Merry Christmas!!

Soap For Hope Update

 

As some of you know, I started my Soap For Hope with a "soft" introduction mid month in November.  For each bar of my special Soap For Hope sold, there is a built in donation.  $2.00 for each sale of the Soap For Hope goes directly to a local charity.  It is a beautifully boxed soap with a lovely label with the explanation of the program right on the back.  You can still see and smell the soap through the cute little window on the front of the box. 

 

I am happy to announce that it has been well received!   For the 6 weeks that it has run, I have collected $53.00 for The Freeport Community Food Pantry.  I will be dropping off the money tomorrow with an explanation of the project. 

 

Thank you all for buying my special soaps and your donations!  Some folks didn't even buy the soap but just dropped a dollar or two in the donation jar.  How nice!

 

 I have now listed Soap For Hope on my website and Etsy pages.   

 

I am currently featuring Vanilla Verbena as the exclusive fragrance and plan to create a special signature fragrance just for Soap For Hope. Do you have any fragrance suggestions?

 

Thank you!

 

On the website: 

http://www.cascobaysoap.com/item_89/Soap-For-Hope.htm

 

On Etsy: 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/173158096/casco-bay-soap-co-soap-for-hope?ref=shop_home_active

 

The Freeport Community Food Pantry: 

http://www.fcsmaine.org/what-we-do/food-pantry/

Living Better Together - Maine Gift Guide!

 

Living Better Together blog has featured me as part of their Maine Gift Guide! 

Thank you soo very much for including me, I appreciate it!

 

http://www.livingbettertogether.com/

Find Me Here Sat. Dec. 7th!!

Doc's Sip & Shop Event

December 5th and 6th from 6:30-9:30 stop by Doc's Café & Marketplace for wine tasting, shopping, create a "wish list" and enjoy and evening surrounded by friends and local made items.

Thursday is Sip & Shop - put together your "wish list"... of items and leave it for your significant other to shop from on Friday night. Wine tasting, shopping and more! $10.00 entry fee does give you a drink and snack ticket.

Friday night is "Guys' Night" with the game on a big screen TV, craft beers, personal shoppers and gift wrap. Leave your "wish list" and your significant other can shop off of your wish list that night! cool, right? You don't have to be a "guy" to attend! Everyone is welcome.

Find Casco Bay Soap Co. products there! BEER soap, my Shampoo Bars, Laundry Detergent, Dryer Sachets and the super pretty Sea Shells and Sea Urchins!

 

 

Beer Soaps Now At Maine Beer Co.!

 

 

I recently was contacted by Maine Beer Co. in Freeport to make them some special Beer Soaps using their very own Peeper Ale - their original hoppy American ale.  Dry, clean, well-balanced with a generous dose of American hops. I added fresh ground Hops, grown locally by a friend of mine, and a touch of fragrance to help the sweetness of the beer shine through.  6 weeks later and the soap is cured and now for sale at their tasting room and shop located at 525 US Rt. 1 in Freeport! 

Check them out:

          

"Maine Beer Company has moved, and our Freeport Tasting Room is now open!  

We are located just South of Exit 20 off 295.  Hours are noon to 7pm Tuesday-Saturday and noon to 4pm on Sunday.

The Tasting Room features 8 beers on tap, including some brewery only pilot batches.  Snacks from local vendors are available, as well as bottles of  our beer*, MBC merchandise and gift certificates.  Huge glass windows allow for an exciting view of the brewery operations.

We look forward to seeing you, and we hope you enjoy the experience!

*Bottled brands subject to availability

We do not currently offer growlers or logs from the brewery.  Thanks for understanding".

 

 

And find fresh Beer Soaps with me at the markets!  GREAT for gifts....brother, uncle, father or your favorite BEER lover.

