Days Like This
I love days like today! I was home all day and enjoyed a peaceful, yet productive day. I was able to start a couple things I’ve been wanting to try, and spend some time doing stuff around here that help make my house a home. I don’t have photos of everything, but I did take a few snapshots as I went through the day.
I’ve been wanting to make infused herbal oils for awhile, and today seemed like a perfect day to give it a try. Though I’d love to say I grew the herbs I was working with today, that’s not the case. Some friends and I put in an order together for bulk herbs from More Than Alive. I’ve had them for a couple months, and definitely don’t want them to lose their potency before I have a chance to give them a try.
Since I have two sons playing basketball, Arnica is always useful to have around. I’ve purchased commercial salves, but really wanted to make my own so I have more control over potency and ingredients. I used my solar oven to infuse Arnica and Chamomile. Yes, I could be more patient and let the herbs infuse in the oil on a sunny windowsill for a few weeks, but I really want to use the oil, so heating with the sun in the solar oven was the next best thing.
The weather we’ve had lately has been perfect! THIS is why I live in Florida — these days don’t last long before the heat and humidity come back, but I enjoy them while they are here. My garden is doing well, and I’ve enjoyed a couple salads from my productive lettuce bed.
The tomatoes that survived our hard freeze a couple weeks ago are starting to get some blooms, so all is not lost there. So, far my winter garden raised beds consist of tomatoes, kale, basil, radish, onions, spinach, lettuce, and broccoli.
This morning I picked some fresh lemon balm and added it to some dried homegrown mint for delicious tea. I also had time to work on some hot pads and dishcloths while sitting on the lanai watching the hens scurry around the yard searching for bugs.
I recently learned how to felt soap and did some felting this morning. They turned out pretty well. My friend and I have started a company, Soapsy Daisy, and are doing a few local craft shows this winter. I’ve also been working on getting an Etsy store up and going for selling our soaps and salves. I think the chamomile oil I infused today, along with the dried flowers, will be great in a bar of skin-soothing soap!
Lately I’ve been pondering how I can be more home-centered and what other steps we can take to live a simpler more sustainable lifestyle. Things like making our own teas from homegrown herbs, and growing our own food is definitely a start. Slowing down and taking the time to figure out how we can make do with something we already have rather than buying new is also a habit we are cultivating.
I’ve been reading some books about the great depression and thinking back on conversations I used to have with my grandmother. We have so much available to us these days! Things are often cheaper to buy, than to make. However, part of simplifying is being creative and taking the time to make things ourselves. Those “cheaper” items come with a price — whether it is fuel to travel thousands of miles, or being the result of underpaid workers, or simply that it wears out or breaks because of poor quality, causing us to have to purchase the item again.
Of course, another advantage of making things myself is the satisfaction of producing something with my hands. Lately, even my teen sons have begun to use their creative juices! I love sitting down to sew or crochet, and having them working beside me on art, drawing, music, and even sewing and crocheting! Even though I was in consumer mode when they were young, and lamented about what they and I missed by not slowing down all those years ago, I can see that it really isn’t too late! Partly from necessity, partly from their parent’s example as we embark on this journey, we’re all changing and growing…together.


















