Halloween/Samhain preparations

Tomorrow is Halloween, the end of the old year for those who follow the Old Ways. A time for clearing out and tidying up and putting things to bed, ready to start afresh in the New Year.

I spent some of today digging and raking and composting and covering over raised beds; cleaning out pots in the polytunnel, cleaning out the chicken house and scrubbing their drinkers, decluttering rooms upstairs and looking at old documents;  sorting through "things", both real and in my thoughts.

I found it helpful to do this as while I got on with some hard physical work which needed doing, I also had time to let my thoughts drift, to muse and ponder on my life, how it is, how I would like it to be and how / if I can get the two things to be closer together.

Hopefully some good will come out of this exercise - even if it is only in the physical sense :-)

After a good meal of Roast pork and lots of lovely veg, and apple crumble to follow, along with cider ( all except the pork grown/made by us ) and a sit down in front of the woodburner to relax, watch a little TV and do some knitting, I am now about to go to bed. More pondering and tidying to do tomorrow, as well as a pumpkin to carve ( maybe!)

Update on Tabitha

Tabitha Cat now fully restored to health - hunting, purring, pushing us out of bed etc etc . All scabs fallen off, huge wound scab gone and new skin growing new fur :-)

Many thanks to Mike the vet, who did a wonderful job and saved her life.

Crafty things with leaves

I have been preserving autumn leaves  today, for use at a craft workshop I am running in a few weeks time.

The method is quite simple, pick leaves, immerse in a mixture of 1 part glycerine, 2 parts water mix in a tray. Make sure the leaves are submerged, you might want to put something on top of them. Keep away from children and pets!

I will let you know how it turned out in a few days time.

Life.....

has not been very good around here lately.

Tabitha Cat is very ill, has been in hospital at the vet's for the last 3 days and will be in there at least over the weekend, if not longer.

She came in with what seemed to be a bite wound on her leg last weekend - but despite  prompt attention from us and then prompt treatment  from our vet it has developed into a major infection. The regime of antibiotic iv drip and dressings is only just maintaining the status quo - she is not improving at all.

We are waiting for the results of tissue biopsy tests on Monday, to see where we go from here.

Tom Cat ( her brother) and Cassi (her bff) are lost without her and are wandering around, looking mournful.


So, good positive thoughts please for Tabitha

Candle and Soap making suppliers I use

  Following on from my post about making candles and soaps with Compostgirl and her friends, I had an inquiry

Sarahs House said...Hello, It is nice to see that you have done lots of crafts with children. My daughter loves to do anything crafty..lol.
I am interested in trying the soap making and bees wax candles with her, would you be able to suggest a good online place to buy the things needed for this ? I have looked online but there are so many places offering different things I would prefer to try somewhere that had been recommended.

So, to answer Sarah, I get my soap supplies ( and essential oils, botanicals, butters, base oils etc ) from Aromantic. Here is the link to the organic melt and pour soap I use.

I got my latest batch of organic beeswax sheets from Aromantic as well, but had the wicks ( and a lot of other candle making stuff as well) from Full Moons cauldron.

I find both of these stores offer very good service.

I hope this helps?