Thursday, August 6, 2009

Hiking Around

There are certain times of the year I have difficulty dealing with emotionally—since 2004, the interim of Aug. 1 and 9 is a bad one for me. So I try to find something positive and constructive to do at this time.

Right now I’m working on getting healthier so I’ve been walking a lot. This has led to an interest in hiking, and I’ve been trying out a new trail every other day. Today it’s the Mica View Trail at Saguaro National Park East, a relatively short trail but I’m working up to more strenuous hikes.


© June Scroggin, All Rights Reserved


My husband took me shopping for new hiking boots on Tuesday as he said my sneakers aren’t good for Arizona’s trail challenges: rocks, cacti, flash floods, and rattlesnakes (we call them buzz worms). I can also use the boots to practice ninja moves for warding off hungry mountain lions should they decide I look tasty. I’m sure I’m not tasty at all, silly animals.

I checked the Letterboxing North America site last night and found there’s a webbox to be found on the very trail I’ll be following this morning. You cannot plant an actual letterbox in a national park, hence a webbox. You follow the clues, make note of certain information, and then log it into the applicable web link indicated by the person who created the box.

It’s a beautiful morning in Tucson and I get to be outside—blessings that ease my heart somewhat. I have to leave now as I’m picking up a neighbor who is joining me on my hiking adventure.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Birds of Prey and Astronomy Crafts

Here it is August, I’m pretty sure I’ve somehow been teleported to another time zone as summer is spinning by awfully fast. But it’s a fun summer as we’ve been having all sorts of adventures.

Birds of Prey

The Sonora Desert Museum hosts special programs on Saturday nights every summer in the cool (hah!) of the evening. We made dinner reservations and some friends joined us for our expedition.


© Margaret Clifton, All Rights Reserved (used with permission)

We enjoyed a lecture about birds of prey and were able to see the birds up close. In one instance, we watched a Great Horned Owl gobble up a live mouse—kind of icky but fascinating at the same time.

A Harris Hawk has been visiting my yard lately, but I always miss getting a photo of it. I suspect my bird feeders are attracting its interest.

Astronomy Crafting


© June Scroggin, All Rights Reserved

After the birds of prey lecture, we zoomed over to the program celebrating 2009 as the International Year of Astronomy.


© June Scroggin, All Rights Reserved

Maggie and I joined the children’s hands-on program and crafted things like the Star Wheel I made above. It was fun even if we were the only adults in a group of kids—we’re kids at heart and learn from such activities, too.

I found the same projects we did at the museum online which makes it nice for sharing with you.

If you’d like to make a Star Wheel yourself (okay, maybe also share with your kids), you can download the project
here. To use a star wheel, you do the following (from Hands-on Universe)


  • Set date and time of night by rotating the Star Wheel in the Star Holder until your desired time of night lines up with the desired date.
  • To find a constellation note which horizon it is closest to and orient the Star Holder so that horizon is near is at the bottom, making that part of the sky to look right-side up.
  • Constellations higher in the sky (closer to the zenith) are closer to the center of the map.

© June Scroggin, All Rights Reserved

This is the Star Clock I made from a Sky & Telescope project. Here’s the link to the PDF and instructions for making your own Star Clock.

Since so many children’s programs are offered during the summer, don’t forget adults can join in the merriment, too. These projects would also work wonderfully well for those of you who home school your children. Summer is a grand time, isn’t it?

Resources


Monday, August 3, 2009

Therapeutic Mouse Wrist Cushion Tutorial

Too much computer time is making my wrist hurt. My husband suggested we visit the office supply store and find a wrist support to use with my mouse. We looked at the different types available and I fussed about the cost. In considering the various options, I realized they're simply small bits of fabric sewn together and stuffed with either gel or small plastic round "ergonomic" pellets.


© June Scroggin, All Rights Reserved

Then I started thinking about the bag of flax seeds at home left over from my therapeutic neck wrap projects in May. "Wouldn't it be lovely if I could heat up the wrist pad when I'm really hurting?" I ask my husband. "Let's go home, I have a better idea for what I want to do."

And thus a solution and tutorial were born for making my own therapeutic wrist cushion.

