It's Fall Y'all!

  This week, I savored the beginning of my favorite time of year ~ Fall!  Everyone that knows me, knows I go bonkers with decorating for the holidays and cherish all the festivities of each.  I think I can contribute my fondness of decorating to my late grandmother.  Her entire basement was nothing but boxes of carefully labeled decor for each season, and the corner was all her bomb shelter supplies.  Poor grandma, she lived through a rough era, but it never broke her spirit!

  

  I started this week with the annual decorating every room in my house with fall decor, yes - even bathrooms.  Halloween is not added till October here, so it's all autumn theme, (which is an easy transition from autumn, Halloween, then Thanksgiving). 

  Then I took my boys on a field trip to Farmland Adventures :) Here's a picture of the birthday boy having sensory overload playing in the corn pit!  

  This weekend, my son requested we lite up the fire pit for his birthday. It was a perfect chilly night for our weinie roast, smores and bottles of cream soda!  :)

  

To help cut costs on filling our insanely priced propane tank, I purchased this awesome electric fireplace that puts out heats for 1,000 sq. feet!  (That's not a real tea kettle on top, but a ceramic tea light wax melter a.k.a tart burner.  The back side has an opening for the tea light to be placed in.  It just looked so adorable in my rustic themed bedroom - and I am a tea lover!).  I chose this heater because of the room size output - I definitely wanted something more than the typical 400 or less sq.ft....and for the aesthetics.  Think warm thoughts :) We're going to be toasty this fall and winter!  

*Here is my affiliate link to amazon, thank you for considering making your future purchases through my page!  Every little bit helps :)

  And finally, I stocked up on my soy wax for making candles with my boys.  I still have plenty of leftover supplies from last year minus the wax.  I'm so glad my boys love our candle making time as much as I do!

What do you do to celebrate and/or get ready for fall y'll?

Fact or Fiction {all about Persimmon Seeds}

So, the Farmer's Almanac is forecasting a very bitter/colder than normal upcoming winter...but what do the seeds say?  

Photo provided by Sherry Creps

  I love the natural beauty of this earth.  We are surrounded by everything we need to thrive.  As another little life skill lesson for my boys, I showed them what we are expecting this time of year here.  My oldest son said, "But, we only have 1 shovel!"  He catches on quick. ;)

Above is a picture of a Wild Persimmons.  Look for them in your area and slice the seed in half after drying.  You will find 1 of 3 different shapes inside.  The myth goes ~ If the kernel is almost spoon-shaped, lots of heavy, wet snow. 

 Spoon = Shovel to "dig out" of a snowy winter.

Fork shaped = "good eats" in a milder winter with light, powdery snow.

Knife shape = expect to be "cut" by icy, cutting winds.

  There may be some proof behind the persimmon seed folklore - U.S. is about to be hit with another El Niño which brings a lot of moisture.  We had been in a La Niña, which bring milder winters.
oklahomafarmreport.com

  You can make lots of yummy foodies with it...Persimmon: pudding (popular in the south), bread, muffins (like banana bread), cookies, even wine!

Click here for recipe ---> Persimmon Jam

Here is an amazing video I found on the History of Persimmons.

  What is your take on this post about Persimmon's?

How to Survive a Sharknado and Other Unnatural Disasters

Learn the keys: 

Fight Back When Monsters & Mother Nature Attack! 

 If you like science fiction, your going to love this book!  It's entertaining and fun for adults and my kids alike!  Looking back to the past week, I wish I would have recorded my boys initial reactions when I began reading over this book to them - everyone was hysterically laughing.  It sparked quite the imaginary play with my 7 and 11 year old with their action figures.  (They even created their own version of a sharknado with their lego sharks and people).  With every page turned, even I got a chuckle.  This book touched base on all the major sci-fy charters with a few unnatural disasters to go along with it. 

