Beth's Essentials

Over the summer I began my most current obsession. I refer to it as my ancient apothecary. However, Jared calls me a mad scientist. In actuality, it is a study of the strength and benefits of essential oils in beauty and cosmetic products. Concieved while searching for secrets to healthy hair and piqued by my interest in the Roman bathes we visited over the summer (a place where many of these oils were originally used) I stumbled upon a new world filled with tonics, oils, and body mists fit for a mediterranean princess. I've been experimenting with different scents such as: Frankinsence, Jasmine, Carrot Seed, Rosemary, Myrrh, Tea Tree, Orange, etc. and have found great pleasure as I create a skin care line that is essentially mine. Don't worry, I'm not going crazy and I'm not trying to find the fountain of youth (but if I do, I might be willing to divulge...) It's just a hobby I've found a lot of enjoyment in and wanted to share with my friends. My current creations include: a Frankincense, Lavendar, and Rosemary face wash; an Aloe, Myrrh, Carrot Seed, and Cedarwood toning mist; and a Carrot Seed, Myrrh, and Lavendar moisturizer; a rejuvenating hair tonic; a moisturizing cuticle oil; and various other massage oils. Jared endures my experiments as he is my patient subject during the "clinical trials" of my products. I guess being a guiney pig is not so bad when you get a free massage. I hope to share some of my successes and failures ( hopefully not too many of the latter) with you on my blog as I try to design something natural, beautiftul, and Essentially Beth.

Weekend in G-Town

The Sannar clan went home this weekend to visit the mother ship in Gridley, CA. It was a relaxing weekend spent in various locations. Jared, a determined man, had decided that we should all visit a spot fraught with vivid memories of his youth spent hiking, fishing, camping, etc (basically all the things that I have no natural affinity towards). But I smiled and said "What ever you want honey. It's your special day." Of course I was thinking to myself "Roseville Galleria, here I come!", since I figured this would be a reciprocal agreement. I wanted to scratch his back if he'd scratch mine, so I went happily. We had a great time at Mount Lassen, which is an active volcano part of a National Park situated about 2 hours North of Gridley. There is a portion of a glacier that never melts on the very top of the volcano at, from my father-in-law Ron's estimation, is around 11,000 ft. altitude. The weather was gorgeous. 70 degrees, blue skies, light breezes. It was a haven from the baking heat of the valley. We played in the most adorable, miniature glacier streams that are decievingly COLD. Yes, these tiny trickles, only about 12" deep are ice cold. And not the kind of chill that refreshes you and then you aclimate, but a frigidness that makes your bones ache. Ron clocked me at a breathtaking 55 seconds of braving the elements. Then we headed up the mountain to do a family hike, or what I had been told was really nothing more than a "short, flat walk". My heart lept. Yeah! I made out easy this time. In reality, the hike presented to me had been understated. I should have remembered Jared's memory is genetic and is, therefore, generally more optimistic in nature. The hike was by no means impossible, but was definately NOT FLAT. My mother-in-law Rita and I were told that our sandals would be fine, which they were, if you don't mind your feet looking like something out of Hugh Nibley's "Lehi in the Desert". It really was fun, but it was a little bit more than what I felt I agreed to. The sights of the Kings waterfalls were great and, with the exception of Lauren's declaration on the trek back up that "Oh dear! I just lost all my energy!" accompanied with gurgling and seizing generally associated with some sort of medical convulsive condition, everyone did really great. I would like to say that I represented my Holmes "Homies" very well with nary a huff nor a puff coming from my direction and that was with my little beefcake on my back heading up. It just goes to show that a city girl (who does work out by the way) can fare just fine in the wild, as long as there is a pedicure waiting for her at home. Fast forward to Monday, the day I had erroneously supposed to be "my special day", where I was left by my dear spouse as he continued to "galavant around the countryside". Oh well, it was still a great weekend, even without the Galleria. But I do feel a make up shopping trip here in Fresno coming on. Anyone want to join me?