My parents are currently working through a diet which limits the intake of carbohydrates. Bread, pasta, rice, barley, oatmeal, corn, potatoes, sugars, alcohol, and all fruits are now off the menu. This has been somewhat of a challenge for we are a a sturdy, German-American family, and we like our starchy foods. But really, the diet is an attempt to reform the way one approaches food. Protein-rich foods like eggs, meats, poultry, and legumes should be staples of the diet, instead of highly processed flours and sugars. Needless to say, we have been eating a lot of lean meats and fresh vegetables. It's been a challenge to come up with carbohydrate-free meals that are enough to satisfy, but I think I'm getting better and better at it. Here is a sampling of dishes from this past week:
Sauteed Brussels Sprouts
1) Soak 1/4 c sprouts in salted water for 30 minutes. Simmer on stove top until bright green. Drain.
2) Heat olive oil in cast iron pan. Cut sprouts into halves or quarters and add to pan. Cover.
3) Let cook until sprouts are caramelized. They should be tender with a light brown coat.
4) Serve HOT. Cold brussels sprouts are not at all appetizing.
Stuffed Peppers
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and grease a 9x9 casserole dish with olive oil.
2) Slice 2 large green peppers lengthwise, removing core, and washing out seeds. Place hollow side up in dish.
3) Heat olive oil in cast iron pan. Roughly chop 1 medium white onion, 1/4 head of broccoli, and a few raw almonds. Add both to pan. Cover and cook until onions are tender and light brown. Remove from heat.
4) Crumble fresh feta cheese into pan, tossing with onions and almonds. Heap spoonfuls of mixture into peppers, sprinkle with ground black pepper. Bake for approximately 30 minutes, then serve hot.
Curried Summer Squash
1) Slice 2-4 small squash lengthwise. Place slices in casserole dish and drizzle generous amounts of olive oil over them.
2) Sprinkle sea salt and curry powder in copious amounts over squash. Coat slices well, and let marinate in fridge for a few hours.
3) These are best grilled, but can be baked in a 400 degree oven for 30 minutes or so.
White Bean & Parmesan Salad
1) Drain 1 can each white butter beans and garbanzo beans. Rinse well and combine in large bowl.
2) Thinly slice 2 small summer squash or zucchini. Add to beans.
3) Grate 1/2 c fresh parmesan cheese. Add to bean & squash mixture.
4) Drizzle beans, squash, and parmesan with olive oil and juice from 1/2 of a lemon, sprinkle (sparingly) with sea salt and black pepper, and toss until well coated.
In our family there are always hits and misses with veggie dishes, but I think I'm getting to the point of compromise for everybody!
Showing posts with label homemade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label homemade. Show all posts
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Quick Update: Prepping for the GGSE
In 6 months or less, I will be leaving for the Great Graduate School Experiment. In the meantime, I have been whittling away at my abundance of free time. Here are some tidbits about my life since I last posted.
Work
-Traveled to Las Vegas for a trade show with my mom's company. It was a blast seeing the lights and action of Vegas, and I really liked working at the show!
-Finally everything is in line for me to become a substitute teacher in the local school district. I have desperately missed working with children, and I'm excited to be able to serve my community in a new way! My first scheduled teaching position is the last week of October, but perhaps I'll find a few other opportunities along the way.
-The daughter of a family friend swims six days a week, and I've been helping to transport her to and from her swim practices. It's a blessing to help out a friend, and spending so much time driving also allows me to take in the beauty of fall in New England.
-November vacation camp with the recreation department is all ready to go. My co-camp director and I are so excited to be offering a two-day camp exploring the origins of Thanksgiving-- including a trip to Plimoth Plantation in Massachusetts (my future dream job)!
-Still working to get my seamstress business off the ground. Some of my work was on display at the town library between August and October, and my dresses in particular were given a lot of attention. I have made plans to attend a few local craft fairs and markets, and hopefully will be selling some items before Christmas. Look for the Rainy Day Seamstress near you.
