Fresh Linen Soap

I'm so excited about this Fresh Linen soap! It smells so fresh and clean.



I know how much everyone loves the blues and teals, so that's what we added to this batch! And, of course some activated charcoal and poppy seeds!



There are lots of you that really enjoy the "clean" scents! This is really nice! It's very similar to the Clean Laundry soap I made previously!



The glitter on top is just for a little extra umph!



You all know I think glitter just makes everything better!! Can't wait for you to try this soap!

Snow Days for the litle man!

There's nobody in our house that loves snow more than I do! I'm crazy about that white stuff!



The minute it starts snowing I'm ringing the bell on the door to head outside and play frisbee or catch the snow in my mouth! It's so much fun!



I go wild!! Mom and Dad only let me play for short amounts of time. Something about me getting cold and all! Really? I can handle it!



I'm tough! No sweater for this boy!



Mom and Dad toss the snow in the air and I catch it! Just like I do with the water in the summertime!



I really wear my parents out when there's snow! All I want to do is play! It's more fun catching the frisbee in the snow you know?!



These pics are cool that mom took of me! What do you think?





And, my parents tell me more snow is on the way!! Yay!!!

Charlie's Birthday Celebration with Tumbleweed and Eddie's!

When Mom and I got home she was so excited about the box! All I kept thinking was "boxes are always coming here so what's the big deal?" Even Grandpa asked what the big deal was about the box! She made me pose with the box! Silly mom!

Well,when they finally opened the box I thought I smelled something yummy! And, again she made me pose!



All I kept thinking was "these things smell really tasty!" Then, finally she opened the bag and gave me a treat!



Of course they made me do tricks. I humored them because I knew it makes them smile and laugh and in the end I get lots of yummies!



Mom said these treats are homemade from a place called Tumbleweed and Eddie's! They're in Delaware, which I think is up north! I know she and Dad are really funny about what they feed me. Apparently the chick that lived here before me was allergic to everything, so they like to keep my diet simple. They want me to eat all healthy and such. They talk about natural and organic and all those buzz words. I just hang out and cock my head in agreement. Well, my parents said that Ms. Lisa and Mr. Jonathan hand make every batch of these natural dog treats to order! They said you can even pronounce all of the ingredients. I think that means a lot to them! I go with it! And, they talk about buying local and supporting small business. I am not sure what that means, but it sounds really important!



Mom and Dad talk about how important it is to feed me the good stuff to keep my skin and coat healthy along with the rest of me. I appreciate that. And, I love trying new treats! Ms. Lisa's treats are nice little bone shaped treats! And, really yummy!! She apparently makes all kinds of different treats! So, hopefully Mom and Dad will order me more! Yum! I must admit that I really do feel better when I eat the "good for you" stuff! Don't tell mom though!



Oh, and did I mention that Friday was my birthday too! So, I got natural yummy dog treats from Tumbleweed and Eddie's and I got ice cream (doggie ice cream that is!). Mom and Dad again made me pose. I get so bored waiting that I couldn't hold back the yawn! Geez, they take lots of pictures! And, that silly hat they made me wear. Really?

So, thanks so much Ms. Lisa and Mr. Jonathan at Tumbleweed and Eddie's for my birthday treats! I'll tell my folks to be sure to order more!!

A battlefield hike...

Last Friday we were off for the holiday, so while Dynamo did a little biking Charlie and I hit the trails at the Battlefield!



We explored a little more looking for photo opportunities! We discovered this old building used to store wood. And a really cool old red barn like building! I made Charlie pose because I loved the peeling red paint!



Let's just say he was very impatient! So much to see and check out that treats wouldn't even keep him still enough!

Then, we found this grave of a horse...



And continued on our exploratory hike!



Charlie enjoyed the grass and sunshine!





And then I made him pose for more pics! Notice he won't look at me...



We had a great time on our almost 4 mile hike! We even got to see Dynamo at one point!



We stopped to visit for a little bit and then off he went... Charlie kept trying to catch him!



I must admit...the Little Man is pretty tolerant. Even though it's a chore to get him to look at the camera now, he does at least stand still!!!





I can understand his excitement! So much to see and chase!



We had a lovely time!

A little Handmade Happiness

Talk about super excited! Yes, we are! We are so excited to announce that you can now find our soaps in Chester Village Green at the Handmade Happiness Boutique!



Home of Twist Style by Maryellen Kim, the Boutique features local art of all types including jewelry, paintings, pottery, hand sewn items, and much more!



We are so excited to be the newest artist in the shop!



If you're looking for that perfect unique gift or item just for you it's here!



Thank you to our new partner, Handmade Happiness Boutique! And, don't forget that you can also purchase our soaps at Sweet Dixie in Old Towne Petersburg!

Thanks for shopping local!

Minty Fresh

I'm so excited about this latest creation! Spearmint Eucalyptus Soap!



Years ago I had some pillow mist from Bath and Body and fell in love with that minty combo! Well, this bar is nothing short of amazing! It really is light and fresh.



Just the right amount of mint! A new favorite!



I wanted the colors to make you feel calm and cool when you looked at them! It turned out that each bar looks like a little landscape! What a good accident!



