SoapWithBalls

Holidays

2010-01-04T07:06:00.001-08:00

Was home for about a month. Hit a few parties and had a good time.

Ho Ho Ho

2009-12-16T16:30:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas !!

Home for the holidays. Will try & post an update soon.

time flies

2009-11-06T13:54:00.000-08:00

home for a weekend, laundry needs done ;')
really enjoying University but hoping not to catch H1N1, our school is getting bad.

Mom's trip went well and she is feeling much better.

I haven't got time for soaps so she made a few & I have one on my Etsy site too.

See u at Christmas.

J.

Fall

2009-09-22T12:31:00.000-07:00

Cool how my legs look short in this pic.

Well I'm away at University now and the days are flying by. I really like my campus and so far classes are cool. My new Mac is workin great, so much easier. I made the ball team and we are away every weekend to another university playing, so I haven't had much chance to take in the weekend fun yet but I will.

Mom is on the mend from June's scare , she has a ways to go but seems to be doing better. I drop in home mid week to check on things. She plans on a dog show in BC next month so I guess she's feeling better.

Well gotta go write a paper and grab a bite...

Laters
J

Dog Days of Summer

2009-08-20T04:17:00.000-07:00

Had the boys to the beach this week. Its been crazy hot & humid here. TO was good, bought some new t-shirts, saw the Jays & Yankees play two games. Cool seats right behind home plate!

Off to Toronto

2009-08-02T02:56:00.000-07:00

Heading out in a few to TO, just sitting here on my laptop waiting to board. I'm playing three games while there and also takin in the Jays/ Yankees games.

Summer has been flying by, looking forward to Uni in a few weeks, except for leaving my girlfriend home. Hope we can continue from a distance.

Forgot to post a couple of pics from grad so I'll add them here.

Well they just called my flight.

Laters.

three Amigos

Soap descriptions

2009-05-01T05:21:00.000-07:00

I try to add a bit of humor to my soap descriptions here are a few I did before.
Link to my sold soaps with decription & pics.

Whats your favorite?

Fearless Pitball- pink ball soap :

This little soap ball is deceiving...it looks like it might be feminine and soft...HA! This one is ready to roll head on... into the deepest, darkest, smelliest ...PITS ...never fear Pitball's here! Of course these brave pitballs will also venture over other rough terrain tackling assorted issues along the way.These tough & rugged beauties are fresh off the rack, the drying rack that is...Hand milled & a light berry scent and a scoop of coral jojoba beads then hand rolled into pitballs and back to the drying rack.

Blackstrap licorice:
She's a brick....house....These are the first in a line of soap bricks...they are great stacked in a pile, always ready to get to work, building you up to face the day... or night....

Cut lumber:

These babies are a soap log cut into chunks...no two exactly alike as you can see. This soap...its rough and unfinished, also loaded with rye & flax seeds for scrubbers and honey to soothe your skin.Each chunk has its own characteristics , it is lightly scented with Sweet Orange EO but smells more 'homey ( not homely ) - old fashioned' to me.This is for 1 chunky piece of soap cut from a lumber log. ( see front page lumber section ) The chunks vary in weight as they are ruff cut and unpolished, ( kinda like me) ...minimum is 10 oz...yup over 1/2 pound each !I like to keep my soaps simple, yet good for you when possible so I went with Rooibos infused water, 100% olive oil, ground flax & rye for scrubbers, cinnamon, ground pear pieces and sweet orange EO. Rooibos is is an amazing herb, unique to the mountains of South Africa; it's benefits as a tea taken internally, as well as in skin preparations are thought to be numerous. It is known for it's anti-itching properties and soothing effects on eczema, psoriasis, diaper or prickly heat rashes, and acne; it's zinc and alpha hydroxy content is high. ( I can't make any claims for any of those things, I just like the scent & color.)

