Easy To Make Gardeners Hand Scrub

February 23, 2025 Looking for the Light3 Comments

You Will Need

Bowl

Spoon

1/4 cup Castile soap

1/4 cup fractionated coconut oil

12 drops of lemongrass essential oil

5 drops lavender essential oil

5 drops lemon essential oil

5 peppermint essential oil

5 drops peppermint essential oil

1/2 cup sea salt, fine, Epson salt

1 cup sugar

Glass jar

To Make

In a bowl, mix together the Castile soap, coconut oil, and essential oils. Add salt and sugar, and stir to combine. Store the scrub in a glass jar. To use, add a small amount of warm water to your and, scrubbing off any excess dirt. Rise with warm water and enjoy your newly moisturized hands.

Melinda

Reference;

Willow & Sage by Stampington

Celebrate Life · DIY · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Safety Tips For Making Natural Products

February 22, 2025 Looking for the Light3 Comments

Sterilize Containers & Tools

Use clean, sterilized spray bottles, containers, and tools when making natural products. The dishwasher works well to clean and sterilize tools, particularly for something that will be stored long term. Wipe out any jars or bottles with 100% vinegar before adding a product to the container. Make sure to use clean hands or tools when using and applying the product.

Water Safety

Distilled (or boiled & cooled) water is best to use for any homemade product calling for water because it removes any potential contaminants. Tap water should be boiled for 15 minutes and cooled before use.

Label Products

Label your products with the name and date made. This can be as basic as using a permanent marker to write directly on glass or tape.

Avoid Mixing Certain Products

There are a few ingredients that should not be mixed together due to chemical reactions: this applies mainly to cleaning products.

There are mainly three notorious natural combos, using, using four different ingredients (baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, and Castile soap) that should be avoided.

Storage Tips

Store your products in a dark, cool place. Store them in airtight containers to eliminate humidity and other contaminants. Reduce the chance of outside water coming into contact with the product; for example, scoop out a scrub with a spoon rather than your fingers.

Melinda

Reference:

Willow & Sage by Stampington

Celebrate Life · DIY · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Self-Care

Juniper Berry Acne Serum

February 22, 2025 Looking for the Light24 Comments

You Will Need

Mortar & pestle or coffee grinder

2 TB. juniper berries

1 TB. dried rosemary

1 TB. dried calendula petals

Glass jar with ring

3 OZ. hemp seed oil

3 OZ. jojoba oil

Cheesecloth

Funnel

Dropper bottles: amber-colored 2 OZ. (3)

Spoon

Small pot

To Make

Using a motor and pestle or coffee grinder, lightly crush or grind the juniper berries. For the cold-pressed foldlore theodicy, add crushed, rosemary, and calendula petals to a sterilized jar. Top with hemp seed and jojoba oils and seal the jar. Shake to combine and place in a cool dry place for four to six weeks. Give the jar a good shake every few days to aid the infusion. Once the oils are infused, place a layer of cheesecloth over the jar, using the ring to secure it. With the help of a funnel, pour the cooled oil into dropper bottles.

Melinda

Reference:

Willow & Sage by Stampington

Celebrate Life · Fun · Mental Health · Music

#Weekend Music Share-Pink – Me & Bobby McGee

February 21, 2025 Looking for the Light14 Comments

It’s the weekend!!!!!!

I’m glad you joined me for another edition of Weekend Music Share this week.

Have a great weekend!

Melinda

Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.

Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Friday Quote

February 21, 2025 Looking for the Light6 Comments

Thank you for joining me for this week’s Friday Quote.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Friendships · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Good Times on the Highway to Hell Part 4

February 20, 2025 Looking for the Light9 Comments

More antics in my life

I moved to a new apartment for my job and it had a nice fireplace. I was so excited until I lit it. I knew nothing about fireplaces and didn’t open the flue. My place filled with smoke, and my fire detector was going crazy. I ran downstairs to the only person I had met and he opened the flue for me. What an embarrassment. It got black gunk on the only expensive piece of art I owned.

I’ve always been a curious person, even as a child I was always getting into trouble. When I was five years old, I snuck into the janitor’s closet at daycare. There were big plastic buckets of paint. I opened the lid on one and it looked dried out. So I stuck my arm in the paint and to my surprise only the top was dry. I had to tell on myself because my arm was covered to the shoulder and dripping paint.

