Pioneer Woman at Heart

We finally had a day where we could turn off the air conditioner.  What a change of temperature, but we are told it'll heat up again this coming weekend.  Such a beautiful day. I woke up Wednesday with zero, nada, zip of produce to either freeze, dry or can.  Nothing.  I realized, before heading out to weed (again), I had the chance to get my lotion made. Boom!  Done!  I love this lotion.  I have tried a few lotion recipes, but this is by far my favorite.   1 cup calendula oil (make ahead) 2 Tbsp. beeswax pastilles Melt over low heat in a double broiler.   While that is melting, place your heatproof glass mixing bowl in a sink of warm water to keep it warm for when you mix with the blender. Remove from heat and add essential oils of your choice (10-15 drops), pour into a heat proof glass mixing bowl, slowly add 1 cup of room temperature water using a hand blender.  I specifically have a hand blender for non-food ...

The post you've all been waiting for (maybe). . .  I have had a nasty scar on my leg, left from a venomous spider, and have been putting homemade calendula cream on it for over a year now. Did you know that calendula has the properties to help new skin growth?  I just learned this even though I was already using the cream/lotion.  It has helped too. Warning:  Graphic photos.  If you do not want to see the bite before and after (some of the before) do NOT click to continue reading.

The title is correct -  Calendula Cookies.  I added these flower petals to salads last year, and this year I am expanding.  I found several recipes in a book from the library, regarding edible flowers.  Something new to try this year, and new to blog about.  The cookie recipe uses about 18 flower heads.  I had flowers, and I had a hankering for cookies (when I shouldn't be eating any). 

King has pulled another "king -tas t rop he. " He is my lea st favorite dog and will remain on tha t list until I get over what he did.  Ugh. I hurried out the door with Zuri on a leash, and Jesse.  No different than any other day.  I t ypically take Kin g first, b ecause he does his bu si ness rather quick.  Yesterday, I took Zuri first. I went back to the door and guess what?  That #@* # dog, jumped on the knob and locked me out.  I had no phone, all of the vehicles gone for the day, no keys, entire house was locked up as tight as F ort Kno x , and I had one screwdriver and a metal no -trespassing sign to work with.  I debated to get the lad der a nd cl imb to check the second story windows, but put the la dder back.  To o ri sky.  Something just told me don't do it.  I kn ew exactly which window I'd break if it came down to that though.

We finally got another rain shower last night.  I haven't checked the weather forecast yet today, but it's wet out.  I'm running behind today.  I'm just plumb worn out, and needed the rest.  Don't we all? The humidity yesterday morning was thick.  My camera continued to fog up.  Here is Timmy resting in the heat.  See that pot?  It was one that was ravaged by a raccoon (or two or three), and there are green starts in it.  In fact, all but one (horehound) are showing signs of life, despite them getting turned over so many times.

Over the past weekend, my eyes were super sore.  Not sure why this year, but I have one idea.  Anyway, they were beet red, dry, and I wanted to rip them out (they felt that bad even with allergy eye drops). I use the last of my dried calendula, poured a cup of boiling water over it, and cooled it.  I used it to make an eye compress.  It is a short relief, but I do feel like it helped.  It was the only dried herb I had that was suggested for eyes.

Like most of you, my hands, face, and lips are feeling dried up and awful already (cold and wind).  My younger two girls love the homemade lip balm, and we are almost out of homemade hand lotion.   That is now on my to-do list now al so. The last time I made the lip bal m I used small plas tic , round cont ain ers.   This time I u sed lip b alm tubes.  I used 10 of them.

My pot of calendula has been growing wonderfully.  It was recently time to cut and dry them, and make a jar of calendula herbal oil.

It's "party" day today.  I'm off to mop the kitchen one last time.  It rained last night, so hopefully it will be less humid outside today too. We are still working on the "big" barn project.  I may have more news by Monday.

Remember the dandelion vinegar I made?   This is a late update on it, but I drained my quart jar, and got about a bit over a pint of the dandelion vinegar.  Sadly, I have to buy all of my greens, and salad mixin's this season, but the vinegar adds a nice flavor.