My New Gallery of Handcrafted Soaps

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Tools of the Trade

Last week my daughter Angela built a gallery of my handcrafted soaps and helped
spruce up my online store.  If you saw all the html behind the gallery, you'd know how much I appreciate all the work she went to to create it for me. :-)

You can check out the new gallery and other changes at Homemade Soap'n'Such.

'Sweet Baby! Calendula'

All natural with calendula-infused olive oil

A Gentle Soap for Baby

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Garden Fashion, Carpet Mulch, & the Grandsons

I have three 'good' pairs of jeans and I refuse to wear them to the garden. When I looked in my husband's closet, however, I saw stacks (yes, plural!) of old jeans that he's worn on construction jobs, which invariably results in giving them grease, grime, and permanent stains.

With a little help from a Sharpie, I think I've pretty much ensured that he won't be wanting to wear these particular jeans to work again. What do you think? :-)

If I were younger, it could be a little depressing that I can wear my husband's jeans.  As it is, I'm just glad I could find a pair of jeans and successfully liberate them from his closet. Although they're full of mastic stains, the plants won't care. And what I care about is that they don't have holes in the knees. They're perfect!

These crazy things are parsnips. They're volunteers from parsnips that went to seed last fall. I'll have to see if they actually amount to anything under the ground. We love parsnips, so it would be nice if they did.

I can't wait to be picking berries and making strawberry shortcake! I think I'll cover the rows with a netting, for this year I have no desire to share them with the robins.

My carpeted garden. Not everything is in yet, so not all the carpet is laid down between the rows. All the green stuff to the right is another thick row of parsnips. By the way, have you tried using carpet scraps between rows? I really like it, for when I have to kneel down to weed between plants, the carpet is soft on the knees. And it dries quickly after a rain. It makes a very effective 'mulch.'

2010, mid July

in the carpet garden

Summer is short, and we have to make the most of it. Around here, gardening has begun in earnest.

***

Over Memorial Day weekend, our oldest son and the little grandsons were here with us. It is always fun to spend time with them. I have so many Soren-isms (from our 4 year old grandson) I'd like to share with you, but here are just a few, when he went for a walk with Kevin and me.

Upon seeing a butterfly on the driveway:

A buddo-fwy! It is full of buddo and it fwies. I wonder if there's a peanut-buddo-fwy.

***

After we showed him an 'Indian Paintbrush' plant growing in the ditch, we told him we should take it back to the house and see if his daddy knew (remembered) what it was:


My daddy was in the owmie (Army).
But I don't know if he was in the Indian owmie.

***

That kid just keeps me smiling. And I won't even relate the discussion between the boys while we were having lunch at the picnic table.  It was hilarious. I'm sure that if I were a really good grandma, I wouldn't laugh at the 'mean' things they say to each other, but sometimes they just crack me up! And they're very creative, even when they're insulting one another. :-)

***

The following two photos are the four year old and the eight year old, with the photos they specifically wanted posted on my blog:

 This is the 2 year old, who has already learned amazing survival skills.

Remember, he's got two older brothers!

Glenn, fishing in the garden pond while

Grandpa keeps a watchful eye.

***

'Cranberry Tea'

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Butterscotch Chocolate Krispie Bars Recipe - Gluten Free

I would like to warn you first: These bars have enough sugar to induce a coma.

But, they're really, really good!!

So just in case you want to make a treat that almost everyone will love, I'm posting this super-simple recipe.  In fact, I cringe when I see someone actually purchase Krispie bars at the convenience store. ICK.  Do they not know how simple it is to make these?? Besides, those look dry and disgusting. These are moist and gooey and delicious. So if you're going to eat something with no redeeming nutritional value whatsoever, at least please don't buy it. Make it yourself. In fact, with a little supervision, your kids could make them.

Butterscotch Chocolate Krispie Bar Recipe - Gluten Free

1 c. Light corn syrup
1 c. Sugar
1 c. Peanut butter (I used extra-chunky for these)
6 oz. Semi-sweet chocolate chips
6 oz. Butterscotch chips
6 c. Krispies, any type of Rice Krispies gluten free cereal

Pour the Krispies into a large stainless steel bowl. Set aside.

Melt chocolate chips and butterscotch chips either in a double boiler or in the microwave. Be careful if you use the microwave. Chips have been known to start smoking when not closely attended. How do I know this? Hmmmm.

