Summer housewarming party? Here's a thought!

"A housewarming party is a party held within approx. 90 days of moving into a new residence. It is an occasion for the host to present their new home to their friends, and for friends to give gifts to furnish the new home..."

When thinking of what to give as a housewarming gift, think in terms of buying for the bathroom and /or kitchen. Most people spend the majority of their time (when at home) in these two rooms...two rooms that'll always need a frequent change of accessories. See below for some helpful suggestions:

Kitchen

• Pot Holder set
• Spice Rack
• Specialty Utensil set
• Kitchen Canisters
• Bake set

Bathroom

• Bath set ( soap dish, toothbrush holder, etc.)
• Tub mat
• Towels
• Rug and Commode set
• Shower curtain

If you don't want to call and ask the new home owner about the color scheme of  the bathroom, kitchen, pick colors and patterns that are neutral. The new home owner will appreciate any gift you bring, but a gift for either the bathroom or the kitchen will be truly valued!




















quote from Wikipedia

Get your LeVive On!

Get your LeVive On!

10 Beautiful Uses for Lavender Essential Oil!

Lavender is a common wildflower "enveloping most of the Great Plains, some of the U.S. coastline and portions of the Midwest." The essential oil distilled from the flower spikes is best known for it's calming and hypnotic properties.

Try these 10 beautiful uses for Lavender Essential Oil (E.O.)

1) Massage Oil- Mix equal parts of Lavender E.O. and a low fragrance carrier oil such as sweet almond oil, grapeseed or jojoba oil. Store in a dark bottle; use as needed. A body massage before bed ensures a tranquil slumber.

2) Clothes Hanger Pomander- Purchase ordinary, padded hangers and soak the seams with Lavender E.O.. Makes for a beautifully scented closet!

3) Potpourri- Add Lavender E.O. to a bowl of dried flowers, herbs, sea salt and a fixative to enliven your living space!

4) Drawer Sachet- Sew two squares of porous material together on three sides. Add Lavender E.O., Lavender leaves and flowers. Sew up the fourth side and put it in your drawer for a fragrant existence!

5) Pillow- Using the same sewing method for a sachet (see #4), adding buckwheat hull, put pillow inside your pillowcase for a peaceful sleep.

6) Bath Tea- Fill a muslin drawstring bag with Lavender E.O., powered milk and chamomile flower leaves and drop it in the tub for a somber soak.

7) Diffuser- Place a few drops of Lavender E.O. on your light bulb diffuser for a soothing atmosphere.

8) Bug repellent- Add about 10 drops of lavender E.O. to a spray bottle of 16ozs. of tap water. Spray your clothes, your body for a defense against insects when out and about this summer!

9) Floor Wash: Add about 20 drops of Lavender E.O. to your bucket to scent as you mop!

10) Dryer sheets: Add about 5 drops of lavender E.O. to a plain dryer sheet to fragrance your laundry!

Use your imagination and come up with 10 more uses for one of the most popular essential oils in the world! Have additional hints? Share your helpful ideas here,in the comments~ Thank-you!

every night....

Stevie Wonder These Three Words

Flying....

Paul McCartney turned 70 years old on June 18th! Wow, it's as if it were only yesterday that we, my sister, mom and I, were watching the Beatles' debut on the Ed Sullivan Show.* Gathered around our T.V. console, we picked our favorite as Ed introduced "these youngsters from Liverpool!"

The young girls, in the audience, cheered and squealed in delight, as Paul, Ringo, George and John, youngsters, tore up the stage singing, "All my lovin'".

Oh where have the years gone, Paul? Marriages, school, career, children and ... just the plain every day ups and downs of life. You know, sometimes Time runs....sometimes it takes its' sweet ole Time. Love every minute of it, no matter how it dances by! Happy Birthday, Paul. When all is said and done, I pray the years have been as good to you, as they've been to me........

*American variety show circa 1950's

"Send only good news in perfumed letters."

Vonnie opened the envelope; the fragrance of the paper met her nose and danced sweetly in her nostrils. The smell of roses lovingly filled the room.

She read the enclosed letter:

"By the time you read this, I'll be miles away...I'm not coming  back.

I wasn't happy with you and I'm determined to be! Money is in the safe-

TAKE IT ALL! It means nothing to me! 

Don't try to contact us...I mean, me.

Good-bye."

Vonnie cringed. Now the smell of roses hung a perfumy noose around her neck. Damn that smell......






 ©paulabrown

Fun is a place called Dominican Republic!

