A Visit With Beth

From time to time I "borrow" something from another blog that I feel is really worth reading and put it on my blogspot. So, once again, the following info has been taken from my daughter Beth's blogspot. Enjoy!

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

KJB

Over the years, I have read books and articles on the beauty and inspiration of the King James Version. I checked out a documentary/movie called KJB: The Book That Changed The World, that was a really good explanation about how the King James Version came to be. It is a very good movie for kids because it is acted out.

*This I pulled from Gail Riplinger's Book Hazardous Materials (pages 1181-1184)....

There are many things hidden in the text of the King James that a serious student can find. (Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth...2 Timothy 2:15) This does not occur in any other translation.

"if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God"...John 11:40

Periander A. Esplana, a Christian from the Phillipines found this several years back:

The 1st verse and the last verse in the KJB:
*In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:1
*The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." Revelation 22:21

~Number of letters in the first verse? 44  In the last verse? 44
~The number of vowels in the first verse? 17 In the last verse? 17
~The number of consonants in the first verse? 27 In the last verse? 27

That's just two verses!

1 John 5:7 is an important verse that distinguishes the Christian religion from false religions. The chapter ends "This is the true God.."
 "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost' and these three are one. 1 John 5:7 - this identifies the Trinity and states that Jesus is God.

Jesus is not only "the first and the last," he is "in the midst" of the New Testament in 1 John 5:7 (Matthew 14:24, 25; 18:2; Luke 5:19, 6:8,9; 24:36 "Jesus himself stood in the midst." John 8:9, 8:59; 18:19 "Jesus in the midst," 20:19, 20:26)

The number of letters in first verse             44 
the number of letters in the last verse       +44
the number of letters in 1 John 5:7 (KJB)   88
*when the first and last verses are totalled they equal the same amount of letters in 1 John 5:7

Vowels in first verse?      17
Last verse?                    +17
Vowels in 1 John 5:7?     34

Same thing. Vowels in first and last equal the vowels in 1 John 5:7.

Consonants in first verse?    27
Last verse?                        +27
1 John 5:7 consonants?       54

The consonants in the first verse and last verse equal that in 1 John 5:7

Let's match some more!

First verse letters=44
Last verse letters= 44....total 88

first verse vowels= 17
last verse=17....total 34

first verse consonants= 27
last verse consonants= 27.....total 54

first verse words= 10
last verse words=12....total 22
words in 1 John 5:7....22

The total letters, consonants, vowels, and words in 1 John 5:7 equal the total in the "the first and the last" verses in the Holy Bible.

Pretty cool, huh? 

My Old Friend, Worry

My middle name should have been Worry. And I was reading this:

Matthew 6:25-30

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin;
And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

So, obviously I have little faith. :(   I sure wish I could give up worrying. It doesn't make me any happier, and most of the stuff I've worried about never happens.

Questions To Ask Yourself

How would you answer these if God asked them of you?
Job 26:1-4

How hast thou helped him that is without power?  how savest thou the arm that hath no strength?
How hast thou councelled him that hath no wisdom? and how hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is?
To whom hast thou uttered words? and whose spirit came from thee?

Monday, July 25, 2011

Deliberate Dumbing Down

Last month I posted a video of Charlotte Iserbyte talking about the deliberate dumbing down of the public schools. I have since downloaded her book off of her website (http://www.deliberatedumbingdown.com/) that goes into great detail about the agenda of the government regarding childrens' education. It is over 700 pages, and is not longer in print, but you can download it off of her site and read it in pdf form.

 Just the introduction will make you sick to your stomach. While the agenda is laid out, and hard to deal with, Charlotte Iserbyte's whole premise is that we need to fight it. The agenda to make kids into an easily controlled population that will follow what they are told can be seen in day to day life. It is snowballing quickly. She talks about technology and the way it is used to put ideas into our children's minds.

I can honestly say that every time I think I have seen it all, something else slaps me in the face. The lies and deceptions on this earth truly boggle my mind.