 

Made with REAL beer, I substitute the water in the recipe with beer.  Adding some fresh ground hops that were locally grown by a friend of mine and a little bit of fragrance, you can find my "Hop" to It Oatmeal Stout, Raspberry Porter or Honey Ale to all be great smelling and fun soaps!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Thanksgiving Week Holiday Craft Sales

NEXT WEEEKND!  Soo many sales, soo little time! Find my soaps:

 

With ME @ The Brunswick Winter Market - I am there every Saturday from 9-12:30 selling soaps galore for everyone on your list.

 

AND find my soaps at these great open houses in Freeport:

 

7th Annual Creative Economy Studio Show & Sale at Studio On The Hill.  Soo many great artist drop their items off at Cat's studio and she opens her house to showcase all this great work.  All items are for sale and she has food and cider and music, it's great!  I usually stop by after my farmers market to check it out and always buy something.  Pleasant Hill Road, Freeport.  You will see the signs and quite possibly the cars!

 

 

 

And also on Saturday and Sunday, the Annual Bessie's Holiday Sale. A ton of great stuff—local goods, hand dyed yarn, and tasty treats galore—plus many vendors come by. It's a great time to meet the craftspeople behind the products at Bessie's, as well as mingle and visit with the community. Come early and stay a while!  Litchfield Road, Freeport.  Follow the signs.

 

 

Sleigh Ride

 

 

Peppermint Cream!

 

 

NEW! Soap For Hope

Hey Guys!  Here is something I have been working on for a while....my new Soap For Hope!  I will donate $2.00 from the sale of these special soaps to a new charity each month.  You can find the soap with me at market...soaps are in special boxes with a special label.    You are buying soap AND making a charitable donation at the same time!  This month I am raising funds for my local Food Pantry at Freeport Community Services!  Help raise some funds!! 

 

 

Star Anise

 

 

Gift Sets Now Available!!

2 NEW Gift set for Holiday gift giving...

 

Shaving Soap Set includes an Enamel Mug with lid, shaving brush and a bar of Casco Bay Soap Co. shaving soap.  Fragrances vary.  $18.00

 

 

Soap and nail brush gift set.   Tucked into a clear takeout container is 1 bar of Casco Bay Soap Co. soap with a wood nail brush. Fragrances vary.  Soo cute for gift giving (or to treat yourself)! $7.00

 

 

 

Look for them at the market and place special orders for them with me at CascoBaySoap@aol.com

At Market NOW!!

 

Holdiay Fragrances!

 

 

Shop ALL Maine Items, Tomorrow!

Etsy Maine Team is having an online Cash Mob to support Maine Small Businesses!  Shop tomorrow November 8th on Etsy and use the search term "maineteam" to filter ALL Maine sellers.  Many are offering special pricing in their shops.

 

Over 700 Maine shops and over 13,000 unique items!

 

 

Shop Early & Often For Best Selection!

Happy Halloween!

Fiber Artists

I'm very happy to be newly pairing up with the super talented Jan of Four Winds Farm in Gorham.  Jan is a Fiber Artist with a small flock of her very own sheep!  She makes the most gorgeous needle felted sculptures such as dogs, cats, rabbits, cows and more.  Needle felting is a way of entangling the fibers together using a sharp needle with burrs.

 

Look at how amazing this is!

 

 

 She also spins yarn AND can spin custom yarn from your pet which then can be knit into a soft sweater or scarf!   She also makes beautiful felted soaps.  This is where Casco Bay Soap Co. comes in.  Jan has purchases some of my soaps and will be felting around them for wonderfully, beautiful felted bars of soap.

 

Please visit Jan's website to see her amazing creations - http://www.fourwindsfarmmaine.com/#!products

BUT I also have been working with Susan of Felt Experience in New Gloucester.   She has been purchasing my soaps for well over a year now and felting them to sell alongside her gorgeous hats, vest scarves and other creations that she makes in her New Gloucester studio.   She felts some soaps for me and I sell them at my markets.  Susan wet felts which is wet felting which is a way of entangling the wool fibers with soap, water and agitation.

Look at this amazing hat she made!

Visit Susan's website to view her beautiful work - http://feltexperience.jimdo.com/

Casco Bay Soap Co. On Instagram!

NEW!  Follow me and my adventures on Instagram!

