Monday, March 31, 2014

How To Use Hydrogen Peroxide In Your Everyday Life

I have always known that hydrogen peroxide is used to clean out cuts and scrapes, preventing infections. But, I never knew of the myriad uses that hydrogen peroxide can be used for. 

For example:
Cleaning fruits and vegetables
Brushing your teeth
Disinfecting your kitchen counters

Listed below are 5 great websites that go into detail of the many uses of Hydrogen Peroxide.








Please check out these websites for directions on the many, many uses of Hydrogen Peroxide.

Everyone, thank you for reading
Have a blessed day! 
~Kathy~

Saturday, March 29, 2014

I Learned How To Crochet My First Hat

As I reflect back on this previous week, what has made me happy is the fact that I have learned how to crochet. My grandmother crocheted beautiful doilies. Then, my mother learned how to crochet granny squares. She made plenty of blankets. So, I have been interested in learning to crochet over the years. I have tried miserably to teach myself. I had no luck doing that.Then, my neighbor tried to help me. That failed miserably. So, when my local, community college offered a class on "Learning to Crochet," I jumped at the opportunity.

I started the classes back in February and last week I successfully completed my first project. I read a pattern and completed a slouchy hat.

I was practicing a stitch called the double crochet. With that practice strip, I created a short scarf. I added some decorative buttons and called it good.


I found a pattern in a baby blanket crochet book that I want to make. When I leafed through the book, I found a few patterns that I am interested in recreating. So, at this moment, I am working on this baby blanket for practice. 


For me, I have found crocheting to be relaxing. Even when I was not happy with my results and pulling it apart, I did not become stressed and frazzled. I just started over.

So that is what has made me happy this week. What made you happy this week?

Let me know in the comments below your answers!

Everyone, thank you for reading
Have a blessed day!
~Kathy~



Thursday, March 27, 2014

Photography Challenge...Drink

The word of the week is Drink




I love my smoothies!

Recipe for this smoothie here

Juicing is a very healthy drink.

Recipe for this recipe here

My morning tea.


My favorite brand of coffee at this moment.


What we drink at our house.


We drink cold tea at our house all day long. Even in the dead of winter we drink our cold tea.

Now, I prefer to drink tea with sugar. Sweet tea. But, my handsome husband prefers to drink his tea unsweetened. 

Let me know in the comments below how you like to drink your tea.

Are you a sweet tea? Or an unsweetened tea person?

Everyone, thank you for reading 
Have a blessed day!
~Kathy~



Tuesday, March 25, 2014

An Exotic, Rare Bird Outside My Window!

I am sure that anyone who has a bird feeder has seen this animal in their own bird feeder. I am not photographing anything new. 

These little fellows (yes, we entertain more than 1 squirrel in this neck of the woods) sit and eat my bird seeds. The birds will sit and wait patiently until the squirrel has had his fill. Then, the birds get a chance at their turn at the bird feeders. 


I have shared that my grandmother would have shooed away anything in her feeders other than a Cardinal. But, it is a loosing battle to keep these squirrels from my 4 feeders. Actually, in the summer months, when my windows are open, the squirrels in this feeder, will just sit and listen to you talk to them. They are so accustomed to us moving around in our kitchen, they just continue eating, with no thought of leaving the bird feeder.


Probably doesn't help that I throw out some other "goodies" for them to eat. 

In my defense, the birds enjoy eating leftover bread, also.

Let me know in the comments below, if you have been defeated by the squirrels in your backyard?

Everyone, thank you for reading
Have a blessed day!
~Kathy~

Sunday, March 23, 2014

This Made Me Happy This Week

This Made Me Happy This Week


I enjoy riding my bicycle. (Fancy word for bike) So, this past week , when the weather reached almost 60 degrees, I jumped on my bike. The wind blowing threw your hair. The good feeling of aching muscles. Ah, yes. It was just a tease, back to 27 degrees right now. I know that I could ride today, the sun is shining brightly. But, I am more of a fair weather bike rider. 

This cold, long winter can not last forever,can it?

So, I wait patiently, along with everyone else, for warmer weather till I jump on my bike and go!

Tell me what made you happy last week. I want to read what you have to say.

Everyone, thank you for reading
Have a blessed day!
~Kathy~



Friday, March 21, 2014

Taking The Plunge

I have decided to add a custom domain to my blog. I have been wanting to do this for awhile now, but I have been too nervous to try it. I am so technically challenged. 


So, if you don't see me for awhile, I might be floating around in cyber space somewhere. 

Hopefully, not!

Everyone, thank you for reading
Have a blessed day!
~Kathy~

A Healthy Smoothie That Isn't Green!

