Pumpkin Patch 2014

October 9, 2014

I have been away for a while but wanted to share with you our trip to the pumpkin patch.

October is my favorite month and the start of a magical time of year!

I will return

I'm sorry I haven't found time to let everyone know what is going on. I am in the middle of moving and so I haven't had much time for blogging or crafting. I will return shortly. We are down sizing from our house to an apt in order save up in preparation to move across the state sometime next year. Lot of work, not much time for play. But check back soon. Its almost over!

Rainbow Bubble Paper

Who doesn't love rainbow bubbles?

Now you can send them through the mail and brighten anyone's day.

Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta.

Super easy, yummy, healthy dinner.

Its as simple as:

1. Saute finely chopped garlic in butter or coconut oil
2. Add some sage
3. Mix in butternut squash puree (you can make your own by baking the squash in a 400 degree F oven for about 40 minutes and then puree in blender, or this could even be away to use up that left over baby food)
4. Stir in a little milk.  If the sauce becomes to thin you can add a little flour to thicken it up.
5. Toss in the cooked pasta and dinner it set!!

Free and Almost Free Gardening e-books

All these books are free at time of posting! 

 

You can enjoy these books even if you dont have a kindle by downloading the app.

 

To download for Android click here

Free e-book list:

 

Culinary Herbs: Their Cultivation Harvesting Curing and Uses

 

http://amzn.to/1tj8h25

 

 

 

Urban Homesteading: Become a Self Sustainable Urban Homesteader to Get off the Grid, Grow Food, and Free Yourself (Urban Homesteading: A Complete Guide ... a Self Sustainable Urban Homesteader)

http://amzn.to/UxWvlA

Vegetable Gardening

http://amzn.to/1tTKNOO

The following aren't free books, but they are good deals.

 

 

How To Get Rid Of Ants Easily: Natural and Organic Solutions

 http://amzn.to/1l7S1JG

 

 

Mini Farming: Self-Sufficiency on 1/4 Acre

http://amzn.to/1nOtzTe 

 

Happy gardening!

FREE ebook: Herdbal Medication

Free at time of posting! Enjoy!

Just follow the link to get you copy.

http://amzn.to/1rvyJlk

Dont forget to like us on Facebook!
The Purple Radish

Free at time of posting. Just follow the link.

Organic Lotion: Recipes for Beginners: How to Create Homemade Organic Lotions For Beauty, Nourishment, and Skin Healing (Treat Your Skin Naturally with ... Organic Lotion Recipes Made for Beginners)

Organic Lotion: Recipes for Beginners

Watermelon Blossoms

My watermelon just started blossoming and its just to beautiful to keep to myself. 

 

I got a late start but it still looks promising. 

Yummy Homemade Horchata

Okay guys this one is so simple, yet full of flavor.

Ingredients 

•  1 cup uncooked white long-grain rice
•  5 cups water
•  1/2 cup milk
•  1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
•  1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
•  2/3 cup white sugar

Directions

1.  Pour the rice and water into the bowl of a blender; blend until the rice just begins to break up, about 1 minute. Let rice and water stand at room temperature for a minimum of 3 hours.
2.  Strain the rice water into a pitcher and discard the rice. Stir the milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and sugar into the rice water.
3.  Chill and stir before serving over ice.

FREE ebook. 2012 Family Guide to Groceries under $250 a Month

I found this book thanks to my mom. I just started reading it and so far so good. 

follow the link below and enjoy!

2012 Family Guide to Groceries under $250 a Month

Free at time of posting.  I have no idea how long this will be free so make sure you check the price before buying. If you don't have a Kindle you can download the app to your phone through your app store.

Don't forget to like The Purple Radish on Facebook

Baby O's First Birthday

I can't believe my lil man is a year old already! Its bitter sweet.  I am so bless to be able to stay home with him. He's my little prince, so sweet and smart. I love him so much!

Here is his gift from his momma.

His Daddy made him the  Teepee

Happy Birthday BabyBoy!

(Don't forget to like The Purple Radish on Facebook.  I will be having a mini giveaway once I reach 200 "like, and another giveaway at 500! So like the page and share it with your friends.)