 

 

Marbled Chocolate Pumpkin Brownies

Oh yum yum!!

 

Marbled Chocolate Pumpkin Brownies?   I have these on the baking schedule this weekend!  How about you?  From Better Homes & Gardens online, picture and recipe credit to them. 

 

 

http://www.bhg.com/recipe/brownies/marbled-chocolate-pumpkin-brownies/?socsrc=bhgfb1023132recipe

 

 

Marbled Chocolate Pumpkin Brownies

Ingredients

• 3  ounces  cream cheese, softened
• 1  tablespoon  butter, softened
• 1/2  cup  sugar
• 1  egg
• 1  cup  canned pumpkin
• 1  teaspoon  vanilla
• 1/2  teaspoon  ground cinnamon
• 1/4  teaspoon  ground ginger
• 1  tablespoon  all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4  cups  all-purpose flour
• 3/4  teaspoon  baking powder
• 1/2  teaspoon  salt
• 6  ounces  unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 3/4  cup  butter, cut up
• 2 1/4  cups  sugar
• 4  eggs
• 1/4  cup  milk
• 2  teaspoons  vanilla
• 3/4  cup  coarsely chopped walnuts, toasted (optional)

 

Directions

 

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a 13x9x2-inch baking pan with foil, extending foil over the edges of the pan. Grease the foil; set pan aside

 

2. In a medium mixing bowl beat cream cheese and the 1 tablespoon butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add the 1/2 cup sugar. Beat until well combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in 1 egg, the pumpkin, 1 teaspoon vanilla, the cinnamon, and ginger until combined. Stir in the 1 tablespoon flour. Set aside.

3. In a small bowl stir together the 1-1/4 cups flour, the baking powder, and salt; set aside.

 

 

 

 

4. In a large saucepan combine the chocolate and 3/4 cup butter. Cook and stir over low heat until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Gradually add the 2-1/4 cups sugar, beating with an electric mixer on low speed just until combined. Add the 4 eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in milk and the 2 teaspoons vanilla. Gradually beat in flour mixture just until combined.

 

5. Spread chocolate mixture evenly in the prepared pan. Spoon cream cheese mixture in several mounds on top of the chocolate batter. Using a narrow metal spatula, gently swirl the cream cheese mixture into the chocolate batter. If desired, sprinkle with walnuts.

 

 

6. Bake about 60 minutes or until center is just set when pan is gently shaken. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Use foil to lift uncut brownies out of pan. Cut into brownies.

 

From the Test Kitchen

• Layer brownies between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

NEW Winter Market For Me!

Find me on Wednesdays as part of the NEW Yarmouth Farmers Market - Winter edition!

 

 

 

Inside "The Log Cabin" located at 196 Main St. in Yarmouth you will find this brand new winter market anchored by the wonderful farmers Sarah of Winter Hill Farm in Freeport and Justin of Deri Farm in North Yarmouth.   I will be there and I have heard a rumor that my friend Paula of Paula C's. Baked Goods will be joining us too. Stop in for wonderful seasonal veggies, farm fresh eggs, Sarah's cheeses and other dairy from her farm and of course, my soaps!

 

More vendors will be joining us, so stay tuned!

 

Follow The Yarmouth Farmers Market on Facebook - Here

 

I start NEXT Wednesday October 30th and the market is from 3:00-6:00.

 

Hope to see you there!!

Down East Pumpkin Bread

I've been stirring the soap pot with lots of seasonal soaps...Apple Cider, Pumpkin Spice Scrub, Star Anise and more.  I wish I could eat some of it but, it still taste like soap!   So, I had a craving for Pumpkin Bread and was on the search for a new recipe.

From one of my new favorite blogs, Migonis Home - Living Large In A Small Space.   Down East Pumpkin Bread!  Here in Maine, Down East is a term used often to describe the Northern Coast of Maine.  This bread was something for me to try, as Maine is near and dear to my heard. It was soo delicious!  Nice and moist and full of subtle fall flavors.  I made 1 large loaf and 4 smaller loaves from this recipe. Thank you to Migonis Home for this perfectly fall treat!

