More recipes and homemade girl scout cookies!

I love the web!  I rarely use cook books anymore.  If I want a recipe I do a search on the Internet and get some great options and find new things I wasn’t even looking for.  This morning I was doing a search for baked eggs and found this:

Here is a really great blog that has recipes for all kinds of yummy delicious foods.  It is called Baking Bites.   There are even recipes for making homemade Girl Scout cookies!   The Thin Mints are my favorite so I am definitely going to try this one.

I have added this website to my links so that I remember where it is.  I always do that when I find something that I want to return to.  With so much info on the web it’s easy to misplace or forget a good site when I come across one.

Here are more of the recipes for the Homemade Girl Scout Cookies:

My mineral make up was causing my face to itch and dry out.

I’ve been having an allergic reaction on my face for months.  My face would get red blotches that felt like a sunburn, my eyes would get puffy and my face and neck would itch like crazy and burn when I scratched.  Then my skin got dry and flaky.  I never once attributed it to my make up because I was using mineral make up and that’s supposed to be the purest make up to use.  It doesn’t even expire.  I had been using the mineral make up for years with no problems so of course I didn’t even think of it.

I kept thinking I was having a food allergy.  At first I thought perhaps it was  from red wine because it happened after I had drank wine one night.  So I cut out wine.  Then I thought perhaps it was the tomato juice or the beer I would drink on Saturday nights because every Sunday morning I would wake up to the itching, puffy face.  I was taking benadryl every day to ward off the allergy.  By Tuesday my face would begin to stop itching but it would be dry and flaky all week.  So much so that I didn’t wear make up at all during the week and only wore it on Saturday nights when we went out to the local VFW for karaoke.

The break outs occurred after an event, the event meant I was wearing makeup.   This week I decided I was going to go with out make up all week and that I wouldn’t even wear it on Saturday night just to see if it was my make up that I was allergic to.  So then I did an internet search to see if mineral make up caused any allergic reactions.  And viola!  There is was!  There were forums about it!  How could I have missed this for so long?!?

Most Mineral make up contains Bismuth Oxychloridein.   Is Mineral Make Up Causing My Skin To Ich also listed other ingredients that can irritate skin.  Not all mineral make up has bismuth oxychlordein so you can find brands that won’t irritate your skin.  The Mineral Make Up Blog has some great information about different brands.  From everything I have read, Aromaleigh is said to be one of the best.  I don’t know for sure because I have not tried it.  Aromaleigh does not contain bismuth oxychloridein.

I also read that make up brushes can cause skin irritation.  You can wash your brushes using shampoo.  I did this yesterday and all of my brushes look like new.  I normally do wash them but you do need to do this at least every two weeks.   How to wash make up brushes explains the details.

So now I know what has been causing my skin irritation.  I’m throwing out all of my mineral make up and starting over.   I just bought new mascara a couple weeks ago and I have under eye stuff so what I’ll need is some foundation, blush and an eye shadow set.  I’m not going mineral just yet.  Instead, I’m opting for Physicians Forumla.  It’s supposed to be less hypoallergenic, yet according to this article,  Are “Hypoallergenic” Cosmetics Really Better?, you can’t even trust what advertising says about a product, you have to look at the ingredients.  I’m just going with the Physicians Forumala make up right now because it is inexpensive and I’ve used it before with no problems.  I may eventually venture back into using some mineral make up.  I want to try the Aromaleigh at some point.  But when you have to throw our all of your make up and start over, it can be pricey.

Note:  I’m adding this to my post.  I had been using Bella Pierre Mineral makeup and I found out that it does not contain the bizmuth oxychloridein.  In fact most of what I found on the web regarding Bella Pierre was positive.  It is one of the purest mineral make ups out there.  So then I was even more puzzled!  I kept searching and found out that there is another ingredient that can cause skin irritation.  Carmine.   It does contain Carmine.  Which I must be allergic to.  I am so sad to have to part with my mineral make up, not only is it expensive but I really loved the way it looked.  Ever since I stopped using it and started using the Physician’s Formula make up, my face stopped itching and getting hives.  So I am pretty sure it was something in the mineral make that was causing it.

