S.K. Derban's Blog, page 12
July 2, 2015
“FOR NO APPARENT REASON” BOOK CLUB CONTEST
For the entire month of July 2015, TLC Book Tours is featuring S.K. Derban’s debut book “For No Apparent Reason.” Book Clubs who enter this contest have a chance to win enough copies for their entire group! Good luck!
July 1, 2015
“UNEVEN EXCHANGE” COVER REVEAL
S.K. Derban’s second book is scheduled for release on September 1, 2015.
Like fire and ice, Alexandra Callet’s life runs hot and cold.
At the age of thirty-three, Alexandra owns a stunning home and a successful interior design company. But she is in love with her business partner, Jake Taylor, and he doesn’t even seem to realize she’s a woman. She should be on top of the world, but instead she feels dragged down by the void in her heart. Hoping for answers, she decides a trip to Mexico might soothe her soul.
Jake Taylor only pretends to be a confirmed bachelor.
Jake has been entranced by Alexandra’s determination and exotic beauty since the moment they met, but she has no idea how he feels. He considers confessing his love, but fears jeopardizing their friendship and business. He’s caught in a web of pretending he doesn’t care, and doesn’t see a way out of it.
Alexandra is recruited for a dangerous mission.
Following her trip to Mexico,her resemblance to a member of an assassin’s family leads Alexandra to be recruited by the DEA. Her training leaves her distracted, and her business begins to suffer. Jake notices her sudden change, and feels her slipping both personally and professionally beyond his reach. Should he finally take the chance…before it’s too late? After all, he has nothing to lose.
However, when Alexandra returns to Mexico for her mission, things go terribly wrong.Will she be able find the strength to fight and escape the peaceful haven that has now become her prison? Or will Jake lose Alexandra forever…
June 18, 2015
The Natural Way to Stop Mosquitos from BUGGING You!
It’s mosquito season and grilling season all in one. But who wants to grill while being attacked? After numerous attempts, I finally perfected a natural insect repellent that WORKS! It was first tested in a mosquito infested yard on a very sweet (and brave) young lady! Since the first testing, this repellent has been used time and again with the same great success. Try it!
1/8th cup Witch Hazel
1 cup Distilled Water
1 teaspoon Organic Lemon Essential Oil
1 teaspoon Organic Citronella Essential Oil
1 teaspoon Organic Rosemary Essential Oil
We even bring this repellent when traveling. In order to stay within the 3 ounce TSA guidelines, I mix the witch hazel and all three essential oils in a small container. In addition, I pack a larger empty spray bottle. When we arrive at our destination, I pour the witch hazel and essential oil mixture into the spray bottle, and add a cup of tap water if distilled is not readily available.
Be sure and follow me on Pinterest. I have created a board for most of the products mentioned in this blog. There are also boards for organizing, cleaning, home repair, gardening and more. Also, follow me on Twitter for updates and #fornoapparentreasonbook fun facts. Remember, it is all about the #books!
May 11, 2015
Homemade Natural Cleaning – How to Organize your Products!
The best way to organize your cleaning products is to keep them in each room. Under the kitchen sink we keep:
G.L.R. – Grapefruit, Lemon and Rosemary Essential Oil Disinfecting Spray as posted on September 12, 2014
Four Thieves Oil Disinfecting Spray as posted on January 13, 2015
Glass Cleaner as posted on October 15, 2014
Homemade Dishwashing Machine Detergent as posted on April 8, 2015
Under each bathroom sink we keep:
G.L.R. – Grapefruit, Lemon and Rosemary Essential Oil Disinfecting Spray
Four Thieves Oil Disinfecting Spray
Glass Cleaner
Mason Jar filled with Baking Soda as posted on November 17, 2014
Glass Spray Bottled filled with Distilled White Vinegar as posted on November 17, 2014
Another great recipe will be featured in the next posting. Be sure and follow me on Pinterest. I have created a board for most of the products mentioned in this blog. There are also boards for organizing, cleaning, home repair, gardening and more. Also, follow me on Twitter for updates and #fornoapparentreasonbook fun facts. Remember, it is all about the #books #happyreading
April 11, 2015
S.K. Derban Author Signing of For No Apparent Reason
Sunday, April 19, 2015
5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
ROCKPILE BOOKSTORE
THE ROCK CHURCH
2277 Rosecrans Street
San Diego, CA 92106
#fornoapparentbook #books
April 8, 2015
Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Recipe – Rinse Aid Too!
