Category: Gift Ideas

Calendula and Plantain Healing Salve

1/24/2025

INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup dried calendula flowers
1/4 cup dried plantain leaves
1/2 cup olive oil
1 oz beeswax
Small jar or tin

INSTRUCTIONS

Infuse the olive oil with calendula and plantain: Place herbs and oil in a double boiler or heatproof jar in a pot of water. Heat on low for 2-3 hours, ensuring the oil doesn’t burn.
Strain the herbs from the oil using cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer.
Return the oil to the double boiler and add the beeswax.
Stir until the beeswax melts, then pour into a clean jar or tin.
Let cool and solidify before use. This salve works wonders on cuts, scrapes, and dry skin.

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Lilac Benefits & Recipes

5/16/2024

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Lilacs boast a plethora of health benefits:

Immune Support: Lilac's antioxidants bolster the immune system by safeguarding immune cells, potentially enhancing their function, and aiding in the body's defense against infections and illnesses.
Antioxidant Protection: Abundant in flavonoids and polyphenols, lilacs combat harmful free radicals, mitigating oxidative stress and potentially reducing the risk of chronic ailments such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Stress Relief: Renowned for its calming fragrance, lilacs offer stress relief and mood improvement. Lilac essential oil or absolute is utilized in aromatherapy to induce relaxation, diminish anxiety, and uplift mood.
Skin Health: Packed with vitamin C and antioxidants, lilacs protect the skin from various environmental stressors, stimulate collagen production, and aid in skin repair, contributing to overall skin health.
Anti-inflammatory Effects: Certain lilac compounds exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, which may alleviate conditions like arthritis, asthma, and inflammatory bowel disease by reducing inflammation in the body.
Respiratory Benefits: In traditional medicine, lilacs have been utilized to address respiratory issues like coughs and congestion. Lilacs' anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties may soothe respiratory symptoms and promote lung health.

This batch took 2-3 days to air dry.

AIR DRIED LILAC PETALS
This is, probably, the easiest experiment that I did with the lilacs. The most tedious part was pulling off all the little petals.

Spread them out, in a single layer, onto a parchment lined tray or cookie sheet.
Set in an area that won't get a lot of sun, but is warm enough to air dry without molding.
Setting in the sun or heat drying them in a dehydrator/oven would be too hot and could alter the color and then aroma.

LILAC OIL INFUSION
INGREDIENTS

Fresh lilac flowers and leaves
Carrier oil (such as coconut oil or olive oil)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Place petals of the lilacs in a glass jar.
Pour the carrier oil over the lilacs until they are fully submerged.
Seal the jar and store it in a cool, dark place for 2-4 weeks to allow the infusion to develop.
After the infusion period, strain out the flowers and leaves from the oil.

LILAC TONER
Lilac blossoms and leaves possess astringent qualities, which can help to firm and mildly dry the skin, making them beneficial for individuals with oily or acne-prone skin. Try preparing the Lilac Toner provided below, or simply apply Lilac Infusion to your face after cleansing.
Lilac also serves as an excellent tonic for both hair and scalp. Gently massage Lilac Infusion onto your scalp to fortify your hair from the roots and alleviate dandruff concerns.

All you need to make this is 2 simple ingredients, a quart size mason jar, and a few weeks for it infuse.

Fill a jar with lilac blossoms, picked on a dry sunny day. Cover the flowers with 100% witch hazel. Place in a cool dark place that is easily accessible since you will need to shake it daily.
After a few weeks (or longer if you want), strain into a clean jar and label. If kept in a cool dark place, this will last six months or longer.

TO USE: On clean dry skin, apply your toner with a cotton pad. No need to rinse. Follow with your usual skin care routine.

LILAC INFUSED HONEY
Creating lilac-infused honey is a delightful way to capture the essence of this fragrant flower. Here's how to make it:

Fresh lilac blossoms (ensure they are pesticide-free)
Honey (preferably raw and unfiltered)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Begin by gently rinsing the lilac blossoms to remove any dirt or debris. Allow them to air dry completely.
Once the blossoms are dry, pluck the individual flowers from the stems, discarding any green parts.
Place the lilac blossoms into a clean, dry glass jar.
Pour the honey over the lilac blossoms until they are completely submerged.
Use a clean utensil, such as a chopstick or skewer, to gently stir the honey and lilac blossoms together, ensuring that the blossoms are evenly distributed throughout the honey.
Seal the jar tightly with a lid and store it in a cool, dark place for about 1-2 weeks to allow the flavors of the lilac to infuse into the honey. The petals will rise to the top, so twice a day I would turn the jar over to get some movement in the mixture. You can also stir with a skewer or chopstick, but I didn't want to chance getting any contaminants in the jar. You can taste-test the honey after a week to see if the desired level of flavor has been achieved.
Once the infusion period is complete, strain the honey through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove the lilac blossoms. Press down on the blossoms gently to extract as much infused honey as possible.
Transfer the strained lilac-infused honey into a clean, dry jar or container for storage.
Label the jar with the date of preparation and enjoy your homemade lilac-infused honey drizzled over toast, stirred into tea, or used in various culinary creations.