-I met and played with some of the children in that I hope to be spending time with come February. The kids are all part of an early childhood program at our local community center, and when my friend Lisa goes on maternity leave in a few months, I will be taking her place for a few weeks.
-Since August, I've been housekeeping for my parents-- cleaning the house top to bottom every week. It's a tough job because as soon as I've vacuumed the dog starts scratching, the cat sheds, the bird molts, and I have to get rid of the dust and grime all over again. But I actually like to clean and organize, so it gives me an opportunity to rid myself of excess compusivity.
-After speaking with the president of the local historical society, I have been given the opportunity to join the board and work with the society on a number of projects. It will be a wonderful chance to work in my field during my year at home.
Play
-In September I had the opportunity to visit some dear friends around the state. I will also be visiting UNH for homecoming this weekend. Hopefully I will be able to see a number of my school friends while I am on the other side of the state.
-I've been working hard to train my little Ollie bird. Since he came to live with us a little over a year ago, Ollie has been a bit wild. Unlike any other bird we've owned, Ollie would eat no "people food", would not perch on a finger, and did not talk or whistle. During the summer I spent hours talking to him, feeding him garden vegetables, and handling him on a regular basis. Within the last month, he has become (almost) a normal bird. He talks endlessly in my voice, scavenges for breakfast cereal and carrots, and will come out of his cage with hardly a squawk. Despite my family telling me that I'll end up a crazy bird lady, I'm very proud of all the work we've accomplished ;-)
-In my really free time, I have been sewing and/or plotting to sew all kinds of projects. It's just about time to think about Christmas, and I'm feeling prepared for the first time in years. Of course, part of that is that I don't have to take any exams or research any theses for the first time in my life, but still, it's nice to feel like I've got a grip on something.
-Although it's been dreary and grey for the past two weeks, I've taken every opportunity to work in the garden. We haven't got much left, but it makes me feel better to know that my beds and compost will be in good shape for the winter. Considering that I won't have much of an opportunity to garden in DC, I'm hoping that all the houseplants I've been repotting will be able to survive the big move. Most of our houseplants live on the porch during the summer, but I'm slowly collecting them in my room again as the cold nights settle in.
-I'm also spending a lot of time in the kitchen copying family recipes into my new recipe book, trying out said recipes, and preserving whatever has come my way. So far I've put up 12 pints mint jelly, 12 pints plum jelly, 26 quarts dill pickles, 3 quarts pickled zucchini, 6 quarts applesauce, and countless dried veggies, fruits, herbs and tea ingredients. I'm still planning on another 6 quarts applesauce tomorrow.
Wow. That's a long "quick" update. I'll stop now and leave the rest for another day.
Work
-Traveled to Las Vegas for a trade show with my mom's company. It was a blast seeing the lights and action of Vegas, and I really liked working at the show!
-Finally everything is in line for me to become a substitute teacher in the local school district. I have desperately missed working with children, and I'm excited to be able to serve my community in a new way! My first scheduled teaching position is the last week of October, but perhaps I'll find a few other opportunities along the way.
-The daughter of a family friend swims six days a week, and I've been helping to transport her to and from her swim practices. It's a blessing to help out a friend, and spending so much time driving also allows me to take in the beauty of fall in New England.
-November vacation camp with the recreation department is all ready to go. My co-camp director and I are so excited to be offering a two-day camp exploring the origins of Thanksgiving-- including a trip to Plimoth Plantation in Massachusetts (my future dream job)!
-Still working to get my seamstress business off the ground. Some of my work was on display at the town library between August and October, and my dresses in particular were given a lot of attention. I have made plans to attend a few local craft fairs and markets, and hopefully will be selling some items before Christmas. Look for the Rainy Day Seamstress near you.
-I met and played with some of the children in that I hope to be spending time with come February. The kids are all part of an early childhood program at our local community center, and when my friend Lisa goes on maternity leave in a few months, I will be taking her place for a few weeks.
-Since August, I've been housekeeping for my parents-- cleaning the house top to bottom every week. It's a tough job because as soon as I've vacuumed the dog starts scratching, the cat sheds, the bird molts, and I have to get rid of the dust and grime all over again. But I actually like to clean and organize, so it gives me an opportunity to rid myself of excess compusivity.
