Blog Posts

Sunday 19th July 2020

19/7/2020

Good Afternoon Everyone,

I am trying to get caught up with the small things that I keep putting to one side so here I am sitting in front of the TV typing up this ramble. I like to take a break on Sunday afternoons and watch some of the old movies on TV but nothing says I can't type as I keep one I on the TV. Of course I can as I am woman. Actually that is the only way I get any family history done or even my bookwork if I had any that needed doing.
I did my first Market well not really I set my products up on the Friday and packed them up after the Market finished on Saturday. Funnily enough it was a Xmas in July Market. It felt strange not being there but the organizers were being very cautious with this  Covid virus and so some of the stall holders had to stay away as it was an inside market. It was a start and seeing that many of the Markets I now do have been cancelled I was pleased to be there. The set ups were absolutely beautiful so can't wait until December when we do the real Xmas one.

It has been very quiet in the Soap Shed since my last Ramble but this week I had 2 large orders placed which has made up for the quiet time. I have to get busy now and start making a few more soaps that are getting low in numbers and some Lip Balms as well. I want to get them done before I have my cataracts removed later this month as trying to make soap with one eye covered could be a recipe for disaster.
I have still been trying to do a daily product post just to keep reminding everyone I am still here and to show what I make. Have finished all the shapes and am now doing the different Luxury Soaps. I hope you are seeing them.

The weather here is very mild for winter so my garden is not getting frosted off. i think we have only had one small frost that nipped the sweet potatoes but they have to be dug up anyway so doesn't matter. I have tomatoes and cabbages plus strawberries growing in the green house and I wrap a hard plastic  around it at night just in case. The winds have been terrible here so have had to keep the water upto everything. We still have tank water so that is a plus. I want to get some plants for spring planting soon mainly flowers so my little native bees can make their honey to feed themselves next winter. They have done really well last summer but need to as some of these cold windy days they don't get out of the hive.

Little Mac is improving with his special diet and no tidbits from us. He hasn't had anymore fits or belly aches. The vet still doesn't know what was the matter but if it happens again she wants to refer him to the university and for him to see the specialists there. He is back at Doggy Playgroup and loving it as usual doesn't come home nearly as worn out so that is a good thing.

Well that is all I have to ramble about so remember to stay safe and wash your hands with handmade soap it is the Best hand sanitiser,
Take Care and be Kind to each other.
Blessings

Friday 19th June 2020

19/6/2020

Good Morning,
At last I am sitting down with the computer opened at Ramblings. I have been trying to do this for over a week but there is always something to be done elsewhere.
It is not that I am busy in the Soap Room as I am not I probably should be sorting out my Market boxes and filling them back up as My stock will be at a one day Xmas in July next month. This is the first Market since I finished just before Xmas in December and I know I have been raiding the boxes as I had orders coming in and they are easier to raid then lifting the heavy stock boxes down from the shelves. I do this all the time to get the orders out quickly but then I replace what I took out by th the time the next market comes around.
I am only making product as it is needed so this week I made Irritated Skin Balm and next time will be Grease Monkey Soap as there is only 3 or 4 bars left of that one. The Irritated Skin Balm is an all purpose Balm and I always have a pot on hand. I have used it for itches from bites and the pain of green ant bites as well as contact dermatitis when I weed the garden without gloves. I have also used it on light burns like you get when you bump on the hotplate or the iron. It is also great fro dry skin.

We have had 22 mls of rain so far this month 3 times as much as we had in April and May and the grass is starting to green up which is very unusual for this time of the year as it is supposed to be our dry season and normally we have had a stack of frosts by now. Couch grass hates frost and always burns off. I am not complaining but marvelling at Mother nature and her restorative powers. I am managing to keep the garden under control as the weeds and lawn require less attention. I have dug up the Tumeric and some of the sweet potatoes as start plus the dahlia bulbs and replenished those beds with horse poo and some of my compost. Just want to get some mushroom compost to top up the beds now then I am planting potatoes that my neighbour has kindly given me. It is a little bit early for them but by the time I finish getting the beds ready it should be time. My little Native bees are doing well and by the weight they put on in the hive over summer they should have plenty of food for the winter. Hopefully they come through ok and will be ready for splitting into 2 hives and I can have one out the back around the vegetable patch.

