School is almost here.

Summer is closing in to a fall breeze and cooler nights.  School is coming next week and I can not believe that the summer is gone.  Every year I look at our summer and guilt sets in as I realize that I have done nothing I set out to do.  We did not leave town, go hiking, fishing, camping, or swimming.  My poor kids did nothing this summer.  It has been no different every summer as my job is 80% completed in the summer so that does not leave me much time to plan fun events.  I have been trying to get in some fun things this last week before school but I just don't know what to do.  So like usual, I will plan activities after school starts.  I plan on going out of town soon to relax. 
I also can not believe I have not had any time for any projects.  Last week I did stain my front porch and short fence and that is the extent of it.  I look forward to posting again soon with some projects {as they have piled up} but also about some new changes I have in my families life.
First, I have decided to Home school my son and may bring home my other son soon.  I am trying to pull together our schedule and hope to share my findings and what is working for him.  My son has ADHD and other disabilities that I just can not ignore.  I have pretended that school would work for him, but it has not since second grade.  Now in the seventh grade he is struggling and time to bring him home.  It won't be easy but I did choose to be a Mom and some days it is harder than I thought.  I know I will go on a good, long vacation when my last child moves out. For now, it will be hard work ahead.

My other son has had GERT.  I am not sure exactly what that pertains to and do not care for the diagnosis, only that the medication was not improving it, so I decided to try the GAPS diet.  In three days his symptoms had gone and he was eating the food with no complaints.  That was March and now we are having to plan for meals at school.  I will be adding more on my adventures on the GAPS diet soon.

Finally, crafting... It's fun and I love it but it will be taking the back burner.  I still have some projects but they will be infused with our family changes.  Schooling and strict diets suck much of my time now.  I hope you check in with our new adventures and I love to hear about your experiences with homeschooling or if you are considering the Gut and Psychology Syndrome diet.  I have seen some changes I am excited about.

Tricia

Homemade Body Wash #3

I have been experimenting on different ways not only to save money but also to reduce chemicals my family uses.  What I have learned is liquid soap products have lots of bad stuff I do not want to use.  Bar soap is generally safe, especially if you buy handmade.  Handmade soaps can cost upwards of $4 and more. Lets face it, Bar soap is not fun to use.  It gets slimy and tends to leave a film on my skin.  Making liquid body wash from bar soap does work but again, still tends to be a bit drying and leaves that film.  I wanted to make my own wash from scratch but if lye isn't used than all sorts of surfactants and fillers are needed to create the right slip and foam.  In studying these fillers, they usually are derived and that is what makes them not natural and are toxins or irritants that I do not want to use. 

Some of these products to keep an eye out for are:

SLS
SLSA Both are surfactants that make washes sudsy.  They are very irritating to the skin and can damage the cells.  It is a good idea to do some research on sulfates to know for your self.

This site has great info about safer products to use http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/.  This site gives a list of ingredients to avoid and companies that they approve.  However, I do believe making it at home can be cheaper and easier.



Here is what I have decided to use for our family body care product:

Castile soap is made with vegetable oils or olive oil.  It can have several beneficial oils and then made with lye for a true soap product.  It does not foam much and is very thin.  But it can be customized and using a foam bottle it does take care of the lather.  Because it is thin it makes it perfect for a foam pump.  Foam pumps are important as Castile soap is not tear free.  The foam is easier to control.  A little goes a long way. 

Dr. Brommer's is easy to purchase in most stores.  The most common Castile soap brand. 
I use one part soap to 3 parts water.  Add fragrance in essential oils that you like and that are good for your family skin.  Make sure to check on safety of use on youngsters.

Some good essential oil combo's

Lavender and vanilla for relaxing. Lavender is anti fungal and anti bacterial.  It is a good all around choice for skin care.

Eucalyptus

Lemon or Orange for uplifting

Sandalwood is anti bacterial and anti fungal.  It can be used for acne prone and oily skin.

