Summer 2013 Has Begun!!

School is out for a few months and summer has arrived. I love summer but I hate bugs!! I have seen lots of spiders out in the yard and I don't want them in my house!! So I mixed water, castile soap, and peppermint essential oil and sprayed around my doors. Here is some more info I found about pest control using essential oils:
All you have to do is mix 8 ounces of water in a spray bottle with a half teaspoon of natural soap and 12 drops of one of the following oils to keep pests away. Here is the list: ANTS- Peppermint ( add a line to window and door seals too! ) APHIDS – Peppermint, Sandalwood or White Fir, BEETLES- Peppermint or Thyme, CATERPILLERS- Peppermint , CHIGGERS- Lavender, Lemongrass or Thyme, CUTWORM- Thyme, FLEAS- Lavender, Lemongrass or Peppermint, FLIES- Basil, Clove, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Peppermint or Rosemary, GNATS- Patchouli, MOSQUITOS- Lavender or Lemongrass, MOTHS- Lavender or Peppermint, PLANT LICE- Peppermint, ROACHES- Eucalyptus, SLUGS- White Fir, SNAILS- Patchouli or White Fir, SPIDERS- Peppermint, TICKS- Lavender, Lemongrass or Thyme, WEEVILS- Patchouli or Sandalwood. When you mix the oils with the water and soap, make sure you shake the bottle frequently to keep the oil mixed with the water. You only need to spray the mixture sparingly because a little goes a long way…essential oils are very powerful. You may need to reapply the mixture every few days to start. So there you have it… a natural way to get rid of the unwanted critters in your yard and garden! : )

Enjoy your summer!!

New Interest In My Life-Essential OIls!!

Well, as usual, I am behind in my postings. Since my January post, I have found out about essential oils. I am now an Independent Product Consultant for doTerra essential oils. They are amazing. I use peppermint oil for headaches....good bye Tylenol.  I use Breathe for stuffy nose...good bye Afrin.  I put lemon and lime in my drinking water or tea.

Essential oils are natural aromatic compounds found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of plants. They can be both beautifully and powerfully fragrant. If you have ever enjoyed the gift of a rose, a walk by a field of lavender, or the smell of fresh cut mint, you have experienced the aromatic qualities of essential oils. In addition to giving plants their distinctive smells, essential oils provide plants with protection against predators and disease and play a role in plant pollination. 

Essential oils are non water-based phytochemicals made up of volatile aromatic compounds. Although they are fat soluble, they do not include fatty lipids or acids found in vegetable and animal oils. Essential oils are very clean, almost crisp, to the touch and are immediately absorbed by the skin. Pure, unadulterated essential oils are translucent and range in color from crystal clear to deep blue.

I have been concerned about the chemicals in our cosmetics and beauty products for several years. I have become concerned about our health care situation recently. After doing some research, I have decided that essential oils are the answer for my family. I had used essential oils from the health food store for several years, lavender for my bathwater and sprayed on my pillow and eucalyptus and spearmint for making my house smell good. I have found out so much more. 

doTerra oils are natural, pure, and therapeutic grade oils. They can be applied topically, infused (aromatherapy), and taken internally. They do not cure but provided for the body to heal itself. I am new to essential oils but I want to learn more and use them more. I don't want anyone in my family to be dependent on a prescription drug or OTC drug unless there is just no other choice. I look forward to this new experience. I feel that when God created all these wonderful plants, they were meant for more than just to look at or eat occasionally. God has given us a source of good health, it is up to us to try them for out needs.

Can It Really Be 2013?

How can it be 2013? I promise I just looked away a minute from my last post and that was in 2011!! What have I been doing? Now that I think about it, I'm not really sure. I know I have enjoyed keeping up with my 6 grandbabies in all the things they are involved in. They are such a blessing and bring DaDa and I such joy. Here are somethings that have happened in the minute it took to go from August 2011 to now:

• I have had a Parathyroidectomy. What a big word for such a small incision!!
• I have become a Texas Master Gardener.
• I have lost a precious Mother-in-Law.
• Turned 60+.
• Gotten more involved in our awesome Life group.
• Been married 42+ years.
• Gotten an iPhone and can now text a message!!
• Found Pinterest!!