 I give it up to the author Andrew Sharffer, he is witty.  He put these scenarios together with humor and yet logical plans of action should an 'Anthemic' spring upon us.  I also now know how to identify, study, avoid and survive a Sonehenge Apocalypse.  Should I get thirsty, I even now have a recipe to make Four Horsemen, Nuclear Rainbow and Apocalypse Now.  Even though it's the end of the world, you must be twenty-one and older to drink in the United States.  Drinking ages very elsewhere.  Always designate a driver and drink responsibly.

  

  Without giving the whole book away, this was a great, read.  It would make the perfect gift for the Syfy addict, pepper, survivalist, or the every day tin foil hat wearing love in your life.

  And remember when you see a Sharknado coming your way...Grap A Chainsaw!  :D

  * This was not a paid for post, I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.  Opinions are my own. 

So what have you been reading lately?

The Best Natural Deodorant!

...aside from laying out in the sun and tanning your pits...this really is the healthiest choice I've found for under arm, chemical free hygiene.  

  I must tell you, before I bought this, I was VERY skeptical.  Especially when the label boasts 24 hour coverage, hypoallergenic, Non-staining, unscented..it seemed to good to be true.  This was the very first product I bought when beginning my all natural journey well over a year ago.  I resisted publishing this post in order to give my long term use honest review.  And honestly, its AMAZING!  I've used it during all 4 seasons waiting for it to fail me.  It never did!  

    After finding out that one of my closest friends was diagnosed with breast cancer, (in addition to her mother and 2 aunts on the other side within months of each other).  They were all told by their cancer specialist it was likely because of the cancer causing Parabens, Alums, Aluminum, etc...in the antiperspirant they were all using.  Breast cancer has spread like fire in the past few years.  I, like so many others, want to know why.  I dove into reading a magnitude of controversies and medical studies (**some sourced below) regarding the connection between all these claims of cancers and Alzheimer's connected with antiperspirants - I've come to the conclusion I just didn't want to risk it.  I called the Cancer Center of Philadelphia myself and asked what was the best deodorant to use to avoid breast cancer and I almost fell out off my chair when I was told not to use anything at all.  Just wash with soap and water.  Well, since I'm not Amish and care about others around me ~ that wasn't happening...so when she said the next best alternative was this Thai deodorant stone because it is just mineral salt - no other harsh chemicals...I had to do more research.  I found this site by Dr. Marcola that reinforced what she said.  

  Label reading has become so important to me since then.  Not just deodorant, but with lotions, cosmetics, hygiene products, cleaners, FOOD.  What you put in and on your body affects your whole quality of well-being.  Thus, my friends dubbing me now ~ a hippie ;)  But, I'm on first name basis now with my local natural health food retailers - so it doesn't bother me.  Whom of which, I've received more affirmation of this particular brand being their number one recommended and best selling deodorant stick.

 Okay, so health class aside - I've been using this salt stick daily for over a year,  it's barely gone down an 1/8 of an inch.  I do apply liberally after showering - but it seems like it's going to last for years to come at this rate!  Another perk - your actually saving money by how long this stick lasts too.  

  Also, did you know its not sweat that causes armpit stains, but the chemicals in deodorants!?  This stick gives you the coverage to eradicate BO without all the chemicals - its awesome!!  (shhh...don't tell, but all my loved ones are getting this for a stocking stuffer this year too).

  

  Also, you can use this magic deodorant stick ANYWHERE you would NOT like smells to emanate from, such as - but not limited to: arm pits, feet, under bosem, between buttocks (wish I had this when I was going to the gym regularly!).  

*This is not a compensated nor sponsored post but does have my affiliate link.  Thank you in advance if you choose to make your future Amazon purchases through my site!  You do not have to order this stick through me - but I urge you to label read everything and take care of your health to the fullest.  

**(Journal of Applied Toxicology, April 2014)
**(Journal of Applied Toxicology, April, 2011)
**(Journal of Applied Toxicology, March, 1998)

What do you think of an all natural deodorant that is healthy for your body?  Or, have you ever heard of or tried THAI Crystal Deodorant Stone?  
                                                     

Gear Shopping!

