Outside of my “Normal”-Actual Accomplishments

Dear Readers:
Have you ever had one of those rare occasions when everything you planned for actually went according to plan?

My “To-Do” list has been completely crossed off (for the time being), my chest is puffed out and I know I deserve a treat.

My garden-along with winter’s compost and the load of poop-has been tilled under-ready to receive this year’s plantings.

It’s beautiful dirt and it’s mine.

The broccoli seeds have been started and are already beginning to sprout.

The carrot seeds are just below the surface of this beautiful dirt. (I should probably add, “label the label holders” to my list…).

The lawn has been mowed…

…and fertilized.

The bird bath is filled-ready for Mr. Robin Redbreast and his friends to show it a little action.

The Parsley is sprouting, reminding me to buy some red potatoes and have a yummy meal for Biceps.

The landscaping has been planted. This tiny nubbin’ is hardy lavender.

And the “trees” have been stuck in the earth, fertilized, mulched…

…and laughed at. I mean, they are ridiculously unimpressive. Let’s be real-they are sticks. Geesh-what have I done?…

Except for the disappointment with my “tree-sticks”, it’s been a great past couple of days. The list has been defeated. Time to put my feet up and enjoy a glass of wine.

So, what have you been up to?

Simple, Organic Lip Balm

My month long challenge of slowly ridding our house of nasty chemicals began more than a month ago. I got on this kick and can’t stop!

I’ve posted a Recipe for Facial Moisturizer, DIY Organic Dishwasher Detergent, Cheap, Organic Face Wash, DIY Household Green Cleaner and last week was my DIY Organic Eye Makeup Remover.

I am concocting my own household replacements with little more than what I have on hand or what I can find at the organic market.

But the replacements must meet or exceed three important expectations for this frugal gal:
1. It must be easy to replace-no beakers or science lab experiments. Thank you.
2. It must be just as good or better than the current product I’m using and,
3. It must cost the same or less than the current product I’m using.

photo source unknown

If the product I create passes the final test-me using it for over two plus weeks to make sure it does its job-then I’ll be sharing it with you. I will break down the cost for you, provide you the recipe and give you my honest opinion of the final product.

Today, I’ll be sharing a tested and loved recipe for  Simple, Organic Lip Balm. (ps-I shared this over at Curbly in January)

My hubby and I go through inordinate amount of lip balm. And at $3 a tube, it was beginning to add up. I wanted to find a way that I could circumvent the cost, the unnecessary added chemicals and the need for store-bought lip balm.
For approximately $.25 a tube, I had my very own lip balm without the chemicals.

Here’s what you’ll need to make your very own Simple, Organic Lip Balm:

2 TBS Beeswax Pearls
2 TBS Pure White Refined Shea Butter (you can use unrefined shea butter, it just has a bit of an odor)
4 TBS Sweet Almond Oil
1/4 tsp “Essential” Peppermint Oil (or use Lavender, Cherry, Lime, Eucalyptus, oil)

Double Boiler (or a heat safe bowl set over a pot of simmering water)
Plastic Measuring Cup with a spout
Paper Towels/Rags
(15-20) .15 oz new or recycled tubes or containers (I bought mine from bulkapothecary.com for $0.14 each)

Prepare the lip balm containers by placing in a bowl or pan, without the lids. Help tubes stay upright by wedging paper towels around them.

If using a Double Boiler, fill the bottom pan with water and bring to a slow boil. Place the second pan on top, and melt the beeswax.

If using a heat safe bowl, set the bowl over a pot of simmering water.

Stir continuously with a wire whisk while the next ingredients are added.

Add the 2 TBS of Shea Butter.

Add the 4 TBS of Sweet Almond Oil.

Once liquified, remove the top pan from the heat while continuing to stir.

Whisk in a 1/4 tsp of essential oil. (I used peppermint in my lip balm).

Working quickly, transfer the hot liquid to a room temperature plastic measuring cup with a spout.

Pour the hot liquid into the lip balm containers.

Let cool for 15-20 minutes. Place the lid on the cooled container and enjoy.

I recommend wiping out all pans, measuring cups and spoons with a rag or with paper towels before attempting to wash them. Trust me, I learned the hard way….

Each tube cost me approximately $.25 or less-I had a bit leftover which I use on my cuticles-it’s great for that tough little skin. Hope you enjoy!

Linking up to this and other parties:
The Thrifty Home

It’s a Rainy Day-Garden Prep

Today was the day for planting my garden. But, mother nature has been in a bad mood-crying all over the place. It has rained for the last three days-with tiny spurts of dryness in between monsoons.

So instead of donning mud boots yesterday, the best friend and I had a day trip planned for Arkansas. But, I’ll tell you more about that soon.

In the meantime, I know that my two DIY Rain Barrels are filling to capacity.

And my empty DIY Composter is getting a good cleansing.

But, I am ready to attack my garden with shovels, seeds and stakes. So mother nature-you’d better dry those tears up soon. No one likes a cry baby.

Little Bunny Foo-Foo, Almost became a Boo-Boo

This is the cutest thing I’ve witnessed hopping around my backyard. But, this cute little thing almost wasn’t.

I was in the middle of mowing the lawn, when Little Bunny Foo-Foo shot out from his highly populated rabbit hole and made a bee line for my back porch.

Nesting in the dirt-just below the surface of the grass-was an entire bunny family.

I assumed they all lived in trees with cute front doors, like Rabbit from Winnie the Pooh. But underneath the grass clippings, gathered items were at least six tiny bunnies. My heart melted on the spot. Seriously. Like wax.

Little Bunny Foo-Foo hunkered down on my back porch, far away from the safety of his nest, his momma, and his bunny siblings.

(Just look at that cute little bunny butt.)

I told Little Foo-Foo that I would go mow the front lawn-leaving the backyard free from scary noises for awhile-if he promised to go back to his nest.

I think he has human trust issues.

I covered his little nest with a chunk of wood to protect it from more mowings, birds or naughty kitty cats.

But, I propped up a corner, leaving a way for the goings and the comings of the furry group. I didn’t want to touch any of them and infect them with my stinky human scent or try to move their nest and hurt them.

When I returned to the backyard, Little Bunny Foo-Foo was nowhere to be found. I believe he’s back in his nest, telling a slightly exaggerated story to his bunny siblings of his adventure with the giant woman and a back porch full of scary leaves and bugs.

At least I hope so. Long live Little Bunny Foo-Foo!