Little Nothings....

you know, there are many things you see that you would love

to receive as a gift from one of your girlfriends & below is

an example of what I'm talking about.

SO SIMPLE

SO PRETTY

SO THOUGHTFUL

these little soaps just make me so happy !

they make great teacher gifts, hostess gifts, girlfriend gifts, shower favors, etc etc etc.

put them in a little organza drawstring bag & voila !!!

you've got something wonderful.

I think you can find something like this, all handmade, on ETSY or EBAY

at very reasonable prices, put your own finishing touches on each bar &

you've got something I would love to have.

Whatta you think?

Country Kitchen, My Way

loving the under-counter lights !!!

what do you think?

follow me, I need you.  Thank YOU so much !

Happy New Year

Welcome 2017

it's been a long time since I've blogged
therefore, I'm beginning simply....


MUST LOVE DOGS






I, like all of my family, revere animal life.
all animals. 

we would rescue, adopt, befriend, feed, care for & love
each and every one of them.
they were part of the Lord's plan for our Earth.

what do you think?

Ending the Season

Oh how I don't want to take it down!

Can we freeze time?

or, maybe, put the tree on wheels & roll it into a closet specially made for this!
a wonderful, new idea !!

view from the upstairs loft

another view of the double-sided fireplace

please follow along as I begin my new journey
with blogging.

I now have a 3 1/2 year old boy named 
Colton, who takes a lot of my time,
but I'm reinvigorated about posting...

I look forward to hearing from all of you again.

Cheers,

Vanessa

Simply Go Natural

Today's Reminder to Treat Your Body Right!

Tomatoes help lower cholesterol, contain zero cholesterol

Packed with B3 which helps lower cholesterol

Reduce the risk of heart disease

 Rich in potassium

 Help lower blood pressure

Provide antioxidant protection 

Protect the prostate

Anti-inflammatory

Help regulate blood sugar

Counteract Acidosis

Help reduce migraines

Boost immunity 

Learn More about Tomatoes Here

Antioxidant-rich food and life-saving nutritional powerhouse!

Antioxidant Rich

Manganese

Fiber

Vitamin C

Learn More About Blueberries Here

Topical Antibacterial Internally & Externally

Known antioxidant compounds in honey are chrysin, pinobanksin, vitamin C, catalase, and pinocembrin. Unlike most other sweeteners, honey contains small amounts of a wide array of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants, which include a wide array of vitamins, such as vitamin B6, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, and pantothenic acid. In addition, honey contains essential minerals including calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc as well as several different amino acids have been identified in honey. Dark honey has more nutrients than lighter varieties. Vitamin and mineral content depend on the floral source of the honey. Honey has less than 2% sodium. Because of its antibacterial properties, pure honey can be preserved indefinitely.

Learn More About Honey Here 

 Figs are an excellent source of many vital minerals, vitamins and nutrients which can benefit the human body. Some of the nutrients found in figs include; calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, choline, vitamin A, phosphorus and vitamin K. Other trace nutrients found in the fruit are lutein, vitamin E, vitamin B6, folate, zinc, selenium and copper.

Learn More About Figs Here



Decreases risk of obesity as well as risk of a fatty liver.

Decrease activity of a fat-digesting enzyme released by our pancreas called pancreatic lipase. This decrease in enzyme activity may result in less digestion and absorption of fat.

Learn More About Raspberries Here 

Promotes healthy digestion and regularity

Loaded in Antioxidants

Helps Stop body damaging Free-Radicals

Full of Vitamin C to help absorb Iron that produces Red Blood Cells

A medium pear contains 15 percent of your daily copper‚ a trace mineral that's essential for a healthy central nervous system.

Good source of Vitamin K to promote normal blood clotting.

Learn More About Pears Here 

Shop Your Local Farmers Market

Full of Fiber Called Pectin

Curbs Cancer

Helps with Brain Function

Reduce Cholesterol

Slows plaque build up in your arteries

Helps prevent Diabetes

Detox your Liver

Prevent Cataracts

Learn More About Apples Here

Something to think about...

Plant Your Own Crop

Quinoa,Aarugula,Butternut Squash, Chickpeas

& dried Cherry salad

 

Get your Fresh On!

Cheers,

Vanessa

 

 

 

Spring Into Fall in Southern Texas

Still Feels Like Spring in Texas!

Our Fire Pit Is Still A Bird Feeder

Forever Roses

 

 

Texas Bird Bath

 

not ready to Fall Back next week...

Cheers,

Vanessa

Deep Fall Discounts on Ironstone China & Limoges!

