About Stacy

Stacy Karen is a homeschooling mom of three and minister's wife. She credits growing up in Australia for her green mindset and remembers fighting inner battles about buying recycled paper over the cheaper "new" paper as a young teen. Stacy is mildly obsessed with making anything and everything from scratch and shares many how-tos on her blog A Delightful Home (as well as encouragement for mamas striving to create happy homes for their families).

DIY tea bags and an afternoon pick-me-up tea recipe

by on March 20, 2013
in crafts, health, nutrition, & food · 12 Comments

Written by contributor Stacy Karen of A Delightful Home.

Brewing a cup of tea, sitting down to sip it calmly, and just breath in and out, is one of the great pleasures of life.

Drinking tea not only centers us, it also provides a simple method for administering herbs in order to experience their many medicinal benefits.

Herbal teas can treat any number of ailments, such as:

  • Indigestion
  • Low milk supply
  • Cold and flu
  • Lack of energy
  • Anemia
  • Water retention
  • Sore throat
  • Stress
  • Circulation
  • PMS
  • and many more!

You just need to find the right herb, pour warm water over it, then steep, strain, and sip.

While tea bags are convenient, buying herbs in bulk or as a loose tea often saves money.

Preparing your own blends is quite easy, too. The Bulk Herb Store has a comprehensive post on preparing your own tea blends.

The internet abounds with recipes, too. If making a customized tea blend is something that appeals to you, try searching the web and you are sure to find a ton of great recipes.

Here’s a great tea blend to try when the afternoon slump sets in:

Afternoon Pick-Me-Up Tea

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Homemade body butter for dry skin

by on February 13, 2013
in personal care & beauty · 16 Comments

DIY Body Butter

Written by Stacy Karen of A Delightful Home.

In winter it is typical for skin to dry out and need extra moisture. Spending so much time inside with heated air can really take it’s toll.

Besides drinking more water, applying body butter is a great way to restore moisture and sooth dry skin.

Plus, it’s super easy to make.

Making body butter involves nothing more than measuring, melting and pouring. (I’m pretty sure I say this almost every time I post a tutorial for homemade skin care products. But it’s just so easy! I wish everyone knew how simple was to create natural skin care at home.)

The ingredients in this recipe create a heavy cream that is nourishing to the skin. It is intended for use on the body and not the face.

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How to make a simple banner to highlight your goals

by on January 11, 2013
in sewing · 14 Comments

Written by contributor Stacy Karen of A Delightful Home.

It’s a new year and many of us have new goals and aspirations. If you are easily distracted (like me), you might need some help keeping these goals in mind.

Sure, we could write them on index cards and post them on the bathroom mirror (I’ll probably do that, too), but why not create something pretty to keep our plans front and center all year long?

[Read more...]

Simple gift idea: bath cookies

by on November 14, 2012
in personal care & beauty, repurposing · 23 Comments

Written by contributor Stacy Karen of A Delightful Home.

Want to treat yourself to cookies without gaining a pound?

Try the following bath cookies!

Just mix the ingredients and bake like regular cookies, then let one or two melt in the tub, get in and relax.

No calories consumed.

Bath cookies are made with salt, eggs, and baking soda, which are wonderful for your skin. They also contain a small amount of essential oil which releases a lovely aroma, making them a fragrant treat that will help the tired among us unwind and relax.

Very quick and easy to prepare, bath cookies would be an excellent gift. Not to mention, unique. When was the last time your received cookies for the tub?

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How to make a rock necklace (or bracelet)

by on September 26, 2012
in sewing · 6 Comments

 Written by contributor Stacy Karen of A Delightful Home.

I love rocks. They are so unique and earthy. I’m often tempted to bring a few home with me whenever we spend the day at the river or go camping.

This simple rock necklace is a fun way to carry a little nature with you and keep memories of a special day out close to you.

You’ll need:

  • A small rock
  • Leather cord (for stringing around your neck)
  • Krazy glue (or other strong, waterproof glue)
  • 26 gauge wire
  • Scissors
  • Nail clippers (if your scissors will not cut wire)
  • A paper plate, or other area for making the necklace without worrying about glue damaging the surface

[Read more...]

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