Prepare to be boarded Matey !! :

How'd you like to scrape the barnacles off of me rudder? There is nothing better after a long day of plunderin at sea than relaxin in a nice hot bath with a bar bursting with goats milk, kaolin clay, real 'dead sea' mud and coarse dead sea salt...scented with a blend of Bladderwrack and Sweet Orange essential oils. Blackbeard himself would approve of this sword cleaner... and he should know as he was rumored to have had 14 wives.Even landlubbers can't resist the call of the sea in this bar.

Soaps for summer

2009-05-01T04:19:00.000-07:00

He sells seashells by the seashore....sold out last time we made them.

We are almost into summer again & we decided to make lots of our "From the Shore"-seashell soaps and soap balls ( both on & off the rope ) Its been awhile since we created any and I have a bit of time before ball really gets going again.

Me

2009-04-09T05:24:00.000-07:00

OK, I did it...after lots of prompting from family and a couple of others & emails back & forth, mom & I met with a talent agency. We had a nice lunch & they asked me to let them represent me...LOL

No, I won't be doing fashion shows or runways but I hope to get into advertising in both film & print so if you know anyone needing a 6'4", athletic, blonde guy to sell their product lemme know. ;' )

Uni

2009-03-17T10:26:00.001-07:00

Here is where I'll be attending University in the fall.

Ouch

2009-02-24T18:27:00.001-08:00

Out for three weeks with this gash to the bone. Hit a guy and we both went down, then he stepped on my arm...nice. I got his number...lol

Mom got home from BC today with her new dogs. The guy with his tongue out & the pup.

Thats my girl...lol. I found her a tiny baseball.

pup

2009-01-30T08:05:00.000-08:00

I'm looking forward to Quebec in a few weeks, a break from the boredom..lol.
Mom is searching for her next show dog to add to her line. The eyes on this one are brown its just the flash.

My hockey suspension is finally over and after this week I'm be glad to get back to crashing & banging along the boards to let off a little steam. We had a good season but lost 5 players since Xmas to injury & suspensions.

We will miss you gran.

2009-01-26T12:05:00.000-08:00

It is with a heavy heart that I write that my great gran passed away on Sat Jan 24th.

She was 87. She was also the only person in my life I let call me by my given names. It was 'special' to us & I'll miss it.

She died Sat of a heart attack while sitting down to tea. She was the 'glue' to our little family & will be missed in the days & years to come.

She lived 31,835 days and added prayer to each day.

Her funeral was nice, lots of flowers and I got lots of hugs from the other little old ladies who all made jokes about being 'hookers' like gran.

Monday morning rug hooking will never be the same I'm told.

Love you gran.

Winter fun

2009-01-04T10:24:00.000-08:00

With huge high snowdrifts all around us its hard for the guys to get out. We built a race track out back & they had lots of fun . Here are a few pics of the racing & then the 'chillin' inside.

Happy New Year

2009-01-02T07:35:00.000-08:00

Finally home after being stranded the last few days at a friends house by the blizzard that dumped about 30+ cent. of snow. We enjoyed ourselves but I like to be able to leave when I want & staying put was hard.

I hope everyone has a good 2009.

Extreme Chinese Crested Racing

2008-12-04T12:31:00.000-08:00

Zoom..off he goes...

We've all seen 'extreme car racing or extreme fighting'... but have you ever seen

'extreme crested racing' ? I have...yesterday, it was warm & a bit windy here and I had the dogs out back. Joker decided he had energy to burn and took off for about 15 minutes of 'extreme racing' around the yard. It was as if he was being chased by the Devil himself...maybe he was, but all I saw were leaves occasionally getting kicked up in his wake as he followed a track only he could see around & around the yard. It of course led right through a few of the muddiest part of the yard. Oh well, you can't be a pretty boy show dog every day.

I managed to snap a few action shots of the fun.

A momentary break with Rosie...

After a few laps he stopped to look over his 'track' before taking off again....notice the feet...

What mud?

Fifteen minutes later a happy worn out racer takes a break...

Local 'Loverboy' struck down...

2008-12-02T04:38:00.000-08:00

Authorities are calling it a senseless act of random violence.

