Latest from America’s heartland!
A blog filled with Inspiration, entertainment and Encouragement.
A riveting Christmas story in July to beat this oppressive heat
Why share a Christmas story in July? The heat wave continues in America’s heartland. The mood here is sober. Our market garden is well structured with drip irrigation. The goats have plenty of water. However, the heat continues to pummel our farm with no prospect of rain. It wears on the farmer. We rise early…
Five tools for crisis times
Have you ever been blinded sided by a trial? You know, the kind that catches you so off guard that you face-plant in the dust? Perhaps you’re like me and the trial consumes every facet of your life leaving behind ash and rubble. You face-plant alright. Only it is in barely cooled ash and rubble. …
Use These Five Strategies to Access Savings During the Recession
Have you noticed the headlines lately? One after another speaks of inflation, recession, or turbulent economic times ahead. But you don’t need to look at the headlines. You see it already at the fuel pump. Worse, you see it with rising costs everywhere. Every business is raising prices. It’s depressing, right? Inflation hits both our…
How to Keep Your Cool in Chaos
There is a sign on my desk that reads: My husband gifted it to me. Telling, don’t you think? Chaos takes up residence Chaos has been my constant companion for years. I can’t complete daily tasks without interruptions, most involve chaos. In fact, chaos stands outside the studio door right now. Here’s what it looks…
My Method to Muddy Madness
Perhaps you wonder what caused me to start a bath and body company? There are many reasons. Muddy madness is one reason. Let me show you. Observe the following pictures: Zechariah, age 5 created a pig sty in the garden near a sprinkler. He wanted to know what a pig experienced when rolling in the mud. His…
My career ended this week
Chronic exhaustion plagued my life from 1998 – 2008. Days and nights blurred together. Sleep was sporadic. Vivid dreams made matters worse. Images of dirty diapers filling every room in my farmhouse startled me awake. I staggered through my house more often than not in those days. Mothering lots of little ones You guessed it,…
Four ways to stop overwhelm dead in its tracks
Have you ever been overwhelmed by a long “To-Do List”? It’s no secret. I battle with overwhelm all the time. In fact, it follows me wherever I go. Hence, I am on a quest to conquer it once and for all. It’s time to stop overwhelm on this farm. Perhaps, you can benefit from sneak…
How can you find victory in adversity?
Don’cha hate it when you’re watching a YouTube video and an annoying ad pops up right at a critical point in the video? Oh my word, yes! It grates on my nerves. Time is a precious resource. And I need answers NOW! Let’s skip the ads, please. I was right in the middle of a…
How to make a powerful statement with your hard-earned money
Did you know you make a powerful statement every time you spend your hard-earned money? Specifically, you cast a vote with your dollars. You’re voting to affirm the mission and values of that business. I know what you’re thinking. Voting doesn’t really make a difference. After the last election, both sides walked away scratching their heads. …
Tired and Worn Out? Why it is Critical to Recharge Your Battery Now!
You’re exhausted. Each day is packed full of taking care of everyone else but yourself. You know you need a break. But how can you recharge your battery with severe limitations on your time? The demands far exceed the hours you have in a day. You just don’t have time. Worse, you’re not sure you…
Feeling Stuck? Get Traction with this Simple Hack
Have you ever felt stuck or hopeless? Maybe your like my goat friend. Your in a pickle and don’t know how to get out of it. Maybe you felt like you were in a funk. You know, the kind of state where you are just plain grumpy. To make matters worse, your motivation is nowhere…
Wanna to Make Remarkable Memories with Loved Ones? Try This!
Have you ever wanted to make remarkable memories? But, every time you try, you feel stuck. You drum up creative plans. YET, the effort to execute equals overwhelm. In fact, at one of these activities, you issue a deep guttural snarl at the very ones you love. “Stop complaining!!! We are trying to make memories!“…
Benefits of Rural living
Have you ever wondered about the benefits of rural living? This life attracts people. As a result, they throw caution to the wind and dive into a lifestyle so foreign to them. Others are born into it and know nothing else. Still, others enjoy living vicariously watching from afar. We have lived in a rural…
My Business Partner: A Spotlight
Ah … February, a month devoted to all things romance. It only seemed fitting that my precious husband and business partner was born just a few days after Valentine’s Day. As a result, February is super special to us. For instance, we celebrate our love. And, we celebrate his life. I posted the following tribute…
Creative ways this boy mom survives dirt and beards
Beards. We have a lot of them on this little farm. As a goat farmer, we have more than our fair share of beards. Yes, tis’ true even a few of the milking does grow beards. Goat beards as trend setters Wanna know a secret? Goats are trend setters when it comes to beards? …
Six Shocking Truths About Poor Customer Service (and How to Change It).
