Monday, March 26, 2012
Wow, has it really been this long?
I really thought that blogging would be good for me, but I have been negligent! The simple life was derailed by, well, life! I also started up a new blog, "The Trendy Tastebud" to showcase my attempt to pair my foodie-Esq ways with a change of lifestyle. I am in the last year of my twenties (even though I plan to stay 29 forever) and I have bad habits to break and a new me to embrace! So even though I am going to keep this post short I will attempt to make more posts on this journey (here and at Trendy Tastebud)! Blessings to all as you go on your journey!
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Wow...What a Week!
Well, I wanted to come on and say hello to everyone and write a brief blog posting. I have been ill since Monday and suffered some sort of allergic reaction on Thursday evening...which turned me into a giant strawberry...ahhhhh! Luckily, it wasn't severe and able to be taken care of with medicine. Only downside, I have to try and retrace anything new added into my life within the last couple of weeks...food, lotion, etc. So as I begin my investigation, I hope you all are enjoying your last week before Christmas! Be safe and stay warm :)
Monday, December 6, 2010
Keep Yourself Healthy
As I woke up this morning, feeling pretty icky, I decided that I would share some home remedies that have been given to me over the years to help prevent sickness during the winter months. Well, they will work anytime, but they seem most appropriate since sickness is creeping up all over this season. Of course, these never take the place of a Doctor, and should be used with your best judgement. They simply may relieve symptoms, but again, do not replace your health care regimen.
If you have an ear ache, especially if you feel that there is excess moisture in your ear, fill a clean tube sock with one cup of dry rice and heat in microwave for about 15-20 seconds, just until it feels warm to the touch. Place your affected ear on the warm, rice filled sock (place it on a pillow and take a snooze) for about one hour (or longer if you can). The dry rice will attract moisture out of the ear and the warmth will help to soothe the ear ache.
Think you are starting to get a cold? Rub a thin layer of vapor rub on the bottom of your feet and cover with socks. Wear it all night and wash off in the morning.
Stuffy nose? Add 2 cups of hot water to a medium-sized container (best if you use something that will only be utilized for non-food related purposes), something like a dishpan. Position your head over the container and place a bath towel over your head and the container. The steam will help to break-down the mucus. You can also eat something slightly spicy, like salsa, it will help to open up those passages!
Well those are just a few of my home tips and tricks...hopefully they will help me to feel better this evening. Have a great and healthy day!
If you have an ear ache, especially if you feel that there is excess moisture in your ear, fill a clean tube sock with one cup of dry rice and heat in microwave for about 15-20 seconds, just until it feels warm to the touch. Place your affected ear on the warm, rice filled sock (place it on a pillow and take a snooze) for about one hour (or longer if you can). The dry rice will attract moisture out of the ear and the warmth will help to soothe the ear ache.
Think you are starting to get a cold? Rub a thin layer of vapor rub on the bottom of your feet and cover with socks. Wear it all night and wash off in the morning.
Stuffy nose? Add 2 cups of hot water to a medium-sized container (best if you use something that will only be utilized for non-food related purposes), something like a dishpan. Position your head over the container and place a bath towel over your head and the container. The steam will help to break-down the mucus. You can also eat something slightly spicy, like salsa, it will help to open up those passages!
Well those are just a few of my home tips and tricks...hopefully they will help me to feel better this evening. Have a great and healthy day!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Outside the snow is falling...
The snow will soon be falling and I am just getting myself in the mood for a chilly weekend! Tomorrow is the Home for the Holidays event in downtown Winchester and the square will be filled hustle and bustle during "A Dickens' Christmas"! I will be at The Cashmere Cat from 3-5pm, so come in and say hello! We'll have refreshments and lots of items for you to browse. So, in honor of the Christmas spirit, I wanted to take the time to share with you some homemade gift ideas that are sure to put a smile on ones face and not break the bank!