My Church

At this time, I would like to mention a church in the Virginia Beach area that the Lord has so graciously allowed me to learn about in the past 2 years and also attend at different times. At a time when I felt like there was no place to turn, no one to really help me in my time of need, the Lord helped me find this church. Mainly, by visiting my daughter Grace who lives in the Virginia Beach area due to her husband being in the Navy, I have been able at different times to participate in the Street Preaching Ministry of the Bible Believers Baptist Church that is a weekly event. They are deeply burdened for the folks that come to the beach by the thousands, so much that they literally pass out thousands of tracts to these passersby, of which I have myself been able to participate. There is no better feeling for a believer of the Lord Jesus Christ than to be able to proclaim the truth to a lost and dying world. I have also been able to listen to the preaching via the BBBChurch.com  website. I know and believe that the Lord has used the preaching to greatly edify this believer (me) and mostly everything that I have heard has seemingly ran parallel with what has been going on in my life the last couple of years. Many things that I believe and have believed to be right have been talked about and preached at this church. It has been my "saving grace" in that the preaching has literally helped me defeat the ever-present on-going pressure of being told that "yielding to the "world" is not a bad thing...it all depends on how one looks at it."  Brethren, many have swallowed that lie! I pray that I won't be one of them.  Pastor Tim MacDonald, the Lord bless you abundantly!

A Surprise from Amber

My oldest granddaughter Amber sent me a copy of a story that she wrote in her English class. It totally surprised me because it was written in my behalf. The  letter below is written to explain the story that follows:

Dear Me Me,

My English teacher Mr. Tolbert wanted the class to write about someone important in our lives. I decided to write about one of my favorite grandmas that always showed me tender loving care, and a harsh cheek, he he. I hope you like this. Some extra stuff is added, but to me it feels like the added stuff really happened. Enjoy and write me back. I would love to hear what you and Papa would have to say.

Love Amber

The following story was so thoroughly enjoyed by me that as I sat in my chair I laughed and cried. As she stated above, all of this did not really happen, but it would be fun to think that it did (at least most of it).

My Grandmother

When I was little I couldn't remember a time when my grandmother A.K.A. as Me Me wasn't there. I am the first grandchild from their oldest daughter. I was always the one that got most of the attention until my Aunt Beth had her first child. Me Me loves the English land. She loves how they talk, act, what they eat, and their humor. In fact, Me Me has a special brand of humor that could split you in half or heal your heart.

When I was eight years old Me Me got all the girls in our family together for a British tea party. We all had to dress up in pretty dresses with umbrellas that had gorgeous colors printed on them. Me Me would do Beth's hair in the most amazing style, Me Me was a beautician. Usually my mom couldn't attend because of work, so
Grace my other Aunt would braid my hair and tie a creative purple bow at the end.

Me Me had the best cooking recipes in the family. She could make the best homemade croissants with peppermint tea and little cakes with drizzles of white chocolate on top. She presented a table set in English style and filled with delicious Southern foods that were my favorite.

After we ate and enjoyed wonderful deserts, flavored drinks, and hot tea, we would break out the game croquet. Me Me loves games and she got all of us addicted to them. Once Me Me would play croquet with all the adults and older children, she would make her way to a deck of Uno cards that everyone played. She even taught my cousin that was three years old how to beat me and beat everyone else.

Five hours usually passed by fast with her because we would have so much fun. After the tea party was over, all the husbands would come and say hi and pick up their wives and children. I was always the one that was insisted on staying the night and help clean up. When everything was clean and everyone had deserted the house, it was time to put on hand-me-downs and go help her in her garden. I absolutely hated it, but she promised that she would take me to the Golden Corral and have a girl's day.

Me Me has always been fun, she has always been a health freak that was addicted to growing her own herbs. We always played Uno and Scrabble and fix a special yummie meal for Papa. Papa was never around much until he came home from work to spend time with me by taking me to the Tastee Freeze for the best ice cream.

