Quick Cranberry Drops

You may be swapping out fall colors for Christmas lights this weekend -- but do you still have some Thanksgiving leftovers?  Get in the Christmas spirit by turning your leftover cranberry relish into holiday cookies.

Quick Cranberry Drops

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg, room temperature
2 Tbsp. milk
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup cranberry relish

Icing

1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
2 Tbsp milk
3 Tbsp. dried cranberries, snipped

1.  Line two cookie sheets with parchment; set aside.
2.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
3.  In a large mixing bowl, beat butter at medium-low speed until smooth and creamy.  Add sugar.  Beat for 2 minutes or until well blended.  Reduce speed to low.  Add egg.  Beat for 1 minute.  Add milk and vanilla and beat for 1 minute more.
4.  With mixer at lowest speed, steadily add flour mixture until flour is incorporated and soft dough forms.  Beat in relish until evenly incorporated.
5.  Drop dough by the spoonful (about 2 tsp.) 2 inches apart onto cookie sheet.  Bake 10 to 12 minutes until slightly firm and golden brown on bottoms.  Cool on cooling racks.
6.  For icing, in a medium bowl, combine powdered sugar and milk.  Stir until smooth.  If needed, add milk in droplets to reach desired consistency.  Stir in snippets of cranberries.  Top each cookie with 1/2 tsp. of icing, and let stand until set.  Makes 45.

Alternatively, freeze cookies after they have cooled.  Thaw and dust with powdered sugar when ready to serve.

Recipe from Better Homes and Gardens

Giving Thanks

A friend of mine shared this poem with me, and I had to pass it along.  Housework is never-ending and can get wearisome.  I loved the different perspective this gives.

Thank You Lord!
Thursday, 18 March 2010 08:07 | Written by Unknown | | |

Lord, thank you for this sink of dirty dishes;
We have plenty of food to eat.
Thank you for this pile of dirty, stinky laundry;
We have plenty of nice clothes to wear.
And I would like to thank you, Lord, for those unmade beds;
They were so warm and comfortable last night.
I know that many have no bed.
My thanks to you, Lord, for this bathroom,
Complete with all the splattered mirrors, soggy, grimy towels and dirty lavatory;
They are so convenient.
Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator that needs defrosting so badly;
It has served us faithfully for many years.
It is full of cold drinks and enough leftovers for two or three meals.
Thank you, Lord, for this oven that absolutely must be cleaned today.
It has baked so many things over the years.
The whole family is grateful for that tall grass that needs mowing,
The lawn that needs raking;
We all enjoy the yard.
Thank you, Lord, even for that slamming screen door.
My kids are healthy and able to run and play.
Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me says
You have richly blessed my family.
I shall do them cheerfully and I shall do them gratefully.

Housework Rules

And, might I add, since I'm a Super Mom, I think I'll teach my children to help with those chores and appreciate the blessings, as well.

Fun Friday -- Snowman Donuts

Thank you to Family Fun Friday for this easy-to-make treat.

Needed:
Bag of powdered sugar donuts
Candy corn
Chocolate chips
Mini-chocolate chips.

Insert candy corn into the donut hole.  Add chocolate chip eyes and mini-chocolate chip smiles.  With the cooler weather, I think they'd be best served with hot chocolate.  :)  Enjoy!

Sick Day

“Mom, I don't feel so good,” said my Little Monkey, just seconds before he started to throw up on the floor. He looked up at me apologetically, and I think if I hadn't stopped him, he would have started cleaning up. But I could tell he wasn't done, so I whisked him into the bathroom.

While my poor little guy retched, I rubbed his back and smoothed his hair, trying my best to comfort him. In between heaves, he said, “I love you, Mom!” I don't think he has ever meant it more.

In bed with the flu

When he finished, I cleaned him up and made a bed for him on the couch in front of the TV. I rubbed some DigestZen essential oil blend on his stomach, then rubbed some OnGuard blend on his feet. He had a bit of a fever, so I took a cool wet washcloth and added a drop of lavender oil. It seemed to soothe him.

I have spent many, many nights tending one child after another as the stomach flu swept through our family. This time, I planned on nipping it in the bud. I ordered everyone in the house to use the OnGuard, too, and I had it running in the diffuser. I returned to give my son a couple more treatments. By dinner, he felt well enough for a little chicken soup.

