​It's an old, old proverb that has been in use for centuries that means most inventions are created because of some need...thereby forcing the inventor to solve some problem. Well, more times than not, many of our products have come about because a customer needed something that wasn't available anywhere else.
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A few years ago, a good friend's brother had issues with his feet always being dry and itchy. It didn't matter what cream or salve he bought or was prescribed. Nothing seemed to work. He asked me if I knew of anything that I could make to help. Well, that got me thinking about all the combinations of oils, butters, herbs and essential oils. I was excited with all the possibilities!

As I read about infusing oils with various herbs, using different types of butters for varying degrees of moisturizing, and the wonderful scents one could get from blending essential oils, I was determined to come up with  a recipe that would be moisturizing, full of herbs, and smell delectable.

I tinkered and mixed in the kitchen, blending this with that and testing it out. Too greasy or too soft or too stiff or too smelly...yikes! I was about to give up when I whipped up (yep, I literally whipped it with my soapy mixer into a butter-like consistency) the batch that has become known as Uncle Mark's Foot Cream. Eureka! I liked how it felt as it melted quickly into my skin and the scent was pleasant with a touch of Lavender along with Tea tree, calendula, and a hint of peppermint. 
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Ok, so I liked how it felt and smelled...but would it work on Mark? I gave him a jar and asked him to use it for a few days and give me critical feedback so that I could tweak the recipe. After 3 days, he was all smiles and his feet were feeling great! Wow! He said not to change a thing except to make him a bigger jar. Yay!

Little did I know that this cream would be one of our best sellers! It amazes me how well-liked it is by all different folks. It's a thick, buttery cream that soaks in for heavy-duty moisturizing. It's perfect for winter-dry skin!

The recipe includes an herb-infused combination of coconut oil and Shea butter that seeps all the goodies out of calendula and dried peppermint during infusion. Then a bit of tapioca powder to help with any greasy feel, some beeswax to stiffen it up, and a blend of tea tree, Lavender, and peppermint essential oils rounds it all out.

Once we come up with new products, naming them can be tricky to pick the best fit. In this case, the family pooch was laying by my feet as I was trying to think up possible names for this new wonder cream. As I looked at RP and pondered possible names, I thought, "Why not after the guy who inspired it?"  So it became Uncle Mark's Foot Cream.

Now that it’s November, my mind is only one thing: Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, not just because it means gathering with family and loved ones, but also because it means filling my plate with the best food I’ll eat all year. While turkey is a necessary classic on the table, it’s not the dish I look forward to the most. The real stars of Thanksgiving are all of the delicious sides. However, making such a large array of dishes is complicated and time-consuming, so here are some easy recipes to try out this season. You’ll spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your family.
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Want to add a special touch to your dinner table? Try out some of these napkin folding ideas!
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Start with your napkin in a square. Fold two opposite corners into the center, and fold a third corner in on top of them - like an envelope. Tip: Iron your napkins like this so that the folds will stay! Place silverware inside the “envelope,” and place on your plate.
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Using a square napkin, fold diagonally to make a triangle. Take each of the bottom corners and fold them up to the top point of the triangle, making a diamond shape. Flip the diamond over, then fold the corner closest to you up to the center of the diamond. Take the two side corners, and fold under. Set at each plate to impress your guests!
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You’re all set for Thanksgiving dinner. Now, it’s time to eat!