Now, I love my smoothies. But when I read this recipe, I knew I wanted to try it!

I found this at:




Thursday, March 20, 2014

Photography Challenge...Spring

The word of the week is Spring


Well, not too Spring like here, in the middle of nowhere.


Some spots still have patches of snow on the ground.

However, I did manage to find a few small signs of spring beginning to show through.

Buds on the tree.


Just a tiny bit of green.


And a little day lily beginning to poke his head out amongst the leaves


I hope everyone has a beautiful first day of Spring!

Everyone, thank you for reading
Have a blessed day!
~Kathy~

Sunday, March 16, 2014

If You Heard A Book Was Sad.....Would You Read It?

Last week, on one of the social media venues, a young lady could not decide whether or not to read a beginning trilogy book because, she said she had heard that the end of the trilogy story was sad.

I told her that the book she had picked to read was very good.
She said she knew that book was good, but, she had heard the final book in the trilogy was sad.

So, I ask you, would you not read the trilogy because you knew the ending and it was basically not an ending that you wanted to read?


Now, I love to read.

I mean love it. 

When we first moved to this town, the first thing I made sure my son and I did was to get a library card.
He participated in the reading programs at the library and I tried to read as much as I could with a young son in the house.
I didn't read much when he was growing up. 
However, now that my son is grown, I am at the library every week. 

So, for me personally, I answer this question with a "Yes." 


Now, yes, some of the books that I choose from the library are sad.
In fact, when I borrow a Kristin Hannah book, I know to have some tissues next to me. Because, inevitably, I'm gonna cry.
For example, Firefly Lane.

A tearjerker.

But, I loved this book, so much, I had to read the next book,  Fly Away. I recommend both of these books. 

The young lady went on the explain that life is hard enough why would you want to read about others difficult lives.

I agree, life is very difficult.

But, reading takes me away from problems and stresses of everyday life. 
I have heard it said that when you stop reading and look at the world around you, every one is going about their normal business.
You, on the other hand, have just come from an exciting adventure or traveled from a far away place.

This is so true. 

The next time you read a book, stop, and look at others around you. Notice how you feel in contrast to the way they act.

Now many of our books that cater towards young children can be very sad.

How about Charlotte's Web, Anne of Green Gables, and some of the Laura Ingalls Wilder books can be sad. But there is no way you could have stopped me from reading any of these books.

Classics all of them. 


I do understand that at certain times in your life, reading a story with a character who has lung cancer may be upsetting, when you have just learned that someone near and dear to you was just diagnosed with this disease. 
Probably not a good time to read this type of book.

However, not reading a book simply because it will make you feel sad, I say, read it. 
You might learn something to change your life. 
Or maybe, you might even thoroughly enjoy the book.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. I am interested in how you will answer this question.




Saturday, March 15, 2014

Succulents In A Teacup

My friend, Elizabeth, who writes a blog at, Count It All Joy!, wrote a post about, Teacup Succulents. As you know, I am incorporating more plant life into our home. This looked like a cute idea, so I thought I'd give it a try. I drove to Lowes to buy a succulent plant. And, of course, I wanted to display this little plant in one of my grandmother's teacups.


Thursday, March 13, 2014

Photography Challenge...Gold

Today we are photographing the word 
Gold 


A Gold Scarf
(and you know how much I love my scarves!!!)

Two Gold Chickens

A Gold Clock

Gold Jewelry
(who remembers add a beads!)

And, Of Course, Golden Grahams Cereal

Still looking for the pot of gold!

Except, if I saw little leprechauns around that pot of gold, I'm outta there!!!

Everyone, thank you for reading
Have a blessed day!
~Kathy~




Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Sharing A Beautiful Picture(s)

While traveling, a couple of weeks ago, my handsome husband and I happened across a low lying corn field. This corn field had frozen over and looked beautiful.

Friday, March 7, 2014

Going Green Tag



1. What started it all off for you?


I have always taken vitamins and known of their healing qualities. But, what started it all for me was, after I was involved in or watching makeup videos on you tube, one day, by chance, I happened across a video explaining all of the horrible carcinogens that large manufacturer's place in the makeup to allow the product to have a longer shelf life. "What?" And that is how it all started. I researched and did some digging into this new found information which then lead me to information on how these same companies also tested on animals. Which, then lead me on my cruelty free and natural way of life. That did not stop there. My husband and I decided to follow a plant based diet. He quit after 2 weeks, but because of everything I had learned I was done, and I became a vegetarian. I eat nothing with a face.

