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Lye is very hard to find in stores now, due to it's role in making homemade meth :( I have luck finding it at the local hardware store (it is either Ace or True Value, can't remember). They have a small canister of 100% lye in the plumbing section.

Commented Apr 2, 2012 on Soapmaking at Life as a Dill

The soap doesn't really smell like anything unless you add fragrance or essential oil. I've used peppermint and lavender EO recently with great results. I'd like to make a rosemary mint one soon :)

Commented Apr 2, 2012 on Soapmaking at Life as a Dill

I use cheesecloth & a large sieve, then I place the sieve in a bowl in the fridge. There should be about a couple of inches between the bottom of the sieve and the bowl :)

Commented Feb 23, 2012 on Homemade Vanilla Yogurt at Life as a Dill

It is definitely cheaper than buying comparable homemade soaps from local/small vendors. I usually buy the cheapest olive oil, and get coconut oil & palm oil (I use 100% palm oil shortening) when it is on sale. A container of 100% lye will last for several batches, and is inexpensive. I can spend upwards of $20 for all of the ingredients for a single batch of soap. But I get about 12 bars from my mold, so each bar is pretty cheap!

Commented Feb 1, 2012 on Soapmaking at Life as a Dill

I haven't tried hemp oil, but it is definitely a possibility! Check out Snowdrift Farm's soap calculator: http://www.snowdriftfarm.com/soapcalculator.htm. Best of luck! :)

Commented Feb 1, 2012 on Soapmaking at Life as a Dill

New Digs

Please update your bookmarks/RSS subscriptions to www.megandillphotography.com. Very excited about this new endeavor! See you on the other side ;-) Continue reading

Posted Jan 31, 2012 at Life as a Dill

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Sure, Bindiya! Please send me your email address. Mine is megandill at gmail dot com.

Commented Jan 27, 2012 on Got Pinterest? at Life as a Dill

I have always used a hand blender designated solely for soapmaking. But honestly, I don't think it matters as long as it is clean.

Commented Jan 5, 2012 on Soapmaking at Life as a Dill

Love this shot :)

Commented Dec 7, 2011 on I Heart Faces Contest "Feet" at Mindy Pavone's blog

Sorry for not responding earlier! I have always used Canon DSLR's, but have pals with Nikons and Pentax's. The Canon Rebel series is a great for a first DSLR/hobbyist photographer. I'd recommend the Ti1 and the 50mm f/1.8 lens. The latter is a bargain and gives beautiful bokeh when shooting wide open. There are lots of helpful reviews for both the camera and lens on Amazon. Hope this helps!

Commented Nov 4, 2011 on Zucchini Nutella Muffins at Life as a Dill

Danielle-- I use the Canon 5D Mark II as of April of this year. Awesome camera. Used the Canon Rebel xTi before that.

Commented Oct 26, 2011 on Zucchini Nutella Muffins at Life as a Dill

No way, Carey! My friend Kristi, who was on the trip, had old neighbors visiting the area. They actually met up for dinner!

Commented Oct 18, 2011 on France at Life as a Dill

France

Had the extreme fortune of spending 8 days in France at the end of September. Spent 6 nights in idyllic Honfleur, then a whirlwind 2 nights in Paris before heading back west. Missed Denver and Finn like crazy. Met awesome people, spent time with a friend I hadn't seen in way too long, and ate crazy-good food, including lots of cheese, bread, and macarons ;-) More pics can be found in my Flickr album. Continue reading

Posted Oct 12, 2011 at Life as a Dill

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Lawrence Farms Orchards

Went to Lawrence Farms Orchards on Finnian's second birthday. Picked some apples (of course!) and also grabbed a pumpkin to use for soup. Finnian had a terrific time visiting all of the animals and helping with the fruit and vegetable collection. Getting my feet wet with the video capability on the 5D Mark II. Focusing will take some practice...but happy with this first real attempt! :) Continue reading

