Homemade Play Dough Fun!!

I have a very active and artistic toddler.
While pondering what I would do for her birthday party, I came across a great recipe for homemade play dough.
Since she had mentioned it already so, I decided it was a fun idea to have a play dough party
I pulled out all of our play dough toys and made 4 double batches of bright colored play dough.
The kids loved it and my little one was delighted to have chosen her party theme. We sent some cookie cutters and play dough home with her friends as favors. It was a great activity!

Lately, we have been looking for projects to do inside while it is very cold outdoors.
I decided that it was a great time to introduce my daughter to the process of making the play dough as well as playing with it.

She loves the activity!
Helping is one of her strong points, so for her helping to make the play dough was a dream come true. We made six colors which will last us for months to come.

Homemade Play Dough

1/2 c flour
1/4 c salt
1/2 c water
1/2 tablespoon oil
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
food coloring

Mix all ingredients except the food color in a medium saucepan.
Cook over very low heat until the mixture turns into a dough (it will only take a few minutes).
Knead the dough on a floured surface until it is cool enough for children to handle.
Separate the dough for as many colors as you wish to make.
Put a few drops of color into each ball and knead until the color is even.

I usually use this recipe to make one color.
I doubled the recipe for the birthday party, and made four doubled batches for four colors.
It lasts in the refrigerator for months.
I store each color in its own bag.
Our batch from the birthday party lasted 5 months!

Have fun!

Sierra Ladrones - The Blessing Way

The Blessing Way - Doug West

Incentive to get this beautiful work of art framed. I own this scene in original serigraph format. It is still carefully packaged until I get it framed. It is long and of abnormal size which makes custom framing desired. I think I know just the place.

Justin's Frame Designs.
(505) 955-1911

"Custom conservation framing and designer mirrors, an international selection of moulding and closed-corner gilded and leather frames, specialty millwork and finishes, site-specific fabrication and installation, as well as photographic services including digital editing and imaging. Justin's Frame Designs offers experienced archival quality to a wide selection of Santa Fe artists, galleries, and interior design consultants." *

It's been way too long. But on the plus, it appears to have appreciated in value. It deserves to be enjoyed...so wish me luck!

On a much more intimate note.

Ortiz Mtns

I have looked at the Ortiz Mountains for the past 11 years while living in Santa Fe with a longing and an aesthetic draw. I LOVE seeing them. I was fortunate enough to go on a guided hike through the Santa Fe Botanical Garden Preserve one overcast and interesting day. I did enjoy being there and the view was amazing, the history rich, and the consequences of mining apparent yet able to be revived. The Santa Fe Botanical Gardens own the surface rights to the area yet he mining rights still to someone else. And once a long time ago to the Ortiz family I suppose. Madrid, a quaint, quirky little mining town at the bottom of those mountains has water saturated with Sulfur making it a less desirable location to settle. Fine by the locals I imagine and fine by me. I love that little town and all its quirks!


I look at the amazing serigraph above, remember when I got it, and I see why those mountains seem familiar. The two mountain areas have the same isolated craggy peaks that just please the eye and make me think awh! look at those beautiful mountains. So...

A personal goal of mine will be to find this lost land pirate paradise called the Sierra Ladrones and find out what the Blessing Way is all about. It is South of Santa Fe near Socorro. Not many folks visit the area due to its remote factor. There are no campsites, you must access the range from a very long dirt roads, and there are no marked trails.

Totally excited! One of the local Meetup groups makes regular trips up there. It will be adventurous, and strenuous. I will need to start preparing. Exercise is on the top of my list - DO THESE NOW, so I am even more motivated now.

 

 

Sierra Ladrones