Beautiful

I love getting new ideas of things I can make myself. Here is a DIY Facial Soap I wanted to share from Frugally Sustainable.com

Sustainable Beauty: DIY Facial Soap

OCTOBER 24, 2011 BY ANDREA 23 COMMENTS

Beauty.

No matter how old or young we are, a woman wants to be beautiful. I’ve heard it said that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

From the tribes of Africa…

…to the henna designs of a wedding in India…

…to the Hiwi of Venezuela…

…women have embraced sustainable beauty. Using those things indigenous to their surroundings, they have created and defined beauty for themselves.

Unfortunately, in our modern societies consumer marketing and commercial companies understand our quest for beauty and have taken advantage of this truth. Shelves are flooded with countless products to meet any need; begging you to consume, promising the solution you are hoping for.

I can’t even think about the money I’ve spent on beauty products! It’ll make me nauseous! And guess what, I still battle the same skin problems! So, I’m done with it all. I’m making my own and coming to peace with who God made me to be (smile).

I want to share with you a very frugal recipe for DIY Facial Soap.

DIY Facial Soap Recipe

Base
-2 ounces of grated bar soap (or liquid castile soap)
-2 cups of hot water
-5 drops Tea Tree Oil

Directions: Add soap to water and stir to melt. Then add tea tree oil and suitable skin type add-ins.

Suitable Skin Type Add-Ins
Oily: substitute 4 ounces of water for witch hazel, sage, rosemary
Acne: two aspirins crushed into powder, increase tea tree oil to 15 drops
Dry: honey, glycerin, aloe vera, nettle, or St. John’s Wort
Sensitive: calendula, comfrey, chamomile
Antibacterial: birch, cinnamon, eucalyptus

Tips:

-Lavender is beneficial for all skin types.

-You may choose to include these above listed herbs by infusing them into the hot water prior to adding the soap in the base recipe.

-You may also add them in the form of a few drops of essential oils.

The following books were used as references for making this recipe: Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health, Make Your Place.

See this post and a host of others like it: Homestead Barn Hop, More the Merrier Monday,Inspire Me Monday, Lines Across My Face, Nifty Thrify Sunday, Monday Mania, Gallery of Favorites, Frugal Fridays, Fat Tuesday, Handmade Tuesday, New Nostalgia, Teach Me Tuesday, Homemaking Wednesday, Crafty Scrappy Happy, It’s A Keeper

You can get castile soap at health food stores, Sunflower Markets and online.

Tea Tree oil is the same as Melaleuca Oil and you can get this from me.

Beautiful

I have used Essential Oil and Aromatherapy for over 10 years, and I have an oil that I used for a while, stopped for a time and went back to, that I just love.

The information is found in the book:

Geranium: is an excellent oil for helping you deal with stress, tiredness, and anxiety over problems--all of which can make you look and feel much older than you are. Geranium oil won't actually get rid of the problems for you in a puff of aromatic smoke, but it will get rid of the anxiety so that you can better deal with the problems. It will also treat the various conditions that can manifest themselves on the skin as a result of difficult emotional experiences--red blotches on the chest, spots on the back, or skin that looks saggy or has flaky patches. In addition it will reverse the apathy and body droop that often accompany the troubled mind.

Anti Wrinkle Oil (Geranium Body Oil)
30 drops Geranium oil
2 T. light nut oil

This makes a bit the will last a while but I like to quadruple the amount. Store in an amber bottle. I used this on my face and neck, but you can use it all over.

You can actually see an improvement after one session. Before bathing, stand naked in front of the mirror and observe the posture and look of your body. Now have a bath in which you add 6 drops of Geranium oil (straight, not the blend) and lie there  inhaling deeply for at least five minutes. When you get out rub the geranium body oil over your whole body and stretch in all directions for a few minutes. Now have a look in the mirror again. You'll see a marked improvement already, so imagine the difference if you used this treatment every day.

Below is information on where to get the ingredients, plus a chart to show you haw far one bottle of Geranium essential oil will go and what size of a bottle you will need when you make this blend.

Please if you have any questions, or would like a FREE sample of the oil, give me a comment.

Geranium Essential Oil
Pelargonium graveolens

Geranium offers outstanding benefits for soothing skin and is a common ingredient in many skin care products. Also useful for joint support and tempering minor aches and pains, geranium's calming effects make it a popular choice for many essential oil users*. For aromatic or topical use.

Geranium Essential Oil 15 ml 3009 (3009)US$ 36.00   

     You can get the      Geranium oil from me, as I am a doTerra distributor.

