A Big Debut: Hill 'n Holler Soaps

A few months ago, I shared about a goody package 

that my sister-in-law sent me filled with all kinds of treats...

Mainly, her handmade soaps.

Scrubbin' Soap
Textured soap made with Oatmeal, Honey, and Goat's Milk.
Like an oatmeal scrub in bar form.
Great for scrubbing away all that dry dead winter skin!

Many of you e-mailed me asking if she was planning on 

making her soaps available to the public for purchase.

Today, I'm excited to announce that due to a ton of interest, 

Lissa is opening up an online store to begin selling it!

WOO-HOO!

Introducing Hill 'n Holler Soaps!

I am so stinkin' happy for her!

And today is her Grand Opening!!

Real quick, let me give you a fast background on their family...

My younger brother Phillip, a Marine Corps veteran, met Melissa 

(or as we affectionately call her, Lissa) 

who is ALSO a Marine Corps veteran, 

while they were both stationed at MCAS San Diego, California.  

He was a  hot shot CH-53E Crew Chief and she was a pretty airframe mechanic.  

Love came pretty quickly, followed by two sons...  

Mason and Gavin... 

Funnily enough, each time they were both stationed in Okinawa, Japan.  

I figure there must be something in the water over there.  

LOL!

After Lissa found out she was pregnant with Gavin, 

she ended her career in the Marines and became a stay at home mom, 

while my brother continued on, serving our country in the air, 

above Al Asad, Iraq...

 and after returning home, becoming a CH-53E Crew Chief Instructor 

at MCAS New River, NC and later at the pinnacle of his career,

as a Crew Chief with HMX-1, 

the Presidential Helicopter Squadron in Quantico, VA.

Due to medical problems stemming from his service in Iraq, 

my brother received a medical discharge in 2011, 

after 13 years of service.  

They then decided to settle down in Lissa's hometown of Battletown, Kentucky, 

living a quiet life on a farm, in the hills and hollers of Kentucky.

Embracing the simpler life and getting back to her roots, 

Lissa began experimenting with inexpensive ways to give her family 

a more natural and organic lifestyle.  

From an organic vegetable garden to 

having chickens to provide them with organic eggs, 

Homemade Laundry Detergent, and now, homemade bath soap.     

After sending some to friends and family as Christmas gifts, 

her soaps started to become in high demand 

for those of us who use it and love it.

Wild Honeysuckle Soap
My Personal Favorite!
Honeysuckle and Mild Goat's Milk.

Personally, my skin looks and feels better than it ever has!

Not to mention the fact that more and more, 

I am becoming concerned about the chemicals that are found 

in our health and beauty products.

Nature's Nectar Soap
A light citrusy scent that really invigorates the senses. 

These soaps are such a great healthy alternative 

to the chemically-laced brands found in stores!

Tranquil Time Soap
The soothing scent of Lavender is super relaxing!
Great stress reliever!

After experiencing the difference, 

I will never go back to buying my soap from a store.

Sweet Jesus Soap
Lightly scented Lily of the Valley.
Heavenly!

If you're interested in purchasing these and other delicious smelling soaps, 

you can find Hill 'n Holler Soaps, LLC on Facebook HERE, and her online store, HERE.

There's also a soap for peeps who prefer their soap unscented.

Really, there's something for everyone!

You won't be disappointed, I promise!

*Disclaimer:  These honest opinions are my own.  

I have not received payment from Hill 'n Holler Soap, LLC 

in return for this blog post.

Chair Beau-ti-fi-cation.

I have finally done something for the anniversary party 

that I can share with you!

YAY!

I have spent the last few weeks doing a lot, but able to show very little.

Two weeks this Sunday and counting!

Whoop!  Whoop!

Wednesday I met with one of my SILs at the church 

and finally nailed down table arrangement plans.

And I still couldn't get over the plain metal folding chairs 

that are in the Fellowship Hall at my in-law's church.

Uuuuuuug-lyyyyyyyy.

Seriously.

But even I recognized how over the top it would be, 

not to mention expensive, to camouflage the hideousness 

of each of the 100 chairs we plan on using.

It's not like it's a wedding, right?

