HENNA & NETTLE SHAMPOO SOAP

I made this soap a couple of weeks ago, have just started using it and i have to say its not to bad my hair long and gets oily and knotty, using this i don't need conditioner, so lets hope its good over long term use. i used..
olive oil
coconut oil
Castor bean oil
rosemary oil
benzoin oil
neutral henna powder
ground dried nettle.

SURPRISE BLOG MEME

The first 5 people who respond to this post will get something made by me, it will be my choice but will hopefully be something you can use or enjoy for its aesthetic merits.
This offer does have some special conditions...

*I make no guarantees that you will like it but i hope you do!
*You will receive this item before the end of the year or sooner.
*You will have no idea what the item will be or when you will receive it.
*To participate, you must re-post this meme on your blog and put together something to be sent out as five surprises of your own, these surprises can be anything..a piece of art,..a photo,..a poem, what ever you choose.

KETE FOR ME

Here's another kete i made it last week, this one is for me, I've made lots of kete since i started weaving but always end up with none for my self , get lots of joy out of giving them away and selling the odd one too. Like my last one this one is all so natural colour( no dye) the two tone effect is using the dull side of the harakeke as well as shiny side i like this effect, even though it looks good when it has been dyed, i prefer not too, or try natural dyeing instead, which i will get around to one day.

BEETROOT PICKLE

I was given some beetroot and i had some in my garden, so i made some beetroot pickle this is my second batch this year my 1st batch, i gave most of it away bar one jar which we have nearly finished eating,

4lb beetroot
3 apples
2 onions
2lb sugar
3 pints vinegar
6 tspn salt
1/2 tspn cayenne pepper

scrub beetroot chop well, core and chop apples, peel and chop onions, boil in water till soft drain & mash, or blend, (i just mash mine with potato masher) then add remaining ingredients and boil for 1 hour, put into sterilised jars.

my ginger beer bottled, will be ready to drink in 2 weeks, this made three 1.5 litre bottles.

not a very clear picture, a tui feeding of the korari (flax flower) in my garden.

RED VELVET CAKE TRUFFLES

mmm these were very rich & moist and yum, the recipe is from http://www.howtoeatacupcake.com/

instead of the choc frosting that is mixed with the cake i used..

11/2 cups boiling water

1 cup of dates

1/4 cup cocoa

blend till smooth, add icing sugar to thicken, i mixed this in with crumbed red velvet cake.. http://www.cupcakeblog.com for cake recipe,

rolled into balls and freeze for couple of hours, melt chocolate in double boiler and dip truffles to coat.