I'm making more tinctures and infusions to improve our health. My herbal multi-vitamin is awesome. It is a glycerin/alcohol base with alfalfa, dandelion, catnip, nettle, and spearmint. It's not too shabby.
Tonight I am making elderberry syrup following this recipe with minor adaptations. I did use the ginger, although I was tempted to skip it. It has a lot of nutritional benefits, and I probably won't be able to taste it in this recipe. I used cinnamon sticks instead of powder. It's nearly impossible to strain out a powder. I want the kids to like it, and they wouldn't care for it if they saw a powdery residue.
I'm also making an infused honey with the Double-E Immune Booster from The Bulk Herb Store. It contains nettle leaf, peppermint, echinacea root and tops, elderberries, ginseng root, and rose hips. I want to use it like we use out other infused honey.
Tuesday, October 09, 2012
Monday, October 08, 2012
Piggy piggy
We emptied our little piggy bank again. We had $104.30 in 2008. This year the total was $117. The kids were excited because it winds up being kid money for the trip. I need to be more dedicated to dumping my change in there. I used to only spend bills and save my coins to save. It does add up. Now, though, I use very little cash money at all.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Laundry detergent
This is the detergent I've been making for a few months.
1/4 C liquid castile soap
1 C washing soda
1 C baking soda
1 C vinegar
It is like a science experiment with the baking soda and vinegar. I like it because it is a powder. I store it in an old jug. It's easy for us all to use and gets the clothes cleaned. I still love making things instead of buying them. Fewer artificial ingredients. Fewer scents and petroleum-based products.
More later.
1/4 C liquid castile soap
1 C washing soda
1 C baking soda
1 C vinegar
It is like a science experiment with the baking soda and vinegar. I like it because it is a powder. I store it in an old jug. It's easy for us all to use and gets the clothes cleaned. I still love making things instead of buying them. Fewer artificial ingredients. Fewer scents and petroleum-based products.
More later.
What have I been doing?
Certainly not just sitting at home eating bon-bons. I just have not been keeping a good record of all my activities.
I have been much better at meal planning. I mostly plan based on what we have in the pantry and freezer. But, I also like to experiment with different foods. I hope to be saving money by doing this. Fewer meals out is always a good thing.
Changing our eating habits has changed our tastes a bit. Restaurants just don't taste that good anymore. When we go out, it is usually because I don't want to cook or clean. I just want to sit, have it all brought to me, and then have it all taken away. Eating at home means fewer preservatives, artificial ingredients, and fresher food. Charlie is changing quite a bit. The kids are coming around to it. They know both of my parents passed away before turning 60. They can see how sick Charlie's parents are with their low-fat, no nutrition SAD (Standard American Diet) style of eating. I don't trust the government to educate my children. Why would I trust them to know how best to feed us all?
Extra cooking is taking away from sewing. I've been doing a lot of mending. That can be boring or satisfying. When I see it as mine, it's boring. When I see it as God-given, it's satisfying. I just can't figure out what I want to sew for myself. I know what I need, but I hate trying to fit clothes. Lottie and I have been sewing things like napkins and household goods. I'm trying to use my scraps and stash. This also falls into the boring or satisfying category.
More later.
I have been much better at meal planning. I mostly plan based on what we have in the pantry and freezer. But, I also like to experiment with different foods. I hope to be saving money by doing this. Fewer meals out is always a good thing.
Changing our eating habits has changed our tastes a bit. Restaurants just don't taste that good anymore. When we go out, it is usually because I don't want to cook or clean. I just want to sit, have it all brought to me, and then have it all taken away. Eating at home means fewer preservatives, artificial ingredients, and fresher food. Charlie is changing quite a bit. The kids are coming around to it. They know both of my parents passed away before turning 60. They can see how sick Charlie's parents are with their low-fat, no nutrition SAD (Standard American Diet) style of eating. I don't trust the government to educate my children. Why would I trust them to know how best to feed us all?
