Time for a break

With what has been a very busy month loaded with lots of changes and a bit of stress, I decided that it was time for a much needed break this weekend, taking time to meander and lolligag is very important. Just hopping in the truck and setting out for an unknown destination can wind up being very interesting. Brian and I didn't get very far before we came across a pottery festival in Dillsboro, about 20 minutes away.
There were potters from all over the country and some as far away as California, a few of our friends are potters and it was good to see them in the show as well. I have to tell you how much I have missed being able to blog, visit Etsy, making art, selling stuff on Etsy and touching base with all of you...this pottery festival was like reconnecting with my handmade heart again, which also proved to be good for the new art pieces I'm working on...once I get some pictures I will share.
Be sure to check out these links of some favorite potters {sorry I don't have pics, but please go visit}
Two Rivers Studio
Clay Fetish Pottery

Hope yall' have a great weekend!

on any given day you might see....

friends sharing a meal...

Ginger posing for a glamour shot...

Someone sneaky enough to breach the fence, because that grass looked greener i guess...

mom and babe taken a stroll...

you might even get a little nibble if you get close enough...

or even a smile.

Friday's Playlist

There's No Place Like Home

I have traveled the blog world over trying out all kinds of blogging platforms and I have realized one very important thing ...there is no place like home, Blogger I mean. I miss everyone!
I miss being able to follow other favorite blogs, easily. I miss being able to just add a widget to my sidebar at the touch of a button. And oh boy do I miss being able to just as easily change the look of the template. I'm sure I have left everyone's head spinning who has tried to keep up with my whereabouts, I know because you have told me so...sorry about that.

I have put my Etsy shop on vacation for this month, while I am busy working on all kinds of new soap and art sundries. This month is always a busy one and finding the right amount of balance between family, work and fun has always been challenging for me!

With October almost here I look forward to leaves turning into crimson and pumpkin before we know it {my favorite season}, love the smells of cinnamon and apple that fills my little studio! Now is also the time I seem to get Spring Fever {in the Fall}, go figure.



Here are just a few things brewing in the studio...
About this time last year I started making magnets, here's the last batch that was just sold. Art on a small scale, something that's easy and fun to collect! I have so much fun making them too.

Soap scents for Fall will vary throughout the season, here are a few that will be on the menu:

• Kudzu Blossom
• Oatmeal & Honey Scrub {with orange,cinnamon and clove}
• Lavender Orange
• Chocoalte & Orange

Thinking about trying some Vanilla Pumpkin Spice too. Do you have any favorite Fall scents?

What do you think?

I could use your advice, I am working on a little website, not sure if I want to do a traditional website or a blogsite. Having a blog for a website means it would always be updated with new things {good for search engines I guess} and not just sitting there collecting dust, so to speak. What do you think?
Pretty sure I will keep my "shop" at Etsy, love it over there just haven't had much time to post new things, not that I have new things. I did make Kudzu Blossom and Lavender soap yesterday and I have a few new surprises for you... hopefully by next week.

Lately it feels like all my days are running together.... I hear it's common when you work from home. The last few weeks have been a bit crazy and the to do list keeps getting longer. The garden is in, but you know what comes next. There are goat babies to feed, did I tell you about that? The boys are out for summer break and even though they are 14 and 15, they make our house look like a tornado has hit, thankful they do help cleanup when I can grab their attention. Oh and Zack, the youngest {14} broke his elbow. Not a serious break, more like a hairline but he's healing nicely, there's a silly story about how that happened that I will have to share later.
Brian has been busy with his carpentry work, which keeps me busy helping him with the loose ends. Whew, a bit tired here. You would think after 17 years of marriage I would be more organized, but there is always something new to add to our happy little mix; any advice on how to stay on top of things?


thank you Crystal for the bloggy award!

Favorite Weekend Bread Recipe

A few years back I had decided to take a part time job, at a local bakery while the kids were in school. I wasn't new to working in a bakery, but this one was different. Owned and operated by a fourth generation Italian baker, Joe and his wife Annie. What I enjoyed the most about this time was that Joe took his time to teach and share everything he knew about baking, everything.
I learned to make old world style breads and pastries, that are still to this day the best I have ever had! While I decided to let the job go to pursue staying at home and growing my small soap business it didn't stop me from continuing to bake on an almost daily basis for years.
I have tweaked the recipes found in popular bread books and following the techniques for bread baking that Joe shared I have come up with a few favorites of my own, I wanted to share.

My Cottage Style Focaccia Recipe:
3 cups unbleached white flour {not self rising}
1 cup warm water
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon salt
3 glugs olive oil
2 teaspoons yeast {rapid rise}
a couple handfuls of Shredded Parmesan Cheese
4 tablespoons Basil {i love. love. love basil}
1 small cast iron skillet

Prepare your cast iron skillet ahead of time by pouring in 3 glugs {equal to 3 tablespoons} of Olive Oil in the skillet...then set it aside.
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
I start by combining yeast, water and honey in a measuring cup and set it aside...let it sit for about 10 minutes while you combine flour, salt, basil, cheese and olive oil.
In the summer when we have an overabundance of tomatoes, I will slice them up to dry and add some to this recipe.
Make a well in the center of the flour and pour in the yeast mixture. Blend everything in together then start to knead the dough, I use my Kitchenaide mixer with bread hook attachment for kneading but there have been many time I have used just my hands...both will work fine. Kneading with your hands is a good way to get rid of frustration!

If you are kneading with your hands, be sure and lightly dust your workspace with flour first so it doesn't stick. With the kitchenaide I knead the dough for 5 minutes, with my hands it's a bit longer. Try not to tear the dough when kneading. You will know the dough is ready when the consistency is almost like elastic and not sticky anymore.
After you let the dough rest for about 15 minutes you can begin to flatten it out with your hands, directly in your oiled skillet. After it's flattened out in the skillet just flip it over and make sure it has a good covering of olive oil all over.
Cover it and let it rise {about 15-20 minutes}, then sprinkle the top with salt and then pop it in the oven. I'm terrible about timing my baking, I usually just take a peak to see if it's turned brown on top to know it's done. But by my guess it takes about 20 minutes to bake.

If this is the first time you have ever made bread, I know it seems a bit complicated but trust me once you do it a few times you don't even need a recipe.
Happy Bread Making!

Newbies

Two new faces that I immediately fell in love with.