always anticipate what people will want, so I make a variety.

I received a call from a friend a few hours later. She asked me if I had any goat's milk soap or lavender soap left for Christmas. I was amazed. That was exactly what I had discovered in the back of that sweater drawer. She ordered fourteen soaps, which was a wonderful surprise. I just finished writing out all of the labels and boxing up her package. I will deliver it tomorrow. We are meeting at a cafe to knit.

It was such an important lesson for me. I always have good things happen when I get organized. I now plan to do my cleaning early in the morning. It's when I have the most energy. The days are shorter now, and I feel tired by 6:30 or 7:00 p.m.! In the evenings it's nice to wind down, read, relax, and do yoga.

When do you do your housework? Do you have a set routine?

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Making Hot Processed Soap on Your Stove

This morning I made another batch of hot processed soap. This was the first time that I've used a recipe that wasn't a goat's milk soap using this method. When heated on the stove, the goat's milk soaps turn a caramel color. They are really pretty and natural looking. My dad always requests this variety. "Send me some of the brown ones," he'll say.

Hot processed soap has a special quality. Many people describe it as rustic. I like the mildness of it. I find that  it also has a distinctive lather. I love using it on my face. My sense is that the fragrances smell slightly sweeter when using this technique, too.

This morning the soap I made contained: olive oil, coconut oil, lye, and distilled water. It took about an hour to go through the stages that you need to see. I added some coconut milk, which gave it a nice creamy quality.

After observing it shift into applesauce stage, and then gel, I added yogurt, a small amount of sugar water, sea salt, and fragrance oil. These ingredients made the batter more elastic. It was easier to transfer into the loaf pan, thanks to the additives.. I learned this technique on line from Valerie Mosher. She makes soap in Nova Scotia. She is a wonderful teacher, and has numerous Youtube videos.

I colored a cup of the mixture with some Brazilian rose clay. I plopped it into three different places, and did some swirling. I used a piece of tie wire that I had in my toolbox. With the end of a wooden spoon, I outlined  some small figure eights and circles along the top of the loaf.

Once the loaf  had come to room temperature, I carefully placed the silicone mold in the freezer. When I got home from running my errands, the colors looked paler, which I really like. They have a milky, flexible quality, which is really pretty. I made these less than twelve hours ago, and just cut them. It's exciting to see how the colors turned out in the swirls. These will be ready to ship in a couple of weeks. A four week cure will make them nice and hard. I love this method. Thank you Valerie.  

Art and Housekeeping

Yesterday I sold a couple of olive oil and pink clay swirled soaps. That was exciting. It's always a thrill to make a sale.   Today I spent a good portion of the day on housekeeping. I vacuumed the living room, bedroom and kitchen. I moved the furniture and wiped down the baseboards with a rag doused in white vinegar and water. There were a few dirty spots along the wall and front door from where Lana had  laid against it, so I rubbed off those stains. Fortunately, my house is painted with a semi gloss paint, so the walls are easy to clean.

I vacuumed the couch and cushions. Afterward, I wiped the couch down with a wet rag, and was amazed at how much dog hair had been removed. No wonder the couch looked dusty. Carlie, my German Shepherd, used to shed profusely, and I think most of it was leftover from when she was still with us.

I found this really cute little chair down in front of  my neighbor's house. She left it out for whoever wanted it, so I brought it home. I had been searching for a vintage chair or stool to use with my Singer Featherweight sewing machine. This looks really sweet. I'm pleased with it. I plan to polish it up with some olive oil or Old English furniture oil.

I cleared out some stereo equipment that I used to use when I was teaching dance and yoga. There's no point in holding on to a CD player that no longer works. I'm going to tackle my closet tomorrow. It feels good to be addressing the chores and tasks that I had been avoiding. I need to clean the refrigerator, as well.

This little drawing was given to me by my neighbor on my bike ride this morning. I think she is a wonderful little artist. I told her that I will find a special place to hang it. I also love this little ceramic house that I bought years ago. It was made in Italy. The colors and detail are so pretty.  

After running the dogs this morning, I came home and  washed my alpaca throw. I filled the bathtub with a few inches of water, and  used some of the liquid soap that I make on the stove. After rinsing it, I hung it out to dry on the pomegranate bush. It worked really well, and the fresh air blew through the hand knit stitches. I also washed a cashmere sweater in the sink. Tomorrow I will mend a small hole in it that I discovered underneath the arm. That Nina Spinner really pulls the water out of hand washables. They dry so quickly after using it. It's fabulous! How is your housekeeping going?

