Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Awards...

Isn't it great to have a whole new world of friends that you see everyday in a place called Blogland! Everyday I rush to my computer to be able to log on to my new home away from home and a place that I love with people that I love...Blogland! What's even better is that the wonderful friendships we all share is to me like another very special family. Or as another friend of mine, Silke at Metamorphosis here in Blogland said, "Sometimes we are the ones needing to be uplifted and other times we get to be the angel who uplifts with a kind word, a small gesture or just by holding someone in our thoughts. Thank you for being my angels!" In our special world we give our thoughts, our hearts and our love to each other. I want to say thank you all for being my special "Angel's" and very dear friends! I wouldn't change this for anything in either world's!
Today I received again 2 very special Awards from two wonderful very special people!
The first Award is from a very sweet and kind lady who's so talented, Darla at Artistic Accents by Darla! Please make sure you stop in at her blog, her work is just grand!
It's the Kreativ Blogger Award! Now with this Award there are some rules and here they are:
1. List 7 things that I love
2. Link back to the blog that awarded it to me
3. Choose 7 blogs to award as 'Kreativ Bloggers'
4. Comment at each blog to let them know they’ve been chosen
Well, okie dokie then, here goes...

1. I love God, that's first and most important to me.
2. I love my sons, my grandchildren (all of six of them), and my extended family.
3. I love my Church.
4. I love all my "Furry Ones" and animals in general.
5. I love all my friends as if they were my family.
6. I love nature, flowers, wildlife, reading, the outdoors, the beach, candle lit dinners, romance, Hummingbirds, Angels, refrigerator magnets, picnics, pretty and girlie things, purple, music, laughter, being happy, beading, older people, art, food (chips), gosh...my list could go on. lol
7. You, for being here, for reading this, and for caring and sharing your lives with me!

TaDahhhhhh I did it. lol That was actually harder then you would think, especially #6. Now, onto 7 people that I want to pass this Award to, hmm. That's really the hardest thing of all because if I had my way I would give it to all of you! But seeing that the rules say to pass it to seven people, then I will. Here we go then, please know that these are not in any special order:

Marie at Art From My Heart
Silke at Metamorphosis
Lynda at Swoopin' Along
Mary at Mary's Tea Cottage
Brenda at Cozy Little House
Barb at Bella Vista
Mary at Little Red House

Please take this award and pass it down to 7 others of your choice. Congrats to all of yous!





Now, for my next Award, The Blog Break Award 2009 - Entertaining Blog Award, this comes from such a sweet and kind act from someone that's just that...very sweet and so kind and very talented also, Diana Evans at Back to the Drawing Board! Diana designed this awesome Award herself in appreciation to all of her blogger friends! I want to say thank you so much Diana, it's so sweet of you and I just loveeee it!
With this Award there are no specific rules except to pass it to our special blogger friends. Soooo...to everyone that follows me and to those that I follow, please take this awesome Award and wear it proudly on your blog and pass it to your blogger friends and new found family members here in Blogland.
Hugs...
Bobbi

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Feathered Friends Party...


You've all heard of that old saying,"Birds of a feather flock together" well that's what we're all doing today! It's a Feathered Friends Party and it's hosted by Gina over at The Shabby Chic Cottage! Then as a special surprise Barbara Jean from Treasures from the Heart is giving away a bird nest of your choice to one lucky participant! The lucky winner of this special surprise from Barb will be able to choose any nest up to a $15 value, or use the credit towards purchasing something else from her shop. Wow...that's so great! So, with all of this being said, I hurried up this evening and took some pictures and here I am now ready to have a party! Sit back, grab yourself a cup of coffee or tea, you know I loveee pictures, so there are lots here to see! Enjoy...







As you see my clocks need batteries...it's alright to laugh, I sure did when I seen this picture! lol








Well, I hope that everyone liked all of these pictures, now I can't wait until I can go and see every ones collection! Have a great day!
Hugs...
Bobbi

Monday, August 10, 2009

Do you have a "Furry One" and need some good Recipes???

I have 3 "Furry Ones" and 2 kitties beside my youngest sons kitties and our 2 feathery friends. I love, love, love animals and like to keep them happy. Sooo, here's some recipes that I use to try to please them. Some I have to say they "LOVE" and others that I actually just looked up on the Internet for you to try. So please, let me know how your "Furry Ones" dislike, like or just go "Wild" over these recipes.
I'm starting off with one that my Rocky, Sweet Pea and Lily just loveeee. It's:

Mutter Butter Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits
2 T. Oil
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup water
2 cup all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
Optional: 1/4 cup sugar
Preheat oven to 350
Combine: Oil, peanut butter and water. Add flour one cup at a time, knead into a firm dough. Roll 1/4 in. thick and cut with cookie cutter. Bake 15-20 minutes.

