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

Tips For The Aspiring Herbalist Gardeners

Embrace the shade

Don’t depair if your backyard isn’t bathed in sunlight. Many medicinal herbs thrive in partial shade, including lemon balm, mint, skullcap, sweet woodruff and thyme.

Start Small, start simple

Begin with a few easy-to-grow herbs, like rosemary, lavender, and calendula. As you gain confidence, you can expand your collection.

Observe and learn

Pay close attention to how hearts grow and respond to their environment. Keep a journal to make note of eaches plants unique needs, and preferences. Research their medicinal properties, history, and folklore and record your insights.

Connect with community

Join a local gardening club or community garden. Sharing knowledge and resources with other gardners can be incredibly rewarded.

Grow what you need

Consider what ailments or conditions you’d like to address with your herbal remedies. Camomile can a great ally for stress, headaches, and sleep. Peppermint can calm an upset stomach and sooth nausea.

Harvest with intention

When harvesting your herbs, do so with gratitude and respect; this will enhance healing properties.

Make it a sensory experience

Engage your senses. Smell the herbs, feel their textures, taste the leaves, and observe their growth.

Melinda

Referece:

Stamping

Celebrate Life · Fun · Mental Health · Music

#Weekend Music Share-James Bay – Best Fake Smile

So much fun! James Bay is one of my favorite UK artist.

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 · Mental Health

Wordless Wednesday-Birthday Surprise

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

 

My husband surprised me with this awesome arrangement for my birthday. You can’t beat Roses and Hydrangea.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · DIY · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Mental Health · Self-Care

Easy To Make Calming Essential Oil Blends

This combination smells lovely and helps to soothe anxious feelings. You can keep one in your purse to have on hand throughout the day.

YOU WILL NEED

Carrier oil: fractionated coconut oil/grapeseed oil/jojoba oil

Glass roller bottle 10-ml.

6 drops lavender essential oil

6 drops orange essential oil

6 drops patchouli essential oil

4 drops frankincense essential oil

TO MAKE

Add the carrier oil to the glass roller bottle. Add essential oils to the bottle, and shake to combine.

Melinda

Repost

Reference:

Willow and Sage by Stampington

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Fun · Men & Womens Health · Music

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What do you listen to while you work?

I didn’t have the opportunity to listen to music at work until I moved into a sales role. My days were spent driving to client meeting to client meeting so there was time to enjoy some tunes. I listened to some popular 90’s music but mostly CD’s of my favorite old Rock & Roll tunes.

I’m now retired and enjoy quite days unless my husband sends me a link to a song he thinks I’ll like. I’ve included a great tune by Bonnie Rait & Keb Mo.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Fun

Fun Facts That Will Amaze You

I’m so glad you are enjoying Fun Facts. I learn something new each week, even if it’s weird. I love hearing your comments! 

Canada is south of Detroit (just look at a map)

The original name for the search engine Google was Backrub. It was renamed Google after the googol, which is the number one followed by 100 zeros. (about.google)

The oldest-known living land animal is a tortoise named Jonathan, who is 187 years old. He was born in 1832 and has lived on the island of St. Helena in the Atlantic Ocean since 1882. (guinnessworldrecords.com)

 Bats are the only mammal that can actually fly.

Wombats are the only animal whose poop is cube-shaped. This is due to how its intestines form the feces. The animals then stack the cubes to mark their territory. (bbc.com)

Enjoy! 

Melinda

 

Celebrate Life · Cooking · Family · Fun · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What’s your go-to comfort food?

Many of the go to comfort foods today are the same since childhood. Mac & cheese, chicken & potato soup, peanut butter & jelly sandwichs, chocolate cake and my daily Cherrios top the list. My Gramps made the best homemade chicken soup and a mean job on potato soup.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Family · Fun · Health and Wellbeing

Today Is My Birthday, Let’s Celebrate!

Birthdays have always meant something to me, as a child it was all about the cake, as I grew older it was about the presents but now it’s a celebration of life. Surviving the struggles and appreciating what additional knowledge I have. It’s a great day.

