So I saved up some glass jars, bought some soy wax, wick, wick tabs, wick pins, thermometer and a jug, and set about attempting my very first candles.
The first candle I poured was okay until I started meddling with the wick and it popped out. Luckily I had another jar on standby so I was able to pour the wax back into the jug, then pour it into the spare jar.
The whole process is fairly easy, but I think I need to get a double boiler rather than stand the big jug in a pot of steaming water (same principle, just very awkward and a risk of splashing hot water on myself!).
But, in all, I think I did okay for my first attempt. The real result will be known when the wax has set and I light the wicks for the first time.
The kit.
Letting the wax cool to 55 degrees before pouring
The two completed candles, already showing signs of cooling. I can't wait to light them!
Yesterday, Andrew & I met up with our friends Chris and Ros and their 5 month old baby Tristan. We went for a walk along the canal at Bradford-on-Avon, past the Tithe Barn, then back to the cafe where we started our walk from. Fortunately, there was still one table left inside the very cramped canal boat that is moored by the cafe.
Boys outside the 14th century Tithe Barn
Canal boats
Heading to the cafe for lunch after our strenuous stroll
Just departing the canal boat/cafe - it was a tight squeeze for seating and to get a pram in also.
After lunch Andrew and I dashed off to Mells to watch our nephew Zac play soccer. Here he is in action. His team won 6-1, with two own-goals by the opposition's goal keeper. Poor little kid, but he took it all in his stride and everyone had alot of fun. Well, the kids did, I was standing on the sideline shivering in the wind because I forgot to wear some long-johns under my jeans!
Zack in action. The defender looked scared and rightly so, Zack is a strong kicker!
Andrew's sister Helen invited us over for a roast dinner and a pudding after the match. After dinner we played two different card games that I'd never played before (I generally don't play well so I don't like playing!), I won the first round of games and got beat by one card in the second round. I got the hang of the first game (beginner's luck!) but the second game completely bamboozled me. I forgot to throw out a card and it ended up costing me the whole game, I still didn't know what I was doing in the end!
2 comments:
Candles look great! as does the rest of your entry today :D So much nicer than 42.5 that it was here yesterday :(
You've had an interesting and fun few days. The pikkies look great. While not over 40 here, I'd still swap the need for long johns for our very hot and humid few days. P
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