DIY: Mason Jar Soap Dispenser

I made this!

Handsome and I's conversation a few weeks ago, while I was supposed to be helping him unpack our office.

Me:  I need you to help me make a crafty-craft.  (Blank stare from Handsome.)  I need you to drill something for me...
Handsome:  What kind of "crafty-craft" are you making that you need me to drill something?  And weren't you going to help me unpack?
Me:  I will.  I promise.  I just don't feel like it.  So... will ya help me? (Insert cheezy grin and puss-in-boots pleading eyes.)

Thus, the mason jar soap dispenser project, herein known as MJSD project, commenced.

I first saw this project on thekitchn.com, but found that it was a little more involved than the post made it sound.  I share below how it went for me and things I learned along the way; my edits are in italics.

Supplies:

• Mason jar (pint size) and lid

• Old soap bottle (with pump)
• Ruler

• 2 Part Epoxy (plastic & metal kind)
• Toothpick (or something else to mix and spread the epoxy with)
• Cardboard/Paper plate to mix epoxy on

• Drill with hole attachment (with largest drill bit you have)

• Scissors or Boxcutter

• Marking pen
• Leather Work Gloves (please don't cut yourself!)
• Tin Snips

Choose a jar about the same height as your soap dispenser
(I really like that mine says "Mason Jar" on it)

Directions:

1. Cut off top of old soap bottle just below the thread.  I marked with a permanent marker, and then tried to cut with box cutters.  WEAR GLOVES!!!  I found that the plastic is really thick at the top, so just cut part of it off as best as you can, and then you can trim it later with your tin snips (or other heavy-duty scissors).  You will probably have to use a lot of pressure to cut, so BE CAREFUL!

I, obviously, didn't cut on my original line, but I cleaned it up later with tin snips.

2. Use pen to measure and mark a circle in the lid of the mason jar.  You may not know this, but it's pretty hard to measure with a pen, so I used a ruler to get a rough estimate.  Draw a tiny X where the middle is and then measure the circle width with your X in the center (see below).

Mark where to drill with an X and a circle

3. Drill hole in lid of mason jar.   Drill a hole in the center with your largest bit, or use a hole attachment if you have it (mine was a 3/4" hole).

Get someone with a steady hand to drill for you

3a. Use tin snips to widen hole until the threaded plastic part fits through.  WEAR GLOVES and BE CAREFUL!  I had no success when I tried to file the hole smooth, so I wouldn't bother, unless you're a very patient person.

These are tin snips.  You can get them at a hardware store.

Not enough yet!

Don't worry too much about sharp edges, the top part will cover it.

It probably won't be quite flush with the bottom, but that's okay,
epoxy is strong stuff and will hold it together.

4. Mix epoxy and apply to the lower rim of the bottle top.  This stuff is hard-core, so try not to make a mess.  Read and follow the package instructions.  Mine had to sit for 20 minutes, undisturbed, and then had a full-cure in 24 hours.

Here's what I used.

Use a toothpick to apply the epoxy.  Let it sit according to package directions.

5. Insert the pump dispenser through the bottle top and screw tightly to secure.


6. Let the epoxy dry according to the instructions.  I did this earlier, it makes more sense to me to let it cure separately so you don't accidentally fuze it all together... unless that's what you want.

7. Fill with your favorite liquid soap.  Or with the soap that was in the bottle you just destroyed to make your pretty, new mason jar soap dispenser!

Moving

It has been my experience
 that the adventure is nearly always,
worth it.

It's a good thing I was sitting down when Handsome told me the news:

"The moving company could only do it Monday.  They'll unpack on Tuesday."

I felt a thousand bricks land on my heart and saw a tidal wave of anxiety on the horizon.  My hand landed softly on my chest, and pressed hard to hold back the wave.  I sat for a moment in the stillness.

One week.

That's all I have left here.

Like a fish out of water, I forgot how to breathe for a moment, but I fought to remember that Grace held me and holds me still.  And a strange mix of excitement and sadness rose up from inside of me, swirling together like the jam I mixed into my yogurt this morning.

Then chaos and a thousand memories swept over me and I felt, for the first time, that we were leaving this place.  It is one thing to know--because I have done that for some time--but quite another to feel as I am doing now.