Therapeutic Mouse Wrist Cushion Tutorial


© June Scroggin, All Rights Reserved

Supplies Needed

  • Small pieces of fabric
  • Thread to match
  • Flax seeds (I bought mine at New Life Health Store)
  • Template (provided on second page)
  • Water soluble marker (optional)
  • Pins

Right-click on the following template to enlarge for printing. Cut out and pin or trace onto 2 pieces of fabric.


© June Scroggin, All Rights Reserved

Directions

Step 1: Cut out the template.

Step 2: Using pins (or trace with a water-soluble marker), pin the template onto 2 pieces of fabric and cut out.

Step 3: Place the 2 pieces of fabric right-sides together.

Step 4: Leaving about a 2-inch opening, sew a ¼-inch seam around the sides.

Step 5: Turn right-side out and press.

Step 6: Stuff with the flax seeds (I used a small kitchen funnel).

Step 7: Pin the 2-inch opening and slip-stitch to close.

When needed, simply heat for a approximately 30 seconds in the microwave. Adjust the time as necessary to accommodate your needs and microwave settings.You can find a printer-friendly PDF version of the tutorial here or in my sidebar.

Friday, July 31, 2009

Blessings Friday: Toilet Paper

Over the years I’ve formed a special mantra to remind me I’m responsible for my own happiness: When life gives you poop, it’s your responsibility to buy the toilet paper. I don’t actually use the word poop, though—I use a different expression, but it’s my way of injecting humor into challenges faced. A story making email rounds came to me via my friend Peggy and illustrates exactly what I mean.


Source: Wikimedia

You know the feeling....

When you have to visit a public bathroom, you usually find a line of women, so you smile politely and take your place. Once it's your turn, you check for feet under the stall doors. Every stall is occupied. Finally, a door opens and you dash in, nearly knocking down the woman leaving the stall.

You get in to find the door won't latch. It doesn't matter, the wait has been so long you are about to wet your pants. The dispenser for the modern 'seat covers' (invented by someone's Mom, no doubt) is handy, but empty. You would hang your purse on the door hook if there was one, but there isn't—so you carefully but quickly drape it around your neck, (Mom would turn over in her grave if you put it on the FLOOR!), yank down your pants, and assume 'The Stance'.


Souce: Clean Seat Holland

In this position your aging, toneless thigh muscles begin to shake. You'd love to sit down, but you certainly hadn't taken time to wipe the seat or lay toilet paper on it, so you hold 'The Stance.'

To take your mind off your trembling thighs, you reach for what you discover to be the empty toilet paper dispenser. In your mind, you can hear your mother's voice saying, “Honey, if you had tried to clean the seat, you would have KNOWN there was no toilet paper!” Your thighs shake more.


Source: Truman College

You remember the tiny tissue that you blew your nose on yesterday, the one still in your purse. (Oh yeah, the purse around your neck, that now you have to hold up trying not to strangle yourself at the same time). That would have to do. You crumple it in the puffiest way possible. It's still smaller than your thumbnail.

Someone pushes your door open because the latch doesn't work. The door hits your purse hanging around your neck in front of your chest, and you and your purse topple backward against the tank of the toilet. “Occupied!” you scream as you reach for the door, dropping your precious, tiny, crumpled tissue in a puddle on the floor, lose your footing altogether, and slide down directly onto the toilet seat.


Source: Laid Back Think Tank

It is wet of course. You bolt up, knowing all too well that it's too late. Your bare bottom has made contact with every imaginable germ and life form on the uncovered seat because YOU never laid down toilet paper—not that there was any even if you had taken time to try. You know your mother would be utterly appalled if she knew, because you're certain her bare bottom never touched a public toilet seat because frankly, dear, “You just don't KNOW what kind of diseases you could get.”

By this time, the automatic sensor on the back of the toilet is so confused that it flushes, propelling a stream of water like a fire hose against the inside of the bowl that sprays a fine mist of water that covers your butt and runs down your legs and into your shoes. The flush somehow sucks everything down with such force that you grab onto the empty toilet paper dispenser for fear of being dragged in, too.

