Welcome!
I’m Katie, a normal girl living in Florida. My bit of the internet is filled with the enjoyable things that I get to see and do, while trying to live a more genuine, sustainable and organic life. I enjoy garden growing, hand crafting, herbal brewing and the homemade making of a variety of things.
I’d love to have you join me on facebook or tweet along with me on twitter. If a comment just won’t do and you need to get in touch, send me an email at katie@katienormalgirl.com.
Thanks for stopping by!
REGULAR features | bits of healthy living and fun inspiration
JOURNEY OF 1,865 DAYS
updates on my five-year plan to start a business, a non-profit and in general, make life sweeter for myself and those around me
DIY AND HOMEMADE PROJECTS
create something new – monthly earring making tutorials, floral arranging demonstrations, DIY decor, sewing, crafting and more
EATING SEASONALLY
recipes that feature a fruit or vegetable when it is at its peak of freshness and flavor
HERBALISM CUPBOARD
tips and tricks for loving and caring for your unique beauty, herb of the month and its medicinal uses, in-depth product testing and reviews of natural body care products
CURRENTLY READING
updates about the books, blogs and magazines that I’m reading, along with updates on what you’re reading, join the conversation on twitter and facebook
TODAY I’M GRATEFUL FOR…
photos and gratitude statements about the simple things that make life so wonderful
THE NATURE WALK PROJECT
a quick escape to the outdoor world and the magic within it
TEXTURE, PATTERN, COLOR PALETTE
creative inspiration featuring everyday objects
SUSTAINABILITY LIST PICKS
unique and fun products with a conscience
SMALL STEPS
little things that you can start doing today to be your best and most vibrant self
GARDENING JOURNAL
gardening projects and tips for both the beginner and the experienced gardeners
FEATURED MEAT-FREE MEAL
an easy meat-free (but still filling) meal that you’ll love – vegetarian or not
NATURE WALK CALENDAR
free download featuring a photo from The Nature Walk Project series and calendars, perfect for printing or for use on your computer background
I was born in Mt. Dora and spent much of my childhood in Deland.
Ha, small world. I’ve always thought the Mt. Dora area was such a great bit of Florida!
Because I find your blog informative, fun, and inspiring, I have nominated you for the Lovely Blog Award –
The guidelines for accepting this award are as follows:
1. Thank the blogger who nominated you and link back to their blog in your post.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Nominate about 15 other blogs that you enjoy.
4. Let the nominees know that you chose them. (An aside: if you don’t want to play or pass along the award, that’s totally fine. Just know that this is my way of saying, “I like your blog! I really do!”)
This was so kind of you to nominate me! I’m working on my 7 things and the great blogs I’d like to pass this along to!
This is a beautiful blog, Katie. I enjoyed clicking around and look forward to future posts!
Thank you Elen! I’ve been enjoying your blog as well, so happy I found it!
I love your blog! Great content, interesting design and fun pics.
Thanks for checking it out. I had a good time poking around your blog too! I just love the blue hydrangea pictures you have up right now…beautiful!
Thanks, Katie! Those hydrangea take my breath away every time I see them.
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I dig your style (gardening pun? Probably not).You have great content and beautiful photographs. I look forward to reading more from you 🙂
Haha, I dig your pun! Looking forward to following your blog too…I just love all of the antique goodies. 🙂
Cheers for following our exploits on Serendipity Farm 🙂 Hopefully you will get your nursery dream and touring garden one day soon. We are studying landscape design at the moment and are hoping to use what we are learning to make this place work for us. We are planning edible food forests, permaculture and no dig gardens and living off the grid as much as we can and are implementing what we can as we can. Your blog is really beautiful and we are very flattered that you would want to come digging in our untamed earth here in Tasmania alongside us 🙂 See you soon…
Fran
Not sure how I missed this until now! Thanks for stopping by and I have been enjoying your adventures!! 🙂
What a gorgeous blog! And I love your photographs… Seems we share much in common.
