A Makeover

Looky, looky!

 

Guess what got a recent makeover?

That's right!  Our clutter catcher!

And, the wall! 

And, the trim!

(More on those later.)

 

This has quickly become one of my favorite pieces of furniture that Steve has built.  It gets rid of the toy clutter and hides it in a stylish way.

 

Just a reminder....

 

 

You can read more about the Clutter Control project here.  Steve replaced that middle door with a faux drawer door.  Say that five times fast!

 

Faux Drawer Door

Faux Drawer Door

Faux Drawer Door

Faux Draw Door

Fo' Draw Door

 

Then, the little helicopters ripped it right off because, Hey!  That's what they do!

 

Poor Steve has a list of things to fix by the end of the work week each week.  We like to keep him on his toes around here.

Homemade Glass Stove Top Cleaner

Do you have a glass stove top?

 

Want to know a secret?

 

You don't have to buy that specially made glass stove top cleaner to clean it.  Say what?!?!?  Seriously, you probably have all you need to clean it in your cupboards.

 

 

I fully admit that I don't follow an "exact" recipe.  So these measurements are more guidelines.  Use what works for you!

 

I take about 1/4 cup of baking soda (or less) and add 2-4 drops dōTERRA Lemon essential oil.  I really like the cleaning power of lemon but you could also use wild orange, or a combo of lemon and cinnamon or lemon and eucalyptus- all smell wonderful!

 

To that mixture I add enough water to make a liquid paste.  You want it liquid enough that it will spread around easy.  Spread around on your stove top and let sit 5-10 minutes.  I normally do this while I'm doing dishes so I spread it around and wash a load of dishes, wipe counters and then come back to it.

 

When I come back to it, I "fill" my scrub sponge up with water then scrub my stove top.  You want to be sure to use a scratch free scrub sponge so you don't scratch your stove top.  Afterwards, I wipe with a microfiber cloth to shine it up a bit.  If you want more cleaning boost, you can easily add a 1/2 teaspoon of dish soap to your mixture in the beginning.

 

That's it!

 

 

Homemade Glass Stove Top Cleaner

 

1/4 cup of baking soda (or less)

2-4 drops of dōTERRA Lemon Essential Oil

 

Add enough water to form a liquid paste.  Spread on glass stove top and let sit 5-10 minutes.  Scrub with a wet, scratch free scrub sponge then wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.

 

*Can add 1/2-1 teaspoon dish soap for extra cleaning power.

How to Sign Up as a Wholesale Member with dōTERRA in 10 Easy Steps plus FREE WEBINAR!

It's no secret that we love our dōTERRA essential oils here!  I don't think our family has ever been healthier and we're smack dab right in the middle of cold and flu season!

 

Speaking of cold and flu season, I'm hosting another Essential Oils 101 Webinar this Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 9:00pm EST.  Feel free to log on and learn more about how we use essential oils for our everyday health.  Please register for this meeting at:

http://www.anymeeting.com/PIID=E952DE89844F31

 

You can also join the Facebook event HERE or just log on to http://www.anymeeting.com/LoveOfOils1 at 9:00pm on January 17, 2013.

 

 

 

To make things even easier on you, I'm giving you these step by step instructions on how to join!  Start by visiting...    http://www.doterra.myvoffice.com/amycombs

 

 

 

 

Click "Join" on the top right hand corner or you can click on "Sign Up/Join" located at the bottom left hand corner.

 

 

 

 

Step 1: You want to select "Independent Product Consultant". This is the wholesale membership that will give you the deepest discount (25% on all products) so don't let the term Independent Product Consultant scare you! You do not have to sell anything!

 

Step 2: You should see my name listed under the enroller I.D. box, Amy Combs. If you do not, enter enroller id 234832 and it should show up.

 

Step 3: Fill out your billing, shipping and contact information. Please check the contact by email option if you would like occasional essential oil info and tips from me!

 

Step 4:  Create your Virtual Office. This is where you will go to place and track any orders you make as well as keep track of the FREE points you accumulate through the loyalty rewards program! So, be sure to choose a password you will remember!

 

Step 5: Terms and Conditions.  Read them and check that you agree.

 

 

Step 6: Virtual Office Usage Agreement, again you will want to read and check that you agree.

 

Step 7: Start up Order Form

This is where you will choose which enrollment kit you would like. Each enrollment kit INCLUDES the $35 wholesale membership fee in the purchase price. Should you choose not to purchase an enrollment kit, and just a few specific oils instead, you will want to choose #3201 - Introductory Pack -- this is the wholesale membership fee...... 

• Select the Introductory Packet from the enrollment kit list. This is your membership fee of $35.
• To order separate items, use the Optional Form with 5 lines of pull down menu bars.
• Select your items and select a "quantity".
• Select your preferred shipping method.
• *This pull down menu can also be used to add additional oils you may be interested in purchasing that you may not have included in the enrollment kit you chose.