-After speaking with the president of the local historical society, I have been given the opportunity to join the board and work with the society on a number of projects. It will be a wonderful chance to work in my field during my year at home.
Play
-In September I had the opportunity to visit some dear friends around the state. I will also be visiting UNH for homecoming this weekend. Hopefully I will be able to see a number of my school friends while I am on the other side of the state.
-I've been working hard to train my little Ollie bird. Since he came to live with us a little over a year ago, Ollie has been a bit wild. Unlike any other bird we've owned, Ollie would eat no "people food", would not perch on a finger, and did not talk or whistle. During the summer I spent hours talking to him, feeding him garden vegetables, and handling him on a regular basis. Within the last month, he has become (almost) a normal bird. He talks endlessly in my voice, scavenges for breakfast cereal and carrots, and will come out of his cage with hardly a squawk. Despite my family telling me that I'll end up a crazy bird lady, I'm very proud of all the work we've accomplished ;-)
-In my really free time, I have been sewing and/or plotting to sew all kinds of projects. It's just about time to think about Christmas, and I'm feeling prepared for the first time in years. Of course, part of that is that I don't have to take any exams or research any theses for the first time in my life, but still, it's nice to feel like I've got a grip on something.
-Although it's been dreary and grey for the past two weeks, I've taken every opportunity to work in the garden. We haven't got much left, but it makes me feel better to know that my beds and compost will be in good shape for the winter. Considering that I won't have much of an opportunity to garden in DC, I'm hoping that all the houseplants I've been repotting will be able to survive the big move. Most of our houseplants live on the porch during the summer, but I'm slowly collecting them in my room again as the cold nights settle in.
-I'm also spending a lot of time in the kitchen copying family recipes into my new recipe book, trying out said recipes, and preserving whatever has come my way. So far I've put up 12 pints mint jelly, 12 pints plum jelly, 26 quarts dill pickles, 3 quarts pickled zucchini, 6 quarts applesauce, and countless dried veggies, fruits, herbs and tea ingredients. I'm still planning on another 6 quarts applesauce tomorrow.
Wow. That's a long "quick" update. I'll stop now and leave the rest for another day.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Quick Update
Since the end of summer camp, my schedule has been somewhat less regular. It has taken me a few weeks to get into the swing of things. Hopefully I'll return to posting on a regular basis soon, but in the meantime, here are some of the things that I've been up to:
Looking forward to another few weeks of lovely adventures!
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| A good friend from school was encamped with her French and Indian reenacting group a few towns away from me. I joined her for a day of campfires, folk dancing, and 18th century bliss. |
 |
| I have been sewing like mad once again. In addition to my own projects, I have also begun a little service for those in town who need a seamstress. So far, it is going well. |
 |
| Harvest time in the garden! At least 8 lbs of potatoes in this basket. |
 |
| My sister joined me for an evening concert in the park near our house. A few days later, she left for a semester studying in Spain! |
 |
| Pickling time! 12 quarts of Kosher dill pickles in one day. Phew. |
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| Pickles and jelly make for a very productive day. |
 | |
| After months apart, I was reunited with two of my best friends from school. We enjoyed a weekend complete with Ethiopian cuisine, a swing dance outside of Boston, pedicures, and an afternoon at the seacoast. |
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Homemade Facial Treatments
My skin is very sensitive. I am prone to freckles, sunburn, heat rash, acne, and allergic reactions to just about everything that touches my face. Over the years, I have found it difficult to use many commercial products because they contain perfumes and irritants, or make my skin too dry or oily. Despite this, my quest for a beauty and health regimen is ongoing. Recently, I have found a number of mild facial treatments that can be done in the kitchen, and work well for sensitive faces like mine.
1. Yogurt mask
I am always trying to find solutions to acne scars, but many facial peels are extremely harsh and can further irritate skin. Plain yogurt contains a high concentration of lactic acid which helps to rid the skin of dead cells.
