All posts by debrafillingim

DIY, Essential Oils

Ugly Soap

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Originally posted on Blogger 1/24/10

When I first started making soap, I did not have a soap cutter. You can use a knife and cutting board but as with anything you try to cut without measuring, there is the constant trimming to get it just right. Therefore, I had a small bucket of soap pieces that didn’t make it to my sale table (at the annual homeshow). So I remember hearing something about using old pieces of soap…so I asked my friend Em (on FB) about it. She found an article and told me what to do. She said I could grate/cut the old soap, put it in a crock pot with a little water, then melt and pour in a mold. Sounded good.

So I started with the food processor on the soap but my new soap cutter is so cool, it was almost easier to use that. It only took a few minutes. I put it all in the crock pot with a little water and read the article for info. All would have been well, if I did not then leave the house for seven hours! My husband got home first and asked what was in the crock pot because the house stunk. I got home a few minutes later. I added some water, blended, and added some fragrance. I then put it in my mold. It was lookin’ ugly and I was tempted to throw it out.

Today I took it out. It is the ugliest soap I have ever seen. Because it cooked too long, it was not creamy when I shoved it into the mold. I cut it up with my new soap cutter (which I love). I then cut some small bits to try. The soap may be UGLY but it is wonderful! It is so creamy and full of lather. The scent is less than I would have liked but less is always better with scent. Ok so next time I will make sure I am home for this process but I would do it again. Just one more example of passing judgment too quickly before we make sure we know what we are talking about. I am so happy to take those old pieces and put them to use!

Garden

I’ve got worms!

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Originally on Blogger May 9, 2009

I’ve got worms!

Yes you heard right-I have my very own worms. In March, I took a class at The Funky Chicken Farm with Suzanne Richmond on making growboxes (see my album or notes). The plants are doing great. I only have one going now but plan to start seeds after vacation for fall planting. I already bought all supplies to make four more. I want to concentrate on growing salad vegetables as my husband and I eat a lot of salad. I had been collecting my scraps from all our vegetables and was taking it out to the back, digging a hole, and burying it.

I bought a great compost book during teacher week at B & N and I was all set to start composing. After looking at the book tho, I could not decide which container/method to use. There are many ways to do it and since I did not know anyone that did composting, I could not decide. Then…I got an email from Suzanne at the Funky Chicken. She was holding a worm composting class! I always wanted worms!

I went over on Tuesday and we created the bin together using two plastic containers and simple tools. We then added some shredded damp newspaper, some compost from her stock, and of course…several handfuls of worms.

I was amazed-compost does not smell! I thought it would! The worms are getting plenty of veggies to eat here. If you would like more info on Growboxes or Worm Composting, contact Suzanne at DivaDyes@cfl.rr.com

Next, my friend Sara and I want to take her Tie Dye class!

Friends, Never Too Late

Never too late-My First Tea Party!

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Originally on Blogger 4/6/09

I have many things on my to do list. Some I may never get to do but that does not lessen my desire to do so. I want to see the Northern Lights. At first, I thought I could just go somewhere and do that-then realized it is not something I can make an appointment for. I also want to run a dog sled. Sounds like an unlikely event but a friend of mine is doing just then when she takes the Alaskan cruise this summer so that gives me hope. My list goes on-maybe I just get it in writing and I would love to see yours.

One o the things on my list was to have/attend a tea party. While I had some books and magazines on the subject, as always, I put it off because I was afraid. I had never been to a tea party so I had no reference. Those that know me think I am completely confident and will do anything. What they don’t know, is that it probably took a really long time for me to get the guts to try all the cool things I do. If it is something I have not done, I keep putting it off because I am afraid I will not do it well. Of course, when I finally do-it usually turns out well and then I am mad at myself for putting it off so long.

Kudos to my friend Sara for inviting me to my first ever tea party. Sara is not the boldest in my group of friends so I was surprised when she took on something I was afraid to do! She sent out adorable Vera Bradley invitations. Then she allowed us all to bring something. When we got there, the table was beautifully decorated with family china, a floral centerpiece, and a floral bouquet for each attending.

