Every Tuesday we pack up the kids and head to LüSa Organics. That sentence looks hilarious beneath the photo of packed boxes. Let's try this again, shall we?

Every Tuesday we load the kids in the truck and head to LüSa Organics.

That's better.

Sometimes they call friends and set up playdates but usually we hang out together, at the office.

Sure, Pete's and my productivity tanks sharing our space with the kids. But we all see the benefit in bringing them in to share this part of our lives.

Today a big storm was blowing in as we packed up our gear for the day.

Lupine asked, "Is it going to rain, mama?"

"Yes."

"Are we still going to town?"

"Yes."

"Mama, you are crazy!" she said.

I am so crazy. Driving a car. In the rain.

It's madness, I tell you.

Because usually we stay home. There is so much to wrap our days in at home. So why go out?

Except on Tuesday.

Famly work day.

LüSa day.

And what a lovely place to hang out for a day each week. Especially as a kid. I mean imagine the memories smells will trigger when they grow up! Totally amazing.

As most of you know, my family's income comes from making and selling organic body care. We call it LüSa Organics, named after Lupine and Sage, our kiddos.

It's good stuff I tell you, and we're proud of this little business we've created.

We work with an amazing team of seven other local folks who keep production, labeling, shipping, housekeeping, and books running smoothly.

This week our new 100% recycled soap boxes arrived, and I'm giddy with how fabulous they look. All pink and orange and sass.

While at work, everyone has plenty to do.

Yes, even Sage and Lu.

The kids sometimes do odd jobs for LüSa (packing, labeling, cleaning), or they read or play on their own. Often they chat up the rest of the LüSa team and Lupine is always giving them drawings and other handmade gifts.

This week Sage took on an epic project: sanding – then refinishing – the antique table that serves as our break room table. I've watched how hard he's working and glad I hired him for the job.

The table belonged to my great aunt Lois. I drove to the auction after she died because I so wanted that table for our soap studio. I won, and I think of her every time I see it.

I think I heard the table give a sigh of relief when that old finish came off… It's been waiting for this day for 50 years. At least.

As for Lupine, she took on her own work rather than being hired on by me.

She made dozens tiny roll-on perfumes with sweet orange, lemon, and peppermint essential oils in organic jojoba oil.

They smell amazing (she's got a great nose that girl!) and she's selling them door-to-door around town.

(Okay, mostly she's giving them away to all of her favorite grown-ups, but if she has any left when that's over she's going to sell them.)

And there you have it.

A day in the life of my family, and LüSa Organics.

I can't imagine Tuesdays any other way.

Love,
Rachel

* * *

Oh! I just had a lovely idea.

What do you think about this:

I just purchased a dozen of Lupine's little Citrus-Mint Perfumes – just for you.

The first twelve of you to place an order and type "Lupine's perfume, please!" in the comments field will have one added to your order. When I run out I'll add a sample sized bar of our organic soap instead.

Sound like a deal?

To place your order just pop over to my website and have at it. And hey, thanks for supporting what we do. It means so much.

Enjoy!

Edited to add: After selling out this morning, Lupine has agreed to selling me a second batch. Order now and you'll probably get to try one of her travel-sized perfumes. Thanks ya'll! x

Because why not? It's my blog and I can give you random stuff if I want to.

I noticed earlier this week that I hit 2000 Facebook fans for Clean and almost 3000 for LuSa Organics. And frankly I was kind of jazzed. That's a decent number of folks who either show up to read to what I write each week – while wearing my pajamas – or love the products we create.

I mean seriously. How did you all find your way here?

I wonder that often.

You see, I started writing this blog as a way to create a bit of transparency between what we do for our income and who we are as people. Because lots of body care out there is… well… eh in my opinion.

Questionable safety records, sketchy ingredients, synthetic surfactants and fragrances, you know. Eh.

And much of it is made by companies you might not want anywhere near your skin (or your baby for that matter). But I don't think most people know that.

But we're us. We're parents. We're real and quirky and likable – okay, and perhaps a wee bit non-conformist – us.

And we make body care that you can trust with your precious baby and your precious body.

So I started to write.

And then a funny thing happened.

Writing here became a joy in and of itself.

Transparency for my business ceased to be my motivation. I simply love to share with you, why-ever you are here.

I love writing this blog.

And so I don't do it to create transparency anymore. I do it because I love it.

Today I wanted to say thank you for showing up.

For coming here and reading, maybe commenting, and perhaps even stretching what you've held before as truth. For learning and feeling and growing right along side me.

I love that even though we might see the world from different perches, what I share here has a chance of changing something in your life. What fun that is!

The same goes for me when you share of yourselves.

It's that connection is what keeps me coming back.

Maybe it's the same for you.

To celebrate all of you wonderful people coming along on this journey I'm hosting a random giveaway of all kinds of goodies I'm just dying to share.

I'll choose two winners. Each winner will receive the following:

Three bars of LuSa Organics soap (Because that's what got me into this to begin with!)

Three LuSa Organics lip balms (because they're crazy good)

An early copy of my soon-to-be released (first ever!) sewing pattern – Festive Felt Birthday Crowns – (Your early copy will come later this spring. The pattern will be in my Etsy shop this summer!)

