Happy New Year!

We want to wish you and yours a Safe and Happy New Year.

New Gift Wrapping Ideas

I love Christmas! And I love wrapping presents. But Im so busy all the time, I have a hard time thinking up new and creative ways to wrap my gifts. So I did a little web surfing and found some excellent ideas.

Here are the links to some very creative and easy ideas!

Zakka Life- Creative Gift Wrap
This blog also has some cute and easy Christmas crafts including a Dollhouse Christmas tree


Then jump over to the Childrens Nest for some really unique,easy ideas



Need a Gift Tag in a hurry? Grab two business cards, glue them together, back sides out.
Then you can write a message, glue a cutout to it or even a small picture of the recipient on it. Be creative. Then punch a hole in it, tie with a ribbon and your done!

Merry Christmas !
Enjoy yur holidays.

How to Make Pomanders



I love the smells of Pomanders! And they are so easy to make.


Though their origin dates to medieval Europe, they were part of most Colonial American households. Pomanders are easy to make by studding oranges, tangerines or lemons with whole cloves and dusting with spices.

First~ decide upon a design. You do not have to cover the whole fruit with cloves. Be creative!

Then poke a hole first with a skewer, nail or knitting needle in your desired design. Make the holes approx. 1/4" apart. Then fill the holes with cloves.

Next, take some dried spices like ground cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg or coriander and put in a baggie. Add your pomander creations, one at a time and shake. (You can also drip or spray essential oils on them instead)

Then let dry. You could put in the fridge or even over a radiator.

Then you can hang on your tree ( you will need to add a ribbon) , around your house, give as gifts or even display them in a bowl on your table.

For more ideas see Martha Stewart or Garden Home & Party

Enjoy and Merry Christmas

Soldier Care Box

This month we are sending the soldiers a box of Candy and Chips. I did a search for an Army group, from Georgia who wanted candy and found a few. We are sending this box to Chad , via Anysoldier.com, who is in Iraq. Its a unit of 17 men. ( its 17 men, not 8 as originally posted)



This box contains:
Lay’s Chips – Sour Cream and Onion
                   - Original Chips

Twizzlers Red Licorice

Jaw Breakers

A Cookie Tin

Dark Chocolate Rolled Wafers

Chamomile Tea

Honey

Vienna Sausages

Sunflower seeds

Carmel Cream Candy

Peppermint puffs

Sugar Free Single Drink Mixes

Wisp mini disposable toothbrushes with plastic baggies to put them in.



Last month we sent the soldiers a box of magazines. They were used and collected from family and friends. We didnt post because there was no real cost involved except shipping and we had received no donations via the site. We did not receive any donations this month either, but we had set aside some funds for this project from our profits.

Next month we would like to mail 2-4 boxes off. A box for men, a box just for woman and a least one box for a group that has dogs in the unit. We can not do this without your help. So, please donate when you order. One dollar will help if your budget is as tight as ours. And if you are not ordering, but still want to help , we do have a "donate only" button on the Soldier page.

You can also send your own box of goodies if you choose. Please go to anysoldier.com , go to "where to send", pick an address, see what they need or want. Then go to the post office, get a flat rate APO/FPO box, fill it up, and ship.

They also state, they would like letters, as not many of them get them. They need encouragement and support.

This is a great project for a group to do too!

Happy Holidays !

Homemade Liquor Gift Ideas

Every year about this time, I make a batch of Homemade Kahlua to give as gifts as its a great liquor and can be used in many ways. It's great on the rock, mixed with milk or cream and also good with orange juice just to name a few.

But this year I am looking to expand my knowledge of making homemade liquors and will share my new recipes with you too!


First, my tried and true Kahlua.

3 cups of unflavored vodka (any kind will do, but I suggest a medium priced one)
2 cups of water
2 cups of white sugar
2 cups of packed brown sugar
2/3 cups of freeze dried instant coffee
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Mix all in a 2 quart jar. Cover lightly with saran wrap or a lid and let stand at room temperatures for two weeks minimum, stirring daily.

Pour into chosen bottles for gift giving, add a bow and gift card and you are done.
( Old wine bottles will work just fine – make sure to sterilize them by rinsing them out in boiling water first)
No refrigeration is needed.


And now onto some new recipe I want to try .


