Happy New Year!

Chance and me ~ Christmas 2012

My personal farewell to the year 2012 begins here with a long overdue zesty Hiatus Interruptus.

2012 has been a remarkable year in my zesty life. It has also been a whirlwind year filled with change, shared experiences and family milestones mixed with travel, visits from family, finding professional growth, and never a dull moment in between. Yes. 2012 has been filled with remarkable, momentous moments, events and experiences. Yet somehow it’s taken me all this time and a new year to start somewhere. In all that I have said, I didn’t say easy, and I didn’t say fun. Yet in these profound moments I found the remarkable. In all the savory bits, the bumps, the valleys, the laughter, and the many tears, I found a pace that never caught up with me. A pace I did not chase and could not chase. Knowing that I would catch up to the moment only when it was gone forever.

I have been selfish in the best way I know how. By preserving and keeping these moments to savor just for me, knowing my heart will break a little when I share these precious photos and deep words. Yet somehow I shared what I could and when I could, and found strength, comfort and peace while making soaps in The Herb Room, cooking in My Zesty Kitchen.

Accepting the laws of time, through a year’s perspective, 2012 marked the moment I would see my son graduate, and would see him off to college. A year spent preparing for a successful launch when I myself could never be prepared, yet realizing I have really been preparing for the last 18 years.

But if I had to sum the 2012 year into “some things” or a list of sorts, here is where I would start. In this sharing the richness deepens, a moment’s hue may fade yet the meaning stays alive. It all comes down to today, a new year. My very own launch and self directed Hiatus Interruptus. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Happy moments

are a walk in the park.

Phew. Now that I have that out of the way, I can start with these moments that have not been easy to write about. A little bit of zesty this and whole lotta zesty that. In celebration of new beginnings I give you my

12 most remarkable moments of 2012:

1. New Digs. My Zesty Life is MOVING! That’s right folks, Wimberley Texas, here I come. We are moving out of our Austin McMansion and into a cozy and quaint stone cottage on February 1! I am packing as we speak and have a whole lotta adventure and hard work ahead… Welcome to my upgraded zesty life version 2.013!

Nuestra casa.

Home sweet home.

Meet my new neighbors.

2. The CA family in Texas + Campout x The College search + Travel = Loco in the cabeza. The college search led to lots of travel, NOT vacation. College visits were all over the country from Indiana to Arkansas – not Bermuda or Bahama – sigh. I am not complaining. Okay well maybe a little. A jam packed zest fest of comings and goings that I am not sure which of the two happened more. Whew. Phew. Pooh.

Arkansas to

Indiana.

BuRRRRRRRRRRR.

3. … and only one Chance. Trust me you WILL be hearing and seeing more on the one and only Chance in the days to come – this is just to get you started.

Somehow the Chance-man (formerly C$) managed to get both of our families here to watch him graduate and even stay for a campout. He also managed to turn 18, go to prom, get out of HS, play a ton of lacrosse, and is currently attending Southwestern University, with studies in Computer Science and Architecture.

18 years and only one Chance.

From My Zesty Kitchen with love

an 18 candle German Chocolate Cake

Happy Birthday Chance!

Senior year and lots of Lacrosse!

The Grad.

Family Campout and lake fun with the Blossom cousins

Did I mention that he is also playing NCAA lacrosse for the Southwestern Pirates?  If not, he may be in your town soon, feel free to check out the Pirates game schedule – go Pirates!

Ahoy matey. SU Pirate #30 defends the goal with all his might.

And if that’s not all, in his spare time he is training as a circus master while learning to juggle Werecats. Riiiiiiiiiight. Whew. Phew. Pooh. Indeedily do.

The Rufferee takes a break from all the action.

4. My Zesty Kitchen celebrates with ONE food recipe in 2012. Okay I am the first to admit that sharing one food recipe in 12 months is pretty laughable. On the other hand, I always enjoy any amount of time I get to spend in my Zesty Kitchen, one recipe at a time. My zesty test kitchen has been inventing, test tasting and cooking up a storm. So much so that I have a journal full of hand written recipes that may reveal themselves in 2013… Mmmwaa haa haa

Insert pie drool here.

