Goat Milk Bath Soaps and Beauty Lotions

Handmade crochet cloths are tagged with my company tags that includes washing instructions and fiber content.

2012-02-01T08:32:00.002-05:00

Had an OOPS on December 16th

2011-12-20T07:54:00.000-05:00

I fell and broke my ankle. It was a dark, stormy night as I was making my last rounds for the evening. Everyone was dry in spite of the rain; they had plenty of water, hay, and grain; the heat lamps were on because it was supposed to get in the 30s that night. So I was off to fix dinner. While walking through the chicken area, I slipped on a muddy spot and in a flash went down in wet, slippery chicken manure tainted muddy walkway.

Ugh ... . Luckily my rain slicker protected me from most of the yuck but it wasn't enough to protect me from the pain of a twisted ankle. I remembered the pain because I first broke my ankle in 1997, same ankle different shoes and slope.

The hubster took me to the ER on Saturday where the x-ray confirmed that my ankle was indeed broken. They put on a temporary cast and I was told go to a bone doctor within 2 days to get a real cast. That happens Tuesday.

In the meantime, I'm relearning how to walk with crutches. For those of you who have had this experience, you know the challenges. Sigh ... walking is challenging on a level floor but impossible on stairs. Soooooo, with that said and because my factory is 15 steps down in the basement, I can't get there.

Regrettably, I'll be taking a few weeks off from making my beloved goat milk soaps and lotions.

Angels exist! Natalie, who worked with me when she was in high school, is home from Texas Tech for the Holiday break and is coming over to feed all the critters. Thank you, Lord.

I knew this because of her Facebook posts. She graciously agreed to come over twice a day to feed everyone, even our new kitten. I just can't get out of the house right now. Maybe by the time she has to return to school I'll be able to get outside.

AND, the days she can't be here, our son will be. Angles do exist. Count your blessings and rejoice in their goodness.

Happy Holidays everyone. My products are available at God's Country Outfitters on Hwy 52 in Albemarle, and Falling Rivers Gallery on Main Street in Albemarle. I had replenished inventory on Thursday. Thank you, Lord.

Count your blessings. Have a Happy Holidays, Ladies and Gentlemen. I'll keep you posted on my progress.
Sincerely,
Pat Allen

A Day of Thankfulness

2011-11-25T11:30:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was a day of Thankfulness. Surrounded by the people I love, we spent as much time together as we could and relished every moment. We went out to lunch then drove to the top of Morrow Mountain. Next year, if the weather is this nice, we'll have a picnic on the mountain. It has such a lovely view. All of need to BE in that surrounding more often.

Our son, Don, came home for the day. Ahhhh, the pitter patter of size 12s around the house once again was music to my ears. Yes I remember how to cook for a growing boy. I say growing, he's an adult but he'll always be my baby. Just like I was always my mother's baby.

At 88, Mother passed away on October 10th so this was our first Thanksgiving without her. She was dearly missed. I made it through the say without crying but did tear up on the way home from our day out. I'll always miss her because the hole in my heart will always be there. But I'm thankful for the years we had together, for the life lessons she taught me, for the love we shared, and for her grace.

We're thankful for Bob's mother, Essie. At 94 she's a pistol who is on less medication than we are. Except for her hearing loss, you'd think she was in her sixty's the way she skips around. We're thankful that she still lives independently, plays Bridge as often as possible, reads a novel a week, attends various festivals with me, and is my wine drinking companion.

My beloved husband, Bob, will be home all week. Holiday vacations are busy times and we love it that way. We don't travel any more because we love our home so much. I say home, it's a ranch with 30ish goats, 2 horses, 5 cats, 4 dogs, and about 15 chickens. Something always needs repair or re-thinking so our holiday vacations are full.

This Thanksgiving we will have lived here eleven years. We go no further. It's the place of our dreams and we get great pleasure working on it. Well, most of the time we get great pleasure. It's physically exhausting work but that's another reason why we decided on this way of life. In our late sixty's (me) and early seventy's (Bob) we're better physical shape than we were in our forty's mainly because we move and lift more. Yes, we pick things up then put them down -- a lot.

This year we're bring in bees to pollinate our first ever garden. Having been city dwellers for most of our lives we had to learn how to do everything on the farm. From composting, to tilling, to not tilling, from hauling hot water to the barns because all the water buckets was frozen to setting up heated water buckets. Duh ... .Yep, we've had to learn it all. Each winter instills another lesson to be corrected come spring.

For instance, this year I put the goats on a decoquanate medicated feed in October -- before our first freeze. With God's Grace MAYBE I won't lose any goats due to any parasite infestation. Everyone has been dewormed and is monitored daily for diarrhea or a rough coat; and, supplements are in the barn cabinet standing by.

I'm thankful for my business because it affords me the lifestyle of my dreams. I've always wanted to work from home. Don't know why but I've wanted to have everything I do to be of value. Back when I practiced Interior Design I worked from home. That was fun. Now I'm a ranch manager and soap maker. Neither have anything to do with my college degrees except for my ability to teach myself almost anything. THAT's what I learned from my graduate work and allllll those college hours.

I'm thankful for everyone who as used my products. If you've never made anything before take a moment to imagine how it would feel to have a complete stranger be intrigued enough in something you created with your own intellect and made with your own hands to buy it for themselves or, better still, to give to one of their friends as a gift. What an honor that is. I am humbled by my customers and work to give them products that will enrich their lives.

That's why I make goat milk bath and beauty products. Because I love the quality and value that goat milk offers.From drinking it to cooking with it, to making cheeses and skincare products, goat milk's magic comes from the love and care given the goats themselves. Our goats are incredible creatures and deserve the greenest of grasses, the best of all grains, and the utmost of all care. I"m thankful for this lifestyle and cherish every moment.

Thank you Mother Father God for all these blessings.

New Goat Milk Soap Designs from Gran' Nannys' Goat Milk Soaps

2011-09-24T08:26:00.000-05:00

Take Me Away Chocolate Melody @ $7.00 each

Take Me Away Chocolate Melody Soap Pie

Beginning with my Old Fashioned Goat Milk Soap base I added chocolate fragrance oil with swirls of darker soap colored with cocoa. The topping has been piped on top with a pastry bag then sprinkled with pearl-looking sugar sprinkles.

Take Me Away Chocolate Melody @ $7.00 each

Please do not eat the sprinkles, you won't like the taste but they dissolve gracefully during your bath.

Inhaling the aroma of chocolate isn't fattening so you can enjoy the chocolate's essence to your heart's content.

Another way of looking at this soap is by turning it and viewing it as a Christmas tree, chocolate, of course. My MIL (mother-in -law) noticed that. Thanks, Essie. Way to go.

Skiddy's Splash About at $8.00 each

Skiddy's Splash About
Another dream child of mine is Skiddy's Splash About. Skiddy floats! What a fun bath for children of all ages. That is unless they still put soap in their mouth. Not a good idea. This soap begins with my Old Fashioned Goat Milk Soap base with saponified oils of soybean; cottonseed, olive; palm kernel, coconut, and corn; goat milk; shea butter; glycerin and sugar sprinkles.

Last weekend I introduced these new products at the Best of Badin Festival in Badin, NC. It's a good thing I have plenty of rubber duckys because my customers bought almost all of them. I'll definitely be making more of them this week.

Mini SoapCakes
I'm still playing/working with my newest molds and forms. These new mini soap cakes are so much fun, I made bazillions of them.

Min SoapCakes at $2.25 each

I was looking for shapes/molds that would fit in the human hand when these silicone cupcake molds came up in my search field.

The pink ones are scented with ylang-ylang essential oil whereas the green ones are contain patchouli essential oil. No wonder pastry chefs are such happy people. I had no idea that pipping would be so much fun. This technique opens a whole new world of designs. I can hardly wait to get back to the factory. Although it's more like an artist's studio now. What fun I'm having. My imagination is roaring with excitement thinking about your responses.

Like Skiddy's Splash About, my Best of Badin Festival customers bought quite of few of these mini soap cakes as Christmas presents. What a fun idea.

These soaps are not on my websites yet but will be soon. Meanwhile, if you're interested in them, please let me know so I can hold them back so I won't take them to the Holiday festivals.

Take Me Away Chocolate Melody Soap Pie

2011-09-16T12:02:00.000-05:00

Life could give you a pie in the face or you could grab that pie, slice it into smaller pieces, then use it to your advantage. Sure that's a metaphor but we've made it possible for you to have life your way.

Take that piece of pie and bathe with it. Rub nature's richness over your skin as you inhale the aromatic fragrance of chocolate and imagine life on your terms.Savoring a glass of wine while bathing with chocolate soap pie would make the evening so much better.

Beginning with my Old Fashion Goat Milk base, I then added Chocolate Fragrance Oil and real cocoa powder for color. After setting in the new pie mold, this soap pie will sweep you away from your daily exasperation into a bath of bliss.

Topped with pipped goat milk soap and sugar pearls and golden sugar flakes (do NOT EAT these decorations), this soap pie looks as luxurious as you'll feel after soaking in a tepid bath.

Here is a closeup of my new soap pie. Each piece weighs about 7 ounces..

Available with a choice of two packages: (1) Cello bag or (2) clear plastic gable box that is perfect as a gift.

(1) Cello bag; OR ...

... (2) in clear plastic gable box that is perfect as a gift

Prices will be available soon. Please check back with this blog.

My Goat Milk Soap Factory is better than ever

2011-08-18T07:06:00.032-05:00

More space, more storage, more supplies, more designs. My factory and I are up and cooking. Be on the lookout for new designs, new colors, new fragrances, and new products.

Taking a few steps back, a little time off, and loads of re-thinking has been worthwhile. I've developed several new products, new designs, and have tweaked my formulas just a bit. Sometime I need to STOP and focus. It is so easy to get carried away with so many creative endeavors that I over load myself. Whew!

That surgery in March was a blessing in many ways. First a primary cancer tumor was removed. IF we had caught it earlier that would have been the end of my cancer story. But no, that rascal had spread into my liver leaving about eleven small tumors there. The good news is that carcinoid tumor cancer is extremely slow growing. So if I lose weight (a possible cause of cancer), exercise (cancer hates exercise but then again, so do I), eat well (no more processed anything and tons of cancer-fighting foods), and take my octreotide shot every month, then I should be fine for years and years and years. I'll be going in for tests every three months for a while just to keep an eye on 'things'.

Second, the time down while recovering meant STOPPING EVERYTHING for several months. Not only did I not have the physical energy but I didn't have the mental energy either. Since I couldn't do much of anything I used that time to reflect on what was/is important to me and my family. In my inimitable fashion, I had managed to overload myself with so many projects that none were getting done. Forget doing them well, several projects were setting around in boxes waiting to be taken to the next level.

I quit soapmaking several times. Even got my husband to agree. But then I went into my factory and noticed all the soothing oils, healing aromatherapy scents, and designs waiting for me.

But above all, I read my customer list. I read the names of families who have enjoyed my work for years. That rejuvenated me most of all.

As I regained my strength I started cleaning the factory, moving stuff around, making more room, reorganizing my process. I even cleaned areas that were hard to get to or that hadn't been cleaned in a long time. THAT was where the remodeling came in. I couldn't move walls but I could move just about anything else. So I did.

I'll still carry the favorites but I'm focusing on my proven formulas, classic designs, fresh fragrances, and targeted marketing.

Pictures will be coming soon but for now I'm cranking in the factory and finishing a few research and development ideas. I promise, just a few ideas.

Keep smiling,
Pat Allen

Soap Making Factory is Almost Operational

2011-05-06T05:50:00.000-05:00

As usual one thing lead to another. After the leak was fixed we had to scrub, sweep, and mop every thing. I'm almost through cleaning ... but not quite. Whew, right now I'm glad my factory is kind of small. Fixing up the factory is taking tons of time and energy. But ohhhhhhh the finish look keeps me going. Working in a super clean space is important to me and my products.

I'll let you know when Gran' Nanny's soap factory is operational again. It won't be much longer. Be on the lookout of me.

Aug ... my aching back :)
Pat (aka GraNann)

Spindale Goat Festival

2011-04-27T17:07:00.001-05:00

Check out the YouTube video of the Spindale Goat Festival 2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9QmQOyrPA4&feature=related

Maybe we can be there in May 21st.

Be on the lookout for an announcement. :)

Remodeling Production Side of Our Factory

2011-04-27T06:12:00.000-05:00

We've decided to take the time to remodel the factory area of our workshop. We found a leak in the space where I make soaps that needs to be fixed. That silly leak has not mended itself, Go figure. With all the wet weather we've had lately, it's just gotten larger.

