Listening to the Whispers

Whispers. We all have them. They're the little voices in our conscious minds that tug at our hearts and want our attention. These whispers, these seeds of dreams, encourage us, even when we're not entirely willing to listen, to simply begin.
Kelly Rae Roberts, Taking Flight

On April 7th, my 40th birthday, I spontaneously bought a set of oil paints, a little easel, and some canvas. The bag of supplies were not opened until yesterday. Yesterday I cleared out a space under a window in our messy and chaotic "no-no room", unfolded a long card table and took out the art supplies. Of course my kids wanted to join in on the fun so we had a little art party.

I picked a fragrant marigold from my garden and started to paint. This is what I ended up with. Mystic Marigold.

Listen to your whispers.....

Potatoes O'Brien Casserole

My friend Dana asked me for a good side dish recipe for her family gathering. I feel so bad because I remembered just one hour before her party. I will share this with her and you for future gatherings. It is always popular at my parties.



Potatoes O'Brien Casserole
1 bag frozen hash browns O'Brien
1 stick butter (cut into small pieces)
2 c. shredded Cheddar cheese
1 c. sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup

Thaw potatoes. Mix all ingredients together except 1 cup cheese in a large bowl. Pour into a lightly greased 13x9 baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour, covered.
Enjoy!

Walking with Butterflies

May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun
And find your shoulder to light on,
To bring you luck, happiness and riches
Today, tomorrow and beyond.
~Irish Blessing

This morning I took a very long walk alone. I needed to release some negative thoughts that were churning in my gut. This was the cure. My energy increased with each step as I walked farther down the road, over the bridge, and up the hill. The hot morning sun beat down and the release of sweat and emotions began to pour out.

I realized I was not alone. Butterflies were everywhere. My whole focus switched as I watched those sweet butterflies swirling happily alongside of the quiet road except for the sound of birdsong and crickets. I felt peace within myself and comfortably content surrounded by nature's divine gifts.

Nerf Guns & Mystics

Every year about this time I get this neurotic creative energy that makes me want to do about a million things at once. This time of summer is one of my high energy times where I want to stay up late and dance under the moon. Of course it makes me crazy because my mind is racing with so much creative energy and I still have to feed and care for my children around the clock which I love too, however, not much time for lengthy creative time. That is why I love this blog. It's my little corner of the world to jot my thoughts.

This link of Elizabeth Gilbert speaking about life really spoke to me this morning. First, she is wearing the same vampy nail polish I have on that is typically unlike my usual neutral colors, but probably a wild streak that wants to be expressed. She also speaks about buying Nerf Guns which are a big part of my life having three boys. I just rewarded my 9 year old yesterday with a Nerf "pistol" of his choosing. Finally, she ends the 21 minute talk about author Martha Beck's categories of women.
1. Women who chose career over family and are conflicted.
2. Women who chose family over career and are conflicted.
3. Women who are blending family and career and are conflicted.
4. THE MYSTIC. ~ A small sect of women from any of the above who have found a deeply resonant inner voice that they listen to. They negate everything else and they follow that path wherever it takes them.

Give yourself a little time to WATCH THIS VIDEO!!!!!! Fellow Mystics, you’ll be inspired.

http://www.oprah.com/omagazine/Elizabeth-Gilbert-Talk-from-O-Magazines-10th-Anniversary-Video

Turning Over a New Lettuce Leaf

Be still my beating heart...I found a fresh produce stand just down the road from my house and it's a wonderful thing! I stopped by the new little tent in front of a big farm house with only five bucks in my pocket. The friendly farmer walked up taking a bite out of a gorgeous green pepper. He enthusiastically told me all that he had to offer. I picked three green peppers for a dollar, three cucumbers for another dollar, a zucchini, and gave him my order for lettuce. He went out to his wife who was working in the giant garden and had her cut me some wilted and leaf lettuce. I paid him the five bucks and he threw in extra cucumbers and a giant zucchini that he said is good for frying.

I raced home and washed all the veggies. I threw some bacon on my little griddle since my gas top stove is out due to some home construction we are having done. As the bacon fried I sliced up some tomatoes, avocados, cucumbers, and zucchini. I toasted some bread and spread it with a little cream cheese. Added the bacon, fresh picked lettuce, tomato, avocado, and salt and pepper, and ended up with some scrumptious California BLT's which are my absolute favorite sandwich in the whole world!

While eating the sandwich I threw some thick slices of zucchini on the hot griddle with bacon grease. I let these fry up for a few minutes on each side until golden brown, added a little salt, and put them on a paper towel to cool. Delicious!