Mac has not been very well over the last few weeks. He has had blood tests and it would seem that their is something going on with his stomach. He has taken a few small fits but is not diabetic and not epileptic. Has had a course of antibiotics as apparently raw chicken can make them ill due to the large amount of bacteria that can produce rapidly on the meat. Mac was having raw chicken/turkey /pork and beef mince mixed with grated carrot and zucchini. So now I cook that and he also has steamed chicken as a treat. Anyway once he come off the antibiotics he was still not right and has progressively worse just sleeping a lot and not as playful as normal so called the vet out again and he has started on a pain killer to see if that helps him. The pain killer zonked him out for 24 hours so I cut it in half today and he is at least awake. He is not eating or drinking so vet is now talking about going into clinic for a day while she is there to observe him and she will do xrays to see if there is anything showing up in his intestines, like a twist or a scar from a sharp object or anything else that may show up. he has an enlarged liver at the moment so guess anything sinister like a lump/tumour would show on an xray. I just hope he gets better soon as I miss his ADHD ways and even the barking. Guess I have come to expect it and it is so quiet without it.

Couldn't finish this to get it posted this morning as my battery went flat and I was to lazy to drag the connection power point out of the study as it is too hard to get under the table to detach it and then to put it back.

Hope you are all well , stay safe and be kind to each other.

Blessings

Sunday 31st May 2020

31/5/2020

Good Morning,
The days are just heaven here at the moment 14 degrees over night and up to 26-27 during the day, only one thing would make it better and that is rain, We have had 7.5 mls for April and May after 75 mls in March. The grass has gone brown and crunchy again and the birds and animals are wanting to come in and eat the green bits where the bio cycle pumps around the trees. Guess can't expect much else as we enter into the dry season but oh how it would be lovely to get some decent rain.
How are you all going with the lockdown gradually easing. Nothing has really changed at my house. We only go out when necessary to food shop or get prescriptions filled although we did have our first coffee out the other to help the new owners of a café in Gatton we go to sometimes.
Not a lot going on in the soap room as orders have dwindled away but I di make some lovely Karma Luxury Soap last week and I know of a couple more that are getting down in numbers so will have to get in there and get them done next week.

Good news at last as some of the Festivals/Fairs later in the year maybe still be going ahead so I am looking forward to that and the CO-OP shop is starting back from Tuesday slowly at first just 3 days a week to see how we go and then hopefully back to the whole week. My day for being there won't be until later so I have another few weeks to get my website sorted out. Finally finished the Retail List Catalogue and have updated the Facebook Folders but if you notice any errors please let me know as I miss things due to my eyes, Hope I can get it all done before I get back on the treadmill as things start to ramp up.

Not a lot went on in the garden this month as I finished all the mulching and the weeds have finally slowed down. I have trimmed the dahlias back and will dig them up next week as I need to add more soil and mulch to plant potatoes in. My neighbour gave me a heap of her chats that are shooting
so will need to get it done. I think it a bit late to plant but maybe if I mulch them right up to the top leaves and keep adding as they grow they will survive any frosts, I also pulled out the running beans as they had died off although there is one there that I must have missed as I saw some new leaves coming on it when I cut the dahlias back. I have planted some dutch iris bulbs under the native trees trying to get things to flower for the native bee hive over winter thank goodness the closest natives have nice gardens or else my little bees would starve over winter.

