When we all get to Heaven...Dog lovers will understand...

As I write this, my dog lays in my bedroom dying.  She is over fourteen years old and had several cancerous tumors removed this past year.  This time , her whole body is filled with cancer.  I took her to the vet this morning because she can barely walk.  I know she needs to be put down but I couldn't do it just yet.  My husband is out of town and I'm waiting for him to return.  The vet gave her heavy duty pain meds and she is now comfortably in LaLaland.  The vet said it is doubtful she will make it through the night.  My hope and prayer is that she passes while she is sleeping.  I do not want to have to take her back to the vet.  I want her to pass at her home with me by her side.  It's the least I can do.

I have always been a dog person.  When I was young, I would constantly drag home stray animals that my mother would promptly make me get rid of.  I love animals- all animals. Dogs, of course, have been my favorite.  They give what no one else on this earth can give--unconditional love.  No matter your mood , no matter how you treat a dog, he/she will still love you and be ecstatic when you arrive home.  You ca.n be gone 5 minutes or 5 months and that dog will be overjoyed to see you. You can look and feel like crap or you can be on top of the world --doesn't matter, the dog doesn't care.  They love you either way.

Trixie was a "replacement" dog.  I had just put my 16 year old Pomeranian mix dog to sleep and I needed a new dog for the kids.  We had another dog, Sunny,a yellow lab mix, and he needed a friend.  So I saw an ad in the paper for a border collie/aussie mix puppy-$50. Last one. Runt of the litter. Has blue eyes.  Sounded perfect.  And she was!

Trixie was my closest companion from that time on. When I walked she was my walking partner. She did laundry with me.  She did the dishes with me.  She made beds with me.  Heck, she went to the bathroom with me.  No matter where I was in the house or outside, she was there.

She loved the kids too.  In the wintertime, she loved tagging along while they went sledding.  They, on the other hand, were not too fond of her coming , since she would chase them down the hill and nip at their coats.  It was that herding instinct coming out.  We didn't have sheep, so Trixie used kids!

Trixie didn't love it when we left--even when it was for a few hours.  She suffered her entire life from separation anxiety.  She destroyed several screen doors and even ate our hot tub cover in retaliation for us leaving her behind.  We learned to lock her up in a safe room when we were gone.  Even as recently as a few months ago, my father stayed and watched the dogs while we were on a trip.  He said she paced the hallways waiting for me the whole time.

Trixie also hated fireworks and thunder.  She would shake with fear when thunder sounded.  And when we would try to light our own fireworks at Christmastime, she ran over to it, grabbed it with her mouth, and buried it in the snow.  We stopped doing fireworks after that.

My family and I have experienced a lot of death this past year.  My mother died in December.  My brother died in January.  And now my dog.  I wasn't ready for Trixie to pass a few months ago.  But I'm ready now.  It's not about me.  She has given everything for me.  And now it's about her and her needs.  She needs to not be in pain.  She needs to be free again.

Trixie has been the nicest, gentlest dog I have ever had.  Never has she growled or snarled at anyone.  You couldn't have asked for a better friend.

We are going to bury her in our backyard alongside her best friend, Sunny.  Sunny died a few years back.  When we buried Sunny, Trixie was right there.  My husband laid him in his grave and Trixie walked over and with her nose pushed dirt into his grave.  She mourned for days for Sunny.  She lost 11 pounds until my husband brought home another dog (Starbuck) which helped Trixie recover from her loss.  

I don't know if dogs go to heaven (though the movie says they do).  The Bible is not specific on that matter.  But if they do, Trixie will be there.  She will have the biggest crown any dog could have.

Saying goodbye to your best friend is tough. So I won't just yet. But it is only a matter of hours now. And so I say thank you , Trixie.  I couldn't have done it without you.

UPDATE:  My girl did in fact last through the night.  Her will to live and be my companion was astonishing.  At 11:30 am today, we had her humanely euthanized.  She rests by her best friend, Sunny. 

Extremely Easy Homemade Crock Pot Yogurt!!! Yes, you can!