Today, I'm interviewing Quincy Maynor, a young New Yorker. He's recently back from a trip to the Dominican Republic, a nation on the island of Hispaniola, the second largest Caribbean nation (after Cuba).


Me: "I understand you're recently back from a trip to D.R.....was it all you thought it would be?"


Quincy: "Yes! It was a great experience. The nightlife was good- I couldn't believe the club was popping on a Monday night!"


Me: "What did you enjoy most about D.R.?"


Quincy: "The people." The people were very nurturing, a home away from home. I loved the women, generally, the people welcomed me with open arms."


Me: "Why D.R.? Was that your first vacation choice?"


Quincy: "Yes, for a vacation this time of the year D.R. was a cheaper option. The weather's nice all year around and I heard good things from friends who've traveled there!

Me: "What did you least enjoy and how could you have made it better?"


Quincy: "I didn't like the street hustlers trying to hustle me out of my money LOL"


Me: "Anything out of the ordinary happen?"


Quincy: "One evening, a couple of friends and I went to a local BBQ restaurant on the beach. We saw a storm was coming and ran back to the hotel. The rain came down like crazy! As I sat on my patio looking at it pouring, suddenly all the lights went off..ALL OVER THE CITY!


Me: "I know that was scary!"


Quincy: "No, it was a new and exciting wrinkle in my trip...anyway the lights came back on within the hour!"


Me: "Do you plan to return to this country, in the near future?"


Quincy: "Yes, I plan on returning late next year. I would like to retire there, if I could. The retirees I met there were having a ball!"

Me: "Thank-you for sharing your trip with us, Quincy! You make me want to pack my bags! ALL ABOARD TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC!!!!!

Take your wares to the Farmer's Market!

It's spring and farmer's markets are popping up all over your town! "A farmer's market is a market usually held out-of-doors in public spaces where farmers can sell produce to the public." Find one  that has an area designated for other than farmers and you've hit on a goldmine of a place to sell your handmade artisan wares, health/wellness products and baked goods!

You can't beat a farmer's market for the foot traffic! Depending on the particular market, they'll be music, games, and product demonstrations! The whole community is enjoying themselves, looking for fresh produce and " all things new!" What a great place to bring your wares and network! Jeanette Robertson, a painter, finds that the local farmer's market has broaden her reach to the general public:

                 

                             "While some artists may be uncomfortable with displaying their images

                              alongside cabbages and onions, I've found it's a great way to expose 

                              my work to a broader audience." (1)

Any crafter would delight in setting up a display at the farmer's market, where potential customers could feel  and touch their items. Do research before you plan to set-up at your local farmer's market:

• Is there an area designated "for others" and do you need to bring your own table and chairs?
• What types of "others" vend there?
• Does foot traffic vary according to the day of the week?
• What city permits do you need?

In addition to all else, bring an open and friendly attitude and a smile. It will guarantee a successful and prosperous day at the Farmer's Market!

(1) Robertson, Jeanette. "Harvest New Sales" Artist's Magazine June 2006: 64-65

Phosphorous...really?

As the summer months approach, we look forward to enjoying  juicy melons and berries for breakfast, cool and colorful....

                                      BUT STOP!


Don't push the OATMEAL to the back of the cabinet. Oatmeal has too many benefits for us to send it on a summer vacation! Oatmeal is rich in fiber, protein, iron, magnesium, copper, selenium, manganese, and phosphorous.
Oatmeal:

• prevents oxidation of arteries
• curbs weight gain
• prevents type 2 diabetes
• bolsters the immune system
• lowers blood cholesterol levels

The organic oats are the best. Second best is Quaker Oats(the one in the round box). But leave those flavored packets on the shelf; the sugar content is extremely high.If you like, add a little cream, sweetener, or cut up your melon and drop in the berries!
        OATMEAL, a delicious and nutritious breakfast, anytime of the year!




Nutrition facts via internet.

Vera's Yum Yum Cake

sounds YUMMY......

serves 15

 

1 (2-layer) yellow cake mix

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1(4-ounce) package vanilla instant pudding

1 cup of milk

16 ounces whipped topping

2( 16 ounces) packages fresh strawberries or frozen strawberries, thawed

2 cups shredded coconut

1 cup chopped walnuts

Prepare and bake the cake using the package directions for a 9x13 inch cake pan. Cool in the pan on a wire rack.

Beat the cream cheese in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add the pudding mix and milk and beat until smooth. Fold in the whipped topping. Spread over the cooled cake.

