Week In Review ...

The Desesrt Dragonfly has finally done it .... I have finally joined Raverly. I don't know how I could call myself a crafter and not be on Raverly. I went in and poked around and I am eager to start on projects ... fingerless gloves, slouch hats, an infinity scarf, slippers and a few sweaters. I am thinking of making this year a hand-crafted Christmas ... this will allow me to express my gratitute with time rather than money ... well less money =D I am even thinking of wrapping them with brown paper with twine or a simple ribbon. Hmmm we will see ... I am sure I would have changed my mind like 100 times before Christmas. Nothing like waiting and shopping at the last minute and putting the item in a bag with tissues to say 'Happy Holidays'! =D

I baked a very healthy Pumpkin-Cranberry Muffin ... I haven't baked as much as I would like to due to the heat.  It is tough for me to think of cooking/baking when the temp is 115* (lately though it has been a bone chilling 105*).  The weather here starts to get better in late September - October ... up by Flagstaff the weather is already getting nicer and that is where we like to go camping (only because it is only 2-3 hours away).

 

I even colored my hair. Vanity? You bet!! When you hit 40 your natural 'highlights' seem to run rampant and my hair is naturally on the black side. I hope I will be one of those people who look good with salt and pepper hair. I went with a medium brown with carmel highlights. I like to use a frosting cap rather than the little brush ... it give me better control of not only the size of my highlight but also I am less likely to have unevenness. You can buy a frosting kit just to use the cap (but that would be $7) or get a cap at your nearest Sally's for a few bucks. This might be the last time that I go so light this year. Starting in the Fall I like do go dark brown with reddish highlights.

I have yet to master the Charlie Brown Christmas music. This is a super beginner book too.  I find tutorials on Youtube (I tell ya ... I don't know what I did before this site) but thoughs are more advanced so it is taking me a bit longer. I am just very uncordinated ... that and the fact I can't read music it takes me a verrrrry loooong time to get down a tune. I have to get my sweet Mr to write down the scales for me =D  Gosh I LOOOOVE that man! I can play a hideous tune for him and he will listen and applaud at the end. He is the greatest!!

I also made some laundry soap and put the Borax and Washing Soda in these pretty jars I got at the Dollar Tree.

Homemade Laundry Soap

Grate 1/2 bar of Fels Naptha and put in a pot (I use a stock pot ... just IN CASE it decides to get too bubbly) with 5 cups of water over medium heat. Stir slooowly until the soap is melted! This might take 5 or so minutes. Take your time ... DON'T put it on high and DON'T stir too briskly. Add 1/2 cup each of Borax and Washing Soda (all these ingredients can be found at the Walmart). Add 1 1/2 gallons of water into your 2 gallon container of water. SLOWLY add the water until your container is almost full. (I use an old Extra jug ... I don't like using a bucket) Stir a bit and leave uncapped for 24hours. This mixture will be a watery white gel. Cap and enjoy. IF you want to add a different fragrance, put 4-6 drops of essential oil to it AFTER the mixture has cooled. Give it a good shake before you use it. It is soooo simple and 1/2 cup of laundry soap is all you need for a regular load. 

Everybody have a safe and wonderful week =D