In a heavy saucepan, mix corn syrup and sugar. Bring to a slow boil. Remove from heat and stir in the peanut butter until it's well mixed in.

Pour the corn syrup, sugar, and peanut butter mixture over the Krispies and stir until it's mixed throughout.

Press Krispie mixture into a greased (It's not enough that we're killing you with sugar, so let's make sure there's enough fat in here too!) 9 x 13 cakepan.

Spread melted chocolate chip and butterscotch mixture over the top of the Krispies in the pan.

Set in the refrigerator to set the chocolate. In a couple hours it should be set, then you can cut them and serve.

And no, I still don't have that new camera.

Take pity on me.

***

'Nana's Garden'

See my NEW GALLERY OF SOAPS at

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 You'll find me at These Linky Parties:
Mop it Up Monday and French Obsession and  Skip to My Lou and Bedazzle Me Monday and  What's in the Gunny Sack and  Making the World Cuter Mondays and Make the Scene Monday and  Made By You Monday and  Something I Whipped Up Monday and  Motivate Me Monday and  Making Monday Marvelous and Cozy Home Scenes and  Get Your Craft On and Tip Me Tuesday and Maiden d'Shade and  Inspiration Board and  Your Home Cozy and You're Gonna Love it Tuesday and  Made from Scratch Tuesday and  Take a Look Tuesday and  Tasty Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and  Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays  and Two Maids a Baking and What's Cookin' Wednesday and Exodus 35 and DJs Sugar Shack and  Cast Party Wednesday and The Shady Porch and   We Did it Wednesday  and It's a Party at Creative Princess and Link it Up Thursday and Crafty Friday (Thursday) and Petals to Picots and  Threading Your Way and Lisa's Gluten-Free Blog and Favorite Things Friday and I'm Lovin' it Friday and It's a Hodgepodge Friday  and Creative Bloggers and  Serenity Saturday and Overflowing With Creativity and  Home and Family Friday
 

The Cuddly Little Boy

The Cuddly Boy and His Mama

Got this as a cellphone message yesterday morning.

It helps, when they're a 9-hour drive from us, to get frequent photos.

But I sure miss them.

Can't wait to see them this summer.

♥♥♥

Sweet Baby! Calendula

All-natural, gentle soap for baby

...and more! Check out all my handcrafted soaps at

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Anglophile Friday - Much Wenlock, Rievaulx Abbey

 The Priory at Much Wenlock
Actually, I think this building was the infirmary

I imagine a Cluniac monk (not named after George Clooney, btw, but after Cluny, France, where they originated) quietly walking about the grounds, wondering where he laid down his best pen, all the while secretly suspecting pompous Brother Cedric of making off with it.

I try not to think of Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

From http://www.MonasticWales.org:

'Cluniac monasticism originated in the year 910 with the foundation of the abbey of Cluny in Burgundy. The lives of the monks there were governed by a set of rules or customs based on the Rule of St Benedict but modified by the incorporation of additional statutes. These permitted a closer prescription of the daily routine of monastic observance as well as increasing the quantity and elaboration of its liturgical content. Cluniac monks did not participate in conventional manual labour that had previously formed a component of monastic life, as dictated by the Rule of St Benedict. Indeed, they even thought it inappropriate that monks should dirty their hands in this way. Peter the Venerable (d. 1156), who was abbot of Cluny, remarked that it was unbecoming for monks, 'the fine linen of the sanctuary', to be begrimed in dirt and bent over labouring. In Cluniac houses other elements of their monastic observance - such as the copying of manuscripts - were considered to fulfil the work requirement of the Benedictine Rule.'

And who dared accuse Peter of simply being LAZY ?  Peter obviously didn't get it about the sacred and the secular! (see yesterday's post) 

 Rievaulx Abbey on the Yorkshire Moors
One of my very favorite photos

Further to the northeast, on the Yorkshire Moors, the Cistercian monks were busy getting their hands dirty! Kinda like the difference between Brother Cadfael and Brother Jerome, for you 'Cadfael' fans.

From Wikipedia:

'The abbey lies in a wooded dale by the River Rye, sheltered by hills. To have enough flat land to build on, a small part of the river was diverted several metres west of its former channel. The monks altered the course of the river three times during the 12th century. The old course of the river is visible in the abbey's grounds. This is one illustration of the technical ingenuity of the monks, who over time built up a very profitable business mining lead and iron, rearing sheep and selling wool to buyers from all over Europe.' 

