Thanksgiving thoughts

I'm consumed right now with planning the perfect Thanksgiving dinner, work, and business, not to mention my family coming in early December.  So consumed, in fact, that I'm forgetting why we're celebrating to begin with!  Whoa.  Take a step back and breathe.

Recall the story of Thanksgiving in the US.  The pilgrims had suffered in Europe for their beliefs.  They'd been run around with no real home and no real rights; so, when the opportunity came for them to go to the new land, a place they could call their own and live as they saw fit, they took it.

The journey across the Atlantic was miserable.  In truth, they traveled at a difficult time of year, just before winter.  Many were terribly sick and the conditions on the ship were ghastly.  Once they arrived in Plymouth, it was already cold.  Nothing was growing and nothing could be started.  They had no shelter and had to quickly build basic places to live out of what they could find close by, and forage for any food they could, besides the meager rations they had brought with them.  The winter was brutal, and many died.  By spring, a great many of their number had in fact, died.  

How did any of them survive?  Because of the kindness of the natives.  They brought food and taught the people how and what to grow, as well as teaching about their native medicines.  The settlers realized this and were so grateful to the natives and to God for allowing them to survive that they held a huge celebration, using the very foods that saved their lives and by celebrating with the very people who assisted them in their time of need.  They celebrated for three days.  

Jesus brought help to the settlers in their most dire time of need, both in taking them to Plymouth and in the help of the native Americans who knew the land, and they were careful to give Him thanks for his provision.

I dare say that none of us have lived through the horrific experiences that the Pilgrims and company did.  We have not known real persecution, sickness, hardship, or poverty as they did.  We are so blessed.

I hope to list something I am thankful for each day until Thanksgiving.  Yes, I am still busy, but too busy to thank God?  I don't think so.  Join me, if you like, listing something you are thankful for.

Saturday, November 20:  I am thankful for love--the love of my family, my friends, and mostly my God, whose love is unfathomable.  He loves you and me with a perfect love.

I wish I had a fitting image to post here because, as they say, "a picture says a thousand words."  Alas, I have no appropriate photos and can't think of any copyright free pictures to post.  If you have any ideas, please let me know!

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If you came to the blog to check out products and sales, please scroll down to my previous post for the November sale.  And yes, I am planning something for Black Friday.  :-)

Sadness & Joy

I had been busy getting ready for the upcoming CNY Bubbles & Blazes Gathering. It's both stressful and fun for me to plan an event and execute the details in getting there, step by step.

Immersed in my preparations, I was floored just a short time ago to receive an email from Abbie, informing me of the death of Kim Hughes, a fellow b&b artisan. This news really stopped me in my tracks. Kim was young and full of personality. We all enjoyed her at our gatherings, with her southern accent and witty comments. To hear of her passing was surprising and sad.

What can we learn from this? A couple of things that came to mind for me were these:

Most importantly, what is your eternal destiny? Do you know? I believe with all my heart that Jesus died for my sins, died, and rose again so that I had the opportunity to accept that and be forgiven. He did that for anyone who will choose Him.

While we're still here, live like you won't always be here. Love other people, don't carry grudges, forgive others and yourself, work hard and have fun, hug your children, live a life that you don't regret, make sure your life is going in the right direction.

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I know that Monday is usually my day to post my sale, but it just wouldn't be right to post it today. Please see my last post if you need anything and please check back.

Here it comes!

One thing that an upcoming holiday means to me is a busy week at work. With Passover and Easter here or approaching, we are getting more than the usual amount of flowers and plants in that have to be taken care of. I gear up for it, and so I'm ready.

More importantly, however, as a Christian, Easter is a major and joyful observance. I saw a sign that said something like, "Jesus didn't stay on the cross with nails, He did it with love." He had all the power to prevent his death, but he willfully submitted for you and me. We celebrate His resurrection from the dead. It's a day of triumph for Christians that Jesus overcame death and was victorious, and because of that, we have victory and eternal life. Not only that, but it's open to all who believe. Now that's something to celebrate!

Now, for the business side of things.

I started a discussion about oils last week, pointing out the need for our bodies to use fat, both internally and externally, and specifically talked about sunflower oil.

Today, I'd like to highlight the "C" oils that I use. Note that I am not suggesting medical advice or that my products heal. They are meant to either clean you or make you look better.

Coconut oil - In soap, coconut oil lends hardness and lather, as well as white coloring. It's "foundation" oil, used in virtually every batch. What's good for the skin in coconut oil? Well, it's emollient and moisturizing, and is made up of conditioning fatty acids, poly-phenols, and even vitamins K and E, as well as minerals.

Castor Oil - You may remember castor oil as something nasty tasting that was somehow good for you. And yes, it's true. It doesn't taste good, but it's good for you. It has anti-inflammatory properties, as well as anti-viral and anti-bacterial qualities, and is also good for dry skin, in that it not only moisturizes, but helps balance the natural sebum. In soap, it makes for great lather, also, so I use it extensively.

Cocoa Butter - This fat has been used in skin care for centuries. As if the chocolate aroma wasn't enough to make you want to use it, consider this: it's thick and emollient, and melts on contact with the skin. People have traditionally used cocoa butter for dry skin, and for making scars and burns less noticeable in time. It contains cocoa mass polyphenol, instrumental in skin protection and moisturization.

Look for oils like this in your skin care products. Go natural!

We are still unveiling our new Body Glow shower exfoliant. It is a mostly-solid sugar/salt and oil mix that you use in the shower to gently exfoliate your skin. We've worked and worked on our formula, creating one that, while moisturizing, isn't greasy and doesn't make the shower slippery. It feels and smells great, and really does the job.

Just wet your skin, massage it gently, first on the hands, to the arms, then feet, legs, and finally, the torso. It's easy to rinse off, and your skin will thank you!

It's only $12 for an 8 oz. jar. Scents include: Lavender*, Gingered Orange, Lilac Breeze, Groovy Patchouli*, Black Raspberries & Vanilla, Shea Flower, Mint Medley*, Sultry Sandalwood Vanilla, Fresh Clean Herbs, and Spun Sugar. (*essential oil)

Just $10! But only through April 3rd. This is the last week for the introductory price, and then it goes back to the normal $12 price. Exfoliation never felt so good. Try it today!

Not on my site:

Herbal Bath Teas: Oatmeal, Milk, & Honey, Purely Herbal Blend, Four Milk Blend, and Relaxation Blend - just $2/ea.
Liquid shower gel: All natural. 2 oz. for $4; 4 oz. $6.00
Lotion: Hand and body lotion - 4 oz, $7
Foaming Soap: Comes in the seasonal Apple Pie, plus Gingered Orange, Summer Tropical, and Lavender. Just $7/bottle for 6 fl. oz.

Order now!

Donations made to Missionary Flights International and Cleantheworld.org., bringing soap to people who can't afford it, stemming disease in third world countries.

Beth Byrne
http://www.SoapAndGarden.com
Be good to your skin!
http://www.soapandgarden.blogspot.com