It's not holy ground, but it feels like it sometimes.  So much of my heart is tied here, so many memories are anchored to these buildings and walkways and trees, and there is a part of me that wonders if I'll ever return, if it will ever be the same again?

On the threshold of adventure, I know, it has to feel this way.

A grain of wheat has to fall to the ground and die, before it can realize its full potential.  So, here we go.  We leave and we let this part of our lives live on in memories, because we trust and we know that the next part is worth it.


Handsome and I will be moving close to our families, where we both have Engineering jobs (PTL!), and, hopefully, an exciting future in the next stage of our lives.

Like Taking Candy from a Baby

"Do you want this last piece of pizza for lunch tomorrow?" I asked Handsome the other night after dinner.

"Only if you don't want it."

"I can't take it from you.  I would be like taking candy from a baby!"

Handsome looked at me sideways, "I think you're using that phrase wrong."

"No, I'm not!"

"Yes, you are.  It means that it would be easy to take."

"Well, there are other meanings...  Like, it's mean to take candy from a baby.  Seriously.  So mean!  I couldn't take the last piece of pizza from you, because it would be mean... just like taking candy from a baby is mean."

Laughing, he accepts the last piece of pizza.

Lessons from Handsome

So I had a salad for lunch today, and as I was putting my plate away I saw the tupperware of sugar cookies on the counter and thought to myself, "I'll have one of those."  As I pulled off the lid of the container and grabbed a napkin for my cookie I thought, "I eat salads for lunch so I don't feel guilty about having cookies for 'lunch dessert'."  But then I remembered Handsome's words when I had related a similar story to him, "I never feel guilty about eating food."  What?  You don't feel guilty when you have two cookies or eat all of your meal at Applebees?  This man-thought was new and intriguing, and, honestly, his words have shaped my thoughts and self-image tremendously.

I have learned many, many things from Handsome.  As a good breaking-the-2-month-blog-silence post, I want to encourage you with some of them.

1. There is no need to feel guilty about any food you eat.  Eat when you are hungry and stop when you are full.
2. You are beautiful.  Really.  Inside and out.  Believe it, embrace it.
3. All you can ever do is your best.  If it isn't good enough for someone, know that it's good enough for God, and his opinion is what matters the most.
4. You will not find joy in comparing yourself to others.  You have your own unique things to offer.
5. It's okay to be a girl in a man-dominated world.
6. You are more than your grades.  It's okay if you fail sometimes, you'll move on.
7. Accept gifts and trials from God's hand, even if it is not what you expected.
8. Never, ever complain.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from the Spares!

The FE exam is over, and we (I, really) had a little free time to do something fun, so we picked up some pumpkins and got creative.  I think they turned out really great, don't you?

I made a Minion pumpkin!!!
(Google "Megamind" if you don't know who it is)

Handsome made a PowerCat pumpkin!!
Go State!!

I love candy, silly costumes and being creative!  I hope you had a wonderful evening!

Recipe: Apple Nectarine Crisp

You know what?  Marriage is a wonderful thing.  Two people coming together and becoming one flesh.  Each person brings all of their life experiences, traditions, hopes, fears, expectations, sins, etc.  It's the beautiful and messy juxtaposition of two lives, and I am overcome with how wonderful it is.

My husband brought his love of peaches into our marriage.  He has taught me the joy of a bowl full of juicy, sliced peaches shared with someone you love.  (However, it would take a pretty large bowl to hold enough for the both of us...)  Before I was married, apples were my favorite fruit.  I usually ate at least one apple a day, and didn't get tired of it.  Now, peaches are my new favorite fruit, joining apples & tying for the #1 spot in my heart.

This apple nectarine cobbler is pretty darn close to the marriage of my two favorite fruits.  Nectarines have a nice skin, though, so they worked better for this than peaches would have.  Always peel peaches when you cook them.  It's a life rule of mine.

