Celebrate Dia de los Muertos with OFPL in-person at the Main Library orthe Children & Youth Library on November 1st and 2nd from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM for a Sugar Skull decorating party! While supplies last.
Email bmartin@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.
Join OFPL at the Children & Youth Library every other Monday at 4:00 PM for interactive STREAM workshops. STREAM workshops explore topics in Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, and Making. October’s theme is Kitchen Chemistry: delicious, edible STREAM activities that will help you learn about the properties of matter.
Celebrate Hispanic heritage by learning how to make calaveras, or sugar skulls, from scratch. Observe how sugar molecules bind together in the presence of water.
Email pneilson@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.
Celebrate Día de Los Muertos with OFPL at the Rio West Mall near Hobby Lobby on Saturday, October 30th from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM for a Sugar Skull decorating party!
There will also be books, computer access, and library card sign-up.
Email bmartin@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information.
Celebrate Día de Los Muertos with OFPL on Facebook, @galluplibrary, or YouTube on Friday, October 8th at 4:00 PM.
Decorate a sugar skull to keep or share on OFPL’s community altar at the Main Library. Donate photographs, marigolds, food, and more to honor your departed loved ones. Request a sugar skull through our Supply Request Form.
Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.
Join us on OFPL’s Facebook @galluplibrary on Saturday, December 5th at 1:00 p.m. to make Gingerbread Sugar Scrub DIY self-care products.
The ingredient list is available below.
Ingredients:
• 1 c. brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
• 1/4 c. coconut oil, solid
• 1 tbsp. molasses
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
Instructions:
1. Combine brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger and cloves in a large bowl.
2. Top with coconut oil and molasses
3. Using the back of a fork mash the wet ingredients into the dry to make a crumbly mixture. Depending on how solid the coconut oil is, you may need to use your hands.
4. Place scrub into a mason jar with a secure lid. Will last for several months in a cool location.
To use:
1. On wet or dry skin, apply scrub liberally all over the body.
2. Scrub into the skin to remove dead skin cells.
3. Wash off completely.
Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.
Join OFPL Live on Facebook, @galluplibrary on Saturday, October 10th at 1:00 p.m. to make DIY cosmetics with inexpensive ingredients. You can find the majority of ingredients at local stores like Wal-Mart, Albertsons, & La Montana Co-Op.
Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information.
Each ingredient list is available below:
Ingredients:
Homemade Rosewater:
• 7 Organic Roses
• 1.5 L Distilled water (enough to cover the rose petals)
Homemade Rosewater Face Toner:
• 1 Tbsp. Pure Rosewater
• 4 Tbsp. Distilled Water (or enough to fill your spray bottle)
• 1 – 2.5 oz. spray bottle
Instructions:
Homemade Rosewater:
1. Remove petals from stems and run them under luke-warm water to remove any leftover residue.
2. Add petals to a large pot and top with enough distilled water to just cover (no more or you’ll dilute your rosewater).
3. Over medium-low heat bring the water to a simmer and cover.
4. Let simmer for 20-30 minutes or until petals have lost their color and are pale pink.
5. Strain the mixture to separate the petals from the water.
6. Discard petals and place water in a glass jar to store.
Benefits of Rosewater?
• Helps balance the pH of the skin
• Soothes skin irritation
• Reduces redness (has anti-inflammatory properties!)
• May reduce fine lines and wrinkles
Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information.
Ingredients:
• 2 tsp holy basil
• 1 tsp lemon balm
• 1 tsp chamomile
• 1/2 tsp lavender
• 1/2 tsp eleuthero root
*All ingredients need to be dried out.
Instructions:
1. Combine all ingredients in a mason jar or cup.
2. Top with hot water.
3. Place a plate or top onto mason jar and let infuse for 20 minutes.
4. Remove plate and filter tea through strainer or cheesecloth.
5. Add honey or sweetener if desired.
6. Sip and enjoy!
Chamomile – Chamomile is a relaxing nervine that helps encourage restful sleep. Better sleep = decreased stress.
Lavender – like chamomile, lavender is a relaxing nervine that helps encourage better sleep. In addition, multiple clinical trials have shown that lavender decreases anxiety and perception of pain (source).
Lemon balm – As an antispasmodic carminative, lemon balm is useful when stress or anxiety affects digestion (i.e. IBS) because it acts on both the digestive and nervous systems.
Holy Basil – also known as Tulsi, this adaptogenic herb works with your nervous system to bring it into balance. It also has a relaxing and uplifting quality, acting as a mildly relaxing nervine which makes it a great option for those with anxiety and depression.
Eleuthero – known as the “work hard, play hard” herb, this adaptogenic powerhouse can help balance the nervous systems of those known to work a little too much and play a little too hard. It helps boost physical and mental stamina and endurance as well as promoting a healthy immune system.
Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information.
Ingredients:
• 1 c. brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
• 1/4 c. coconut oil, solid
• 1 tbsp. molasses
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
Instructions:
1. Combine brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger and cloves in a large bowl.
2. Top with coconut oil and molasses
3. Using the back of a fork mash the wet ingredients into the dry to make a crumbly mixture. Depending on how solid the coconut oil is, you may need to use your hands.
4. Place scrub into a mason jar with a secure lid. Will last for several months in a cool location
To use:
1. On wet or dry skin, apply scrub liberally all over the body.
2. Scrub into skin to remove dead skin cells.
3. Wash off completely.
Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information.
Join OFPL Live on Facebook @galluplibrary on Saturday, August 15th and 29th at 12:00 p.m. to make your DIY cosmetics from items around your home. Each ingredient list is available below:
Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information.
Okay, so you do have to buy some accessories for this process such as something to mold the bath bomb with and if you’re not big into canning and preserves you may not have citric acid laying around. But not to fear, it’s all worth it if you love a good tub! Mix the wet and dry ingredients separately. Then slower (spoonful by spoonful) mix the wet and dry ingredients together until you end up with a sand-like consistency. Pack the mixture into the mold and leave overnight to dry.
Toss everything in a cup, and stir together. If it’s too dry, add a bit more oil. If it’s too wet, add more salt.
Celebrate Diá de Los Muertos at the Main Library on Tuesday, October 22nd at 6:00 p.m. with OFPL and the Miyamura High School Spanish Club. Decorate a sugar skull to take home and one to share on the community altar. Supplies will be provided.
Email bmartin@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information.