We just couldn't get enough of this place. Most of our SD card was used up with photos of abbeys and priories.* They're everywhere, pleasantly dotting the landscape of North Yorkshire.

*and sheep, of course, but that's for another time.


Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, everyone! See you next week.

Lavender Fields

All natural with Essential Oils and Botanicals

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Is Peeling Potatoes Spiritual?

Photo Catholiclane.com

I remember when I was young (some time ago) that I thought serving God surely meant being a missionary in deepest, darkest Africa (or South America) or being a pastor or chalk artist evangelist. Not that I'm an artist, but I remember how impressed I was with the chalk artist evangelist at our summer Bible camp. I think everyone walked down the aisle that night because we were so moved by the amazing pictures he drew. And then he turned a special light on them which made certain things in the scene really pop out. It was incredible, and I'll never forget it.

Then I got older. I realized that although being a missionary in a foreign land had a certain exotic mystique to it, the real test came in trying to live my life daily as a Christ follower - the nuts and bolts of everyday living.

I spent a year in Bolivia when I was 19-20. I worked with Wycliffe Bible Translators. I saw firsthand that being a missionary didn't mean people were any better or kinder or more pleasant in their daily lives. There was still bickering, gossip, arrogance, etc. Why? Because missionaries are HUMAN too.

Our friends' Bible study has been reading a book, Being Human, by Ranald Macaulay. (He's the son-in-law of Francis Schaeffer, for those of you who might not be aware of that). I'm quoting a kinda long passage here, but it's one that I think is pretty important to the Christ follower, reminding us that spirituality doesn't just involve pastorhood or missionary(hood?) or what, in evangelical Christian circles is often called 'full-time Christian ministry.'  We are ALL called to full-time Christian ministry, whether our job is in construction work or rearing children or teaching school or gardening or working as a checkout at the local grocery store.

From the book, Being Human, by Ranald Macaulay:

"Spirituality involves the whole of human life; nothing is nonspiritual. But where Platonism has affected Christian teaching, there has been a separation of the sacred and secular. Thus, prayer, worship, evangelism, and 'the ministry' are thought to be sacred. All other activities are secular. The sacred is said to be more spiritual...

"This mentality subtly affects Christian thinking in numerous ways. For example, someone might say, 'If only I could be involved in something really spiritual like witnessing rather than peeling these potatoes.' The New Testament stands absolutely against this division of life into more and less spiritual sections. Consider Ephesians 5:18 We are commanded to be filled with the Spirit continuously. How is this to be expressed? In singing psalms and hymns and thinking of others' needs as we submit to one another in the ordinary everyday relationships of husband and wife,  parent and child, employer and employee. This is what it means to be filled with the Spirit.

"Paul says elsewhere that we are to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:17). All we do is to be done under the lordship of Christ - even washing floors. Everything we do as human beings is spiritually important. There is no sacred and secular.

"This does not mean merely that we see practical value in 'secular' tasks like peeling potatoes and washing the floor. It means far more: God himself delights in them because he has created the realm of the physical. Therefore, we are to value every part of our lives just as he does. In fact, spirituality is to be expressed primarily in the ordinary everyday affairs and relationships of our lives."

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. - Colossians 3:17

So as you go about your work today, whether it's gardening or teaching or nursing or spending time with a friend, or playing softball -  remember that we're living in Christ's Kingdom. He is Lord of all. And ALL we do is to be done to his glory. 'There is no sacred and secular.'


This post is linked to http://intentional.me

What's in the Backyard

Dandelions and Lath

When you've lived at the same place for over 20 years, it's easy to accumulate a little too much stuff. The lath, at least, is useful. We use it for kindling. We have to take the nails out first, and then break it over the knee into lengths that will fit into our stove. You really don't want to have missed a nail when  you're going to do that. And it's always nice when it breaks on the first attempt.

More useful stuff...

well, maybe

These rusty old wheels really appealed to me, photographically, that is. I asked Kevin what they are and he said they fit inside a wheel and have something to do with the brakes on a semi trailer. My mind sorta zoned out after the first paragraph. I mean, I just need a general idea, not specs on semi trailer brake drums and whatnot. 

