My nose is a bit sunburned, my shoulders are pleasantly sore from a day of digging in the garden and deep cleaning the chicken coop on Sunday, and it is most definitely June, the most lush and beautiful month of the year. So many purple things are in bloom right now - chives, lilacs, clover, spanish blubells (just finishing) phlox (just starting), and the list goes on. The chestnut trees lined up in front of the house are shading the front door and making the prettiest morning shadows, and their white and pink blossoms are standing tall. The evergreen tips are that particular shade of super-new green, there are still a few peepers to be heard in the evenings and early mornings, and the dew on the grass when I walk down the hill to the barn before work is perfect for cleaning off my boots.
I've been thinking lately about what a strange and lovely (and sometimes overwhelming) place the internet is, as I've been tilting (see previous post) to real, tangible life and things like gardening and of course, all of the regular tasks of daily life (which now include taking one boy to soccer and one to baseball.) And of course, work. But sometimes, it's just so darn nice to sit on the couch with my phone after the boys are in bed and really sink into scrolling through my Instagram feed. I suppose it's like everything else - it's best when done mindfully.
I haven't updated the blog with chick news! After last year's first experience with chicks, I was adamantly opposed to having them again. So much mess! Noise! Mess! Hassle! Did I mention the mess? But we all know how things go. When the opportunity to hatch out some of my own chicks and some eggs from friends' gorgeous flocks presented itself with very little up front work on my part, I just couldn't resist. So we have seventeen beautiful little chicks down in the barn, and they're now four weeks old. The picture is from when they were not quite a week old; it's remarkably difficult to take decent pictures of chicks this age for a few reasons: there's nothing they would like more than to escape, the barn cat is always around, and they're in a relatively poorly-lit part of the barn. But holy bananas, they are c-u-t-e. I hardly dare say it out loud, but there are only two which are clearly roosters! And (I also hardly dare say it out loud) the three chicks hatched out by our broody hen at the end of March all appear to be hens! Hallelujah! If I'm correct about all of these birds, we will be rolling in eggs (that could get messy) in a few more months. Check out the cheek tufts on these three! (And those legs!)
The older ladies have been doing a pretty lovely job lately, though. Exhibit A:
In other, non-chicken-related news:
Pro tip for being an adult that I learned from my mother - always carry a couple of band-aids in your wallet. It's so nice to be able to come to someone's rescue every now and then. (They've come in very handy (literally!) lately.)
And lastly!
I have discovered/invented/come up with the best face wash, hands down. It's super inexpensive, effective, and you can easily make it with only two ingredients! I was spending what I consider to be way too much on one that agreed with me but wasn't made of ideal ingredients, and I decided to take matters into my own hands (again, literally!) This is so ridiculously simple.
Many DIY cream cleansers use milk and need to be refrigerated. The lactic acid in milk is a natural and mild exfoliant, and the fat in it is moisturizing and yummy. But who wants to keep cleanser in the fridge? I can't be bothered, especially since it would involve running downstairs.
And then inspiration struck - I combined powdered milk and a few drops of essential oil (I use lavender, also lovely for the skin, and I adore it). Shake it up to mix, and that's it! To use, just shake or spoon out a little bit (I use about 3/4 tsp) and mix in your palm with a tiny bit of water. Massage in to your face and neck, rinse well, and ta-da! You're all set, beautifully and naturally. (And super inexpensively, too.)
I make mine in small batches and store it in a tiny Weck jar with a plastic storage lid. I took some with me when I travelled to Vancouver last month, and it's not a liquid so is perfect for flying. And it won't leak all over your bag! It keeps indefinitely, as long as no water gets in. I make small batches for just this reason. You could make a larger batch and decant smaller portions into the jar you use it from when washing your face.
I've been using it for a few months now, and am completely happy with it! Enjoy!