I would always have a ball at Me Me's house. We would do-si-do to blue grass at night and listen to classical music when we read the Bible. Jesus was always the right choice for Me Me after he helped her get back on her feet when she was younger. We would always talk about the events that took place in the Old Testament. Papa was a Pastor of our church, so he always volunteered to put in extra attention to specific stories that needed for imagination. Without my grandmother I'd be nothing. I love Me Me and the memories we share.

*A note from Me Me
At first, I thought I would leave it to your imagination which parts of the story above actually did happen, but I feel that I should at least let everyone know that I am not addicted to games...I do like to play some games. And I have not fixed some of these foods mentioned above. Neither have I really done that much do-si-doing with Amber. We did have a few episodes in my living room, nothing outlandish. But, I would like for my readers to know that I wish I had done more of these types of things with my granddaughters. Time flees away and they grow up very fast. Before we know it, they're busy with their own lives and seemingly don't have much time for pasttime fun!
Since this time Amber has turned 16 years old and the last I heard she has gotten her drivers license. Now I will really start worrying.
I love you, Amber.

July 2011 Newsletter

JULY, 2011

He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herbs for the service of man: that he

may bring forth food out of the earth...

Blackberry

From The Herb Patch

Hello once again folks! This month I decided to talk about one of my favorite herbal fruits. I did say one of my favorites. And I guess you wonder why blackberries got on the list of “herbs”. Well, actually blackberries, especially the leaves, can be used for many medicinal purposes. Also, they would be seen on the list of heirloom plants.
In the U.S. blackberries typically peak during June in the South, and in July in the North. Crops are ready at various times of the month depending on which part of the state you are located. In order to produce good local blackberries, producers depend on ideal spring and early summer weather conditions. So far, this year in my area the weather has been good for blackberries and I have an abundance right in my far back yard! Each year I get a little antsy about whether or not these bushes which started off as a small patch will have the right kind of weather in order to have a lot of berries, and not dry up on the bush like they will when there is little rain. When the rain has been plentiful, most of the time the berries will be plumper. I have learned this by experience. Before my patch on the property got bigger, I miraculously found a few huge patches down the road from my house. I prayed for lots of berries that year, and the Lord amply provided. I usually pick them for eating in berry dumplings, put them in a smoothie, or make jam and jelly which I really like. But, I have to warn you to watch out for “chiggers”. They can truly get under your skin!! And itch like the dickens. This I know from recent experience! J That being the fact that this year after sitting and standing in and around my berry patch due to trying to be careful not to cause my back to go out, I acquired an extreme case of chigger bites. I mean probably around 200 on different parts of my body. Yes, they itch and can cause fatigue because the body is trying to deal with all the toxins going into it. But, I found a new use for Super Immune Tonic...Better than the Salve I make. The tonic when rubbed on the bites stopped most of the itching and started to dry them up very quickly. No, it did not sting like I thought it would. So, I am on the mend. Yes, I stopped picking berries for a few days. And yes, you have to deal with all the thorns on the berry bushes. Ouch!!! Or you can plant thornless, which is a smart move. But, then you can’t have a conversation with your grandchild like I did about thorns and God putting a curse on the land because of Adam and Eve’s sin. Which ended up in a discussion about the crown of “big” thorns pushed down on the Lord Jesus Christ’s head before his crucifixion.

So, now for the facts...
Blackberry Facts and Tips: Blackberry is a sprawling shrub growing up to 5 feet in height. The stems and leaves bear thorns, although some thorn free cultivars exist. The dark green compound leaves consist of 3 or 5 leaflets. The flowers resemble small roses and are white or light pink colored. During early summer and autumn depending on where you live the typical blackberries are formed, which are purplish-black colored.

Blackberry leaves are traditionally used for the treatment of burns and scald. Tea from blackberry (leaves, root and bark) is astringent and used against intestinal disorders such as diarrhea and dysentery. Chewing of fresh blackberry leaves helps to heal bleeding gums and inflammation of the mouth and throat.

Black Raspberries, also known as "black caps" are a very healthy food; packed with anthocyanins!