Uses of Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil

A Brief History Of Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil comes from the Melaleuca Alternifolia tree. It is believed that the Aborigines of Australia have been using the leaves of the indigenous Malaleuca Tree (whose leaves are used to make tea tree oil) in their medications for centuries. They inhaled the oils from the crushed leaves to treat coughs and colds, sprinkled crushed leaves on their wounds and used an infusion of soaked leaves to treat sore throats or skin ailments.

Melaleuca Alternifolia tree

Close up of the leaves

 

  Melaleuca Alternifolia tree in bloom.

 *Note these are not my picture as I have never seen this tree in person.

Use of the oil itself, as opposed to the un-extracted plant material, did not become common practice until researcher Arthur Penfold published the first reports of its antimicrobial activity in a series of papers in the 1920s and 1930s. In evaluating the antimicrobial activity, he found that tea tree oil was 11 times more active than phenol.1

*Do NOT ingest it orally.
*Editor’s Note: This article does not replace medical advice.
I have gathered what I feel are some of the most common uses for Tea Tree oil. Tea tree oil along with coconut oil are my "go to" cure alls.  This is based off of my own personal experience and what works best for my family. 

• Abrasions & Minor Cuts: After cleaning the area, apply a few drops of the oil directly. If a bandage is needed, put a few drops of oil on a cotton ball, then lay it face down on the wound and apply bandage.
• Acne: Dab a very small amount on acne breakouts.
• Air Freshener: Use an essential oil diffuser and it will freshen the room
• Allergies: Use topically by massaging into the chest, abdomen or the reflex points of the feet.
• Arthritis: To help reduce pain associated with the swelling of arthritis, add 20 drops of tea tree oil to 2 ounces of almond oil or other carrier oil.
• Asthma: Add a few drops of oil to a pan of water and heat on stove. When cooling, drape a towel over head and breath in for a few minutes.
• Athletes Foot: Add 10 drops oil to 1 tbsp of coconut oil or other carrier oil such as almond oil and massage on feet and between toes daily.
• Bacterial Infections: Use topically, either massaging into the reflex points of the feet, adding several drops to a bath or cautiously applying over an infected site.
• Bad Breath: Rinse with 1 ounce water and 1 drop oil. Do not swallow!
• Canker Sores: Apply a drop or two of oil directly to infected area with a Q tip, 2 times daily. Also, rinse as directed for bad breath.
• Cold Sores: Apply a drop or two of oil directly to the sore with a Q tip. Re-apply 2 – 3 times daily
• Coughs: Use as directed for bronchial infections. Also use in an essential oil diffuser to help clean the air.
• Dandruff: Add 20 – 30 drops oil to any shampoo. Apply a few drops to scalp and massage after washing. You can also make a paste with baking soda, coconut oil and tea tree oil and massage it into scalp and let sit for a few min before rinsing.
• Gum Disease: Create a mouthwash with purified water, 1 drop of peppermint oil and 1 drop of tea tree oil.
• Head Lice: Add 20 drops of oil to shampoo. Massage into scalp and hair, leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse. Repeat daily, until bugs and eggs are gone.
• Homemade Mouthwash: Make a simple mouthwash with purified water and tea tree oil.
• Household Cleaning: Can be used aromatically or added to homemade cleaners to kill germs and prevent the spread of colds and flus. You can make a general tea tree cleaner by combining tea tree oil with water in a spray bottle. Shake to blend and use for household cleaning tasks. This is especially good in the bathroom and in toilets. Or make a powder cleaner by using baking soda mixed with a few drops of tea tree oil in it and scrub as you would with a store bought cleaner.
• Infected Wounds: Dilute a few drops of tea tree with about 1 cup of water and rinse the infected area 1-2 times a day, as needed.
• Insect Repellant: Add 15 drops to a quart of water and use as an effective insect repellent.
• Laundry Helper: Add 1/2 teaspoon tea tree oil to your laundry for towels and other fabric prone to getting moldy.
• Nail Fungus: Add 1 – 2 drops of oil directly to nail and the surrounding tissue. Allow to dry completely on hands before touching anything. Repeat morning and night for a week.
• Pest Control: Household ants and other pests dislike Tea Tree Oil, so a few drops put at the point of entry will deter them. Wipe cupboards out with an oil and water solution to keep ants away.
• Ringworm: Apply a drop or two of oil undiluted, repeat 2 times daily. Can also mix 1 drop of tea tree oil with 1 drop of lavender oil for added benefit.
• Sore muscles: Fill your bathtub with warm water. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to the water to relax tight muscles.
• Warts: Apply undiluted directly to wart. Use morning and night, until wart begins to disappear. Dilute if necessary for sensitive skin.