Click Here

An introduction to cedar & it's theraputic benefits!

 

Cedarwood or cedar wood essential oil is taken from a number of closely-related cedar trees, from theCedrus family.  The oil is taken from the actual wood of the tree, and it subsequently has a woodsy, spicy scent.

Cedarwood oil has been used for thousands of years, and the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans all used it for various medical conditions. Cedarwood incense was common in ancient Egypt, and is still used in Tibetan Buddhist religious ceremonies to this day. The ancient Egyptians also used cedarwood oil extensively in the mummification process.

This wonderful essential oil has many, many healing properties, but it is most often used for its tranquilising effect. Cedar wood oil is also a valuable tool in skin care products.

                               

As an astringent, cedarwood essential oil can help cure toothache, and can help the gums tighten around the teeth. 

 

The astringent properties of cedarwood oil also cause it to give muscles a youthful elasticity and to tighten the pores of the facial skin.

 

Another fantastic effect of cedar wood oil is that it is anti-sebhorroeic, which means it helps clear up the dreaded skin disease sebhorroea.

 

Cedar wood oil can also help cure acne, dandruff, and other skin diseases and infections.

Cedarwood Aromatherapy

Used to scent a room through an aromatherapy oil diffuser, cedar wood essential oil has a strong calming, relaxing, and sedating effect.

 

It can be used in case of extreme stress, and it can even act as a pain reliever by relaxing the muscles. For someone who is very tense, including this in an aromatherapy oil blend can really someone help de-stress and un-wind during an aromatherapy massage.

 

Cedar wood oil is particularly soothing to a strained mind, and it can help relieve anxiety. 

It is also a good sleep aid, especially when sleeplessness comes from stress and worry. Because of this, cedar wood oil is often used in an aromatherapy oil diffuser to relieve the symptoms of insomnia. 

 

  

Other health properties of cedar wood essential oil

Cedar wood oil is also both a tonic and an astringent.  As a tonic, it helps tighten and tone the muscles of the body, including the stomach.

Cedarwood oil also improves brain function, tones the skin, and increases the body's metabolism, helping with weight loss and regulation.

 

Cedar wood essential oil is also excellent at reducing muscle spams in the digestive system, the heart, the lungs, and the nerves.

 

Used in a compress, an aromatherapy oil diffuser, or in the air, cedar wood oil can reduce coughing, and it can help with problems associated with the digestive system.  This oil is also a good expectorant, and it can be used in place of conventional, chemical-ridden expectorant medications to relieve cough and congestion associated with colds, the flu, and allergies.

 

Cedar wood essential oil also relieves other cold, flu, and allergy symptoms, influding runny nose, itchy, red, or watery eyes, and headache.

 

Since cedar wood oil is both an expectorant and a sedative, it can be used in a compress or an aromatherapy oil diffuser to relieve congestion and help cold, flu, and allergy victims fall asleep more easily and rest more deeply.

 

Cedar wood essential oil is an emmenagogue, which means that it stimulates blood flow to the pelvic area. When used correctly, cedar wood oil can stimulate menstruation. It can also regulate the monthly cycle if it is unpredictable.  Beyond this, cedar wood essential oil is good for women because it relieves the pain, nausea, and fatigue associated with menstruation and pre-mentrual syndrom.

 

Cedar Sachet Drawer Liner wrapped in natural linen!

 

 

Elegantly line your drawers with the warm woodsy scent of cedar. Helps keep out unwanted odors and moths.

100% Linen, silk band, cedar.
Made in the USA.

16 x 22,  $32.00

View in Shop HERE!

This week I will dedicate my blog to inform you of the benefits of organic herbs and spa items in your day to day life.

Today is about the benefits of Lavender!

 

Skin Conditions...

Use this soothing purple herb to calm your stomach, mind and skin.

"Lavender oil can help scalp conditions," says Francesca Fusco, M.D., a New York City-based dermatologist. To make Dr. Fusco's gentle dandruff remedy: Wet hair with warm water and towel dry. Next, grab a mug and mix 15 drops of lavender essential oil in 2 tablespoons olive or almond oil. Microwave for about 10 seconds or until it feels warm. Massage the oil into your scalp, pop on a shower cap, let set for an hour, then shampoo out. "It may take several treatments to see benefits," Dr. Fusco notes.

Bust Bloating...

Bloating and poor digestion can result from an overgrowth of "bad" bacteria (which can happen when you take antibiotics). "The polyphenols (a type of antioxidant) in lavender can help reduce the 'bad' bacteria in your gut," says Christine Gerbstadt, M.D., author of "Doctor's Detox Diet" and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

For its de-puff perks, sprinkle dried culinary lavender onto Greek yogurt (also gut friendly).