Homemade Bailey’s Irish Cream

1 Cup Cream
14oz can Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 Cups Whiskey
1 tsp Instant Coffee
2 TBS Chocolate Syrup
1 tsp Vanilla extract
1 tsp Almond extract

Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate overnight.
Keep refrigerated & use within 3 weeks.

Amaretto

1 cup water
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cups unflavored vodka
2 tablespoons almond extract
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Combine water, white sugar and brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Heat until boiling and all sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let mixture cool for about 10 minutes. Pour in vodka, almond extract and vanilla. Mix well and store in a sealed bottle.


Have you ever made homemade liquors or cordials?

Do you have a favorite tried and true liquor recipe that you can share?

Share :)

Halloween Drinks

Have some goulish fun at your Halloween party this year with two of my favorite drinks.

The Brain Hemorrhage

The Brain Hemorrhage Shot looks absolutely disgusting but is really tasty! It makes a perfect Halloween drink or just use it to gross your friends out any time of the year

The trick to this drink is to be patient with preparing it. You may even want to practice making it before your big Halloween party

Ingredients

1 ½ oz Peach Schnapps

¼ oz Baileys Irish Cream

Splash of grenadine syrup

SLOWLY pour the Baileys into the schnapps so that a "brain" forms in "formaldehyde". Dribble grenadine onto a spoon then into the glass into the center of the Baileys. It will eventually come through the Baileys and create the brain hemorrhage

The Bloody Mary

A Bloody Mary is a tradition at most Halloween parties and it is so easy.



Ingredients:

4 oz of Bloody Mary Mix

1 ½ oz of your choice of vodka


To make the eyeball garnish:

Peel the radishes with a potato peeler, being careful to keep some of the veins and red skin.

Carve out a small hole on one of the radish, deep enough to stuff the olive inside.

Dry off a pimento stuffed olive. Keeping the pimento side out, push olive inside the carved hole.

Happy Halloween to All!

We Have Three Winners

@DFApothecary @AgateShadow and a Mark G are the winners of the Bloody Soap Giveaway.
I have sent emails or tweets to all the winners. They have 24 hours to get back to me to claim their prize.

We are thinking about doing some more contests soon.

Thank you all for playing

Bloody Halloween Giveaway



This is our new "Dexter" inspired soaps. We offer it in a full size bath bar and now guest soaps because of its fast popularity. This month we are going to give away one guest soap to three different followers. So you have three chances to win!


It is homemade soap made with pure vegetable glycerine that is embedded with blood splatter stickers. It is perfect for a fun gift or your Halloween party. And we scented it with a brand new scent called Celestial Waters.

Please follow the entry instructions below and good luck!

First, You Must Enter By:


Joining this blog and leaving a comment about your favorite soap or other product on Hailey’s Dragonfly Garden

Extra Entries:

1. Follow me on Twitter (unless you already are) and comment here that you did so.

2. Tweet about this giveaway and include “@haileysgarden” in the tweet. Make sure your comment here including your twitter user name that you did so . (Please don’t over do it, as I don’t want you to appear spammy to your followers)

3. Comment on any post here at Hailey’s Dragonfly Garden Blog and comment here the link of where you commented. (this is a daily option)

Giveaway Info:

Open to US residents only (shipping purposes). This giveaway will end Saturday, Oct 16,2010 at 9:00 PM EST. The winners will be picked by Random.org and will be announced Sunday, Oct 17,2010. The winner will need to claim their prize within 24 hrs or I will need to pick another giveaway winner.



Good Luck to All and Welcome!

Lemon Peel Upcycle

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. But what to do with all those lemon peels? Don't toss them, put them to work. Lemons juice is about 5 to 6 percent citric acid and has a pH level of between 2 and 3. This low pH acidity makes lemon juice a great ally in breaking down rust and mineral stains, but gentle enough to not dull finishes. There is generally sufficient juice left in used lemon halves to tackle small tasks, and it all comes with its own applicator (the rind itself).Plus, the oil in the peel is perfect for clever culinary applications, and not bad in the beauty department either. Here's what you can do:



1. Clean greasy messes

Greasy pans? Splattered stove tops? Messy counters? If your kitchen has been the victim of some sloppy sauteing, try using lemon halves before bringing out possibly toxic chemical cleaners. Sprinkle some salt (for abrasion) on a juiced lemon half and rub on the greasy areas, wipe up with a towel. (Be careful using lemon on marble counter tops, or any other surface sensitive to acid).