* Carmine
In spite of that carmine has been approved by the FDA as safe to use in color cosmetics it is not recommended for people with sensitive skin.  Carmine is a dark red pigment made of the crushed shells of cochineal beetles which are dried, ground and added to the cosmetic base. It has been stated that severe allergic reactions can develop.

Mineral make up can help you create radiant, glowing skin. To prevent the development of allergy to mineral make up you need to look through the ingredient list before buying the cosmetics.

Bang!

I like Danny Noreiga.  He’s beautiful.   The song was one of my favorites when I was a kid.

Easy to make household cleaner

easy-cleaner-pic-smaller-size

Every month my friends and I get together for what we call our “New Moon Goddesses Night.”  It doesn’t necessarily occur at the new moon but close.   Usually on a Sunday night.  We always have a theme and everyone brings a dish to share.  We take turns hosting.   Last Sunday we made organic cleaners that work a lot like soft scrub.  This one is non-toxic and organic.  I’ve been using mine and I love it!  I cleaned the whole bathroom, including the toilet with it yesterday.  Plus I used it on my stove and kitchen counters and it works great.  Smells so fresh and clean and it feels good on my hands too.

We each made our own and Adelle (our host) gave us the recipe to take home.  Here’s what’s in it:

1  2/3 cups baking soda

1/2 cup Dr. Bronner’s soap (we used lavendar)

3 tbls vinegar

1/4 cup water

Put all ingredients in a bowl and use a spatula to stir.  It will become creamy and foamy when mixed together.  Use a funnel to place into a bottle.  We used empty mustard bottles (see photo above)   This recipe will fill one bottle.  Shake it up before using.

You will need to rinse if off after using  just like soap.  Caution, it may cause you to go on a cleaning spree.  =)

Who is Daniel and why did he arrive with the flying rams?

This entry deals with dream interpretation. I want to explore more.

I had a very vivid yet strange dream that I want to write down before I forget it. It puzzled me so much and I could not stop thinking about what it meant.  If felt too real, it has been two days since and I am still wondering if it had any significance to my life.

I was in my living room at our old townhouse. It was morning and the sun was shining. Then all of a sudden darkness came over the sky and I opened my front door and looked up and saw that the night sky was filled with bright clear stars.  The starry sky twinkled so beautifully that I stood there awestruck.  Then I began to see tiny white birds coming from the sky. They looked like white doves but when they started getting closer I noticed that they were not doves but rams. Large white rams with wings. I knew they were rams by the horns. The horns were kind of pinkish orange in color and very pastel against the white of their bodies and large wings that spanned about 5 feet.

The rams began landing all over the ground. I felt a slight fear and noticed that people who had been outside were also becoming alarmed at this unusual event.  Then this man walked up to my door and let himself in. He was handsome with dark hair and gorgeous eyes. He was very familiar but I didn’t know who he was or how I knew him. He walked pass me and sat down on my sofa. His name was Daniel.  I was still standing in my door looking at him, wondering what he was doing here.  I felt strangely and strongly attracted to him and also there was something mysterious and fearful about his presence. I don’t remember if he told me his name or not. But I knew it was Daniel, though how I knew him or what his purpose was, I did not know. I watched him for a moment wondering if he was friend or foe.  Why was he here?  What did he want?

He sat there watching me for a moment, then he sort of smiled, and just as I was about to find out more…. I heard my name being called and I was woken from my dream by my husband who had come to wake me up.   Damn!   Now, I keep wondering what this dream meant.

