We actually saved money, because when you're not working, you save on gas and food. So she stayed home and taught her six children, ranging in age from 4 to 22. School takes precedence over everything except family time. The alphabet in cursive letters serves as a border at the top of the wall behind the table. This is where the Dahlem kids work until about 1 p.m. each afternoon.
Various activities follow after that, depending on the day of the week.
Susan Dahlem is proud of her children's accomplishments, and she's pleased with her family's home life - a life that allows her to dress in her overalls every day and spend time making the soap so many people have come to love. Susan Dahlem has her soap-making ingredients out on the little work island in the center of her kitchen. There's lye, coconut, vegetable oil, coloring and scent. The ingredients are all-natural, and the steps are simple. The only difficult part of this process is consistently following the steps and devoting time to it.