Wishing you the brightest of blessings,
Love and Light,
Nicole
xx
Looks like I missed your comment until just now. Thanks for stopping by and leaving such lovely words! I’m really enjoying Cauldrons and Cupcakes, it’s right up my alley. 🙂
I found you through Adventures of a Dog Mom, who nominated us both for a little award. Love your blog- interested in learning more about gardening and specifically composting here! Though it may be a tad different in Park City as it is for you in Florida…
Stop by theusualbliss.com sometime!
I’m so glad you stopped by, I just adore Adventures of a Dog Mom and I’m really enjoying your blog too. 🙂
hello very nice to meet you
David in Maine
Hi David, I’m enjoying your haikus. Thanks for checking out my blog!
I like your blog…
Good blog and it’s really inspire me..^^
Thank you so much! That makes me smile! 🙂
I’m so glad you provided an awesome easy looking way to make lotion. I love herbs and making things. Can I substitute one of the oils your recipe calls for with lanolin? I love how lanolin seems to heal, and it is in my current favorite hand lotion made by Neutragena. Also for the skin toner, is the apple cider vinegar the strained pasturized kind, or the cloudy with bits kind, or does it matter? Also do you have a recipe for lip balm? I also am a huge fan of Neutragena’s lip balm, but it is no longer available in stores in my area, or anywhere I’ve looked other than ordering online (and very expensive).
I’m glad you like the lotion recipe! I also like the lanolin in my lotions, though it’s not for everyone. I’d replace 1 tbsp of any of the oils with the lanolin. That should give you a great face or body cream.
As for the apple cider vinegar, you can use any variety (filtered or unfiltered) that you prefer. I like the raw, unfiltered variety, myself. It has a few more benefits than the filtered variety.
Oh lip gloss, great question! In the evenings I’ll do just a quick swipe of olive oil across my lips and that always feels so hydrating! I’ll have to look up the ratios for you but I like an olive oil, beeswax mix with just a hint of peppermint oil. If you’re feeling adventurous, go ahead and melt a small amount of beeswax and add some olive oil. Allow it to cool slowly and stir it occasionally to test for consistency. While it is still partially melted, I’ll stir with a wooden skewer to get some of the balm on it, then pop that in the fridge for 30 seconds to cool it down and test it out! That’ll give you an idea of the consistency and you can add more oil if you want to. If you want that slightly tingly sensation that some Neutragena balms have, you can add a drop of peppermint essential oil. I’d keep it at no more than 1 drop per 2 tbsp of mixed lip balm. The peppermint will stimulate circulation in your lips making them look fuller and slightly pink.
Thanks for all of the great questions, Donna! Let me know if you give the lotion or the balm a try!
Its so nice you spend sundays creating, I knit it helps so much to releave the stress
I love knitting but I haven’t done it in quite some time. Are you on Ravelry?
You make your blog an estraordinary blog…. I like your posts…. 🙂
Thank you! I enjoy stopping by your blog for your “sayings”. 🙂
i love that little piece of green. thanks for this softness on my screen.
Thank you for the compliment! I’ve really been enjoying your photography…glad to have stumbled onto your space on jux.
Katie, I don’t have your address to mail your giveaway prize, can you email it to me at adventuresofadogmom@gmail.com?
Thank you for passing through and leaving a like on my post – very kind of you and I have returned your support with a follow on your lovely blog-feel free to pass by any time and in the meantime have a wonderful week x
I’m looking forward to following along on your lovely blog, too!
Hi Katie,
Just having a but if a browse. Look forward to talking to you at some point in the future…
That’s what happens when you are lazily typing in bed on an IPhone… That should have read “A bit of a browse….”
Ah, the joys of technology! Thanks for stopping by and browsing a bit. 🙂
Hello Katie. Thank you for your follow and I appreciate your blog. Especially the Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup.
Haha, grilled cheese gets ’em every time! 🙂
What a beautiful blog! I’m so happy to have found it. Thank you!
