A Quick Update

Where to start?
Well, first off I would tell you that "Things are Good."
We are good, happy, more or less healthy (though we've had our fair share of bugs this winter!) and all-in-all in fairly good spirits.

Eloise is getting bigger and smarter everyday, not to mention a HUGE personality to go with such a teensy package.
Her words right now consist of:
- Bapa (papa)
- Hippo
- Balle (ball in french)
- Suse (soother)
- Numnum (for food)
- Uh oh!
- Mama
- Lait (milk in french)
- L'eau (water in french)
- 'gard! (for 'regard' or 'look' in french)

And I'm sure of a few others that I've forgotten off the top of my head.

We've had an insane amount of snow this winter - and it just keeps piling up! I can't help but feel very Canadian as we shovel off our cars and drive in all sorts of crazy weather (at 10mph mind you...)

I have been keeping busy with all sorts of little crafts and my herbalism. I've even started getting some orders for my winter skin balm, which I handed out some samples of.
It makes me optimistic enough to think that maybe I really could work at home and make a little income this way.
I've been enjoying my quilting and drawing and also learning how to even do some gluten-free baking!
While none of us are celiac (thank God) we do have some carb issues and hubby may have a gluten intolerance, so we're slowly cutting it back and seeing if it helps.

Jeremie is in his first contract as an IT tech and really enjoying it. It's quite the change from the welding shop, and it was so funny having the discussion that yes, you needed to wear nice slacks, and a button-up shirt or a nice sweater...yes, you need to wear a belt and nice shoes...

Poor guy, he's only ever wore clothes that could get grease stains, rips, tears or catch on fire as opposed to a nice, clean-cut look.

Although personally, I think he looks very handsome in his  "office clothes." ;)

We recently celebrated my 26th birthday this past weekend by going to the Museum of Nature and then out for some wonderful Indian food while Grandma and Grandpa graciously babysat for us.

And today we just finished celebrating Shrove Tuesday with family and ate a wonderful pancake dinner! My Mum and Dad thought I was a little crazy when I told them I wanted to make blue, red and green pancakes; but being the wonderful sports that they are (and used to my weirdness by now) allowed me to play with the food colouring!

(yes they did taste better blue)

Lent is now upon us and I'm trying to get into the season! I've decided to do the 10-10 challenge for the internet/computer usage. Meaning I can't be on the computer between 10am and 10pm. I'm also going to try not to make any meat dishes on Friday and really honour Lent this year.

And that's what we've been up to!

Coming up, my DIY project for table-runners, and recipes for bottling your own berry cordial and gluten-free bread.

Peace,

Homemade Oil Of Oregano

I had gotten introduced to Oil of Oregano a few years ago and have been using it as a go-to method when I feel a cold or flu coming on.
The one thing I wasn't impressed with however, was the price.
Thankfully I found this recipe online and decided to whip myself up a batch!
Here are a few of the benefits of Oil of Oregano:

• Destroying organisms that contribute to skin infections and digestive problems.
• Strengthening the immune system.
• Increasing joint and muscle flexibility.
• Improving respiratory health.

Skin Infections

Oil of Oregano can be applied directly onto the skin to treat itches, skin infections, and irritated gums, but only if it has been diluted. Always follow the instructions on your particular bottle before applying topically onto the skin, since highly concentrated oils may first need to be mixed with Olive Oil or Coconut Oil before application (usually one teaspoon of Olive Oil or Coconut Oil per one drop of Oil of Oregano). 

Digestive Problems

The high concentrations of thymol and carvacrol in Oil of Oregano have been shown to calm upset stomachs and aid digestion. Therefore, a quick home remedy for mild indigestion is to drink a glass of milk or juice that is mixed with 2 or 3 drops of the oil. 

Sinus Congestion

Oil of Oregano is a wonderful natural remedy for sinus congestion. A common solution is to add 3 drops of the oil into a glass of juice and drink this mixture daily for 3 to 5 days.