I love yogurt--alot. But with rising grocery prices, the price of yogurt has also gone up.  Then thanks to Pinterest, I found several recipes to make your own yogurt.  I didn't even know you could.  Although most of the recipes weren't exactly difficult , they just didn't fit my needs.  I didn't want to buy special equipment like a yogurt maker or bring a  picnic cooler inside to set in my kitchen.  Just not convenient.  Then I found a recipe for making yogurt in my crock pot.  Bingo!! I have 3 crock pots because I do a lot of crock pot cooking.

Yesterday I tried out the recipe I found.  I was skeptical but hopeful.   Well I wasn't disappointed!  It not only works, it works quite well.  I may never buy store yogurt again.

I know from what I've read you can use any kind of milk you wish--raw, organic, or pasteurized. Whole milk is probably the best since it will create the creamiest yogurt but I suspect you can use 2%.  I just haven't tried it.

So here's the recipe:

Crock Pot Yogurt

Ingredients:
1/2 gallon whole milk
1/2 cup plain yogurt ( it has to be plain AND with active cultures--read the label)

Supplies needed:
1 crock pot
candy thermometer
beach towel
big spoon or ladle
2 quart size mason jars

Directions:

1.  Pour 1/2 gallon of milk into the crock pot, put on the lid,  and set it on high.  The milk must reach a temperature of 180 degrees F.  This took my crock pot about 2 hours.  Use the thermometer to check.

2.  Once the milk reaches 180 degrees, turn off the crock pot, take off the lid, and let the milk cool to 115 degrees F.  This took my crock pot about 4 hours (some may take longer it just depends on your house and climate).  Do NOT disturb the yogurt.

3.  Once it is cooled down to 115 degrees, I skimmed off the film that had formed and threw that away.  Then stir in the 1/2 cup of plain yogurt.  This is your culture.  Put the lid back on the crock pot and then wrap the crock pot in a beach towel.  You want the pot to remain warm in order for the yogurt to set. Leave the crock pot undisturbed for 12 hours.  Don't look at it or unwrap it.  That will result in runny yogurt.

4.  After twelve hours (I left mine overnight), put the whole crock (and the yogurt still undisturbed) into the refrigerator for 8 hours.

5.  After 8 hours, take the crock pot out, and scoop the yogurt into 2 quart mason jars.  Remember to keep out 1/2 cup of yogurt for another starter.

I added vanilla and sugar to my mason jars (no recipe--just to taste) because I love vanilla yogurt.  My yogurt was fairly firm when it was plain but did become a little runny once I added sugar.  I know some people have reported runny yogurt right from the get go but if that happens just run it through a cheesecloth to get the whey out.  I didn't have to do that but some people might.

Homemade yogurt is suppose to last about 2 weeks in the refrigerator.  I haven't made it before so I will report later if this is true.

I gotta tell ya--the homemade yogurt was 10 times better than the store bought.  And cheaper!!  It basically costs you whatever a 1/2 gallon of whole milk costs.  And the cheapest I've ever found yogurt is $2 for a 32 ounce tub.  I paid $2.29 for the 1/2 gallon of whole milk and got 2 quarts of yogurt so that is still substantially cheaper. 

Pour 1/2 gallon of milk into your crock pot, set it to high, and heat the milk to 180°. My crock pot has a probe that will alert me when it reaches the set temp, but you can just check it occasionally with a candy thermometer. It takes approximately 2 hours. - See more at: http://realfoodenthusiast.com/easy-homemade-yogurt-in-the-crock-pot/#sthash.Fn0JpICP.dpuf

 Happy Culturing!