2. Clean your tea kettle or coffee pot

For mineral deposit build up in your tea kettle, fill the kettle with water, add a handful of thin slices of lemon peel and bring to a boil. Turn off heat and let sit for an hour, drain, and rinse well. For coffee pots, add ice, salt and lemon rinds to the empty pot; swish and swirl for a minute or two, dump, and rinse. Hello, sparkly.


3. Clean your microwave

All it takes is one exploding bowl of food to render the interior of your microwave officially gunked, sometimes gunked with cement-like properties. Rather than using strong chemical cleaners, try this: Add lemon rinds to a microwave-safe bowl filled halfway with water. Cook on high for 5 minutes, allowing the water to boil and the steam to condense on the walls and tops of the oven. Carefully remove the hot bowl and wipe away the mess with a towel.


4. Deodorize the garbage disposal

Use lemon peels to deodorize the garbage disposal (and make your kitchen smell awesome at the same time). It is a great way to finally dispose of spent lemon peels after you have used them for any of these applications.


5. Polish chrome

Mineral deposits on chrome faucets and other tarnished chrome make haste in the presence of lemon-rub with a squeezed lemon half, rinse, and lightly buff with a soft cloth.


6. Polish copper

A halved lemon dipped in salt or baking powder can also be used to brighten copper cookware, as well as brass, chrome, or stainless steel. Dip a juiced lemon half in salt (you also use baking soda or cream of tartar for the salt) and rub on the affected area. Let it stay on for 5 minutes. Then rinse in warm water and polish dry.

7. Clean a stainless sink

Use the same method described to polish chrome, applied to any stainless sink.


8. Keep insects out

Many pests abhor the acid in lemon. You can chop of the peels and place them along thresholds, windowsills, and near any cracks or holes where ants or pests may be entering. For other ways to combat pests naturally, see 7 Steps to Chemical-Free Pest Control.


9. Make a scented humidifier

If your home suffers from dry heat in the winter, you can put lemon peels in a pot of water and simmer on the lowest stove-top setting to humidify and scent the air.


10. Refresh cutting boards

Because of lemon's low pH, it has antibacterial properties that make is a good choice for refreshing cutting boards. After proper disinfecting (see: How to Clean Your Cutting Board) give the surface a rub with a halved lemon, let sit for a few minutes, and rinse.


11. Keep brown sugar soft

If your brown sugar most often turns into brick sugar, try adding some lemon peel (with traces of pulp and pith removed) to help keep it moist and easy to use. (For all recipes using lemon peel, try to use organic lemons-and scrub the peel well to remove any residues and wax.)


12. Make zest

Zest is the best! Zest is simply grated peel, and is the epitome of lemon essence-it can be used fresh, dried, or frozen. If you don't have an official zester, which looks like a very fine cheese grater, you can use the smallest size of a box grater. To dry zest, spread it on a towel and leave out until dried, then store in a jar. To freeze, use a freezer-safe container. Use zest in salads, marinades, baked goods, grain dishes, etc.


13. Make Vegan Lemon Biscotti

Once you've made some zest, make these Vegan Lemon Biscotti cookies. Delicious.


14. Make twists

Strips of peel, aka twists, are good in cocktails, sparkling water, and tap water. Use a vegetable peeler to make long strips, or use a knife and cut the peel into long strips, cutting away the white pith which is bitter. These can be frozen in a freezer-safe container or bag.


15. Make lemon extract powder

Make zest or twists (above) and dry the strips skin-side down on a plate until they are shriveled and dried up, about 3 or 4 days. Put in a blender (or spice grinder) and pulverize into a powder. Use the powdered peel in place of extract or zest in recipes.


16. Make Lemon Sugar

You can make lemon extract powder (see above) and add it to sugar, or you can use fresh twists, put them in a jar with sugar and let the peel's oil infuse the sugar.


17. Make Lemon Pepper

Mix lemon extract powder (see above) with freshly cracked pepper.


18. Make candied lemon peel

Orange or grapefruit peel can be candied too. Yum. Candied peels are pretty easy to make, and can be eaten plain, or dipped in melted chocolate, used in cake, cookie, candy, or bread recipes. These recipes for candied citrus and ginger use Sucanat, the most wholesome sugar you can buy.


19. Lighten age spots

Many folk remedies suggest using lemon peel to help lighten age spots-apply a small piece to the affected area and leave on for an hour. You can also try one of these 5 natural ways to lighten age spots.


