Lemon Facial Toner ~ Butterfly Pea Flower Tea? ~ Weeding

I am trying a new facial toner to use at bedtime.  It's made with real lemon juice.  In the past, I have made one with rose petals.  I do have yet one more new recipe to try, but it uses a flower I would have to buy.  I'm on the fence with trying it yet.

Question for tea drinkers?  Has anyone tried butterfly pea flower tea?  Any benefits of drinking it?  Good sources to purchase the dried flowers for tea making?  

Question for those who crochet - what's the best beginner crochet kit for someone who wants to learn?  I have all the supplies, but I thought a kit would be a great way to teach the basics and actually make something too.  I see Knit Picks has kits, but wondered if any of you had suggestions.  I have another person asking me to teach them.

Or....if you have a book suggestion, and then I can put together the yarn and hook for the person, that would be great too.  I learned from my Mom, so have no "how to crochet" beginner books here.

(One of many books)

I have a bunch of library books to look at yet.  I have just been putting it off, as I'm exhausted at the end of the day.  I flipped through a few of them, and that's about it. 

The song "with a little help from my friends" comes to mind on a daily basis here lately (ha ha!).

I was gifted these garden knee pads by one of the kids.  I've used them once already, and love them.

I am back to weeding, but have only had one full, good day of it.  The weather is whacky for us again.  It goes from storm weather, to rain, to cold and windy, and so forth.  I have purchased disposable covers to put over my medical boot to keep it clean and dry.  It works for now.

 I have not meant to turn my blog into a "recipe" blog, but with everything I do, taking 5 times the amount of time to get done, there hasn't been much to post about.  I don't think you'd enjoy me prattling on about how I managed to get myself to my dental cleaning, and survived the long walk to get in and out of the place.  It's always busy, and the parking lot is always full.  I was actually late, but they smiled as they saw me hobbledehoy into the office (see, I'm prattling on...).

Having said it takes me longer to get things done, I have had little time to read or to crochet, but I have added a few more rows to the current baby blanket. 

I have also finished another baby washcloth (using discontinued thin cotton yarn).  

Lemon Facial Toner ~ Butterfly Pea Flower tea? ~ Weeding  © May 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Hot Bean Dip

Here is how I make our Hot "taco" bean dip now (we've changed it just a bit).  It is great for an appetizer for any get together as well, and especially for a Mexican food themed meal.  So good!  We topped ours with some snipped herb garden green onions too.

To make the dip (this is baked):

Mix together first:

2 blocks of organic cream cheese (16 oz. total)

1 can of refried black beans (organic, 16 oz.)

1 can of refried pinto beans (organic, 16 oz) 

Once that is combined well, add:

8 oz. sour cream (organic)

2 Tbsp. of homemade dry taco mix (add more if needed)

Spread the mixture into a baking dish and top with about 1 1/4 cups of shredded cheese of your choice.

The thicker it is in a baking dish, the longer it will take to heat up.

Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes (30 if it is thicker).  Serve with tortilla dipping chips or any dipping food of your choice.

I have not cut the recipe in half, as it goes quickly around here, but I think it would be just as good with one can of beans of your choice.  You could also use homemade beans, homemade sour cream, or homemade cream cheese in this.  

If you don't have homemade dry taco mix, use one packet of store brand instead.

Hot Bean Dip  © May 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart