Aromatherapy, Essential Oils, Sprays, and Roll Ons

I am now working with essential oils and blending my own creations.  Below are five blends using a variety of essential oils in a carrier base lotion.  I need to create some labels for these so they will look much nicer and have the information of the product needed.

And here is one of my room sprays - actually this one is an outdoor spray called Patio Spray.  It will help keep those pesky bugs away...and it is all natural ingredients!  Oh, and it does work.  I use it all the time and love it.  I spray it around the patio doors, doors, and windows of the house.

AND here is one of my new labels for the spray bottles.  I am so thrilled I found the kaleidoscope effect in Paint Shop Pro!  It works perfectly for the label backgrounds.  Now I just need to order a few more oils and I'll have a half dozen sprays and a half dozen roll ons. 

Fiesta Summer Beans

Fiesta Summer Beans (Revised SW BBQ Beans)

In a saucepan, combine minced onion, jalapeno (red and green), and shallots, dash of oregano, ½ t cumin, ¼ t black pepper, ¼ t red chili flakes, ¼ t salt, and ½ t garlic powder. Cook on medium for 5-8 minutes or until tender. Add ½ to 1 pound of hamburger and brown. Add 1 can of seasoned white beans, 1 can of black beans, 1 can of barbecue beans, 8 oz. red or green salsa, and 8 oz. green chile. Heat thoroughly and serve. Make it the way you like it – optional: corn, scallions, chili beans, ketchup, or red chile can be added.

The great thing about this recipe is that you can enjoy it just the way it is or you can serve it cold (mashed or not with cheese on top) with chips or you can top the hot beans with cornbread dumplings. Try filling Tostito miniature tortilla bowls with the fiesta beans for your next get together or fill up some flour/corn tortillas for enchiladas.  Here is another idea for having it cold.  Think of that 7 layer dip you liked to make for picnics.  Layer these beans, tomatoes, black olives, sour cream, cheese, and lettuce.  Ta dah!  Seven layer dip with a kick! 

My gardens in May

Who doesn't love pink and purple?  It is so cheerful in the front of the house this year.  believe it or not, the lupine has grown to almost four feet tall this year!  Wow!  The columbine trails to only about three feet but it sure looks pretty!  Unfortunately the blooms don't last long.  Fortunately I have a camera to capture the image to last a lifetime!  Aren't those lupine leaves gorgeous?  I just love them!  Hopefully the backyard gardens will do as well as the front this year. 

PLAYDAY AT LAST!

A Garden Kaleidoscope - Before

A Garden Kaleidoscope After the effect

 

 I decided to try out Paint Shop Pro and look what I found...a kaleidoscope effect!  How fun is this?  I love it!  I played with several different images for about an hour and these are the examples of what I did.

 



Don't throw away socks - Make animals!   Actually I am just going to make whatever critters come to mind - even from my imagination. This first sock animal is a hippy bunny for my grand daughter. She seemed to like it while I was working on it.
I also have been working on a new larger pendant line of jewelry. I should have at least a dozen when finished. What looks like a bracelet really isn't although it could be. It will be used on another sock critter later. I decided to bead for the critters either a collar or headband that indeed could be worn as an anklet or bracelet if desired.

Would Love a Translation for this Scandinavian Grace

Is there anyone out there that could translate this Scandinavian Grace/Prayer?  I would love to know if it is indeed the grace my grandfather use to say before dinner.  Parts of it sound very familiar to me.



2015 Emerald City Comicon

 

We're almost on our way to the Emerald City Comicon once again! 

Three katterrific and fun-filled days in Seattle! 

See you there or be square?

~SPOT~

 

 

This New Print will debut at the Con. 

Hot and Sour Soup

Hot and Sour Soup is on my mind today. After many different attempts to make a decent hot and sour soup, I have finally found one I love. I found the recipe online but sorry to say I don't remember where. Here is the original recipe followed by how I have made it twice now.
Hot and Sour Soup
Chicken broth (4 Cups)
Mushrooms
Bamboo Shoots...
2 cloves Garlic
1 tsp. Ginger (original recipe called for 2 tsp.)
1 T Balsamic Vinegar
3 T Rice Vinegar
1 T Chili Sauce
3 T Soy Sauce
2 T Brown Sugar
2 T Corn Starch to 2 T. Water
1 tsp. sesame oil (original recipe called for 2 tsp.)
4 sliced green onions
Combine all ingredients, heat, and enjoy.
My 1st version:
Sautee my onion mix (onion, jalapeno, shallot, leek, lite salt, and red chili pepper flakes) with chopped bok choy, snap peas, broccolini, and roasted chicken. Add to the above recipe minus the bamboo shoots and the mushrooms.
My 2nd version:
Sautee my onion mix (above) with chopped asparagus, snap peas, bok choy, broccoli stems, mushrooms, and barbecue pork. Add to the above ingredients minus the bamboo shoots.
On both versions, I used a red chile garlic sauce instead of a bottled chili sauce. I also use reduced sodium chicken broth and a reduced sodium soy sauce.

A look at 2014 with thankful heart!

 

 

Watermelon Agate Cross Necklace

(Making jewelry for fine motor skills therapy)

 



 

Portabella Cheese Crust-free Quiche

(Cooking for Health) 

 



 Delicious Raspberries

 Fresh Jalapeno and Chives

 My Sacred Space

(A place for respite)

 

 End of Summer Fun

 

 



 

Beautiful Hydrangeas in July

 



 

Too Hot to Cook-Out to dinner time

 

 

Summer Fairy Garden

 



 

A SW Summer Bench

 



Yummy Crab Cakes



 

End of Summer - Crab Bisque

 

 Bathroom Valance

(Sewing helped me stay calm)

 Living Room Valance

 Kitchen Valance

                                                               Redecorated guest bath

 

 Love my exercise bike!

(The best therapy ever!)

 

 Sunsets of the NW

 Need to enjoy nature as often as possible

 

 

 Halloween Dogs

 

 

  There were 4 in the backyard - very close to the house

 And 2 more in the neighbor's yard

 

"End of fall - Beginning of Winter" Deer

 

 

 

                                                                  A 2014 Christmas