Tales of an Ordinary Life

 Saturday was a day of baking frenzy for me . I spent all day in the kitchen. I really enjoy baking much more than cooking meals. So my first effort was Bagels I got the recipe from a show called Poh's Kitchen and you get it here . This is the second time I have made them and I am super happy with how they turn out. These ones are a bit overloaded with seeds because Isabella was helping me.  Then I had to make a cheesecake for the next day. It was a mint choc one that you put in the fridge. The recipe was from an eighties Women's Weekly cookbook and there was a couple of ingredients I had to substitute as they are no longer produced. It turned out great and not too sweet. Finally I made some Banana bread - this is yet to be tried as it went straight in the freezer for an afterschool snack for this week. I got the recipe from a website that is quickly becoming like a cooking bible as it has different versions of the same recipe. So if you want to make something and ...

 I have been enjoying lately making bags for friends and family as birthday gifts - though they often turn up quite a few months after the event. This one is my latest effort and I have never made it before. It is from the book One Yard Wonders by Rebecca Yaker and Patricia Hoskins. All patterns only use around a metre of Fabric. This was my first go at this one and I am reasonably happy with it but I know a few tricks I need to do next time I make it. This one I made for a friend whose birthday was at the end of the year and she only got it a few weeks ago. This is showing the lovely lining as it has a plain yet rugged exterior. It is a pattern from Heather Ross' Weekend Sewing, I have used it a few times and am very happy with the result. I think I will have to make one for myself next - make my own bag of love.

What am I cooking you may say? But it is not cooking but my new shampoo and conditioner. I have been reading a bit about people going no shampoo and it got me interested. I have had dermatitis  on my scalp for years, the only time I have not had it was when I was pregnant. It manifests itself in a sore, itchy and flaky scalp. So my thought is what do I have to lose. I am not as worried about if my hair is too oily as many of my fellow no -pooers are online. For me oil is good. So let the journey begin. My recipe that I tried was 1 tabsp Bicarb soda to 1 cup of water and for the rinse 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar (don't ask me why apple cider Vinegar but that is what all I read used) to 1 cup Water. I added a handful of rosemary (because I know that is soothing and good for scalps) in the vinegar/water mix and warmed it up and steeped it like a tea.