Around Here

You know how so many people use blogging and social media to present the "perfect" side of life, their words and images projecting the idea that nothing ever goes wrong in their idyllic homes?

Today's post shares words and images of that kind of idyllic day around here.  Yesterday.  Today, however, is a totally different kind of day, about as opposed to the domestic bliss of yesterday that a house with two tempestuous preschoolers can manage!

But posting these photos from yesterday, reviewing what a lovely and productive day it was, will help me get through the "opposite day" that today has proven to be!

So, around here, YESTERDAY:

I worked to preserve some of my bumper crop of basil before the chilly months of fall and winter set in. Some I just put on the countertop in a vase; I read that basil develops roots in water, and will last for a couple of months.  If that proves true, I will bring in some more at the end of September.

I also chopped a bunch of the leaves, put them into ice cube trays, and covered them in water.  I will be popping them out of the trays and storing them in a freezer bag for easy retrieval for spaghetti sauce and other preparations, come winter.  The smell and taste of fresh basil just about TOPS my list of favorites, and I think it will be a great antidote to wintertime blues.

Soon, I am planning to use some of my basil to create basil butter, which can be frozen for up to six months, and maybe even some basil salt.

Feeling fabulously domestic at that point, I made some banana bread to use up some especially mushy bananas headed straight for the garbage if I didn't do something soon:

And, as a final project, I cleaned up my $2 worth of "thrift store finds" in preparation for a project I've seen pinned in numerous variations on Pinterest.  People glue all manner of plates, platters, bowls, burner covers, candlesticks, spindles, and dowels to create tiered organizers for a multitude of different uses.  I've pinned a couple versions on my Miscellaneous Craft Projects board.

I used Gorilla Glue to adhere my two tiers--a plate and a bowl--to a candlestick holder.  If a proper third tier presents itself on a future thrift store venture, then I will add it, but for now this is what I've got:

Perhaps a desktop organizer for frequently-used paints and mark-making tools, like 

natural sponges, old credit cards, droppers, milk bottle lids, and makeup sponges.

Or perhaps a project organizer, holding the bottles I plan to alter with 

some of the paper materials I plan to use to embellish them.

Or perhaps it is best suited to hold tried-and-true office supplies, like paper clips,

 rubber bands, staplers, staples, and a staple remover.  

I'm not sure how I'll end up using it, but you can be sure that I am eyeballing everything in my craft room, looking for its perfect employment.  I also think it would make a great chip-and-dip presentation at a party, or perhaps veggies and dip!  But with art supplies competing, I don't think it will end up in the kitchen.

Best wishes for your own domestic bliss and creative re-use!