We're pulling a Holmes Inspection and making it right. It shouldn't take too long but the production side of the factory is closed for a few more days so we can stop that moisture from getting in.

More later ... .

My strength is returning more every day

2011-04-10T23:22:00.000-05:00

Recovering from surgery is taking a bit longer than I imagined. If you've ever had surgery before, you know how it zaps your strength and know what I mean.

More than my inventory getting low, I miss making soaps. Working with my essential oils is a super big part of enjoying the soaps. And right now, I could use a double-whammy dose of lavender to reduce my stress.

I'm stressing out about having carcinoid cancer. But I need to move on and start enjoying every moment instead.

I've been reading about cancer-fighting foods and, for the most part, like the foods that have been recommended. Bob went to the grocery store on Saturday with list in hand. So, we now have plenty of veges and fruit that we've been slacking on. Yes, he gets to change his food selections, too.

Maybe I'll go to the factory tomorrow and sweep. That'll help get me in the mood.

More later, Pat

2011-03-25T06:04:00.002-05:00

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/GoatMilkBath

Barn Cleaning Update

2011-02-28T09:26:00.000-05:00

Sigh ... what a job. I set the standard way too high -- again. I exhaust myself sometimes. Not to mention what that standard does to my helpers. But Don is an incredible sport. Guess he's used to me and my modalities.

Anyway, MOST of the items have been returned to the barn. But I'm still damp wiping dirt off containers, boxes, and jars. Only then will they be returned to their place in the cabinets. I'm soooooo tired of the dirt.

We've just got to get rid of the sand in the animal side of the barn. Not sure how or when that'll happen. I'm still looking for alternative flooring.

Stay tuned ... .

Gran' Nanny's web site is migrating to this blog

2011-02-22T06:54:00.000-05:00

Following a thorough analysis of my business strengths, I've decided to migrate my goat milk bath soaps and beauty lotions web site to this blog. There's only one of me and I need to consolidate as many activities as possible, especially with birthing season approaching.

For your convenience, both sites will be available throughout the migration. That way you can follow these updates and continue ordering my products without any interruption.

The www.GoatMilkBath.com site links to this blog while the www.GranNannysGoatMilkSoaps.com site opens the web.

Ahhhhhhh, we're on yet another journey. Stay tuned ... .

Day TWO of Barn Cleaning: Too tired and too wet to take pictures

2011-02-21T10:19:00.001-05:00

Don and I put our phones in his car so they wouldn't get wet. He put a CD in the car player and we worked almost all day.

He finished washing the barn while I started cleaning stuff we'd removed. The task at hand is to clean everything BEFORE it goes back into the barn. Yes, that means wiping the dirt off every item and every container.

We've just GOT to get rid of this sandy floor. Putting sand in the animal side seemed like a good idea at the time but it's turned into a really big chore. Sure it doesn't 'harbor bacteria' but it's EVERYWHERE.

Will we ever get these lessons learned? Probably not. I guess the real challenge is keeping on keeping on and doing what we love.

More later ... .

We're taking a 'barn cleaning' break

2011-02-19T15:45:00.000-05:00

It's been long over due but we're cleaning the big barn. It's entirely too dirty to house newborns, and out of the question dirty for milking; we need 'sanitary' in the milking area. So, for the first time ever, I'm taking time out from making our goat milk soaps so I can get ready for the upcoming delivery and milking seasons. In the past I've continued making soaps while maintaining the barns but have found it a bit overwhelming to do it all.

It looks like we might of been wrong about
his liking the barn as much as we do.

But we have muscle to help this season. Our son Don is staying with for a while so naturally his Dad and I are thinking of ways to keep him entertained. And, since we love hanging out in the barn, we thought he'd like that, too.

Yesterday, Don and I emptied the human side of the barn. With everything OUT of the barn we began power washing the walls and the most of the equipment. Today we'll be finishing this task, have everything power cleaned and back in place.

Here are a few pictures of our stuff::

View from the barn front door,
overlooking the manure/compost pile.

Continued view from barn
front door of more 'stuff'.

Yup, even more stuff OUT
of the barn. Gotta throw 'stuff' away.

Inside view looking toward
the back of the human area.

Looking toward the milking area.

In milking area looking out the front door.

Inside view looking out the front doors.

Looking toward the north side.

Now all we gotta do is get this CLEAN stuff back in the barn where it goes.

Stay tuned ... .

Order your Valentine an organza soapy sachet today

2011-02-08T14:23:00.000-05:00


Send your Valentine a heart red organza soapy sachet.

Getting caught up on marketing efforts

2011-01-12T12:32:00.001-05:00

I'm working on getting my goat milk soap products on my blog site so they'll be easier for folks that enjoy goat milk skin care products to learn about my products.

Learn more about my companyon the http://goatmilkbath.blogspot.com/p/about-gran-nannys-goat-milk-soaps.html page.

I appreciate your opinions and am looking forward to hearing from you.

Warmly,
Pat Allen, Soap Maker and Goat Breeder

We're not the smartest ones on the ranch

2011-01-07T05:39:00.000-05:00

Boots are lifesavers, especially if they're barn boots. It's wonderful being able to walk everywhere and do almost anything around the barn and not worry about something getting inside my shoe.

I'm a city girl and it is taking me a looooong time to turn in my shoes. Walking around the house barefoot, wiggling my toes is at will is all I've ever known. Guess that's why the corporate world and I collided. Yes, it was the shoe requirement, as well as other things that bind.

I digress... .

When we moved to the country we began with chickens in the front yard, excuse me, front pasture. Did you know that chickens fly out of their pen? Hadn't counted on that. The banties and the guineas cheat by flying out of their personally decorated chicken abodes. Thank goodness the Orphingtons stay in. Ha, they're too heavy to fly too high. Although we did have a hen who escaped by flying from one rock to a post to a horizontal post then down to a bird bath, then to the ground. Cleaver lady, that one. As she got older, she learned to crawl under a gate. Zeeze, it's hard keeping up with all these critters. They are so much smarter.

Yup, the little chicken dudes go straight for the front porch in the summer. Guess it's because they enjoy the warmth of the concrete porch. or maybe it's the soft mulch, or maybe because more bugs live near the front door than in the chicken coop area. But these little winged angels leave behind gifts of all colors and fragrances. Stepping in chicken poop is worse than stepping on chewing gum. Neither are preferrable but the chicken poop is poop. Then again, gum came from someone's mouth ... never mind. I'll take the poop.

At least it's usefulness can be expanded to the compost. Which, by the way, I have a new respect for. We compost almost everything out here. Mostly coffee grinds, and tea bags, though. The chickens are our little composters. They get our left-too-long-left-overs, egg shells, and too old bread. They'll also eat the broccoli whereas not everyone in the family will. Sometime I wish we did feed the dogs table food. I hate seeing broccoli being wasted. That's why it nice having chickens.

Even though the goats are picky eaters, most of the time they'll eat anything from the table. IF I would feed it to them. Not MY goats. They have to have clean, fresh food. However, I have learned that the more you paid for a plant/landscaping, the faster the goats will eat that plant. Then they'll eat the grass. They are so much smarter.

Walking around outside barefooted was never an option. I'm too tender footed; but, inside is my palace. I should be able to walk on anything I want. Right? I thought so. That is until the first day I absentmindedly entered the house in my barn worn shoes. Have you ever yelled at yourself? It isn't pleasant.

From that day forth, we have outside boots and inside shoes. Yup, boots are lifesavers.. Washable boots are pretty good on saving carpets, too. Some types of compost absolutely must stay outside.

Does this help you understand a bit more about why I love handmade goat milk soap. Soap is my farmland miracle in so many ways. More later ...

The things we do for our critters

2010-12-27T08:51:00.000-05:00

Being snowed in isn't so bad. That is IF you have enough supplies. At our place that means hay for our critters. Good news/bad news: today is the last day of our hay. Guess I'll be venturing out tomorrow or later this afternoon.

With that being said, it's been wonderful just hanging out with everyone. The hubster is feeling better; I'm proud of him for getting so much rest. He's the kind who would work till he drops because stuff needs doing. Really. Get some rest. That 'stuff' will be there when you feel better. I promise.

I can NOT imagine any chore/project that needs doing ... except feeding everyone and milking the goats. Although I, too, have checked on the livestock when I'm dragging. Bet you folks with critters know what I'm talking about. I get flu shots now so I don't worry so much about being wiped out.

I remember one time I was so ill I asked Bob if he's go milk the goats. I physically could not walk, had a fever and ached everywhere. We've all had that nasty flu. You know what I mean.

Mind you, he hadn't milked before; that's always been my chore. But like a champ, he bundled up and went outside while I slept. But after a while, I woke up noticing that he hadn't come back in. Even with me being so ill, I could tell he'd been gone too long. Way too long.

I bundled up then drug myself to the barn only to find that he was still working on his first goat. Boy was she pissed. Seeing the look on both of their faces helped me decide to take on the milking, even with my fever.

Bob agreeded to handle the goats while I stayed sitting on the milking stand and just milk. I don't remember how many goats needed milking that day. But to this day, I remember the look on Minnie's face. She was mad. Yes, goats do get mad and they do show it.

Let me know when you see a mad goat. It's a face you'll remember for ever.

Merry Christmas, Everyone

2010-12-25T10:36:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas, Everyone. What a perfect morning. Husband is still sleeping. Poor baby came down with the flu a couple of days ago so we've postponed our family Christmas until he feels better.

Two of the dogs are playing next to my desk. Lilly and Meister are almost non-stop playing machines. They'll play a while then chew of their Kong toys for a while then go back to playing. Watching them makes me laugh and calms my heart.

The other two dogs are feigning sleep under my desk ... waiting for me to make a move into the kitchen. My coffee is cold but I'm going to make them wait just a bit more. No, I don't give them a treat every time I go into the kitchen, although I have been known to drop a crumb or two on the floor. It's just a coincidence that the crumbs resemble dog treats.

The cats are just now starting to wiggle. They live in a large crate in my office. Being up high, they can look down on the dogs; and everyone else for that matter. We have four cats. Sigh, they all started out being barn cats because we have so many mice eating the goat/horse grain. But then it got wet so I moved their bed/food into the barn; then it got cold so I moved their bed/food into the garage/basement; then it got to be freezing so I moved their bed/food into the house. The rest is history. The cats will never be put outside again; there are too many dangers out there for my little guys.

Guess we'll need a feral cat who can't be caught to be the barn cat. Sigh ... .

Merry Christmas, Everyone. May you hold close to your heart the ones you love.

Black Raspberry Vanilla Goat Milk Soap

2010-12-17T10:11:00.004-05:00

Black Raspberry Vanilla Goat Milk Soap nurtures your skin while the fragrance oil sparks your senses with a mystic black raspberry vanilla fragrance.

In my Fiesta collection, Black Raspberry Vanilla is a synthetic fragrance oil that sparks fun, festivities, and folly throughout your senses.

Enjoy ...

Happy Holidays,
Pat Allen, Soap Maker

PS Let me mail your gifts to your friends. All you gotta do is order from my Online Store, send me an email with the address, then I'll mail your gift for you.

Lavender Lotion soothes hands

2010-12-16T10:02:00.001-05:00

Apply this lotion on your dry, chapped hands and feel the softness. GraNann's Goat Milk Lotions do not leave a greasy or oily feeling on your skin because the oil is absorbed into your skin.

I add shea butter in this product because it melts at body temperature taking the nutrient-rich ingredients into your skin.

Goat milk lotions contain vitamins, proteins, and minerals that gently saturate your skin helping it feel healthier and softer.

Enjoy your Holidays. Let me help by mailing your gifts to your friends. All you gotta do is order from my website.Visit my Online Store for available essential oil selections.

Merry Christmas,
Pat Allen, Soap Maker

Gift Packaging

2010-12-15T10:01:00.002-05:00

Our gift packaging is simple yet elegant. It's easy to package for mailing and light weight. Our signature Cello Bag packaging comfortably holds three bars of soap (your choice, visit my website for selections). I then slip the soaps inside a clear cello bar for the glam part. A signature tag is attached for your convenience.

Please go to my Online Store for available selections. Order online, then email me your friend's address and I'll mail your gift for you.

Happy Holidays,
Pat Allen, Soap Maker

Let me mail your gift for you

2010-12-14T09:53:00.000-05:00

If you're behind schedule, let me mail your gift to your friend. All you gotta do is select from my goat milk bath and beauty products, order from my website, then send me an email with the address. Piece of cake.