I decided to dedicate the next few weeks to seeing what I can create with the bountiful produce from my nearby veggie stand and my little kitchen island griddle. Let the chopping and cooking begin!
K

Night Fishing in Florida

I am a rise and shine early morning person. My husband is a night owl. That has its pros and cons for sure. A big benefit for the boys on our Florida vacation was that they stayed up late with their dad to "night fish". Our pier even had a spotlight to attract fish and other creatures in the bay.
Each day they got their shrimp and squid at the local bait shop. After the two youngest and I turned in, their fishing adventures began. They were quite successful in catching flounder, pin fish, crabs, catfish, and more. I would hear all about their catches when they lazily awoke the morning after.
One night after midnight, my son Indy ran in to wake me up. He excitedly reported he had caught "the big one" and asked me to get my camera. I really was excited for him and happy he wanted to share this with me. His big catch was a Black Drum fish. We think is was 8-10 pounds. He was so thrilled! I was so impressed at their system. He reeled it in and the "net man" would help get it in.
One last vacation memory I will mention is beach volleyball. The kids found a volleyball in the container by the pool. We took it to the beach in the evenings and taught the kids the basics of beach volleyball. The six of us could play a mean 3 on 3 game, get totally sandy, and jump in the ocean to rinse off. The thrill of being together as a family, watching the kids grow and learn in a new environment, and just having fun at the beach was priceless. That's a good vacation! ~kathy

Hunting for Shark Teeth at Venice Beach

Fifteen years ago, my husband and I took a carefree vacation to Florida in our buff bodies and a rented red convertible Chrysler Le Baron listening to Collective Soul and Tom Petty. We spent a day on Venice Beach with nifty little metal shovel sifters hunting for shark teeth. Venice Beach is known as "Shark Teeth Capitol of the World". Our bodies glistened in the sun with Coppertone Oil and we found bags of shark teeth. When we came home to the Midwest, I stored them away in a newly started memory box.
Fast Forward 15 Years to 2010..... We are on vacation in Florida with our four children ages 9-3 in a rented "Twilight Silver" minivan listening to Radio Disney and wearing Coppertone 50 Sport for Kids sunscreen and clothes a few sizes larger.
We realized we were only an hour drive from Venice Beach and thought the kids would really love finding shark teeth. We became quirkier parents than the Griswold's in Family Vacation. On the journey down the coast, we encountered vicious thunderstorms thanks to Hurricane Alex. We cheerfully told the kids the storm would pass and we'd be in action soon. We got to Venice Beach in the pouring rain and found a restaurant called Sharkey's to hang out and eat waiting for clear skies. Little Scout developed a new found passion for Jimmy Buffet's Cheeseburger in Paradise tune.
The skies cleared a little and we lugged our umbrella, buckets, cooler, and towels out to the empty beach. The power was out at the shop on the Pier that rents the sifter shovels essential in digging for the ancient teeth. We still pressed on optimistically thinking we could scoop and sift in the cold crashing surf. We were wrong. We decided to get back in the van in our wet and sandy suits to try and find a nearby store that sold the special shovels. Thankfully, a few miles up the coast we found an overpriced shack that sold them. My husband bought three. We also decided to relocate our beach camp and try a fresher location. The kids were wet, shivering, and not excited.
Our perseverance and optimism paid off. Minutes into digging with the magic shovel-sifter, we struck shark teeth. The kids squealed in delight and my husband and I felt triumphant! Rainy hours passed and the kids had sifted through piles of shells to find 53 shark teeth. We were still the only family on the beach. We succeeded in our mission and we now have more baggies of teeth in a much bigger memory box. The van got us back home with sleeping kids and we shared a bottle of our favorite Cupcake Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc. An unforgettable family adventure. ~kathy

The Pink Palace

We took the kids to have a late lunch at The Don Cesar Resort. They affectionately named it "The Pink Palace". It truly is bright pink and massive with two pools on the beach. We munched on grouper sandwiches at the poolside grill. After, the kids jumped in the pool as BK & I sipped our icy piña coladas with dark rum floaters. We then ended up out on the beach for more body surfing, watching the kids bury themselves in the sand, and enjoying the sunset.

Like most evenings this week, a dark thunderstorm rolled in. Of course my kids were the last ones out of the pool and we scurried around collecting our things. Phoebe was distraught because she couldn't find her special gold rhinestone flip flops. We quickly searched together with no luck. We even thought she buried them in the sand and BK started digging around where our beach spot was. No luck.

