Keep them fleas and ticks off me!

     I don't know about you, but the ticks have been terrible this summer. It seems we have gotten more ticks off of Reno this summer than ever before.
     So I asked my friend Liz Hueber, a volunteer at the adoption center for the Burke County Friends For Animals, if she knew of an organic method of keeping ticks and even  fleas off dogs.  She sent me a recipe that not only for dogs, but humans too.  I thought I would share what she sent with you.

Homemade, organic flea and tick repellent for dogs (and humans)

     Summer is here and with it, once again, those annoying little pest, namely fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. Various commercially made repellents are available, but one should always be cautious with it comes to the toxic nature of many "kill all" chemical mixtures.

      After some research on the web, I found the following recipe for an organic, homemade insect repellent.  Aside from being less toxic than commercial products; this mixture is also organic and can be made with fairly benign ingredients.

   

     Ingredients:

     2 tablespoons of vegetable oil

    10 to 25 drops of Rose Geranium essential oil

    Mix ingredients in a glass jar and shake well to blend.  Keep in a dark bottle in a cool place, shelf life is approximately 6 months.  To use, dab a few drops on your skin and clothing as well as your dog' coat and collar.

     

     Important: 

•  Use essential oil sparingly.  Start with the lowest possible dose (10 drops) and only increase if necessary.
• Try a few drops on your skin and your dog's coat and watch for an allergic reaction before apply to your arms and legs and the rest of your dog.
• If you or your dog is allergic to Geraniums, you can try essential oils of cinnamon or citron instead.
• Essential oils should not be used on cats in any concentration.
• As with all medications; you should use as little as possible to achieve the desired effect.

     Caution: 

• Some recipes on the web use Pennyroyal (essential oil or leaves).  Do not use Pennyroyal if anyone in your home is or may become pregnant (humans and pets). Do not use Pennyroyal on cats or if cats are in the home.

Liz Hueber, volunteer - BCFFA


     Thanks Liz!  The Burke County Friends For Animals has helped find loving homes for over ten thousand animals that once was destined to be euthanized.  The adoption center up in Morganton has become the largest no-kill animal shelter in Western North Carolina.
      Through the wonderful staff and volunteers like Liz, the adoption center takes care of hundreds of animals and in some cases even nurses them back to health.  If you would like to help to BCFFA, there are several things you can do.

•   Consider adopting an animal from the adoption center.  Not only would you be adding a loving and caring member to your family you will be opening up a spot for the adoption center and allow BCFFA to save another animal from being euthanized.
• Volunteer to go to the adoption center and help out with the animals.  They are all loving and caring and just need some attention.
• Donate some pocket change; or even more if possible.  The adoption center always can use funds to help with expenses or additional purchases needed to truly take care of the animals.  Currently, the adoption center is working to raise $5,000 to purchase a commercial washer.  The other washers they have been using, just wear out too fast and the furry friends there need clean bedding to keep from sleeping on the concrete.

     Sorry for the long post, but I hope you found it informative.  If you can, please help out BCFFA and all of their furry friends.

Mike & Amy

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure and fun of photographing Mike & Amy's wedding.  It was simply beautiful.  The best part is I have gotten to know two wonderful people.

Their passion and love for each other is unreal.  That was obvious during the engagement session we did in downtown Newton.  Now that was a fun session.

I just love Amy's dress.  It was so vintage and went perfectly in the setting.  She reminded me of one of the beautiful Hollywood movie stars back in the 30s and 40s. 

First family portrait

This was a special treat.  I have known Stacey for years and TJ even longer.  I even photographed their senior portraits when they were high school seniors.

Since they have met, we have done several portrait sessions of the two of them.  It has been a pleasure watching their love grow for each other.

Recently, they got married and Stace contacted me for their first family portrait.  No, there are no little ones on the way; yet.  But they do have their big baby, Shelby.


Shelby is a sweetie and was a perfect model during the portrait session.  Best wishes to Stace and TJ and I am now looking forward to watching your family grow in the years to come.

Good morning sunshine

I'll admit I am a morning person.  I love getting up and spending time alone in the early morning and watching God's beauty as the sun rises.  I call this time "having breakfast with God."

It seems these days I have fewer and fewer opportunity to have breakfast with God out in His wonder.  Yesterday, I got that chance and was able to go spend some time at sunrise in a friend's sunflower patch.

Needless to say I loved it.  I started my photography out photographing our beautiful world.  Any chance I can get back to my roots, I just love.  These times seem to charge my batteries more than any thing else.

I have posted more images on the facebook page, so go there and enjoy them.  Then find some time for your alone time and recharge your batteries.

Happy Fourth of July!!!

Today is a special day. It is our country's birthday. We are so blessed to live in a country that gives us the freedom to do what we love. That is what I do every day I go to work. I love having the opportunity to be just a small part of your lives by being able to preserve your special memories through my photography.

I hope each of you have spent some time this weekend with the ones you love. After all, our loved ones are the most important things in our lives.

May God bless you and may God bless America.