For now, take a look at my Gourmet collection. This delightful Eucalyptus Energizer soap moisturizes your skin while energizing your senses with eucalyptus essential oil.

Go to my website and order now. I'll need a wee bit of time to get your order ready.

Enjoy your Holidays,
Pat Allen, Soap Maker

Been settling dog issues lately.

2010-11-12T07:21:00.009-05:00

Everyone seems to be getting along nicely. The newbies are learning the 'house' rules. Watching them learn from each other is fun. They do catch on fast.

Love crate training, everything good happens in their crates (feeding, forever treats, peace and quiet). They're not in their crates for long times. Just when I'm off the farm and at night.

Leaving them outside on lovely days is a blessing. The cats get to roam when the dogs are either outside or in their crates. It's zoo around here and we love it ... most of the time.

http://bit.ly/cwLmDU

Super foods and essentials for fabulous skin: Chapter Two

2010-10-28T09:37:00.000-05:00

The adage of 'you are what you eat' applies here, especially if you want that healthy skin glow. Ms Tourles recommends that we eat a balanced diet with as few processed foods as possible.

She divides vitamin and mineral characteristics into three categories: Outstanding Sources, Skin Care Benefits, and Deficiency Symptoms. For the purpose of this study I selected what I considered the most critical item or a food that I would be willing to eat. For more detail, please get her book.

Essential Vitamins
Powerhouse vitamins provide the antioxidants and healing agents that gives our skin a healthy glow.

Vitamin A is essential for skin cell growth and maintenance; it boosts immunity and helps prevent dry, rough skin; found in fish liver oil, squashes, greens, or tomatoes;
B-Complex vitamins are good for anti-stress as well as aiding in cell growth and development; found in lean beef, chicken, egg yolks, liver,milk whole grains, green leafy vegetables or beans;
Vitamin C helps produce collagen in connective tissue; found in citrus fruits, tomatoes, apples, green leafy vegetables or papayas;
Vitamin D when combined with vitamin A aids in healing skin impurities; found in herring, mackerel, salmon, milk, egg yolks, and sunshine; and
Vitamin E oxygenates tissues and helps skin retain vitamin A; found in whole grains, eggs, nuts and green leafy vegetables.

Essentials Minerals

Building blocks of healthy skin, Four particular minerals are essential in building healthy skin:

iodine increases oxygen consumption and metabolic rate; found in fish and salt;
silicon aids in collagen formation; found in beets, onions, eggs, almonds, peanuts or grapes;
sulfur helps keep skin clear and smooth; found in onions, cabbage, garlic and kale; and
zinc boosts immunity; found in pumpkin/sunflower seeds, milk, eggs, green leafy vegetables, onions or nuts.

Essential Fats and Fatty Acids
Fat is critical to our skin's health, well-being, nourishment, and shape. It is composed of three fatty acids substances: saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, each offer its special value.

Saturated fatty acids are solid at room temperature; manufactured by your body excess saturated fatty acids can lead to a risk of high cholesterol or heart disease; found in animal fats;
Monounsaturated fatty acids are liquid at room temperature are beneficial to your heart because they do not elevate your cholesterol and may even reduce it; found in plant and fish fats;
Polyunsaturated fatty acids are also liquid at room temperature but have a different molecular structure; and
have been associated with increased risk of certain types of cancer; found in nuts and fish.

Mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids contain essential fatty acids (EFAs) because our body's cannot manufacture them; they must come from our food and are essential for our overall nuritional health. As little as 2 or 3 teaspoons of polyunsaturateed fal provides all the efa your body needs.

Two particular EFAs affect our skin:

Omega-3 found in fish and seeds, aid in healing wounds and
Omega-6 found in evening primrose, borage, black current oils and blue-green algae; promotes smooth, moisturized skin.

Whole food supplements will be discussed in my next message.

Healthy Skin Naturally: Skin Structure, it's function

2010-09-10T23:16:00.004-05:00

Welcome to my final discussion of Chapter One of Naturally Healthy Skin by Stephanie Tourles.

Function
Skin is our largest organ system that protects the body from damage, comprising the skin and its appendages (hair, scales, feather, and nails).

Skin serves as a regulator for our body including waterproofing, cushioning, and protection of deeper tissues; it excretes waste, regulates temperature and is made of sensory receptors that detect pain, sensation, pressure, and temperature; and it is an integumentary system that provide vitamin D synthesis. Our skin secrets sebum (oil secreted by the sebaceous glands), which lubricates the skin and keeps it moist.

Skin has aesthetic appeal in that it reflects our health and vibrance. Skin is the first thing people notice about us and shapes our opinion of our selves.
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Now that Chapter One has been discussed it's time to focus on learning all the new terms and dig a bit deeper into their functions and they help our skin be as vibrant as possible.

Nubian Goat Soap Presentation

2010-09-10T05:14:00.001-05:00

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Nubian Goat Soap Presentation

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Healthy Skin Naturally: Skin Structure, its dermis and subcutaneous layers

2010-09-09T23:15:00.002-05:00

Welcome to the second section of Chapter One of Naturally Healthy Skin by Stephanie Tourles.

The dermis layer consists of two layers:

The papillary binds the epidermis and dermis together. Papillae are the ridge-like projections that make up your finger prints. Containing capillaries and nerve ends, the papillae are super-sensitive to touch stimuli.
The reticular layer is made of elastic mesh-like fibers that give skin its resilience. But as we age, this layer’s strength and tone diminishes, collagen formation slows, and wrinkles begin. This layer contains fat cells, blood and lymph vessels, oil and sweat glands, arrector pili muscles, and hair follicles.

Subcutaneous
Subcutaneous means ‘beneath the skin’. A fatty layer connects the dermis to the underlying muscle tissue. This fatty layer is a shock absorber, insulator protecting our internal organs and gives your skin a smooth, strong foundation.

The photograph below shows the skin layers discussed above.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Skin.jpg

Skin section retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Skin.jpg

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Skin structure, its function will be discussed in my next blog.

Healthy Skin Naturally: Skin Structure, the epidermis

2010-09-08T07:20:00.108-05:00

Welcome to the first section of my discussion on Ms. Tourles' book, Naturally Healthy Skin. As mentioned previously, I've divided my discussion of this chapter into three sections. For me, learning happens faster if I digest smaller bits at a time. It's important that I learn the new terminologies and their functions.

Skin structure, the epidermis

Skin structure varies in thickness depending on its function. Skin is thickest on our feet and hands. After all, our feet and hands are the two body parts that we use most to sense our world. On the other hand, our thinnest skin is our eye lids. Our eyes are our very delicate; they would need a soft layer to protect them.
Skin is a complex organ because its functions are so varied. It protects us internally as well as externally. Within one square inch of our skin’s surface, our skin contains hair, sebaceous glands, nerves, blood vessels, sweat glands, cells, nerve endings, sensory cells, temperature sensing apparatuses.

Our skin is made up of three layers: epidermal, dermal, and subcutaneous. Within each of these layers are additional layers.

The epidermis contains five layers:

Stratum corneum is our outermost layer of skin composed of large, plate-like envelopes filled with keratin, which are dead cells that have migrated up from the stratum granulosum; this layer protects us from environmental elements and helps keep our skin hydrated by preventing water evaporation.
Stratum lucidum is found throughout the body but is thickest in the soles of our feet and in the palms of our hands; it is composed of between three to five layers of keratinocytes, (forms the keratin layer that protects the skin and underlying tissue from environmental damage such as heat, UV radiation and water loss).
Stratum granulosum (or granular layer) keratinocytes are called granules that contain keratohyalin (a protein that may promote aggregation and cross-linking of the keratin fibers).
Stratum spinosum also called ‘prickle-cell’ due to its spiny appearance creates a hydrophobic barrier that prevents dehydration.
Stratum basale, the deepest layer of the epidermis, is a continuous layer of cells, considered the stem cells of the epidermis, are proliferate and create ‘daughter’ cells that migrate

The photograph below shows the different layers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Skinlayers.png

____________________________________
Skin structure, its dermis and subcutaneous will be in my next blog.

Nubian Goat Soap Presentation

2010-09-08T06:43:00.001-05:00

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Nubian Goat Soap Presentation

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Reading Naurally Healthy Skin

2010-09-07T07:30:00.002-05:00

Chapter One of Naturally Healthy Skin by Stephanie Tourles discusses the structure and function of skin. Knowing what our skin is and does is a perfect place to start.

After reading this chapter I felt that I wanted to know more. So I went to Wikipedia as an alternative research reference. It’s easy to get to, is relative easy to read, has some terrific graphics and photographs, and contains linked references for those of you who want to dig deeper. Always using more than two references pretty much gives you an accurate picture of your subject.

This chapter became a bit longer than I initially thought so I divided my discussion of it into three sections: Skin Structure, the epidermis; Skin Structure, the dermis and subcutaneous, and Skin Structure, its function. With all the new terminology, I'll need more time and effort to digest what I've learned.

Learning how to care for your skin -- naturally

2010-09-06T06:04:00.001-05:00

I'm always looking for ways to improve my goat milk bath soaps and beauty lotions. I do this by reading, and reading, and reading. Dozens of books and articles on skin care surround my desk. Emails clutter my desktop because they have skin care tips that I want to pass on to you -- my customers.

Knowing how to care for my skin means more to me today than it did twenty years ago. You know, before the wrinkles and sagging muscles became visible. It's amazing how invincible we were back then. Tanning and experimenting with different foods and drinks was so much more fun than eating well and caring for myself.

My skin is paying for it now. That's why started a goat milk bath soaps and beauty lotion business. All of my products are developed after considerable, in-depth research. We research everything by a variety of research techniques: Anecdotal, statistical, and scientific research methodologies are all helpful.

I learned how to learn when working on my first graduate degree.But more importantly, I learned how to gain creditable knowledge. That's exactly what I've done with soapmaking and lotion making. Now I want to take my knowledge on natural skin care to a higher level. And I'd like to take you along with me as I learn from the masters.

We'll study work from professionals who have dedicated their careers to natural skin care. Academicians who educate technicians and trend setters who monitor consumer needs are continually producing research papers on their subjects. During this journey we'll identify people who have raised the bar on skin care knowledge -- in lay terms.

My plan is to share the highlights of my research with you. Here's the rub: I want to gain this knowledge so I can improve my goat milk bath and beauty products. So, the information will be biased. I will, however, let you know what I'll be studying so you can to get the materials for yourself, if you want.

The first text we'll study is a book by Stephanie Tourles named Naturally Healthy Skin: Tips and Techniques for a lifetime of Radiant Skin.

My next blog will cover Chapter One.

Photos of soap making

2010-09-05T09:05:00.001-05:00

Ingredients must be weighted for accuracy.

Oils must be melted so they will blend together.

Frozen goat milk and lye in early stages of blending.

Always wear protective gloves and eye ware.

Mixtures do get HOT.

Final stage includes a water bath so the two pails will cool within 5 degrees of each other.

Ingredients have been blended, fragrance oil and color has been added.

Close up of log.

Another close up of soap log.

Take a day off

2010-09-04T16:03:00.000-05:00

We took Sunday today off and loved it. Working from home has its benefits but it also has it drawbacks. Those of you who work from home know what I'm talking about.

On one hand I'm glad that I'm able to work from home; but, on the other hand, I'm always working when I'm at home. The sameness sort of closes in on me at times. Please don't get me wrong, Working from home is a dream come true. For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to have the freedom of working where ever I lived. I digress ... .

Bob and I watched a movie while still in our jammies. Surrounded by sleeping dogs, we lounged around all morning and most of the afternoon. That's a picture of our bliss.

We slowly ate breakfast around 2:00 p.m. After that we put on our barn duds on to go check our critters. Yesterday I noticed that one of our little goats had been limping. We caught him and discovered that his little leg was broken. I wrapped it temporarily and game him something for the pain. I'll call a vet tomorrow so he can come set it properly.

I hate that I don't know enough to give proper care for our goats. Studying veterinary technology is probably the one field of study I need the most. Self-taught book learning will have to do for now, though. I've had enough schooling.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not shy on college degrees. Unfortunately, none of them have anything to do with raising goats. But I did accomplish what most schooling should teach: I learned how to learn. I'll hit the books on mending broken bones tomorrow.

I'm happy to learn the basics, but when it comes to diagnosing and prescribing medicine, I'll leave that to the professionals. But everyone needs to know the basic first aid techniques -- for humans, dogs, cats, and all the other species that you live with. After all, they're counting on you -- the human.

Did I say I took the day off? Well, make that the morning off. I've got to go take care of a little guy with a broken leg and feed his mama. Then I'll figure my formula weights for tomorrow.

