Sore Throat Remedy Review

Last night I woke up at 4 am with my throat just raw and on fire. It hurt so bad to swallow as I was trying to drink some water. Since I was awake and irritated, I decided to do what any sane person does at 4am... Check out Pinterest of course.  Actually, I still can't believe I did that... Usually if I wake in the night and can't fall back to sleep - I just lay there.. Annoyed. Tossing and turning, which leads to more annoyance ... So of course I can't sleep!  However, I am not one of those good people (I know you are out there!) who figure since they are up, they might as well start the day.  No. Not me. I will lay there till my alarm goes off, and even then probably hit snooze!

But I just knew last night Pinterest <in all it's glory> was going to bring me some relief!  I started searching for natural remedies for a sore throat.  Well, there were many.  Many of which I did not have the herbs or extracts needed.  However, I saw a few recipes for a Sore Throat Tea that seemed promising.  After reading a few, I knew I had the ingredients on hand so I stumbled to the kitchen, ready for relief ;) 

I didn't pin the ones I read to tell you the truth.. I just grabbed what I had and threw it together.. Guessing on the amounts as I went.  This is what I used:

          *Apple cider vinegar

          *Honey

          *Pepper

          *Cinnamon

          *Lemon juice

   (No worries... I didn't take the pics at 4am!)

A few things about the above pic.  First, I Love the sign above my stove!  My sister got it for me for Mother's Day (found on wise above all... Pinterest! i take it very seriously.) Second, of course the all natural remedies on life saving Pinterest called for real lemon juice, real cinnamon shavings, and freshly ground pepper.  To this I say .. "Close enough just like in horseshoes and hand grenades."  The honey however, IS organic.. Score me.  

{side note... Anyone else just think of Bee Movie... The honey .. "It's organic." Said defensive human.  "It's our ganic" said said defenseless bee.     No?  Just me huh?  I hear that movie in the car a lot}

Anyway, heat up some water.  Add 2 Tbsp honey, 2 Tbsp vinegar, 1Tbsp lemon juice, a few shakes of pepper and a few of cinnamon .. Stir.   

Bottoms Up!

I've made it a few times now.. It does have some healing qualities about it.  It's not bad at all!  It feels good sipping hot tea (when it's 88 and very humid,) that has a punch to it.  The "punch" makes you feel like you are going to show this sore throat who's boss!  At least for a brief time.  

Thanks to Pinterest for saving the day! 

Ps.. I did fall back to sleep last night... So I'm betting on the tea! Maybe I should have done what my Grandma Hodinka always says... "Put some whiskey in it!"  ... 

That's my next step if this crud doesn't leave soon!

Germs Be Gone! (please)

A Gentle {and visual} Reminder

Are the Germs still hanging around your house?  Here, we are (dare I say) in a good place.  (ok, i am sure that will lead to some new bug nesting in our home.)  But hopefully with this little reminder I've set out.. we can keep those buggy friends at bay!

It is nothing special at all... but it has helped everyone to remember to 

1. Use a tissue (as opposed to a sleeve).

2. Throw it away (as opposed to laying it on the counter next to the box.. the same counter that happens to be just above the trash can.  Hmmm...)

3. Wash hands before resuming to all important activities.

Now, some of us have more trouble with certain numbers listed above than others... but I think the benefits are felt by all. 

it's the little things...

arrow for additional reminder of WHERE to "throw" .. just incase

see.. it even rhymes.. Addie practices a little reading, phonics, and cleanliness now with each (and there are many) Blow!

Happy Friday!!

I think I'm going to bring back "pass it on"... (the 1 a day  posts in october that i did).  Not every day.. but aren't the little tips that help you in your day your favorite??  

they are for me.

Plans Changed

What is more fun than unpacking from a trip to two grandparents' houses at Christmas time (read "car full of spoiled grandchildren fun") ?? .... Adding to the mix one very sick little boy!  Ok so "fun" is not the correct word at all, but you catch my drift.  Poor Micah started feeling pretty crummy right before we left Ohio, where we visited family after Christmas for a week.  Actually I was hoping to post some fun pictures of our trip this weekend, but alas, plans changed.

