Domestic Diva?

So, I keep an ongoing list of "things I wanna try" and canning tomatoes was on my list.



I know what you're thinking..."Why can them when you can buy them in the store?"



Well, like I was telling Dynamo...I have a bucket list and it's not like most people's! It's made up of those things I want to teach myself to do. And, canning tomatoes was one of those things!



So, I ordered myself two books, a canning kit, and 12 Weck canning jars (After much research I decided these are the best - no BPA!) and got to work!



They all sealed perfectly! I did 9 jars of whole tomatoes and 3 jars of crushed tomatoes.



And, while I was at it I made salsa and homemade sauce!



Just call me Martha!

And...when a friend asked me if I wanted some cucumbers to make pickles what do you think I said?



Of course!!!



Why not right? So, I dug out my Ga Ga's sweet pickle recipe and made 4 quarts!

Canning is a lot of work, but stuff really does taste better when you do it yourself at home!!



I'd done pickles before, but never tomatoes! And, we use a lot of tomatoes, so it just makes sense! I wonder what I'll do next? I am just grateful that Dynamo puts up with me completing my "things I wanna try" list!

My best soap yet

I'm so very pleased with how the latest batch of Orange Blossom turned out! I think it's my best color creation yet!



We had fun experimenting with the four colors to make a unique swirl design.



Besides smelly yummy this soap is the prettiest I've made in my opinion.



I can't wait to see what the customers say!



I guess we'll find out when we participate in Friday for the Arts on May 11, at Kimberly Ann's!!



Have a great weekend!

Back to work...

Here and there I've been able to do a couple of cards and other projects. We've been pretty busy playing with Charlie, so I've not been too focused on creative things. We've been having so much fun with our kid...enjoying him while he's little! You know, these are the most important times in a "kid's" life. According to our research, a 50% of a dog's personality is shaped by its owners. Therefore, we are trying very hard to work with him early on, so he will be a good grownup later. We are working hard to be good parents!

But...I did have a few minutes to work on a couple of cards.



I wanted a special thank you card that was unique, so I decided to paint my version of a camellia. No, they aren't normally purple, but my friend likes purple! And...no, it probably doesn't look like the camellias you are used to, but it's my version. The best part about art is that it can be anything you want it to be. I draw what I see to my eyes when I look at something. I do tend to simplify.

The other day I took Charlie upstairs for the first time to the craft room. I let him sniff around and inspect all of the chaos. He was really good and didn't chew anything. This room has lots of stuff in it, on the floors, on shelves, in stacks...so, he needs to learn early on what he can and cannot touch. He did great! He was a little wiggly while I made this card...



But, he was really patient for a 9 week old puppy. So, I was glad I could make my friend a birthday card this past week! Hope you have a great day!

more oatmeal, milk, and honey goodness

A classic. A favorite.



This scent is really popular. The last time I made it I just put the oats on top. This time I added soap curls and soap sticks. I really like the look of the curls.



I put crushed oats in the mix as well. I love the color they give the soap. Plus, gotta have a little exfoliation too.



My goal was to make this look as good as it smells. Yummy!

A "Honey Do List" Project

Even though Dynamo is out for a short while when it comes to serious mountain biking, he's still pretty able to achieve other honey do tasks! Although...he shouldn't overdo it! One of the first items on the list was to PLEASE make me a soap mold. Yes, you heard it...a soap mold. A while back I tried homemade soap making, but wasn't too successful, but recently before the "soap lady" from the farmers' market left to move to Iowa, I asked for a lesson. So, one night in late July I went over to her lovely home with my arms full of olive oil for my lesson. I came home with 5 pounds of soap, supplies, and new plans. Sometimes I get too excited and have too many projects going. But, Dynamo takes it all in stride and supports me in all my efforts.

So, here's the lovely mold handmade by Dynamo.



Did you know these things cost upwards of $50 if you buy them from the suppliers? Mine is better than any bought mold! And, it's special because he made it for me. I treasure ALL the wonderful things he has made. Dynamo can make anything. He can do anything. I'm so lucky to have a hubby that is so talented. And, everything he does is done to perfection! Did I ever tell you about the fantastic book shelf/cabinet he made me for my craft room? Well, I'll have to share that pic soon too!

Oh, back to the mold...He even made it so I can cut the bars right there in the box! I even have a piece that sits on the top to insulate it. He thought of everything! He rocks!



I got some wonderful fresh lavender from our friends at Cardinal Hill Farm (another fabulous vendor at the Petersburg Farmers' Market) and made a deliciously fantastic batch!

This is what it looks like right out of the mold...



You line the box with wax paper to prevent sticking (that's the white stuff in the pic)!

Look at the lovely fresh LOCAL lavender on top!



Then, Dynamo helped me to cut it up! He's an excellent cutter!



I even experimented with coloring the whole bar purple! I think for my next batch I will layer purple and white. Doesn't it look good enough to eat?

I'm grateful for the lesson from Emily! You should check out her hubby's blog (he's a biker too)!