Wines By Wives -Tamra Collection

OK........so I have been wanting to join a monthly wine club. I have been watching The Real Housewives of Orange County. I saw that Tamra and Vicki (Icky Bitchy Vicki) have started a Wine By Wives Club. So I joined. (On Tamra's side of course) http://www.winesbywives.com/

It has been three months so I have six bottles now. I opened my first bottle tonight after a long day of assembling furniture for our new school. This one was Dancing Coyote Alborino 2010.  It was refreshing and crisp. A great treat after a hard day of work in 101' heat. It reminded me of a Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio mixed. Not dry ...... Not sweet. Seemed just right. This seems like a great wine to make a good summer sangria. A great ending to a productive day.



Ciao for now

Kris

How To Learn - Homeschool Freebies

http://www.howtolearn.com/friday-freebies-at-howtolearn-com

Ear Ache Releif

OK so my son (10 year old) was complaining of an earache. He NEVER complains about stuff like that. But he was in tears so knew it was serious. Tried Tylenol. 45 minutes later he was still crying. So I broke out one of the best books EVER! Every Woman's Guide To Natural Home Remedies.
I mixed together a teaspoon of crushed garlic, teaspoon of lemon juice and two tablespoons of olive oil. Heated it in the microwave for 15 seconds (microwave times may vary). Then dropped three drops of the solution into my son's ear and plugged it with cotton.
The next morning, I asked my son how his ear was and he said it felt much better. Just to be safe, I called our pediatrician to make an appointment because it is unlike our son to complain of ear pain and cry. We were seen that afternoon.  During the examination, my son explained o the DR that the pain was horrible the night before, but since I put the drops in, it was better. The DR asked what I had put in is ear and I told her. Se was NOT pleased. She told me DO NOT PUT THING LIKE THAT IN HIS EAR!  (Hello.....he stopped hurting after I did, it is all natural.....so I did it! And guess what....IT WORKED!)
So fast forward three weeks and guess what.....I was coughing all night long and I woke up with a sore throat and an ear ache! So to prove to my kids that I would not do to them something that I would not do to myself.....I put a mixture of olive oil, garlic and lemon in my ear. (Which by the way I have made a batch and keep in a jar in the fridge).......and guess what?  YES it works! After about 20 minutes my ear felt better. So ........my theory is GOD gave us these natural things for a reason. Use them.

Safe E-mail for Kids!

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Kelly Kits

Kelly Kits encourage art play using a wide variety of creative tools & materials beyond what coloring books can offer and are the perfect holiday gift for your creative kiddo! For 72 hours only Kelly Kits is having a site wide sale where all products are 10% off! Get your favorite little artist a years worth of art kits or a special gift pack with 5 activities that explore the five discipline of art: Drawing, Painting, Print Making, Collage & Sculpting! 

http://www.kellykits.com/holiday-specials/




Ciao for now!
Kris

Our Pippa Middleton Inspired Tree

So.......I have been a busy little bee making a slew of ornaments inspired by my new book Celebrate by Pippa Middleton. We now have the cutest traditional looking tree. I cannot wait to see what the books offers up for all of the other holidays.

I made the Peg angels/fairies on page 123

I used paper doilies, tulle and gold cupcake liners for my dresses.

I also made the paper birds also on page 123.

Just a little hint...when cutting your birds out, remember to reverse the pattern so that you have colored paper on both sides of the bird. I realized this after I had cut out enough paper to make about 50 birds.

We made glitter pinecones, assorted gingerbread cookies, and dried apples and oranges.

I have to say that this tree is very festive and reminds me of a good old fashioned Christmas......and I feel a bit of accomplishment seeing as how I actually made all of the ornaments. (I know the lights are a bit funky in the picture but you get the idea)

Ciao for now! MERRY CHRISTMAS

Kris

Homemade Kahula

Homemade Kahlua

2 - 1.75 liter bottles Cruzan dark rum from St. Croix (I like this one because it is dark and has a wonderful flavor but is not a spiced rum)

6 - cups of sugar

3 - cups instant coffee (I used Nescafé dark roast)

3 - cups brown sugar

1.5 ounces pure vanilla

8 - cups water

Start by combining both bottles of Cruzan rum and 2 cups of instant coffee in a large pot or bowl.
Stir. Cover and let sit for three days in cool dark place.

After three days you are ready for step two.

Place 6 cups of water in a pot on medium heat. Do not let the water boil.

Place 6 cups of plain white sugar in a large pot. Place on stove top at medium heat. (Depending on your stove, you may need to increase or reduce the heat. I have a glass top so I needed my heat on high.) Stir sugar constantly until it is completely melted. (With my stove, it took me about 20 minutes.) You will have a nice honey brown syrup.
Remove from heat. SLOWLY add the hot water a cup at a time. Be careful not to splash. (HOT SUGAR makes nasty burns.) This will make a sizzling sound and the sugar will bubble and steam. (I wore oven mitts because it was HOT) Continue to add until all of the water is mixed with the sugar.

In he same pot that you had the water in, place 3 cups of brown sugar, 1 cup of instant coffee and 2 cups of water. Heat until the sugar is dissolved.

Add the brown sugar water to the rum mixture.

Add the vanilla.

Viola! You have Kahlua!

I bought some really pretty bottles at Hobby Lobby and bottled mine for gifts.

Enjoy!

Ciao for now!

Kris