FROG HAT - It's not Tourette's!

It has come to my attention that I have not given a migraine update in entirely too long (remember, kids, if you don't post it on Facebook or Google+, it didn't really happen), and after last night's, this morning's, and this afternoon's events, now seems as good a time as any.

It started yesterday morning with some dizziness, head fog, some neck pain, and general "feel bads", but nothing severe - no clutching a trash can and praying-to-die type of pain. I was able to get quite a bit of cleaning done, laundry, general womaning, etc.

During dinner, the dizziness increased significantly. Throughout the evening the pain and head fog continued to become more severe. I went to bed early, only to later get up and try to find a more comfortable position - a process that was repeated several times throughout the night. I realized shortly before 1:00 this morning that any plans I had for today were going to go to poop emoticon .

At 5:30 this morning I checked my tablet and definitely knew it was only going to go downhill from there. Nothing made sense. I was looking at the words, but had apparently lost the ability to read (this is called "aphasia" and is a symptom of complex migraine with aura).

When Harold got up I wanted badly to explain what was happening, but every time I went to open my mouth, the only words that seemed to want to come out were "frog hat" (aphasia). This is something Harold has never been around whilst happening, and I was mildly afraid he might think I have Tourette's, so we played an early morning game of charades. I think it went pretty well, and he caught on pretty quickly.

But FROG HAT. This here is the silver lining. Other people would be really upset, but I find it hilarious. This isn't just silver lining, this is GOLD. From now on, when I have nothing I can add, or perhaps I need a bad word, I'm just going to say "frog hat". It's multi purpose even.

"I am so Frog Hatting peeved right now!"

"You know what? Frog hat. I'm done."

"Get the Frog Hat out of my face!"

Can't think of what to say? Frog hat.

Frog hat.

Less Showers Follow up

Minus the pictures.

Truth is, the results of not showering every day were not as impressive as I had hoped. Having said that, I will probably keep it up as often as it is practical.

If you're confused as to what I am talking about, please refer to my last post. We Americans shower way more than necessary in general. As an experiment, I opted for a more European lifestyle of showering every other day in the hopes of alleviating some skin problems I've been plagued with for some time.

The results are in: there was no reduction in eczema. In fact, I've broken out in a few places I've never had eczema before, but I've also been under more stress than usual which causes eczema breakouts.

However, my skin is much less itchy overall. The biggest bonus is having that extra 30-45 minutes I would be spending in the bathroom grooming. It may not seem like much, but a person can get quite a bit done in that time, or even better, get a quick nap. Plus, you're using less water which saves money and is better for the environment. Big win!

Conclusion? While I did not see super miraculous results, I'm kind of a fan, and I definitely recommend less showers for the average person.

Happy not showering!

Now For Something a Little Different

It's March. You should be incorporating some HIIT at least twice a week to get toned up for summer.

Seriously, that's not a lot.

But enough about that. We've no time to waste discussing what we already know. It's time to embark on an important mission.

I've been reading some reports that we shower too often in the US. I can buy that since I shower every day, and my skin is constantly bugging me, and it feels worse after a shower even after using various lotions and all the natural stuff that everyone says cannot possibly irritate your skin. Well it does. So much so that now I make my own so there is no question as to what is in the product.

Then I read this from a scientist, or doctor, or someone who knows:

"While your activity level and climate will affect how often you’ll want shower, you can probably skip the daily shower and take one every two to three days. "

Stop the record. Say what?! Two to three days? THREE?

Quoting Josh Clark, "Anytime you take a shower -- especially a hot one -- with soap and a scrubbing device like a washcloth or a loofah, you're undermining the integrity of your skin's stratum corneum layer. The soap and the hot water dissolve the lipids in the skin and scrubbing only hastens the process. The more showers you take, the more frequently this damage takes place and the less time your skin has to repair itself through natural oil production. What's more, this layer of your skin can be sloughed off by scrubbing, exposing the delicate skin cells beneath. The result of showering too frequently is generally dry, irritated and cracked skin."

Well, I cannot deny that sounds like my skin. And apparently the key is to shower/bathe regularly - just not necessarily daily, unless you are in construction or some other super dirty job.

Currently, I'm experiencing dry, itchy, very irritated skin with patches of eczema (likely caused by a milk allergy - another post for another day) that contribute to some unsightly acne on my back, shoulders, & chest. There are also some very itchy eczema patches on my face, even with a pretty good eczema lotion.

Grossed out yet? I am, but we're forging ahead, and we will be showering on workout days, but generally speaking, every other day, and I'm not giving up hot showers. I will be doing this through the rest of March and report back with pictures (not in the shower, freaks), maybe, so you can see how it goes. This would be much more interesting with tons of pictures, but I'm not a fan of pictures. . . so you'll get what you get.

Yours smellfully,

Sarah

Cute overnight bag or backpack (crochet pattern, easy!)

I know, I need to work on my photography skills.

I found the original pattern for this HERE.

