A Year In The Wild Is Born

Just as the seasons change, so has the focus of this blog. You may have already noticed the new header & title. Whether you've homesteaded on a hundred acres of pristine wilderness or you've simply admired a wild dandelion in the crack of your sidewalk, we can all learn how to live more naturally, seasonally, and harmoniously from the wild. With today's hectic lifestyles, most people are out of touch with the natural world that surrounds them. It is my goal to help us all reconnect as we experience... a year in the wild together.

A Colorful Visitor

My husband just put up an old bird feeder right outside my office window, and look what just showed up? A beautiful male painted bunting, the most colorful songbird in North America! In the past few minutes I've also seen some tiny little Carolina chickadees and both male and female Northern cardinals, both of which are plentiful species here. There's nothing like a little bit of nature to break up the work day. (I know it's Sunday, but I'm here playing with some new colorants and other fun things.) Happy bird watching!

soapRISING Soaps on Sale!

All soapRISING soaps are on sale for only $5 a bar! Teach Peace. Give Me Liberty. Feed America. End the Fed. Each moisturizing 4 oz. bar is hand-stamped with the message. This is your chance to speak out!

Eye on the Prize

Look at what I won at the HSMG conference! Isn't it gorgeous? I got tons of handmade soaps, lip balms, lotions, 2 cd's, a collection of recipes, a handmade mug and more, from Monastery Scents. I guess they knew I needed to clean up my act. Thanks sister Cathleen!

Won't You Help Me Downsize DC?

I've made a pledge to recruit at least one new person to join me in an organization called DownsizeDC.org. I'm hoping you'll be that person. Membership is free. All you have to do is sign up for Downsize DC's excellent email newsletter, the Downsizer-Dispatch. Just click on this link and enter your email address. If it turns out you don't like the Downsizer-Dispatch you can un-subscribe at any time. It's that simple.

To me, this is like asking you to sponsor me in a 10k walk to cure some dreaded disease, only in this case the disease is harming our entire country. We're infected by know-it-all, busy-body, politicians who do too much, too fast, too poorly. I believe this infection is causing our government to grow cancerous. I think Downsize DC can help us to cure this disease by passing the Read the Bills Act and the One Subject at a Time Act. These bills do exactly what their names suggest.

The "Read the Bills Act" would require Congress to read every word of every law they want to impose on us, BEFORE they vote to enact it. Congress is routinely ignorant of the laws they pass, but ignorance of the law is no excuse for you, and it shouldn't be allowed for Congress either. The "One Subject at a Time Act" would prohibit Congress from passing unpopular laws by combining them with popular but completely unrelated proposals. Every law would have to be voted on as a stand alone measure, and pass or fail on its own merits. Two pretty good ideas, don't you think?

I realize you may not agree with all the stands Downsize DC takes, but unlike a political party or candidate, you can choose which Downsize DC campaigns you want to support and which ones you don't.

I think the Downsize DC strategy is a crucial part of the cure for the cancerous government created by our irresponsible politicians. It would mean a lot to me if you would help me meet my pledge to recruit at least one new member. Give Downsize DC a try. Just click on this link and enter your email address.

If you do I'd love to hear back from you here, so I'll know that I have a new ally. Thanks for your help. Together we CAN make a difference!

HSMG Conference 2010 - Denver

I can't tell you how much fun I had at the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild Conference in Palm Springs last week. Besides wining and dining with my soap buddies in a gorgeous resort hotel (see the previous 2 posts), I also learned about exporting from Lela Barker of Bella Lucce, social media from Donna Maria at IBN, and CP soap design from Kelly Bloom of Southern Soapers....and these were only a few of the excellent classes that were available. I'm talking about information overload!

If you've been wondering if this annual conference would be worth the money, I'm here to tell you .... YES it absolutely would! The 2010 Conference will be in Denver, Colorado at the Inverness Hotel and Conference Center on April 30 - May 2, 2010. So mark those calendars. Register early here... and see ya there ladies & gents!

Happy Soapers

Here's one of my bestest buds and I at the Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild conference in Palm Springs, CA. Margie's a true blue friend and I'm thankful I got to spend the week with her. After a relaxing day at her aunties lovely estate, we're headed back home to TX. I'll be glad to get there but I will never forget the good times I had with all of my totally awesome soapin' sistas and brothers. It don't get no betta than that! See y'all in Denver in 2010!

Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild Conference

I hate to rub it in...but this is the beautiful Miramonte Resort in sunny Palm Springs, CA where I'll be spending the next 5 hassle-free, fun-filled days at the international Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild conference. (Don't worry though, my slaves back home will still be filling orders & enjoying their time off from the mean old boss too!)

Glue This To That

If you're crafty like me, you probably do a fair amount of gluing. Well, someone just turned me on to this site where you can find out what glue works best for gluing to various surfaces. It's really handy. Check it out!

I mean ... where else can you learn about "glue philosophy"?