5. A smoke free year. 2012 marks 1 full year of being smoke free.

It’s official, I am a non-smoker and completely free of the cancer sticks! Whooo hoooo and YIPEEE!!!!!

Buddha approved

6. The Herb Room soaps goes local….. and sells out! Yee haw! The Herb Room saw tremendous growth and change in 2012. The Herb Room Soaps ~ Local Holiday Showcase Success debut was amazing marking the first year that The Herb Room soaps SOLD OUT! Thanks folks!

The Herb Room soaps wrapped in beautiful Holiday gift packages.

The Herb Room will be brewing soaps, as soon as we are settled into the new casa. I will keep you posted when I have some stock available. In the meantime, I have some great new soap creations planned for 2013, as well as a re-stock of the Classics and will be working on some much needed renovations and updates to The Herb Room store front. Stay naturally clean and up to date – Sign up here for The Herb Room news

Lovely Lavender mini-bar & Mint Momentum with slotted soap dish.

A gift of The Herb Room soap is

Good clean fun naturally

7. Babies! Special deliveries! The cutest Bastropian Babies arrive

Congrats to Anne and my Bro!

And this bundle of

Joy Starr Blossom. The latest and greatest 4th addition to the Blossom family! Congrats to the glorious Mama Harmonious and Jules!

8. Celebrating a 40 year old Cave Man.

In a Man cave.

The handsome cave-man Beandog (formerly B-man) emerges from his primitive cave dwelling to celebrate 40 years on the planet, as well as somehow having the ability (cave man wifi?) to co-create the beautiful MZL banners you see at the top of the page. Happy Birthday Beandog McPlug!

Many happy returns.

9. Furranimals ooodles of love and cuteness

Yo friend me on facebook. I’m serious.

Bunny

Izzy the fuzzy snuzzler is happy as can be.

Group hug. Izzy, Santa and me.

We always know where to find Sasha. Snuggled up and cozy under the tree.

A smiling face greets me Christmas morning.

Another smiling face greets me Christmas morning. But this smiling face contains a very devilish grin.

Sasha was way to easy to find for this

Can’t you tell she loves turning into Unicorn kitty?

Why let just one in on the fun?

Chance, ahem, I mean WB is looking like a very happy Unicorn kitty.

NOT.

Unicorn kitty escapes to her magical cove to find that her pillowy horn impedes her passage.

WB has magical napping powers even when not donning her Unicorn horn

These have magical powers that make me squeal and squirm AHHHHHHHHH. Everyone loves a cute basket of puppies!

10. Z-College

Architect in training

Arch Showcase – Fall 2012

Goes to show

You’re never to old to learn to ride a bike.

11. and 12.  Remarkable memorable moments shared with remarkable people. This means alls y’all. I am ready for 2013 and am looking forward to the unknown and new beginnings. I hope that you and your family, all that you love, are healthy and wish you all the best in 2013.

I can’t think of a better transition into the 2013 year than with a zesty New Year’s proclamation! It’s been a long time coming, time to take a breath and say - 2013, here I come! Hope you are ready.

Whether you are near, or far or if you just happen to be on your own Hiatus, please stop in and interrupt me when you return. I would love to hear from you.

Zesty Love and Cheer,
Robyn

PS I hope you enjoyed the various quality of these photos, many are just candid shots of the moment and were captured on whatever phone, or camera was nearby. Funny how some of the best moments happen when a camera is nowhere in site….

Ta da!

I just wanted to say a BIG Thanks to everyone that came out to support The Herb Room by shopping locally at Joanna’s 10th Annual Holiday Shopping Event.

I had a great time meeting so many folks, both near and far, PLUS I had the pleasure of working with an amazing group of women representing over 15 home grown businesses.

The Herb Room’s first ever local “home style” debut, where my natural soaps and Holiday gifties were offered!