About once a week I combine a few tablespoons of yogurt and a teaspoon of plain gelatin, microwave for about 30 seconds, and smooth onto my face. Leave the mask on until dry, then rinse with warm water. Immediately after facial treatments, I moisturize with a few drops of vitamin E oil.
2. Aspirin wash
To treat tough acne I use a 10% benzoil peroxide cream. Unfortunately, the cream often bleaches fabrics, and so I use my peroxide only at night. I use this aspirin wash during the day because it goes on clear, treats spots, and does not bleach!
Boil water and pour a few tablespoons over a crushed, uncoated aspirin. Let dissolve and cool, then apply wash to face with a soft cloth or cotton ball.
3. Steam cleanse
Every few weeks I use this treatment to open my pores and sweat out some of the toxins that my skin absorbs on a daily basis.
Boil water in a small saucepan. Set saucepan on a table, cover your head with a towel, and place head over the steam. Make sure you are a foot or two above the pan, otherwise the steam can cause painful burns. Stay in the steam for about ten minutes, or until you start to sweat. Rinse face with cool water and follow with moisturizer.
1. Yogurt mask
I am always trying to find solutions to acne scars, but many facial peels are extremely harsh and can further irritate skin. Plain yogurt contains a high concentration of lactic acid which helps to rid the skin of dead cells.
About once a week I combine a few tablespoons of yogurt and a teaspoon of plain gelatin, microwave for about 30 seconds, and smooth onto my face. Leave the mask on until dry, then rinse with warm water. Immediately after facial treatments, I moisturize with a few drops of vitamin E oil.
2. Aspirin wash
To treat tough acne I use a 10% benzoil peroxide cream. Unfortunately, the cream often bleaches fabrics, and so I use my peroxide only at night. I use this aspirin wash during the day because it goes on clear, treats spots, and does not bleach!
Boil water and pour a few tablespoons over a crushed, uncoated aspirin. Let dissolve and cool, then apply wash to face with a soft cloth or cotton ball.
3. Steam cleanse
Every few weeks I use this treatment to open my pores and sweat out some of the toxins that my skin absorbs on a daily basis.
Boil water in a small saucepan. Set saucepan on a table, cover your head with a towel, and place head over the steam. Make sure you are a foot or two above the pan, otherwise the steam can cause painful burns. Stay in the steam for about ten minutes, or until you start to sweat. Rinse face with cool water and follow with moisturizer.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Sunday Sentiment: Project Wishlist Update
In January, I posted a list of projects that I wanted to accomplish. Now let's check in to see what I've finished this year so far!
Knitting:
Knitting:
- Mug cozies-- Scandinavian pattern for Lily
- Fingerless mittens for Ethan
- Mittens for Daddie Working on it.
- Cabled headbands
- Baby sweater with locally farmed, dyed, and spun wool
- Socks!
- Fair Isle sweater
- Sweater with Scandinavian pattern
- Tablerunner for Momma
Sewing:
- New potholders-- quilted
- Quilt for Claire Finished!
- T-shirt quilt for myself Working on it.
- New swing dress for Spring semester Finished!
- Undergarments! for swing dancing, etc. Working on it.
- More farmer's market bags for Barb, Emily
- Aprons for myself Finished!
- Altering of old dresses Finished!
- Denim skirt Finished!
- Dog bed for Chessie
Other:
- Rag rug
- Hooked rug from scraps Working on it.
- Tin lanterns
- Cross-stitch finished! Working on it.
- Seal and label seed packets from last year Finished!
- Start seedlings for the Spring & Summer-- egg cartons
- Frame drawings
- Make more candles-- tapers, columns, and votives
- Homemade shampoo Finished!
- New batch of handsoap
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Favorite Home Remedies
This year I've been striving to do away with the added chemicals in commercial soaps, painkillers, and hygiene products in my life. Being a fairly active person, the most difficult part of this transition has been weaning myself off of acetaminophen. About nine months ago, I broke a few ribs and found myself taking painkillers every few hours to ward off back pain and the pain of the actual broken bones. I am also prone to headaches, vertigo, and nausea. Needless to say, this has been quite an experience testing the limits of my pain threshold. In place of the over-the-counter medications that I used to rely so heavily on, I have found comfort in a few excellent home remedies.