There were a variety of tea pots/teas, sugar cubes in white and brown sugar, and lemon. Sara made scones (loved those) and Devonshire cream (loved that too). She also served lemon curd and mascarpone. I made carrot cupcakes decorated like mini flowers. Others attending bought a variety of finger sandwiches and they were all great. Dawn bought her famous (in my book) 7 layer salad. Kim bought snickerdoodles-which I just realized are in a baggie here somewhere.

Marianne said a blessing and we dived into a wonderful variety of flavors. It was a great time for all.

Thanks Sara for hosting this great event (I think it should be an annual one) and helping me knock one thing off my list. It reminds me again that it is never too late!

 

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Henna Hoopla

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Originally posted on Blogger 4/3/09

With spring break beginning, I mentioned to several people that I was going to get henna done at the very beginning. A teen from church, Morgan said she would love to get henna before her cruise. So… I called my dearest henna goddess, Mychele Boardman, and asked if we could meet in Orlando for some henna fun.

Of course….she was more than willing. Mychele suggested we meet at The Drunken Monkey. As Morgan is the preacher’s (and close friend’s daughter) I had to check it out online first. Turns out it is a great little coffee shop with a very eclectic menu of inspiring treats.

We met Mychele about 4:45 and started right in on the henna. We took shifts eating as henna was the first priority! Morgan had a wonderful Panini loaded with turkey, cheese, and pesto. I had the paella which was a delicious combination of fried rice and vegetables. The paella included artichokes, mushrooms, and garbanzo beans among other things. I don’t even like garbanzo beans but every flavor in the paella was awesome. While we were ordering our food and I was explaining to Morgan what pesto was, the chef came out with a crostini for each of us loaded with pesto. DELICIOUS.

While Morgan had her henna done, I enjoyed checking out the artwork and reading material in the place. They have board games and many people were arriving and setting up. They had a variety of items for sale including blooming tea, t-shirts, and snacks to go.

My paella was so generous, I could not finish. 10:00 that night tho-I heated it and finished it off! I look forward to getting back to the Drunken Monkey again.

The whole night was a blast, seeing Mychele-seeing Morgan excited about her henna. Hopefully we can do another trip like this soon!

I cannot find the original pictures for this post but did find one of Morgan and two of her friends getting henna in 2007 and another of Mychele doing henna for me two different times.  I have many pictures but they are all over!

henna1 henna2 henna4 Jessica Jessica and MycheleMorganMychele & MorganAllieAllie and Mychele

It was really cool to find the pictures of theses three girls-I do not even remember the event!  Jessica, Morgan & Allie are still close to this day!

 

Mychele's Mehndi After

I LOVE how dark henna is as it goes on but after a few hours (I leave it on as long as I can) I flake the henna off and that is when you see the stain.  Above is henna done by Mychele when I barely knew here and she taught a class on it.

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Doin’ The Funky Chicken!

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Originally posted on Blogger Mar 22, 2009

Sounds like a dance but it was so much more exciting. Today I went the Funky Chicken Farm in Melbourne  and learned how to make a Growbox. We started with an 18 gallon Sterlite container. The process was very systematic. First we put the container on the lid and cut out the center of the lid. Then we marked off four circles on the top and cut them out with a drill and circle cutter (gotta get me one of those). We cut four pieces of sewer drain pipe and used ties to place them under each circle. We had already drilled three holes around each circle to use for the ties. Multiple holes are put in the lid section that was cut as well as a small circle to hold the PVC watering pipe. A drain hole is also put in the side of the bin. A 30” piece of 1” PVC cut for the water pipe.

What you end up with is a box with built in drainage for growing your plants. You water through the pipe and excess water drains away. Suzanne (Growbox Teacher) has a complete garden in her yard using this method. She had carrots, celery, lettuces, Swiss chard, corn, sunflowers, Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, sugar snap peas…I am sure I am forgetting something. It was amazing. I am glad Marty was with me because after he saw all that she could grow-he agreed it was a great concept.