It HELPS you RELAX...

You may have heard that breathing in the smell of lavender makes you drowsy; turns out, it's true. Research shows the scent lowers heart rate and blood pressure, putting you in a relaxed state. To set yourself up for zzz's, put a handful of dried lavender in a vase on your nightstand -- or use a diffuser with lavender oil.

But note: "Lavender isn't a game-changer unless you practice other sleep-promoting habits," says Joseph Ojile, M.D., founder of Clayton Sleep Institute in St. Louis. Start to avoid caffeine 10 hours before bed, keep gadgets silent and turn in at the same time every night.

Calm Itchy Skin....

So you're a mosquito magnet? Get the itch out with lavender essential oil. "It's a natural anti-inflammatory, so it helps reduce itching, swelling, and redness," explains Naila Malik, M.D., a Texas-based dermatologist. Dab a drop or two on the area and wait about 15 minutes for it to seep in

(but stop if skin becomes more irritated).

Apply as needed every six to eight hours for the next 24 hours.

Healthy up your meals....

Add lavender's phytonutrients (good-for-you plant compounds) to any meal by using herbes de Provence (available at grocery stores). Sprinkle the lavender-based spice blend onto sauteed or grilled meats, poultry, vegetables and even whole-grain pilafs (barley, couscous, brown rice),

Dr. Gerbstadt suggests. Voila!

 

Oprah's favorite! Line your pillow with French lavender for sweet scented dreams or lightly scent a drawer or suitcase.

100% Linen, silk band, French lavender. Made in the USA.

16 x 22 / $32.00

Find items like these HERE from VintageInfused.com

 

Tomorrow we will discuss Cedar for Fall...

 

Vanessa


 

Ironstone Facts

                    Back after Summer...Today's Leason is on Ironstone!

Ironstone Facts

Early ironstone china, or stoneware, was originally made in England and was meant to be an alternative to the more fragile earthenware and porcelain. Charles James Mason and his family patented ironstone in 1813 in the Staffordshire Pottery District in England and produced wares with the backstamp "Mason's Ironstone China". Early ironstone was decorated, but by the 1840s wares were typically plain white. Mason's patent did not last long, and by the late 1820s several other Staffordshire potters were producing ironstone china. Staffordshire became the center of ironstone production because of its abundance of high-quality clay. J. & G. Meakin became one of the highest quality Staffordshire potters.

 

 

Ironstone pottery was a form of durable, porcelain-like ceramic. Mason's ironstone was distinctive for containing iron slag as one of its ingredients. However, other manufacturers such as Spode and Ridgway made very similar products throughout the 19th century. Ironstone pottery can usually be identified by its markings and physical properties. The genuine article will show some wear and discoloration to the rim of the base from a century or so of being moved from one dusty shelf to another, while reproductions will look pale and new.

Not all ironstone is marked. Very old ironstone made before 1813 and American white "granite ware" may not be marked. Most pieces will bear the word "ironstone" or terms such as "stone china" or "semi-porcelain." These words can appear both by themselves or as part of a complete maker's backstamp. Pieces by Mason usually carry the mark "Mason's Ironstone China," while Spode pieces often say "Spode Stone China." Ridgway ironstone is often marked with a backstamp which omits the manufacturer's name but which includes the words "Stone Ware" or "Ironstone" and the pattern name within one of a variety of decorative borders.

Acquaint yourself with the many names that ironstone goes by. They include Chelsea Grape, Chelsea Sprig, Flow Blue, Gaudy Ironstone, Mason's Ironstone, Moss Rose, Staffordshire, graniteware, stoneware, opaqueware, and Tea Leaf Ironstone. Know that old ironstone comes in many "shapes," as they are referred to. It was--and still is--a workhorse. Along with serving dishes, you may find chamberpots (also called sanitary ware), utilitarian storage jugs, washing pitchers and bowls, soap dishes, snuff boxes and cups without handles.

Crazing (a term you will hear often when referring to condition of a piece) is a pattern of tiny, random lines on ironstone or porcelain. Crazing affects only the shiny glaze on the ironstone/porcelain and has a minimal effect on value, unless it is heavily stained or discolored. Crazing can be caused by age or by the glaze shrinking more than the body of the piece during cooling. Removing the stains in crazing in porcelain dishes can improve their overall appearance and allow the beauty of the porcelain to show through its age.

We define Vintage as 50+ years old, and Antique 100+ years old. 

White Ironstone: Open Here!