Ambrose, my baby, turned two last month! He is now more a child than a baby who talks in sentences, loves books, and is a little obsessed with “Darry Night.” (So, we got him a t-shirt for his birthday.) He is hilarious and adorable and all things two. Sadly, I have few photos from his birthday celebration and not a single one of him in his birthday crown. We celebrated a couple of days late because I was recovering from a super nasty (thought I was going to die at one point) case of food poisoning on his birthday. You will notice that the photos that follow from his birthday are all in black and white. That is code for, Ginny’s house was too messy and dirty for color. I have spent the summer working in our basement and neglecting the rest of the house. If you have a basement storage room full of bins of off-season and hand-me-down clothing, Christmas decorations, homeschool books, and toys, you might know just how bad those rooms can get. I thought I would get it cleaned and organized much faster than I did, but was derailed by two weeks of illness and recovery and life in general. I am incredibly happy to say that I finally finished it recently and then purchased one of those coded lock door handles which Jonny installed for me. I should have done that many years ago! It would have saved me so much work!
Ambrsoe was unsure about being sung “Happy Birthday” to at first, but soon recovered and insisted on having his candles relit over and over again.
Leading up to his birthday, I had been wanting to give Ambrose his first haircut but was violently opposed by his sisters. The mullet and hair in his eyes were such a mess and I thought it needed to go. Beatrix finally agreed, so I started by snipping his bangs straight across and hacking off the mullet in a similar fashion. I had plans to trim more and blend, etc. but Ambrose was finished after the first couple of snips. So now he basically has a bob with bangs. At least it’s out of his eyes!
How do you feel about mouse content? Is it as traumatizing as snake photos? I know I told you that I bought four fancy mice a few months ago to be my classroom pets this year. I plan to take them to co op once a week where I will be teaching high school biology. They are wonderful, fun pets, and I think they are super cute. But remember that I warned you before: they smell super bad!
Such a character…
After not doing much beyond making soap and chrism salve the past couple of years, I had a couple of big projects this summer. One is calendula salve! I have made it in the past, but wasn’t able to offer much in my shop. This year I will have a bit more and what I’ve made is really, really good. (Am I allowed to say that?) I have done a couple of things differently: I steeped my calendula flowers in organic jojoba oil instead of olive oil because I plan to use it on my face, and I packed the calendula flowers into my jars more tightly for a more concentrated oil. The results are amazing. You will notice the scent of calendula right away and I think you will love the jojoba. I don’t want to make any claims about this salve, but if you are familiar with calendula you know it’s healing and anti-inflammatory properties and jojoba oil is wonderful for the skin. It’s technically a liquid wax and not an oil. It is pressed from a seed (not a nut) and is safe for those with nut allergies. It is non-comedogenic and very shelf stable. The jojoba that I use is high quality, first press, and organic. Another great property of jojoba is that a little goes a long way. The tins I have available right now are the same size as last year, 1 oz. This is a small tin, but a great size to carry in your handbag and it really does last a long time. Right now I don’t have plans to offer the liquid oil in my shop (only the salve which has added beeswax). If you are interested in the oil, let me know and I will see if there is enough interest to make it worthwhile to invest in the amber glass bottles and packaging materials necessary to ship them.
Because I want to have enough calendula oil and salve to last myself until next year (and to share!), I started a second batch of plants in July. Calendula prefers cool temperatures and I am hoping that things have cooled off before these start blooming.
In the homestretch with mitten #2! I’m going to love these this winter! Fingerless mitts are great, but I really wanted some mittens. (For those who want yarn details: This yarn is some I received in my breed specific subscription from Longway Homestead. I dyed it with marigolds, modified with iron, and then overdyed with saxon blue.)
I cast on for a third Puddle Duck jumper for Mabel. This is such a practical way to add a layer of warmth over dresses when the weather cools off!
Did I ever show you the portable coop Jonny built? He doesn’t like to use plans, but I convinced him to use them for this one. We lose so many chickens in our larger free range flock, and I am grateful to have one small flock that is safe from predators!
