Muscle and Nerve Pain

It is said that taking calcium will create deposits if you take too much. NOT SO!

Just the opposite! If you don't have enough calcium, this is suppose to happen. Calcium deposits may occur when the intake of this mineral is too low, not too high. You need Vitamin D to help the body utilize the calcium. Cod Liver Oil and Dolomite will work together. Vitamin E and Calcium help the nerves. I cannot prescribe amounts; you will have to do some research on your own requirements for good health. Every one and every body is different, and so, requires different amounts.

As much as you may think the opposite, movement is essential to keep muscles limber and nerves in good working order. Keep moving! Also get a good night's rest on a good firm bed. Keep your body aligned in a straight position. Adding more citrus fruit juices in your diet to cleanse. (NOT sweetened juices, get natural, squeeze your own)

NOTE DISCLAIMER AT BOTTOM OF PAGE!

Dry nails and cuticles?

Save $$ on beauty treatments and help to reduce the use of chemicals on your body.

Good old OLIVE OIL does the trick. Add a drop of lavender essential oil to the olive oil and rub on nails and cuticles. Gently push the cuticles upward.

Sore Gums?

Forget the toothpaste with chemicals!

Try brushing with baking soda mixed with a little peroxide and 1 small drop of clove oil.

It is strong flavored, but it kills bacteria and makes the teeth appear whiter.

NOTE DISCLAIMER AT BOTTOM OF PAGE.

Herbal SHAMPOO

This is fun to experiment with. Use different teas and oils to create the fragrance you desire. It is also safe for the scalp and good for it , too. NO Chemicals!

Mix 8 ounces of herbal tea (prepared) with 3 ounces of liquid Castile soap (can be purchased at health food stores), 1/4 teaspoon light colored vegetable oil and about 50-60 drops of your favorite essential oil. Remember to mix in a non-metal container and store in a non-metal container. Shake well before using. Store out of sunlight.

CLEAR ACNE NATURALLY

1/4 cup 80 proof vodka
1/4 cup water
20 drops of sage oil
20 drops of lavender oil
20 drops of lemon or grapefruit oil

Mix together in a non-metal container and pour into small bottle.
Apply to problem area, twice a day.

Keep bottle out of sunlight.

Scented Apple Tree Ornaments

These are NOT edible. Decorator use only!

Slice apple into rings, so that the seed-star is showing in the center. Make the slices 1/4 of an inch thick. Remove seeds if possible.

Dip apple slices in pure, concentrated lemon juice. Place the apples single layer on( not touching each other) on dehydrator tray or cookie sheet if using the oven.

Place in dehydrator at 145 degrees or place in oven at 200 degrees. Dry for about 6 hours in oven or about 8-10 hours in dehydrator.

After they have become dry; place into large plastic zip-lock bag, loosely.

Take a cotton ball and saturate it with cinnamon oil or some other spice oil. I like clove and cinnamon. ( use a fresh cotton ball for each scent) Now drop the saturated cotton ball into the bag and reseal. Shake lightly. Keep the bag sealed. Set the bag aside for a few weeks. Every couple of days shake the bag, gently distributing the scented oil.

After they have been scented the way you desire, take a needle with a big eye and string a thin ribbon or heavy thread or yarn. Push the needle through one end of apple slice and tie a loop for hanging. Place a pretty bow or trinket over the needle hole and glue it. Now you have a scented apple slice to adorn your tree.

If you want to get fancy you can put together cinnamon sticks, tiny pine sprigs, small artificial flowers, many-colored ribbon tails....be imaginative.

This technique can be used for oranges as well.

Remember these are for decorator purposes only. Do not eat!

Check for mold, then discard. They will re-absorb moisture from the air and could develop mold. Do not save from one season to the next.

If you wanted them to last for a few years, you will need to shellac the apple slice and not add any scented oil.

Hidden Blessing

A few weeks ago my daughter and granddaughter went to a nearby town to visit the beauty salon to get their hair cut and donate it to 'Locks of Love'. This was quite the sacrifice for the both of them, since they never get their hair cut. They both had beautiful, thick, long hair. They said they felt it was the right thing to do, to help others.