20. Soften dry elbows

Use a half lemon sprinkled with baking soda on elbows, just place your elbow in the lemon and twist the lemon (like you are juicing it) for several minutes. Rinse and dry.


21. Use on your skin

Lemon peels can be very lightly rubbed on your face for a nice skin tonic, then rinse. (And be careful around your eyes.)


22. Make a sugar scrub

Mix 1/2 a cup of sugar with finely chopped lemon peel and enough olive oil to make a paste. Wet your body in the shower, turn off the water and massage sugar mix all over your skin, rinse, be soft! You can also try any of these 5 simple homemade sugar scrubs as well.

Do you have any new ways to use lemon peels that you can share?



© http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/Spirituall y_Speaking

spiritually_ speaking- subscribe@ yahoogroups. com : )
Permission to share freely as long as footer is included.

Elachee Nature Science Center

This month we are donating a baskets of goodies to Elachee Nature Science Center in Gainesville Ga. The Soap Florist is also making a donation.

Elachee’s 20th Annual Benefit Dinner and Auction, Safari 2010 – Inspired By Nature, is scheduled for Saturday, October 2nd on the outdoor patio at the Center. Proceeds from this event, our largest fundraiser of the year, go right back into supporting our environmental education programs with 32,000 students each year and our preservation work in the incomparable 1,500-acre Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve for all ages to enjoy.

Hailey and I are going to visit it next weekend. Sounds like a great place.

Let Us Remember

Please take the time today to say a prayer for all of our soldiers.

How to make Calendula Oil

Calendula's medicinal properties have been explored for centuries. It is very gentle yet effective oil for many skin conditions such as skin inflammations, rashes, burns, diaper irritations and dry damaged skin. The powerful action of Calendula oil lies in improving the blood flow to the inflicted area and in further tissue regeneration. Its anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties have been proved by substantial scientific evidence.

We use Organic Calendula oil in our baby oil and our baby wash because it is effective for sensitive skin and so very gentle.


You can make a wonderful Calendula oil at home with 2 different methods.


Place 4 cups of calendula blossoms (fresh or dried) in a pot and add enough extra virgin olive oil to cover them by about two inches. Heat on low for approximately 7 to 10 hours, being careful not to simmer or boil. Remove from heat when it appears rich and golden-orange in color and smells "herby". Cool and strain with cheesecloth.

Or:

Fill a glass jar with the dried calendula flowers, then add extra virgin olive oil to cover completely. Let sit in a sunny window for up to 4 weeks, shaking gently daily, until it turns golden. Then strain the oil with a cheesecloth into a dark glass container. Store in a cool dry place or refrigerate.

You also can add some vitamin E to help preserve. Store in the refrigerator and it should last 6 months to a year. (If not refrigerated, use within 60 days.)


Mother Nature has many wonderful healing surprises for us. All we have to do is explore.

Enjoy:)

Herb Butters

This past weekend we had a surprise party for my son, and I made all the food. I decided to try my hand at making herb butters and they turned out great.
Here are some recipes I found online:

Garlic & Chive Butter - In small bowl, blend 1/2 cup softened butter or margarine, 2 cloves finely chopped garlic and 1 Tbsp. finely chopped chives.


Parmesan & Pepper Butter - In small bowl, blend 1/2 cup softened butter or margarine, 2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese and 1/8 tsp.ground black pepper.

Fresh Herb Butter - In small bowl, blend 1/2 cup softened butter or margarine and 1 tsp. each chopped fresh basil, thyme and parsley (or your favorite fresh herbs).

Serve the above spreads on baked potatoes, on grilled or broiled steak, tossed with hot pasta, or spread on bread and broiled.

Found at Herbal Gardens

Enjoy!

Coffee

Coffee! I love coffee! I found some great pics and about coffee and just want to share :)

Thursday Thoughts

Dessert for your Skin

We have created two new face masks for summer that are just yummy.


Strawberry Banana and Oatmeal Honey. Both are delivered in powdered form to avoid any preservatives. They you only mix what you need. You can mix our powder masks (and clays) with water, hydrosols, milk or aloe vera juice for the ultimate home spa routine.

Strawberries are rich in salicylic acid which gently exfoliates dead skin cells removing impurities. Makes pores appear smaller. Bananas are high in potassium and vitamins which will nourish, soften, and moisturize the skin.

Oatmeal will sooth the skin and gently exfoliate while the honey softens and heals. Rich in vitamins and minerals and very gentle.