And to top it off I used my favorite add-ons...Activated charcoal and poppy seeds! This really is a delightfully light and cool bar! You'll love it!

A little Lemoncello anyone?

We started with this...



Yes, 5 cups of Pink Himalayan Sea Salt!

...and this...



Yes, a new GIANT mold quickly put together for this experiment by Dynamo!

I wanted to make square salt soap bars and use dried lemon slices on the top for decoration!



This bar features loads of pink Himalayan salt, one of the purest salts on the earth! Loaded with minerals this bar will leave your skin soft and remineralized.



In this bar I used a larger salt grain, so it has an amazing texture and beauty!!



It will feel crumbly and hard at first, but as you use it, it will be a rock solid bar!



This bar has a fresh clean citrus scent due to the combination of lemongrass essential oil and eucalyptus essential oil! It's a delight to the senses!



You will have to be careful not to rub too hard directly on the skin! It is slightly coarse. Use this bar in the bathtub too! Submerge the bar in the water and allow the salt to melt! Your skin will thank you!



I'm excited for you to try this bar! This really did take two of us to create! This recipe hardened quickly so Dynamo was right there helping me pour and cut!

Project Life 2014

I'm super excited about my new color laser printer Dynamo helped me pick out. The wireless capability makes it super easy to print from my phone anywhere in the house to the printer! This, in turn, makes it easier for me to print out pictures for my Project Life scrapbook! So, hopefully I'll stay better on track this year at recording our memories!



Not everything makes it to the blog, so some of our moments and feelings aren't captured! So, having a paper "scrapbook" allows me to keep some more personal thoughts and events in a special place. Plus, with almost 20,000 pictures on Flickr it's nice to have some printed in hand!



I'm trying to make it simple and not overcomplicate the technique. I have a craft room where I can work, but sometimes I just want to be able to sit at the coffee table with Dynamo and Charlie and watch tv while I work. I love to have something to work on while I'm watching tv. This method is nice because you can make it as simple or as complex as you'd like. Go with your mood I guess!



By keeping it simple you really only need a few things. Not many embellishments or glue or markers, etc. I keep a little basket with my scissors, tape, markers, and journaling cards inside. I work from the basket. SIMPLE! Sure, all of those millions of embellishments I have are great, but sometimes you can be overwhelmed with too much and not know where to start!



And, most of the time I really don't like my own handwriting! I have always struggled with this! But, they say you should use your own handwriting because when you look back it means so much more.



I wanted to share with you a few of my pages from the end of 2013 and the start of 2014. How are you keeping track of your special moments?

Orange Blossom Soap Goodness

I've made Orange Blossom soap before, but this time decided to add a dried orange slice to each bar! It adds to the delicious fragrance and visual appeal! I also made some without the oranges!



Still just as lovely!



I still used activated charcoal and poppy seeds, but for some reason this bar is now more citrusy!



It reminds me of a sunrise!



For those of you that love citrus smells, this is for you! A wake-me-up delight!





What do you think?

Recap

Sorry I was MIA over the long holiday! I struggled with a really bad cold/sinus infection for most of the holiday, which put me out of commission for most of the time, but we did get to enjoy some lights here and there with family and friends!













And, for New Year's Eve we had a great dinner at PF Chang's together where we got our fortunes! Pretty good ones too!

Hardywood Park Singel Beer Soap

I'm telling you! Beer soap really is one of the most moisturizing bars! All of that barley and hop deliciousness along with the oats make this bar a favorite!



Don't be fooled! This bar isn't just for men! Women really love it too! The unisex fragrance is great!



And, for Valentine's Day this is the perfect gift for the beer lover in your life! Especially someone that loves local craft brews! Paired with a six pack of Hardywood Park Singel Beer, you've got yourself just the right thing for that special person in your life!



In our house the best part about making the beer soap is that we get a little extra to taste test before we make the soap!!We always put a little aside!!



We hope you'll get a chance to try this great bar!

Won't you Be My Cupcake?

I don't know about you, but I just love hearts! I love red, purple, and all of those Valentine's colors!



And, it's that time of the year! Time to be thinking about your special someone and the perfect thing for the person that has everything!



So, I made this soap, "Be My Cupcake"! It smells delicious. Just like a cupcake! And, the glycerin hearts embedded make it extra special for the upcoming holiday!



So, if you need a special something why not consider a bar of this soap or let us create a Valentine's gift basket of soaps for your sweetie!



And, for the guys on your list, consider our Hardywood Beer soap paired with a six pack of Hardywood beer! Such a great guy gift! More details on that tomorrow!!

New Year New Adventures! Please VOTE!

Happy 2014 everyone!! It's a new year and time for new adventures!



With the wonderful holidays and eating past us it's time to get back into the swing of things! We thought there was no better way to start off the new year than a bike ride at our favorite park, Pocahontas!





The air was crisp and cool and the park was full of hikers, bikers, dog walkers, runners, picnikers, etc. We knew the perfect spot to stop and snap a picture...the dam! Dynamo made "2014" from sticks...





and we tried to get a decent selfie!



Then, we submitted it to the Virginia State Parks First Day Hike Contest!



So, if you don't mind, can you click here and give us a vote?!?! Thanks so much in advance!

Now...what did you do to celebrate the new year?