Homemade Candle
Do you have leftover wax from a burnt-out candle or some broken crayons? Don't throw it out! Melt left over wax, crayons, etc. in a double boiler and pour into a cardboard or heavy card stock container (half-n-half cartons work well) in your desired shape and add wick! Let cool and remove (typically cut) container. Voila! You may add scented oils or such to make them smell extra good. Don't want a candle? Use broken crayons and follow the same steps, but pour them into lined-muffin tins. When cool, you have large, new colored crayons! This beats the new $30 crayon maker!
Recipe Collection
Take a few of your favorite recipes and write them out by hand or make copies on festive paper. Add them to a recipe box, recipe scrapbook, etc. and gift them to the ones you love.
Creative Floral Arrangements
Floral pieces during the Christmas season can be so expensive and limited! Look at your local grocery or super-store for a bouquet of fresh flowers or potted plant. Dress the plant up with ribbons, tinsel or small ornaments within or on the planter. Opted for loose flowers...choose a clear container and cut flowers to size (don't forget to cut on an angle) and add to vase. Now you can add that extra special touch...float cranberries in the container with the flowers, color the water with gel food coloring (if you have white flowers, they will turn colors) or add slices of fruit! Keep your flowers fresh longer by adding a teaspoon of bleach to the water!
Enjoy and make something special this season :)
Homemade Candle
Do you have leftover wax from a burnt-out candle or some broken crayons? Don't throw it out! Melt left over wax, crayons, etc. in a double boiler and pour into a cardboard or heavy card stock container (half-n-half cartons work well) in your desired shape and add wick! Let cool and remove (typically cut) container. Voila! You may add scented oils or such to make them smell extra good. Don't want a candle? Use broken crayons and follow the same steps, but pour them into lined-muffin tins. When cool, you have large, new colored crayons! This beats the new $30 crayon maker!
Recipe Collection
Take a few of your favorite recipes and write them out by hand or make copies on festive paper. Add them to a recipe box, recipe scrapbook, etc. and gift them to the ones you love.
Creative Floral Arrangements
Floral pieces during the Christmas season can be so expensive and limited! Look at your local grocery or super-store for a bouquet of fresh flowers or potted plant. Dress the plant up with ribbons, tinsel or small ornaments within or on the planter. Opted for loose flowers...choose a clear container and cut flowers to size (don't forget to cut on an angle) and add to vase. Now you can add that extra special touch...float cranberries in the container with the flowers, color the water with gel food coloring (if you have white flowers, they will turn colors) or add slices of fruit! Keep your flowers fresh longer by adding a teaspoon of bleach to the water!
Enjoy and make something special this season :)
Monday, November 29, 2010
I am so thankful!
We were blessed to have such a beautiful Thanksgiving season this year! 5 Thanksgiving get togethers, plus an Anniversary party and I may need a new wardrobe that includes bigger pants ha ha! Only kidding, I minded my eating (mostly) and even received a comment about losing a few pounds (totally made my day). I thought that I would take this opportunity to list everything that I am thankful for this beautiful day:
My amazing husband
My beautiful family
My sensational friends
My health
My happiness
My job (soon to be jobs)
My home
My freedom
God Bless you all as you enter this holiday season and remember the true meaning of what we are about to celebrate!
My amazing husband
My beautiful family
My sensational friends
My health
My happiness
My job (soon to be jobs)
My home
My freedom
God Bless you all as you enter this holiday season and remember the true meaning of what we are about to celebrate!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Chasing my own tail :)
Wow! 70 degree temps in the middle of November...what state do I live in again? The weather has been so gorgeous and it gave me the perfect day to get lots of errand running accomplished, yay! Next week is the Randolph County Extension Homemakers annual Time for Trees event and I have been blessed to be a part of the planning committee for the past 3 years. Local home ec clubs, businesses and organizations decorate 3' Christmas trees or wreaths and show case them while accepting silent bids. We also have very generous businesses, organizations and individuals that donate gifts/gift certificates that are used as door prizes or silent auction items. Let me tell you, the people of Randolph County are simply amazing! We have had such an out pouring of generous support and I am sure my husband will be the first in line to place some bids (he loves auctions). All of the proceeds go to the local food pantry and we typically raise well over a thousand dollars to donate! There will also be refreshments, live entertainment and a visit from Santa and his lovely wife. So, if you would like to support us, please visit Husted Hall from 10:00am-6:00pm on November 18th. Entertainment will begin at 3pm.
