Homemade Hand Sanitizer

Cold and flu season is in full swing around here, and everywhere you go there are bottles of hand sanitizer sitting around–in the stores, at church, even some restaurants, not to mention all the little portable bottles stuffed in purses, diaper bags and glove compartments.  While I am a fan of the protection from germs that hand sanitizer can offer, I am not a big fan of the dryness and sometimes funky scent it leaves behind, not to mention the price!

Here is a handy homemade version that is inexpensive, less drying and you can choose your scent.

Ingredients:

Aloe Vera Gel (make sure you get gel and not juice or it will be way too thin!)

Isopropyl Alcohol (70%)

Essential oil

Small pump or flip top bottles

Mix equal parts of aloe vera gel and alcohol.  I just eyeball it, but you can measure if you feel more comfortable.  Then add essential oil to desired strength.  I use 8-10 drops depending on what scent I am using. 

 

You can also make this using glycerine in place of the aloe vera gel, but it can be pretty thin.  Use Tea Tree or Lavender oil for extra anti-bacterial protection.  Pour into your favorite containers and you are ready to go.

This only cost pennies to make and you can use your favorite scent.  Try lemon for a light, clean scent, orange for a fruitier scent or peppermint for a scent kids love!

Back to Business

So, suddenly it is the 1st of Feburary and I am wondering how I have gotten this far behind!?  I have good intentions, but then sometimes life seems so crazy.  Here I am, back to business, and hopefully a little more faithful about the whole blogging thing.

I did spend 6 weeks without my computer over Christmas and after two trips to the Geek Squad, they finally gave in and replaced my computer with one that works!  

Other than that, life has been quiet, yet busy.  We are back to homeschooling full time, the kids are all actively involved in youth group, and my oldest started drivers ed last week–yikes!

I have a list of projects I am hoping to conquer in the next few months–so hopefully there will be some new things for everyone to read!

Now, back to business……

The Advent Project–Introduction

The Advent Project was written for a friend after a conversation we had about Christmas and how easy it is to get caught up in all the hustle and bustle and “I want” attitude of Christmas. It started as just some ideas to celebrate Jesus’ birth, giving to others and building memories and traditions as a family. As I was sharing some of my ideas, I realized how eager others were for the very same thing! I decided to put it all together in one place and share it with everyone–my Christmas gift to you!

The idea of the Advent Project is simple, everyday there is a Bible verse (part of the Christmas story in Luke) and then there are family activities, books and movies. You can do an activity every day, once a week, whatever works for your family. Some activities will require some pre-planning and are designed for a wide variety of ages, so you choose what is most appropriate.
Download your free copy here:

FREE DOWNLOAD

I will be sharing our Advent Project, day by day with you. Hopefully you will be inspired and can find some time for your very own Advent Project.

A Historical Vacation

We are back after spending the week on Cape Cod.  We spent a lot of time visiting historical sites and museums.  We went to Plimouth Plantation and learned all about the relationship between the Wampanoug Tribe of natives and the colonial settlers.  It was very fascinating and we have decided that we probably would not have made very good colonists!

a view of Plimouth Village

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also visited the Mayflower II-a replica of the original Mayflower.  Did you know that they used to sleep propped up in a sitting position?  The bunks were stacked 3-4 high and were only 3-4 feet long.

Mayflower II

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the most “suprising” sites we visited was Plymouth Rock.  Now I don’t know what you think of, when you think of Plymouth Rock, but I always sorta assumed it was something like this:

Castle Rock St. Ignace, MI (NOT Plymouth Rock)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well, the reality was just a little different.  I blame my parents for taking me to castle rock as a kid and filling my head with unrealistic expectations….and I imagine my kids feel the same way.

The Actual Plymouth Rock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My understanding is this is not the complete rock, some was left behind when it was moved and has been worn away or chipped off, but it is still a very small rock for such a large reputation.  My poor kids were like “really…..really……that’s all it is?!?!?!?”

We also visited the Sandwich Glass Museum and learned the history of glass factories in the area.  I am fascinated by glass blowing and making of all kinds.  I wish I had been able to take some pictures, but I forgot my camera.

 

As for projects, I have ideas for some tutorials, but I haven’t had much free time to work on them.  Hopefully next week when we start school back up, I will have a little more free time.  Until then…….Have a wonderful day!

A New Home for Shortcut Cooking

I have started a new blog  just for my Shortcut Cooking ebook.  It will be dedicated to tips, tricks, ideas and recipes related to saving time and money in the kitchen.

Hopefully in the future I will also be able to host some giveaways and other contests.

You can check it out at: www.shortcutcooking.wordpress.com.  Leave me a comment and let me know you visited.