To use, scoop out a tablespoon of powder and put in a small glass bowl. Add enough liquid to form a smooth liquid paste. Apply to freshly washed skin, in a circular motion. Leave on approximately 10-15 mins. Rinse off with warm water. Both masks will leave your skin smooth and refreshed.


Enjoy!

Creating Your Perfect Sleeping Area

Your bedroom is your sanctuary. It should be calming and relaxing. A good night’s sleep is very important. Slipping into sleep will be easier if you follow some simple advise.


Establish a bedtime routine and a schedule
Don’t eat in bed
Keep wall colors muted, warm
Use romantic or soft lighting
Play soft music to help relax you
Don’t watch TV in bed
Keep the room temperature comfortable at appx 65 degree Fahrenheit
Use blackout curtains if you need to sleep during the day or an eye cover
Reduce noise with carpeting and curtains
Keep clutter out
Invest in a good mattress
Invest in a good set of sheets and comforter
Buy good pillows

And if you have bad dreams or just need a little help getting over the edge, get a Dream Catcher or a Dream Pillow.

Sweet Dragonfly Dreams to All

Dangers of Talc Powder

Talc powder. We all know what it is right? I don’t believe we do or we still would not be using it, especially on our babies.


Talc powder is actually a mineral derived from talc rocks. The rock are crushed and dried before milling. Then trace minerals are extracted from the talc powder during processing; however, talc contains tiny fibers that are too small to be eliminated during processing. These fibers have a similar structure to asbestos.

Did you know, Talc powder has been linked to ovarian cancer? The Cancer Prevention Coalition in Chicago claims that regular talc powder usage in the groin area increases the risk of developing ovarian cancer. Talc powder has been found in malignant tumor cells from ovarian cancer patients.

But worse yet is the danger to infants and children, when they inhale it into their lungs. The particles are tiny enough to enter deep into the lung tissues and elicit an inflammatory response. This results in breathing difficulties, swelling of the airways, pneumonia, asphyxiation or death. According to a report made by the Nassau County Medical Center in East Meadow, NY, there are close to 50 local poison control calls per year concerning small children inhaling talc powder.

Baby powder is the most common product on the market containing talc powder, but it is also found in women's hygiene products, including sanitary napkins, panty liners and deodorant powders. It is a common ingredient in scented bath and body powders and deodorant, and can be found in small amounts in chalk, soap, flea powder, pesticides, insulation and paper.

So be an informed consumer. Do your research and decide if you want to use talc or not. I did mine and that is why I created a talc free alternative to use on my granddaughter Hailey and myself.

More information on dangers of Talc:
Cancer Prevention Coalition

Talcum Powder: The Hidden Dangers

Understand Hidden Dangers of Talc Powder

The Bus Driver

What Bus Drivers Mean to Me

by

Catherine Rogers

Do you know why bus drivers are special to me?

Isn't it plain to see?

Doesn't matter if you're big, tall or small,

They are there for us all!

Over highways, rural roads, and even under a tree,

Steering those big, yellow buses as safely as can be.

They will say it's not for the love of money

But for the children that makes our lives sunny.

If there is a friend in need,

Our drivers are willing to give indeed!

That is why bus drivers are so special to me!

School is almost out and its time to show appreciation for all the teachers and bus drivers. Please don't forget your bus drivers. School bus drivers have an extremely hard job. They have to drive huge vehicles, keep a bunch of unruly kids in line and follow safety precautions to make sure everyone arrives to school and back home again safely. Lets remember to show them your support with some simple expressions of thanks and appreciation at the end of this school year.

You could :
Give them a gift card
Children can draw them a picture
Make them a piece of jewelry from a kit
Put together a little gift basket
Give them a goody bag of sweets that contains Extra gum for going the extra mile, a 100 Grand bar as an appreciation bonus, Starlight mints because she is a shining star and Smarties candies for being so smart about road safety

No matter what your budget is, you can find a way to show your bus driver a little appreciation for taking care of your child safely.

Add a little note and deliver sometime in the last week of school. It will make their day!

Wordless Wednesday

Soldier Box

We were able to mail a new box of goodies to our soldiers today. Today our box went to a Navy unit in Afghanistan, who also have K9 (dogs) and are working with the Army. They have both Men and a few woman in the group. We get our names/addresses from AnySoldier.com We included things they stated they need plus we sent some extra goodies!