This is one of my best stories and one that makes me laugh every time. I stopped to get gas, I put the nozzle in the car as always and put my card in to pay. It wasn’t working, after a few tries, I went in to see what was up. The guy said they were changing shifts and it would be another 30 minutes before the pumps would work. I was so angry, I jumped in my car and took off. I’m driving up the street and people are pointing to the back of my car. I then realized I had torn the nozzle off the gas pump. I laughed till I cried. I got home and threw it in the trash.

When I was 12 years old, my dad’s friend left his car at the house. It was a hot rod and I wanted to drive it. I didn’t know how to drive but I was determined. I asked Daddy, and he said no of course. He was on the phone so when he got really involved in the call, I grabbed the keys and went for a ride. I drove it around the cuddle de sac and back to the house. I parked, then thought I was too far away from the curb so I moved it. The only problem was we had a fire hydrate by our driveway and I got on the gas too much and ran right into the fire hydrant. My dad came out screaming words I won’t use here but he was a maniac.

My best friend was close to my grandparents, one day she placed a huge cucumber in the toilet. She didn’t even tell me. Gramps was the victim! He got such a kick out of it.

These are the Hotel Stories

During the construction of a swanky hotel, I lived in the hotel until our job was completed. My job was to expedite all the furniture, carpet, and artwork for the hotel and at night I ran a temporary crew of about 10 guys. The halls were not carpeted so I wore my roller skates to make sure they were putting furniture in the right room and placed where specified. I did this for 8 months, it was exhausting but I learned so much.

Speaking of the hotels, the same one, all the craftspeople were still working so getting in an elevator is always a wait because there are so many waiting for two construction elevators. One day my boss and I were going to lunch, a full elevator stopped and I jumped in. The doors didn’t shut, and people were hanging on to me, as we fell four floors landing in the basement. My boss did not get on the elevator and he was looking for and couldn’t find me. I was in shock and had crawled around the corner leaning on a wall-shaking, and thinking I could have died.

Also while working at the same hotel, the Fire Department was testing the fire alarms all the time, several times a day. We stopped paying attention and kept working. A Fire Marshal comes into our office and says the fire is in this room. I looked down and sure enough, my trashcan was on fire. Guess my cigarettes were the cause.

At night before the team started placing furniture in the rooms, we would meet in a staging area and discuss the plan for the night. I also ran the elevator while they worked. We always had to use the service elevator. I had the elevator stop between floors on me, one not open, and one time I had to crawl out the top. Not to mention falling four floors. Surprisingly, I’m not afraid of elevators.

I hope you’re laughing with me!

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Fun Facts, Did You Know?

February 19, 2025February 19, 2025 Looking for the Light9 Comments

Fact: Cap’n Crunch’s full name is Horatio Magellan Crunch

He’s also been called out for only having the bars of a Navy commander, but the so-called cap’n held his ground on Twitter, arguing that captaining the S. S. Guppy with his crew “makes an official Cap’n in any book!” For more fun facts, find out other characters you didn’t know had full names.

Fact: The CIA headquarters has its own Starbucks, but baristas don’t write names on the cups

Its receipts say “Store Number 1” instead of “Starbucks,” and its workers need an escort to leave their work posts. Find out why “Pequod” was almost the name for Starbucks.

Fact: Giraffe tongues can be 20 inches long

Their dark bluish black color is probably to prevent sunburn.

Fact: There’s only one U.S. state capital without a McDonald’s

Montpelier, Vermont, doesn’t have any of those Golden Arches. It also happens to have the smallest population of any state capital, with just 7,500 residents. Find out the farthest you can possibly be from a McDonald’s in the United States.

Fact: Europeans were scared of eating tomatoes when they were introduced

Scholars think Hernán Cortés brought the seeds in 1519 with the intent of the fruits being used ornamentally in gardens. By the 1700s, aristocrats started eating tomatoes, but they were convinced the fruits were poison because people would die after eating them. In reality, the acidity from the tomatoes brought out lead in their pewter plates, so they’d died of lead poisoning. These facts about our world are so surprising, they’re hard to believe.

Fact: Humans aren’t the only animals that dream

Studies have indicated rats dream about getting to food or running through mazes. Most mammals go through REM sleep, the cycle in which dreams occur, so scientists think there’s a good chance they all dream. Here are 13 more interesting facts about dreaming.

