Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Keeping My Fork



Every now and then I find a pretty fork at Goodwill. I print the following words on a card and attach it to the fork with a ribbon. If I can find one, I stick a small, flat magnet on the fork (on the back at the base of the tines), because then it can be placed on a magnetic surface (with the tines upright) and function as a unique photo holder. It's simple, but also a meaningful little gift for a friend or for anyone who could use a reminder of God's presence and promises.

I once found a fork in the road,
cleaned it off,
and decided to keep it as a reminder
of God’s character
and promises to me.
He is trustworthy,
and when I stand at a fork
in the road
with a decision to make,
I can remember
He holds me and guides me,
for He declares this in His Word.
When I sit at the table
at the end of a full meal,
and my friend tells me to keep my fork,
I can be thankful
for the Lord’s
abundant provision
and look forward
to sweet delights ahead.
In Christ,
when I see my fork,
I am thankful for His mercy
and His blessings upon me;
I remember I am glory-bound in Him,
and the best is yet to come.
I am free
to rejoice
in hope
because, indeed,
God is present
and His promises are perfect.

“Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.”
Psalm 73:23-24

Monday, October 27, 2008



You are invited to visit Greenfield Soap Co. at the following markets and community events in November, 2008:

Gladstone Annual Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, November 8
Time:
9 AM to 4 PM
Address:
John Wetten Elementary School
250 E Exeter
Gladstone, OR 97027

Annual Christmas Bazaar on Friday, November 14 and Saturday, November 15
Time:
Friday: 10 AM to 6 PM
Saturday: 9 AM to 5 PM
Address:
New Hope Community Church
11731 SE Stevens Rd
Happy Valley, OR 97086

Annual Bilquist Bazaar on Saturday, November 22, 2008
Time:
10 AM to 4 PM
Address:
Bilquist Elementary School
15708 SE Webster Rd
Milwaukie, OR 97267
Look for Table # 87!

Greenfield Soaps are $6 and when you buy 5, you get to choose an additional bar FREE!

Bring a friend and share the joy of homemade soap!

I make the soap carefully, in small batches for you to enjoy. Each bar is unique, gentle, sudsy and especially good for sensitive skin! I hope you will place them in soap dishes throughout your home, and when you walk by or stop to lather up, I hope they'll be a little blessing to you and a reminder of simple, beautiful and good things.

Perhaps I'll see you soon. In the meantime, I wish you blessings (showers of them!),

Susan

Mohawk



This one is for you, Jesse. I hope you are having a great day!

Susan

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Balance

This morning I was feeling "mushy" leaving Sheldon at the airport. I hugged him tight, looked right in his eyes and said, "Do you know that I am going to miss you?" And he said, "Do you know that you have knobby knees?". I'm still giggling over this, and when I told Donna about it, she called it "balance". It's a good thing! Thank you, God, for balance and for being so big and for watching over Sheldon on his trek to Alaska!

Friday, October 24, 2008

Air Space Rule



Here is something I know...

When you are trying to smell something and you get so close to the thing you are trying to smell that your nose actually physically touches the thing, it is unavoidable that a transfer of residue will occur between your nose and the thing.

Now here is something I recall...

Personally, I experienced this aspect of our reality most dramatically when I was five and I smelled the yellow lillies my mother brought in from the garden to set on the table. I turned from the flowers to face my mother who smiled and brushed at my cheek with her hand, but I darted away to find Rosie who smelled the flowers too with all the exuberance she could muster. We then stood at the mirror behind the door and, giggling, inspected our stamen-stained reflections.

And here is something I wonder about...

This evening I displayed my soaps at a (very fun and meaningful) public event and I noticed that nearly every person (bless them!) who smelled my soap did so by placing their nose directly onto the bar before inhaling deeply. (I am gagging a little as I write this.) Where are the people who learned to smell a new thing gingerly and with at least a modest amount of air space between the thing and the nose? The question is relevant to me as I work hard to keep my soaps clean and beautiful for my customers to enjoy. Now it really was a pleasure to engage with all the folks behind the noses, and I was certainly glad to see them enjoying Greenfield Soaps, but I must say it did make my skin crawl a little to see all these noses engaging in residue transfer right there before my very eyes! If you are just now realizing your own lack of proper etiquette when it comes to smelling soap, please know I appreciate you and I am smiling as I write this, but for goodness' sake, please be kind and keep the air space rule in mind!

