The Response USA 08/06/11

Many of  you that read this blog and my facebook know how excited I was about The Response USA which was held at Reliant Park in Houston last Saturday.   None of us who attended (approx 40,000 present, 1400 hundred churches live-streaming the event, and approx 150,000 personal online viewers!) were one shred disappointed.   It was a truly glorious occasion, and I believe a history maker!

The purpose of The Response was to obey God's instructions in 2 Chronicles 7:14, to weep over our sins, our nation's sins, our blood guilty hands, our immorality, our faithlessness, our prayerlessness, our economy, and to pray for our President, for jobs, for rain, and for revival.   Look at this precious man.  There was not one dry eye in the place.

My daughter Casey and I attended together, and after having gotten lost in Houston via some funky internet directions, we eventually got inside the stadium exactly 19 minutes before the event began.  I mean!  Chills, thrill,s tingling all up and down me while walking up the ramp to enter the building.   The presence of God was so strong that I immediately began alternately weeping and laughing out loud!   That is how awesome the glorious Presence of our Jesus is!   This is my friend Leah; she goes to my church.

If her face doesn't tell you enough, let me explain: the Bible expressly states that in His Presence is fullness of JOY!  Joy, unspeakable, and full of Glory!   Unspeakable joy!  I mean, who does not want JOY?  The Bible says that the Joy of the LORD is our very strength!

Here is her mom, Linda, who trained me to be prayer Captain over my home church.  I love Linda and just look at the joy on her face, as her prayers were, on that very day, answered to see an army of the Living God raised up to intercede until we see the return of our Lord and SAVIOR!   Yep, they are mom and daughter and I love each of them so much.

The whole weekend was just awesome.   On Friday I loaded up my Camry with my daughter, my best friend, her daughter, and my daughter's best friend, and we joined about 50 other silent siegers at the largest abortion clinic in the Western Hemisphere.   We are praying that God will move on our behalf to shut down this facility which is planted right in the heart of Houston's poorest of the poor.   They claim many "health services" but the largest "service" they provide is the murder of our most helpless of minorities, the unborn.  Sacrificed on the altar of money and convenience, America has killed over 52,000,000 million babies sine the edict of Rowe vs.Wade in the past 40+ years.   God is angry with us over this atrocity, and we act like it is nothing.

It's a peaceful protest and our main goal is to stand there, and pray, and let others know that we stand for LIFE!

For more information on this and other silent sieges, see the Bound 4 Life Website.

I wanted you to see some clips from our time on Saturday.   I hope you enjoy the videos!  I just don't have words to say what a wonderful time it was.  I do believe that God was so pleased, and that He heard from Heaven, and that He will turn the tide and heal our land.

Well, lovelies, now that this event is over, I need to get back to work!    I have almost

1/4 tons of fresh oils to begin making my Christmas Soaps!   

The first thing I will make is this since I am totally out of stock!

Rustique savon a la lavande francaise

Then after that, I need to make some more of this:



Cranberry Fig Cold Processed Soap

What do you think about The Response?   Yes, there were some angry people outside; about

100 people outside protesting at the approx 40,000 inside.   

My friend, this is a glorious day to be alive!   Jesus said, "Seek first the Kingdom of God, and His rightousness, and all these (other) things will be added to you!"  Matthew 6:33.   He said, "Do not fear, for I am going to prepare a place for you"! John 14   "In this world there will be tribulation, but be of good cheer; for I have overcome the world"  John 16.   

It is a day to seek the Lord.  To seek His face, and His favor.   To fear nothing but God, and hate nothing but sin.  It is a day to pray, and see God intervene in the affairs of men.   He has given US the earth, and He expects us to use His resources wisely.  He expects Kings to reverence Him; to honor Him. obey His laws, and to seek to reign righteouisly  over the people over whom He has given them authority.  Our duty is to Pray for them for wisdom, guildance, and divine fortitude.   

Soon, Jesus will return to establish His kingdom over all mankind.  There will be two kinds of people in two separate groups;  He mentioned them as "sheep" and as "goats".  The sheep hear His voice, obey Him and follow Him.   The goats go astray, and run around and disobey Him.   The sheep He gathers like wheat into the barn, but the goats he scatters like chaff which is burned up.   It is time to seek the Lord so that He can come and reign in righteousness.   

I love you, my friend.  Thank you for coming over for a visit today!

Day 7 of RSS feed on Blogger being down.....

Well it's day 7 and the list of belly-achers on Blogger help "Something is Broken" is growing. Our feeds are broken and therefore if you have subscribed to this feed; alas, you are not getting notification.  I feel like I am blogging into the darkness, so I am saving my best posts until all is fixed.

