Good Food Friday: Immune Tonic

Well it is that time of year again I think it's safe to say we are all fighting something.  Being sick is no fun and sometimes staying healthy feels like a full time job.  Especially if you are trying to keep a whole house feeling fine.

I stumbled across this drink in one of my magazines and was immediately hooked by the ingredient list alone.  Lemons.  Ginger.  Echinacea.  I'm pretty sure this is the healthy vegan substitute for chicken broth!

Immune Tonic

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 tsp. honey or light agave
• 1 tsp finely grated peeled ginger (in the beginning I used powder)
• 1/4 tsp echinacea extract (sometimes I skip this, it's still amazing)
• couple drops of sriracha

Directions:

• Measure and combine all ingredients into a mug (I double mine into a pint jar)
• Add 1 cup boiling water stirring until sweetener is dissolved 
• Let sit one minute before serving

inspired by bon appetit magazine (01/13)

I've been using this to replace my morning tea or afternoon snack.  If you are brave for an extra immune boost you could add some fresh peeled minced garlic.  

Wouldn't this make a great soup base?  Some sauted veggies and a spoonful of rice.  See what you can come up with...

Pinspiration and a Happy Handmade Christmas: Little Girl

I love homemade gifts.

I realize lots of people say that.  Let me clarify.

I can't stop smiling while I am making something for someone I love.  I can hardly wait to give it to them.  I nearly cry when they open it.. and I get all warm and fuzzy every time they use what I have made.

The whole process for me is delightful.  Scouring Pinterest for ideas.  Shopping and scavenging for supplies.  Drinking mug after mug of  wine hot tea after the kids are asleep... Spending nights at the table making wonderful things.

The girls presents are always especially fun for me.  Beyond Barbies, I think it is challenging to shop for girls. I want quality and wholesome but often stores have plastic and superficial.  

Oh well.  So I made my own.

Here is what they found Christmas morning...

A simple wooden box (bought with my 50% off coupon) decorated with clearance stickers and my wood burning tool that I bought last year.  And inside...

... a scrap fabric paper doll kit!  What girl could resist?!?!  Color, cut, glue... ribbons and pom poms.  

(inspired by this)

and the little one found this...

not just a mint tin...

but two new friends in a little bed!

They are adorable.  And again, made from simply scraps! 

(inspired by this)

And finally for the girls to share this matching game.

The original was made of paper but I love using felt.  Next time (because I will make this again for some lucky little friend's birthday) I will glue only the middle so my stitches around the edge look better!

These are three success stories.  I attempt homemade gifts every year and most years they look like attempted homemade gifts.  I feel doubly good this year because they actually look as good as the projects that inspired them.  These lovely presents have gotten lots of use already.  Thanks Pinterest!

More homemade Pinterest success stories to come!!!  

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p.s.  I just remembered that I also painted my first shirt... a gold unicorn on pink shirt using a stencil I created myself on the silhouette.  Now if I can just her to not wear it long enough so I can wash it and snap a picture...you will have to take my word for it! But I did find this blurry shot of her unicorn wearing it Christmas morning...

                     

                                                               

How about you?  Any surprising homemade gift success stories... do tell!!!

                                                       

DIY: Chalkboard Wall Calendar

It has been a long time coming and seeing this project completed is a dream.

One huge blank wall.

Two hours and two rolls of painters tape.

Three coats of chalkboard paint.

A think it is a great way to start the new year.  Organized.

Here are a few more pictures of the process...

Just took the tape off.

Priming.

Shutterfly Fan: Helping to Spread the Love

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

It is not a secret. I am a huge fan of Shutterfly. Each year a huge majority of presents to Aunts & Uncles, parents, grandparents, etc. are from Shutterfly. I have a family share site (yes mom I know it needs updating) and Jackie has a family share site (her's needs updating too). I love to order prints, calendars, mugs, magnets, and have been eyeing up the canvas print and the throw blanket. How neat would it be to have a blanket with your favorite photo of all time for each of the kids?

Why am I sharing this? Not a normal blog topic. Yeah. I know. But you know I like taking pictures and so does Jackie. Here is where we get the majority of them printed. I also took the plunge and ordered Christmas cards this year and got 10 FREE. I can't send them to everyone so I thought I would share it here as well. Isn't it lovely?

Special thanks to Jen & Byron for taking the awesome family photos of us. I feel just a little bit trendier now and sometimes that is OK. Why would you like Shutterfly? I think they offer GREAT deals at GREAT prices. Wait for the deals like I do. I won't buy without a very good deal. In in an effort for full disclosure. I get $10 dollars for sharing this with you that will go towards Nana and GiGi's Christmas presents. If you have a blog look into Shutterfly's "help spread the word" program and see if you can't get $10 for sharing your projects on your blog. Best of all it didn't hurt to share how I save money and get great gifts.

Happy shopping. Where ever you shop and for whatever you shop for.

Adorable Baby Bunnies & Blog Business

These cuties will give you your daily "awwww" quota for sure. These little chunkies are the only litter for the 2012 year. If I am right we have two boys and a girl. While I won't have room for both boys, the black and white little boy will definitely stay. The brown boy will most likely find a home as someone's little pet. The little brown girl will stay and make additional babies for our tiny backyard rabbitry.  

As always I have lots and lots planned for the blog but I lack the time actually do something about it! That doesn't mean though you can't stay in touch. I frequently post to our facebook page updates about what is going on behind the scenes, interesting news, photos, recipes, and things I learn. Please take a moment to "like" our page and keep in touch won't you?

Never a dull moment as Jackie and I discuss and move forward on a creative business and I get ready to apply for a twelve week market garden course to start in January. The 2013 growing season will find me at a local farmers market or two and working my way towards being a full time farmer.

Also, don't forget to follow us on Pinterest (using the links to the left). You never know what creative and beautiful things we will pin there! Thanks for following along. We really appreciate you.