2. What was the first thing to go? (Ingredient or product)


All of my makeup with parabens in the ingredients was the first to go. I do not have a large makeup collection, so this for me was not difficult. I placed them in a small "Sephora" type bag. Then, I placed these on a shelf in my closet. But, I did not want just throw away all of the products that I spent my money on so, I have been using them up and will not repurchase them. I did throw away all products containing parabens. That, to me, wasn't worth using up.

3. What are you or what did you struggle to let go of?


I did struggle to let go of my makeup. The you tube "beauty guru" community was fairly new, and I was excited to learn all of the different looks I could do with drugstore makeup. So, as I stated in the question above, I placed them in a small bag and put them on a shelf in the closet. I did finally get rid of the makeup because I knew, by then, that I definitely was not putting this poison on my face.

4. What has been your best find? (i.e a green product or a tip that you're really glad you've found/learnt)



Honestly, I find something new everyday as I search the internet, watch you tube videos and discover other people's blogs. I hope to continue to learn and never stop learning of ways to improve my health and my families health.

5. What has been the worst thing about going green? What has been the hardest to transition or find an adequate green replacement of?



The only trouble I have had with finding replacements of, or transition to, is the fact that I live in a small farming community. So, I was not able to find some healthy replacements especially for my makeup. I would order from Vitacost or other sites from the internet.
I have found nothing bad about going green, for me, because I know that I am improving my live and the lives of my family. The problem for me is the reactions of others. They just think I am a "kook." Or that it is just too hard for them to understand that the things that are mainstream are not healthy for you.

6. Anything else to add? Any tips or tricks to pass on?


I am finding it easier and easier to find cruelty free and natural items in my small farming community. This is making it easy for me to buy healthy items from local establishments. I try to purchase most of these products from the small businesses in my town. I just try to spread the word about healthy alternatives even though not all people share my same views.


Thank you Jennifer at inspiredmom824 for sharing your answers! If you decide to participate in this going green tag, let me know. I would love to read your answers!



Everyone, thank you for reading
Have a blessed day!
~Kathy~

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Photography Challenge...Green

This week we are to photograph the color Green 


I am starting with an old plant.


To my newest plant.


A vintage green bank. This was my bank when I was young.


A green letter, K.


Beautiful green eyes.


My green crochet hook.


My green tray that my sister-in-law made for my birthday.


And finally, my green planner that I use and decorate daily.



Everyone, thank you for reading
Have a blessed day!
~Kathy~



Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Trying My hand At A Little Gardening!

Recently, I discovered that house plants are a natural air purifier. So, I have bought a couple of plants and I need to transplant 2 other plants. I had an empty, small pot, so I decided to start a new philodendron in the pot. 

Here is how I created this little new, little plant.


I cut an end off of one of the vines.


Here are the materials I used to start my new plant.


You will need:
A small pot
A cut off of the old plant
Scissors
Potting soil
Coffee filter


Cut the coffee filter to fit the bottom of your pot, this filter stops your potting soil from falling through the holes in the bottom of your pot.


When you cut your plant, make sure you cut below the leaf. The small, brown parts sticking out of the stem are actually the roots.

Fill your pot with potting soil and make sure it is very wet. Stick the new cutting into the wet soil. Make sure the roots are inserted into the wet soil.


I have absolutely no luck with plants. I have a black thumb. Plants shiver when I come near them.
So, occasionally I will post some pictures of how well this new little plant is faring in my care. Fingers crossed this poor little thing survives!

If anyone has any helpful hints, leave them for me in the comments below.

Everyone, thank you for reading
Have a blessed day!
~Kathy~


Tuesday, March 4, 2014

A Quick, Little Anniversary Card

My mother-in-law and father-in-law's wedding anniversary is next week. They will be married 47 years. I made them a card.





I love washi tape. No, I mean, I really love washi tape. So, I designed this card after one created with washi tape. I gathered all of the materials together and got to work.



I used a 4 x 8 piece of card stock and folded it in half to create the card. I designed the rest of my card using scrap pieces of scrapbooking paper. I cut small strips of scrap paper to my desired length. I cut small v's on the ends of the paper and glued them to my card. I stamped the birds using close to cocoa stamp ink and glued this to the polka dotted scrap of paper. Then, I  glued both to the front of the card.

Next, I stamped, Happy Anniversary, in the same ink color. I used the flowered scrap piece of paper taped to my sewer's cutting board to help me stamp the words in a straight line.


I moved the piece of paper when I stamped the word, anniversary.


I cut and glued it all together and glued this to the inside of the card.


I added my finishing signature touch to the back of the card, and I was finished!



A quick and fun little card to put in the mail.

Everyone, thank you for reading
Have a blessed day!
~Kathy~