sky view.

I have a fear of heights. Ever since I was a child - palms sweat, world spins, can't breathe. I have gotten through it OK for years by either avoidance or confronting it head on (which didn't conquer it but I didn't die ;)) - but certain types of things are really tough, like edges and open air hanging things.


Today my boys decided that they wanted to try an aerial tram ride. This isn't like the ski lifts I have ridden in New Mexico and Colorado - sort of high and above grass or snow. This was very high and above concrete. And on a little piddly lift (of course I was the only one who thought that, since it freaked me out), not the big deluxe ski resort kind. But if I hope for my boys to try new things and experiences and feel comfortable confronting their fears, then I should too, right?


A rode with Brice and G was with me. My death grip on him and the bar made it tough to take photos (!) but I got a few in. Of course he was oblivious to my suffering and was perfectly happy after the first few minutes of nervous and enjoyed the ride - yelling over to his dad and brother and watching the ants, I mean people pass below - he even pranced off when we were done.



Oh, the things we do for love.


(oh my, I am woozy even looking at the photos again!)

reckless.

Everything is blooming most recklessly; if it were voices instead of colors, there would be an unbelievable shrieking into the heart of the night.
~Rainer Maria Rilke

(from our walk at Olbrich Botanical Gardens)

end of the weekend.

Oh, Sunday evening is here. What a weekend! Busy busy, overnight guests, life, thunderstorms, family, outings, karate, cooking, cleaning, garden, heat, playplayplay, happy but tired boys...we are all exhausted!

Hope you all had a great weekend!

after the rain.

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. via Soule Mama

lavender...

I love lavender. It smells wonderful, it is beautiful, it has many wonderful properties. I am very sensitive to lavender essential oil and so cannot use any bath/body/laundry/cleaning supplies using lavender oils/fragrance. I can, however, handle the plant itself just fine. And what a plant it is.

We picked up a few bundles of fresh lavender at our CSA farm last week. After letting it dry for a few days, we were ready to go. There are so many things you can make with dried lavender...we decided to make lavender sugar and bath salts. Both quick and easy to make, and the boys love to pluck the buds and shake the jars.



Lavender Sugar.

It has such a nice aroma. It is a great substitute for the store bought sprinkles on top of cakes and cookies. It is really amazing sprinkled over fresh berries (try it, really!) or mixed in at the end when whipping cream for desserts.

ingredients::
1 cup organic big crystal sugar
2-3 tsp fresh lavender buds, dried (don't use the stuff made for potpourri...not for food!)
small jelly jar

Mix together, screw on the lid, and let sit at room temperature for a week or two before using for maximum flavor.


You can put the lavender buds in a little muslin bag inside the sugar to add its aroma but not add the little chunks into what you sprinkle it on if you like - or sift before using. I actually like seeing the little flowers along with the crystals. And they are edible. :)

You can of course also make this with a finer turbinado sugar...and use it for baking scones and cakes. (I'm making a lavender honey today!!!).

++


Lavender Bath Salts.

I love using dead sea salts as a detox body scrub for me, and it is a great additive every week (or whenever he has a flare-up) for the bath for my son with eczema. Dead sea salt contains many minerals and has many therapeutic qualities good for the skin, the body, and healing - and that combined with the soothing/anti-inflammatory properties of the lavender and the emollient almond oil relieves itching and flare-ups.

ingredients::
1 cup good quality dead sea salt
1 Tbsp lavender buds, dried
1 Tbsp good quality almond oil

Mix together and store in an air tight canning jar. Let sit at room temperature for a week or two before using for maximum scent. Multiply this recipe for quantity...this makes about 2 baths worth.


You can scoop this into a small muslin bag and place it into the bathwater or just scoop right into bath if you don't mind little buds. :)

There are so many great uses for lavender...I'm sure we'll make many more things as the summer goes along. These all make great gifts too (we love testing out recipes in the summer so we can have ideas for gifting in a few months).