**** Mucho tireless thanks to my husband Blue… & another thanks for these photos…****

Joanna’s 10th Annual Holiday Shopping Event showcased fabulous vendors – from handmade goods by local artisans, to clothing, and independent consultants offering jewelry, home products and more. Mary Champagne from Pampered Chef made some delicious dishes to share and Sarah Pierce’s homemade Zucchini bread is the best! All I can say is WOW!

At work in The Herb Room – good, clean, fun naturally!

Not to fear if you missed out on the fun – a little birdie heard that a Spring showcase may be in the works. I’ll keep y’all posted when I hear more…….

Thank you, thank you and thank you! Your support of The Herb Room soaps and my small business means so very much.

Seasonally challenged skin rejoice!

Oat Pecan is a specialty bar worth celebrating.

Up close and personal with the guest of honor, Oat Pecan soap.

This skin saving wonder bar provides stressed skin with the gentle cleansing power of whole grain organic oats. Beta glucan rich oat flour extract soothes instantly, calming even the most sensitive skin. A dash of pure Vermont Maple sugar & extract botanically brightens, while pecan meal gently exfoliates. Locally pressed Pecan oil blended with organic sunflower oil kindly moisturizes and hydrates. Oat Pecan soap has a super light, fresh scent, a custom blend of essential oils that reminds me of water lilies.

Kick up your heels to happy skin! AHHHH.

Worth the wait – Oat Pecan Soap. Limited Edition = limited quantities.

Formulated to treat & relieve my grumpy, itchy, weather struck skin. Unhappy skin gets happy again – cozy in that comfortably clean sort of way.

Skin is soothed, nourished, and oh so happy when you lather up with The Herb Room’s Oat Pecan bar. So nice to meet ya’.

Spring is in the air and everywhere and just in time to tickle your fancy
with

The Herb Room’s fresh stock of your spring-time and all-the-time favorite, Lavender soap!

The very best of the best, timeless, classic, Lavender soap.

This batch is really dreamy, creamy, aromatic – Lavender soap. A garden fresh floral that comes from pure Lavender essential oils and yep you guessed it…

A whole lotta love

Just like the love that I feel while quietly meditating in a field of Lavender, frolicking along, while butterflies dance in the wind

HUH? Surprise! Gotcha! ….. just like the love I feel when this guy pops into my photo meditation. It is a true big love. Just like the big Chance man, now a whopping -gasp!- 18 years of age. These are zesty tales that I have been saving up for y’all. Definitely worth the wait. Wink.

Now where was I?
Oh yeah. Ahhhhh. Lavender fields forever and

Lavender Soap ……back in stock and better than ever!

Celebrate spring with a skin saving wonder bar Oat Pecan soap.

Happy spring to you all! Summer soaps are up next. I sure hope you like surprises….

Zestfully yours,
Robyn

Rebeca was randomly chosen as the WINNER of the BIG Holiday Giveaway – she won a year of The Herb Room soaps!

Generated by Random.org

Congratulations, Rebeca!!!!

I hope you are enjoying the New Year with your first bar of The Herb Room soap!

The winning comment ~ What is your favorite Holiday food or dish? Why?

A BIG huge thanks to all of you that entered and shared your comments AND even your wonderful recipes – Kringle is calling my name. I am always inspired by my zesty friends and family, a perfect start to the New Year.

Another perfect start to the New Year is NEW soaps!  The Herb Room is busy making your favorites and will be introducing some great specialty soap bars in 2012.

In the works - Oat Pecan Bar. A limited edition, small batch soap, specifically formulated to relieve my winter and travel weary skin.  If you have been suffering from irritated, dry skin, this soap is gonna soothe and suit your skin well. Look for it in The Herb Room store by the end of February.

If you like The Herb Room soaps, have soap creation ideas, inspirations, or just want to drop by and say hello – please comment below or visit me on Facebook. I would love to hear from you.

Thanks for being a part of my zesty life!  – Robyn

I couldn’t end the year and begin anew without sharing one of my very favorite holiday sides – Clark’s Favorite Yams. This casserole dish is a real treat, uses yams, sweet potatoes, or a combo of both, and is really good! It was passed on to me from MamaJoan – 14 years ago – WOW. AND Thanks to MamaJoan I get to share it with the world. You are getting the real zesty deal, the original recipe plus my adaptations as well. Either way you prepare it, this recipe is something special.