Licorice Allsorts



Licorice Allsorts bring to mind sweet memories of Grandma's Pantry...

On the left side of the cook stove was a door my sister and I were allowed to enter often with Grandma’s permission. This was the door to her pantry, and it smelled so good in there! The pantry was filled, floor to ceiling, with neatly stocked shelves of produce, canned goods, baked goods, flours and spices. We were usually invited to choose whatever we wished from the pantry for our snack. My favorites from Grandma’s Pantry were Licorice Allsorts, Circus Peanuts, Orange Slices, iced wafer cookies, and those chocolate-covered cookies with the wafer on the bottom, a berry filling and marshmallow. Grandma had many delicious and healthful home-made items available, but as a child I wanted the sugary “store-bought” things. We ate popcorn from little boxes too. There was an elephant on the box and a small toy or treat inside. The popcorn was lightly coated with a pink sugar glaze. I always picked the pink popcorn treat, and wondered how Dad could prefer the Cracker Jacks.

Do you love old-fashioned candies too? Which ones take YOU back down memory lane?

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have a sweet, sweet day!

Susan

Thursday, October 23, 2008


This is Greenfield Soap Co.'s Juniper Lime Bar Soap. The scent is fresh, woodsy and fruity. I like the soft pink and green hues in this bar. Altogether, it's a happy combination--and gentle and sudsy and good for skin too!

Sunday, October 19, 2008

It's Sunday and I'm Feeling Thankful. Are You?

It's Sunday and I am feeling thankful. Sheldon is home; it's nice to see him just hanging around the house in blue jeans and a plaid, flannel shirt. I had a nice visit with my mom on the phone a little bit ago. I love her; she's the most content lady I know. When I look outside I see sunlight and fall colors. It's a sweet day! I'm gearing up to cut all the soap I made yesterday. I tried to create some new appearances...it's always fun to unwrap the soap logs and see how my latest "big idea" turned out. When I get my camera battery charged up (why is it so hard to keep that thing charged up?), I'll take some photos to share with you! In the meantime, please let me know what you're thankful for on this sweet, fall day.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Here's What's Currently Available at Greenfield Soap Co.


It's Saturday and my dear husband is making pancakes. I've pulled on my woolliest socks and I'm setting up the latest batch of soap to cure. I think this one (Warm Spice) is my new favorite...but you'll find I do say that a lot! I promised I'd post a list of my current "Soap Styles" so here goes:

Anise
Anise with Poppyseed
Caramel Macchiato
Carrot Seed
Cedarwood Mint with Bentonite Clay Round
Chai Whip
Cinnamon Dolce
Citrus Spice
Coffee Kitchen Mint
Dark Citrus Spice
Do NOT Bug Me! Round
Eucalyptus Mint
Evergreen with Green Clay
Gardener's Choice Round
Geranium
Geranium with Pink Clay
Honey Oat
Honey Wheat
Lavender
Lavender Oat
Lavender Rosemary
Lemon
Lemon Poppyseed
Mint Medley
Mint Medley with Green Clay
Parsley & Lime
Saskatchewan Summer
Shaving Soap (Unscented) Round
Simply Soap
Spearmint Orange
Sweet Honey Oat
Sweet Honey Wheat
Sweet Orange
Sweet Orange Oat
Tea Tree
Tea Tree & Lavender with Bentonite Clay Round
Tea Tree with Bentonite Clay Round
Tea Tree Lavender Oat
Vetiver
Warm Spice
Washboard Wonder Soap Round

Note: The word "round" following a soap style name means that bar is currently available in a round shape only; otherwise Greenfield Soaps are rectangular. All Greenfield Soap Bars are a hefty 4-5 ounce size at minimum! Price: $6 per bar.