I want to send out a special thank you to @teal64 and @Gabby_da_Tabby from Twitter who helped make this goodie box possible with their donations. We are grateful to our wonderful customers and their thoughtfulness.


We included:
Beef Jerky

Jaw Breakers
Sunflower Seeds
Bag of Blow Pops
Hawaiian Punch Drink mix singles
Allergy Antihistamine tablets
Peppermint foot powder
Socks
Deodorant
Lip Balm
Eye Tears/wash
Cuticle Balm
Soap Bars (2) Lever , 1 Cucumber Melon and 1 Ocean Storm
Shampoo and conditioner samples
Anti-Diarrhea tablets
Hydrocortisone Cream
Word Search Books
Blank Journals
People Crackers (for the dogs)
Batteries

God Bless our Troops
If you would like to help and donate, please visit our web page. You can donate when you purchase items or just make a donation alone. Thank you for your support!

(Semi) Wordless Wednesday

Homemade Ice Packs

The weather is warmer and summer is right around the corner. The kids are outside more which means they are playing harder. What this means to a mom or dad is more bumps and bruises. Most of the time it’s nothing too serious, but to a 4 or 5 year old it’s just devastating. So be prepared with a homemade ice pack.


What I did is let my granddaughter Hailey draw on a ziplock bag with permanent markers to customize her boo boo ice pack and then tinted it light pink. Otherwise, you can color the liquid to their favorite color, to make it more custom for them. This works very well if you have a few children.

We have found a few ideas that work really well for reusable ice packs and to keep your coolers chilled.

Reusable gel type ice packs:

Option one:

2 cups water
1/3 cup vodka (80 proof)
Food coloring (any color you like)
Ziploc Freezer Bag

Pour liquids into ziplock freezer bag, add food coloring (you’ll know at a glance that it’s your ice pack and not something to consume) and freeze. Makes a nice gel type icepack.

Option Two:

1 cup rubbing alcohol
2 cups water
Ziploc Freezer Bag (1 quart size)
Food coloring (any color you like)

Pour liquids into freezer bag, remove air and seal bag. Place bag seal side down into another ziplock freezer bag, remove air and seal that bag. Place in freezer and use (and reuse) when needed (nice and slushy!).

Option Three:

Liquid Dish Detergent
Ziploc Freezer Bag

Squirt liquid dish detergent in a ziplock bag until the bag is about 3/4 full, seal and then freeze.

Tips:

When taking ice packs from freezer to use, wrap in towel first before applying to body. If ice packs freeze too hard and aren't slushy, simply allow the ice to melt in bag then add more alcohol.


Single use method:

Prepare jello as usual, pour liquid into ziploc freezer bag and put in freezer. Wait till the jello gets really cold and gels, then use.

Lunchbox ice pack ideas:

Just freeze juice boxes the night before and toss in the lunch bag, or buy reusable plastic drink boxes, fill with juice and freeze overnight (make sure to leave room when frozen juice expands).

Fill small ziplock freezer bags with water, freeze and use as needed (solid ice block).

Camping cooler ice pack ideas:

Clean empty plastic pop bottles, fill 3/4 full with water, twist cap back on and place in freezer. Take out and use as needed.

Large ziplock freezer bags, fill with water and seal. Freeze til needed (this will be a solid ice block).

Wash empty milk cartons, fill with water, close carton and freeze (leave room for ice expansion).


Ice packs and bags in a jiffy:

You can use a bag of frozen vegetables (bags of peas or corn work best)

Fill a ziplock freezer bag with some ice (crushed or cubed), add cold water, seal bag, insert seal side down in another ziplock bag, seal that bag, then apply.

Do you have any favorite ideas to soothe a child when they get a boo boo?

Dead Sea Salts

In ancient times, nomads traveled the desert to enjoy the soothing baths of the Dead Sea salts. Royalty also traveled for miles to take advantage of the Dead Sea salts that they believed restored their youth. They dubbed the Dead Sea salts “the fountain of youth”.


The waters from the Dead Sea are unique in that they contain 27% of various salts as compared to 3% in normal sea water. Further, while sodium accounts for approximately 80% of the salt content of normal sea water, it comprises much less of the salt total in water from the Dead Sea. Some of the same salts found in human cells are located in the Dead Sea salts. The balance of the salts in Dead Sea water are magnesium, potassium, calcium chloride and bromides.

