Simply Good Stuff

I am launching a new venture! I have been known to make many things from scratch; always looking for better, healthier, sometimes a cheaper handmade version of everyday household products! Over the years many people have thought I was kooky, or cheap! However, what it really boiled down to was a yearning for self subsistence, and a worry about all the chemicals added to everyday household products. These products are put on our bodies everyday; soaps, deodorants, laundry soaps, dishwasher detergents, carpet deodorizers, sachet's, lotions, creams. I could go on and on, and don't even let me get started on the food industry! In our home we try to do everything we can to use natural products. I am always checking the labels, yes I am one of those people. I decided I wanted to share my love of healthy, homespun products, so I started a new shop!

The new shop will have all the above mentioned products, handmade by me! I have been using all these products for years, and no I'm not smelly, and my house isn't stinky; it is actually very clean, and it smells wonderful!

I have launched the shop with the laundry soap powder! I have put the cart ahead of the horse (as usual for me) and started without my new window bags, but they will be here soon. I am getting ready to launch the carpet deodorizer, and the dishwasher detergent soon. I am waiting on containers for the deodorant, or I may just use jars (that is how I always use my deodorant) it is in a cream form, and you just dip into it with your fingers, and rub it on your armpits. This is an all natural deodorant, made with shea butter, aloe butter, vitamin e, baking soda, corn starch, and essential oils. It works amazingly well! Your body is supposed to perspire, it is a natural defense against impurities. When you use an anti-perspiration deodorant, you are stopping this natural cleansing method, and I don't know about you, but I don't want all those impurities trapped in my body!

I am very excited about this new shop! I hope you will come by, and check it out periodically, as I will be adding new things as I get going.

Here is a link to our new shop: http://www.zibbet.com/SimplyGoodStuff

P.S. Don't forget about Garden Gate Botanicals: http://www.zibbet.com/gardengatebotanicals

Camping Trip 2011

Summer is on the wane here in Montana. I am surely sad to see it going. We still have a few weeks of warm weather left. You can always tell it's winding down, when the tall grasses start turning golden and feathery. We had a lovely time at the lake this year, with the exception of the annoying flies. We seem to be overrun with them this year.
Here are a few pictures of our beautiful Lake Kookanusa.

Here is a picture of our old, vintage 1961 Shasta camper. She ain't too flashy, but it beats sleeping in a tent!

We camp every year during my grandson's birthday, July 26th, it is a tradition we started when he turned 1. He is now 5, gosh I can't believe he is 5 already! Anyway, we staged a treasure hunt for him, and what a hit it was! He wanted a Capt. Jack Sparrow birthday, so of course we had to find pirate treasure!

Here is the map he found in a bottle on the beach.


Reading the map!

Finding the treasure!

Inside the chest of treasure was another map!

That lead to another treasure!

Oh man, my little pirate had a great day!

Such a simple little game to set up, and he will remember it for a life time!

If there is ever any great wisdom for me to pass on to young families, it is this: Take time with your little one's, they grow up so fast, it's like the blink of an eye when you look back. There are so many great books, websites, etc. with inexpensive and fun activities you can do with your children.

Camping out in the backyard, scavenger hunts, nature gathering walks, baking a cake together. Yes, it is just that simple!

Some websites I use:

http://www.pbs.org/parents/fungames/
http://familyfun.go.com/magazine/
http://www.kaboose.com/
http://www.fun-activities-for-kids.com/
http://www.toddlertoddler.com/
http://fun.familyeducation.com/

There are so many more! Have fun finding your favorite sites!


On to my creative endeavors:

I got the bug to start some fall, seasonal goodies.

I just listed a darling pair of pumpkin earrings, I have to admit, I made myself a pair as soon as I got these listed, lol they were just too, cute!

I would love to do some acorn earrings, but I need antique bronze acorn style bead caps in 8 to 10mm. I haven't been able to find any. If you have some, or know who might, I would really appreciate it if you would share with me. Thanks!