and here's one more

the link below has some great storage ideas, etc.  her whole website is really informative and worth a few minutes of your time.

http://tidymom.net/2012/8-smart-organizing-tips-for-the-kitchen/

hi there

yeah, i know.
it's been awhile since i've posted ANYTHING
i'm still working on the granny square afghan for Prissy (i need a hundred and i'm at 66 today)

but i have found some things online that might interest you

i found a link to make your own baby wipes/make-up remover or cleaning wipes

here's the link:    onegoodthingbyjillee

but here's a quick review:

It involves cutting a roll of paper towels in half, placing in container and soaking with 4 cups warm water and desired mixture (including coconut oil). The ingredients differ only slightly depending on what kind of wipes you're making.

• For baby wipes: 4 cups warm water (one reader recommends DISTILLED water to inhibit the growth of mold), 1-2 tablespoons Coconut Oil, and 1-2 squirts of baby wash.
• For make up remover wipes: 4 cups warm water, 1-2 tablespoons Coconut Oil. (1-2 squirts of baby wash or your your favorite face wash if you want, but it's not necessary)

UPDATE: 11/29/11: A couple of people who have tried this have said their wipes started developing mold within a couple of weeks. A couple of things to try are: Making smaller batches so you are using them up faster....OR....adding some Tea Tree Oil, which is supposed to inhibit the growth of mold. Hope this helps someone out! I really love my homemade makeup remover wipes! I haven't had the mold issue...but I live in SUCH a dry state! Don't know if that has anything to do with it or not.

• For cleaning wipes: 4 cups warm water, a few drops of your favorite concentrated cleaner. (Or click here to see my "Homemade Clorox Wipes")

and here's another one:

Homemade Hand Cream:

16 oz. baby lotion
8 oz. Vaseline
8 oz. Vitamin E Cream

Mix with electric mixer til  it resembles icing.

Put in containers.

So easy to make, inexpensive and wonderful!

I will definitely be trying both of these, especially the makeup remover!!!

and here's one last article and link will be posted at the bottom.

The top 10 best foods for burning belly fat [Natural News]

by Aurora Geib

(NaturalNews) For women marching through middle age, belly fat seems a fact of life. However, recent studies on belly fat have revealed that belly fat may no longer be common only among women in their 50′s. Certain factors like stress and a sedentary lifestyle have resulted in a rise in obesity and a growing concern about weight loss.

Moreover, the discovery that obesity actually has health-related conditions like diabetes has jump-started a million-dollar industry on weight loss products. From popular diets to supplements and even exercise accessories, the customer only has to look around to find a variety of fad options to choose from. This is not even counting the medical procedures available for the very obese and those who have not lost weight through medicine, exercise or diet.

Healthy options

In the face of all the expensive weight loss programs, it is still possible to lose weight without having to resort to all the fad diets, supplements and drastic measures such as liposuction that may do more harm than good in the long run. Fortunately, abdominal obesity can be easily lost through proper diet and exercise.

In 2004, a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine revealed that liposuction removal of subcutaneous fat on 15 obese subjects had no effect on the levels of their blood sugar, blood pressure, response to insulin or cholesterol. However, it was discovered that weight loss through exercise and diet triggered positive health changes.

Moreover, losing fat by starving yourself may not be the best idea either. Starvation, ironically, induces the body to store fat because it slows down the metabolism. If you have been reading up on weight loss, you would have stumbled upon the idea of a low calorie diet. Low-calorie diets are effective in losing abdominal fat; however, once the hunger pangs become a regular occurrence, the diet becomes difficult to maintain and at the first possible opportunity, binging can occur.

Furthermore, low calorie diets are not without inconvenient side effects such as mood swings, poor memory and hair loss to name a few. The symptoms worsen over time and can develop into illnesses or diseases, totally defeating the purpose of why it was necessary to lose weight for health in the first place.

Knowing what to eat

To eat generously does not have to mean to eat irresponsibly. The important thing to remember is to eat natural and nutrient-dense foods as well as whole foods that the body understands how to use to properly. Below are some examples:

1. Apples - There is wisdom to the saying, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. In a Brazilian weight study, subjects who ate three apples a day while dieting lost more weight than those who didn’t. This fruit contains pectin, a compound that is known to inhibit colon cancer. Apples are packed with nutrients and are a rich source of vitamin C, beta-carotene, dietary fiber, phytosterol, flavonoids, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

2. Watermelons - In a study conducted by the University of Kentucky, watermelon was found to have a significant effect on artery plaque deposition because it altered blood lipids and lowered the risk of developing belly fat. The researchers in the study observed that animal subjects in the experiment who had diet-induced high cholesterol were given a supplement of watermelon juice while another group was given a typical diet with water. Eight weeks later, the animals given watermelon juice had lower body weight than those who were just given water. It appeared that there was no decrease in muscle mass and the weight loss was due to abdominal fat loss.

