Hair Rinses

Most of us are on a budget.so try these inexpensive hair rinses today!

Calendula petals: To brighten blonde hair, pour 1 cup boiling water over 1⁄4 cup of calendula petals; let cool. Use as a final rinse post-shampoo.

Catnip: For a quick dandruff cure, brew a strong tea of dried catnip leaves and boiling water and massage into your scalp after shampooing. Rinse well with cool water.

Lemon juice: The juice of 1 lemon and 1 cup water mixed together brings back life and shine to dull hair. Use as a final rinse after shampooing, following with a cold-water rinse to remove all of the lemon water.

Baking soda: 1 tablespoon baking soda and 1 cup water mixed together gets your hair really clean and removes all traces of styling gels and hair spray. Massage well into hair and scalp and rinse with warm followed by cool water.

Apple cider vinegar: 2 tablespoons of vinegar to 1 cup of water gives your hair shine and bounce. Use as a final rinse after shampooing and then rinse well with cool water.


Flat beer: 1 cup of flat beet will give your hair body. The beer scent will not remain once your hair is dry. For extra body, use beer as your final rinse (do not rinse out).

Tomato juice: 1 cup of tomato juice will remove any odor, such as smoke, from your hair. Massage into hair and rinse with warm, then cool water.

Taken From Body & Soul

New Uses for a Bar of Soap‏

I found this on MSN and thought it was worth sharing :) Some really great ideas!

(Cucumber Melon)

New Uses for Soaps

1. Pretty Pincushion
Stick needles and pins in a wrapped bar of soap. The soap's oils make the pointy ends glide through fabric sew easily.
2. Deodorant Substitute
In a pinch, swab under your arms with a dry bar (whichever one is handy) to fight that not-so-fresh feeling.

3. Car Freshener
Tuck a cake of scented soap in your car-door compartment for a subtle aroma that's superior to any cardboard (or "rearview mirror") pine tree.

4. Insect Repellent
Put a few unwrapped bars of rosemary, lemongrass, or citronella soap on a picnic table and unwanted flying guests will bug off.

5. Mirror Marker
Keep your love notes clean: Scribble on a mirror with a bar of soap. It is cheaper than lipstick and wipes off more easily.

6. Stain Remover
Pretreat grass and dirt stains with a few gentle swipes of a dry bar (any kind will do).

7. Itch Reliever
Can't stop scratching that mosquito bite? Rub it with a bar of oatmeal- or aloe-infused soap to quell the urge.

8. Hem Guide
When you're fresh out of tailor's chalk, use a bar of soap to mark a new hem on your fashion masterpiece.


http://lifestyle.msn.com/your-home/cleaning-organizing/8-new-uses-for-a-bar-of-soap

I Must Sleep!

As some of you know, I now work at my regular job on 3rd shift. I believe I am getting use to it but my sleep patterns are still erratic. So, I thought I would share some personal information about creating an ideal bedroom when you have to sleep during the day.

First, I love my bed. I have a great mattress set that cost more than normal but wasn’t extravagant. When I chose it, I went to the store, spent a few hours making my decision by actually laying on all the beds. I took my time, trying them out a few times each once I picked my top three. Some people looked at me strange, but it allowed me to find the perfect mattress for me. Then I covered it with soft sheets, a fluffy comforter and many pillows.

Next, blackout curtains. This is a must if you sleep during the day. We subconsciously associate daytime with being active. So darkness helps. If you cant block out all the light, you may want to try a sleep mask.

Unwinding. I can’t come home and just go to sleep. I have to wind down. I do a few menial things around the house then go to bed. I am a TV watcher in bed. (I know they say you should not have a TV in your bedroom, but it works for me) I will relax, watch a little TV and set the TV timer to go off in anywhere from 20-40 minutes.

Cool air. Yes, you need cool air. Your body cools down during sleep so this will help you get in the mood, per se. And it prompts me to get all cozy with my quits and blankets.

Last but not least, scents. I spray my sheets with our Sweet Dreams Aromatherapy Spray. It’s a crisp, clean, fresh lavender scent that is not overpowering but helps me to relax. And if I’m having a harder time than normal to go to sleep, I break out my Dream Pillow, the Dragonfly Peaceful Slumber Pillow and tuck it into my pillow case after I inhale it a few times.

What works for you? Please share!

Thank you for your patience

Time just zooms by when your old. Well, Im not old old, just feeling old sometimes. I do appreciate your patience and sticking with me. So many things are going on. New job, new schedule, new ideas.
I am working on redoing my web site. I think I was over extended.So now Im cutting down per se.
I hope to have a new look by summer with only the best of the best on the site.
More to come soon!

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 :)