President Barack Obama

I just watched the inaugural address and swearing in and just can't wait to see what changes occur over the next 4 years. I am anxious to see progress, the economy improve and our troops back home. I have dreams that we start taking care of America first - not the rest of the world while people do without the basics in this country.

I think President Obama has proven to be a strong leader - at least he showed that throughout his campaign. I truly look forward to change and recovery of the economy and progression as an intelligent species.

One can hope!

trishsmecca at Enchanted Memories in High Springs Florida

Enchanted Memories, located in High Springs Florida. A wonderful antique shop downtown carrying both old and new.

3 Swirl Soap - Bamboo and Teak

Soaps with lots of colors is such an art and I am enjoying playing with a variety of colorants such as micas, clays, oxides and ultramarines. Here is a batch of oxides I made and the fragrance is Bamboo and Teak from Simple Soothings.

The soap batch was made with coconut, palm, rice bran, babassu (my fav) and shea butter and made a 5 pound batch (18 bars).

Oxides prepared in individual glass cups.


Saponified soap poured in each colorant and mixed.

Colored soap lines the bottom of the mold.

And here is what remains to pour in the soap batch.

Colorants poured in the soap batch before poured in mold.

Soap poured in mold and remaining colorants poured on top.

The final poured batch, swirled and ready for cure.

trishsmecca on Facebook

It is amazing to me the amount and volume of info that is placed on the www and the networking that is both positive and negative. The www offers a wonderful outlet to grab information needed and I credit it for the continued and advanced learning many of us do. Sites like Facebook have connected me with lots of people that I know from other forums but also those in my past. It is nice to hear from someone that you went to high school with. Stay connected and continue to learn!

So it is 1/1/2009.....

So it is the first day of a new year and time to think about perspectives in life and what the new year brings. For me, it is always about moving forward, creating new and appreciating what I have already been given.

I am thankful for the peaceful and productive lives we lead and continue to strive to be better and do more!

So here is to another year of reading great books, education, soapmaking, biking, scouting, science fair, traveling, walking, hugging the dog and keeping in touch with friends and family!