laura emily

{ this moment }

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I know, Cedar doll....I know. 

(last week to enter the giveaway package which includes an organic beeswax bar, dried lavender, organic lavender tincture and some secret goodies I'll slip in. Winner will be announced Feb. 29th- Leap Day. Also, last week to sign up for the March 10 Day Fast. I'm so giddy for it to start, it's ridiculous. Some women in the group are doing a fast from all liquids; others are participating in a raw-food or vegan diet for the 10 days. Some are fasting from sugar or processed foods, while others are putting together a blend of all the above! I'm loving it. Time to detox the body & and pull up some soul work! Shoot me a msg. at 10dayfast@gmail.com if you'd like me to answer any questions you might have before joining the group. Hope to see you there!). 

broth, and then some.

The common cold has been dancing around here in Southwest Washington. Along with keeping up with a daily dosage of Echinacea, I've been making pot after pot of nutrient rich broths to boost our immune system. We've been using the broth to make zuppa toscana, rosemary chicken and dumplings, and good ol' chicken noodle soup. I throw in whatever veggies we have on hand -with lots of handfuls of kale and spinach- bring it to a boil, and then simmer for several hours to extract all the rich nutrients. I've always made our own broths, but never thought of increasing broth-based meals during flu-season. So far, so good. Do you have a favorite homemade broth recipe or tip? I'd love to know.  

In other news, I said I would share a photo of the rose oil & perfume later in the week to show what it looks like. Here is the rose oil:

its sweet floral scent is lovely, yet still faint, so it will continue to steep with daily shakings. 

The rose perfume is coming along lovely, though it will be continue to sit for a bit longer as well. The grain alcohol has been stripping the rich red rose petals of their color, which is exactly what I wanted to see. 

The perfume is developing a lovely pink hue, which will deepen over the week. I also started some lily perfume which smells absolutely divine. I can't wait for it to finish through the process so I can start wearing it.

When it comes time to strain and filter them, I'll do another post showing my method. It's a flexible process, using what you have on hand, but I know it's beneficial to visually see the steps to complete the project with more confidence. 

I’m starting another batch of Lavender as it has been gobbled up over at the shop. Simple floral perfumes, linen sprays, room mists just seem to brighten any day. Just what I need during this rain season. 

lentfest

today is Fat Tuesday. I'm currently munching on a chocolate chip cookie as I type this. It's a horrible cookie, and it is kind of ruining my moment. But we're moving into Lent, and so I'm choosing to forgive this let-down-of-a-cookie, and then I'll flirt with the idea of having a second one. It is Fat Tuesday, after all.

Mr. husband & I lead an online Lent devotional over at LENTfest. This is our second year writing it. I spent the day removing the previous year's content to make room for the coming weeks. We're not your average Christians, and it's rare for us to call ourselves as such. We don’t attend a church or denomination, and don’t exactly fit into any category. We follow God in a way that's organic and true to us, and that doesn’t always reflect what our label tells us to believe. It comes with double-sided judgment. We're not Christian enough for the church-going Christians; and we represent all that is evil and wrong on this earth to the non-Christians. We don't mind though. We love God, so get over it. : )

Moving into Lentfest this year has been slow and thoughtful- I suppose the theme God has been scripting in our lives this past year. You're welcomed to take a peek, and follow along. My spirituality often bubbles up here in this space; I can't separate myself from it, but it's nice to have another format devoted to such topics. 

Whether you believe in (a)God or not, call yourself a Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Pagan, Muslim, Spiritualist, Catholic or Mormon, or nothing at all- Fat Tuesday is a day to embrace with feasting and treats. The Lenten season has something to offer for everyone.

even bad chocolate chip cookies.

xo. 

President's Day Sale

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today only, take 25% off your order at Good Earth Living. Considering I plan on naming one of my babes who will be sharing a certain President’s name (I’ll let you ponder which), I’m all for a President’s Day Sale. Code: emancipate1 …..(hinthint).

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Valentine's roses wilting? Don't toss them out. Make rose oil & perfume.