My daughter had a few other places to stop at to pick up a few groceries and such. Things are getting pretty expensive and the thought about making ends meet, were on her mind. What are families to do?

Driving home, afterwards, a deer jumped out and hit our daughter's truck. She stopped the truck and went out to see if she could find it, because it rolled into a ditch. There it was, a 10-point buck with a broken neck. WOW! She looked at the truck and it only had a light broken.

The meat on the deer wasn't even bruised. WOW! Thank you God! Now they will have a supply of meat in their freezer to help carry them through the winter.

Two beautiful young ladies with new hair styles, no one was hurt, only minimum damage to the truck, a trophy for the living room and meat in the freezer.... What more could you ask for.... God does hear our hearts and when we give ..........HE OUTGIVES! He provides! Praise the Lord!

Seeing Eye to Eye

My husband went on his yearly hunting trip into the woods, nearby, and set up his sitting area. He had old logs stacked up, surrounding him on three sides of the area. He sat on a stump waiting, patiently. Wind was blowing, birds were singing, but no signs of deer passing by.

He purchased a new toy and thought about trying it out. It was a Rattle Bag. It makes the sound of two bucks fighting. (This is supposed to bring in other deer to see the grand fight or if there is another buck in the area, it lets him know there are other males in his stomping ground.) Really?

He brought out the bag and began to rattle it. He stopped and listened...nothing! Rattled again...nothing! He put the bag down and just sat there listening to the breeze in the trees. He took his eyes off the trees and area, and focused on his bow and arrows.

All of a sudden he heard a crunch, and slowly looked through a crack in the logs. There were a pair of furry legs on the other side of his hunting blind. He slowly lifted his head to see what it could be.

As he was lifting his head, the buck on the other side was lifting his head. Eye to eye, they met! My husband said his heart was pounding fiercely and about to jump out of his body. It was an 8-point buck, looking back at him. My husband said he was mesmerized by this deer just staring him down. Face to face, eye to eye! ( I think it was soul-bonding time)

My husband set his bow aside as the deer walked away. The deer turned his head and looked back at my husband and snorted. Almost to say...'Thank you!'

NO Funeral for Us Both

NO, we are not dead, yet, but plan to be sometime in the future. Have you thought about your arrangements for when this happens? We have! We have no desire to have a traditional funeral service or the' hoopla' that follows. If our family is to grieve, it can be done in private. All we want is to be cremated and buried or scattered, in the woods, someplace pristine and untouched by development. We do not want a 'wake' or funeral or gathering afterwards. We want to be remembered for who we were at the time of 'living'.

When a person is alive is the time for visiting, not after they have died. We have gone to many a funerals where someone who hasn't seen the person in decades, all of a sudden show themselves and put on a big 'show' for all to see. Friendship and familyship are to be shared while the person is alive, not after they are gone. Show your feelings now, not later!

Most of the time people feel obligated or feel it is their duty to show themselves at a funeral. For who? Support for the living! You can still support them, at home, by calling or dropping over to visit. Respect for the dead? If you didn't visit me when I was alive, how much good will it do after I'm dead? You can still pray for my soul in your own surroundings. Celebrate the passing! No, you can celebrate my passing in your own way in the privacy of your own surroundings and you can say anything you please and dress anyway you like. I won't mind!

Don't let tears of regrets fall upon my ashes...I won't be there!

My Dog, the 2nd BEST TEACHER

A few things your dog might teach you!

• When a loved one comes home, they always run to greet you.
• They never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
• They allow the experience of fresh air and wind in the face, to be pure ecstasy.
• They take naps.
• They stretch before rising.
• They run, romp and play, daily.
• They thrive on attention and let people touch them.
• They avoid biting, when a simple growl will do the trick.
• On warm days, they stop to lay on their back, on the grass.
• On hot days, they drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree.
• When they are happy they dance around and wag their entire body.
• They delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
• They are loyal.
• They never pretend to be something they are not.
• If they want something that lies buried, they dig until they find it.
• When someone is having a bad day, they are silent and come to sit close by and maybe nuzzle a bit to give reassurance. Author unknown

HARDY MUMS

When fertilizing a chrysanthemum, you will want to do so at least once every two weeks, until August. Your best bet is a fertilizer that is 5-10-5. This will bring out the best blooms in late summer and early fall. You will have flowers lasting until the KILLING FROST. Hardy Mums are perennials, so you will not need to remove them from the garden.