Step 8: Loyalty Rewards Offer (Optional)

This is doTERRA's monthly Loyalty Rewards Program. If you'd like to set up an order for next month, feel free to schedule that now! Whenever you reorder, you want to make it a Loyalty Rewards Order so that you accumulate a % of your purchase in the form of LRP points which can be redeemed for FREE OILS! If you are not ready to set this up yet, you can always log in to your account (your Virtual Office) later to set it up at your convenience!

 

Step 9: Start Up Order

• This is where you will see the order your created.
• Pay attention to the Total Volume column. In order to qualify for the product of the month promotion, your final selection needs to show a total of 125PV or more.
 

 

Step 10: Payment method

 

Upon successful completion of your application and order, you'll be emailed confirmation along with your new membership ID# and access to your new Virtual Office!

 

 

That's it!  You are now part of the dōTERRA team!

 

 

 

 

Auctioning for a Good Cause.

Do you like my new pillow covers?

They're new in our Etsy shop BUT this week, you can buy them over at the Frog Pond Farm Draft Horse Rescue Auction Facebook Page.  Frog Pond Farm is a local horse rescue focusing on draft breeds.  They rescue, rehab and place draft horses into loving and caring homes.  You can check out their main facebook page here.  Lisa is very good at updating her fans on the progress of all the rescued horses.

 

January 7-14, 2013 they are having an auction to raise funds for the farm.  Head on over to their facebook page to learn more about the auction and bid on some unique things.  100% of the revenue goes to the rescue!

 

Happy bidding!

New Year. New Beginnings. New Adventures.

It's a new year!

 

I love new year's day.  It's a day full of promise and new beginnings. 

 

It's a day to start anew.

 

It's a day to start new adventures.

 

Steve and I decided open an Etsy shop together this year. We're calling it Red Maple Run, because, hey, we're original like that!

 

 

We'll be offering a variety of homemade home goods.

 

Steve will be focusing on wooden items.  Handmade bread boards and cutting boards will be the primary focus for now.

 

I'll be offering some hand-printed linens.  I design and carve the blocks that I'll be printing with and then print on the fabric by hand.  Afterwards, I finish them into items such as tea towels, napkins and pillow covers.

 

Most of our wooden items are made from reclaimed wood, pieces that have been tossed aside by builders or saved from days long ago.

 

We'll also be offering some personalized items.  These items make great gifts for bridal showers, weddings and anniversaries.  We also love custom orders so, if you have something in mind, send us a message!

 

To celebrate our grand opening, we're offering our handmade goodies at 30% right now.  Just visit our Etsy store, Red Maple Run and enter the coupon code GRANDOPEN13 to receive your discount.

 

I wish you a happy and healthy new year!

 

Book Cover

My artwork is on a book cover.

 

MY ARTWORK IS ON A BOOK COVER!!!!!!!!

 

Author Kristen Randle, asked to use my print "Snowy Kiss" on the cover of her new novelette, The Christmas Pony.  I'm only a couple chapters in and I adore it. 

 

Many of you might not know that I was involved in therapeutic riding, as both a volunteer and an instructor for almost a decade of my life.  This book is about a family that rescues forgotten horses and children, and completely pulls at my heart.  You can find it on Amazon here or Barnes & Noble here.

 

 

Pretty cool, huh?

I'm still giddy with excitement over it and extremely thankful for the opportunity.

 

 

It's Giveaway Time!

 

Everybody loves a Giveaway!  Right?

 

Since it is the season of giving, I have a special present for one lucky person- 

The Holiday Essential Oil Gift Box Trio from dōTERRA. Which is currently in limited supply and retails for $34.00.

 

The Natural wood gift box contains three of dōTERRA's most popular essential oils in 5ml sizes:  OnGuard, Wild Orange and Peppermint.

 

 

Why are these three oils so popular?  Oh let me count the ways!

 

OnGuard is dōTERRA's protective blend of wild orange, clove bud, cinnamon, eucalyptus and rosemary essential oils.

• Use it everyday to put your body "on guard" towards germs and sickness. 
• Use it at the first sign of a cold or flu to stop it in it's tracks or greatly reduce the duration of sickness. 
• Use as mouth rinse by mixing 1-2 drops in some water.
• Mix with water and put in a spray bottle to use as a disinfectant.
• Add to your mop water for cleaner floors
• Diffuse to kill airborne pathogens, inhibit mold and boost immune system.
• And, many more!

 

Wild Orange's combined, proven anti-fungal, antibacterial, and antidepressant properties make it one of the most powerful and aromatic oils to use.

• Diffuse to kill airborne pathogens.
• Take internally to treat heartburn or acid reflux.
• Smell directly from bottle to instantly boost your mood!
• Use topically in massage in the beginning stages of a cold.
• Use in a spray bottle to disinfect.
• Add to homemade cleaning products to boost cleaning power!
• And, many more!

