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Across the Fence:  Made Soap Today!  |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 04 2009 : 3:19:46 PM
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I went to the middle of nowhere (literally) to learn how to make soap today. I had to drive about 2 hours and then walk 1/2 a mile to her "house". Very primitive indeed. Way back in the woods. And my worst fear of having no bathroom came true, too! I knew I should have went before I got there. I figured I might have to go out in the woods. Well, yeah, I did. But she did have a "bathroom". It was under a tarp and even had a toilet seat! It was a composting toilet. On a bucket. Right out in the open. Like my nightmares. But everyone left to give me some privacy. Yeah!
So we got to work. She has no electricity and her kitchen is outside. She does have a propane cook stove. It was so fun. We did the base today. The soponification process. I will go back next week and we'll do the next step. She does French milling so adds the good stuff after it's cured at least 5 days.
I went to get the ingredients after I left and found all but the coconut oil. I called a friend and she said I could find it at Walmart in the pharmacy section? So I'll do that tomorrow. I really want to make the base while it's still fresh in my mind.
I am so glad I got to do this. The day was perfect and it was fun and I had a great time. Can't wait to go back next week to do the rest.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2009 : 3:25:36 PM
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Sounds like you had a wonderful adventure! Soap would be fun to make, haven't done that yet.
What scent are you going to make your soap?
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2009 : 3:34:20 PM
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I LOVE peppermint. So will probably do alot of that. Then maybe rosemary. I also love Patchoulie. So will do some of that, too. I want to make a bunch for Christmas presents, too. Ans the recipe we did today makes about 325 bars of soap. I might go ahead and make that many and sell them at the market. Or just 1/4 the recipe for now and wait til spring to make more. Or the end of winter so it can cure.
But yes, I had a blast. I love these people. I want dred locks now, too! This girl has them. I guess it's just easier the way she lives to do that. But I love dred locks. And if anything ever happens and I am by myself, I want to live with them. It was so cool. She also has all the fermented stuff going on. I could learn so much from her. I have the Kambucha but she has one she calls Jun that she makes with green tea and honey. Really good. But the best one is with a really good black tea. She also had some sour dough starter with whole wheat. Yum.
So I am anxcious to get back there. I will bring her all my guineas when I go back plus 2 bucks. We are swapping the bucks for the lessons. And she'll keep the bucks for me, too.
It was really easier than I thought. I am a visual learner so I need to see it being done. After that I'm good to go. I just need that little boost to get started.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2009 : 3:45:14 PM
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Ok. I am going to have to force myself to go to Walmart now. Darn. If that's the only place I can get it I'll have to go. I might need a push to get through the doors, though!
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Sarahpauline
True Blue Farmgirl
672 Posts
sarah
Ringgold
GA
USA
672 Posts |
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maggie14
True Blue Farmgirl
6784 Posts
Hannah
Washington
USA
6784 Posts |
Posted - Nov 04 2009 : 9:16:31 PM
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That's so neat Kristin! I took a soap making class about 4 months ago and I don't know why I have not made any yet. It was a really fun class and I was the only 14 year old with a hole bunch of, well not really old but middle aged ladies so I felt a little out of place. But it was fun and I learned a lot too. Anyway I'm going to make it when my doe has her kids so I will have enough milk. I hope your soap turns out good!
Hugs,
Channah
If you can dream it, and if you are willing to put forth the work and effort, you can have anything you envision. |
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Ga Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2355 Posts
Karen
Meansville
Ga.