Today 2 beautiful Surfer Girls living in Isreal posted Thundering Surf soap in their beautiful Treasury!
I've been selling more of this soap and have just made a fresh batch!   It's great to be noticed, and this is authentically unique to CassiasGarden!


In other news, I am busily fixing my shop SEO after getting the help of a wonderful Etsy seller named Mary of SEOWebDesign.  I have alot of decisions to make about my products, and sections, and wordings.  So if you think of it, say a little prayer for Moi, that I will be able to have the wisdom to decide all that is needed at this time.   I am also working with a wonderful young lady on the East Coast with branding issues.....yep, it's ongoing.  I mean, even Starbucks is undergoing branding updates, so don't tssk tssk, now.....it's just that important!    Now is the time to do it, because before long we will be hearing sleigh bells in the snow and that's not the time to do this dirty hard hair splitting work!

One good thing that just happened....we received a gentle soaking downpour here in Montgomery, TX!   The trees and grass are smiling.  The puppies are looking in amazement at this strange phenomenon...and we feel refreshed knowing that God is smiling upon us....

So, fair reader, adieu for now!
Did you see our last post yesterday?
It's hilarious, go check it out!

Lemon Verbena & Vetyver -

I made this on Saturday. I was sick with the flu but I had a bee in my bonnet;

after having completed the vision for the Oatmeal, Milk & Honey, I wanted a green, "swirly" creation that smelled of gardens, and greenery....

I looked in the Apothecary Cupboard, and found two fragrances; Lemon Verbena and Vetyver.

Have you ever smelled Lemon Verbena? You will love this old fashioned garden herb! Light, bright, lemony and just an enticing fresh and clean smell that makes you feel like you are on a picnic on a beautiful spring day!

The Vetyver, however, is a green fragrance! Bath & Body Works came out with this fragrance in 2003 and it was a truly beloved winner! It smells deep and mysterious; kind of like a jungle and very very Green!

The soap itself is a myriad of skin loving ingredients: sweet almond, olive, palm kernel, coconut. I added hydrolized oats, silk amino fibers, and aloe vera gel. For extra goodness, unrefined shea butter from Africa crowned the whole concoction with goodness for your skin!

These lovely bars are curing right now, but will be available for sale and use by September 30th!

This is a definite winner, and I will be making this again very soon! It is a prime candidate for my Bath trio sets: a soap, a spray and a candle all matching for your guest bath or your private bathing pleasure!

TTFN!

Oatmeal, Milk & Honey Extra-Ordinaire Soap!

Comfort Food

For Your Skin!

Guys, I am stinkin proud of myself today! I dreamed up this soap and finally put the fragrance I bought one, yes 1 year ago to good use! Now my kitchen smells full of comfort and goodness on a cold winter morn! Introducing Oatmeal Milk & Honey Cold Processed Soap with Spiced Apples and Pecan and Cinnamon on top! All that is missing is the gigantic melted pat of butter, but inside are so many awesome oils and skin lovin' ingredients that the butter is there, folks!

Ingredients: Olive Oil, Soybean Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Palm Oil, Coconut Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Aloe Vera Juice, Hydrolyzed Oats, Ground Oats, Distilled Water, Fragrance Oils, Ground Cinnamon.

I have to put this loaf to bed with blankies for a day or so; then I will cut it and I can't wait to show you the "swirl" I did! It will have to cure and dry for 4 weeks; and will be available on my Etsy shop for $5.00 per 5.5 oz. slice!

My friends, I wish Your Life to be as fragrant as Cassia's Kitchen! Till tomorrow!

Lovely Lovely Lavender!!!!!

Here it is, the end of August! I just realized that my blog activity has been, well, nill!

Those of you who keep up with me on facebook all know what I've been up to, etc etc.


This week I am busily beginning finalizing preparations for the busy holiday season. We have to be proactive or we will be left out!


I did another batch of cold processed soap this week: you see a quite un-glamorous self portrait of me in the kitchen with rubber gloves and eye goggles on: ready for any mishaps with the lye that is central to the soapmaking process!


I am writing an article on soapmaking and will post that soon! But until then, these lovely lavender essential oil soaps are a fresh batch. Made on August 25th, they must "cure" a good 4 weeks before I can sell them! The pH balance of these soaps right now is way too alkaline to even touch with bare hands. After curing, the bars will contract slightly while the water evaporates and the soap will be ready for use.


I have plenty more batches lined up: Oatmeal, Milk & Honey, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Frankincense & Myrrh and the traditional Hot Apple Pie, along with a host of herbal and essential oils soaps.