Happy soaping, Pat

Soap Gentle Enough for Your Mother’s Skin

2010-09-03T07:35:00.000-05:00

Many of you have asked: "What's in this soap that will help my ________?" Fill in the blank. Everyone has issues with their complexion, their elbows, ankles, heels, face or their dry skin.

Personally, I have light skin that sunburns easily. But first I freckle, Hey, I like my freckles so -- bring 'em on. But my mother, bless her heart, has hated her freckles for 87 years. Can you imagine how miserable she must be by hating her skin that long? Her skin is, after all, contains her very being.

Goat Milk Olive Oil Soap

That's another reason why I decided to make goat milk bath and beauty products. Helping her be happier with her skin MIGHT help yer realize how adorable her freckles are. The jury is still out on this one; but, I could keep you posted.

My mother-in-law (94), on the other hand, has skin that bruises quite easily, along with being dry and very delicate. With both of our mom's having delicate, thinning skin, I needed a soap that would cleanse their skin without damaging it further. Since I've been a researcher for decades, I started investigating what makes some soaps gentle versus what makes other soaps more harsh.

To discuss my findings would require more time/space than we have here. But suffice it to say, I found that a well-balanced soap is a requirement. Too much of some oils may dry your skin (hard to believe but true), while others may leave a greasy film on your skin.

I'd already research the benefits of goat milk in soap; so, I knew it would be helpful. The key points being that goat milk fats and proteins are transformed during the soap making process and thus leave a nutritious, moisturizing barrier on your skin. But which oils would enhance the goat milk even more?

All this research led me to develop my Nurture Collection. It has goat milk, olive oil, shea butter and sodium hydroxide. Goat milk contains nutrients, olive oil brings its healing ingredients, shea butter melts at body temperature and carries the benefits into your skin more readily. While sodium hydroxide is mandatory when making soaps, it too is transformed during the soapmaking process and is no longer in it's caustic form. It's my job to make sure I put just enough lye but not too much.

My Nurture Collection is gentle enough for my mother's skin (87) as well as my mother's-in-law skin (94). Skin that bruises easily, is thinning, very delicate and dries all too easily needs all the protection and nurtured as possible. Both of our mom's use my products. I figure that if I can get my parents to use my product, I must be doing something right. Have you noticed this, too?

Mother likes my soap but she still isn't too crazy about her freckles. Some things just take longer to alter than others ... don't they.

Happy bathing, Pat

Who is GraNann?

2010-09-02T06:59:00.001-05:00

It's every grand mother. In my case, it's a combination of Gran' and Nanny. GraNann.

Doesn't that sound more exotic than Granny. Grand Mother would be acceptable but it's too long. I wanted something that would be easy to remember and short. My grandmothers were Mamaw and MaMa. Hummm ... .Did not want to be called either of those names.

Children need something special to call their grand parents so I thought I'd give them something I would enjoy being called. No telling what youthful minds would come up with. It could be something really bizarre.

OK. With that being said, I don't have any grand children -- yet that is. (It's a long story. Probably like many of your stories; it's best left to your imagination.)

Returning to the point: When I'm in the barn with my baby goats I realized that I really am a grand mother. Their mamas (the does) are the parents. I truly can enjoy the babies then leave them to their mothers. Oh blessed day. How comforting to realize their mama's are waiting for me to leave so they could have their babies back.

Frequently babies need their hooves trimmed, need vaccinations, deworming, or handling of some sort. It's best to handle them when they're young so they'll be used to me picking them up. Besides, I hate chasing critters. I always lose, get winded, trip and fall, or otherwise get frustrated. Trapping works, but having them come to me is the best.

I'm happy being Mom to their mothers. After all, they were last year's babies. We all worked together getting them into this world. More than likely I held them to their mama's teat so they could nurse. Or I milked her then fed them their ever so important colostrum.

I like being GraNann, especially with it comes time to feed the newborns every two/three hours. Seeing a newborn nurse on her mama is truly magic. The vision warms my heart and fills it with memories I will take to the grave with me.

Now you know why we named our company Gran' Nanny's. We are mother centric here and have dozens of grandmothers as well as great grandmothers. But we do let go when the babies are old enough. It's time for them to move into someone else's life and share the pleasure of Goat World. It's memorable place because they are incredible creatures.

If you're lucky enough to have a goat, then you're lucky enough. Bless you.

Gift Wrapping Compliments Gift

2010-09-01T11:11:00.002-05:00

Gift wrapping has more delicate variations than I had ever imagined. From paper embossing, color theory, ribbon texture to tag font design; each nuance builds upon the other to create a special gift for your loved one.

After quite a bit of research, I am amazed at how much attention each component receives.

Please join me as we pair goat milk bath and beauty products with specialized gift designs that compliment each other.

Pictured is our signature cello packaging design. Goat Milk Soaps are wrapped with red or cream colored tissue paper then tied with natural raffia.

Each gift has a tag describing the contents and a tag for your signature. Most cello packages contain either three or four soaps, it's your choice.

Visit our site above for ordering details.

How may we be of further service?
Pat Allen, President
Gran' Nanny's Goat Milk Soaps

Goat Milk Oatmeal Soap Making Recipe

2010-08-31T09:29:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite books about milk soaps was written by Casey Makela in 1997. Milk-Based Soaps: Making Natural, Skin-Nourishing Soap contains recipes for soaps as well as benefits and reasons why milk is so good for your skin.

My copy is tattered and torn on a page or two but it's loved and well-worn. Every time I read this book some new bit of knowledge reveals itself. It's fun reading my old notes on a few pages, seeing my thought process as I was learning soapmaking.

Of all the recipes about milk soaps, my favorite is Oatmeal Soap (page 66). Oatmeal goat milk soap was the first soap I made and always keep in stock because it makes my skin feel wonderful every time I use it -- without exception. The recipe follows:

Oatmeal Soap (makes 32 4-ounce bars)
3 pounds pure vegetable shortening
17 ounces extra-light olive oil
12 ounces safflower oil
8 ounces canola oil
3 pounds goat milk (one gallon weights 8 pounds)
12 ounces pour sodium hydroxide (lye)
1 ounce borax
1/4 ounce white sugar
1/4 ounce glycerin
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/4 ounce almond fragrance oil
1/4 ounce vanilla fragrance oil

Special instructions. Prepare the oatmeal by putting 1/2 cup of rolled oats in the blender and grating it for 60 seconds, or until you get a medium-course powder.

Refining the oatmeal in this manner helps it to better blend into the soap, an creates a more finely textured soap.

Add the oatmeal when you run the liquid mixture through the blender for the first time, and add the fragrance oils when you run the liquid mixture through the blender for the second time.

I highly recommend getting this book if you're interested in making milk soaps. Then read it about 7 times so you'll 'get it'.

Space is too limited here to discuss PROCESS but it is critical. To learn more about process, go to the following website.

Kathy's Soapmaking Links lead to a wealth of information on soapmaking and soapmakers who share their talents and skills. These links are excellent places to begin your research on how to make soap.
http://millersoap.com/soaplinks.html

Happy soaping!

Soap Making Lessons Learned: Before and After

2010-08-30T07:25:00.001-05:00

I remember the first time I made a batch of soaps from scratch. Uncertainties gurgled in my throat: the heat, working with lye, would my mold be big enough? Feelings of uncertainty filled my chest. Don't you hate that feeling? But, as you probably know, you just gotta BIG-UP and go for it.

All those unknown/first-time-things concerned me. Being a rookie is scary, especially if you've never worked with much chemistry. Oh sure, Kitchen Chemistry, of course I could do that. But, to me, working with lye is hard core chemistry! Sigh ... . By the way, I'm still afraid of lye and that's a good thing. Lye does major damage to everything it touches. More on that later, but for now I'd like to talk about soap making.

This yellow photo is of my first batch of bergamot goat milk soap. I remember not knowing how to figure out how much soap needed to fill the mold. So I doubled my formula. HA ... still didn't fill the mold. See how thin this bar is? Or short, if you'd prefer that word. Need I tell you how easy this batch was to cut? They were so short, any knife would go through them. (We can talk about cutting tools later, too.)

My first soaps had been made in an old wooden office drawer I purchased at a second hand store. Well, Husband Bob would have none of this second-hand-stuff-for-his-wife, so he made a log mold measuring 44 inches long, 3.5 inches wide and 4 inches tall. Actually, he made two. (Thanks Darlin'.) They're wonderfully efficient and the log molded soaps were easier to cut.

This second photo is my most recent batch of bergamot soaps. Quite a difference, huh!?! Practice makes perfect. Well, better anyway. My design swirls are better, formula is better than ever, AND I know how to figure volume so I can fill ANY mold nicely. (You guys pay attention to high school math; you'll need it!)

Yes, I know the website photographs need updating. I'll get to it soon -- very soon. We've grown in so many ways; better formulations, better labels, better designs, better packaging.

Speaking of packaging, Bucky is still the cover boy for our bergamot soaps and always will be. All of our products showcase a special goat. After all, without our goats, we wouldn't have milk products for you.

I am always looking for just-one-more technique that accentuates the benefits of milk, like blending it with a particular oil or managing its heating properties more tightly. After all, it's GOAT milk that we believe in so strongly.

More later, but for now, I'm going to take my morning bath and get this day going.

Happy soaping, Pat

Gran' Nanny's Goat Milk Soaps Retailers in Stanly County

2010-08-29T09:59:00.001-05:00

Be on the lookout for our countertop displays at your local stores. Many retailers have the countertop display pictured on the right. It holds an assortment of soaps and lotions and talks about many goat milk benefits for your skin.

Our larger retailer stores have a full-line of our products on the Bakers Rack like the photo below.

God's Country Outfitters, Hwy 52 in Albemarle and McCoy's Feed on Hwy 24-27 at Hwy 601 have the largest displays with selections ranging from individual bars to gift wrapped packages complete with a gift tag waiting for your signature.

Select the title link above for a retailer located near you.

Happy soaping,

Pat Allen, Soap Maker

Crochet Face Cloths and Coordinated Soap Savers

2010-08-28T11:17:00.002-05:00

These face cloths are fun and easy to make. Starting with 4-ply 100 percent cotton, I chain stitch about 30 links. Turn then single crochet in each chain. SC one then, this is where the creative part comes in. You can either single crochet the entire cloth, or you could use a half-crochet or any other stitch you want. The main thing is to make the cloth as square as possible.

The sample is the photograph has a colored trim because I wanted more color. The coordinated flower and trim on the soap saver are made with the same colored trim. Mainly because it was fun.

The soap saver is a smaller square that I close to make a tube. About one inch from each end, weave the contrasting yarn through the stitches (like a draw string) so you can close the ends, keeping your soap pieces inside the saver.

This saver is a blessing in our household. The hubster doesn't use the little pieces; they just stuck on the walls in the shower until they dissolve. This little saver has saved more than the soaps. (need I say more? … didn’t think so)

For more crochet gift ideas, visit my website. Enjoy!

Goat Milk Soap Gifts Available on WebSpecials

2010-08-27T10:26:00.008-05:00

Each creamy colored metal bucket can double as a soap dish and comes with three goat milk soaps:

Maschio Motivo's Espresso Caffé Latté,
Wayland's Patchouli Plunge, and
Dean's Orange Delight.

All three soaps are for combination skin types and contain essential oils for a gentle aroma-filled bath.

Our Maschio Motivo (Italian for Main Man; Bucky is our main man) Espresso Caffé Latte contains espresso coffee grounds for a special exfoliating feeling.
Wayland's Patchouli Plunge fills your senses with a fresh herbaceous, earthy aroma; and
Dean's Orange Delight completes the aromatic tones with a cleansing citrus scent.

Our goat milk is high in fats, proteins, and vitamins that naturally moisturize and enrich dry, sensitive skin.

Ingredients: saponified oils of shortening, palm, coconut, olive, corn & castor oils, goat milk, essentials oils, cocoa butter glycerin, borax, salt and sugar.

As a free gift, we've included a bathing puff and a gift tag for your convenience. To purchase these Goat Bucket Gifts, follow this link to our GoatMilkBath website.

New soaps are on the drying shelves

2010-08-26T08:15:00.001-05:00

The new soaps are looking and smelling very good. Husband Bob checked 'em out last night. To us, 'checkin' 'em out' means touching, smelling, and seeing the soaps. (Although there is a 'taste' test for lye soaps, we don't do that. ughhhh)

The hearing sense takes place when Bob purrs while he's investigating the newest batch. If he doesn't go uuuuuuuuuuuuu and ahhhhhhhhhhhh, that batch goes no further. We only want the really nice, fine goat milk soaps.

