They are growing and growing and...

Ricardo Shilly Shally is growing and holding it's own! Since we still don't know if we have a Ricardo or a Ricarda, we are just so happy to see it thriving and growing. This was the only one that hatched for us, so it has taken a special place in our hearts. This poor baby had a touch and go beginning but still comes through every day stronger and more determined. Sadly it managed to break it's middle toe and I'm not sure how but it makes it easier to identify as they all grow. 

The tail feathers are coming in nicely. I can't wait to see how these Royal Palms grow and come into color. 

 These three may very well be hens or also known as jenny's when they are younger. The coloring is coming on them too. Just a stunning breed and can't wait for them to get bigger. They are beginning to settle down and get excited with all kind of vocalizations when I come into feed. 

Getting back to an Old Passion

Sometimes you have to go on a journey to come home! A long time ago, before we started the farm, we ran a small soap making companies. We did fairs and I taught it as well. Between raising two kids, working full time, running a household and all the other crazy things I seem to get caught up in, soap making was my passion. This passion went on for a long time until I found myself competing against my students which is mostly what happens all the time right?! My son and I were once at a fair and he was admiring some Strawberry soap (his favorite) and the woman was rude to us. We walked away completely dumbfounded and asked each other what we thought about that. As we went through the fair, he just couldn't stop thinking about that soap. We returned to her booth only for her to apologize and state that she was a former student of mine and was embarrassed that she had taken some of my ideas. We bought the soap and went on my way and I was still a bit surprised.

At the Holidays my husband bought me some new molds that were a complete game changer! He also bought me a new cutting box and blade. They sat in the box until I came across them one day and created a batch. Also I have been looking at some of the soap supply companies at the new and techniques that are out there. Sometime back I was experimenting with mica colorants too. Well lets say I am back to my old friend, soap making! Above are some of the scents and colors I have been using.  

This fun one was my favorite, Pumpkin Spice. As I am returning to Soap Making, I am bringing back my signature Soap Balls. In the late 1990's I was the only one doing this. I would do shows with graduated boxes. Customers could mix and match my soap balls to put in their soap dishes! 

Sage and Lemongrass! I wish this had a scratch and sniff! Such subtle scents of each combined to make a beautiful relaxing scent.

Dragon's Blood Soap with multiple mica colorants and it smells amazing! I walked into my house after I made this and couldn't believe how amazing it smelled !

Rose Petal Soap reminds me of my Grandma.

Lavender Fields forever!

 My most exciting new feature to my old design is using burlap around my soaps! I went into my stash room and found a 10 yard roll of it! I cut strips to wrap my soap to preserve the labels. Soap will sometimes sweat and this helps to save the labels! So as we push through summer here the house smells amazing! Many of what I have made is curing but will be ready for the upcoming fall season with some shows we are working on! 

Movin' on up!

With a stretch of cooler weather it was time for the turkeys to move up to the coops. Let's just say it did not go as smoothly as we would have liked. Did you know turkeys vomit when they are stressed out? I took 2 and Tim took 3! By the time we were at the coop they were going in, well lets just say a change of clothes was necessary.

There was also some pooping going on, lets just say it was a both ways transfer! Their bottoms got a bit dirty. They adjusted quickly though and seemed to like their new surroundings. We put a hardware cloth barrier between them so they can acclimate to the other chicks as they become familiar with their surroundings. 

 Little Ricardo Shilly Shally is growing like a weed and is just the cutest thing! By my next post of them they will all be double in size!