Why are these types of salts beneficial? Magnesium is important for combating stress and fluid retention, slowing skin aging and calming the nervous system. Calcium is effective at preventing water retention, increasing circulation and strengthening bones and nails. Potassium energizes the body, helps to balance skin moisture and is a crucial mineral to replenish following intense exercise. Bromides act to ease muscle stiffness and relax muscles. Sodium is important for the lymphatic fluid balance (is important for immune system function). So we can see that bathing in high quality sea salt could replenish the minerals which are critical to our skin metabolism.

Dead Sea salt has a beneficial effect on the skin and body:

Provide relief from stress, tension and anxiety

Promote relaxation and you will sleep better

Drains out toxins to reduce overall soreness, tenderness and pain

Opens the pores to purify the skin, cleansing away dirt and sweat

Beneficial for those seeking relief from skin and medical disorders such as skin, rheumatic, joint and inflammatory diseases.

Eases muscle stiffness

Reduces muscle spasm

Excellent for sports injuries

Assists in fading bruised skin and minor scarring

Replenish the minerals which are critical to our skin metabolism

Help improve common skin irritations such as insect bites, minor rashes, and calluses on feet, as well as more serious skin conditions like athlete's foot, eczema and psoriasis

Aids in the healing dry skin, making skin softer and more supple

Improves skin tone and keep skin healthy


It is universally accepted the Dead Sea salts and vitamins can have a wonderful effect on circulation and on the metabolism.

So, take the phone off the hook, light a few candles, turn on some soft music and climb into a tub of relaxation. We have many varieties of Dead Sea Salts for your bathing pleasures.

Hailey's Dragonfly Garden Bath Products

Enjoy!

Education is Important!

Relocation of Studio

Greeting!


As many of you know, we decided to relocate our studio. We are now sharing space with my sister who owns "The Soap Florist" . She had a large area she wasn’t using so we decided to combine our studios. It is large enough that we have our own complete work stations but small enough to still chat while we work.

The move itself is complete but we still have a few projects to do like putting up more shelves and unpacking a few more boxes of supplies.

We do appreciate your patience with the move as we had many orders come in that could not be filled right away. But as of yesterday and a lot of hard work we sent out all the pending orders with a little gift for your patience. So now it will be business as usual.

To show our appreciation for your business and confidence in our products, please use coupon code: HG73109 for 15% off your next order!

We hope to also post some new sales in the upcoming week or so. We will post pictures later on in the season when we are completely done with the renovations.


Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday

Care Package

This week we mailed out one care package to http://www.anysoldier.com/ We sent a box with snack foods only this time as we believe this is a welcomed treat for the soldiers and hopeful makes them smile when they get it.

I am still working on the blanket for http://soldiersangels.org/. I did fall alittle behind in creating this, but hope to work on it more next week.
I will get this out before the end of the month. (At least that is the plan)

I Can Do it Myself!

Do you have a "I can do it myself" kid? My granddaughter Hailey is very independent and has been for quite some time. She loves to be able to do things herself as it gives her a sense of accomplishment and that also goes for washing up at bath time.


So back when she was three years old I created our "Lance The Leopard" Foaming Bath wash for her. I of course got the idea from the popular KanDoo soaps as I loved the concept.

The difference in my soap and theirs is the ingredients.

Lance the Leopard

Sleepy Time- Foaming Bath Soap With Organic Lavender Essential Oil
Ingredients :
Deionized Water, Saponified Coconut Oil, Goats Milk, Sunflower Oil, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 20, Organic Lavender Essential oil



Kandoo - BrightFoam Body Wash Pump, Magic Melon Scent

Ingredients :
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polyquaternium-7, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Fragrance, Hydantoin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyquaternium-4, Methylparaben, Tetrasodium EDTA, Panthenol, Phytantriol, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Sorbitol, Proline, Green 5, Yellow 5.

We have a whole line of skin products just for your little ones. Natural and Organic.

So, what would you rather use on your toddler?

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless (Kinda) Wednesday

My cat wakes me up almost every morning by pawing my face and meowing.

Homemade Deodorants

Homemade deodorants! Why didn’t I think of this sooner! They are inexpensive, have no harsh chemicals and seem to work.


Deodorants work by neutralizing the smell of the perspiration. Deodorants are more healthful because they don’t interfere with perspiration, a natural cooling process. Here are a few simple recipes, which are fun to make because they can customize with your favorite scents.