A copy of Celia the Great – Tricks of Being a Happy Kid (Author Abby sent me two copies to share with you.)

A set of four wee little peg dolls, for your favorite board game. (Because they're adorable, that's why.)

One zipper pull of your choice from my Etsy shop (acorn or mushroom)

One favorite recipe from my family (you choose the type – main course, dessert, or side)

One of Sage's amazing sachets (Yes, yes. I'll pay him for it.)

And one big scoopful of Mid-March Wisconsin snow! (Okay. Not really. Now I'm just messing with you.)

How does that sound? Fun?

Yes indeed.

To be entered tell me something real and wonderful in the comments below. Something about you or your family or your heart or why you come here. It's that easy!

Oh. My. The comments you left on this post have cracked my heart wide open. I've cried over and over again and am humbled by what you have shared. Thank you. Thank each and every one of you for coming here to share your hearts.

Comments are now closed. The winners are…

Amy who said:

"Your
blog is inspiring and real and honest, and I really appreciate it, and
you for keeping it, and for sharing so much of what you do and who you
are. We share very similar values and lifestyle choices, and it is nice
to know other amazing people who are choosing to live consciously. I
hope to move to a homestead one of these days in the near future, so it
is extra fun and inspiring to read about your journey in that too.
Thanks for being so cool! 😉 And thanks for a yummy giveaway!"

and k who said:

You can also like my business or my writing on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, like, share, tweet, or pin this post, or talk me up to your friends.

But you don't have to. Because I'll keep writing anyway.

Thanks you lovely people. Have an awesome weekend!

So much love,
Rachel

May I ask you a small favor?

Last night I applied for a small business grant. Being awarded the grant could mean the world for my small business. In order for my application to be considered I need 200 more votes for my company LuSa Organics before the end of the week.

I see each day how many of you come here to read my words, so if even a fraction of you are willing to cast a vote for me I would be considered!

If awarded the grant many doors would open for my family and my business that would transform how we make our products and run our company.

The Dream

I have a dream of LuSa owning an organic farm where we could grow our own organic herbs and ingredients. Imagine rolling fields of organic mint, comfrey, lavender, and calendula. We would build or renovate a small barn in which to distill and press oils, dry herbs, and transform these basic ingredients into our healing organic body care.

The grant would help us do this and more. Help with marketing. Staffing. Growth. A filling machine perhaps.

It would be huge, I tell you.

What I am asking is for your vote. It will take you less than a minute to show your support.

1. Go to the Mission: Small Business web page.

2. Click the bottom right blue button: Log in & Support (there is even a fast "log in with Facebook option).

3. Search "LuSa Organics" in the company search bar and click to vote!

That's all it takes.

Thank you for coming here each day and reading my words. And thank you for supporting this little dream I have. Just the process of writing the grant was exciting as I was able to see more clearly what more funding will create for this little venture of mine.

Love,
Rachel

Edited to add: I just emailed to see if there is a non-Facebook way to vote. Strangely there is not. Here is their reply to my inquiry:

"Thank you for your email. We do not have any other ways of voting other than through Facebook. The goal of this program is to bring attention to local small business  and we are doing all we can to drive traffic to these business' social media pages. We appreciate your feedback and will obviously take it into consideration for future programs."

Well that was fun.

We spent the past four days in central Wisconsin at the Midwest Renewable Energy Association's Energy Fair. Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Fair to be precise. 

We've attended the Energy Fair as vendors every year since Sage was in diapers and the sling. It's one of the only events we attend with regularity other than the farmer's market.

We love it. You could say these are our people.

We lived in this area in the past, so we have lots of community here. But beyond that, the types of folks who attend a renewable energy fair inherently get what we're creating and why. They want organic soap and safe, natural baby care products. It's a pleasure to come here and share our products and our story.

For the past two years my company LuSa Organics has sponsored the children's activities. It seems only right since my children spend 90% of their time at the fair hanging out there.

(Thus the photos above are only the kids area and our tent. I could have done better with some awesome shots of timber framing workshops and wind turbines, but there you go. This is where I spent the weekend.)

I was so happy to meet so many of you at the fair! (Most of you recognized my children first, which makes sense.) I wasn't expecting to meet so many of you! Thanks for introducing yourselves. It's wonderful for me to have faces to put on the other side of the writing I do here.

And today we're back home. Home sweet messy home. The laundry is up to our ears, my kids are begging for baths (yes, they are that dirty), and the cat, rabbit, and dogs are wanting lots of love.

Coming home is often the best part of going away, isn't it?

Love,
Rachel

Edited to add: the tutorial for the fabric bunting shown in the photos of my booth is over here! Enjoy.

I'm guest blogging over on Whip Up, talking about manifesting my dreams. (More specifically our family's journey to self-employment and my love for creating in its many forms.) 

You can find my post right about here. Take a peek. I think you'll enjoy it.

