Wednesday, July 01, 2020

July First?!!?

Someone did not want to walk with me this morning.  

She was happy to walk after she had a bit of a morning nap. LOL  She and Stacia walked a mile today. 

We were sitting outside enjoying lunch when we heard a big cracking sound and I saw a tree fall. Just like that - our wood supply is taken care of for the year. This is a birch. I hate losing Birch. It wasn't even a windy day. 
It broke in two....

It still had lots of green on it...

This is the time of the year when we can barely see our home from the woods at the back of the property. 

The butterfly likes the lilacs as well as we do. 

This was my big project today. 

32 pints of salmon....more tomorrow? 

Michael finished up installing the new hot water heater/pump in the RV....we realized EVERYONE has Friday off and Thursday night is going to be BUSY at the campgrounds....we are currently on a mission to avoid people. These two facts are not compatible. Camping trip #4 of 2020 cancelled.  THIS ONE is simply being postponed until everyone else goes back home and the campgrounds are deserted again. 

July FIRST! Whew....what will the 2nd half of 2020 be like. LOL 

Dandelion Salve

*I was searching this morning for the recipe for Dandelion Salve. It wasn't on the blog! Wait - I found it in drafts. I guess this is about the time I got too busy to keep up last summer. LOL I decided to merge it with today's dandelion post. 

My annual joke is that I count on two crops - dandelion and chickweed. I discovered the chickens love to eat chickweed...and now I know what to do with dandelions too. Who decided these little flowers were weeds???? Here is info which motivated me.  The Ultimate Guide to Dandelions.  Here is another article about the healing/medicinal properties of dandelions. It covers everything from massage oil for sore backs to wart removal. Note, you may not like the author's worldview.

Krista began the harvesting the dandelions this year, and I've been picking Dandelions nearly every day since. The yard is finally clear of them...but they'll be back because I didn't pull the roots. 
Lucille is a skilled Dandelion harvester

After being picked they need to dry....


I discovered the dehydrator works well for this step. This gets the water out so you don't end up with a sludgy oil. 

I had too many flowers for the gallon jar. Press them into the jar and fill the jar with olive oil - or whatever oil you want.  These are now sitting in a dark cupboard for 4 - 6 weeks. 



This is the basic recipe I followed. It works well. You need Beeswax, Coconut Oil, Dandelion infused oil and essential oils - whatever you want. 

Strain out the dandelions and get all the oil you can. 

Melt beeswax and coconut oil in a double boiler, add Dandelion oil and essential oils. Pour into jars. 

Isn't this a cheerful color? Tips I learned...I'll use more essential oil this year....mine smelled like Dandelions and while some say that's a charming summer smell....I'd prefer lavender or citrus or something.  Make sure your beeswax is completely melted.


I do believe the bees are attracted to this...but it could be my imagination.