The Pink Palace had an ice cream shop so we escaped the storm and ended the evening there as Scout wanted the "green ice cream" aka mint chip. They were all smiles but Phoebe glumly had no shoes on.

The next morning I woke up early and went to the beach alone for a run. Off in the distance down the beach was "The Pink Palace". I decided to run that way to search once more for the shoes, and now I knew where the restrooms were there.

I reached my pink destination sweaty and winded and looked around unsuccessfully. At the towel counter I asked the man if any rhinestone flip flops were found. He cheerfully asked me if they were tan. Gold and tan are close so I nodded. He led me over to a table near the beach and there they were gleaming in the morning sun. I gratefully thanked him and began my journey back down the beach. Phoebe was in disbelief when I handed her the sparkling shoes. It was a happy ending and the start of another day of adventure. Shark teeth hunting....

One on One Vacation Memories

Oh have we had fun in Pass a Grille Beach, Florida! We have had hot sun, clouds, and a few big storms. The best thing has been being together a whole week as a family.

I try to take the kids out for one on one excursions. The others stay with BK.One morning I took Phoebe into the little historic town of Pass a Grille for some art gallery and boutique shopping. I surprised her with her favorite mint chip ice cream for breakfast at the local ice cream shop. On vacation, these are the things I like to say "yes" to.

Indy and I took a hot and sweaty two mile walk through our neighborhood. We crossed a big bridge over the bay, got a Coke at Circle K, and then hung out together at the beach sipping the cold drink. He loves to talk and I just love the conversations we have together.

The biggest excursion was with my son Blaze. He is passionate about soccer and has been watching the World Cup games. He spotted an ad in a tourist flyer about a place called United World Soccer. We hopped in the van and drove up Gulf Drive in search of the store. We got familiar with many of the nearby beach towns: Treasure Island, Madeira Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, and Clearwater Beach. My quiet and serious son helped navigate us up the coast and we finally arrived at the giant soccer store. He was like a kid in a candy store as he looked at each official World Cup jersey from all the countries. Since they were a little pricey and the tourist flyer had a good coupon, I told him to pick out his favorite one for an early birthday present. He immediately chose the bright red Spain jersey. He put it on, we drove home a quicker way, and the Spain vs. Portugal game came on that afternoon. Spain won!

My little Scout has not required an outing. He has been happy with me helping him chase lizards out on the patio. I feel like a kid as I run around and hunt for those fast and funny chameleons. His squeals of delight are priceless.

So far these are the one on one things I have enjoyed with the kids. On vacation, I feel like I can tune into them without all the duties and distractions of home. That's what I love the most.
K

Retreat will move you Forward

We are on our annual summer vacation at the beach. After three years of exploring the coast of beautiful but often chilly Lake Michigan, we decided to go south to warmer waters and the Gulf of Mexico.

It usually takes my husband BK and I a couple days to depressurize and feel on vacation. I am so happy, relaxed, and on vacation it is unbelievable! Now that Scout is three, travelling has become easier. No strollers, pack n plays, or other gear to lug around. We all fit everything in one suitcase this year. The big three have helped me in every way too.

So far my greatest joys have been feeling connected again as a family unit, and watching my oldest son fall in love with the ocean. Since April we have been totally immersed in school and baseball. Our schedules have been fast paced and divided. My husband's work schedule has been grueling too. Being on vacation with my family has given us that relaxed togetherness again.

We arrived in the afternoon and got settled in our sweet little rental home for the week. It is on the bay with a pool and fishing pier. Perfection! The kids immediately jumped in the pool as I unpacked and BK checked out the fishing gear.

As evening approached I packed a cooler and we did the short drive to the beach to watch the sunset. My 9 1/2 year old son "Blaze" was immediately smiling as he body surfed the gentle waves crashing into the shore. The others were a exhausted and not as enthralled with salt water and sand in their eyes. My little "Scout" said he wanted to go back to the "blue pool".

Last night I took Blaze and Indy back to the beach for sunset. BK stayed with Phoebe and Scout in the pool. He also wanted to set up the fishing poles.

While we were swimming in the ocean some clouds rolled in and looked like a possible storm. Most people got out but we stayed in but close to shore. Indy shouted, Look! A rainbow!" We looked up as we floated in the ocean and saw a rainbow arched above us. It was one of those magical moments that I felt so connected with the boys and nature. We will always remember that most extraordinary experience.
Shine your light,
K

Time to relax....

