Sweet Aromas...

One of my favorites is the Sweet aroma of home. My house seems to have a scent...my older sister has classified it as Mexican Pumpkin Spice. As long as I can remember, we've always had candles in our home. A tradition I would like to keep but certainly can't afford once I head off to college. I've found an inexpensive way to make my own candles that won't break the bank.

 Materials Needed

• 100% Natural Soy Flakes or Beeswax (Soy is much cheaper)
• Mason jar (I used 6-7oz)
• Wicks
• Glass Measuring cup (8oz)
• Essential Oils or candle scented Oil
• Labels/Decorations/Twine to decorate the jar
• Hot glue gun

 Hot glue the wick to the bottom of the jar. If you don't have a hot glue gun use a stick or pencil and tie a piece of string to the tip of wick and sitck/pencil. (I have a photo below) This will keep the wick in place once you start pouring the wax.

.

In an 8oz glass measuring cup pour soy flakes (8oz).

Place measuring cup in microwave and heat on high 30 seconds. Keep repeating until soy wax begins to melt. Stirring each time.

 Continue stirring soy flakes into measuring cup and melt in microwave for 30 seconds on high until you have 8oz of wax melted.

Once wax is melted add 15-20 drops of your favorite scented oil and stir.

Pour melted wax into your mason jar 1/4 way.

Let wax set for 5 minutes. This will help anchor the wick. 

Finish pouring melted wax into mason jar just below the lip of the jar. Allow wax to set for 4 hours. Cut wick just below the top of mason jar.

 Decorate your jars and enjoy! Wishing you an aroma filled Saturday!

The Others...

Hi ya! Baby Puppy here! This week Mommy and "Get Off the Couch" are going on an adventure! I really hope "Get Off the Couch" doesn't take my mommy to the Jacuzzi place...Flash back to my past Saturday traumatic adventure!

I have the pleasure of lounging this fine Saturday morning with Grandpa ON THE COUCH! How great is that?!

As I lay here day dreaming I can't help but think of...The Others.

               "The Others" are my cousins who come to visit me on the holidays. They're PAWSOME!

The old lady of the group is Miss Tidley a.k.a Tidley Girl... And Mammas. Tidley always has this fantastic smile on her face whenever I come up to greet her....Play with her...Lay down with her....You catch my drift. She also loves to dance with me whenever I try to play with her frisbee.

The old man of the group is Mr. Nixon a.k.a Old Man...Not to be confused with the old guy that was impeached back in the 70s. Nixon is a chill dude. He likes to smile at me from time to time. He truly is a dude...Doesn't get involved in girl drama. He sure does like lifting his leg a lot though...Must be a guy thing!

Last but not least, the teenager of the group Miss Gemma a.k.a Gemma Lou and Gemma Girl. Gemma LOVES talking and not on the phone like my momma. It usually involves a growl and showing her grin...Oh and chasing me! She must really love me!

When we're all together there's usually a lot of dancing, growling (singing), and chasing. We truly are the life of the party! Wishing you a day of dancing, growling (singing), and chasing your loved ones today. Baby Puppy Out!

ALTOIDS...

Have you ever needed a safety pin, Band-Aid, lip balm, change, and you never seem to find what you need in your purse or backpack? Well, I know I have!!! It's a pain when you actually need something off the wall like one of these items and it's no where to be found. I've come across a quick and inexpensive solution...

ALTOIDS!!!

No, not the breath mints! The box!!!

I've created a Survival Kit and First Aid Kit for your purse or backpacks. You may have some of these items around the house and if don't you can find these items at either Target or Walmart store.

Survival Kit

You will need the following items to create:

• Empty ALTOIDS box
• Designer Paper
• Chalkboard Stickers
• White Chalk
• Double-sided tape
• Regular tape
• Small Pill Pouches
• Aspirin/Ibuprofen/Tylenol
• Lens Cleaner Wipes
• Small Bottle of Essential Oils (My favorite is Lavender)
• Lip Balm
• USB Drive (Optional)
• Safety Pins
• Cash
• 2 Rubber bands

First Aid Kit

You will need the following items to create:

• Empty ALTOIDS box
• Designer Paper
• Chalkboard Stickers
• White Chalk
• Double-sided tape
• Regular tape
• Small Pill Pouches
• Band Aids
• Butterfly Band Aids
• Alcohol Wipes
• Hand Cleaning Wipes
• Gauze Pad
• Antibiotic Ointment
• Ibuprofen/Aspirin/Tylenol
• Q-Tips

Instructions

Create a template for the top of the ALTOID box by tracing the top of the box onto Designer Paper of your choice.

Cut out the Designer Paper template for the top of your ALTOIDS box.

Using Double-sided tape line all 4 sides of the ALTOIDS box.

Place Designer Label on the top of the ALTOIDS box.

Center Chalkboard Label onto the ALTOIDS box.

Load Box with your supplies.

Using White Chalk label your kits. I placed clear tape over the label to prevent it from smearing.

I hope you enjoy making your kits! May you all have a ALTOID-mazing Saturday!

Siblings...

Siblings, I have three and they are awesome. Whenever we're all together that's when it feels most like home. BUT...siblings can also be a pain...I should know my sister had the most fun dealing with me as a child.

We all have quirks and boy do they rear their ugly heads especially when we're younger. We have no inhibitions as children. As little ones we are learning boundaries. I could talk at the age of two and boy was I pain in the backside. Boundaries never made sense to me.

I was a VERY happy child because I had two older siblings that spoiled me. Our age difference was 16 years for my brother and 11 years for sisters. My favorite phrase was "Happy Day"... every day was a Happy Day for me. If I woke up and it was storming...it was a Happy Day. If it was a birthday...yep, Happy Day. If I was throwing a tantrum in a large mall...it was so a Happy Day! Catch my drift...Happy day!!!

I was also a kleptomaniac at the age of two...everything my sister had in her room, I thought was mine. My favorite thing in the whole wide world was lip gloss. My sister had every flavor under the moon. My favorite second phrase was, "I want your lips". If she didn't give my her lips...I would sneak in her room and take what I could find. My sister learned early on to hide her prized possessions or they'd end up in my room.

My siblings all have special qualities and its amazing how we all compliment each other. My older brother loves to have fun, he's adventurous, and has the most generous disposition. He's the type that will drop everything at moments notice just to help you out.

My older sister is very creative and is the most loyal person I know. She has the ability to go into protective mode in 2.2 seconds if she feels someone is being taken advantage of.

Then there is my younger brother. He is the light of our little family and a  genius. Poor kid has to take an elevator down from the Penthouse level to the 5th floor sometimes to have conversations with us. He's wicked smart and has the kindest heart.

May your Saturday be filled with family, siblings, and may you all have a HAPPY DAY!