       The USDA says 1 cup of blackberries has about 62 calories.

       Select plump, firm, fully black berries. Unripe berries will not ripen once picked. 

       Blackberry tea was said to be a cure for dysentery during the Civil War. During outbreaks of dysentery, temporary truces were declared to allow both Union and Confederate soldiers to "go blackberry" to forage for blackberries to ward off the disease.

       Researchers have known for quite some time that berries contain antioxidants which help to fight cancer causing free radicals.  A study at the University of Ohio has found that black berries are the most potent cancer fighting berries of them all, by nearly 40 percent!

Tips on How to Pick Blackberries: There are two types of blackberries to know about: thorny and thornless! Obviously, the thornless are easier to pick, but some people claim the thorny varieties are sweeter. With the thorny plants, you want to reach into the plant in the gaps, so you don't need to touch anything but the berry you're after, avoiding the thorns.

1. A ripe blackberry is deep black with a plump, full feel. It will pull free from the plant with only a slight tug.  If the berry is red or purple, it's not ripe yet.
2. Repeat these operations using both hands until each holds 3 or 4 berries. Unlike strawberries, blackberries are usually pretty tough, I dump mine into the bucket. Repeat the picking process with both hands.
3. Don't overfill your containers or try to pack the berries down.

General Picking Tips: Avoid placing the picked berries in the sunlight any longer than necessary. It is better to put them in the shade of a tree or shed than in the car trunk or on the car seat. Cool them as soon as possible after picking. Blackberries may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for up to a week, depending upon the initial quality of the berry. After a few days in storage, however, the fruit loses its bright color and fresh flavor and tends to shrivel.
When you get home DON’T wash the berries until you are ready to use them or freeze them.  Washing makes them more prone to spoiling.

1.    Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting berries

2.    Put a couple of days supply into the fridge, wash off the others, drain them and freeze them up! (Unless you're going to make jam right away) Blackberries are less perishable than blueberries or strawberries, but refrigerate them as soon as possible after picking. Temperatures between 34 F and 38 F are best, but, be careful not to freeze the blackberries (while they are in the fridge)!

3.    Even under ideal conditions blackberries will only keep for a week in a refrigerator, so for best flavor and texture, use them as soon as possible after purchase

How to freeze blackberries: Just rinse them in cold water.  I use a large bowl filled with water, pour the berries in, and gently stir them with my fingers to dislodge any dirt or bugs.  Then using my fingers like a sieve, I scoop the blackberries out of the water, and put them in a drainer to let the water drain off (overnight is best) Then lay them out on a shallow large tray and pop in the freezer until completely frozen. Take them out of the freezer and let sit for a few minutes so that they are easier to scoop off the tray. Place them in freezer bags that have been labeled and dated.  Make sure all the air is pressed out of the bag and stick them in the freezer for keeping.

RECIPE

Fruit Cobbler (used for any fruit, especially blackberries)

         ¼ cup butter                        

         ¾ cup milk                                                             

         1 cup flour               

         ½ teaspoon salt

         ½ cup sugar                        
         3 cups sweet fruits, cut up                        
         2 teaspoons baking powder

         1 teaspoon cinnamon

Pour melted butter in bottom of 8x8 inch pan. In mixing bowl combine flour, one cup sugar, baking powder, milk and salt. Mix together and pour over butter. To fruit, add the ½ cup of sugar and cinnamon. Place fruit mixture on top of batter. Bake at 350 degrees 35 to 40 minutes. This is very good and easy to prepare. Serves 8-9.           ENJOY!!

This month I am enclosing a copy of my brochure which gives a description of my products and what they cost. If you would like to order something please let me know. This is enclosed only as a means of getting the information out and I in no way trying to make my newsletter readers feel obligated to buy my products.

UNTIL NEXT TIME...................

June Newsletter

June, 2011

He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herbs for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth...

  Chamomile                       Yarrow               Lemon Balm

From The Herb Patch

Howdy once again!