Colds and Sore Throats

Oil of Oregano is an excellent early defense mechanism when you feel a cold or sore throat coming on. Simply take 3 drops of the oil once per day (you can mix it into a glass of orange juice) and you should notice results within a few hours. Repeat this once per day for up to 5 days until the symptoms are gone. 

http://www.homeremediesweb.com/oil_of_oregano_health_benefits.php

DIY Oil Of Oregano
You need a ratio of 1:1 with fresh Oregano and Olive Oil.
I used 1/2 cup of Oregano to 1/2 cup Oil, but you can reduce the amount of oil if you'd like a stronger batch.

• Wash and dry your Oregano
• Place Oregano in a ziplock bag, cover with a tea towel and hammer at the leaves using a meat tenderizer or something similar. This will bruise the leaves causing them to release their oils.
• Heat up a small amount of Olive Oil (in the microwave is fine) until warm than add to ziplock baggy of crushed leaves. Close the bag and squish and smush the oil and leaves around for a minute or two. (This ensures that you pick up the released oil.)
• Now pour the leaves and remaining Olive oil into a clean, dry glass container with a fitted lid, and place in a cool, dry place for 2 weeks.
• After 2 weeks strain the leaves from the oil and bottle. 

Please keep in mind that there are side effects to taking Oregano oil continuously, and should be avoided if pregnant. 

Voila! You've just made your own Oil of Oregano!

Peace,

Mommy Lessons Prt. 2

Mommy Lessons I've Learned So Far, Continued

11) Mommy's food is always preferable.
It doesn't matter that she just ate a huge bowl of the same meal pureed. The food on Mommy's plate is where it's at.

12) Diaper changes cut into valuable playtime, and escaping while bare bottomed is always hilarious.
She can crawl amazingly fast while half-naked, probably because she's less 2lbs.

13) The t.v. remote is more fun than any other toy.
Way more fun that a toy, slightly more fun than the phone and TONS of fun when all the electronics shut off at the same time when the power button is pushed.

14) Standing in the tub is the ultimate thrill.
Mostly because I have to keep saying "on your bum" and sitting her down, just to have her laugh and pop back up again.

15) EVERYTHING MUST BE TASTED.
Flecks on the carpet. grass, twigs, shells on the beach, rocks, mommy's face and the odd time, even food.

16) Kitchen cupboards and drawers are much more fun to play in than the toy chest.
Throwing towels, hot plates, utensils, pots and pans are much more exciting - plus they have the added benefit of making WAY more noise.

17) Kisses can make anything feel better. 
But we all know that.

18) Dropping a nap can be a good thing!
Just no sleeping after 4pm or that little party animal will be up 'till midnight.

19) "Baby Einstein" can be a lifesaver. 
Need 20-30 minutes to do a task? Pop that baby in, and get 'er done.

20) Board books are an awesome teether.
I have board books used just as chew toys and are full of little tooth dents.

Peace,

Reading Week

I know it's been a while since my last post; but the summer months tend to fill up quickly and I have been very blessed with much family time.
Nothing big mind you, no camping or large family trips - just simply being together as a family, sharing meals and laughs.

In my list of books that I am determined to get through (not because they're difficult to read, more just finding the time) are:

A wonderfully haunting book that sucks you in right from the first paragraph. I'm not finished it yet, so don't tell me how it ends!

The classic among foodies and health-nuts:
Some of it is over my head when she gets very technical, but I do feel that I'm learning (and highlighting) a lot!

This one I just started but already looks very promising:

And another one by Sally Fallon, though more for just the endless list of coconut oil recipes:

Hubs is also knee-deep in this book right now. I'll have to ask him what he thinks of it later.

I never thought I'd be such a fan of non-fiction. I knew I loved all types of books (comes with the territory of being a Librarian) but as I get older the books that mostly interest me are non-fiction informative or biographies. 

I think because my life is in constant transition right now - being a new mom, and still a young married, I'm constantly feeling that I need to learn. 

Learn how to do, what to make, how to train; inform myself about people around me, their thoughts and how it influences me. 