I want to do some research and see what I can come up with so I’ll probably come back and write some more later if I find out anything on the internet about such things. Just don’t want to forget the details.  Are there angels named Daniel?  What do flying rams mean?  This wasn’t like any dream I’ve had.  It haunts me.  As wierd as this sounds, it feels like some kind of sign.  I’m curious.

A Symphony of Masterpieces

Beautiful and absolutely amazing! 4 different people working on the same digital canvas at the same time. This is something to sit back, relax and take in. Very enjoyable.

Blueberry Scones

I bought some fresh blue berries but I was afraid they might go bad before I had a chance to eat all of them so I decided to try a recipe I found for scones.  It was really easy to make and they came out delicious!

blueberry-scones

Here’s the recipe:

Blueberry Scones:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold, cut in chunks
  • 1 cup heavy cream (I didn’t have heavy cream so I substituted half & half)
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries


Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Sift together the dry ingredients; the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Using 2 forks or a pastry blender, cut in the butter to coat the pieces with the flour. The mixture should look like coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center and pour in the heavy cream. Fold everything together just to incorporate; do not overwork the dough. Fold the blueberries into the batter. Take care not to mash or bruise the blueberries because their strong color will bleed into the dough.

Press the dough out on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle about 12 by 3 by 1 1/4 inches. Cut the rectangle in 1/2 then cut the pieces in 1/2 again, giving you 4 (3-inch) squares. Cut the squares in 1/2 on a diagonal to give you the classic triangle shape.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until beautiful and brown.

After you take them out of the oven sprinkle powdered sugar on top.

United Way – Flash Mob at Arden Mall in Sacramento

My friend, Heike’s two beautiful children participated in this and she posted this on her facebook page. I was very moved by this. Not only because it represents the United Way but because it is home for me. This is where I live and people I know are in it. And it’s a big deal! For me, it is. It truly touched my heart.  I’m a softy and tear up easily, so bare with me.  =)

On Saturday, June 20th, more than 70 dancers took part in United Way California Capital Region’s Flash Mob at Arden Fair Mall in Sacramento. Dancing in public? That’s how we LIVE UNITED!

If I had known about this earlier I might have been there to see it in person.   I have seen little videos popping up all over the place similar to this. Maybe they are doing this in your area and you can look into ways that you can participate. I bet this was an awesome experience for everyone who put this together.

I know about it now, and I am passing the information along this internet highway. Check out their website, see what you can do in your community and keep it going. You can find out more about the United Movement by visiting their website.

So if I die some horrible death or lose my loved ones….. you'll know it's because I didn't forward that email.

I received an email from one of my dear friends. “Read Alone” was the title. It was one of those poems that comes up like a presentation and before you get to the meat of the poem, it tells you about the people who did not forward it and the terrible consequences that befell them for not following the instructions. I could feel my blood beginning to boil. WHY is it that people think I’m SAFE to send something like that to? I know that if I sent something like that out to the people in my address book, I would get deleted and blocked. But for some reason I seem to be one of those people who friends think will not yell at them or get mad so they forward me this stuff. NO MORE!

This was my response:

I didn’t even read all of it. As soon as I saw it was THAT kind of poem, I turned it off. So if I die some horrible death or lose my loved ones….. you’ll know it’s because I didn’t forward that email……. I just can’t believe anybody would start a chain like that and that people feel scared enough to send it on. I don’t read them, I don’t forward them and if it is something that I think is worthwhile to send, I always delete out the part where it threatens to bring mass destruction to anyone who does not forward it. I hate those things!

People! Get a grip. Stop forwarding that shit.

I have an idea!  If you receive a chain email or letter, if it tells you to forward it to say 10 people for example. Instead send it back to the person who sent it to you 10 times! LOL! Seriously though, these things are idiotic!

I wonder, should I be warning all of my loved ones to be extra careful since they may be more accident prone now?

Read Alone…..

Especially the Poem

I believe whatever God has in store for
us will be for us.

The poem is very true, unfortunately.

Make sure you read the poem!