This month I decided to focus on three basic herbs that are easy to grow and are effective for the vast majority of people when used as simple teas, poultices or salves. All three of these herbs I grow myself, so I have learned first hand that they are indeed very easy to grow. The following information has been taken from the magazine The Herb Companion:

GROW A MEDICINAL HERB GARDEN

By Steven Foster

Save time and money by stocking your backyard or windowsill gardens with five basic medicinal herbs. These superstars will treat common ailments such as colds and flu inflammation, minor cuts, infections, pain, muscles spasms, anxiety, poor digestion and insomnia.

Growing medicinal herbs may seem difficult, and preparing teas or tinctures from them might appear complicated and time-consuming, but the truth is you don’t have to be a skilled gardener to grow a few basic medicinal herbs successfully or be a trained pharmacist to easily prepare them for use. In the process, you may save some money and enjoy yourself.

Five Basic Herbs

There are many easy-to-grow, easy-to-use herbs that you can harvest and prepare to treat minor illnesses. Every medicinal garden should include chamomile, yarrow, lemon balm, echinacea and peppermint.

*A note from Alice: Since I have already in previous issues talked about two of these five herbs, I will focus on the other three.

Chamomile: Gentle Yet Powerful

Many Europeans and Americans enjoy chamomile tea, which is made from the dried or fresh flowers of the annual German or Hungarian chamomile. Roman or English chamomile, the flower of the perennial, is seldom sold in the United States for medicinal use, although it is commonly grown in herb gardens. German and Roman chamomile flowers may be used interchangeably.

People have used chamomile tea for centuries as a gentle sleep aid (particularly for children), as well as to ease digestion, promote urination and relieve colic. They also used chamomile tea to wash wounds and sores. Today, the pharmacopoeias (official authorities) of 26 countries approve it to treat inflammation, infection, colic, muscle spasms and tension. All uses except sedative claims have been confirmed by recent research.

German chamomile is easily grown from seed. The daisy like flowers usually appear within six weeks of planting, so you often can make two plantings in a single growing season. It does best in cooler climates; in the South, it quickly bolts and shrivels under the intense summer sun. German chamomile likes a neutral to slightly acidic, well-drained sandy loam and full sun. Plants self-sow freely, so you’ll probably not need to plant it again after the first season. During the several weeks in which chamomile blooms, you can make several pickings. Spread the flowers in a basket in a warm, dark place to dry.

Making tea with flowers picked from the garden couldn’t be easier. Just pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 heaping teaspoon dried flowers, steep, covered, for 10 minutes, then strain into a cup. Sip a cup of tea three to four times a day to relieve an upset stomach or drink a cup to relax before going to bed.

Note: Those allergic to the pollen of other aster family members such as ragweed may also be allergic to chamomile.

*A note from Alice:

I usually gather chamomile on our nearby roadside, but had become concerned about pesticides, etc. being sprayed on that area. Last year I noticed a few chamomile plants around our garden area and worried that they would be cut down this year. So, I prayed a little prayer about this situation. After my husband tilled one of our garden spots and left it alone for a while, I find that the Lord has given me a whole garden patch full of chamomile. The plants from last year some how reseeded themselves. This is another reason why you would want to use heirloom seeds and save them. They do sometimes reseed themselves, hybrids will not grow the same from year to year. Thank you, Lord!

Yarrow: First Aid in the Garden

Yarrow, another member of the aster family, is known to many as a perennial weed that grows wild along roadsides, meadows and dry wastelands throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Yarrow contains more than 120 other chemical components, some of which have been shown to reduce inflammation and muscle spasms and relieve pain. Others are believed to ease digestion, calm anxiety, treat baldness and relieve hypertension.

Nearly all yarrows require no care, remain pest-free and are winter-hardy in Zones 3 through 9. As a garden subject, it’s an attractive, 3-foot-tall herb whose stems and ferny leaves are covered with wooly hairs. Flat or round-topped clusters of white or pale, lilac-pink flowers bloom from June through September. Plants are easily grown from seed or propagated by dividing the roots in the spring or fall. Yarrow adapts well to many soil types but thrives in moderately rich soil in full sun. Harvest the stalks when in full bloom and hang to dry.