Basic Yeast Dog Treats
Mix together
3 1/2 cup unbleached flour,
2 cup whole wheat flour,
1 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup skim milk powder
1 tablespoon (or 1 package) dry yeast
3 1/2 cups lukewarm chicken or meat broth
Dissolve the yeast in the lukewarm chicken or meat broth. The richer this broth is, the better your dog will like the biscuits. Let yeast broth mixture set 10 min. Then stir in flour mixture. Roll resulting dough out 1/4" thick. Cut dog biscuit shapes from dough. Brush biscuits with egg wash. Bake on greased cookie sheets at 300* for 45 min. Then turn off oven and leave in overnight to finish hardening. Makes 60 medium-sized biscuits.

Beefy Biscuits
2 cups whole wheat or all purpose flour
1 cup cornmeal
1/4cup wheat germ
2 teaspoon beef bouillon powder
1/2 teaspoon yeast extract (adds additional meaty flavour)
Mix above ingredients in a medium bowl.
Add: 1 large egg, 1 tablespoon cooking oil and 1 cup hot water.
Stir well. Roll out on a well-floured surface to 1/2 inch thickness. Place on ungreased cooking sheet. Bake on center rack, (275 F. or 140 C) for about 2 hours until dry and very hard. Let stand overnight to dry thoroughly. Makes 10 big bones and 14 puppy bones.

Now here's some dog treat recipes that contain meat or dairy:

Cheesy Dog Biscuit Treats
Ingredients:
1 cup rolled oats (such as Quaker)
1/3 cup margarine
1 cup Boiling water
3/4 cup cornmeal
1 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons chicken or beef flavored instant bouillon
1/2 cup milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 egg, beaten
2 - 3 cups whole wheat flour.
Directions;
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees.
Grease cookie sheets.
In large bowl, combine rolled oats, margarine and boiling water; let stand 10 minutes. Stir in cornmeal, sugar, bouillon, milk, cheese and egg; mix well. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. Add flour 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition to form a stiff dough.
On floured surface, knead in remaining flour until dough is smooth and no longer sticky, 3 to 4 minutes. Roll or pat out dough to 1/2 inch thickness, cut with bone shaped cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart on greased cookie sheets. Bake at 325 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes on until golden brown. Cool completely. Store loosely covered. Makes 3 1/2 dozen large dog biscuits or 8 dozen small dog biscuits.

Bacon Flavored Dog Biscuit Treats
Ingredients:
Yield: 40 dog biscuits
5 cups Whole wheat flour
1 cup Milk
2 Eggs
10 tablespoon Vegetable oil or bacon fat
1 pinch Onion or garlic powder
1 teaspoon Salt
1/2 cup Cold water
1 tablespoon Vegetable oil to grease pan
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Grease cookie sheets.
Mix all ingredients well. Pinch off pieces of the dough and roll them into two-inch balls. Bake biscuits at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. Let them cool, then store in an airtight container.

Microwave Dog Biscuit Treats
Ingredients:
1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup dry milk
1/4 cup cornmeal
1/3 cup shortening
1 tablespoon bouillon granules
1/2 cup plain flour
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
1 teaspoon sugar
1 egg slightly beaten
1/2 cup hot water
Directions:
Combine flour, cornmeal, milk, oats and sugar. Cut in shortening. Add egg, bouillon and hot water. Knead 5 minutes.
Roll 1/2-inch thick and cut out into favorite shapes. Microwave at 50% power for 5 to 10 minutes, rotating plate. These don’t last long, so make a bunch.

Here's a couple of recipes for the "Vegetarian Furry One" in your family:

Veggie Thins Dog Biscuit Treats
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups flour
1/4 cups dry milk powder
2 tablespoons dry milk powder (+ more)
1 vegetable cube -- or packet
1/4 cup boiling water
2 tablespoons boiling water (+ more)
1/4 cup safflower oil
1 teaspoon brown sugar not packed
1/4 cups carrots, shredded or -ground
1/2 egg or egg substitute
Additional small flour for dusting
Variation: -garlic powder
Directions:
Preheat oven 300 F.
Dissolve veggie cube or packet in the boiling water.Mix dry ingredients; mix wet ingredients separately, except egg. Pour wet ingredients into dry; mix lightly. Add a well in the center and add the egg. Mix.
Place dough on a lightly floured surface, sprinkle a little flour on top. Roll out to not more than 1/8". To avoid dough sticking to rolling pin, sprinkle a little flour on top of dough. The key is not to use too much flour. They will puff up otherwise.
Cut out shapes with a cookie cutter.
Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 15 minutes., turn them over and bake another 10 minutes.
Cool on wire racks. Store in an airtight container.