Me and My Pony
Final test for scuba certification 1987
My name is Miss Trouble
Happy Face
Toys for Tots Yearly Run
Big Island 1993

My Birthday meal is sweet corn and shrimp on the grill. Yummy!

Happy Birthday to everyone who shares the special day.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Mental Health · Music

#Weekend Music Share-Chris Isaak – Wicked Game (Live)

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 · Daily Writing Prompt · Family · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · History · Men & Womens Health · Photography

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
Which activities make you lose track of time?

There are many activities I can lose myself into, like photography, ancestry, looking at old photos of my family and ancestors, working in my garden, watching birds and researching topics of interest.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Mental Health

Wordless Wednesday-Blooming Mandaville

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

Melinda

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

Favorite Health & Wellness Shower Steamers-Great Gift

These shower steamers are great for self-care and make great gifts. I’ve looked on Amazon and was surprised by how expensive Steamers are. Treat yourself, your friends, and to family to these favorite shower steamers.

Willow and Sage by Stampington

What You Will Need

1 cup baking soda

1/2 cup citric acid

1/3 cup arrowroot powder

1/4 cup kaolin clay

Bowl: Large non-metallic

Spray the bottle with water

Nitrile gloves

Silicone mold: cylinder

45 drops of rosemary essential oil

45 drops peppermint essential oil

30 drops of chamomile essential oil

Dried leaves/herbs (optional)

150 drops of eucalyptus essential oil

Dried eucalyptus leaves, crushed (optional)

Mica: green (optional)

120 drops of peppermint essential oil

2 TB. menthol crystals Mica: Agua (optional)

How to Make

Add all the dry ingredients to a large, non-metallic bowl and whisk until blended. Drop the essential oils on the dry ingredients, and stir to combine. The essential oils can create droplets, which will dissolve in the following step.

Spray the mixture with a little water and incorporate it immediately to avoid a reaction. If you don’t have a spray bottle, sprinkle water on the mixture using a teaspoon.

Put on nitrile gloves to protect your hands when kneading the mixture as the citric acid can irritate sensitive skin and nail polish. The mixture should feel like damp sand and be wet enough to hold its shape when pressed together. If using colored mica and dried herbs or flowers, add them to the mixture.

Fill the silicone mold with the mixture, and press firmly into the mold using your fingertips, paying attention to the edges. Let the mixture dry for 24-48 hours. Making shower steamers can be affected by the humidity; in a humid environment, the drying time may be longer. When they feel hard and solid, carefully peel back the mold and gently pop out of the disk. Store the steamers in an airtight container or jar, and ensure that the steamers aren’t exposed to water or moisture. The shelf life is one year.

Before use, let warm water run for several minutes to moisturize the air. It’s best to place the steamer away from the running water and the drain. Ideally, only the bottom of the tabs should be wet. You can also put a shower steamer in a soap dish. Breathe in deeply as the essential oils vaporize.

These are a year-round self-care treat. Make a huge batch and then you have some for gifts. Don’t forget your self-care, save some for yourself. 

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
List 10 things you know to be absolutely certain.

God loves me

Jesus died for my sins

Artificial Intelligence is good and very bad

Climate change is real

My dogs love me

My husband loves me

Writing is the perfect outlet

My Grandparents past the through the pearly gates

Compromise is the start to finding a solution

The politics of today will change in future

I’m not sure what picture someone will draw about me after reading this post, I’d love your feedback.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Communicating · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · History · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
If you could host a dinner and anyone you invite was sure to come, who would you invite?

