POST TWENTY SEVEN - AN EXPERIMENT

so, this is off the topic of holidays, (and these pictures have nothing to do with this post), but for the past several months i have been conducting a bit of an experiment. well, really just trying something new. i found a recipe for homemade deodorant a while back and decided to give it a try, especially since i had all the ingredients.

coconut oil, baking soda & cornstarch

you can find the "recipe" here http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/03/update-homemade-deoderant.html. there are also a bunch of comments- people who have had good/bad experiences with homemade deodorant, and people who have adjusted the recipe listed. i personally really like this deodorant. it did take a little getting used to going from an antiperspirant, but i really haven't noticed any odor while using it (and no one around me has commented on any odor). i love the smell of the coconut oil, it goes on pretty easy- the coconut oil is a solid at room temperature but softens quickly when being applied. if you are looking for a natural deodorant you can make yourself, i would definitely recommend it!

POST TWENTY SIX - FOR ADVENT

so this is a couple days late, but i wanted to let you know about a really neat Advent reading/activity from Ann Voskamp at http://www.aholyexperience.com/ (see post 22) it's called the Jesse Tree. i don't think i'd heard of it before this year, but i've read about it in several different places this Christmas season, and was very excited to see this, http://www.aholyexperience.com/2010/11/update-free-jesse-tree-advent-devotional/

on a holy experience. all you need to do in order to print out your own copy is to add your name to the email list. we've been doing the readings the past several nights, and it's been really neat to start seeing Christmas and Jesus birth, not just as a one time event, but instead, to start "in the beginning..." and see the love of God and his plan even then. i would definitely recommend checking it out! hope you are enjoying this holiday season!