For back pain and/or muscle aches:
-Drink a few cups of peppermint tea every day
-Draw a warm bath and add 1/4 cup baking soda & 2 cups freshly steeped peppermint tea (soak for at least 20 minutes, relaxing all muscles)
For nausea, indigestion, or bloating:
-Slice a few pieces of fresh ginger root & steep for 5 minutes to make tea-- drink a cup every few hours as long as symptoms persist
-Peppermint tea helps digestion as well, but it has a much stronger flavor and can sometimes give the sensation of filling you up before it provides relief
-If severe stomach cramps are a problem, I suggest steeping a teaspoon of caraway seeds in hot water & sipping slowly
For dizziness and/or vertigo:
-I drink ginger tea for my vertigo, usually while lying with a cool cloth over my eyes
And of course, one of my favorite home remedies is daily yoga! I find that doing a few stretches each night and meditating for about 20 minutes before bed helps me to focus on my body and its needs.
For back pain and/or muscle aches:
-Drink a few cups of peppermint tea every day
-Draw a warm bath and add 1/4 cup baking soda & 2 cups freshly steeped peppermint tea (soak for at least 20 minutes, relaxing all muscles)
For nausea, indigestion, or bloating:
-Slice a few pieces of fresh ginger root & steep for 5 minutes to make tea-- drink a cup every few hours as long as symptoms persist
-Peppermint tea helps digestion as well, but it has a much stronger flavor and can sometimes give the sensation of filling you up before it provides relief
-If severe stomach cramps are a problem, I suggest steeping a teaspoon of caraway seeds in hot water & sipping slowly
For dizziness and/or vertigo:
-I drink ginger tea for my vertigo, usually while lying with a cool cloth over my eyes
And of course, one of my favorite home remedies is daily yoga! I find that doing a few stretches each night and meditating for about 20 minutes before bed helps me to focus on my body and its needs.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
The Wonderful World of Sodium Bicarbonate
Baking soda is an AMAZING substance. I know I have said this before, but I need to reiterate the true admiration I feel for it. Many do not understand my romance with baking soda, so I've composed a short list of all the things for which I have used it (so far!).
1. BAKING. Self-explanatory.
2. CLEANING
-Drain cleaner. Sprinkle a little down the drain & pour vinegar over it. Wash down with hot water.
-Counter cleaner. Sprinkle a little on a damp sponge or rag & wipe down your kitchen counter.
-Cleansing spray. Mix a little baking soda with a water & vinegar solution. Spray counters, toilets, windows, etc.
-Clean pots and pans. If food clings to pans after baking or cooking, sprinkle a little baking soda over the damp pan. Let sit overnight & scrub clean in the morning!
-Laundry boost. Soak clothes in a tub of hot water with at least 1/4 cup baking soda.
-Powder for the dishwasher. Mix 1/4 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup Kosher salt, 1/4 cup borax. Use 1 TBL per load of dishes.
-Sink and tub cleaner. If you have tough scum or rings around the bathtub or sink, wipe area with a damp washcloth then sprinkle a little baking soda. You may need to repeat a few times to scrub away all the scum, but it is much more effective than store-bought chemical spray.
-Deodorizer. In the car: Sprinkle dry baking soda on the seats & mats, let sit for a few minutes, then vacuum away. In the fridge: keep an open box in the fridge & change every 30 days to keep the fridge fresh. In the basement, barn, shed, or garage: Sprinkle dry baking soda on areas prone to dampness or mildew, let sit for a day or so, and gently sweep away. Blow a fan on the area to dry it out & keep away other odors. In the home: Keep a bowl of baking soda in any room needing deodorizing. Add a drop or two of essential oil & mix well. Change every month or so.
3. PERSONAL CARE
-Foot bath. Add baking soda to a pan of warm water & soak feet to relieve tiredness, dry skin, and discomfort.