 

ALL PHOTOS AND RECIPE ARE FROM THE BLOG AND CREDIT GOES TO MIGONIS HOME - whoops!  It looks like she credited All Recipes here:  http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Downeast-Maine-Pumpkin-Bread/

Here is the link to the blog and post about the recipe:  http://www.migonishome.com/2013/09/downeast-maine-pumpkin-bread.html?showComment=1381324898270#c1701561014204349191

 

Here is the recipe for you to use:

Preheat oven to 350 and grease your choice of pan. 

7x3 pans will take about 50 minutes.

My muffins take about 20-25 minutes depending on how full I fill the tins.

 

Combine these ingredients in a large bowl and mix together:

1 15 ounce can of pumpkin puree

4 eggs

1 cup of vegetable oil (canola works well too!)

2/3 cup of water

3 cups white sugar

 

In a separate bowl combine:

3.5 cups of unbleached flour

2 tsp baking soda

1.5 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp cloves

1/4 tsp ginger

 

Add the dry ingredients to the large bowl and mix it thoroughly. Pour into baking pans or tins. It will be done when you can stick a knife into the bread and it comes out clean of uncooked batter.

Close Buy Catalog - Last Shopping Days!

Only 1 day left!  Head over to the website: http://www.closebuycatalog.com/   and shop ALL LOCAL goods for school fundraising!  You DON"T have to have a student in a school to shop, simply choose who you would like to benefit at the end of check out.  Find my Laundry Detergent and Shampoo Soap Bars within the pages (find me under the Eco Friendly, Body Care and Under $20.00 pages).

 

 

Close Buy Catalog

 

Local-Goods Fundraising
for New England Schools & Non-Profits. Close Buy is available to schools and non-profits throughout

New England.

 2013 sale runs online September, 1 - October 10.

 

 

Anyone can shop, and 30% of every sale will go to the entity
you choose at checkout. Have fun!

 

 

Donut Muffins

 

My husband and I used to camp once a summer up on Rockport Maine.   We loved to stop at a little market where they had fresh baked breads, cookies and muffins and pick up a morning treat to go along with our coffee.   My favorite treat was their Donut Muffins.  Muffins that simply tasted as amazing as a donut!  Covered in crunchy sugar/cinnamon, warm and soft inside....soo good!  I searched for a recipe and found one that is just too good from The Pioneer Woman.

 

Try them! You won't be sorry.

 

Recipe and picture from The Pioneer Woman (love her)!

 

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/07/muffins-that-taste-like-doughnuts/

 

Ingredients

 

1-¾ cup Flour

1-½ teaspoon Baking Powder

½ teaspoons Salt

½ teaspoons Nutmeg

½ teaspoons Cinnamon

⅓ cups Oil

¾ cups White Sugar

1 whole Egg

¾ cups Milk

FOR THE TOPPING:

¼ cups Butter

⅓ cups White Sugar

1 Tablespoon Cinnamon

Instructions

Combine flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon.

Combine oil, sugar, egg and milk. Add dry ingredients and stir only to combine.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a bowl. Combine the white sugar with the cinnamon in another bowl.

Shake muffins out while still hot. Dip muffins in butter, then into the sugar/cinnamon mix. Let cool 

Thank you!

A huge THANK YOU everyone for your support and voting for me and my soap business during the Martha Stewart American Made contest!  While I did not win for my category, I was thrilled to see all the votes for my soap business come in!  Thank you for your support.

Soo happy to have all of you behind me!  I'll keep making soap!

 

Much appreciated,

Shannon

Tomato Abundance!

