Friday, November 9, 2012

I {❤} Handmade Market


Come visit us tomorrow at the first

I {❤} Handmade Market

Saturday, November 10, 2012
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Four Points Sheraton
 Chambersburg, PA

Check out this YouTube video to see just a sampling of what will be available.


For more details on the show, visit  

See you then!

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

I {heart} Handmade Market

Announcing.........

Come visit us at the "I {heart} Handmade Market" on November 10th, 2012 from 8AM - 2PM.  We are offering a bar of our New & Improved Cinnamon & Citrus Goat Milk Soap for a door prize!  To find out more details about the market and other door prizes available, visit the market's face book page!  Come and bring your friends!


Friday, September 28, 2012

Harvest Celebration!

Come visit us this Saturday, September 29th at  
Andrew's Farm Market's Harvest Celebration!
Lincoln Way West, St. Thomas, PA

In addition to our goat milk soap and skin care products, we will be selling homemade wallets, wallet purses, tea cozies and more!


Delicious chicken barbecue and baked goods will be available for sale and Andrew's will be offering their half bushel and whole bushel's of apples at a 20% discount!


Thursday, September 6, 2012

Nigerian Dwarf Goats!

Introducing the new residents at Bloomin' Barnyard:   
Ellen & Betsy

Hans
I have been fascinated with all that I have learned about the Nigerian Dwarf breed recently.  They originate in Western Africa and it is thought that when big cats were shipped over to zoos here in America, the goats were sent along as food during the trip.  The goats that survived went on to live in zoos.  As the population increased they were eventually owned by individuals as well.  They were originally know as Pygmy goats but breeders began to recognize that within the Pygmy breed, there were two different types, the one being a more refined, dairy type.  These became the Nigerian Dwarf breed.

I became interested in owning some Nigerian's for several reason's.  They are a smaller goat and thus do not require as much space, grain and hay.  They do not give as much milk as the larger breeds but do give a lot for their size!  Since they can be bred year around, breeding's can be staggered to give a more consistent milk supply.  Their milk has higher butterfat content averaging 5% but can be as high as 10% - excellent for cheese making! 

Ellen, Betsy and Hans came to us from the Kirk family at Taste and See Home Dairy in Slanesville, WV.  They are from an excellent line of dairy breeding stock and we look forward to Ellen & Betsy freshening, hopefully in early Spring!

This post is linked to
Weekend Whatever
Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways Blog Hop
Natural Living Monday

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

End of Summer Goat Milk Soap Sale!

We are offering a 20% discount on the following scents from now till September 30th:











 



To receive this discount, visit us on Artfire and enter the code 20percentoff at check out!  Or, if you are local, we love visitors!

Friday, August 24, 2012

Chicks!

One of our stray hens who joined our barnyard several months ago along with a rooster surprised us by hatching 9 baby chicks this summer!  One by one as they hatched, the chicks fell down from the stack of hay bales where mother hen had been sitting on her eggs for several weeks unknown to us!  We found the cold, lonely chicks in the goat yard.  After warming them under a heat lamp and giving them some grain and water they became perky and playful!

 They provided great entertainment and amusement for my nephews, especially!
 
After they hatched, we took them back to their mother, hoping she would take them under her wing again.  No worries!  She was very protective.  Anyone who came near received a very nasty peck much to the boys dismay!

Mother Hen's protective care of her chicks reminded me of God's love for His own spoken of in Psalms.

He shall cover thee with his feathers,
and under his wings shalt thou trust.
Ps. 91:4

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Egg Cheese

One of my favorite recipes to make when we have an abundance of milk is Egg Cheese.  I remember the delectable egg cheese Grandma served when I was a child.  On my grandparents weekend visits to our home, Grandma's egg cheese would often accompany Sunday breakfast.  It had to be shared among grandparents, parents and 6 siblings and I could never get my fill.  Several years ago, while spending a few days with my grandparents, I asked Grandma to teach me the art of making this delicious cheese.  Unknown to me at the time, it was just days before Grandma passed away suddenly.  Below is Grandma's recipe for Egg Cheese.  Grandma used cow's milk but I use goat milk and make my own buttermilk.
Begin by heating 3 cups of milk to approximately 100 degrees F.
While the milk is heating, mix together 7 eggs, 2 cups of buttermilk and 1/2 t. of salt.
When the milk has reached 100 degrees F, slowly pour the egg and buttermilk mixture into the milk while stirring.
Heat the mixture SLOWLY, stirring often.  The hotter the temperature the more often it will need to be stirred to keep it from sticking.  When it reaches 160 -170 degrees F, it will start to curdle.
Continue to stir and allow it to separate until it has reached 190 degrees F.  At this point scoop the curds out with a slotted spoon into a strainer.  Let it drain for an hour or so before dumping onto a small plate.  Cover and refrigerate.
After the egg cheese is chilled, slice.............
...........and serve with maple syrup!  Yum!
Did YOU ever make egg cheese?

