Rendering Tallow (For Soap Making!)

Over the summer, when I told Sammy that soap making was on my bucket list, he went out of his way while on a trip to MT to pick me up some gorgeous beef fat from a butcher! Why? So we could render our own tallow! Why tallow? Because tallow does a great job of giving soap a nice rich creamy lather and good conditioning properties. Tallow also helps create a hard bar. Tallow is where it's at. 

Rendering our own tallow was a fun adventure. If you're going to make your own soap, you mine as well jump in with both feet and do as much of the process yourself as possible, right? If you can. 

If you're looking for more detailed step-by-step directions, I suggest you click that link and check out The Spruce's website on how to render tallow. I'll show photos and summarize my own way below. 


Since we had a lot of beef fat, it seemed like a good idea to do this process outside on our propane burner in a big stock pot. We could do it in two big batches as opposed to many smaller batches on the stove, and we wouldn't stink up the house. Win-win. 

Step 1 - Dump your beef fat into your stock pot. For this rendering, our beef fat already came in small chunks. If yours are not in manageable chunks, or is attached to some pretty large pieces of meat and gristle, chop off the large meat chunks and then run the fat through a grinder (if you have one) or ask your local butcher if they can for you. Smaller chunks will render easier. We had to do some chop and grind on some beef fat we got from a friend this past December when we needed to render more tallow. 

Step 2 - Add enough water to just cover the fat, and about 1 tablespoon per pound of fat. We had 10 pounds of beef fat and broke it up into two batches. So it wound up being about 5 pounds of beef fat per batch. 

Step 3 - Time to start the flame! Heat the mixture to boiling, then reduce the heat to a low simmer. Simmer, simmer, simmer! The chunks will start to release liquid fat. Continue to simmer, stirring often, until the mixture is just melted fat, meat, and gristle. Go ahead and use a masher to mash the meat to help it release every little bit of liquid fat it can. Simmer time will depend on the amount of beef fat you are working with, and the size of the chunks. 

Step 4 - Strain the meat. When you are left with just chunks of meat and gristle with no more attached fat to them, you are ready to strain. We used a colander first, mashing the meat with a masher to get every last drop of liquid fat out, and then strained again using a sieve. 

Round 2! We set the first batch aside, and then since Sam took the reins on the first batch, I followed steps 1-4 again and did the second batch myself.  

Step 5 - Let the fat cool to room temperature, then store in the fridge overnight. The next time you look at it, you'll have a pretty white disc of beautiful tallow on top! (Water and yuck will be at the bottom, you won't need this). 

Step 6 - Separate the tallow. We used a butter knife to loosen the edges of the tallow from the pot until, when we tipped the pot, the tallow eased right out. Rinse the tallow under cool, running water, then pat dry. 

Step 7 - Cut your tallow for storage. The smaller you make the tallow chunks, the easier it will be for use in soap making, so take your time and cut it well. My chunks were smaller than Sam's, lol, and later, when melting for use in soap, my chunks melted quicker. 

Store the tallow in an air tight container or ziplock in the freezer until you are ready to use, for up to a year. 

For 10 pounds of beef fat, we wound up with just about 6 1/2 pounds of tallow. Not too shabby! Each bag contained about 3 batches of soap for me. 

Rendering our own tallow was super fun and super easy. And the pride I felt knowing we rendered the tallow that would go in my handmade soap for my family to use? Priceless and worth the little bit of effort. 

Happy tallow rendering! 

With love,
Mama Hauck

Gorge Community Music Student Showcase

Last night, Gorge Community Music (GCM) of The Dalles, OR, celebrated their 2nd year in business by holding a recital for all the students that take lessons there! It was a full house! Anthony and Molly performed with their music teacher, James, and we are so, so proud of them!!! 


Right from the get-go, Anthony was all about performing at the recital! He has progressed so much since starting sax lessons with James back in September and is really loving it!  He did so well last night! He even had to perform a little improv in the middle of the song, which I'm sure was a bit scary in front of a crowd! 

"Cool Blues"

We are so proud of you, Anthony! You got right up there on the stage and nailed your performance! I am so happy you enjoy playing the saxophone so much! We are excite to watch you grow and progress with your playing. Great work, Anth!! 

