I think by the end of this whole 29 day ordeal I am going to sign up again! Or maybe I wont have to sign up, maybe by then I will just give freely and daily without even having to think about it…….

My Page

Check this out and see what happens to you! Or, go straight to the website and sign up today! Add me as your friend and we will give together!

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My Dear Brother and Friend passed away on Friday July 10th.
Drake Norman Charles Gengnagel

Age 47 of Minneapolis,
formerly of Cottage Grove,
passed away July 10, 2008
after a courageous battle with cancer.

 Drake was born October 22, 1960 in St. Paul
the son of Bruce & Karen (Applequist) Gengnagel.
He graduated from Park High School in 1979.

 He is survived by his parents Karen & Bruce;
brother Curt (Christy); sister DeAnna (Brian) Nelson
and partner Dennis Allen.
Drake is the beloved uncle of Alyssa, Leah and Kent.  

He was formerly employed as manager of fine jewelry at Daytons, Mpls. Drake will be remembered as a sensitive, loving, compassionate giving person who enjoyed cooking, entertaining, and nature. He was a practical jokester, a gifted vocalist and had a contagious laugh.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to St. Josephs Hospice; American Cancer Society, or the Youth Service Bureau of Cottage Grove.

Holidays are Great! Just remember its ok to do things on holidays that you wouldnt think of doing on any other day!

* Saying things like “Sweet, can I have an extra scoop of Fudge Sauce?”

* Eating a Red, White and Blue Bomb Pop or Rocket Pop because you can!

* Sporting red, white, blue, stars or stripes as an outfit, or go wild and wear them all!

* Get a little to much sun during the day and find a reason to wrap in a blankie with your sweetie during the fireworks!

* Eating anything you want!!! Insider note: Calories don’t count on the 4th of July.

* Oooohing and ahhhhhing over twinkling lights like a 4 year old.

Not quite sure  how to act - just look at the nearest child and follow his or her actions!  Have fun, be a kid and lighten up.  For goodness sakes we only live once and bomb pops are only good in the summer when they are melting down you wrists!

I am taking the day off and going swimming and crossing off everything on the list above, so Happy 4th of July!

Tootles,
De

These are Just like Applebee’s Key Lime Pie Dessert Shooters.  I also made a Raspberry Cheesecake version but the cheescake part was a little lumpy so I will have to perfect that one before posting it!  These are great for a small summer treat after a dinner, we made ours for a Fathers Day BBQ.  There light and not to filling so that are perfect when you want just a little bit of a sweet treat after dinner. 

Ingredients Glossary

Key Lime Filling

4 egg yolks

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

• 1/2 cup key lime juice 
   (I found mine near the canned juices in the grocery aisle)

Key Lime Topping

• 1/2 cup Sour Cream

• 2 teaspoons key lime juice

• 3 tablespoons powdered sugar

• 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs, plus 

• 2 teaspoons graham cracker crumbs

• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

• canned  whipped cream

• Key Lime slices for garnish

Directions

1. beat egg yolks on high speed in a medium bowl for 2 to 3 minutes or until light yellow. add sweetened condensed milk and beat agian for another 30 seconds.

2. transfer this mixture into a medium saucepan over med/low heat and stir in 1/2 cup key lime juice. continue heating for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until mixture begins to bubble. remove key lime filling from the heat and cool, then cover and chill for 3 to 4 hours.

3. make the key lime topping by combining sour cream, key lime juice, and powdered sugar. cover and chill.

4. to build each serving, mix the melted butter with 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs. spoon 2 tbsp graham cracker crumbs into a 9 oz. or smaller disposable plastic cup.  spoon in 1/3 cup key lime filling, and top it off with 2 tbsp of the topping. add a pile of whipped cream, sprinkle about 1/2 tsp graham cracker crumbs on the whipped cream, add a key lime slice for garnish and serve.

I got this tip from Lola Red about shedding drab skin and revealing your inner glow. Hollywood starlets have been doing it for years, and here I am to share the secret. (DISCLAIMER: This may be a cheap trick, but it can be incredibly messy!)

I have never done this but, when my kids and husband are out of the house for awhile I will break out the Loofah and maybe go for the shower instead of the tub.  I dont want to have to scrub the tub for hours afterwards as it brings back to many memories of taking a bath after my mom soaked in Baby Oil.  I was 12 at the time and jumped in the tub when she was finished to wash my hair, unfortunately when I went to dry it,  all of the left over baby oil was stuck to my hair.  I had to hurry as we were going to a wedding and didn’t have time to rewash it, my mom said it looked fined.  But, when I looked in the bathroom mirror at the reception it looked like I had not washed my hair for weeks. It was devastating and I refused to take baths for 3 years after that.  I stuck to showers and rinsed multiply times!  Today, I just stay away from oil period in any form in my tub!  Not just because of the hair thing but I now fear slipping and killing my self in the tub!

The trick:
1. Fill your bathtub with hot water.
2. Place a towel on the floor next to the tub.
3. Strip down and load your body with baby oil.
4. Dip the Ivory soap and loofah into the water, then rub together to coat the loofah with the soap.
5. Standing or sitting on the towel, start at your feet and scrub every inch of your hot bod until your skin is pink. (You will obviously want to load up the loofah with Ivory numerous times during the process.)
6. Once you have scrubbed to the max, slide into the warm tub and watch the dull, drab skin slip off! (Note: The bath water will be disgusting. You, on the other hand, will be a stunner!)
7. Slather yourself with fab self-tanner for some faux glow!

I love watching the transformation take place on someones face.  My Niece is a beautiful girl without a stitch of makeup, but to see her on her wedding day with her hair up, makeup done and her wedding gown on was a breathtaking transformation. 