Oh, bring again my heart's content,
Thou Spirit of the Summer-time!
-- William Allingham

Baseball is over and was exhilarating. I have a blog in my head that will come to fruition soon called "baseball in a peanut shell."

We just moved my ailing 94 year old grandmother out of her home and to a different state to be closer to her daughter and family. Maybe another blog called "emotionally draining."

Now for my little family of six to come together and enjoy each other for some summer bonding and fun. It is time to tune in to our own rhythm and enjoy the feeling of freedom that a summer break can give as a gift.
Shine your light,
K

Double Rainbow After the Storm

It has been storming a lot here in the beautiful Midwest. We always wait for the first rainbow around my son Indy's birthday on June 7th. This year it came a little later.
Last night as another storm blew in with great force, we all ran to the basement with flashlights and cell phones knowing the power almost always goes out. There is an intimate feeling as we huddle together listening to a crashing storm feeling scared, unsure, and excited. I love to see the eyes of my kids get so huge.
Also, during the storm we saw a family of ducks standing together on the big log on our pond.
After the trees straightened and the thunder wained, I went upstairs to see a strange green sky. I walked out the front door and was greeted by a stunning double rainbow arching through the sky. I called for my family to come and we enjoyed our first summer rainbow together.

It's always good to keep in mind that after any storm in life something beautiful and unexpected usually appears.

1000 Awesome Things

I need a tall ladder so I can catch the moon and put it in the barn and look at it.
My three year old son, "Scout".

I love discovering cool blogs. This is a fun one I wanted to share. What's your favorite #?
http://1000awesomethings.com/

Summertime Begins

Memorial Day weekend is the gateway to summer. For the second year, my family gathered at our ranch after a big car race that takes place nearby. Four generations of cousins, aunts, uncles, grandchildren, and great grandchildren reunite from many places. My 95 year old grandmother heads up the family. It is just big fun.Excitement fills the air now that the kids are out of school and summer is fresh with possibilities. I made a list of my favorite summer pleasures and asked my husband and kids to add a few too. Here it is. I encourage you to write your summer fun list too and jump right in.
Happy Summer,
K

S'mores,
dragonflies,
chips & salsa,
baseball,
swimming pools,
sun tea,
Indiana tomatoes,
farmers markets,
Bluegrass concerts,
hummingbirds,
burgers on the grill,
listening to frogs at night,
ice cream,
guacamole,
sipping Sangria with friends,
art fairs,
thunderstorms,
rainbows,
fireworks,
Michigan blueberries,
wildflowers,
reading books outside on a quilt,
fishing,
walks at sunset,
air shows,
roller coasters,
tractors,
outside adventures,
camping,
blackberries & cream,
morning runs,
bluebirds,
corn on the cob,
visiting parks,
family summer vacation at the beach.

One lone red poppy

I lived in solitude in the country and noticed how the monotony of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind. Albert Einstein

I just put the kids to bed and decided to take a walk before washing a sink full of the day's dishes. In a large field in front of our house I spotted one lone brilliant red poppy in bloom.
It is the sole survivor of poppies planted a few years ago. My family spent a whole day scattering red poppy seeds from our metal buckets. We enjoyed an unforgettable summer of blooming red poppies in that field. It was like a dreamy Monet painting.

Unfortunately, our harsh Midwest summers are unlike the south of France. Our field of poppies did not thrive, they wilted under the blazing August sun. I consider this poppy a small gift and inspiration. It is a lone survivor of its kind among native wildflowers and raging weeds. It is blooming where it was planted and so beautiful in its strikingly unique way.
Shine your light,
K

Blue Zones and the fountain of youth

Foutain of youth: Red wine, walking, friends, fish, nuts, and veggies? Sounds good to me!

I saw Dr. Oz on Oprah talking about Blue Zones which are places that people are happiest and healthiest on this earth. I also picked up the book Blue Zones by Dan Buetner and was intrigued on what made people most happy and healthy.

Here is the website where you can get a username and take a free and quick quiz called The Vitality Compass.
http://www.bluezones.com/vitality-compass

Author Dan Buettner writes, In my book, The Blue Zones, I reveal the secrets of the Power9: the nine common denominators that all of the world’s longevity all-stars share. Here at BlueZones.com, we've organized these behaviors into four main categories:

Move Naturally – Make your home, community and workplace present you with natural ways to move. Focus on activities you love, like gardening, walking and playing with your family.

Right Outlook – Know and be able to articulate your sense of purpose, and ensure your day is punctuated with periods of calm.