Veggie Dog Treat Recipe
Yield: Makes 48 medium dog treats
Ingredients:
9 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup nutritional yeast
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon yeast extract
3 cups water
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Prepare cookie sheet lined with parchment/baking paper
Mix first 4 ingredients. Add approximately 3 cups water, 1 cup at a time until dough pulls together. Place on a lightly floured surface and knead into a pliable dough. Roll out to 1/4" thickness. Cut into desired shapes and place on cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. Alternately you can grease the sheets if you wish.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until firm and browned. Leave in oven to cool overnight or for at least 8 hours so the treats become hard and crunchy.

Now here's just some random recipes for all your "Furry Ones"...

Liver Dog Treats
1 pound raw liver (any kind) blended into a paste
1 egg
1cup flour
1/2 cup corn meal (or flour)
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon brewers yeast (adds a nutty flavor)
Mix well and bake at 350 for 1/2 hour for chewy treats, longer for crisper treats.

Bread Machine Chicken Flavored Treat Recipe
1 cup chicken stock
1 cup Bread or all-purpose flour
2 cup Whole wheat flour
1/4 cup Non-fat dry milk powder
1 1/2 teaspoon Yeast
Use dough cycle. Roll dough to 1/2" thickness. Cut with cookie cutters or a pizza cutter. Place on a greased baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in warm place about one hour. Bake at 325-degrees for one hour. When all are baked, turn off oven and leave overnight. Store in airtight container.


Flea Hater's Dog Biscuits
(Brewers yeast is a natural anti-flea remedy)
Makes about 5 dozen bone biscuits
1 cup flour
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup brewer’s yeast (available at health-food stores)
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 clove garlic, chopped medium, or 1 teaspoon powdered garlic (optional**)
1/2 cup chicken stock plus 3 tablespoons for basting
1. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Mix flour, wheat germ, brewer’s yeast, and salt together in a medium bowl. In a mixing bowl, combine oil and garlic. Alternately add 1/2 cup chicken stock and flour mixture in 3 parts; mix until well combined. Knead about 2 minutes by hand on floured surface; dough will be sticky.
2. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough out about 3/8 inch thick. Cut out bone shapes; place on prepared baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes, rotate baking sheet, and baste with remaining 3 tablespoons chicken stock. Bake 10 minutes longer. Turn off oven, leaving oven door closed. Leave pan in oven for 1 1/2 hours longer.

Bow-Wowser Dog Treats
Yield: Makes about 30 3" x 1/2" dog treats
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup cornmeal
1 tablespoon sugar
3 tablespoons bouillon (chicken, vegetable or beef)
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon brewers yeast
1 tablespoon dried parsley (or use fresh, finely chopped)
1 cup of boiling water
1/3 cup of butter
1/2 cup of milk
1 egg
Directions:
Preheat Oven Bake at 350°F (190°C)
Line cookie sheets with parchment*

Cluck-A-Doodle-Doggie Treats
Ingredients:
2 cups Flour
1 cup cornmeal
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup chicken broth
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons fresh, chopped parsley
1 cup cooked chicken livers, chopped
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Combine flour and cornmeal in a bowl. In a large bowl add the egg, oil and broth and mix. Add the flour mixture about 1/3 at a time and mix well between additions. Add chopped chicken livers until well incorporated into a stiff dough. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured work surface and kneed for about 1 minute. Roll out to a thickness of about 1/2". Cut into shapes using a cookie cutter dipped in flour. Place on greased cookie sheets. Bake treats for about 15 minutes or until firm.

Parmesan Snaps Dog Treats
This is a good recipe to use up left over bits of Parmesan cheese. If you are going to buy some just for the recipe just purchase the least expensive domestic cheese.
Ingredients:
1 cup rolled oats (such as Quaker)
1/3 cup margarine
1 cup Boiling water
3/4 cup cornmeal
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
2 teaspoons chicken or beef flavored instant bouillon
1/2 cup milk
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 egg, beaten
2 - 3 cups whole wheat flour.
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees.
Grease cookie sheets.
In large bowl, combine rolled oats, margarine and boiling water; let stand 10 minutes. Stir in cornmeal, parsley, bouillon, milk, cheese and egg; mix well. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. Add flour 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition to form a stiff dough.
On floured surface, knead in remaining flour until dough is smooth and no longer sticky, 3 to 4 minutes. Roll or pat out dough to 1/2 inch thickness, cut with bone shaped cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart on greased cookie sheets. Bake at 325 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes on until golden brown. Cool completely. Store loosely covered. Makes 3 1/2 dozen large dog biscuits or 8 dozen small dog biscuits.

