End of the Road Ranch

A Tale of Wood Cook Stoves and Homemade Soap

So I finally did it - I got everything together and made 2 batches of soap!  I was really quite easy, but I guess I should wait until I see the results before Ii feel too good about it. 

I used the technique and recipe from Crystal Miller at www.thefamilyhomestead.com, with a little of my own twist to it.  Here is how I did it.

The recipe is:

12 oz lard

8 oz coconut oil

6.4 oz olive oil

1.6 oz canola oil

12 oz water

4.54 oz lye

.4 oz fragrance oil

I measured out the oils and put them on low in the crock-pot to melt.  I then put the water in a stainless Steel mixing bowl and slowly added the lye, stirring until the mixture was no longer cloudy.  I then waited for the oil and the lye to both get to about 100° F.  I added the oils to the lye while mixing by hand and then switched to the immersion blender.  I added the FO at a light trace and poured into my molds at trace.  Right now they are setting in a Styrofoam cooler with a blanket over the top.  I checked them a while ago and they seem to be pretty hard. 

I'll take them out tomorrow if they feel hard to the touch. 

I made a batch of Pumpkin Spice and a batch of Apple Jack.  Tomorrow I plan to try another recipe for 5 lbs of Oatmeal Milk and Honey soap.  I plan to give these as Christmas gifts.

On another note I have had several successes and one failure in my wood cook stove.  I just made my first batch of yeast bread and it came out GREAT!!!  I have made a few pies and several batches of cornbread so far.  I totally destroyed an apple pie - the top was black and the bottom was raw - the middle wasn’t too bad .  The trick seems to be keeping the temperature even while cooking - you can't just add a bunch of wood, you have to try to keep it going steadily. 

The crew should finish the siding on the big house this week.  We painted the interior over Thanksgiving weekend with the help of family.  The hearth is going in next week and Dh will start milling the wood for the flooring and the t&g ceiling next week.  We are moving right along!

Baby Connor is getting bigger and bigger.  He is giggling a couple of time a day now and has started watching us as we move around the cabin.  He is our most smiley and social child so far.  He will smile at anyone who pays attention to him - but Mama is his favorite person in the whole world (it is so good to be a mother!).

I went shopping in town yesterday and got everyone's red shirts for Christmas photos.  I think I'll take them this Sunday, as it is the only day of the week Dh will not be working during daylight hours. 

I love family gatherings and I am getting excited that all of my siblings and 2 significant others will be here for Christmas!!!  Yeah for family!

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{ 11:46 , Wednesday, November 28, 2007 } { Posted by GrandmaRosie }

Love your enthusiasm! It is catching.
HUGS!

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{ 05:36 , Thursday, November 29, 2007 } { Posted by homesteadinthemaking }

I have just gone through your posts and have enjoyed them so much. You are living a dream life. You may not even want to move in the big house.LOL
Blessings,
Trixi

I can almost smell the soap !!

{ 08:47 , Thursday, November 29, 2007 } { Posted by Shaune }

You found the best sight, at crystal's .She has alittle bit of everything . I have used and enjoyed everything that I have tried from her. I love the pics of you cabin . And the mountian scene ,man......... I would never need to go on vacation .You are already there !! Nice views .Are u building a larger Cabin Home ? Happy Fall to you and your family ,Shaune