I'm so happy you commented at this particular point in time. I'd been wanting to find a quicker way to construct these and so earlier in the year I bought a new heavy-duty sewing machine so I could work with denim and other heavier fabrics without destroying my fingers in the process. I've only just started using it (it takes me a while sometimes) and after I get a few other projects out of the way I plan to figure out a way to streamline some of the potholder-making process. Fingers crossed!

Because it's a jelly, you only use the juice, not the actual fruit (or, in this case, the garlic), but I suppose if you wanted to keep it in that would be fine. It would just become a jam or a preserve, not a jelly.

I used CBD - first the oils, then the capsules, and it worked really well for a while, and then, very suddenly, they stopped having any effect. I don't know if I needed to increase the dosage again or try a different brand or what, but the cost became prohibitive, so I went back to the antidepressant I'd been on before, mainly because our health insurance covers most of the cost. I'd really wanted to use the CBD because it was a more natural option, but unfortunately it didn't work out. I'm glad it's helping your husband!

I take Epsom salt baths, too! Sometimes I think just being alone with the sound of the running water and the steam and a good book helps tremendously. It blocks out all the other things going on in my world and gives me a much needed break. Somehow, the stressful voices in my head know to stay OUTSIDE the door as well.

Kat, somehow I KNEW I’d hear from you right away, and it’s worth more than you could know. Definitely in the plus column. :)

I used royal icing for the frosting and the eyeballs were gummy candies I found at a store.

I think I go through these dramatic purges when I'm feeling overwhelmed and depressed. I remember burning all my diaries when I was in my twenties somewhere. At the time I wanted to delete what I considered my entirely pathetic previous years. So I burned all those pages. Other times I've purged books - like the Trixies - sort of to say "this time is past, I don't live there any more." Plus, Julia never wanted to read them. But all that purging usually came from a place of pain. At those times, it seemed like the only solution was to rip away a part of myself and get rid of it somehow.

Hi Lori, Thanks for your question - I haven't looked at this post in a while, and it was fun to scroll through and look at my kids when they were three years younger! Anyway, we don't use much water at all - maybe an inch at the most in the bottom of the pot, and yes, we cover the pot completely. Enjoy!!