It’s been a good week. Even though we’ve had THE FEVER/FLU and COUGHING THAT REFUSES TO GO AWAY, I’ve still managed to get a lot done. Maybe that’s because the kids have gone to bed early…or perhaps it’s those new sublingual vitamin Bs I’ve been taking. Whatever ~ Here’s what I’ve been working on. (Edited to mention that all of these things were projects that were already in the works. Some were mostly done!!!)
Vintage cotton curtains for the girls room. (VINTAGE is code word for…”from the thrift store.”) They are now shortened to fit and pressed to hang tomorrow.
LOVE this wool soaker from a vintage sweater. (wink!) Ben, however, HATES it. He runs his hand over it and his entire body shivers. It’s all well and good to make wool soakers…but if your child won’t wear it, it won’t do you much good! 
For those who are making their own soakers, you should know that this was a pretty sweater, but particularly thick and (I guess) scratchy. Not all wool is like this.
This little cutie of a soaker is 100% wool, too, but I knit it myself. It is not scratchy at all. It is lanolized, and fits Mariam perfectly. You might remember that I was making it to fit Ben…but…well…it was a little small. Live and learn. It’s okay. She likes blue. I just know, okaaaaaay?
Here’s another little bear from a vintage shirt, made for Mariam. We named it Merry Beary. It’s fun to watch her little eyes go buggy with the stripes.
Oh, let’s see….what else? Lots of this…lots of natural remedies…lots of practice treating sickies, myself included. I made up a batch of salves per Tennessee Farm Girl’s instruction. That was so much fun! (Yes, I’m wearing my mothering boots in this photo.)
We are celebrating four birthdays this week – my husband’s fortieth, Benjamin’s second, my mother’s birthday and also that of her identical twin sister. I’m thinking ice cream cake will taste just right! (That’s the great part about being the mommy. You get to choose the cake….)
My mending is caught up, my dining room chairs are cleaned by my 13 year old, my kitchen was deep cleaned by my 12 year old (but that only lasts for a day or so.) I ground wheat and made whole wheat bread for the first time in 5 years. It turned out surprisingly well after making spelt bread all of these years. Now I am on the prowl for a good sourdough recipe, to make it even healthier. Drop me a line if you’ve got a good one!
Yes, it was a good week, even when the 3 year old changed the toddler’s horribly messy naptime diaper ALL BY HIMSELF! (What a shock, to think they were sleeping, only to find they had locked themselves in the bathroom. When I pried the hook and eye lock loose, there stood the three year old with THE POOPY CLOTH DIAPER in the sink, and the sink about to overflow. He was SO proud of himself. I couldn’t do anything other than praise his thoughtfulness in his care for his brother; then I placed them both in the tub and SCOURED the bathroom! Wish I had a picture of all of that….)
I have a few more projects I need to finish up, so I’m diving off of the blog for another little break. Be back soon!
February 11, 2008 at 12:08 pm |
Hey, I tried knitting that soaker too and the legs were too small. I think I bound off too tight or something. I dunno – I’m not a great knitter. It was fun to do though!
February 11, 2008 at 9:06 pm |
Ah good…so it’s not my fault.
It’s the pattern’s fault. 
February 11, 2008 at 9:26 pm |
Way to go Holly!! Your bathroom “tale” reminds me of an awful episode I experienced when leaving a little bottom bare during nap time…..bad idea!
Blessings,
Cheri
February 11, 2008 at 9:52 pm |
Oh Holly! What a helpful little boy you have! Sam did the change, right?…who was doing laundry by himself.
Can I ask if the nebulizer is being used with a natural remidy? I have one boy that needs treatments every so often and wondered if you had any good alternatives.
And the pictures of your work that i requested. Is the blue soaker the pattern you posted or was it knit in the round? I have only knit one thing so I don’t know how to tell. I am a bit scared to try something in the round.
Hugs my friend,
~Nikki
February 11, 2008 at 11:13 pm |
Yes, Nikki, it was my Sam who was so helpful. He’s quite convinced that he could run the household.