I'm not sure why they're lying next to the wood pile and just to the left of the dumpster, but I'm sure there's a good reason. If I were clever, I could think of a way to use them in landscaping - a sort of country accent amongst the flowers. But around here, they would look like just another piece of junk that someone set down on their way somewhere and didn't get around to picking up.

(Hmm. I think I just solved the question as to why they are where they are.)

By the way, they were lying there just like that, posing nicely for a photo.

So, what's lying around your yard today?  And if these wheels are no longer needed for the semi trailer, got any good ideas of what to do with them? They're too heavy for weight lifting - at least for me. But I know how you fellow Bloggers can turn junk into treasures, so I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on this!

Clover Blossom

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Raspberry Coconut Rhubarb Bars with Gluten-Free Version

Raspberry Coconut Rhubarb Bars

Just out of the oven!

The first thing that comes up in my garden in the spring is asparagus. The next is the rhubarb. I love those first pickings and those fresh springtime tastes!

I posted this recipe in the spring of 2010 I think. But just in case you missed it, here it is again. Everyone needs a good rhubarb recipe in their file, and this is my favorite! 

I'm giving you two of these recipes for the price of one: the regular version and the gluten-free version. Trust me, neither version lasts long around here!

Raspberry Coconut Rhubarb Bars Recipe:

4 c. chopt rhubarb
1/3 c. sugar  (The original recipe called for 1 c. of sugar, but I think that's way too sweet)
2 c. flour
½ t. soda
¾ c. butter
1 ½ c. coconut
1 t. vanilla
1 c. chopt walnuts
6 oz. regular Raspberry Jell-O.


Combine rhubarb and Jello, mixing to coat rhubarb thoroughly with Jello. Put in greased 9 x 13 pan. I like to use a glass baking dish for this recipe.

 
Mix sugar, flour, soda. Cut in butter. Stir in coconut, vanilla, and nuts. 

Spread over top of rhubarb. Bake at 350 degrees F.  for 30-45 minutes or until rhubarb is bubbling and top is lightly browned. 


Like this:

Warning: These are addictive (no matter which version you make).

Gluten-free Raspberry Rhubarb Bars Recipe:

4 c. chopt rhubarb
1/3 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. brown rice flour (or white rice flour)
1/2 c. tapioca flour
1/2 t. xanthan gum
1/2 t. baking soda
3/4 c. butter
1 1/2 c. coconut
1 t. vanilla
1 c. chopt walnuts (I'll have to admit that, in my opinion, walnuts make everything taste better! But these have really gone up in price in the past year. YIKES! So maybe this time mine will be walnut free.)

2 - 3 oz. pkgs. sugar-free Raspberry Jell-O or 6 oz. regular Raspberry Jell-O (contains sugar)


Combine rhubarb and Jello, to coat rhubarb thoroughly with Jello. Put in greased 9 x 13 pan. I like to use a glass baking dish for this recipe.

Mix sugar, flour, soda. Cut in butter. Stir in coconut, vanilla, and nuts. Spread over top of rhubarb. Bake at 350  for 30-45 minutes or until rhubarb is bubbling and top is lightly browned. 


If you have another rhubarb dessert recipe that you LOVE, feel free to leave it as a comment! :-)  Thanks.


P.S. And guess what!  Someone, who will remain nameless for this post, didn't even realize that the recipe I made was the gluten-free version. :-) He just gobbled it down and said it was good!  Oh, and when I make gluten-free chocolate chip cookies, he's doesn't know that either. (Let's keep it our secret.)

Andalusia

100% Pure Olive Oil Soap

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You'll find me at These Linky Parties:
Mop it Up Monday and French Obsession and  Skip to My Lou and Bedazzle Me Monday and  What's in the Gunny Sack and  Making the World Cuter Mondays and Make the Scene Monday and  Made By You Monday and  Something I Whipped Up Monday and  Motivate Me Monday and  Making Monday Marvelous and Cozy Home Scenes and  Get Your Craft On and Tip Me Tuesday and Inspiration Board and  Your Home Cozy and You're Gonna Love it Tuesday and  Made from Scratch Tuesday and  Take a Look Tuesday and  Tasty Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday and  Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays  and Two Maids a Baking and What's Cookin' Wednesday and Exodus 35 and Cast Party Wednesday and The Shady Porch and   We Did it Wednesday  and It's a Party at Creative Princess and Link it Up Thursday and Crafty Friday (Thursday) and Threading Your Way and Lisa's Gluten-Free Blog and Favorite Things Friday and I'm Lovin' it Friday and It's a Hodgepodge Friday  and Creative Bloggers and  Serenity Saturday and Overflowing With Creativity and  Home and Family Friday
 

Lionel, Back From the Cat Wars

Lionel, exhausted after the Cat Wars

but still looking handsome

I think the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer are here! It's supposed to be 90 degrees by this afternoon. How crazy is that for NW Wisconsin in May!

