Thank You

I would like to make today's blog post a thank-you note, dear reader. You all have taken what began as an idea, a dream, if you will, and turned it into a reality. The reality you have created allows me to do something I love in a place I love, with the people and animals I love. It truly is a gift that I am so grateful to receive. Without my goats and your support, this would not be possible. So, thank you for that.

I also want to thank you for your openness and willingness to jump on board with all my ideas. We created a small, single batch of our new Miracle Milk Face Balm. Fifty jars to see how our soap family would receive it, and you all gave a resounding positive response. We sold all fifty jars in less than a week. That, dear reader, is a record response for our little farm-based company. The majority of the jars were sold in the first forty-eight hours. So, thank you for that, as well.

I am so grateful that many of you have taken the time to give us positive and constructive feedback. The positivity has been overwhelming. I often joke that even a blind squirrel finds a nut, but the truth is that we work hard and diligently to create not just good products but excellent products. My attitude is that you can go to any big box store, make-up counter, or drug store and purchase mediocre products. Products that contain fillers, "garbage," and only a minute amount of beneficial ingredients. I do not want to add to the cacophony of lies and misrepresentation. If I can't create something of excellence, I don't want to put it out there. We are not formulators or chemists. Much of what we do is based on research and good old trial and error. Sometimes, it works out well; other times, not so much. However, our soap family encourages us to continue to create. Thank you for the encouragement.

I am the company's guinea pig. I am passionate about creating cruelty-free, better-for-the-environment products, and I am also its sharpest critic. If I do not feel passionate about a product or project, if I try something and say, "It's okay, but we can do better," I return to the drawing board. My daughter calls me an OCD perfectionist, usually with annoyance. However, I believe it should indeed be better if it can be better. There isn't any "Meh, it's okay. Let's put it out there." I appreciate your patience with my "pain in the ass perfectionist behavior."

I continue to feel inspired, motivated, and excited about the new year. I believe it will be filled with many positive things, such as growth, new products, and ideas that become reality. You are the reason I feel this positivity. Thank you all for your positive energy, prayers, good ju-ju, whatever you may call it. I appreciate you and all you do for us. We could not do this without your support. If I ever get cocky and feel I am the driving force behind any of this, it will be time to hang it up and move on. You, my soap family, make what we do worthwhile. So, thank you for that as well.

We often use the phrase "We appreciate you." It's a simple phrase. However, truer words were never spoken. We really do appreciate you. We recognize that we could not do this without you. We know you choose us from an endless sea of soap makers, manufacturers, and brands. We aren't the biggest, the most flashy, or the most charismatic. However, we strive to be the best at what we do. We work hard to create exceptional products. But most of all, we care. Our soap family is our number one priority. Thank you for making us a priority in your world.

On this blustery January day, stay safe, be smart, know that we appreciate you—thank you is not enough—and keep washing your hands.

Tuesday Spotlight: Manly Man

Click to Save On Manly Man

Welcome to a very blustery Tuesday, dear reader. Today's spotlight is on the manliest scent we offer. This week's special will make you smile if you love warm musk, amber, and sandalwood. Although the scent is categorized as masculine, it is for anyone who loves a warm, glowing, earthy scent. I have several women soap family members who enjoy the smell and use it despite its very masculine name, but after all, a name is just a name.

To create this soap, we begin with our original soap recipe and add activated charcoal and aloe vera juice. These additions help remove impurities from the skin and offer another layer of moisturizer. The bar is cleansing, moisturizing, and pure luxury because even the manliest of men need to take good care of their skin. Regardless of your masculinity, practicing good hygiene, removing chemical-laden products from your personal care routine, and making an effort to practice a bit of self-care is essential.

This week, Manly Man is on special exclusively on the website. No promo code is needed to save; the savings will be applied at checkout. It is an excellent opportunity to stock up on a favorite, try something new, or purchase an affordable gift for someone you care about. Don't forget, Valentine's Day is coming up. Give a gift you can both enjoy. I know; I find The Bibbed Wonder more pleasant to be around when he smells good.

On this very blustery January Tuesday, stay safe, be smart, enjoy the savings, make an effort to care for yourself and your well-being, even if you are very manly, and keep washing your hands.

If You Give A Soaper A Paintbrush

Welcome to Monday, dear reader. The Bibbed Wonder and I spent the weekend working on the soap studio. As is often the case, what begins as a simple refresh project snowballs into a bigger project. Perhaps you've read the children's book If You Give A Mouse A Cookie. Our soap studio project is similar to that. Please insert a dramatic sigh here.

I took on the task of painting the walls in the studio. I was supposed to paint only the small areas of raw cement block that were overlooked thirty years ago when my dad had the garage painted. With my little OCD/ADHD brain firing on all cylinders, I made the executive decision to paint ALL the walls. I knew that looking at fresh white paint in some areas and thirty-year-old paint in other areas would fry my little OCD brain like burnt, crispy, crumbly bacon. When my darling husband picked up The Bean from play practice, took her out to lunch, and then dropped her off at GramBarb's house for the weekend, I began my painting extravaganza. I assumed my darling nay-sayer would shut down painting all the walls, so I resorted to a sneak attack.

After first painting all the designated areas in the project, because my little brain figures he can't yell too badly if I do what I'm supposed to do first...nobody has ever accused me of being mature or rational...I moved on to painting the walls. The painting went surprisingly well and fast. I mean, I wore a lot of paint, got a bit in my hair, and only stepped in the roller tray once, leaving incriminating footprints everywhere, but it went quickly. By the time he returned from his outing with The Bean, I was working on coat number two.

Much to my surprise, he readily accepted my announcement that I had decided to paint all the walls. He didn't even flinch or twitch when I made my announcement. I think he needs to see a doctor. He has been uncharacteristically compliant and accepting. As I finished the second coat of paint, he filled the cracks in the cement floor. I wanted to fill the cracks in the cement floor, but he took over that very satisfying-looking task. We finished our projects right around 5:30 and were pleased with our progress. We both fell into bed exhausted, stiff, and aching.

Yesterday, The Bibbed Wonder began painting the floor. It is a one-person job because we have had to move every piece of furniture and equipment to a tiny section of the studio and work in small sections of the floor. Although I love a good improvement project, I needed to do some much-needed cleaning and laundry. So, my bib overall-wearing buddy completed coat number one. Last night, after having dinner with GB, I looked at the studio and Eric's handy work. I could not believe the difference one coat of paint on the floor had made. Everything looks brighter, fresher, and cleaner. Today, he will work in small sections to add the second coat and sprinkle the anti-skid chips.

The new, fresh look inspires me to give everything a thorough, deep clean, throw away things we aren't using, and reconfigure our space to be more efficient. The Bibbed Wonder is a creature of habit, and I believe I will feel some pushback from changing his system. However, it is all in the name of progress. Again, it's a bit like giving a mouse a cookie. Give a soaper a paintbrush, and then she's going to want a new floor, new floor mats, new anti-fatigue mats, cute curtains, a coffee bar, new stainless steel tables, a mixing stand with an arm to hold the mixer, a pot lifter, an industrial dishwasher, pegboard to hold her packing tape, and industrial stools to sit upon, all because she went rogue and painted the walls. Don't worry, dear reader; I will have The Bibbed Wonder twitching in no time. Insert a giggle and wink.

On this rare sunny January day, stay safe, be smart, embrace progress, don't be afraid to jump in and get rid of acquired useless junk, improve your system, make it a goal to give those around you a mental breakdown, only giggle about it in private and keep washing your hands.