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 24 hours

Yield: 2 Quarts

Ingredients

• ½ gallon whole milk
• ½ cup plain yogurt with live and active cultures
Supplies:
• Crock Pot
• Candy Thermometer
• Beach Towel
• Ladle
• Mason Jars
• Colander (optional)
• Cheesecloth (optional)

Directions

1. Pour 1/2 gallon of milk into your crock pot, set it to high, and heat the milk to 180°. My crock pot has a probe that will alert me when it reaches the set temp, but you can just check it occasionally with a candy thermometer. It takes approximately 2 hours.
2. Turn off crock pot, remove lid, and let the milk cool down to 115°. Do not disturb. This takes approximately 6 hours (varies widely depending on the temperature in your house).
3. Once the yogurt has cooled down to 115°, stir in ½ cup of plain yogurt. The temperature cannot be above 120° or it will kill the cultures in the yogurt.
4. Put the lid back on, make sure the crock pot is turned off and unplugged, and wrap the entire crock pot in a large beach towel. Leave out overnight, undisturbed.
5. The next morning, remove the towel and transfer the crock pot to the refrigerator, do not disturb the yogurt. Chill for about 8 hours.
6. Optional Step If your yogurt isn’t thick enough for your preference, strain off some of the whey. Line a colander with a cheesecloth and set in the sink or in a large bowl. Pour the yogurt into the cheesecloth, cover, and let it strain until it reaches your preferred consistency.
7. Ladle the yogurt into mason jars and store in the refrigerator.

Notes

Don’t forget to save ½ cup of the yogurt to use as your starter next time!

- See more at: http://realfoodenthusiast.com/easy-homemade-yogurt-in-the-crock-pot/#sthash.Fn0JpICP.dpuf

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 24 hours

Yield: 2 Quarts

Ingredients

• ½ gallon whole milk
• ½ cup plain yogurt with live and active cultures
Supplies:
• Crock Pot
• Candy Thermometer
• Beach Towel
• Ladle
• Mason Jars
• Colander (optional)
• Cheesecloth (optional)

Directions

1. Pour 1/2 gallon of milk into your crock pot, set it to high, and heat the milk to 180°. My crock pot has a probe that will alert me when it reaches the set temp, but you can just check it occasionally with a candy thermometer. It takes approximately 2 hours.
2. Turn off crock pot, remove lid, and let the milk cool down to 115°. Do not disturb. This takes approximately 6 hours (varies widely depending on the temperature in your house).
3. Once the yogurt has cooled down to 115°, stir in ½ cup of plain yogurt. The temperature cannot be above 120° or it will kill the cultures in the yogurt.
4. Put the lid back on, make sure the crock pot is turned off and unplugged, and wrap the entire crock pot in a large beach towel. Leave out overnight, undisturbed.
5. The next morning, remove the towel and transfer the crock pot to the refrigerator, do not disturb the yogurt. Chill for about 8 hours.
6. Optional Step If your yogurt isn’t thick enough for your preference, strain off some of the whey. Line a colander with a cheesecloth and set in the sink or in a large bowl. Pour the yogurt into the cheesecloth, cover, and let it strain until it reaches your preferred consistency.
7. Ladle the yogurt into mason jars and store in the refrigerator.

Notes

Don’t forget to save ½ cup of the yogurt to use as your starter next time!

- See more at: http://realfoodenthusiast.com/easy-homemade-yogurt-in-the-crock-pot/#sthash.Fn0JpICP.dpuf

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 24 hours

Yield: 2 Quarts

Ingredients

• ½ gallon whole milk
• ½ cup plain yogurt with live and active cultures
Supplies:
• Crock Pot
• Candy Thermometer
• Beach Towel
• Ladle
• Mason Jars
• Colander (optional)
• Cheesecloth (optional)

Directions

1. Pour 1/2 gallon of milk into your crock pot, set it to high, and heat the milk to 180°. My crock pot has a probe that will alert me when it reaches the set temp, but you can just check it occasionally with a candy thermometer. It takes approximately 2 hours.
2. Turn off crock pot, remove lid, and let the milk cool down to 115°. Do not disturb. This takes approximately 6 hours (varies widely depending on the temperature in your house).
3. Once the yogurt has cooled down to 115°, stir in ½ cup of plain yogurt. The temperature cannot be above 120° or it will kill the cultures in the yogurt.
4. Put the lid back on, make sure the crock pot is turned off and unplugged, and wrap the entire crock pot in a large beach towel. Leave out overnight, undisturbed.
5. The next morning, remove the towel and transfer the crock pot to the refrigerator, do not disturb the yogurt. Chill for about 8 hours.
6. Optional Step If your yogurt isn’t thick enough for your preference, strain off some of the whey. Line a colander with a cheesecloth and set in the sink or in a large bowl. Pour the yogurt into the cheesecloth, cover, and let it strain until it reaches your preferred consistency.
7. Ladle the yogurt into mason jars and store in the refrigerator.

