Spring Fever April 4, 2008

I announced that I canceled the final and my class cheered. The desire to be done with everything doesn’t change from student to teacher. My class preparation has gone from working a week in advance, to  the day before, to 6am the day of, 7 am the day of, and today I managed to prepare my class starting at 8 am. My class meets at 11:30 am so maybe I can push it even further!!!

Now, I am done for the day and wouldn’t it be nice if I could hide in a cave? No. I have to go sing country at a ski patrol party tonight. yodel yodel.

Utah’s Hidden Secret March 29, 2008

Just an FYI. For all of you that spend big money and fly to Utah to ski Park City, Snowbird, Alta, Canyons: All you are doing is waiting in line like you are at Disney Land. Great Skiing tucked away in the mountains can be found at Beaver Mountain. 40 minutes up Logan Canyon. I grew up skiing here. I skied the Canyons this year and would never go back. Beaver mountain is where it is at. Plus, the ticket prices are about half as expensive.

Furthermore, if you break a leg, crack a skull, or crush your pelvis, I will be there to save you as this year was my first year serving as ski patrol!!!

www.skithebeav. com

Making Soap March 29, 2008

One of my hobbies is making homemade soap. The recipe I got was from a person who for years did this as a profession. The following recipe makes the best all around bar. High lather, Hardness (so it lasts a long time) and super great moisturizing features. My husband use to cover his hands in eucerin cream and wear gloves to bed because his hands were so dry. Now that he uses my soap, he never uses lotion. I am in the process of pestering my husband to put my website  up soon to see if I can sale any online. www.euphorigenics.com

1 lb Water

7 oz of lye

1.2 lbs Olive oil

1 lbs coconut oil

1 lbs palm kernal oil

coloring and fragrance

A stick blender is the best tool as it brings the soap to trace pretty fast. However, with my luck, I have burned out so many motors. So, I use a squirrel bit (used to mix large buckets of paint) attached to my drill so no more burning out the motors. Still a fast trace but not as fast as the stick blender. Wear Goggles and rubber gloves. Lye is super caustic and keep it away from children. Mix the water and the lye. Gently stir and let it cool to about 90-100 degrees. I have it down to where I just feel the glass jar and can tell when its done. Make sure it sits in a well ventilated area. When it has cooled pour it into the oils. Make sure your oils are melted ( I do it in the microwave) but not hotter than the lye solution. Actually it is best when you can have the lye and oils at similar temperatures.

Mix with a stick blender, (or drill) to trace (meaning you lift it out of the mixture and it leaves a trace). Add coloring and scent right before it comes to trace. It should look liked pudding/custard. Pour into a mold, wrap in towels to keep heat in, and let it sit for 24 hours. Then take it out of the mold and let it cure for at least 1 week but it is better if you wait at least 3 weeks.

My scents are:

cherry blossom, lavender, apple spice, Tahitian vanilla, oatmeal honey, orange clover, ceder wood vanilla, bitter orange orchid, energy (citrus smell), gardenia lily, peppermint, blue spruce, gingergrass spa and more.