CASE 1: Kelly Sedey had one wish,
for her boyfriend of three years,
David Marsden, to propose to her.

Then one day when she was out
to lunch David proposed!

She accepted, but then had to leave
because she had a meeting in 20 min.

When she got to her office,
she noticed on her computer she had some e-mail’s.

She checked it, the usual stuff
from her friends, but then she saw one
that she had never gotten before.

It was this poem. She simply deleted it
without even reading all of it.

BIG MISTAKE! Later that evening,
she received a phone call from the police.
It was about DAVID! He had been in an accident
with an 18 wheeler. He didn’t survive!

CASE 2: Take Katie Robinson She received this poem
and being the believer that she was
she sent it to a few of her friends but
didn’t have enough e-mail addresses to send out
the full 10 that you must.

Three days later, Katie went to a masquerade ball.
Later that night when she left to get to her car,
she was killed in that spot by a
hit-and-run drunk driver.

CASE 3: Richard S. Willis sent this poem out
within 45 minutes of reading it.
Not even 4 hours later walking along the street
to his new job interview with a really big
company, when he ran into Cynthia Bell,
his secret love for 5 years. Cynthia came up to
him and told him of her passionate crush on him
that she had for 2 years.

Three days later, he proposed to her and they got
married. Cynthia and Richard are still married
with three children, happy as ever!

This is the poem:

Around the corner I have a friend,
In this great city that has no end,
Yet the days go by and weeks rush on,
And before I know it, a year is gone.

And I never see my old friends face,
For life is a swift and terrible race,
He knows I like him just as well,
As in the days when I rang his bell.

And he rang mine but we were younger then,
And now we are busy, tired men.
Tired of playing a foolish game,
Tired of trying to make a name.

“Tomorrow” I say! “I will call on Jim
Just to show that I’m thinking of him.”
But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes,
And distance between us grows and grows.
Around the corner, yet miles away,

“Here’s a telegram sir,” “Jim died today.”
And that’s what we get and deserve in the end.

Around the corner, a vanished friend.
Remember to always say what you mean.

If you love someone, tell them.
Don’t be afraid to express yourself.

Reach out and tell someone what they mean to you.
Because when you decide that it is the right time

it might
be too late.

Seize the day. Never have regrets.

And most importantly, stay close to your friends
and family, for they have helped
make you the person that you are today.

You must send this on in 3 hours after reading the
letter
to 10 other people.

If you do this, you will receive unbelievably good
luck

Blame it on FB

buddy

My kitty cat, Buddy.   He’s my constant companion, full of mischief and love.

It’s been over a month since my last post.  My advertiser is punishing me.  LOL!!!  Seems I am to be writing at least once a week but I have failed.  Blame it on Face book.  I’ve been having a great time keeping in touch with friends and taking those silly quizzes.  So, I neglected my blog.

I have been sad about father’s day coming up.   I lost my father three years ago.  He didn’t die.  He’s just one of those people who gets angry and says and does things he can’t take back.  I’m meaning to write about it but it is very painful and it is difficult to discuss without getting very upset.  I wish I could write him a letter but there isn’t really anyway for me to make him understand my feelings when he has discounted me all my life.  All I would be accomplishing would be to start the cycle over again and I would end up hurt.  By this time, I should have learned the lesson and know that he isn’t the kind of father I needed him to be.  Wishing and hoping won’t change anything.

I changed my banner.  I’ve spent most of my life trying to be perfect.  LOL!  I have a several good friends who are always reminding me that I don’t need to be perfect in order to be special and wonderful and loved!   I didn’t have any plans for the new banner.  It just happened with me playing with my paint shop program and doodling.  I like all the blues.  My favorite color is cobalt blue.  Then as I was adding my blog name I decided to add the blurb on the bottom about embracing imperfection.  That’s my new mantra.

Okay, now to get back to watching, “I’m a Celebrety!  Get me out of here!