We drove through the countryside yesterday to visit my third great-grandfather's grave. David Kerr fought in the civil war. He was shot in the face and hip and walked with two canes. Just imagine! His son was four years old when he returned home from the brutal civil war. My family history amazes me and I go to a completely different world when researching genealogy. David’s remains sit in an old country cemetery. I noticed a few other Civil War soldiers buried in the cemetery. No war is good, but the Civil War was horrific! The stone reads 89th Infantry. My eighth great grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War and his stone is still standing. It's ironic because he's buried in a cemetery in Pennsylvania that is near a town called Standing Stone. It's amazing that his stone is still standing! A rarity, indeed. It was a great day to be with my brother and dad and travel through the beautiful midwest countryside. Little things.
Yesterday I attempted to get rid of a wasp nest that was hanging on an extra trash can under my porch. Do you know where this story is headed? Those wasps came at me like fierce soldiers! One got me on my shoulder through my cotton shirt. I can't imagine how it would hurt more without the buffer of my shirt. Note to self. If you come upon a wasp nest don't try and get rid of it without the aid of some wasp spray. Lesson learned.
The tomato crop is at its peak! I'm going to make homemade sauce and freeze it. I thought that this recipe sounded good. I dug out my Vitamix and I'm equipped to make this sauce.
It's also sourdough bread making week. I've been getting requests for my recipe. It's not really my recipe but King Arthur Flour's. Have you ever purchased anything from them? They are a great company and they also have some really good recipes.
Here's the deal. When you make twenty-thousand bars of soap each year and you present a new on each week at your shop you sometimes forget the names that you call them! Just saying! Apple Cider is now called Apple Grove. Same soap, but a different name. None the less, it smells like fall! We're approaching the time of year when our handmade soaps come and go quickly.
There's an update on my Amazon Store.
I'm making every attempt to squeeze in Tallow Soap, but honestly speaking, it's going to be a rarity to see it on our shelves. The upcoming holiday season is fast paced and the manufacturing it requires to make the amount of seasonal soaps is best achieved with a schedule. This soap maker's schedule is at capacity! That's good news, but it's also Bittersweet. No pun intended!
Bittersweet is more than a brand; it's a lifestyle designed to bring joy to your life. From our handmade olive oil soaps to clean skincare essentials, we curate unique clothing and accessories that add charm to our one-of-a-kind shop. We celebrate originality with exclusive gifts and essentials found only at our store and website. Every item, from the books we write to the treasures on our shelves, transforms the ordinary into something truly special and unique. It's a soul satisfying thing to be able to include the books we write. Have you picked yours up yet? Gift giving season is fast approaching and we're heading towards warm blankets, fires, candles, and hopefully books. I love settling in with a good book! I'm probably going to offer a discount or bundle pricing if you pick up both of my books at the shop.
Jill