I use yarrow as a garden first-aid station. Whenever I cut myself while working outdoors, I wash the cut thoroughly (yarrow doesn’t inhibit the growth of bacteria), then crush some yarrow leaves or flowers in the palm of my hand, and apply them to the cut. Yarrow can also be used in a salve or poultice for minor cuts and wounds. The bleeding usually stops immediately. Infuse the summer blooms for a refreshing skin toner or a cleansing hair rinse. Dried yarrow flowers look stunning in herbal arrangements.

To make a yarrow tea, pour a cup of boiling water over 1 to 2 teaspoons of the dried herb and steep, covered, for 10 to 15 minutes, then sip. Drink three cups per day to treat colds and early fevers. Yarrow is not considered toxic, but some people may have an allergic reaction to it.

*A note from Alice

I can attest for the fact that yarrow is easy to grow. I started some a couple years back out in the garden from seed and it grew well there until I decided to move it to an herb garden I started with lavender, thyme, rosemary, and sage. I put it in the shade near an oak tree and it is doing well. I have not had any allergic reaction to any of the herbs I have written about. And after all my reading and studying about herbs I didn’t fully realize the potential of this herb. It is also one of the ingredients in Me Me’s Superblast!

Lemon Balm: A Tasty Healer

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a favorite of bees, as its generic name attests: Melissa is Greek for “bee.” Popular among herbalist for 2,000 years, this lemon-scented perennial member of the mint family is also high in essential oil content. It is native to the Mediterranean region, western Asia, southwestern Siberia and northern Africa, but it is widely naturalized in North America.

Traditionally, lemon balm has been used to reduce fevers and treat colds by inducing sweating; calming the digestive tract; relieving spasms related to cramps and headaches; and overcoming insomnia. Recent research has confirmed lemon balm’s ability to calm anxiety, relieve spasms, and inhibit the growth of fungi and bacteria. The German government allows preparations of lemon balm to be labeled as treatments for insomnia related to nervous conditions and gastrointestinal spasms. A slightly sprawling herb growing to 2 feet high, lemon balm is easy to grow from seeds sown in the spring or early fall. It is hardy in Zones 4 through 9. A fertile, moist soil is ideal. Lemon balm tolerates a wide rand of acidity, likes a cool habitat; if grown in full sun, lemon balm may wilt during hot, dry spells. Plants grown under shade tend to be larger and more succulent than those grown in direct sun. It can be invasive, so prune off the flowering tops before they go to seed.

Lemon balm is a great medicinal herb to grow yourself because it is more effective when used fresh or freshly dried. Harvest it just as the plant comes into bloom. Lemon balm is easy to dry but loses much of its scent upon drying. The fresh leaves make a refreshing tea. Pour a cup of boiling water over a small handful of fresh leaves (or 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried leaves) and steep, covered, for 10 minutes. It is delicious either hot or iced.

*A note from Alice

I have had lemon balm growing in a “circle” patch for a few years and it is easy to grow. When picked fresh it has a delicious lemony aroma and when crushed or made into oil, it can be used to rub on the skin to repel mosquitoes. I have done this, so I know it works. It is also used when dried to rub on salmon or any fish dish (no rhyme intended).J

A note about Me Me’s Butt Salve

My granddaughter Ariel just informed me the other day that she had a mosquito and/or chiggar bite on her leg that no matter what she did, it would not stop itching. So, she got a wise idea and tried some of the salve on it. Guess what! No more itching. She said, “Guess what Me Me? I thought the other day about running an ad in the newspaper about your “Butt Salve” and how good it is for stopping itching.” I have decided after much research to add the herb comfrey to the next batch of salve. I will write more about this later.

It is not my intention to embarrass myself or anyone else over the name of this salve. So, if you decide to purchase this or already have some, feel free to stick something over the name on the label and ask the Lord why He told me to name it this!!  J

CLEAN SHAVEN AND CHEMICAL-FREE

by Janice Cox

Since June is the month for Father’s Day, I thought it a good idea to write something that most men would appreciate.