Now you can save money by making your own dishwasher detergent. This recipe works great for our family:
1/2 cup citric acid – We purchase in the bulk spice section of our local Sprouts grocery store.
3 cups 20 Mule Team Borax
20 Drops Organic Grapefruit Essential Oil
Mix all ingredients well, and store in a quart sized glass Mason jar. Just one tablespoon of detergent works best for us. Remember to shake well before each use. (The product will most likely remain moist due to the essential oil.)
Save even more if your dishwasher has a refillable dispenser for a rinse aid. We fill the compartment with distilled white vinegar, and our glasses are spot free! Check out the savings! A one gallon bottle of distilled white vinegar sells for approximately $3.50, while a 16 ounce bottle of a popular rinse aid sells for $6.50. That is almost twice the price for a fraction as much! Plus, you can save even more if you purchase the distilled white vinegar from one of the big box stores.
In the next posting I will provide tips on organizing all of your newly homemade products. Be sure and follow me on Pinterest. I have created a board for most of the products mentioned in this blog. There are also boards for organizing, cleaning, home repair, gardening and more. Also, follow me on Twitter for updates and #fornoapparentreasonbook fun facts. Remember, it is all about the #books!
February 14, 2015
Cold Buster Cocktail – Another Cold and Flu Season Must!
Here’s hoping that the Four Thieves Oil recipes are working for you. Since so many are battling colds, I asked a very special lady to share her Cold Buster Cocktail recipe:
· 1 Cup Warm Water
· 1 Tablespoon Honey – Preferably Local and Raw
· 1 Tablespoon Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
· 1 Tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice
· Pinch of Cayenne Pepper
· Pinch of Turmeric
Mix together and enjoy at the first sign of respiratory discomfort. This wonderful recipe is compliments of Sharon from The Herb Factory in North Carolina.
Readers of For No Apparent Reason know that North Carolina is the main setting for the story. Is it a coincidence that The Herb Factory is also located in North Carolina? If you just happen to be at the Pitt County Farmer’s Market, and have the pleasure of meeting Sharon, owner of The Herb Factory, you can ask her!
Be sure and follow me on Pinterest. I have created a board for most of the products mentioned in this blog. There are also boards for organizing, cleaning, home repair and gardening. Also, follow me on Twitter for updates and #fornoapparentreasonbook fun facts.
January 12, 2015
Four Thieves Oil – A Cold and Flu Season Must!
There are many online recipes for Four Thieves Oil, including an abundance of information about the uses and benefits. Since it can be a bit overwhelming, I decided to provide this short blog posting as a starter.
Make your base oil first. Since Four Thieves Oil is a combination of other essential oils, it is best to first combine your selection of oils in one dark glass bottle. These are the oils I combine:
80 Drops Organic Clove Bud Essential Oil
70 Drops Organic Lemon Essential Oil
40 Drops Organic Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil
30 Drops Organic Eucalyptus Essential Oil
20 Drops Organic Rosemary Essential Oil
20 Drops Organic Lavender Essential Oil
The Four Thieves spray is one of our favorite products:
4 Drops Four Thieves Oil
4 Ounces Distilled Water
We use this spray when extra disinfecting is needed, and as a general room freshening spray. We also use it as a decongestant by spraying lightly onto a facial tissue before inhaling. Always remember to shake well before and during each use.
Another favorite is the Four Thieves massage oil:
12 Drops Four Thieves Oil
2 Ounces Aura Casia Jojoba Natural Skin Care Oil
We use this recipe as both a topical foot massage oil, and as a chest rub.