Have you ever suffered at the hands of poor customer service? It happens like this: You call up a company only to stop at the automated menu board. You don’t know which department to contact. Maybe the option you need isn’t even listed. Additionally, they don’t give you a choice to speak to an operator. …
How to Destroy Viruses with Soap
The chaos started in 2020. It still continues. The dreaded mantra began, designed to entice the nation into a battle. Everywhere we looked we saw these three words: Flatten the curve! Our world as we knew it changed. It has never returned to its former state. “This is the new normal,” they say. And that…
Six Ways to Prevent Premature Aging
Our society is obsessed with youth. There is no doubt about it. Just look at the headlines. Or, do a google search for ways to prevent premature aging. Article after article touts the latest greatest age defying beauty treatment. Everyone is preoccupied with how to look young. The inevitably of aging is the elephant in…
Why is Goat Milk Soap’s Popularity Increasing?
Why is goat milk soap’s popularity on the rise? It started because of a rash outbreak of … Wait a minute! Rash outbreak of what, you say? Could it be those behind this trend fell in love with this? And this … Which led to this … Yes, one goat leads to another goat. Before…
What is Old-Fashioned Lye Soap?
It happens just like this: The phone rings. A desperate caller asks, “Do you have lye soap?”. A sigh of relief meets my response. “Yes, I have a few thousand bars.” However, in my experience, it is necessary to probe further and educate when that question arises. “Are you suffering from a particular skin condition?”…
Love Conquers All
Author’s Note: The following post “Love Conquers All” is a tribute to my beloved father-in-law who passed away last week. Bright Hope Soaps focuses on the principle of triumph over trials in our artisan work. My road to healing was filled with people who shared love without limits which created a ripple effect. My father-in-law…
Young Farmers Face Off with Severe Weather
Let me give you a little perspective about these young farmers. This is our weather report for today. The main characters in this story involve this group of lovelies who are all very pregnant … And this group of young farmers … Our plot thickens when two of the six young farmers are left to…
Married and Business Partners
We are married and business partners. Say what? Yes, that means my husband is my coworker. Wowza! Sometimes it is distracting to say the least. Ever wonder what it is like to be married to your business partner? Today I will share a behind the scenes look at how Jon and I navigate our business…
Near Death Experiences That Change Us
Near death experiences redefine us. They position us for living life more richly. In other words, they remind us to cherish what matters most. It happened just like that this week on the farm. The phone rang. I was too late and I missed it. I promptly returned the call. My daughter answered giving instructions….
Tackling Failure and Overwhelm
Tackling failure and overwhelm is a must for farmstead living. Moreover, failure and overwhelm is a part of life in general. I know, no one wants it. Everyone avoids it. But I have learned to embrace it. Only because I was forced to. I fail more than I succeed. To accomplish anything on the farm,…
Kidding Season Begins -2021
And just like that kidding season began. I wandered out to the barn to check on Bridget, our purebred Nubian goat. Her due date is February 12. She was huge and acting off according to my son. We all suspected she was carrying triplets. And we were right!!! I found them 20 minutes after they…
Avoid Perfectionism Paralysis
“Avoid Perfectionism Paralysis” provides an insider’s view of humble beginnings of my bath and body business. Ok, the present is still pretty humble. The point is we have to start somewhere. We have to take action to get traction. Moreover, we must keep showing up every day and learning as we go. Today we are…
Valentine’s Day Depression Busters
Valentine’s Day Depression is more common than you think. In fact, there are precious few holidays that arrive without a heavy trunk full of trauma for me. From Christmas to Valentine’s Day and all those celebrations in between, I have felt inner turmoil. It is part of my tumultuous upbringing. What could possibly be the…
Our Family Farm: The Family Behind It All
Ever wonder who that family is behind this family farm? Well let me take a minute to introduce you to our zany large family. Grandchildren Behind the Family Farm Sammy is the youngest contributing member of this family farm. What exactly can a baby offer? See for yourself. His Gerber baby looks make for amazing…
Kindness: A Game Changer
My head hung low as I approached the double doors. Admittedly, I felt a weight on my shoulders and an excruciating pain in my back. Sickness visited me shortly after Christmas. This uninvited guest won’t leave sapping all my energy and taking all my time. Now the wait. Medical tests never move quickly. Leaving the…
Failure – Isn’t It Beautiful?
Have you ever gone where no man has gone before? I mean, have you tried something new, riddled with failure, barriers, or dubbed nearly impossible? I did. And, I kicked myself the whole way. My inner voice chanted “You’re crazy”. I should have given up. But I couldn’t no matter how crazy it seemed. Big…
Goodbye Facebook, Hello Blog!
Yes, that is right! Goodbye Facebook. We are leaving social media. It is a move long overdue, one I spoke about often. Still, I never took action. Downside of Social Media 2020 gave us a crystal clear view of the downside of social media. You could say our view was 20/20. My trigger finger itched…
2021, I’ve Had Enough Already!
