Hey y'all!
Well, first things first.. why are you guys making this so difficult? I swear there were SO many lovely stories summer memories, how could I possibly choose?
I have gone round and round and ROUND over this decision, and I change my mind every five minutes. Seriously.... Anne of Green Gables, beach collecting, wild cousins, horses, summer farm jobs and VW bugs. It's all just too good!
But, I did promise to choose so, deep breath, here goes:
Congratulations to the winners of last month's Blue Yonder First Monday Contest!
The birdie necklace and paper will go to Laura for her story about living with her cousin in a pop up tent, wearing their funky skirts and subsisting on english muffins and Pringles. It just seemed like one of those moments when the stars are perfectly aligned and the world is just right - you are becoming an adult, old enough to have some freedom, and yet you are still a child too, seeing everything with fresh eyes and untainted wonder, not needing much, and feeling like you've got the whole world. Perfect.
Those days go by too fast. Laura, shoot me an email with your address okay?
I know a lot of you were out for that necklace, and believe me, if I could have a bunch of them made, I would have given one to each of you!
Kristi and her story of days gone by made me smile too, because her summers seemed so very like my own, with their plum jelly and crossword puzzles, Granny's "stories" on the television and Simplicity patterns. Ms. Kristi, send along your digits and you'll be getting a box of goodies too!
Thanks so much for sharing your summers with me!
Now, on to July's contest...
Well, first let me tell you what I've been up to this weekend (there's a point here, I promise).
I read about making your own household cleansers, a while back, over at Old Red Barn Co. This is something that I've really wanted to do for sometime now, but I hadn't gotten around to doing the research... what to use, how much, what combinations worked best, etc, etc.
So, when I saw that Dana had posted some easy recipes, I was itching to give them a go.
See, it bothers me that my choices are these:
1) Hold my nose as I pass the boys bathroom, and never but NEVER go in there. or 2) Put on my HazMat suit, arm myself with toxic goo, and defunk the place, only to then worry that the fumes and residue will cause my future grandchildren to grow tails.
Now you know that I would spoil those grandbabies anyhow, and maybe even crochet them some little tail cozies, but it does seem that there really should be a better option, don't you think?
I have to tell ya though, I had my doubts that the natural cleaners would do the trick. I mean, I have three boys. THREE of 'em. Three boys that use ONE bathroom. Think on that for a minute. Or better yet, don't.
Still, with just a scritch of hope, I gathered up my supplies, made all three of Dana's cleansers, and then set to work trying them out. People, my house shines like Christmas morning! It's like the 1950s around here, with little sparkles and sunbursts emminating from the appliances and countertops.
I might wear highheels next time I clean, just to complete the effect. Of course, I'd have to go and buy some high heels first, so maybe not.
As an extra added bonus, our cleansers smell so good - homey and fresh, not harsh and lung collapsing.
(we used lavendar and rosemary essential oils to scent them)
Well, I'll tell you what, I think I've unleashed some kind of internal make-your-own monster. I had such fun and such pleasant results from the cleansers that I went hog wild and made the
homemade deodorant from angry chicken (insane, I know - have I mentioned that it's 100 degrees or so in Texas?), as well as some homemade shampoo and conditioner and a homemade balm for insect bites (I'll share the recipe for that tomorrow). And guess what? They all work great (no really!), smell great and feel well, GREAT.
The thing I don't get is this: if the natural stuff works so well, how come the big companies put all the weird toxic crud in theirs?
Is it just cheaper? Maybe it has a longer shelf life? Is it easier to handle in large quantities? Maybe it's a grassy knoll conspiracy? I don't know.
Anyhow, all of that brings me to this entirely self-serving point - to enter this month's Blue Yonder First Monday Contest, leave a comment here with your favorite make-your-own recipes/tips (or a provide a link).
What qualifies? Well anything that the majority of folks would buy, pre-made, from the store - beauty products, food items (yogurt, bread or jam say), fertilizers or pest sprays for the garden, medicines, etc. Any old thing that you make at home instead of buying.
My most favorite tip will earn some wonderful handmade goodies from the
Old Red Barn Company Store. (exact details to come) the lovely bird-shaped
Talavera salt and pepper shakers above, and a beautiful postcard set from Molly of
Field | Work.
So tell me, what kind of things do you make at home?