Weeks ago, when we were told about the recital, Molly said she didn't want to participate. I totally got that. It's hard to be up in front of a crowd. However, with some gentle encouragement from James and myself, she ultimately decided to go for it. And wouldn't you know it, she was amazing!! Molly and James performed "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" and "I Believe I can Fly."

"Sitting on the Dock of the Bay"

 

"I Believe I Can Fly"

We are sooooo proud of you, Molly! You were so brave getting up there in front of everyone! I'm so happy you had fun. You are the sweetest little song bird! You totally made Grandma Cathy cry! Had I not been worried about shaking the camera, I would have bawled too, lol! You've been doing your voice lessons for almost a year now.....we can't wait to see where you'll be in another year! 

We are very thankful to have GCM, and especially James, in our lives. Here's to making more sweet music and wonderful memories!! 

With love,
Mama Hauck

Proud

We are always proud of our children, but sometimes they really do just blow us away. 


A few weeks back, Molly received a Good News From School postcard. In it, she is being thanked for being kind and making others feel safe and good about themselves while out at recess. It totally made me cry. 

I remember back in November, Molly told me about how one day at recess, one of her friends took a jump-rope away from a boy. She told her friend it wasn't very kind for her to have taken it, and Molly gave it back to the boy. A week or so after her telling me about it, her teacher, while at our parent- teacher conference, brought it up to me. She wanted me to know that Molly is always so kind to everyone and she really appreciates that about her. 

Molly Lynn, we are so proud of you for always looking out for people and being kind. I really appreciate the fact that every day, since the first day of school, you walk your brother to his class and give him a hug goodbye. You know just what to do to make others feel safe, loved, and included. You see all people the same and love them all equally. You stick up for people and help others when they need help. I love that about you! Don't ever change that. The world needs more people like you, Molly.  You are a great sister and a wonderful friend.

Just a few days ago, Timothy was over the moon when he received his own Good News From School postcard! He is so proud of it and has it pinned to his cork board in his room. 

Despite being a bit on the shy side, Tim is full of fun, happiness, and love. There isn't an adult I know that hasn't, at one point in time, told me how sweet, funny, and adorable he is and how much they love him. Two weeks ago I received a text from his old speech therapist - "You have the sweetest boy! Timothy came into my office on his way to recess just to give me a hug and say he misses me! :) Made my day!" All I could think was yup! That's my sweet boy! 

Timothy, you are such a sweet hearted little boy. You are so full of love, you just burst at the seams! I love how you love your teachers and are such a good boy at school. I love how you tell me goodbye and you love me, a minimum of five times, while leaving for school. I love how you still want to snuggle and hold my hand. And I love how, when you know you've done something naughty or mean, you are genuinely remorseful and can't go to sleep until you've let the person know you are sorry and love them. I love, love, love that about you!! We are so proud of you. 

Anthony's 2nd quarter report card came in the mail the other day, and he's got A's across the board! Being his first year in the middle school, it's a big adjustment, and the kids have a lot more self responsibility. He works hard, asks for help when needed, checks up on his grades and makes sure all assignments are turned in, and never once has complained about homework. 

Three weeks back, while Anthony was newly struggling with that horrible rash on his face, he missed a few days and classes and had to make up the work. One day, after a dr. appointment, I dropped him off, but without a lunch or his sax. He called me to tell me what time he needed me to bring them to school by. He is so good about making sure all his bases are covered and he gets done what he needs to get done. A week later, I received this e-mail from his teacher - "I have been meaning to email you. I know that it was tough on Anthony to come to school with that rash, but he was a trooper and I appreciate it. I was at my desk when he called to talk to you and it really made me appreciate that not only is Anthony a good student, but a kind boy and a nice son. It was nice to hear a student be so nice to their parent. Thanks again, Mrs. Schuster. 

Anthony, we are so proud of you and all the hard work you have been putting into school. I know middle school has been a big adjustment, and there's been some curve balls thrown at you, but you are totally kicking butt and putting in the work. You are on your way to being a responsible, respectful honest, and trustworthy young man. We see you growing in leaps and bounds every day. I love how you are suck a kind, sweet boy to your teachers and peers and you leave for school in the morning with a smile on your lips, ready to face to day. 