-Dental hygiene. Sprinkle a VERY little amount of baking soda over your toothbrush to add a little boost to your normal dental routine. Helps whiten teeth & discourage tartar buildup. It's salty, so follow up with your normal toothpaste.
-Hair rinse. Put a few tablespoons of baking soda in a water bottle & fill it up with warm water. Close the top & shake well. During bath time, pour over head & massage into scalp in place of shampoo. Helps control natural oils without the nasty chemicals or processing of commercial shampoo.
-Soothing bath. Add baking soda to bathwater to soothe an achy body or irritated skin.
-Hand soap. Grate multiple bars of soap into a large enamel pot. Cover soap with cold water & let simmer on low heat until all soap has dissolved. Add a cup of baking soda to the solution & stir on low heat until creamy & thick. Cool slightly, then pour into glass containers. The baking soda boosts cleaning power and works especially well for removing oil, pine sap, and paint from hard working hands. I add a few drops of fragrance to my hand soap, but the plain scent isn't bad either!
-Facial scrub. In place of normal face wash or face soap, sprinkle a little baking soda into a damp hand and massage over face and neck. Don't rub too hard as it may irritate skin. Rinse with cool water & follow with moisturizer.
1. BAKING. Self-explanatory.
2. CLEANING
-Drain cleaner. Sprinkle a little down the drain & pour vinegar over it. Wash down with hot water.
-Counter cleaner. Sprinkle a little on a damp sponge or rag & wipe down your kitchen counter.
-Cleansing spray. Mix a little baking soda with a water & vinegar solution. Spray counters, toilets, windows, etc.
-Clean pots and pans. If food clings to pans after baking or cooking, sprinkle a little baking soda over the damp pan. Let sit overnight & scrub clean in the morning!
-Laundry boost. Soak clothes in a tub of hot water with at least 1/4 cup baking soda.
-Powder for the dishwasher. Mix 1/4 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup Kosher salt, 1/4 cup borax. Use 1 TBL per load of dishes.
-Sink and tub cleaner. If you have tough scum or rings around the bathtub or sink, wipe area with a damp washcloth then sprinkle a little baking soda. You may need to repeat a few times to scrub away all the scum, but it is much more effective than store-bought chemical spray.
-Deodorizer. In the car: Sprinkle dry baking soda on the seats & mats, let sit for a few minutes, then vacuum away. In the fridge: keep an open box in the fridge & change every 30 days to keep the fridge fresh. In the basement, barn, shed, or garage: Sprinkle dry baking soda on areas prone to dampness or mildew, let sit for a day or so, and gently sweep away. Blow a fan on the area to dry it out & keep away other odors. In the home: Keep a bowl of baking soda in any room needing deodorizing. Add a drop or two of essential oil & mix well. Change every month or so.
3. PERSONAL CARE
-Foot bath. Add baking soda to a pan of warm water & soak feet to relieve tiredness, dry skin, and discomfort.
-Dental hygiene. Sprinkle a VERY little amount of baking soda over your toothbrush to add a little boost to your normal dental routine. Helps whiten teeth & discourage tartar buildup. It's salty, so follow up with your normal toothpaste.
-Hair rinse. Put a few tablespoons of baking soda in a water bottle & fill it up with warm water. Close the top & shake well. During bath time, pour over head & massage into scalp in place of shampoo. Helps control natural oils without the nasty chemicals or processing of commercial shampoo.
-Soothing bath. Add baking soda to bathwater to soothe an achy body or irritated skin.
-Hand soap. Grate multiple bars of soap into a large enamel pot. Cover soap with cold water & let simmer on low heat until all soap has dissolved. Add a cup of baking soda to the solution & stir on low heat until creamy & thick. Cool slightly, then pour into glass containers. The baking soda boosts cleaning power and works especially well for removing oil, pine sap, and paint from hard working hands. I add a few drops of fragrance to my hand soap, but the plain scent isn't bad either!
