Swiss Frau Farm Products

Only one event left and it may get snowed out. Sunday Oconomowoc Winter Market was canceled last week and this one may be snowy too. So, there has been a week of not having to rush too much and more time for my favorite activity.  Monday I began taking pictures around the farm looking for everyday scenes which would translate into small watercolors that I can use on new labels. The first was a picture I took of the geese in the snow. These geese are a trio. They have been married for 12 years and are still going strong. The white goose is the gander. His name is Peregrine which means Pilgrim. His wives are named Priscilla and Prudence, but don’t ask me which is which. They are rare heritage Pilgrim farm geese. I bought them to use to train Indigo to herd. They were very good for that but now are retired. 

The second photo I took this week was of a Barred Rock hen that was sitting in the doorway when I went out to feed them. I couldn’t resist taking a picture and was excited to make a watercolor. Below is the finished product. Rosemary, Cardamom, Honey is a wonderful new soap. It has a nice blend of both scents and is spicy sweet. The scent is subtle but wonderful in the shower. It is a premium priced soap due to the expense of the cardamom essential oil. But it is worth it.

The other new soap with the same label is Eucalyptus, Lemon, Honey. It was inspired by several customers who asked on numerous occasions for a Eucalyptus soap and I went two steps better and added Litsea Cubeba which is a lemony essential oil and our own honey. 

Last year I found a lovely pitcher and wash bowl on a stand at an antique store. I had been looking for a long time and this one was just what I was looking for. I use it in the summer markets sometimes so customers can wash their hands and try out the soap. The watercolor is set with our daughter’s bedroom wall paper for the background. She says the painting reminds her of Anne of Green Gables. I thought it was perfect for the shaving bars. 

This week spent painting and looking at the farm in a more whimsical way has been so rejuvenating and encouraging. Art has always been important to me. I knew in 5th grade I would be an artist and have had a number of jobs in that field. How amazing to fit art into real farm life and integrate it into the soap making. I am constantly aware that all activities that happens on this farm are all related and part of one piece of the fabric of my life.  From goats to milk to hay to soap to art! That is a blessing!

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas. Jenni