You know, when we are home, I'll admit it, the kids can act like little jerks to us and each other. Isn't that their job? Isn't that how they figure out life and how to go about it? Testing boundaries, learning, and growing from poor decisions and consequences here at home? Sam and I always laugh about it. The kids can be mean and rude and back back and forth allll day long to the point of driving you crazy. They're kids. But at the end of the day, they know what we expect of them and they are just such good kids. They are kind to everyone. Everyone! They stick up for others and each other. They are polite and respectful to adults. They are happy, sweet, and good. 

We are so proud. 

With love,
Mama Hauck

Daddy-Daughter Dance

A few weeks back, Molly and Papa went to the Primary School's annual Daddy-Daughter Dance! From what I hear, it was a blast and they cut a rug the whole time! 

I love that the school holds this event. Molly looks forward to it every year, and I think it's great that she gets that special time with her Papa. 

Lookin' good you two!! 

With love,
Mama Hauck

The February Blues

If I had it my way, January, February, and March would be completely scrapped from the calendar. We would have Christmas, and then skip straight to April. 

Despite my best efforts, these months always seem to be a shit storm of sickness. If Tim isn't sick with this cough that last literally forever and a runny/stuffy nose that he can't seem to actually blow into a tissue, then Anthony has a stuffed up face that he also can't seem to blow into a tissue. If Anthony isn't sick, then Molly has a sore throat and can't do voice lessons. If all the kids are actually ok (well, on the okish side), then I'm sick. Or Sam. And hell if we're ALL sick at the same time. 

It doesn't even matter that we all wash our hands a million times, or don't touch our faces, or stay away from sick people, or take our vitamins, or use our homeopathic remedies, or diffuse germ killing and immune boosting oils, or use tissues to pick up pens to sign paperwork at the dr's office so you don't actually have to touch the pen, or clean the house with non-toxic chemicals and air the house out. It doesn't matter. The sickness finds us. It always does.  

How about throwing a cold sore on one of the kids, just for fun, because that always makes things better. Maybe a rash on another kid that is very stress inducing and a headache in and of itself. Speaking of headaches, lets sprinkle some in there like confetti, because they're always needed to make life more interesting. Oh, and what about a bout of nausea and vertigo, accompanied with puking in a gallon size ziplock bag while driving 70 down the interstate (yes....this happened). A little conjunctivitis here or there. And, no lie, maybe one kid accidentally stabs themselves in the face with a fork? But you know what, good thing Sam got that vasectomy so we don't have to worry about adding any more kids into this sickness mess, am I right? 

This is fun. I love January and February. What does March hold in store for us?

But really. Sam got a vasectomy this past Friday. That was a hard decision, but I think the right one. If we had more space and money, who knows.....but we don't, so 3 has to be it for us. I've kinda been a mess coming to terms with the reality of no more children in our future. That's a hard pill to swallow. I could probably ramble on and on about it, but I won't, at least not right now. And you know what, I don't appreciate being sent free samples of infant formula when there are clearly no more infants to be had around here. Thanks for that, universe. You're a funny one. Your timing is impeccable. 

Anyway, the kids went to Grandma Cathy's for the night, and Sam and I enjoyed a night of junk food and binge watching Netflix....that eventually carried over for the whole weekend because, why not? I was sick (don't let the smile fool you) and Sam couldn't walk. Makes sense to just stay in bed and eat comfort food. *sigh*

Now, Anthony.....that poor boy. Never, in all my life, has a rash stressed me out so much and caused such a headache. 

So here's a story for you. He got an awful rash. We, meaning us, his pediatrician, and his dermatologist, think it's from the high concentration of ammonium chloride that is in the cleaner being used to clean the wrestling mats. Are we 100% sure on this? Well, can you ever be 100% sure? So that's a no. But we have put so much thought into this and it is the only thing right now that makes sense. If, in the future, it is proved to be caused by something else, then I have no problem with eating humble pie. Who cares. All I care about right now is helping my son.

