Soapmaking On Leegacy Farm

We've been reading about how in pioneer days a family could make a years worth of soap from a barrel of ashes and about twelve pounds of fat from their hogs.  And of how a new family might be welcomed to the neighborhood with a jug of this soft soap since they wouldn't have the needed ingredients for making their own until they had pigs to slaughter. 

 

While we have been saving the fat from our pigs, we haven't used it (yet) for making our soap.  Someday!  And while we haven't learned to make lye from ashes, we'd sure love to learn.  Someday!   But my daughters have been saving batches of the goat's milk in preparation for making milk soaps.  For us, the milk soap was a bit trickier and the first batch didn't turn out right.  But we were very pleased with the following batches and are very glad to be able to put the milk to good use!

The coffee soap is really good for exfoliating the skin and cleaning one's hands.  And we especially like it because it can be used very soon after making.

Chocolate swirl turned out great and I had to remind the younger ones and myself that it's NOT for eating.:)

The soaps include essential oils and the one above has a citrus smell that we all really like.

Along with making soaps, there has been a flurry of activity around the farm as we are preparing to participate in a local Arts and Ag Farm Tour.

The whole family - from the oldest to the youngest - are busily making things for our little farm store and getting the fencing repaired and the property cleaned up and ready for the farm day.

It's kept us extra busy, but it's always good to have a deadline, of sorts, for getting things done.  We're learning that there's much to do in getting a *working* farm up and going.  And while we're new at this and sometimes feel like *greenhorns*, we're very thankful for the opportunities we're given, and we're thankful to know that there are always new things to be learned and new skills to be acquired.  In other words, life should never be dull!

Do you have any favorite soap recipes?  We've acquired recipes from online and from the following books:  Milk-Based Soaps by Casey Makela and The Soapmaker's Companion by Susan Miller Cavitch.  And from The West Ladies, a talented family who have dvd's covering all sorts of skills which are helpful to know!

Blessings,

Sherry

My Young Artist Goes To The Printer's Shop!

He draws.  A lot.  He doesn't take lessons yet, but my twelve year old draws almost non-stop.  When he's doing math.  When he's reading.  When he's trying to complete a writing portion of his school work.  I used the same textbook to teach the nine children before him how to read. But once I started using the Alpha-Phonics book to teach Jeremiah, the bottom portion of many of the pages sported a handsome drawing of some animal or person from one of the many historical periods he'd studied.

It was agreed that I'd take him to see the printer Miss Vicki recommended just as soon as he could complete three farm type drawings.  The pictures/note cards would be his contribution to stocking the little farm store we're working on. I thought it would take days. He was very eager.  It took a small portion of one.

His father loved to draw.  When his side of the family held a bridal tea for us, before we were married, Tom wanted to attend with me.  He did.  And his fifth grade teacher was also there.  She'd actually saved a set of red bird pictures he'd drawn while in her fifth grade class and she gave them to us as a wedding gift.  Wasn't that sweet?  And I was very familiar with the story he'd told me of having been in her class.  She recognized his gift and encouraged him.  In fact, he spent so much of his time drawing that it was soon apparent that he hadn't learned his multiplication tables and had to spend evenings with his mother helping him catch up!  And his mother must have worked diligently with him.  He learned to love math as much as he loved drawing.:)

This was Jeremiah's first time to really handle a business transaction.  But the gentleman who owns the print shop was so very kind.  He spoke directly to Jeremiah concerning his little business endeavor.  And he gave him accounting tips (save your receipts) and a history lesson concerning the old printing machine in one of the above pictures.  His father and a friend started the business back in the 50's.  And now the son is the owner.  He explained how technology has changed and how many printers of the past were missing two of their fingers because of equipment which was less safe. And I'm reminded by the events of this week, and in seeing Jeremiah's face frequently break out in a large smile, of the importance of encouraging our children and others in using their gifts. We never know how a kind word or bit of advice might benefit someone and brighten their day.  And I'm also reminded of how grateful I should be to the many who have encouraged me along the way.  And my family.  And if the grandparents are reading this, your copies will be in the mail.  Soon!

