So the high today was forecast for negative 1 degrees but we actually reached 10 degrees! Woot woot! But needless to say Conestoga Chuck and his little sister both agree it’s an indoor day! This polar vortex has created some cabin fever for critters and humans alike! So it’s time to make some much needed items! ….meanwhile miss kitty is busy thumping the window with her paws from her perch on the book shelf every time a bird lands near her napping spot.
Yesterday we made some shuttles for the weaving looms. The larger one is for making thick rugs for keeping human feet warm and for critters to snuggle on. They also make great chair covers. Nice and fluffy and warm so I’ve been churning out these babies as fast as I can in all different colors and sizes 🙂
The little shuttle is for my newly acquired 1940’s era inkle loom. Which is next to be utilized! I decided all this cold weather meant I should teach myself how to play the dulcimer so I ordered a basic one online but I need a strap so I can hang it on the wall to keep critters from knocking it over! Right now it’s still in the cardboard shipping box between self taught lessons because of the cabin fever antics of the critters. But soon I shall have a beautiful strap for hanging it up high! Yay!
Next I realized I’m almost out of my homemade Landry detergent. I use “mom’s laundry sauce” recipe and you can google that if you want to make some. Been using that recipe for a couple years now and it works great! That’s what is cooling in the mason jars in the background of the next photos lol
And since it is super low humidity and super frigid weather… that means icky dry skin that can become painful if not moisturized! I’ve lived in many different places and never had to moisturize in the winter before, but wow is it a must in Montana!!! So I’m having to learn some new recipes because I’m allergic to most perfumy type store bought cosmetics and lotions. So today I’m making lotion bars!
You can google various recipes but I’m using my beeswax I bought and stocked up on over the summer from the local farmers market. Some (solid not liquid) coconut oil. Some Shea butter, which is a bit pricey but worth it for the small amounts needed because I can make tons of lotion bars and other products. A couple drops of oregano oil because that is my go to antibacterial anti viral herbal additive. Placed in a super cute candy mold! I wanted small bars. I’m thinking I can place them in an altoids can or small round bead container or travel container in my purse etc and stash them in various places in the house etc. for use as needed!
Such a small amount of supplies gives me 7 small bars! Easy to make, doesn’t take a lot of time, inexpensive, I’m not allergic to the ingredients, and easy to stash everywhere I could possibly need them! This summer I will add some other essential oils to turn them into bug repellent (think mosquitos and ticks etc) lotion bars for use while camping! Brilliant!!!! Lemongrass, citronella, Rosemary…. maybe some others 🙂 for a signature “scent” lol
I’m contemplating using them as paw conditioners too but need to do some more research on the Shea butter because I know they will lick their paws once it’s applied! So more on that later if my research proves productive but for now the paw salve I use is beeswax, coconut oil and oregano oil only (no Shea butter) stored in a small mason jar. This somewhat protects their paws for snow, ice, and salt because neither Conestoga Chuck nor his sister will consent to wearing doggie boots!
And for some indoor training we have been working on standard obedience commands which means Conestoga Chuck and his sister get treats so they are happy and an occasional muzzle training session. I’m a believer that every dog should be trained not to fear wearing a muzzle in case they get injured and need to wear one when being treated by a vet (injured dogs no matter how well trained and nice react to pain by nipping sometimes). So the training consist of them giving me consent to place it on them for a few seconds, then taking it off, and giving them lots of praise and treats during and after.
So, back to weaving while things cool in the kitchen so we can all have nice and warm lovely fluffy things :), clean clothes and doggie blankets, and nice soft skin and paws. Stay warm everyone!
Feb 18, 2019 update: I did some research online and Shea butter (in small quantities) is not toxic to dogs apparently. So I gave the lotion bars a try on the pups paws since we have been having several weeks of 12 degrees (and lower) and lots of snow and this is absolutely the best recipe I have found so far for the pups paws to protect them from the cold! So I can recommend it for that. Also it has been doing the best job of any lotion or potion I have tried to date for a super dry skin problem I’ve been having for years now. No more dry itchy skin! Yes! I’ve finally found a workable solution! So yes I can totally recommend this one as a winner! I will be making a much larger batch in the future for humans and pups alike lol this stuff is totally amazing! Just don’t leave the lotion bars out where the dogs can find them or they will disappear as a tasty snack lol I found that out by accident … when I couldn’t find the small bar I had just laid on the coffee table and it disappeared when I wasn’t looking… I’m assuming someone ate it! It was a tiny bar so no big deal, but both dogs get super excited and want to help lick my hands clean when I use it lol so there is that!
Conestoga Chuck 