WELCOME SPRING!

Happy Ostara everyone and welcome to a new spring!

It's the spring equinox - a day in balance of night and day. A promise of more warmth and sunshine to come. And what a day it's been!

We had snow this morning, surprising the bulbs and plants starting to make their way through the earth towards the sun.

And we have kittens! 3 little ones, only hours old here. Gizelle, the outside cat that has claimed us as her own, delivered 3 littles amid the chill. But their cozy in their

cat house now, waiting to grow and find new peoples to love when they get bigger.

New beginnings, new determination, a sparkling start to spring.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

A very Happy, Laughter filled
St. Patrick's Day to to Everyone!

A light heart lives longest.
Maireann croí éadrom i bhfad

How to make a Fruitilicious Frappe

March 2009 Indie Beauty Tag Party
Thanks to Debbie at Soapy Love Daily Ditties for the tag!

Sometimes, when I'm cooking, my mind starts to wonder. I was making one of my favorite smoothies for a quick breakfast and started thinking about one of the first face masks I ever made for myself. It was quick and easy and fresh from my fridge. It's a great little treat that will get your mind set for spring, and your face feeling smooth and fresh. And it's darn tasty too, but more about that later.

Fruitilicious Frappe
You'll need:
3 ripe strawberries
1 or two small pieces of pineapple
1 teaspoon honey
3 tablespoons (approximately) of plain yogurt


Stem the strawberries. Put the strawberries and the pineapple into a bowl.

Puree with a stick blender until smooth.

Drizzle in the honey and hit it again with the blender.

Add the yogurt. Change to the whip attachment and whip the mixture until smooth. (You can also use a regular blender)

Take a small amount of the mixture and smooth onto your face. Start at the neck and work upwards. You should apply a light layer all over your face, avoiding the eye area. Let it sit for about 10 minutes, then rinse with cool water.

You can follow with your favorite toner, although I just like to enjoy the fragrance for a while.

Cover and refrigerate the leftovers. It will last in there for 3 or 4 days. If you'd like it a little thicker, you can add a little cornstarch with the yogurt, or fold into an egg white that has been whipped to a stiff peak.

This easy face mask is packed with power:

• Pineapples contain bromelain, an enzyme which will help cleanse and exfoliate your skin. It's also has anti-inflammatory properties.
• Strawberries contain salicylic acid which will also help remove dead skin cells, as well as reducing pore size and redness. It's also an antioxidant.
• Yogurt will help soothe, cleanse and soften your skin.
• Honey - one of my favorite ingredients - is an all around wonder that moisturizes, is an antioxidant, antiviral, anti fungal, antibacterial, and filled with vitamins and minerals.

Even though you can refrigerate this and keep it for a few days, the very best part of this Fruitilicious Frappe - what you don't use on your face you can eat!

Want some more how to tips and cool information? Stop over at Dr. Flower's Handmade Soap. It's the Indie Beauty Networks' Blog Tag Party - and you're invited!