These growboxes can be moved around your yard as needed, taken in when too cold, moved to the sunny spot, etc. Also, it is more elevated that putting the plants in the ground and a lot easier to tend too.

Along with the class (25$), I purchased the manual for (10$)-on a cd. This will allow me not to forget anything important. It has information on planting in the growboxes, directions for cuttings, how many plants per box, etc. This class was worth every penny and very exciting. A bonus was the tour of the chicken farm afterwards. Look at the pictures in my albums. Suzanne will be doing classes on Thursdays and Sundays at 3:00.  As I completed my first box in class today, I plan to use the manual to make the shopping list for other things I want to get (soil, etc.) I plan to have my first Growbox planted by next weekend! WHOO HOO!

See pictures here I cannot find original pictures from class but this is my growbox album on facebook).

Update April 16, 2015: I still have a few growboxes but now grow vegetables in y Tower Garden. Please note that class prices and dates have probably changed. Contact Suzanne or Andrew through the website for more information.

Your Turn: Do you grow any edibles?  Tell me more…

Family, Home, Pets

Time Flies…

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Originally posted on Blogger 3/1/09

   Zander at 6 mos old.

Maya                                                      Jack Jingles

 

Time flies…..Every day as I go through the day, I am constantly writing. If what was in my head went directly to paper, I surely would fill half a journal daily. Due to the fact there is no technology that scribes from brain to paper, I resort to pulling out one of my many little notebooks (I have three sitting next to my desk to go through today), and I write a few notes/lines so I can get back to it later.

So today after reading a favorite blog I follow, I decided to come here and see when I wrote last. It was almost one year ago. Sad thing is-it feels like yesterday.

A lot of great things have happened since last year. Two monumental ones come to mind. Marty’s daughter Katie gave birth to a boy August 5. He was a few months early but had to come on out as Katie was at risk. From the moment he was born, Marty insisted he was perfect-just small. I was a bit too emotional and had a hard time seeing that little being with all those tubes attached. Every time he took a breath his little body shook and small little sounds came out. I held it together until we got in the car. I am glad Marty was able to calm me rather than getting upset with me or being influenced by my collapse. As it turns out, Marty was exactly correct. Zander is now 6 mos old and he is perfect-and small. At five months old the doctor said he could sit up as well as a full term six month old. THANK GOD! Katie is a great mom and her mother, Julie, is a great grandmother. Zander will be going places…there is no doubt.

Another important event for me was getting a cat in Dec 08. Okay, I know getting a cat is not as monumental as getting a grandchild…but I have wanted a cat for years and Marty was always resistant. Although I have a dog I adore, Maya, she can not fulfill my desire to have my cat. Megan went with me to the shelter and in the end, Maya did as well. We made a great pick. Jack Jingles is AWESOME!!!

As always, time presses in as I must go get ready for the day (church, lunch, travel to Ft. Pierce). Now that I have written like this, wish I could write a few more hours. But…until next time.

 

 

Fear, Never Too Late, Time Management, Writing

Blogging

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Originally posted on Blogger 3/11/08

I have thought about blogging FOREVER!!! I am one of those people that is writing constantly-in my head that is. As tough as my self-critic is…I often say to myself, “wow-that’s good. Get home and write it down”, then I don’t. This is so frustrating.

I say I love writing, but do not make enough time for it.

So then…I bought a mini tape recorder. It is not much bigger than a lighter. You know-so I could carry it, talk into it, and not forget the good stuff. Well-I have not read the directions.

I am just a little ADD. I have just a FEW projects going on, just a few interests.

In any case-this could be a start. I do have a great new desk-positioned in the right spot and a great computer……so I have no excuse.

And…I guess I have a lot to say. Maybe it is nothing you want to hear but well-it is important to me. It took me a long time (actually a lifetime) but I have learned to not be afraid to show who I really am no matter how people may see me. It has taken a lot of work to get here and I kinda like where I am.

So before I close my first blog…a big hug goes out to my favorite red-head. You never know how one thing you do can influence someone else. Thank you for being the inspiration in starting-FINALLY!!!