Of course all of this needs to be done between caring for a baby, a husband and a home - and yet SOMEHOW I always find time to check Pintrest. Huh. Go figure. ;)

Peace,

Raised Bed Veg and Picnics

This past week has been extremely busy. Between Eloise's teething, getting the house ready for the hot weather and gardening, we've been jumping.

Jeremie and I are currently renting our little home, so I didn't want to put too much effort into making a large garden, flower or vegetable. However, having grown up most of my life with large vegetable and flower beds, I really found myself missing digging in the dirt.

I have many fond memories going to one of our many gardens at my parents home, and weeding with my dad, or picking beans with my mum.

So after a quick chat with my dad and hubby, they were able to put together a raised bed for me. I was even able to get all the supplies from dad, including dirt and plants! (because I'm just spoiled that way) and Jeremie knocked the box together for me lickity-split.

Really, I say "my garden" but the most work I've had to do thus far is water!

The box is placed right out my front door on what I suppose would be the 'side-lawn' of the house. It's easily accessible by hose, I'm never too far from baby if she's inside, and I can protect it from the groundhog family living under the shed in our backyard.

I have lettuce, green onions, basil, tomato, peppers, dill and a few others I'm sure I'm forgetting. I even have some space left to put a cherry tomato plant in, and room for one more; but I haven't decided what yet.

For my flowers this year I decided to get window boxes. They were very cheap and I got to walk around the garden center and buy pretty plants that "made me happy", like my lovely straw flowers, which Eloise finds hilarious every time she touches them. In my little boxes I also have lavender and spearmint, so I can easily add them to summer drinks.
I tried something new this year and bought a tiny Stevia plant from the local farmers market. I had never grown/tasted stevia still on the plant and was amazed by how sweet the leaves were!
I'm glad Eloise is too small to try it, or I'd fear my child would eat it all because it tastes like candy!
I look forward to drying it out and trying it in some recipes.

It was so hot this past week, we decided to go to the park and have a picnic with my sister-in-law and her family. They have a little girl just 4 months older than Eloise.
Great fun was had by all, and as you can see, the baby swings were a great success!

The river was so warm and lovely, I almost considered jumping in, in my clothes.
I didn't think to change into a bathing suit before we left, but I should have! Eloise loved the warm water, as long as Papa had a good hold on her.

I hope you all have a lovely week!
Peace,

Of Flowers, Brown Paper Packages and Chubby Strays

Yesterday I was spoiled. I went out to check the mail and found a lovely brown paper package on my porch, I wasn't expecting anything so this came as a wonderful surprise.
My friend Teri has been following my blog for some time, and when I had talked about embroidery and learning to crewel, she jumped right in saying she had tons of crewel yarn, and that she was happy to share.
A couple months later, this appears!



A shoebox stuffed with brightly coloured crewel yarn and a lovely letter! It made my entire day, so Teri, if you're reading this THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I LOVE IT!

Just when I thought the day couldn't get any better, my folks dropped by with this:

Some beautiful Crocus'! My mum and dad just wanted to drop it off 'for no reason' apparently, other than that they knew I loved flowers.
Like I said, completely spoiled.
I've also had this little guy hanging around.

I don't know why he's decided to try and adopt us, but he shows up most mornings, mewing at the door like he lives here.
He's very friendly and cute, and not exactly a 'starving stray' either.
I think he's a polygamous cat, and has several houses he visits regularly.
I keep trying to explain he doesn't live here, and that we're just not interested in making that kind of commitment right now, but like the song: "The cat came back, the very next day. The cat came back, he just wouldn't stay away."
He sits on the back porch while I hang laundry, he looks through the window at baby Eloise who squeals in delight every time he paws the screen.
Sorry kitty! You're cute, but not that cute!

