With Love, Mary

03/18/2026

My wonderful husband brought me flowers! I spent the last hour separating them out into three vases to bring a little joy to many rooms in the house. The largest arrangement will go in the living room.The tall skinny one is for my daughter's room and last but not least, the bud vase for next to my bed.

Oh the tiny things that bring big joy. ❤️

03/16/2026

Now that's the table of a maker. ❤️ Fresh baked goods for my family for the week including muffins, cookies, bread and a bundt cake are completed. I even snuck in enough time to box another 125 bars ready for the store!

www.handmesoap.com

This batch includes favorites that always sell out quickly like:

Stormy Ocean
Peachy Keen
Cocoa & Cocoa Butter
Dark Sumatra Scrub

This batch also includes my first bars available to the public made with Maine ales. ❤️❤️❤️ Fresh, fabulous collaborations are happening. More about that in the coming weeka and months.

03/16/2026

I start my new job this evening! Yesterday I spent the day preparing nutritious food for the entire week for my family. Today, I'm tackling the baking.

Bread
Waffles
Peanut Butter Cookies
Oatmeal Cranberry Walnut Bars

Then tomorrow it's soap time! I have a huge wholesale order to get underway. Thankfully I have 12 weeks to make it. 🧼💪❤️ That's really 4 weeks to get the job done and 8 weeks 1,100 bars to cure.

Wish me luck!

03/15/2026

This week, I begin a new career here in Maine. Our move to New York has been plagued by pitfalls and the universe is definitely trying to tell us it's not time to move just now. I'm very sad over that to be frank but in the grand scheme of things, it's hard to be sad when your family is happy and healthy.

My husband and I did find ourselves both suddenly without work after having planned for this move for several months. That means we both need to find new jobs. I threw my resume to the wind and what came up as the next opportunity wasn't something I ever would have expected but it's honestly probably the break from where I've been and what I've been doing that I need.

I'm back to a third shift after about 17 years of day shifts/office work. Do not be surprised if y'all start seeing midnight and 2:00 a.m. posts. 😂 I'm ok, just up and making it happen. ❤️💪

03/15/2026

We've always been food security advocates. From starting the backpack program at our kids elementary school to making community meals during the pandemic, I really enjoy feeding people. ❤️ Today's meals are for my in-laws struggling with some health issues. Creating these reminded me how inwardly focused I've been lately. It's time to do something for my community again. Now to decide what the next project will look like! How do you serve your community?

03/13/2026

My fig tree survived dormancy. ❤️❤️❤️

03/12/2026

😂😂😂

I was asked to make this... and I am still laughing as I am clicking the toaster. Ask and it shall be done 😂

03/12/2026

03/12/2026

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Handmade Artisan Soaps, Body Care and Home Goods. Proudly Maine Made.

03/12/2026

Have you checked out what's happening on the blog?! With more time than ever and more writing classes under my belt, I'm putting together a better blog than ever. The blog contains articles about my philosophies as a maker, my ingredients, my techniques and more.

I'm publishing a new article almost every day.

03/11/2026

I am beyond lucky to call this man my husband for the last 10 years. Today I'm feeling overwhelmed by the grind that is small business, motherhood and life in general. When I feel like I'm at my break point, he's there to offer a safe space to land. ❤️

More than I hope today brought you prosperity I hope it brought you love.