Happy New Year!

Thank you all for your support of my small, growing business in 2011.  I appreciate all your kind comments, your suggestions and even those of you that volunteer your time, ideas and energy with my business.  

I think 2012 is going to be big!

Happy New Year everyone!

Peanut Butter Banana Bread

My husband has asked me to stop baking please.  No more cookies?  No more breads?  No more bars and rolls and.... Yes, he said.  No more.  His waist line is not improving while I make more sugary, sweet, savory and tasty treats (and neither is mine).  His request lasted one day.  I will most likely stop soon, or at least slow down.  I just can't help myself.  I love to take all these basic ingredients and turn them into something pretty and delicious!  I think that is how I also got interested in soap making.   Soap has no calories you know. 

I found this fun twist and super good recipe using Whole Wheat Flours, Flax Flour and Yogurt for Peanut Butter Banana  Bread!  Why not?  It's got better-for-us ingredients, easy to make and I have a friend coming over, I can't not serve up something tasty sweet with our tea.  

Found over on Joy The Bakers blog (link here: http://www.joythebaker.com/blog/2011/02/peanut-butter-banana-bread/   and copied for you below.  Her recipe calls for All Spice, but I didn't have any, so I left it out.  I had leftover chocolate kisses from Christmas day, so I chopped them up and added them to the batter at the end.  Not many only about 8.  Give it a try!  Thanks JOY!

Peanut Butter Banana Bread

Makes: one 9×5-inch loaf

Recipe adapted from CookingLight

1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas
1/3 cup plain or vanilla fat free yogurt
1/3 cup creamy all-natural peanut butter
3 tablespoons butter, melted
2 large eggs
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup ground flaxseed meal (I’ve also baked this bread without the flaxseed meal… because I forgot to add it, and the bread was still moist and delicious)
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 cup chopped dry roasted peanuts

Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan. Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together flours, flaxseed meal, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon and ground allspice.

In a medium bowl, whisk together mashed bananas, yogurt, peanut butter and melted butter. Whisk in eggs and sugars. Blend mixture until no sugar lumps remain.

Pour the wet mixture into the larger bowl with the dry ingredients. Fold together with a spatula until no more flour bits remain. Fold in the chopped nuts as well. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and cake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for 20 minutes before running a butter knife along the edges of the pan and inverting the bread onto a wire rack to cool completely.
This bread lasts, well wrapped at room temperature,for up to 4 days. It is also great to store, well wrapped, in the freezer.

Kiva

Have you heard of Kiva?  It is a small business loan program empowering people around the world with small business loans.   Founded in 2005 the program has lent 271 million dollars in 61 different countries.  It is a non-profit, volunteer run program.

From their website:

"We are a non-profit organization with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. Leveraging the Internet and a worldwide network of micro finance institutions, Kiva lets individuals lend as little as $25 to help create opportunity around the world".

This Christmas, my aunt generously donated money to the organization and sent me (a small business owner myself)  the "power" to select other small business owners to loan money to.  I select one, two, three or more businesses or people from their group of loaners and lend them money.  They pay it back, just like any other loan, and I can use it again to loan more money to someone else.  

Donations as small at $25.00 can help someone with their farm, grocery store, bakery or more get on their feet and support their families and make a better life for themselves.

I have been searching and searching for another soap making business, but I have not found one yet.  Here is a link that keeps us connected, so if you want to join and donate, you and I will be connected!

 http://kiva.org/invitedby/shannon8554

 Or just the website itself:  http://www.kiva.org/

Merry Christmas

Good Enough.

Good enough!  I love this.  My friend posted it on her Face Book wall and I thought I would share it with you.  Simply be yourself, that is good enough. 

I have one more farmers market.  Tomorrow morning from 9:00-12:30 at Ft. Andross in Brunswick.  Come on down and see me for last minute soap gifts, stock up your own supply or purchase a gift certificate.

Lace & Ice

What a great idea!   Found over on Resurrection Fern blog, these Lace & Ice hanging discs are just beautiful! What a fun, easy, inexpensive and beautiful idea for any cold weather climate.  

 Now...where are my lace doily's?

Here is the direct link to the blog post so you can learn to make your own.

http://resurrectionfern.typepad.com/resurrection_fern/2008/12/lace-and-ice-.html

Eggnog From Scratch

Have you ever had "real" eggnog?  Not from the carton, but the real stuff made up fresh?  I made Martha's recipe several years ago and it is totally worth it.  Soo good, soo rich and soo creamy.  Served up in a punch bowl with fresh nutmeg and lots of booze (3 different kinds) my friends (and I) adored it!  I went to a neighborhood Christmas party on Sunday night and my neighbor Cliff brought along his family Eggnog all made up and spiked nice and strong. Complete with clouds of cream and egg whites floating on top...soo amazing!  His recipe sounded very similar to Martha's.  I have posted it for you below as well as the link to Martha's website.  Enjoy!