Peace,

Bar Shampoo Soap and the Oil Cleansing Method

In my quest to eat more natural and healthy foods, I've also desired using less processed products on my person.
You can absorb just as many chemicals by rubbing it on your skin, brushing you teeth or washing your hair, as you can by eating it.
I started researching other alternatives to store bought products and came across more natural beauty choices.
A strangely popular "no-poo" method for washing hair has gotten a fairly large following; women and men who have given up shampoo and conditioner all together, and have started using baking soda, and apple cider vinegar   as replacements.
I was tempted, but call me a wuss, I wanted to ease into tossing shampoo, especially since I have naturally greasy hair, and cannot go more than a day without washing.
So, I found an alternative:
This is the "Soap Works Shampoo and Conditioner" bar. The soap works is a Canadian based company, nothing they make contain phosphates or lauryl sulphates. 
I found it at my local organic store for a mere $1.45.

 I figured if I was game enough to be tempted by just baking soda alone, surely I could try this! I've been using it for a week now, as is Jeremie and we both quite like it. It smells lovely, has a nice lather and my hair feels clean and fluffy. If I had to knit-pick one thing, I would say my hair is slightly drier. However, being a naturally greasy person, this hasn't really been a problem. 

I've been able to go three days without washing my hair, and still not get to that frighteningly-stringy greasy look. 

During my little cruise for natural beauty products, I came across this: "The Oil Cleansing Method". 

I know it sounds crazy, cleaning your face with oil?? But it seemed just crazy enough to work. 

"The basic concept of this skin care and cleansing method is that the oil used to massage your skin will dissolve the oil that has hardened with impurities and found itself stuck in your pores. The steam will open your pores, allowing the oil to be easily removed. Should you need it, the smallest drop of the same oil formula patted over damp skin will provide the necessary lubrication to keep your skin from over-compensating in oil production. "

Well, okay then. I'll give it a shot.  

I already had the Olive oil at home, and after a quick jaunt found my castor oil. The little bottle I conveniently found at the dollar store. You can apparently buy little bottles and the like in their "travel-sized" section. 

Because I think I have fairly normal skin, (sometimes dry, sometimes greasy) I used a 1 to 1 ratio of castor oil and olive oil. I made only 2 tsp castor / 2 tsp. olive, as I'm still in the 'testing' stage. 

" Castor Oil has potent anti-inflammatory properties, but is also healing and cleansing, which is why we're focusing on this oil as our primary oil."  

The olive oil is simply used as a carrier oil, and can be replaced by grape seed or sunflower seed oil. I just used what I had on hand. 

The rest was very simple. Throw it in a bottle and give it a shake!

The best time to cleanse is at night, to get the day's grime off, and this cleanser is also a wonderful makeup remover too! 

Take a quarter sized amount in your hands, rub them together to warm the oil. 

Massage into your face for approximately a minute making sure to work into your problem areas. 

Take a face cloth and soak in water warm enough to steam the oil off your face - lay it on your face for another minute. 

Your face should immediately feel softer. If you're using the right ratio of oils, you shouldn't need to moisturize. If your skin feels dry, add more olive oil to your mix, if your skin feels greasy, cut back on your olive oil amount or adjust the ratio to a greater amount of castor oil.

I've just started using this, so I will update you all in a week or so when I have some real results. However, after just a few uses, my skin already feels softer and more moisturized. 

I'll also try to take a picture of my hair after 3 days of no washing, and then again after using my soap. 

So that's what I've been doing lately! 

Peace,

My Big Little Home

I like to think we live big lives in a small space.
Our apartment is very teensy.
With just one living space and a galley kitchen, its so easy to feel 'over crowded.'

My mood with my little home swings back and forth constantly. Sometimes I feel like I have the coziest little cottage house that I adore, and the next second I feel like if I trip over one more basket, or one more big man boot, I'm gonna lose it!

Our home really is lovely, I think that sometimes during my blog crawl, when I see couples with beautifully decorated homes, and lots of space for intimate little areas, that green eyed monster of jealousy can get me; and suddenly my little home looks a little too little.
With Jeremie in school right now, working like a champ at attaining his second career, we're cheap..er...frugal, by neccessity.
I joined what I thought was a project: "Have a No-Spend Month", and chuckled with the realization that every month for us has to be a "no-spend month."