I am going to be turning the main focus of this blog to my crafting and family ventures.  I have a bunch of tutorials running around in my head that I will be putting together and sharing. I am hoping to be able to have time to post more and maybe even get some giveaways going with some great handmade items.

I would love to hear what you have liked in the past and what you would like to see more of in the future–just leave me a comment.

Thanks!

Would you like fries with that?

My kids have a youth group picnic tonight, so we decided to whip up a little treat for them to take and share.  We got the idea from the Bakerella blog.  Being a last minute idea, ours are not quite as fancy.  We didn’t want to have to cut up a bunch of cardstock to make the baskets, so we settled for some origami boxes that we learned how to make at a friends house just the other day.

"Burger" made from cupcake, brownie and frosting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

cookie "fries"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The cookies are made from my 1,2,3 Cookie recipe in my Shortcut Cooking ebook.

Notice the handmade fry pouches stamped by Hannah.

origami box

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Burger and Fries in their box

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Completed Snack Boxes

More completed snack boxes.

Even more completed snack boxes.

We made 51 boxes in total!

So, would you like fries with that?

Shortcut Cooking-Saving Time and Money in the Kitchen Ebook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Get your copy today!

Book is packed full of information and tips on freezer cooking, shopping strategies, 15 minute dinners and more, to help you save time and money in the kitchen!  Contains over 75 of my family’s favorite recipes for everything from breakfast to dessert!

Only $14.95 click the buy now button on the sidebar for easy checkout and digital delivery.

Sample Recipes:

Honey Whole Wheat Bread

Freezer Sloppy Joes

Simply Summer and an ebook

Summer has finally arrived in New England after a long, cold and rainy spring.  We have been enjoying warm temperatures and more sun than rain for a couple of weeks now!    It has been nice to set everything aside and just relax.   

Despite taking some time to just relax, I have been finding some time for crafting and cooking.  I also have my ebook written and just need to finish editing–I am hoping to be able to offer it for sale by Monday, so check back and look for the button on the side bar!

Some of my accomplishments:

A clean craft space!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New ironing board cover

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many of you know that I have been making my own mozzerella for a couple of years now, but I have decided to try my hand at some hard cheese.  I finally got brave and made a wheel of Farmhouse Cheddar,  currently it is sitting on the counter to dry out and I will hopefully be able to wax it and move it to the fridge this weekend.  Fortunately this cheese only has to age a minimum of four weeks before I can try it out, I am thinking we will cut into the first of September when we have company.   I have decided that if I am going to keep making cheese, then I definately need to get a cheese press, as stacking weights on a cutting board was sorta dangerous!

Farmhouse Cheddar (I hope!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spicy Jellied Cranberry Sauce

Last fall when we were on Cape Cod for a day, we had picked up some cranberries, and I found a stray bag floating in the back of the freezer.  I decided to try my hand a making a jellied cranberry sauce as I don’t really care for the chunks.  All I can say is –YUMMMM!  I added some cinnamon and cloves while it was boiling and it is so tasty with just the right amount of spicy and sweet to balance out the cranberries.  I am definately going to have to get more cranberries this year and make up a big batch.  Bring on the turkey!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strawberry Freezer Jam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We pick up our oldest today who has been at an Environmental Leadership camp for two weeks, I can’t wait to see him!  This is the longest he has been away from home, except for with family.   We plan on spending the weekend taking an easy, maybe hitting the Farmers Market and then the church picnic on Sunday. 

Happy Weekend to All!

Shower Stuff

I have been busy this week working on stuff for a friends baby shower. 

Fun Rubber Gloves for the Kitchen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rubber Gloves Too

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coffee Cozies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bath Poufs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eucalyptus, Peppermint & Lavender Soap

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lavender Bath Salts

Friends, Fourth and Fun

It has been busy around our house lately! 

Last week we had friends visiting from MI.  The guys all went out ocean fishing.  They caught a few fish, but the big guys all got sea-sick, so they did not end up catching much.  The boys had a great time, which was what really mattered, and there was a small fish dinner.  While the guys were fishing, the girls went to the Yankee Candle Flagship store shopping, we also went to Minuteman National Park and learned a bit about “the shot heard round the world” and Paul Revere’s Ride.

Our friends from MI had to leave Wed. night because of a family emergency and we were very sad that their vacation was cut short!  On Thurs. my friend from Chicago arrived after numerous flight cancellations and delays.  We spent three days dragging her around New England and making sure she saw as many states as possible!

Quechee Gorge, Vermont

Tall Ships in Cape Ann, MA

Whale Watching (somewhere in the ocean)

Fireworks Merrimack, NH

Now all our company is gone, and we are back to busy as usual!