Homemaking Cottage “DIVA” Blog

Just a reminder to the surfers who come here to look for new things- my regular blog has changed to:

http://homemakingcottageblog.blogspot.com

Hugs,

Shiloah Baker

SPARKLY
By Rhonda Gibb Hinrichsen

Mindy pressed her nose against the frost decorated window.  “One, two, three,” she counted. 
            Mom stepped out of the den.  “What are you ding, dear?”
            “I’m counting the sparkly snowflakes.  Four, five, six…Mom, why is everything sparkly at Christmas?”
            Mom sat beside her.  “What do you see that is sparkly?”
            “Snowflakes, angels, tree lights, wrapping paper, sugar cookies, …”
            Mom took a tiny glass angel from the tree.  “Some Christmas things have lights inside them, like the tree lights.  But other things, like this angel, reflect the light—see?  That’s what makes them sparkle.”
            Mindy held the angel near the blinking lights.  Star drops bounced around it.  “That’s the sparkliest angel I have ever seen,”  she whispered.
            “Do you know where one of my sparkliest angels is?”  Mother asked.
            Mindy shook her head.
            “Right here.”  She hugged Mindy.  “You are filled with more light than all these things.”  She got up and hung the angel in its place on the tree.  “Now, I have to get back to work.  If you need me, just call.”
            When Mom was gone, Mindy gazed at her reflection in the window.  Am I really sparkly? She wondered.  If I am, where is the light?
            She nudged the angel.  Its dress twinkled.
            I wonder what light feels like.  Mindy put her hands on her face.  She knew she felt happy, but was happy the same as sparkly?
            She touched the angel again.  It danced.  Mindy lifted her arms high above her head and danced too.  When she stopped, her face felt warm and tingly.  Her body felt strong.  Is this what light feels like?
            Suddenly something tugged her shirt.  “Play?” asked two-year-old Kate.
            “Not now.  I’m busy.  Why don’t you watch the tree?”  Mindy suggested.  “See the pretty lights?”
            Kates’s lower lip curved toward her toes, and Mindy didn’t feel very happy anymore.  “I’m sorry.  Yes, I will play,” she said.  Flashing her fingers open—shut—open—shut, she sang a sparkly Christmas song that Dad had taught her.
            When she finished, Kate clapped her hands. “’Gain!” she begged.
            Mindy sang the song again and again and again.
            Finally Kate jumped into her arms and gave her a big hug.
            Mindy grinned.  She felt happy, tingly—warm—and sparkly.

I am so blessed to have a sweet, caring, good hearted son. He has six sisters and yet he is just as boyish as ever. I read this poem the other night and it reminded me how blessed I am to have him. He is at a perfect age- 8. He loves life and is sweet and agreeable.

Boy Wanted

By Elsie McKinnon Strachan

I have need for a boy in my kitchen,
To approve of my culinary art,
To butter my mornings with questions,
To put spice in my middle-aged heart;

Anticipatory, impatient,
A boy eager and ready to eat;
With a grin hiding under a doughnut-
Unimpressed with today’s cost of meat.

I have need for a boy in my kitchen,
With an appetite deep as a wish,
With a finger to salvage loose frosting.
And, especially, to clean out the dish.

MOTHERHOOD ??? POEM: I’D RATHER ~ By Meredith Gray
 
I’d rather be a mother
Than anyone on earth
Bringing up a child or two (or seven)
Of unpretentious birth.
I’d rather nurse a rosy babe
With warm lips on my breast
Than wear a queens medallion
Above a heart less blest.
I’d rather tuck a little child
All safe and sound in bed?
Than twine a chain of diamonds
About my foolish head.
I’d rather wash a smudgy face
With round, bright baby eyes?
Than paint the pageantry of fame,
Or walk among the wise.

Mix together:

2 T. corn starch

½ cup sugar

Add slowly:

3 T. lemon juice3 T. orange juice

6 T. pineapple juice

¼ cup hot water

Thin:

With heavy whipping cream

Cook in a metal bowl over hot water for fifteen minutes.  Pour mixture very slowly over:  2 eggs, slightly beaten.

Stir one minute.  Thin with whipping cream and serve with fresh fruit.

I have three sick children. The three youngest have “goopies” and fevers. Life with cranky, sick kids is pretty tiring.

I plan to do a little sewing tonight after getting the kids to bed- if they ever STAY in bed. I ordered this pattern tonight…I am loving view D! I can see all sorts of cute possibilities- black satin, red satin! Lovely! I lost so much weight on my cleanse I finally feel like I can wear some cute stuff again! Of course, I do always fall back on jeans and a t-shirt for most days, but every now and then it is nice to dress up to go shopping or leave the house!