Eat Wisely – Instead of groping from fad diet to fad diets, use time-honored strategies for eating 20% less at meals. Avoid meat and processed food and drink a couple of glasses of wine daily.

Belong to the Right Tribe – Surround yourself with the right people, make the effort to connect or reconnect with your religion and put loved ones first.

This may all sound too simple, but the payoff is huge. The average American could live up to 14 more good years by putting these habits to work.

Get Started Right Now
To help you model your habits after the Blue Zones centenarians, we’ve created several tools, beginning with Vitality Compass
http://www.bluezones.com/about

On Being a Mom

Happy Mother's Day, friends. It is my true joy to share this journey of motherhood with you: by my side at the ball games, sharing recipes and photos of our kids via e-mail, stressing over a school project, worrying about so much, and laughing and sharing the many wonderful day to day moments when our kids are happy and smiling. I am truly blessed to know so many devoted and inspiring mothers.
Below is an article by Anna Quindlen - a great writer and another inspiring mom.

On Being A Mom
by Anna Quindlen
All my babies are gone now. I say this not in sorrow but in disbelief. I take great satisfaction in what I have today: three almost adults, two taller than I am, one closing in fast. Three people who read the same books I do and have learned not to be afraid of disagreeing with me in their opinion of them, who sometimes tell vulgar jokes that make me laugh until I choke and cry, who need razor blades and shower gel and privacy, who want to keep their doors closed more than I like. Who, miraculously, go to the bathroom, zip up their jackets and move food from plate to
mouth all by themselves.

Like the trick soap I bought for the bathroom with a rubber ducky at its center, the baby is buried deep within each, barely discernible except through the unreliable haze of the past.

Everything in all the books I once pored over is finished for me now. Penelope Leach., T. Berry Brazelton., Dr. Spock. The ones on sibling rivalry and sleeping through the night and early-childhood education, all grown obsolete. Along with "Goodnight Moon" and "Where the Wild Things Are," they are battered, spotted, well used. But I suspect that if you flipped the pages dust would rise like memories.

What those books taught me, finally, and what the women on the playground taught me, and the well-meaning relations --what they taught me was that they couldn't really teach me very much at all.

Raising children is presented at first as a true-false test, then becomes multiple choice, until finally, far along, you realize that it is an endless essay. No one knows anything. One child responds well to positive reinforcement, another can be managed only with a stern voice and a
timeout. One boy is toilet trained at 3, his brother at 2. When my first child was born, parents were told to put baby to bed on his belly so that he would not choke on his own spit-up. By the time my last arrived, babies were put down on their backs because of research on sudden
infant death syndrome. To a new parent this ever-shifting certainty is terrifying, and then soothing. Eventually you must learn to trust yourself. Eventually the research will follow.

I remember 15 years ago poring over one of Dr. Brazelton's wonderful books on child development, in which he describes three different sorts of infants: average, quiet, and active. I was looking for a sub-quiet codicil for an 18-month-old who did not walk. Was there something wrong with his fat little legs? Was there something wrong with his tiny little mind? Was he developmentally delayed, physically challenged? Was I insane? Last year he went to China. Next year he goes to college. He can talk just fine. He can walk, too.

Every part of raising children is humbling, too. Believe me, mistakes were made. They have all been enshrined in the Remember-When-Mom-Did Hall of Fame. The outbursts, the temper tantrums, the bad language - mine, not theirs. The times the baby fell off the bed. The times I arrived late for preschool pickup. The nightmare sleepover. The horrible summer camp. The day when the youngest came barreling out of the classroom with a 98 on her
geography test, and I responded, What did you get wrong? (She insisted I
include that.) The time I ordered food at the McDonald's drive-through speaker and then drove away without picking it up from the window. (They all insisted I include that.) I did not allow them to watch the Simpsons for the first two seasons. What was I thinking?

But the biggest mistake I made is the one that most of us make while doing this. I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of the three of them sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages 6, 4 and 1. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less.

Even today I'm not sure what worked and what didn't, what was me and what was simply life. When they were very small, I suppose I thought someday they would become who they were because of what I'd done. Now I suspect they simply grew into their true selves because they demanded in a thousand ways that I back off and let them be. The books said to be relaxed and I was often tense, matter-of-fact and I was sometimes over the top. And look how it all turned out. I wound up with the three people I like best in the world, who have done more than anyone to excavate my essential humanity.

That's what the books never told me. I was bound and determined to learn from the experts. It just took me a while to figure out who the experts were.