Bob is our Inspector General and a tuffffff job it is. His facial expressions either make or break a batch. So far ... so good.

This new batch is still very wet so they'll need extra drying time. I added a bit more goat milk then usual but the difference will be worth the extended drying time.

Be on the lookout of a photo. I'll post one after they've been polished and are closer to being ready for you. Thanks for visiting, Pat

so much to do ... so little time

2010-08-25T13:34:00.002-05:00

Finally weaned the babies from their mamas. Now it's time to milk, milk, milk. Shazammmmm, do we have milk for our soaps! We're cranking soaps out as often as possible.

AND a few of the babies are for sale. We got a super batch of babies this year.

Check 'em out at this link.

Plenty of milk for new products

2010-08-24T11:16:00.001-05:00

We have enough milk to add more products and a larger territory. What a wonderful feeling having our goat milk products so widely received. Thank all of you for your support.

Clary Sage was popular we've decided to keep in the Gourmet Collection permanently. You voted by your purchases. We listened.

Be on the lookout for our newest release of Clary Sage Goat Milk Soap.

How important is it that the merchandise you receive match the photo on the web site?

2010-08-23T08:00:00.001-05:00

I ask because I'm always experimenting with designs, new colors, textures, exfoliates, and sizes. Swirls are my passion now and will be until I master them. Then I’ll move onto another design challenge.

How would be the best way to convey my designs to you without upsetting you as customers?

My formulas are pretty much established; that is, until I learn of a different oil combination that improves our products significantly. The industry is bursting with creative people. All of us love our craft and want to make the best products possible. The goats are pretty set in their ways (whew that’s a good thing).

But aromatherapists and suppliers are constantly inventing new products or finding new suppliers.

The industry changes frequently. Tell me the best way to communicate with you about our products:

Should I update my website with every new batch?
Should I remove individual photographs and just have a photo composite of our products?

Please let me hear from you on what you expect.

Milk Proteins and Milk Fats in Milk-based Handmade Soaps

2010-08-21T13:49:00.003-05:00

Soap made with milk is naturally protein and fat rich. Milk fats absorbed into handmade milk soaps produce a naturally moisturizing soap.

These unique properties of milk-based handmade soap are an all-natural way of moisturizing dry, delicate skin.

The two tables compare the protein and fat percentages on a variety of animals.

Percentage of protein in milk
Animal -- Percent protein
Cow -- 3.5
Goat -- 3.5
Sheep -- 5.8
Buffalo -- 3.6
Reindeer -- 10.3

Percentage of fats in milk
Animal -- Percent fats
Holstein cow -- 3.55

Nubian goat -- 5.0
Saanen goat -- 3.5
Sheep -- 6.4
Buffalo -- 7.9
Reindeer -- 20.3

Of these animals, I prefer the goat. Cows can and do step on you and that hurts. Sheep are too labor intensive. Buffalo are too big and often refused to be milked. Reindeer, on the other hand, are cool weather critters who probably wouldn't be happy in North Carolina. But I sure would like to try some reindeer milk soap.

Saponification is the making of soap

2010-08-20T12:08:00.000-05:00

Understanding the sanctification process could be daunting if we delve deeply into the chemistry. But let's not to that. Why don't I just tell you how I make soaps, generally speaking, of course.

Simply stated: Saponification is the chemical process of making soap.

I used to be very concerned about the process of making soap until Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs came into my life. Honestly, most of the situations that man gets himself into are insane. Soap making is a breeze compared to what some folks do for a living. I honor them all and now thoroughly enjoy soap making.

BEGIN WITH THE GREATEST OF CAUTIONS. Be alert, aware and focused at all times.

I recommend working with stainless steel or glass utensils and containers. Aluminum will melt, wood, and some plastics, will burn. Have plenty of water available in case something is spilled and it will. Vinegar is a neutralizer for lye so keep that handy too. By all means, protect your skin/eyes/breathing at all times. Make sure you are in a well ventilated area because the lye fumes are dangerous, too.

I won't go into formulas/recipes because there are so many available online or in books. I'll mainly share my experiences with soapmaking. You'll need three main ingredients:

sodium hydroxide (lye);
liquid (usually water); and
fats and oils (fatty acids).

Since the oils/fats take longer to blend, I begin the process by weighing them. Because some of the oils/fats are in two different forms (solids versus liquids), you'll need to heat the oils/fats mixture until they have melted and blended together. Careful: it gets HOT.

Remember: Oil and water do not mix. So you need to mix the water and lye together first. Be careful with this mixture because it gets HOT and lye is dangerous. Mix thoroughly. Sometime a crust forms on the bottom of the mixture if it is left too long without stirring.

More than likely, you now have two different mixtures at two different temperatures. It's been my experience that the oils/fats take longer to cool down than the water/lye mixture. Doesn't matter; I stay with these two containers without interruption (no cell phone, animals, or distractions) until they are ready to blend.

When both containers are in the low 100s, I put them in a water bath (large utility sink outside my garage door). I stir and watch each of them closely until both of them are in the low 90s or high 80s AND within 5 degrees of each other. At that time I pour the lye mixture into the oil mixture and begin stirring like a crazy woman.

After the initial blend, I carry this cauldron inside to my factory where the essential oils, coloring, and molds are located. Mind you, the factor work areas has been sanitized and the molds have already been prepared or lined. They are ready to go because once the soap 'traces' I'll JUST have time to pour the mixture into the molds.

The faster you stir or agitate this hot mixture, the faster it will setup. I recently purchased a super big deal blender and have yet to use it at full power because the mixture traces too quickly. Darn, I want to play with my new blender but can't. Sigh ... . I digress.

You should know your design strategy (molds, colors and essential oils) before you begin. Again, you will NOT have time once the saponification process begins.

Again, exercise caution: this mixture is hot with heat and is hot chemically. You can/will get burned both ways.

Carefully pour your pudding-consistency mixture into your mold. Cover with blankets so it will cool slowly.

Here's where I stop. I leave all my tools, mess, buckets, containers alone until the next day. It's all hot and will burn me with heat and chemically. By the next day it'll be cool enough to wash.

The exception is the lye mixture mess. I pour vinegar/water in the container and put the utensils inside. I make sure this container is concealed so no critters can get into it. By critters I mean chickens, goats, birds, or dogs. The chemistry could really hurt them.

I frequently check the soap for hardness then cut it when it's firm enough to keep it's shape; but, soft enough to cut. If you wait too long, it'll become too hard and you might not be able to cut it. (I did this once and still have some of that log.)

Happy soaping ...

Gran' Nanny's Goat Milk Soaps LOGO

2010-08-19T11:23:00.001-05:00

We're unveiling the logo for our companies. We have two: One is for our goat milk soaps; while the other is for our goats.

We raise nubian dairy goats for sale. That is after the babies have been weaned. In some cases, the mama and baby will be sold together. It depends on what you're looking for. I seldom milk the does because our freezers are full. My does give me plenty of milk in addition to them nursing their babies.

I'm amazed at how many requests I get for goats in-milk. That's why I started selling the does. I want to supply what you want. Along with the sale of a goat, I also share a list of my resources for goat management tips, soap making, and cheese making. While I don't make cheese for resale, I do make it for friends and family.

Even though most of our does in-milk are for sale. We do keep our retired ladies as well as a few of our favorite friends. Our goats have taken good care of us, it's our time to return the favor.

To check out our sale goats, please visit our website:
Sleeping Dog Ranch Nubians

Looking for gift ware sales firm in the southern region

2010-08-18T14:17:00.000-05:00

We've decided to expand our market and are looking for a sales firm to pick up my line of handmade goat milk bath and beauty products. If you know of anyone in the Charlotte, North Carolina region, please let me know.

Sales firm must know gift ware industry in the southern Region with possible expansion to the west.

Independent representatives are encouraged to contact us.

Oatmeal exfoliants remove debris while soothing your skin

2010-08-18T05:40:00.002-05:00

The surface of your skin not only traps interior waste and toxins but it traps exterior pollutants as well. Bathing with an exfoliant helps remove those wastes while stimulating your healthy cell growth.

Exfoliants are irregularly shaped textures that helps release debris collected on the skin's surface. But rubbing too hard could damage your skin.

At Gran' Nanny's Goat Milk Soaps oatmeal is our primary exfoliant because it is a gentle exfoliant that soothes your skin while cleansing it.

Goat Milk, Oatmeal, & Honey Soap in our Nurture Collection contains oatmeal that has been finely ground, gently chopped, and coarse flakes. Our application of oatmeal exfoliants benefit your skin in the following three ways:

Our finely ground oatmeal powder spreads the oatmeal's gentleness throughout each bar;
the chopped granules gently exfoliate your skin; and,
the coarsely chopped flakes float in your bath water allowing for greater penetration of the soothing properties of oatmeal.

Further protecting your skin, I've added moisturizing nutrients via shea butter and castor oil into our exfoliating formulas. These nutrients help reduce irritation and dryness. Remember: Always rub your skin gently in small circular movements and rinse your skin thoroughly.

Learn more about how goat milk bath soaps and beauty lotions benefit your skin ...

Gran' Nanny's Goat Milk Soaps Uses Shea Butter

2010-08-17T07:26:00.037-05:00

Shea butter has been used as a moisturizer for centuries, one of the most stable, natural fats known; it is easily absorbed into the skin because it melts at body temperature, thus creating a moisture barrier between sensitive skin and the environment. Because of these properties, shea butter is an excellent carrier for moving nutrients of goat milk and oils into your skin.

Known to have anti-inflammatory properties, shea butter acts as an emollient and humectant by attracting moisture to your skin.

Research indicates that shea butter could be an effective treatment for the following conditions: fading scars, eczema, burns, rashes, severely dry skin, dark spots, skin discolorations, chapped lips, stretchmarks, wrinkles, and in lessening the irritation of psoriasis. (Wikipedia)

Learn which Gran' Nanny's Goat Milk Soaps can help your skin become softer and more supple.

Gran' Nanny's Goat Milk Soaps Superfats All Her Soaps

2010-08-16T11:00:00.013-05:00

Superfat means that additional oils used in my soap formulas do not turn into soap but remain as oils in the soaps. I do this because I want my soaps to be as nurturing as possible. These additional oils stay in the soap until you bathe at which time they gently soak into your skin. Leaving it feeling moisturized, supple, and softer.

Learn more about the benefits of using Gran' Nanny's Goat Milk Soaps ...

Vitamins absorve through your skin

2010-08-06T07:58:00.000-05:00

Goat milk bath soaps and beauty lotions contain a rich supply of vitamins and minerals that absorbs into your skin.

In particular, vitamin A nourishes various parts of your body:

* Vision
* Gene transcription
* Immune function
* Embryonic development and reproduction
* Bone metabolism
* Haematopoiesis
* Skin health
* Antioxidant activity

Research indicates that vitamins can be absorbed through your body as well as through the food you eat. That's why we use goat milk in every product we make.

Replenish your skin often with goat milk bath soaps and beauty lotions from Gran' Nanny's Goat Milk Soaps.

To purchase goat milk bath soaps and beauty lotions ...

For more information about vitamin A ...

GraNann's Goat Milk Lotions is new and improved

2010-07-12T05:32:00.000-05:00

You talked -- we listened. You told me that you wanted lotion that would soften and moisturize your skin without exfoliating it. Soooooo, I've altered my formula so the lotions gently soak into your skin without the exfoliation.

Healing olive oil is still our main oil so your skin has all of it's healing properties.

Ordering information is on our website.

Let me know what you think.

More milk is accumulating in GraNann's freezer

2010-07-05T06:38:00.000-05:00

Production will begin as soon as all the babies have landed, so to speak. We have one more doe in baby watch. As soon as her babies decide to join the Sleeping Dog Ranch herd, we're off and running into soap and lotion production.

In the meantime, I've been focusing on getting the barn clean then keeping it clean. So far, so good. I've learned that if I clean it a little bit every day, stuff (our natural fertilizer) doesn't pile up so high. Hence, it doesn't weigh so much so I can carry it. Whew, what muscles I'm building.

I love my new horse. Don't get me wrong, but it sure would be nice if he'd poop outside. How do I train a horse to not poop in the barn?

I'm open to suggestions from you horse owners out there who can tell me how to poop train a horse. The water hose gets him moving but I can't stay out in the barn and watch him all the time. I would if I could, he is handsome. I dreamed about him last night ... but ... that's another story.

As I said earlier, we gave plenty of goat milk frozen and ready for production. All I gotta do is get these babies on their feet so I can get in the factory. Everyone one is doing well and progressing as expected. So, I'll be in the factory pretty soon. Looking forward to it.

