100 Day of Pinterest--Day 2

Pinteresting Day #2:  Bath Salts

I know I promised that Day 2 would Homemade Air Fresheners, but I forgot that I needed to make these bath salts for a baby shower I was attending.  The salts were quick and super easy to make.  They make great "Thank you for coming!" gifts.  

Today's pin comes from MarthaStewart.com. Bath salts are a simple way to turn an ordinary bath into to one that soothes and relaxes.  You can add your favorite scent and enjoy!

Here's what you'll need:

Espsom Salt

Coarse Sea Salt

Baking Soda

Essential Oil (your choice)

Glass Jar or Bottle (we used mason jars because who doesn't love a good mason jar)

The "recipe" called for 6 parts sea salt to 3 parts Epsom Salt.  Since I didn't have enough sea salt, I did equal parts.  For this batch, I used 5 cups of sea salt and 5 cups of the Epsom Salt.

(Here is the coarse sea salt that I got at the Dollar Tree.  I'm sure that I could have found more for cheaper, but I was there and didn't want to go anywhere else.)

After combining the 2 salts, add one part baking soda (1 cup for this batch).  The baking, among its many other amazing uses, is used to soften the water and sooth any skin irritations.   

At this point, you would add your essential oil(s).  I used orange and lavender.  The "recipe" says to add food coloring if desired, but I thought that sounded odd and it would stain your skin.  I opted to add orange zest and lavender to the mix for color and added scent. 

(Isn't that so pretty?!?)

Fill your jar!  We tied a pretty ribbon onto each jar to match the party.  You can label the jar, but then you would have to remove the sticker (which is a pain) in order to reuse your jar, and we all know that there are many wonderful uses for mason jars.  If you want, you can add a tag, letting your guests know the scent and how to use.   

To use, add a tbsp (I like a heaping one) to your bath.  Get in and relax!

Here are a couple of pictures that my girls took:

Pinteresting Day 3--Homemade Air Fresheners (finally!)

100 days of Pinterest--Day 1

I've been told that I'm a very "pinteresting" person. Everyday, I fill my Pinterest boards with delicious looking recipes, cute craft ideas, funny sayings, and much more.  This summer, I've decided to do something with some of these pins.  It is my goal to try something new and pinteresting every day.  From a household cleaning tip to a new yummy recipe, I have set out to do 100 Days of Pinterest!  Please bare with me, as I am extremely new to blogging.  This will be a learning journey for me.  Not only do I hope to begin to hone my blogging skills, but my photo taking skills as well.

So here it goes:

Pinteresting Day #1:  Rock Candy

Those of you who know me, know that we homeschool our 6 (and a half) kids.  This year, we have been studying Chemistry.  With just a couple more days of school left, I thought it would be perfect for today's pin to be one that relates to our Chemistry co-op.  Every Friday, we meet at my mother-in-law's house for our school day of Language Arts and Science.    

In non-scientific terms, when making rock candy, the sugar forms crystals which represent the formation of rock crystals and how molecules bond to one another.  For more "scientific" information check out this site.  To make our rock candy and learn more about molecules, I used this pin from another blogger.  

(Click on the photo to take you to the pin)

Before you begin, gather your supplies.  Here's what you will need:

A ton of Sugar (we did about 2 cups for each kid)

Water

Food Coloring

Candy Flavoring (if desired)

Bamboo Skewers

Jars or Glass Cups

Clothespins

(We used heavy duty plastic cups since there were a lot of kids making rock candy AND I didn't want to use up all of my canning jars or glass cups)

Once you've gathered your supplies, it time to get cookin'!  In order that each child could help, we had them each cook their own sugar/water solution.  In a small saucepan, we added 2 cups of sugar and 1 cup of water.  A 2:1 ratio gives a good sugar solution.  The sugar won't dissolve with this mixture.  Heat the solution until it begins to simmer and the sugar and water are well incorporated.  The other blogger states that there is no need to bring to a rolling boil or any set temperature.  

While some of the kids were cooking their sugar, the rest prepared their bamboo skewers.  Break or cut each skewer so that your skewer is about 3/4 of its original length (be sure to sure to discard the pointy end so no one loses an eyeball).  Dip the skewers into water and then roll in sugar.  

Be sure the skewer is well coated.  This will give the sugar something to stick to as it starts to crystalize and climb.

Back to the sugar solution:

Once the sugar solution has simmered and is well combined, let it set for 10 minutes.  Afterward, pour it into your jars or cups.

Dip the end of an unused skewer (we used the end that we cut off earlier) into the food coloring gel and stir it into your sugar solution. You can use regular food coloring, but the gels give a nice bright color.  If desired, add the candy flavoring (only use a drop or two, very strong stuff).  We used cinnamon and peppermint. 

Once you have your desired color, take your sugared skewer and clip the clothes pin to it near the top.  Using a second clothes pin, secure the skewer in the middle of the cup.  Be sure not to touch the skewer to the side or bottom.  This will inhibit the sugar from climbing properly.  

Place your cups in a warmish place where they will not be disturbed.  They will need to sit for about a week.  

I will update you when our week is up!  :)

Tomorrow's Pinteresting Day:  Homemade Air Fresheners