Much like my morning (I jumped out of bed and immediately started scrubbing, sweeping, and vacuuming our home), I’m bringing some life back to this blog. I’ve pulled back the curtains and dusted off the categories.  The crazy thing is that this blog is so much a part of my life that I feel like I have been blogging this whole time. The lack of comments and interaction is what reminded me that I hadn’t been. Haha!

What’s been going on? For once, a whole lot! I’ve been focusing a lot of my time and attention on Luka. We’ve gone to several local shows, met people, got to watch them smell, and sometimes wrinkle their noses at, our soap, chatted with them, and sold a bunch. I’m in the process now of re-evaluating the scents we started out with. There are a few that haven’t done as well and I’m phasing them out and adding new ones. Our bar soap production has gotten to the point where we don’t have to think about it, we just do it. Our basic recipe is exactly how we want it and it’s become fairly simple to make a batch. I love making it, cutting it and selling it. It’s really neat to see people appreciative of all that I’ve put into it.

We’re going to be adding another product soon. I still haven’t decided if it’s going to be bath salts or hand salve yet. I actually have everything for both of those but I want to focus on one first, get the recipe right, decide on the scents and then move on to another. It’s important to me that I have a good handle on what I’m offering before I add something new.

My full-time job keeps me busy 40 hours out of the week but, thankfully, I’ve learned a lot and don’t feel near as much stress as I used to. Obviously there is stress involved, it’s TV folks!, but I’m actually enjoying what I do there more than ever.

Matt’s been taking Algebra this summer. I always felt like I rocked Algebra in high school. I remember sitting with my mom for HOURS trying to figure it all out, but once it clicked, I enjoyed doing it. Well, it’s been many, many moons since I’ve even thought of Algebra and it’s safe to say that I don’t remember very much. I’ll look over at what Matt’s working on and not even recognize it. And it doesn’t look very fun either! He’s never been a math kind of guy but it’s starting to click for him and he’s doing great. Having the whole class in just a few weeks is crazy though, I can’t believe he’s learning all that he is and testing on it nearly every week. Good thing retention isn’t a career necessity. Hehe.

We’ve been considering a cross-country move again. It’s funny though, the more I think about leaving Tulsa, the more I realize how many things I’ve come to appreciate about this place. We have a great little community of people we’re becoming involved in with the Pearl Farmers’ Market and Sustainable Tulsa. We love everyone at Eloté (the food is awesome too!) and I love stopping in to chat with Tiffany at eco baby + kids. I love that people are becoming more eco conscious here and I love that I’m involved in the movement. All that to say, I’m still not sure how long we’ll be in Tulsa but I’m really enjoying it for now. Life is good and I have lots of things I’m looking forward to doing and being involved in (which, if you remember, was one thing I was seriously lacking a month ago).

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Love, love, LOVE this kitchen renovation over at Urban Nest. Honestly, this is pretty close to my idea of the perfect kitchen. Gorgeous! I found Urban Nest through one of my daily reads, This Young House.  They pretty much rock too.  Okay, they totally rock.  If you haven’t browsed through their site, get to it!

I really enjoy following Globe Stompers as well.  Jared is currently in southern Italy and looking at his pictures equals involuntary daydreaming.  Ahhhh… wish I was there!