I'll let you know when our production line begins.

Producing unscented goat milk lotions today

2010-06-18T07:09:00.000-05:00

I'm making the freshest goat milk lotions possible. The mama goats are producing so much milk that the babies can't drink it all. (Yes, they try.)

Check out our website, www.GoatMilkBath.com, for prices. Availability is NOW.

We'll be attending a few festivals this year

2010-02-25T03:10:00.000-05:00

This is our first year to have them planned throughout the year. We're looking forward to meeting you and getting to know your preferences first hand.

Please check out our Festivals schedule for more information. I'll update it often so it will be as accurate as possible.

See you at the festivals!

Crochet Face Cloth Sets

2010-02-23T08:10:00.001-05:00

You'd be amazed at how bathing with a hand made crochet cloth enhances your bathing experience. That's why I make them.

I use 100 percent 4-ply worsted cotton yarn for its softness and durability. Please allow for normal 100 percent cotton sizing and/or shrinkage. Do not wash in hot water, it dries out your skin. Use warm water for best results.

Bathe with a handmade crochet cloth for a baby soft touch but with an ever so gentle exfoliation. Sizes vary but each cloth is approximately 11" x 11".

Visit our website for more color selections.

2010-02-21T08:28:00.001-05:00

Even though smelling essential oils alter your senses almost immediately, soaking in tepid water deepens its affect.

Aromatherapy further enhances your bathing experience while soothing your skin and adapting your mood -- from a morning pick-me-up to an evening settle-me-down.

We at Gran' Nanny's Goat Milk Soaps use both essential oils and fragrance oils in our products. But we're picky and use them with caution. The basic difference between the two is that essential oils are extruded from plant material while fragrance oils are synthetic.

Being picky, we've established two different product lines so you'll know which aromatherapy oils work best for you. Botanical essential oils are in our Gourmet products (see Gran' Nanny No. 5 above), whereas fragrance oils are in our Fiesta products (see Willie's Apple Wooooooo below). Fragrance oils are loads of fun and reflect the seasonal holiday moods.

Visit our website for more information about aromatherapy and our product lines.

Benefits of Goat Milk Soap

2010-02-19T08:48:00.002-05:00

The secret is in the butter fats that get turned into soap during the saponification process. Saponification is the chemical reaction that turns liquid, lye, and oil into soap. Goat milk contains butter fat, water, lactose (a milk sugar), casein (proteins), and salts.

But because goat milk is naturally homogenized, the butter fats and milk proteins react with lye and form a fat rich soap that contains vitamins A, D, E, and K.

For more information on the benefits of goat milk skin care products, please visit our Gran' Nanny's Goat Milk Soaps website

Goat Milk Lotions by GraNann

2010-02-17T07:31:00.001-05:00

Our goat milk lotions contain olive oil because its healing and soothing properties have been know for centuries. By combining goat milk with its moisturizing properties and olive with its nourishing properties, we offer an all natural lotion that soothes your dry, cracking skin.

Bound together with emulsifying agents like goat milk protein fats and beeswax, goat milk lotions won't clog your pours and offers the vitamins, proteins, and minerals that your skin needs.

By using our goat milk lotions after your goat milk soap bath, your skin will be gently moisturized and supple.

Healing Properties of Goat Milk Olive Oil Soap - Our Nutrure Products

2010-02-15T08:00:00.001-05:00

Because the healing properties of olive oil have been known for centuries, I wanted to make a goat milk soap with as much olive oil in it as possible. But saponification (making soap) can be a tricky process; the ingredients must be balanced correctly or the soap could be too hot and burn your skin or too gooey and slime your skin, or too oily and float on your skin. Precision is important.

Goat milk has so much to offer your skin that I wanted to enhance its vitamins and minerals with a comparable oil. It took some doing; but, I figured it out. Our goat milk and olive oil products offer the gentleness of olives balanced with the richness of goat milk minerals, proteins, and vitamins.

Developed for the most delicate skin types, our Nurture product line is made with a 100 percent olive oil base. This pH balanced, creamy soap is the most gentle soap available. It is also our softest and therefore must be kept dry when not in use or it will dissolve prematurely.

I initially made this product for our mothers: one is 86 and the other is 92. Both have thin, delicate skin that is sensitive to cleansing chemicals and harsh environmental drying conditions.

Our Nurture product line contains only three ingredients: olive oil, goat milk, and lye. Yes, lye is required to make soap; otherwise, you'd have a oily milky gooooo that would sour over time. But the process of making soap, saponification, transforms these three ingredients into soap. As ingredients, they ALL change.The oil is no more. The milk is no more. All three ingredients are now soap. Isn't chemistry fun! I love it. No, the milk does not sour because it is now soap.

All of our Nurture skin care products are made with a goat milk and olive oil base. Additives are selected to produce special benefits like exfoliation with finely ground oat meal or detoxification with Dead Sea Salt. But keeping our Nurture products soft and gentle for delicate skin is our primary directive.

Minding the Garden Muses

2010-02-10T10:00:00.000-05:00

I've tried. I've REALLY tried. Honestly, I tried. But I can't help myself. The Garden Muses own me. They tug at me unceremoniously until they get what they want. This year they're making me improve our chicken yard. Since it's in our front yard having a welcoming area makes sense.

Well, it's actually a chicken AND goat yard for now. We're breeding a buck with three delightful ladies and needed the space and shelter. Sooooooooooo the chickens had to move over.

This picture was taken last summer (2009). Jordan (my goat-helping angel) went bonkers on us after sheering 25 goats. By the time she got to Lester, she HAD to express her creativity. Isn't she terrific! Lester deserved it, don't feel sorry for him. Mr. Wonderful is our beloved pain-in-the-bottom. More about him later. His antics could fill volumes. Every farm needs a Lester; he's ours.

The chicken yard is in the background. Containing two structures: a 10x10 chicken house and a 4x10 chicken tractor (designed to be portable), the area is shaped like a kite, sort of. With only two 90 degree angles and long unused algebra, I have no idea of the square area. It isn't THAT important.

Since this photo was taken we've added heavy mulch and steel edging around the beds OUTSIDE the chicken area. Notice the bird bath area. The rock driveway was added last year. While clay makes for highly nutritious mud, tromping through mud at the front door is NOT good.

The umbrellas have been removed (needed for summer shade); and, the goats have eaten down the grass. The chicken tractor (first photo foreground) has a brown tarp wrapped around it so the goats would have shelter apart from the chicken house. The tractor's floor began as dirt but with all this rain it's major muddyyyyyy. Since goats don't do wet feet, the goats are residing in the chicken house. Sigh ... .

The trash cans are food containers and store various chicken-related tools. With the land grade being slightly down hill from the barn (see background) all water drains through the chicken yard down to the front door. NOT a desirable result.

Lots of mud. Lots of wet, slimy, slippery mud. Did I mention that this mud has chicken AND goat poop mixed in with it? If you've ever fallen is 'poop enriched farm mud" you'll know the choice words used on the way d-o-w-n. Luckily water hoses are everywhere. In the summer I don't mind hosing myself down before going inside; but, during the winter it's tufffffffff. But poop drenched clothes are NOT permitted in the house. Not even mine.

Long hair donated to Wigs for Kids

2010-02-08T08:55:00.000-05:00

Well, I did have a few hair cuts during those years. But it was always long. Will some one please tell me why men prefer long hair? Please!

My husband likes long hair so I accommodated him -- for 29 years. For 29 years, I washed it, brushed it, braided it, and lugged it around. Had headaches because of the added weight on my head. Duh ... .

He had no idea what a 'big deal' it was to care for. Hey, HE maintained his short hair cut. And, along the way, managed to loose a bit of hair. So HIS hair maintenance got easier while mine got longer and required more time and attention. Well, there was the obligatory pony tail. Vundebar, it was EZ.

Those of you with long hair know what I'm talking about. But he liked long hair so I accommodated him. Hummm ... .

I finally found a value in having long hair. When I DID get it cut, I would cut off 12 inches then donate it to Wigs for Kids. This organization promises that the recipients incur NO costs. Wigs for Kids supplies hair to kids who have lost their hair because of chemotherapy treatments.

I donated a few lengths and was happy to do it. But after cutting 12 inches I realized how heavy my hair had become. Then I cracked. I HAD HAD ENOUGH! I went to my hair stylist, Chris, and told him to 'cut if off'. Being cognisant of the shock one goes through with dramatic hair cuts, Chris cut just a bit more than usual. It wasn't short enough.

The next visit it would be shorter. THIS time Chris got to the new program. Thank you, Chris!

My long hair time is over. For the next 29 years my hair will be short short short. Hey, it took me less than 10 minutes to wash my hair last night and it dried B4 I went to bed. With long hair, it would take hours and hours for my hair to dry.

May I encourage you long hair divas to donate some of your hair to Wigs for Kids. It is a worthy organization that guarantees NO COSTS to the recipients. Those folks have enough to deal with. Kids need your hair. Please help.

Our new barn frig broke on Christmas Eve

2010-01-06T09:57:00.000-05:00

Darn, don't you hate it when you purchase a new appliance only to have it STOP working when the freezer is FULL of food?!

It had worked for the past month but all of a sudden it decided to stop working. Luckily I checked it and was able to relocate all the meat so no food was lost.

Since it's new, we were still under warranty. The service man arrived the next day, Christmas Eve, thank you very much.
As we escorted him to the uninsulated barn, he asked one question about the broken frig, "How cold was it in the barn when this frig stopped working?" Well, come to think of it, it was in the 20's that day.

This man is good. He diagnosed the problem immediately. Outside the frig was colder than inside the frig so the sensors told it to turn off. hummm ...

After installing a Garage Add-on, the frig was purring like a sleepy kitten. This Add-on warms the sensor just enough to keep it working year around, whether it's in an insulated barn or not.

Don't you have it when your frig is smarter than you.
We do.

Production schedule updates

2010-01-05T09:56:00.001-05:00

Throughout the holidays we had time opportunities to evaluate our product lines. Since we're all back, setting the production schedule will be one of the first things to do.

Getting into the swing of things

2010-01-04T09:54:00.006-05:00

We had a super holiday. All of us rested, played, worked, completed household projects, ate ate ate, and took a nap or two. Probably the best part was having most of the family together again so we could get caught up with each others lives. We all live at such a fast pace (like you).

Shipped all the custom orders yesterday

2009-12-09T10:06:00.000-05:00

Whew! That was close but ALL the custom orders have been shipped and will be received for the Holidays. Making those custom orders was a whole lot of fun.

It's exciting when you care enough about our products to give them as gifts for your friends. We are humbled and honored. Thank you for the opportunity.

Happy Holidays from all the critters at Gran’ Nanny’s Goat Milk Soaps.

Free Shipping for the Holidays

2009-12-03T08:58:00.000-05:00

Join us as we celebrate FREE SHIPPING during the Holidays! We ship Priority Mail via USPS where items weighing less than seventy pounds ship for one price.

Hey, we can do that! Most of our products range between 4 to 7 ounces. So, the 70 pound limit is EZ.

Our Web Specials and Gift Shop pages have been setup to calculate no shipping charges throughout the Holidays.

Make sure your gifts arrive on time. Order Now!

Family is always first

2009-11-16T13:18:00.051-05:00

Family is still the most important thing in the world to me. Like many of us, I lose sight of this from time to time: Thinking of my businesses, dogs, cats, chickens, goats, milking, laundry, and other day-to-day tidings.

Absentmindedly focusing only on the now and could be, I was immediately reminded of family when I received a call from the manager of my mother’s apartment wanting to know what happened last night. That's a scary question coming from anyone but from where my mother lives, it became a sharp, significant concern. As the story unfolded I became acutely aware that mother could no longer live alone. She's 86 and has dementia.

For the past four years, she has been surrounded by wonderful people. Neighbors who dropped by for a chat, visited for a few minutes, took turns checking on her, calling her to see how she was doing, and offering to do something to help. Many kept her company until her next nap or the next football game came on TV. Thank you all for what you have meant to mother. But a time comes with neighbors can no longer provide the care and concern that is needed. It is time for family.

I received my call this morning. By the time I arrived at her apartment, the nightly puzzle began fitting together. Mother is getting more confused in the evenings than during the day. Her frequent falls aren't helping either. Sometime she doesn't remember falling much less remember whether she's taken her pills or not.

She took the wrong sleeping pill last week. I so carefully counted each and every pill as I put them in the her weekly organizer but she managed to pick out the pill she wanted to help her sleep. Trouble is that it was a strong pill. We decided to let her sleep it off while we talked about increasing our care. We hovered over her for three days. She's fine -- just confused and forgetful.