My old bag finally gave out, and this was a perfect replacement!  I did make some modifications.  The original pattern was a little too small, even using the large size, so I used an "F" hook and added several rows to the top before adding the ruffles, and added an extra row of ruffles for balance on the larger bag.

For the strap, I chained about two yards then slipo ditched twice to create a sturdier strap, then sewed it directly to the bottom of the bag instead of using a ring.  I left off the beads and just used flowers at the ends of the strap.  I love the way it turned out, and I plan on making more in the smaller sizes.

You could easily modify this pattern for your own needs, add pockets - anything!

Enjoy.  

-  Sarah

It's turning out to be a very merry Christmas :)

The warmth and joy of Christmas is truly healing for the heart and soul. The last several years have really been a struggle (to put it mildly) for me, personally, and at several points along the way, I believed that joy would forever be gone.  This Christmas season just might be the first I have really felt content/happy/hopeful since I was a teenager.

When I was little, my Gramma would make divinity and fudge, my other Gramma would make hartshorn sugar cookies (it's an incredibly yummy German cookie), Mom would make shortbread and other cookies, and I always made the no bake chocolate/peanut butter fudge cookies and cinnamon rolls - all of which are still highly requested.

But. . . having lost any semblance of hope, I stopped doing much cooking and baking altogether.  However, feeling that fire reigniting deep somewhere in the recesses of my heart where I thought Love had died, I found myself wanting to make Christmas goodies again, so Mom and I spent a couple days making cookies, and today I made some good, old fashioned Rock Candy. It has really been soul soothing. I never used to like rock candy, but I must say these are quite tasty.

For flavors we have Bubble Gum (Oh. My. Goodness!!!), Pineapple (these are sinfully addictive - I think they're my favorite), Cinnamon (very traditional), and Raspberry (because apparently other people like it).

These are the Raspberry flavored (in bags)
And the Bubble Gum flavored (not in bags).
Heads up - I now understand why blue is used to color raspberry flavored foods.
Believe it or not, I used two different dyes - one red, one pink.
Yeah - I can't tell the difference, either.
These were in molds, and about half the mixture was poured into a pan and broken into pieces, as is traditional.

Just package them in clear cellophane and tie with a shiny tie or ribbon. This is so easy it might be a new tradition!  On Tuesday I will be icing the rest of my snowflake cookies, and on Christmas Eve Mom and I will be making Divinity - woohoo! 

If you don't have much time, need some easy little gifties, or just want something homemade that is easy *and* tasty, then you NEED to try this Rock Candy recipe.  They're pretty, too!  I know, I know, corn syrup is the devil, BUT it can help with a cough, too ;).

For the recipe:

1 1/2 cups Karo syrup

1 cup water

3 3/4 cups sugar

1 pinch of salt (just trust me)

1 dram of flavor oil

Food coloring, optional

(For fruity flavors, you can add a teaspoon of citric acid with the flavoring)

Combine syrup, water, sugar, and salt. Over medium high heat, stir until sugar is dissolved. Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pan (make sure the bottom is in the syrup but not touching the bottom of the pan)). Stop stirring and let the mixture boil until it reaches the hard crack stage on the thermometer (300° - 310°F, around 25 minutes). While you're waiting, line a large jelly-roll pan (or whatever pan you have) with aluminum foil and spray it with cooking spray.  Set aside.

Once the syrup has reached the hard crack stage, remove from heat.  Let sit for about a minute. Add flavor oil and food coloring.

When it's cool, lift out foil and break candy into pieces (or unmold).

Some people like to coat them with powdered sugar. In our dry, winter climate, I find it completely unnecessary. In my opinion, the powdered sugar makes them sticky and takes away from the natural beauty of the candy.

Eat, share, and enjoy, and if I don't see you before - Merry Christmas!

--Sarah

More Goodies for Crafties!

Aren't these just the cutest?!

As happens with most knitters/crocheters, the hat came from a need - my niece needed a hat that wouldn't fall off. Aunt Sarah to the rescue! As my brother put it, "that hat is ridiculously cute."A basic hat pattern with a flower embellishment and ear covers and voila! Cuteness! An exact pattern to follow at a later date, but anyone who knows their way around a crochet hook or knitting needle should be able to replicate it or something similar with no problems.

The hat should fit about six months of age.  My niece is not quite that old yet, but it will do.

The other item is for me :D. It's a very simple ear warmer, headband style with a flower embellishment, and yes, I will get this pattern to you as well!

Decoration Inspiration

Yes, with my mom!

Gold with glass and crystal ornaments and nativity under the tree.

More gold ribbon, white lights, and a bit more color with playful stockings.

This is an elegant but very sentimental tree decorated with a silver bow and ornaments given by family members.

My cat was "helping".

Old style cotton tree in white and silver and a nativity to remind us of the reason for the season.

My tree, decorated simply with a red and gold bow, some holly, and faux ice.

Another very simple idea. A red bow on garland over the faux fireplace. Little, red stockings, too!