More on this later!


Recently received a great bolt of inspiration for this blog: I have a number of friends that are either in full time ministry or are entrepreneurs or small business owners. I am planning on hosting friends of mine on this blog once a week for an indefinite period. Topics will include small business, attitude, launching, faith, endurance, hope, creativity, being a woman in small business, how we got started, inspirations along the way, tips and some sage lessons learned along the way! Stay tuned!


In the meantime, my friends, be encouraged! This is a season of preparation, so be diligent, steadfast, and abouding in faith, hope and love!


Until next time... My wish for you is that your life will be as fragrant as Cassia's Kitchen.

Starbucks, Anyone?

Well, guys, my poor old body is in bad shape today, after working really REALLY hard on all these things last week, having a show in The Woodlands, TX and not skipping a beat with my very busy personal life. But I wanted to post what I have been "cooking" in my kitchen and show it to all of you! I am loving all the colors and flavor and bold brightness in these summer products! And below, for some of my Facebook Mommy Friends, is a wonderful new soap that I created on a whim on Friday.......I called it "Starbucks in the Shower"! It smells deeply of fresh ground, fresh roasted coffeee with a double shot of cappucino and whipped cream with a sprinkling of cinnamon on top! I put freshly ground beans and alot of sea salt into some of the layers; so it is exfoliating and stimulating to polish you all into a glow! Plus, doesn't it look.......

"designer"? I love the colors! Get your fresh slice for $3.50 today while they last!

All the Colors of the Rainbow

When I was a little girl, I used to play with color. Color fascinated me. No, I would absolutely NOT accept a box of 8 Crayolas, or 16 Crayolas, or 24 Crayolas, or even 48. It HAD to be the 64 Crayolas! With hawk like precision, I studied their myriad of names, colors, effects and even placement in the 3 tiered box. Memorizing the names and placing them lovingly back into their box; back into the order and placement of the manufacturer, they HAD to be in perfect order.

A tad obsessive, no? Well, maybe, but I love Color! Later, in teen years that translated over into makeup, of course. Hours and hours perusing, devouring beauty magazines. Studying, gazing at all the pretty hues, variants, effects, of the color spectrum.

One of my first jobs in high school was working in an art studio. I got to meet lots and lots of artists and we sold all the acrylic paints and watercolors and brushes that they used in painting.

Then I graduated into sewing; making wall hangings and using fabrics at my church in pageantry. I loved to go to the fabric store and look at all the pretty colors! Sometimes I would buy the fabric just because it was so dang pretty!

Then I faux painted two bathrooms. Well that was an experiment in color, and light, and sheen, and texture! Oh, what fun an artist must surely have!

Now, I am making soap. And this has stirred the love of color in me, and together with the love of fragrance, and the love of light, and the love of texture, the art of making soap has captured my heart! I never understood the magic until well, just recently. And, now I am forever hooked. All kinds of projects are up my sleeve, and I have only to get into my kitchen and begin making all the different "scapes" that have come to my imagination. Sea scapes. Food scapes, botanical garden scapes. Well, you get the idea!

Today I finally made this project that has been bugging me for about 4 months. It took me the greater portion of the afternoon making and coloring and scenting and pouring and testing all the different layers. I searched for a fragrance that would depict the joy of color and the joy of summer in a cohesive theme and came up with Banana, Strawberry and Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice. It smells magical! And, I am pleased.

The rainbow, my friend, is a symbol placed in the Middle Eastern skies over Noah as he disembarked the ark so long ago. It is a symbol of God's patience and covenant with man; and a promise that He would never again flood the earth! Don't we all smile when we see a rainbow, after nature has washed our world with the needed rains!

Today, my friend, I wish you color, and fragrance, and joy, and most of all, God's Love shining down on your life and radiating to you and enfolding you in His everlasting Arms. May you catch the rainbow that is hung at the end of every storm that shows itself in this short life that we share!


Get your fresh slice of the rainbow in my Esty.com shop for $3.00 through the 24th, or $4.50 regular price. Special for you: 3 for $10.00

The Day After....Behind the Scenes

Here are some pictures of what my kitchen looks like today. After the party. It was a great success and alot alot of fun. I do believe alot will come out of it. Several school teachers were there who want to help me promote my products at their schools for corporate gift programs. A cheerleader who stated her school is looking for a fundraiser, a bride to be who is excited about wedding favors, and close friends who encouraged me and were excited about my "refill candle" program as an environmental measure. Every guest filled out an feedback sheet and signed up for my email newsletter permission list, and I do feel more parties are coming! So, it is worth the mess and I think I worked harder than I ever have. I see where I can make improvements and next time will be even better.

