Cosmos Flower

According to Wikipedia, “Cosmos is native to scrub and meadow areas in Mexico where most of the species occur, Florida and the southern United States, Arizona, Central America, and to South America in the north to Paraguay in the south.”

Bees love the Cosmos too.

However, I live in Northern Indiana and have had Cosmos growing for several years. They are a tall beautiful flower with various color blooms in which thrive in a sunny location. 

Cluster of Cosmos

This post linked : Macro Flower Saturday

Crochet Dishcloths and Save Money

Crocheting can be relaxing for some, and a very good way to save money by making household items such as dishcloths, dishtowels, pot scrubbers, crocheted potholders or crocheted photo frames. Most items can be made with a few basic crocheting stitches such as single crochet, double crochet and slip stitch.

Read more:Seekyt

The Zinnia Flower

Red Zinnia

The Zinnia's look great
around the mailbox

The Butterflies enjoy the Zinnia's

According to Wikipedia, "Zinnia is a genus of 20 species of annual and perennial plants of family Asteraceae, originally from scrub and dry grassland in an area stretching from the American Southwest to South America, but primarily Mexico, and notable for their solitary long-stemmed flowers that come in a variety of bright colors."

 

“Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains because he is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.” Joel 2:23 (NIV)

Purple Zinnia

This post linked: Macro Flower Saturday

Butterfly Bush or Buddleja Flowering Plant

I love flowers and the sweet smell they give.  I am usually not concerned about formal names, however,  I looked it up just for curiosity. 

According  to Wikipedia,  "Buddleja, often misspelled Buddleia but commonly known as the Butterfly Bush, is a genus of flowering plants. The generic name bestowed by Linnaeus honours the Reverend Adam Buddle (1662–1715), a botanist and rector in Essex, England, but who could never have seen a plant of the genus. Buddleja is now included in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae; it had earlier been classified in either the Loganiaceae or in a family of its own, the Buddlejaceae."

 Luke 12: 27-28 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? 

This post linked to: Macro Flower Saturday

Live Forever Plant or Sedum Purpureum

 Until today I thought the plant was called a Forever Living Plant not Live Forever, that's what my mom always called it that. I guess it's true, you are never to old to learn something new.

I do know that the Live Forever Plant comes in different shades of pinks or purple and grows very easily.

According to findmeacure.com, "Medicinal Uses: In the first century A.D., Pliny, the Roman naturalist, stated that the juice of this plant was good for treating wounds and fistulas. In more recent herbal medicine, it has been prescribed to be taken internally for the treatment of ulcers, lung disorders, and diarrhea; and externally it has been prescribed for slow healing ulcers."

I hope you find someone to get a start off of, and then next year share it with another. After all it is a Live Forever Plant.

This post linked to : Macro Flower Saturday

How to Make a Lemon Shake-up

If you have ever been to a fair or carnival, chances are you have seen a lemon shake-up concession trailer. You might have even purchased and enjoyed one.

I worked in an elephant ear concession trailer for 21 years and we also made lemon shake-ups.  I not only made them for customers, I made and drank a few myself.

Let me share with you, how to make a lemon shake-up, so you can enjoy them at home.

 

Ingredients to make Lemon Shake-up:

• Lemons
• Sugar or Sugar Substitute
• Ice Cubes
• Water
• Glass jar with lid

Instructions to make Lemon Shake-up:

1. When you are working in a concession trailer, you work ahead, to keep up with the customers. Slice the lemons and put them in a bowl and keep them close at hand. How you slice them is up to you, however, use at least half a lemon per shake-up.
2. Again, when you are making for a crowd, you will have several jars to use. You want a jar that you can hold easily in one hand. Mom found out that planter peanut jars were the best for a 16-ounce shake-up.
3. Put 8 ounces of water in the jar. Add sugar to suit your taste. 1 or 2 teaspoons to start. Shake the jar to make sure the sugar dissolves.
4. Squeeze your lemon into the jar. You may want to adjust the lemon but 1/2 a lemon is a good starting point.
5. Fill the jar with some ice and make sure the lid is on tight. Shake the jar hard until it starts getting cold to the touch. You will fill the difference.
6. Pour in a glass and enjoy!

How to Do Facial Exercises

When you think of doing exercises, I am certain facial exercise is not the first thing you think of. It is probably more on the line of your biceps, triceps, tummy and legs. However, trust me; facial exercises should be ranked right at the top. Like too many things, I did not start facial exercises early enough, but as we age, all the skin and muscles head south if not exercised.

Take it from me you cannot start to exercise your facial muscles early enough. Actually, the sooner you start the better you will look as your body ages.

It is not hard; you can start by simply smiling more. If you want your face to continue to look as smooth as a baby does, take my tips and start doing your facial exercises.

 Things you will need:

• Ambition
• Desire to look younger

SMILE:

When I'm with my beautiful daughter and grand daughter I can't help but smile. They live 6 hours away so just having them around makes me exercise my smiler.

SURPRISED:

Look surprised and then frown both as hard as you can, hold. Repeat this exercise several times.

AEIOU:

Do you remember watching Richard Simmons and he said he did this after he lost all the weight to get his face tightened up. You say "A" real big and over exaggerated. Then say the "E,” "I,” "O" and the "U!” Do this facial exercise several times.

SWISH:

Next swish your face left, hold and pulse as hard as you can. Then swish right. Repeat this exercise several times.

FISH FACE:

This exercise is what I call my fish face. Tilt your head back looking at the ceiling. Drop your jaw and then bring your lower lip over the top of the upper lip as far as you can and repeat. On the other hand, instead of dropping your jaw simply make your fish face, hold, and pulse. However you can change it up by doing both exercises.

After doing each exercise start back at the beginning and do it all over again.

Tip

• You can do Facial Exercises anywhere. I do them while driving down the road, hoping no one sees me or in the tanning bed.

Morning Glory Flower

The Morning Glory lives up to its name. It blooms beautifully in the morning and by mid afternoon the beautiful flowers are gone. I have one in full sun the other in the shade and they are both the same. I hoped the one in the shade would retain its flowers.

According to Wikipedia, “ Morning glory was first known in China for its medicinal uses, due to the laxative properties of its seeds. It was introduced to the Japanese in the 9th century, and they were first to cultivate it as an ornament. A rare brownish-coloured variant known as Danjuro is very popular. During the Edo Period, it became a very popular ornamental flower.” However according to MarriageAbout.com, the morning glory means, "Loves you, affection. Associated with the eleventh wedding anniversary." 

 

This post linked to: Macro Flower Saturday