The Mint Needle

Oh Summer..... you've been good to us, but you've been a busy season. Do you ever have those days where you stop and think, "I can't believe how much we got done?" In our house, this has been a daily saying. My hubbie and I decided to take on a project... our staircase... enough said. What was supposed to be a 'quick' update has turned into an all summer.... more than you thought... hardwood ordering project that is slowly depleting us of any extra energy we have. Luckily the kids are at that age where they're too busy with their own friends to notice the difference. I, separating myself from the equation, can hardly wait for cooler weather and quilt snuggling evenings. And yes... school is starting in 3 weeks. Ugh! Even though all this busy-ness is going on, we make it thing, to take a walk around our yard and look at all that's going on. Here are a few pics of the love that summer has shown us! Peanut Cactus ~ Echinopsis Ch...

I recently read an article by Suzanne Venker titled, "Secrets good and bad that no one is telling about motherhood." If you visit this blog, you're probably very aware that it's not the kind that gives an 'opinion' towards anything other than crafting projects. But for some reason, it really hit home. As a mother of two girls myself, I often wonder, am I saying the right things? My girls have already started conversations; what college they want to go to,  what they picture doing for a career, what kind of house they want to live in, where they hope to travel to. One of my girls have even said they never want to have kids! And though sometimes it becomes a comical conversation, I can't help but wonder if my replies are devastating or bubble bursting. They are just kids, right? Well after much thought, I don't think it's wrong for a mom to be honest with her daughters. I love that Suzanne hits three important topics, broad enough to get the min...

The Cherokee Rose Everything has been coming up roses & elderberries! From wild bushes in fields to the ones planted with purpose, there is a breathtaking scent that sweeps the yard when the light summer wind blows. So how can you bottle up that aroma or take all the goodness to use in the winter months? Very simply. You can make rose oil & elderflower syrup! Use dry rose petals for teas and drinks! ~ROSE OIL~ All you need is some fresh buds, a jar, and a carrier oil. I used grapeseed oil for it's high benefits in skin care. It is great for clogged pores and oily skin! It has twice the amount of Vitamin E and is extremely high in Vitamin C. Did you know it even works as a natural sunscreen? Simply fill your jar to the max with fresh buds and petals and add the oil. Make sure to add it slowly and gently tap the bottom of the jar to remove all air bubbles. The oil should completely cover the petals. Close your jar and place it by a ...