My dinner party would be non-traditional in that each guest is deceased. First it would be multiple parties to talk with everyone I have questions for. The first party would include Jesus, The Virgin Mother, Peter, and Moses. Each shaped my would profoundly and I would love to expaned on certain topics I’m not clear on. I believe Jesus has the ability to see present day but not so much the others. I would love to hear Jesus take on the world today and his new rally cry to Christains. Since the Bible is the foundation of the Christain religion, Jesus might not have anything else to add.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

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

Preparing To Travel: What Do You Need To Think About

There are a number of things you need to know before embarking on a travel adventure. For many people, going on a trip is something they’ve always wanted to do, but it’s not something you can simply just start without any preparation. You need to do a lot of planning and research, and you also need to learn how to control your expectations. Because every location and journey is unique, it’s important to brush up on the essentials before you go; read on to find out more. 

Saving Money 

If you want to spend less money when traveling, you need to learn how to save money. There are a lot of things that might add up if you approach your adventure like a typical vacation, so it’s vital to spend some time thinking about what’s most important to you. To save money, you may have to give up staying in posh hotels and dining out every night.

Reducing the amount of luggage you bring, learning how to get inexpensive flights, and even traveling in the off-season can all help you save money when you travel. When you’re planning a trip, it’s a good idea to look for ways to save money and tailor your trip accordingly. 

Pack Carefully 

What you can and cannot do while you’re gone will be dictated by how you pack, so prepare accordingly. Of course, if you’re just going to stay in one hotel, it doesn’t hurt to bring a few extra things with you since you won’t be dragging them around from place to place. If, on the other hand, you want to travel, you’ll want to learn to pack light since you don’t want to be carrying heavy baggage from place to place and run the risk of losing things on the way.

It’s difficult to pack lightly if you’ve never done it before, but a general guideline is to bring just what you need, bearing in mind that you can purchase some items at your destination if you really need to. Check that you have adequate room for your crucial papers and gadgets that you will need while you are there. You’ll most likely need your phone, a power bank, a camera, and a travel adapter to charge all of your electronics. If you’re planning on camping or hiking, you’ll also need your specialist equipment from ECOGEAR FX

Important Documents 

Depending on where you’re going and the country you’re coming from, you’ll require a different set of paperwork. You may be required to travel with a certain passport and a visa in some cases. If you don’t do your homework in advance, your trip will be a disaster; you might not even get to go in the first place. You should always double-check your understanding of the requirements before proceeding so you aren’t disappointed and don’t lose a lot of money. 

Also, it’s a good idea to keep a copy of your papers in a separate location just in case. On top of this, always have all your passport information and additional passport photos with you on any trip. This could save you a lot of trouble if yours goes missing. Having a backup plan in case you lose your passport while traveling might make things a lot less stressful.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

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Celebrate Life · Fun · Mental Health · Music

#Weekend Music Share-The Doobie Brothers – What a fool believes (No Nukes 1979)

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

Fun Facts That Will Amaze You

I’m so glad you enjoy Fun Facts. I learn something new each week, even if it’s weird. I love hearing your comments! 

In ancient Greece, the word for “cook” and “priest,” was the same: “mageiros,” which shares its etymological root with the word “magic.
New Yorkers bite 10 times more people than sharks do worldwide each year.
According to legend, cats were created when a lion on Noah’s ark sneezed and two kittens came out
Knitting acts as a natural antidepressant and can help ease anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. It can also protect the brain from aging.
Candy Land was created 70 years ago to give kids stuck in polio wards a way to vicariously move freely in the pursuit of delights. The original board featured a boy in a leg brace about to walk through starting gate of the game
Just 30 minutes of daily complaining can physically damage your brain. Listening to someone constantly complain also negatively affects brain function.
A German word for nightmare is “alptraum,” which literally means “elf dream.” In German folklore, elves were dangerous figures who could control dreams and create nightmares.
Rocky Road ice cream was originally marketed during the Great Depression as a metaphor for coping with the economic crash
The Titanic‘s chief baker nonchalantly stepped off the stern of the sinking liner and calmly paddled around until he was rescued at dawn. Experts note that he survived the disaster by getting completely drunk.
“Moonglade” is the bright reflection of the moon‘s light on an expanse of water.
Snakes do not have eyelids. Although they cannot close their eyes while they are sleeping, they can close their retinas

Enjoy the humor and try not to laugh too hard like I do each week.