I look at these lovely tours of peoples homes, and I see their office, dining room, living area, all artfully arranged, and I get a little embaressed that to encompass all that in our home, would be one picture of one room.
However, I know that no matter where one lives there will always be issues or problems with your home. There will be parts of it you don't enjoy or wish were a tad better.
You could live in the most beautiful of homes with the most beautiful furniture and still be discontent.

Contentment has to rely on more than just material possessions. It's so easy to fall into the 'if I just had ________, I'd be content' trap.
I'm sure we've all done it.
It's changing your thinking from "if I just had" to "look what I have!"
And we've been blessed with so much.


As a homemaker my desire is to make a "home." So I naturally want to make my home as comfortable and beautiful as possible, and sometimes I think that means I need new curtains or better furniture, but a home is made when love dwells there.
No matter what you have, any dwelling can be a home.

Before we moved back home, Jeremie and I rented a house.
It was large, had tons of room and nice yards; but it did not become a home.
I wanted to be near family, and living such a long distance away had become stressful on me, and so, I put absolutely no effort into making it a home.
It was comfy, and well furnished, but it never was more than 'just a place where we lived.' because I didn't want to be there.
Whereas Jeremie and my first ever apartment as a married couple was a real dive. It was sub-level, dark, had orange shag carpeting, and an unfinished bathroom with a cement floor and drywall walls; yet somehow, it became a home for us and I loved it.

I've seen first hand how the building does not a home make.
So I willingly choose to love my little space, that fits my little family and thank God for it everyday.

Peace,
Jenny

My Little Felt Birdies

To add to my Christmas gifts this year I thought I'd make these little felt birdies.
I drew the pattern free-hand then cut it out of heavy card stock.
They're very simple, and very cute.

I enjoyed sitting down with them in front of a Christmas movie, that is, when I could! Eloise liked the pretty colours of the felt and kept trying to play with it. So I gave her a little square and that kept her happy. 

I liked the simple blanket stitch around the edges - they're by no means perfect, but it wouldn't be handmade with love if it was! I try not to dwell on the flaws or be a perfectionist.
When I do crafts, I do it because I find it fun! If it has to be 'perfect' the fun goes right out the window!

So here's a few of my finished ones. :)

Oh, and here's playtime with grandpapa!

Merry Christmas!
Peace,

Christmas Preparations!

It's getting closer and closer!

I've been trying really hard this year to decorate in a simple, but very festive way.

We don't have a lot of space in our apartment, so Jeremie and I chose only a few Christmas items to display this year.

I love my wreath, it's so pretty and natural - my Father actually pulled off a bunch of wild grape vine and wound this for me.

(Don't feel too bad for the grapes, we have so much of it, it chokes out the trees!)

I absolutely love it.

Somehow, and I'm still not quite sure how; I was talked into getting a fake tree.
Jeremie likes how easy a fake tree it, there's little mess, no watering, it fits in small spaces, so I suppose it's a wise decision. 

If only they smelled as nice as a real tree. 

However, when all was said and done, I still like our little fake tree.

I was given for a few years running, parts of the WillowTree Nativity set.

Some people can't get past the fact that the figures have no faces, but that's what I find so endearing.

The body language is so lovely, that all the expression you need is right there.

I have it in my entertainment unit, and is visible as soon as you walk through the door; a good reminder of the reason for the season. 

Apart from that, just a few candles, some Christmas cards is all that is displayed.

This is very 'toned down' for me, as usually I decorate everything to the nines with Christmas stuff.

All in all though, I really am enjoying  my simple little Christmas. 

Merry Christmas friends!

Peace,

Our First Snowfall

Winter has come! 

We woke up this morning to a winter wonderland. 

Everything was covered with clean, cool white snow.

Here's the view from our front porch. 

It's caused me to feel quite festive, and break out the Christmas music. 

Last year Jeremie got me a record player, and I have the perfect record! 

I'm a huge Bing Crosby fan, and have already watched "White Christmas", which is by far one of my favourite Christmas movies, followed closely by "Christmas in Connecticut."