You can get the Jason oil at health food stores, Sunflower Market, and online.

You can get the bottles and lids from Industrial Container in Salt Lake City Utah, and Aroma Tools in Orem Utah.

Glass & Plastic Container Size Chart

Container Size	=	drams	milli- liters	ounces	cups	table- spoons	tea- spoons	drops
'0' Capsule	=	a. .135	a. .5	a. 1/64	a. 1/512	a. 1/32	a. 1/11	a. 10
'00' Capsule	=	a. .189	a. .7	a. 1/40	a. 1/320	a. 1/20	a. 1/7	a. 14
1/6 dram	=	1/6	.62	1/48	1/384	1/24	1/8	a. 12
1/4 dram	=	1/4	.93	1/32	1/256	1/16	3/16	a. 18
1/2 dram	=	1/2	1.85	1/16	1/128	1/8	3/8	a. 37
5/8 dram	=	5/8	2.31	5/64	5/512	5/32	15/32	a. 46
1 dram	=	1	3.7	1/8	1/64	1/4	3/4	a. 74
2 dram	=	2	7.39	1/4	1/32	1/2	1-1/2	a. 147
4 dram	=	4	14.79	1/2	1/16	1	3	a. 295
5 ml	=	1.35	5	a. 1/6	a. 1/48	a. 1/3	a. 1	a. 100
10 ml	=	2.71	10	a. 1/3	a. 1/24	a. 2/3	a. 2	a. 200
15 ml	=	4.06	15	a. 1/2	a. 1/16	a. 1	a. 3	a. 300
30 ml	=	8.12	30	a. 1	a. 1/8	a. 2	a. 6	a. 600
1 oz.	=	8	a. 30	1	1/8	2	6	a. 591
2 oz.	=	16	a. 60	2	1/4	4	12	a. 1,182
4 oz.	=	32	a. 120	4	1/2	8	24	a. 2,365
6 oz.	=	48	a. 180	6	3/4	12	36	a. 3,548
8 oz.	=	64	a. 240	8	1	16	48	a. 4,731
12 oz.	=	96	a. 360	12	1.5	24	72	a. 7,097
16 oz.	=	128	a. 480	16	2	32	96	a. 9,463
32 oz.	=	256	a. 960	32	4	64	192	a. 18,927
64 oz.	=	512	a. 1,920	64	8	128	384	a. 37,854

*a. indicates approximate measurements. All other measurements are exact.

Compassionate

This has been a tough year for some. Each year seems to bring different ones.
Earthquakes
Fires
Shootings
Floods
Droughts
Economic Hardships
just to name a few.

It is my testimony that 'these things will give thee experience and shall be for thy good' (D&C 122)

Before we came to earth there was a Great Council, where Heavenly Father told us of His plan for us to come to earth. We would be free to choose.

Our older brother Satan wanted to take away our freedom and force us to make the right choice.

Our older brother Jesus said He would come to earth, to be our Savior so that our Father's plan could be upheld and through His atonement we would have a chance to repent of our wrong choices.

So here we are on earth and we are indeed free to choose. When someone does something bad to someone else, like the recent shootings in Colorado, some may ask "Where was God?" Doesn't he care about those poor people?

It is my testimony that he does care. He weeps when we are bad, when someone is bad to us, when we fall, when we die TOO early. He does not step in to stop it for we are ALL free to choose. 

He is there though for each and every one of us. He was there to take home those that were lost. He was there comforting all who were frightened. And yes, I believe he was even there for the shooter, trying to speak to his heart to not do what he had planned. For he too is His child. But he choose the listen more to the father of all lies instead and would not, could not listen.

My heart goes out to the victims and their families. To the family of the shooter.

I am so sorry he made the choices that he did, and the heartache that it left.

Again I would like to leave my song for you to hear "You Are Note Alone" at YouTube on the Iamaldswoman channel. Please listen to it often when ever you are needing comfort.

Please know that these words come from my heart.

Creative

Christmas in July


Happy Holidays!!!!!   Oh wait, it's only July

I love to make gifts. I love to receive hand made gifts. Have you ever made something for someone for Christmas, and because of all of the excitement Christmas morning, it doesn't get appreciated? You put a lot of time and love into it.

Here is an idea for a new tradition: A Handmade Christmas Eve

Each person draws a name of a family member, then they make something for that person. On Christmas Eve you open those presents, saving Christmas day for the other ones, playing, eating and sleeping.

Now, with me, making stuff is how I get my budget to work when times are tough.  But when times are good, this would still be a great idea.

