Chanteuse Designs

I am not a shopper.  I admit it.  I don’t find anything relaxing about it.

Fabric stores on the other hand, and there aren’t very many left that you can spend hours drooling in, are a weakness.

But have you seen this ad? My kind of way to shop. In, out and back on the trails!
http://www.flixxy.com/future-shopping.htm

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1-BazjLRKI&feature=related

Though this was for the Solstice on Monday, not a bad idea to continue until our oceans are clean.

Yes, it might be a very long time but we owe it to them.

May your footprint be ever so light.

May you smile!!

Au Revoir!

Fabmo Bag

The lucky winner will be drawn after I have 50 comments entered. Once that happens, my associate will draw a number between 1-50! (This is an update to yesterdays blog!)

Will be polishing up my give away contests rules and guidelines. Let me know your thoughts, and thanks for all the wonderful comments and support. 

Good Luck to all my contestants~!

Have a great week!

Geraniums

The merry month of May has been filled with three seasons: Spring, Summer and Autumn. It is quite exhilarating to say the least. Today especially. Weekend was a cooker, while today the rainstorm is so refreshing it feels like October……what’s not to love.

Geraniums

With this kind of activity the gardens are really singing. Sunshine, followed by such heavy rain promotes growth and rejuvenation. Geraniums carry these characteristics that sing balance and harmony to the soul and psyche.

Geraniums have over 300 varieties which vary in scent depending on where they are grown. Geranium’s positive impact and medical conditions make this a favorite for many who use aromatherapy. It’s three strongest characteristics are for Skin, Hair and Emotional balance.  Ya gotta love that.

Geraniums

Some of Geraniums medicinal benefits are as an antiseptic and astringent in the treatment of cuts, burns and wounds.

Here are some sweet recipes for a few home remedies.

Diaper Rash Treatment
1 drop Chamomile
3 drops Geranium
2 drops Lavender

Clean the diaper area with warm water to which you have added a drop of Chamomile. Use a soft all cotton towel or cloth.

Mix oils together. You can use this blend in any of the following ways:
*Add to 2 tablespoons almond oil and massage baby’s diaper area to reduce diaper rash.
*Use 1 drop of blend in a pleasant bath.
*For a persistent diaper rash, combine this blend with water instead of the base oil, spritz the child’s diaper area, and then sprinkle on cornstarch.

Geraniums

Razor Burn Relief
3 drops Chamomile
5 drops Geranium
5 drops Lavender
3 drops Lemon

Mix all oils together.
Put half the blend into a quart of water and spritz the shaved area.

Basic Balance Blend For Women
10 drops Chamomile
10 drops Geranium
10 drops Lavender

Mix all oils together. Add the oils to 2 tablespoons of a desired base oil (you can use vegetable oil) and massage in a V pattern up from the vaginal area, over the lower abdomen and hips, back toward the buttocks, and end the V above the lower back.

Geraniums

There are many suppliers of these essential oils all over the internet. Some are more strict about their formulas than others. If you have a favorite recommendation or supplier, recipe for relief or medicinal use, we would love to hear from you.

Geraniums are easy to grow annuals and are even great houseplants. In cold weather, geranium plants will withstand light frosts and patiently await transplanting into containers to move them indoors.  Geraniums like lots of sun so be sure to put them near a sunny window. One growing benefit of the Geranium is they are seldom bothered by insects and diseases. This is my Favorite aspect. No Chemicals or organic pesticides. Happy Planting!

May May’s raindrops and rainbows shower your home.

Au Revoir!

Bald Eagle

This morning while taking the dogs on their morning jaunt, a friend spotted this awesome bald eagle who came to hunt in our dog park. It was so regal and content to just quietly stare at the many who gathered around to bask in its brilliance.

Bald Eagle

I have been thinking about a new and improved camera and today decided had I had a better camera I could have really gotten up close and personal. We were only about 5 yards away from his majesty, but you would have thought we were a mile away from him the way that he took no notice of us. What a wonderful omen on our predictable daily  routine. Spring sure has sprung. Do I keep saying that?

Jessie has to roll in the new grass at least once a day. As soon as I started to film this episode, he decided to become camera-shy.  We’ll try again tomorrow. Until then, smell the roses…..and remember to look up every now and again.

Jessie

And don’t forget to bring along your camera. You never know what you might stumble upon.