My Makenzie starts ballet this week. My oldest two are still waiting patiently while I search for a violin and viola lessons that are not taught in Suzuki.

Off to tend to screamers….

My three younger children have been recently diagnosed with Mommitis. It is a serious condition. Read here while I explain in detail what it is.

What a blessing they are! I have slight scoliosis. I was diagnosed with it as a child. My mom took all of my sisters and I to get adjusted during my growing up years. I went again after the birth of my fourth child when I could barely walk from my pelvic bone being so out of place. I have had several injuries during the next six years due to my spine being crooked.

For the last month I’ve been in severe pain from my neck and back and had limited range of motion. Yesterday I went to this awesome new chiropractor. He is very affordable! I got my first adjustment yesterday and didn’t have a headache all day. (Another thing I’ve had constantly this month.) I got my second adjustment today. I have been so sore, but I’m so thankful to get this done!

What chiropractor success stories do you have?

My friend Leah R. has the cutest two kids. When I was in her ward we were always meeting in the Mother’s Lounge nursing our daughters. Her daughter was always wearing the prettiest headbands and beautiful matching baby bracelets. I asked her where she got them and she told me that she made them!

She now has her own store with these bracelets. They are beautiful and affordably priced for moms on any income. They are made of high quality beads and wire and are sturdy enough for curious little fingers.

Shop today at Baby Chic Designs!

I was the heaviest I have ever been the day I went into labor with my seventh child. I topped the scale at 202. I cried that day.

Five months later and the sweet baby….I have lost 30 pounds and still losing! Here is what I did.

I suffered from PUPPPS (pregnancy itching) and gestational diabetes. The Pupps I had with 4 pregnancies and the gestational diabetes I had with two. I have itched with hives all over my body chronically for 2 years. After having my daughter I literally could not function unless I slept 15 hours a day. Something had to be done! I prayed and prayed for an answer.

I found the answer in a flier that was sent in a homeschooling ad pack I received. It was an article about parasites. The facts were that 9 out of 10 people have them, the average person has 25 pounds of stool they haven’t gotten rid of that is backed up in the intestines, and many common diseases and health issues are caused by parasites. Your body is only designed to hold up to two meals at a time. If you aren’t going 2-3 times a day you most likely harbor parasites. I decided to try a cleanse; the only thing I would lose is extra poop. LOL

The recommended time for a good colon cleanse is 3-4 months. Some products say that you get a full cleanse after two weeks. Nonsense. Most people don’t start losing the nasty stuff until AFTER two weeks! I did it for three full months. It is disgusting, but I lost lots of parasites! Even the ones I never thought I would have! There were a couple of times that I freaked out for 1/2 an hour about what I saw. I also did this while breast-feeding. She did just fine. It was my health or go steadily downhill.

I decided to put my husband on it and my kids. Same thing! My husband has always been strong and healthy and even he lost some nasty parasites! So, I put all my friends and sisters on it! Same thing! They’ve all had them! I’m starting to think its really 10 out of 10 people who have them!

Many people ask how often you do a cleanse. It is suggested to do it 1-2 times a year. You can do it as much as 2-4 times.

I’m often asked what cleanse to take. I recommend taking BOTH Solaray Yeast Cleanse and Health Plus Inc’s Super Colon Cleanse #1 (get the 240 capsule bottle). I recommend both together because of the anti-parasitic properities in the yeast cleanse. They are compatible. It has pau d’arco in it which is an antiparasitic, antibiotic, antifungal, and has cured blood cancers! It’ some great stuff! Most people who have parasites also have problems with candidiasis which is a yeast overgrowth in your body. (See symptoms: On About.com)

Where to get these? If you don’t have a Vitamin Shoppe nearby, then you can get the Yeast cleanse at Vitamin Life and
the Super Colon Cleanse at Health Plus Inc

Here are some of the ingredients and you can search for information online if you are interested.

caprylic acid
pau d’arco
grapefruit seed extract
tea tree oil
garlic

Since doing the cleanse I can easily survive on 5-8 hours of sleep with NO need for naps! I have energy again! I just put together a huge garage sale this weekend and did most of the work myself. Even sitting in the hot sun I felt good enough to sweep the driveway and constantly refold clothes! It has been 10 years since I have felt this good!

I no longer have this exhuasted feeling after meals. I don’t feel like collapsing after exerting myself in anyway. I’ve been exercising regularly and feel great doing it!

I am off antidepressants (I am also take theraputic doses of cal/mag supplements.)

I eat two thirds less than what I did and have very little problems with my hypoglycemia. I cannot tell you how much better I feel!

Some great reading on this subject:

Detox and Cleansing

Why is Every Other American Chronically Ill?

If you decide to do a cleanse after reading this and have more questions, please free to ask!