Want more of something special? TODAY is the final day to ENTER the Big Holiday Giveaway – ‘cuz it ain’t the Holiday no more! One lucky person will be smelling and feeling oh so clean for one whole year. Thanks to The Herb Room soaps – a full bar will be delivered to your shower to your doorstep every month! Stay tuned – a Winner will be announced tomorrow!

Year after year, I can always depend on this here Yamtastic casserole, a Thanksgiving staple that feeds a crowd AND pleases even the naysayers of all things yam. It is also easy to make, can be prepared two days ahead of time and baked just before a party or holiday gathering. Another new & zesty twist for my Easter table – Clark’s Favorite Yams paired with ham or pork tenderloin. YUM! There is always room on my table and in my belly for this delightfully perfect side dish. Cheers to many more years and lots more servings of Clark’s Favorite Yams!

Here it is, the one and only Clark’s Favorite Yams recipe and the ONLY dish of this type that you will find on my table every Thanksgiving.

I know you will be surprised when you taste this fabulous dish – bet you’re gonna love it.

Ingredients: 2 lbs. yams and/or sweet potatoes, 1 orange,

a cup of chopped Pecans,

unsalted butter, brown sugar,

brandy, egg whites, salt,

ground black pepper, cinnamon and ginger. Optional spices ~ cayenne, ground coriander, cloves.

Get started with the yams – pierce the skin of the yams with a fork in several places then bake in oven 450° for 40-45 minutes, or microwave on high until tender.

Cook ‘em and set ‘em aside to cool.

In a large bowl add the brandy,

2 teaspoons salt,

1 teaspoon ground ginger,

1/3 cup brown sugar,

2 Tablespoons unsalted butter,

and ground pepper, to taste.

I like the taste a lot.

Zestify your orange -

you’ll need 2 tablespoons of orange zest and

the juice of one orange.

Every last drop counts.

Now let’s get back to the cooked and cooled yams,

slice lengthwise and

using a fork or spoon,

scrape out the yamtastical goodness.

Place the cooked yams in the mixing bowl & keep peeling.

I bet I can beat you.

Ready?

Set?                                                   Go!

Yep, I am clearly the winner.

Yams peeled and ready – check.

Let’s start mixing

or mashing.

I like mine a little lumpy – au naturel. wee wee

Add the eggs – I used ¼ cup egg whites, the original recipe calls for 3 egg yolks, beaten.

I’ve had it every which way and love it just the same.

Spread the yam mixture into a baking dish. This is a double batch so I used a 13×9.

Beautiful!

Topping time.

In a medium mixing bowl,

dump 1 cup chopped pecans

onto a stick of melted unsalted butter.

Add 2/3 cup brown sugar,

1 teaspoon cinnamon

and some optional “extra spice” ~ a dash of cayenne really spices things up plus

a dash of clove, or dash of my Orange clove spice mix and ½ teaspoon coriander.

Mix topping ingredients together

and spread the topping over the yams.

Bake at 350° for 45 minutes.

I am looking forward to a New Year full of possibilities, inspirations, recipe inventions, and sharing all things blessedly zesty – with you.

Happy New Year! – Robyn

Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it.

Clark’s Favorite Yams
2 lbs. cooked yams and/or sweet potatoes (fresh baked or canned)
Juice of 1 orange or 2/3 cup orange juice
1 Tablespoon orange zest
2 Tablespoons brandy or pure vanilla extract
2 teaspoons salt
Ground pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon ground ginger
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
¼ cup egg whites ~ OR ~ original recipe calls for 3 egg yolks, beaten

Cook the cleaned yams and/or sweet potatoes until soft; pierce the skin of the yams with a fork in several places then cover in foil and bake in oven 450° for 40-45 minutes, OR microwave on high until tender. Set aside the cooked yams to cool. Remove the skins from the cooled yams and/or sweet potatoes.
Place the prepared yams in a large mixing bowl and mash until smooth (or lumpy, if preferred). Mix in remaining ingredients. Spread the yam mixture into a 8×8 casserole dish, smoothing the layer.
Prepare topping.