At this point, you give up. You're soaked by the spewing water and the wet toilet seat. You're exhausted. You try to wipe with a gum wrapper you found in your pocket and then slink out inconspicuously to the sinks.

You can't figure out how to operate the faucets with the automatic sensors, so you wipe your hands with spit and a dry paper towel and walk past the line of women still waiting.


Source: eHow

You are no longer able to smile politely to them. A kind soul at the very end of the line points out a piece of toilet paper trailing from your shoe. (Where was that when you NEEDED it?) You yank the paper from your shoe, plunk it in the woman's hand and tell her warmly, “Here, you just might need this.”

As you exit, you spot your hubby who has long since entered, used, and left the men's restroom. Annoyed, he asks, “What took you so long, and why is your purse hanging around your neck?”


Source: Signs Online

This is dedicated to women everywhere who deal with a public restrooms (rest??? you've GOT to be kidding!). It finally explains to men what really does take us so long. It also answers their other commonly asked questions about why women go to the restroom in pairs—it’s so the other gal can hold the door, hang onto your purse and hand you Kleenex under the door.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Travel First Aid Kit

We’re traveling again soon; we have three trips scheduled—one each for October, November, and December. A post on Maya Made last week reminded me about the necessity of including a first aid kit in our packing.


© June Scroggin, All Rights Reserved


I’m not a doctor and, therefore, am not making recommendations on what should be in your first aid kit. Maya Made’s choices gave me a good list to consider; from that I made my own shopping list to supplement what’s already in my medicine cabinet.

  • Arnica Spray: external use for muscle aches and pains, as well as bruises from falls
  • Arnica Montana Pellets: dissolves in the mouth for reducing pain, swelling, and discoloration from bruises
  • Burt’s Bees Res-Q Ointment: aids in healing wounds, cuts, burns and bruises
  • Rescue Remedy: for relief of occasional stress or anxiety
  • EcoGuard Bandages: latex-free
  • Desert Essence Towelettes: contains lavender, tea tree, and palmarosa
  • Neosporin: antibiotic ointment
  • Tylenol
  • Aloe Vera Ointment: for minor cuts, burns, insect bites, irritations, and sunburn

© June Scroggin, All Rights Reserved


Maya Made provides a tutorial for making a first-aid envelope, including an adaptation for using it with a belt. I have a small bag previously made using a pattern from Amy Karol’s book Bend the Rules and am using that instead. Everything tucks quite neatly inside.


Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Do It Yourself Hot Stone Massage

I love massages, but they’re not cheap. So I’ve figured out a way to get what I need in a more affordable way. My husband and I decided we’ll learn some massage techniques and then treat each other.

To supplement regular massages for our aching muscles and joints, a hot stone massage makes for a blissful experience. I’ve collected what we need--basalt river rocks, a book about massage techniques, and a stone warmer.


© June Scroggin, All Rights Reserved


You need approximately 33 stones: 8 large, 6 medium, 10 small, and 8 very small ones to put between your toes. You can buy the rocks or find them in a riverbed. My sister and I drove up to Apache Junction on Monday and spent the day floating down the Salt River on inner tubes to escape Arizona’s heat. There were gazillions of lovely smooth river stones—gifts of nature.

You can buy a stone warmer at beauty supply stores, but you can also just use an old crock-pot, just be careful you can control the temperature appropriately. Put in your stones and water, making sure the stones are completely submerged, but don’t overfill your pot. In addition to stones, the warmer heats mud, algae and other massage products for varying type therapies.

We’re going to give our new do-it-yourself tools a try this weekend. First I’ll make a bottle of homemade massage oil to use with a recipe found at Pioneer
Thinking for a massage oil called “Muscular Aches Pain”.

Resources

  • A Step-By-Step Guide To The Hot Stone Massage at LifeScript
  • Create Your Own Home Spa Experience at LifeScript
  • 5 Simple Steps to Create Your Own Hot Stone Kit for Massages at The Free Library
  • Herbal Magic: Customize Your Massage Oil at The Herb Companion
  • Hot Stone Massage And Other Relaxation Techniques at Relaxation
  • Hot Stone Massage Therapy videos on YouTube
  • How to Give a Hot Stone Massage at How to Do Things

Monday, July 27, 2009

Daring Bakers July Challenge: Mallows and Milan Cookies

The July Daring Bakers' challenge was hosted by Nicole at Sweet Tooth. She chose Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Cookies and Milan Cookies from pastry chef Gale Gand of the Food Network.