So, without further ado, the recipe:

Apple Nectarine Cobbler
by Lauren Spare

Filling:
2 Med. Apples (I used Gala, but use what you like), sliced
2 Med. Nectarines, sliced
1/3 c. White Sugar
1 T. Corn Starch
1 T. Lemon Juice

Topping:
1/2 c. Rolled Oats
1/2. c. Whole Wheat Flour
1/4 c. Turbinado Sugar (or sub another kind and use a little less)
1/4 t. Salt
1 1/2 t. Cinnamon
2 T. Melted Butter
2-3 T. Canola Oil

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Stir together filling mixture and set aside.
3. Stir together dry ingredients of topping.  Drizzle butter and 2 T. oil over the top.  Stir together and add additional oil if mixture isn't coming together (there should be no dry bits at the bottom).
4. Pour filling into a 1 1/2 qt. casserole dish and sprinkle topping over it.
5. Bake for 30 minutes, or until topping is browned and fruit juice is bubbling.

Notes: I didn't peel my fruit, since the peel has extra nutrients, but do whatever your heart tells you.  Handsome preferred them peeled.  Also, I used whole-wheat because I wanted to feel like it was sort of healthy... again, follow your heart (belly).

ENJOY!

September... Are You Sure??

Hi ya'll.  Handsome and I are headed to Austin this weekend to witness some covenant-making of one of my lovely Forge sisters with her soulmate. That's why I said "ya'll", I'm getting prepared.  I should probably start wearing my cowgirl boots and eating fried chicken... but I digress.

I wanted to let you know I've not dropped off the face of the earth.  In fact, I've been brewing some lovely blog-posts in my head the whole last month... but I have neglected to post them.  So, I haven't forgot about you, lovely readers.

I'm pretty sure in my mind it's still May, so I'm glad it's cooling off again.  It's still a little cool in Kansas during that time of the year... this cool weather is good for my psyche.

Time has been flying, especially now that school's started.  I've begun my victory lap with a sprint, and hope to slow down to a nice jog next spring.

Now, for a picture that makes me happy (because good blog posts have at least one relevant picture, and the best ones devote more area to pictures than text...):

Two of my favorite boys and I at a Labor Day parade!

Happy September, friends!  Please go on a walk and step on any crunchy leaves you find (just for me!)... and if you do, leave me a comment so I can share in your joy! :)

Day 26

(Full list.)

A Picture of Something that Means a Lot to You

Parents who loved me and encouraged creativity and curiosity...

A mother who loved me enough to give me away...

And a new family that raised my soul mate "in the way he should go"*...

* Proverbs 22:6

Surprises and Adventurings

First of all... it's been a while, I know.  I started my internship last week (the one where I get paid to sit at a computer all day and type stuff).  And when I get home, I'm a little tired of computers... but don't worry, I miss you guys, so I'll be coming around more often, now.

Second of all, I need to say that I'm thankful for spell check.  When I was younger, I was pretty good at spelling, but now, oh my, spelling has gone out the window.  I may be better at history than I am at spelling... eeks!  (Surprises doesn't seem like it should have two "r"s, but one, since I pronounce it "suh-pryze-ehs"... phonetics, sheesh.)

Onward... check out what Handsome brought me on Sunday!

That's right, monster popsicle molds!  We saw them a couple of weeks ago at Bed, Bath and Beyond, and Handsome wanted to get them for me then, but I wasn't sure if I really wanted them or not...  but then I bugged him for the next few weeks about them.

The green one reminds me of Mike Wazowski on Monsters, Inc. (one of my favorite movies).

It was a fabulous surprise.  I made strawberry shortcake popsicles to test 'em out.


On Saturday we ventured to Tuttle Creek for some canoeing.

It had rained all week, but the sun came out on Saturday, so we did too!

Charming, eh?  He only looks threatening.  Don't let him fool you.


So, that's what we've been up to lately.  Later this week I'll continue the "30 Days" series that's going to take 4 months... oh well.

Day 19

(Full list.)


A picture of a letter


Inside a cabinet over our desk sits a navy blue three-ring binder labeled "Physics Blue 2nd."  It used to hold notes from my high school physics class...

Now it contains most of the notes, letters, and cards that Handsome has given to me, and it's one of my favorite things because it's part of our story.