3. Tomatoes - A large tomato contains only around 33 calories. Moreover, a recent study identified a compound extracted specifically from the fruit called 9-oxo-octadecadienoic (9-oxo-ODA) which was shown to influence the amount of blood lipids in circulation.
According to Dr. Teruo Kawada, the study leader, “finding a compound which helps the prevention of obesity-related chronic diseases in food stuff is a great advantage to tackling these diseases, and tomato allows people to manage the onset of dyslipedemia through their daily diet.” According to Wikipedia, Dyslipedemia is a condition where there is too much lipid in the blood. This normally caused by diet and lifestyle.

4. Bananas - This is a fruit you can enjoy as a nutritious snack without ever worrying about gaining weight. Like apples, it contains a fiber called pectin that is known to inhibit colon cancer. It also contains vitamin A, C, E, B6 as well as potassium, calcium and magnesium. Bananas, depending upon the size, contain calories between 75 calories to 135 calories only.

5. Seafood - Seafood, when included in the diet, could result in a slimmer waist and better health. For those enjoying excellent health and ideal body weight, having seafood on a regular basis may even prevent possible future poor health and weight gain. Studies have shown that seafood has been found to contain monounsaturated fat (MUFA). Studies have also shown that having a regular diet with foods containing MUFA can prevent belly fat.

6. Lamb - Lamb contains vitamin B, protein, zinc and trytophan. This is certainly a better option to processed or canned meat, and is a healthy source of protein. Lamb contains conjugated linoleic acid. According to Dr. James Howenstine, author of “A Physician’s Guide to Natural Health Products That Work,” low levels of conjugated linoleic acid in the body can lead to obesity since dietary fat cannot be used as energy and is moved into cells resulting in fat storage. Editor’s note: I cannot condone eating lamb due to humanitarian reasons. Lambs are mammals, and it would be far less damaging to living beings if you chose to eat a simpler lifeform instead, such as fish.

7. Tart cherries - In a study conducted by the University of Michigan, it was found that a diet containing tart cherries may help lower symptoms of heart disease and metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a term used to refer to a group of symptoms which increase the risk of a host of heart diseases, diabetes and belly fat. In the study, the animal subjects had reduced cholesterol levels and a fat content of only 54 percent compared to the non-cherry fed group of 63 percent belly fat. Tart cherries have also been identified to have antioxidant properties.

8. Celery - Celery is a negative calorie food containing only eight calories. It is high in vitamin C, calcium and is best enjoyed raw. Enjoying fresh celery juice before a meal can even help you lose weight. It contains apigenin, an active compound that slashes the risk of ovarian cancer.

9. Avocados - This fruit has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It contains the amino acid lecithin – which helps in preventing liver overload – and aids the memory and helps balance weight. In one study, it was discovered that people who ate a considerable amount of avocados showed clear improvement in health. It balances cholesterol levels and prevents heart attacks and strokes.

10. Kelp noodles - According to NaturalNews.com, kelp noodles are a good alternative for those who love traditional noodles. They are made from seaweed and contain only six calories. They are raw and mineral rich and can be used like any regular noodles.

It’s time to reconsider the low-calorie dieting theory and recognize that only natural foods can properly nourish the body and help it rebuild itself. Food can actually help us in attaining good health and proper weight management. When coupled with exercise, it can help us achieve sustainable weight loss, avoid obesity, prevent a host of other chronic diseases and increase health benefits that directly improve our quality of life.

link below:

http://www.shamanrawb.com/wpblog/2012/03/the-top-10-best-foods-for-burning-belly-fat-natural-news/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ShamanRawb+%28Shaman+Rawb%29

Update

First, blogging from my phone leaves alot to be desired.

So here are some pics I'll try to explain and I hope I do that in the right order.

1) written diary
2) rain puddle
3) progress on cuddle blanket for prissy. ( see diary entry)

I just checked and they're not in order. Will do better next time.

Love you big!!!

written diary

Men in my trees

This morning
Early
Well early for us

And pics of the end of our street

new website

interesting site

it's called allwomenstalk.com but not at all like it sounds - check it out

Pookie and stuffed toys

Well it's down to his last stuffed toy. When we got here, he had six. Two in the process of being mauled to death and four untouched.

Only the raccoon is left of all his forest animals! Poor raccoon last his tail today. One leg is limp becuz I took the stuffing out since pookie chewed off the paw. It's only had one ear for some time and it's been mended too many times.

I think the raccoon will leave us soon.

pinterest finds

these are definitely going to get made for next valentine's day

and i want one of these for my kitchen

and wouldn't it look cute in RED

for someone's red kitchen?

make your own handsoap

water, glycerin and a bar of soap

(link below for details)

make your own hand soap - just three items

and then

progress.......

well, here is the first batch of scarves going to the Two Sisters store.  i had to use my "itashi photos" business card but have ordered new ones with a new email address:

itashieverything@gmail.com

i think the name is perfect, don't you?

fyi, itashi in japanese means "mine" or "my".

the black scarf below has a black button and two inter-changeable crocheted flowers

feed back please

Jamie is headed to the mail box today so your feedback would be GREATLY appreciated. 