Hi ya'll. It's me, Rachel. In the pictures above. And that's my family. And those are the products we make with our own hands. We are actual human beings! (Not a corporation at all.) And every so often as an actual human I issue a sweet and gentle reminder that not only do I spend my time here writing, but I also own a lovely small business. A small business that pays my mortgage as well as feeds my soul. (The job of writing here, which I so love, does only the latter.)

So I am here to say, "Hey, I'd be stoked if you bought some product from me!" There. It's out. Yes – you, too, can have a little LuSa in your life.

I am the creator and owner of LuSa Organics, a line of highest quality, handmade organic body care and baby care. This blog actually was born out of my desire to make our business a little more transparent by giving you a view into our life, my philosophy and values. Because I think who we are is almost as important as what we make. And while the blog has since become it's own entity it began because of LuSa.

Our products are outstanding and I figure, hey, everyone needs soap. And some of you need baby products. Will you try mine? 

I created our recipes out of my head over a decade ago and have continued to improve upon them ever since. Our soaps are moisturizing, gentle, long-lasting and offer a crazy buttery lather. And as any customer will attest, they smell incredible. Our award-winning Booty Balm borders on cult-like in its following. Booty Balm is magic in a jar and will heal almost anything you throw it at (the balm, not the jar).

All of the products align with my beliefs about the world. Less waste, more sustainable farming practices, better treatment of people, animals, and the planet. More good mojo all around. We donate 10% of our profits to amazing causes like La Leche League, the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, and dozens of other noble organizations. We donate some of our scratch and dent product to our local food pantry and try in general to be all-around-do-gooders.

And our products are made by hand right here in the Driftless. Vernon County – the second poorest county in Wisconsin. We employ four amazing people who all rank on my short list of the nicest folks I've ever met. And by supporting LuSa you support Heather buying chickens for her girls' homeschooling studies and a hay baler for her small farm. You support Chris's quest for a healthy gluten-free life as he heads towards marrying his sweetheart in the coming season. You support Karen finishing the construction of her hand-hewn home. Your support Steve as he bring live theatre to life in our small town. You support me, coming here to write to you here. Real people. A real small town. Real lives.

That's the power of buying from a small family-owned business.

I'm offering a giveaway of your choice of a Welcome, Little One! Gift Collection, a Mama is Born Gift Collection, five bars of naked soap, or a Delight Gift Collection. Leave a comment below to enter. Tell me what you think of our products, or anything you think I should know.

I'd be honored if you decided to share this post, follow me on Pinterest, and like both this blog and LuSa Organics on Facebook.

And to encourage you to take the leap into trying LuSa for the first time, I'm offering a free lip balm with any LuSa order this week, and a free lip balm and bar of naked soap with any order over $35. To redeem, type "Taking the LuSa Leap" in the comments field and we'll choose something spectacular for you to try. (Expires March 31. Valid for retail customers only, please.)

Thanks for coming here to read each week, and thank you for supporting LuSa – and therefore both my family and my passion for creating this space where you come to read.

Love,
Rachel

P.S. For those of you who are LuSa customers and not yet blog readers, take a look around. I think you'll find inspiration here that you didn't even know you were looking for.

Comments are now closed. Congratulations to Lynne who said,

"Finding truly natural products, especially for baby, is such a challenge The transparency you offer here on Clean is extremely refreshing. I would love to try your products! Thanks for hosting the giveaway."

I'm up early. A decaf latte in my hand and sound-blocking ear muffs ready for when the rest of the family wakes up in an hour or so. It's cold in the house at 6:30 so I also dig out my slippers, hat and fingerless gloves. All handmade by me, but sometimes I wonder how I found the time.

Today I'm up, trying to carve out some work time for myself. Because I sometimes remember: I'm supposed to be running a business too. On top of the rest. I have an amazing team at LuSa Organics, but this business is my baby. It's all out of my head – every recipe, every ethic of how we do it, every scent blend. And I need to stay with it to keep things humming in the direction I have in my heart.

~ * ~

Occasionally (like today) I feel my confidence waver over just how many things I'm juggling at one time. I want so much to do well at what I've set out to do, but sometimes I worry. Can I pull this off?

Mothering. Homeschooling. Housekeeping. Running a small business. Growing said business. Visioning for the future. Writing this blog. Writing a book. Dreaming our country dream over and over again as we sell our home and get ready for moving. And then there is making time to connect with myself, my friends, my husband, and my family beyond this house.

Sometimes that seems like too much.

Today Pete and I started a new work schedule which has me here at the computer from whatever-time-I-can-talk-myself-out-of-bed until 10:30 AM. Which is great. But also when I do make time to step into business owner mode I panic a little. Because, well, I'm not they business person type. I'm a people-person and a words-person and a teaching-person and a feeling-person more than a systems and production and growth and charts person. And while our products are outstanding, LuSa Organics doesn't compare in size or sophistication to the big-yet-honorable family business out there. (Like this one or this one or this one.) I'm teeny. Teeny tiny little me. Sitting here in a wool hat and PJ's at 6:30 in the morning, tweaking labels and designing new products and trying to update ingredients and prices and do a little marketing between homeschooling, laundry, and dinner prep.

And sometimes I hope that is good enough.

Like today.