Save The Monkeys, Save The World

I’ve deemed Thursday “Save the Monkeys, Save the World” day in honor of number 7 on my bucket list. Let’s save the monkeys today by not buying any more household cleaners.

Malcolm and I, like the rest of the world are feeling the consequences of our tumultuous economy. Gas prices soaring, taxes increasing, general food costs going up, yadayadayada. In an effort to live green, we have had to develop some economic strategies when it comes to environmental responsibility. On those weeks when Seventh Generation, Pureology and the like are slightly out of reach, and sometimes just because I like playing in the kitchen, the kids and I make our own soaps, shampoos, cleansers, laundry detergents and such. Keeping our bodies and our conscience sparkly like a Cullen.

Gonna Wash That Kryptonite Right Outta My Hair Shampoo

¼ cup distilled water

¼ cup liquid Castille Soap

½ teaspoon oil (grapeseed, jojoba, olive, avocado, something vegetable based)

3 Tablespoons of Rosemary & 1 Tablespoon of Lemongrass

-or- 4 Chamomile tea bags

2 teaspoons Tea Tree Oil

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Boil distilled water, add rosemary and lemongrass –or- tea bags (in tea strainer if you have it) and steep until fragrant (about 20-30 minutes)..
Strain leaves and let cool. Mix all ingredients and add to water and stir well.
Mix the tea tree oil and vanilla into the water. Add soap.

I like keeping this in a spray bottle, because it is thinner than commercial shampoos and because spray bottles are fun but any bottle works.

It's Roadside Attraction Wednesday!

We made it to Zora Dora's Micro Batch Ice Cream and Paletas this morning, thanks to my beautiful sister and partner in crime Theresa. Beacon is only about a fifteen minute drive from my hometown of Wappingers Falls, New York and has a Main Street speckled with cafes and shops.

Zora Dora's specializes in small batches of elegant gourmet combinations. I had roasted banana, saffron and pistachio in a sweet milk base. Three of our monkey-like tagalongs went for juice pops of cranberry and lime with chunks of fresh cherries, just the perfect combination of tart ambrosia for the dubious dynasty.

Sonny got orange-coconut that was "Awesome" and un-share-able. Other flavors like 'the measels', 'pineapple-lime-chili-sea salt', and 'strawberry basil' will make another visit necessary...and soon!

Muchas Poochas Monday

The kidlets and I depart tomorrow for a visit with the cousins and also to check out Cori's favorite Ice Cream Shop, Zora Dora's Paleteria in Beacon New York. Bringing my camera and my appetite along...yes, and the children.

Before we go though, I am excited to share with you my next project~Muchas Poochas!

After last week's Bucket-esque list, I began perusing for a quilt block of the month program I could get my teeth into and this one is one of the nicest dog themed quilts I have seen. Do you like it?

Meanwhile, if anyone in the Wappingers Falls area is up for a swim or a swig, gimme a shout!

Funny Friday

All year the girls in Troop 2083 started our meetings singing "The Mysterious Ticking Song" during snack time. If you're not familiar with it, you are in for a real treat! See you at the theater!

That Candy Bar Left A Bad Taste In My Mouth

When my mom was a kid, she used to go to a candy store called Benny’s, spin a wheel for one penny and gratefully receive whichever sweet the wooden arrow landed upon, tootsie rolls, caramels, squirrel nut zippers, and toffees.

When we were kids, Melissa and I would walk on a Sunday to St. Mary’s Church in Wappingers Falls, stop in at the local delicatessen with a quarter (part of my tithe for church) and fill a little brown paper bag with candy, usually the same penny candies Mom ate, but occasionally a pack of Big Red for the walk home.

Our progeny have their choice of multi-mega shopping emporium, where for a mere pittance they stand like slack-jaw pilgrims before the altar, where a wealth of sweet pleasure provisions hang within their tiny reach. If only Mom would give us another minute to decide! Put you in mind of the cereal scene from the Hurt Locker?

I think a fair philosophy for our generation might be “With great power, comes great responsibility”. More than anyone before us, we have no excuse for ignorance. (We have Wi-fi!) So while it may come as some surprise to you, I hope my next words will create a small ripple for change. Ready? Here they come…

S L A V E R Y   S T I L L   E X I S T S

Forgive me, in no way do I mean to imply your ignorance. I do find that sometimes I forget, and on the heels of my visit to Chocolate Town U.S.A., I thought a reminder was needed regarding child trafficking and slavery for CHOCOLATE.

Slave Free Chocolate is a coalition to end child slavery in West African cocoa farms. When you visit this site, be sure to watch The Dark Side Of Chocolate a courageous film by Miki Mistrati & U. Roberto Romano which investigates the rumor that the chocolate we eat may be produced with the use of child labor and trafficked children.

Meanwhile, when you are at the store today with your moppet, steer them towards that fair trade candy aisle, hug them, kiss them, thank God for their health and clean clothes, and then say a prayer for the children of the Ivory Coast.

I love this bar from THEO

“Change happens by listening and then starting a dialogue with the people who are doing something you don’t believe is right.” Jane Goodall

IT’S ROADSIDE ATTRACTION WEDNESDAY

So dear readers (all three of you), who said this: "The value of our good is not measured by what it does, but by the amount of good it does to the one concerned." Of course it was Milton Hershey!