My first batch of calendula salve is available now in my shop, along with goat’s milk soap and a couple of other things!
Calendula plants a couple of weeks after being set out. They are looking good!
And my second big project this summer (well the third if you count the basement cleanout) is naturally dyed organic cotton gauze kerchiefs/scarves! I dyed a big batch in lots of colors. I haven’t offered these in nearly three years. They are very labor intensive for me, but the end product is worth it! I love to wear these around my head, but they are also an easy way to add a bit of color when worn around the neck. They are one of the favorite things I have offered in my shop in the past, and I wish I could make them available more consistently. Unfortunately, that is unlikely. For now, I will have a shop update including them in early September if all goes as planned.
In the meantime, stay tuned next week for a giveaway! I miss the days of blogging being something easy-going and fun, versus the hectic feel of today’s social media (which I really dislike!) For some time, I have wanted to start a monthly giveaway here just for fun. I finally feel like I can manage that somewhat consistently, at least for a little while? Here’s what I plan to do: giveaways of a book and a bar of soap. Is that too lame? Personally, I would love to get a book and a bar of special soap in the mail, but that’s me! I have a favorite local used bookstore and one of my favorite things to do is look through the shelves for interesting copies of books that either I have already read and want to share or that I want to read in the future. For each giveaway I will include a book that I have read and enjoyed (not the exact copy I am giving away of course-but it will likely have been read by some other stranger!) along with a bar of my goat milk soap. Don’t worry, I won’t buy used books in bad condition-they will be like new because I am picky, but I find buying books used preferable when possible. I like that there are sometimes a variety of editions available used and I can choose the one I think is most attractive. Getting to visit my favorite book store to find the books is part of what makes this fun for me. Jonny and I go together, so it makes for a date night too! For the first giveaway I will also be including an indigo dyed scarf and a tin of my calendula salve! If you’re on my email list, you will get an email when the giveaway post goes up!
p.s. I totally forgot to mention that I did indeed finish reading A Passage to India. It took about a hundred pages for me to get into it, but then I enjoyed it. I watched the movie after I finished the book and I liked that too. It’s a great book for discussion so I am looking forward to meeting with my book club to talk about it!
Hi Ginny! I have followed your vlog for years… you were the first homeschool, mom, Christian woman that I found on the Internet, and even though my kids are now grown, I still enjoy your wholesome and wonderful posts and photos. Thank you for doing this wonderful giveaway!
Your sweet Ambrose and my sweet Ambrose are just about the same age! How fun it is❤️
Love all your products and glad to see you posting again!
God bless you
He is really TWO? What a sweet boy. No longer a toddler, a character with eyes wide open. Your story about calendula gave me the final push to try calendula salve on my own. my calendulas are so much this year, the bloom between and over beetrot and it looks so nice together. I’ll tell you, if I succeed… greetings over the ocean. eva
I love that you still blog. In this world of 15 second reels and short phrase posts, your blog is like slipping onto a quiet forest trail and meandering through the beauty. I’ve followed your blog since before your youngest four were born and it’s such a joy to continue following your family.
Beautiful photos as ever! Never mind cleaning up – your dog looks like they will do a good job of making cake crumbs vanish :o)
I can’t believe Ambrose is 2. I’m so sorry you were so sick. 😔 the giveaway sounds fun.
Your calendula salve is stunningly colored! I’m sorry I missed out on it in your Etsy shop. Next time!
Such a nice update in your so busy life! I really enjoy reading about and seeing how young mothers and wives survive the chaos and still have fun in the meantime of everyday family life. God bless you and Happy Birthday to your little one 🎉
This is a lovely update, Ginny, I always enjoy reading your blog! I also had a midlife baby who’s 2 now, and what I wonder is how you manage things like making soap, dyeing yarn, and cleaning out your basement with a toddler around — mine wouldn’t stand for it, and I miss being able to take on more intensive, focused home projects. How do you make it work?
