Newsletter - July, August, September 2002

Something New!

Quarterly Newsletter
July, August, September 2002

Recipes, hints, ideas, new books, whatever...

Cabbage, Apple and Walnut Salad

1/2 cup walnuts 1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped tart apples Mayonnaise
1 cup shredded cabbage Paprika

Break walnuts into pieces, then toss apples, nuts and cabbage together. Add salt and enough mayonnaise to coat the ingredients, no more. Serve on whole cabbage leaves and garnish with additional mayonnaise, a whole walnut and a sprinkle of paprika for coloring.

—from a 1930 women's magazine.

Cottage Cheese Jello Salad

Mix; 1 pkg lemon jello dissolved in 1 cup hot water

1 cup crushed pineapple (do not drain juice)

When slightly set add;

1/2 pint whipped cream
1 cup chopped nuts
1 lb. creamed cottage cheese

Dressing;

juice and rind of 1 orange and 1 lemon
2 eggs well beaten
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 t. butter

Boil until it thickens.

—from Zahn family cook book

July 2002

Hello!

   The big news this quarter is that The Soap Lady now has a website! I am so excited about it, and very grateful to my son, Jonas, and his wife, Anne, for all the work they have done over the past two years to make this happen. Jonas and Anne have more technological knowledge than I could ever hope to gain, and have worked wonders with my site. I am so happy with it's crisp, clean and colorful look and hope that you will be, too. Visit me at www.thesoaplady.com to see full color photographs of all my soaps and gift collections. You will be able to print out a current orderform and use it to phone, fax or mail in your orders. We accept Mastercard and Visa for your convenience, along with checks and moneyorders as always.

   It is the season for outdoor work on the farm. Jim has finally finished planting the last field, and I am nearly finished putting in new perennials around our windmill in the back yard. Now we have the rest of the summer to cultivate weeds out of the fields and gardens and wait for harvest. We have fields of alfalfa, oats and corn, a small vegetable garden and a few flower beds to care for. The yard is large, as they tend to be in this part of our state, and takes about four hours to mow. If the weather is not too hot I enjoy my time on the lawn mower.

   We have five little chicks to raise this year, after my sister, who teaches seventh grade science in the city, hatched them for a classroom project. They are mixed exotic breeds this time, so we have chicks in various colors with "hats" and "shoes"of fancy feathers. It will be fun to see what they become as they grow. I keep them in a cage in the garage over night, and move them outdoors for the sunny warm days. Soon they will be old enough to run free about the yard.

   Recently my father-in-law, who was 80 years old, passed away. I loved him dearly and will miss him, but he lived a full life, and I kissed him every time I saw him, whether he liked it or not. Pa spent his life farming with horses, the way he liked to do it. He raised Percheron and American Cream horses and used them to plant his fields of corn and small grains, to cultivate out the weeds, cut and rake hay and haul out the daily manure. He was often photographed by passers by and featured in newspapers and once even on television. Per his request, Pa was driven to the cemetery just seven tenths of a mile from the country church he attended most of his life by a team of horses hitched to a common farm implement, with his grandsons walking behind.

   Our children grew up on our farm just across the road from their grandparents, and often spent time on the seat next to their grampa as he drove the team for daily work. On Sundays he would hitch the team to the surrey in summer or the bobsled in winter for the weekly jaunt to town for the Sunday paper. When our Jonas was just seven years old, Grampa began horse driving lessons with a milk wagon, and soon Jonas was proficient at the task. Now each of our sons owns a milk wagon for Sunday jaunts of their own to keep up the family tradition with their children.

   Pa's death was the first time for me to be so close to the planning of a funeral. We all truly appreciated the very thoughtful persons who put an address label in cards under their signatures. That way, when it was time to write thank you notes, we had their addresses right in front of us. No need to look them up! From now on, whether I am mailing or personally delivering cards or gifts, I intend to stick my address label beneath my signature in cards for weddings, graduations, funerals, etc. It is not always easy to read a person's handwriting.

   My husband Jim, his mother and we all are now getting ready for an auction to take place on the home farm. His parents had retired from farming and have been planning this auction for two years. There will be a few household items, tractors, farm machinery and a lifetime collection of horse drawn implements. My father-in-law farmed using his horses for labor right up to his retirement two years ago. This past Saturday forty or so friends and neighbors gathered at the farm to assist in the moving out and lining up of all the pieces to be sold at the auction. There was activity everywhere one looked. People were washing the tractors, polishing horse harnesses, organizing equipment in sensible lines out in the hay field. When the day was done all were invited to share a home-cooked meal and lots of potluck treats and cool drinks.