Extra cooking is taking away from sewing. I've been doing a lot of mending. That can be boring or satisfying. When I see it as mine, it's boring. When I see it as God-given, it's satisfying. I just can't figure out what I want to sew for myself. I know what I need, but I hate trying to fit clothes. Lottie and I have been sewing things like napkins and household goods. I'm trying to use my scraps and stash. This also falls into the boring or satisfying category.
More later.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Strawberry time
Since Charlie was home this week due to my unfortunate hospitalization, we picked strawberries. Well, everybody but me picked strawberries. I stayed home and made sure the kitchen was ready. They brought home about 20 pounds of goodness. Some were eaten right away. We froze 4C for later and dehydrated a couple of pounds.
Today we made 7 half pints of jam using a recipe from Martha Stewart. It was my first time using a recipe with no pectin. The kids say it's good. We also made 5 pints of mixed berry syrup with honey. I started with this recipe then changed it a bit to add some mixed berries and use honey instead of sugar. It looks really good. Either pancakes or French toast is on the menu soon.
Tonight if my energy holds, I will make some strawberry muffins with coconut flour from Tropical Traditions.
Today we made 7 half pints of jam using a recipe from Martha Stewart. It was my first time using a recipe with no pectin. The kids say it's good. We also made 5 pints of mixed berry syrup with honey. I started with this recipe then changed it a bit to add some mixed berries and use honey instead of sugar. It looks really good. Either pancakes or French toast is on the menu soon.
Tonight if my energy holds, I will make some strawberry muffins with coconut flour from Tropical Traditions.
Saturday, April 07, 2012
Anemia is a bad thing
Before I forget any more details I need to tell the story of my recent hospital stay.
I have been feeling so tired lately. Really, really tired. Going up steps left me winded, going from the van into a store (or church or home) made me have to stop and catch my breath, almost any exertion could leave me short of breath. I thought I was just too inactive or lazy. Nothing appealed to me. Not cooking, sewing, computer time, kids, school, eating, or anything. I knew I wasn't depressed. I did think I might be a bit anemic.
I went to my doctor for blood work. The next day I went to the ER for a blood transfusion. The doctor's office called me about 5:30 last Tuesday and said to go to the ER. My levels were critical.
Normal hemoglobin levels for women start at 11 or 12. Mine was 5.6!
Charlie finished putting dinner on the table while I called a couple of friends in tears. I was scared. I had no idea what to expect, but I trusted my doctor. I called 3 women. They all prayed for me. One said she would come to the house and watch the kids as soon as she fed her family. Awesome and totally unexpected. Charlie and I left the kids about 6:00. We thought I would be getting a transfusion and be sent home. One friend said it would take about 30 minutes and that I would feel better immediately. I could handle 30 minutes. After we checked in, we heard I would likely be admitted. They rechecked my levels and admitted me. That's bad. I cried some more. By 9:30 Charlie had to leave. He didn't want to leave the kids any longer and we hadn't even started the transfusion. Just getting in the IV took a good bit of time, and they also did a brief exam and x-ray.
At 10:00 my friend came to the hospital. I was so happy because while I knew I could do it alone, I didn't want to be alone. The transfusion finally started about 10:30. Blood transfusions hurt! My hand was so sore and cold. The blood isn't warmed up first except for trauma victims. Nasty. Just before 11:00 I was sent to a room. A shared room. Weird. I couldn't see the other lady, but I could tell by her voice that she was much older. The unit of blood was done about midnight and they started another one. Shortly after 3am, I texted Charlie that it was finally done. Of course I couldn't sleep.
I dozed for a few hours. I wanted to go home. A friend from church dropped in on her way to work at 6:30. I did feel loved. Charlie came after giving the kids breakfast.
Sorry, but I have to break this up and finish in another post.
I have been feeling so tired lately. Really, really tired. Going up steps left me winded, going from the van into a store (or church or home) made me have to stop and catch my breath, almost any exertion could leave me short of breath. I thought I was just too inactive or lazy. Nothing appealed to me. Not cooking, sewing, computer time, kids, school, eating, or anything. I knew I wasn't depressed. I did think I might be a bit anemic.
I went to my doctor for blood work. The next day I went to the ER for a blood transfusion. The doctor's office called me about 5:30 last Tuesday and said to go to the ER. My levels were critical.