I wholeheartedly agree with this! My midlife baby is 3, but she wants me to interact with her (and her be touching me!) almost always. Not so much time for fun projects (I do enjoy all the snuggles though!).
Oh I love your emails! I can’t think of any nicer gift than a book and a bar of soap! I always am interested in the books you read. I have fallen into the flosstube rabbit hole and taken up crossstitch again, after having dropped it back in the 80s. You introduced me to Posey and her charming crossstitch kits some time ago. Thanks for the update on Ambrose. He is precious. Do you know what caused the food poisoning?
Happy Birthday Ambrose! Love watching your family grow up. Glad you’re feeling better. Everything looks beautiful that you have going on. The flowers, salve, knitting. So pretty. And I’m with you about blogs vs social media. I miss the blogging days. I still write mine and I feel like it’s just a diary that I read. I always enjoy your posts. Thank you for blogging even with everything you have going on at home.
I love your posts! So fun to read about your family!
Bummer must have missed out on the salve would love to know when you do a restock!
Ooh must get some of the salve. The giveaways sound fun. Can’t believe how big Ambrose is getting
Happy belated birthday to Ambrose! I can’t believe he’s two! I always think of him (when I’m reading your blog) as ‘serious baby,’ thanks to a photo you posted him once in which he looked seriously perturbed by something. So cute.
I’m abroad so I won’t be participating in your giveaways, but I do think it’s a fun idea! And I enjoy hearing about what other people are reading. I haven’t read “A Passage to India” yet, but it sounds like something I would like. I’m sure it’ll make for a good book club discussion, too.
Have a good one, Ginny. Happy you’re all recovered now!
I miss the old blogs, too. That’s why I stop by here regularly, even though I am not on your list, and as with many good blogs that are not primarily a commercial venture, the posts aren’t as frequent as they used to be. I feel that way about my own blog, too, and am sorry to admit that the joy I once found in writing and connecting with other bloggers, moms, quilters, knitters, is sometimes elusive. I would be in favor of getting rid of the social medias that dominate phones and conversations these days, and go back to the friendly blogs with thoughtful posts. It is always fun to stop by and find that you have a new post. Your pace of life is admirable and your photos are gorgeous.
I’m sorry I missed your salve sale but interested to hear calendula likes the cooler weather. This is my first year growing it and it has been really delightful. I may go look for some recipe(s) to use it! I did know that it is in the medicinal garden for some, but I had no plans since I didn’t know how they would do or if I would like them.
I think a thoughtfully chosen book and a bar of special soap is a great gift! I’m sure you will have many happy winners over the months. 🙂
A lovely bar of goat soap and a book sounds like a wonderful treat!
The photo of your flowers are absolutely the prettiest!!!
Happy Birthday Ambrose!👑
A lovely bar of goat soap and a book sounds like a wonderful treat!
The photo of your flowers are absolutely the prettiest!!!
Happy Birthday Ambrose!👑
I love your giveaway idea–used books, homemade soap, what’s not to love?!? I much prefer the blogging days of old–pre-social media!
I was so happy to see your new post, I always feel like I have had a visit with a good friend. I cannot believe Ambrose is two years old, he is such an adorable little guy. Thanks for sharing your life with us!
How is Ambrose two?????
So happy to read your newsy post and see your knitting and projects again.
A book and your very special soap is a lovely giveaway. I can also hardly wait for a new color kerchief. They are my favorites.❤️
TWO already?! Happy, happy birthday Ambrose!! 🥳🥳🎁🎂❤️
What happened to the salve is it all gone?
Happy Birthday Ambrose!!!!!!!!!! How can he be two already?
I don’t usually comment, but I really enjoy your blog- your photos are wonderful (even the black and white ones 🙂 ) and I find your approach to life very peaceful – even if you aren’t feeling that peace inside. There just isn’t enough peace in the world, so you have to take it wherever you find it.
Sounds like a lovely kind of giveaway!