   Our daughter, Sara continues to plan her June 2003 wedding, and has chosen a lovely chapel located out in the country near our home for the service. The chapel is an historic landmark, moved and preserved for just such occasions.

   To help pay for her wedding, Sara has offered to work for me for much of the summer, as she has time off her job teaching high school math in Milwaukee. It has been a joy for me to have her home several days each week to help me with whatever I am doing. We wash windows, clean cupboards, cut and trim soap, set up and ship out mail orders. Everything is more fun when I have company!

   For a refreshing summer drink, fill a glass with ice, add 1 part pink grapefruit juice, 1 part orange juice, 1 part apple juice.

   To make a light tea, place a cupful of freshly picked chamomile, lemon verbena or peppermint leaves in a quart of water, refrigerate overnight. Strain. Add honey or lemon to taste.

   Remember to use my Morning in the Woods soaps and bath salts in the summer time to help keep biting insects away! Simply bathe or shower using this soap, and avoid hairsprays, scented deodorants and perfumes.

   As hunting season approaches, remember that my castile soap is unscented and is ideal for bathing and washing hunting clothes for those weekends in the woods.iji

   Run your hand quilting threads across a bar of my castile soap to strengthen them before use and prevent fraying or breaking.

   To keep insects out of the garden mix 1 cup vinegar, 1 cup water, 1/4 cup vegetable oil and 4 cloves garlic, crushed. Apply liberally with a spray bottle.



