Six Winners

I can't make myself choose a winner to the lemongrass & calendula give away. So, I'll giving everyone who commented on the post a bar of soapy goodness. If you live away, leave me your address at twinbirchbath(at)gmail(dot)come. Otherwise, I'll bring it to you! Thanks to all of you for your nice words & for reading One Bubble I hope you love the soap as much as I do.

If you are local, come enjoy some fun shopping Thursday & Friday from 10-4. You'll find great gifts for dads, grads, teachers and anyone else you might want to treat to some bubble luxury. (Like maybe, yourself!!)

Lemongrass & Calendula

After a few weeks at the store, I have discovered my soapy best seller. My lemongrass & calendula soap is flying out of the shop. I love this soap because it is soothing, refreshing & invigorating. The lemongrass & lemon essential oils are bright and boisterous yet relaxing and comforting. The calendula is soothing and so pretty in the bar. I also love the formula for our cold process soap. The oils I use combine with unrefined african shea butter and offer all that you'd want from a bar of soap. It's moisturizing. It's full of bubbles which make a great lather. It's long lasting & non drying. I love everything about it and I think you might, too.

In the spirit of sharing a good thing, I'll pick someone randomly from the comments section & give away a bar! Leave me a note and I'll let you know who wins on Wednesday. Lots of bubbly love!

This Little Piggy

My life with Gerry is never boring. We seem to have a routine. He comes up with a new idea, I fret and sputter with some objections. He patiently helps me to see his way. We do whatever it is and I end up thinking it's the greatest idea ever. This happened when he wanted to add softball practice to our schedule. It also happened when he thought we should join Tae Kwon Do. And when he thought we should get chickens

Well, it's happening again. This time it's piggies. Gerry thinks we should raise two pigs and supply ourselves with some homegrown pork. At first I was mortified. I'm no farm girl and I don't want to have a "pet" that we then serve for dinner. At least that was my first reaction. After a visit to the Earthwise Farm & Forest, though, I can see the beauty in offering these pigs a really wonderful life and then appreciating the gift of their meat. I think that's how I feel, anyway. I'll have to keep you all posted on this latest adventure. If nothing else, Gerry knows how to keep it *fresh*!

Go Eagles

Cora is loving softball! She's got lots of heart and hustle, too! It's so fun to watch her play. She is probably the youngest on the team, and definitely the smallest. That doesn't stop her from playing hard and playing to win! :) Here are some cute pics from the Eagles (Cora's team) vs. Hawks (her dear friends' team)
The boys are doing a great job, too! Those pics are on the way!

Jitters

I'm so excited about having hours at the store! I'm in a mad dash to fill wholesale orders and get everything ready for opening on Thursday. I can't wait to be in there and enjoying the space. It's sunny and beautiful and just the right atmosphere. I'll get some pictures of the new digs as soon as I can. Wishing you lots of fun on these beautiful Spring Days!

And the Beat Goes On

As much as I love being on Facebook, I have missed blogging! We've been wicked busy! Here are some pics to catch up. Of course, Max is doing very well and the mountains are still beautiful!

Peter competed in the Vermont Jr. Iron Chef competition
We had another fantastic Easter Brunch at the Langham in Boston
The girls grew and stayed cute and the boys (and my friend Ramsey) all earned their 1st Dan Black Belts in March.

Twin Birch continues to grow. I am opening a store/studio next week which will give people a chance to come in and shop, see soapmaking and even take classes to learn how to make fantastic natural skin care products. I can't wait to share pictures & stories from this new adventure!

Home Again

Last Thursday and Friday I chaperoned a trip to Groton State Park with half of the third & fourth grade population. Cora is a third grader this year (already!). When Austen's class went, I assured Gerry that if he went with the boys, I'd go with the girls. At the time, they were still small enough to carry on a hip or in a back pack. Peter didn't get to go, poor plum, because his teacher was expecting her second baby and not up to the trip.
No wonder! Chaperoning the whole trip means gearing up for a full day of hiking and outdoor activities and a night in a leanto with 4 other children and 1 other adult. I have to say up front that I had a wonderful time on the trip! Spending quality time with just Cora (#3 of 4) was really sweet and fun. Her friends and classmates are quite a cute group. If you like Cora's hat, check out Sassy Grace Boutique on Etsy. That being said, I think it's worth noting that the overnight temperatures were in the low 30's and the highs on Thursday were in the mid 40's. No rain during the day, but I woke up at least four times in the night and listened to showers hitting the roof of the leanto. Happily, I wasn't lying in a tent praying that the fly would hold up.
On Friday, we left Groton and moved on to Rock of Ages Granite Quarry in Barre. From start to finish, the production of granite is mesmerizing! The men who harvest the stone, prepare it, carve it and etch it are some of the craftiest, most talented people I've ever watched. The whole process is truly amazing.

We arrived back at school at 3 pm on Friday. It was wonderful to get home to Gerry, Ella, Austen, Peter and even Max. Boy, to I love my bed!

Provided that Ella's class also makes the trip, I have 2 years to pack for the next time out to Groton. I hope they go. I wouldn't miss it for anything!