You'll be surprised how easy this really is. Any variety works- different colors lend different scents and properties. If your roses haven't started to wilt, but you'd like to make oil or perfume, roll or slightly crush them beforehand. This allows for more oil and scent to be extracted. If you skip this step, you'll be fine. 

First: fill jar up with roses (no need to pack them in there). Any size jar works. This method is very flexible. It's the folk method. Use what you have. Your roses don't fill the jar? Don't worry about it. Just mark where the rose petals fill to, and fill the jar to the line with oil or alcohol.

For oil: use carrier oil such as Jojoba or Sweet Almond Oil. I used Sweet Almond Oil here (left jar) because it doesn't leave a greasy touch. However the properties of Jojoba -which isn't really an oil- is very similar to the genetic makeup of our natural skin oil and is a great choice if you plan on using it for your skin.

For perfume: 80-100 proof grain alcohol. I like to use 100 proof vodka for my herbal projects because of the efficiency of extraction it lends, but 80 proof will suffice. Everclear (190 Proof) would be best, but it isn't legal in Washington State....although I could take a five minute drive to Oregon and pick some up, but who has five minutes?

Then: Once you fill your jar with oil or alcohol, give it a good shake. In fact, shake it daily. Once or twice a day. For the oil jar, ensure the roses are covered completely with the oil. Check it every few days. If the roses are not fully covered by the oil, they risk molding.

Oil Jar: let sit (while giving it a good shake daily) for up to 2 weeks. Then strain out the rose petals (you can do this after a day or two- strain when you enjoy the scent it has). Alternatively, after straining the mixture, you could add more roses, and repeat the process for a stronger scent if you so desire. You can use your oil for a body massage oil, to add to your bath for soft and silky skin, or to use in recipes for body lotions. Often I’ll add lavender, or sweet orange and patchouli essential oil to my rose oil for a lovely blend. Play around with your favorites.

Perfume: Like the oil, shake daily. Check the mixture every day to see if the scent is to your liking. The vodka will strip the roses of it's color, but don't worry about it. It's extracting all the goodies locked inside each petal. Let the mixture sit: A day, a week, two weeks, a month. Depends on what you like. Because I like the medicinal use, I steep it longer for a few weeks, but a day or two might suffice if your petals smell strong enough. Strain out the roses when you decide the mixture is strong enough. I like to strain with a sifter mesh, and then filter with a coffee filter over a jar to get out all the particles. This jar will create a lot of perfume because in the end you will want to add spring/distilled water to dilute it. Different recipes call for different ratios. I just like to play around with it until I get a lovely scent. Don’t worry about the specifics. Use your intuition to make a blend that smells lovely to you. Like the oil, often I’ll add some essential oils, or lavender extract (tincture) to my blend for expanded properties and scents. You can add your perfume to a spray mister (check Target or Walmart’s travel section for .99 cent bottles). The more water you dilute your perfume with, the better ‘air freshener’ or ‘linen spray’ it makes. I’ve been using a lavender mist spray on my pillow to help me sleep- it was made in a similar process (with a blend of dry herbs and lavender extract that was processed over 6 months. You can find that spray over at the shop).

Enjoy. Don’t get caught up in the specifics. Use your intuition. Create a blend that is unique and lovely for you. If you have any questions, leave them in the comments and I’ll be happy to clarify or help out.

I love having some lovely perfume and body oil made from roses given to me by my special Mister. All the more lovely. I'll post up some photos later this week of what the mixture looks like while it steeps. Remember to shake your goodies daily! The more you shake, the more you extract. 

disconnected, we grow.

I haven’t felt like myself this past week.

There is a lot going on in my head.

A lot going on between my hands.

Words being typed.

Wheels being turned. Rows being knitted.

Big wooden spoons being rotated around the winter stew.

But there is a big disconnect between my hands and lips.

I carry my heart and mind on my lips. Often wordless.

I’m not sure where the disconnect is. I just know that my roots were pulled out, and I’ve yet to replant them.

