It's a clean hobby......

Well, I've been reading up on the internet about making homemade soaps. Now, some people actually make their soap using the original old-fashioned methods, which incorporate cooking up batches of animal fat (from the butcher) and caustic lye.
Although this is probably the true homemade way, after reading about how you should open your window when cooking up these batches and the length of time it takes, between the prep work and the weeks-long curing of the soap, I decided to take a short cut. After all, I'm just a beginner in this soap-making venture.
So, I went to the craft store and bought my supplies. I don't care if anyone thinks this is cheating. You can buy the "soap base" bricks online cheaper than at the craft store; but I wanted to buy my project ingredients right away in anticipation of a "snow day".
You buy the soap base, which is basically a slab of non-scented, uncolored soap. It is scored so that you can cut the amount that you need to heat up for each pour.
You can either use the microwave oven to heat up the soap base; or you can use a double boiler on the stove top.
After heating up the base, it's time to pour the melted base into molds. You can add colors and scents at this time. You can add the color and stir before you pour or you can put a few droplets of color into the mold after it's filled. A slight mix with a toothpick will swirl the color through. This is a blank canvas, so you can do whatever you please at this point.
I made a couple of swirly concoctions (the tie dye look) and several solid colors, too, experimenting with amounts of color and differing amounts of fragrance.
My first batch consisted of various shades and two different scents. One is eucalyptus/mint and the other is cucumber/melon.
Both smell fresh and pleasant.
I really enjoyed this new hobby and I plan on trying different molds and different styles of soaps. (Some are clear with interesting designs "floating" through them.)
You can also tuck a tiny duck or other toy right into the center of a clear soap for kids. These sound cute, but you have to be careful with toys small enough to choke on; and I was thinking that if a kid is young enough to like soap with a toy in the middle, they are probably still using a type of baby wash which is safer around the eyes. Also, although there are many molds available to purchase, a quick look around the house will yield unique molds such as cookie cutters, muffin tins or sections of drain pipe. (seriously) You can also pour a "loaf" and slice it later when it is set.
For those with a discerning eye, you can see a few bubbles that remained after I poured the soap into the molds. Although you can eliminate those by spritzing with a spray bottle of rubbing alcohol, I wasn't set up with all of the supplies yet.
But then again, it's SOAP, people. Tiny bubbles won't last long after the first use under warm water. I loved making my first batch and I think the best part of this hobby is that every bar that you make is a unique creation.

Merry Christmas to all........

HERE'S A NICE IDEA! (click to enlarge)


A cozy fire

Plenty of goodies



games for the kids
L'il elf herself


Christmas display at Hollywood Studios, Disney World

These pics represent a Christmas combo. The first ones were taken at my brother's house on Christmas Eve. Latter ones taken today when we had dinner at my daughter's house and saw what Santa brought to the kids.
The last photo was at the Hollywood Studios and I was glad to see this creche displayed because this is the reason for our Christian holiday. In recent years the ACLU has targeted Christians by trying to legislate what can be displayed in various cities and towns. P.S. to the American Civil Liberties Union: Jesus is the one who gives true liberty. Hope everyone had a great Christmas.

Little Caylee

She's in God's hands.

BYOG: bring your own gum

<---God's beautiful earth
Osborn Family Lights
R&R at Magic Kingdom


Nana & Donald
Grampa & Mickey
Restaurant at Magic Kingdom

Well, we just returned from a week at Disney World in Florida. Every day was perfect, and we had rain on one day only. That was the day that little Caylee Anthony's remains were found in Orlando.

