Halloween costumes

This year I designed all the halloween costumes. I couldn't find patterns for what I wanted, so I made the patterns myself. Abby's was easier than I thought would be, and I couldn't get the sleeve just like I wanted. The wings were easier than I thought, and super cheap.

ANGEL

Lexi's was the easiest since I actually used a pattern or 3. I used one pattern for the bodice, one for the sleeve and a different one for the skirt.

PINK FLAMINGO- although she didn't wear the mask.

I told the girls to be creative with what they wanted to be.

So we were looking through a magazine and Ellie saw an ad for goldfish crackers,

and decided that was what she wanted to be.

So I looked online for ideas. I found this one and did my best to make one like it.

It was a pretty complicated pattern, but I love how it turned out.

I purposely made mine shorter, since Ellie kept tripping over her princess costume at the skate party last year.

GOLDFISH

And me as a Serving Wench

Cupcakes

I have been wanting to try frosting cupcakes this way for quite a while.

It is so trendy, and it looked like fun.

It turned out that it was harder than it loos to make it look good.

Good thing these cupcakes were good.

Really they were AWESOME, no just good.

And it was way fun frosting them.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/throwdown-with-bobby-flay/red-velvet-cupcakes-recipe/index.html

Yes they are Red Velvet cupcakes, but notice that distinct lack of red color.

I just couldn't make myself use an entire bottle of food coloring.
I mean food coloring is not good for you anyway, but that much must be really bad.
So I substituted 2 1/2 T balsamic vinegar for the food coloring.
And I used half of the butter it called for in the recipe.

YUMMO!!!!

Winter Smell?

Does your house ever get that stuffy-shut-up-too-long-to-keep-out-the-cold smell? Mine definitely does. To combat it I came up with a solution.

Baking soda absorbs smells, right? And it is harmless to carpets and other things, right? And essential oils smell good and are good for lots of things, right? So I mixed up some of my own carpet deodorizer.

1 16 oz box baking soda

30-40 drops essential oil (and since it is not used on the skin it is a great way to use up your cheap oils)

Mix well. Sprinkle on carpet. Let sit a while (20-40 minutes or so). Then vacuum up.

The options are endless, but here are a few ideas.

Combat Winter Blues

10 drops lemon oil

20 drops orange oil

10 drops grapefruit oil

Smells Good

10 drops lemon oil

20 drops lavender oil

10 drops tea tree oil

Christmas Delight

15 drops Clove oil

15 drops Cinnamon oil

5 drops Orange oil

Remember mix really well. If you don't, the oils could stain your carpet. But don't worry, it is really easy to mix.

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