Arizona Chickens

[mclevinson]

Quote:
Totally missing out on skin loving glycerine, for one thing. If you check all the bath bars on the shelf you'll notice none of them are called "soap" because they are syndets. Synthetic detergent. it's cheaper to mass produce synthetic detergent than pure soap, and after they have stripped the glycerine out for resale they have to make further modifications. It'll getcha clean, but if I can't pronounce the ingredients I don't actually want to partake.
Off my soapbox now

 

[mclevinson]

Quote:
I use powdered goats milk. I am sure fresh would be much better. Just watch your temps closely....keep everything as cool as possible. For the past couple of years I have been using ice to mix with the lye instead of water. It melts as the lye warms up. Then pour the goats milk into the cold lye mix just before combining it with your cooled oils. I think you would have less chance of curdle. Don't insulate your curing soap or it will turn really brown.

Cold may sound wrong, but try it. There was a big presentation on using ice and cool oils at the Handcrafted SoapMakers conference in Palm Springs a couple of years ago. I came home and tried it right away. It was much easier and it keeps your EO and FO stronger. I also learned not to worry about reaching a full trace before pouring. Now I pour at a very light trace. Believe it or not it works, no seperation or failed batches.

Ooo Oooo what AZBootsie said too. Also, since it's nice and cool now I'd put the soap mold in a cold spot in a garage cupboard or somewhere safe from kids and critters. Once, when the family was smaller, I put it in the fridge overnight. Lovely pale soap.

 

[mclevinson]

Quote:
I love making soap too, just haven't made time for it recently

but we're almost out and I have the supplies soooo... As for it being a farm thing, I donno. Maybe I'm a wannabe farmer too! I also spin and used to weave.

 

[AZBootsie]

Quote:

Can't believe you said that to a buch of Soapers!!!

You will be hearing about the merits of Handcrafted Soap until it is coming out your ears!! You poor thing!!

But honestly you are missing out!! I am going to have to send you some soap. (not detergent bars from the store)

 

[AZBootsie]

No snow yet?? Maybe the weather report was wrong. It's 50 degrees out, overcast and a couple rain drops....but no snow!!

 

[mclevinson]

Quote:

Can't believe you said that to a buch of Soapers!!!

You will be hearing about the merits of Handcrafted Soap until it is coming out your ears!! You poor thing!!

Bwahahaha! Already ranted!

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Quote:
Totally missing out on skin loving glycerine, for one thing. If you check all the bath bars on the shelf you'll notice none of them are called "soap" because they are syndets. Synthetic detergent. it's cheaper to mass produce synthetic detergent than pure soap, and after they have stripped the glycerine out for resale they have to make further modifications. It'll getcha clean, but if I can't pronounce the ingredients I don't actually want to partake.
Off my soapbox now

OMGosh!!! Now I have another thing to worry about!

Why didn't I ever think of that? I'm afraid to go look at the ingredients now.

tofuranch, that is so great that you're getting locally ground feed. I guess that's why you have to get so much at once?

 

[nurseshelly]

Hi cluckin_crazy,
We found Ivy a nice home with a lady who is in Mesa with a lot of land for her to run free on when she is older. I'm bad ... did I say bad??? We picked up an Americauna pullet on the way home. So now back up to four standards and two bantams. And best of all there is harmony in the flock again!!!

My son is insisting on naming the new Americauna Ivy also. I think she is a Lacey. I'll have to work on him, but for now she is Ivy. I'm so happy everyone gets along again!!!! No more flock additions!!! Now the goal is to get them all grown and into their coop before my bedroom smells like chicken poop! At least it is cool out so we can leave my bedroom windows open all day and not smell pine shavings. There isn't any chicken poo odor yet, but I've heard about it - LOL!
Oh, my flock is really piggy as of last night. They ate a completely full mason jar of chick starter overnight! Every time I got up they were up eating, and of course I had to get up and watch too. I have chick insomnia!
Michele
New pictures are up on my website / blog.

PS love pure glycerin soap!!! Maybe I need to start making it too!

 

[mclevinson]

Quote:
Totally missing out on skin loving glycerine, for one thing. If you check all the bath bars on the shelf you'll notice none of them are called "soap" because they are syndets. Synthetic detergent. it's cheaper to mass produce synthetic detergent than pure soap, and after they have stripped the glycerine out for resale they have to make further modifications. It'll getcha clean, but if I can't pronounce the ingredients I don't actually want to partake.
Off my soapbox now

OMGosh!!! Now I have another thing to worry about!

Why didn't I ever think of that? I'm afraid to go look at the ingredients now

Oh don't worry, plenty handmade soap out there, and it's not too difficult to make. And you've got friends in clucky places to help out!

 

[constance]

Oh my, I have a lot of catching up to do again. I did get a good day in the Sonoran Desert today, however, leading a group of undergrads who I think had FUN (??!!!!

) walking in and learning about SD natural history. Yay! Despite the "nasty" winter weather here (almost no rain and the hard freezes) we managed to find some fun critters, insects, a few leafed and flowering plants, classic SD birds, and all without roasting. A good day!

Now, the catch-up list:

To all the newcomers, a sincere

from someone who "lurked" in the background for a LONG time before participating. It is a GOOD group of people, welcome!

Nurseshelly: WATCH OUT for the chicken obsession!!!!! I currently have it BADLY and am about to increase my flock significantly...

Azwelshponygirl: RE your losses, I am so sorry, I worry about this, too. We have coyotes in the neighborhood, but as Bob said, they don't seem as bad. I worry about the roaming dogs we have occasionally...

ASdreamer: A CAT eating frozen bananas and grapes!!

Plus, now I know how to retire comfortably, POO

!

5pinkarrows: Did I miss something? DF then husband...and busy for a good reason???? I know I have not kept up, but? Are congrats in order?

CA: How is the feeder working? Way to go!

AZBootsie: Lavender Ams???

I have GOT TO HATCH (as CA said

NoSkiveez: 73!!!!

I have GOT TO HATCH

Tanicha: What cuties!!!!!

Gallo: I am continuously impressed with the "Tucson El Pollo Resort and Spa" for pampered hens!

Surely you didn't go install radiant heating in the coop for the upcoming cool spell

Ok, I am certain I am forgetting several things, but I have to eat dinner....Have a good evening everyone!

Sorry for all the smiles in one post: I was having fun.