*Not a sponsored post.  

Yes, the tents were hanging upside down from the ceiling!

 Taking my boys into Uncle Sams Gear (a military surplus store) for the first time went over as well as I had expected.  Their little Alfa male instincts kicked in immediately - and they wanted everything the store had to offer!

  Each isle offered a lesson.  They questioned everything.  From what is this used for - to what else can this be used for.  I was so pleased with all 3 of them.

  I'm very impressed with my youngest son's critical thinking skills.  With our little venture, I noted a shift in my prepping concern.  Oddly, the order goes backwards from my youngest to oldest with survival skill knowledge, and ease of use.  I appreciate each of my children are different...but I don't want my oldest to ONLY be a video game player and pencil pusher.  His level of caution with handling anything that's not a book or game is really scaring me.  As I mentioned before, at 10-he got his first BB gun.  At 12 a nice pocket knife.  Both in like new - still in the box condition.  He is genuinely afraid to handle any kind of 'weapon' because at public school he was taught to avoid them like a plague.  Now that we're homeschooling - I'm trying to UNbrainwash him in the sense that these items are tools.  I predict this may take some time for him.  Whereas my younger 2 sons - using 'survival products' comes naturally.

We discussed camping, and how useful primitive items can be.

Vaughn found his vest ~ he wanted one with the most pockets.

Malachi wanted a hat to keep his head safe, and food for his belly.

Attack face lol

Jungle man!

Of all the things Kingston wanted, it had to be the swing.  He justified this one by saying if he had to sleep outside, he would be off the ground where crawling predators could get him.

  Personally, I could have spent all day shopping in the camping supply department and really wanted to pick out a hammock for home reading, and living in the Ozark Mountains provides lots of beautiful hiking trails and they had a lot to offer for hiking gear. This trip was intended for an introductory life skill course.  So, what items do you think would be best fit for kids to have on hand that they could at a supply store?  

Goodbye August

  Saying goodbye to August this year has suddenly tugged my heart strings.  I recall making our family summer bucket list...only to get caught up in so many side projects that we barely got to enjoy but a few trips from that list.  Every day this summer I've dedicated to my boys enrichment.  So, each day and all field trips were an educational experience - while entertaining!   

 
  So as we depart with the blazing heat, but before embarking fall, (my favorite season), we got to have a splashing good time down at Wet Willy's Aquatic Amusement Park in Rogers, Arkansas!  We were blessed with tickets...and couldn't be more appreciative.

  This water park was truly so much fun for my whole family.  I was taken by surprise when I met a family that traveled 2 hours, all the way from Oklahoma...just to come here too.  

  We were there for the entire day, and loved every minute of it!  Here are several snapshots:

Kingston having a splashing good time!  :)

The Otter Holler Bucket was a Big Hit on such a hot day!  :)

Vaughn and Kingston shooting random strangers with water guns!  

Kingston floating down the Lazy River on a tube...he LOVED going under the waterfall bridge!

Vaughn and Malachi smiling from The Lazy River

Selfie!  (pre-burn!)

Vaughn going down the Water Slide

Vaughn cheesing :)

Malachi and his friends climbing the Rock Wall

Malachi kept getting so close to the top, but dropped before I could get a good picture

His friend got really high too!

Kingston chilling, watching his big brother try to reach the top of the Rock Wall

Amazing fun rides!

Malachi made it across without falling in :)

Kingston made it across the pads, by frog hopping!  lol

Kingston and Malachi taking a splash break :)

Goodbye August!

*This was not a sponsored post.
Rogers Aquatic Center featuring Wet Willy's Water Park
Location: 1707 South 26th Street
Rogers, AR 72758
To get more information, you can click --->Rogers Aquatic Center

What are your plans for savoring the last days of summer?