Spider Mites

• 3 cups wheat flour
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 2-1/2 gallons water

Mix together and spray on plants. (Make sure there are no lumps, this will clog sprayer; strain if necessary)

Rose Food #01

• 1 teaspoon fish emulsion
• 5 Tablespoons instant tea
• 2 banana peels (osterized with 2 cups water)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 capsules iron
• 1/2 cup dry red wine
• 2 gallons water

Mix together and pour 1 quart per plant around base of plant.

BLACK SPOT

• 2 Tablespoons baking soda
• 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 Tablespoons liquid dish soap
• 2 gallons of water

Remove as many infected leaves as possible then apply mixture to stop any re-infection.

Mix together in sprayer and spray leaves of roses or other plants infected. Do this twice a week until gone.

SLUG BUSTER for Hostas

Mix 1 cup sugar with 1 cup apple cider vinegar.

Add fermented fruit peelings, 1 package dry yeast and 1 can of beer.

Add 2 quarts water and let set overnight. Strain and pour into small trays around hostas. BINGO!

Natural Plant Food #01

Mix together and scatter on ground surface around plants. Work into soil so the next door neighbors dog doesn't find it.

• 2 pounds dry oatmeal
• 2 pounds dry dog food (crushed)
• 2 handfuls human hair (chopped into 1-2 inch pieces)
• 3/4 cup sugar

Flower Tonic #1

• 1/2 cup liquid, Rose Flower Food
• 1/4 cup liquid dish detergent
• 1 can stale beer
• 1 gallon water

Mix together and pour 1 cup around each plant at it's base. Do this twice a day for 2 days, then water as usual. Repeat if necessary.

Dry Dish or Basket Potpourri

You will be making this a few weeks ahead of time so that the scent can mellow and this gives the oils a chance to distribute evenly.

• 1 cup fresh or dried cedar sprigs
• 1 cup bay leaves (spray gold paint around edges of leaf)
• 2-4 dried orange slices
• 3/4 cup dried orange peel
• 3-5 small dried pomegranates (can be found at floral shops, gild with gold paint)
• 2 -3 Tablespoons orris root chips (found at florist shop or craft stores)
• 1/2 - 3/4 cup broken cinnamon sticks
• 25 pine cones, assorted sizes ( spray edges with gold paint)
• 5 Anise stars
• handful of dried rosehips
• any dried seed pods from garden
• 5 drops of cinnamon oil
• 4 drops bergamot oil
• 5 drops cedar or pine oil

Experiment with the scents of the oils. Use whatever you would like the aroma to be. There are many types and scents you can purchase, if you didn't make your own.

Mix this altogether and place in a large, sealed container and store for 2-3 weeks in a cool, dark place. Shake occasionally, gently.

Holiday Simmering Potpourri

Everyone enjoys the aroma of sweet spices around the holidays. Here is a simple recipe, but you can experiment with scents of your own.

In an older kettle, place 1 cup crumbled bay leaves, 6-8 cinnamon sticks, 2 Tablespoons crumbled rosemary, 7-10 whole clove buds and the rind of 1 orange, torn into pieces. Cover with 4 cups water and bring to a boil. Turn heat down and simmer potpourri on back burner on stove, throughout the day or evening. Make sure to check frequently to make sure the water hasn't evaporated. Add more as needed. Do not consume.

Wolves...Too Close for Comfort

A few weeks ago my grandson went deer hunting. It was getting pretty close to quitting time when he spotted a small buck. He was able to shoot the buck, but the buck ran. My grandson and his parents tracked the deer, but it was getting dark. So the next morning, early before school, my grandson and his parents went out to search for the deer. They knew the shot was good and the deer had to be near. And sure enough, they found the deer; only to be eaten by the wolves during the night. In those few short hours, the wolves devoured the inside guts and most of the meat. What a disappointment that must have been.