Another Day At The Pink Cottage

On Wednesday, I finished the cotton sweater that I've been knitting. Here's a photo of it. It looks better on, but I wanted to post a picture, so that you could see it. The owner of the knitting shop was kind enough to take some shots of me wearing it there, so I'll post those once I receive them. It's such a good feeling to complete projects. I spent some time this afternoon mending the neckline of one of my favorite sun dresses. I backstitched the piece that had come unattached back into place. Even though it's something small, it gave me a great sense of accomplishment. It's a nice feeling to tie up loose ends, literally.

This morning I decided to spend the day as if the Internet hadn't yet been invented. I felt an instant sense of relief. My shoulders relaxed, and I immediately felt more in the moment. After preparing some chicken enchiladas for lunch, I did the dishes  and then had a nice chat on the phone with a lovely dancer friend of mine. We worked together at the MGM Grand Hotel in Reno, 33 years ago. It was a treat to catch up with her. The blue baby blanket that I crocheted is for her new grandson.

It was nice not to feel the lure of Facebook or forums for a day. I reminded me of how life used to be. I decided I would still post on my blog, since I'm committed to writing  on it five days per week. I wrapped up the baby blanket, and sent it and a couple of bars of homemade soap to my friend's daughter. It was supposed to be a gift, but she went on line and paid me for it. She's very generous and supportive of my knitting. So, I thanked her and told her that the soaps were on the house. I sent her a creme soap colored with pink clay, and a shea butter goat's milk soap.

Once I wasn't so distracted by the pull of  my computer, my priorities fell into place. I sent out the package Priority Mail, and sealed the padded envelope with my Pink Cottage Soap stickers. I love that part. It makes it much more personal. I still had some of the cottage stationery that I printed out for free at the library, so I wrote a note of congratulations on that, and tucked it inside the package. I wrapped the soaps in bubble wrap before putting them inside their muslin bags. After writing out the ingredients on the soap labels by hand, I sealed them in the back with tape. I always feel so happy when one of the packages from my Etsy shop is on its way to a new home. Babies are especially fun. They are so pure and magical. How is your day going today?   

Knitting and Crocheting Like Mad

Yesterday I received an order in my Etsy shop for an alpaca throw and a pair of cotton crocheted pot holders. I always feel excited when I get an Etsy order. July is a hot month, so the last thing I expected was to sell an alpaca blanket! It's been over one hundred degrees here! I am thrilled, though. Years ago, I made each of my parents one of these, and they were very well received. They are so soft and warm. I wish every person over fifty could have one. They are so cozy in the cold weather. I even took mine with me on the train and used it in the sleeper car when I traveled from Los Angeles to Oregon. They are light weight and easy to pack.


Once I saw the order, I went on line to see if I could find a good price on the yarn. Alpaca is normally very expensive. Retail price is usually $20.00 a skein. I did some research, and found what I needed on clearance at Webs. They had four skeins left of the dark green. I needed three. Perfect! I emailed the customer to check on the shade of the color, and she was happy with it. It's amazing what we can do on line these days. I went ahead and placed my order.

I didn't have any more of the kitchen cotton yarn that she chose. I had used up the last bits. So, I drove down to Beverly's and tried to find it there. Our store is going out of business, and they only had one lone skein remaining on the shelves. I needed two. I drove a bit further to Walmart, and bought a large cone of it for $7.97. Every dollar counts when you are selling hand knits. I also make the pot holders in pastels and other colors, but my customers seem to like the oatmeal with the little flecks of color. That's something I didn't expect. Now I have plenty.

I'm excited to get started on the throw. I knit this pattern on very large needles, and the work goes quickly. It's a joy to knit with alpaca yarn. It's so luxurious. I am almost finished with the pot holders, and will work on my cotton cardigan later this afternoon.  I'm doing the first sleeve now, and am a little concerned that I may run out of yarn. There is a little over one skein left, and one and a half sleeves still to do. I'm crossing my fingers. I know you are supposed to buy and extra skein for good measure when you make a sweater, but I didn't.Fortunately our local yarn shop still has the yarn if I need it.

As my dad has told me, "It's always a good feeling to make a sale." It's true. I was flying high when I clicked over to my Etsy shop, and saw that little flag up on Shop Manager. This was almost a $200.00 order, so it's an exciting day here at Pink Cottage Soaps! How is your day going?