I wanted to post this now to give people time to gather ideas and make items so you are not rushed at the last minute. You can set a price limit if you want or make up your own guidelines so someone doesn't get a pet rock while another person gets something really elaborate.

Here are a couple of ideas:

-crocheted hot pads (pattern can be found atBev’s Country Cottage)
-painted garden markers

-Picture frames (you can make the frame or buy one and paint it and/or decorate it to go with decor)

-lap quilt or afghan

-scarf

-here is a link for gifts for men GiftsforMen2.jpg

-make a plate or mug 

-doll house furniture The Wood Connection, fitted tablecloth tutorial found at Smashed Peas & Carrots

{Adorable Doll Bed & Bedding}

-special container for action heroes (it could be made out of wood  and mod podge pics of the heroes onto the sides)

-baby toy

picklebums.com, www.savvyhomemade.com, www.finecraftguild.com

-puzzles and games (make out of wood, cutting with a jigsaw or bandsaw, etc.)

The possibilities are endless and you might be overwhelmed by all of the ideas you can find on the internet. I know I was as I typed in phrases (on images) like-homemade games and found a lunchbox made from an old NES (can also be made into a USB hub), or homemade baby toys, and homemade gifts for men. You might even find ideas for that person who has everything.

Family traditions are great opportunities to build family ties, and who says you can't add new traditions as years go by. It can also help develop new skills.

This one came from a close cousin of mine and I just had to share it, and I am excited to do this for my family this year.

Joyous

You don't have to push a handcart, leave your family dear,
or walk a thousand miles or more to be a pioneer.

You do need to have great courage, faith to conquer fear,
And work with might for a cause that's right to be a pioneer.

Activity: Load up a wagon

with a few things, like a sleeping bag, small tent, a suitcase, one toy per child, choose whatever you want to complete this activity.

Walk around the block with your wagon, returning home to a dutch oven dinner. (If you don't have a dutch oven roast hotdogs over a fire and toast marshmallows.) Please be careful, and if there is a fire ban in your area, DO NOT do this, we don't want you having to really leave your home and start fresh like the pioneers did.

Lesson: Talk about what the pioneers did-if possible read from family histories of pioneer ancestors. Talk about how your children can be pioneers today.

Recipe: Chicken & Potato Casserole

1 bag hash brown potatoes (thawed)
1 1/2 t. salt
2 c. cut up chicken (cooked)
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
2T. onion
16 oz. sour cream
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 can condensed cream of celery soup
1 pkg. frozen chopped broccoli (thaw and drain)

Mix potatoes and the remaining ingredients except cheese together in dutch oven, bake for 15 min.-lift lid and spread with cheese on top, bake another 15 minutes. Remove from fire and you're ready to eat.

Compassionate/Creative/Joyous

Ok the video did not upload correctly Again--so please go to YouTube under Iamaldswoman and click on You Are Not Alone

Compassionate/Creative/Joyous

I am covering 3 topics here, because it is impossible to put all I have to share in just one topic.

Creative:   The Lord has blessed me with a talent to write music. Most of the time I can hear a tune, but am unable to write it out due to my lack of knowledge. Someday I hope to go to school to fix that. I have been blessed on occasion to be able to write a song almost immediately.

Three years ago I had a section of a tune go through my mind, many a sunday during sacrament meeting. I sung the tune into my cell phone hoping not to loose it. Nothing was really done though I tried to write, I couldn't. I just kept sing it in my head.

Compassionate: Fast forward to last summer. A friend of mine lost her husband suddenly. I started to sing a song I knew "You're Not Alone" by Michael McLean, then suddenly I started singing the tune I heard for two and a half years.

Excitement filled my heart and I went to work. I had the help of Finale NotePad:

a music notation program, for writing the tune and words for verses were coming to me.

I also had a dear friend whose marriage had ended. I had words come to my mind to include her in this song. 

My oldest son was to be deploying to Afghanistan, and a part of the chorus goes to him, and to other military both past and present who have had to fight.

After a week of two I was almost done. However I couldn't get the key change transition done, another one of the weaknesses in knowledge. So I put the song aside for awhile.

Joyous: About two weeks ago (it has now been over 10 months since I started) the Holy Ghost spoke to me one night, saying try it this way. The next morning I pulled out the song and finished the transition. The Lord and I polished and completed the song.

Then the Lord helped me find the right pictures.

Now I offer to you a new song with slide show "You Are Not Alone" with my testimony, that all is in the Lord's timing, and that no matter what you are going through "You Are Never Alone"