Pyrex Love

The site Pyrex Love actually exists in case you did not know. I love Pyrex and did not start collecting it til recently. I always wanted these cute carafes, but I never wanted to fork over the dough. Can you collect "antiques" and be cheap at the same time? Is that even possible?

Land and Garden

Tonight my office celebrated 3 years of being in a private practice and that we have done over 4,000 Mohs cases. Mohs is a method in which you remove skin cancer. The party was held at a co-workers house. They have a bit of land that backs up into woods. They raise chickens, have a nice size garden and have an awesome salt water pool.

My husband and I have talked about getting chickens about a year ago.  We do not think our landlord or the city of Richmond would allow it. We live in a row home and unsure if our neighbors would mind.  Tonight I realized that I do really want to raise chickens. Maybe one day we will.

They were so nice and gave me fresh eggs to take home! I was super excited and very gracious.

Homemade Meatballs

This recipe is easy but a tad time consuming.  A friend told me how she makes hers but really you can add whatever you want.  She does not really measure so a lot of it was guess work.

2 lbs lean ground beef
1 egg
1/2 cup bread crumbs
2 tbs minced garlic
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 tbs dried oregano (I could not find fresh)
1/2 cup parmesan cheese (but honestly you could use anything- asiago, romano, locatelli...)
1 tbs sugar
1 tsp salt
A lot of pepper- I did not measure I just kept shaking

I unwrapped the beef and put it in a bowl and mashed it together.  I added the eggs, breadcrumbs, garlic, salt, pepper and sugar and mixed. I plucked off the rosemary and broke it up. Add the oregano.  Chop the parsley and mix.

You can make them any size you like. I guess mine were medium. I made one and cooked it in a skillet to see if I needed to add anything. Once I was happy I rolled them all into balls and placed them in a greased baking pan.  Cook at 350 for 15-30 minutes depending on how big or small you made them.

They freeze well.  Arrange them on a pan or in a large plastic ware container and put them in the freezer until hard. Bag them in freezer bags or in containers that freeze well.

Green Tea and Peppermint Toner

Green tea has a lot of antioxidants which help fight free radicals in the skin.  Peppermint is very refreshing and uplifting.  This is for all skin types.

3/4 cup of peppermint leaves, chopped or torn up into pieces
2 tea bags

I put two tea bags into a 2 cup measuring cup and poured boiling water over and filled to the top.  I broke up the peppermint leaves and put them in a heat safe glass bowl that had a lid. Pour 1 1/2 cups boiling water over the leaves. If you do not cover the bowl then volatile elements will evaporate. Let it steep for 15 minutes. Strain the liquid into a jar/measuring cup.  Mix the liquids. Pour into a bottle and keep it refrigerated. Will last 7-10 days. You can freeze the extra in ice cube trays that have lids.

This was found in the book, Feeding Your Skin by Carla Oats.

Sun-Kissed Skin Spray

This is a healing and refreshing spray for the skin.  It is also great for frizzy hair and adds shine.  Store in a spray bottle in the fridge and it will last the summer. I plan on bringing it along with me when we venture to the river/bay/ocean.  Always good to be prepared!

-20 drops of lavender essential oil
-2 tsp apple cider vinegar
-500ml pure aloe vera juice
-contents of 5-6 vitamin E liquid capsules

1. Add the essential oil to the vinegar and stir.
2. Add the aloe vera and vitamin E capsules. You will need to make a slit and squeeze out the contents. Stir.

Store in a spray bottle and shake before each use.  Keep refrigerated.

This is great for when you get too much sun and you need to cool down.  I just started using it on my hair so stay tuned.  It does not make my hair feel any different texture wise.

The aloe vera juice needs to be pure.  I got the Fruit of the Earth Brand and I got a gallon of it at Walmart for about $8.  I found it at health food stores too.

This was in the book, Feeding Your Skin by Carla Oats.

Homemade Cleaners

I have a combination skin type, which is an oily t-zone and dry cheeks.  Sometimes this requires making two different cleaners/masks/scrubs, but I have found a few for combo skin that I am willing to try.

Buttermilk and Lavender Cleanser:
-1 or 2 drops of lavender essential oil
-62 ml buttermilk (can also use a milk that is suited to your skin type)

Drop oil into the buttermilk and shake until combined.  Bottle in a food grade glass or plastic bottle. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week.  You can buy nice bottles with all different kinds of tops here.  I like the site because you do not need to buy them in bulk.  This is a nice cleanser for the morning. If you are not familiar with milk cleansers then just know that they do not foam or suds up.  You usually apply them with a cotton facial pad.

Lavender Castile Cleanser:
-4 1/2 tbsp of liquid Castile soap (I used unscented Dr. Bronner's Castile Liquid Soap)
-2 tsp sweet almond or apricot kernel oil (I used almond)
-20 drops of lavender essential oil (can also use an oil that is suited to your skin type)

Pour into a bottle and shake.  Shelf life is 6 months.  Apply with fingertips and remove with wash cloth and tepid water.  Can add an extra tablespoon of oil in the winter when your face skin is drier. This is the type of cleanser that is foamy.

I got both of these from the book, Feeding You Skin by Carla Oats.

Kim and Rob's Wedding

Lovely day for a wedding!  Congrats once again to the happy couple.