It documents our courtship and dating years.  The silly things, the sweet things, really everything.  And it makes me smile now, reading it in hindsight.  I can feel his words bursting with emotion, but sweetly restrained to "guard my heart", if you will.

So, it's more than just a letter.  It's many letters, and it's a picture of the sweetest earthly gift I have, my marriage.

Day 17

(The full list is here.)

A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently


I can't think of anything more significant than getting married to Handsome (and I count the past year as "recently").  Marrying him has changed my life forever, and for the better!

Our first dance as Mr. and Mrs.!!!

Day 14

(Full list)


A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

Dear Handsome, 
I am a better person because I know you.  You challenge me with your life; you are wise and humble.  You are the most loving person I've ever met (and maybe the silly-est, too), and your love challenges me to be more like Jesus.  Maybe someday I can learn to chop wood and ride a motorcycle just like you do.  I'm looking forward to the rest of our lives together, as long as the Lord wills!
All my love,
Lauren

Day 12

(Here's the full list.)

A picture of something you love

At the risk of sounding like I'm giving you a "Sunday School" answer, my first love is Jesus Christ.  Everything that's good in me is because of Him.  I owe my allegiance to Him, the God of the Universe.

Now, here are pictures of other loves:

Silly-ness with Handsome

The Cutest Nephew in the World

Fun with my Girls

Pine Cove

Eating Glue....
Wait, what?

Day 7

A Picture of Your Most Treasured Item

my wedding ring

Image (c) Cathy Mores Photography

Day 5

(See Day 0 for a complete list of photos.)


A picture of your favorite memory


All of my memories with Handsome are my favorite.  Let's begin.

Our First Date - FH Spring Formal ('07)

Our Engagement! (Dec. 26th, 2009)

Our Wedding!!! (August 7, 2010)
Image (c) Cathy Mores Photography

Research

With a Compressor at a Natural Gas Well

I think the last time I wrote a research report was in high school.  It was titled "Not Your Mother's Mars", and discussed whether or not there was water on Mars (and if you're wondering, there was at one point, maybe).  I was a cool kid in high school, promise.  Anyway, tonight I'm beginning research on my second (ever) research paper assignment.  I'm taking Written Communication for Engineers, so they won't let me write about water on Mars (bummer), but I'm happy to announce that after many hours of pensive web-surfing I have chosen a topic... (drum roll, please)... Compressed Natural Gas Powered Vehicle Fleets!  I know you're wondering how I can stand to write this post while such an exhilarating topic awaits me, I am a little crazy, I guess.

Admittedly, I've been pretty apprehensive about the assignment--it's (on average) a 15-page single-spaced report full of technical jargon and fancy diagrams--but I've realized my folly.  Worry and fear are my biggest temptations and my most frequent sins, and sometimes I let my anxiety get to outrageous levels before I repent.  This last week was no different, as I found myself distraught; I couldn't choose a topic, I didn't know what to do.  In these times, I'm thankful for the Christians that God has placed in my life.  Nathan calmly reminded me what scripture says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:6)," and then he prayed for me.  Ah, blessed community!  Praise God!

In class the next day, I realized that one stressor was the tone my professor used.  Though she speaks strongly and seriously about the assignment, I will not worry about my performance in this class, but trust God and work for His approval and His glory.  I am thankful that God is guarding my heart and my mind by revealing temptations and showing me a way out!

P.S.  My interest in compressed natural gas vehicles stems from my summer internship with a natural gas company.  (See pic)

Setting Up an Ebenezer

Eb·en·e·zer

"Originally a biblical place name (meaning ‘stone of help’ in Hebrew). This was the site of the battle where the Israelites were defeated by the Philistines (1 Samuel 4:1). After they took their revenge, Samuel set up a memorial stone bearing this name (1 Samuel 7:12) (encyclopedia.com, emphasis mine)."

I have a memorial stone that I wear on my left hand, reminding me of the covenant I made with God and my husband six months ago today.  And today we remembered and celebrated.  I am thankful for who Nathan is, who God is making him, and that he is in my life.  All glory to God for our marriage!

Image (c) Cathy Mores Photography

P.S.  Isn't he handsome?  And the smooch... I just had to put it up... it makes me smile.