Tomorrow is my precious daughter's birthday.
31 years ago I went into labor after being overdue for 2 weeks according to Dr. Stone, and delivered a 6 pound baby girl, Megan Louise Phillips Smith. From the moment she was conceived, she has been the JOY of my life.
I took a LONG walk and found some jewelweed to make a brew that will wash away the scourge of gardening - poison ivy.
Step one:
Find jewelweed, near poison ivy vines usually and for the first time, that is exactly what I did.
jewelweed
poison ivy...UGH...hate the consequences of the oil from this plant.
Step two:
Cut and bring home. There was an abundance and it was on a friend's property. It will not be missed there.
Step three:
Cut into pieces and place in blender (vita-mix)
Step four:
Place in pan with enough water to cover completely and boil / "cook", simmer until it turns a brownish golden color.
Step five:
Strain and add about 1/2 cup to shaved /shredded soap. Stir until thoroughly mixed. Spoon out into mold (I used an old ice tray with olive oil added to coat the surface) OR, you can make your own soap, but I just used some that a friend had made. Maybe someday soon I will gather all the items needed for that project. Let "cure" for about a week and place in a re closeable bag for next summer's gardening days and/or give to friends and family.
Strain the rest of the liquid and place in a hard plastic container (or another old ice tray) and place in the freezer for future use cleansing the areas where you have been exposed to poison ivy.
It was a great first day of retirement. Tomorrow...another adventure.