I had this ‘assignment’ of sorts this week to create a self portrait that reflected the Wisewoman for Soulodge. We were encouraged to use props or tools, to shine forth that Grandmother we are all capable of reflecting. I was struggling with the photo. Everything I took didn’t reflect wisdom. I was a disconnected pile of flesh, capable of bursting into tears at any moment. What kind of Wisewoman is that?

I had no photo to submit. And then I had a dream about this Grandmother who is resting quietly in these bones of mine. She was leaning over a pot of stew on a hot stove- just like I had been earlier that day. “Darling doll, just smile, smile, smile.”

and so...

Disconnected flesh. In a funk. 

Tears fresh.

Wordless. Smile, smile, smile. 

The wisdom there is simple and small. I can smile. I can live out joy. I can believe there is something more to these hands, these chores, these words and prayers.

I'm still in a funk, mind you. 

but all things grow. even me. even you. 
even during winter- ground frozen solid- with no taste at all.

{ this moment }

as a joke gift, Tyler bought me a twilight poster for Valentine's Day. 
we laughed, and he said we should hang it up when company comes over.  

HAH!....forget the company, joke's on him. :)

we're both pretending we don't mind it being up on the wall but I get hives and want to rip out my hair every time I walk into the bedroom. But there is no going back. Husband needs to cave first and plea for its removal before I can claim victory. Although, maybe Tyler going through the checkout at the store with this poster was punishment enough....the man has guts- he also picked up the movie, to which they gave him a free twilight hat, popcorn and nuts. He must have looked like the ultimate die-hard fan! Makes me fall into a fit of giggles every time I picture it.

Have a happy Friday! I have a full day of piano lessons and getting orders shipped out, so I won't be able to cruise around your moments until this evening. Can't wait! I miss you all. I've had a busy week and haven't had the chance to get my blog-reading on, but tonight you and I have a date so I can catch up on your life. :)

 

**Update: Tyler lost! WOOHOO! And thank goodness he did. I was about to have a mental break down. If you like the birdies, you can find them at Target in the wall art section. I recommend not putting them near the ground, like mine end up. The cats think they are 'pluck from the wall and play with' toys. 

heart day giveaway.

my mister & I are going to be enjoying a day of donkey kong, batman cartoons, flowers that weren't from the grocery store (woohoo!), half shaved legs, cheap champagne , and as many starbucks drinks I can get because, "It's Valentine's day, honey." He's good to me. 

I want to extend some love your way, and host a giveaway of some of my current goodies that might bring you some cozy butterflies in your tummy.

1 oz. organic beeswax bar. 
perfect for that special craft, home remedy, or homemade candle. Although I think this bashful guy is a cutie just sitting on the book shelf.  

 

organic Lavender Tincture

I use lavender tinctures on a daily basis. 

This lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) provides a soothing and dreamy tincture to ease away insomnia, aid in ridding nightmares, pacify nervousness and anxiety, as well as combat headaches. Lavender tinctures can also be added to baths for a calming and purifying effect. Lavender is one my personal favorite scents and treatments. 

-To pacify insomnia and nightmares, take 15-30 drops diluted in warm water or tea. Alternatively, anoint wrist and temples with 1-2 drops for a similar effect. The same methods can be applied to combat headaches. 

-To soothe away nervousness, stress and anxiety, place a few drops of the lavender tincture on a piece of cotton cloth or flannel and breathe in deeply once or twice. Inhaling the scent will alleviate the tension your body holds while under stress. 

-Topical use can aid in acne and eczema, as well as reduce scarring in minor cuts and scrapes.

Lately I've been using lavender tinctures to create perfumes, mist sprays, scent my baths, or adding it to my tea shortly before bedtime. This bottle is a little charmer, indeed. 

 

Last by not least, 1oz. of organic dried lavender. 

Perfect for crafts, a daily blessing pouch or prayer ties, to add to your tea, bath water, home remedies, or to keep in a clear vase because these cuties are just fun and bashful to flirt with every time you walk by. 