(Martha served it recently at her Holiday party with 200 guest invited! 
Here is a picture of her Eggnog from her recent blog post).

From Martha's site:  This eggnog's rich, cloud like texture is produced by separating the eggs and beating the whites before adding them to the milk mixture. The eggnog base can be made one day in advance; just beat in the stiff egg whites and whipped cream just before serving.

http://www.marthastewart.com/334357/eggnog

Ingredients


12 eggs, separated

1 1/2 cups superfine sugar

1 quart whole milk

1 1/2 quarts heavy cream

3 cups bourbon

1/2 cup dark rum

2 cups cognac

Freshly grated nutmeg

Directions

1.In a very large bowl, beat egg yolks until thick and pale yellow. Gradually add sugar to yolks. With a wire whisk, beat in milk and 1 quart cream. Add bourbon, rum, and cognac, stirring constantly.

2.Just before serving, beat egg whites until stiff. Fold into mixture. Whip remaining 1/2 quart heavy cream until stiff, and fold in. Sprinkle with nutmeg.

Holiday Soaps Still Available!

Whew!  What can I say about the Holiday Season....busy?  Yes.  Jam packed?  Yes.  Did I have enough soaps?  Well...that is why I am here today.  I have run out of my brand new this year soap,  Naughty & Nice and just about out of Cinnamon & Oats.  I still have Christmas In Maine, Peppermint Twist and Gingersnap.   Shipping orders is still possible for most of New England....but beyond that, there are no guarantees.   If you are local, I am happy to met you for a soap delivery, I have even delivered straight to front doors. 

Making up more Bath Bombs, Tub Tea, Dryer Sachets and Laundry Detergent today to make sure there is plenty in stock for the Farmers Market on Saturday.   The market will be open on Christmas Eve day 9-12:30 at Ft. Andross Maine St. Brunswick.  I am happy to set aside any special items for you to ensure that they are available for you when you come to the market.  Just contact me!  cascobaysoap@aol.com

Special Yuletide Market Sunday 12/18/11

Special Holiday Market at L.L.Bean on Sunday 12/18 from 12:00-4:00.  I will be there, along with a great group of vendors, selling our fantastic baked goods, cheeses, seasonal veggies, jewelry, artwork, hand knit and sewn items, wood turned bowls, tops & rolling pins, Alpaca yarns, bird cookies and soo much more!!  There will be seasonal music too. 

Come on down and see me, get lots of Holiday shopping checked off your list, soap makes a GREAT gift!  I have lots of Soap Bars and special holiday packaging...I am also bringing along my Sea Shell and Sea Urchin soaps.  Hope to see you!!

Featured on an Esty Treasury!

So happy to find that I (or rather my soap) was part of a treasury on Etsy!  My Pink Grapefruit Sea Urchins are right there on the bottom right!

 

visit the link here:  http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTU1MjF8MTI3MjIxNjkyMA/sneaky-treasury-challenge-112811-2

Pink Peppercorn Hot Chocolate

Oh yum!   Pink Peppercorn Hot Chocolate....sweet and chocolaty with some zing!  I love sipping some sweet, hot chocolate during the cold winters here on the Coast of Maine.  I have posted a recipe of my tried and true favorite here on the blog before ( http://cascobaysoap.blogspot.com/2009/02/hot-chocolate.html ) but this time I am adding some pink peppercorns that I bought from my local Maine vendors, Gryffon Ridge Spice Merchants at the farmers market.  I found this fun twist on the recipe on one of my favorite food blogs, Kayotic Kitchen.

My report?  Delightful!  I loved the heat that the pink peppercorns added, the addition cinnamon was wonderful! Give it a try.

Here is the blog post: http://www.kayotic.nl/blog/pink-peppercorn-hot-chocolate  over at Kayotic Kitchen.

Bath Bomb Production

A peek inside my Bath Bomb Production!

Here you see half spheres of Lavender, Winter White, Mango, Lemon and Oatmeal & Honey.  YUM!  These will be packaged up into full spheres and the customer then can use a whole sphere or a half.  I include two different fragrances together in a package.  So for example, you can use the whole sphere and take a Mango and Lemon bath or use just half and enjoy a Mango or just a Lemon bath, it's up to you!

Lavender Bath Bombs have a bit of real lavender buds sprinkled on the top, Oatmeal & Honey Bath Bombs have a sprinkle of real oats and Winter White has a bit of sparkly glitter!   I will have these with me at the market on Saturday.