Whole Wheat Flax Dog Treats
Yield: Makes about 36 3" x 1/2" dog treats
Ingredients:
2 7/8 cups whole wheat flour
2 1/2 cups bread flour
1/2 cup wheat germ
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons brown sugar
4 tablespoons flax seed
3 eggs
1cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup powdered nonfat dry milk
1cup water
Directions:
Preheat Oven Bake at 375°F (190°C)
Line cookie sheets with parchment*
Combine wheat flour, bread flour, wheat germ, salt, and brown sugar, and flax seed in mixing bowl. Stir in eggs and vegetable oil.
Dissolve dry milk in water then incorporate the mixture.
Mix to form a very firm dough that is smooth and workable. Adjust by adding a little extra flour or water as required.
Cover the dough and set aside to relax for 15-20 minutes.
Roll the dough out to 1/2″ thick. Cut out biscuits using a bone-shaped cutter 3″x 1.5″ Place the biscuits on cookie sheets lined with parchment (*or you can bake on greased cookie sheets).
Bake the treats for approximately 40 minutes or until brown and hard. Let treats cool, then store in a tightly-sealed container.

Now because of what my dear friend, Silke posted on her great blog Metamorphosis last week and told everyone of a another wonderful blog down to earth I now have another fantastic recipe for my lil sweeties and they sooo much appreciate and loveeee yous for it! So if you would like another recipe, please go to links posted.

Here's a couple of good tips:
Storing Dog Treats:
In general you should store dog treats the same way you would homemade people cookies. That being said, there are two main variables that determine storage time the amount and type of fat in the recipe and your local weather conditions. If your recipe uses fats such as butter, or meat bits or juices then it will be more prone to rancidity than a recipe that uses some vegetable oil or shortening. Your treats may mold or spoil much faster in humid or very hot climates.

Refrigeration and Freezing:
Refrigeration will prolong the life of more fragile dog treats. Make sure to store in a tightly sealed container or zip lock bag. You can also freeze most treats in zip lock freezer bags. Allow to thaw completely before use.

Now I can't forget about our lil kitties, so here's a couple of Cat Treats for your purrrrfect lil ones.

Cat Cookies
1 cup wheat flour
1/4 cup soy flour
1/4 cup Lactaid milk or Acidophiles milk
1/3 cup powered milk
1 egg
2 tbsp. Wheat germ
2 tbsp. Molasses
1 tsp. organic catnip
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients together. Lightly flour a rolling pin. Roll out the batter on a greased cookie sheet. Cut into half inch pieces. Bake for 20 to 22 minute. Allow to cool before serving. Store leftovers in a airtight container in a cool place.

Tempting Tuna Treats
Makes 55 to 65 marble-sized treats
Ingredients:
1 3-ounce can albacore tuna in water or oil, undrained
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup nonfat dry milk
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 large egg
1/4 cup water
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, use a fork to shred the tuna into small pieces.
Add the remaining ingredients, mixing well. The dough will be sticky.
Flour or oil your hands so you can handle the dough and form the dough into small, marble-sized balls.
Place the balls on a greased cookie sheet, and use your fingers to gently flatten them.
Bake for about 10 minutes or until the bottoms of the treats are golden brown.
Flip the treats and bake for another five to 10 minutes or until both sides of the treats are golden brown.
Remove from the oven, let cool thoroughly, and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

You can watch a video about this recipe here.

Here's something that I do hope that none of us will ever have to use on our precious "Furry Ones" but just in case we do...

Bathing Solution Bath (for a Skunk Sprayed Furry One)
1 Quart 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
1/4 Cup Baking Soda
1/4 Teaspoon Liquid Detergent
Follow with tap water rinse (lots of water), repeat if necessary.
Use Caution!!!
Be careful around the dog's eyes as this is a potent formula. Don't use a higher than 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution as it may burn. Mix it fresh, use it and discard it. If you store this mixture in a closed container it will explode. The hydrogen peroxide may bleach the coat (think bleached blond) so be careful on those black dogs. The less time the solution stays on the less likely for bleaching. But ultimately the choice is yours -- a bleached beauty or a wrinkled nose.

I do hope that all your "Furry Ones" loveeee these Recipes! Till next time then we bid you a Woof woof and Meoooooowwww from all of us "Furry Ones" here at Bobbi's, The Bead Goes On...
Hugs and dogs and kitty kat kisses...

Sunday, August 9, 2009

94 degrees and very hot!

It's a very "HOT" summers day today here in Ohio and I thought that I would just go in my backyard and take some new pictures of a few of the beautiful flowers for you. We're very fortunate here in Ohio as not to have so many of these "Hot, hot humid days" like today! I'd say that pretty much for maybe a week or so every summer it gets this "HOT" outside and then we'll be back down to the 80's to mid 70's again and 50's to 60's through the night. (Which I can't wait for, I'm not a summer person, I'd much rather see snow! lol)
I'm starting today with my gorgeous Clematis. I love them soooo! The dark purple color is so magical and romantic and and very inviting. To me the color is one of royalty and wealth. It's my favorite color!