Because when you have a sick kid... Everything changes.

Your heart just hurts and aches for them.  It's hard feeling helpless - to not be able to make it better.  It's even worse, I think, when they are so small and can't quite tell you what's hurting them. Micah managed to tell me "All done. All done ouch."...  In the most pathetic sounding voice you ever heard. It broke my heart.  The poor guy managed to tough it out through a 14 hour car ride over two days and I was so thankful for that.  I didn't want to stop somewhere along the way to pay a visit to the ER.

Trying to relax

resting in the hotel.. sad!

  I just wanted to make it to our home.  We did.. On Friday night.  So Saturday we paid a visit to a local ER.  Jacksonville friends... If you ever need to go to an urgent care might I suggest Crucial Care.    It is a fully staffed and equipped ER, without having to go to the ER.  It feels like a private doctor's office, not like a hospital.  The staff is so friendly and attentive. They even brought me a blanket and offered coffee or tea and water cold or room temp!! For a moment I thought I was at the spa! Lol.  Seriously though, I have had to take Micah there two times because he likes to need medical care on the weekends, and both times I have been very pleased with the care and service.

So my poor baby has tested positive for RSV, RSV pneumonia , plus had double ear infections and pink eye! Hot mess to say the least.  Breathing treatments have helped him and antibiotics have stopped him from pulling on his ears.  He's still a snot mess and just has that sick look to him. He is so sad and pathetic to look at.

I never got that run in outside like I was thinking about while in the below freezing temps in Ohio. But I did "run" to the store and pharmacy about 6 times.  I didn't get to unpack completely or take down my Christmas decorations.  But I did get to spend some extra time in comfy clothes and log some snuggle time that is rare for this fast moving boy. I didn't go to church today.  But God and I have talked a lot this weekend.

The start of my new year sure changed.  But, when you have a sick kid, everything changes.

Glittery Fantasticness.. for a quick gift

I am a last minute type.  I just am. Tuesday is the last day of school this week... and I had nothing for the teachers.. just something little to say "I am thankful for you!".   So today while on the treadmill I decided I would to go to Micheal's - after collapsing of course- in search of the clear glass bulbs I needed.  I wanted to try this glittery fantasticness last Christmas and never got around to it. This year... watch out!! I may do one of these for everyone I know.. they are that easy!!  Highly recommend you try.

Here's how the ornaments turned out :)

GLITTERY FANTASTICNESS

Aren't they pretty?  And guess what.. the glitter is on the inside, so no mess.  Awesome.

All you need is: Mop and Glo, Clear Glass Bulbs, Extra Fine Glitter

Pour the Mop and Glo into the bulb. Don't worry how much - you will drain out the extra.  Swirl it around, but don't shake it so it ddoesn't create bubbles.

Drain the liquid.

Use your pinkie to get the froth off of the edge.

Pour Glitter inside - again you will dump any extra.

Rotate to cover the inside.

Dump any extra back in the container.  Tap the bulb to get any lose glitter.

Don't you just love?  So Glittery and Shiny!

I really liked how they turned out.  But I decided to personalize them a little with a last initial.  I wanted to try the glass glitter paint so I used it to stencil.

First I tried just filling it in the actual stencil.  I used a Q-tip to smooth the edges.

For the 2nd bulb, I traced the stencil on paper.  Much better!

drying

The kids each wrote a note to their teacher.. Garrett told his he is so thankful for her.  Addie told hers she loves her and drew little hearts ;)  I too am so thankful for their teachers.. thank you!

