Natural Mosquito Repellent Tips

Are you a MOSQUITO MAGNET? I am. So like me,  If you do not care to indulge in spraying yourself down with chemicals to repel those biting pests, you may find these tips to naturally repel mosquitoes very  helpful and interesting.

Mosquitoes hate the smell of citrus like, lemon or orange, lemon grass, marigold, and lavender.
 
1) Before trekking outside eat something containing lemon oil. Or, take a small bite of  a lemon wedge. Yes, it's sour, but it's worth it, isn't it?  Rubbing a bit of citrus peel on your skin may also work, but messy.

2) Or, Rub your hands through one of your Marigold, lemon grass or lavender plants, then rub your hands over your arms, legs and any exposed skin.

3) And, Avoid sugary foods and drinks before and while you are outside. Mosquitoes love sugar and they can smell it in your skin making you a magnet for bites.

4) Avoid wearing sweet perfumes, hairsprays, etc. which tend to attract  pesky insects like mosquitoes, flies and bees.

5) Make mosquito repellent candles using  vintage canning jars, then placing them  in strategic areas of your yard. This works great when you are having outdoor gatherings and parties. I simply place either some sand or potting soil into the bottom of a vintage canning jar, add one of my handmade organic beeswax candles, then place lemon peels around the perimeter of the candle. 

Next, I light the candles, then  hang several of these candles around my yard on shepherds hooks and also set them tables around where we are sitting.  The heat from the candle helps expel the citrus oil from the lemon peels sending the citrus odor out into the air. It works great!

Hopefully, by using some of  these tips, you will ward off many of those nasty pests and  enjoy the outdoors without getting bitten during the summer.

If you would like to learn more about my organic beeswax candles and vintage canning jars or how to order them, please visit my Etsy Shop by clicking on my shop widget located in the upper right hand of this page. Or, you may simply follow this link:   

https://www.etsy.com/shop/uniquecozytreasures?ref=si_shop

Please tell us about your own natural tips to repel mosquitoes by leaving a comment below.

 

Summer Fresh Decorating Ideas

 Photo by Debra Shenkle

The scent of Lavender has begun to aromatically fill the air as its beautiful spikes are  now exploding into blooming radiance. Synominous with Lavender is summer. And with summer just a few weeks, away a lighter and more carefree home decor comes to mind. Transforming those darker winter and spring color tones within our homes can be as simple as just replacing  a darker colored bed comforter into a lighter colored one such as a cream or ecru comforter. You will be amazed at how just lightening the colors in your bedroom will give you a fresh summer lift.

Adding a new eagle-shaped decorative fan with see-through design may add some much needed interest to a family room or to a restful screened in porch area, as well.

Don't forget to spruce up your garden area too. One way to enhance the beauty of your patio area is by adding  flowering plants to your exterior decor.  Another way to add interest to your outside garden space is by adding  garden  angel on knee with trumpet medium statues. Birdhouses and birdbaths also add much interest to your outside spaces.

Sprucing up that deck furniture by adding new bright colored cushions can also add interest and flare to your deck or patio.

Yes, by making a few small inexpensive changes to your interior and exterior decor you  can really brighten up your summer!

KINDLE EDITION - Vintage Ice Creams, Heirloom Recipes. Available Now!

     I have finally published my very first Kindle Edition eBook during December 2011. The eBook itself was written 3 1/2 years ago by myself.  I'm so excited  because with Kindle Publishing I now have the opportunity to offer it for sale worldwide in the Kindle Store on Amazon.com.  So far the Amazon Kindle Store sales have been an unexpected surprise.

     "Vintage Ice Creams, Heirloom Recipes"  shares many interesting facts about the history of ice cream. It   gives the reader our coveted family heirloom recipe for homemade ice cream and how to easily make it in your very own kitchen with ingredients that you mostly likely already obtain. There is an additional section which features over 14 different flavor variations of the original  heirloom recipe including Chocolate Chip, Raspberry, Lemon, Peach, Strawberry and more.

    With the new Kindle Fire now available, readers will be able to take advantage of the color photos, etc. Those with the regular Kindle will also be able to enjoy a nice reading experience, but with color features shown in grayscale.  *If you don't have either type of Kindle you can read Kindle eBooks with all of the color features on your Iphone, Droid phone, many other smart phones, Ipad or on your computer.

     I just love Kindle books because they can be downloaded  and read immediately for pennies.  Our family usually gives out a few Amazon gift cards each year just for that purpose. It makes a nice added low cost gift  to the recipient. It also gives our elderly or handicapped family members and friends  an easy way to obtain quality reading material at a low cost without ever leaving their house. 

     Now that I've learned how to format my eBooks for Kindle Publishing I will be looking forward to writing many more eBooks and adding them to the Kindle Book Store collection. I've also just learned that Amazon has a program to download and sell blogs too. I guess one of these days I may try that!

      "Vintage Ice Creams, Heirloom Recipies" is part of the Kindle Owner's Select Lending Program for Amazon Prime members for the next 90 days. That means if you are an Amazon Prime member my book is available for lending free for the next 90 days. If you are not an Amazon Prime member you can still purchase it  for download to read on any Kindle reading device, computer and many smartphones at any time.

       You may learn more about "Vintage Ice Creams, Heirloom Recipes"  by visiting the Amazon Kindle Store Here.  

    
       Deb............