Last night during the wee hours while the rest of the neighbors were snug in their beds ,with visions of sugar plum dancing in their heads, a local Loverboy was attacked and torn apart by two thugs.

Police apprehended the two not far from the crime scene after following a trail of 'fluff'.

One of the suspects, a male teen, ( well known to local authorities ) still had fibres from Loverboy on his coat. The other male hung his head in shame and has never before been involved in anything like this say local authorities .

" It was a suprise to me that xxxx was involved in anything like this " said a local man, who also witnessed the crime. " xxxx is usually such a momma's boy and very quiet. It must have been the influence of the younger more unruley teen" said Mr. H Bear who was putting up his Christmas decorations and heard the commotion, but was too late to help.

Authorities now have the two suspects behind bars awaiting a hearing before the local judge, however given that the judge knew Loverboy and was rather fond of the lad, its doubtful the two thugs will be released anytime soon.

^Two suspects in local jail. ^

We will miss you Loverboy.

Loverboy is by:

KitLane

Fudge anyone?

2008-11-25T08:04:00.001-08:00

Currently girl-fiend-less so a bit more time to hang with my friends.

Mom has been thinking of starting a gourmet fudge company for over a year now and has been sourcing ingredients & flavors , she has a friend in the bakery supply industry so will be able to get unusual ingredients and flavors not easily found. I get to be a guinea pig...nom, nom....

She's trying to decide on a catchy name...and is tossing a few around:

Not Your Grandma's Fudge

Oh Fudge! ( but its taken)

Ol' Fart Fudge

Forbidden Fudge ( me likies)

Apparently she's going to do them like our soaps in loaves with lots of cool colors & flavors

( Blackberry Champagne, Pralines N Cream, Raspberry N Cream, lots of Creme de Menthe, Natural Madagascar Vanilla Sugar etc) with a real 'artsy' look. Slivered almonds, dried raspberry & cranberries, dark chocolate etc. She's big on the visual part of food and will have a Organic line too. I suggested 'Orgasmic Organic' but she says that may turn a few peeps off....lol

Anyway, since I'm home this morning so thought I'd jump in & post to let you know I'm still kickin. Hockey has been good, slight injury to my shoulder in a shoulder vs. boards ( after hit) matchup, but have scored a few and had a few 'chats' with my opponents...you know the 'hows your momma' type of thing...

deeper side?

2008-11-06T08:19:00.000-08:00

Lately I've been wondering about my blog...I have kept the posts mild and basically just about soap and a few events in my life...you know generic n safe.

But lately I've explored a few other peeps blogs and see a wide range of topics covered, some that are quite umm...r-rated and some just plain 'nut bar'. I'm not interested in going to either extreme but I'm debating making my blog more 'me', more thoughts, more in your face kinda stuff...but does that take away from the soap side?

Would anyone care?

Should I create a new 'personal only' type blog and keep this one general?

I decided to add another blog...more personal less soap.

Halloween Pics

2008-11-04T05:37:00.001-08:00

Hangin with friends...

first snow

2008-11-02T10:20:00.000-08:00

I took a couple of pics of the lumberjack loofah soap outside yesterday. Then we got snow last night & this morning...it won't last but was cool to see. I decorated my blog just in time...lol.

Treasures from the shore

2008-10-31T08:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was home & helped mom unmold a few soaps we had made. I really like the colors in them, they seem fall but still like the shore too.

I really like the tones in these...

Just for fun

2008-10-30T08:06:00.000-07:00

Had to...

Friendship online- Awards

2008-10-29T12:45:00.000-07:00

I received my first blog awards this week. This one is from Fairy Alchemy .

Its the Friendship Around The World Award.

This award was originally written in Spanish but it translates to highlight blogs that are interesting or special in some way, and also to extend the hand of friendship around the world. The rules say to pass it on to 8 people I think deserve the award I'll have to think who I'll pass it along to...

I also received the Brillante Weblog Award from Daisy Soap Girl. I have to pass this one along to five blogs.