Labels still need a little tweaking but they are looking good. And a friend of mine got so excited about my Original Fragrance Blend #1.....I called it Siam Sunrise. Stay tuned for more infomation about this exciting breakthrough which is more in line with my original vision for Cassia Candle & Fragrance!

But meanwhile, I need to spend time with my Kitten, and since there is no food in my house and I am tired and even if I wasn't, there is not a square inch of counter space in my 16x40 kitchen to make anything......so, I am outta here and going to go have some Mexican Food and recharge a little.

And, then, back to float in the pool and recharge sufficiently to be able to finally......

Clean Cassia's Kitchen!

Until next time, Au Revoir, mes amis extraordinaire!

Ciao!

Strawberry Shortcake, Anyone?

The Joys of This Season
Strawberry Shortcake, Anyone?

I don't know about you, but every time the season changes, I think....."now, This is My FAVORITE season! God is so good to change the times and the seasons; it displays His infinite wisdom and grandeur and the fact that He delights in all the creativity we see and so much more.

But there is just something about summer. I get fresh and new, invigorating energy when the sun is shining in it's strength. God made all creatures to respond to the Light that He gave us! He gave all living things seed to reproduce, and that seed is in us. The light generates all things to flower and then fruit.

Here in Texas, we have had strawberries, and we have had peaches, and now we are enjoying the abundance of blueberries. This is a delightful time to go outside and enjoy all that God has created for us to enjoy. It brings Him pleasure, and it will delight you as well.

My favorite thing to do is to get up while the dew is still on the ground and sparkling like diamonds in the newly rising sun. Drink a Gigantic Cup of Hot Steaming Coffee, and listen to the myriad of birds that inhabit this glorious territory. Each morning they sing for joy to God their Creator. To hear them sends thrills of joy to the core of my being. The sense of peace that settles over my soul at this point rivals none.

Then in the evening, the same thing. To watch and savor, from my 12 x40 porch the splendours of God's creation and to enjoy from my vantage point, just sitting....a savoring....and listening...and contemplating.....

I am so happy to have my beautiful daughter Casey (who I affectionately dub "kitten") (me, being katw0man, you know) I am so happy to have her at home. She has been so helpful to me and I have enjoyed a slower pace.

We have been enjoying our little puppies and we take them swimming with us too and they like that!

This week I am very busy getting ready for a Big Party...and I have 6 days to get ready.

I just wanted to update all of you and remind you to savor this season in the Son and enjoy all the fruits of your labor and His in providing it for you to enjoy!

Grace and Peace to you!

The Strawberry Shortcake Slices smell delectable! And they would be a Fabulous Hostess gift for your 4th of July visit to Grannies, Aunties, Neighbors, or Friends homes!

Try a fresh slice today! $4.75 per 5.5 oz. slice or 3 for $12.00

Sea Slices......I'm Dreamin' of the Car-i-bbean!

Summer Blues.....underwater seascape. Sea Slices

I guess I am having a dose of Summer Fever these Days!

I am dreaming of the Caribbean! Or the west coast where my

beloved Pacific thundering ocean is

or the Gulf of Thailand

or the Maldive Islands

or even Hawaii

OK OK,

I would even settle for the

murky, ankle washer, hurricane prone

Gulf of Texas. Deep Deep Sigh...

so yesterday I went into the kitchen

and made these sea slices!

For a first time, this advanced project turned out pretty good,

not perfect, but pretty good

Aren't they cute! They have sand, little embedded sea creatures, and even a top dressing of sea foam! Fragranced in Coconut Lime Verbena, and the Sea Foam is Salty Mariner!

Price: $4.75 by the slice

Or, 3 for $10.00

Wouldn't they be cute wedding or party favors?

Woo Hoo! Tween Soapmaking party!!

WHAT a day we had yesterday!

Little girls are such a JOY!!!

And I do believe they enjoyed

every minute of it!

So did we! Although we needed an Advil and Energy drink break around 2 PM

and then again around 4! ) THANK GOD for pizza at 6 PM!!!

All in all, it was a satisfying, albeit tiring day! The girls learned something, had fun, and bonded all the while enjoying their spring break.

Samantha, my lovely assistant got to make the bon bons that she wanted to and will again, Sam I promise! and she had fun videoing and helping make all the stuff we made!

I learned alot! Number 1: Do not be overly ambitious! Save some projects for next time! is what I came away with.... Other than that, it was great, bubbly, soapy, clean fun!

OK, friends, back to "cleaning" Cassias's kitchen! See you again soon!