Eating Healthy on a Budget

This New Years one of my goals was to eat healthier AND spend less.  I had been spending $400-$600 a month for two adults, and we were eating crap food, trash really, boxes, and packages.  Now that Mr. Boss Man is about to turn one and is eating regular meals I need to make sure he is eating healthy as well.  I thought it would cost more to eat fresh food and that was part of the reason I had put it off.  But in so far just by eating fresh and a little meal planning I have already cut my grocery bill to just under $400.  Now its time to start shopping for better prices. That doesn't mean driving all over town either.  That would cost gas and time. My plan is to do a lot of my shopping at .99 Cent Store (and possibly Grocery Outlet) and supplement with shopping at local markets and health food stores as much as possible.  We just moved so Ive been busy unpacking and cleaning, but hopefully soon I will have some time to start a garden.  I know that will help cut some of my grocery bill as well.


I will be sure to post an update soon, with picture of my finds and how this plan works out for my family! 

My inspiration comes from The Gardener's Cottage

Fish Skeleton

This is a fun recreation from a blog that has inspired me to have fun with what I create.  They would look great as a kitchen decoration.   I have a few ideas for them including making a flag garland. Enjoy!

Here is a link to the original creator Basteldibix

Dont forget to check out The Purple Radish on Facebook!

Sweaters to Sweats

Here is an easy way to turn a sweater you no longer war into a pair of child sweats for a child.

First you will cut the sleeves off at an angle

Then turn them inside out and sew them together starting and finishing a few inches from the edges.

You might have to cut and adjust the opening for the waist depending on the size of the child.  

Now there are a few ways you can finish these off. 

 One option is to use a crocheted yarn braid and make a draw string waist, or you and use elastic (maybe from another piece of clothing.) and hem it down so you have an elastic waist.

Below is a pair I finished using a sleeve from an XL t-shirt that was left over from making the cloth diapers.   

Always be sure to save your scraps.  I will continue to show you ways to use up every part. 

Love at Home

Let yours be a home filled with love.

I remember singing this song as a family growing up.  Still I find myself humming and singing it to my son as I cuddle him and put him down for naps.

Upcycled T-shirt Diapers!

Look at this stack of colorful t-shirts!

I have been going through my familys clothes and collecting up all the 100% cotton t-shirts that are no longer worn.  It doesn't matter if there's holes or even some stain, I'll find a way to work with them!  If you don't have any old shirts hiding in your closet you can get them at a thrift shop pretty cheap, even better try a yard sale.  Sometimes towards the end of the day whatever clothes weren't sold individually will sold by the bag full for just a couple bucks.

Now look at these fun diapers!  They are 4x8x4, diaper service quality prefolds.  Meaning 4 layers of material for the outer rails and 8 in the center.  You wouldnt want to do any less or you could have problems with leaking.  The smallest measurements I use are 13"x 18" and I will go slightly larger just depending on the shirt I am working with. I like to use contrasting tread for fun, straight stitch to tack down the center layers and the finish it up with a zig-zag stitch around the entire edge.

I will follow up with a no sew fleece diaper cover and woolies made out of wool sweaters.

I would love to hear your ideas of ways to reuse T-shirts. 

(I will have sets of T-shirt diapers in my Etsy shop soon.  I will be opening it once I finish moving!)

Wear your baby ~ Ice dyed wrap

I am so excited to share with you the wrap I made!

It took a couple days from start to finish.  Its about a size 7, so about 5 yards.  I will write a tutorial on the dying technique I use and post it this weekend.  (I might add it to the end of this post so be sure to check back)

Baby O likes to use it as a "play silk", building forts and he likes to cuddle with it at nap time.

We are in love with it. 

 Happy babywearing!