With Fall being right around the corner, these beautiful flowers will be gone very soon and then not back again until next year. But I really do enjoy them while they're here! (This is me thinking of something much cooler then today...Fall, the Autumn leaves...ahhh Maybe if yous think central air conditioning which I do not have or just cooler temps it'll be better! lol)

Now, I'm off to the other side of my yard and here I have my Rose of Sharon. I actually have quite a few of these in my yard and they're always so pretty every year! Although some people think of Rose of Sharon as a "tree" (because it gets tall and can be pruned so as to have a single trunk), Rose of Sharon is classified as a "flowering shrub". The fact that it blooms relatively late -- and for a long time -- makes a Rose of Sharon shrub a valuable plant for those looking to distribute their yard's color display throughout the growing season. Now I have to confess, I don't prune mine but they're still gorgeous and bloom regular.



Now, onto some different flowers through my yard...
Even more still!

Oh look, there's a bee, hmm, let me try to get a picture of him...gosh, I hope I don't get stung!

Whoops...there he goes, yep and there he is hiding under that flower head...
Well, I hope that you enjoyed these pictures of some of the flowers I have in my backyard. I also hope that you have a wonderful rest of your Sunday and a fantastic new week! Hugs...Bobbi

Friday, August 7, 2009

Natural Facial and Body Care Treatments...

My good friend Cindy had made some very nice facial and body natural goodies up for her, myself and some of our good friends. Today I'd like to share them with you. I have to confess though, I haven't tried all of these myself but she highly recommends any of these.
Most of the ingredients can be found right at home in your own cupboard and will bring you relaxing tranquility, at least for a short while.
Ingredients that are not normal household ingredients, such as the essential oils and carrier oils (some you probably cook with) are not expensive and will last quite a while if stored properly in a cool, dry area away from light.
Several Recipes call for Oatmeal Powder, to make this, just put a cup of oatmeal into a blender and blend this until it is a very fine powder. Store in a dry jar with a tight fitting lid for future use.
Avocado spoils over night and must be used the same day, but for the rest, as with any other perishable food product, if you have more than one treatment mixed up, store the remainder in the refrigerator for up to 2 days or share with a friend!
Enjoy...

Hawaiian Delight
Makes 2 treatments
Ingredients:
1 green tea bag
1 cup boiling water
1/2 ripe papaya
1/2 cup fresh pineapple, diced
2 tablespoons honey
Directions:
Steep green tea in boiling water. Set aside to cool. Peel papaya wedge and remove seeds. In blender or food processor, blend papaya and pineapple until pureed. Pour into glass bowl and combine honey and green tea. Mix well. Apply to face with fan brush or finger tips. Recline and rest for 10 - 15 minutes. Remove completely with tepid water and soft facial cloth. Store in covered container in refrigerator for up to one week.
Beauty Benefits: Exfoliates, hydrates and rejuvenates.

Apple and Honey Masks
Use this facial for acne prone oily skin.
Ingredients:
1 medium size apple; grated
5 tablespoons of honey; warmed
Instructions:
Stir ingredients together. Apply to freshly cleaned face and leave on for 10 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry.

Apple Mask
This is a rejuvenating mask, it exfoliates and moisturizes.
Ingredients:
1/4 of an apple
1/2 tsp Half and half
1 Tsp honey
1 T oatmeal powder
Instructions:
Mash with a fork in a small bowl, or use very small food processor and mix it together well. Then apply it to your face. Leave on for 10 minutes and then rinse off.

Avocado Mask
This is one of those masks that leave your skin very soft to touch and the ingredients could not be more simple.
1/2 Avocado
Instructions:
Mash avocado and apply evenly to your face. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with cool water or soft wash cloth.

Banana Avocado Mask
This mixture with exfoliate and nourish your skin at the same time. Great for combination skin.
Ingredients:
1/2 banana
1/2 avocado
2 Tbsp full-fat yogurt
1 tsp olive oil
Instructions:
Puree all ingredients in a blender. Apply to freshly cleaned face and leave on for 15 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry.

Banana Bash Mask
This facial mask tastes as good as it works. Use half and eat the other half of this recipe.
Ingredients:
1/2 banana
2 tablespoons yogurt
1 tablespoon honey
Instructions:
Mash the banana with a fork then mix in honey and yogurt. Apply to your face evenly. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with cool water or soft wash cloth.
Banana Oat Mask
Bananas have fruit acids that help slough off dead skin, this facial energizes the complexion and makes your face feel great!
Ingredients:
1 medium to large very ripe Banana; peeled
1/3 cup oatmeal powder(depends on the size of the banana, you may need just a bit more)
Instructions:
Mash the oatmeal into the ripe banana a little at a time. Continue until all of the oatmeal is moistened. Apply to your face evenly, leaving it on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water or soft wash cloth.