I've never done this before so bear with me if I mess it up.

Thank you both very much.

Sunny dog days

2008-10-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

Joker

Yesterday I got a couple of shots of the guys enjoying the warm sun.

Ruairi

Loverboy the Ursabob

2008-10-28T07:12:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who keeps dropping in to read. I've been really crazy busy this last week but it has helped the time fly by.

Mom & I had an argument about the amount of time I spend on the computer lately, so I cut back a bit but wasn't too happy about it. Then last Fri. morning I went away with my hockey team & got to get my anger out on the ice...I scored a couple, had a few assists & sent a few guys to get a closer look at the ice....ahh...sports...a great outlet. LOL

We had a good time , the weather was great & we stayed till Sunday afternoon. We even met a few nice local girls.

When I got home I felt a bit better & mom & I talked. Later she gave me a little wool guy she had bought on Etsy. She said his description kinda reminded her of me.

After reading it I don't know how. I'm not short...LOL

This lovely Ursabob fancies himself a bit of a looker with a finely toned body and immaculate grooming. Although he is a wee bit shorter and somewhat skinnier than his fellows, that has not put him off snuggling up to the Ursabobettes. He is however, always a complete gentleman.

She was going to keep it till Xmas but figured I'd hear about it so she gave him to me now.

He's called 'Loverboy the Ursabob' . Here is a link to these the store. KITLANE

His friend is a Chinese Crested bead mom had made last year.

missing bits

2008-10-21T13:49:00.000-07:00

Somehow I lost my blogs I visit, blog links and followers...I will be fixing this soon. If you have me on your blog & are not on this list let me know and I will add you.

Future

2008-10-21T07:37:00.000-07:00

I've been in a mood the last few days...life is creeping up quickly now & I need to steer mine more now...the days of just wandering are becoming fewer & fewer...I have to have a direction to steer in I guess and while I've always felt it would be law I'm not so sure anymore. Now I'm looking at business & marketing too, but I still haven't given up on my dream...I've always wanted to be a baseball player for a living. Ever since I could swing the bat I said " I'm going to play in the MLB". I know every kid has crazy ideas like that...but I've continued mine.

Last year was a TSN ( LOL) turning point in my ball so far...I decided not to play for a better known but further away team and instead play local one more year at a supposedly 'higher' level. The team was poorly managed however & we hardly played & since I was the strongest catcher I didn't get to pitch. The whole season was a downer for me.

Then school ball started & I was chosen for my pitching ability as well as to catching. I had a 2.57 pitching average, with usually 10-12 K's per game. My fastball is averaging 75 MPH. At provincials the umps commented on my abilities to the coaches & said I should be playing more serious ball. One went so far as to call a coach of a 'bigger' team and last Sat. I got a chance to show them my stuff in the freezing cold. I won't know anything for a few more days but it was good to try, to be seen at least. Update >I did not make the Canada Games team but am OK with it. Most of the guys who did are 19/20 and great players. I don't feel bad being cut from talent like that. I also received some great feedback & positive comments about my talent and was told my time will come.

It started me thinking though of the future and should I try & find a team somewhere in Canada or the US that needs a catcher/pitcher??? Perhaps look into scholarships?? Follow my dream or shake my head & look towards the real world of books & work.

If you reading this & just happen to know a ball coach looking for a 17 yr old player with the desire to learn & continue in ball... please... share my email. LOL

Time flies by...

2008-10-16T05:17:00.000-07:00

When I was little my great grandfather used to love playing with me...my mom was his 'wee one' even as an adult. I became his 'little lad' and he often told everyone as I was growing that he wanted to live long enough to see me in school. Well he did... I started school Sept 6th that year and he died Sept 24th.

My great gran is still in my life , she's 86, but has started to slow down and recently has been unwell. She now says she'd like to see me graduate so she can tell g.grampa all about it.

