some "winter" favorites in a new way

We've been getting more snow lately which is so beautiful and makes it definitely feel like winter is finally here!  And, speaking of winter...check out our expected wind chill for tonight.
Yes, you read that correctly-
MINUS 33 DEGREES

Since it's been so cold I've wanted to share some of my favorite products (which you've seen before) and tell you of the new ways I have just discovered to use a couple of them that might come in handy at your house.

Magnolia and Ella enjoying the snow!

Up first is:
 THAYERS Organic, unscented, alcohol-free witch hazel with aloe vera
which I wrote about last winter after recently discovering it. HERE  It is now my year-round go to and I can't recommend it highly enough.  This one is not used in a new way, but I just wanted to remind you about it in case you are suffering from dry, itchy skin this winter.... you're welcome!!  Every time I use it I think "I need you remind you about it!"   See, you are always in my thoughts:)
 This is not the witch hazel from your adolescences- it does not contain alcohol and is not the 

"astringent" form of witch hazel.   Witch hazel is a deciduous shrub that has many medicinal uses HERE and HERE.  The THAYERS brand of witch hazel products is made of non-distilled extract from the witch hazel shrub maintaining the highest levels of therapeutic tannins.

If you have dry skin in the winter (or anytime of year for that matter) you will love this product.  I use it after showering by lightly towel-drying then applying the witch hazel directly on damp skin and gently rubbing it on arms, legs, back, etc.  Let it air dry, then you can apply your regular body lotion.  In the summer I will use it alone, without lotion.  I use it on my face morning and night after washing, then apply a Vitamin C serum followed by moisturizer.

If your hands are dry use it as hand lotion.  Simply pour a small amount in the cup of your hand (be sure to dip your cuticles in the witch hazel) then rub your hands and cuticles as if you were applying regular hand lotion.  I do this often throughout the day (after washing my hands) and it keeps my hands from cracking from the dry winter air and keeps your cuticles looking great.  You can put lotion on at this point, but I use the witch hazel by itself.  I literally keep a bottle upstairs, in the kitchen, and a small container in my purse!  Think the father in the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding and his Windex! :):) In fact when we went to Baton Rouge this past summer to pick up Louise and Magnolia my precious little great-niece, Stella, would get a bug bite or a scratch and she would go get my witch hazel and dab it on- yes, it works on bug bites and stings, and helps heal minor scrapes and cuts.

In the winter I use it on my hands and feet every night before going to bed.  I apply a coat, let it dry, then use a heavy cream and am always impressed with the way they look and feel.  Using the heavy cream alone did not give me the same results.  I purchase my witch hazel on Amazon in a 2-pack 

 HERE 

 since I can not find it locally, and because it is usually a really good price, but yikes, I just checked the link and it was $19,95 :O.  I just ordered some last week for $13.85, so keep checking the link.  The price fluctuates based on availability, but is usually between $13-$16 for 2. 

It also comes scented in Rose Petal, Cucumber, Lavender, but I personally prefer the unscented.
I've heard from many of you that you tried it last year and loved it, so please leave a comment so others can know of your experience too.

Next up is Eucalan Delicate Wash which I mentioned last winter as a great product to use at home as an alternative to dry cleaning (of which I am not a fan) for wools, cashmere, and anything delicate.  It is non-toxic, biodegradable, free of optical brighteners, phosphates, synthetic fragrance and dye. (ingredients)  It is a no-rinse product.  You can use it to hand wash (or machine, depending) cashmere, wool, silks, etc.  A very small amount goes a long way.  It's a great eco-friendly alternative to dry cleaning.   

I even use it to bathe the girls as it is made of lanolin. (Though I do rinse them!)  I think their coats stay cleaner longer using this product and I love that it is unscented (a dog's sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,000 more intense than a humans (source) .  Because of that fact I feel very strongly against using any perfume laden shampoos, unnecessary chemicals, etc.on dogs.

 Like many of you I have several faux fur throws around the house in the winter (the girls love them).  One pair of throws in the barn room I've had for about 3 years and they were in dire need of a cleaning.  The cleaning directions all say "dry clean only."  I really didn't want to take them to the dry cleaners, so one day I decided to wash them with the Eucalan and take my chances.  I washed them each separately on the delicate cycle in cold water using about 2 tablespoons of the Eucalan for each load (a little goes a long way). After washing I dried them on a low-heat setting in the dryer and they came out PERFECT!  I washed a third faux fur throw since I was so pleased with the outcome of the first two.  I'm happy that the pups don't have to sit on and breathe in all those dry cleaning chemicals and I can only imagine how much it would have cost be to have had them dry cleaned. 

I purchase the unscented HERE.

It is also available (click on the scent) in Eucalyptus, Lavender, Grapefruit and Jasmine- all scented using essential oils.