Sadly, I think the snow will melt this week, but hopefully be back soon, and stick around until Christmas. 

Time to get cozy with some hot chocolate! 

Peace,

Happy Fall

Happy Fall My Friends!

The leaves have all turned here.

They are either bright yellow, red or brown and crunching underfoot. The air is fresh and cool, and I find myself throwing open windows to try and perfume our apartment with the crisp fall scent.

Our little Eloise is getting so large! Here she is in one of her last "warm weather" outfits. She's been living in those fuzzy sleepers mostly and I feel better knowing she is warm and comfortable.

In other Eloise-related news; she has officially moved into the nursery. I shall try to post pictures of it soon, but I admit it presently is quite a disorganized mess.

She is sleeping well in her crib, and I found my eyes a little misty as I packed up her small cradle that has been sitting by my bedside since before her birth.

We have reached another stage in her 'babyhood' and I'm in constant amazement how quickly its flying by.

My darling Husband has hung these hooks for me by the front door.

We didn't really have closet space in our entryway/living area of the house, so these hooks have been wonderfully handy.

I think they look quite pretty!

I've been re-reading through Beatrix Potter's books.

Eloise was gifted the first 11 from Grandma and Grandpa. She loves the illustrations and will happily stare at them and coo. A love we both share; here are some of my sketches of her wonderful characters.

We have also been very much enjoying: "A Child's Garden of Verses" by Robert Louis Stevenson.

She lays on the couch, and I prop up the book so she can see the pictures while I read his poems to her.

The rise and fall of my voice and the repetition of verse keep her very entertained.

I've also been working on some embroidery.
I'm making up the pattern as I go along, and just doing it for my own enjoyment.

I have an interest in crewel work, but am having trouble finding crewel thread, as it's thicker than embroidery (which itself is becoming scarce.)  

I'm afraid that these skills, cross-stitch, embroidery, crewelwork and rug hooking are fading away.

It's becoming more and more difficult and expensive to get supplies, and I don't know anyone else that does embroidery.

I am determined to do my part in keeping some of these traditional crafts alive.



I hope you all are having a lovely week, and have a happy weekend!

Peace,

Tea Time

There is nothing quite like a good cup of tea on a cool day, and nothing is better than sipping it from pretty china.

Even as a little girl, I loved tea sets. This was probably because my mother loved little tea sets and every so often I would suddenly be gifted a little porcelain tea set.

They were always very feminine, generally white with little flowers or designs painted on them.

I've had numerous tea parties during my childhood - I clearly remember filling up my miniature tea pot with water from the tap in the washroom, so I could then pour it into those minuscule cups and sip daintily from them, while discussing important issues with my collection of teddies and dolls.

Sometimes I would able to rope my little brother into a having a tea party with me, but somehow it didn't seem nearly as 'refined' as I thought it should be.

In middle school I even sent out little invitations to my girlfriends, inviting them over for a "Victorian Tea Party."

It makes me smile to think of my Mum pulling out the lacy tablecloths, setting out her "Old Country Roses" tea set for us to use, and even make us little cucumber sandwiches, all set prettily on fancy plates.

Right on time, my girlfriends showed up. All in pretty dresses, hats on their heads and gloves on their hands.

Mum let me wear one of her large brimmed straw hats, and tied a silk scarf over it and under my chin to make it look more like a bonnet. 

I thought I looked like one of those little Victorian girls I had seen in my books and felt beautiful. 

We tried to talk like refined ladies, and it was much later that my Mum let on how funny our conversations were, while she listened discreetly from the other room.

By the end I felt like a natural hostess and that the party had been a great success.

I very much look forward to introducing Eloise to tea sets and parties.

I hope she'll enjoy them as much as I did as a girl, and already in my minds eye I can see having little tea parties with her in the backyard - I'm probably more excited for that than she will be!

I found this picture a while ago, and I just loved the instructions and the image itself.

Have a lovely Friday!

Peace,

~ Jenny