Notes

Don’t forget to save ½ cup of the yogurt to use as your starter next time!

- See more at: http://realfoodenthusiast.com/easy-homemade-yogurt-in-the-crock-pot/#sthash.Fn0JpICP.dpuf

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 24 hours

Yield: 2 Quarts

Ingredients

• ½ gallon whole milk
• ½ cup plain yogurt with live and active cultures
Supplies:
• Crock Pot
• Candy Thermometer
• Beach Towel
• Ladle
• Mason Jars
• Colander (optional)
• Cheesecloth (optional)

Directions

1. Pour 1/2 gallon of milk into your crock pot, set it to high, and heat the milk to 180°. My crock pot has a probe that will alert me when it reaches the set temp, but you can just check it occasionally with a candy thermometer. It takes approximately 2 hours.
2. Turn off crock pot, remove lid, and let the milk cool down to 115°. Do not disturb. This takes approximately 6 hours (varies widely depending on the temperature in your house).
3. Once the yogurt has cooled down to 115°, stir in ½ cup of plain yogurt. The temperature cannot be above 120° or it will kill the cultures in the yogurt.
4. Put the lid back on, make sure the crock pot is turned off and unplugged, and wrap the entire crock pot in a large beach towel. Leave out overnight, undisturbed.
5. The next morning, remove the towel and transfer the crock pot to the refrigerator, do not disturb the yogurt. Chill for about 8 hours.
6. Optional Step If your yogurt isn’t thick enough for your preference, strain off some of the whey. Line a colander with a cheesecloth and set in the sink or in a large bowl. Pour the yogurt into the cheesecloth, cover, and let it strain until it reaches your preferred consistency.
7. Ladle the yogurt into mason jars and store in the refrigerator.

Notes

Don’t forget to save ½ cup of the yogurt to use as your starter next time!

- See more at: http://realfoodenthusiast.com/easy-homemade-yogurt-in-the-crock-pot/#sthash.Fn0JpICP.dpuf

Primitives for Sale!!!!

I still have Mrs. Hop and Raggedy Anne for sale. I have also added a new raggedy anne .  Use the BUY NOW buttons at the right to purchase these items.  You must have a Paypal account.  Thank you so much. 

RAGGEDY ANNE:  13 inches tall and made from 100% cotton.  Tea and vanilla stained.  All hand stitched by me!!!  She is $15 plus shipping costs.

MRS. HOP:  She is a prim bunny.  Vanilla and tea stained and all handstitched by me.  $10 plus shipping costs.

RAGGEDY ANNE WITH EGGPLANT HAIR:  She is 16 inches tall and made from 100% muslin.  She is vanilla and tea stain and incredibly cute!  $15 plus shipping costs.

Chapter 2--Confusion and Chaos--What next after that diagnosis of autistic-like

"In the Beginning" was my first installment of my son's journey through Autism-that journey through the hundred acre woods.  You can find that chapter at the beginning of my blog.  I have had much going on in my life since I started this blog and until now have not had an opportunity to continue to write about Caleb's journey.

His journey is all the whole family's journey so please --be patient!!

Caleb was first diagnosed as Austic-like when he was 2 1/2 years old.  I didn't mention that in the first chapter of this saga.  It was confusing to have your child diagnosed as autistic-like.  It's like having them diagnosed as being boy -like or blonde-like or blind-like. It was 1992 and Autism did not have the momentum or exposure that it does today.  The pediatric neurologist that diagnosed Caleb had had very little experience with Autism and therefore was not sure and was also reluctant to stick a label on Caleb (those were his words).  For me, it was not helpful.

First of all, I had no idea what autism was.  I had watched "Rain Man" but Dustin Hoffman portrayed a grown man.  Caleb was only 2 1/2 and didn't behave like the character that was portrayed in the movie.

