Mind Your Beeswax

In just two short weeks, I'll be heading to a girlfriend weekend (including time with my big sis, who I haven't seen since our adventures in Aruba last December) in Portland with zero children-the first time you leave any baby is always bittersweet, but I'm definitely ready for the rejuvination that you can only get when you spend restful time with people you love. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that jazz.

Part of the fun of the weekend is that we're all bringing something to share with the group. It's supposed to be something to represent who you are. I love to take care of people and pamper, so I'll be knitting up some chunky cowls and made some fun lip balm today, based on this tutorial by Our Best Bites. From pulling out the supplies to popping lids onto the cooled tubes was less than a half hour. Hands on time was about 5 minutes, and it's just a fun thing to make.

Logo labels-a little shameless self-promotion never hurt anyone.

In the future, I'll use candy flavoring in addition to the essential oils; and I'll use more of the oil. I should know by now to just follow the directions given by OBB because those girls have never steered my wrong, but after just about ten drops of the lime oil it smelled so strong and I got nervous so I stopped at that then added about five drops of peppermint and it has just the barest hint of minty freshness on your lips, but for a basic lip balm it turned out well. Just one batch made 20 tubes of balm and filled a 2.5 oz glass baby food jar. I've been keeping a tub of lip balm in our kitchen stationery drawer, so why not use the stuff I made myself?

As for the cowls, I'm going back and forth between making several different patterns, or just stick to two patterns with multiple colors to choose from; the front runners are Quick Cabled Cowl, Holding Hands Feeding Ducks and of course the Ramona and Poppy Cowls that I've already done before and loved.

Either way, I can't wait to spend a weekend drinking wine, running with my sister, lounging and laughing, and I'm sure there will be some tears as well, just so it will qualify as a true estrogen fest.