Tea Tree Oil "Magic Potion"

“Lavender, thyme and tea-tree oils have been used for centuries as antiseptics; their chemical compounds appear to kill microbes on contact.”
Andrew Weil, M.D.

About a week ago I noticed an itchy rash on the back of my left leg, small red bumps that I assumed was poison ivy. I thought maybe one of the dogs brushed up against my leg and that is where it started. I rubbed some Cortisone 10 on it thinking it would help. Fast forward a week and I now have the rash all over the backs of both legs and it is beyond itchy, more like a slow painful burn that doesn't go away. I have also tried using a couple other medical creams with no relief.

Today I was desperate for relief. My entire family including me has had a severe stomach virus sweep through our home. Each of us had vomiting and diarrhea for 12 hours straight. Today I came out of my virus fog to the hard work of massive loads of laundry and carpet scrubbing. Also, the rash was excruciating.

Something in my brain pulled up tea tree oil. I knew I had a facial soap in the shower with it (Desert Essence Thoroughly Clean Face Wash with Organic Tea Tree Oil and Awapuhi from Trader Joe's). I grabbed it and started spreading it all over my legs. Within an hour I felt relief. My oldest son even observed that it looked better.

I googled tea tree oil and found these facts below. I will definitely have this on hand for summer.
"dr. k"

The health benefits of Tea Tree Essential Oil can be attributed to its properties like anti bacterial, anti microbial, anti septic, anti viral, balsamic, cicatrisant, expectorant, fungicide, insecticide, stimulant and sudorific.

The All-Cure name given to this oil is not a bit exaggerated. The Tea Tree oil can be used as a cure for almost all sorts of tropical infections and diseases. You name it and it has the cure for that disease. It is invariably found in almost all the households of Australia, particularly those having small children. The magical healing and disinfectant properties make it a wonder-drug. It also boosts up immunity.

•Anti Bacterial: It is said that wherever Mother Nature gave the diseases, she gave the cures there itself. The activity of microbes, bacteria, virus and fungi are at their peaks in the Tropics and hence most of the medicinal plants are found there too. Tea Tree is one such plant. It can cure some of the ugliest bacterial infections of the Tropics. Wounds, which are most prone to bacterial infections in this region, can be effectively cured and protected using this oil. Although this oil is seldom taken orally, but if so, in mild concentrations, can cure internal bacterial infections too, such as those in colon, stomach, intestines, excretory system and urinary system. It can also be used in treatment of Tuberculosis.
•Anti Microbial: Microbes prefer to keep safe distance from this oil, since it is an effective anti microbial. It can kill and keep away certain microbes (protozoa) which are responsible for causing Tropical fevers, malaria etc.
•Anti Septic: Open wounds are most susceptible to infection by bacteria and fungi and may result in septic or tetanus. Thus they must be protected well in advance. For this, Tea Tree Oil can be a wise choice as it is an excellent anti septic. It can be applied directly on the wounds, boils, sores, cuts and certain eruptions, as well as insect bites and stings, to protect them from infections. It is as good as any anti biotic, but without its adverse side effects.
•Anti Viral: Viral infections are very hazardous and re-appearing, since virus can survive under most intolerable conditions. They can bear unimaginable heat, cold and even poison, as they develop a protective shell called “Cyst” around them. Some viruses are intelligent enough to develop a new cyst each time they are activated, like the Common Cold Virus, to duck our immune system. They never die a natural death and can live dormant (neither live, nor dead) for even hundreds of thousands of years. They can be killed only if their cyst is ruptured using some compound or they are subjected to extreme heat which is beyond their tolerance. The Tea Tree Oil helps rupture this cyst in some viruses and can give protection against them. It also helps cure viral infections like common cold, influenza, mumps, measles, pox etc.
•Balsamic: The Essential Oil of Tea Tree has balsamic properties, that is, it boosts health. It promotes absorption of nutrients from food and gives protection from diseases too, thus proving beneficial for total health.
•Cicatrisant: The Cicatrisant property of this essential oil makes it heal wounds quicker and protect them from infections, as well as help neutralization of the scar marks and after spots left by eruptions, boils, pox, acne etc.
•Expectorant: Those who are suffering from cough and cold, congestion, bronchitis and other troubles associated with cold, are sure to get relief using this Tea Tree Essential Oil. It gives relief from cough, cold, bronchitis and congestion.
•Fungicide: The Tea Tree Essential Oil is as effective against fungal infections as it is against any bacterial or microbial infections. It inhibits fungal growth and cures diseases like dermatitis, athlete’s foot etc.
•Insecticide: It is obvious that an essential oil that is so deadly for those adamant and hardy bacteria and viruses, will be effective against insects too. Tea Tree Oil is an efficient insect deterrent and insect killer. It does not let parasites and other insects like mosquitoes, fleas, lice, flies etc. come near a person who has rubbed some of this oil on his body. It kills internal insects and worms too, such as intestinal worms like round worm and tape worm and others like hook worms.
•Stimulant: This essential oil has stimulating effects on hormones secretions, circulations etc. but more prominently on immune system. It boosts up immunity and acts as a shield against infections.
•Sudorific: Besides infections, another cause of diseases is accumulation of toxins in the body. These toxins are either generated by the body itself, as a by-product of various reactions, or get inside the body somehow. Our body too, has certain mechanisms to throw away these toxins. One of them is perspiration or sweating. It has many advantages. It removes toxins, moistens the skin, open pores on skin and keeps the body cool. Tea Tree Essential Oil, being a Sudorific, increases sweating and promotes removal of toxins like uric acid. It also helps remove excess water and salts from the body.
•Other Benefits: Gives relief from muscular pain, aches, sprains,
Few Words of Caution: No potent threats, except that in some rare cases it may be sensitizing to few people.