Generally in the summertime, we venture out on Wednesdays, we have no real reason to pick Wednesday as our big day out, it just happens that Mama generally has this day off and well, nothing ever happens unless it is written on a calendar, right? So, as it happens the kiddies and I spent the afternoon today visiting the new Museum in Chocolate Town U.S.A., aptly named, THE HERSHEY STORY.

Let’s be honest, even if you don’t happen to live 15 minutes away, you have to appreciate Hershey as a pretty distinctly flavored chocolate. Even if you are a chocolate snob that will only partake in 73% cocoa confections and only for the antioxidants, you can still fathom the wherewithal, the gumption, the sheer tenacity to succeed in business. The business of candy, no less. The kicker? What does Milton Hershey do with his money? OPEN A SCHOOL FOR ORPHAN BOYS. Kittens, I don’t care what kind of cynic you are, the man is worth your time.

The new museum has a some really fun interactive exhibits, loads of antiques, films to watch and of course a lovely little café. It also offers a free shuttle to Chocolate World every 15 minutes. If you have never been to Chocolate World, it shares a parking lot with Hershey Park, so the shuttle is a swell idea. We are suckers for the free educational tour with the candy happy ending. Our tradition usually ends in the salon with their “Milkshake of the Day”, today’s was chocolate-peanut butter, $4.25 in a souvenir cup. If you are not a milkshake person, there are choices galore for food, drinks, and souvenirs, as well as other activities like The 3D movie, the Trolley Tour of town (AWESOME) and the chocolate factory where you create your own candy bar and wrapper.

Today’s partner in crime was my girl Heidi, whose company I much enjoy and not just because her knees keep her pace as torturously slow as my bad hip. Joyously the children didn’t mind the boondoggle ‘rents. So captivated by the exhibits where they could design factory machines, candy packaging, and newspapers were they.

Do yourself a favor my doves, if you venture out, check the CHOCOLATE WORLD website first for coupons, as we scored buy 1 get 1 free milkshakes and $1off museum admission. Making an affordable day out, downright cheap.

“God asks no man whether he will accept life. That is not the choice. You must take it. The only choice is how.” - Henry Ward Beecher

Not a huge presence in American History books, nevertheless I am a big big fan of Henry Ward Beecher, scandal or no. Maybe it was the scandal that keeps him out of our history books, maybe it was the fact that as a preacher we need to keep him out of our history books…and I’m not baiting any “separation of church and state” arguments here…it is what it is…what I like to label “faith-ist”. ;p

I just find it absolutely fascinating that someone can go from being one of THE MOST FAMOUS MEN IN AMERICA to a whisper of a shadow in 100 years.

Top reasons to like this guy?

He was an abolitionist – one of his greatest stunts was bringing a 9 year old slave girl from Virginia to New York to “sell her into freedom” he auctioned her off during a church service, not only raising the $900 her freedom cost, but also $1100 to educate her.

He was a Darwinist – isn’t thaaat interesting? Sometimes I feel like I am the only one in the world who remembers that Darwin was a Christian. Just a second while I climb down from my soapbox.

He was Harriet’s brother – you know, of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” fame?

This may be a stretch, but I personally believe he may even have been the inspiration behind our present day philosophy of “audience of one”. He once was quoted saying “I would rather speak the truth to ten men than blandishments and lying to a million. Try it, ye who think there is nothing in it! Try what it is to speak with God behind you,--to speak so as to be only the arrow in the bow which the Almighty draws.” See, this was a time when, if you were a good orator, you could be a celebrity. People were into attending seminars and listening to lectures en masse. He chose to talk about being true to God, freeing the slave, and oh yes…suffrage.

That’s my rant for the day…if you are interested in more on (the other) Beecher there is a book if you can get your hands on a copy.

"Life is a daring adventure, or nothing at all." Helen Keller

Last night some friends and I found ourselves lounging about comparing things we have never done before. Prior to this particular group of friends I had spent a good segment of my advancing years living…eclectically?

I dread these games. I was the girl in the crowd with the happy-go-lucky pluck… jump first, ask questions later.  Looking for a bundle of joie de vivre and broken bones wrapped in a pocketful of twizzlers? You found me.

Even so, the game progressed impressively, with the ten of us discovering that while none of us had ever had their tonsils out, about half had experienced a root canal. I will not attempt to entice you with the rest of the clandestine conversation. Instead, it brought me to the defining moment where I now find myself. Maybe it’s time for a quasi-“Bucket List”, get some goals set, make some plans. Do you have one? (I’d love to hear about it…)

10 Things I’d Like To Do Before Too Terribly Long

1.       Go on a Missions Trip (or two or three)

2.       Hike the state of Pennsylvania on the Appalachian Trail

3.       Learn to play flamenco guitar

4.       Snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef

5.       Sleep under the stars in the Grand Canyon

6.       Complete a full-sized quilt by hand

7.       Save The Monkeys

8.       Kiss a handsome man over Niagara Falls

9.       Participate in an archeological dig

10.   Witness and participate in significant moments in the lives of my children.

As my friend and Pastor, Joel Smith sometimes says “Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “WOW! WHAT A RIDE!”