Happy Mardi Gras!

Mystery Soap

I created a new batch of soap. With the intention of making a Spring scent this particular soap developed. This expirement was actually good, because it gave me ideas for three future soaps. I love developing new scents, especially if they are successful oness.

I think I will call it Spring Floral...but I will decide later after some of my product testing team has come back with their thoughts on the bar. The scent is quite different, it has the complexity of a wine because there is quite a bit going on, it has floral, fruity, citrus, and spicy scents mixed in. Some of the essential oils used are lime, clary sage, ylang ylang, and geranium.

The marbling in the bar was attempted with three different colors. Marbling is a very tricky process that I feel I could use more work with. Getting the percentages of the color mixtures to the right amounts, and getting the mixtures at the right thicknesses without having the whole batch seize in the mixing bowl(luckily that hasn't happened yet).

The Pinewood Derby Champions

Nathan's Lightning
Fast Winner! Ka-chow!

Matt's Turtle Car does

anyone else see the irony?

This Saturday was the Annual Pinewood Derby Competition for the Cub Scouts in Pack 4. The boys(and dads) had lots of fun carving, cutting, painting and getting their cars to the right weight in preparation for the big day. Saturday morning they all got together at a local school gym to find out how all their hard work paid off. It was an exciting morning as cars were raced two at a time down the track to see who would eventually come out victorious. In the end the Bear Den's top three winners were Nathan Zerangue, 1st place; J. Price, 2nd place; and R. Burns, 3rd place. Also awarded were M. Smith, Best Design; C. O'Sullivan, Most Unique; L. Kelly, Coolest Car; B. Nash, and A. Wheeler were awarded ribbons of participation.

Homemade Chili or Taco mix

Have you read the ingredients on the back of the packets when you make chili and tacos? It is loaded with things that are just not necessary, not to mention that there are chemicals that can cause sensitivities in many people. Below is a recipe that I have developed over time to use instead of the convience packets.

Chili or Taco Mix

1 tablespoon Chili Powder
1 teaspoon Onion Powder
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
2 teaspoons Oregeno
1 teaspoon Paprika
2 teaspoons Cumin
1/2 teaspoon Dry Mustard
2 teaspoons Corn Starch(can be left out...I like slowcooking mine)
Salt and pepper to taste

Use this the same way you would use a packet for a pound of meat for tacos. I will use more for Chili, but I usually make a big pot. I will usually make a large batch and keep it in a jar to have on hand when needed.