Fact: The inventor of the microwave appliance only received $2 for his discovery

Percy Spencer was working as a researcher for American Appliance Company (now Raytheon) when he noticed a radar set using electromagnetic waves melted the candy bar in his pocket. He had the idea to make a metal box using microwaves to heat food, but the company was the one to file the patent. He received a $2 bonus but never any royalties. Here are 16 more random facts about money.

Fact: The Eiffel Tower can grow more than six inches during the summer

The high temperatures make the iron expand. Don’t miss these other 19 Eiffel Tower facts you never learned before.

Fact: Glitter was made on a ranch

A cattle rancher in New Jersey is credited for inventing glitter, and it was by accident. Henry Ruschmann from Bernardsville, New Jersey was a machinist who crushed plastic while trying to find a way to dispose of it and thus made glitter in 1934.

Fact: Creature is a vegetarian

Victor Frankenstein’s Creature is actually vegetarian. Frankenstein and Creature are fictional characters created by Mary Shelley in her novel, Frankenstein. In the novel, Creature says, “My food is not that of man; I do not destroy the lamb and the kid to glut my appetite; acorns and berries afford me sufficient nourishment.”

So glad you are enjoying these post, I love hearing your hilarious comments.

Melinda

Repost

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Mental Health

Wordless Wednesday-Let’s Ride

February 19, 2025February 19, 2025 Looking for the Light2 Comments

I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and I hope to see you soon.

A tray from my collection. Stay tuned for more. I received this one for Christmas.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Photography

The Art and Pitfalls of Image Manipulation By Guest Blogger Prasenjeet Gautam

February 18, 2025February 18, 2025 Looking for the Light6 Comments

Mar 18, 2024

As a beginner photographer, the allure of image manipulation can be hard to resist. With powerful editing software at your fingertips, it’s tempting to transform your photos dramatically. However, without understanding the potential side effects, excessive manipulation can do more harm than good. It often takes years of practice to master the subtlety and restraint needed to enhance images effectively without compromising their integrity.

Understanding Image Manipulation

Image manipulation involves altering or enhancing a photograph using various techniques and tools. This can range from basic adjustments like brightness and contrast to more complex edits like retouching, compositing, and adding special effects. While these tools can significantly improve a photo, they can also lead to over-manipulation if not used judiciously.

The Allure of Excessive Editing

For beginners, the excitement of discovering what editing software can do often leads to over-manipulation. Bright colors, extreme contrasts, and flawless skin retouching might initially seem appealing. However, these edits can quickly turn a natural-looking photograph into an unrealistic image that loses its original essence and authenticity.

Side Effects of Over-Manipulation

Loss of Authenticity: Over-editing can make photos look artificial. The charm of a photograph often lies in its natural imperfections, and excessive manipulation can strip away the authenticity that makes an image relatable and engaging.

Reduced Image Quality: Excessive editing, especially when applying filters and effects, can degrade the quality of the image. Overuse of sharpening tools can introduce noise, while aggressive color adjustments can lead to unnatural hues and tonal imbalances.

Viewer Distrust: In an era where authenticity is highly valued, overly manipulated images can lead to viewer distrust. Audiences today are more aware of photo editing techniques and can easily spot when an image has been excessively altered.

Time-Consuming: Spending too much time on editing can be counterproductive. While post-processing is important, it’s essential to strike a balance to ensure you’re not spending more time editing than shooting.

Skill Dependency: Relying heavily on editing software can hinder the development of essential photography skills. It’s crucial to learn how to capture well-composed, properly exposed images in-camera to minimize the need for extensive post-processing.

Finding the Right Balance

Learn the Basics: Start with basic adjustments like exposure, contrast, and color correction. Mastering these foundational edits will help you understand how to enhance your photos without overdoing it.

Preserve Natural Elements: Aim to retain the natural elements of your photographs. Enhance features that draw attention to your subject without overshadowing the overall composition.

Seek Feedback: Share your edited photos with more experienced photographers and ask for their feedback. Constructive criticism can help you recognize when you’ve gone too far with your edits.

Practice Restraint: Less is often more in photo editing. Use a light touch and make incremental changes. Step away from your work and return with fresh eyes to evaluate your edits before finalizing them.

Develop Your Style: Over time, you’ll develop a unique editing style that enhances your work without compromising its integrity. Experiment with different techniques, but always prioritize the story and emotion you want your photo to convey.