3 little words

This morning got off to a not so great start.  It was raining out and crawling back in bed seemed like the most desirable plan.. it could not happen of course.  What needed to happen was an extra quick get ready performance by the big kids (hahahaha.. i laugh at myself).  Typically I bring them to school because the bus comes at 7:45 and school doesn't start till 8:30, in which we live a distance of 5 miles.  So I know hurrying to get to the bus stop would result in a lot more nagging, yelling, and whining.. which is just a bad way to start off the day.  I chose to avoid.  Well, this morning.. my suspicions were proven correctly. Today I needed the kids to ride the bus today so that I could take Micah to a friend's house so I could volunteer in Garrett's class. 

*** Enter nagging, yelling, and whining. ***

After loading them up in the car (their stop is .5 mile up the road- we'd have to start at 6am!)  We get there
and......
We Missed The Bus! (of course). 

Driving to the school, knowing I was going to have to do some serious backtracking and would most certainly be late, was painful. Painful because I told them that buses, trains, planes, and ships will not wait for anyone... which echoed the voice of my swim coach on summer mornings telling me that I would miss the ship even if it were headed on a cruise.  Probably true.

It actually was a good lesson for all of us.  But I felt so terrible showing up so late for Garrett's teacher! I absolutely love helping in the classes.  Maybe it is because I grew up a "principal's daughter", but I get excited about the inner workings of the school.  Room mom, field trips, PTO.. sign me up!  crazy.  Anyway, there was a mix-up with the students id numbers for the computers that I needed to do testing on books they had read.  Garrett's teacher felt just as bad as I had because I couldn't do what I had come in for.  I read with some kids and that was fine.  Things happen.  life.

I was walking out the door and Mrs. H said sorry one more time.  And then she made my day.. heck .. my week!  3 little words.  She said "I appreciate you."  It resonated so much more than a simple "thank you" would have.  "Thank you" would have been fine.  But I bet I would not have thought much about it passed that moment.  But what she intentionally said stayed with me the rest of the day. "I appreciate you."  It made me smile.  It brought purpose to a crazy morning.  I felt valued. 

As our day to day life flies by we so often forget to tell those we love that we appreciate them and what they do.  We take each other for granted.  We rush out the door, and we miss the bus.  We miss so many opportunities to acknowledge someone, even in a little way.

 I wonder what would happen if today we told someone in our lives that they are appreciated.  Would that someone feel valued?  Would they then pass it on to another?   A chain reaction may be on the horizon!

Try it, would you?  It won't be comfortable,  "Thank you" is easier.  But it will be intentional and meaningful -and it might just leave a greater impact.

Just a thought to Pass IT On!

Thankfulness Window

Usually I have done a "Thankful Tree" where we add leaves with things we are thankful for.  Last year I was especially fond of our Thankful Tumbleweed Tree :)  but there are no tumbleweeds (thank goodness) in Florida :)  I decided to go totally simple.. but fun!

Here is our Thankfulness Window!  

Excuse the poor photos.  It was really difficult to capture to see the the writing on the windows.  

22 Thankful Days - Addison

22 Thankful Days - Garrett

Since these windows are located right behind our kitchen table, each night we talk about something we are thankful for and we add it to our list.  Why I was writing it for the first few days, I'm not sure... clearly the kids are much better... Addie even drew a few pictures. On day 4 she was thankful for going to the beach and she drew a beach ball :)  On day 5 she liked that we went for a walk and she drew herself walking and a smile :)  Her writing also gets smeared and on her hand... she's a lefty!

We have been having fun with these Crayola Window Markers!  Something so simple.. but so fun! 

 

Addie as she draws a beautiful mural on our sliding glass doors :)

Pass IT On!
Pick up a pack of these fun markers.. your kids will love you! (well, until you make them practice spelling and math on the windows... and even that was cool for a few days!)

Passing IT On to a few awesome sites...

Today's Creative Blog

Someday Crafts
Cherished Bliss

day 31

Today is: Day 31 of Pass IT On!


I'm glad I took this 31 days of writing on one topic challenge.  It has been fun... coming up with things I think are worth passing on.  Things crafty, helpful, informative, or just interesting.  It has been surprising.. surprising in that there really is something every day that can be shared!  and It has been rewarding.. I have had some really kind comments, and for that I am very appreciative!

