I took my daughter to go throw rocks on the lake near our home today...and discovered it had froze over...LOL...here is where our rocks ended up!

Storing my dry goods...

I started running into an issue here. Maybe it isn't an issue...but I don't want it to become one...let me explain. I have a habit of buying a lot when there is a sale at the grocery store. If there is a discount or a 10 items for $10 sale...I stock up...always have.

Here is where I was running into an issue. I have an abundance of rice...which is a good thing, we eat it...but not as much as I have stocked...I started putting all my rice, oats, dry lentils into canning jars. I know most of this stuff has a couple year shelf life in the box that they come in...but not saying I have little critters running around my house...at least right now I don't, but not only the critters, but little bugs...who knows what can get into those boxes...so that is why I started putting everything of that nature into canning jars. I don't want to even tempt any little critters or creepy crawlies by the packaging that some of our dry goods come in...

An added bonus I found...I seem to gain room when I do that. The boxes may not seem like it, but are bulky and take up space...this way...I cut back on space used, can recycle the boxes...and if need be....depending on how much I have stocked up...will have a nice reserve if we end up with some emergency deal where supplies are cut.

No, I am not going to be one of those "Dooms Day", "plan ahead" the "end is near" kind of people...but I also think it doesn't hurt to have a store just in case there is an emergency. I am thinking more realistic emergency....hubby loses job, economy gets worse, prices skyrocket more than they already are...that kind of emergency. I can see those coming...just here...in the last 2 weeks...my husband has worked 1 day...that is it...one day....that kind of paycheck won't be buying us steak...but we have rice...I can make biscuits...gravy is easy...ta da....look...my planning head really payed off...=D

There is unrest.....

Maybe it is the Mercury retrograde that has everything in a tizzy...but I don't think so. There is a lot of unrest and unsettled energy in the world right now...and it isn't getting any better. I for one like to blame Mercury when things seem unsettled...but this has been going on a lot longer than 5 days...
A good friend pointed out today, the last time we felt energy like this...shortly there after there was the earthquake in Japan and following tsunamis. Guess what folks...not that I an saying we are in for another natural disaster...but something is brewing...and I don't like the feel of this one.
Think I am crazy....look at what is going on just here in the US right now....The Occupy movement...it is turning violent. It's intentions started off noble...now...things are turning bad...sexual assaults, stabbings, deaths, etc. etc. I am not one to like to post anything political....not my style...but anyone can see this is causing more unrest in the balance of energy.
Take a good look at people in general lately...there is more of a violent streak running through....come on folks...the lady that used pepper spray while shopping??? This is only a couple of examples...but things are getting.....oh what is the word......dangerous? Scary? You tell me.....I am not liking what I am seeing right now in the world, something is going to blow...it is just a matter of time before we know what and to what extent the damage will cause.....

Be Free of the Nuk

My little tot has an attachment to her nuk...like most little kids that get hooked on one. Today is day 2 of working at getting rid of the habit of having it in her mouth 24/7....and I will say... It is turning out to be easier than I thought.

I am starting to think that it was more for me than it was for her. I am not noticing a problem with her not having it much at all...I still have been giving it to her for nap and nighttime...but no more all day, everyday...least that is the plan.

Wish me luck!

I feel horrible.....

I realized late yesterday evening...my tot wasn't eating because she had a sore throat....I felt like a horrible Mom....sigh.....

We remedied the situation though, and got her some pain relief...and she did munch down some goodies with us last night...not the healthiest of stuff...but goodies none the less...and last night, she had a wonderful night sleep. I am crediting her great night sleep to the garlic oil I spread on her feet.

In part of my herbalism learning....I learned that garlic is a great herb for lungs and deep coughs...so...I made up some garlic oil yesterday afternoon...and after my little girl crashed last night...I spread it on her feet, and put socks on her little feet....

She did not cough all night, in fact she has had the best night sleep in about 2 weeks. So...for remedy number one, that I finally got to try....it works. =D

My best friend.....

Pedialyte....my best friend.

You weren't expecting that now ? My toddler has been sick for the last week with a little stomach bug....throwing up and having EBS (explosive butt syndrome) (I know that sounds nasty...but well...that is more to what it was than anything else)...well this morning....finally....I got her to drink pedialyte. Let's hope this bug is on it's way out the door.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving with their familes and friends....ours...well....ours was something not to be desired...our furnace decided to cause problems...and at one point yesterday....because it is a hydronic heating system (water pipe heat) we had no water and no furnace....a little bit of stress was here....let me tell you. I will admit...I was overwhelmed...trying to plan and make Thanksgiving dinner without water was not an easy task on some things....my potatoes and corn, luckily don't take very long...so they got started late, but all in all the day went okay.

We have heat, we have water...we all ate too much...the tot is drinking pedialyte....and I don't have to fight the Black Friday crowds...I have most of my shopping done. I can consider today to be an okay day so far.

Holiday Chaos.....

Why does it seem that when something is going to break down or cause an issue...it is going to be on a holiday?? We are having furnace issues at our house right now...to the point, there is water damn near pouring out of our furnace. This is a huge issue....we know why it is doing it....we know what needs to be done...but if my hubby can't get to it....we are going to have to call a technician...and that means holiday OT rates....ya...not looking forward to that.