Blending: This Essential Oil blends well with Cinnamon, Clary Sage, Clove, Geranium, Lavender, Lemon, Myrrh, Nutmeg, Rosewood, Rosemary and Thyme essential oils.
This article was contributed by Aparup Mukherjee

Planting Perennials and Annuals

The best place to seek God is in a garden. You can dig for him there. ~George Bernard Shaw, The Adventures of the Black Girl in Her Search for God, 1932

There's a few things I've learned in life: always throw salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for good luck, and fall in love whenever you can. Alice Hoffman, Practical Magic

My basil and lemon balm are already in pots sitting out in the soft falling rain as I write. I just stumbled across this article about lavender and other wonderful things to plant. I also love the picture and want a garden to look like that.
Happy gardening,
K
Planting Perennials and Annuals That Last

Ten Years Strong

Ten years ago on my 30th birthday my mom had a surprise luncheon for me. She invited six friends from high school, college, and current. They did not know each other well. I was pregnant with my first child. A couple friends had just had their first babies. I casually mentioned to them that I wanted to start a book club. They all were interested in joining.
Soon after, I made invitations and invited them to the first book club meeting at my home the following month, May 2000. I asked them to bring any friends that would like to join. The book we read and discussed was Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom.
Ten years later our book club is still strong with the original members. Meeting once a month, we have shared in the births of many babies, life's extreme ups and many downs. They surprised me with a beautiful Tiffany silver medallion inscribed necklace from the Notes Collection. Here is my letter to them below.

Hi Friends,
I was blown away by last night. I want to thank you so much for the beautiful necklace. This gift means more than you will ever know. It has truly been my pleasure organizing our book club for ten years. We really have created and nurtured special friendships, trust, and a comfortable place to share our ups and downs. We are very fortunate to have each other. It is my hope we continue to grow and evolve as a group.

On a funny note, my daughter thinks the necklace has the "book club rules" written on it. I guess the only rules I can think of are to show up, have fun, eat good food, and maybe read some books. Everything in moderation, right?

Kirsten, Thank you for sharing your beautiful home and deck with us. Kord was wonderful and his dinner and drinks delicious. You both are glowing from happiness and love. The blooming wisteria is truly a message sent from heaven.

Anna - your sugar cream cake was sinfully delicious. I will share this coveted recipe. I know you never share catering recipes so we will guard it. The salad was also so good.

Most of all, thank you all for making the drive last night to share in an unforgettable evening. You are all such smart, strong, beautiful, and amazing women and I am proud to be your friend.
Love,
Kathy

Feeling The Force at 40

At 40, something magical happens to you--something liberating and rejuvenating and exhilarating. You acquire a healthy disregard for what other people think. You gain the confidence to define yourself boldly and on your own terms. You don't accept anyone else's judgments but your own. In short, you stop living your life for other people and start living it for yourself. The force is with you because, at long last, it is in you. Laura Randolph

It has been a little over a week since I turned 40. So far I love being 40. I am feeling more comfortable in my skin than ever before. That is why that quote above jumped out at me. I am feeling that "The Force is with me" at 40.