Thanks for reading!  I am Passing On my gratitude :)

Amie

Easy Go To Dinner

Today is: Day 30 of Pass IT On!

Easy Dinners.  Who doesn't like that?

This is one of my Go To dinners. Why?  Well...
                                                                1. It is easy. 
                                                                2. Kids love it.  
                                                                3. I usually have all ingredients
                                                                4. It is easy


I got it from All Recipes.  I get their daily emails and quite often they end up as meals on our table.   They are usually easy with normal foods, and  kid approved.  :)  Win.

Ingredients

Original recipe makes 8 sandwiches Change Servings

• 4 large skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 1 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons mustard
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 cup maple syrup

• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 dashes hot pepper sauce, or to taste (optional)
    
• I don't measure all the ingredients per-say... but using this outline.. it always turns out good!                                                                                                                                                                                You may want to have it ready for before or after Trick Or Treat :)                                                     

Speak a note

Today is: Day 29 of Pass IT On!

I am forgetful.  Very forgetful.  I have tried about every different way of remembering to do things that there is.  But still I find, nothing beats writing it down.  Making a list.  Crossing it off!! It is a great feeling.  Yes, I confess to having many lists going at one time.  Lists of lists.  Consolidating lists.  It's probably a clinical diagnosis.  I have little note pads (the kind you get in the dollar bins at Target and Micheal's) stashed all over. And Post-Its!  Well I love them!! (I was slightly obsessed with Post-Its in college.. especially during exam time.  They kept me sane, but they may have slightly annoyed my roommates... ;)

One of my biggest annoyances is when I think of something I need to do, remember, or worse.. a really good idea and I can't write it down.  Because 99.9% of the time... that thought is lost.  This happens a lot when I'm driving.  I can do some good thinking then, provided my passengers are happily entertained with a movie (don't judge).   So someone told me what they do in situations like this... and I instantly wanted to yell, "why didn't i think of that?!  duh!!"   and because information like this is not earth shattering , but may be life altering... I'm Passing IT On!

Cell phone.  Use it. 
There are plenty of recording apps and some that are specifically for lists.  I have been using Evernote on my android phone.  It is great in that i can record a message (a yellow post-it, if you will) and it is stored right on my home screen.  It's been working really well ...when I remember to check the note!  LOL..

Just a little tidbit for ya.. try it out and take a load off your mind! 

.... now I just need something to help with those great lists I make in the shower.  dry erase marker!?

Spray Paint Squaring Off

Today Is: Day 28 of Pass IT On!

I have been enjoying some spray painting lately .. it is just fun (and addicting) to change the look of something old and make it new again! 

Since it is a rather new hobby of mine, I was a little unsure of which brand I wanted to use as a Go To brand.  So I put two of them to the test.  Since moving into our home, we have spent a lot of time (and Money!) at Lowe's.  So not surprisingly, during some of our many trips... I have come home with a can or two of spray paint ;)

On the few projects that I had done in the past, I always used Valspar (the Lowe's brand).  They have an amazing selection that seems to just keep getting bigger with more and more colors!  Seasonal ones too!

Can you tell which way I'm casting my vote here yet?

I used the Rustoleum Universal on a small table that was painted black.  And I wanted white.  I had read somewhere that this paint worked really well on such a project.  Well... The paint kept beading up (humidity doesn't help but I did try to do it on days when it was low).  It would pull together and streak.  After letting it dry really well, I decided to try the Valspar over it before starting over and sanding it down.  Yay!  It worked!  The Valspar covered all the streaks and it dried a nice smooth surface.  *Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures of the paint pulling and streaking.  :(   But here's what it started out looking like:

Yes, I am totally aware of the frog looking thing.. I would not have been snapping a pic if it was a frog! It is steel wool.

And here's the after..

It is part of a Make Over Experience going on in Addison's room.  Love the fun knobs she picked out at Hobby Lobby.  "ballet pink"  her signature color.   Which is the name of the Valspar Spray I used on this little table for her room... (I will show more of the vanity in a later post)

Vanity Table

 Finally, here is a cute Lowe's shopper..

