“Winter is on my head, but eternal Spring is in my heart.” – Victor Hugo
It really hasn’t felt much like winter here in northwest Montana so far, but still I know it’s far to early to be thinking about spring and gardening. To avoid getting too excited about gardening, I’ve been trying to focus on some projects inside the house, like making laundry soap.
It doesn’t give me quite the satisfaction that digging in the dirt or harvesting a ripe tomato does, but it’s not too shabby either. There’s something just so satisfying about getting my hands involved in a little manual labor even if it is just grating a bar of soap. Something so very magical about doing it myself and knowing that I’m working on taking care of our home and our lives in my own unique way. It might never make the pages of Vanity Fair but it will without doubt grace the pages of my journal, both public and private, and bless this wonderful home and life. Ordinary magic perhaps but magic none-the-less.
What kind of magic are you creating at home these days?
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I just made my first batch of laundry soap this past week! I had the ingredients for quite a while, but the project got slowed down by my quest for a free 5 gallon bucket. I eventually had to buy one. As always I am enjoying your wonderful site!
What kind of soap do you use? I have a recipe that uses Fels-Naptha, but I heard that one is toxic.
I do use Fels-Naptha or Ivory depending on what’s around and on sale. Fels-Naptha doesn’t contain naphtahlene which I think causes some confusion – it does, however; have some petroleum products in it. Still I believe it’s a safe alternative. But if you’re uncomfortable I’ve read that you can just grate ivory soap in your laundry soap recipe and it’ll work just as well. I imagine a good castile would work too…
Thanks so much Kathie! I also read your post today about making yogurt. You’re so inspiring!