Window Paintings

Last week when I went to Robert's (the local craft store), there was a girl painting the window. She asked the girls to draw a snowflake on the window. They (and I) had so much fun with it, I decided to buy some too.

Cooking with the kids

My kids LOVE to help, especially with the cooking. So this year for Thanksgiving, they helped with everything. They smashed the yams, mixed the pie, and stirred the jello salad. It was so much more fun for me, if not cleaner. The kitchen got way messier, but it was so worth it.

The Best Cough Medicine

O.K. so my kids seem to get coughs a lot. So I have tried almost every cough syrup out there. I have tried Delsym and robutussim from the supermarket, and Chestal honey, Eldertussin Elderberry syrup, sambucol, and few others from the health food store. I have also tried to make a few myself.

Anyway here is what I have found that works for my family (my kids especially).

-You can rub Mullein oil and/or Dr. Christopher's Anti-spasmodic on their chest.

-Original Ricola (you know the square ones) are the best cough drops.

or

-Make your own cough medicine. It is amazing that in about 30 minutes and for about $2.50, I made 1 quart of cough syrup. Which is, by the way, too much. So I will give you the halved recipe.

Dr. Shook's Cough Medicine

1 oz. marshmallow root

1 oz thyme

2 cups distilled water (I used filtered water)

1 lb brown sugar (honey can be substituted)

Slowly simmer marshmallow root, thyme, and water until reduced by 1/2. Strain, press, and return to pan. Add sugar, simmer 5 more minutes. Skim foam as it rises. Store in glass jar in the fridge. Makes 2 cups. For children use 1 tsp. for cough.

So there you have it. I hope this helps someone out there like it has helped me and my family.

More Hats

I am not sure why, but I LOVE making hats. A while back, I crocheted a bunch. Then I got into sewing hats. Well, it must have something to do with the colder weather. I have sewed some new ones and crocheted a few more.

Here are some pics

Homemade "Make-up"

We made make-up. they girls had a ball, but it looks like she ate playdough.

Homemade Make-up

1 T shortening

2 T cornstarch

food coloring

Mix together with a fork. Divide into 3-4 containers and add food coloring to each container.

ORANGE 1 drop RED 2 drops YELLOW

PURPLE 3 drops RED 1 drop BLUE

DARK GREEN 1 drop RED 4 drops BLUE 1 drop YELLOW

LIME GREEN 3 drops YELLOW 1 drop GREEN

AQUA 4 drops BLUE 2 drops GREEN

ORCHID 5 drops RED 1 drop BLUE

Brown 2 drops green 4 drops yellow 3 drops red

Black blue red orange yellow

Writing With Glue

learned about the number 23. they loved writing with glue.