Melinda

 

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Mental Health

Wordless Wednesday-Basil

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

 

We’ve made several homemade pizza’s and the fresh basil in icing on the cake.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing

Fun Facts That Will Amaze You

I’m so glad you are enjoying Fun Facts. I learn something new each week, even if it’s weird. I love hearing your comments! 

Flamingoes are only pink because of chemicals called carotenoids in the algae and fish (which also eat the algae) they eat; their feathers are grayish white when they’re born.

 Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal in the world: They kill more people than any other creature, due to the diseases they carry. (cdc.gov)

What do Miss Piggy and Yoda have in common? They were both voiced by the same person, puppeteer Frank Oz.

 Psycho was the first movie to show a toilet flushing. (npr.com)

One of the most famous movie lines in history was never said. We often quote, “Play it again, Sam,” from Casablanca; but the real line is, “Play it, Sam. Play ‘As Time Goes By.’” 

Enjoy! 

Melinda

Repost

 

Celebrate Life · Fun · Men & Womens Health · Travel

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
Describe your most memorable vacation.

I was on the way to the airport to fly to St. Petersburg, Russia when 9/11 happened, we heard about the disaster on the radio. Back home I called my gramps to ask him if he thought this was the beggining of WW3, he replied it to soon to tell.

The airspace was closed for two weeks before I could make the trip. What was so surprising is people from around the globe were coming up to me to say how sorry they were, some were offering hugs, it was comforting.

The city was more than In could ever ask for, the people, the food, the art, the architecture, the ballet, I could go on. I was told that most women do not travel alone so people would know I was American. The hotel staff took great care of me including calling the restaurants to let them I was coming and to look for me.

View out of my room

I was not alarmed or scared the entire time. Traveling back to St. Petersburg is a desire of mine, the political situation would have to change greatly.

Happy travels.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Fun · Music

#Weekend Music Share-Pharrell Williams – Happy (Video)

I love this song and can’t help but get up and dance, not just phsycaly but also in my heart.

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 · Communicating · Family · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What’s your definition of romantic?

It’s hard to define romantic because romance is different to everyone. Romance has to be pure without an agenda or expecting something in return. The action makes you happy as well, meaning that you are happy because they are happy. Romance doesn’t have a price tag or have to be a big deal, a hug or helping to fold clothes works great for me.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Mental Health

It’s My WordPress Anniversary

It’s exciting to recieve a reminder of the years I’ve been blogging, it’s something I love to do. My writing skills have improved over the years but what is most important is the connections made through my blog. Thank you for your support.

16 Year Anniversary Achievement

Happy Anniversary with WordPress.com!

You registered on WordPress.com 16 years ago.

Thanks for flying with us. Keep up the good blogging.

My first blog on WP was called Defining Memories which I started in 2005 and closed when I started Looking for the Light. It’s been a wild ride!

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Communicating · Fun · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
How do you express your gratitude?

Gratitude is easy to express, from saying thank you, giving hugs, letting people know you appreciate them or sending a card or text. I’m a card person myself, it feels extra special to me.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

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

How To Make Your Garden Gorgeous

Your Garden needs gentle care and attention throughout the year. Of course, in the spring and summer, we clean away the winter debris, ready for outdoor parties and barbecues. Or simply just to relax in your little private space. 

However, when the winter is coming upon us, leaves from a Fall, as well as the severe weather, can cause damage to your garden. It is very important that you take a couple of steps to get your garden looking gorgeous.

Debris

Throughout the autumnal months, there will be many leaves falling, and a lot of rain too. It is very easy for your garden to go from clean and tidy to look a little bit messy, and it eventually will become hard to keep tidy. 

Head out and pick up all of the debris; then set it aside because you can use this for a protective layer of mulch for your seedlings.

Take a pair of shears or some secateurs and strip away any loose or dead branches. 

