Did you Know...................?

Have you wondered how soy candles came about?

I am always looking for information to pass on to you about how soy wax came about. One of my team members, Dave Dobbs, came across this information and I wanted to share it with you!

In 1991, Michael Richards, was looking for an alternative for beeswax, that is when he developed soy wax. There was a big demand for natural wax candles, but beeswax was about 10 times more expensive than paraffin. As Michael entered the candle industry with beeswax products he realized there was a growing demand for natural wax candles. He tested different natural plant waxes and finally ended up with a vegetable wax which was made with partially hydrogenated soy oil, coconut oil and palm oil. He also blended beeswax with soy wax to make an economical natural wax candle. Then in 1995, the Body Shop, a national chain of stores, was the first to offer soy candles to the general public. The first natural wax candles which were delivered to the Body Shop were a mixture of beeswax and almond oil. Later on the almond oil was completely replaced with soy wax. Michael Richards succeeded in replacing the expensive beeswax with soy wax in 1996. The soy wax producer Candleworks negotiated in 1997 a research project with the University of Iowa which resulted in the study: "Increasing the Use of Soybeans in the Manufacturing of Candles". And in 1998 The Indiana Soybean Board unveiled at the Farm Progress Show special patented soy wax, Harvest Lights, which was developed by a farmer-funded group. A lot of research was done to proof the benefits of soy wax. Leading to 2 scientific publications: •Rezaei, K, T. Wang, and L.A. Johnson. Combustion characteristics of candles made from hydrogenated soybean oil. J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. 79: 803-808 (2002). •Rezaei, K., T. Wang, and L. A. Johnson. Hydrogenated vegetable oils as candle wax. J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. 79: 1241-1247 (2002).

Thank you, Dave, for doing the research and sharing this with us!

Satisfy Your Senses today!

~ Mary

Sunday Stills ~ Barns

This weeks Sunday Stills Challenge is

~ Barns~

As I am just now getting back into the swing of things and havent posted a SS Challenge in a while, I decided I was going to walk out to the barn and take a shot,lol. Although it may not be one of the better barns around here, it stood still and posed long enough for me to get these shots,lol.

I hope you enjoy them, and I promise to really work hard on getting better shots for Challenges to come!

To check out other great pictures for this weeks challenge visit: Sunday Stills, who knows you may want to join the fun!

~ Mary

I Dabble.................

Just recently I have been having the urges to create something. I have made things from handmade soaps, fabric memo board, soap cozys for example, but this time I decided to create jewelry.

I want to share a few of those creations today. I asked around to several jewelry ladies in my Sassy Sisters In Sales group, about the different things, from how to "connect the dots" so to speak. I must say there is a lot of talent in that group! When I asked what went over best for them in their shops, the most common response was "things that come from the heart".

So, I purchased materials that pulled to me, or caught my eye, if you will. Brought them home and put them out in front of me and started putting them together, but not "connecting" them, I wanted to be sure they looked right. This is what I came up with:

"Pink Flower Power"

Flower Power at its best! This really cute bracelet is made up of pink and white mother of pearl beads, silver chain and claw clasp. Measures approx 7 1/2". $7.00 (reg. $10)

"Mystical Flight"

This is a beautiful dark green and black gemstone necklace, enhanced with silver butterflies. Elegance with a touch of fun! It also has a toggle clasp for closure.
Necklace measures approx 20", Pendent measures approx 1 1/2", Earrings measure approx 2" from ear loop down. $20.00 (reg. $25)

"Blue Reflections"

This is a fun chunky necklace. Made of glass, glass w/foil, and metal beads, a toggle clasp for closure. The pendent has a reflective quality to it. Measures approx 22" $15.00 (reg. $20)

"Me To You Treasures" is the name of my hand made business. Although I currently don't have a store set up for online purchases, these pieces are for sale. I have this listed lower than normal price. You can purchase any of these at the discounted price by sending me an email (soysuccess@gmail.com) to tell me which one(s) you want and I will send you a secure email invoice through ProPay. Packages are mailed as soon as payment is submitted. I do not receive your card numbers or information from you submitting the invoice.

Shipping is $1!

Please put Blog Purchase in the subject line so that you receive your item at the discounted price!

Thank you for letting me share with you, a bit of my creativity!

I cant wait to share more with you soon, I wish you the best, have a great day!!!

Do something special for yourself today, Satisfy Your Senses!

~ Mary

Then & Now...WOW!

We talk about how time flies. We know our kids are growing, but until we look at old pictures or go through their closets to weed out the clothes (and shoes) that they grow out of way too quickly, we just don't SEE it.

That is what happened to me, although it wasn't my child that grew......

I was looking back at old posts and found a pic of my daughter and her puppy Bo (short for Bocephus, yup just like Hank Williams Jr.) Anyway, this pic was taken on our Thanksgiving "holiday" while we were visiting my brother in Texas. We had just received him, he was only 8 weeks old at the time and Kaitie was 4yrs old.

November of 2009

Bo is a very loving, playful pup. Like any other dog, he likes to run, play, sleep, and eat. Recently, I started noticing how much more he ate, how much louder his bark was. I was sitting here the other night and giggled when i heard him howl for Kaitie, which he does quite often if he hears her in the house and he thinks he can get her attention. To which he would generally receive a doggy bone/cookie for his efforts.

Now, This is a pic of Kaitie and Bo only a few months (3 months) later.........!

February of 2010

After putting these two photos together, I just couldn't believe how much he had grown in that short of time. And thus, lends to me wanting to share this with you.

Kaitie and Bo are pretty much inseparable. I know that in the very near future I will need a horse lead to even take him to the park,lol! Cant even imagine what he will be like when he turns a year old this September!

Thank you for letting me share a bit of my family life! I hope you enjoyed this "peek" into the lives of my "children", I will be sure to update as they both grow! Have a great day and remember, don't take the small things for granted, they are quick to bring new meaning to "making a mountain out of a mole hill"! Or in this case a "Horse out of a puppy".

Grab hold of life and Satisfy Your Senses!

~ Mary

Guess what I heard ~ Brown Bag Parties w/ Christina

Have you ever heard of Brown Bag Parties?

If not then you are missing out on a LOT! Check what Christina has to say about Brown Bag Parties ~

Hosting a Brown Bag Party

I have been told time and time again that nothing in life is free.

WELL, that is not entirely true!



Hosting a Brown Bag Party is FREE!
That's right! Book your Brown Bag Party and invite your friends over for a fun night in.


Not only do you get a night of FREE fun with friends, you also earn 20% of your party's sales in FREE product! That is double the industry standard! Brown Bag Party really appreciates about our hostesses and we want you to know it! Also take advantage of the monthly Hostess Exclusive Packages available.

Christina has more to tell you on the subject! To read more on what she has to say and offer visit {HERE} I hear there are some great deals for May Hostess!

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Please stop by her blog (it is age restricted, she has children herself and doesnt want underage children to "happen" upon her site, I can respect that!) ~ Leave a comment on her most recent post and I will give you a 10% discount on your next order with SoyLicious.com! Just email me with your order to (soysuccess@gmail.com) and you will receive 10% off plus a deal on shipping!

With many wonderful items to choose from, you are sure to find Something, to Satisfy Your Senses!

~ Mary