DIY Aromatic Cedar Wood Soap Dish/Keeper

My husband and I have really been enjoying making our own soap this last year.

With all the love and care that we put into our soap, we felt that the bars were being wasted in the shower with not fully drying off. So after some research we wanted to make some soap dishes for in the shower and by the sink. We choose aromatic cedar wood to make the dishes out of. 

The benefits of cedar wood as soap keepers is that cedar contains several natural antimicrobial properties and it resists moisture while drying quickly. A soap dish with drainage is essential in keeping your handmade soaps dry and long lasting. In addition is smells amazing!!!!

We wanted the soap dishes to hold a standard size soap bar. I came up with two different sizes I like for two types of locations. The first I sized to fit in the shower (4.5 in by 3 in by 1 in) and the second for next to a sink for hand washing (4.5 in by 3.5 in by 1 in). See diagram below.

Also you can see in the diagram me trying to decided what type of cut I wanted on the top of the dish, whether length wise or width wise. In the final we choose the width cuts not only for looks but for ease of cutting that many grooves. 

The Process

We started out by cutting to size a long board of cedar to 4.5 inches. To cut the grooves we used table saw and cut each at 3/4 in for the entire length of the wood and then cut with midersaw at 3 in increments. We then went back to the table saw and cut two grooves 1 in from both edges. Note: when cutting the grooves we made sure that the blade went half way through the piece of wood, about 0.5 in. This way there is small holes in the dish for drainage.

Once all the cutting was done I then went and sanded all edges and surfaces to create a smooth surface. I recruited my little helper.

We tried out the dishes for a couple of days. We loved the smell, the look, and the quick drying features of the soap dish. But soon discovered the soap would stick to the dish making it hard to take off and use. 

After some research we decided to coat the top and sides in a beeswax cream. Especially sense we have an abundance of beeswax from our beehives.

The recipe

2 tablespoons beeswax

6 tablespoons olive oil 

Melt beeswax in glass jar in a pot of boiling water. Once melted add olive oil. Remelt both together and then remove from water and allow to cool and harden. 

I then took the harden wax and rubbed with rag on the top and side of the dish. I wanted the grooves and bottom to remain un waxed to allow the cedar wood properties to still manifest itself. Allow to dry before use.  

It really brought out the color of the wood.

Left bottom unfinished. 

Berry Buttermilk Lemon Pancakes - To die for

Just so many blueberries this summer in the Lewman household. My pregnant self could not get enough of them. Discovered the wonderful world of blueberry u-pick farms in Oregon. 

Eating fresh is wonderful, but also trying to find some awesome recipes to use them in. 

Berry Buttermilk Lemon Pancakes

Ingredients

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 cups of sifted flour

2 tablespoons sugar

2 eggs, slightly whisked

2 cups of buttermilk

2 tablespoons butter, unsalted and melted

Berries of your choice

Topped with berry syrup, squirt of lemon juice, and light sprinkle of powdered sugar.

Instructions

Preheat a griddle to medium heat.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the salt, baking powder, baking soda, flour and sugar. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and buttermilk. Drizzle in the butter as you continue to whisk.

Switch to a wooden spoon and make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients. Pour in the wet ingredients and stir until almost completely combined. Please remember, the more you stir pancakes the more flat and tough they will be so please mix until a few streaks of flour are remaining.

Butter the griddle and scoop 1/3 cup of batter and cook until bubbles begin to form and place berries on topped then flip and cook other side until golden. Serve immediately. With berry syrup, lemon juice and powdered sugar.

Enjoy!!!!!

Blueberry Crumb Top Muffins

I have been on a  search for a good go to blueberry muffin recipe, especially sense I have an abundance of blueberries (10 lbs or so) from visiting blueberry farms this summer.

So this last Fourth of July, 2015, I created these. I made 12 and with a family of five they were all gone within 30 minutes. A big hit and new favorite.

Ingredients 

Crumb Topping

1 cup all-purpose flour(1/2 cup almond flour and 1/2 cup all purpose)

3 tablespoons light brown sugar

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

Pinch of salt

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Muffins

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (1/2 cup almond 1 1/4 cup all purpose)

2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1/2 cup canola oil (melted shortening)

3/4 cup whole milk (1/4 cup buttermilk and 1/2 cup whole) 

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups blueberries

Top with raspberry or strawberry syrup and cool whip (once baked). 

Directions 

Preheat the oven to 375°. Line 18 or 12 muffin cups with paper or foil liners or spray 2 muffin tins with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, combine the flour with the brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir in the melted butter, then pinch the mixture until it forms pea-size clumps.

In a medium bowl, whisk the flour with the baking powder and salt. In a large bowl, combine the sugar, eggs and canola oil and beat with a handheld electric mixer at low speed until combined. Beat in the whole milk and vanilla. Add the flour mixture all at once and beat at low speed until the batter is smooth. Stir in the blueberries.

Spoon the batter into 18 of the cups (with just 12 fill almost full), filling them about three-quarters full. Sprinkle the crumb topping on top of each one and bake for about 30 minutes or until the muffins are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached. Let the blueberry muffins cool in the pan for 10 minutes before serving. Top with syrup and frozen cool whip. 

DIY Chalk Board Serving Trays - Using Glass and Old Picture Broads

I have been dying to try this out for some time, but but have not been wanting to invest the money and buying the paint and supplies. Then a friend gave me some extra paint and the picture frames I got form leftovers at a garage sale and I had two glass chess boards I never use. So all I needed was Chalk and an eraser. So here we go!!!!!!

Supplies

Chalk paint

Sponge paint brush

Chalk 

Chalk eraser

Used pictures or glass 

Step 1: start with thin layer of chalk paint. Don't stroke on if using glass it will not stay. I learned that it will stay if dapped on leaving it textured. With the old pictures I just did strokes and it was fine. Allow to dry as directed by chalk paint instructions.

Step 2: once dried apply second coat. For the glass I then put on with strokes instead of sponging.

Step 3: apply multiple coats following instructions for previous coats, making sure follow drying times. For the pictures I found two or three coats was efficient. And for the glass I used four coats.

Step 4: Once you have enough coats of paint and it is dried throughly (I allowed my last coat to dried at least over night). You need to treat the chalk paint with chalk. This is done by rubbing throughly chalk all over its surface. Then wiping off with eraser and repeat with rubbing chalk.

Step 5: Wipe clean and use!!!! I hung my picture frame ones up to leave notes and my glass I use as serving trays.

Homemade Bar Keepers Friend - Kitchen, Bath, and Sink Cleaner

I love the BAR KEEPERS FRIEND cleaner. But got tired of paying the price for it. I looked of directions (here) to make me some of my own and realized that I already had all the ingredients. Been Using it for about 6 months now for cleaning pots, sinks, toilet, and the shower. Love its cleaning power. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup baking soda
• ½ cups salt
• ½ cup borax powder
• 15 drops Lemon Essential Oil *

*Lemon Essential oil - Lemon is a powerful cleansing agent that purifies the air, disinfects surfaces, and can be used as a non-toxic cleaner throughout the home.

Instructions

1. Pour ingredients into jar or bowl.
2. Mix or stir until well mixed.
3. If you want to make a shaker, put in a pint or quart mason jar (I used some cleaned out sauce jars) and poke some holes in the top (carefully) with nail and hammer.

Notes

To Use:
Lightly wet surface with water or undiluted white vinegar (for really bad messes)
Sprinkle powder on and let sit 5 minutes
Scrub with sturdy brush until clean
Rinse with water or vinegar (for really bad messes)