One day this week, I started a batch of sauerkraut. I put a little over four pounds of cabbage and most of a pound of carrots in it for a total of five pounds of vegetables. (The 'pound' of carrots after peeling and cutting off ends was about 13 oz. ) Those are fermenting in my food grade plastic bucket. It will make a nice batch of sauerkraut in three to four weeks.
Yesterday (Wednesday) I made a batch of soap. It has to sit in the molds for a bit to get to a stage where it can be removed -and cut if needed. I made four and a half pounds of soap. Soap is made with fats (which are acid) and lye (which is alkaline.) The process is one of neutralization. Thus the end product should be mildly acidic for a good moisturizing soap product. (we call that mildly acidic state "super-fatted.") For this batch, I used lard, coconut oil and grapeseed oil as my fats. I think this is a really good recipe and I will likely repeat it in the future. For fragrance, I used Almond, sandalwood and raspberry. That made the work area smell wonderful.
I used a silicone loaf pan, a silicone cupcake pan and one round soap mold to mold the soaps. This morning I sliced the loaf into bars. Here is how it looks.
Now it has to cure for about a month to harden and finish the neutralization process.
I mentioned some weaving: For example, I had this warp on my Saori floor loom.
Finally, last night, I sat and finished weaving this piece. It is set to be wet finished today. It will have to hang to dry and then after that I can hopefully get a good picture of it to show.
But, I also want to get to my machine and sew some quilt pieces.
I never expected retirement to be such a busy time.
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6 comments:
busy busy you are getting lots done Gene
I enjoyed seeing everything you've been doing, Gene. Sauerkraut-making, soap-making, and weaving is quite a varied agenda. In the end, you will be well-fed, clean, and warm!
I am so happy you are busy post retirement...busy doing things you enjoy is Priceless!
Such a variety of interests that just keep you going and going. So glad you are loving this timeof life.
Life does go on, and like you I have not done much bloging late because in my case Life Gets In The Way of things I want to do, but don't have time to do. Hope to get back into the blogging world soon. Keep up the good work you are getting things done.
I've heard from many of my retired friends that they are busier now than they ever thought they would be. In my mind, I would rather be busy than not. You always do a great job on the projects you share. Thanks for sharing. :)
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