Katie Kuipers and Leche & Lavender

Katie Kuipers and Leche & LavenderI met Katie- at the Fulton Farmer's Market- she was there selling the Most AMAZING Soap- and one of the things you need to know about Leche & Lavender Soap- is the Goat's Milk Aspect... when you're washing your hands- frequently- your hands can get rough- chapped or even worse- but the simple addition of Goat's Milk can save your hands! It's that simple...I also love that it comes in amazing fragrances- there is of course Lavender- and all kinds of fragrant herbs and flowers - so much to choose from! The soap comes in a wonderful little eco-friendly packet- that's useful- for a little tote- after the fact! You can learn more about Katie and her great company Leche & Lavender here! I'm also MICHIGAN Proud- I love being from Michigan- it's one of the most beautiful places in the world- and I love that Katie's Leche & Lavender Soap is Michigan Made... (just like "J Schwanke's Life inBloom") it's important to me... and it's so comforting to know- that Katie- and her amazing goats- are behind the soap I'm using to wash my hands everyday! WOW! You can buy this Michigan Made Soap - right here! The Pine Tar- and Cardamon and Orange is another favorite... but trust on this one... They are ALL GREAT! Katie is an amazing Soap Creator... and the Goats are Happy and Carefree!So... now let's Talk about the Happy Goats... A little Backstory- first... When I asked Katie about coming to her farm (and it's the CUTEST Farm- complete with a RED Barn and everything... out in the middle of West Michigan... ) - I asked if we could come see how she makes the soap- and she offered to let us come and also see the goats and experience milking the goats... I was totally in! Here's the other thing... this little adventure- made me want a goat- I'm not getting one- but these goats are just the sweetest... and I was unaware that Goats have rectangle shaped pupils in their eyes... that makes them even more FUN...We arrive early in the morning- and got all set for sound- and went out to the barn to Milk "Phyllis"... She's got Blue Eyes... and she's so sweet- she was ready for us- and ready to be milked... because she wanted her breakfast- (You have to watch this Episode to appreciate the "System" and how careful- and comfortable Katie is with her goats- Watch Episode 208- All about Lavender here! We had to get Phyllis the Goat milked so that she could feed her babies- Jim and Cathy (the Kids - Jim is the Little black Goat- and Cathy is the Little white Goat) AND they were HUNGRY- and letting us know- that they wanted breakfast- You can hear them... (Baby Goat Noises makes the sound guy crazy- but I really did enjoy that they are just "screaming for Breakfast" the whole time we are milking Phyllis! And once we were done-and they could get to Mom-  they were instantly quiet! This is one of my favorite "Life in Bloom" Filming Moments- it was just so fun! Thanks Katie for this lifelong memory!I also met Goats - Barb and Karen-(and they are in the introduction to the show- watch NOW)  and Karen - in typical goat fashion- had a little nibble on my Lavender shirt- while I was at Leche and Lavender... Barb is the white Goat in the Intro- and Karen is brown with black markings... I love meeting these goats- and I have an open invitation to come back and visit- anytime the URGE to get a goat - get's too big... Thanks for that Katie- Kelly and the Dogs thank you too... I think we have enough with Turtles, Frogs, and the occasional rabbit, squirrel, ground hog, chipmunk and deer...Katie tells us  that Leche & Lavender started in Hamilton Michigan in 2016 (Amazing things happen in Hamilton- it's also where Hamilton Dahlias - resided for many years- of Kellogg's Fame)... Katie and Dale Kuipers and their 5 Children have been raising goats since 2017. Katie is always looking for ways to eliminate synthetic and highly processed products form her families lifestyle and goat's milk soap was the natural next step! Learn more about the Farm's philosophy here!Coming from a long line of Dutch bakers- Katie's passion for crafting ingredients into artisanal goods runs in the family! Katie and her family are dedicated to Creating Happy Lives for their Goats- so the Goats Come FIRST- their care, comfort and happiness- helps her make FEEL GOOD Soap that also connects to our Health and Wellness... I feel good when I use her soap and I know the care and happiness that goes into every bar!Here's some good information- from their website " Most dairy farms wean goat kids immediately to maximize milk output. INSTEAD- Leche & Lavender a more gentle method by allowing their "kids" (the Goats) - to be dam raised- (by their mom)... She takes only have of the doe's milk instead of the 100% that most dairy farms would do... This puts much less stress on the kids and the mom- and creates a Happier and Healthier Environment for Everyone- THANK YOU Katie- and Phyllis- for creating every bar with LOVE!Katies share how she makes the soap- and how she focuses on Small Batches- (so sometimes- they are out of stock)... that's a good thing... it means that the soap is always fresh and it allows you try other varieties. Trust me on this one... any variety you pick out is going to be great- and it's fun to try new things- and Every One of Katie's Leche &Lavender Soaps delivers the Happy- and the Love!Watch Katie Kuipers of Leche & Lavender- on J Schwanke's Life in Bloom- Episode 208- All about Lavender Here!