Why I smell Like pizza sauce

I guess you could say I'm a jill of all trades, master of none, but as I learn more about natural foods and healing, I've come across essential oils.  I believe God gave us this wonderful earth to nourish us and help us grow and heal and progress in our journey here. One of the tools He has prepared for us are the plants that grow for our use and benefit.

There is SO much to learn. The more I learn, the more I realize I don't know. There are over 200 constituents in essential oils that have been discovered to be of use to man, but hundreds more that are not completely understood.

Plants have essential oils to protect them and man can make use of them by extracting their oils for their beneficial properties. Most of these are steam distilled and since oil rises above water, the oils are skimmed off and used. This is my first grade understanding and definition of how it works.

Soooo, back to the pizza sauce. I found out that oregano oil has powerful antibacterial and antiviral properties. (woah is it powerful!) These past few days I've been sprinkling oregano on the bottoms of my feet with the hopes that it will kill whatever virus has been plaguing me.  I gotta say, it has definitely helped. I'm not completely free of the side effects of having a cold, but I've not had to go straight to bed with a box of kleenex..........

I just wish I didn't smell like tonight's dinner......

I pretended to be a Real Photographer last weekend

I was asked to photograph one of my sweet hermanitas last weekend in honor of her upcoming quinceanera. It is an important part of a young Hispanic girl's life and I wanted it to be the best for her. So with trembling legs, and lots of advice from Jen, I bravely set forth.

She is so beautiful and sweet and was very cooperative with this fumbling amateur photographer. I look at the photos and I can see all my mistakes. I was very frustrated with the light and the thermometer in my car registered 110 degrees when we pulled up to the park....but...

I learned so much and it was super fun to be of service to this delightful family.  I think I better prepare TL for a new camera budget.........

Fresh

I decided it was time for a new layout for the blog.
I changed it all to black after our sweet Ella passed.
But I think I am ready for some fresh color.
I hope it's okay.

On Parties

Massage and myopractic to relieve the aching muscles and stress-$80.00
Hit my bank account took for food and decorations-$250.00  (I did get reimbursed)
Photo of TL dancing the hula (and winning the contest)-Priceless

Changes

I'm really spoiled. I've always had "my herd of turtles" close by. But in the last few months some of them are spreading their wings a little more. (mixed metaphor???changing their shells????)

Last weekend we moved these guys to the WEST end of our valley. They are ready to begin a new chapter of their lives. For months and months B has been trekking across town EVERY day with a 45 minute commute to attend dental school. They gave up 18 months of their lives to care for 92-year-old Grandpa while my sister in law was on her mission. She returned and now B only has a 5 minute commute to school. Good luck guys!!

And several months ago, we moved these guys to the EAST end of our valley, 40 minutes away. They've added their new little guy to their family.

It's a little different having everyone so far away now, but they all love their new areas and are making life great where they are.

And if mom wasn't so brain dead after many hours of church in Spanish, you would have seen a nice photo of all of them at my house last night for Father's Day.......

Raising up a New Generation

For years, TL had his kids conned trained into taking his shoes off every night. By the time one of them grew old enough to be grossed out, there was another little eager beaver ready to take over the job. Alas, for years he hasn't had anyone young enough to be excited about taking his shoes and socks off every night....until recently.....

Good job, little guy!

Daniel has a new Do

This kid is a prolific photographer, and actually sends them home! A missionary mother's dream. For the fam, here's the latest.

He's doing his hair different!
But he's the same ol' Bubba D.
Kinda......

June

Since it's the first of June, and as I'm relaxing in Utah as you read this, I thought I would catch up on the happenings of spring of 2011......

Grandpa's little shadow.

The Prom. This photo doesn't really do justice to how spectacular she looked.

Branch Mother's Day party. The moms are all being serenaded by the men with a traditional Mexican song (dang it, I need to get the words!) This is sung at birthdays and special occasions and there were many tears shed....

The professional at work. (My family room has fabulous light!)

Her tiny subject, my newest grandbaby, my photo, hers are waaay better.

The neighbors were working in their garden so of course when there are big machines involved, this guy wants to be in the middle of it!

Anticipation of finding Easter eggs at Grandma's party!!!

Found one!  I color coded the eggs this year by child. There was less hysteria and the littles had theirs out in plain view while the older guys at to work harder to find theirs!

Pulling up carrots in the garden for the Easter bunny!

Coloring eggs is a serious business.

So is frosting your egg cookie!

But don't forget the frosting is yummy!

That's it, the Reader's Digest version of springtime at the Madwoman's house.