**I am not in anyway paid by Lowes.. I WISH!  We sure pay them enough! These are just my opinions on a few cans of spray paint.  Obviously not an exhaustive study.. but it was Fun!!  Totally what creating in your home should be. FUN.

Candy Corn

Today Is: Day 27 of Pass IT On!


Today I am sharing, or more accurately "resharing", a little project I made last year for the teachers for Halloween Party day.  Very easy and Cute :)


aren't they cute? easy too.

i made them for the teachers for a little halloween gift. they deserve something for putting up the sugar high kids ... and sugar let down kids the next day.

it's just a Styrofoam ball painted yellow. hot glue candy corn. put it on a halloween pencil. stick it in a jar filled with candy.. or like i did here... a formula can and wrap a dish towel around.

Fall Mantel (or mantel like..)

Today is: Day 25 of Pass IT On!

I am enjoying everything about our new home so much.  Everything.. but one thing.  NO Mantel.  I actually had never had a mantel until our last home, in Nevada.  And with the cold winter months in full gear I challenged myself to change it at least monthly.  Loved it.  A friend once told me "I don't think I have ever come to your house with your mantel looking exactly the same as the last time I was here."  Ultimate compliment!!   So I am not sure how I over looked  the fact that this house doesn't have a fireplace.. and thus no mantel.  In fact, I swore it did!  After we got back to Nevada from our house hunting trip to Florida we were out to eat with some friends and we were telling them about the house.  It was there that I learned we in fact, did not have a mantel.  It was quite traumatic for me.. and knowing me so well, my friend Jessie realized immediately this was going to be a moment to remember.  She whipped out her phone and took a series of pictures of my facial expressions as I realized I was going to be "mantelless".  (oh i wish i had those pics now.. funny!)  I believe I took a long sip of my margarita .... sigh.

Fast forward to today in said no mantel home.  Luckily (?) for me we needed a new entertainment center for the tv and knowing my desire for a central decor spot.. my husband found the perfect one.  Drawers for some storage under the tv and above is a mantel replacement.  There.. happy wife.. happy life ;)  lol.

So for fall I was ready to make something fun and colorful (the entertainment center is white and the wall behind it is still the boring light beige .. and it is driving me crazy!).  I'm happy to say I think I accomplished my goal.   I sometimes find my self looking at it instead of the tv!!

fall mantel

These pumpkins were so easy and turned out really great.

***Mod Podge Alert!!!  It's so fun :)
I had some fallish fabrics that i wanted to do something with.  So I went to the Dollar Tree to find some really cheap hideous pumpkins.   I didn't want to use real ones in case they turned out fabulous so I could save them.  And if they weren't a hit, at least I didn't pay a lot for them.  Check out these bright things!

I took my fabric and cut it into strips that would fit from stem to bottom of the really ugly pumpkins. Then I brushed on the Mod Podge.  That's it.  Totally simple After it dried I filled in a few spots and painted the stems brown.

The Autumn Blessings was a gift from a sweet friend... it made me smile.

 And How Bout Those CUTE OWLS?!

 Another Total dollar store find.. transformed!  I knew the kids would like to paint them.

Cute Owls and added a glittered curly thing (technical craft term) to the pumpkin

 So these little friends started out maybe more hideous than the sad pumpkins... but lucky for them, I saw something more.  I buffed them with a sander so the paint would adhere better and buffed them again after they were dry to dull them.

Here's something funny.. last night I was checking out some links to the craft parties where I linked my Halloween Mesh wreath

and i stumbled upon another cute little owl!  Great minds think alike...check out Katie's cute little green owl at The Crafty Blog Stalker

Love that it's finally looking a little like fall here.. even if my mums aren't taking the heat so well out front :(

Passing it on at:
Do something Crafty
Categorically Crafting
The 36th Avenue
Cherished Bliss
Today's Creative Blog
Someday Crafts