		Something New! Quarterly Newsletter July, August, September 2002 Recipes, hints, ideas, new books, whatever... Cabbage, Apple and Walnut Salad 1/2 cup walnuts 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 cup chopped tart apples Mayonnaise 1 cup shredded cabbage Paprika Break walnuts into pieces, then toss apples, nuts and cabbage together. Add salt and enough mayonnaise to coat the ingredients, no more. Serve on whole cabbage leaves and garnish with additional mayonnaise, a whole walnut and a sprinkle of paprika for coloring. —from a 1930 women's magazine. Cottage Cheese Jello Salad Mix; 1 pkg lemon jello dissolved in 1 cup hot water 1 cup crushed pineapple (do not drain juice) When slightly set add; 1/2 pint whipped cream 1 cup chopped nuts 1 lb. creamed cottage cheese Dressing; juice and rind of 1 orange and 1 lemon 2 eggs well beaten 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 t. butter Boil until it thickens. —from Zahn family cook book July 2002 Hello! The big news this quarter is that The Soap Lady now has a website! I am so excited about it, and very grateful to my son, Jonas, and his wife, Anne, for all the work they have done over the past two years to make this happen. Jonas and Anne have more technological knowledge than I could ever hope to gain, and have worked wonders with my site. I am so happy with it's crisp, clean and colorful look and hope that you will be, too. Visit me at www.thesoaplady.com to see full color photographs of all my soaps and gift collections. You will be able to print out a current orderform and use it to phone, fax or mail in your orders. We accept Mastercard and Visa for your convenience, along with checks and moneyorders as always. It is the season for outdoor work on the farm. Jim has finally finished planting the last field, and I am nearly finished putting in new perennials around our windmill in the back yard. Now we have the rest of the summer to cultivate weeds out of the fields and gardens and wait for harvest. We have fields of alfalfa, oats and corn, a small vegetable garden and a few flower beds to care for. The yard is large, as they tend to be in this part of our state, and takes about four hours to mow. If the weather is not too hot I enjoy my time on the lawn mower. We have five little chicks to raise this year, after my sister, who teaches seventh grade science in the city, hatched them for a classroom project. They are mixed exotic breeds this time, so we have chicks in various colors with "hats" and "shoes"of fancy feathers. It will be fun to see what they become as they grow. I keep them in a cage in the garage over night, and move them outdoors for the sunny warm days. Soon they will be old enough to run free about the yard. Recently my father-in-law, who was 80 years old, passed away. I loved him dearly and will miss him, but he lived a full life, and I kissed him every time I saw him, whether he liked it or not. Pa spent his life farming with horses, the way he liked to do it. He raised Percheron and American Cream horses and used them to plant his fields of corn and small grains, to cultivate out the weeds, cut and rake hay and haul out the daily manure. He was often photographed by passers by and featured in newspapers and once even on television. Per his request, Pa was driven to the cemetery just seven tenths of a mile from the country church he attended most of his life by a team of horses hitched to a common farm implement, with his grandsons walking behind. Our children grew up on our farm just across the road from their grandparents, and often spent time on the seat next to their grampa as he drove the team for daily work. On Sundays he would hitch the team to the surrey in summer or the bobsled in winter for the weekly jaunt to town for the Sunday paper. When our Jonas was just seven years old, Grampa began horse driving lessons with a milk wagon, and soon Jonas was proficient at the task. Now each of our sons owns a milk wagon for Sunday jaunts of their own to keep up the family tradition with their children. Pa's death was the first time for me to be so close to the planning of a funeral. We all truly appreciated the very thoughtful persons who put an address label in cards under their signatures. That way, when it was time to write thank you notes, we had their addresses right in front of us. No need to look them up! From now on, whether I am mailing or personally delivering cards or gifts, I intend to stick my address label beneath my signature in cards for weddings, graduations, funerals, etc. It is not always easy to read a person's handwriting. My husband Jim, his mother and we all are now getting ready for an auction to take place on the home farm. His parents had retired from farming and have been planning this auction for two years. There will be a few household items, tractors, farm machinery and a lifetime collection of horse drawn implements. My father-in-law farmed using his horses for labor right up to his retirement two years ago. This past Saturday forty or so friends and neighbors gathered at the farm to assist in the moving out and lining up of all the pieces to be sold at the auction. There was activity everywhere one looked. People were washing the tractors, polishing horse harnesses, organizing equipment in sensible lines out in the hay field. When the day was done all were invited to share a home-cooked meal and lots of potluck treats and cool drinks. Our daughter, Sara continues to plan her June 2003 wedding, and has chosen a lovely chapel located out in the country near our home for the service. The chapel is an historic landmark, moved and preserved for just such occasions. To help pay for her wedding, Sara has offered to work for me for much of the summer, as she has time off her job teaching high school math in Milwaukee. It has been a joy for me to have her home several days each week to help me with whatever I am doing. We wash windows, clean cupboards, cut and trim soap, set up and ship out mail orders. Everything is more fun when I have company! For a refreshing summer drink, fill a glass with ice, add 1 part pink grapefruit juice, 1 part orange juice, 1 part apple juice. To make a light tea, place a cupful of freshly picked chamomile, lemon verbena or peppermint leaves in a quart of water, refrigerate overnight. Strain. Add honey or lemon to taste. Remember to use my Morning in the Woods soaps and bath salts in the summer time to help keep biting insects away! Simply bathe or shower using this soap, and avoid hairsprays, scented deodorants and perfumes. As hunting season approaches, remember that my castile soap is unscented and is ideal for bathing and washing hunting clothes for those weekends in the woods.iji Run your hand quilting threads across a bar of my castile soap to strengthen them before use and prevent fraying or breaking. To keep insects out of the garden mix 1 cup vinegar, 1 cup water, 1/4 cup vegetable oil and 4 cloves garlic, crushed. Apply liberally with a spray bottle. And finally... Thank you all for your wonderful notes and letters included with your orders. I read them all and enjoy hearing from you! Letters! I get Letters! Sandy M. from PA writes: "I just wanted to share with you that I had a baby the end of February and between 1 and 2 weeks of age he developed a rash on his face (infant acne). I had a bar of your Fresh Meadow soap and what a blessing! The rash cleared up in just a few days!" Phyllis S. from NY writes: "I am impressed with your Fresh Meadow soap especially. That's the one I use on my face. I had always had skin problems and tried your soap with great results! Thanks for your help. I am 59 years old and have tried lots of stuff." "Hi! I wanted to tell you I love your wonderful soaps. My skin has never been so soft and acne free. Thank you!" – Erlinda W. from OK "Just a note to let you know my granddaughter is so pleased with the way your soap has cleared up her skin. Thank you for making such a good product." – Elizabeth C. from PA "I've had a persistent problem with psoriasis and I've been using your soap for probably eight years now. It really makes a difference. Occasionally I'll forget to take a bar when I travel and I'll notice a difference in 1 or 2 days at the most. I just wanted to thank you for a terrific product." – Dave A. from WI Sign up to receive my quarterly Newsletter —