Monday Gatherings

The first two weeks of this month I had to cancel my "Monday gathering of the lil artists'.
John and I said 'good bye' to three special friends. We mourned with their families and friends and remembered the goodness of each.
We were able to reconnect with old friends and relatives and enjoyed hosting many of them in our home.
Last week the kids had a holiday from school so were able to come from 10 am-2 pm. We usually meet right after school until dinner time.

The kids are so comfortable in our home and we love that. It is so nice to have young voices and
interesting topics of discussion. Yes Bethany Sarah Brianna and Ryan it takes us back to when you were running around and bringing all your friends home. It was a special time in our lives.
We LOVE YOU!!
The girls are here making their own lunch......it always takes more than two to do any job.

The girls decided on grilled cheese sandwhiches and the boys in the background opted for peanut butter and jelly! They all have to learn to cook and prepare lunches when we have them here.

Some never get the opportunity at home.

We spent the day making special treats for ourselves! Jody is 'cooking' her vanilla lip balm mixture. We poured them into tiny mini plastic eggs and they were perfect sizes.

We also made bath salts. It was an easy...albeit.......messy project but very satisfying when all was said and done.

The girls mixed their own colors with food coloring and their own scents with essential oils.

Interesting colors galore!!

We have such a wonderful time together. Some of the girls come and visit me during the week and some sunday afternoons several come and help me set up the dining room for that the next day. They all participate in clean up!! They rotate bringing snacks.

Recipes for your own gifts!!

VANILLA LIP BALM

1 tablespoon petroleum jelly

1 tablespoon aloe vera gel

1 1/2 tsp coconut oil

1/2 tsp vanilla ( or you may use 1 drop essential oil of your choice)

.

Heat ingredients together.. mix well and pour into small containers with lids.. let set completely before putting lids on.

it mixes very readily and takes about two minutes is all. you have to mix it and pour quickly and remix with each pour or the vanilla separates out.

the girls all used up their lip balm by this week!!!

BATH SALTS

2 cups epsom salts

1 cup sea salt (fine or coarse -your preference)

1 tsp glycerin

1-2 drops of essential oil.. or more to your liking

1-2 drops of food coloring.. or more if you like brighter colors

pour all ingredients into bowl and mix loosely pour onto lined cookies sheets or something with sides. Mix all ingredients by hand until very well blended.. spread out as thinly as possible and let dry.....it takes several hours......in high humidity may take up to six hours to completely dry.

pour into jars or plastic containers with lids. These make nice gifts. Food coloring.. no matter how dark.. will lightly tint the bath water... but will not stain the tub or THE SKIN.

Enjoy!!!!