Thursday, December 15, 2016

Holidaze, take one

               Okies now, so I totally have not been pouting and worrying about the election (Fascism can be fun!) and I certainly have not been procrastinating, like, at all. I swear.   It's mostly that we have just been crazy busy.  Dragging Feisty Pants to sleep studies, and doctors appointments.  ( The latest cold has turned into three doctor's appointments and two rounds of antibiotics.)    Then there is Christmas gifts to make and buy.  Cookies and baking and all those fun chemistry accidents we like to call cooking around here.  And real live snow days with snow and everything. And planning a trip to my folks. And beginning arrangements for the next trip to Philly for the next round of tests for Feisty Pants' upcoming scoli surgery.  And Feisty Pants has discovered her no longer hidden talent for talking smack so we all have to drop everything and watch football so she describe the game to us.  ("Look at da score Goo- you LOSIN'!!!")  And a few Christmas parties already.  And, yes, right on cue someone did throw up and end up in an ER- so it is officially the holidays now!
               So, before we get too frenzied, or too fed up and actually start the revolution, I thought would take a moment and make a post or two about something normal like being a parent or fun things for kids to make for the holidays.  In no particular order- here a few fun crafts to make with the kids.  They are fun and cute and just might make good gifts for the grandparents or aunties or whoever is still left to cross off the list.
 
1) Sugar hand scrub-  you will need  a small fancy jar  about 8 oz (mason or otherwise), 3/4 cup (or so) sugar, 1/4 cup olive oil, enough liquid soap to fill jar (I would use liquid castile -think Dr. Bronners, but really any would do) Essential oil in any scent you like (optional)
Pour the sugar into the jar. Add the olive oil. Stir carefully.  Top off with liquid soap. Add 15 to 20 drops essential oil.   Stir again.   Add a cute tag and ribbon.  Easy peasy- and very charming.
 
2) Peppermint ornaments-  you will need peppermint candies, alumnium foil,  ornament hooks or paperclips, ribbon or twine.  (This one needs adult supervision- or a dad- either way)
    Line a cookie sheet with foil.  Unwrap candies and place close together in a design you like (stars, flowers, wreath, homunculus glob, whatevs).
Bake at 325 degrees for about five minutes (maybe longer but start checking on them then)  When the candies have melted together but still mostly retain their shape., it's time to take them out.   Allow to cool.  While still soft (here comes the really adult part) insert the hook partially into the candy to form a hook or loop from which to hang.  Hang with the ribbon or twine when totally cooled.  Looks adorable.  Smells like Christmas!
 
3)Bubble bath paint- you will need an empty paint container (like the kind you get in a kids art set) or small empty jars (baby food jars might work),castile soap (or clear baby shampoo), cornstarch, food coloring.
  Note- there's not a lot measuring here.  It all depends on much you make, so start slow and eyeball it.
         Place the soap in a mixing dish- (enough for all the colors) Add cornstarch about a TBS at a time and stir very well.  When it feels like the right texture for paint(think craft paint) you're done.  Place into individual containers and stir in food coloring until you get the color you want.  
         
         Happy crafting!