Arrange the strawberries evenly over the cake. Sprinkle  with the coconut and walnuts. Chill, covered, for 4 to 6 hours before serving.

from the kitchen of Barbara Bradley Baekgaard~ Vera Bradley founder and co-owner.

Light= zero darkness

Gathering my ideas together to formulate a syllabus: Simple jewelry- making 101! I hope to bring this class back to the community I called home as a little girl. One of my hobbies is making costume jewelry. I want my love of "the creative" to help open the minds of these youth, giving color and light!

It's important to return to the old neighborhood and encourage the ones coming behind you:

1) It says, to the youth, that past residents leave and come back because the community still holds an important and viable place in their hearts.

2) It shows the youth that success, intelligence and responsibility is birthed from the community. "I, too, can become all of that and reach back!"

3) Inspiration becomes a two-way street. The giver is also inspired, because of the  youth seeking love and knowledge in his midst!

I still  have some research to do, but I expect to teach my class around Christmas time this year. There are many opportunities to reach back. You've accumulated a lot of knowledge....what goodness can you impart?

sometimes I mistake the

drip

drip

of the a/c for summer rain drops

it's not until I look out

see the parched pavement,

hot and...

the people are dry.

  ©paulabrown

love as high as the sky,as deep as the ocean

It's got to be Real!

When reaching out to help, particularly the youth, come genuinely or don't come at all! They can see a phony coming a mile away!

• Being genuine guarantees,"We can count on you, to be the same "you" every day." Because you really care, you stay constant.
• Being genuine says you are in it for the long haul."You won't run away, when the going gets rough." Because you  really care, you are emotionally invested in the outcome!
• Being genuine means I am free to express myself to you without fear of punishment or fear of being ostracized. Because you really care, you honor my opinions, whether you agree with them or not.

Connections suffer when other than sincerity lives in the hearts of the participants. By all means, be genuine in your exchanges and hang a sign on your door, "Phonies need not apply!"

"I know I look awful today!"

Negative self-talk is very detrimental. It could mean the difference between a good day and a bad day, a prosperous life and a dry one! Be alerted when you start being your own naysayer. Thoughts that begin with,   "I can't", need to be squashed immediately and replaced with colorful, uplifting ones!


Things that trigger negative self-talk are comments from "Debbie Downers", a recent failure, seeing a violent movie, or even drab, dreary weather conditions! Learn your triggers and speedily change the negative self-talk!
1)  Listen to mood-boosting music and/or testimonies of people who you admire.


2)  Pray or meditate.


3)  Call a positive friend.


4)   Take a walk.


5)    Put in a clean ( one minus the curse words and sexual innuendos) comedy DVD and LAUGH!


Don't sit back and let negative self-talk OVERRUN you! Be proactive to move against it and let the light flow in!

An open letter to Bitterness

Dear Bitterness,

I saw you downtown today!

I happened to see you today, as I rode the bus downtown to pick up a few things. I glanced out the window and there you were, in front of my old place of employment. Being run from that particular job was to signal my end; as I was left penniless and homeless within weeks of leaving it....

Then I saw you skipping and hopping down the avenue of my old "sweethearts." Men that I had, but didn't have me. Crushing my heart, soul and body. Destruction drooling lies, sweet deceit...

You and I made eye contact, for about a minute, before you darted off again. Yes,I recognized the building you ran in front of next. Playing up and down on the escalator, in front of the hospital where I miscarried a three month old baby boy, Angel.  Afterwards, they put me on the same ward as the mothers that would be bringing their babies home...

I see you frantically run for my bus. Out of breath, you make it and try to sit next to me. The seat appears to be empty and you try to get comfortable next to me! You toss and turn, like some invisible thing keeps you from being at ease! Eventually you run shrieking in pain, off the bus! I see you just standing as we ride off. Oh YES, I did give you "the finger!" DON'T EVER TRY TO SIT DOWN NEXT TO ME AND THINK YOU'LL BE COMFORTABLE!!! They'll never be any room for you!

Experiences have brought you to the place you are today. Pray to love and embrace each and every one of them. Never give bitterness a place...it will never leave.

Bumblebee

When He frees me from you

it'll be

like fresh air breathing fresh air

like snow eating a popsicle

like an eagle riding on a skateboard

like fire putting itself out...

like Father heard my prayer...


 ©paulabrown

The First Kiss

I'm shot

one, two, ripped...

my blood smears winter's

bare rock in the summer...


©paulabrown