I kept thinking about how quickly time flies by while your not looking...one day I'm starting school, then click, its almost over. I miss my g.grampa and his playing and his pet names for me like 'footermiskite' . He had a warm Irish accent and every now & then I'll hear one that is close & reminds me of him.

This post with my grad pic is for him.

Latest Feedback

2008-10-07T14:59:00.000-07:00

Though I'd post a couple of new feedbacks from my Etsy site.

These were left by the lovely & talented GoodKarma

The first is for a 'ruff lumber chunk' and the second is for a 'button soap':

First of all, this is a huge bar of soap. i mean, REALLY huge. it's going to last forever, which is awesome, because i don't think i could ever get sick of it. and, sure, it's all big and tough and manly looking. but, ladies, don't let appearances fool you. this is one of the most wonderfully creamy bars i've ever used. i am now hopelessly addicted.

This bar was so much bigger than i was expecting! and it's got a lovely comforting scent. I'm pretty sure i couldn't gotten better service anywhere else. Soapy is a dream. and since getting my package of his soap, showering is the best part of my day. :)
soap with balls rocks my world.

He sells seashells by the seashore.

2008-10-07T11:45:00.000-07:00

Poured a few spa bars in the seashell & starfish molds. Added more course dead sea salt to the starfish shapes & the crab etc., before pouring, I like the way it gives the bars an uneven rough look. It looks like the crab has been digging in the sand around him.

Down by the Sea & Frost on the Pumpkin- Soaps

2008-10-05T08:52:00.000-07:00

One lb soap slabs in 'under the sea' and 'starfish frenzy'. Each one makes four 4-ounce bars.

We bought this mold in the summer and just poured it last week. The soap is 'frosted' with gold & silver micas. The whole half pumpkin weights 2 lbs !!

Provincials

2008-10-05T08:43:00.000-07:00

Getting ready^

Pitching...

Up at bat ^

Me in my gear with the guys...
Timing the pitcher before going up...

Well we didn't win but came close. I pitched a couple & caught a couple.

The first day was OK but the Sat games were played in about 50* temps and everyone had issues with their hands being cold. I never dropped a ball all summer & had 2 in our final game.

well hung soaps

2008-09-29T08:38:00.000-07:00

A mix mash of pieces...

Mullberry rolled in cinnamon

Lavender

Martha

2008-09-24T07:27:00.000-07:00

OK so while I normally wouldn't visit this blog as I'm not her target audience, women... I'm a male from Canada...but I found myself there after a few clicks on other friends blogs and so poked around and actually saw a few things I could relate to: her property is a Certified Wildlife Habitat with the National Wildlife Federation...her donkeys & horses are from Canada ... and really furry dogs in her chow pics. I posted about my Chinese Cresteds maybe Martha or one of her staff will visit my blog to see them who knows.....the links to my posts with my dogs are on the right further down under labels, just incase....

hmmm..lots of visitors from Martha's site but no comments.... anyone??

Cooler days are busy days

2008-09-24T05:53:00.000-07:00

Sorry for not posting lately but I've been away to Tampa and then really busy with ball , school and work. I'm playing high school ball and hockey again this year and trying to get a few hours in at work too to help get the $ to buy the things I like. I near bought out the Diesel store while I was in Tampa....LOL

I had a great time and was clocked pitching at 76 MPH by the gun at the Devil Rays Tropicana Field where my uncle works. We had a suite to watch the game from. I also went shark fishing and hit the beach a few times.

Lavender Chunks

2008-08-23T16:47:00.000-07:00

Stamped the Lavender chunks yesterday...

Pics from mom...

2008-08-23T16:21:00.000-07:00

Mom went for a drive to the shore today, I wasn't interested but thought I'd share the pics she took on her drive. She stopped at a sheep farm got a few shots...

___________________________________________________________________

A couple of shots from earlier in the week.

Me & T. as usual.

Summer bars

2008-08-06T11:23:00.000-07:00

A salt bar, Spicey Orange, Warrior Shield Knot & a few others out drying.

