tiny spindle

Its been a little over a year since I started this blog and I am getting close to calling it quits.   It has served its function for me - I am now in the habit of working on my projects on a daily basis.  Lately I've been working more on larger, more time consuming projects that don't really lend themselves to daily posting.
A brief overview of my current projects:
A raglan sweater, basic socks, fabric project bags and pet beds (to be donated to the local animal shelter).  And on the spinning front, I recently purchased a Jenkins kuchula - the cutest little spindle ever :)

hot chocolate mix

A few years ago my Dad talked me into converting to a Keurig coffee machine.  My husband doesn't like coffee but he does love hot chocolate so I've been buying him those hot chocolate k-cups.  The cups are a) expensive b) tend to clog the machine if someone isn't careful to run hot water afterwards c) wastes hot water and d) make mediocre hot chocolate.  I'm not sure why but today it finally occurred to me that using a hot chocolate mix and using the machine for hot water to make the hot chocolate would be a better way to go.  Even better (ie - cheaper) would be to make the mix myself with ingredients that  I already had on hand.  Yep, definitely better - husband is happy with his new hot chocolate and I'm happy that it is cheaper & better tasting.

Hot Chocolate Mix
2 cups powdered milk
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup powdered coffee creamer
1/2 cup baking cocoa

Mix all ingredients well.  To make, add 1/4 cup of mix into bottom of mug and pour 1 large cup of water over.  Stir well.

Halloween wreath

I decided to Halloweenisize (yes, I am sure that is a real word) my door wreath .  

To make this I just wrapped wool roving over top of the ribbon that was already on the wreath and pinned some rubber spiders on.  Super easy and, I think, super cute.

frozen yogurt

A few months ago I bought a Hamilton Beach soft serve ice cream maker at a Goodwill.  Tonight I decided to give it a try.  I didn't have any cream or half & half but I did have some yogurt so that is what I went with. I also had some coffee creamer that needed using up so I added some of that as well.  Have to say it was right tasty - my husband even went looking for seconds and doesn't even like yogurt.

My frozen yogurt "recipe"

3/4 cup plain whole milk yogurt
1/4 cup baileys coffee creamer - Toffee almond cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons agave syrup

Mix all ingredients well and add 1/2 to pre-frozen ice cream maker bowl.  Securely place lid on bowl and turn on for about 10 minutes.  Repeat with other half of mixture.

soy milk

Tonight I made some organic soy milk.  It was actually very easy.  I just dumped soaked soybeans & fresh water into my nifty new soy milk maker and turned it on..... 20 minutes later - fresh soy milk.

homemade yogurt

 Today I made some homemade yogurt.  The method I used to make my yogurt is fairly simple.

Directions
 Heat 1 quart of milk to 110 degrees F (do not let milk boil - if it is too hot it will kill the live cultures) and then whisk in 6 oz of plain live culture yogurt.  Divide milk mixture evenly among clean jars.  Place jars into a yogurt maker (mine is a Yolife maker), without lids on.  Cover and turn on machine.  The yogurt will be ready in about 10 to 12 hours.  Place lids on jars and refrigerate for up to 1 week.  Flavor with fruit and sweeteners as desired.  Save 1 jar to culture the next batch of yogurt.

Creativity Research

Today I read an interesting and insightful little book on creativity:   "Steal Like An Artist: 10 things nobody told you about being creative" by Austin Kleon.  The copy I read was from the library, I liked it enough that I am thinking about buying myself a copy even though I am currently on a very restricted book buying diet.

just create experience

I have way too much stuff and could stand to start including some more non tangible ways of creating.  Such as creating an experience, which is what I chose as my daily "project" today.  My husband & I started the day off at The Michigan Fiber Festival which we had never been to.  The weather was perfect , the animals adorable and I only left with a smallish bag of new treasures (some roving and a purdy new spindle).  On the way home we played a nice (even though I lost) round of putt-putt at a kitschy old-school putt-putt course, stopped at a local winery for some fruity wine and got some excellent ice cream at Mooville.  A good day of experiences :)

Bluefaced Leicester sheep eating  at The Michigan Fiber Festival

and then being herded

container garden

My yard has been screaming for some attention for awhile now, today I finally listened.  The worst spot was right along the side of the house.  I should have taken a before picture, but I didn't.  How it looks now is much, much better - really.  I removed all the dead plants (only the lavender survived the extremely hot weather we had in July) and, since it seems to like the spot, I planted some more lavender plants.  I also bought 1 yarrow (Achillea millefolium) to try out in the location.
After adding some mulch I got out some planters to make a container garden in the remaining space.  Being so late in the season I was only able to find tomato & pepper plants.  I also planted some vegetable seeds even though I know it is really late in the season to be trying to grow most vegetables from seed.  The seeds I decided to try are basil, yellow summer squash, bush beans and kohlrabi.

lip balm

As part of an effort to reduce some of the chemicals in my life I've been meaning to try & make some lip balm for awhile.  Finally made some today.  If I had realized just how simple this is I would've made some along time ago.  This is the recipe I used (from  http://www.beautylish.com/a/vpyxs/diy-beauty-make-your-own-lip-balm).

HOW TO Make Your Own Lip Balm

Choose a container or tin for your lip balm. You can use an empty Altoids tin or anything that will hold the balm. Just be sure to wash it in hot soapy water and let it dry completely.

Prepare your ingredients. The general rule is two parts oil to one part beeswax. You can use any oil that you like. Try adding almond oil for added moisture or peppermint oil for a fresh scent.

Melt the beeswax in a double boiler, ensuring that the top bowl does not touch the water. Once the wax melted, remove from the heat.  Immediately pour the hot mixture into the desired tin.  Let it cool overnight before using it on your lips.

For my lip balm I used 1 tablespoon  beeswax pellets, 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon safflower oil