As a matter of fact, we will have to call a tech anyhow to inspect the silly thing...but I don't want to have to do it today....NOT ON A HOLIDAY!!!!

So on that note...as I am getting ready to finish up the last of our preparations for our big dinner....and the tot is napping...but still suffering from a stomach bug...and our furnace is causing an issue....I don't know if I can say today is a "Happy" Thanksgiving....but it is Thanksgiving...none the less.

I hope all of you are having a better day than we are....but don't think we are totally down in the dumps...goodness...we have a roof over our head, and food on our table....so I guess...it really is a "Happy" Thanksgiving!

Have a great day all!!

Pre-Black Friday

There...I did it...I just gone done with 99% of my holiday shopping with a pre-Black Friday run. This way now...I can just sit back and pick up last minute stuff....I did a lot of home made items this year...but some things you just can't make yourself...like the 4 star tire iron I got for my husband...I am tired of him grabbing mine...so there...I got him one now as well....

On that note, I will not be online tomorrow...making the big dinner....so to all of you that celebrate it...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

May you have a wonderful day with your family!

Items from my cabinet....

What can you do with olive oil, honey, garlic, lemon juice, peppermint tea, chamomile tea, ginger, milk, a potato and some rolled oats....

I don't know yet...but that is what is on my list for my supermarket herbalism lesson. I found myself getting into the whole herbalism deal...and I tell you what....I am excited. I want to not rely on manufactured medical products as much....I of course will have to rely on them to some point...(I carry an Epi-pen for severe allergies to a couple things....will never, ever go without one of those from my hospital pharmacy) but not to the extent that I do now. I would love for my child to learn this traditional way....plus, I love knowledge of new things.

With that being said...I do know that ginger, honey, and lemon make a great tea for when you are suffering from a cold / flu like situation...and I know that grated potato works wonders on a burn....but as for the rest....I will have to wait until lesson 2 of my "Supermarket herbalism" e-course that I am taking....This should be fun....=D

Insomnia

Here I sit....about 5 am in the morning...on a Sunday. I have been up and at em for about a half hour...awake for almost 2....this is crazy.

I always heard about people getting insomnia...and suffering...but didn't realize how miserable it makes a person. It is too bad it isn't Black Friday...there are a couple things I want to order early without having to hit the stores with all the crazy people...but dang...this is 5 days early.

I am hoping I can get tired enough later that when my tot naps, I will be able to as well...otherwise today is going to be a terribly long day.

My windows have plastic....

Well, I put plastic on my kitchen windows last night hoping that would help with the cold situation that happens in there. My kitchen yesterday morning was 64 degrees F....my house is set at 70...that is a little too cold. So last night I put plastic on the windows, thinking that maybe the north wind was the reason that there was a cold draft coming in....

Well, this morning I got up...all excited to see what the temp was....64 degrees....again...so now I have come to the conclusion it is the basement door that is just outside the kitchen that is the full culprit. We ordered a pet door....so our cat can get into the basement to her litter box...so hopefully next week...it will be here so we can install it...and see then if that makes a difference in the temp of the kitchen....otherwise, there is going to need to be some revisions in the kitchen....that is just too damn cold for this girl to deal with in the morning.

On a different note...I am starting to get a couple more orders off my Etsy site. I am happy about that. I like to make crafts and projects...and I tell you what...if I would keep them...I would run out of room for things...so I started an Etsy shop back in August of this year....and so far I am happy with my success...I don't advertise...I just let people find me....for now...when I get more stuff built up...I will have to advertise...but until then....I like it.

If you are curious as to check into my shop...go on Etsy.com and look for ChequamegonCreations...that is my shop....

Have a great weekend all...have a lot of "projects" to do around the yard and house this weekend.....Goddess grant me the patience to deal with the projects, husband, child and family that are up for the gun-deer season that starts this weekend.....sigh

=D

Found a great site....

I thought I would let you know...for bulk herbs...I found a great site....

www.herbalcom.com

I just ordered some herbs from here...all in 1 pound quantities...after I get them...I will let you know what I think of the quality...but for now...these are the most reasonable prices I was able to find trolling the web!

Herbs...

I have decided to enter the realm of the herbal arts. Why...I don't know...but it sounds interesting to me. I have been doing some research, and found a great site.... www.learningherbs.com. It has a wealth of information...little e-courses, e-books...everything to get the ball rolling as an herbalist.

So, here I sit...trying to get into the herbal arts. I figure I will have time to play with it this winter, since it is already cold outside....(22 degrees F) and once I am done with making holiday gifts...I need something else to keep me going.

I am one of those people that has to constantly be learning something...doing something. Knowledge is power...and I like knowledge...and nobody minds having power....have a great day all!

Sick Tot....

This morning I woke to the sounds of a crying tot at 4 in the morning....she felt "icky". When I grabbed her...she was on fire. Poor little thing is running a temp that keeps dancing around 102...