OK I bought some letter & number stamps today to add a bit of fun to my bars & have been looking at the 100% olive oil cubes with the lettering & think I'll give it a try.

Garden shots...

2008-08-02T09:28:00.000-07:00

Same pic three ways...

See the bee?

Summer heat

2008-07-09T10:58:00.000-07:00

Summer has arrived with a bang & I've been very busy with National Eliminations & work...sorry for the lack of updates.

After a day at the falls with my friends I was a bit sunburnt but had a great time.

Also I've been watching Laura in her ball so the days fly by.

I've got mom to help make a couple of small batches testing out new stuff.

Will post more on a cooler day.

New Spa Soap

2008-06-27T11:54:00.000-07:00

Thinking of calling it 'Zebra Spa'....its scented with sweet orange & bladderwrack & seaweed with dead sea mud added to a bit at trace before pouring. What do you think?

Prom

2008-06-24T18:01:00.001-07:00

My friend Emma

Well hung soap

2008-06-23T13:03:00.000-07:00

Lavender SWB

Grabbed a few quick pics of the spicey bay rum on a rope , one of my fav scents as it smells great on men & women. Spicy & earthy.

Males on Etsy...

2008-06-22T09:01:00.000-07:00

On Etsy VickiDianeDesigns has been looking for some of the guys behind the products on Etsy.Update- apparently the listing has to be for sale according to Etsy admin so I changed my listing.

I'll need your support to compete with the other guys. Its a treasury.

I'll add my listing link here now ( June 22, 1pm )---> my listing : SoapWithBalls

Mom's - Bracelets

2008-06-20T13:36:00.000-07:00

Mom has spent the last few months creating these bracelets with glass beads from Austin Hamilton. Should I add them to my Etsy page?

Heat

2008-06-19T12:49:00.000-07:00

Finally a nice hot day here. I made 4 'lumber chunk' loaves. Two in 'bay rum' & 2 in 'strawberries n'cream ' cause I had strawberries on the brain after eating some last night. Hopefully they'll turn out like I planned, will see tomorrow.

Hung out with Tboard for a bit .

Mom came out & snapped a couple of pics.

Scratch N' Dent bars

2008-06-17T07:56:00.000-07:00

They may not make it to my Etsy page....will have to see.

These bars are cold process then 'cooked' in the oven. The pics are of them dry & wet.

This bar is sort of a combination of a Mocha Latte Cappucino ...LOL.

It has choc , cinnamon, almond coffee, and vanilla buttercream. It would be a great kitchen bar, but I think it will have to be a scratch n' dent bar as the cinnamon seems to be leaving a slight brownish tinge on things when its wet. This may lessen as it dries out.

The next one is a spa blend of PEP. Pepper, Eucalyptus, Peppermint. I also added sea salt to the lye water & to the bar itself. This made it a bit hard however & it broke off when cutting.

wet soap

New lilac soap

2008-06-16T07:09:00.000-07:00

Here area couple of pics of a lilac soap.

Orange Peel Bar & Slideshows

2008-06-12T05:29:00.000-07:00

I added two slideshows to the page today...one of my soaps & one of my mom's photography. Please take the time to watch & leave a comment here...

Fresh soap log

2008-06-11T07:43:00.000-07:00

Took it out for some fresh air & sun...

Its a 'ruff life'...

2008-06-10T13:36:00.001-07:00

Wasn't up to making soap today so spent the day viewing blogs . Lots of cool blogs out there. I'll have to add more. So rather than soap today my post is about my naked dog , Eros. He's a Chinese crested. They are great dogs, very active and full of fun. Great girl magnets too.

Eros is the fastest small dog I've ever seen. He is from a kennel in Sweden.

Twice As Nice

Here he is from a baby to now...

Soaps I'm working on

2008-06-04T07:00:00.001-07:00

Marbled soap chunks

Trying to get a deeper green but this one is kinda cool...

My great gran & the pets In my life....

2008-06-04T06:55:00.000-07:00

Great gran

Work, sports, girls and my dogs...