USA
2355 Posts |
Posted - Nov 05 2009 : 04:31:06 AM
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Sounds fun! I love peppermint too! Kris, Im a visual person too, sont try to explain anything to me cause if I cant see you di it you might as well forget it. hehe. I have been wanting to get me some goats for a while at least 2 to start off with but, am so lost as to what kind to get becuse I am clueless about the kinds. I would love to make soap but would like it for the milk first. Oh I so wish I lived closer I could come with you and learn too! Keep us updated on the process! Blessings,Karen
Create in me a pure heart,O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalms 51:10
www.KKJD1.etsy.com
http://farmgirlingastyle.blogspot.com/ |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Nov 05 2009 : 04:45:41 AM
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Karen, you do need at least 2 does so if one gets sick or something you still have another one. When I go back next week I'll bring some goat milk I had frozen just for this purpose. I can't wait to try it all here. I am going to go today and get the coconut oil. Then I can make mine later today. It really was easier than I thought and not so scary with the lye and all that. I guess because we were outside it wasn't even smelly, which I also thought it would be. There were a few scary moments when a few of her little kids got in the sink where the lye mixture was. So we really had to watch out for things like that. She said she usually does this process after her kids have gone to bed for that reason. Very dangerous. But I have a goat I'll sell you. She's 5 years old and a great milker. Almost a gallon a day at her peak. And she's still in milk now.
Channah, I hope you are able to get some soap made. You don't have to use goat milk. Marissa said she has used canned goat milk when she didn't have any. How is your buck today? ANy better yet?
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Nov 05 2009 : 3:29:56 PM
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I just made my soap. It was a little light brown in color when I added the lye to the oils. And it took a while to trace. I could only find the light orange palm oil so I think that's why it's that color. Yesterday all her oils were white except the olive oil was green. So I will check it in 2 hours to see if it's separating or not. Wish me luck!
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Sarahpauline
True Blue Farmgirl
672 Posts
sarah
Ringgold
GA
USA
672 Posts |
Posted - Nov 05 2009 : 4:32:47 PM
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good luck!
If its an odd color when you french mill in you can always add some natural dyes to make it more appealing. :)
Not all those who wander are lost...
www.SarahPauline.com
www.AbraxasBaroque.com |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Nov 05 2009 : 4:57:07 PM
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Sarah, I really don't mind the color. It's a soft light brown. But I don't know what it will look like when I add other things to it. The goat milk might really lighten it up, too. I can't wait to get to the rest of the process. I have a few more minutes and I get to peek at it. I hate waiting. Have you made soap before?
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Ga Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2355 Posts
Karen
Meansville
Ga.
USA
2355 Posts |
Posted - Nov 06 2009 : 04:32:31 AM
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Ok Kris, Im dying to know what it looks like this am......
Right now I am too broke to try and come up your way to even get a goat, I have been going to this small town animal auction near us and looking at goats one week they go cheep the next they are high so who knows. I dont have a clue what kind to even get? What would you suggest? Should I look at ages? What all do you feed them? I mean do you give them a certain hay? or just food from the feed store. Do you drink your milk? Everyone tells me its hard to get used to. I have thousands of questions but if you could just fill me in on the basics, I would be greatful. Blessings,Karen
Create in me a pure heart,O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalms 51:10
www.KKJD1.etsy.com
http://farmgirlingastyle.blogspot.com/ |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Nov 06 2009 : 04:58:43 AM
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I checked it last night and it looked good! It was still warm. I have it wrapped up in 3 wool blankets. I just had to look again and it's all nice and solid and a lighter color. More creamy off white now. So about noon today I have to ancover it. Then I think tomorrow take it out of the box and let it cure. I'll have to read more about it. But this is so fun! I can't believe I am finally making soap! The possibilities are just endless now!
Karen, I'll e-mail you about all the goat stuff. It could get lenghty.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Mikki
True Blue Farmgirl
1510 Posts
Mikki
Austin
Indiana
USA
1510 Posts |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Nov 06 2009 : 10:08:06 AM
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I just uncovered it. It looks lighter now. There are some cracks but it looks good. Now it sits for a few days before I can handle it. It actually says not to touch it for at least 2 weeks because it's still caustic from the lye. But after 2 weeks the lye is gone. Weird.
I can't wait to actually make the real soap now.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Mikki
True Blue Farmgirl
1510 Posts
Mikki
Austin
Indiana
USA
1510 Posts |
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Across the Fence: Made Soap Today! |
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Made Soap Today!
