Thursday, December 27, 2012

#26 Random Acts of Kindness..why stop there

In the weeks following the heartwrenching tragedy of Newtown came the idea of #20 then #26 random acts of kindness. We all jumped on board buying coffees for 26 random people or handing out gift cards in restaurants or grocery stores It was our way of paying homage to those lives lost and at the time of year we all want the warmth of our families close. Along with our generosity came anger and the whys and a nation divided again on how to fix things. Is it gun control we need to fix? Is it better mental health? Is it better school policy on bullying? Is it censorship on video games? I don't know the answer to those questions. I do know that not having guns didn't stop Timothy McVeigh...he used fertilizer to make a bomb to kill 168 people in Oklahoma City but then maybe if Adam Lanza had not had easy access to an assault rifle this tragedy could have been avoided. I don't know. Yes, we need better heath care in this country and easier access to mental health but you can lead a horse to water..but you can't make him drink...as much as I believe we need better health care I don't know if that would helped. Again, Yes! we need better school policy on bullies! As a parent of a special needs child, my child was bullied and the administration didn't do much. It is one of the reasons I homeschool my children today. For me that is an easy fix..its not only the administration's responsibility to teach our children to respect and not hate and harm those who are different IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS A PARENT! Is it violent video games? Yes, we have alot of violence in our culture now from tv to video games, but would taking them away curb the Dylan Klebolds or James Holmes'. I don't know.

What I do know is that we each have our own place and our own ability to make it a kinder more loving world. Show acceptance of those who are different not prejudice. Offer a hand in friendship. Don't stop at 26 acts of kindness show thoughtfulness 365 days a year. It doesn't have to be monetary it can be as simple as holding the door open for someone even if we are in a hurry, offering to share your umbrella in a rain storm with someone who forgot theirs, an errand for the elderly or sitting at the lunch table with unpopular kid who is eating alone. Simply open your heart.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Rice Microwave Heating Pads

Heat therapy is a non-invasive therapy to soothe sore muscles in your back, head, neck, shoulder, elbow, stomach, menstrual, leg, knee and feet. Grain Microwave Heating pads are the perfect way to get your heat therapy. Rice heating pads can also be infused with herbal scents for aromatherapy and additional benefits. Lavender and Vanilla will soothe and calm, Rosemary Mint soothe sore muscles, help headaches, peppermint helps to ease headache and eucalyptus help clear sinuses. Microwave Heating Pads are a great way to replace the corded heat pad and messy water bottles. Rice heating pads are safer than electric heating pads because they lose their heat gradually, whereas electric heating pads can catch fire during use or cause a drop in blood pressure if used for too long. Rice bags can also be infused with herbal scents for aromatherapy.

Different grains can be used to fill the heating pad...rice, corn, dried beans cherry pits and some use flax seed. I prefer rice as the grains are small and conform better to your body. Flax seed is also a small grain but it is primarily linseed oil which can cause fire. I would only use Flax seed as a cold compress pack. Rice also absorbs moisture... as we all who have gotten our cell phone wet know too well.... To add moist heat to your therapy lightly spritz your heating pad with water.

Heating Pads are multipurpose and reusable. Use them to soothe sore muscles, warm your feet, heat them up and take them to bed as a replacement for an electric blanket, warm your pets bed...the uses are endless.

Another great benefit of the heating pads are they serve a dual purpose. You can also put them in the freezer in a ziploc bag and use them for minor bumps, bruises and sprains. Please always seek a doctor's advice for anything more than minor pain, sprains or bumps.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Artfire Link Spotlight

We were spot lighted in the Artfire Link!

Peppermint Soy Tart Melts by Blackberry Thyme

Courtesy of: Artfire LInk

Sunday, October 7, 2012

GIVEAWAY..Enter to win a bar of our Candy Corn Soap

GIVEAWAY! we will be giving away a bar of our Candy Corn Soap on Oct 21. To enter the giveaway ...just like our Blackberry Thyme FB page, share the pic and leave us a comment! Good luck!

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

ETSY Seller Protection...Who protects the seller from ETSY?

I had my shop on ETSY since 2010, then two days ago I went to log in and my account had been deactivated! There were no warnings, no notices, no emails, no policy violations. My feedback was 100% positive with very happy customers. My account was in good standing...bills paid timely, no complaints of any kind.

