Tuesday Spotlight: Rose

Rose Soap

Well, my dear reader, it is the end of an era. Our rose-scented soap has been part of our line-up from the very beginning. Rose was one of the first soaps I created when I began this journey almost ten years ago. Rose is a traditional soap scent. You all know how I feel about traditions. In case you don't know, I love tradition. However, you have spoken, and the message is clearly stated in our sales records and production logs. You do not love rose. So, with a bit of trepidation, I inform you that this will be our rose-scented soap's last hoorah.

Once this lovely pink and white floral scented soap is sold out, it will not return. I am not saying there won't be a rose variation in our seasonal line-up, but our traditional rose-scented soap is retiring from our permanent product list. Don't despair if you are a floral lover. I already have Rose's replacement on the production roster. Many of you will be pleased to learn that I have convinced The Bibbed Wonder to bring our Honeysuckle soap on full-time. Although some of you may be disappointed, I feel most will move on and never miss Rose, out with the old and in with the new.

As a final bon voyage, Rose soap will be on sale this week. From now through January 21st, you can save 25% on rose soap. No promo code is needed to save; the savings will be applied at checkout. Our inventory is limited, and once the last bar is sold, dear old Rose will not return. Now is the perfect time to stock up on a favorite or purchase an affordable gift for a rose soap lover.

If you plan to stock up on Rose soap, please know soap never spoils; it gets better with age. The optimum conditions for storing handmade soaps are in the open air. Please don't store it in a plastic container. Soap needs to "breathe." The longer it breathes, the harder it gets. The harder it gets, the longer it lasts. You may experience a bit of scent fading after a year or so. However, the scent is so strong the fade is only mild. I have rose-scented bars that are five or so years old, which continue to smell lovely.

On this bitterly cold Tuesday, stay safe, be smart, enjoy our rose-scented soap while it lasts, and keep washing your hands.

Laughter Truly Is The Best Medicine

The Mustache

Welcome to Monday, dear reader. Sadly, it was a rather somber weekend at the farm. Just know that we are all okay and will be okay, and it is a highly unusual and private matter. Amidst the sadness, we had little moments of joy and a reprieve from the anxiety. I made The Bean and her beau the TikTok trendy Brrr baskets for Christmas. A Brrr basket is like an Easter basket but winter-related. I filled the kid's Brrr baskets with matching pajamas and slippers, hot cocoa, matching mugs, a variety of card games, jigsaw puzzles, candy, snacks, scented candles, and self-care products (Seriously, her parents make self-care products it's only fitting).

This weekend, the Brrr baskets were a welcome distraction. We broke out the snacks, made hot cocoa, and played one of the card games together as a family. The chosen card game was Truth or Dare. I am a reluctant game player. Again, I believe this is just part of my boring, introverted personality, but honestly, I would rather quietly read than play a game. I know I am not fun. My family and I were pleasantly surprised at just how much fun this new game was for everyone.

Once we mastered the rules, and it took a few rounds before we all caught on, we had a good time. I don't think it was coincidental that the most outlandish dares always involved me. I had my head wrapped in toilet paper like a mummy and a mustache drawn under my nose with a Sharpie. The Bean had to reenact a scene from her favorite television show playing all the parts, Pook-A-Dook had to go out on the porch and yell three times, "I do believe in fairies!" and my bib overall wearing wonder buns had to bust out his favorite dance moves. At one point, I laughed so hard I couldn't catch my breath. It was good for all of us to have an opportunity to shake the heaviness of the happenings and laugh together.

After we finished several rounds of our game, we felt a little lighter. Although laughter did not cure our sadness, it helped us get through a complex and emotional situation. Laughter is the best medicine. With our crew, you'd better have a good sense of humor, or you'll be in trouble. I'm generally a good sport and do an exceptional job laughing at myself. When you screw up as much as I do, it's good not to take yourself too seriously. If it gives the people I love a reason to giggle and forget about their grief for a few minutes, go ahead and wrap me in toilet paper and draw handlebar mustaches on me until your little heart is content. Of course, there is visual proof of the shenanigans that occurred.

On this chilly, grey January day, stay safe, be smart, laugh when possible, sometimes laughing is all you can do to keep from crying, and keep washing your hands.

Foodie Friday: Long Island Pot Pie

I don't know what part of the country you are in, dear reader. I can tell you that here, in Southwestern Pennsylvania, it is cold. I am not describing just a brief chill but a deep, bone-chilling cold that makes one not want to go outside unless one has to walk one's large, obnoxious dog or break through layers of ice multiple times a day for one's animals to drink. With animals, one has no choice but to bundle up and get tasks done as quickly as possible. My bib overall-wearing buddy spoils me. He has been watering my chickens, feeding my geese, and caring for the goats so I don't have to go out into the cold. The only thing he doesn't do is walk Buster. Buster does not want to venture out for too long, either. Yesterday, given the choice of going for a walk or sleeping on a pile of The Bean's dirty laundry, he chose the latter.

Weather like we have experienced the past few weeks makes me crave warm, cozy comfort food. I have forced myself to refrain from making soup no more than once a week. However, dark winter weather makes my soul crave meals from my childhood, thick, comforting stews, and the occasional spiced baked treat. Our work in the studio is on track, and we are well caught up from the holiday rush. Our girls only produce an average of three cups of milk daily. When milk production is down, so is soap and moisturizer production. I have time to work on house projects and spend rare, nonplussed time in the kitchen. Today, I think I will take advantage of that time and begin my kitchen overhaul. That will begin with painting the ceiling. Sigh, I hate to paint ceilings. If I am working on painting the kitchen, I must simplify my meals. The recipe I share today can be made in the crockpot for hands-off simplicity or in the oven. I have done both and am pleased with the results.

When I was a kid, my mom made a simple meal she called Long Island Pot Pie. I have researched and Googled this recipe and the ingredients but have come up empty-handed. I am unsure where the recipe originated. However, as a kid, it was one of my favorites. The ingredients are pantry staples: tomato sauce, carrots, ground beef, onion, diced potatoes, Worcestershire sauce, a bit of sugar, and biscuits. My mom always made Bisquick biscuits, but you could substitute them with your favorite biscuit recipe. This recipe comes together rather quickly and is warm, comforting, and filling. It is the perfect cold-weather meal. Let's get started.

Long Island Pot Pie

-1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained of fat

-4 large potatoes: I like Yukon Gold potatoes

-5-6 carrots, cleaned, peeled, and sliced into chunks

-1 large onion chopped

-2 16oz. cans of tomato sauce

-1 TBLS. Worcestershire sauce

-1 TBLS. sugar

-1 tsp. garlic powder

-salt and pepper to taste

-In a Dutch oven or large, heavy skillet, brown the ground beef and drain the fat

-Add the onion and spices, cook until the onions are translucent

-Add the tomato and Worcestershire sauce and simmer for five minutes

-Add the potatoes and carrots if using a crockpot or Dutch oven. If using a large skillet, transfer the contents to a large, heavy baking dish.

-Combine all ingredients and bake for one hour to one hour and fifteen minutes at 350 degrees.

-Combine all ingredients and cook on low for six to eight hours if using a crockpot

-When thirty minutes of cooking time remain, mix up your biscuits and bake them following your recipe's directions

-Serve the stew in bowls and top with the biscuits

-Enjoy

On this cold January day, stay safe, be smart, enjoy delicious comfort food, and wash your hands.