Sooooo...

I compromised with myself.

I would content myself with special chairs for 

Mom and Dad at the Head Table.

Works for me.

So, I went out to the shop and dug out two oak chairs 

from an auction last summer and went to town.

I don't have a good before picture, 

but here's a picture from last august of the entire set.

My plan is to eventually paint the entire set 

and switch it out with the table and chairs I have now.

Key Word:  Eventually

;)

I slapped four coats of homemade chalk paint on the two 

that I lugged out and waxed them up pretty.

I didn't go out of my way to distress them much, 

but if it did in some places and not in others, I didn't sweat it.

I recovered the seats with some beige striped grain sack material 

that I got from Decor Steals months ago and 

had been waiting for something special to use it on.

I love how it turned out and can't wait to do the other four!

To dress them up for the party, I draped gold satin 

(I have no idea why in pictures it looks orange, when it's a really pretty buttery gold) 

over the top and gathered it in the back with an elastic band.

Then I just let it fall naturally.

I painted two frames that I got at the local thrift for fifty cent each and used a chalkboard background download as the background for their names.

I tied the frames onto the satin with Hemp Twine 

that I hot glued to the frames.

Then I glued on a bow that matches the centerpieces to finished it off.

I'm really excited about how they turned out.

And I hope they're much more comfortable for 

Mom and Dad to sit on than those hard ole metal ones.

At the least, they're prettier to look at.

;)

I'm Still Living, I Promise. (Decoration Sneak Peek)

I cannot believe that I have gone nine days without posting.

Craziness.

That's one word that pert near sums up the happenings here.

Super Easy Centerpiece Tutorial

And so the preparations continue for my in-law's 50th.

Last week I made 20 centerpieces, 

embellished 30 votive candle holders, 

affixed ribbons to 50 invitations and addressed envelopes, 

and created 2 wreaths.

Whew!

50th Anniversary Centerpieces

Planning a 50th Anniversary party is nerve-wracking!

You want everything to be perfect to celebrate 

such an awesome occasion...  

And you 2nd guess yourself every step of the way.

ARGH.

It's such a huge responsibility and I don't want to screw it up.

DIY 50th Anniversary Invitations

The more I start perusing the internet, 

the more excited I get about helping to plan 

my in-law's 50th anniversary celebration.

One of my jobs is their invitations.

Temporarily Side Tracked.

Mornin' y'all!

Firstly, I just wanted to take the time 

to thank everyone for chiming in to help me 

with ideas on our west entry way.

Such great ideas!!

You've given me LOTS to think about!!

The Hated Space {Please help!}

So, y'all...

What's it been?

Over a week since I said I was going to start on that darn entry way?

Picture taken during first walk through of the house.

Easter Bird's Nest Treats {Nom-Nom-Nom}

It's not very often that I share recipes.

There's a reason for that...

Come a little closer and I'll tell you...

"I don't like to cook."

There...

Now my secret is out.

:P

My Favorite Quickie Spring Craft

The only thing that is keeping me sane right now is repeating to myself...

It is almost the middle of March.

Spring will be here soon.

Despite the fact that we are got through 

with yet ANOTHER winter storm with a forecast of...

Winter Prairie Scenes

It was a frigid 1* with fog this morning in Iowa.

Anyone who lives out in the Midwest knows what fog 

combined with below freezing temperatures causes...

Hoar Frost.

At it is one of the most beautiful sites I've ever seen.

Farmhouse Foyers: Getting Inspired

Mornin' y'all!

Here's my tip of the day...

Don't get so involved laughing your butt off 

with your children at something on You Tube 

that they totally miss the bus!

LOL!

My Style: Decorating With Words

No doubt about it, words are powerful.

Words can uplift.

They can soothe.

Words can inspire.

They can calm.

The Best Part of Being A Mom

Sorry, y'all...

Another personal post.

;)

But look at it this way, 

you get a peek at what I'm using essentially as a diary.

;)

I should start keeping a real one tucked under my mattress 

like I did in high school.

LOL!

Shout Out for State!

What's the purpose of having a blog, 

if you can't use it for personal stuff every now and again?

So...  Today I'm gonna do just that.

:)