shellebellecreates

Snow day 2

all tired out
Originally uploaded by shellebellecreates

I can't believe how much snow we have, it looks amazing and strange with the leaves still clinging to the branches. Jay measured as much as 27 inch drifts in the backyard.
We went sledding for more than two hours. Everyone was frozen and running on empty, thank goodness for halloween candy in the pocket it made the trip home a little bit easier. The wind has kicked in so it won't be as much fun later on the hill but we will go.
I am eternally grateful for my wonderful neighbor. Last year I thought she was crazy for buying a snow plow, the snow generally melts within days of falling, but she has thoughtfully kept my sidewalk and driveway clear. I need to knit her something wonderful.

snow day

This morning my phone rang at 5:30 a.m., my prayers had been answered, we have our first official snow day. I am so grateful for this snow day. I love having the kids home, especially when we all enjoy playing outside. Now if only I had believed the weatherman and brought in some extra firewood...

Lip balm recipe: batch 1

I used a simple recipe based on the one found here. I had to make it in larger batches so it looked more like this:

• 4 oz beeswax
• 4 oz coco butter
• 8 oz sweet almond oil

75 drops peppermint oil- I will measure this out next time so I don't have to keep count

I have added lanolin, honey and other butters and they work great but for my production line I wanted to keep it simple. I like to experiment and never take notes which is problematic when you want to reproduce it.

I bought everything except beeswax at Mountain Rose Herbs, they have great prices, excellent service and its an all around great company. 

Inspiration

Originally uploaded by shellebellecreates

"Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live."
-- Dorothy Thompson

strange weather

strange weather
Originally uploaded by shellebellecreates

This fall we had an early cold spell which left all the leaves dead before they had a chance to change color. It happened one weekend everything was green and then dead. Our ash tree dropped all its leaves that same weekend. Luckily some of the aspen's changed to their pretty yellow and still glow in the afternoon light.
In my garden the kale refuses to give up, I am still harvesting at least one bunch a week. Part of me wants it to go away because hauling water to it is not as fun in the cold, the other part of me is addicted to playing in the dirt. I actually put in some cool weather seeds. I just cover them when it is less than thirty degrees and voila greens all winter!

Rush Order

I am officially making 100 tins of lip balm for the man. I have seven days to get the job done and I can't start until the supplies arrive, hopefully by Friday. Holy Cow! This is exciting news. The most I have made at once prior- 8. I spent part of my morning increasing the recipe and ordering supplies.  Wow! I need to go and start grating beeswax...

check this out

Photo taken 2.2007!

• I found this site incredibly awesome, for my birthday I got the herbal learning kit. I have learned many useful things to do with herbs in a clear simple way. I have always wanted to use herbs but was so afraid to get it wrong but was frustrated with the high price of tinctures and salves at the health food store. I feel so empowered, I have made elderberry syrup, three different tinctures and salves and I want to learn more.
• Another great thing is kidandherbs, for an incredibly low price I have access to 7 hours of great information about using herbs with kids. Not only that but a free board game to help teach the kids about safe herbs and their uses. Love it! This is only good until 10.21.2009 so go now.
• I go here for inspiration. Kindness is all that matters, I have been inspired to leave bits of inspiration in all the books I return to the library.
•  Manthing can be seen here. I cannot believe he made prime time last weekend in several big markets. I think the article brings many things to light that many people don't think about. I highly recommend everyone take the time and watch it.  
• I might have an order to make 100! lip balms, admittedly it is for the manthing's business but still it is cool since they could order them elsewhere. This is a big deal for many reasons and I am honored that I am being considered.
• My car battery died this weekend while I was out, a very nice gentleman used something like this to save my day. It was super brilliant. 

Second sock

I loved everything about making sock one. Sock number two is still a joy to knit but lacks the excitment of it's partner. My feet are begging for the completion of these to keep them warm in the cool weather. The socks were inspired by the peace fleece socks in Knitting for Peace, a book that I highly recommend. The stories are inspirational and the patterns lovely.

Happy Birthday Morgan!

What a wonderful day! Morgan and I started our day by getting our haircut. She knew exactly what she wanted and clearly communicated it to her stylist, including curls and lip gloss. I knew I wanted enough cut off to donate but the rest I left up to my stylist. I think she did a great job. I better take a picture before the curls come back.
We ended the day with a small birthday gathering with good friends, great food and a little cake. It was awesome.

Good night my amazing 5 year old

Tonight I tucked in my five year old for the last time. I can't believe how quickly she has grown. Today she declared she is no longer Mo but Morgan because she knows how to spell it. I love how she is learning so quickly, becoming so independant and spirited. I can't wait to kiss her again while she sleeps to try and memorize the moment. Um... Now I have to fly I have some urgent knitting to finish!