Regarding the nebulizer, I have used tea tree oil and also eucalyptus. I am NOT advanced enough in natural health wisdom to advise on this, though…THIS has been one very bad virus in which the chest gets so tight and several of the small ones were sick at the same time as myself. In retrospect I could have tried some poultices but the headache that comes with the virus and the high fever left me not really able to think about the “most natural” type thing to do. I pretty much was thinking of the quickest thing I could do to keep us from pneumonia and multiple doctor visits. We do not have a chronic need for the nebulizer (used to when Josiah was little) but now only pull it out probably once a year. Cheri probably has all kinds of wisdom on this…
Knitting the soaker…no it is not done in the round. It is that pattern on Ottebre that I linked to. It is truly very easy. I believe that I used too thin of a yarn, and too small of needles. The pattern calls for size 5 or 6 needles. I used size 5. Try size 6 and use a thick wool. (It knitted up very nices, though…considering that I really am a novice knitter!) I have been SO pleased with how the wool works. It is amazing how God designed a product from an animal to be so effective and useful for us. (Just like Him, isn’t it?) It takes a little tweaking to get the lanolizing right (gotta use the lanolin with a little bit of either wool wash or baby shampoo to keep it from clumping.) and to get the sizing right – but what a fun and cheap way to cover diapers. I love it!
February 11, 2008 at 11:34 pm |
Mmmm. I should amend this, Nikki. I was guilty of trying to type with a baby on my lap and two boys wrestling in the chair beside me and a kid sick on the couch and making a mental note to take the toddler potty plus two girls asking schooling questions…..
I failed to mention that in the midst of it all (using the neb included) I did do chest rubs with essential oils and a carrier oil. That is such a routine thing when we have an illness (plus the oils on the feet) and internally in gel caps for the big ones…that I didn’t even think of it !!!!! When I think of poultices, I am thinking of preparing a decoction, and using warm cloths to loosen up the chest congestion. I’ve not tried any poultices of that nature…don’t have the proper herbs on hand. I hope prepare and try some of those things at a later date. But I guess that I am doing much of the same thing (or at least hoping for the same result) with warm baths and the application of the oils.
Sorry…just wanted to clarify because I realize how inconsistent I sound!
If you were all here….I wouldn’t have to explain myself. You’d just automatically get it. 
February 12, 2008 at 2:55 am |
tea tree oil and eucalyptus …………..in the nebulizer? I think I tried this once with some filtered water and oils(it yucked up the do-hicky thing) But he complained that it burned his eyes(the vapor). Maybe I used too much oil?
My curiosity is for use with asthma, to open up the airway…….we use Albuteral for boy #2’s coughing/asthma that is sometimes triggered by the food allergies or exercise or outside allergies. But as with everything, trying to lean toward the natural when ever possible.
SO this is WAY off topic but I saw it in the picture and had to inquire.
February 12, 2008 at 7:39 am |
Those curtains are gorgeous! Especially against that blue. not coveting…definitely not coveting…nope. not.
February 12, 2008 at 1:29 pm |
Wow! I wish I could take some sewing lessons with you….. And some thrift shop shopping lessons…. and maybe some essential oil lessons. To bad you don’t leave nearby so I could learn in person .
February 12, 2008 at 2:24 pm |
I’m wondering if you would consider making a teddy bear like Mariam’s for me.
I have a special shirt of my Grandmother’s that I’ve saved hoping to find someone who could make me a teddy bear out of it. Would you consider it? I know you’re a super busy Mommy, but I’d pay you for your time. PLEEEEEEASE????
February 13, 2008 at 7:35 am |
I came across your blog from humblemusings and have loved browsing your thoughts on mothering. Your “I chose you” post brought tears to my eyes. I have a 4 year old, 2 year old, and 7 week old right now. Life is challenging. My two oldest are those “firecracker” boys that you are talking about.
Anyway, my 4 year old just came over and saw the pictures of the wool covers in your post. (Beautiful, by the way!) Joshua exclaimed, “Oh! Mom! There’s a wool cover that you almost made!” I laughed out loud. Life with littles is fun, too.
I must go now as the 2 year old just shoved the pacifier in the sleeping 7 week old’s mouth… she’s not sleeping any more.