A Major Deposit

We had a bumper crop of plump, juicy prickly pears this year...

as evidenced by this large deposit along the path to the soap shop.

Eewwww... but thank goodness it was odorless!

coyote, wild hog, possum or coon???

Cork Balls or Oak Galls?

Lately I've been finding these curious little balls on the ground during my morning walks. They're extremely light, they look like cork, and they even float in water...but they're not made of cork at all.   They're oak galls, caused by wasps depositing their eggs in the tree which reacts by forming tissue around the eggs, and then the insect's larvae develop inside the gall and feed on the gall tissue.  Eventually the insects escape leaving the galls behind.  

Oak galls contain large amounts of tannic acid, which was traditionally used for making iron gall ink and for dying cloth.  Tannic acid has strong anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and astringent properties and has a protective effect on the skin.  Externally, tannic acid has been used to treat sunburn, ulcers, toothache, and wounds.  It also tightens skin causing an anti wrinkle effect and can be found in expensive facial creams and night serums.

Oak galls contain gallic acid as well, a potent antioxidant that has come into the limelight as a natural whitening substance in the cosmetics industry. Gallic acid removes melanin generated by UV rays. It also detoxifies harmful heavy metals and helps heal wounds.

Considering all the beneficial effects these natural little wonders have (along with the oak bark itself), I have an idea for a Mighty Oak Soap mulling around in my head.  Would anybody be interested in trying it?

 

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Jory & Jackie's Hacienda is a-Happenin': 1st Story!

 

It's hard to keep your mind on soapmaking when you've got this whole construction thing going on in your backyard...but Jory handles both tasks beautifully.  Target date for having his dream home "dried in" is 12/31/10.  You go dude!

Have You SeenThis Milkweed?

Nope, it's not a spiny okra...or an old fairy with a beard!  I finally learned from Mr. Smarty Plants at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center that this is Matelea reticulata....aka the Pearl Milkweed Vine. It's one of those native plants that we don't see much here, but I guess it showed up this year with the overabundance of rain and all.  The long silky hairs of the opened seed pod glistening in the sun immediately caught my eye as I was passing from our house to the soap shop.   I haven't found any information on medicinal or useful properties... yet ....but something this beautiful should be shared, don't you think?
 

We're Featured in the Barking Section!

 

Our Woof Wild Natural Dog Shampoo Bar & Gift Set are spotlighted in the current issue of BellaDOG magaazine.  The perfect little gift for every dog owner.  Doggie tested.  Doggie approved.

Back to School Giveaway - FREE Body Balm!

Have you heard?  We're giving away 73 (yes 73) unlabeled shea butter body balms ($10 value!) to the next 73 people who place ANY order on our website. Why 73?  Because that's the year I graduated high school and I'm feeling nostalgic.  Now you know how old I am, but who cares?  You're as young as you feel and I feel great! 

This is our biggest giveaway ever, and you can take advantage of it right now.  No minimum order.  No code.  No nothing.  Just place your order online and reap your reward!  Our all natural body balms can be used on skin, lips, hair....everywhere.  Just the thing for the upcoming crisp fall air.  Our shopping cart won't add your free all natural body balm, but don't worry, the humans will. 

Psst...don't forget, this is on top of the FREE bar that comes with every $30 order and the 75FREE shipping code you can use on retail orders of $75 or more!  What's not to like about FREE?   Oui?