I found your blog about 18 months ago (through Mabel’s birth story in “Made for This”) and wanted to say how much I have enjoyed it. I love to knit, read, sew, etc and while we are just beginning our family (about to celebrate our Beatrice’s first birthday and expecting #2 this Spring) your blog has been such an encouragement to me that even with lots of kids, bits of homesteading (both our hope!), and homeschooling (our plan!) you can still find time to make beautiful things around the home. So thanks for sharing what’s happening in your home and family, it helps me to look forward to seeing how our own family life unfolds.
I think your give away sounds wonderful! I would love to get some of your salve!
An excuse to go book shopping? I will definitely support your doing that. 🙂 It is always a good day when a Ginny post shows up. Been following you since several children ago and love your content as much as ever. Peace!
Oh, Happy birthday to Ambrose! There’s time, doing that funny thing again … Good for you, Ginny, with the basement tidy! I know exactly what that is like, to my sorrow! Heh. Very glad for you that it is all done now.
Happy birthday, Ambrose!!
I find mice pictures fine. Snake pictures are anathema. 😀
I have added that adorable jumper to my ravlery queue–must make it for my nieces!
Happy birthday, Ambrose!
I never finished A Passage to India—book or movie. Thanks for motivating me to try again. There’s a long line ahead of the title though. I tried watching Great Expectations on HULU but found it offensive and not the story I fell in love with in school.
Have never used calendula in any form but am curious.
Watching Ambrose grow up is great. Reminds me of the days when our daughter was that age. I look forward to doing the same with we are blessed with grands.
the book section of any thrift store, estate sale or even better a used book store is tops on my list. I have a feeling a lot? most? of your readers think a book and soap (and maybe yarn or fabric) is a dream gift. 🙂
also, I am not brave enough all the time to share my messy home pics but am reassured to know that not all homes are always photo-ready. Now, what to do about that sandbox sand tracked in…..
I would love to get a book and soap!! I think you’ve got your audience pegged here 😉
I would love a gently used book and soap! I too love to go and explore the book shelves at our local thrift stores.
Love your blogs after all these years!! I think 12 years! A fun, simple giveaway sounds so great!!
That “Peek-a-Boo” book that Ambrose got is one of my favorites! I’m so very glad to see it is still in print.
Those aren’t lame giveaways at all! In fact, either item would feel like a really special blessing.
Books and handmade soap? Sounds perfect to me! How fun!
Yeah, I was lucky and got some of your calendula salve ! My daughter and I love all your products.
Looks like life is rolling along at your house, always great to read your latest blog post and look at your pictures.
Take care
Ginny, its always a treat to see your email in my box. My husband and I often include a visit to our local used book store on our dates as well. The idea of getting a book and a bar of your lovely soap in the mail is wonderful! I’m currently enjoying The Summer Book that you have had listed here and it is quite a fun read.
Ooooo! I am VERY much interested in some calendula infused jojoba oil! I have severe chronic dry skin and eczema and I slather plain jojoba oil on my skin daily! I went ahead and ordered a tin of your salve 😊 And a giveaway sounds like fun!
Goodness, Ginny, I think a surprise book and bar of your soap would be an absolutely marvelous gift!!! I look forward to the fun of your drawings.
And Ambrose is 2! Happy birthday to him, and my best wishes for you as the enjoyment of life’s everyday happenings is evident in your writing. May the end of summer and beginning of autumn give you continuing pleasure.
Kudos to you for getting that basement cleaned!!! That by itself is a HUGE accomplishment. I just ordered both your chrism and calendula salves; thanks for having them available in your shop again!
My day is more complete now that I have read your post. I look forward to it so earnestly. Thank you!
Happy
Birthday Ambrose. Two years old and so very handsome. May God bless you in this third year of life.
Happy Birthday to Ambrose🎂👑🎂
Oh can Canadians enter for your giveaways??
Love the photos! And the black and white ones!!!
Great colours for the scarves!
I would also enjoy getting a surprise book and bar of soap!