*Note: If you are serving a crowd, double all the ingredients. Prepare as directed placing mixture in a 13×9 casserole dish. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes.

Topping:
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 stick unsalted butter (or ¼ lb.)
1 cup chopped pecans
Optional additions ~
A dash of cayenne to spice things up
A dash of clove or a dash of my orange clove spice mix
½ teaspoon coriander

Mix topping ingredients together; spread topping over the yam mixture.

Bake at 350° for 45 minutes.

Enjoy Clark’s Favorite Yams!

I’m telling you why

The BIG Holiday Giveaway has been Extended with an EXTRA Week to ENTER & WIN!

Why the extra week?
1) All’s Y’all – NO Recipe required to ENTER! Just answer the question provided and you will be entered!
2) It’s called the Holiday hangover – the cure? An extra week to Enter my BIG Holiday Giveaway for a chance to WIN!
3) ‘Cuz I have a BIG and zesty heart
4) I love to share All Natural Goodness and BIG love with my zesty friends and fans of The Herb Room
5) To serve one lucky winner a year’s worth of good clean fun

So let me make it simple. Easy as Homemade Apple Pie. Ready????

TO ENTER: Answer the following question -
What is your favorite Holiday food or dish? Why? (1 Entry)*
Answer in the comment section of this post or in the comment section of the The Big Holiday Giveaway post and you will be entered for a chance to win a year’s worth of The Herb Room Soap!

*Just so ya know – You are not being judged for your answer. What you answer will not influence or increase your chances of winning. Recipes are NOT required to enter this giveaway, however, answering the question is. That being stated, I LOVE your recipes and LOVE when you share ‘em.

EXTRA ENTRIES: Extra entries are extra Zesty! For a cleaner, greener planet AND to increase your chances of winning share your love of The Herb Room Soaps with friends and family.
Spread the joy of myzestylife.com and get extra entries – here’s how:

The Herb Room on Facebook
- Like The Herb Room on Facebook (1 Entry)
- If you are a current friend that already “likes” The Herb Room, visit The Herb Room Facebook page and tell me a soap idea or creation that you would love to see offered in 2012 (1 entry)

Be a Zesty friend BONUS (3 Entries)
- Get a friend to subscribe to My Zesty Life email updates and get THREE more ENTRIES!
- Friends can sign up in my Zesty Kitchen, Zesty Tidbits and The Herb Room. To verify and receive credit your friend must send me an email telling me who sent them

Bloggers Bonus (2 Entries)
Have a blog?
- Blog about my giveaway with a link to My Zesty Life
- Send me an email with a link to your blog post that links to My Zesty Life

**** Entry comments received before December 26, 2011 will receive 1 EXTRA entry! ****

Enter the Big Holiday Giveaway by January 1, 2012 for the chance to WIN A YEAR of The Herb Room Soaps

RULES:
- You must answer the question in the Comment section of this post or in the comment section of The Big Holiday Giveaway
- One ENTRY per Person; multiple comments do not increase your chances of winning
- Extra Entries must complete all steps listed to qualify
- The winner will receive: One full sized bar of The Herb Room soap of my choosing, for one year (Total of twelve full sized bars)
The BIG Holiday GIVEAWAY ends December 26, 2011 January 1, 2012 at 11:00 PM CST
- To ensure fairness, the Winner will be chosen using Random.org. which will create a random numbered list from 1 to the total number of entries, and will then pick a random number between 1 and the total number of entries to determine the winner
- Winner will be notified via email January 2, 2012; prize to be mailed on the 5th of each month starting January 2012 and ending December 5, 2012
- Once notified the winner will have three days to claim the prize. If the Winner does not respond within the allotted amount of time, an alternate winner will be chosen as stated above using random.org
- The BIG Holiday Giveaway is only open to residents of the good ol’ USA
- Good luck y’all!

Your zesty friend,
Robyn
The BIG Holiday GIVEAWAY is CLOSED! Thanks to all of you that entered! Stay tuned for more Giveaways, Contests and chances to win…