Thank you so much, I’m enjoying your blog too. 🙂
And you truly exude happiness 😉 Now I am following, I hope to learn more.
What a lovely compliment, thank you. And I’m enjoying your poetry and writing on your blog.
Beautiful blog, Katie, and thanks for following mine. Can’t say I’ll ever make the pumpkin whip, but I suspect I’d be a slave to any woman who wore it…:)
Thank you! Haha, yeah pumpkin whip isn’t for everyone…but today meat-free meal is chili…that’s for everyone! 🙂
Kate, what a brilliant blog you have it is really informative has imaginative images and a real sense of joy and belonging. I am really glad to have been recommended to look at you site. Thanks for sharing, regards, James
Thanks for the compliment, James. Your photography is really beautiful and I’m looking forward to following along on your adventures!
Crikey! A huge thanks Katie for your lovely comment and for wanting to follow my blog
Just stopped by to give you some love and look around your blog because honestly? it has a good vibe about it and makes me smile- Look forward to when you post again and hope that all is well with you and yours. x
Here is something for you 🙂
http://mridubala.wordpress.com/2012/11/26/blog-of-the-year-2012/
Cheers! 😀
Hey, Katie, I’ve got a random question for you! I’ve got a case of the sniffles and was wondering if you know of any good herbs to help cure me. I made a tea with ginger, lemon, and raw honey!
Hi Katie
Love your tutorials! I am interested in studying herbalism, any tips? Did you train yourself? I’d be happy to receive any advice you can give.
I’ve nominated you Very Inspiring Blogger Award-congrats!
http://mybotanicalgarden.wordpress.com/2012/12/10/very-inspiring-blogger-tvice/
Cheers,
Tamara
So glad I stumbled in to your blog! I have recently changed my diet so that I mostly eat veggies with the occasional meat or fish dish thrown in. Your recipes look delish can’t wait to try them out. I would love to see more Quinoa and Flaxseed recipes…they are two of my favorite fods/ingredients.
Hi! I have nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award! Congrats!
http://mimipatenaude.com/2012/12/16/one-lovely-blog-award/
Hi Katie,
I would like to wish you a wonderful New Year. May 2013 bring you more happiness, love, and success. I would like to thank you because you continue following my blog. I hope my blog posts do not disappoint and that your visits in there have been a joyful ride.
I have been having trouble with my subscription, so now I am resubscribing, looking forward to reading more of your wonderful posts! Thank you again, many blessings and much love to you. 🙂
Subhan Zein
Hi Katie!
I came across some of your lotion recipes on Pinterest. I’ve purchased most of the items that I will need but I’m having a hard time finding cosmetic grade borax. Any suggestions as to where to purchase it? Thank you for the wonderful tutorial and recipe! Can’t wait to get creative with lotion making.
Cheers,
Stephanie
Oh, how wonderful! I’m so glad that you’re going to give it a try. You can purchase it from my favorite online herbal supply shop, Mountain Rose Herbs (https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/search/search.php?utf8=✓&refine=y&keywords=borax&commit=Go). The 1lb. size for $3.50 is practically a lifetime supply of the stuff! As I’ve mentioned to a few other people, it is basically your insurance when making the lotion, it helps mix the water and oils together…and keep them together. It also acts as a natural preservative. I wish you luck and I’m sure it will go wonderfully. Let me know how it turns out!
-Katie
First of all, you look like Scarlett Johansson. Second, FLORIDA! My homelands. Where are you at? Thirdly, after years of a love-hate relationship with meat, I became a vegetarian in March, so I will definitely be coming back to read here pretty frequently. Nice to meet you 🙂
Haha, that’s very sweet of you to say. No kidding?! I’m in the Orlando area, where are you from? Woo! Go veggies! I have lots of great veg meals coming up and because I am no culinary expert, they are all REALLY easy to make. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
I do not remember how I found your site, but I enjoy looking at your posts and like the way your site is laid out. Simple, professional and easy to read. I just started my site. Feel free to visit. I will be adding more over time, but it is a start
Jerry