Shaving products have gotten more sophisticated, but little has changed when it comes to the daily ritual of shaving: removing hair from the face with a sharp blade and then soothing the skin with a splash of cold water or aftershave. Fresh herbs such as rosemary, sage, and yarrow are well-suited for masculine tastes. They are all naturally antiseptic and cleansing to the skin. Yarrow in particular is a good choice to use in male product recipes as it is healing, cleansing and astringent. Follow these simple shaving tips for a closer, more comfortable experience:

  Always shave in the direction of hair growth. Shaving against the growth can cause ingrown hairs and skin irritation.

  Before shaving, soften the beard with warm water or a hot towel.

  Don’t shave the same area over and over; this can be irritating and can damage new skin cell growth.

  Use a gentle facial scrub once a week to remove dead skin and ingrown hairs. Try mixing a teaspoon or two of cornmeal, ground nuts or oatmeal into your favorite cleanser or soap while washing your face.

  Rinse razor blades well after each use and replace often. Allow your razor to air dry to avoid the chance of bacteria growing.

Here are a few all-natural recipes for you to make at home using botanical ingredients. They also make great gifts when wrapped up with a new razor. Enjoy!

Olive Oil Shaving Cream

The addition of olive oil to this recipe helps create a rich, moisturizing cream. For an even better (and less irritating) shave, shower beforehand to let the stream soften hairs. Stearic acid powder is found in some drugstores and pharmacies or chemical suppliers.

¼ cup stearic acid powder         1 teaspoon borax                                          1 cup hot water

2 tablespoons olive oil                2 tablespoons grated mild soap

ŒOn the stove top gently heat stearic acid powder and olive oil until just melted. Remove from heat and continue to stir until you have a clear liquid.

In a separate container, mix together hot water, borax and soap, and stir until the soap is completely dissolved.

ŽPour the soap solution into a blender or food processor and blend for a few seconds. Slowly pour the stearic acid and oil mixture into the soap solution and continue to blend on high until you have a smooth, creamy mixture.

Spoon into a clean container. To use : Soften your beard with warm water and then smooth the shaving cream over your face. Use a sharp, clean razor.

Aftershave helps refresh and close your pores after cleansing or shaving. Used as a final facial splash, the combination of herbs in this recipe will help tighten pores and keep your complexion clear. They are naturally antiseptic and cleansing.

Herbal Aftershave

 1 cup witch hazel                         1 teaspoon dried mint              

1 tablespoon dried sage

1 teaspoon dried yarrow               1 bay leaf 

1 tablespoon dried lavender    

ŒMix all ingredients. Pour into a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid. Place the jar in a dark cool place for 2 weeks.

At the end of 2 weeks, strain off the liquid and discard any solids; pour into a clean container. After shaving or cleaning your face, pour a small amount into your hands and put on your face.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY !!

Cleaning Out Clutter

Am I the only one that seems to have endless bouts with clutter. Ever so often I tell myself I am going to work on getting the clutter out of my house, and after many attemps, for some odd reason there always seems to be something else coming in to make more clutter. Now, mind you, I don't just go out and buy things just because I like shopping. I'm really not buying anything, but if you go to the mailbox every day, or some of the good neighbors decide they want to load off their stacks of magazines in order to get rid of the clutter in their homes, guess what, that clutters up the house again. My husband is a good example of bringing in clutter. He has his work stuff, his outside the house "work stuff", and especially all the different tools that he uses while off work, that for some reason all ends up sitting around all weekend. Then there's the garden stuff, that if we could afford an outback shed, we could mysteriously hide most of the clutter that this makes. Then there's those plastic bags you have to put somewhere until you use them or maybe recycle them. I am a firm believer in reusing things. I am not the pack rat type. Some folks are. Although, as I said previously, if I can reuse something, I try to keep it around rather than throwing it in the trash. No, I don't mean that I reuse tin cans, etc. just some things like once used plastic bags, paper bags, newspapers which usually go to the compost pile for mulching or smothering out weeds. I have cloth and old clothes upstairs that I have intended to make skirts for my grandkids....That's a little joke in itself. They tell me they will probably see that next year, right!

