Lip Balms are for more than just lips!

It is winter here in Connecticut and with Winter comes dried lips. However, did you know that you can make your own lip Balms and use them on more than just lips?!!!
I have been known to take the "Macgyver" approach when it comes to using them for other things. I use them on sore cuticles, cracks in dry skin and have been known to use them on a stubborn zipper!
Ours are made from our very own beeswax, coconut oil, shea butter, a splash of almond oil and for these shown I added clove oil. They are amazing and stay on your lips for hours!

Finally!!!!

Finally, an egg!!! The chickens have been holding out on eggs this winter! I went up this morning and finally found an egg in one
 Of the egg boxes!!! Now it is winter, however it has been an unusually warm winter, mild temps along with lots of rain. We do think we may have an egg eater so an investigation is underway to determine that!!! The defender, if caught may be tried and convicted under extreme chicken law!!!

The signs were there...

The results of the harvested honey really spoke volumes to what stress the honeybees were under late last summer. The drought was hard on them and by looking at the honey you could tell. Late summer honey should be darker, not as light. We could not feed them for fear of attracting the bear even worse. This honey has been distrusted to some of our friends and family. It tastes great but is just not what I would feel right about selling.

New Year, new ventures....

As we begin the New Year, I have some time during the winter to sit by the woods stove and get some projects done. I so love this time of year. So much peace as I sit here and watch the morning snow.
My first project of the year is making a colonial pocket. As some may know I love the colonial era, spend time as a reenactor and work as a docent in a colonial home teaching children about that time when things were just a little simpler, but everything they did was about survival. Above is some beautiful over dyed linen I picked up at a local textile sale. 

My husband gave me this kit last year. Basically woman wore a pocket that they would tie to their wastes. A slit would be in their pedicoats so they could access their pocket. 

.

I cut out a new pocket from the sample we got in the kit, front and back leaving about 1/2 inch for a seam allowance.

Women in that time would embroider beautiful flowers and designs on their pockets. The kit came with these wonderful transfers. I choose a wheat design as my center but will add lots of free formed designs as well. 

It's somewhat hard to see the outline on the brown linen but I got this. I haven't embroidered in years so I am looking forward to the challenge!
Happy New Year from Coon Hollow Farm! Challenge yourself this year to try something different!