And, finally the Swiffer Dusters that I mentioned in one of my favorite lists: 10 house things I can't live without HERE

Last week while dusting in the master bedroom I noticed the black fabric lampshade on the table in the corner was really dusty.  I always see it when I'm dusting then forget about it by the time I get the vacuum out,  (and besides, I find lampshades are a pain to vacuum since I always end up unleveling them and then have to jockey with them to get the shade "just right" and back to level...)  so I decided to use the Swiffer Dusters and I couldn't believe that it actually worked and worked great.   Try it on your fabric shades and see what you think!  It was so much easier than vacuuming.
(I should mention that it was a "fresh" Swiffer, not a previously used one;)

So, that's it.  Just a couple of things that I wanted to share with you in hopes of making your day a it nicer/easier.  xxo
Hope you are warm and comfy!

To read more of my "favorite lists" HERE.  On the bottom of the page click on "older posts" to continue reading.

a recipe (Italian Sausage Soup) & some helpful tips

I thank you for your condolences on the loss of our friend.  Your kind, thoughtful words were very comforting.  You are all so dear.

When I asked for ideas/suggestions for posts many of you said you would like to see recipes.  So, I thought I would oblige with some of my go-to recipes.  You might remember from one of my kitchen drawer posts that I showed a draw with folders of recipes  HERE;  several people asked to know what was in my "go-to" folder.

(By the way... I loved that so many of you mentioned the kitchen drawers as some of your favorite posts!  Loved!  I still adore the quote from Barbara Barry's beautiful book Around Beauty where she writes...

 "As much as I love the part of my work that is all about what is seen when we walk into a room, I also love the part of my work that is about what is not seen.  Or at least not by everyone- the inside of the cabinets, the full refrigerator, the silver drawer, and the well-stocked pantry; they too can be things of beauty, artfully arranged to inspire when given a cursory glance."

 I have had a number of people tell me that because of my posts they organized their own kitchen drawers using pretty baskets and containers and feel a sense of calm and happiness when they open them.  Proof that it really is the simple, little things in life that bring us daily joy, yes?!)

Back to recipes.... several weeks ago I made this recipe (which I have been making/tweaking for 11 years now per the date stamp on the original printed copy) and was told again how wonderful it was and how much comfort it brought.  I am always amazed when I look at the ingredients and how simple the recipe is to make that it becomes this wonderful, delicious soup.  I hope you will try it and let me know how you like it.  In the recipe I've included in italics how I make the recipe.  We like spicy/pepper hot, but if you don't, or have children, I would suggest you make it with sweet Italian sausage.)

Italian Sausage Soup

Ingredients:

1 lb. Italian Sausage (sweet/hot/mixture of sweet&hot. I use hot) casings removed and sausage broken up

4 cloves minced garlic

32 oz. Beef Broth (l carton) (I use Trader Joe's Organic)

1 (14.5 oz.) can Italian-Style stewed tomatoes 

1 cup sliced carrots (approx. 2 carrots)

2 (14.5 oz.) cans Great Northern Beans, UNDRAINED (I use Trader Joe's Organic)

2 small/medium zucchini, diced/cubed

2-4 cups FRESH baby spinach- rinsed, torn and packed into a measuring cup (I use a whole small plastic-box of the pre-washed organic baby spinach)

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions:

In a stockpot or Dutch oven, brown the sausage.  After sausage is brown add garlic for one minute until fragrant.  (If needed,  drain sausage well to remove any grease)  Stir in broth, tomatoes, carrots, and season with salt and pepper.

Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.

Stir in beans WITH liquid and zucchini.  Cover and simmer another 15 minutes.

Remove from heat and add spinach, pushing it down into the hot broth.  

Replace the lid, allowing the heat from the soup to cook the spinach leaves.  

Soup is ready to serve 5 minutes after adding the spinach.

(Soup freezes well) 

(Recipe adapted from Allrecipes.com) 

Tips:

Last weekend, at the celebration of my friend at her house, a catered chili was served.  The chili had a rather soup-like consistency, so I shared with the sweet teenage girl who offered to serve the chili a tip on how to keep the ladle from dripping when serving. 

After filling the ladle to the desired amount and before taking it out of the pot, reinsert the bottom half of the ladle back into the soup then serve to your bowl/cup. The ladle will come out without any drips!  Magic ;)

Another tip (learned on Instagram, but can not remember from whom;  I think it was their grandmother's tip)  came in handy when my friend and I were de-constructing flowers from the memorial into smaller arrangements.  

Place hydrangeas in HOT, even boiling water.  The water will help open the woody stems and allow water in.  I tried it on some very wilted hydrangeas- dipping the stem into a pot of boiled water and they came back perfectly!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
xxojoan