Jessie

Clary Sage

Clary Sage is a perfect introduction to spring. While officially Spring is a March event, it’s still cold here with brief moments of May. The tulips here make one think they are in Holland. 

 I keep looking for a rustic windmill and wooden shoes! Sooo many tulips.

That being said, Clary Sage is a delightful scent to welcome the slowly approaching summer months. Clary Sage is also known as clary wort, muscatel sage, clear eye, see bright and eye bright (but not to be confused with eyebright Euphrasia).  It’s scent is primitive, earthy and organic. It’s mostly found in Spain, Italy and France and has pink, blue or purple blossoms.

It is known for it’s antiseptic, deodorizing and anti-inflammatory remedies. Clary sage oil’s greatest benefit lies in its calming and sedating influence on the nerves, emotions, female functions, kidneys and digestive system.

 Clary Sage is useful in dealing with strong emotions and stress.

However, Clary Sage should never be used by pregnant women or people with epilepsy. Use of it should not be combined with iron supplements or alcohol. Clary sage is not make from the Sage Plant, however, the essential oil Sage is. The two are not interchangeable.

Clary Sage

Recipe for Spring Toner
3 drops Chamomile
3 drops Clary Sage
3 drops Geranium
6 drops Lavender
1 T cider vinegar
2 ounces witch hazel
5 ounces water

Mix ingredients together and use in one or both of the following ways:
As a toner after  you cleanse your skin, before you apply moisturizer.
You can also use this to tone the tender areas after you shave.

(Hawaii here I come!!!! whew)

Have a beautiful spring!

Clary Sage

Growing up back east we would have to “change out the seasonal wardrobe” and pack all those woolen sweaters, skirts and pants in our cedar closets at the end of winter. Hence, this was my first introduction to this hearty wood and oil.  Cedar is an interesting oil. Soothing and comforting, cedarwood oil extracts are best known for their warm, woody and balsamic aromas.

Wikipedia states: “Cedar oil was used as the base for paints by the ancient Sumerians. They would grind cobalt compounds in a mortar and pestle to produce a blue pigment. They could obtain green from copper, yellow from lead antimoniate, black from charcoal, and white from gypsum.”

Today, cedar oil is often used for its aromatic properties, especially in aromatherapy.

It is also used as an insect repellent. Much safer than those toxic chemicals for mosquito spray. Be sure you pack for those camping trips and hiking trails. Cedar can give you a boost for the hike back if you have wandered farther than you anticipated. How many times have I done that ………

For all uses, carefully dilute with a carrier oil such as jojoba, grapeseed, olive, or almond oil prior to use. I have always been fond of using high grade olive oil but grapeseed another favorite of mine.

Following are some recipes for Cedar’s medical benefits, scalp treatment and hair loss.  Hair loss is one of those transitions for men (occasionally women) that I don’t think they realize how some look incredibly handsome. But being a Peter Pan type myself, will do anything to help my loved ones stay young at heart and Hair! So if you are helping your husband, friends through this time try some remedies with out the medical costs or inconvenience!
Recipe for Scalp Treatment
2 drops Cedar
4 drops Lavender
1 drop Lemon
2 drops Rosemary
2 drops tea tree

Mix all oils together in 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Use the entire blend to massage into scalp thoroughly. Wrap head with a towel and relax for one hour. Shampoo (possibly twice due to the olive oil)  and rinse. This has a two fold affect as the essential oils are a wonderful mood stabilizer. If you have had a stressful day, this is a great treatment.  Like going to the salon and having your head massaged.

Recipe for Hair Loss
3 drops Cedar
2 drops Clary Sage
2 drops Lemon
3 drops Rosemary

Mix all oils together in 2 tablespoons of olive oil. You can use this blend in two ways:
Massage blend onto hair and scalp; make sure you reach those slpit ends. Wrap your head with a towel and relax for one hour. Shampoo and rinse. Be sure to rinse well to remove the olive oil.

Add a few drops of this blend to a mild shampoo and use on a regular basis when you wash your hari.

Dynamic Spray
2 drops Orange
2 drops Cedar
2 drops Rosemary
2 drops Peppermint

Add to a cup of water and place in a spray bottle. Spritz your entire house and wait to feel energized!

Happy Spring, Happy Easter and revitalize with some Cedar.

Goodbye to March.