Furniture

If you have furniture in your garden, it is a great idea now to buy some furniture covers; this can protect your furniture when the weather gets more severe. Bring your furniture over the winter months also makes it much easier to clean when springtime comes around. 

Now is also the perfect time to cover your barbecue or put it in the shed, ready for use next year.

Pond

Depending on what type of pond, you will change how you need to prepare it for the winter months. If you have wildlife in your pond, it is essential that you prepare it correctly for the winter months. Getting a pond maintenance services company out to check over your pond it’s a great idea and can avoid any costly repairs or severe damage over the winter months.

Bottom to top

You must start at the bottom and work your way up. Sweep up as much as possible, and also, it is a great time to scrub your patio or your decking. This will mean there is limited damage or weathering over the fall and winter months.

To clean your decking, you simply need to have a firm, stiff brush and apply pressure or use a pressure washer. The pressure washer, of course, being in the fastest way to clean those stains. 

After that, move to trimming back trees and bushes, wrapping roots in protective layers, and topping up any birdhouses with food. 

Pots

If you have plans that are dead or dying, you might have many planters that can be good and used for springtime planting. Remove all of the dead or dying plants and their roots and put them into your compost if you have one. 

Most often, the soil can be re-used, so put it somewhere safe ready for your big springtime planting session.

Your garden can be perfect all year round with just a few hours of maintenance here and there. 

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

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Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Mental Health

Wordless Wednesday-Garden Lizard

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

Guarding the tomatoe plants.

Melinda

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

Fun Facts That Will Amaze You

I’m so glad you are enjoying Fun Facts. I learn something new each week, even if it’s weird. I love hearing your comments.

Cows don’t actually have four stomachs; they have one stomach with four compartments. (fda.gov)

 The platypus doesn’t have a stomach at all: Their esophagus goes straight to their intestines. (nationalgeographic.com)

This is one animal myth that’s true: Eating parts of a pufferfish can kill you because, in a defense mechanism to ward off predators, it contains a deadly chemical called tetrodotoxin. There’s enough in one pufferfish to kill 30 people—and there’s no antidote. Still, pufferfish, called fugu, is a highly-prized delicacy in Japan, but can only be prepared by well-trained chefs. (nationalgeographic.com)

Polar bears have black skin. And actually, their fur isn’t white—it’s see-through, so it appears white as it reflects light.

Tigers’ skin is actually striped, just like their fur. Also, no two fur patterns are alike.

Enjoy! 

Melinda

 

Celebrate Life · Chronic Illness · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
What are your daily habits?

My life has changed so much because I have several chronic illness and I don’t leave the house that often. So my habits are a bit boring. The first thing is start the fireplace in my office, give the dogs a snack, eat breakfast and hit the computer to work on my blog. After the writing is done I play with the dogs, if needed do laundry and eat lunch and take a short nap.

I do any chores I can, spend time for self-care, make calls and at 4:30 I join my husband downstairs. A short time later we start working on dinner, watch the news and two shows we’ve recorded and then I’m off to bed an hour before bedtime so I can unwind and be relaxed when it’s time to sleep.

Its not a habit but each week there a couple of doctor apptoinments.

My life is the opposite of life before Lyme, cognitive impairment and agrophobia.

I keep looking for brighter and more exciting days.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Cooking · DIY · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Blogger Fav Slow-Cooker Banana Bread Oatmeal

This is the perfect year-round recipe and it’s so easy to make.

This recipe is from True Comfort by Kristin Cavallari, all the recipes are free of glutens and refined sugar.

What You Need

2 cups gluten-free rolled oats

4 cups full-fat coconut milk

2 bananas sliced

1 teaspoon pure vanilla

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Pink Himalayan salt

2 TB pure maple syrup

Serves six

How to make

In a slow cooker, combine oats, coconut milk, bananas, and 2 cups of water with the vanilla, cinnamon, and a big pinch of salt. Stir together, and cook on a low setting for 8 hours.

In the morning or when it’s ready to be served, add maple syrup to the oatmeal. Stir to combine and serve warm.

Melinda