Playing around with more colors in my soap. I was inspired by this website to make a 4th batch of coffee colored (and scented) soap:

Elly

How to make Cold Process Coffee Soap - A Luxurious Recipe! — Elly's Everyday

This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Wowee, this could be the most luxurious soap recip...

The 5th batch was colored with paprika and scented with cedarwood essential oil. I've worked through a whole pound of lye and all of the lard and tallow that was in the freezer. This was a fun project! #grownostr #soap #soapmaking #homesteading

It's a bone-chilling 2 degrees F outside. But the wood stove is keeping things toasty inside. Happy MLK day! #grownostr #woodstove #encore #fire

Batch 3 of the soap is colored with matcha tea and scented with peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils. #grownostr #soap #soapmaking #homesteading

This is one of my favorite quotes that is included in Herrick Kimball's "Idea Book for Gardeners". If you like gardening and like to read, then you will find something in this book to enjoy. #grownostr #gardening #reading #homesteading

Batch #2 is looking much better than the first one. This time, I used a purpose-built mold that we cobbled together from some scrap wood. And I lined it with freezer paper (not wax paper!). Now I just have to wait 4-6 weeks for the soap to cure. #grownostr #soap #soapmaking #homestead #homesteading

I ventured into soapmaking for the first time this weekend. I had a large amount of lard that I didn't want to waste. A couple of YT videos later and I was outside mixing lye, water and fat in the calculated ratios (http://soapcalc.net/calc/SoapCalcWP.asp). It was quite the learning experience. I definitely cut the soap loaf too soon as you can see from the mild slump in the bars on the curing rack. Also, wax paper does not peel off fresh soap; I had to cut it off. This concoction does make suds though so it's not all bad news! #grownostr #soap #soapmaking #homestead #homesteading

This little milk frother turns butter and coffee into a delightful morning beverage. It's great! #coffeechain #grownostr #GM

Beef jerky is done. I'm not the only one who thinks it's delicious! #grownostr #jerky #beefjerky #dogstr #homemade #homesteading

I've been a gardener ever since I was a kid tagging along with my parents. It's never felt more important than it does today. Looking forward to growing more of my own food this year! #grownostr #gardening #freedom #homesteading #2025

Bok choy growing in my mom's hoophouse. This is the 'Bopak' variety from Johnny's Seeds. It's a hardy green veggie that can withstand freezing temperatures without too much damage. If we plant bok choy in the fall (September in zone 5b) it will stay good for many weeks in the hoophouse during the winter. If we plant bok choy in the spring, it will grow very fast and then bolt as soon as warm weather comes. #grownostr #gardening #homestead #homesteading

#grownostr #coffeechain #sunrise Good morning and happy New Year! I'm off to visit family today.

I grew two types of sweet potatoes this year. 'Beauregard' is an orange sweet potato that has been the standard in my garden. It only needs 90 days to produce a good crop and grows very well in zone 5b. The tubers are set in a clump right under the main stem which makes it easy to dig. 'Murasaki' was the new one that I tested out in 2024. I really like the flavor of this creamy sweet potato. However, it was somewhat of a challenge to grow. I had it spaced at 12" and it should have been closer to 24". The tubers were set very deep in the ground and they spread out from the plant. Hard to dig them without slicing a tuber. #grownostr #gardening #homesteading

Making biochar today in the FabStove from Blue Sky Biochar. #grownostr #biochar #gardener