 
Where does time go? 

  I have added some photos for you to view and wish all of you a “beautiful day every day”!

 The Makeup Artist Table

Applying Eye Shadow

Close up of Eyes before False lashes are applied.
 
Foundation, Finishing Silk, Color Booster, Eyes and now a small amount of lip liner.
Gloss will be added once the dress is on!

The Bride is Ready and isn’t she beautiful!

Here’s a Close Up!

Foundation - Mixture of Natural Buff, Radiance and I added some Cherub Dust for a glow.
Afterglow on the Cheeks, Chin, and Nose
Highlighting layer of Cherub Dust on the upper cheeks
On the eye - I added a layer of Oyster from lid to below brow, then added Amethyst with a hint of Medallion in the crease.  Then Highlighted with Oyster below the brow bone again and in the corners of the eye. I then added a wet liner of Amethyst after she drew in a line with her waterproof liner to show me how thick she wanted the line.  A few lashes on the corners a little liner on the lips, mascara and some gloss make for a lovely bride.

 I refuse to buy those chemically filled bottles of drain cleaner or any cleaner for that fact that has more danger notations than it does how to use sentences.  I am amazed that the stuff does not eat through  the plastic it is stored in and have a meltdown right there on the shelf.  They should call the cleaning aisle the toxic dump aisle!  I cringe from all the years of using them and how I now have permanently red palms from dermatitis that just wont go away, no matter what I do.  

So when the bathroom sink got clogged again…… I pulled out my trusty box of Baking Soda and mixed it with some salt and vinegar and had me a drain cleaning and clearing party!  Wow, who knew hair and toothpaste chunks could come out of your drain so quickly?   I don’t know about any of you, but once I start cleaning things like my sink, I somehow move on to the tub and then I remember that I am having company and should go clean the grill with what else than the baking soda. But first I have to take apart the faucet and soak it in the vinegar to get rid of the lime build up, It’s like I have cleaning ADHD

Here are some things you can do around the house with that lovely little box that costs less than a dollar.  Well on sale that is!

Funky Fabrics: Remember your husbands shirt that you thought you finally destroyed that funky “I had to much coffee today honey, can you take care of this?”  Soak those smelly sponges, clothes or cloth diapers in a mix of warm water and baking soda overnight.  Add vinegar for tough smells and then rinse before the wash load.

Kids Gym Shoes home for the weekend: Sprinkle some in those sneakers regularly to keep smelly foot bacteria at bay.

Carpet Cleaning: Sprinkle over your rug, and let it sit for an hour. Then vacuum, do this only if you have a vacuum with a bag, I find it makes an awful mess with bag-less vacuums.

KITCHEN
Fruit Washing: A bit of baking soda and a sponge helps really clean those fruits and vegetables which have touched lord-knows-what on their route from field to truck to supermarket to you.

Microwave Cleaning: This is my favorite. Put water, lemon juice and baking soda in a microwave safe bowl and turn on high for 90 seconds. Smells disappear, and if you leave the bowl in the microwave for awhile it steams off all that cooked on junk and you can wipe it clean without a care.

Refrigerator freshening: An open box in the back of the fridge absorbs all sorts of noxious food odors. Baking soda companies suggest changing the box every three months; I recommend monthly in my fridge!

Drain Freshening: Every once in a while, something gets caught in the drain, and it reeks! Run warm water and sprinkle baking soda over the drain.

Fire Fighting: Baking Soda puts out grease and electrical fires. Keep a box within easy reach of your stove, and if necessary, dump it on the flames.

BATHROOM
Emergency Toothpaste, Mouthwash and Deodorant: The morning you wake up and realize that your honey took the only toiletries on that business trip, water and baking soda will get you by for all three.

Antacid: Out of Pepto and Tums? Their prime ingredient is sodium bicarbonate–which is baking soda. A half teaspoon in 4 ounces isn’t as yummy as those orange-flavored Tums, but they’ll get the job done.

Hello Summer and Itching: Make a paste by mixing baking soda and water it will calm itchy skin, rashes and insect bites. Trust me I was slathered in this as a child on nightly basis at our family cabin.  The only other reminder of itching as a child is the smell of Campho-phenique! Baking soda on dog bites are great and it may be wishfull thinking but I think my dogs breath was also fresher afterwards.

Shower curtain cleaning:A wet sponge covered in baking soda effectively scrubs off that nasty mildew we referred to last week LINK. Dumping the curtain and baking soda in your washing machine also works, just put on the delicate cyclye and dont put the shower liner in the dryer!

Scuff Mark remover:Sneaker or crayon stains on tile or linoleum easily disappear with a sponge and baking soda. You can also rub scuff marks with your keds sneakers or toothpaste!

Well that’s a long list, but we’re sure you’ll have more to add. Tell us if you have any great uses for baking soda or other items around the house that are cleaning the Green way! 

Those itsy bitsy lower lashes are worth fighting for.  Women flirt with their eyes and plumping up every lash will help give a little more excitement!   During the day I dont add any mascara to my lower lashes as it sometimes looks a little overdone.  But if I am going out a little drama is necessary for the bottom tier! 

The trick is in the brush, use one with short bristles if available.  One of those thick oversized mascara wands is going to add way to much product, weighing down those delicate lower lashes and cause smuding.  You want your lashes to look fresh and seperated not clumps of color.  Think of a huge Gerbera daisy with its petals laying perfectly just perfect enough to make you smile!

Start with the underneath of the bottom lashes and pull outward toward your nose.  This technique will leave them lifted and full of color.  Feeling brave check out some of the new bottom eyelash curlers that are on the market.  

Paint’m up and start batting those lashes!