Mac has just finished his course of antibiotics. He has had a couple of fits and Dr Kym wanted to treat him for any bacteria he may have in his stomach before doing full bloods and scans for epilepsy and such diseases. I have been feeding him raw chicken mince mixed with grated vegetables as he loves it but apparently raw chicken is not good for them so now Mac has his dinner cooked every afternoon. I hope that is all it was although he does seem to be better and hasn't had anymore turns.
He is one of the "old boys" at playgroup now and has finally started to settle in with the pack and play. He loves going there but for nearly 12 months has stood by and watched the other small ones run around and play instead of joining in. Now he is up and over in and under with the best of them and drags me across the car park just to get in the door.

Well that is all for now do take care stay safe and remember be kind to each other.
Blessings

Monday 11th May 2020

11/5/2020

Good Morning Everyone,
I hope that all Mum's had a lovely Mother's Day yesterday.
I did although it was the same as any other one for me as my Children live to far away to have a get together but I do get phone calls so that is something,

We have been on a picnic as Covid rules are beginning to be relaxed. It was so lovely even though we didn't go far (50 klms) to start with but it was so nice to get out in the fresh air and away from the house, We went over to Wivenhoe Dam but there were so many people that we decide to come back towards home and sat at a table near the Brisbane river with nothing but a bit of traffic and the trees for company. Fresh air and Salad rolls never tasted so good.

Not much going on in the soap room as orders have dwindled to a trickle but I did manage to make a new batch of Foot Soak to go into stock as sold the last one. Love soaking my feet at least once a week and then I use the Cool Foot Balm every night to keep my skin soft and the massage I do as I am rubbing the balm on helps settle my feet down cools them off and helps me go to sleep. I get a lot of restless legs and nerve pain so have found over the years of trying every product I found that this works for me.

I am just finishing off checking the Product List this week Next I have to check it with the website and the Facebook Folders then that part is done. Probably have to do new photos for some as I have changed colours or need better ones but that I will do as I find them. Other than that I need to build up stock for a couple of soaps that I am nearly out of. I am naughty as I seem to be in go slow mode but it will get done by next week so that they are cured in time for any orders that may come in.

I finished the weeding in the garden a week or so ago and have everything mulched in the garden ready for winter. I just have to do some seasonal pruning now and the occasional weed tidy up and watering too as we are not getting any rain.
Only 7.5 mls in dribs and drabs last month and nothing yet this month. My Dahlias have finished flowering and I am waiting for them to die off before digging the bulbs again. I had 3 colours last year but this year the beautiful white ones did not flower maybe the weather maybe they crossed with one of the other colours so will wait and see what happens next year.
My native bee hive is doing well weighing box and all at just over 9kgs now which is a gain of over 3 kgs for the summer. Their weight will go down over winter as they sleep in until the hive gets upto 20 degrees before venturing out to look for pollen but they have worked hard over summer so deserve a rest I guess.

Mac is still going to playgroup once a week. He loves it and gets so excited when we get near the building. He comes home exhausted and goes straight to sleep after his dinner then lays around the next day resting as well. I have started taking for a walk again most mornings of the week to use up some of his energy and keep his weight under control. We stopped walking almost a year ago as 2 big Alsatians moved in across the road and they barked ferociously all day everyday. We could not go outside. Now there is only one and I carry one of those ultrasonic bark control things that seems to calm a lot of the barkers in the street. It doesn't stop them barking altogether as the range of the thing is not very far but it does tone most dogs down at least.

Well that has been my life over the last few weeks not a lot but enough to keep me busy and out of trouble.

Hope your days have been satisfying to you all so take care and remember be kind to each other.
Blessings

Sunday, 19th April 2020

19/4/2020

Good Morning Everyone,
Sorry I have been trying to get to do this as you can see by the title since last weekend. I have come to the conclusion that I am not as organised as I should be and this is a problem. Actually I was trying to get some work done in the garden while the weather was so nice but even that didn't work out as Mac had a home visit from the vet and then I decide to go do the grocery shopping another morning. Anyway I am onto getting better organised so hopefully things will improve.

