Soapsmith's Blog

Soapsmith's Blog
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Monoi de Tahiti Oil

Published: 11-09-2011 02:02pm
Hello friends, Monoi de Tahiti Tiare Oil   The alluring coral atolls of the Pacific Ocean offers a wonderful traditional beauty product called Monoi de Tahiti Oil.  This natural oil is made by soaking gardenia blossoms, which are known as Tiare flowers, in pure tropical coconut oil.Monoi is an ancient Tahitian word meaning scented oil. Monoi is a long-established cosmetic item for the Tahitian people. The beautiful Tahitian women, known as Vahines, use Monoi de Tahiti daily to hydrate and protect their skin and to condition their hair.        Modern tests and analysis validate the traditional uses for Monoi. It h... » Read More

Halushki Polish Cabbage and Noodles

Published: 11-09-2011 02:02pm
Posted In: Recipes
Hello friends, Polish halushki or haluski is a simple delicious traditional dish.. I serve this every year at our Christmas Eve Polish Dinner. I will share my recipe for homemade haluski but it can be made easily with any purchased pasta - egg noodles, bow tie, egg farvel or what ever shape you choose.Of course, the made from scratch dumpling like pasta is the best but it is still good with the short cuts. Ingredients: 3 eggs5 tablespoons milk2 cups of flour plus enough to stiffen1 teaspoon salt1 head green cabbage1 to two sticks of butterone medium yellow onionsalt and pepper  Using a fork, slowly pull the flour into t... » Read More

Cherry Pit Heat Therapy Pads

Published: 11-09-2011 02:02pm
Posted In: Soapsmith's Product Information
Hello friends,    Soapsmith's All Natural Cherry Pit Heat Therapy Wraps These cherry stone therapy wraps are a marvelous comfort item.  For centuries, distillery workers in Switzerland would hang bags of cherry pits on the factory stoves.  During the long work day, the pits would heat up.  The workers understood the heat retaining properties of the cherry stones.  They would carry them home, using them to ease the sore muscles, shoulders and backs that came from their hard labors.  I have been offering these to my customers for over a decade.   Dried cherry pits are a superior filler for heat packs.... » Read More

How to make a lavender wand

Published: 11-09-2011 02:02pm
Posted In: Soapsmith's Product Information
Hello friends,   “The blue hues of lavender inspire a poet’s voice, an artist’s hand and a gardener’s eye…”        It is lavender time.  This beloved herb abounds in my garden, its sweet, spicy, herbal aroma wafting through the air.  Lavender invites the honey bees to partake of its nectar and begs to be harvested. During the Victorian time,  young girls and ladies of the house would sit in their elegant parlors in late spring and fashion ribbon and fresh lavender stems from their herb gardens into wands to freshen the linens and closets. If you have access ... » Read More

Phlox in Bloom

Published: 11-09-2011 02:01pm
Posted In: Soapsmith's Garden Journal
Hello friends, We finally have a break in the rainy weather with a glorious sunny May day in Pennsylvania. The native phlox are in full bloom in the woodlands surrounding my home. I recall fishing with my Dad as a child.  I would pick huge boquets to carry home to my Mom. She would show me how to pluck off a blossom and taste the nectar, so sweet. The back pond at the farm on White Bridge along the banks of the Juniata river abounds with spring splendor with wild flowers, turtles and frogs galore. The waterfowl consider the farm, its ponds and rivers home.  The place is teeming with families of ducks and geese. ... » Read More

Happy Easter!

Published: 11-09-2011 02:01pm
Posted In: Holidays
Hello friends, The powerful Easter Vigil celebration begins with our congregation gathered in total darkness. After the blessing of the new fire outside the church, the single Paschal Candle flame is carried into the church.  Each congregate lights their baptismal taper from this single flame, dividing it but not dimming the light as it is ever growing in brillance. In the gentle glow of the candlelight, the beautifully sung Exsultet announces the victory of the Light of Christ over the darkness of sin and death.   Light of Christ/Exsultet The light of Christ surrounds us, the love of Christ enfolds us, the pow... » Read More

Old Fashioned Black Drawing Salve

Published: 11-09-2011 02:01pm
Posted In: Soapsmith's Product Information
Hello friends, Black drawing salve is a traditional old time country product.  I have formulated this item based recipes found in centuries old historical documents combined with Pennsylvania Dutch herbs . The main ingredients are locally harvested Amish bee's wax, olive and jojoba oils infused with traditional herbs along with a little pine tar, activated charcoal, Vit E. and kaolin clay. A classic use is to apply the salve to splinters, the moisture aids the skin and impacts the splinter to aid in easier removal. Comfrey Root is a useful and valuable herb. Traditional herbalists apply ... » Read More

Happy Independence Day!

