Suuuuuuuuuuuuuu—eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Here’s what Swine Flu looks like on Day 2…

It makes a child who has not taken a nap since 2002…take a nap!

Does this not just make you want to scoop him up and hold him?  Ignoring the fact that he has Swine Flu and is highly contagious…look how sweet he looks!

Day 3 is going much better.  After two days of not eating, and just laying on the couch, he finally ate a piece of toast and has gotten off the couch.  Luckily I was able to get him into the doctor on Saturday, day 1, so that we could get him some Tamiflu and also a script for Amoxicillin since his ear is infected too.  I think the Tamiflu combined with the homeopathic route I have taken has really helped cut down the life span of this nasty bug!

Day 1 was not a fun day, Young Flanagan spent the better part of every hour vomiting.  Vomiting with him is just plain awful.  He fights it the entire time, trying to roll onto his back and not understanding that you need to roll to your side when you vomit.  We are always so worried that he’ll choke when he’s sick.  Oh it’s awful.  So glad that only lasted one day!

I do hope that the path we’re on continues this way, forward, and that we don’t take a step or two backwards with a secondary infection.  Given the already compromised immune system we’re dealing with here, it can go from bad to worse rather quickly.  So far so good.

For those of you with bodies unable to handle the  flu vaccine like us I recommend the homeopathic route.  We have been ingesting huge sums of Organic Elderberry Syrup and taking Flu Guard. So far – I really think they are making a difference.  That and of course non-stop hand-washing!  My hands are about to flake right off – they are so dry from the constant washing.  I won’t stop til they bleed!

My daughter came down with the fever last night so she is home from school as well today.  I’ve given her Elderberry and Flu Guard this whole time and now we are high dosing it to help her through.  She has asthma so she’s a little high-risk for complications just like Young Flanagan.  Thankfully no vomiting for my girl.  Phew, I’m still trying to catch up on all the laundry.

Wishing you all good health and being caught up on your laundry!

Remember to wash your hands, don’t touch your face, and cover your cough!

lovin’ me some chai!

The talented Lucy Knisley created this fun recipe for Chai on her Art Journal.  I love chai.  The ultimate treat is a Starbuck’s Non-fat Chai Latte with some cinnamon and nutmeg sprinkled ever so lightly among the foamy goodness of the steamed milk!  I love it but it’s so expensive.  Come on Starbucks – it’s like 4 plus dollars for that treat!  Then I started buying either the Tazo or Oregon Chai concentrate. That’s a bit more affordable at $5 a box!

Here’s my home version of my favorite treat.  Okay don’t mind the boardmaker pictures scattered amongst my treat, that’s just how it goes around here some days.  Visuals baby – it’s all about the visuals for Young Flanagan!

How does one make a delicious homemade chai latte?  Let me share my secret technique…

Pour milk into your mug of choice until it’s just about halfway full.  Heat in microwave for about a minute.  Remove from microwave, pour chai concentrate into mug until it’s about an inch from the top.  Heat in microwave for another 40 seconds.  Remove from microwave and get ready for foamy magic to appear!  Take a whisk and place it in your mug, now roll the whisk between your hands as rapidly as you can – it’s almost like you’re rubbing your hands together but the whisk handle is in between them – make sense?  Watch the foam appear!  It’s that simple!  Now check and see if it’s warm enough for you – if not, reheat.  When it’s at the temperature you so desire, sprinkle a little cinnamon and nutmeg on the top, curl up under a quilt and enjoy!  MMMMMmmmmmm good!

Considering it snowed this morning, I should probably go whip one of these yummy treats up for myself!  When I run out of my current box of concentrate, I’ll be giving Lucy’s recipe a try.  I’ll be sure to report back.  If you try it, let me know.  I just thought it was such a fun recipe that I had to share it with you. I’m nice like that.

Okay, back to the sewing machine.  T minus two days until the first Craft Fair of the season – lots to sew still.  Thank goodness Custom Orders are part of my shtick!

Have a great day!

Skip To My Lou

I love this site, Skip To My Lou, have you visited it?  I’ve had the link under “I Visit” ever since I first visited myself – it was love at first sight!  It’s my go-to site when I need some inspiration or a little noggin nudge when I’m searching for a gift to make, especially at Teacher Gift Time.  Speaking of gifts…Cindy is  getting ready for her Handmade Gift Guide again!  She did this last year and I loved it.

If you haven’t visited Skip To My Lou yet, what are you waiting for?  Skip on over!