What is an Essential Oil? Part 1

"An essential oil is the volatile lipid (oil) soluble portion of the fluids of a plant containing odiferous compounds produced by steam distillation of vegetable plant matter. Plant matter can be any part of a botanical species including stems, branches, fruits, flowers, seeds, roots, bark, needles, leaves, etc. During the distillation process, the vapors are condensed, collected, and separated from the condensation water." (The Chemistry of Essential Oils Made Simple by David Stewart, pg. )

I love, love, love Essential Oils!!  I use them almost every day.  They have been such an aid to my family for emotional stability, sleep, peace and calming, first aid, and much much more.  The two books above are two of my favorite on essential oils.  My sister's website gives some great information on these fabulous oils and has some excellent links to other articles written on essential oils. 

Amy's Infamous Pick Up Lines

My niece was recently posting pick up lines on facebook, so when I was just cleaning out some things and found a list of my younger sister's favorite pick up lines, I couldn't help but think I had to share (I love run on sentences).  Here they are:

• Do you have a quarter?  I told my mom I'd call her when I found the girl/guy of my dreams. 
• I lost my phone # can I borrow yours? 
• Are you a gardener?  'Cause I want to plant my tulips next to yours.
• Your lips look a little wrinkled...mind if I press 'em for you?
• They say 75% of your body is made up of water.  Boy am I thirsty. 
• If I could rearrange the alphabet I'd put U and I together.
• Kiss me if I'm wrong, but aren't you Jack/Sally?
• If I told you you had a nice body, would you hold it against me?
• Are you tired?  'Cause you've been running through my mind all day. 
• Did it hurt?  When you fell out of heaven. 

There is a small part of me that really wishes I had used some of these when I was single.  Hahaha!!

When you give, you always "get"!

I love this (taken from a talk by Bonnie Parkin in March 2004):

For many years Relief Society was part of the National Council of Women in the United States. Shortly after Sister Belle Spafford was called as the Relief Society general president, she said to President George Albert Smith that going to the meetings in New York was costly and of little benefit. “President Smith gently chastised [Sister Spafford], ‘Do you always think in terms of what you get? Don’t you think it’s well to think in terms of what you have to give?’”

I have remembered this quote many a time when I haven't wanted to go to meetings, different activities or events, the temple, etc. It has always been a good reminder that sometimes the giving is why I am needed there. And really...When you give, don't you always "GET"?!

I haven't been able to put pictures on the computer yet and I am still not done with my one project. I am so close, but I have to go to the store as I can't find my 3rd package of double fold bias tape here at home. Oh, to be organized...Someday!

I Am Not The Gardener

The talks on Sunday in sacrament meeting were based on Elder D. Todd Christofferson's April conference talk, "As Many as I Love, I Rebuke and Chasten". I have had a hard time applying it to my life this week. I think it is extra hard to trust your bishop when it is your husband, but alas...I keep reminding myself that I am not the gardener. God is the one in charge. Why does my will want to fight His will at times? I had a good talk with my dear husband last night and I know my issues really come down to my pride. I guess it is time to pull out Pres. Benson's talk, "Beware of Pride" so I can again read and reread it.

On a lighter note...

More blog posts and changes to come. I am almost finished with one of my "unfinished projects" and I can't wait to post pictures of it. I will be trying to enter the blogging world again on a more regular basis. We shall see if it works out for me. And to the few of you who will have actually read this post -- Have a great day!!

Essential Oils

Debra Raybern, a Young Living Independent Distributor, was featured during a segment of the morning show Great Day Houston. She did a great job discussing the basics of essential oils as well as some of the benefits of lavender, peppermint, and thieves oil blend. Watch the clip here.

I Love My Bag

My finished project from the years old unfinished project pile:

I love this bag and how it turned out. One project down and many, many more to go.

Fire Truck Cake

The end of September brought my son's 4th birthday. For several months he had been asking for a fire truck cake... Was I up for the challenge?

I didn't have the time to find the shoestring licorice for the hose on the side, so I had to improvise. But...

I think it was a success. He loved his cake and couldn't wait to tell everyone all about it. He loved helping put the "lights" on the truck. I was pleased as it turned out way better than I could have imagined. For the actual directions check this video out.