-Facial scrub. In place of normal face wash or face soap, sprinkle a little baking soda into a damp hand and massage over face and neck. Don't rub too hard as it may irritate skin. Rinse with cool water & follow with moisturizer.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Winter Show-And-Tell II
More homemade Christmas gifts:For Daddie, a draft catcher for the front door. Thickly woven cotton filled with rice and cloves keep the front hall insulated and smelling warm and spicy!
For my brother, a polka-dot bow tie. I found this idea on Martha Stewart's website, and thought it would be perfect for a blossoming mathematician and jazz musician.
For my sister, an Infinity scarf to match the hat I made her a few years ago for Christmas. She left for a school trip to Poland a few days after Christmas, so she wasn't able to model it for me, but I think you get the idea.
For Momma, a pillow made from an old sweater of mine. It was my favorite sweater for years, but was too stretched and worn to keep wearing at school-- so I sewed it up and added some silvery buttons. It matches perfectly with the snowflake motif of her quilt!
Alright, so this wasn't really a Christmas gift, but I love it nonetheless. A year ago, my sister found a 1930's or 1940's era apron for me
and I have nearly worn it out with use. I longed to copy the pattern and make a new one so that I could give the other a rest. While I was rooting around in the attic one day, I found a box of fabric from Momma's crafting days (before I was born, of course). Inside there were some large scraps of fabric that were just the right size for an apron pattern. Within 3 1/2 hours I had ironed the material, traced a pattern, and pieced together this beautifully utilitarian new apron! I wish I had a better photo, but you can still see the style of the 1930's in the voluminous waist and sweet ruffles at the bottom.
Winter Show-And-Tell
Here are just a few of the things that made their way into our holidays.For Christmas I gave Daddie a big jar of the rosemary soap that I made over the summer. Somehow the ratio of oils was incorrect in my recipe, so most of the soap became crumbly and dry. To remedy the situation, I took a few cups of the crumbled soap, added baking soda, water, and a bit of fragrance, and boiled it into a liquid handsoap. This is extremely helpful for hardworking hands-- it removes pine pitch, motor oil, paint, and all sorts of other icky things. If unscented, it can also be used for dishes and cleaning the house. But be careful if you plan to add it to mop water-- it works so well on linoleum floors that it makes them extremely slippery!
Next we have the candles that I made for Momma for Christmas. We tend to go through quite a few candles each month, so I collect the leftover wax from tapers and votives until I
have enough to melt down for a new candle. This year, I had nearly two shoeboxes full of old candles, so I had plenty of choices! To make upcycled candles, there are a number of steps.-First I group like colors together and put them in a stainless steel bowl over a pot of simmering water.
-Stir the wax as it melts and remove any old wicks with a wooden dowel.
-Prepare new candle moulds with fresh wick-- braided 100% cotton twine is best and burns cleanest.
-To add some nice scent to my candles, I use the wax wafers produced by
Yankee Candle for "wax potpourri".These melt right along with the old candles and give the wax a more consistent color.
-When all the wax has melted, pour into the prepared moulds.
The candles that I 
made this year were gingerbread, lavender vanilla, and vanilla scented.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Project Wishlist
Recently I've found myself paging through knitting patterns, inspirational sewing sites, and books that I've been collecting thinking, "I could make that!". I've amassed quite a collection of bookmarks in my mind of things that I'm sure I'll get around to someday. But in the meantime, I'll have to content myself with a good old-fashioned to-do list.
Knitting:
Knitting:
- Mug cozies-- Scandinavian pattern for Lily
- Fingerless mittens for Ethan
- Mittens for Daddie
- Cabled headbands
- Baby sweater with locally farmed, dyed, and spun wool
- Socks!
- Fair Isle sweater
- Sweater with Scandinavian pattern
- Tablerunner for Momma
Sewing:
- New potholders-- quilted
- Quilt for Claire
- T-shirt quilt for myself
- New swing dress for Spring semester
- Undergarments! for swing dancing, etc.
- More farmer's market bags for Barb, Emily
- Aprons for myself
- Altering of old dresses
- Denim skirt
- Dog bed for Chessie
Other:
- Rag rug
- Hooked rug from scraps
- Tin lanterns
- Cross-stitch finished!
