About

Monday, March 30, 2015

spring fever

Seriously!
 
Our family got slammed with a flu bug.
I don't want to lament our misery, but instead tell you about a couple of things that really helped us through.
 
There aren't many products on the market for young children, but I found this cough syrup at our local pharmacy.
 
Zarbee's Naturals
 
 
The ingredient list is simple and pronounceable:
  • Proprietary blend of dark honeys
  • Ivy Leaf (leaf extract, hedera helix) - helps with congestion
  • Water
  • natural flavor (not exactly sure what this is ?)
  • grapefruit seed extract (used as a natural preservative)
  • citric acid
Due to the honey content it is not recommended for children under 1 year. 
I found it even helped me with the incessant cough.
 
. . . . .
 
 
 Master Tonic

 
I had some on hand from a couple of years ago.
 
Do you know about this?  You totally should!
There are lots of sites on the internet about Master Tonic.
I found my information here.  
 
This is a natural remedy for any number of infections, but especially the common cold and flu.  It's naturally antiviral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic. 
 
The reason the Master Tonic is so powerful is because all of the ingredients are fresh, and are designed to stimulate blood circulation to help introduce the detoxifying ingredients into your bloodstream.
 
The ingredients: 
 
All should be organic
  • 1 whole, fresh chopped garlic bulb, skins peeled off each clove (garlic is antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-parasitic.
  • 1 whole, fresh, peeled, chopped white onion, or the hottest onions available (similar properties to garlic.)
  • 1 (4- or 5) inch piece of fresh grated ginger root (increases circulation to the extremities.)
  • 1 (4- or 5) inch piece of fresh grated horseradish root (increases blood flow to the head.)
  • 4 fresh, chopped Cayenne peppers, Jalapenos, Serranos, Habaneros, African bird peppers...any combination of the hottest peppers available, including the seeds, but with stems removed
  • 1 quart raw, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar
 
The way to make this master tonic is simple, but it takes 2 weeks to "incubate"
 
Directions:
 
Prepare all of your ingredients, (chop, grate, etc.)
Fill a quart size mason jar 3/4 full with chopped and grated ingredients. 
Fill your jar (s) to the top with your raw apple cider vinegar, making sure the ingredients are completely covered.
Cap with a plastic cap and shake vigorously to mix everything together.
STORE THE JAR IN A DARK PLACE FOR AT LEAST 2 WEEKS (but shake once per day.)
 
When ready, strain out the vinegar into a bowl lined with cheesecloth.  If needed, filter again to make sure you only have infused vinegar with no particles.
 
Use a funnel and pour liquid into 2 oz. amber or blue tincture bottles.
 
This keeps indefinitely and requires no refrigeration.
 
WARNING:  Master Tonic is spicy and potent.
To use: Squeeze a dropperful down the back of your throat from 2 - 5 times per day.
 
Safe for pregnancy too.
While it is safe for children (in smaller doses) it is HOT.  I used it for my children 16+.
 
It's worth it to take the time in the summer to prepare this so that you have it on hand the next time you or your family is succumbing to illness. 
 
. . . . .
 
 
 

Friday, March 27, 2015

8 is 4

Mary Anne turned 4.
 

Did you get that? 

The BABY turned 4! 

If you ask her, she'll be quick to tell you that she is not a baby.  She is a big girl. 
She is at a really fun stage.  She says witty and silly things that make us all just stop and say out loud,  "Aww, she's so cute."  {That's dangerous territory, I know, but she IS the baby, and everyone seems to savor those super cute antics.}
 
She enjoys the challenge of trying to do things herself, but I am thankful she still needs help.  I cherish this last little bit of "babyhood" with her.  Learning to match our clothes is a work in progress currently.   ;-)   


. . . . .
 
We began the day early so that brothers could be included in the fun before they headed off to work.  And because . . . what 4 year old wants to wait past the crack of dawn for the birthday fun to begin? 


Hannah made her three darling skirts from scraps she had on hand.
They were a hit.  Mary loves them. 
Can you see the "tatching" possibilities?




Daniel was convinced that she needed this fluffy, pink duck.


so was she!


A few new toys





A new book


new super cute boots that match Abbie's.


The day was a rainy one so the park had to be postponed.  It didn't seem to matter.  She enjoyed being able to be home and play with her new toys.  
. . . . .

Mary Anne requested spaghetti for dinner.  It's her favorite. 
These days she is a little pickier.  I guess her taste buds are growing too.



I bought this cute plate especially to be used on birthdays.  I finally remembered to use it!

We made flower cupcakes because I thought her birthday was also the first day of spring. 
It's the 2nd day of spring.

And by "we" I mean that I found this idea years ago from a Family Fun magazine.
Hannah made them.  Ha.






Some fun things to know about Mary:

* She was the only one born at home.
* Coloring with markers is her favorite thing only to be topped if stickers go with it.
* When she plays she usually has her cat {but for now the new duck} tucked under her arm.
* Her eye color is unique ~ sort of a gray blue almost green, but not quite.
* She loves to have her fingernails and toenails painted.
* She resembles Hannah A LOT when Hannah was that age.

We fervently pray for a "Mary" kind of love/devotion/submission to the Lord.  That she will be yielded to His will just like the Mary of her namesake. 



Thursday, March 26, 2015

spring break fun

Once upon a time
 
two friends
 
had an idea . . .
 
 
of gathering friends
 
for a party
 
 
a literary party / book exchange
 
 
with food
 
 





and drinks
 

 and games
 





Where everyone would have a grand time
 
and
 
exchange a book.
 
The end.

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

03.17 Tradition!

So you probably already know that some of us in this home really, really like Ireland.
Not that we've ever been there, but Lord willing, we will someday! 
We really love Scotland too, but its national holiday is far less known. { Did you know Scotland has a national holiday?  Yeah, I didn't think so.  ;-) }
 
 
It has become a tradition on St. Patrick's Day for Hannah to create an Irish feast for us all.
It's also tradition that the older kids enjoy Corned Beef and Cabbage with Dad.
Usually they go to the same restaurant, because, well, it's tradition, but
this year, schedules weren't meshing.
But, Eric's company offered Corned Beef and Cabbage along with Irish dancers
 so we decided to check out the fun.
The kids are always excited to visit Dad at work!
 
 
Food:
They had classic Irish food.  I chose bangers and mash because I am not a fan of corned beef.
{which is why the kids have their tradition with Dad ~ because he loves it.}
 
This is the "Did anyone remember to take a picture of the food?"  photo

Face painting


 
 
 
 
 
 
I asked the boys if they wanted their faces painted....
 
 The Twins were not amused.
 
 but everyone ate green cotton candy.

 
A crazy leprechaun
 
 
Irish Dancers
 
 
These two girls were just amazing.  They were part of the Seattle Irish Dancers.
Each step was perfectly in sync. 

 
They were super friendly and happy to talk with us.
They inspired the Little Girls
 

They inspired the Big Girl too.
 
 
and, well, he just thought they were really pretty. 
"In Dublin's fair city, where girls are so pretty..."
 

Matt and Dan's turn with a photo bombing leprechaun.
 

The drive home was lovely with scenic country roads, the sunroof open, and Irish music playing.  {Celtic Thunder, mostly} 

And still, Hannah created a traditional Irish supper for us, as promised.
She has fun finding different traditional dishes to try each year.
 
~
This year's menu:
Dublin Coddle soup {different from other recipes}
Haggerty {a lot like scalloped potatoes with cheese and bacon}
Brown Irish soda bread
 

All amazing!