                                                   Blessings,

                                                   Sherry

Remembering April 27th, 2011

As many of you probably know, April 27th, 2011 brought many changes for many families.  For ours, the change felt most was that of  learning that our Tom had gone to be with the Lord just minutes after a tornado brought down the house (and many others in our community and state) and left many trapped until help arrived (dear friends and neighbors).

We find it incredibly hard to believe that it's now been two years, and we wish to share with you how very grateful we are for the kind emails, notes, flowers, cookies and candies, smiles, hugs, phone calls, visits, and prayers sent our way and which remind us of the truth of the following statement:  Friendship improves happiness and abates misery, by doubling our joy, and dividing our grief.  And..."A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." ~ Proverbs 17:17

We spent part of the anniversary weekend visiting with dear friends who also were hit by the tornado and an evening alone (just our family) remembering many a kind providence of the Lord and happy happy memories of Tom.  And speaking of kind providence's, no matter the difficulty, there always seem to be so many.  One I'd like to share concerns a jack which was used to lift a main beam.

As friends worked to locate and free each person, one realized a jack was going to be necessary in order to get  the main beam of the house jacked up and off of people.   He asked one of my daughters, who was already out, if we might have a jack and if she could get it.  We had many jacks, but they and the building in which they were stored had been blown away.  My oldest son, Jordan, was still trapped but overheard the urgent request for a jack.  He was the ONLY one who new that his father had purchased a new one on the way home from work and before the storm hit.  He could not see outside and didn't know if his father's truck was still where he'd left it (some vehicles weren't), but he told them that if it was, to look in the back floor board.  They should find a BRAND NEW jack purchased from Tractor supply...just because they were on sale.

Now, I must tell you that I can't fathom WHY Tom purchased a new jack.  We were trying to save money and we DID NOT need a new jack.  We already had several.  My husband didn't know we were going to need a new jack.  But God knew.  And even though Tom had no idea what was soon to come, the purchase he made was used to bless his family.

I can't tell you what a comfort that is.  And there are so many others which come to mind.

We're reminded in John 14, "Let not your heart be troubled.  Believe in God; believe also in me."  But it's hard to choose to not let our hearts be troubled.  Difficult things happen.  Storms of various kinds are experienced by all.  Tragedies, such as those most recently, seem to come frequently.

But we reach for the hope...knowing He's really the One holding on to us.  And we know that our great God works all things together for good... and that He leads His children along...EVEN WHEN WE DON'T KNOW IT'S HAPPENING.  Like when purchasing a jack we don't *need.*

And finally, in summing up, we still want to keep alive Tom's memory in our hearts and minds. And we want to continue to honor the legacy he left of serving the Lord from a heart very grateful to God for all he'd been given and forgiven.  And we desire to be faithful in telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord.  And of how He continues to lead His children along.

  And once again, we are also very grateful for you all.  For your prayers and kind expressions and for the gift of friendship and family.

God bless you!

The Lee Family

"The memory of the righteous will be a blessing..."   ~  Proverbs 10:7  ~

A Spring Day on Leegacy Farm

saturday was a beautiful day here on leegacy farm, and duck duck was often seen traveling with her new friend

we all worked mostly outside and on various projects and enjoyed soaking in the warm spring sunshine and the gentle breezes

lots of clean up work was accomplished and we enjoyed our first spring outdoor lunch 

it was very nice outside and rather warm, but little man chose a sweat shirt to cover the sunburn from the day before

we cooked on the grill brought by grandmother and lingered long at the table

some really enjoyed their leisure and lunch after plowing a field with the horses ~ others cut grass and used the weed eater

kitty was very happy to see us leave our leisurely lunch and she devoured any leftovers

some worked on wood working projects

and some old roots were dug up 

and flowers were planted

taking a break in the sand pile

some additional raised bed boxes were built and plants moved out of the hoop house

the large rocks had been used while cooking maple syrup (to make a circle for the fire) and are now being used for a rock wall

lots of spring water in the little pond since we've had an abundance of rain lately

clothes drying and taking on a spring fresh smell

planting or gathering herbs

 crocheting dishcloths

As Eric Sloane would say, "Happy doing!"