How is everyone doing with the self isolation not going stir crazy yet? I am actually enjoying it as I only go out when necessary anyway which is normally to medical appointments or the super market apart from my 1 morning a week shift in the Co-op shop. I have been madly catching up on all the jobs I keep putting off and the house is starting to shine. Even the Soap Shed has had a scrub and a bit of a reshuffle. I haven't started on the actual garage outside yet but it is on the list. Ivan will never find things once I do as his method is to leave things where you use them as you might need them there again where as mine is a place for everything and everything in its place. It will happen just not sure when.

One thing I have managed to do online is put up Sale Items Folder and in there you will find everything I have reduced in price to get them sold. Quite a few would make ideal Mother's Day gifts so do check them out. There is free delivery for orders over $40 and I have organised which days and the areas I will deliver There is a post with this info on. I am still working on the Retail Price List and the Website making sure they are in synch. so please bear with me. Some things may disappear as I am trying to lessen the number of items I make so if something you usually have is not on there and you really want it I can make it on demand rather than having it sit on my shelves all the time. There is also a Soap Bargain Box where you get 5 soaps (my choice). These soaps are the ends of the logs or the under weight bars or maybe they have bad labels. I did make some shaving soap and put it in some lovely ramekins and also some products for an order so that is something accomplished in the soap shed.

My garden is coming along with the extra attention it has been getting. I go out to feed the wild birds around 6 am and usually spend an hour weeding or this week I have been loosening up all the top of the beds as I have bales of Sugar Cane Mulch being delivered today to be put out as soon as I fertilise and water. So that is my task for the next week. The dahlias are flowering so there are heaps of butterflies and bees that like them. We have had one pineapple and another 2 coming along. Nothing like them being left to ripen on the plant instead of picked early while they are green. They are so juicy and sweet. I have a tomato bush growing in the green house and it has nearly reached the top of the pointy roof. I have tied it up to the sprinkler system as a stake is just not high enough. It has lots of little bunches of fruit so I do hope they ripen soon or else the frost will kill the plant and I will miss out altogether.

Mac's Doggy Playgroup had school holidays off this year and he really missed going to see his playmates. He has come a long way and is now getting into the swing of things there as he actually chases the other dogs and even went up on the roof of the kennel all by himself. He will probably join in the games more as we had the vet visit this week for his follow up arthritis needle. I can notice the difference that the needle makes in his running around at home as he charges up the doggy steps on the lounge now where before the needle he would rock back and forwards several times so his knee would not catch,

Well that is enough of me rambling on so stay safe everyone and remember be kind to each other. Blessings

Thursday 2nd April 2020

28/3/2020

Good Morning,
I hope you are all staying safe and well as we are here.
I am catching upon on a lot of small jobs I have been ignoring for a long time and eventually hope to be on top of all tasks. How about you, what are you doing to pass the time while we sit this horrendous virus out and come out the other side.

The Soap Shed will be getting a thorough scrub down next week once I finish labelling and shrink wrapping the last soaps that are ready to go. Might even get the promised stocktake done of what ingredients I have in stock and working on new ways to use up stuff that is sitting. I know I have a few of those impulse buys when you are browsing through a site. Hopefully I can dream up something with them in it and clear some space. Other crafty people will know what I am talking about.

Most of the fairs and Festivals I usually attend have been cancelled but I am still selling on Facebook and the website and will be doing free delivery for orders over $30 non contact in the designated local area on the website so you will need to pay up front via Paypal or if you like to PM me I will send bank account details and you can Direct Deposit into my bank account. The COOP I belong to has closed it's doors until further notice, that is the Darling Downs Handmade Shop in Wilsonton Shopping Centre.

I have almost finished labelling all soaps I had made in January and February so will be well stocked to fill any orders but if I have not got a product in stock will contact you to choose something else. Will only be making more on a needs basis although the older soap gets the better it gets.

