Raw Milk

Ok, I know that some of you are going to think I'm crazy for this, but a few months ago, we started drinking raw milk. That's right, not pasteurization, no homogenization, but instead straight from cow to refrigerator.

Some friends from our small group had been talking about it, (funny, they talked us into raw milk but never mentioned the fact that they sell Amway...ha!) and how much they and their son have loved it. With a little research as well as picking up our friends' share for them one week, we were convinced. It didn't hurt that the farm is only ten minutes away and right behind our regular grocery store.

We love it. Love the taste, love the good nutrients and healthy bacteria it provides, love the freshness and local consuming of it. We especially love just going to the farm, seeing "our" cow along with the ducks and the pigs and the chickens. They also have fresh breads and meats and cheeses and eggs that we can pick up right there.

Personally, I have experienced one of the most amazing health benefits of this milk. Now, a few times a year I catch myself a cold. They are always the same. Sneezing, sore throat & runny nose for a few days and then progressing to a hacking cough for a week or more. I've mentioned before how great Zicam is. If you haven't tried it, take the chewable tablets or mouth spray right at the start of your cold (during the sore throat part--first day) and your cold will be noticeably shorter.

My friends, I think I found the natural version.

Since I am currently gestating, the only medicine I have been taking is the occasional Tylenol for a headache. I've had two colds this fall. Neither of them lasted longer than two or three days and neither of them made it past the sneezing and (very slight) sore throat. Milder than any cold I've ever had and never have I succeeded in avoiding the coughing stage.

I think it's time for some more hot cocoa with milk...

Feeling Crafty. Part 2.

At the moment I am working on completing my boy diaper stock. (In case I didn't mention it, I seem to be having a boy!) I finished the first of the "monkey buns" fabric and have another in that material to do today as well as a cool black & gray stripe. 

They are so soft and fabulous, I can't wait to use them! I want to be sure I have at least 12 various dipes to start with as those silly newborns go through diapers fast.

 It's hard to say if they will be small enough for my itty bitty dude or not, but they will work for some stage at least and then I plan to make bigger ones later. I also have no problem putting my child in pink diapers if need be. Little guy will be likely to play kitchen and dolls with his big sis anyway. 

The best part is that Andy has PJ pants in this fabric. 

Last night I whipped up some quick curtains for the play room. They aren't finished, but I have had the fabric for several months now so I wanted to get them at least started. The next step is purchasing some simple white felt for a thick, protective layer on the back. Especially in the winter, anything to keep out the cold is helpful. Our windows are newer but I can still feel the cold on

 them. After the felt, I'm going to add some dark blue ribbon ties to snug them up in the middle so I can still look out when I want to. 

And yes, that is indeed Dick & Jane fabric. I'm kind of in love with it. It perfectly complements the light yellow walls (that my favorite craigslist friend helped me paint!)  as well as the dark blue carpet and green & white box storage. Plus, it's darn cute. 

With all of this I'm trying to clear my list of projects after several new items as well as many fix-its and repairs and etc. Darning socks and sweaters, tightening buttonholes and replacing buttons, replacing broken zippers and repairing towel bibs.

I do so love my towel bibs. Over the past few months I have made several bibs of old towels trimmed with bias tape or ribbon and they are the best if I may say so myself. They always seem to work better at both preventing and cleaning up meal messes than any of our store-bought bibs. 

The very last thing on my current list is another work project. I need to build and cover a little bench seat for our preschool wing at church. Sadly, this has been on my list for many, many months. Yeesh. This is partly because I need my handy man to cut the wood for me before I shape the foam and staple on the fabric. Come ON, handy man, get to it! It's not like you have a huge list of things to do anywhere else in the house or anything. 

Feeling Crafty. Part 1.

I don't know if it's the fact that we've been happily cooped up for several days of serious snow weather lately or what, but I have been getting my craft on. 

Last week I sewed up a whole pile of new costumes for church. While we didn't end up using all of them for the children's event, we definitely needed new ones and it was fun playing with the different 

fabrics and textures and getting a little creative. 

I'd show a picture of us in some of the costumes, but apparently we were overcome with the holy spirit at the time...or else it was just a weird trick of the lighting because all that could be seen in the photo was a huge beam of light where we were standing. Hmm. 

This weekend I worked on a little snowflake project. You need a box of Borax, some heavy thread or yarn, a good-sized pitcher and some pipe cleaner. 

The measurements were 3 tablespoons of Borax to one cup of boiling water, but you could probably get away with a little less. I ended up making one large flake and one little one. 

After twisting the pipe cleaners into your desired flaky shape and tying on the string, hang it from a pencil or stick of some sort into the water. Be careful not to let it touch any of the sides or it will get stuck! This is an overnight project, so just pop it in the liquid and leave it for a while. 

The next morning (or evening, whenever you remember to pull it out...) you will have frosty snowflakes! The still seem to be a bit flexible but very icy. I just need to pick up some suction cups so I can hang it from my kitchen window.

 

This is an easy and fun project for the kids as well. Little to no mess and quick for short attention spans!

First Snow

Today was the first big snowfall (heck, first snowfall at all!) of the year. We figured the kiddo probably doesn't remember snow from last year and her grandparents had just bought her new snow pants and boots. Therefore, out she went with her new warm gear and her daddy in his flannel jeans. 

Every time he would shovel some of the sidewalk she would scoot her little feet behind on the cleared area. She was enthralled with the cold, white flakes on her mittens and tried valiantly to make snowballs but mostly ended up with white pancakes. 

The best part of the morning was the little snow person they made. She loved this little guy and even tried to kiss it (from a good foot away). She poked each of his eyes, patted his hair and helped stick in his little carrot nose. 

I have a feeling she could have stayed out much longer, but she started refusing to wear her mittens and her little fingers were getting mighty cold. 

Luckily for her, her mama made some cocoa and gave her a cookie to warm back up. Mmm. Remember how great it used to be to play in the snow and then come in to cocoa and cookies? Maybe that's one of the best parts of kids. We get to relive our favorite things from childhood with them!

Now we just need to get a sled so we can pull her around the neighborhood and over to the park.