Farmhouse Fresh SoapI've been making soap here in the farmhouse kitchen for a very few months now, and it has just been piling up in the basement!
(most everyone on my Christmas list is getting some!)
I gave a few as gifts today along with a handmade washcloth/dishrag and the girls were so excited!
I explained that I don't have a real system per se, so the soap is cut in rustic chunks, not shaped all neat and pretty.
They LIKED them that way and thought that was part of the "charm"!
Who knew???
One of the gals liked it so much she placed an order....
MY 1st ORDER!!!
For 8 bars!!!
Whoo-hoo!
So, there they all are, sitting pretty in a basket, getting shipped out in the morning!
Peppermint Bark CandyThis stuff retails at $30 per # at Williams Sonoma.
Geez-Louize, who can afford that?
And, even if I could, I wouldn't do it, cause I can make it so much better myself!
And, YOU can too!
I found a recipe a couple of years ago and finally got around to tryin' it this morning.
I promise you, it's easy-peasy!
Peppermint Bark Candy
16 oz. bittersweet or dark chocolate
16 oz. white chocolate
4-6 candy canes, crushed coarsely
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
Line a cookie sheet with foil
Carefully melt dark chocolate in microwave, stirring often
OR
melt in the top portion of a double boiler
Add peppermint extract to dark chocolate after it has melted
Let cool a few minutes in bowl
Pour into foil lined pan, spreading carefully with an offset spatula (or whatever you have)
Set in fridge to get cold, 20-30 min.
Melt white chocolate (microwave or double boiler)
After dark chocolate is {{{cold}}} to the touch, pour the white chocolate over it, spreading carefully.
Quick, before it starts to set up, sprinkle crushed peppermint over the white chocolate.
Refrigerate till very cold, then break in pieces.
You may freeze, or keep in fridge till ready to serve.
16 oz. bittersweet or dark chocolate
16 oz. white chocolate
4-6 candy canes, crushed coarsely
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
Line a cookie sheet with foil
Carefully melt dark chocolate in microwave, stirring often
OR
melt in the top portion of a double boiler
Add peppermint extract to dark chocolate after it has melted
Let cool a few minutes in bowl
Pour into foil lined pan, spreading carefully with an offset spatula (or whatever you have)
Set in fridge to get cold, 20-30 min.
Melt white chocolate (microwave or double boiler)
After dark chocolate is {{{cold}}} to the touch, pour the white chocolate over it, spreading carefully.
Quick, before it starts to set up, sprinkle crushed peppermint over the white chocolate.
Refrigerate till very cold, then break in pieces.
You may freeze, or keep in fridge till ready to serve.
How easy is THAT???
What's next for this farmgirl?
I'm knitting my very 1st hat!
Most all of my knitting has been the easy-peasy variety and this hat is no exception.
I'll post photos and "how-to's" real soon.
Meanwhile, I've got lots of housework to do, as we are having very special guests arriving this Sunday.
Our daughter Giselle, her husband Jon, and our darling grandbaby Trena are flying in from Montana for Christmas!
I can hardly wait to get my hands on that baby and love on her.
Haven't seen them since the 1st of July so we have a lot of catchin' up lovin' to do.
We'll talk real soon, tho...
xoxo,
Cindy
What's next for this farmgirl?
I'm knitting my very 1st hat!
Most all of my knitting has been the easy-peasy variety and this hat is no exception.
I'll post photos and "how-to's" real soon.
Meanwhile, I've got lots of housework to do, as we are having very special guests arriving this Sunday.
Our daughter Giselle, her husband Jon, and our darling grandbaby Trena are flying in from Montana for Christmas!
I can hardly wait to get my hands on that baby and love on her.
Haven't seen them since the 1st of July so we have a lot of catchin' up lovin' to do.
We'll talk real soon, tho...
xoxo,
Cindy
26 comments:
I really need to quit putting off making soap!!! Congrats on selling some. Have a wonderful time with your family and happy holidays!
Living it up at Lakewood,
Cindy
Cyn,
I really want to learn how to make soap. To think you were worried about it!
Can't wait to try your peppermint bark it looks so good.
vickie
I love the primitive look of your soap. Bet it smells great too,
Have fun with that baby!
donna.case@comcast.net
Have you thought about teaching a class on how to make soap? Or better yet (since I have more than enough projects on my hands) selling them?
Hi..and thank you for your visit to my blog. THAT is the cutest picture of in your header. Just darling! Your candy sounds wonderfully easy to make and looks delicious. Are you selling it? Is it expensive?