Did you know that Soap is the best thing to use against the virus. Apparently only soap can break the fatty layer around the virus and disperse it. So Handmade Soap would be a better choice for all the hand washing we are doing now as it is chemical free and gentler on your skin. Hand Sanitisers are great for when you can't get to wash your hands but it dries most peoples skin out as it is mainly alcohol /Ethanol.
I am trialling my own sanitiser for personal use only using the thieves essential Oil blend. I have used it to disinfect all the door handles and light switches as well as added it to my home made floor wash mix and a small spray bottle for taking to the supermarket for trolley handles etc.so hopefully this will help. I also revived some wet ones that had dried out that were in the car so that makes it easier when out shopping as well.

My garden is looking good now. It is cool enough to remove the shade cloth so the plants are thriving in the sunshine. I am picking the last of the beans and freezing them and have just planted cabbage seeds in the greenhouse as the white butterflies get them. Also planted radish,turnip, and shallots out in the raised beds. I have been planting flowering shrubs and plants down the side of the house for my native bee hive. This week added 2 perrenial basil plants as bees just love the flowers and then the Rosella birds love the seeds when the flowers die. They picked up from the transplant really quickly and look good. My sweet potato vines are like trifids and have tendrils going everywhere. I have had to cut them back to keep them under control. I am right on top of the grass growing and the lawn is looking good although it needs some more rain as ground is dusty when I mow.

Little Mac is still enjoying his Day Care Play Group day. He knows where I am taking him every monday and gets really excited as I go down the hill into the centre. It is a 20 minute drive but he doesn't jump around and whine until we are nearly there. Then it is hurry up mum and get me out of the car . He drags me through the sliding door before I have it open properly. He may like going but he loves coming home as well. I promised him a walk on the beach while we were away but the weather was horrible, cold and windy so we didn't go. Maybe next time.

Well that is all my rambling for now. I will try to get photos on here but if it doesn't work on this computer will have to leave it until next time when I should have my Laptop Back.

Stay safe everyone and remember be kind to each other.

Blessings

25th February 2020

24/2/2020

Good Morning Everyone,
Would you believe that I spent 2 hours typing a Ramble yesterday as couldn't do anything else with an electrician here, only to wipe it out trying to get a photo to transfer from my phone. I bought a new smaller computer a few months ago not realising that having an SSD card instead of a hard drive would make so much difference to how I work. I could only load Microsoft Office and also my documents onto the new one so it has become my "Business Machine" so to speak but if I want to add a photo I have to do it on my old machine. Anyway I am taking them both in for repair and training for me on how to use the Cloud assuming that is part of having an SSD card means. Either way I will only have access to Facebook until repairs are done to the old machine with all my photos and also Family History as well.

I am still very busy in the Soap Shed building up my stock before the next Festival and Fairs Season as it is not long to go. Isn't this year going quickly I can't believe it is nearly the end of February already. Stop the world I want to get off. I haven't done half the stuff I wanted to do during the break I supposedly take but still plan on getting my Website and Facebook in synch with my Catalogue. Started to look at it but we have had weeks of mid 40's temperature and I jus wilt like a lily in that sort of heat and humidity so not a lot done as yet.
I have a done a couple of existing products in new packs. They are called Malibu tubes and are squeezy. There is a body lotion that is unscented but can be scented if you would like it that way and also a Lavender Camel Milk Hand Crème. The tubes are a handy size for carrying in your handbag so you can use each time you have to wash your hands when you're out and about.

Sorry didn't get this finished the other day as came down with a kidney infection and was laid low for a day and a half. Back upto being upright so can sit here and type until I get it finished I hope.

I dropped my computer of to get repaired this morning and am using the smaller one now so quick to type on it as the keys are so soft. Am hoping that the older bigger one can be fixed as want all my photos back. I do have a back up if things can't be fixed on it but can't use the backup on this machine as with the card in it there is not near enough room. Any way will wait and see what happens. No good counting chickens and what ifs beforehand is it.

