It has been a full year again on Marion Main Street. Bouquets of flowers have bloomed and withered, chicks and ducklings have joined the flock, cultured vegetables and hot pepper relish made and savored, and bicycle money earned by piled-up hours weeding carrots in the sun. 
Now we're gratefully gathering in the squashes, sweet potatoes, and stripping plants of those last peppers and tomatoes before frost. Apple butter and sauerkraut must be made before we sense that we can truly settle in for the winter. 

This past year I've discontinued some soaps that were slow sellers and introduced a few new varieties. As I glance through my soaps I see that they pretty well reflect who I am - a busy mother who doesn't have a lot of extra time to dabble in the artsy and decorative types of soap, but settles in to the natural, homey and down-to-earth creations. They are, most importantly, delightful to the senses after a long day in the garden or the kitchen! 

I have struggled to make a satisfactory bar of goat's milk soap, and am still trying to achieve a pale, creamy colored bar. Color aside, Shandy and Cindy, our two Alpine goats acquired this summer, are contributing their delicious milk to the cause. The combination of Lemongrass and the moisturizing qualities of the milk result in a soothing bar of soap. 

Blessings from our home to yours
Janelle