This year I am making the commitment to take better care of myself. A light bulb went off recently as I sat in the dentist chair as they told me it had been way too long since my last visit. I realized that I make sure my kids and dogs have regular dental and doctor visits but my own are few and far between. My youngest son is almost three and I just went back for a follow up check up with my OB/GYN. He also told me it was important to have yearly exams.

So, around my birthday every year I am making the commitment to myself to have those important exams. I truly love being a wife and mother. At 40, I now have the wisdom to know that if I do not take care of myself I won't be able to take care of everyone else that I love.

My actual birthday was fun. My little "Scout" and I met my mom at The Pita Pit for yummy sandwiches. My mom told the owner it was my 40th and he was surprised we were there to celebrate and gave me a gift card. That's as fancy as I wanted with little Scout joining us.

When my "bigs" and husband got home later that day they showered me with homemade cards - my favorite! When my quiet oldest son wrote, "Mom-I love you very much.", it was the best gift ever. My daughter gave me an extra thick purple yoga mat, and my son Indy gave me the New Moon DVD. I also received a new zoom lens for my Canon from my husband. He took us out to dinner at a nearby organic farm with a "Loft Restaurant" on one of the barns. The homemade ice cream was delicious!

Later that week my friend Tammy baked me a three layer carrot cake. We hiked with the kids to Tipi Hill, and then returned to enjoy the delicious cake.

I am just feeling so blessed to be where I am at 40. It is my hope to continue to learn and grow and keep becoming more of myself. May The Force be with you too!
Shine your light,
K

Whole Lotta Hiking

I am reflecting on the past week as my kids are back in school after their spring break. Little Scout just fell asleep so I wanted to write my thoughts. The weather felt like one of many gifts. Springtime in the Midwest is unpredictable and we had warm sunshine for most of the week. The grass got greener by the day and my daughter was thrilled to show me pale Spring Beauties and bright yellow Trumpet Lillies blooming in the woods.

Speaking of woods, we did a lot of hiking this week around the ranch. Near perfect weather and the fact that the kids are getting older are the main reasons. We all would take hikes together and then I was lucky enough to get the kids one on one. My husband took a couple days off so we could help each other give the kids precious individual time.

When I walked and explored with each kid individually, I was amazed by the extraordinary conversations we had. My son "Indy" guided me on an adventure through "shell valley" and up to "piston hill". They all have named the areas and know the land better than I do now. I truly know now what the "wonder years" are starting to mean.

This also makes me think of the book, Last Child in the Wood: Saving Our Children From Nature Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv. In his book he discusses how nature can be a powerful stimulant and learning tool for children.

He summarizes that Neuroscience teaches us that what's important for a child's mental development is not necessarily the amount of knowledge he memorizes but rather how much of his body and brain he uses, and he writes how Nature stimulates all the senses. Research has shown that the stimulation of all five senses increases a child's intelligence and creativity. Thus, when children watch television or play video games instead of playing outside in the park or walking in the woods they're denied vital mental food for their growth.

Louv also writes that nature offers an experiential learning experience in that children can slowly come to understand nature and themselves by interacting and interfacing with nature. There's a wondrous process of exploration and discovery when a child interacts with nature.

I so agree with many insights in his book. I remember when I was eight years old I loved laying in the grass and looking up at the sky, and just dreaming. Yes, we do have a Wii, DSi, and online Club Penguin membership. Those things can be good in moderation for cold weather days and rewards for good grades. But when the sun is shining you will hear me tell the kids, "Go outside and play!" Just like my mom did.
Shine your light,
K

Perfect Cheese Pizza

My daughter and her friend helped me make homemade cheese pizza today. It was fun and delicious. I definitely recommend you try this at home with your kids and friends. It was a cheap and great pizza party.
Perfect Cheese Pizza

1 16 oz ball of fresh pizza dough wheat or white. I used wheat from Trader Joe's.
1 c. marinara sauce. My fave is Ragu Sun dried Tomato & Sweet Basil
2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese or your favorite cheese blend

Preheat oven to 375.
Take dough out of refrigerator and let stand for 20 minutes.
Flour your work surface. Lightly oil your pizza stone or pan with olive oil. I also oil a rolling pin. Roll out dough to about 12 inches and place on stone. Spread sauce on dough. Add more than one cup if desired. Sprinkle with cheese and place in oven for 14-15 minutes or until bubbly. Let cool, cut and be ready for smiles.

Note: Next time I will make my own and add olives, fresh basil, mushrooms, crushed red pepper, and anything else to jazz it up. Can't wait!