Hasn't the rain been great and hoping you have all had some of it. My garden is loving it and I do to except for the weeds and the mowing every few days. I am loving it as the temperatures have been down in the mid thirties and it is much more pleasant to try doing anything. My native be hive didn't like the stinky hot days either even though they are in the garden in the shade of the tee trees but they survived with a bit of help from soaking wet towels in water and laying them across the roof of their hive.
The vegetable garden was going great guns up until the hot days started so I had to put the shade cloth over it and keep the water going. Tanks were almost dry when we got the rain so it was very welcome although we are on town water and no restrictions I just couldn't use town water for my garden not knowing how much longer we would be in drought not that we are out of it yet by a long shot. Although I must admit having nice green grass and green hills is so much easier on the eyes than the dry dusty brown I can tell you.
My sweet potatoes are loving the shade cloth and the rain as they are like triffids with tangles poking up everywhere. The dahlias are just budding up and the Pomegranates are close to ripening. this year is the first time I have been able to pick a crop off my native lime tree and I have picked with scratches and stripes on my arms as they are prickly trees but yes I have picked over 70 little limes where as before it has been maybe 10 or so. Have spent a lot of time in the garden mostly before sunup when it is cooler just weeding and feeding etc. to keep it all under control. Lat evenings are when I water or mow the grass. It is never ending but worth it as my shrubs and bushes are starting to flower now.

Mac has finally decided he likes going to playgroup on Mondays as he trots off with the handler without a backward glance now and he knows when we are going there too. He gets really excited when we get to the traffic lights where we cross the highway to go down to the doggy place and can't wait to get out of the car to pee on his favourite rock before dragging me into the office. He even hops into the water dish all by himself instead of Lisa having to lift him in. Maybe he will start getting in for his bath soon so that I don't have to lift him up. Shame they don't have a doggy door he has to go through as lately he waits for me to open the door for him to come inside.

Well that is all I can ramble about as not a lot happening in this household
so take care everybody and be kind to each other.

Sunday 26th January 2020

26/1/2020

Good Morning.
   Has anyone had any of this lovely rain. For once we received some here and I am happy to say have green grass popping up all over the ground. Don't care if it is only weeds it is green and in my book beautiful. We had 60 mls yesterday and I had to pump water from the 2 smaller tanks up to the Big back tank so I save it for the garden. Do hope those who needed it also got some.

   I started back in the soap shed this month but must have not been concentrating as I forgot to add the essential oil in one batch so had to tip it out of the mould into the pot and quickly add the oil then stir it lightly as I wanted to try and keep some of the 2 coloured swirl. It worked but not as pretty as it originally looked. The 2nd one I made a double batch of Goat Milk Lavender Soap and once again did such a lovely swirl with the lavender colour through the creamy milk colour. Imagine my horror when I went to the fridge the next morning and there before my eyes was the Goat Milk I should have used. I must admit I did wonder why the amount I made did not fill the 2 moulds and I had to do some quick thinking to make the bars the correct size by pushing the mix up from one end of mould and filling the cavity with a couple of empty bottles I had sitting there to hold the board in place.
I shredded all the soap and did a re batch but it is so ugly now and a far cry from my lovely swirl so guess it will be come house soap and we will use it up eventually.
Did you see the new soap that went up for sale this month. It is fragranced with Freesia so I have done a very soft pink in the pot swirl to match the sweet lovely fragrance and I think it is beautiful.

I also released Bath Bombs this month. I don't make these as I just cannot get them right and really don't have time so I selected a maker that was nearby to me and had not used any chemicals that I don't like. Unfortunately unbeknown to me at the time that I placed my first order and it was delivered she decided to go out of the business of making them so I have only that one small order of them from her and am looking for another supplier. I had some of my customers try them out and received good reviews from them so now if you want some lovely bath bombs or Shower Steamers/Fizzers then check them out on Facebook and place an order.