And "thank you" to my bestee, Stephanie for the idea of using my origami for the store.  So i am working on bookmarks with little triangle origami and beads at each end.  As soon as i can remember how i folded the damn things, i will post pictures!

My roomy, Jeff has been sick with a cold since last saturday and i think he has shared it with me.  sneezing  like crazy this morning so Jamie just made me one of those yucky fizzy-thingies that seem to work so well.  

Will try to drop off scarves this afternoon.  otherwise, they will be at the store tomorrow.

also, another birthday wish to Carrie. i hope yesterday was a great day for you!

AND 

happy valentines day EVERYONE!!!

I DID IT !!!

My meeting with the owner if Two Sisters Bookery went fabulous!!

She wants my cards, my scarves AND my hair barrettes!!

She's taking them on commission and I'm so excited.

I left cards and a promise to get her scarves and hair clips by Tuesday.

Guess what I'm doing all weekend.

Happydance

Another craft update

Please let me know what colors y'all want!!

Made two more black scarves tonight. I think everyone's getting black if I don't hear from you!

The one I'm wearing has a button that I can attach different colored double layered flowers on it.

I am so clever!!

Night night

crafty update

Hi Everyone!


I'm headed to several places with my crafts tomorrow!!!


wahoo!!


Taking my photo cards to Two Sister's Bookery at the Cotton Exchange in downtown Wilmington tomorrow to meet with the owner!


{ insert happy dance }


also taking my little newborn hats, and hair clips and cowl scarves.


Amy, Kathleen and Stephanie, you will have mail shortly.


These are hair clips and can be made in ANY color:

These are the newborn hats that I'll be sending to Kathleen for her photo shoots.  I also will be sending a new cocoon, beige and much bigger than the earlier ones!

These are the cowl scarves.  I'm in love with them and have to stop myself from buying soooo much yarn but it's hard.  There are so many great colors and I'm addicted now.  Holler is you want one and what color.  Amy, sending you a black one and I think Kathleen wanted a black one too.  (Kathleen, please remind me what color you wanted.


I'm also going to a friend of Jeff's tomorrow that is part of a woman's motorcycle club that may be interested in the scarves.  Especially since it's been so cold here lately.  I've been wearing one all day.

and here's the packaging for the hair clips!

Feedback please

Forty minute bath

Yup
I soaked for 40 min.
Bubbles and all.
It was wonderful.

Now sitting outside, boys have been fed and Pookie's happy too..... And I'm out rubbing night cream on my face and elbows.

What a sight to see!!!

And the moon's out enough to brighten the white lawn furniture just a little bit.

And my finger is cramped from typing on this little thing.

Bah-bye.

i love pinterest

i am a pinning fool
i want to be so more creative when i browse the ga-zillion pictures and links

now i use pinterest to bookmark sooooooooo many great ideas that i will do someday....

for instance,

and for more ideas, join and then join me on pinterest.com

search for me under sookiethis@gmail.com

Bday news

Well it's absolutely beautiful outside .... Considering how it's been.

It's amazing how opening windows and doors make me more energized.

So boys are doing yard work and um putzing around the house.

Every now and then sitting on my new settee that Jme bought me with a big heart pillow. I have found the best best consignment store in the world. An mom and daughter opened it ten or so years ago and they come from a military background. For the military folks it's sometimes better to not take alot of household goods so thrift stores etc are the way to go.

They have three buildings and a warehouse all lined up on a nice street near some old restored homes close to downtown.

It's called The Ivy Cottage.  http://threecottages.com/

Pookie likes it and I LOVE it!  Threw Jamie's afghan over it try and keep the pookie-hair at a minimum.  Mom made that afghan for Jme a million years ago

Whether or not I like the weather

Okay you have all heard me complain about the weather. And I'm tired of hearing myself complain about it too.

BUT

It's in the high sixties this morning. OMG. And it was chilly last night. No wonder my body is freaking out.

Today looks like a good day to start spring cleaning and to buy a chair for ME for the living room.

random findings

can you believe that this works?  i don't like hard boiled eggs but i LOVE hearts!

gutter gardening!

i love mason jars!!!

mason-jar-sunday-diy-mason-storage

Hi there

Had text time with Amy today and realized and confessed that I haven't been a blogger very much lately.

I have been crocheting like a demon though.

Making cowl scarves. Photo to follow when I can find a model. ( not Jamie)!!!

The weather is crappy.

Well not crappy to most but to me, it has been. I've been holed up like a hobbit and trying to stay warm and haven't been very social. It feels better to stay in leggings, oversized tshirts and sweatshirts. And no face on.

So I promise myself when it stops raining, I will start walking more.

Here's some flowers I just crocheted while watching part of the Niner game and my new red rain boots that I got for $20 and added ribbon because the tops were to tight.

Anyone wants some flowers ? How many and what color?

Smiles to everyone and holler at me once on awhile.