Banana E mask
The vitamin e in this homemade mask will help heal the skin.
Ingredients:
1 medium to large very ripe Banana; peeled
4 Vitamin E gel caps (you may use the oral gel caps too)
Instructions:
Vitamin E can help heal the skin while the banana will energize the face. Mash the banana and squeeze the liquid out of the gel caps. Mix well with the banana. Avoiding the eye area, apply the mask and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.

Brown Sugar Mask Scrub
Brown sugar will exfoliate your skin as the milk moisturizes it.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 - 2 tbsp milk, anything but skim (skim has no fats to moisturize your skin)
Instructions:
Mix the two ingredients well. Apply to freshly cleaned face and massage gently for a full minute - leave on for 15 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry.

Carrots and Honey Mask
Use this facial mask on normal to oily skin.
Ingredients:
2-3 large carrots; cooked and mashed
4 1/2 tablespoons honey
Instructions:
Stir ingredients together. Apply to freshly cleaned face - do not massage in - and leave on for 10 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry.

Classic Milk Mask
This mask is excellent for dry skin.
Ingredients:
1 tsp powdered milk
1 tbsp runny honey
1 tsp aloe vera gel
2 drops essential oil
1 tbsp pulverized almonds
Instructions:
Mix the ingredients well. Apply to freshly cleaned face and leave on for 15 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry.

Just Peachy Mask
1 soft medium peach; fork mashed
1 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon oatmeal powder
Instructions:
Mix ingredients together. Apply to freshly cleaned face and leave on for 10 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry.

Refreshing Cucumber Mask
Need to make your face feel good after a long day at work, try this facial recipe.
Ingredients:
1 Tbsp full-fat yogurt
1 Tbsp cucumber; chopped
1 Tbsp fresh parsley; chopped
Instructions:
Puree all ingredients in a blender. Apply to freshly cleaned face and leave on for 15 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry.

Rosewood Exfoliating Mask
This mask is excellent for exfoliating dead skin.
Ingredients:
2 tbsp sugar
3 tbsp warm water
2 drops essential oil - rosewood
Instructions:
Stir sugar in warm water until dissolved. Add rosewood essential oil. Apply to freshly cleaned face and massage gently for 5 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry.

Soothing Mask
Use this on irritated skin, like a sunburned face or shoulders.
Ingredients:
1 part plain yogurt, chilled
1/2 part old fashioned oatmeal; cooked and cooled
(optional)2 drops essential oil - jasmine
Instructions:
Stir ingredients together. Add jasmine essential oil. Apply to area and leave on for 10 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry.

Soothing Strawberry Mask
Use this on normal or combination skin.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup plain yogurt; chilled
3-4 strawberries; mashed
Instructions:
Stir ingredients together. Apply to freshly cleaned face and gently massage strawberry mixture to exfoliate. Wash off with warm water and pat dry.

Strawberries & Cream Mask
A great weekly facial mask.
Ingredients:
4-5 very ripe med-size strawberries
2 tsp. heavy cream
1 tsp. honey
Instructions:
Puree strawberries, cream and honey together in a blender. Apply to your face evenly. Leave it on for 10 minutes. Rinse off with cool water or soft wash cloth.

Strawberry Lemon Mask
This mask is excellent for oily skin.
Ingredients:
1 tsp lemon juice
2 egg whites
3 tsp honey
1 cup strawberries
Instructions:
Blend with a blender ingredients well. Apply to freshly cleaned face and leave on for 10 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry.


Yogurt Walnut Scrub
The nuts exfoliate old dry skin while the yogurt sooths.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup plain yogurt; chilled
1/4 cup walnuts; ground or pulverized
Instructions:
Stir ingredients together. Apply to freshly cleaned face and gently massage to exfoliate. Wash off with warm water and pat dry.


Cornmeal Facial Scrub
If you really need a facial scrub, this one works wonders.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon cornmeal
water
Instructions:
Mix cornmeal with enough water to make a paste. Apply to skin in a circular motion. Allow to dry and rinse off with cool water.


Cucumber Yogurt Mask
Cucumber always revives, and it does in this recipe too.
Ingredients:
1/2 cucumber
1 tablespoon yogurt
Instructions:
Puree cucumber and yogurt in a blender, apply to your face evenly. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with cool water or soft wash cloth.

Firming Peach Mask
This is a firming facial mask that will tighten your skin and give it a glow.
Ingredients:
1 ripe peach
1 egg white
1 tsp full-fat yogurt
Instructions:
Puree all ingredients in a blender. Apply to freshly cleaned face and leave on for 15 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry.