All goes on the back burner, because I am inevitably having something else to take care of. It seems that as soon as I get in gear to do things one way, someone in my home comes along and changes their mind and decides that something else should be done. This is especially embarrassing when I have told a person that we have made a decision about something, and within a few hours it could possibly change to another something or nothing at all. So I have decided, if possible, to work within my limitations. Since I have an old back injury, I have to be careful of bending, pushing, standing for long periods, especially on cement; lifting heavy objects;  sitting in certain chairs for long periods. But, most of all I have to be careful not to allow all the "stuff" that inevitably wants to come in my home. Because someone has to pick it up or clean around it. And guess who that is, usually!!! Since the rooms in my house are not large and open, I have to really work on keeping the clutter down in order to enjoy some calmness about me.

The older I get the more I cry out for a large open space with no clutter!!!!

I bought a little book last year while visiting my daughter in the Virginia Beach area entitled 101 Ways to Clean Out the Clutter by Emilie Barnes.  Every now and then I sit that book in view so that I can periodically read it and get motivated to downsize. And it has inevitably done exactly that because I have in the past been able to get rid of things (mainly clothes) by giving to someone who really needs something. And while I'm talking about giving stuff I don't need away, most of the time I do not give anything to the Good Will Store unless I can't do anything else with it. I usually try to find someone who is actually "poor" to give the items to. Most people who think they're poor have the money to go out and buy cigarettes  (at $4 a pack) or get their toenails and fingernails manicured, or have a big screen TV in their house and have a mailing list of DVDs coming into their house along with Internet Service, or they have an accumulation of at least 200-300 DVD collectibles that probably cost at least $10 each if not more, and unlimited Cell Phone paraphanalia...And they have a few dogs in their house that they have to buy dog food for! The list goes on and on...
Are you tired by now...I sure am. I'd much rather spend my money and energy on something eternal.

Until Next Time....

A Vist With Beth

As I stated in the past, I intend to share with my readers some of the information that my daughter Beth has on her blog. She has been doing a lasagna garden for the last couple of years and is finding out that it is much easier to grow than the conventional type like I grow. I wish I had started doing this myself, and hope that some of my readers will have a look at this easy and simple garnening method!

Friday, June 3, 2011

The Growing Garden

 More early peas-a mix of Lawson's early pea and snow peas....I have enough seeds saved now to have a good planting in the fall. Because of the great rainfall here in the last few months, everything is so green and growing very well.

Mint coming back in a border garden that we thought had died. It smells good. I'm not sure what I'll end up doing with this border.

 Lasagna gardening is so easy, sometimes I go out and look to see what I can do. Occassionally I pull up a weed or two. I have 5 beds this year, and everything has been growing great. I plan on adding more as time goes on and space permitting. I am also going to work these existing beds with composted materials to make the soil richer.

Another view. I have corn, squash, zucchini, 4 types of beans, about 3 types of tomatoes, cantalope, watermelon, cucumber, and okra. I am not growing a huge amount, but I am using this as a learning process, and seeing what I can grow where. I am going to reseed empty spots as soon as possible.

Growing Chickens

For all of you who may not know it,  Todd and Beth and grandchildren have started raising their own chickens in order for the kids to sell for profits and of course for their own enjoyment. This is a money venture that's going to be used to teach the kids how to be responsible for taking care of the fowl and earn money at the same time. The above picture is one of Texas Leghorns that will lay white eggs. In my research, I found that these chickens lay well in the winter which is a great investment, since most chickens cut back dramatically in their laying eggs in the cold months. Also, they chose these chickens because for some reason, people have a problem buying and eating brown eggs. These chickens have really grown since the last time I was there, Beth!

I am looking forward to getting some of those "healthy" eggs from you and the grandchildren!