I kept him home from school the next day, which annoyed him, because it messed up his perfect attendance. He was back to normal within twenty-four hours – and no one else in the family got sick!

I think that's what I love most about having essential oils in the house. Sure, we still get sick from time to time, but with early intervention, it is short-lived and never very severe. It sure makes being a mom a little bit easier.

The Problem with Pink Eye

“Mom. I think I have pink eye.”

I pried my eyes open to see my Little Thinker standing next to my bed. I inspected his face. Red, goopy eyelid – symptoms universally recognized. Yep, he had pink eye.

Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is usually more of a nuisance than an actual health concern, but it is highly contagious. So, coming down with a case means a free vacation from school.

I sent him into the bathroom to dab a little lavender and melaleuca around his eye. Then, he ate breakfast and settled in for a video game marathon.

I interrupted his play at lunch time.

“I think it's gone already, Mom.”

Once again, I inspected his face. His eyes were clear. I couldn't even tell which one had been a problem. We put the oils on a couple more times, to be sure.

I checked one more time before bed. Everything was just fine.

“Maybe I should stay home one more day, just in case,” my Little Thinker said hopefully.

Nice try, sweetie. Nice try.

*****

Don't forget, you can e-mail me for a free sample of any of the essential oils mentioned on my blog.

Honored!

Thank you to Courtney at My Brown Eyed Girl for honoring me with the Versatile Blogger award!

By accepting this award I agree to do the following:

• Thank the blogger who awarded me with a link back to him/her.
• Share seven things about myself.
• Pass the award on to seven other newly discovered blogs.

So, without further ado, here is the dirt on me:

1.  My first car was a semi-classic, 1970 Ford Mustang with a 351 Cleveland engine.  It was very fast.  What were my parents thinking?
2.  I love watching What Not to Wear.  That show has transformed my wardrobe from frumpy mommy to hey, you look pretty good for __________.  (Fill in the blank -- your age, having six kids, etc.)
3.  My favorite musician is Joseph Arthur.
4.  My grandmother taught me how to body surf.
5.  I enjoy cooking ... but only if I don't have to.
6.  I've written a novel.  It remains unedited, in a box under my bed.  I'm working on my second novel, which I hope to make into a series.  Look for it in stores near you sometime around 2017.
7.  I have a bachelor's degree in Zoology.  And come to think of it, it is kind of a zoo around here.

Now check out these great new blogs that I've discovered!

Tesa at 2 Wired 2 Tired
Miranda at Not Super...Just Mom
Erica at Off My Mama Rocker
Ashley at My Front Porch Swing
Daria at Mom in Management
Samantha at Life As Wife
Jen at Buried with Children

Oil of the Month!

The oil of the month (drum roll, please) is...

Cassia!

Cassia (cinnamomum cassia) may seem like an unusual essential oil, but you are probably more familiar with it than you think. Cassia is from the cinnamon family and is very similar to cinnamon essential oil.

Cassia oil is a great mood lifter. You've probably noticed this anytime you've been baking cinnamon rolls. Adding a drop of cassia essential oil to a citrus oil like wild orange is a wonderful pick me up.

Cassia essential oil is anti-viral and anti-microbial. It is great for fighting colds and the flu. Add a drop to your favorite tea to help kick your illness faster. Because it fights the illnesses that cause fever, it is also a good fever reducer.

Cassia is a warming oil, which is wonderful leading into winter. Rub a drop between your palms or add a drop to warm tea or water. It is also beneficial for circulation. Perhaps that is why it helps loss of libido and sexual disorders such as frigidity and impotence. You could add a small amount to your favorite massage oil for a warming and sensual sensation. Cassia oil is also helpful for rheumatism and arthritis.

Cassia essential oil is very good for digestive issues, especially diarrhea. Because it is microbial, it curbs the growth of microorganisms in the digestive tract which protects against diarrhea and dysentery. It is carminitive, which means it gives relief from gas forming in the intestines and stops further formation of gas.

Cassia essential oil is also beneficial for menstrual cramps, helps stop hemorrhaging by contracting the blood vessels, strengthens gums and hair roots, tightens muscles and lifts skin.

Use caution with cassia essential oil, as it can produce irritation and sensitization in skin. It is not recommended during pregnancy or while nursing.

Cassia essential oil is on sale now, 10% off during the month of October, 2011. Click here to order. You may also e-mail me for a free sample.