There was no internet in those days.  I couldn't just run and google the word "autism".  Fortunately, the early intervention workers that had come to work with Caleb gave me the address of the Autism Society of America.  I wrote them and received information back from them.  In that information was not only a definition of autism but a booklet that had been compiled of other parents' stories.  Those stories are where I found the most information and the most solace.

As I read and delved into this world called autism, I found out one thing-- Caleb was not autistic-like.  Caleb had autism.  There was no "like" about it.  Though Caleb made good eye contact with me, he did not make eye contact with anyone else.  He didn't speak.  He focused on objects and found great pleasure in twirling and spinning them.  He also did not play with toys in a normal manner.  His idea of play was lining up his toys in front of himself and doing a strange dance around them.  When spoken to, Caleb never made any indication that he heard or understood.  And though he never came when his name was called, he did come when his favorite cartoon came on the tv. He also knew how to operate the VCR and would rewind his favorite cartoon over and over and over again.

Caleb's favorite cartoon was Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day.  And as time progressed he became obsessed with all things Pooh.  He collected Poohs, he looked at books about Pooh, and he watched cartoons about Pooh.  Caleb lived in the hundred acre woods.  As a side note--Caleb is 23 now and he still lives in the hundred acre woods.  This is his room.

With the knowledge that Caleb was indeed autistic, I knew I needed a formal diagnosis for him as he was soon turning three and would be entering the public school system.  Unfortunately that diagnosis would have to wait.  I was 8 months pregnant awaiting the birth of our daughter , Hannah.

For the first six months after Hannah was born, I did not have time to think about Caleb's autism and his need to have a formal diagnosis.  I was feeling slightly overwhelmed by having three children under the age of 5, two of who were in diapers. Caleb was not even close to being potty trained and frankly at that point in time I didn't even care.  I was barely treading water and felt like I was sinking fast.  So Caleb's diagnosis would have to wait.

Finally in May of 1993, my husband and I were able to take Caleb San to Francisco to receive a formal diagnosis.  My parents watched the other two children as we loaded up the car and began the long drive.

After much research, I had decided that the Langley Porter Psychiatric Institute in San Francisco would be the best place to take Caleb and have him diagnosed.  There were many doctors there who were leading experts in the field of Autism at that time. After a long time spent observing him, the doctors came back with a diagnosis and  recommendations for our school district. Caleb was in fact moderately autistic and mildly retarded.  That was their diagnosis.

I have to tell you, I never agreed with the mildly retarded part.  I still don't.  How do you separate the two?  Without the autism, would Caleb have still been retarded?  Over the years, I can tell you--NO.  Caleb would prove his intelligence over and over and over again as the years progressed.  At that time , though, I resented the added diagnosis of mental retardation and would never address it.

Chapter 3 in this saga will be continued later..... 

Make your own Bath and Body lotions!

Okay.  I admit it.  I am a Bath and Body junkie!  I love, love, love all things Bath and Body.  And for the most part, I make fairly savvy buys.  I only purchase lotions , body sprays, body scrubs, etc... when they are on sale.  But even shopping only on sale, they can still be pricey.

Several years ago, I figured out how to get Bath and Body-like lotions without the price. You can buy unscented lotions all over ebay and the internet and mix them with essential oils and/or scents.    Although some of the homemade lotions are great, they too can be pricey.  Then one day while I was at the dollar store, it hit me.  Most dollar stores carry runny, unscented lotions.  And the price is great.  Only a $1!! You can often get a huge bottle for one buck!

So I started combining essential oils (You only need a few drops) with dollar store lotions. OR if you want to go cheaper (and I did) you can find Concentrated Fragrance Oils all over Ebay.  There are tons of fragrances especially those that Bath and Body carries.  Many of the fragrances start for as little as $6.00 for 1 ounce.  That one ounce will make around 4 or 5 bottles of lotion which makes your cost between $2 to $2.50 per bottle of lotion!Maybe even cheaper!