ETSY was my main means of supporting my two children and I. Yes, I do have other shops on other venues, but most my effort went into promoting and making a business out of ETSY. I had 356 listings that I would have lost my pics, my descriptions , my tags, everything had I not had them listed elsewhere. I did lose the listing fee on all those also. They still owe me money from direct checkout, which I am sure I will never see. and if I had orders they won't get filled because I have no way to know what they were or who to send them to.

I emailed etsy support 10 times (they have NO customer support phone number ),tweeted numerous times and contacted 3 admin via their email to try and find out the reason why they closed my shop without notifying me of a reason why or that they were going to close it. My only response from ETSY as to why was a reply on twitter that they would get back to me as soon as possible. I am still waiting for them to tell me why! Where is ETSY customer service to its clients (the sellers). Had I treated one of my customers in this fashion I would expect to be shut down but it seems ok if ETSY treats the seller this way.

Getting no reply from ETSY and totally clueless as to why my account was closed..I posted on forums using my buyer account hoping to get some attention or information. Both threads were closed by admin and my buyer account was also deactivated. I can no longer purchase from etsy either.

So I am wondering how we protect ourselves from ETSY itself. I never needed protection from a buyer...only from ETSY dictatorship.

I am not the first person this has happened to nor will I be the last. http://www.auctioninsights.info/etsy-still-dropping-sellers.html

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Giveaway

We are helping sponsor a giveaway...to have a chance to win our Pumpkin Spice Soy Candle along with soaps from Rebecca's Soap Deli, a pampered herbal steam from Face.Body.Feet and two jelly jar air fresheners from Still Water Candles. Simply click on this to enter here . Total prize value is $50 and you have until September 28, 2012 to enter

Friday, August 31, 2012

Handmade Laundry Detergent

As a stay at home single mom I try to find as many ways as possible to cut costs. We have all noticed how expensive laundry detergent has gotten....its outrageous!! So why not make your own at home that is inexpensive, easy to make with three basic ingredients you can find at your local grocery store, is just as effective as those expensive brands in both top loading and HE washers and you avoid chemicals.

As I said..its easy...3 basic ingredients..
1 cup Borax
1 cup Washing soda
1/3 - 1/2 shredded Bar of soap ( I use my Castile Soap as its unscented, all natural and vegan friendly, but you can use any natural soap). If you prefer scented you can always use a scented natural soap or add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.

Grate your soap - you can use a food grader or be lazy like me and use a food processor. Mix grated soap, borax and washing soda together. Store in a container with a lid in a dry area.

To Use: add 1 tablespoon to your wash. You can use 2 tablespoons for heavily soiled items.

This laundry detergent has low suds and is safe for HE washers. Suds are not what cleans your clothes... suds are produced by a chemical added to commercial soaps and laundry detergents. Another good side note is that the low suds and all natural detergent is safe for your septic tanks (the high suds and added chemicals of commercial brands can cause your lines to clog).

For a natural fabric softener... add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. I add a few drops of lavender EO when I do my linens..the vinegar scent disappears when clothes are dry and leaves behind the wonder smell of lavender.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Crochet Giveaway

Check out this Crochet Giveaway by Opps I Craft My Pants... https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=456900334349513&set=a.207741385932077.53040.119971941375689&type=1&theater

Friday, August 17, 2012

Baked Hamburger Stew

There was a touch of fall in the air today and made me think.... its getting time for comfort foods. Soups are one of my favorite fall and winter comfort foods. Baked Hamburger Stew is one of my faves. Its easy and quick to put together and is loaded with wonderful veggies and flavor. This is great to make ahead and freeze for a quick dinner or lunch.

Ingredients:

3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced

3 medium carrots, sliced

3/4 lb lean ground beef

1 can(14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained

1/2 cup frozen peas

2 medium onions, sliced

2 tablespoons of butter

Salt and pepper to taste

In a greased 13"x9" baking dish, layer potatoes and carrots. Crumble beef over carrots. Layer withe the tomatoes, peas and onions. Dot with butter. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degree for 1 1/2 hours or until meat is no longer pink and potatoes are tender.

Serve with homemade French Bread or grilled cheese sandwiches.

Treasury Time

Our Red and Black Polka Dot Hip 2 Be Square Crossbody Purse was featured in this great AMUS team treasury...Lots of great handmade purses to choose from! http://www.etsy.com/treasury/ODI2MDEyMXwyNzIwNjI3NDI3/thats-my-bag-baby-from-the-all-mixed-up