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
A good first effort! Bravo!
Looks nice! I haven’t made soap in ages. If life calms down some I may get back to it.
A beautiful start to my day. #nature #countrylife #grownostr https://cdn.nostrcheck.me/8d9d2b77930ee54ec3e46faf774ddd041dbb4e4aa35ad47c025884a286dd65fa/52607748af5578ddf3fb554003b1c1b47c420f28d919a4663ee183a38f688749.webp
Lovely!
Not that productive but busy. Chicken hens starting to lay now. Lots of snow and ice to shovel to get to the coop. Thank heavens it isn’t that far away!
Mr. Holstein said we received roughly 11” of snow/ice in 10 days.
Good morning all y’all! Right now it’s 33°F/-0.5°C on the Holstein House front porch, in my part of Kanawha County, West Virginia, USA! A bit of a warning as we get to near 40°F.
How was your weekend?
#holsteinhouse #wv #usa #travel #bnb #gm #pv 🤙 #winter #nostr #grownostr #bnbstr 
Good morning all y’all! It is cold out this morning! Right now it’s 11°F/-11°C on the Holstein House front porch, in my part of Kanawha County, West Virginia, USA! Baby it’s cold outside.
What’s the weather in your town this weekend?
#holsteinhouse #wv #usa #travel #bnb #gm #pv 🤙 #winter #nostr #grownostr #bnbstr. 
How old are your girls?
My young girls are just reaching six months. I suspect it is one of theirs'. My older girls probably won't start back up for a while. They were down to every couple days anyway. I'm hoping for 4 a day by next week.
Good morning all y’all! It is cold out this morning! Right now it’s 19°F/-7°C on the Holstein House front porch, in my part of Kanawha County, West Virginia, USA! Look what greeted me in the coop this morning! Shouldn’t be long now.
#holsteinhouse #wv #usa #travel #bnb #gm #pv 🤙 #winter #nostr #grownostr #bnbstr #chickens #ducks. 
Hard times even for the wild birds out back of the poultry house.
#holsteinhouse #wv #usa #travel #bnb #gm #pv 🤙 #winter #nostr #grownostr #bnbstr #chickens #ducks. 
Closing the coop in the snow. A Rumble link:
And bread.
#holsteinhouse #food #wv #usa #travel #bnb #gm #pv. 
Ended up making potato soup instead of stew. Croutons made yesterday. Yeast bread on final rise.
holsteinhouse #food #wv #usa #travel #bnb #gm #pv 🤙 #nostr #grownostr #bnbstr #foodstr. 
Good morning all y’all! It is cold out this morning! Right now it’s 27°F/-2.8°C on the Holstein House front porch, in my part of Kanawha County, West Virginia, USA! Today’s plan is to do a little baking. Might fix a stew. What are you into today?
#holsteinhouse #wv #usa #travel #bnb #gm #pv 🤙 #winter #nostr #grownostr #bnbstr #chickens #ducks #treats. 
Good morning all y’all! It’s 35°F on the front porch this morning.
Are ya ready?
#holsteinhouse #wv #usa #travel #bnb #gm #pv 🤙 #snow #nostr #grownostr #bnbstr 
How does the water circulate in an Instant Pot?
Yes and yes and for so much more than just steak. Read the PS here https://www.thesurvivalpodcast.com/iotd-7-21-23
I actually knew you had one nostr:npub15879mltlln6k8jy32k6xvagmtqx3zhsndchcey8gjyectwldk88sq5kv0n I've heard your talk about it on your show. LOL Thanks for commenting and the link!
Do you have a Sous Vide? Do you use it routinely?
#food #holsteinhouse #wv #usa #travel #bnb #gm #pv 🤙 #nostr #grownostr #bnbstr #foodstr