 I mix the two ingredients- the lotion and the fragrance oil- in a separate container--usually a Glad container that I don't care if it gets thrown away. I use a couple of capfuls of fragrance but you may only want 1 cap or you may want 3.  Use whatever strength you like your lotion to smell. Just remember the more fragrance you add, the runnier the lotion will be.   If the lotion is too runny (and most are) I add cornstarch to the mix until it thickens.  That's right, cornstarch!!  I don't have an exact amount.  Play with it.  It works!  Then using a funnel , I transfer the new lotion mixture to an old Bath and Body lotion bottle I have washed OR use lotion bottles you can get online or at craft stores. 

And you're done!  For pennies on the dollar , you get great smelling lotions fancy enough for any Bath and Body junkie!!

EASY 4 INGREDIENT CHEESECAKE! Yes, you can!

I've said it before--I am not a cook.  I do it because I've had to.  Someone had to feed the kids.  So most of my recipes have revolved around what I have on hand and how quickly I can make it.  This dessert is no exception.  It literally takes 5 minutes to whip up.

4 Ingredient Cheesecake


1 8oz package cream cheese , softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 small tub Cook whip, any kind
1 graham cracker pie crust

Whip the first three ingredients together.  Pour into pie crust.  Chill for half an hour.  Slice and eat.  You can top with cherry or blueberry pie filling for extra pizzazz.  

That's it.  Enjoy your Sunday!!!

More Primitives for Sale!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 I have been working on several more primitives and have a few more to sell.  


If you would like to purchase an item, please use the BUY NOW button to the right of the blog under the item you wish to purchase.  All transactions go through PayPal. Items will be sold on a first come first serve basis. Once an item has been paid for I will mark it sold as soon as I can. Items will be shipped out within 2 days of purchase.


Easter Annie $18.00 plus $5.50 shipping         SOLD SOLD SOLD

Made out of muslin with a 100% cotton dress and pantaloons, Easter Annie has a cute pink dress with Peter Cotton Tail bunnies on the print.  She is 13 inches tall with an embroidered face and wooly yarn hair.  No glue was used only thread to attach everything. (This is not a toy and intended for decoration only).  She holds a bunny rabbit and has a Cherish necklace on her dress.

 Mrs. Hop (Original pattern by Jackie Schmidt from TFC)--$10 plus $5.50 shipping

Made from muslin and tea stained for that primitive look.  13 inches high (decoration only)

 Primitive Annie--$18.00 plus $5.50 shipping

Primitive Annie is a 13 inch cutie made of muslin with an embroidered face and yarn wool hair.  Her printed dress has beehives and bees on it.  She is not a toy and used only for decoration.  Use the BUY NOW button at the right of the blog if you would like to own her!

 

Make your own Easy Microwave Popcorn-cheaper and safer

When my kids were growing up, they would always be hungry when they came home from school.  One snack they especially loved was apples and popcorn. Air poppers for the popcorn were healthy and natural but were messy and a pain to use. It was also one more appliance to clutter up the counter tops in the kitchen.  I started using microwave popcorn.  Unfortunately I didn't know the dangers of microwave popcorn.  (Not to mention that over time, it is pricey).

A report from the FDA indicates that a chemical coating used in microwave popcorn bags breaks down when heated into a substance called perfluorooctanoic (PFOA). The Environmental Protection Agency has identified PFOA as a “likely carcinogen.” Another study has found an acid that can be extracted from the chemical causes cancer in animals and is “likely to cause cancer in humans.”
A second potential danger in microwave popcorn is diacetyl, an FDA-approved chemical found in the fake butter flavoring. There’s even a debilitating respiratory disease called “popcorn workers lung,” (the medical name of the condition is bronchiolitis obliterans) suffered by microwave popcorn factory workers caused by extended inhalation of the chemical’s fumes. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, (NIOSH) concluded that diacetyl needs further study so that workers in the flavorings and snack industry are no longer at risk
The Food and Drug Administration continues to study whether consumers can develop lung disease from inhaling diacetyl. In response to the concerns regarding the risks of diacetyl exposure, a number of microwave popcorn manufacturers have discontinued using it in their products.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/dangers-of-microwave-popcorn.html#ixzz2JNoppSVI

I wish I had known back then how simple and cheap it really is to make your own microwave popcorn. 

