We make memories…

A long weekend in Ottawa

That’s right - though it may have snowed only a week ago, it seems the weather has finally caught up with spring’s schedule and we are off! Our yard has not been mowed to leave time for the wild purple and white violets, tulips, chionodoxa (purple ones!) and the hearty dandelions to come into full bloom for the bees. The fence has literally been “mended”, a shed has been moved, the garden is prepared for veggie plants, a swing is hung for the baby and the kids have spent hours under the garden hose.

Use Lemon Essential Oils to clean your home.

It’s 2020, the Spring we will look back on and remember making the best of our homes, yards and neighbourhoods. The spring we will remember getting to know our neighbours better because we have more time to chat with them. This is the spring I will remember because it became so clear that my love of Bridgehead coffee dates was about the people, not the lattes. This is the spring we will remember wearing masks to get groceries.

The playground across the street is always empty now. The green slide is hopeful, awaiting that first little one to giggle their way down. The sand around the “red park” (named by my children) is settled flat now by days of rain and no children running through it, digging in it and building hills and castles. The soccer fields are quiet. The school parking lots are now for kids learning to scoot on Striders and use training wheels.

I think I hear more bees this spring. I talk to more people walking by. The birds seem louder. The sky is quieter too.

Saturday early-morning, the dog (known as Golden Dragon or Dragon-Dog depending on the day) came barrelling inside dirty-paw-handed - snout covered in mud panting with excitement. Being a young one, we didn’t really notice much until he woofed to go right back outside.

That’s when we discovered what he had discovered.

Seven Baby Bunnies

…newly born likely only hours ago. They were a little shaky, eyes still closed uncovered by the dog, but obviously had been blanketed earlier by their mom with grass, feathers and that’s right - our dog’s fur. They were ok (except for one) and have provided much love and entertainment all weekend. Mom returned both overnights to re-nest them - so we know she’s around.

This long-weekend instead of a camping trip in a provincial park, we are setting up our tent as the sun sets in our back yard. I don’t think my kids even mind - if I close my eyes, it sounds exactly like it would if we were camping “for real”. I’m pretty sure they are about to have a night they will talk about for the rest of their lives - “The night we slept outside in the back yard - do you remember?”

Anyway, what a weekend! So much gratitude.

This whole post was meant to be about how we used lemon essential oil this weekend and I seem to be telling stories instead.

How does lemon oil make a weekend like this a little simpler, you wonder?

Lemon Oil Removes Bike Grease
The kids wanted to ride their bikes this weekend - which they did - for hours! So much so that I’m not sure they have slept this well since last summer! If ever you need to remove bike grease from the chain, use pure lemon oil neat or diluted in a carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil. It will take it off in a second! Takes it off your hands and anything else you may have gotten it on! (for clothes, use on guard concentrate!!)
2. Lemon Oil makes a great natural fruit wash
This is a great way to replace other cleaning options in your home with simpler, less expensive, natural options! All you need is lemon essential oil, a little bit of vinegar and water! I always give the fruit a good rinse after because I don’t love vinegar at all! (You can also simply soak your fruit in a bowl with lemon oil, a touch of castile soap and warm water then rinse).
- Use 2 cups of water
- ½ cup white distilled vinegar
- 10 drops of lemon essential oil in a spray bottle.
- Shake before each use and spray your fruit or veggies and let sit for a few minutes
- Rinse with water
3. Lemon Oil will Freshen Up Your Carpets
This is one of my personal favourites! I love the smell of fresh lemon throughout our house! So easy and so inexpensive! We purchase our baking soda from Nu Grocery in bulk so we have a few Mason Jars’ full always in our cupboard. Please note that it is important that you are not dropping pure lemon oil undiluted on your carpets - that could wreck your carpet! Be SURE it is spread out in the baking soda. Ready??
- One or Two Cups of Baking Soda in a bowl or large Mason Jar
- Add 10-15 drops of lemon oil
- Shake shake shake and let sit for about 20 minutes so all the magic happens
- Sprinkle your carpets with the mixture
- Go for a run, a walk or eat cookies for one hour or more while the concoction works FOR YOU
- Vacuum your carpet
- Enjoy
And with that - the sun is setting…
I’m now sitting inside under my PEI woven wool blanket listening to the big kids chatting themselves to sleep in their cozy back-yard tent. Our one year old is here beside me nursing himself to sleep as I type. I can feel his little heart beating on my arm and his fingers are kneading me to make the milk come faster. The giant dragon-dog is laying wiped out, cedar twigs in his tail, dust on his “white” fur and a grass stain on his brow (sometimes we just have to accept these things happen). He’s at the foot of our bed. The cool spring breeze is moving through the window, the night birds are singing and the local cardinal is making sure we know where he is. Soon the mom-bunny will return to re-nest and feed her babies while my kids sleep 20 feet away in their sleeping bags-pillows-sibling-stuffed bears-Christmas-pjs-tent-nest.
This is the good stuff…this is a long weekend we will always remember.
May 2020