I hope 'I'll Have Another' wins the Preakness.

Hope you all have a great weekend!!

 ***

Reference to the 'cat wars' from Sophocles the Hyena, an old children's book we loved. :-)

P.S. The closest Lionel gets to Cat Wars is when he and Tuppence chase each other around the house. :-) They're both so big that it sounds like thunder!

 photo from Amazon.com

Update:  5:50 PM CDT:

I'll Have Another Won the Preakness!! Yea Mario Gutierrez and Yea I'll Have Another!! :-)

Amazing Horse

Amazing Jockey!!

Photo Buzzbox.com

 All-Natural, Calendula-infused Olive Oil Soap
Gentle Baby Soap
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Anglophile Friday - Budget Accommodations, Yorkshire Dales

Moles on a Gate.

Maybe the sheep put them there!

I think I took this photo just west of  West Burton
It has two of my favorite elements: Blackface Sheep and Drystone Walls

And now, on to Budget Accommodations in the Yorkshire Dales, (cuz I know you're all going to travel to the UK this summer/fall!)

West Burton Studio Apartment

in the Yorkshire Dales

If I ever get back to the Yorkshire Dales, this is one place I'd like to stay. Between Leyburn and Hawes, I think it's a perfect location. I subscribed to emails from Country Hideaways because I love to torture myself check out places in Yorkshire for possible future stays. This one has always appealed to me. First, because it's at the low end of the rental scale. Second, because of the location, and third, because I can take a dog along. (Maybe I could rent a dog while there?) ;-)

From their website:

Studio Apartment, West Burton:

West Burton is recognised as one of the loveliest villages in the Yorkshire Dales and is unique with its large green, market cross, stocks and no through traffic. The old watermill occupies a superb location by Walden Beck, with nearby waterfalls, pools and a pack horse bridge. 

The waterfall pools provide swimming on the doorstep and fishing is permitted in season to resident holidaymakers. 

Numerous footpaths cross the nearby dales and hills providing spectacular views and clean bracing air.

The Studio is a compact, tasteful, well equipped apartment.

The entrance is down a flight of quarry tiled steps through a galley kitchen, with fitted pine cupboards, leading into a lounge (approximately 18'x10') with dining and sleeping area with double bed .

There is a separate shower room with washbasin and toilet.

Lovely views over the water from both lounge and kitchen.

The Studio Apartment adjoins the Garden Level Apartment and the two can be rented together.

Duvets and pillows are provided. Linen and towels can be supplied at an extra cost of £6.50 per person.  (I think the last I checked, the exchange rate was $1.59 per GBP, so it's coming down. Which does not mean the dollar is strong, but just how weak the pound is becoming. Sad news for all.)

Oil-fired central heating and electricity included. Electric blanket.

Colour television, Free Sat, video, DVD, Baby Belling oven, microwave oven, radio/cassette/CD, shaver point, hairdryer, cot and high chair.

Off road parking, shop and pub 300 yards . Bus route nearby.

One well behaved small dog welcome.  (That would definitely eliminate Bridger from the list of possibilities)

Strictly non smoking.

*** 

I realize that these are not luxury accommodations, but who goes to England just to spend their time indoors??

7 nights in September for £242 means  55 USD per night per room (not per individual). That's at the current 1.59 USD/GBP rate. Who knows what it will be by September. And no, I don't have current plans to go to Yorkshire in September, but if I could...

This is why renting a holiday cottage is SUCH a better deal than hotels or even B&Bs, and as long as there are interesting places to visit within a short radius, it's the perfect solution. The Yorkshire Dales is full of interesting places and gorgeous scenery!

And if any of you ever stay here, I hope Country Hideaways sends me a commissions check! lol

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