My garden is loving the rain we have had so are the weeds unfortunately. The heat has been unbearable so the vegetable garden is all under shade cloth. I was down to the last few litres of water in the large tank so was so glad to have had at least 2 smaller storms earlier in the month and then 2 bigger ones on Saturday. Despite the weather I have had some lovely yellow Arum Lilly's flower in the back garden and of course the blue salvia and my beautiful Little Gem Magnolia is putting up flowers so the native bees I have are really happy. Also had yellow crocus pop up after the rain Had to move them from where they were during winter as the heat from the side of the house was just to much for the poor little things now they are in under the tea trees surrounded by flowers and they are much happier.

a Little Mac has settled back into Doggy Playgroup after a few weeks off over Christmas. He is beginning to be one of the group at last instead of hanging back and watching and he is also quietning down but that could be because he has now turned five. He still barks at any noise he heres but not nearly as much and seems to obey me more than he was before starting to go there so I am happy for him to keep going and socialising. We are still waiting for his main Christmas present to arrive Received a watch in the shape of an owl instead and have been trying to get it sorted out ever since. I am sure Mac loves all the balls and squeaky toys he has been given as he had his Gotch Day then Christmas then a couple of weeks later his 5th Birthday so guess he is happy.

Well that is enough rambling from me so until next time stay safe and be kind to each other.
Blessings

Thursday 2nd January 2020

2/1/2020

Good Morning.
    Happy New Year to Everyone. Did you make a New Year's Resolution.
I did and one was to be more active with my Postings and updates to Social Media.    So today is the start and I wonder just how long this will last. I also need to do inventory of both Face Book and the Web site as well as Pinterest to bring them all into line with my Catalogue but first need to update said Catalogue. So busy times in the off festival season.
Have been fluffing around the edges for the last few weeks as needed to rest after some gruelling multiple day shows and the ghastly heat early December that knocked me around and I was exhausted. Now that all the Holidays are over it is time to get things moving as have lots of Soap to make to replenish what was sold.    Also have a new Soap Fragrance ready to go just as soon as I get more Label paper as you wouldn't believe this I ran out. Must have been the heat fried my brain as usually I have stacks sitting there whenever I need it.
   Also have a new product being tried and a review to come from my testers before they can be released. I am buying these in as I don't have time to make them but you can rest assured they are handmade and are not quite local to me but within an hours drive. Can't wait to here what the reviews say as my house smells divine from the few I have here waiting to here back from the testers. Everything else is chugging along nicely. I do a shift in the CO-OP Shop every Wednesday Morning 9-1pm Darling Downs Handmade Shop in the Wilsonton Shopping Centre so if you want to discuss products before buying then pop in and see me then. The rest of my week is usually taken up with work in the Soap Room or Labelling in the Family Room in between keeping the House and Yard going.

Talking about my yard we finally had some rain in early December then a storm on Christmas Eve so the grass has grown and I have actually mowed twice. There are still a lot of bare patches and an horrific amount of the green is weed but it all got mowed and the leaves all munched into the mulch pile. I am outside around 5 am most mornings and do a couple hours work of raking or trimming, mulching or weeding as the garden gets quite neglected during the festival seasons so I like to get it revived just as soon as I can after the shows have finished. This year I have grown lettuce and silver beet in tubs in the green house as normally they get grubs and expire before I can get a decent picking. They have done really well and I have been using them for a few weeks. Tried a new tomato and it is producing well but the bushes have developed the wilt so will need cutting off down low and letting come again. Waiting on the fruit still there to ripen before cutting them.
I have worked out a better way to place the shade cloth over all the tubs so the whole vege patch is under shade now and is doing so much better. I was almost out of tank water when we got the rain so now hopefully have enough to see me through a few more months when we hopefully will get some more from the wet season.

