Is this news?

 In a world where a pandemic is raging, historical legislation is being reversed, gas prices are soaring, hurricanes are forming in the Atlantic, there’s a pilot shortage, the first Mexican born woman rocketed to space…

Is this news?

Soap Making Fun

Leftover batter in a fun mold

I have been making our soap for several years and have a basic day to day recipe that I use for the house.  But every once in a while I like to branch out and make pretty soap.  I follow the monthly Soap Challenge Club and occasionally dip my toe in.  Last winter my niece (JK) and I entered the Mantra Swirl/Mantra Marble’s challenge.  We used the cold process method which uses lye and oil that react together to make soap.  We wear masks, eye protection and gloves.  It is not a challenge for the careless because lye burns are real!  I decided on a pink soap with brown and white swirls named Peppermint Patty.  First I had to find a slow tracing recipe so I would have time to manipulate the batter - it needs to be very fluid but still harden into soap.  Then color the batter and pour into a mold with separators. I alternated the browns/white in the center.  

The Pour

The Swirl

The Cut

Peppermint Patty Entry

I got a few votes and learned some new things.  Maybe I’ll enter again!

JKs Mermaid Tails entry

On my soap I used the basic Mantra Swirl, JK did the Mantra Marbles.  Can you see the difference?

Rooster In Charge

 Our Rooster, Gurgles, is the perfect blend of gentleman and womanizer.   He’s the first one down the ladder in the morning and waits at the bottom for all the girls to join him.  He lets them eat first, makes a particular noise when he finds something interesting or tasty for them to share, and runs to get any strays that wander from the flock.  A couple of days ago one of his girls ran under the lawn mower (we attribute this reckless behavior to their little bird brains and the discovery of freshly cut grass to play in).  We checked her over and didn’t find evidence of broken bones, broken wings or internal trauma, but she was favoring her right foot and there was a wound.  So we cleaned and medicated and kept her inside to rest and heal.   After a day we let her wander around outside (securely away from the others) for a while to assess her injury and ability, and on day three we put her in a cage near the coop so she could be close to her friends. Gurgles was ecstatic and frustrated!  He would ‘talk’ to her through her cell bars and dance around her throwing grass and sticks in his demand for her release. Finally we put her back with the flock to see if she could manage normal chicken life.  Gurgles, as hoped, keeps her safe.  When she needs to rest he stays with her keeping watch.  When she lags behind he hangs back with her.  And when her sisters tease he steps in and settles any disputes.  She is still favoring her leg but healing nicely, phew!  The flock has lost their fascination with the lawn mower, thankfully.  And we feel confident in Gurgles’ ability to manage care for now. 

Saharan Dust - the glory and the pain

A couple of days ago the sunsets across the lake became a gorgeous blending of  reds and golds… and my head started pounding and I got a bad case of sniffles.  Coincidence?  Maybe not!!  Saharan dust has been creeping from Africa across the Atlantic, and found it’s way to Florida where, when the sun is low in the sky it reflects off the dust and brings photo worthy sunrises and sunsets!!  This dry, dusty air can also cause coughing, sniffles, headache… you know, allergy and flu (and Covid) symptoms.  I am enjoying the beautiful skies and willing to medicate the associated pain.  This Saharan Plume is just passing through and will be gone in a few days.  I hear there is another one coming with Florida in its sights so I’ll make sure the allergy kit is stocked and set up the camera.  Happy Summer Solstice!

 

Look up in June - 5 Planets Align

 This month a rare and beautiful sight will be visible in the early morning sky.  Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn are lining up in June with a guest appearance between Venus and Mars by the waning crescent moon on June 24.  The best time to view will be in the 30 minutes before sunrise and should be visible to the naked eye.  For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere look toward the east to southeastern sky, Mercury will be low in the east and the other planets will form an arc upward toward the south.

Don’t miss it cos the next opportunity isn’t until 2040!