Posted Oct 5, 2011 at Life as a Dill

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au revoir

Posted Sep 22, 2011 at Life as a Dill

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I Heart Faces Photo Challenge: A Touch of Sun

We are welcoming fall with open arms here in the Dill household, but I will really miss these sun-drenched, warm evening moments outdoors. If they must traded for sweatshirts, pumpkin soup, apple picking, and cuddling under my mom's quilt at night, then so be it! Check out lovely, sun-themed photos this week at I Heart Faces. Continue reading

Posted Sep 19, 2011 at Life as a Dill

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Reading

Posted Sep 13, 2011 at Life as a Dill

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Backpack

Made a toddler-sized backpack for my little man while Hurricane (err… Tropical Storm) Irene made its way through the Hudson Valley. Got the cute pattern from Made by Rae and the fabric from Superbuzzy. My man, surprisingly, had to be cajoled into wearing the end product, as he is reluctant to wear it for some reason. I am sure that he’ll come around. Collecting more projects to work on this winter on Pinterest :) Continue reading

Posted Sep 3, 2011 at Life as a Dill

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Put the camera on Shutter Priorty mode, set it to 1/40, and stood in front of Denver while he spun around with Finn. At first I tried to hop on Denver's back but that wasn't going to work. It was fun! :)

Commented Sep 3, 2011 on 'round and 'round at Life as a Dill

'round and 'round

Posted Aug 24, 2011 at Life as a Dill

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Individual Mason Jar Peach Cobblers

August peaches are the best. So drippy that you have to eat them over the sink with your sleeves rolled up. Came up with this recipe as I’ve been craving pie made with said drippy peaches. The Mason jars make great single-sized servings for me, since hubby doesn’t like peach pie (the horror!) Individual Mason Jar Peach Cobblers 4 peaches, peeled, pitted, and sliced 4 T granulated sugar, divided 1/4 t corn starch 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided 1/2 cup white whole wheat flour 1/8 cup cornmeal 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced... Continue reading

Posted Aug 21, 2011 at Life as a Dill

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Almond Banana Coconut Muffins {Gluten Free}

Unbelievably moist. Also quite nutritious, so I didn’t hesitate when Finnian requested one for breakfast. Only added coconut to the original recipe found on Honest Fare since I didn’t want to open up a brand new bag of almond flour. It was a great move :) Almond Banana Coconut Muffins {Gluten Free} 8 oz. almond meal 2 oz. unsweetened dried coconut ½ teaspoon baking powder 2 eggs 3 oz. sugar ½ teaspoon cinnamon 3 ripe bananas (lightly spotted) extra ½ banana, thinly cut, and sliced almonds for topping Preheat oven to 300F. Grease muffin tin and dust with flour or... Continue reading

Posted Aug 15, 2011 at Life as a Dill

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Straining it with the cheesecloth for several hours will make it thicker, like greek yogurt. To me, there is almost nothing worse than a puddle of liquid on top of my yogurt. I like to strain for 2-3 hours to avoid this, but I imagine if you let it strain overnight it would be even thicker! :)

Commented Aug 15, 2011 on Homemade Vanilla Yogurt at Life as a Dill

For the starter, all you need is a commercial yogurt. I like greek yogurts such as FAGE or Chobani :)

Commented Aug 14, 2011 on Homemade Vanilla Yogurt at Life as a Dill

Soapmaking

Concocting homemade bar soap has been a hobby of mine since my undergraduate days in college. At that time I had a streak of making my own bath products, including bar soaps, body scrubs, lotion bars, herb-infused hair rinses, and fizzy bath bombs. Bar soap was always a favorite! For the past several years goat’s milk has been my liquid of choice, which results in a creamy, moisturizing bar. Branched out to coconut milk in this latest batch and had smashing results. Other milks such as almond or hemp would likely work just as well. Utilizing the cold-process soap method... Continue reading

Posted Aug 13, 2011 at Life as a Dill

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