Another Treasury

Yay, my Night Blooming Jasmine soap is in a treasury, right here.

Twenty years ago on Halloween it was a snowy, bitter cold day at Virginia Tech. The most horrifying thing about the day was defending my doctoral dissertation. There isn't a ghost or ghoul around that's any scarier than that!

Vicky is coming home again this weekend. We're very happy!

New A/C

Wouldn't you know it? After our central air conditioner died last week, we spent a very toasty weekend sweating our tushies off until the new one could be installed. So yesterday we got our new a/c, to the tune of nearly $6,000. And guess what? This morning it was a "frosty" 50 degrees here, our first really cool weather of the fall. I've been in a sweatshirt all day!

I'm in a treasury over on Etsy today. Go here to give it some love!

Today I realized I have something like 38 different kinds of soap in my shop. That's waaaay too many. I have to start reigning in the variety. I got a lot of new stuff for the holidays, like Gingersnap and Pumpkin Spice and Cranberry Orange Marmalade. Plus I couldn't pass up Bay Rum, Bayberry Spice and Tanzanian Clove (to die for). Fragrance oil descriptions are my undoing. I want them all.

We got our early votes in. Every time I go by the library, there's a long line, hundreds of people, showing up to vote early. The papers say there's never been so many early voters in our county. Today I was proud to walk Vicky through the mailing in of her first real vote, her absentee ballot for the presidential race. Geoff's turn next year!

I have to make a big batch of lip balm tonight. I've got some new butters to try out and pretty lip balm tubes with aqua caps that look so nice with my sea sprite labels.

I'm crocheting a special goodie for my auntie, who lives in England now. It's turning out so pretty. I wish I could show you but she might read this, so I can't. But I think she'll love it. It's purple.

Visiting USF

We drove up to USF in Tampa this past weekend to visit Vicky. Geoff wanted to see the campus because he's thinking of applying there too. We hauled up a mini-fridge that fits under Vicky's bed. She's so happy to be able to keep milk and cereal in her room now, and can have cold water and tea in there. Even with a meal plan, sometimes it's hard for her to find something she likes to eat, or to get there before they close. This way she has some stuff she can eat right in her room. Her roommate has a small microwave, so they're all set.

It made me happy to see her room all decorated and neat and tidy. Here's some photos I took of her and Geoff.

We're pretty excited and keeping the phone line free tonight. My husband's granddaughter is in the hospital having her first baby. I can't wait to meet little Sofia Victoria!

I have a couple of new soaps in my shop including Bay Rum and Gingersnap. They smell divine. :D

Plumberry Spice Soap

All my fall soapmaking efforts are finally showing up in my shop. My new one today is Plumberry Spice, and it smells unbelievably spicy and sweet and wonderful!

Vicky is coming home from USF this afternoon to spend the weekend. I am so excited! She says she misses home cooking so much, so I'm going to be knocking myself out to make things she likes a lot. Tonight: Baked ziti with homemade bread, and tomorrow I'm making meat loaf and real mashed potatoes.

Autumn Leaves Handmade Soap

My pretty "fall leaves" confetti soap, Autumn Leaves, is finally ready to go! I can't even describe how wonderful this fragrance is, a combination of Oranges, Cloves, Cinammon and other warm, hearty spices. It's also available here in my Etsy shop.

I can hardly believe it, but it's already time for my son, Geoff, to begin applying to colleges. I want to get him to USF (next weekend), UCF and FGCU for sure. He has a Bright Futures scholarship that will pay 75% of his tuition to any Florida public college, so we'd prefer for him to stay in the state. He isn't in a big rush to get out of here, thankfully.

Iced Gingerbread Handmade Soap

Mmmm...just added to my shop, Iced Gingerbread handmade soap! Smells like spicy, warm gingerbread cookies with creamy icing! This smells so good and has the richest, creamiest lather. It's also available here, in my Sea Sprite Soaps shop. :D

Cranberry Orange Marmalade Soap

New in my shop today, Cranberry Orange Marmalade handmade soap. I know this is immodest, but it smells so freaking good, it's unbelievable! In the US, you can buy one now right here, price includes shipping.

If you've ever wanted to learn how to make cold process soap, but are concerned about where to get the ingredients and good instructions, I'm happy to say that Essential Herbal is going to have an online class that includes the ingredients you need to make a 2 lb. batch of handmade soap. I subscribe to their magazine, The Essential Herbal, and it's a fantastic read.

I'm going to have a custom soap stamp made soon. I have to come up with a simple, evocative design that has enough lines in it to make a good strong impression, but not too many lines that makes it impossible to see what it is. I'm thinking a nice mermaid's tail with flowing lines would be good for my Sea Sprite Soaps.

I'm getting pretty excited about the impending birth of my husband's granddaughter's new baby, due the end of this month. Her name will be Sofia Victoria, which we think is such a beautiful name! I love it that her middle name is the same as our daughter's name. Ah, babies. They remind us that life goes on and all of the promise life holds for us.

Sugared Walnut Soap

I don't know why I stopped making Sugared Walnut last winter, but I just figured it had its season and that season was over. I'm really happy I made some more because I think this soap smells fantastic! You can't go wrong with this sweet and woodsy blend of Blood Orange, Asian Mandarin, Brown Sugar, Roasted Walnut, Hazelnut Coffee, Black Anise Seed, Patchouli and Madagascar Vanilla.

Our Vicky hasn't been home now for almost two weeks. I find myself really longing for her. It is what you do as a parent, you try to raise your children to be strong and independent. What a shock it turns out to be that it works! I feel kind of like I lost my job. It's a bittersweet feeling, being successful at helping your children learn to function without you.