Chihuahua Wedding+

I've been meaning to post some of these pictures.  We had a Chihuahua Wedding in March, "for the kids".  ;)  One of the homeschool dads, a pastor of a nearby church (although, they've moved since--we miss them!), performed the ceremony.

"Will you, Contessa Theresa Magdalena Benita Salazar take Bubba Smith as your lawfully wedded husband?" 

"With this Paw, I thee wed!" (courtesy bethro78)

In July, Tess went into heat and they celebrated their honeymoon, LOL!  And 62 days later, she had four darling puppies.  I will try to upload their pictures at some point~they are on a disposable camera that I need to put on a disk.  The first three pups were born within 20 minutes of each other, and then we thought she was finished (this was between 2-3 a.m.).  She cleaned them up, laid down, and nursed them.  Around 5 a.m., I was afraid that maybe a placenta was stuck, and called an emergency vet.  The woman who manned their answering service told me to rub a little Karo syrup on her gums (Chihuahuas are susceptible to low blood sugar) and that would stimulate her to deliver the placenta.  I followed her directions (they never did call me back, by the way), and about five minutes later, Tess perked up and pushed out another puppy!  We were shocked!  At first I thought it was dead...well, I thought that about each puppy as they were born, lol.  But Tess was trying to break the sack open, and I trusted her instincts, so I started helping her (I actually helped her with each sack because she would start around their tummies, and I wanted their mouths/noses cleared first!), and the pup stretched her front legs and opened her mouth!  We were so happy!  And tired!!

I vowed that I would never do that again, but we have had so many friends/family ask for puppies, that I might change my mind...

♥

My plans for today:

• start laundry
• hot lemon water 
• walk on treadmill
• blueberry kefir
• shower
• wake boys
• breakfast for boys
• boys dress/brush teeth & hair
• math lessons
• reading lesson for Sailor
• (Tinker Toys for little ones)
• Workbooks
• (Movie for little ones)
• Catechism
• Lunch
• (this would be outside play, but if it's raining, probably movie/toys combo for little ones)
• Rest
• Put away laundry
• Art/Craft for everyone
• Run errands/pay bills
• Prep dinner
• Play/read
• Dinner
• Clean up
• Baths
• Story/prayer
• Boys to sleep
• Computer for me ;)
• Bed by 10:00!

♥

My blood pressure has been up the past couple of days--I think it is from lack of sleep.  My three youngest have passed around a little virus--it started last Friday.  It started with our 6-yr old, then on Sunday I was in an after-hours clinic with our 3-yr old~101 degree fever~, praying that he did not have swine flu (he didn't!), and then by Tuesday, our 5-yr old was suffering.  They have all taken turns keeping me awake during the early hours of the morning, and I am exhausted.

Last evening, I walked on the treadmill for 45 minutes, then locked myself in my bedroom to take a hot bath.  I realized that I haven't taken the time to take a bath in a while--it is truly relaxing!  I pulled out my lavender bath salts, poured a huge glass of red wine (good for BP, yes?!), lit a candle, and read a magazine until the water cooled.  Then I took an icy cold shower--amazing how it is breathtaking and fantastic at the same time, lol.  I felt tons better--I felt like I could finally take a deep breath.  (I don't know about y'all, but anxiety for me feels like I cannot catch my breath!).

It's bath season...

♥

Herbal Cold Tea

I ruined our dinner the other night--the Caramelized Garlic Chicken.    That hasn't happened in a while... (I used to try to do too many things at one time while cooking dinner!).  The worst part, to me, is that I ruined *organic* (read: expensive) chicken.  Not good!

Since cold season is here, I am going to mix up an herbal tea for my family.  This recipe is from holisticonline:

Herbal Cold Tea
One of the Best Cold Remedy

This herbal tea, purported to be one of the best cold remedies, helps handle fever and reduce achiness, congestion, and inflammation associated with common cold.

Ingredients

1 part - elder (Sambucus nigra)
1 part - peppermint (Mentha piperita)
1 part - yarrow (Achillea millefolium) 

Directions

Combine the ingredients. Steep 1 to 2 tsp of the mixture in 1 cup hot water. Allow it to steep for 10-25 minutes covered. Strain and drink it hot just before going to bed. It may be taken with a pinch of mixed spice and a little honey to soothe a painful throat. 

Note: Prepare a fresh cup for each dose. Sip the dosage slowly, never gulp it down. Swish it around the mouth before swallowing. This helps the liquid to mix with the enzymes in the saliva and rapidly assimilates the herbs into the blood stream.

This tea will induce a sweat, and if the cold is caught early enough, may stop it altogether. Even if it is too late for this it will still be very useful. This tea can help the body handle fever and reduce achiness, congestion, and inflammation.

Optional Additions

Other herbs that may be added to the infusion include:

	Cayenne (Capsicum minimum): a favorite North American Indian remedy: use 1.25 ml (1/4 tsp) of the powder to really stimulate the circulation.
	Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum): use a cinnamon stick, and break it into the mixture of herbs, for a gentle, warming and sweat-inducing effect.
	Ginger (Zingiber officinalis): grate a small piece of fresh root ginger into the mixture for extra heat.

Comfort basket

I bought a new "comfort" basket for Fall from Ross.  It has a pretty white liner, with red swirls.  Inside, I have my soft red lap blanket (a Christmas gift from my friend Chris a couple of years ago), soft and cozy slippers, a sachet of potpourri (Summer Sorbet--I'll probably swap that out with Cinnamon Cider soon), a book that I am loving, "Larkrise to Candleford" (I've been watching the series on youtube, and I love the details in the book!), an old movie that I ordered from Amazon, "The Major and The Minor", and my favorite rosewater hand lotion.  I try to keep a small package of chocolate in the basket, but my little ones know it's there and it doesn't last long!  ;)

I keep my comfort basket in a little corner next to my favorite spot on the couch.  During the day, it is nice to light some candles and take a break in my spot.  If I am not in the mood to watch a movie or read, my Pride and Prejudice CD is ready to play in the stereo.  I really, really like that CD (along with the movie!)--very relaxing music!  For December, I have ordered a couple of Christmas movies, will probably find some pine or peppermint potpourri, and add some small candy canes to my basket.

If you make yourself a comfort basket, let me know!

♥