A neighbor lady near me makes soap too and says it is easy. I use it and it's wonderful! You are right, it's not pretty to look at I suppose but it smells wonderful. I used a tiny sliver for forever (a sample)..and am now starting on a large bar.
My goodness you are a busy bee! :)
I love, love, love your soap!!! It is so pretty!! I wish that I could relax enough to have rustic soap. I'm too much a perfectionist. Congrats on your first order. Did you soap the Amazing Style fragrance yet??
Hugs,
Kay
p.s. I also want to thank you for following my blog. I hope I don't disappoint. You already know I mess up now and then..more now..but I'm honest. Does that count? :)
Thanks so much, Cyn. :)
Mona
I had to brag about your soap on my blog. http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com/
I love the rustic look of your soaps. Reminds me of making soap with my Grandmother. Of course, hers was lye soap and strictly for washing clothes in the old wringer washer. Yours are really very pretty. So tickled about your first order. And I totally agree with another commenter that you should think about offering classes -- you are so talented and from what I've seen, you tackle just about anything. And very well. :)
Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas with your sweet family. Those grandbabies are just about THE best thing the LORD ever made, huh???
Gwyn Rosser
www.gwynrosser.blogspot.com
The Pink Tractor
I love the rustic look of your soaps. Reminds me of making soap with my Grandmother. Of course, hers was lye soap and strictly for washing clothes in the old wringer washer. Yours are really very pretty. So tickled about your first order. And I totally agree with another commenter that you should think about offering classes -- you are so talented and from what I've seen, you tackle just about anything. And very well. :)
Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas with your sweet family. Those grandbabies are just about THE best thing the LORD ever made, huh???
Gwyn Rosser
www.gwynrosser.blogspot.com
The Pink Tractor
My mom and I were just saying the other day, that "we need to make soap again"!
In the spring, we're going to try a batch with our goat milk...:)
Have fun with your precious grandbaby - how old is she?
Merry CHRISTmas,
Jenna
p.s. I love your soap and dishcloth idea for gifts...nice!!
I love the way your soap looks. I have wanted to try and make soap, just need to do it:o) Need to find out where to get the supplies in my area. Congratulations on your first order, exciting!
Have fun with your family for Christmas, grandchildren are sooooo precious.
Jenna's right, time for more soap. And surprise of all surprises, I think I have the ingredients for peppermint bark! True confessions, though, I would LOVE to have a giant gift certificate to Williams-Sonoma!!!!!!
Blessings,
Kathy
Your soaps look amazing! I am all about the natural looks anyway! If ai wanted refined soaps i would buy bar soap from walmart! i too want to learn how to make soap and have bben putting it off for about two years now. I have dairy goats and want to make goats milk soap. So with babies on the way and extra milk I might just take up the craft of making soap. You should do a give a way and let us try out your soaps! I am visiting from a friends blog and will add you to my follows. Stop by and visit me as well. I really like reading about whats going on in your neck of the woods!
Homemade soap is absolutely awesome! What a great gift. The peppermint bark awesome too! Thanks for sharing.
Really, Cyn, is there anything you DON'T do?
We're soapers too. I like to cut my soap chunky and misshappen. Just seems to be what homemade soap is supposed to be. Your soap looks wonderful....I read the tag - Lavender Oatmeal - Oh, that sounds wonderful :)
CHRISTmas Blessings!
Gail
Hi Cindy ~
Your soap does look charming and I think the same as your friends...no need for it to be cut perfectly...it is more "homemade" looking and "country" that way! :)
I wish I was on your list! :)
Have a blessed CHRISTmas!
Love,
Camille
I've been a good girl~~
will u still be my friend when you're famous ...well you almost are NOW
I adore that chocolate bark! I made a LOT of it one year and gave it out as gifts. It was so much easier than baking and icing cookies!
That is how I always cut my soap for a small country store and it was a good seller.
I do love your posts. Over the holidays I'm going to try some soap making too. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family.
Blessings Gail
Handmade soap! I ordered 12 lbs of goats milk soap seconds from a nice lady in PA. I just love homemade soap... It's so creamy. Nothing compares~
It's awesome that you're making your own!
Thanks for sharing the peppermint bark recipe! Looks easy and F*U*N!
Keeping Christmas in our Hearts~
Maria
Way to go! You conquered your fears and now soap making has become a part of your routine. We shall never grow old you and I for we constantly are embarking upon a new adventure keeping us young.
I read about it some days ago in another blog and the main things that you mention here are very similar
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