So I am guessing my day is going to be spent taking care of the poor little thing. She is on the couch right now...watching tv, and miserable. She didn't want to sleep anymore...and Mickey Mouse seems to make her smile and happy...so Mickey Mouse Clubhouse it is.

Hope all of you have a great day...I will go back to tending to my little one....

I think this sums up life quite well.....

Good Morning World....

It is a beautiful Sunday morning....yes it is cloudy, yes it is cold...but I am breathing, therefore it is beautiful!!! =D

Off and Away!

First off…to all the Veterans out there, and those still currently serving in our military….THANK YOU, without you…we wouldn’t enjoy the freedoms we have…and for that I am very grateful!

As for me….I am going to be gone for a few days again. I knew I was on call this weekend…but I kind of forgot…does that make sense? I start another 60 hour shift here in just shy of 4 hours. These weekends usually are rough on me, and my family, as the little one does not quite understand that Mom has to go…no ifs, ands, or buts, gotta go…NOW!!! She does associate the pager sounding off, and me leaving…which sometimes is very stressful for her, sometimes not. Depends on the time of day really. It is hit or miss with a toddler…she is just too young to explain why I have to go. It will get easier, I know…but until then…..

As for me…I am all ready for the weekend. I stocked up on coffee and creamer….being that this is the full moon weekend…usually pretty busy for people that work in my field. One could look at it as “Yay…paycheck” or the other way…. “The freaks come out at the full moon” (and it is the truth…I’ve seen some very strange and disturbing things on full moon weekends…it isn’t all hype). It is all a matter of perspective, as for me….it is my sworn duty, not only professionally, but morally as well to do my part to do my job well, regardless of what the phase of the moon is and what is going on with the people in and around my area.

On that note. I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend. If you get a chance to get out and enjoy nature…by all means….please do. Even if it is just a walk in a local little park in the middle of the city…go enjoy it. I realize not everyone is blessed to live like I do and have wild, and when I say wild….I truly mean WILD land to wander around and be a part of. It comes with the territory here….

Many blessings on your weekend…and I will see all of you again next week, when I get done with my shift!
)O(

Snowing...

The snow is still falling this morning...not like it should be a surprise...it is almost mid-November here, and that is what happens in Northern Wisconsin. Anyway...I decided to be brave and try and make cookies with the help of the tot later today. I may be setting myself up for a huge mess...but I am kind of excited to get her to help me. Wish me luck....LOL

I will try and post a picture later of our success...and maybe the process....we'll see.....

I have no creative juices flowing.....sigh.....

First snowfall

We are getting our first snowfall of the 2011 - 2012 winter season. There is something just beautiful about the first snow....I got up with the toddler this morning, and we just watched the snow come down and stick to our deck.

Don't get me wrong though....in about 3 months, I will be cursing the snow...ready for spring...looking for flowers and anything green...LOL

Have a great day!

I love washable crayons....

I just wanted to let you all know....I love washable crayons. My young daughter has grown quite fond of coloring one of our walls in the playroom. Now, I know, as a responsible parent, I should take the crayons away, only let her color on paper at a specific time.

Really? She never wants to color on paper, she only colors on one wall, and she gets excited and into her work. After she has done a bit of coloring, she will run back and forth to come find my husband and myself...making sure we come look at her "pictures"....now...what kind of parent would snuff out that excitement. Certainly not this one!

My husband wonders if we are making a mistake....Maybe we are...but, she is happy, she is having fun, nothing is getting hurt, ruined...or anything of the sort. The crayons wash off with a little bit of soap and water....no harm.

I put it this way to my husband....did Picasso's parents tell him he couldn't express his art on his preferred medium....I am betting not...or he wouldn't have become as famous as he is....so I will not ban her from coloring on her preferred medium...who knows what she is going to be when she grows up...but I don't want to stop her creativity....too often parents do that when they are young (like my daughter) and wonder when they are older why they never got into art....

Good Morning to all on this beautiful November morning....I hope everyone had a great weekend! =D

Daylight Savings is over...

The unofficial start to the winter season...daylight savings time is over. I don't mind really...I had a great summer. There is so much more I wish I could have gotten done, or just did in general, but having a toddler...some of my options are limited. I have to say though, this year was a good run.

Now I will be spending most of my "nap time" free time working on gifts for the upcoming holiday season. I like to make my gifts for family...I think it means so much more. This year on the agenda...crocheted crafts, miniature dream catchers, and I am also going to give baked goods. Too many years now, the holiday season has turned into a money making business for big companies...ha ha big companies and department stores...you will not get my business unless it is for supplies to make my stuff.....;).

We celebrate both Yule, the Pagan holiday, and Christmas, the Christian holiday...since we have both religious affiliations in the family. It is a double whammy celebration.
For us, it means 2 big meals, 2 days of gift opening, 2 days to spend with loved ones that mean so much...regardless of religious beliefs. Too bad more people couldn't be as open and accepting as ours.

With that being said...have a great rest of your day...I am going to work on crafts...or take a nap, not sure which one yet! =)

“If you have time to breathe you have time to meditate.”
You breathe when you walk. You breathe when you stand. You breathe when you lie down.                                                           

Buddhist Monk Ajahn Amaro