I was pleasantly surprised at the ease of making these two types of cookies. The homemade marshmallow component was made in advance to save me some time; otherwise, all went pretty quickly.

Mallows (Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Cookies)


© June Scroggin, All Rights Reserved

Prep Time: 10 min
Inactive Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 10 min
Serves: about 2 dozen cookies

  • 3 cups all purpose flour
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ teaspoon baking powder
  • 3/8 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 12 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 eggs, whisked together
  • Homemade marshmallows, recipe follows
  • Chocolate glaze, recipe follows
  1. In a mixer with the paddle attachment, blend the dry ingredients.
  2. On low speed, add the butter and mix until sandy.
  3. Add the eggs and mix until combine.
  4. Form the dough into a disk, wrap with cling-film or parchment and refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to 3 days.
  5. When ready to bake, grease a cookie sheet or line it with parchment paper or a silicon mat.
    Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  6. Roll out the dough to 1/8-inch thickness, on a lightly floured surface. Use a 1- to 1½-inches cookie cutter to cut out small rounds of dough.
  7. Transfer to the prepared pan and bake for 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Let cool to room temperature.
  8. Pipe a “kiss” of marshmallow onto each cookie. Let set at room temperature for 2 hours.
  9. Line a cookie sheet with parchment or silicon mat.
  10. One at a time, gently drop the marshmallow-topped cookies into the hot chocolate glaze.
  11. Lift out with a fork and let excess chocolate drip back into the bowl.
  12. Place on the prepared pan and let set at room temperature until the coating is firm, about 1 to 2 hours.
Homemade Marshmallows


© June Scroggin, All Rights Reserved

I made the marshmallows a couple of days in advance. To keep them from sticking together, I cut them into small blocks and rolled them in powdered sugar. When time came to use them, it was simply a matter of heating them so they melted for piping onto the cookies.
  • ¼ cup water
  • ¼ cup light corn syrup
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon powdered gelatin
  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • 2 egg whites, room temperature
  • ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  1. In a saucepan, combine the water, corn syrup, and sugar, bring to a boil until “soft-ball” stage, or 235 degrees on a candy thermometer.
  2. Sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water and let dissolve.
  3. Remove the syrup from the heat, add the gelatin, and mix.
  4. Whip the whites until soft peaks form and pour the syrup into the whites.
  5. Add the vanilla and continue whipping until stiff.
  6. Transfer to a pastry bag.
Chocolate Glaze
  • 12 ounces semisweet chocolate
  • 2 ounces cocoa butter or vegetable oil
Melt the 2 ingredients together in the top of a double boiler or a bowl set over barely simmering water.

Milan Cookies


© June Scroggin, All Rights Reserved

Prep Time: 20 min
Inactive Prep Time: 0 min
Cook Time: 1 hr 0 min
Serves: about 3 dozen cookies

  • 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 2½ cups powdered sugar
  • 7/8 cup egg whites (from about 6 eggs)
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons lemon extract
  • 1½ cups all purpose flour
  • Cookie filling, recipe follows
Cookie Filling
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
  • 1 orange, zested
  1. In a mixer with paddle attachment cream the butter and the sugar.
  2. Add the egg whites gradually and then mix in the vanilla and lemon extracts.
  3. Add the flour and mix until just well mixed.
  4. With a small (¼-inch) plain tip, pipe 1-inch sections of batter onto a parchment-lined sheet pan, spacing them 2 inches apart as they spread.
  5. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10 minutes or until light golden brown around the edges. Let cool on the pan.
  6. While waiting for the cookies to cool, in a small saucepan over medium flame, scald cream.
  7. Pour hot cream over chocolate in a bowl, whisk to melt chocolate, add zest and blend well.
  8. Set aside to cool (the mixture will thicken as it cools).
  9. Spread a thin amount of the filling onto the flat side of a cookie while the filling is still soft and press the flat side of a second cookie on top.
  10. Repeat with the remainder of the cookies.