Wait. What?

Thank you all for entering the captioning contest! What contest, you say? Let me beat you now. This contest. I'll make exceptions to the deadline for any that are particularly funny, if you want to head over and enter. There are several which made the Hunny laugh out loud. More which made me laugh out loud. Thank you! Y'all are hilarious! Next time I'll give you a better picture to work with (the Hunny made me promise to let him help with that). But the Hunny won't be choosing the top five till late tonight. I hope to have them in the sidebar and ready for voting later tonight. Much later. :(

Two things, today. First, who out there has heard of Pandora? (I feel like a third grader, asking that question) The Hunny sent me the link last year sometime and I made several stations for myself, but haven't used it since. I have a radio in my kitchen, after all. I realized, today, that that radio hasn't worked well for nearly a year. I need to throw it away. It was my radio in college that I bought with the income from my first real job, so it's a difficult thing, disposing of it. I bought it over 20 years ago now.



I take that back. Looking at the picture I realize it's the Hunny's radio from high school. Mine must be in the garage. So yeah, this one can go. Heh. Kidding. And yes, that's Pooh Bear's butt on the left. What was I talking about? *scan scan scan* Pandora! I'm listening to my Simon and Garfunkel station now. I have, what? five stations? There is so much out there and I stick with my little favorites. I'm very simple, really, musically. I like what I like. Y'all go check out Pandora. I had it on on my laptop while sewing a bit ago. It's on now, distracting me.

Sewing what, you ask? Why, one of these!



What is it? Why only one of the easiest beginner projects for kids and adults alike. Practical too. Can't you tell looking at it? No? Yeah, I had too much caffeine this morning. Guess just a little is too much now, dang it.

Oh, that "thing" is an herbal pack. I use them for my tension headaches and migraines. Ooo! Jim Croce and Time in a Bottle! Sorry. Caffeine. Um, where was I? That thing. I heat it in the microwave and wrap it arouund my neck, or drape it across my forehead, and it relieves some of the pain. I always manage to heat it too much, cooking its innards and making it stink, so I have to make new ones periodically. One minute is about right, but I heat it for two. Feels good. Wanna learn how to make one? I know you do. I taught a group of home schoolers how to make them years ago and they were given as Christmas gifts to grandparents with aches and pains. You'll get the loose version of what passes for instructions.

First I head out to Whole Foods and buy the grains from the bulk bins. I get different ones each time, based on price per pound and availability (roundish and hard grains are good). These were purchased last year and I keep them in an ice cream bucket, along with the funnel and a cup for scooping. I used the last of it today, so I'll be shopping for more soon. See?


Here's a shot of the grains up close, and I'll try to guess what they are:



I think I bought pearled barley, wheat berries and flax seed. They trick is getting the flax seed, as it's tiny and ensures this thing settles on your neck comfortably. But I don't see any flax seed there, which might explain my currents pack's comfort level. I usually get equal amounts of each, pour them in the bucket, close the lid and shake well. Wait! I also buy mint leaves to add to the mix. This was spearmint, but I love peppermint and lavender leaves too. They look really expensive by the pound, but a very full baggy is less than an ounce and way cheap. Toss that in there before shaking. How much depends on how good you want it to smell. :) I love lots. The heat activates the mint leaves. Mmmm! I'm thinking of drying my rosemary from the garden and trying that with the next batch.

Next I dig a fabric scrap out of the closet. Fortunately I had some homespun plaid laying around. The size depends on what you'll be using this for. I've made some round ones for my eyes. But most of mine are about two feet long by 10 to 12 inches wide when cut. Shoot, you could even use a discarded cotton shirt and cut a section from the back. Flannels nice, too. I fold the fabric length wise (right side in, if there's a right side) and stitch down the length of it, making sure I start and stop about an inch from each end.

Next I turn the fabric right side out, so the seam's not showing. No, I didn't take pictures. Sorry. My head hurt and I wanted it done. I took a picture of my 16 year old sewing machine. Wanna see? I know you do.


Now that the fabric's turned right side out, fold it in half. Mark the center with a pin and sew straight across. Twice. You can see the center stitching in this shot:



So you've sewn straight across the width in the center? Now you're going to fold this in half lengthwise and sew straight down the length. Make sure to leave about an inch clear on each end. This lets you turn the ends under and stitch once it's filled. See the center stitching?



Now you fill! Never fill full, as you want the seeds to have room to shift. I fill each chamber (there should be four chambers) about two thirds full. Stick the funnel in an opening, scoop up some grains and pour. When you have two chambers on one side partly filled, tuck the ends under and stitch shut. Twice. repeat on the other side. Voila! You're done!

I love these things and usually have two or three floating around the house, since they're cheap and easy to make. And the Hunny is always wrinkling his nose and threatening to throw the stinky things out. The moral of this story is Don't Overheat the Pack. It will stink. But it will feel great. Too much caffeine, I'm tellin' ya.

Until I write again ...

Flea