Here is what you will need:

1 bag unpopped pop corn (I buy the store brand but buy whatever you like)

1 larger container to pour the unpopped popcorn into

paper bag lunch sacks

vegetable or olive oil

popcorn seasoning or salt

1.  In a container , pour your unpopped popcorn. 

2. Add 2 tablespoons oil 

3.  Add 2 teaspoons of salt (optional)

4.  Put lid on container and shake up

5.  Put a 1/4 cup or 1/2 cup scooper inside the container for easy use

6.  Put 1/2 cup uncooked kernels into the paper bag.  Fold over twice.  Cook for 3 minutes (or adjust for your microwave.   Make sure you cook the bag on its bottom and not on its side.  It will burn if you cook the bag on its side.  The oil will bleed a little through the bag but that does not hurt anything.

7.  Add some seasoning if you like and enjoy!

I make up several bags a few days ahead of time so they are easy to grab and cook.  This is so easy the kids can do it themselves.

I don't have the numbers as to how much cheaper this method is (I don't do math).  I do know a big bag of uncooked store brand popcorn was $3.29 in my store.  Add the bags which were 50 bags for under two dollars and the oil and season and you have a lot of popcorn for much, much less than the microwave stuff in the store.  AND the biggest perk is no nasty chemicals (unless you add some)!

Enjoy!!

Come and Listen to the Story of Someone with Down's Syndrome

In the 1960's, children with disabilities were not readily accepted into society or into our schools.  The feeling at the time was to put "them" away in institutions where society didn't have to see them or hear them or even think about them.  The conditions of many of these institutions were horrendous.
 
(Go here to read about one infamous institution  http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=87975196 )


On March 2, 1960 a baby boy was born to a young 19 year old mother. This was her first child. She had married young , just 17, and was unfamiliar with much of the world.  She didn't know much about disabled people or children.  For a whole year she loved and cared for her child along with her husband.  To them, he was perfect.  There were, however, small things about the child that bothered them.  He did not roll over when he was supposed to.  He often had difficulty holding his head up.  And he never babbled like other babies his age.

  The young mother, concerned, took her child to a doctor for a check-up.  The doctor was surprised and asked the mother, "Don't you know why your child is the way he is"?  No, she did not.  "Well", replied the doctor, "your baby boy is mongoloid".  That was the term used in those days for children with Down's Syndrome.  "I suggest you put him in an institution where they can care for him better than you.  He will be nothing but a detriment to all other children you have."  Upset, scared, this mother ran home to her husband and shared what she had found out.  Together, they ignored the doctor's recommendations.  They ignored his cruel suggestions of "putting away" their child.  And they vowed to keep him as long as they possibly could.  And keep him they did.

That mother was my mother.  That boy was my older brother. 

And it was not to my detriment that they kept their son. My earliest memories are of my brother , Mike, and I.  I was his protector; he was my friend.  I loved him fiercely. I cared for him.  I mothered him.  I played with him.We were always together.

  He followed me around like a puppy dog from the time I could walk until the time I left home.

 When I left and went away to college, my mother would tell me he would sit in my room and wait for me.  Just sit and wait.

Mike was my teacher.  He taught me compassion and empathy for those who cannot speak for themselves.  You see, he never learned to talk.  When he was 5 years old he had the measles-a really bad case of measles.  His fever became dangerously high.  But in those days, even doctors would refuse treatment of disabled children.  And the hospital refused to treat my brother.  He recovered from the high fever and measles but the few words he had begun saying, disappeared.  So much injustice in those days.  So much ignorance.

Later, when my own son was diagnosed with Autism, who better but I to be the mother?  I had already learned so much from my own brother. I learned to fight for those with no voice.  And thus because of my brother, I helped give a voice to my own son ( who did learn to talk).

Well over ten years ago, I began to notice a decline in my brother's health.  He began to have trouble walking, feeding himself, dressing himself.  During one incident when my parents had left him in my care, his decline became oh so apparent.  He refused to do anything I asked him.  He refused to even move from the bed he was sleeping in. Growing up, he had always listened to my direction.  My own mother could not handle him as I could(and she would often admit that).  So when his behavior and his health declined, I knew my parents were no longer going to be able to keep him at home.

