HALLOWEEN TREAT IDEAS

Halloween is just around the corner!  Here are a few halloween treats that I like to make for the kids and husband. 

Spider Cupcakes

1 (18.25 ounce) package chocolate cake mix

1 pound black shoestring licorice

1 (16 ounce) can white frosting

48 pieces candy corn

48 cinnamon red hot candies
1/4 cup orange decorator sugar

Prepare cupcakes according to package directions. Let cool completely.

Cut licorice into 3 inch sections. Working with one or two cupcakes at a time, so the frosting doesn't set before decorating, frost the cupcakes with the white frosting. Insert licorice pieces into the outer edges of the cupcakes to make the legs of the spider, 3 legs on each side (4 takes up too much space). Place two pieces of candy corn on the front of the cupcake for fangs and use two red hots as eyes. Sprinkle with decorator sugar. Repeat with remaining cupcakes.

 

Ghosts and Goblins Crispy Treat Pops

 

6 tablespoons butter or margarine

1 package (16 oz.) marshmallows

1 package (about 10 oz.) crisp rice cereal, divided

Orange Icing Color
Cookie Sticks (6 or 8-in.)
Halloween Confetti Sprinkles

Spray multi-cavity pumpkin and ghost pan with vegetable pan spray.

In large saucepan, melt butter; add marshmallows. Cook and stir until melted. Divide mixture in half; stir orange icing color into 1 portion. Add half of cereal to orange mixture; mix well. Repeat with remaining cereal and white marshmallow mixture. Press into prepared pan; carefully remove from pan and allow to cool. Insert cookie stick; add confetti eyes and mouth.

VIA [ALLRECIPES][CULINARY]

CRAFT TRENDS - WOOL

Just a little crafty info on wool.  It gets such a bad rap, but with fall and winter just around the corner, this might be a good thread to read. 

Even though wool cannot be washed in the washing machine, it is easy to take care of.  It might take a little more time, but it is worth it.  Wool has the ability to wick away moisture but still keep you warm. This makes it the first choice for those who hike, as socks made from wool will keep blisters from forming.


Wool comes from sheep, and is a continually renewable resource. It is harvested usually once a year in spring by giving the sheep a haircut, something that is perfect for those looking to be ecologically responsible. Wool can also be recycled from older outdated sweaters, and re-worked into a new garment.

While most commercially grown flocks are predominantly white, sheep are also found in a variety of colors and textures. Being that it is a protein fiber it also takes dyes easily, making for a wide variety of color ranges and tones.


Knitting with wool is comforting and enjoyable. A quick search will bring up many wonderful and colorful hand spun yarns available ranging from lace to make a heirloom style shawl, to a bulky yarn to make a quick and thick scarf for that last minute gift. A pair of wool mittens or fingerless gloves are perfect to keep your hands warm at the football games. 

And also with the holidays just around the corner, why not make a cute pair of gloves or scarf as a great crafty gift, and it's even more personalized because you made it. 

VIA [HMN]

HOMEMADE SKIN CARE RECIPES

Facials - use this to make your skin smoother

1 tablespoon honey
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon olive oil

Beat the egg yolk with a fork, add the oil and blend well. Add the honey using a spoon that you have rinsed with hot water and blend well again.

Smear it all over your face with your fingers, except do not cover your eyes. Leave it on your face for 15 minutes, then rinse it off.

Lip Treatment for fuller, softer lips

1 small jar of cinnamon oil
1 small jar of vitamin E oil
1 small plastic bottle (travel size)


Place 1 part cinnamon oil and 3 parts vitamin E oil in your plastic bottle. Warm it in the microwave for ten seconds. Then shake the bottle vigorously, until it is blended.

Drop a small amount of the oil mixture on your fingertip and rub on your lips. Repeat this once every two hours for full, soft lips. It may tingle a little, but it is working when it does.

Pore Strips

1 tablespoon of knox gelatin
1 1/2 tablespoon milk

Mix ingredients in bowl. Microwave for 10 seconds or until it forms a paste.  Apply to nose and chin let dry. Remove and see what was living deep in your skin.

VIA [SMARTSKIN]

SOAP SELL!!!

YEAH!!!  I got a soap sell.  Cucumber Melon. 

FRAGRANCES CLASSIFIED BY THEIR CHARACTERISTIC

Citrus Scents

Bergamot

Sweet Orange

Tangerine

Lime

Grapefruit

Lemon

Herbal Scents

Rosemary

Sage

Eugalypotus

Bayberry

Peppermint

Floral Scents

Rose

Jasmine
Lavender
Camomile
Ylang ylang
Violet

Fruity Scents                        Spicy Scents                       
Blackberry                                Clove                                   
Mango                                      Cinnamon                             
Coconut                                    Vanilla  

Earthy Scents
Musk
Amber
Patchouli
Sandalwood

via Natural Soapmaking

NOT THE SAME

Check out Not The Same.  They are from Calistoga, California, and their specialty is making natural bath and body products out of mud.  I'm sure you've used a mud mask before, well, just below I've listed some of their mud products that I am sure you will want to check out.  They also have seaweed products. 

 

Calistoga Mud Bath - special blend of muds and salts are great for pain relief, detoxification, increased circulation, and deep relaxation

 

Calistoga Mud Mask - deep cleansing facial and body treatment; blend of mineral rich muds draw out toxins and impurities such as environmental pollutants, black heads and blemishes; as the mask dries it stimulates circulation which tones and tightens your skin and softens wrinkles

Calistoga Seaweed Mask - a blend of seaweeds and mineral rich magnetic clay. Spirulina and Kelp help restore essential minerals and nutrients to your skin that are regenerative and help to eliminate wrinkles. Super-charged Bentonite clay stimulates circulation which tones and tightens your skin. This mask also draws out unheathly skin impurities

Calming Seaweed Bath - special blend of seaweeds, mud and salts are great for drawing out toxins and relieving everyday pain and tension

Products for Outdoorsy Folks:  horseback riders, cyclists, hikers, campers, ranchers,  etc.



They also have aromatherapy sprays that are great for purifying your air.

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SHEA BUTTER

Shea butter, also known as African karite butter, grows in Central Africa, where it is taken from the fruit off the African butter tree. What's unique about shea butter is that it remains in its original state within bars of soap, unlike other oils that combine and decompose with the sodium hydroxide.

Benefits when added as a soap ingredient:

Great for foot and body care

Hard bar

Stable lather

Conditioning

Nourishing and moisturizing

via Soap Maker's Companion