Dandelions and Daydreams

We had more rain last night. I looked outside the door at the sun setting in the West and thought, “This looks like rainbow weather.” I turned East and saw this:


It just doesn’t get any better than this.

Does anybody know how to make snowshoes? That’s right, just a week or two ago I was writing about keeping cool without air conditioner, but today my thoughts have changed and I am looking towards the long winter.

It started Sunday with rain…a sure sign that fall is coming.

Brenton and I have decided to take up snowshoeing this winter, but as part of the plan we are going to make our own snowshoes instead of buying them.

If you have a link on how to make snowshoes, post it in the comments. I would love that.

Sometimes all you can say is, “It figures.” Wednesday I washed the car. For many, this would be a regular summer occurrence. For me…well, let’s just say we bought the car in September and it hasn’t been washed since (except when we took it in to get the oil changed). As I was saying, on Wednesday I washed the car.

Summer is really dry in North Idaho. I don’t think it had rained in 3 months or so. Thursday morning I woke up to gray foreboding clouds. As the saying goes, it only rains after you have washed your car.

I was a bit worried because we also had company coming over Thursday evening. Our new apartment is really, really small. I was afraid we were going to have to entertain seven people in our tiny apartment (like 200-300 sq feet). Did I mention our apartment is small?

I was really glad when the sun came out and everything dried out. The rain shower didn’t last very long at all. I took a deep breath and figured I could wash my car again next month.

–Sunny

In the winter, we are all told to wear a hat because a lot of body heat can be lost through the head and neck. This principle can be applied in reverse during summer heat waves when you are trying to keep cool without air conditioner.

One product that can help you keep cool is the ThermalSoft Gel Hot/Cold Pack ( Standard Size - 11″ x 14″). These packs can be put in the freezer to cool down, but they maintain their pliability after being frozen. This works out for keeping cool when the air conditioner is broke because you can wrap the frozen gel pack around your neck or back.

If you are overheating in the office, I realize that you can’t wrap a 11 x 14″ medical looking gel pack around you neck. For a bit more hidden way to cool down, try ThermalSoft Gel Hot/Cold Pack - Neck Contour ( 23″ x 8″). The neck contour could be hidden under a scarf or collar while you are cooling down.

If you need an alternative to gel packs, you can dip a bandanna in ice water and tie it around your neck. The cooling effect will work, but won’t last as long and you might get your shirt soaked in the process.

Keeping your pulse points, such as wrists, cool really helps lower your core body temperature without much effort.

As always, when the heat wave comes, whether you have air conditioner or not, drink lots of water so you are hydrated and healthy.

I know, I know…

I need another set of measuring spoons like I need a hole in my head, but these were just so darn cute.

When I saw these cupid heart shaped measuring spoons in the hardware store a week ago, I knew I would buy them. I had good restraint and waited until I got some hobby money to buy them with.

These little buggers are heavy! They should last for the next 150 years. Of course, they are made out of 18/10 stainless steel, and come with their own ball and chain (pun intended) to hold everything together.

For the next obvious question….What to bake?

Oh…and if you agree with me that these cupid heart shaped measuring spoons, you cand get them here at www.cooking.com. Makes me happy.