Citronella-Did You Know?

Better Living, Did You Know, Essential Oil Information, , , , , ,

Did you know Citronella comes from the leaf of a tall grass native to Asia, Citronella essential oil has a crisp, fresh aroma. With impressive pest repellent benefits, Citronella oil keeps unwanted insects out of the house and off your skin and clothing. It is an ideal companion for all you activities in the great outdoors. The oil works by concealing the scent of humans that insects find tempting.

Oil components include citronellol and geraniol, which are good for cleaning all your household surfaces. When inhaled, Citronella promotes happy, positive feelings. Applied topically, it can be soothing to the skin and scalp.

Pie Perfection

Better Living, Personal stories, , , ,

When I was eleven I wanted to make a homemade chocolate cream pie. My mother gave me the recipe. Then she said, “I will be in my bedroom if you need me.” She later admitted she would have gone nuts watching me cook when I was first learning this skill. The recipe called for 3 tablespoons of cornstarch. I added 3 tablespoons of baking soda instead. The recipe said “bring to a boil.” I couldn’t understand why the pie filling was foaming over the top of the pan. I called my mom into the kitchen.

No sooner did she come into the kitchen when she grabbed a large pan and poured part of the pie filling into the second pan. It just kept growing. This is when my mom started questioning the ingredients I had added. When I got to the cornstarch on the recipe card, I pointed to the baking soda container and said I added cornstarch. I was then told, “This pie filling is no good. When you thought you were adding cornstarch you were adding baking soda.” You can do everything just right except for one thing, ending up with a huge disaster.

Years later when I was 18 I had an opportunity to work at two separate places that made pies. I learned different techniques of pie making from both places. The Saturday before Thanksgiving I spent 18 hours making pies at Marie Callender’s. I am thankful for my training in pie making.

I have found myself showing several women’s groups how to make the perfect pie crust, and delicious pie fillings. My failure as a child was a stepping stone to my success with making pies today.

When you ask questions, not acting like you know it all, you will learn. I still find new ways to make things better from my past mistakes. Learning what works and what doesn’t is part of the joy.

Essential oils are a lot like my early days of cooking, when I made many mistakes with recipes. Now with essential oils I find myself continually going to my essential  oil book which outlines the oil that works best for each condition I might have when I was unfamiliar with how the oils work. I find as in cooking, and with essential oils every time I fail, I am learning important life lessons.

 

A Nun and Some Warm Milk

Better Living, Humor, , , , , , , , , ,

In a convent in Ireland, the 96-year-old Mother Superior lay dying.The Nuns gathered around her bed trying to make her last journey comfortable.They tried giving her warm milk to drink but she declined.One of the nuns took the glass back to the kitchen. 

Then, remembering a bottle of Irish Whiskey that had been received as a gift the previous Christmas, she opened it and poured a generous amount into the warm milk.

Back at Mother Superior’s bed, they held the glass to her lips. The frail Nun drank a little, then a little more and before they knew it, she had finished the whole glass down to the last drop.

As her eyes brightened, the nuns thought it would be a good opportunity to have one last talk with their spiritual leader.

“Mother,” the nuns asked earnestly, “Please give us some of your wisdom before you leave us.”She raised herself up slowly in bed on one elbow, looked at them and said:

“Whatever you do, DON’T SELL THAT COW.”