Grapefruit Mask
This facial mask is great for oily skin.
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon grapefruit juice
1 teaspoon sour cream
1 egg white
Instructions:
This is for an oily to normal skin type. Beat egg white until it is fluffy, add sour cream and grapefruit juice and blend well. Apply to face for 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Lemon Tomato Mask
Use this on oily skin. The acid in the tomato and lemon work on acne and blackheads.
Ingredients:
1 over-ripe tomato; inside scooped and mashed
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp oatmeal powder
Instructions:
Puree all ingredients in a blender. Apply to freshly cleaned face and leave on for 15 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry.

Papaya Mask
A wonderful and easy to make mask, you will need 1 papaya.
Instructions:
Peel and remove seeds. Chop into pieces and drop into food processor. Puree until papaya is the consistency of baby food. Use 1/2 a tablespoon for each facial. Keep leftovers in a baggie in the frig. Research shows that it is one of the best non-abrasive masks that you can use. It contains a strong enzyme called pa pain which dissolves oil and dead skin cells.

Orange Yogurt Mask
This facial cleans pores and nourishes.
Ingredients:
1 tsp plain yogurt
juice of 1/4 of an orange
Instructions:
Stir to mix and then dip fingers into mixture and smooth onto face. The sensation is both cool and relaxing. Leave on for a five minutes and then rinse. If you are feeling sluggish, this is the perfect mask for you. The yogurt will cleanse and nourish. The orange is full of Vitamin C and AH A's.

Nourishing Mask
Does your face need a nourishment break? Try this mask. Ingredients:
1 egg
1 tsp almond oil
1 T half and half
Instructions:
Combine the ingredients and apply to your face. Leave on for about 15 minutes. Remove with cool water.

Cocoa powder, which is what chocolate is made of, is a wonderful and powerful antioxidant. It protects and frees the skin from free radicals, that cause significant damage to skin layers. It is a mistake to think that chocolate causes acne. Although chocolate has been blamed as one of the causes of acne , this has not been scientifically proven as of yet. Actually, dermatologists say that what causes acne in people who consume chocolate is milk that is added to it, not the chocolate itself.


Chocolate Bubble Bath
1 cup of unscented bubble bath
1/2 cup of dried milk powder or unsweetened soy milk
1/2 cup of Baking Soda (The addition of Baking Soda/Bicarbonate of Soda to your bath water neutralizes the "hard" calcium water)
3 oz. of unsweetened chocolate, grated
Heat the soy milk (or powdered milk mixed in half of a cup of very hot water), do NOT boil and add in the powdered chocolate. Stir well until melted and blended. Allow to cool. Mix well again just before adding to your bath.

Chocolate Face Mask #1
This cocoa recipe has many variations. You could call it cocoa powder facial mask recipe as you really need cocoa, not chocolate to prepare it. But you must agree, for the sake of skin care, chocolate mask sounds so much more appealing.
Ingredients:
1/3 cup cocoa
1/4 cup of honey
2 tablespoons of heavy cream (sour cream will work as well)
1 tablespoon of oatmeal powder
Preparation:
This cocoa recipe has many variations. It might as well be called cocoa powder facial mask recipe as you really need cocoa, not chocolate to prepare it. But, for the sake of skin care, chocolate mask sounds much more appealing.
Mix all the ingredient until the mask is consistent. Apply on the face, gently massaging it so that oatmeal can start exfoliating the dead skin cell layer. Leave it on for about 20 minutes and rinse off with luke warm water.

Chocolate face mask #2
Ingredients:
1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoon of honey
4 tablespoon of plain, natural yogurt
1 tablespoon of oatmeal powder
Instruction:
Mix all the ingredients together and apply onto face. Let the mask sit on your face for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off the mask in circular movement so that you it can exfoliate your skin as well.

Chocolate Face Mask #3
Ingredients:
1 Tbsp cocoa powder
1 Tbsp heavy cream
1 tsp cottage cheese
4 tsp honey
1 tsp oatmeal
Instructions:
Puree all ingredients in a blender. Apply to freshly cleaned face and leave on for 10 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry.


Chocolate Honey Scrub
(Makes 2 treatments)
Ingredients:
2 cups honey
1/2 cup grape seed oil
6 tablespoons unsweetened chocolate, grated
2 cups kosher salt
Directions:
In non-breakable mixing bowl, combine honey and grape seed oil. Stir in chocolate and salt mixing completely. Consistency should be grainy and thick. Apply scrub to skin and gently massage all over the body. Remove with warm damp towels or rinse in shower.
Beauty Benefits: Increases circulation and helps rid body of toxins. Honey provides a moisturizing effect as well as fights damaging free radicals.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Life and Death...The Renee Bracelet Giveaway...