Normal hemoglobin levels for women start at 11 or 12. Mine was 5.6!
Charlie finished putting dinner on the table while I called a couple of friends in tears. I was scared. I had no idea what to expect, but I trusted my doctor. I called 3 women. They all prayed for me. One said she would come to the house and watch the kids as soon as she fed her family. Awesome and totally unexpected. Charlie and I left the kids about 6:00. We thought I would be getting a transfusion and be sent home. One friend said it would take about 30 minutes and that I would feel better immediately. I could handle 30 minutes. After we checked in, we heard I would likely be admitted. They rechecked my levels and admitted me. That's bad. I cried some more. By 9:30 Charlie had to leave. He didn't want to leave the kids any longer and we hadn't even started the transfusion. Just getting in the IV took a good bit of time, and they also did a brief exam and x-ray.
At 10:00 my friend came to the hospital. I was so happy because while I knew I could do it alone, I didn't want to be alone. The transfusion finally started about 10:30. Blood transfusions hurt! My hand was so sore and cold. The blood isn't warmed up first except for trauma victims. Nasty. Just before 11:00 I was sent to a room. A shared room. Weird. I couldn't see the other lady, but I could tell by her voice that she was much older. The unit of blood was done about midnight and they started another one. Shortly after 3am, I texted Charlie that it was finally done. Of course I couldn't sleep.
I dozed for a few hours. I wanted to go home. A friend from church dropped in on her way to work at 6:30. I did feel loved. Charlie came after giving the kids breakfast.
Sorry, but I have to break this up and finish in another post.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
2011 Sewing
This is what I managed to get sewn in 2011. Less than the year before. I made several small items and fewer clothes. Then my arm started hurting which really slowed me down. L did start sewing, though. She is learning a lot using my Singer.
The fabric in was 42 yards, and the fabric out was 47.71 yards. Still more going out than coming in, but not as much as I would like. I made very specific fabric purchases this year and sewed it up quickly. There was only a bit of random purchases.
I keep track of my sewing to help me judge my stewardship. Am I just buying and collecting fabric? That would be poor stewardship of the money Charlie makes. Am I actually using the fabric that has been sitting here for ages, including fabric that people have given to me? I needed to learn to shop my own stock before going to the store. It's hard for me to let go of the perfectionist tendencies and not use the "perfect" fabric for a project. It is also hard to cut into fabric when I think another project would suit it better.
| Jalie shirt muslin, fabric from Mimi |
| Calendar project #1, pillow cover |
| draft dodger |
| dress from Olivia fabric |
| Simplicity 2907 I's birthday shorts |
| Marie-Madeline 1, H's bloomers |
| Marie-Madeline 1, L's bloomers |
| Marie-Madeline 1, E's bloomers |
| dress fail |
| L's bathing suit |
| ironing board cover |
| E's bathing suit skirt |
| lil cutie pouch |
| rice sock, hand warmers for McDowells |
| bag for Rummikub |
| scientific seamstress shorts for me |
| doll blanket for nursery |
| 8 doll blankets for CCC nursery |
| quilted drying towel |
| dominoes bag and jenga bag |
| 2 doll outfits for gifts |
| DS case for E |
| purse for me |
| muslin for circle skirt |
| O's circle skirt |
| E's circle skirt |
| H's circle skirt |
| L's circle skirt |
| superhero capes (made by L) |
| misc. Christmas crafts and gifts by L |
| pouches for girls |
The fabric in was 42 yards, and the fabric out was 47.71 yards. Still more going out than coming in, but not as much as I would like. I made very specific fabric purchases this year and sewed it up quickly. There was only a bit of random purchases.
I keep track of my sewing to help me judge my stewardship. Am I just buying and collecting fabric? That would be poor stewardship of the money Charlie makes. Am I actually using the fabric that has been sitting here for ages, including fabric that people have given to me? I needed to learn to shop my own stock before going to the store. It's hard for me to let go of the perfectionist tendencies and not use the "perfect" fabric for a project. It is also hard to cut into fabric when I think another project would suit it better.