I'm sure there are many more things, but my memory seems to fail me at times!! When you think about it life passes so fast. Do we take the time to tell our family and friends we love them and appreciate all they do for us? Do we take for granted God's mercy and grace? Do we dwell on our aches and pains, as we age? Do we worry and become anxious because of the mess our government is in and the way God has been taken out of our everyday lives? Do we wonder why we have gained so much weight, when we won't get off the couch to take a walk? There is so much to do and so little time!!!

My oldest daughter's in-laws are such special friends. This fall they did something that was on their bucket list. DaDa and I laughed because we don't really have a bucket list. Are we just a couple of stick in the muds because we don't really have great things we want to do? I can't really say there is a special place I would like to travel and see. I might miss somethings my "6 precious angels" are doing!!  We all have the same amount of time in a day, a week, and a month; do I use my time well? Not sure that I do, but I love my life. Sometimes I think my priorities are not aligned correctly or I have failed to set goals. But then, I think God has blessed my normal everyday life so much that big goals are not that important. If I don't travel around the world or become a well-paid educator (LOL), then does it really matter that much? I have moments with my husband, my kids, my grandkids, etc. that far mean more to me than status, power, and money. There is not a thing in my life I would change if I had the chance. God has provided for us and blessed us and he will continue to do that.

I guess I should feel guilt for neglecting my blog, but like I said, where has the time gone? I hope I do better this year; there are recipes to share and gardening ideas to talk about, and who knows what else? Blessings to you all as your travel the life God has given you. I hope 2012 was full of wonderful things and that 2013 will bring you your heart's desires!

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Where did summer go?

Where did the summer go? I think back down to H..... It has been the hottest and driest summer I can remember. My water bill is unbelievable and the lawn still is yellow with green spots every once in a while. The flower beds are a little better, but the bine weed wants to take over everything. I know for sure bine weed is in H...! I had several projects I wanted to get done before school started back again, but the list is not finished and in-service begins in 1 week. Oh well, maybe they will get done over Christmas break!

I haven't cooked a lot this summer. Seems like we eat lots of grilled things, vegetables, and fruits. Working in the yard saps my energy and makes me sweat like a ......, however, I have managed to gain 4 lbs. since school was out in May. There just seems to be NO way to win with this weight thing. Could it possibly be the ice cream that calls my name after a 2 hr. weeding session?? Planning on looking back at the menus and posting a new recipe soon.

Please be praying for rain over Texas and Oklahoma and all the states that are suffering drought. Not only crops and vegetation are suffering, but animals as well. Please God send us a blessing of rain!

What a Week-End!!

What do Sarah Palin, exercise for the liver, Smithy, and the Cheesecake Factory have in common? Think hard........ The answer is the "Women of Joy" Conference. A group of 20 women from our area went to Oklahoma City for the week-end to attend the conference. It was wonderful.

We sang with Michael W Smith and Charles Billingsley and heard Sarah Palin, Kay Arthur and Karen Kingsbury speak. My favorite was Anita Renfroe. Talk about laugh, I thought I would die!! Did you know that the only exercise the liver receives is when you laugh? Who Knew??? There were 9,000 women attending and it was was so awesome to hear their voices lifted in song to our God. If you ever get a chance, please attend. I promise you will receive a blessing.

We traveled in five vehicles and it was interesting to get us all to the places we wanted to go! Best meal of the week-end was of course the Cheesecake Factory. For some reason I later looked in my purse and there was a piece of cheesecake!!! Unfortunately, I had forgotten to pack my diet so I ate it!!! Heaven in a slice!

Different speakers, same idea: How long will God protect a nation that calls evil things good and good things evil? We better get ourselves aligned with God or the USA will be suffering the consequences. We need to stand firm on the word of God and not tolerate the sins that seem to be more acceptable these days. God's word is firm, we must stand firm.

I was surprised how dry OKC was. I knew the Texas Panhandle was suffering, but so is Oklahoma. Pray for rain, please. The wildfires in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma need a good drenching rain to help stop them. Please Lord, let it rain!!! Please pray for the families that are suffering because of all the fires.