Christmas Tree Lighting

Have you ever seen a Christmas Tree set up that looked so amazing that you didn't even question the lighting situation? Has to be pre-lit right? Gotta be.. every single branch is covered in lights. My tree NEVER looks like that, my tree looks like its being choked to death by a rope of lights, its not cute. Not cute at all.

I hate that lasso effect... the one where you and a partner stand on either side of the tree and pass a wad of Christmas lights back and fourth and lasso the tree, round and round and round... doesn't look so hot. I always have "bald" spots and big gaps that I have to go back in and try to fill. Taking them off is a pain too.I am going to show you how to get the pre lit look without the expense of a pre lit tree. Lets get started..

You will need about 100 lights per foot of tree, this is a 7 foot tree so I used 700 lights. It went to Wal-Mart and bought 7 boxes of 100 lights for around $24 to $28.

Start by taking one of your light strings, start at the base of the trunk and take it up the side of your first branch.

When you get to the end of your branch, take the string of lights and cross over the tip of the branch and start it back up the other side.

Travel all the way up and back to the trunk.

When you get to the trunk, take a small piece of your branch and wrap it around your string of lights to secure it before starting down your next branch.

Here is a short video that will help you visualize it better.

This post wouldn't be complete if I didn't have a picture of the finished product now would it...  so here you go... this is it. Not too shabby if I do say so myself!

Tree Pic #1 is closer up so you can see the light distribution..

Tree Pic #2 is pulled back just a bit so you can see a bit more..


Now I just need to invest in a bigger tree and more ornaments and I will be a super happy girl... I will still hang on to this little gem though.. its cute.

Happy Decorating!

Ear Ache Oil

This ear ache formula came out of the book Herbal Antibiotics by Stephen Harrod Buhner, this stuff is amazing. It smells up your house when your making it but if you love the scent of garlic then you won't mind. This formula is better suited for Children but there is an incredible tincture recipe for adults in this book so if your interested click that link above and make your purchase. 

To make these drops you will need 2 days and these items.. 

4 oz olive oil

5 cloves garlic

20 drops eucalyptus essential oil

2 oz amber dropper bottle 

measuring cups

sharp knife

fine mesh strainer

small baking dish

Chop the garlic as finely as you can, place it in the baking dish and cover with the oil. Place it in your oven at the lowest setting, the lowest on mine is 170f. The oil and garlic will slowly roast and infuse all night long.

The following morning you will need to strain the garlic out of your oil using a fine mesh strainer, take a rubber spatula and press the browned roasted cloves against the mesh in order to squeeze all the oil out. After the oil is cool to the touch add the Eucalyptus essential oil and stir.

Pour the oil mixture into a clean amber dropper bottle making sure to leave a bit of space at the top so that when you put the dropper in oil doesn't swoosh out.. don't as me how I know that lol.. I always end up with about 1oz that won't fit into my 2oz dropper bottle, and since they don't make or sell a 3oz dropper bottle (if they do I haven't seen it) I just put that in this 1oz amber bottle and use it up first.

When you use the oil make sure that you remove the dropper part and run it under hot water for about a minute (dry well - immediately and quickly) before filling with your drops. You don't want cold oil in a toasty warm achy ear.. Place two drops in each ear every half hour or so for up to seven days.

Enjoy!

Welcome Home Hazel!!!

Hazel Hazel… what do we do with Hazel?? We love her and squeeze her and smoosh her all over. Meet Hazel Olivia, the love of my life… well one of them anyway.  

For as long as I can remember I have wanted a PUG! Having this little one has been  a life long dream. One day it is my hope to participate in a pug rescue, there are so many babies out there looking for their forever home. 

Although it saddens me that I wasn't able to start that way, I know that one day we will bring a rescue baby home. Until then, I will cherish every moment I get to spend with this little lady.

Hazel Olivia, born July 7, 2014.

Sarah's Glamour Shoot

I made this with the intention of starting a website for my photography... which I did... but it didn't feel right, the website didn't. I am letting it close while I think of something new to create for myself. This is a video of a fun glamour session or girls day... We had a blast. I hired my friend and makeup artist to pamper Sarah and we had a blast on her photo shoot.

Here are the photos from that day.

Nate and Sarah's Engagement Photos

My brother asked me to take some engagement photos for him and my soon to be sister in law.. My first reaction was complete fear... thats a big deal and I have zero experience... My second reaction was complete elation, I love my camera and I love photography.... heres my first attempt at making engagement photos.

I don't know if this is something I will pursue doing, but if someone asks me I don't see myself saying no. I loved doing it.

Mastering the Back Light

I’m still playing around with photography, I would love to make a career of it but I am stuck behind so many roadblocks like am I good enough? Who am I to think I can be a photographer? How much do I charge? I always have a reason why I shouldn't do something even when I really want to. I started a program on Creative Live called 28 Days with Sue Bryce, it’s an incredible invaluable program. If I could achieve even a smidge of what this woman has I would be over the moon. Here is some of my work from one of her classes.. Mastering the Back Light.

I’m going to start a series on my blog dedicated to each class that I work through on 28 Days, I think it’s the only way I can hold myself accountable to learning her methods.

Love to all…