Entire giveaway kit: 1 oz. bar of beeswax, organic lavender tincture, dried lavender buds- and a few hidden treats I'll slip in because I can't resist. To enter the giveaway leave a comment, and I'll use random.org to pick and announce a winner on Leap Day coming up. 

enjoy your heart day! 

xo

 

p.s: last day to take off 15% of your order for the V:Day Sale. Use the code HEARTDAY at checkout to receive discount. If you're on the fence about the 10 Day Fast, just dive in! Use the code, and let the following weeks shape what kind of fast you'll do. Vegan only? Raw food only? Liquids only? Today, with all the fabulous chocolate at my disposal, I'd like to do a chocolate-only fast. Who needs real substance? My soul requires dark chocolate.....my tummy might disagree in an hour or two. :)

sunday is coming to an end, friends.

but don't worry, you are not alone.
Cedar understands your Monday blues.

 

...I think this is my favorite photo of her. It's her happy face.  

recharge.

I'm glad it's the weekend. I had a hectic week and burned out Thursday evening- complete with picking up a head cold. It wasn't anything that a few dosages of Echinacea and Goldenseal couldn't clear up, but it was enough to get my attention that I need to make room for recharging.  I had some Calendula and Comfrey salves and chapped skin solid lotion I wanted to get up on the shop by this weekend, but I need to recharge my body and give my home some tender loving care. 

this weekend you can find me:
making soups & stews.
consuming meals comprised of roots. 
drowning in coconut water. 
only changing out of pajamas when laundry demands it. 
Listening to Johnny Cash reading the bible while dusting.
Trying not to giggle when Johnny Cash pronounces Hebrew names.  
especially Zerubbabel.  
dipping into my shop's stash of clay for some skin detoxing. 
and of course, lots of hot cozy baths with these pretty ladies: 

I've been tucking these little packets of Himalayan Pink Salt blended with Epsom salt, Celtic Grey Sea Salt, Lavender, Patchouli , and Sweet Orange Oil, into my orders all week. These little ladies can undo whatever tension I've been holding in my shoulders and neck. The Echinacea Tincture was all I needed to clear up the head cold, but these little ladies left me relaxed and renew. I added a teaspoon or two of the detox clay with the Himalayan Pink Salt packet to my hot bath, along with some dried lavender buds and a dropper-full of Lavender tincture.....

...cold? What cold? 
I'm in divine bliss over here.

how do you recharge?  

{ this moment }

applying shrink bands is my new favorite activity, but I think Tyler is tired of me shrieking, "neat!" every time the loose plastic shrinks to the bottle under the blow dryer. 

...I don't get out much. 

words that heal.

If I was Miss America, I'd forget all about world peace, and start with people fasting from negativity. 
...I'd also know how to twirl a baton and have great legs from all that walking in high heels.  

 

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in other news, I've received a few emails in the past few days asking about the 10 Day Fast- what if you're on medication? What if you're unsure how you'll handle being hungry? What if you have needs that just can't go without food?

consider a few things:
-there are a lot of ways to fast. I provide the outline; you make it your own. Perhaps you feel drawn to the concept of fasting, but cannot go without food for whatever reason. Perhaps a liquid fast would benefit you. Soups & rich green smoothies. Perhaps a raw-food only fast would meet your requirements. Get creative. Make the materials work for you.

-Hunger doesn't start until 20 days without food. It's true. If you've ever done a 40 day fast- you know what I'm talking about. Suddenly you realize the real difference between cravings and hunger. The first three days of any fast is an adjustment, but then suddenly you feel a sense of being 'full.' Sure, cravings come. But once you adjust, your body acknowledges the fast and those headaches and irritability dissipate. If you're unsure about fasting because you're not sure how hunger will play in to your schedule, trust the process. But there is certainly no shame of doing a fast that includes meals of some sort- raw foods, liquids, vegan, after dark only. Again, make the materials work for you!

I'm super stoked for the group that is coming together. 
I have a good feeling about this session. 

wishing you a lovely thursday! 

xo, me