Peppermint has been used by the Egyptians, Romans, and down through the ages for it's anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.

• Use topically, aromatically or internally for digestive issues.
• Massage into temples and back of neck for headache relief.
• Use to increase mental alertness.
• Use in a spray bottle as a cooling mist.
• Apply to the bottom of feet to help reduce a fever.
• Apply to sore muscles to help soothe them.
• And, many more!

I know what you're thinking.  "What do I have to do to have a chance at winning this great gift set???"  It's very simple......

Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below and leave a comment answering the following question....

What is your favorite holiday tradition?

  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends Friday, December 14, 2012 at 11:59pm EST.

Good luck!

 

How I Used Essential Oils to Treat my Son's Ringworm.

There is nothing more frustrating then when your kid comes down with some sort of ailment and you do everything right and it still doesn't go away.  I can't even begin to tell you how much frustration, time, money, worry and everything else in between we have wasted on this huge ordeal.

 

Little Helicopter #1 came down with ringworm over a year ago.  We have used countless drugs, creams and medications on it with little to no success. 

 

This last bout with the ringworm, we went to the pediatrician where she prescribed 2% ketoconazole cream twice a day for two weeks.  She implied that it would clear up after one week and to continue use for the entire two weeks.  Now, I get it.  Fungal infections take a long time to clear up but we're talking months, upon months of having this same issue.  Not only that, when we used the prescribed cream, the ringworm spread.  It spread all over his shoulders, arms, chest and back.  Needless to say, both Steve and I had had enough, not to mention LH#1.

 

Then, I decided to use dōTERRA essential oils.
 

 

 

 

We used the protocol listed in Modern Essentials.  2 drops each of dōTERRA's Lavender, Melaleuca and Thyme essential oils, three times a day, for 10 days.  I went ahead and just mixed up a 10ml roller bottle of this mixture since we had to use so much of it.

After 10 days of using the Lavender, Melaleuca, and Thyme mixture, almost all of the spots of ringworm cleared up on his chest, arms, shoulders and back.  The spots that are pictured- back of the neck, and back of both calves are considerably lighter and drying up.  We will continue the treatment with 30 drops of Melaleuca essential oil mixed with 2 Tablespoons coconut oil until the ringworm disappears completely.

 

I am SO glad that we discovered these truly wonderful oils because they have made a huge impact on our lives. I have never seen LH#1's ringworm clear up so quickly with any other prescribed medication.

***Edited to Add***
For more information on how to Join dōTERRA please visit my "How to Join dōTERRA" post.

OnGuard Hot Chocolate

Not many things are better then a warm, thick, creamy, steamy mug of Hot Chocolate.  Infusing it with dōTERRA's OnGuard essential oil blend of wild orange, clove bud cinnamon, eucalyptus and rosemary, makes it a seasonal, immune boosting delight!

(Don't worry, you can't taste the eucalyptus and rosemary)

I've already made this recipe three times and it hasn't even started snowing yet!
 

OnGuard Hot Chocolate
Adapted from the Crockpot Ladies

Ingredients:

2 Cups Heavy Whipping Cream

1 (14 Oz.) Sweetened Condensed Milk

1- 11.5 ounce bag of Milk Chocolate Morsels

1/4 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

6 Cups Whole Milk

2 Teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract

6-8 drops of dōTERRA's OnGuard Essential Oil Blend (I use 7 drops)

 

1.  Combine all ingredients EXCEPT the cocoa powder in 4qt or larger slow cooker.  Cover with lid and cook on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally to incorporate milked chocolate morsels.

 

2.  After one hour, or when mixture becomes warm, add in the Cocoa Powder, whisking to combine.  I have found that the cocoa powder blends better once the mixture is warm.

 

3.  Once Hot Chocolate is warm enough, ladle into mugs and top with marshmallows or whipped cream.  Enjoy!

 

*Note, I have cooked this mixture on high for about 1 hour and it works well too.  Just be sure to stir/whisk more often and reduce temperature once the hot chocolate reaches the desired warmth.

 

 

Best. Santa. Pic. EVAH!!

Me:  So, here's the plan.

Steve:  Ok.

Me:  Get LH#1 to sit down next to Santa.  Hand LH#2 to Santa.  Run.

Steve:  Got it.  Throw the kid and run like hell.

 

 

Best. Santa. Picture. Evah!!!

 

We didn't even realize that LH#1 was digging for gold until we got the picture.  The only thing that would make it even better is if LH#2 didn't have socks on.  The kid is a hillbilly and refuses to wear shoes and socks anywhere we go.

 

I can't even begin to tell you how much I love this picture.  Every single time I see it, I laugh hysterically.  Them are my boys and I love 'em with all my heart.