Geranium has some "anti aging" qualities as it treats wrinkles.  It is good for restoring skin and is good for sensitive skin.

Oils can also be added to the custom soap.  Adding oils can help in moisturizing.  Only small amounts are needed. Olive or grape seed can be added.

Table Terrarium

 Succulents are so easy to take care of and so nice to have around the house.  Easy to cultivate and make a small terrarium.   A simple glass bowl from the dollar store, dirt, and white sand {Dollar Store again}.

 Layered the dirt and sand for interest, mainly for drainage as succulents like dry.

 These succulents have over grown and are easy to pull out by the base to replant.

 I chose several that I like and planted in the bowl.  Arranged a few rocks and have a cute table top Terrarium.

Wedding Flowers

Recently I was able to help creating flowers for a wedding.  I spent many hours looking for the right  flowers that the bride liked.  I wanted to share them so it might save someone some time searching.  Hydrangeas and mixed flower bouquets are very popular. With using a glue gun and silk flowers to make the boutonnieres they are nice and pretty.
 Hydrangea Boutonnieres made from Silk flowers.  Hydrangeas do not last long and silk do look real enough. The rest of the flowers are real.  The stem is ls wrapped with the leaves of the flowers.

 Beautiful Bouquet made by my sister Christy.  Hydrangea, Rose, Peony, and purple flowers.  The stem is wrapped and pearl pins added for detail.

 Here are the table centerpieces with out the water.  They were prepared before hand and filled with water on site. 

Several bouquets were made for display on site. 

Submerged Floral centerpieces and more

 I have had the opportunity to do some decorating in a wedding and wanted to share some of the ideas we used. 

 This is a submerged dogwood.  It really looked fantastic and lasted several days. 

The final was a submerged purple orchid.  Rocks covered the base we anchored the flower stem in.  A floating candle lite the piece beautifully.  The wind kept blowing it out, none the less it was beautiful.

Easy Bridal Shower Gift

Theme gifts are easy for showers and wedding gifts.  It makes it easy to have a bright and colorful gift with out the bag.  Here is one I put together for a recent Bridal Shower.

Bright colored wash towels

Measuring cup set

Measuring spoons

Peeler

any small kitchen items

Strainer.

Wrap with a simple ribbon and small handmade card.

Ghee Homemade

I have never heard of Ghee or have never seen it at the store.  I have heard some stores carry it for a hefty price but why would I want to use it.  I have always had a reaction to real butter, so I did not use it.  I have used fake, over processed, "You think its butter" products.  Then I stumbled upon Ghee.
It is just clarified butter but has some great qualities.  If you have sensitivities to dairy and butter, ghee is the way to go.

Start with Butter,  Organic is best if you can.
Set in a metal dish or pan and place in the oven at its lowest temp.
Set until it is fully melted, 1 and a half hours -3 hours to make sure the moisture is evaporated.
Then put in the fridge to harden.  Once it is hardened pull out and wipe off the white curds.  They do not re harden, it will be drippy and easy to wipe.  Some brands float to the top and can be scraped off when it is pulled out of the oven.  The brand I used the whey sinks to the bottom.  I have found it much easier to let it set then wipe off the whey.

 The Whey is at the bottom.  It is a white color, easy to see what needs to be separated.

The great thing about Ghee is it adds great flavor to cooking without burning like butter does.  It also has great restorative abilities.

*My Norwegian ancestors used Ghee with Fermented cod liver oil on the bedsides of deathly ill patients to bring them back to health. 

*It is an easily digested fat that can decrease the risk of cardio vascular disease.( if eaten in moderation)

* It has shown to improve weight loss.

* Helps improve digestion  and aids absorption of vitamins and minerals.

* Has anti viral properties

* Immunity boosting

* a great fat for brain development in children.
* It can last outside the fridge for long periods with out going rancid.  Make sure it is kept away from water for long lasting Ghee.
* Doesn't loose its flavor like butter does over time.


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