We think what's happened is the ammonium chloride has either built up in his system, or his skin has become sensitized to it due to coming in contact with it so frequently. Those two options would explain why he could wrestle for a few months before the rash appears. But now that he's had a bad reaction like this, we're wondering about it happening with less mat time and less system build up. And possibly even with a less concentration of it. In short, I wonder if it will happen sooner, and be a far worse reaction, next time he comes in contact with ammonium chloride.  

Poor boy had to go to school looking like he was diseased. It was the worst. I wanted to keep him home, but missing school is hard on him. So he was a trooper and went to school, despite the rash. 

Now, this is a huge problem for us. Anthony loves to wrestle, he loves his coach, and of course we want him to be able to continue! So this Mama needed to be a Mama and try to figures things out. Which totally made me want to vomit because I don't like rocking the boat and thinking that people could potential be annoyed by the situation and tell us to fuck off. My worries aside, we checked into the cleaner that was being used and called the company who makes it and we do believe that it is not the correct cleaner to be used on wrestling mats. I suppose it could be used, but in my own personal opinion, an industrial floor cleaner is not appropriate for wrestling mats where sweaty children will continuously have skin contact with it, especially their faces. So I wanted to see who I could talk to about this and hopefully work towards a change. 

I was in the school one day last week, dropping Anthony off from his dr. appointment, so I simply asked who I could talk to about the cleaner. I briefed the ladies in the office with our story, and one of the ladies briefed this other guy in a different room who I don't even know who he was. I was then told that that guy would talk to another guy and they would get back to me. Ok. 

No one ever got back to me. So I thought hmmmmm. Ok. Waiting game. But at least I asked who I could talk to. I'm being proactive for my son. Guess I'll keep waiting. And in the mean time, Anth can't wrestle because we can't take that risk.

But apparently there was some action and the cleaner was changed to one with a significantly lower percentage of ammonium chloride. We only know this because Anthony's coach text us. I wish I could have actually talked to someone about it, to reassure whomever that we're not assholes trying to cause a ruckus, but I wasn't given that opportunity. In any case, I'm grateful. 

Now, just because the cleaner has been changed, doesn't mean our problem is solved. I wish it were that easy. We're incredibly thankful a new cleaner is being used, as overall it's just better for all the children anyway. But now that Anthony has had a bad reaction to the ammonium chloride, it could happen again, even with using a cleaner that has a significant lower percentage of it (most of the mat cleaners used everywhere has some percentage of ammonium chloride in them). So we'll honestly just have to wait and see. We bought a special wrestling barrier foam that we can put on his face prior to wrestling. I hope this will help. It's all we can do really. It's not like he can wear a ski mask while wrestling! If the rash appears again, despite our efforts, we will unfortunately have to call it quits on wrestling. 

And, in the event the rash is due to something else and we have all been wrong about the ammonium chloride in the cleaner, then at least the school has a better and safer cleaner for the children's mat. That's a good thing. 

But I don't think we're wrong......did you know lysol also has ammonium chloride in it? I didn't. I NEVER use lysol.....until this weekend when everyone was sick and I felt like screaming and wanted to clean every surface of the house so I sprayed literally everything with it. I should have looked, darn it. Yes, that little bit of lingering lysol on the beds and couches caused a rash on Anthony's face and ears. No where near as bad as pictured above, thank God, but still there. Mama of the year right here. So, hahahaha, after missing like 2 weeks of wrestling due to his rash, after finally clearing up with liquid steroids (UGH!), he couldn't wrestle last night because of his new rash from the freaken lysol. 

We are winning over here. 

And yes, because I know you're wondering, Anthony was also the one who stabbed his face with a fork.....because he was laughing way too hard, like seriously doubled over with laughter, over something Molly had said, right onto a fork. People, I can't make this stuff up. He just can't seem to stop messing up his face! Poor, sweet boy. 

I'm pretty sure the stress of everyone else being sick and all these other fun issues is what caused me to get sick. I've totally got the February blues. 

It can only get better now, right? Is it April yet? Please pray we have no more issues with this rash. Anthony would be heart broken if he couldn't wrestle anymore. 

With love,

Mama Hauck