HAVE A COLD?

I had a horrible head cold all weekend. I tried a couple approaches to trying to clear the congestion. The results are in!

Sniffing an onion can clear a head cold.

This idea was gross, but I tried it anyway. While it did help for about 20 minutes the congestion was back with a vengeance. Every sniff just lead to a heavier dose of mucus. I only did this for the first day and quickly became annoyed. This is one I am going to say failed.

Ginger tea can clear a head cold.

This approach actually did help- a lot. I used this 3-4 times a day for 3 days. That means I made one 4 cup batch a day. The first day it helped some, but both days after I noticed huge improvements. My cold is gone now! My youngest daughter has the cold, but thanks to the ginger tea is is not getting any worse and she is able to sleep at night.

I am going to say this was a huge success!




GINGER TEA

Boil 4 cups of water on the stove. Pour over 2-3 inches of cut up ginger root (fresh). Let steep for 15-30 minutes. Pour through a fine mesh strainer.



Pour into a cup with a dusting of sugar or honey (takes the bitter edge off). Drink while still warm.

FAGIOLI SOUP

This is a hit every time. We enjoy this and it is great to take to new moms. Mild in taste, but healthy. There are a million ways to spice this one up. Just play with it! The recipe calls for specific beans, but we just use whatever is in the pantry. This time it was red kidney and garbanzo. Enjoy!




Pasta Fagioli Soup
In a large crock pot combine: 1pound cooked ground beef, 1 small onion diced (or can use dry), 3 stalks celery (opt.), 3 carrots diced(or hand full of baby carrots), 2 cloves garlic, minced, 2 cans(14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes, 1 can (15 oz.) red kidney beans, 1 can (15oz.) great northern beans, 1 can (15 oz.) tomato sauce, 1 can (12 oz.) V-8 juice, 1 Tbs Worcestershire sauce, 1-2 cups water, 1/4-1/2 c. red wine, 1 1/2 t. salt, 1 t oregano, 1 t basil, 1/2 t. pepper, 1/2 t. thyme.






Cook on low 10 hours or high 6 hours. In the last hour of cooking add 1/4 lb. little shell pasta (can sub. another shape) and turn temp to high.

FOUR!!

Yes, I have four kids. But not every time you hear "four" coming out of my mouth does it mean we are searching for the youngest. We enjoy a wide range of out door activities, and always have the kids in tow.

Lately we have been doing quite a bit of Disc Golf or if any of you are located in Missoula, Montana: folf. I played quite a bit while growing up in Missoula. Friends and I would hit the unmarked course at Pattee Canyon, or drive up to Blue Mountain where there was an official course. Recently my husband got into it and we found some friends that do it here. It quickly became a family activity.



We enjoy going out with the kids, but not getting hit with the discs. We are trying to teach them to shout four, and in turn listen for the shout. So far the results have been hit and miss... no pun intended.

Number one has quite an arm, but no aiming ability. Duck and cover is generally the best with her. She tends to "forget" to shout out to whomever is in her path.

Number two has his mom's backward arm. He throws side style, and can do quite well. That said, your ankles are never safe with him behind you. The extra skip and roll will chase you down!

Number three is a bit too girly to really enjoy this activity. She spends most of her time picking flowers.

Number four has his own baby size disc that comes flying out of the stroller on occasion. His usual victim is number three. This leads to shrieks of laughter on his end and shrieks of dramatized pain on her end. Doesn't this seem like a fun outing?

Once in a while somebody gets really nailed with the disc... usually when they are not paying attention and walk in the way. They are getting better about paying attention. Learning the hard way isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes it makes them learn faster... mom and dad too.

SMELLY CAR

This is a car lot trick. We discovered it from a used car manager after numbers 2 and 3 had thrown up in my car.

We cleaned the entire back seat with every available cleaner and could still smell the foul milk! We were told to cut up a couple apples and lemons and place them in a pie dish with just a touch of water and place it in the back seat. We rolled up all the windows and let the car sit with the fruit in it for a day or two. When we got back in the odor was gone! The apples and lemon absorb the bad odor.

I have had many friends use this technique. All of them have had success weather it be spilled milk, broken wine bottle in the trunk, the sports smell, or a mystery odor from their kids. This is just a good one to keep in mind.

SALT WATER FOR MOUTH PROBLEMS?

A wive's tale says to use warm salt water for sore spots in one's mouth or throat. This is supposed to help with bad breath, drain any infection and numb pain.

My trials on this have been successfull to some degree. My son, husband and I have tried this for gum or tooth pain. The pain did subside some. As far as bad breath and draining infection I can not draw any conclusions as I am not medically inclined.

Our whole family has tried the warm salt water gargling for sore throat. The results were spotty. 2 of 6 of us in the house had good results and continue to use it. I suppose this along with so many other wive's tales is subjective to pain levels and other personal prefrances.

CHICKEN PIE WITH BISCUIT TOPPING

I made this lastnight. Sorry I forgot to take pictures, but it was a winner. Every member of our family had seconds and the kids were dying to know if we had leftovers. They want to eat it as snack before their various activities this week. Here it is!!