Published: 11-09-2011 02:01pm
Posted In: Holidays
Hello Friends, Happy Fourth of July to all!  I wish all of you a joyous celebration of our freedom.  As you gather this weekend, take time to honor those who serve to safeguard our liberty and ideals, they deserve great respect. Once again as tradition warrants, my family and friends will gather at my home to break bread surrounded by my gardens that are in full splendor and glory of the summer. On the menu: Grilled lemon herbed chicken Barbeque baby back ribs Burgers and hot dogs Grilled rosemary fingerling yukon gold potato kabobs Grilled corn on the cob G... » Read More

Garden of Herbs

Published: 11-09-2011 02:00pm
Posted In: Soapsmith's Garden Journal
Hello friends, The Herb Woman (author unknown) She harvests yards and countryside And hangs the dried snippets tied or braided, their aromas reeling from the rafters of her ceiling - Fennel, bergamot and yarrow Plucked to song of thrush or sparrow, Coriander, mustard, squill Bay and basil, anise and dill, Catnip, sage and elderflowers. Blessed in potent thunder showers, Witch hazel leaves and cherry bark Frilled with snows of winter's dark. So she listens - gives advice Dispensing freely - herbs and spice My garden is abundant with herbal delights.  I grow culinary herbs as well as medicinal herbs.  I utilize m... » Read More

Old World Beeswax Ornaments

Published: 11-09-2011 01:59pm
Posted In: Soapsmith's Product Information
Hello friends,      The tradition of casting pure beeswax into holiday treasures has been handed down through the generations. My Allegheny Hearth Beeswax Ornaments and Figurines are hand cast in reproduction antique molds using golden fragrant natural beeswax from local beekeepers.  Your holiday decor will be beautifully enhanced with these adornments.        German chocolatiers and bakers took great pride in their artistry and workmanship creating intricately hand carved molds. To attract the buying public they wanted to display their chocolate creations in store windows but the sun was too hot and melted the co... » Read More

Pennsylvania Sweet Corn

Published: 11-09-2011 01:57pm
Posted In: Recipes
Hello Friends,   Oh yes, fresh Pennsylvania butter and sugar sweet corn, the summer delight is ready for harvest.  There is nothing like this mid summer treat.  Farmers and gardeners set up their roadside stands, selling their wares from the farm trucks. The Amish country side is dotted with farm stands brimming with fresh vegetables. This great antique Massey Ferguson tractor is still a workhorse on Tom's White Bridge Farm. This morning, my son went out to his buddy's farm, Baker's Farm in Hollidaysburg, and picked the corn direct from the field.  You can't get any fresher. ... » Read More

Snow Dogs

Published: 11-09-2011 01:57pm
Posted In: The dogs
  Hello Friends,   Snow, Snow & more snow.  We had 24 plus inches this past Saturday, 8 more inches today and it is still snowing.  We are expecting 30 MPH winds to help blow the lane shut.  My son plowed the road at 4 AM and when I went to work at 7:30 the drifts were as high as the top of the fender on my car.  Even with 4 wheel drive, I had trouble making the hill.          Snow on the front deck, close to the house, even deeper further out.   At least the dogs love it.  I can't keep them inside.   This is Cocoa, Dale and Cammie enjoyi... » Read More

Early Autumn Garden Journal

Published: 11-09-2011 01:57pm
Posted In: Soapsmith's Garden Journal
Hello friends, The garden is transitioning into autumn splendor. This sugar maple is resplendent in crimson, russet and oranges. The mums and asters are showing their colors while the impatiens are still in full bloom, I hate to see them go.  The nights are getting cooler so it won't be long until I lose them. The mums will last through November into Thanksgiving.   The burning bush live up to their moniker and the holly sets their berries preparing for holiday decorating. Enjoy the glories of the season! Thanks for visiting, Bonnie ... » Read More

Soapsmith's Promise of Spring Garden

Published: 11-09-2011 01:56pm
Posted In: Soapsmith's Garden Journal
Hello friends,     Today's post will feature the promise of spring in my budding garden.  It is so thrilling to watch the early beauties forcing their way through the once snow covered ground.  So fresh, so lovely.       I want to share my garden with you! Heirloom lilacs permeate the air with their enticing bouquet.  When I open the bay windows to the great room, their fragrance fills the house with delight. The spring flowering bulbs and perennials are always a welcome harbinger of the coming season.  Daffodils, my grandmother's favorite pansies, bleeding heart and naturalized violets. ... » Read More

Sun Pickles

Published: 11-09-2011 01:55pm
Posted In: Recipes
Hello Friends, The vegetable garden is in full production mode. Look at what I harvested this morning! Today I would like to share with you a simple recipe for delicious, crispy, dill pickles made with solar power.  This is a great fun project to do with the children. The containers are filled with an abundance of pickling cukes and fragrant dill from my herb garden.  The pungent aroma of the dill fills the air in the afternoon sun.   Soapsmith's Sun Pickles   Makes 1 gallon. You can use pints, quarts etc.   Wash jars well with hot soapy water, rinse with hot water ... » Read More

Soapsmith's Garden Journal July

Published: 11-09-2011 01:55pm
Posted In: Soapsmith's Garden Journal
Hello friends, July, time for the summer flowers to bring their glory in a spectacular show.  A new addition in this year's front garden is the flame daisy perennial.  It certainly is bright and shows a lot of promise.  We will see how it winters through the cold Pennsylvania winter. Endless Summer Hydrangea in its second year is a pretty little accent near the lower front deck. The floral themed containers are at their peak with annuals and herbs. Million Bells, fire zinnias, laguna, super bells, verbena and marguerites Geraniums, wave petunias, super and million bells,... » Read More
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