Friday, December 14, 2012

2:55 am Ramblings

It is 2:55 in the morning. Sean is sleeping. The girls are sleeping. All the critters are sleeping, save the cats who are wandering in and out of the cat door, visibly confused at why their prowling time is being interrupted by a human presence. I wish it were not.

I just can't sleep tonight or rather, this morning. My mind is refusing to shut down. So... the best remedy is to get up and do some quiet chores until I am sufficiently tired to get some rest. On the upside, since I can't sleep, I woke up the fire in the wood stove, too. Both, Sean and the girls will appreciate waking to a warm kitchen in the morning- the real morning, I mean.

Yesterday, was a good day around here. In the morning, Sean and I met our friend, Glen B. for breakfast in town. It was wonderful to spend some time chatting and catching up with the goings on in his world and to share news from ours. Talking, laughing, and praying together gave the day a good start. And, if that wasn't enough, Glen brought us a gift of some farm stuffs that he wasn't using anymore- including a heated water bucket! It never ceases to amaze me the ways in which blessings find us.

Some people call that karma. I prefer to think of it as reaping as you sow. I have written about it before, but my Grandpa George's favorite Bible verse was Luke 6:38: "Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure-- pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return." Sean and I try very hard to live up to that standard in our lives- to be generous and treat others fairly, to be the kind of people who think of others and help where we can, even if it is inconvenient. To model and teach that behavior to our children. To not take for granted the love and kindness we are shown- be it a phone call from a friend with a listening ear, asking, "How are you doing?" or an unexpected gift that comes, just when we needed it. I feel like there should be more to what I am writing here, but my sleep-addled mind is not forming the written word well yet, so I am going to leave it there and hope it makes some sense to somebody besides me.
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While the girls were away to the school house, Sean and I did the morning chores together and then, we made up 2 new batches of soap, bringing the total to this week's effort to 3 batches, all together. (Shell from The Country Chick was so kind as to send me some basic recipes to try out a little while ago, but I did not have all the ingredients I needed on hand make them... yet. But, I plan to this coming week and will be sure to post all about it. In the meanwhile, I urge you to check out her awesome blog. Need more encouragement? Three words: Bacon. Scented. Soap.) With goat's milk scarce right now, these soaps were made with what I had on hand; coconut oil, safflower oil, olive oil, and flax-seed oil. They should produce a lovely, creamy, moisturizing soap perfect for winter chapped or farm chaffed hands.

At Sean's request, the first batch was scented (I sooooo want to write "flavored". It smells good enough to eat!) citrus with the zest from a lemon and an orange and minced fresh mint leaves. The naturally colored soap has really pretty flecks of yellow, orange, and green through it and it smells wonderful! I can't wait to try it!

The second batch was the same formula, but scented with lavender essential oils. I, personally, like very subtle scents to soap, but the feedback has been almost unanimously, "More scent!" So, I did not skimp with the essential oil in this batch. I am interested in hearing the feedback from my panel about this change.

The last batch looked nearly identical to the 2nd batch in appearance; both of them turned a soft ivory, cream color. But this batch was scented with the last of my cucumber-melon essential oil. This has always been one of my favorite scents.

The soaps will not be ready to use for another 4-6 weeks, but I am already looking forward to trying them out. The one thing lacking in our soap making venture were pictures! My batteries are exhausted in my camera, so I must update this post at some point later today with photographs, but I have none to share just now.
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In the evening, I caught a severe case of "Lazy" and couldn't shake it. Thankfully, Sean and the girls seemed unafflicted. They rallied themselves and made dinner. Kristen cooked french toast, Meaghan made home fries with onions, and Sean heated the bacon for our dinner. I pulled myself together long enough to cut a pomegranate into quarters as my share of the work. It was a delicious end to an all-around good day.

It is 4:07 am. Machias is curled into a sleeping ball beside me. Tas is snoring at my feet. I think I should, at least, lay down to try to get some sleep some tonight. Thanks for stopping in, friends. I am glad for the company.

Sonja ♥


4 comments:

  1. OH how I hate those days when sleep eludes!!

    Hey! When you guys come over on Monday if you have soap left I would LOVE a citrus one. If not I will be patient for next batch. =)

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  2. Sorry you had a sleepless night! Try to get some more tonight to catch up :)

    Your soap sounds like it will be great! The scents sound wonderful.

    I love how everyone rallied and allowed you some lazy time! Great that they can take care of themselves :) Now I'm craving home fries...

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  3. How does it work with fresh herbs in soap. I was always informed it can mold and ruin the soap and because it has it's juices it can leave a watery spot in the soap. I've always went with only dried add ins. Hope yours works well for you though. Deb

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  4. I have heard that you have to be careful of those issues, Deb, but so far... I have not had a problem with any of my batches. I hope my streak continues! :)

    Thanks for stopping in for a visit.

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