CHICKEN PIE WITH BISCUIT TOPPING

Bring 2 1/2 c. water and 1/2 c. wine seasoned with 1/4 tsp. rosemary, 1/2 tsp. thyme, 1/2 tsp. basil, and 1/4 tsp marjoram. Add 4 chicken breast (frozen or fresh), 1 onion chopped, 4 carrots chopped (or a couple handfulls of baby carrots), and 1 large potato chopped. Boil 30-45 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.

Use a slotted spoon to remove chicken and veggies from water. Place veggies in a 9X13 casserole and add chicken after cutting into cubes. Add 1/2 c. each frozen peas, corn and spinach.

In a large pan melt down 1/3 c. butter (or can do 1/3c. olive oil and 1 TBSP. butter) and whisk in 1/3 c. flour. After a few minutes of allowing rue to cook add in 1 c. evaporated milk or cream. Add boiling water from chicken and veggies to thin into a gravy consistancy. Pour over veggies and chicken and stir to coat.

Combine in a large bowl 2 c. flour, 4 tsp. baking powder, and 1 tsp. salt. Cut in 1/3 c. shortening. Mix in 1/3 c. evaporated milk. Roll out on a floured surface to 1/2 inch thickness. Use a 2 inch cookie cutter (or open end of a water glass) to cut biscuits. Place biscuits over contents of casserole dish.

Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken mixture is warmed through and biscuits are lightly browned.

VACATION DAYS AND WHAT THEY DO TO US

When you are "just a mom" everyday is the same routine. Get up, feed my army, get everybody dressed, have some kind of a catastrophe to clean... not even 9am yet... get the older kids off to school. Finally 9 o'clock. Get the exercising out of the way, shower if I am lucky, do some house work, make lunch, clean up whatever the two year old has destroyed while the cleaning was happening, work on any sewing orders I have to fill, get after a dog or two, pick up the kids at school, do homework, do taekwondo/diving lessons/dance lessons/scouts/whatever else has been penciled in, throw together dinner, get the army in bed, spend a hour or so with my husband, and then off to sleep. Repeat for at least 5 days every week. Finally the weekend comes. I take an hour to read in the morning, do yoga/exercise with the kids, forget about the housework, and live for fun. Weekends are my release from the week.

I like my rough and tumble routine. It is chaos, but chaos is a near and dear friend of mine. I have a great relationship with chaos. But, what happens when my routine is interrupted? What happens when chaos takes a nap? What happens when there isn't any school, no activities, no homework, just an empty day?? Today happens...

No alarm was set since the kids have the day off from school. I seem to wake within minutes of my kids everyday. Little did I know they were in no rush to wake up. They slept until 10am... and I know I shouldn't be complaining... but, I am already hours behind. Instant question: how I am going to fit in everything. I talk myself into the idea that it is okay. All I really want to get done is my yoga, and the kids can do that with me! Maybe a trip to the beach. We will have fun. I had no idea how it was really going to play out though...

The fighting begins before I make it to the kitchen. Number 2 and 3 just can't co-exist today, number 1 wants to defend whoever she decides is right, and number 4 thinks it is all very funny. I entertain the notion that I am raising animals.

I tell them if they want to fight with each other I am not getting breakfast for them and they are on their own. BACK FIRES!! The older two tell me they will make breakfast. Instead of being satisfied to be off the hook I find that I stalk out of the room. I can still hear the arguing. I go back to my book I started. I mean, really... you would rather fight than have breakfast with me? Fine!

I start reading, they eat, my cell phone rings- a lot, my house phone rings- a lot, but of course I can't find the dumb thing, I get a few emailed responses to the New Year email I sent out- of course they come to my cell phone, and I finally decide to re-emerge from my room.

What do I find? My youngest has been in the clean laundry and dumped it all on the floor. Then I notice it is wet. I would like to believe it is only water, but can't tell for sure. I decide its not worth the risk and put it in the washer just to be safe. Then I ask if chores are done, knowing from the sink full of dishes that they are not. Numbers 1thru 3 tell me they are, and I have to start counting to get them moving and everything done. After all, they know if they don't do their chores they get to do some of mine. They don't want that.

I am thinking about working out so that I will feel somewhat okay for the rest of the day when my husband calls and wants us to meet him for lunch... in ten minutes. Okay. Get everybody dressed, hair brushed and into hair ties, shoes, diaper change, and out the door in 3 minutes. Drive to pick him up and have a nice lunch at Chick-fil-A. Get a phone call at lunch... playgroup moms want to do dinner tonight at 6. Have to tell them I am only a maybe since my husband is at work till 7. On the drive home I am promising myself I will work out when I get home. Should have time. I know I will feel better, more centered, after that.

