I haven't blogged as much lately as lots has been happening! Had a wonderful visit recently from some long-time friends (not allowed to say "old" friends...) from Canada - Nancy & Heather. In the photo Nancy is on the left, I am in the middle and Heather on the right. I have known them for 20 years. We don't see a lot of each other any more but the connection is as strong as ever. I met Nancy first, when we both worked in a resort town in the Muskokas in Ontario during university summers... she was so giving even then that when I would get back to the cottage after a long waitressing shift, she would massage my feet for me. She introduced me to her sister, Heather and I have received a wonderful hand-made Christmas card every year since from her. They are both still as giving as ever or more... as they came all the way to Garrucha, Spain from the West Coast of Canada to spend some time with me, laden with gifts for my family and I! All those simple little things that we miss from Canada - cinnamon gum, peanut butter, Kraft Dinner, Chipit chocolate chips, Tylenol... then CDs, English books & soap making supplies! We had a wonderful 2 weeks visiting the area, beaches, Malaga, Mojacar, Nerja, Granada, Vera, Cabo de Gata...chatting, dinners at home and out, wonderful red wines. They came at a great moment for me too... a moment of change, transition and blossoming in my life as I end a challenging phase in my life and begin a new one - full of motivation & inspiration! Thank you, you wonderful long-time friends!!
Now - back to soap.... I have waited patiently to begin testing out my green experimental soaps. I LOVE the Aloe Vera (not-so-green) one, that has exclusively Aloe Vera as the liquid! I love everything about it - the texture, the suds and the scent... I am addicted. The second one I have been trying out, of the green soaps, is the one I made with Spirulina and I post a picture here to show you how much it has faded in 6 weeks. First I post the soap photo taken today of the soap I have been using in the shower
and I re-post the photo from 6 weeks ago.
As you can see, not all of the green has faded. I actually really like the green that is left. It is greener that you see in the photo, a much lighter green than 6 weeks ago, but bright somehow. Very nice. A nice soap, but not as fabulous as the Aloe Vera one. The Nettle soaps have held their colour very well.
One more thing - October 24th was the 1 year anniversary from when I made my very first soap! Happy 1st Soapiversary to me!!
Hi Jen, isn't it a fun-filled year of soaping? Happy Soapiversary! (by the way, love this new term you came up with!)
ReplyDeleteHappy Soapiversary!! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you had a wonderful time with friends. It is so great that they could go all the way to Spain to visit you.
Your soap is lovely. Bummer that it didn't stay as dark of green as when you started but, as you said, it is still a really pretty green.
I love green soaps.....
ReplyDeleteI use chlorophyll and French green clay and still get a little fade.
Pop micas retain their color in CP and HP.
Yes, Happy Soapiversary!! I have a thing for green soap too. ;)
ReplyDeleteHappy Soapiversary!! so glad you had a fantasic time with your friends, any friend that massages your feet is really one friend you don't want to lose:) Wow that scenery in the background looks wonderful.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a wonderful time with your friends. I love cinnamon gum and Smarties too. When I was in university in the States I missed all the Canadian things too. Even being on the west coast of Canada there are some things I miss from the East coast like David sunflower seeds (we have Spitz here), Hostess potato chips (they have Lays here).
ReplyDeleteI love the colour of your Aloe Vera soap and it sounds divine.
Congratulations on your one years soap anniversary.
Happy first Soapiversary, Jen! You've come a LONG way in just a years' time!! Glad to hear the green soaps are holding their color so far. I'll have to try an aloe vera soap. I keep the juice around to make lotion. :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on completing your first year of soap making. Being part of a company, Joyful Soaps, that just started nearly two months ago, I can really appreciate that important milestone. I like the texture and shade of green of your two soaps above. Very nice and Happy Holidays!
ReplyDelete