Conclusion

Image manipulation is a powerful tool in a photographer’s arsenal, but it requires skill and restraint to use effectively. As a beginner, it’s crucial to understand the potential pitfalls of over-manipulation and strive to find a balance that enhances your images without detracting from their authenticity. With time, practice, and a focus on developing your photography skills, you’ll learn to create stunning images that resonate with viewers and stand the test of time.

Keep experimenting! May your photographic journey be filled with endless discoveries and captivating narratives. If you’re curious to explore more captivating images and the stories behind them,

Please feel free to visit Photographer & Blogger Prasenjeet Gautam’s portfolio at http://www.prasenjeetgautam.com

Happy shooting!

Be sure to visit Prasenjeet’s blog, and engulf yourself in his photos and wealth of knowledge.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Self-Care

Things I’m Loving-Household, Beauty, And Pets

February 18, 2025 Looking for the Light8 Comments

Here are a few products I’m loving right now. I hope you find a product to add to your household or self-care routine. The list may also give you ideas for a surprise for friends and family. Most products are found on Amazon. I’m not an Amazon Affiliate, I do not make a commission on anything you buy, and using the links does not cost you more.

Verilux HappyLight Lumi Plus

Light Therapy Lamp with 10,000 Lux, UV-Free, LED Bright White Light with Adjustable Brightness, Countdown Timer, & Detachable Stand – Boost Mood, Sleep, and Focus.

Customizable Lighting Experience: Personalize your light therapy with 3 brightness settings and a convenient countdown timer programmable up to 1 hour in 15-minute increments.

Visit the Verilux Store

I have been feeling down and some of it may be because it’s Winter and there is less light. Therapy Lights are a great way to get extra light in that they mimic sunlight. I use mine for an hour a day.

Andalou Naturals Body Butter

Kukui Cocoa Nourishing Body Cream, 8 Oz, Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter & Argan Oil for Dry Skin, Vegan.

Nourishing Body Butter: This luscious body butter blends shea and cocoa butter with argan oil to nourish, smooth and soften the appearance of dry skin. This rich, nourishing lotion helps hydrate.

This was purchased at Whole Foods, an Amazon grocery store, but Amazon may also carry the product.

Visit the Andalou Naturals Store

This body butter is the best! It comes in a tube and it’s creamy and soft, soaks in quickly, and leaves no greasy residue. The cocoa smell is delicious but not overwhelming and it’s long lasting.

HENCKELS Razor-Sharp Steak Knife Set of 8

German Engineered Informed by 100+ Years of Mastery, Black

SET INCLUDES: Set of eight
SHARP BLADE: Large serrations containing smaller serrations ensure sharpness
QUALITY MANUFACTURING: 4.5 inches steel blades will stay sharp for years
BALANCED KNIFE: Triple riveted handles provide strength and longevity
EASY CLEAN UP: Dishwasher safe; hand washing recommended

Brand: HENCKELS

Our cheap knife set had seen better days. When I was searching for an upgraded set, not an expensive set, they had to go in the dishwasher. We have a set of expensive Henkels but don’t use them because they have to be hand-washed, I used them when I was single. This set was at a great price point and the blades are sharp.

Bedsure Calming Dog Bed for Small Dogs

Donut Washable Small Pet Bed, 23 inches Anti-Slip Round Fluffy Plush Faux Fur Large Cat Bed, Fits up to 25 lbs Pets, Camel.

Soothing Support: This donut dog bed is ideal for pets who love to curl up. The raised rim snuggles your cat or dog, offering optimal head and neck support and a sense of security. Premium ultra-soft filling offers joint and muscle pain relief.

Visit the Bedsure Store

I have two of these beds and our dogs love them, I often find them asleep with their heads over the edge sleeping. The fabric is shaggy, soft and warm. I put one of their blankets in there and they love it.

Lesure Waterproof Puppy Blanket for Small Dogs

Washable Double Sided Dog Blankets with Warm Jacquard Shag and Soft Sherpa Fleece, Pet Cat Blanket for Couch Protection, 3D Textured Cloud, Blue.

Cuddle-Ready Comfort: One up your snuggle game with Lesure’s waterproof blanket! The feel of soothing Sherpa on one side and an extra plush Jacquard shag on the flip side promises your furry friend’s ultimate warmth and coziness. Light as a feather, this blanket shields your beloved pets from the chill and damp, keeping them toasty and comfy.

Visit the LE SURE Store

The blanket is two-sided and my dogs love the sherpa side, it’s warm and comfy. Our little dog has not shown interest in blankets before but she is attached to this one.