I belong to a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) AND have my own small tomatoes garden. Between the 2, I am experiencing tomato abundance!  So, I decided that since my hubby loves ketchup so much, maybe I should try making some?  It turned out amazing!  Here is the recipe I used:

 

https://thriftyandgreen.com/blogs/family-focus/homemade-ketchup-recipe

 

(photos and recipe from Thrifty and Green blog)

Easy Homemade Ketchup Recipe

Makes about 2 cups of homemade ketchup
Home Ketchup Ingredients:

• 2¼ pounds plum tomatoes
• 1½ cups distilled white vinegar
• 2½ teaspoons coarse sea salt or kosher salt
• 1 cup sugar (for a less-sweet ketchup, use ½ cup)
• 1 tablespoon grated onion or 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon mustard powder
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Homemade Ketchup Recipe Directions:
1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the tomatoes and blanch until the skins break and the flesh becomes soft, 5 to 10 minutes. Drain the tomatoes and press through a fine-mesh food mill or sieve to remove the skins and seeds.
2. Pour the sieved tomatoes into a medium-size saucepan. Add the vinegar and salt. Stir to combine. Bring the tomato mixture to a boil and then whisk in the sugar, onion, and spices.
3. Return to a low boil, stirring occasionally, and cook until the mixture has reduced to one-fourth the original amount and has thickened, about 1 hour. Some tomatoes are more watery than others, so additional cooking might be necessary to reduce moisture. Your ketchup should be the consistency of tomato purée, slightly thinner than bottled ketchup. It will thicken slightly when it cools.
4. Pour into a sterilized jar. Cover and refrigerate. Store your homemade ketchup covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
I hope you enjoy this easy to make, homemade ketchup recipe.  It is so good and sure to impress your friends and family.

American Made Audience Choice Award Nominee!

 

Casco Bay Soap Co. is in the running to be named the 2013 American Made Audience Choice Award Winner!

 

 American Made is a movement founded by Martha Stewart that spotlights the maker, supports the local, and celebrates the handmade. It’s made up of people and communities who have turned their passion for quality craftsmanship and well-designed goods into a way of life.

To win would mean $10,000 to support my business and a trip to New York for the annual American Made Talks and Workshops. Will you vote for me?

The winner is determined by the number of votes he or she gets and you can vote up to six times each day! So please come back and vote daily!

 

Click on the link below and be directed to my page.  VOTE early and often!  THANK YOU!!

 

http://www.marthastewart.com/americanmade/nominee/80227?xsc=SOC_AM_NomFB

 

American Made spotlights the maker, supports the local and celebrates the handmade. The journey culminates in a signature event this October in New York City. Join us and uncover the next generation of great American Makers.

 

 

Special Event

Last night I was part of a new Makers Market!  Presented by and taking place right next to:

 

Urban Farm Fementory

 

"A community-driven, food hub, skills-sharing facility, experimental micro Urban Farm, locally-sourced Fermentation Factory.

We primarily ferment Hard Cider, Mead, and Kombucha (aka "booch"), while exploring other food based fermentation. We host workshops, markets, and offer rentable prep kitchen space. We sublease space to a variety of other businesses within our complex including a bakery, apothecary,

creamery, and an aquaponics project farming tilapia fish and using that "wastewater" to grow herbs and leafy greens".

 

AND Pure Pops

 

"Each Popsicle is made with only the finest all natural and organic ingredients. They are handmade in small batches. My goal is to support local farmers while making these fun flavored popsicles".

 

AND Swallowtail Farm Cottage Apothecary

 

"We grow herbs and flowers , make tinctures, elixirs, balms, teas,body care products, natural cosmetics ,floral waters, farm goods and more. we offer consultations and craniosacral work. join our herbal , dairy, or farm C.S.A.'s !!!"

 

 

Several local vendors came out to sell their wares...

 

Casco Bay Butter was there....(I love all their butters)!

 

This gal selling her jewelry....

 

Some granola style bars....

 

And I was soo happy to finally try a Pure Pop! 

 

I choose the Avocado Lime - IT. WAS. A. MAZING.

 

NEW vendor Maine Original Tea Co. was there with their super cool old fashioned truck....

 

And the entrance to my friend Laurens new Apothecary were you can get her cheese, other dairy, some of her farm products and maybe an elixir!

 

Portland Cap & Stem Co., mushroom people!

 

AND music!