The Surf Hotel Burns Down

When I turned on the tv today, the news report said that the Surf Hotel and surrounding buildings in Hampton Beach New Hampshire burned to the ground early this morning. This is very sad news.
I have been going to Hampton Beach every year since I can remember. My Aunt and Uncle own cottages on the corner of B street. When I first heard that surrounding buildings had also gone up in flames, I was very worried. B street isn't far away. It is just the next block over.  But after looking closely at the news footage, it looks like the fire was contained to the A street block. I hope this is true.
 We often went to the Surf candy store to buy homemade fudge and other goodies. The Happy Hampton Arcade next to the Surf was a nice clean arcade that my kids loved to go to.
I wonder what will happen now. What will  it look like when I go this summer? Over the years I have seen buildings in the area knocked down and parking lots replace what used to be happy gathering places for extended  families to vacation together.
No matter what happens now, I will be back this summer, hoping something positive comes out of despair. The whole block, just think of the possibilties. A mini amusement park? Or perhaps a casino?....

Colorado Safe Personal Care Products Act

Looks like anyone who makes/sells personal care products in Colorado is in for a fight. I wish people would look into the bad science that is being used by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. People are taking what they have to say as law and it isn't so. There are always more than one side to every arguement.
Anyways, if you live in Colorado and make/sell personal care products or if you live in Colorado and purchase such products, you need to read this:
http://essentialu.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/02/colorado-safe-personal-care-products-act-take-action-immediately.html

No post last week

Sorry I haven't posted lately. We have been sick with colds and ear infections. It went from one member of my family to the next and then back again to me. We are on the mend and I am getting back to business.

Searching for Sea Glass or Beach Glass

Living on the coast of Maine, one of the fun things to do is search for sea glass. The other day I took my kids down to the shore and we found lots of sea glass. It is supposed to be hard to find. I guess it is because of where we are located along the rocky coast, but we always find some sea glass, even in the summer.
This day we found a small brown bag full. My daughter found a piece of porcelin and my son found a piece that we didn't know but later found out to be milk glass. I am not sure what it was to begin with what's your guess?
Many times we have to throw the sea glass back because it isn't what I called "cooked". I tell the kids it's not done yet. If the edges have not been tumbled to the point of being completely smooth, we put it back in.
I started thinking maybe I should be making things with this sea glass. In searching I found that there is an organization called the North American Sea Glass Association which has some great information on genuine vs craft sea glass.

Natural Aphrodisiac Scents. Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day. They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. After years of working in the hospitality biz, I guess that is true. Valentine's Day is one of the busiest days of the year.
Another reason I am thinking that statement to be true is the list of aphrodisiac scents that men are most attracted to. They include anise, cinnamon, ginger, peppermint, vanilla and pumpkin pie spice. There are others, but this list is all about food! I read another article that said any scents from baking ( real baking, not some fake candle scent) is also a turn on for guys.
So maybe the old "dab a bit of vanilla extract behind your ears to attract a guy" folk magic advice isn't so far from true?
Staying in for a Valentine's dinner? Grab a handful of cloves, a cinnamon stick, and some ginger from the cupboard, unless you have pumpkin pie spice, even better, and gently simmer the spices in some water on the stove. the scent will go through your house or apt. Don't forget to shut it off if things move to the bedroom.

Geranium

Geranium is balancing, cheerful, invigorating and uplifting.
Traditionally geraniums were planted around a house to prevent evil spirits from harming the owners.
During Victorian times, potted plants would often be placed along the sides of stairways so that women’s long skirts would brush against them releasing the perfume of the plant.
Colonial American housewives lined baking pans with rose geranium leaves to impart a delicate rose flavor to their baked goods.

Today rose geranium is one of the most widely used essential oils in perfumery and cosmetics. It is known as an “all rounder” being that it has a positive effect on the emotions, is used to treat skin conditions, and is an effective insect repellent.

It’s rich sweet aroma frees the mind from negative or depressing thoughts and can stimulate feelings of sensuality making this an excellent choice to scent bed linens and night clothes.

Geranium is one of my favorites. I keep the sachets in my drawers, and love to bathe in it. It is very useful for diminishing headaches, stress and PMS.