This post is linked to  
Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways Blog Hop  
Natural Living Link Up
M-I-Y Monday
Weekend Whatever

Natural Living Mama
Homesteader Blog Carnival 
Homestead Abundance Link Up 
Wednesday Link Party

Monday, May 28, 2012

Gardener's Gift Goat Milk Soap

The new Gardener's Gift Goat Milk Soap is cured and ready for sale! You can purchase it here.
Gardener's Gift Goat Milk Soap was created with the gardener in mind!  The poppy seeds provide extra "scrub" for those dirty gardener's hands.  The essential oils were chosen for the anti-septic, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, disinfectant and healing qualities for cleaning those dirty hands and healing the cuts and scrapes you might acquire as you care for you garden.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

In the Barnyard this morning.........

New babies were born last night!  Annabell gave birth to twin females!!!


The triplets, born last week, are learning to eat grain!


Proud Papa looks on from the other side of the fence.

 

Off to play with their favorite cousin born earlier this year.

 

 

Nap time!


Thursday, May 17, 2012

Triplets!


Triplet kids joined our Bloomin' Barnyard earlier this week.  They were so-o tiny but are growing quickly!  I went out to the barn to find them jumping and kicking up their heels this morning!


My nephews were delighted with the babies who had joined the barnyard just a few hours earlier.



I captured this video of the newborn triplets with my nephew's. =)  Asher, who recently learned about bones, discovered that baby goats have bones too! 
 
   


Tuesday, April 17, 2012

New Scents for Sale!

Visit our Artfire site to purchase these new Goat Milk Soaps & Shampoo!


Spring Passion is the first in a series of new scents for 2012!  A blend of Lemon, Lavender, Geranium and Rosemary essential oil make this goat milk soap refreshing and invigorating!
The addition of Cinnamon spice to our popular Cinnamon & Citrus Goat Milk Soap gives it a new look, feel and scent!














 


Life & Luster is a new Goat Milk Shampoo bar using a blend of therapeutic grade essential oils from Heritage Essential Oils called Hair Renew.  This combination of oils not only cleanses, nourishes and strengthens the hair follicle and shaft, but also promotes hair growth.








Thursday, April 12, 2012

Gardener's Gift Goat Milk Soap

Another new soap is curing!  Gardener's Gift Goat Milk Soap was created with the gardener in mind!  The poppy seeds provide extra "scrub" for those dirty gardener's hands.  The essential oils were chosen for the anti-septic, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, disinfectant and healing qualities for cleaning those dirty hands and healing the cuts and scrapes you might acquire as you care for you garden. 
This soap will be cured and ready for sale on May 23rd!



Saturday, April 7, 2012

Spring Recital - He Is Risen!

"He is not here: For he is risen, as he said.  Come, see the place where the Lord lay."  Matthew 28:6

 

"But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, 

 he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies 

by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." 

Romans 8:11

Such power God's people have within them - the same spirit that raised Christ from dead!  This is certainly reason to praise our RISEN LORD and that was our theme at our annual spring recital.  
The Prelude began with a medley of songs on the Cross, another on the Resurrection and concluded with, "I Know that my Redeemer Liveth".
After a short meditation on the power of the resurrection, Joella's students continued the program, each sharing a piece they worked hard to perfect!

 My violin students each played a solo piece while I accompanied them on the piano.  They also played several selections as a group.

After a piano duet by two of my students, each of my piano students played a solo.
 
We concluded the program by asking a few other musician's in the crowd to join us in playing "Christ Arose" while the congregation sang.

"That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead."
Philippians 3:10-11

The power of the Resurrection seems even more real to me since my trip to Israel last Fall. 
Praise God the tomb is empty!!!










Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Special Announcement!

To our international visitors...........We are pleased to announce that we now ship our products internationally!  You can visit our online store to check out our homemade goat milk soap and shampoo, lotion candles, lip balm and more!  

 

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Give Away!

Elizabeth Owens from The Ladies Lounge recently contacted me offering to write a review and host a give away for Homemaid Expressions.  You can visit her blog here to find out how you can enter to win 1 bar of goat milk soap, 1 wooden soap dish and 1 lotion candle!

Monday, February 27, 2012

New Soap is Curing!




Spring Passion is the first in a series of new scents for 2012!  A blend of Lemon, Lavender, Geranium and Rosemary essential oil make this goat milk soap refreshing and invigorating!  Spring Passion will be cured and ready for sale April 4th!




The addition of Cinnamon spice to our popular Cinnamon & Citrus Goat Milk Soap gives it a new look, feel and scent!  This new variation will be cured and ready for sale April 7th!


Life & Luster is a new Goat Milk Shampoo bar using a blend of therapeutic grade essential oils from Heritage Essential Oils called Hair Renew.  This combination of oils not only cleanses, nourishes and strengthens the hair follicle and shaft, but also promotes hair growth.  This new shampoo will be cured and ready for sale April 16th!