Making a Little Joy With Our Own Hands

Homemade Joy?

There’s something that’s very special about creating something that lasts more than a couple days. Something that gives you small joys that stretch over along period of time. This week I’ve been busy with making my usual rounds of Skyr yogurt. It’s a simple nutritious treat made from just a few ingredients that our family loves. I’ll have to post later about how to make it. You’ll love it.  

But after I finished that, I decided to dive into a couple of other fun projects this week. I’ve had some small glass jars with lids leftover from a “jam mini-spreads” advent calendar that we bought last Christmas season. Not only were the jams and jellies delicious, but we were left with these cute little glass jars that were begging to be used for something.

Cozy Seasonal Candles

My youngest daughter decided that one great use for these pretty little jars would be as tiny votive candles. She had bought for herself some candlemaking supplies previously that she used to make them. It is certainly a welcome scent as the fall season comes upon us. The house smells so cozy after her day of heating and pouring wax! I can’t believe how cute they look in the little jars.! They make the perfect votive candles.

Natural and Easy Homemade Moisturizer

Something I’ve been wanting to do for sometime is render tallow. There’s so many wonderful household uses for it, but it just takes a little time and effort to get it done.

Our sweet neighbors, in Webster Florida, traded some tallow to us left from harvesting a steer from their herd. I was able to render it in my everyday stockpot right on the range top! I will post later about that process, so be on the lookout. 

My first use of the rendered tallow was to steep lavender and comfrey in the hot tallow. Once the scent and flavor were imparted, I simply strained it into jars and let it cool. Now that it has solidified, it makes a wonderful naturally healthy moisturizer for the skin. The little jam jars make the perfect, cute and convenient containers for the moisturizer!

Sweetening Up with Simple Syrup

I have to confess, my last creation of the day, the “bouquet” flavor simple syrup is inspired by our favorite small town coffee shop, Mountaineer Coffee. It’s just a mile from the farm, right in the heart of downtown, Brooksville, Florida. On rainy days and sleepy mornings, having one of my favorite flavors already on hand to add to my Earl Gray tea latte, is worth a little added effort beforehand. I simply steeped Lavender petals in a pan of simmering, simple syrup on my rangetop, added some rosewater to taste, and poured off into bottles to cool and store capped on my coffeestan for use anytime!

Phew! I can’t believe how many little projects we have already accomplished halfway through the week! of course these just a few of many accomplishments, addition to our regular household chores, homeschooling our youngest daughter, and working at our small family businesses, The Ice Cream Barr, and The Hometown Barber.