Come home to a huge mess the dogs made with the trash. Clean up the easy stuff and clean the floor with straight ammonia since something sticky and stinky just won't go away. Ask kids to take out trash and get the, "MOM!! This is our day off. Why to we have to work all day??!!"... what I really want to know is: WHEN IS MY DAY OFF? I would settle for an hour off really. Beyond that where did my exercise time go? I almost respond, but get distracted.

Knock on the door. Answer while shouting at dogs to stop barking (where did that spray bottle disappear to) and hurdling over tantrum engulfed 2 year old. He needs a nap. Talk to the neighbor getting back to me about spraying the yard for fleas. Ask number 1 to put number 4 down for a nap. I watch her slump away with him. I know; its the end of the world! Plan a time for the neighbor to come back, and close door. Look at my house in complete disarray and surrender fully.

At this point I am going to do some light housework, a hour or two of sewing- number 3 and I do need new aprons, chalk the day up as a partial loss/complete adventure, and debate dinner options.

Tomorrow may or not be a loss, but at least I will be getting back to my routine!

SWEET BRAN MUFFINS

This is one of the best recipes I have come across. My father-in-law made these over the holiday season and I am hooked. They are not like cardboard, and even my kids like them. What I love about them is that you can maake the batter once and have enough to freeze. I have included pics... let me know if you have any questions!




SWEET BRAN MUFFINS

In a medium sauce pan bring 2 c. water to a boil.

Add 2 c. 100% bran cereal and remove from heat. Let cereal soak up water.



In a mixer cream together 3 c. sugar, and 1 c. veggie oil. Add 1 quart buttermilk, 4 eggs, and hot bran (soaking). Mix in 5 c. flour, 5 tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. salt. Mix well.

Add 4 c. all bran.



Bake in greased muffin tins (or use paper cups) at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.





***This recipe makes enough to fill 4 one quart jars. Each quart makes roughly one dozen muffins. Can freeze dough in air tight container and use later.


*If you like fruit in your muffins add to batter before cooking. Fresh or dry would be best as frozen will change the consistancy.

CURE STOMACH ACHE AT HOME?

Depending on your background you may or may not have heard about curing stomach aches.

The first is a tale that my Grandmother lived by... stomach ache or nerves are always cured with a shot of Blackberry brandy. My brother and I were introduced to that early on, and while I do remember it working, I have not used that as an adult.

The second is a tale that states that Coke will cure stomach ache or gas. I do use this one often. Anytime any member of our family has either excessive gas or a stomach ache we dish out the coke and the problem is solved.

There is even a scene devoted to this idea in Michael J. Fox's film "Doc Hollywood". It unfolds with him playing a young doctor serving some community service in a small town (for wrecking his car into a white picked fence). A boy comes in to the office during the night with a stomach ache. Fox's character jumps to the conclusion that his appendix is bad and calls for an ambulance. Enter small town doctor with a can of Coke and problem is solved!! Hollywood does get it right once in a while.

I AM "JUST A MOM"

During my youth I never dreamed of being "just a mom". I thought that the women on tv in their fancy power suits and stretchy body suits were fantastic. Yes, I am dating my self some, and may not be as old as some of my visitors, but I was a child of the 80s. I spent my teen years teaching swimming and lifeguarding, but all the while planned to have a career. No kids included in that idea.

Fast forward to College. I attended a fashion design school in sunny southern California. A far cry from my native Montana. I was going to have my career and fancy clothes. Next thing I knew I was pregnant and still fighting my fate. I started working in the fashion industry and swore that there would be no more kids. Lucky for me my husband never listened to me!

Fast forward 2 years and I find out I was pregnat again. Good bye industry. Hello stay at home mom of 2. The costs of daycare and my commute made it impossible to make money when we had two.

Fast forward another 8 years. I am a young stay at home mom of 4 kids. I have become the "just a mom" figure I never wanted to be... the funny thing is that I have become hard pressed to come up with something else I would rather be doing. I have the flexibility to teach swimming lessons in the summer, write blogs, do yoga, sew my aprons and baby line (I will be posting examples. Feel free to contact me if you are interested in ordering), have some fun with the kids, and for a small portion of the day make sure my house is presentable... after all that is the best I can do and still live life.

I don't have any secrets on how to be a great housewife, how to organize or keep your house clean, or even how to handle your kids from a professional point of view. I can promise on every level that:
1.I do not do anything in an orthodox manner

2.My housewife skills are minimal at best... a far cry from the 1950s super mom.

3.I have NO organization skills... something my sister in law and organization genious can verify for you,

4.I can only give you thoughts on kids based on my being a mom. Take them or leave them as I do sound crazy occasionally,

5.Keeping things simple seems to help, and

6.Every mom needs a break from reality. Even if that is only for a few minutes. My hope is that this site will become just that.

I do have LOTS of random information and recipes, LOVE old wives tales (something I enjoy trying just to see if it will work), and think that being a parent is both a creative and logical proposition. My job is ever evolving, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I would like to have this be a semi-interactive site, so if you have any wive's tales you would like to suggest or have recipe thoughts or requests feel free to contact me! This site is for fun... nothing else.