Soon after that, my parents put my brother in a group home for disabled adults. Although it was confusing for him (and my parents) he lived there quite comfortably for several years.  Unfortunately his health continued to decline and reached a point where he had to be put into a nursing facility.  Over a five year span, his health deteriorated.  He lost his ability to walk, then feed himself, then sit up.

Seven months ago, as my mother also began to decline, my brother had to have a feeding tube inserted as he could no longer swallow.  By that time, he no longer recognized any of us.  He lay in a bed and stared at the ceiling.  It was painful to watch and each time I visited it, I prayed to God he would be released from the prison he was in.

Right around my mother's death, my brother developed pneumonia for the umpteenth time.  He had been battling pneumonia off and on for five long years.  This time, antibiotics stopped working.  He began to develop other infections.  His breathing was so labored , I could feel him struggle with each breath.

A few days after my mother's funeral, the doctors delivered their recommendations.  Mike was not going to get better.  They could not cure the pneumonia.  He was slowly drowning.  They suggested he be taken off all life support.  My father could not handle that recommendation (understandably so) and ignored it for a week or so.  But after much prayer, my father gave the go ahead.

Mike was strong.  Stronger than any of us imagined.  He lived for 9 days off of life support.  Yesterday, January 21, 2013 at 6 pm Mountain time, my brother was set free.  He walks again; he eats again; he laughs again.  Most important of all, my brother finally is able to talk! When we were growing up, I used to dream about talking with my brother. About him carrying on a conversation with me.  And now, that dream is reality.

Thank you, my brother.  I am who I am because of you. Till we meet and talk and laugh.

Primitive Sales!! Raggedy Anne

I have been a crafter for many, many years.  20 years ago , I sold items through a crafters mall and through week craft fairs.  Those days are long over BUT I still make items on occasion and sell them. Every once and awhile I am going to list items here that I have made , for sale.

If you would like to purchase an item, please email me at rentalsinelko@gmail.com and include the item name (and how many if applicable) in the subject. Also include your name, mailing address and paypal email address and I will send you an invoice that includes shipping.

Items will be sold on a first come first serve basis via email. Once an item has been paid for I will mark it sold as soon as I can. I accept Paypal and will try use the lowest shipping method on the larger items. Items will be shipped out within 5 days of purchase.

THIS ANNIE HAS SOLD.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE ONE SIMILAR PLEASE LET ME KNOW

    Primitve Raggedy Annie__- $15.00 plus $5.50 Priority Mail   SOLD SOLD SOLD
A cute 13 inch Raggedy Annie.  She is made from tanned muslin.  Her face is stitched with wooly red hair.  She wears a cotton blue dress with a chicken print.  Her little tage says Angel with a big rusty bell tied on.  

__ Primitive Heart  Ornament- $1 each (state quanity) plus $1 shipping   (9 available)              
 A 5 inch cloth heart made of homespun material .  Button on front with safety pin and hanging thread.

 

Primitive Valentine's Heart pattern

A fabric heart is one of the easiest sewing projects you can embark on.  Even beginners can sew this one.  So grab your fabric and thread and needle and stuffing and begin sewing.  No picture tutorial for this one but I will give step by step in instructions.

Primitive Valentine Fabric Heart

1.  Print out pattern below OR draw your own hearts.  Free hand is best as it makes it more primitive!

http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/sites/default/files/downloads/heart_template.pdf

2. Cut out patterns and trace onto wrong side of fabric.

3.  Sew all the way around the heart using a machine OR sew by hand using a running stitch.

4.  Cut a small slit in the center of the back of the heart and turn to right sides.

5.  Stuff loosely with polyester stuffing.  Sew slit shut.

6,  Embellish with buttons, rusty safety pins, etc..You may also add a piece of thread at the top to hang to use an an ornament.  OR leave off the hanger and put in a bowl for a bowl filler.  OR string several together at the side for a heart garland.  Let your imagination go!!

7.  If you wish you can stain with coffee and cinnamon.  I chose not to stain these.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!!