Baking Soda: Baking soda works wonders because it neutralizes the odor of sweat. Just sprinkle a light covering of baking soda onto a damp washcloth. Pat on. Don’t rinse.

• Basic Deodorant Powder: 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup cornstarch, a few drops essential oils such as lavender. Place the ingredients in a glass jar. Shake to blend. Sprinkle a light covering of the powder on a damp washcloth. Pat on. Do not rinse. Or use a powder puff.

• Basic Liquid Deoderant:1/4 cup each witch hazel extract, aloe vera gel, and mineral water, 1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin, a few drops antibacterial essential oils such as lavender or tea tree oil (optional). Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake to blend. Makes 3/4 cup with an indefinite shelf life.

Right now I’m trying the Basic powder recipe and so far, so good!

Have you ever made homemade deodorant? Do you have a recipe you would like to share?

Wordless Wednesday

Homemade Remedies

I’m always looking for homemade remedies that work. Wednesday , on Dr.Oz I learned you can use garlic for an earache. There are two ways that were mentioned. One was put a clove of garlic in your ear(Not too small-you don’t want it to get stuck) , cover with a band aid and let it sit there overnight. Another way is to infuse olive oil with garlic cloves, and use a few warmed (NOT HOT) drops in the ear canal.


Personally, I have used many homemade remedies and here are a few.

Aloe Vera plants for cuts and small burns. You just need to cut off a small shoot , slice it open long ways and rub it on the cut or burn.

Sore throats and cough : A spoon or two of honey works great when sore and a hot drink of hot water or tea, honey and lemon helps with coughs. (Honey is NOT recommended for children under two)

I was just told via an email, that you can put Vick's Vaporub on your feet, cover with socks and it will relieve your coughing. Has anyone tried this?

What are your surefire homemade remedies?

Enjoy !

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Free Things to do with the Kids This Weekend

We are all trying to save money but we also want to be able to spend time with our kids, or grandkids that is going to be memorable. So I came up with this list to help you.


Hailey , who is six , loves to do most of the listed activities and there is no age limit to any of them. Enjoy your family as much as you can as we never know what tomorrow will bring.

Have a family slumber party
Camp in your backyard
Play catch or Frisbee
Build a blanket fort
Blow bubbles (Look on internet for homemade recipes)
Climb a tree
Play hopscotch
Turn on the stereo and just Dance
Make a collage out of pictures from old magazines
Have a Tea Party and invite Dad
Have a picnic
Draw picture or color
Do puzzles
Make some homemade play dough and have fun with it
Play hairdresser, allowing your kids to do wacky things with your hair
Tell ghost stories with only candle light ( Age appropriate though)
Go for a hike or just a walk in your neighborhood
Learn sign language
Create poems
Have a family film festival allowing the kids to pick some of the movies too (Even if you have seen it 100 times)
Organize a neighborhood clean up or just pick up trash at your local park
Go bird watching
Let your children read to you
Teach your kids how to sew (Boys too)
Make a quilt adding in some outgrown favorite t-shirts
Start a family collection like stones, leaves, coins or stamps
Bake cookies or bread
Make a family cookbook
Start a family journal
Have a yard sale and use the money for something the whole family wants
Visit and elder person or someone shut in
Have an etiquette night and practice with a formal dinner and get dressed up
Do a scavenger hunt
Play Cards or a board game
Make crafts (There are tons of easy ideas on the internet)
Lay outside at night, and look at the stars. You can also use a telescope or binoculars
Tell stories. One person starts the story, then every ten seconds the next person jumps in and continues the story and you keep taking turns. It’s a lot of fun.

What do you like to do that is free or very cost effective?

Enjoy Today as Tomorrow is never Promised

10 Ways to Spice Up your Life Today

1. Add Lemon and Orange peel to muffins and scones for a zesty flavor.

2.  Use Cinnamon sticks in coffee or black tea drinks as a stir stick.

3. Freeze Rose petals in ice cubes and add to your iced tea or water.

4. Add Basil, Oregano, and Rosemary to omelets.
5. Sprinkle Smoked Sea Salt on cream based pasta dishes with heirloom tomatoes.

6. Add Lemongrass to soups.

7. Use Rosemary, Garlic, and Black Pepper on baked potato wedges.

8. Infuse  honey with Lavender, Rosemary Rose Petals or Ginger.
9. Sprinkle a few crystals of Himalayan Pink Salt on chocolate.
10. Add honey to your butter for a great spread for dinner rolls.

Enjoy!