Badlands Soap

The summer sure flew by fast this year! Now schools are starting and the feeling of Fall is in the air. I've been thinking of seasonal soaps for the upcoming holidays and seasons. Should I have Halloween soaps?
I'm experimenting with candle making too. Do you think I should have candles with the same scents as the soaps... or something completely different? Log in your answers on our facebook page. 

We made it through Independence day with a bang! (sorry... terrible pun) Visitors are amazed at how much goes on in such a little town. We had three days of rodeos, and on the 4th only we had a parade, water fights, a picnic, the 45 minutes straight of the most amazing fireworks display!

We are slowly drying out enough to cut some hay for our cows to eat during the winter. Usually we are completely finished by now. It's kind of nerve-racking, because it's not a good deal if we can't feed our cows. On the other-hand, I have not seen the Badlands look more beautiful in many years. The green is a striking contrast to the reds, tans, and yellows in the hills. Enjoy it while you can...this is South Dakota...and we will dry out eventually. Have a great July!

This year has been  crazy. We typically receive 12-16 inches of rain per year, and  I think we have (or almost have) reached that limit already. I'm not complaining, because it's been a while since we've been this green. I know the folks on the Missouri aren't so happy with it though...and who could blame them?
Even though it doesn't feel like a full-fledged summer yet, I am gearing up to introduce two new seasonal soaps. They will only be available in July and August. Watch for them!

We were given a request recently ...and love experimenting...so we tried it. We  were asked to make a 'healing soap' to be used in Native cerimonies by Medicine men. It's called Bear Medicine soap and is made with Osha root (aka Bear root) and has real bear grease in it. It turned out pretty cool. I am happy  to try other types of ceremonial soaps if anyone is interested.

We were fortunate enough to take a vacation to Utah. I highly recomend it! We love hiking so it was perfect for us. I think Zion National park was my favorite. We would like to go back next year for a backpacking trip.
When we returned we were told that it had rained almost 4 inches while we were gone! ( our yearly average is 12-16 inches) The White river had flooded, and it was very exciting around here. Since we've been back we have had another 3/4 in. I will not complain because I remember the drought and the dust storms...mud is nicer.
Ken and I have also been makeing soap like crazy people. 600 bars in one day...Whew. I would like to try a few different things on the web page. Maybe a soap of the month, or seasonal soaps. Any thoughts on this??

Wow! Time sure flies when your not looking. I've started working back in the Badlands National Park (interpretation field) and am still adjusting. 
     I hope you were able to read our Mother's day newsletter. I feel it's important to keep moms' close. To be fair, I'll be writing a Father's day Newsletter for June...so if you haven't subscribed yet, don't wait! I don't want you to miss it!
     We have brought out two more new scents. Taos Mountain Breeze, and Dakota Sunrise. They are included in the trial packs. Unless I find something that knocks my socks off, that will be all the new stuff for the summer. I am thinking about making a 'fruit basket' this Fall with different fruit scented  soaps... What do you think?

Well! Mother's day has crept up on me way to fast! I'm trying to get the baskets together and online as soon as I can. I will also have Spring Flower Baskets up soon. They will contain  all of our floral scented soaps and  Tonnie's  awesome Rose body lotion.

Happy April!

I am looking ahead to Mother's day and Father's day. I think I have the Mom's day basket handled...but What do guys want in a basket??

I have a body polish 'recipe'. It is so easy and will take about 30 seconds to make.

1/2 cup sugar (plain white-granulated)
Your favorite shower gel


Place the sugar in a bowl and add enough shower gel to make a thick and  chunky paste. 
Use on your hands, feet, or entire body. 

That's it. I would only make it as you want to use it. Over time the sugar will dissolve. I like it in shower gel over oils because it cleans the skin at the same time and to much oil doesn't work for my skin type. 

Enjoy! 

Here is an super easy way to make your own body scrub;

1 cup of cornmeal
1 cup oatmeal (anything but instant /flavored)

Pop these two ingredients in your blender and grind them for about a minute.
That's the mix! When your ready to use it, place about one half of a cup in a soup bowl and add milk and honey. It will be thick, so if you like it thinner, just add more milk.
OK, I like to use mine in the shower. I scrub it all over, even my fingers and toes. This way it will rinse down the drain and I can get it out of my hair-line when I shampoo. Wash as usual and moisturize after you towel off. So simple yet it makes your skin so smooth and soft!