Although the base Four Thieves Oil recipe combines many different essential oils, all of the essential oils purchased can be used for other recipes. As mentioned in previous postings, our essential oils are purchased from mountainroseherbs.com. The Aura Casia Jojoba Natural Skin Care Oil is purchased from Vitacost.com.
Be sure and follow me on Pinterest. I have created a board for most of the products mentioned in this blog. There are also boards for organizing, cleaning, home repair and gardening. Also, follow me on Twitter for updates, and #fornoapparentreasonbook fun facts.
November 17, 2014
Baking Soda and Vinegar – A Powerful Combination!
In the previous posting I provided information on how to thoroughly clean your bathtub and shower using natural ingredients. This posting will provide information on how to use all natural ingredients to thoroughly clean your toilets, sinks, counters, mirrors and floors.
The inside of your toilet bowl can be cleaned with a combination of baking soda and distilled white vinegar. We keep a Mason jar of baking soda in each bathroom, and a glass spray bottle of distilled white vinegar. First, sprinkle the inside of the bowl right above the water line with approximately an eighth cup of baking soda, and then spray the baking soda with a mist of distilled white vinegar. Allow the mixture to foam for a few minutes before using the same mixture to clean the inside of the bowl. Remember to always use a separate sponge, cloth or bowl brush. We clean the toilet seat, lid and all outside areas of the toilet with the G.L.R. natural disinfectant recipe listed in a previous posting.
Clean the sink by plugging the drain and making a small batch of hot soapy water directly in the basin. We use the same Ecover dishwashing liquid used for the bathtub. If extra cleaning action is needed, a paste mixture of 1/4 cup Twenty Mule Team Borax and 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar works wonderfully. We clean our counters and faucets with the G.L.R. natural disinfectant recipe, and our mirrors with the homemade Glass Cleaner recipe previously provided.
If you have floors that can be wet mopped, try these amazing reusable wet wipes that we use instead of Swiffer Sweeper Wet Mopping Cloths:
3 drops Dr. Bronner’s Castile liquid soap in a quart Mason jar
1/4 teaspoon Twenty Mule Team Borax
12 ounces water
10 cloths cut from old t-shirts cut into the size of a wet mopping cloth
Stuff the cloths into the Mason jar and shake well before each use
Use once, leave out to dry, then place with your other soiled dusters and rags
It is a good idea to keep several reusable wet wipe Mason jars on hand. When one jar is empty, move on to the next. When all of your jars are empty, there should be enough soiled wipes to wash an entire load.
There are many more homemade natural recipes to come! Remember to follow me on Pinterest. I have created a board for most of the products mentioned in this blog.
October 15, 2014
Great Homemade Natural Cleaning Recipes!
There is no need to break out the gas mask just to clean the bathroom! It is even possible to remove water caused deposits, rust stains and mineral buildup without toxic chemicals. On this posting I will provide information on how to thoroughly clean your bathtub and shower using natural ingredients.
Plug the drain and make a small batch of hot soapy water directly in the bottom. Currently we use Ecover dishwashing liquid purchased at a savings from Vitacost.com. If extra cleaning action is needed, a paste mixture of 1/4 cup Twenty Mule Team Borax and 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar works wonderfully. This mixture will even remove mold and help to whiten grout. We have glass shower doors, so the combination of a squeegee and a Mystic Maid cleaning cloth works well. Stubborn water spots can be removed with an equal part mixture of distilled white vinegar and water. After the water spots are removed, clean and polish the glass with this homemade Glass Cleaner recipe:
2 drops lemon essential oil
1/4 teaspoon Dr. Bronner’s Castile liquid soap
1 & 1/2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
4 ounces distilled water
Most washable shower curtains can be cleaned by adding one cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle.
A pumice cleaning stone (Pumie Scouring Stick) does a wonderful job of removing grime and scratches on the shower floor. Be careful to keep the stone wet, and gently work the scratches and stains. You may be surprised to discover how well it works!
In the next posting, I will provide more tips for cleaning the rest of your bathroom the natural way. Remember to follow me on Pinterest. I have created a board for many of the products mentioned in this blog.