Many times I have talked to my daughter and her family about the wolves. They have had numerous times when the wolves were hanging around their home and land. My daughter and grandson, on different occasions, had been surrounded by wolves. Thank God they have dogs to chase them away. But then again, the dogs could get attacked. What about when the kids are walking to the bus stop? Oh, how a grandparent worries! Many visions go through my head, and it isn't good! ... God help and protect them!

God Tempting Me? ... Not!

James 1:13-15 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
How many of us go about sinning and blame it on God? We say He is tempting or testing us. How did we ever get to such thinking? We need to ponder on what His word says and let it sink in. We are drawn away by our own accord. We are the one who allows the adversary to whisper sweet nothings in our ear.

Prophetic movement #01

This is an excert from a 'Revival' article I had been reading. I agree with what he has to say and how he says it. It was written by Andrew Storm from the 'prophetic@revivalschool.com'. I am guilty as- most, and sin as -all, but, I do agree, to what he has to say about what is going on.

There is a 'Prophetic' movement in the world today that is in my opinion very far removed from the word 'Prophet'. It sells truckloads of books and holds untold conferences, but at the end of the day it is a mealy-mouthed travesty of the word 'Prophetic'. It retains its popularity because it is almost always "positive" and up-lifting. The voice of an Amos or Jeremiah is rarely (if ever) heard in its ranks- let alone a "John the Baptist". It is almost never blunt or confrontational - especially about sin.

A lot of this movement has a chronic obsession with the 'religious spirit'. Everywhere these people look all they can see are religious spirits of legalism, pharisaism, etc. Thus they are always talking about "grace, grace, grace". The words "Sin, Righteousness and Judgement" are almost a horror to them, because they are so fearful of being 'religious'. And thus, when they come across a prophet who actually preaches on Sin, Righteousness and Judgement (-which are the very things Jesus said His Spirit would CONVICT of), they reject him. Every true prophet that I know of down through history has been a 'Sin, Righteousness and Judgement' preacher. So has every true Revivalist. (Finny, Wesley, Whitfield, Edwards, etc). It is part of the job description.

We have invented a new meaning for the term 'Prophetic' in our day that is far below the standard of the Bible. And far below the standard that must be in place to see a true Revival. I think it was God's spokesman Ezekiel who coined the term "pillow prophets". That is the last thing that America needs in her hour of crisis. What is needed are voices who truly tell it like it is- who WARN the people, no matter what the cost. - A 'clear trumpet sound'. ...

Scented Wax Ornaments

Scented ornaments can be made with either beeswax or paraffin wax.

You will need METAL or TIN candy molds in assorted shapes. You will also need thin ribbon or heavy string or twine. Take an old, clean metal coffee can and place wax into it. Place it in a pan of water on the stove on low heat. Allow the wax to melt slowly.

Oil the metal candy molds with vegetable oil, lightly, and set aside. Cut the ribbon in 4 inch pieces, and fold in half to create a 2 inch loop. Dip ends in melted wax and set on wax paper while pinching the ends together to close. This will be your loop for hanging.

When the wax has melted, you will carefully add and stir 3 Tablespoons of your favorite scented oil. Remove from stove. Carefully, while using a funnel, fill each mold with hot wax.

Insert the waxed ends of the ribbon, into the hot candy mold wax. Set them in a warm place to cool-set, slowly and evenly.

These are not candles and should not be used as such. They are not for burning.

Hang them throughout the home or on a branch for decoration, only.

Be careful not to touch bare wood, the oils will stain.

Lavender-Mint Skin Toner

1/2 cup fresh or dried lavender flowers, 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves and 1-1/2 cup apple cider vinegar. Place flowers and leaves in a glass, quart jar. Boil vinegar and pour over the flowers and leaves. Cover jar and let set overnight. Strain mixture the next morning and pour into sterilized jar, add 6 parts of pure spring water. Mix with non-metal utensil. Transfer into a sterilized decorator bottle and seal with cork or bottle cap. Keep in a cool, dark place.