From Scratch Club

A found this new blog, the From Scratch Club.  Sharing all sorts of stories, great recipes, tips and tricks that are all food related.    Today I was browsing and found recipes for Homemade Irish Cream, Tomato Basil Jam and Infused Olive Oils that all sound wonderful!

Here is a bit about them:

"We are a small group of women, living within the Capital Region of NYS (Albany, Troy, Schenectady, Saratoga Springs) striving for a sustained connection to the whole food we, our loved ones, and our communities consume. We meet twice a month for food swaps, and maybe even a food-related adventure, field trip, cheese making party or potluck. Once a month we participate in community outreach at various local farmers markets in our area. The rest of the month we are here on the blog, sharing stories, recipes, DIY projects, homesteading tutorials, kitchen tips & tricks and food policy news in hopes of inspiring everyday people to jump back into the kitchen as a daily way of life regardless of income, space & time. Welcome"!

Also over on their blog they are offering a Free E-book, From Scratch Holidays, full of homemade, from scratch ideas for Holiday gifts.  Fun recipes for homemade Pasta, Limoncello, Cinnamon Buns, Cranberry Mustard and more!   They also have a ton of great recipes on their blog for even more homemade gifts, Fudge, Cookies, Teas, even flavored Coffee Creamer!

Link to their E-book:  http://fromscratchclub.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/from-scratch-holidays-medium-format.pdf

Fresh Soaps

I thought I would share a few shots of some of my recent soaps:

Sweet Blueberry and Creamy Vanilla mingle in Blueberry Cream...

Mellow, Woodsy Maine Pine....

Sweet Citrus and Earthy Lemongrass...

Sweet & Toasty Oatmeal, Honey & Milk

Holiday Soap Packaging

Holiday packaging is available!

(Holiday packaged soap, only $5.00 )

For just $1.00 more you can purchase a Casco Bay Soap Co. soap all wrapped up and ready for gift giving.   Soaps are tucked into a clear cellophane bags, tied with a fun and festive polka dot bow and have a co-ordinating gift tag.  Soap makes a great gift!   This Holiday season, don't forget your hairdresser, co-workers, teachers, bus driver, mail man....

Find soap all wrapped and ready for grab-and-go gifts at the Brunswick Winter Market on Saturdays at Ft. Andross with me or on Sunday in South Portland with the Craftin' Scot. 

Quercus Design

One of my new favorite local Maine artist!  Jenn of Quercus Design is artist, photographer and beech comber here in Maine.  Creating simply arranged and beautiful art out of found beach items.  She sells locally and here is the link to her Etsy shop:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/QuercusDesign?ref=ss_profile

Link to her blog:  http://quercusdesign.blogspot.com/

Craft Idea ~ Calendar Journal

I found this super great idea over on a super great new blog (well, new to me)!  Design Sponge.  Full of creative crafts, design ideas, shopping links and DIY projects.

A Calender Journal!  I will be making this for myself, but this would make a great gift for, well, anyone!  I enjoy remembering where/what I was doing 1 year ago, but don't always remember (don't we all  have these lapses in memories?) everything.  This would be a fun reminder, easy to make and soo green!  Love it!

The idea is that you have 365 index cards, each stamped with the month and day.  Each month is separated by a fun postcard.  Find postcards at local Flea Markets, Thrift Shops or maybe in your own stash.  All this is tucked inside a berry box.  Or you could use any type of box.  Then on the corresponding date, you write down a few things you did on that day.  Each year when the day comes around again, add in the new "thing" you did and look back at what you did a year ago.  A daily journal!  Soo clever!  I. Love. It.  Brilliant!

Link to the post:

http://www.designsponge.com/2010/12/diy-project-vintage-postcard-calendar-journal.html

Craft Fair, Tomorrow!! Saturday December 3rd !!!

North Yarmouth Academy (NYA) Holiday Craft fair TOMORROW!!!

Come on down and shop, shop, shop!!  This is a great craft fair with soo many wonderful local crafts.

Find me in the cafeteria section of the fair.  9:00-3:00

I'm bringing lots of my most popular soaps: 
Lavender, Lemongrass, Citrus Scrub, Oatmeal/Honey & Milk, Mermaids Garden, Wild Sea Rose, Sweet Almond, Cinnamon & Oat, Sea Shore Scrub and Sea Spa. 

Holiday fragrances too: 
Gingersnap, Christmas in Maine, Naughty & Nice and Peppermint Twist

Sea Shell and Sea Urchin shaped soaps in gift boxes with ribbons and a gift card as well as Holiday packaged soaps in clear baggies tied with ribbon and a gift card.

Hope to see you there!!!