This lilac-infused honey adds a delicate floral flavor to any dish and makes a lovely homemade gift for friends and family. Enjoy experimenting with this unique and flavorful creation!

This picture was taken the day I combined them together.

This is 4 days later. - Still has quite a ways to go.

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Join Us!

6/4/2022

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JOIN US as we start -> Acts: Awakening to God in Everyday Life Bible Study by Melissa Spoelstra <- We will be starting the week of June 13. This will give everyone who wants to join the ability to order their book, cruise through it a bit, and join the group (ACTS - Study Group).
Order book from Christian Book Dist.: https://tinyurl.com/actsstudybook
Order book from Amazon: https://amzn.to/38XYc8g

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Random Gifts on Amazon

6/24/2021

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One of the things that my husband and I do for each other is create "Wish Lists" on Amazon so when we want to buy the other person a gift or our family is looking for ideas we can send them the lists. Next week is my birthday and I was asked to update my list before it was emailed out. After doing that I thought it would be fun to search "Random Gifts" and see what I came up with. Let me tell ya, I was NOT disappointed! Check these random things out...
This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. Thanks.

Yodelling Pickle
Are you sick and tired of trying to teach your pickles to yodel? Pickles can be so stubborn. At last, the yodeling pickle you've been waiting for. With a mere press of a button (yes, it has a button) this little pickle will yodel its heart out. You'll think you're in the Swiss Alps listening to a yodelling pickle. Get yours today!

Screaming Goat
Your new goat companion is 3 inches and sits on a tree stump base. When you give him a gentle press, he screams. I think everyone needs one of these! LOL Get yours today!

Underpants for your hands
Are you really naked under those gloves? For Pete's sake, put on some Handerpants! These 95% cotton, 5% spandex, fingerless gloves have the look and feel of men's briefs. Slip them on underneath your gloves for extra warmth and protection from chafing! Wear them on their own as a vaguely inappropriate fashion statement! Hundreds of uses! Fit most adult hands. Get yours today!

And for those formal occasions, make sure to check out Formal Handerpants

P.S. If you are clumsy and frequently spill Slushies in your lap you'll want to carry these handy dandy Emergency Underpants.

Pimple Popping Decompression Relax Toy
Now there is a new toy letting you finally satisfy the urge to pop all the pimples Without scarring your skin. It simulates the feel and popping of a huge pimple and it can help us relax ourselves and throw the pressure away. Get yours today!

Tortilla Blanket 2.0
Our giant double sided burritos blanket 2.0 with a more realistic burritos pattern and a comfortable single-layer design. Tortilla effect be on both sides that will not destroy the amusement. We can’t stop laughing while staying warm. A great gift to the tortilla lovers! "Nutrition" Facts: Luxury flannel, gives you a super soft and smooth feeling
Get yours today!

Just in case you aren't a tortilla fan there are many 5 different foods you can wrap yourself with, like:

Potty Putter Toilet Time Golf Game
The toilet time golf game that lets you practice your putting while going to the bathroom? Sure it sounds funny, but for the golfer that just can't get enough of the game, it's the perfect item? Makes the perfect gift for any golf fan of any age!
Get yours today!

Bigfoot Air Freshener
People who live in the Pacific Northwest have a secret - we've all smelled Bigfoot and he's incredibly rank. So, the genuinely pleasing pine odor of this 5" (12.7 cm) tall Bigfoot Air Freshener should come as a pleasant surprise. Get yours today!

Pimple Popping Decompression Acne Blackheads Remover
You'll love it. Blackheads remover toy is fun, decompression, mood enhancing and is the best friend in your life. Get yours today!

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This is a great resource page for gardeners that are just beginning and those that have been doing it a long time.

On the go a lot? Don't have time to always make a wholesome dinner for your family? Check out these recipes to get you ahead of the game.

How to's, ideas, inspiration, books, and so much more for learning how to can and preserve your food.

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Calendula and Plantain Healing Salve

Lilac Benefits & Recipes

Lilacs boast a plethora of health benefits:

Join Us!

Random Gifts on Amazon

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