- Seal and label seed packets from last year
- Start seedlings for the Spring & Summer-- egg cartons
- Frame drawings
- Make more candles-- tapers, columns, and votives
- Homemade shampoo
- New batch of handsoap
I just know that as soon as I post this, I'll have another flood of things that I forgot to mention. But until then, I've got a good list to start from.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Go-Go Girl!
Just had to share my new project-- a polka dot shirt made from a 1960's Simplicity pattern. Of course, once it was finished, I had to model it with my pedal pushers, big earrings, and lipstick!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
The Miracle of Washing Soda
About a month ago I bought an enormous package of washing soda at the store, intending to use it for homemade laundry soap. Since it's been in the house, however, I've used the washing soda for all sorts of little chores. How did I ever get by without it?
So far I've used it as a deodorizer in the dog area outside, scrubbed the 100-year old bathtub with it (and gotten rid of the bathtub ring that's been there for almost as long), sprinkled it over the stovetop to loosen all the caramelized gunk from preserves, made a test batch of laundry soap, and most successfully, used it for dishwasher powder.
For ages my family has been on the lookout for an eco-friendly alternative to dishwashing detergent, and I believe that after many failed (and highly expensive) ventures, my homemade powder is just what we needed. It's a very simple recipe, and there are only a
few ingredients:
Mix 1 cup Washing Soda, 1 cup Borax, 1/2 cup kosher salt, and 1/2 cup citric acid (optional-- for hard water areas) in a medium bowl. Once thoroughly mixed, transfer to an airtight container--Tupperware or a large Ball jar will do-- and use 1 tablespoon of powder per load. Use a tablespoon of vinegar as a rinse aid if needed. If you run your dishwasher once a day, one batch should last about a month. (I like to sprinkle a bit on my sponge or dishcloth for stubborn pots and pans, or to clean the sink, so my powder goes more quickly than I would like!)
So far I've used it as a deodorizer in the dog area outside, scrubbed the 100-year old bathtub with it (and gotten rid of the bathtub ring that's been there for almost as long), sprinkled it over the stovetop to loosen all the caramelized gunk from preserves, made a test batch of laundry soap, and most successfully, used it for dishwasher powder.
For ages my family has been on the lookout for an eco-friendly alternative to dishwashing detergent, and I believe that after many failed (and highly expensive) ventures, my homemade powder is just what we needed. It's a very simple recipe, and there are only a
few ingredients:
Mix 1 cup Washing Soda, 1 cup Borax, 1/2 cup kosher salt, and 1/2 cup citric acid (optional-- for hard water areas) in a medium bowl. Once thoroughly mixed, transfer to an airtight container--Tupperware or a large Ball jar will do-- and use 1 tablespoon of powder per load. Use a tablespoon of vinegar as a rinse aid if needed. If you run your dishwasher once a day, one batch should last about a month. (I like to sprinkle a bit on my sponge or dishcloth for stubborn pots and pans, or to clean the sink, so my powder goes more quickly than I would like!)
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Handmade Treasures
During the past few years, I have begun a few sewing projects, but never found the motivation to finish them. This year I was quite successful, partly because as of this past Christmas I have vowed no longer to buy gifts for people. All the work that I put into the handmade gifts for my family and friends is so much more meaningful than the money that I spend on them. These are a 
few of the things that I made for my family over my winter break. The mittens were one of my mom's Christmas gifts. They are the first mittens I've ever made! I received a candlemaking kit for Christmas, so I've been doing all sorts of candlemaking experiments. The green candle is bayberry scented, and the burgundy candle is 
unscented.My dad is modeling his new apron and potholder. The fabric is a bold lobster print that I found in a Maine general store over the summer.
My sister is modeling the heating pillow that I made for her and for my mom out of scraps of fleece and old flannel pajamas. The pillows are filled with rice and lavender or rose petals that I saved from my garden. They can be heated in the microwave for one minute, then used as a neck pillow, or a wrap for sore joints.
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