She's home with me now so I can watch her more carefully. Between the four dogs and our alarm system, we'll know where she is every minute of the day.

Mother is taking a nap now but when she awakens, will she remember where she is. Apparently dementia strikes in the blink of an eye as her memory fades and she becomes confused. I’ve seen a bit of it in her but I suspect her confusion will increase. Hopefully slowly but it will increase.

I’ll continue producing my goat milk bath products whenever possible. But please know that when mother calls, I will be with her.

Prayers are most appreciated.

My job

2009-11-06T09:08:00.000-05:00

I have the absolute most perfect job on the planet. I raise nubian dairy goats and make goat milk bath and beauty products with their milk. Working from home has been a lifetime dream of mine. I just didn't know that it would take 10 acres, miles of fences, several outbuildings, and livestock to fulfill it.

I birth the babies, milk the mamas, and make the soaps and lotions. That's starting at the beginning, isn't it. Actually, the beginning goes back to breeding the right buck to the right doe to get a confirmationally strong baby and body condition. But that beginning goes back even further, too. Sigh ... there is no end to getting the right start. You just start where you are then figure out the rest.

Most folks who breed goats were lucky enough to be born on the farm and continued in the family business. My closest encounter with farm life was spending summers with my grandparents -- both sides. So maybe I'm reclaiming my youth. That's good. My childhood memories of running up and down cotton rows, crawling through an abandoned pig pens, and collecting eggs from the hen house are warm and fuzzy if not a bit black and muddy. But one of my favorite memories was of taking the halter off my horse Dolly. She wouldn't let me put it on, my grandfather had to do that. BUT she would lower her head so I could take it off.

Think about that for a moment. A huge animal (horse) knew that a smaller animal (me at 8 years old) would do what the huge animal wanted simply by lowering its head. Working/playing with animals ignited a passion within me at a very early age. Thank you Dolly.

Unfortunately that passion became hidden when my teenage hormones erupted. Don't many of us lose our minds when hormones erupt? ... moving on ... .

These hormones took over. I got married too early had a beautiful baby boy, then got a divorce when the guy took off his navy uniform. ugh ... . Yup, uniforms do make 'em look better!

Didn't graduate from high school. But have managed to earn two graduate degrees and have enough college hours for three more degrees. School was a p-r-e-t-t-y good deal after all. I became a sponge and just couldn't get enough learning.

That learning passion continues even today. I'm always researching and improving my goat milk bath and beauty products as well as working to improve my goat herd's creditability. There's no end and I like it that way.

Now I need a horse so I can name her Dolly. Actually, we need two horses. This current husband of mine has been around for more than 30 years and is my soul mate. He'll have to name his own horse, though.

Pamper Yourself Crochet Pattern Book

2009-10-22T06:04:00.004-05:00

Several of you have asked for the patterns for my crochet goods. The link to Annies Attic is above where you can go drool over their patterns.

I apologize for not getting back to you sooner but the flu held me down for two weeks. Bouncing back, I'm working on catching up.

I do appreciate your interest. Pat

Fall Web Special -- 3 Goat Milk Soaps and Gift Tub with FREE SHIPPING

2009-10-21T09:56:00.013-05:00

A $28.00 value on sale for $20.00 plus FREE SHIPPING. Only while supplies last.

Each creamy colored metal bucket can double as a bath container and comes with three goat milk soaps:

Maschio Motivo's Espresso Caffé Latté contains espresso coffee grounds for a special exfoliating feeling;

Wayland's Patchouli Plunge fills your senses with a fresh herbaceous, earthy aroma; and

Dean's Orange Delight completes the aromatic tones with a cleansing citrus scent.

Our goat milk is high in fats, proteins, and vitamins that naturally moisturize and enrich dry, sensitive skin.

Ingredients: saponified oils of shortening, palm, coconut, olive, corn & castor oils, goat milk, essentials oils, cocoa butter glycerin, borax, salt and sugar. As a free gift, we've included a bathing puff and a gift tag for your convenience.

God's Country Outfitters, Albemarle,NC

2009-10-06T07:00:00.021-05:00

What a delightful time we had at GCO's event. GCO has hosted this Hospice of Stanly fund raiser for the past two years, and we've been there, too. GCO has been a customer for several years so anything Nathan needs, we do our best to accommodate.

Like last year, we donated several products for the hospice auction. Actually, all the vendors donated special products or services to help rise money for hospice. Listening to the auctioneer's chant always gets folks in the mood for spending. Cool.

Throughout the day, we chatted with customers and folks came by our booth to meet Natalie. I’m amazed at how many folks had goats in their youth. Love your stories. Yes, goats are incredible creatures. We’re blessed to have them.

Our favorite spot is by the fire hydrant. It’s perfect for goat poop and protection. However, we always bring a broom and dust pan for cleaning up after our goats. It's OUR poop. We haul it in; we haul it out. Moving on ... .

October begins our festival season here in North Carolina so we always have tons of soaps for the events. Usually the weather is perfect with gentle breezes and an occasional slight overcast.

The umbrella came in handy, though. It's light weight enough that we could move it throughout the day making sure the ladies had shade, got to protect those fair skins. Remember: too much sun can be harmful to your skin. Always use a sun screen.

Attending festivals is new to us but we'll be pros by the end of the season because we're going to attend as many as possible. Our camp is made up of light weight tables, portable everything, as many wheels as possible, and fresh, good looking merchandise.

This year we unveiled our Sensual Sandalwood Goat Milk Soap with Natalie's photograph on the label. Have I mentioned that all our products have a picture of a goat? It's our way of honoring the herd that makes our goat milk soaps and lotions possible.

Goats are excellent companions. They get in and out of the truck by themselves. They can carry their weight in supplies (with care), and they work for water and grass. Natalie drew a crowd and let dozens of folks pet her while I was working with customers and talking about our goat milk skin care products.

As soon as we make more decisions on which festivals we’ll be attending, I’ll broadcast our schedule so you can come meet us. Meeting customers is truly enriching for me. I look forward to chatting with you.

More later ... Pat

Skin Care Resources

2009-09-23T07:28:00.012-05:00

During my research on skin types I found that most proponents of healthy skin espoused the adage "you are what you eat" because no scientific studies have defined different skin types.

I did learn, however, that Helena Rubinstein started using these terms in the early 1900s. Since then these skin care market segments have ballooned into a billion-dollar industry by creating and marketing products made specifically for these skin types.

That's what I was going to do!

Instead, most skin care professionals encourage folks to eat healthy, fresh foods.

Read more ...

Working Festivals and Meeting Customers are Fun Times

2009-09-22T06:56:00.006-05:00

Attending the Badin Heritage Festival in Badin, NC was tons of fun. I met folks who enjoyed handmade soaps, folks who had heard of goat milk soap, and those who hadn’t.

All of us had a fun day! The weather was wonderful, the location on the Badin Museum front yard was perfect, Natalie (goat) was a super lady who allowed oodles of new friends to pet her, and the teenagers took care of each other, the goat, and me. To all of you, Many Thanks.

I truly enjoyed chatting with new customers about their skin care challenges and the benefits that our goat milk bath and beauty products offer. We had a few laughs together, told a few stories, and shared many skin care tips.

For those of you who needed the soap badly enough to take it without paying for it, please be my guest. I have an advertising budget and hand out samples all the time. All you had to do was ask. Parents please keep an eye on your children. Often ‘getting away with it’ is a game – in their youth. Unfortunately, that game grows to be harmful.

We will improve our security. We have just now begun working festivals and are improving our management skills with every event. We at Gran’ Nanny’s are big on lessons learned instead of fault or blame.

Unfortunately, most lessons learned follow after the death of one of our beloved goats. When a goat dies, we have a responsibility to everyone else to learn why and then improve our procedures and methodology so that the same event doesn’t happen again.

I’m working on our festival schedule for the season and will publish it as soon as a few more decisions are made.

We look forward to meeting you, talking with you about the benefits of goat milk soap and listening to your suggestions for future products.

I love hearing your goat stories. It’s amazing how many folks have had goats in their youth. Aren’t they incredible, inquisitive creatures!

Happy soaping!
Pat Allen, President
Gran’ Nanny’s Goat Milk Soaps, Inc.

Soap Making Process Makes or Breaks Your End Product

2009-09-17T10:43:00.009-05:00

Having a recipe for making soap is one thing but knowing how to put all the ingredients together makes a huge difference. When? How? What temperature? For how long? … are all critical questions that can be answered by taking a few minutes before you begin to stop and think about what your getting ready to do.

I’ll be writing an instructional series on how to make soap. But more pointedly, I’ll be focusing on how you can develop your own process for making soaps. It’s been my experience that the process one uses to make soaps makes a significant difference in the end result.

Since theses instructional steps are being developed and released concurrently, I’m not sure at this point exactly how many steps will be included. My plan is to work through my process then let you know what works for me. Some of my recommendations may not work for you, and that’s fine, but at least you will have a model process to change. You’ll have a beginning, so to speak.

By working with a tested process, you will have a better understanding of equipment layout, storage needs, and space planning. My experience in these fields is buttressed by years of store planning and architectural/interior design, as well as years of writing information technology process manuals and teaching writing courses at the university level.

Getting Ready
If this is the first time you’ve made soap, then you are probably working with a recipe/formula you got from an experience soap maker. Chances are good the author included some preliminary instructions on how to put these ingredients together. But, did the author write the recipe for a beginning soap maker or for an experienced soap maker who has a degree ‘presumed knowledge’. The nuances make a difference.

Thoroughly understand your recipe. Be aware of the caustic materials, the temperatures, the flash points, the precautions, the neutralizers, and the ventilation needed to be safe.

Get your ingredients out where you can see them. Make sure you have enough of everything that your recipe calls for. Having these ingredients together will also help you remember to put all of them in your mix; forgetting an oil critically alters your end product.

Working with lye is dangerous. You must exercise caution with every step. Lye can burn your skin and inhaling its fumes can burn your mucus membranes as well as your eyes! Be careful! Know all precautions. Place neutralizers throughout your work space and have emergency phone numbers where everyone one can see them.

Gather all your equipment in one spot; make sure you have all the tools you’ll need BEFORE beginning because you will not have time to go searching for missing equipment or ingredients once the chemistry starts working.

Put your equipment is in its proper place. This way that spoon you desperately need will be where you need it when you need it instead of across the room or in a closed drawer.

TIP: A ‘walk-through’ helps. What I mean by this is walking-through what the recipe instructions tell you to do; kind of like role-playing but without the ingredients. Go through every step the author suggests just to make sure you understand which tools work with each step. This is how I learned where to put my stainless steal spoons versus my rubber spatula; and where to store my stove and my immersion blender.

Clean or otherwise prepare your countertops and tools. I say this because I make goat milk soaps and lotions and everything that touches milk must be sanitized for milk to produce its best results.

Your room must be clean, well lit and have adequate ventilation and exits. Just in case you need to leave quickly. No children, no pets and no items on floors that might cause you to trip, slip or fall.

For you graphic learners, I have translated the above text into a process chart.

This concludes the Getting Ready steps. Next I’ll address more of the actual preparation of soap making. That will take more time to develop so please be patient with me. I’m working on it.

May your soapmaking be joyful!

How important is it that the soap you purchase match the photograph on the web?

2009-09-01T09:41:00.033-05:00

I ask because I'm always experimenting with designs, colors, textures, exfoliates, and sizes. Swirls are my passion now and will be until I master them. Then I’ll move onto another design challenge. How would be the best way to convey my designs to you? More than likely every batch I make will be different from the last because soap making is wonderfully creative.

Here are two examples of how our products have improved.
The first two photographs are of our Minnie's Goat Milk Olive Oil Soap, the black and white photo was one of my earliest batches and before we had a color printer; whereas, the teal colored photo was taken with our new packaging design.

The differences between the two involve labeling and packaging. We now have a color laser printer; labels are laminated; and all soaps are shrink-wrapped for cleanliness.

Example two: The forsythia background showcases one my earliest batches of Bucky's Bergamot Bar whereas the blue swirl design in the fourth photograph is my latest batch of bergamot. In addition to new labeling/packaging, we have a better photograph of Bucky (our main man).

Here's my quandary, I'm not sure what the next batches of these products, and others, will look like -- not for sure anyway.
My formulas are pretty much established; that is, until I learn of a different oil combination that is better for your skin.

The industry is bursting with creative people. All of us love our craft and want to make the best products possible. The goats are pretty set in their ways (that’s a good thing). We feed them fresh hay, green grasses, grain, fresh water and treats galore. They're a lot like me; feed me and I'm happy.

