Go away bugs!

I love to sit on our patio. LOVE. I have spent countless hours and dollars making it a haven, and I spend most of my time in our backyard. It has come a long way. When I moved in with Josh the only things in the back were two old couches I swear were left over from his days at Davis. 

I even bought a picnic table. I put that thing together, sanded it down, and painted it white to match the rest! I added pool chairs and lounge chairs and tiny tables. That green bench in the background? I refinished that as well. 

It would be such a nice place to sit and relax if it wasn't for all the bugs! Mosquitoes, flies, little knats.... I hate them all. I don't want them in my food, my hair, or on my skin. So naturally I bought some citronella candles. I lit those babies up! I noticed a few days later the bug problem hadn't really been resolved, but my yard sure smelled like those candles. Turns out, most of those commercial candles DON'T really have essential citronella oil in them! They are simply scented and sold at a high price.

So I returned them. Ordered essential oil ($20-I bought other scents) Brought out a few canning mason jars and candle wax ($10ish at Michael's), and set to work. You can also melt the remaining wax in candles around the house and add it to your mixture.

I cut the wax into smaller pieces so it would melt easier. I used a double boiler and poured the hot wax into a glass measuring cup to make pouring easier.

 I used hot glue and pens to keep the wicks in place. 

They aren't this bright in person. I added citrus essential oil as well to make them smell a bit nicer. It gives it a yellow tint. Some batches were darker. I don't measure =)

I think I'll add the twine stuff to them all. They are cuter than store bought, and the smell is somehow nicer!

Daegan was very interested in the smells coming from the kitchen. He sure did want to be right in the thick of it!