Isn’t that the sweetest thing? One of the new baby goats and her mum out in the fields for the first time together. You might see some extra sappy stuff on here this month because of Valentine’s Day (Bri and I will celebrate 20 years on that day)! But who says Valentine’s has to be for just you and your beau? Moms need love too, love ya mom…this pic is for you:)

And of course kids can always get a little sassy too, but that’s okay.

 Soap favors for your wedding, baby shower or guests, now available online in our Etsy shop. Each are wrapped in our simple brown label, available with your initials if you wish.
Our soap has a rich thick lather, great for all skin types. Leaves your skin feeling nourished and pampered not dry.

I have been happily making soap by the Cold-Process Method since 1992. All our soap is made in small batches here on our family farm, made with lots of love and care and only the best ingredients. Leaves your skin feeling nourished and pampered, no matter how many times a day you have to wash up.

Do you know that feeling when you’re working on a project,  get 3/4 of the way through; feeling proud as a peacock, you start to look back on your stitches or whatever you’re making, when you notice there’s a mistake and you have to rip out all the stitches and begin again? The immediate reaction, almost anyone would have would be anger, I’m there…totally get that. Maybe it’s not a project that you’re working on that isn’t going right, but plans you’ve made to go see a friend for a nice long weekend or something bigger like stepping out on your own and working for yourself, whatever it is something along the way starts to come undone. You’re not sure why the world or God is conspiring against you at this moment and you begin to ask “why me”. I am going through something very similar myself right now and have run the gambit of emotions, from questioning if I’m on the right track (if we’re on the right track), feeling sorry for myself, being angry and wanting to stomp my feet to pulling myself up by the boot straps dusting off the dirt and with every bit of gumption and determination I have I set out up the steep hill again, trusting God will reward us for our efforts.

Brian and I began a new adventure in December, working together on not his business or my business, but our business. We have opened up a new Etsy shop (Secondnaturewoodwork) we are focusing our efforts on creative woodworking. He’s the woodworker, I’m the painter, collaborator and the computer gal who runs the shop. I have always wanted to combine efforts to see what would emerge and frankly it’s difficult running two separate businesses under one roof, although running a business together can show you real fast where your strengths and weaknesses are as a couple and business partner.  Part of the coming undone part for us has been learning to collaborate effectively. Getting our thoughts and ideas in sink, working on tiny but important business details that aren’t ground breaking but still important. He has his way I have mine and there are days it feels as if everything we knew how to do has to become undone in order to be rebuilt in a new way.  It’s a challenge there’s no doubt, but one I embrace (most days), lol.

Brian and I  will be married 20 years this February, so we’re not new to working side by side while raising a family or working at home, but this is a bit different. We have chosen this route because everything we were working on completely and totally separate wasn’t working anymore. The coming undone part has reminded me to trust in the process and the plans God has for us. Coming undone is almost always necessary in any journey, no matter what it is we face… forget the fear and keep moving forward.

*Just a note: My Soap is still available in my Etsy , Blossom and I’m sure I will always make soap and have it for sale (soapmaking is addictive), but it’s still made on a very small scale.

When I began making skin care products began years ago, you couldn’t find many choices when it came to suppliers and the internet wasn’t exactly something everyone had access to. I was still trying to find most of my suppliers the old fashioned way, word of mouth or resource material in natural health books and those were even few and far between those days. So much has changed, hasn’t it? Now there are so many options when it comes to finding good quality fragrance and essential oils at a reasonable price..it makes my head spin! But it has always been important to me, it’s the heart and core of my business.
Good skin care starts with the ingredients. Now granted, I can’t say i haven’t been tempted to choose cheaper oils for convenience sake and to save a little money here and there, but that bar of soap you told me you loved and made your skin feel so pampered and calming after a long hard day at work wouldn’t have been the same if I chose to buy supplies based solely on the next latest and greatest scent or fad. I want my products to melt away your worries, if only for 15 minutes and then I want what you want; skin that feels fantastic and leaves you feeling rejuvenated all day long.
When you have to hide that bar of soap in a drawer away from your daughter, I know I’m on the right track. So heads up, I’m preparing for Valentines my loves and I want your input! This is your chance to speak your mind before my order goes in tomorrow. What do you want for Valentine’s Day? Go ahead, tell me what products you would like to see in your hands and all over your body.

I’ve already have a very long list started and it’s growing, don’t be shy let me know what essential oil or skin care products you need the most.

Happy New Year Farm Friends! While we’re not much on making New Year’s resolutions, we do enjoy a southern approach to celebrating and that of course would be with food. However we did celebrate last night by shooting off the potato gun This first day of the New Year calls for a heapin’ plate of greens, beans (black eyed peas),  cornbread and of course sweet tea, southern style. A simple meal, that’s good for ya (unless you drink too much sweet tea). So thankful for family and friends to spend it with.
Brian and I wish you all a beautiful New Year, no matter how you celebrate it.
Photo links:
1. Cornbread, 2. Black-Eyed Peas, 3. Greeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeens, 4. sweet tea

Good afternoon farm friends!
I know everyone has been so busy preparing for the holidays, but I wanted to take a minute to let you know we are on the last stretch my friends and Dec. 19 will be the cut off for this holiday sale, Buy 2 Get 1 FREE Holiday Soap Sale! I had planned to run it clear through December and still will, if there’s any soap left….Update: There are a few bars left, so just contact me through twitter if interested.
Here’s what’s left- Pumpkin Goat Milk Soap, Country Apple Soap, Sweet Orange Soap and Only 3 Bars of Peppermint Buttermilk Soap left.

This little one woman goat rodeo of a crafty business has been busting butt to bring you some great little stocking stuffers that have gotten really good reviews from everyone and our little online shop has been so busy that it has generated some great interest above and beyond Etsy I no more than blink and notice that we’re almost out of everyone’s favorite Handmade Peppermint Stick Buttermilk Soap {sorry all gone}.

I know everything can get really crazy feeling around this time of year, it can be so stressful and full of emotion. This morning I woke up and realized I felt really tired, even though I had gotten a full eight hours of good, deep sleep.
So I did my slow morning ritual. Brush teeth, clean up, dress, coffee, coffee, more coffee {that’s just because I keep loosing my cup, lol}. Vitamins after breakfast. Oh, wait a minute, I forgot breakfast completely!
Running our little business had gotten me all a flutter and I forgot to eat and now looking on the past few days I see my body has been running on pure caffeine and adrenaline.
All I had left were fumes.
I had forgotten to slow down and take care of myself.
How about you? Sometimes when I get to feeling overwhelmed and filled with excitement, anxiety or full of uncertain emotions, like the holiday can bring the last thing I want to do is eat healthy. It’s a conscious decision to pick the banana or apple instead of the chocolate bar and this country girl loves her cocoa!! Well, definitely treat yourself to some dark chocolate, but not the whole bar.

And don’t forget to pace yourself, slow down and take a nap. After this season, we’re all settling in for a long winter’s nap; just like Tom.