Looking across to the Boardwalk

When we first arrived at our hotel, we had planned to stay one night at the Caribbean Beach. Upon check in, they decided that it would make more sense to send us over to the Yacht Club because we were staying the rest of the week at the Beach Club Resort, which is also a part of the Yacht Club next door. We didn't resist being upgraded and they sent us over by taxi, giving us a voucher to pay the taxi driver. The accommodations were lovely and we could walk over to Epcot.
In the hotel lobby we found a carousel made of gingerbread and chocolate. I did not lick it....just for the record.
(Well, there was a fence around it....)
We also walked out on the pier to catch the ferry which took us across to the Boardwalk, where relatives were staying; and we also used that mode of transportation to go over to Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.
If you've been to all of the parks, I know there's no need to mention all of the many attractions and things to do at Disney.
Let's just say that it was incredible to see flowers blooming in December and the weather was just like one of our Massachusetts Spring days. When it was chilly in the mornings, we noticed the natives wearing winter coats! We chuckled at that, because we saw on the news that they were having destructive ice storms and snow at home. Floridian natives had better stay where they are, I think.
The service at Disney was impeccable, of course. However, I must say that in every hotel gift shop we found that they do not sell gum. Actually, that's probably a smart move on their part, what with hundreds of thousands of children who would probably chew, pop and stick gum all over the place each year.
So, if you're going to Disney World, BYOG.
Just as we decided that we had found our way around the services offered and the paths to take, car, waterway or bus to each location....it was time to leave.
Although I was not ready to return to cold New England, my cats were calling. Well, actually, I did the calling. I was told that one of my cats was crying in distress while I was gone, so I called the girls during the week and left them a message so that they could hear my voice. They have been sticking close by since we returned.

Hannah Montana would have been proud!

beautiful cake
exciting games--------The music stops!


<--future stars / lots of great food

It's GREAT to be
5 years old!

boys with BLING

table with "makeover" supplies








Hannah was there in spirit
Bags to take home included Hannah t-shirts.
(Does it get any better than this?)
Today, our little girl celebrated her birthday with family and friends....with Hannah Montana looking on (via a life-size cardboard stand-up). Everyone had makeovers and looked glamorous to be sure!
The food was plentiful and delicious. Somehow, the word must have gotten out--because a lot of the gifts that T-Dogg received were of the Hannan Montana theme. How this young girl has become a sensation with the little 5-year-old crowd, I'll never know. In any case, all guests had a great time playing "pass the microphone", which is like "timebomb", but more politically correct. You have to pass the mic from one to another and not get caught when the music stops. The tension escalated with musical chairs and believe it or not, the birthday girl lasted till the end and captured the win. When it was down to the last two contestants, it almost looked like a tie, but somehow the birthday girl won. The Hannah pinata rained down candy for all, and big brother performed special magic tricks. When we left, the birthday girl was playing with her new toys, her eyes looked tired and her hair was a bit a bit wind-blown.
I'd say that means her party was a success.

Good people, good food, great gifts

<--Nana/Mom/Baby
so many gifts
Will he look like this big rattle?
for little feet
monitor
soothing rain forest sounds
some spoons, too

<--cute favors
beautiful guest of honor
brunch buffet
great selection

beautiful cake & diaper cake by Becky

What's on my needles now...

This is what I worked up last night. I'm using size 10 1/2 knitting needles and doing a plain knit stitch. You could knit, purl, use any stitches you want and this furry yarn just won't show any errors. I am working on 13 stitches across.
I think I'll make this narrow scarf extra long. That just seems right.
I bought this Paton's yarn at one of those job lot stores, which may mean that it wasn't a good seller, I really don't know. However, what drew me to it was that upon inspecting the skeins at the store, I found that this one feels exactly like my cats' fur!
I was sure it had some sort of fur included in it, but the label says that it's 64% nylon and 36% polyester. It is so soft--I can't wait to finish it and have my "cat scarf" around my neck.

Here's a New England landmark

Does anyone recognize this landmark, or have a memory to share?
I first remember going there about 19 years ago to a "classic car" night, which featured live music (from the 50s and 60s) out in the parking lot and "50-50 raffles". Cars from a bygone era were all lined up, row after row. Hoods were opened up for better viewing of engines. Many car owners posted photos on a board next to their cars, showing the stages of restoration that had taken place and/or trophies the car had captured in various shows. Lots of motor heads would go from car to car, talking to the owners and oohing and ahhing about the dual carbs, overhead cams and layer after layer of paint the cars sported. Discussions swirled regarding whether a car was "original" or had after-market parts. Some "numbers" matched and some were "made to match". (wink, wink, you motor heads know what I mean.) Observers and participants in these car shows munched on tasty onion rings, hot dogs or burgers as they surveyed the classic cars. Oh, and everyone knew better than to lean over a fender to view the engine while wearing a jacket. You couldn't risk having a jacket button or zipper scratch the paint!
Since then, it has been a favorite place for us to stop after soccer games and let the little kids have a cold ice cream cone after running all over the soccer field, which is just down the street. My husband said that the ice cream cone sign on the pole used to light up. Click on the photos to get a better look.