But aromatherapists and suppliers are constantly inventing new products, finding new suppliers. The industry changes frequently. Tell me the best way to communicate with you about our products:

Should I update my website with every new batch?
Should I remove individual photographs and just have a photo composite of our products?

Please let me hear from you on what you expect when you purchase merchandise online. I look forward to hearing from you,
Pat Allen

Goat Milk Soapy Sachet as a Facial Scrub

2009-08-09T08:40:00.005-05:00

Creating new products is part of the fun of working with soaps. Soap marketing and packaging is sooooo creative, the possibilities are as exciting as they are endless.

That's why we created our Soapy Sachet.

Each organza bag contains shredded soap that you leave in the bag.
Wet the bag then use it as a cloth for cleansing your skin.
It's perfect for facial scrubs (gently, please).

Currently we have our Goat Milk Olive Oil Soap shreds available. We wanted to start with our softest, most gentle soaps so you could see how it works for you.

When you're through washing your face, form the wet sachet the way you want to use it next time because it dries in the shape you leave it. I like the soft rounded shape but you can form any shape. That's another part of the fun!

The red sachet holds more than 4 ounces of shredded soap. It sells for $5.00 and will last longer than the average soap bar.

Follow the title link for more information.

Happy sudz, Pat

Happy suds, Pat

Newest Soap Batch Aging Nicely

2009-08-03T13:12:00.006-05:00

The newest soap batch is aging nicely. This morning they were firm enough to bevel the edges. Touching our new soaps is a pleasant experience. They're creamy and make my hands feel soft after working with soaps. Maybe that's why I handle them so much.

Anyway, they're back on the drying racks now. Just waiting ... and waiting ... waiting until they're just right. Then, as soon as they're dry enough, I'll take them to the packaging and labeling room where each bar is polished, shrink wrapped and labeled.

But this is a new batch so they’ll need naming. That’s a whole new process that I’ll talk about next time. I've blended three essentials oils: lavender, rosemary, and bergamot. In addition to the gentleness of goat milk, we'll have the effectiveness of these essential oils.

More later as this batch makes its way through the process.

Made new soaps yesterday

2009-07-31T07:49:00.005-05:00

Right smack dab in the middle of making a soap batch yesterday, I noticed that I only had 3 ounces of Lavender EO. YIKES I need 6 ounces!!! !!!!

I've just GOT to do a better job of inventory management.

My fellow soapmakers know I had less than one minute to respond. Thinking while I was running to my EO vault, I quickly grabbed my Rosemary EO. OH NOOOOOOOOOO, it only had a smidgin in it. (A smidgin is defined as a way-lot-less than what you NEED.) All right, which EO blends well with Lavender and Rosemary ... ... ... (think woman think) ... Bergamot!

I grabbed a bottle. Whew ... I finally ENOUGH EO to complete my batch.

Now, what will this blend smell like? Sigh .. It's a good thing I've been reading about aromatherapy and had a handle on what to do next. Well, yes, of course I'm a professional. Ah ... I'm sure I can duplicate this formula. Ah ... yes, I'm sure. (Watch this batch be a big seller. That's OK, I'll figure it out.)

Well, the drama is over. It's up to the nose now. I'll slice the batch this afternoon and let you know about the fragrance tones. Stay tuned ...

We're almost out of crisis mode

2009-06-30T06:46:00.004-05:00

After losing two goats last week we've been in crisis mode in getting the barns cleaned and I mean CLEAN. ALL the dirt,sand,debris has been removed. The sand has been replaced, limed, tilled and raked. New proceduers are in place for the health, safty, and welfare of the goats.

Yesterday we initiated an on-site labatory to conduct McMasters testing procedures on each and every goat. Each goat will be medicated and monitored individually.

Needless to say, I went a little/lot crazy when we lost our babies to parasites. I hate that! Mainly because it can be avoided. grrrrrrrrr

Lessons Learned: Reduce the population, practice our FAMACHA training daily on each individual goat, monitor each goat closely, and keep the barns CLEAN.

Did I mention we have more helpers in the barns? On yes, I couldn't do this by myself. We're growing and need help.

Special thanks and memorial go to Rascal and Judd for helping us learn more about how to care for our goats. I'm learning that death is eventual for all farm animals. It is, however, critically important that we learn from each death so we can improve our herd's health and help them grow stronger every year.

Getting Away from it all

2009-04-03T07:30:00.004-05:00

Toast

Here's to getting away from it ALLLLLLL.

We're on top of Stoney Mountain visiting the Stony Mountain Vineyards on this most beautiful day.

The incredible day, breath-taking scenery, delightful wine = perfection.
Fellowship and re-connecting with friends = priceless.

You two made this getaway memorable.
Please come again. We have more hideaways out here in Stanly County.

Holiday Gift Packaging

2008-11-01T10:30:00.007-05:00

Researching gift packaging for the past few weeks has opened a whole new world. What a treat! The designs, papers, ribbons and creative ideas are outstanding! So many textures and colors are available now.

Details send the greatest message. Wrapping our goat milk products in bountiful ribbons adds to the gift presentation. We want you to have the best gift selections available so you can send the message that you really care about your friend.

Here are few examples of this season's packaging.

We have Tea Tree collections, Chocolate collections, and
are just now beginning our Christmas collections.

Soaps available at God's Country Outfitters in Albemarle, NC

2006-12-19T12:16:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone:

Gran' Nanny's Goat Milk Soaps are available at God's Country Outfitters; 1454 Highway 52, Albemarle, next door to Gold's Gym. You know, where the old Big Lots used to be! Easy parking!

For you 'last-minute-shoppers' many products have been wrapped as gifts. All you gotta do is Grab and Go.

* Our new goat milk lotion has been showcased in a Christmas display (look for Earlene's Emotion Lotion)
* Many soaps have been wrapped as 'ornaments' (great stocking stuffers)
* Classic cut glass bowls have been arranged as soap dishes;
* Wooden dishes have been personally designed to represent bamboo soap dishes; and
* Packages have personalized tags ... all you gotta do is write the receiver's name in.

How EZ can it be!

Look for this display ...

Happy Holidays
Merry Christmas

Meet Gran Nanny

2006-12-19T10:11:00.000-05:00

Toxic plants and goats

2006-09-15T07:21:00.000-05:00

We recently learned that Johnson grass can be toxic in drought conditions. This too, may be contributed to their demise. We're now making a conscious effort to remove all toxic plants from our pastures before releasing the goats. Contrary to popular belief, goats cannot eat everything and anything. Our goats produce milk that we use every day so their health is our foremost concern. We make sure the best grasses are growing by inspecting our pastures frequently throughtout the year.

We had almost three months with those two ladies and we were hooked on having dairy goats in our lives forever. Because of the painful yet valuable lessons we learned, we now have a quarantine area in the basement/barn where new goats live until they have ALL their shots, along with boosters, and are examined by our Large Animal Veterinarians. Being new at ranching, we have learned to listen to our long-time rancher friends AND talk to our veterinarians.

But most of all, we have learned to listen and observe our animals. We watch them walk. We check their eyes, gums, and manure. We're with them every day. Then we make decisions based on what is best for that individual animal. We tend to treat our livestock like we treat our dogs. They're pets. We've made the commitment that all of our animals will always be treated with respect and love. After all, they are not only in our lives, they are our livelihood.

Our first teachers

2006-09-10T10:01:00.000-05:00

Getting our first goats was an anxious time, but we were ready. Their shed and fenced area was ready. They had water troughs, feed, and hay. Getting their area ready was work but ... we had been living on the ranch for almost a year and only had a few chickens. It was time to get some real livestock. It all began with a sip of milk. Our neighbor had goats and gave us some fresh milk. Never having tasted nectar from the Gods before, I was hooked. Only after being hooked did I become aware of the milk’s nutritional value and health benefits. But the milk was only half the story. Goats are fabulous, intelligent, fun loving creatures! The more we learned about the goats, the more I wanted to know. We read about pasture management, hoof trimming, and nutrition. We subscribed to the Dairy Goat Journal but to actually care for these caprines was a different story. Our first goats arrived on September 14, 2002. Then the lessons began. A LaMancha named “Hazel” and a Nubian named “Delight” became our first teachers.

Hazel taught me how to milk her, well, we made a deal, and she taught me just how loving she could be. Her little bitty licks on my cheek were like tender baby kisses. Her gentleness moved me to a different place in animal care. Listening to her belly while milking her reminded me of a rumbling ocean. Ah, the ruminant stomach at work was a marvelous thing.

Delight, on the other hand, not only taught me what the word “NO” really meant, she taught me just how high those back feet can kick. Woooowe! We never did milk her but we did learn to move fast and keep our distance. She was fine until I touched her udder, then she morphed into a jumping gehoseaphatt. But, we thought we would work that out. After all, we had trained dogs forever, surely these goats weren't that much different. HA, was I wrong!

But these two ladies taught us much more than we had expected. They taught us the value of vaccinations and the emotional devastation and suffering by not having the proper shots. Delight was euthanized on 12/11/02 and Hazel was euthanized on 12/24/02 because both had contracted Tetanus. It was a tough Christmas season. Tetanus is an ugly, painful death that could have been prevented very easily. If only we had known ... . But we do know now. We had read about feeding and maintenance but reading about their diseases never entered our minds. What an overwhelming painful price everyone paid. Now we had a new lesson to learn: What do we do with the body? We couldn’t just leave it in the pasture! For Delight, we found a rendering plant that would take her. But when we lost Hazel, we found the county agricultural medical examiner who performed an autopsy. We had to know why these two ladies died on our property and in our care, when they had lived healthy and happily for years just across the tree line without incident. The coroner confirmed that Hazel had died from tetanus. Two $7.00 shots could have prevented this devastation. Lesson learned!

Ivan makes his appearance

2006-09-05T06:12:00.000-05:00

This is a photo of this season's last baby. First-time mama, Reba, delivered a handsome BOY July 12th. Isn't he adorable!!?!?!!?!?!

His name is Ivan, after a Nobel Prize winner in Medicine (why not start BIG), and he is another apple of our eye.

Since this photo was taken, ALL the babies have grown and been moved from the basement/barn to the front pasture barn. Running, jumping, eating grass, they're growing well.

Whew! No more babies in the basement/barn. Now THAT's a treat. We love our babies and will see them through any and all difficulties BUT they ALL belong outside -- eating grass!

Photos of our latest babies

2006-08-30T05:52:00.000-05:00

Here's the gang that I've been hanging with lately. Mama Louise had triplets, again. This is the second time she's had babies AND the second time she's given us triplets. What a Lady! More on her later.

We've named them Ross (big white spot on top of head), Emil (long beige stripe on face), and Pearl (standing). Did I mention that Pearl is the ONLY girl this year? Whew! We had nine babies: eight boys and one girl. Do I need to tell you that she gets just a little bit of extra care?! Didn't think so. But not really, all our babies are treated with tender care. This set was born July 7, 2006 around 4 in the afternoon. I was with Louise for the first two babies, the boys. After waiting for about 45 minutes, I went upstairs to let the new family get acquainted. When I came down about an hour later, there lay our little jewel -- the ONLY girl. Our little black Pearl.

We name all our registered Nubians after country western singers. Our little black Pearl fit right in with another doe named Minnie. Now we have the classic entertainer Minnie Pearl respectfully commemorated.

Nubian Dairy Goats at the Sleeping Dog Ranch

2006-08-08T15:44:00.000-05:00

From time to time, I'll post a few pictures as a way of introducing our goats. Hey, I think they're wonderful and delightful to work with. I believe our photographs will help show their incredible personalities.

Goat Milk Soaps and Nubian Goats

2005-12-19T16:16:00.000-05:00

If you're interested in exploring the benefits of goat milk soap, then this site is for you. We created Gran' Nanny's Goat Milk Soaps, Inc. so we could make this incredible soap! It's healthful, it's soothing, it's healing, and with extended use, it makes your skin feel soft and creamy smooth.

Join us as we discuss the benefits of goat milk soap and as we explore its possibilities. As I, Gran Nanny, discover more benefits though my research, I'll share them with you.

So, if you or a loved one has an annoying skin condition that needs soothing, if you want to learn more about soaps and their benefits, or if you just want to pamper yourself, join us and we'll share our knowledge and experiences with you. Please join us in sharing information. After all, our ultimate goal is to benefit from this fabulous soap.

One important thing you should know, we use milk from our own Purebred Nubian Goat Herd. This way we know the milk quality and goat health. We'll share our experiences with the goats, too.