Timbersmom

I have hard water. It doesn't affect the sprouting of the mix I get from sproutpeople.org. I've been sounding like a commercial for them, but I have had such good luck with their product that I really endorse it. I've never had a batch fail to sprout or have impurities, bugs, moths etc. from them.

Very nice!

That's what I was trying to determine Nancy. The cold process doesn't bother him, but I'm not sure about hot process.

It isn't hard at all but it is time consuming. Most of the time I spend on prep and cleanup. The longer you let the bars "cure" the longer they last. Minimum cure for cold process is 4 weeks. Longer is better. Here is a very basic recipe http://www.soap-making-essentials.com/homemade-soap-recipe.html. Another good resource is http://www.soap-making-essentials.com/basic-soap-recipe.html#.VGucJvnF_il I took a class many years ago through the local community college and the rest is history! I don't do much design or coloration. I usually add 1/4 cup of finely ground oatmeal for exfoliation right before I pour it (after trace) and sometimes a tablespoon of cinnamon for color. There are several groups on facebook that have recipes etc. and are good places to ask questions.

Yes, I make bath soap. I also make lotion (which is much easier) and it is great stuff! The bath soap is more moisturizing and detergent free. You can make it the scent you like or unscented. We had been using it for six months or so back in the day, then we went on vacation. We used the soap at the hotel, and my husband's comment was, "Wow what a difference! I hate this store bought stuff now."

OK, does anyone else on the forum make soap? I have been doing it for years, using the cold process method. I always mix my lye water outside because of the fumes, but the rest of the process is done inside not far from Timber. There haven't been any problems. Fast forward... I'm wanting to try the hot process method where the soap is actually put in the oven or in a crock pot. The lye mixing would still be done outside. I wouldn't think there would be any problem but wanted to ask on here first and see what everyone thinks? Thanks!

Glad you got that rascal! I truly hate rodents and it is probably because I was raised on a farm. With episodes from my younger days similar to yours, I have no sympathy and no mercy for them at all.

My vote goes to the spring traps. Like Sterling, my humaneness disappeared in the rodent department when I saw the destruction they are capable of. I used the glue traps once, and those were awful. I think the spring trap is more humane because it is instant death.

Haaaaa! Funny

OK, let me say that sprouts have a yeasty, fermented type smell. I'm not sure exactly what you did, but I can tell you how my sprouter works. It is a plastic container with a draining bottom that sits inside another solid plastic container. When I put the seeds in for that first over night soak, they sit there all night covered with water. Then I remove the inner container, rinse them under running cold water and then drain them as well as I can. The slotted type bottom of the inner plastic container is what works for that. The slots/slats on the bottom aren't large enough for the seeds to pass through, but the water drains out. I shake and swirl until I've gotten all the water out that I can. So the seeds soaked in water overnight, then in the morning I rinsed and drained as much of the water as possible off. Now they sit on the counter at room temp all day. In the evening, I rinse and drain again. You repeat the rinse and drain procedure every morning and evening until you have 1/16th to 1/8 inch "tails" on the sprouts. Then you can feed and refrigerate unused seeds. I think my sprouter says they can be refrigerated and fed for 4 days. Hope this helps!

We had to flip the bird bath over last night (to prevent freezing and cracking). I hate doing that because there is always a bird in there when it has water! We always keep the bird feeder full as well.

I feel your pain but I don't have any answers. Timber does the same at times and it seems to be seasonal. I do the same as you, and eventually he will chill out and "normalize." So, the only advice I have is to ride it out and it will pass! That is the case with Timber anyway. Someone with more experience may have a better answer.

Now to just hope he doesn't decide to expand his boundaries!

What a sweetheart!

Timber is a gentleman when it come to feet. Athletic shoes he will attack with glee, but sandals and bare feet he leaves alone.

LOL CFT is Certified Felix Trained

LOL loved it! I do follow Einstein on facebook but missed this one

So true!

Well Happy Birthday Pat!

All I can say is awwwww.... What sweet baby pics! Can't wait to see the videos.

LOL grateful indeed!

My TAG is Timber approx. 7 years old.

^^ What Sterling said. The nice thing about the sproutpeople.org mixes are they sprout at about the same time. The time needed for sprouting varies by variety, so I like to stay with the known. As far as eating, Timber eats the sprout that is coming out and a little of the innard and leaves the "hull."

Europa is making a fast adjustment (for a grey). Sounds like things are going great! She may take an interest in the stand and the perch on the outside of her cage at a later date. Timber will ignore things like that for months, then decide to use them.

I use sproutpeople.org as well. I order the big bird mix, works like a charm in their cheap little sprouter. Since I only have one bird, I do it the easy way and go through them!