Spicy Pomander

Items needed:

• small Styrofoam ball
• whole clove buds
• cinnamon stick
• thin ribbon, raffia or twine(about 2 feet)
• a few bay leaf
• 2 whole nutmeg
• lace trim and ribbon (about 1 foot, each)
• white glue (clear drying)
• hot glue gun
• 1/4 inch drill
• 1/16 inch drill

Drill a hole through the center of the Styrofoam ball with 1/4 inch drill. Carefully drill a hole through both whole nutmegs with the 1/16 inch drill. Use thin ribbon, raffia or twine and string through one of the nutmegs, center it and fold string over so that the ends of twine are even. Now place the both pieces of twine along the open side of the cinnamon stick and insert it lengthwise, so that you have a tail hanging out of the cinnamon stick. Now take the Styrofoam ball and shove the cinnamon stick through it 3/4 of the way down the stick. This makes the handle. The upper end should have the nutmeg in place, and pull the both twine to make it snug. You can dab a bit of hot glue where the nutmeg and Styrofoam meet and where the cinnamon stick and Styrofoam meet.

Now hold the pomander by the cinnamon stick as you work. Place white glue on part of the Styrofoam ball and insert clove buds. Take your time and be careful not to break the Styrofoam ball, by pushing too hard. Cover the ball completely and let set to dry.

Now take a bay leaf and hot glue it to the bottom of the ball, at the stem end of the leaf. The leaf should be pointing up, now. Take another leaf and glue it next to the other one, overlappin a bit. Do this all the way around the bottom of the ball.

Wrap a tiny piece of lace trim under this and hot glue in place. Now string the other nutmeg and pull backwards through the cinnamon until it reaches the lace trim area. Wrap string around the cinnamon stick, over the top edge of trim and tie, securely. You can add a dab of glue if desired.

Now you have a nicely scented pomander to place on top of your potpourri basket.

Unique Decorator Pots

This is so easy, even a child could do this for a project.
Items needed:
clay pot
white glue (clear drying)
hot glue gun (optional) for larger additions such as rose buds
suggested coatings:

• rosemary
• thyme
• artemisia
• seeds of all sorts
• moss
• bay leaf
• rose leaf
• tiny rose buds
• sticks and stems
• seed pods
• even sand... just to name a few. Be imaginative!

Working with a small area at a time, take clay pot and apply a generous amount of glue to the outside of the pot. Pat the dried leaves or seeds on the glue. Repeat this on another area of the pot. Do only a little at a time. Allow to dry before continuing. (This eliminates smears and messes) Continue until the outside of the pot is covered. Let dry before handling. Add a pretty ribbon just below the rim. ( Optional: apply tiny rose buds with hot glue gun along the outer side of rim.)

*** Use pot for decorator purposes only, with artificial flowers and such, not for real planting of live plants.

Create a Pretty Picture (Pressing)

How about saving that pretty little flower you spotted in your garden? You can press the flower and frame it. To create a beautiful picture, to be admired all year long, you need just a few items. A flower press could be purchased, but I usually just use an old heavy book with non-coated (no shiny paper) pages.

I carefully pick the flower, a few leaves, and thin, fine stems. Open a hard-covered, old book, about 1/3 into the book. Lay the flower in between the pages. Do the same for the leaf and thin stem. Try to keep the leaves and thin stem as much intact as possible. Mark your place in the book with a small tab. ( This eliminates searching and possibly wrecking the flower) Close book, and place a weight on it. Be patient, at least a few weeks before opening the book. Keep flowers and leaves in book until ready to use.

Now get a sheet of acid-free paper or canvas, if you prefer. Carefully remove flowers and leaves from book and arrange on paper to create your picture. ( Be careful not to crush) Allow a margin area for the matting and frame. Now that you have them all in place where you want them; take white glue(clear drying) and lift flower with a knife and add a tiny dab of glue to paper and place the flower back in it's place. Repeat the process with the stems and leaves. Try not to smudge the glue on the paper. If you do, you can cover it with another flower or leaves, so your picture looks clean and attractive.

After your picture is dry, get your frame and matting ready. Wash the glass to be added to the frame. Carefully choose a color for the matting that will complement the picture. At this time you could take permanent marker and label your picture, on the front of the matting, if you choose to. Take the picture and place it on the picture frame cardboard, set the matting on top and center it as best as you can. Take a tiny piece of double-sided tape and tack the picture, matting and cardboard together, along the outside edge. Put glass back into frame and carefully add your picture. Secure back with tabs or whatever they provide. Sign the back and date.