Just take a look at this! Yummy, right? But please don’t eat it. This delectable creation is for skin pampering sessions. And, who doesn’t need pampered these days? Enough Already! If you are like me, you have had enough of 2021 already. I mean, come on. 2020 was challenging all by itself. We are only…
The pandemic and safe service
Every headline. Let me say that again. Every headline displays the current crisis facing our country. Many business have already emailed me about the pandemic and safe service they offer. If you are like me, you are growing weary of the constant focus on this issue. While it is good to keep informed, I have…
Which Goat Milk Soap is the Best?
The good news?YOU’RE SEEING RESULTS USING HANDCRAFTED SOAP. BUT NOW LET’S RAISE THE BAR! If you have tried high-quality handcrafted soap, no one needs to tell you the perks. You’ve already felt the impact of real soap on your skin. Yes, it feels baby soft! You are dying to know which goat milk soap is…
Lye Soap – The Stigma
Exactly what images pop into your head when you hear the words “lye soap”? Does it conjure up pictures of a hardened hunk of white matter? Maybe it even crumbles when touched? Perhaps it smells like rancid pig fat? YUCK! That doesn’t sound too appealing, right? Wait! It gets better worse. Origins of the Stigma…
My Soap Making Journey
My soap making journey began in one of the darkest times of my life. Life was like a charred debris field, the fiery consequence of domestic violence. What did I have to offer when all that remained of my life was ashes and rubble? There is nothing left, right? Wrong. Did you know homesteaders of…
Finding Hope in Failure: Six Strategies
Failure. Nobody wants it. In other words, we pretend it does not exist. Social media makes matters worse. We fill our feeds with the best view of our lives, for instance. Meanwhile, finding hope in failure becomes hard. Further, culture rewards success. Awards go to the best in the class, the most successful employee, and…
Share Hope: Five Simple Ways
Isn’t there more to life than this? This question taunts you. You feel it with the day-in-day-out tedium. If that is not mundane enough then you see one headline after another. They read: DOOM” DESPAIR” DISASTER!” You turn to social media. The weight of what you see crushes your spirit. You want to find hope. …
Fragrance Dangers: Fact Versus Fiction
A campaign called, “Fragrance is the New Second Hand Smoke” is striking fear in many consumers. Fragrance dangers are important to consider but does it mean all fragrances are bad? Analyze the Campaign A careful analysis of this campaign is necessary. Please note: the primary concern of this campaign are fragrances that contain phthlates. Though…
Making Bath Bombs: How We Do It
Making bath bombs is simple and systematic at Bright Hope Soap Works. We gather all the powders, oils, and begin mixing. Soon fragrance fills the air. Next, we portion off our mixture in various bowls. Suddenly pressing begins. One sphere after another rests quietly on the tray. In twenty-four hours the bath bombs hardens enough…
The Joy of Milking Dairy Goats
Milking dairy goats brings us a lot of joy. Take a look at those long floppy ears and you can see why we adore these critters. Moreover, they are a practical addition to the farmstead. Stigma Surrounding Dairy Goats Why milk goats? After all, their reputation proceeds them. These skilled escape artists make most homesteaders…
Gifts That Encourage : Ashes to Beauty
Heartache is all around us. You don’t have to search hard to find it. For example, it comes in the form of terminal cancer or unexpected job loss. Perhaps it arrives with a knock at the door with a police officer delivering a notice of a divorce. You may wonder how to encourage those who…
The Inspiration: Ashes to Beauty
As a victim of domestic violence, I am no stranger to anguish. During that dark season of life, I learned to make soap. I also discovered my love of Nubian goats. Soap making provided me with a marketable skill and individuality. Sadly, both factors increased danger for me and the children. Letting Go and Survival…
Bar of Many Colors: Gospel Gifts
It is the greatest love story of all time. You have the best NEWS ever! It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But, why is it so hard to share the best News you have ever heard? You practice and rehearse ways to break the ice. Yet you stammer, stutter, and slink away feeling ineffective. I…
What is the Legacy Collection?
What if you could comfort someone in anguish without using any words? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to nurture them with a luxurious gift avoiding worn-out clichés? The Legacy collection exists for this very purpose. The Legacy Collection is a line of soaps that tell inspirational stories. The colors, fragrance, and design are all symbolic in…
Legacy Explained: Sassy Lassy Soap
Soap making is both an art and science. As an art form, the process contains a powerful metaphor for those suffering from hardships. As a result, the completed soap becomes a medium for sharing inspirational stories and even legacies. Metaphor Explained Soap makers use lye, a caustic substance. Many artisans combine it with luxury oils. …
Handmade Soap: Real Benefits
Mass Produced VS. Handmade I race to my mailbox eager to get the latest mass produced form letter that a million people have held in their hands… said no person ever. Letters like this one here are routinely sent and often pitched into the trash. Little thought is given to the predominance of the mass…