Friday, October 17, 2008

The Window Cloth



I'd like to introduce you to one of my favorite Norwex products: the Window Cloth. Now you can clean your windows, mirrors and shiny surfaces with just water and the antibacterial window cloth; just spray water on the surface and polish with the dry antibacterial window cloth. If the surface is particularly dirty, wipe it down first with a moist Enviro Cloth and then polish to a shine with the Window Cloth.
Color: orange
Size: 17 x 17 inches
Price: $16.99

I am an Independent Consultant for Norwex. If you have questions or would like to learn more about Norwex cleaning and personal care products, please contact me.

save money, save time, save the environment, save your health...Norwex can help!

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Where, Oh Where is My Olive Oil?

Well, my dear husband is driving around the metro area with my olive oil in his van. He was so sweet to pick it up for me yesterday, but then he forgot to remove it from his vehicle. I tried to call him just now, but he is not picking up. He must think he is guilty! If you see him, tell him I love him, and he better call home!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Caramel Corn

I have to share this recipe with you. I got it from Jessica who got it from Teresa...isn't sharing awesome?!

Caramel Corn

Ingredients:

6 quarts air-popped popcorn (un-popped kernels removed)
1 c. butter
1 tsp. salt
1/2 c. corn syrup
2 c. brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla

Method:

Spray large roasting pan with nonstick spray and add popped corn. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in salt, corn syrup and brown sugar. Stir continually until mixture boils. Set timer for 5 minutes and DO NOT STIR! After 5 minutes, quickly stir in soda and vanilla and continue to stir for 30-60 seconds. Pour over popcorn and stir to coat evenly. Bake 1 hour at 250 degrees, stirring every 15 minutes so caramel doesn't settle to the bottom. After 1 hour, remove from oven and stir until cool (3-5 minutes) to keep from sticking. Once completely cool, store caramel corn in airtight container. If it is warm when you put it away, the caramel corn will lose its crunch!

Enjoy!

Welcome Here!

I'm so glad you are visiting my blog. My Grandfather would heartily say to you, "Welcome Here!", and so I welcome you! I am the soap maker for Greenfield Soap Co., and this blog is one way I hope to be available to friends and family and fans of Greenfield Soap Co.

Greenfield Soap Co. is dedicated to the memory of my grandparents, David and Kathrina, who lived well and simply in a small house. They laughed a lot and their gentleness was evident; I believe they learned to walk joyfully through life, with thanksgiving*...

My Grandmother did not teach me how to make soap, though she made it on a regular basis out of necessity years ago. I remember how youthful she looked; her skin was soft and creamy, and this has been a bit of a curiosity for me as I've experienced various skin sensitivities and troubles over the years. Thankfully, it is becoming clear that the chemically-based ingredients present in many modern day skincare products are detrimental, and in my own quest to find helpful products for sensitive skin, I've discovered the power and beauty of a simpler, more natural way.

And that is why I make Greenfield Soap Co.'s beautiful bars of soap thoughtfully and carefully, in small batches with naturally occurring and plant-based ingredients only. I do NOT use artificial colorings or synthetic preservatives or fragrances, and I make Greenfield Soap using the cold process method, so each bar retains glycerin, a naturally occurring moisturizer. Each bar of Greenfield Soap also contains a high percentage of olive oil for its moisturizing, healing, and gentle cleansing qualities. Coconut oil imparts a generous lathering quality, and palm oil helps to make the soap long-lasting and stable. It is my desire and joy to infuse each bar of Greenfield Soap with nature's aroma and conditioning qualities, and the results are beautiful bars of soap,
gentle and sudsy and especially good for sensitive skin!

If you have questions or a special request or you wish to give a unique gift to honor a special occasion, please don't hesitate to communicate your ideas. I am willing to personalize labels, and I have some great gift-wrapping options as well. Just ask! Your feedback and suggestions are also important to me, so please stay in touch. I would love to hear from you about your Greenfield Soap experiences!

Do keep in my that soap likes to live "high and dry", so please keep your Greenfield Soaps in well-draining soap dishes throughout your home. And when you walk by or stop to lather up, may they be a reminder to you of good things. May
you walk joyfully, with thanksgiving where you are, and
may all your showers be showers of blessing!

Susan

susan@greenfieldsoapco.com
www.twitter.com/greenfieldsoap
coming soon: www.greenfieldsoapco.com

*See Philippians 4:4-8

Copyright 2008 Susan Penner