Mac received heaps of new balls for Christmas and has not stopped chasing them since. He has one that I put his kibble in and he pats it with his paw to get it rolling until a piece of kibble comes out but 9 times out of 10 he leaves the piece on the floor and continues patting the ball to make it roll...go figure. Mac has been on holidays from Doggy Playgroup but starts back again tomorrow. He loves going there and received a bandanna from Lisa for Christmas. Had to have a big doggies sized one as the little ones would not go round his neck with all that fur. We celebrated his Gotcha Day with a new toy a fat bull that squeaks of course and as his main Christmas present has not arrived from China he will get that for his Actual birthday and another squeaky toy, this time a fat donkey later this month.

Well that is enough of my rambling so please take care and remember to be kind to each other.

Blessings

Friday 13th December 2019

13/12/2019

Hello,
I am still here you know just not been very active online. I have finished all Festivals and Fairs for this year so am trying to catch upon everything I have pushed to the side for later.
This year I dropped the smaller monthly markets as they were becoming unviable for me to do and I picked up doing multiple day shows inside halls instead. I loved doing them so will continue on this way next year. So keep a watch on here for next years events after The Festive Season has finished.
I am still taking orders via Facebook and the website while I am having my Show break or products are available at DDH Co op shop in Wilsonton. I will be working there every Wednesday morning as per usual so pop in there if you are up that way.
Have you tried the new Fragrance Soap I put out a few weeks ago or maybe a couple of months. Nag Champa it is very popular and disappears off the shelf so quickly. I have also introduced some Gift Packs with Soaps and a scrubby or pouffe reasonably priced @ $15 also there is 3 soaps tied with a satin ribbon already to go for $12 fragranced or $13 Milk (goat, sheep or camel) no fragrance. Check them out here on Facebook or on the website
www.wundanookcreations.com
There will be some new products coming out very soon as well. These are Bath Bombs and Shower Steamers that I am buying in as I don't have the time nor the expertise to make them. I tried several times but was unsuccessful as they crumbled. I could have made unicorn dust I guess but I used them in my bathroom instead. Waste not Want not I guess.

My poor garden has been struggling in this horrible hot weather and my tanks were out of water until a couple of days ago when we had a lovely storm which almost filled 3 of the 4 tanks and soaked the garden as well. I am trying to keep everything going so that my native bee hive has some food so if tanks run dry and I have to hand water I will. I am planning on getting a trolley to tow behind the lawn mower so that I don't have to carry the buckets as my shoulder just can't do it anymore. Guess I have to admit I am getting older.

Little Mac goes to Doggy Day Care every Monday and he loves it. He has made several doggy mates and loves running around outside with them. The little doggies are let out together while the medium and bigger ones stay inside then the littlies go into their inside pen and to rest on their beds just like dolls beds and they all lay down. This goes on several times a day, They have all sorts of ramps and tunnels as well as a ball pit and toys to chase plus swimming pool well a kids shell that they get into. He missed a few weeks recently as come down with a cold so I had to keep him away from all the other doggies till he was better. He gets so excited when I tell him that he is going to school and can't wait to get in the car and go. It is so cute.

Well I have rambled enough for this time, I will endeavour to get more regular with my rambles but it all depends on how much manufacturing has to be done to keep everything rolling.

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Author

Hello my name is Robbi I have been soaping since 2005 and it has become an obsession with me.
I have 3 children 18 grandchildren and 15 Great grandchildren

I am not doing regular Markets anymore but have opted for doing , Fairs and Shows and will list them when I know which ones.

My products are available at the Darling Downs Handmade Shop in Toowoomba in the Wilsonton Shopping Centre

Marburg Pharmacy has a limited range of my Soaps

Serenity Hill Massage at the Crossroads on the Warrego Highway has most products.

and also at The Old Church Gallery and Café in Moore.

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