My dear, sweet and loving friend, Marie Segal is having her 3rd Giveaway at her fantastic blog, Art from my Heart This Giveaway is in honor of a wonderful and loving person, Renee. Some of you may already know Renee and her touching story, but if you don't please, take the time to go to her blog, Circling My Head
Marie's rules are simple for this 3rd Giveaway, here they are:
1. You will have to take the time to go and visit Renee's blog http://circlingmyhead.blogspot.com/ and read at least two of the entries. If so inclined proceed to show her the love.
2. You will have to offer up a prayer, a good intention, a loving or healing thought for Renee and her family.
Renee has Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Also, Renee's mother, sister and nephew is also in need of our prayers and uplifting healing thoughts and love for severe health problems.
I know that Marie and myself do believe in magic and that the power of two and more are stronger, and miracles from our Lord. So please, help us pray and send all our healing and loving thoughts to Renee and her family, maybe together we all can make a difference!
If you want to read more why my dear friend, Marie Segal is having Giveaways, please go here.
Let's all together try to make a difference!



Tuesday, August 4, 2009

White River Rafting...

I wanted to share these 3 pictures with yous today. Two of my four sons, one of my daughter-n-laws and my sons girlfriend all went White River Rafting. I have to give them all the credit in the world though, it's something that I would never do, not in this lifetime nor another one! My daughter-n-law, Donna is the lady right in front of the man with the red helmet on in the back. Her husband, my second oldest son, Michael is 2 men in front of her. The guy in the picture that you can see his tattoo, that's my Mike. Now, on the other side of the raft in the back the last woman in the back is Sabrina my third oldest sons girlfriend. Then right in front of her is my Daniel. He looks like he's part off of the raft and has his mouth opened. Well, there's a very good reason that my Danny has his mouth opened and looks likes he's part off of the raft, he's sees what's about to happen to him. Yep, you guessed it, off the raft he goes. There he is swimming, lucky for him he's a good swimmer. lolAnyways, all the kids had a total blast and they even want to go back in October to! I say God Bless them! But if you might have the urge to go White River Rafting the kids all recommend River Expeditions

Monday, August 3, 2009

Awards...


Wow...2 more Awards this week, how Awesome! I have to thank my sweet friend, Silke for her kindness! If you would like to stop by her fantastic blog Metamorphorsis you will see her wonderful work, she's a very talented Artist!
I want to pass along both of these Awards onto all of my friends blogs that I follow because I love you all and your blogs all make me smile! So please, help yourself to these 2 awards and proudly display them on your blog...you deserve them! Hugs everyone...Bobbi

Saturday, August 1, 2009

I got an Award...


I've received another Award today and I'm so honored, very happy and so surprised! My wonderful new friend, Silver passed this awesome Award on to me. I want to thank you so much Silver for giving me this wonderful Award! If you would please stop in at Silver's great blog Reflections
It was so wonderful to come back from two surgeries this week only to find the most touching and sweet posts on my blog and this award awaiting me. Thank you all so much! Thank you so much again Silver, I'm very honored! It's:

The Stroke of the Brush Award, which recognizes and celebrates the willingness to take risks, speak honestly, act with integrity, and in the process create and share colors and/or words that stroke our curiosity and brush aside our differences.


I also want to pass this award to some of my fellow bloggers and friends that have inspired me with their work, their hearts, their love and their friendship. I only wish that I would be able to pass this along to many more, some that already have this Award and others that do not accept Awards and are Award free on their blogs. So many of you now since I have been blogging have inspired me, touched my heart and I've learned many things for everyone. But just to let you know that I thank each and everyone of you for your precious thoughts, pictures and inner selves that you all share on your blogs! I love you all for that! Thank you!

Marie Segal, a wonderful and very dear, friend that I love and really wouldn't know what to do without, she is so sweet and very special to me! At: Art from my Heart


Lynda Dunham-Watkins, a new friend that I hold dear to me, at: Swoopin' Along

Cindy, someone that's very sweet, at: Applestone Cottage


Shelly, a great a wonderful lady, at: Blue Ridge Lady


Arija, a new friend, at: Garden Delights

Sandi, a wonderful lady, at: Small Town Living At It's Best

Nancy, a wonderful designer, at: The Rabbit Muse

Kelly, a very sweet person, at: Rose Vine Cottage Two

I wanted to thank everyone so much for all your kind words, prayers, healing thoughts and love that yous have sent to me and done for me! Yous have touched my heart in ways that I could never begin to describe but I want you all to know that I hold each and everyone of yous very close to my heart and all of yous in my prayers...I love yous and thank you, it means so much to me!
Hugs...Bobbi