Winchester is also getting ready for its annual Christmas on the Square. This year I will get to work at The Cashmere Cat and show off some of our fantastic items. I know that I am a bit partial, since I work there and all, but the shop is simply lovely and we have very quality items. We recently brought in Kellie's Kreation air fresheners and they are so wonderful and affordable! $2.00 and your car, room, storage area, etc. will smell amazing! I have the love spell (made popular by Victoria's Secret) in my van and it permeated the space within 25 minutes! My Mom bought the coffee scent to put in her kitchen...I came in last night to the disappointment that coffee was not brewing :( However, her kitchen smells like a Sunday morning! We also got a new shipment of the FireSide coffees and cocoas...whaooo! Marta and I are especially fond of the pumpkin pie mocha! So if you have a chance, stop by the shop.
Well there is my little spiel for the day...just my thoughts and tidbits rolled into one. I hope you all have a blessed and wonderful day!
Winchester is also getting ready for its annual Christmas on the Square. This year I will get to work at The Cashmere Cat and show off some of our fantastic items. I know that I am a bit partial, since I work there and all, but the shop is simply lovely and we have very quality items. We recently brought in Kellie's Kreation air fresheners and they are so wonderful and affordable! $2.00 and your car, room, storage area, etc. will smell amazing! I have the love spell (made popular by Victoria's Secret) in my van and it permeated the space within 25 minutes! My Mom bought the coffee scent to put in her kitchen...I came in last night to the disappointment that coffee was not brewing :( However, her kitchen smells like a Sunday morning! We also got a new shipment of the FireSide coffees and cocoas...whaooo! Marta and I are especially fond of the pumpkin pie mocha! So if you have a chance, stop by the shop.
Well there is my little spiel for the day...just my thoughts and tidbits rolled into one. I hope you all have a blessed and wonderful day!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Baby steps...baby steps!
The first day of any change can be scary, but this was happy and exciting! Isn't it strange how we can start to transform ourselves with one tiny adjustment in our habits? That is exactly how this journey is going to move forward, small adjustments and transformations...all in baby steps! It didn't all creep up on me one day, so it sure isn't going to creep off of me overnight either (oh I wish). I guess patience truly is a virtue that I must hold on to.
Last night, I sat down and watched Biggest Loser with Steven. These contestants are power-houses with exercise energy that only most can imagine. I realize that they have very unique circumstances (no job, no family, nothing to do but work out while at the ranch), but they still show dedication at home of the finale of the show would be pretty boring. I do draw encouragement from the show, but have the where-with-all to realize that losing 20 pounds in a week isn't realistic or very healthy. I would be happy to lose that in a month!
So, what baby step should I incorporate today? More water! Yes, I am going to strive to drink the necessary amount of H2O today, so wish me luck! Water is by far not my favorite drink, but I shall learn to love it!
Have an amazing and blessed day!
Last night, I sat down and watched Biggest Loser with Steven. These contestants are power-houses with exercise energy that only most can imagine. I realize that they have very unique circumstances (no job, no family, nothing to do but work out while at the ranch), but they still show dedication at home of the finale of the show would be pretty boring. I do draw encouragement from the show, but have the where-with-all to realize that losing 20 pounds in a week isn't realistic or very healthy. I would be happy to lose that in a month!
So, what baby step should I incorporate today? More water! Yes, I am going to strive to drink the necessary amount of H2O today, so wish me luck! Water is by far not my favorite drink, but I shall learn to love it!
Have an amazing and blessed day!
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