Herbal Cold & Cough Syrup Recipe

If there's one thing we know about winter it's that the weather change always brings a generous supply of runny noses, coughs, and general yuckiness. This year when our first round of sickness knocked out all the boys I gave this new herbal cough syrup recipe a try. It tasted great so the boys were always excited to take it, plus the herbs are all natural and great for fighting off cold & cough symptoms!

You need just a few simple ingredients to make your own herbal cold & cough syrup.I like to order from Bulk Herb Store or Mountain Rose Herbs. Both are very reputable so I usually choose based on who has what I need in stock! And I throw some elderberries in with my order for making immune-boosting elderberry syrup.

Echinacea Root - a natural antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and an excellent infection fighter. It stimulates the immune system to help your body heal itself!

Licorice Root - stimulates the adrenals while adding great taste & natural sweetness. Great for cold, cough, and sore throat, and works as an expectorant.

Ginger - has a long history as remedy for cough, plus it's great for nausea and diarrhea if they join the party!

Raw Honey -antimicrobial & antibiotic properties are great for treating cold and cough. It's also anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and a powerful antioxidant that strengthens your immune system. Which is why it's a staple in so many home remedies!

Once you're supplies arrive you can get started making your syrup. Here's what you need:

1/4 c. Echinacea Root
1/4 c. Licorice Root
1/8-1/4 c. Ginger Root, to taste (I didn't have any ginger on hand and made it without)
4 c. water
1/2 - 1 c. honey.

Christmas Pinteresting - Old School Style

Before the days of pinterest... I was a magazine clipper. Every time I flipped through a Better Homes & Gardens, I would cut out my favorite ideas and stuff them in a binder. Where, of course, I rarely looked at them ever again! But a few weeks ago we were cleaning out the basement and I stumbled across a few Christmas clippings I collected them over the years. It turns out my Christmas taste hasn't changed much in that time because I still love most of them! So it seems only fitting to welcome a few favorites into the golden age of pinterest. These are the faves that made the cut:

This last one was kind of funny because I totally forgot about it, but it almost exactly matches the advent calender I made last year! I guess it was still hiding somewhere in the back of my mind!

I think one thing we learned here is that I need more white in my house. I'm always drawn to these bright, white spaces. Especially with some Christmas greenery in the mix!

Big Brother asked to do the "Just Say BOO!" audio book during rest time. He listened to it on repeat and cracked up every time!

How about you guys? Do you have a favorite inspiration picture for your decorating this year? Or a bunch of pictures with a feel you love?

Easy Flannel Stocking Tutorial

Hey guys! I hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving yesterday with lots of family, fun, and food. And most importantly a lot of thankfulness! And now that Friday has come, as we warm up leftover turkey for lunch, we know the Christmas countdown has officially begun! So let's hop to it and knock out a few of the items on our Christmas checklists!

Earlier this week I shared how we turned an old, reclaimed window into a Christmas stocking holder and today we're going to tackle those cozy flannel stocking hanging on it. If flannel isn't your thing, you can totally swap it out for a different fabric. No biggie. These are pretty fast and easy to make, so you can still make them before Christmas! Let's get started!

Here's what you need:

• 1/2 yd flannel (or another fabric you like for the exterior)
• 1/2 yd quilting cotton for the lining
• 1/2 - 1 yd interfacing (I tried several and like the look of a thin fleece batting the best. Don't get one too thick though or it will be too thick to topstitch. But you can do any kind of interfacing you like for a different look!)
• thread
• 6" piece of 1" wide ribbon (or a 6 x 3" piece of fabric)
• a stocking pattern (I used this Martha Stewart pattern without the cuff, or you can draw your own)

Sew Georgia & Barr Prints {plus a black Friday sale!}

I've spent a good part of my life crafting with my sister. And through those years we've gone to many craft shows and shared a few Etsy stores. But we've put off one big change for a couple years after moving a few hours apart. And we finally had to do it. The logistics of getting orders together when we aren't together ourselves just didn't make sense, and so at long last... our Etsy store has become two. You can find me at Sew Georgia, and my sister at Barr Prints.

We both still love to craft and share a booth at craft shows whenever we can. But this has actually allowed us to each fine-tune our products and narrow our scope, resulting in better, more unique products. Wondering what we're up to? Let's take a quick shop tour, starting with my shop Sew Georgia.

Sew Georgia

So far my shop is all about moms & babies (though some of my bags would be great for anyone!) and is stocked full of handmade goodies. Most of my offerings so far are based on patterns I created for the blog! See something you love but don't have time to make it? Swing by my shop! Here are a few of my favorite listings:

I offer stroller friendly diaper bags (tutorial here, buy one here) either premade or custom ordered. They convert from a messenger bag to a stroller bag with just a few snaps and are large enough to hold anything you may need! Twelve pockets keep you organized even on the go.

My Stroller Totes offer the convenience of a stroller bag in a simpler design and lower price. These are great if you already have a diaper bag you love. Just snap on a stroller tote and tuck your favorite bag inside. Or use it to stash jackets and snacks for the kids! I also take custom orders and can add water bottle pockets to the sides!

Also brand new to the shop is the Boston Diaper Bag (based on the pattern from Little One Yard Wonders). With its modern style and simple exterior, you'll want to carry it even when the kids are at home! It's the perfect size and boasts plenty of storage & pockets without being too bulky. It also makes a great overnight or weekender bag!

My oversize flannel receiving blankets make the perfect baby shower gift! They are snuggly soft and great for swaddling. They measure 33 x 39" to last through toddlerhood. 

And I offer much more! And this is the perfect time to try them out or do some Christmas shopping because I'm offering a Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale! November 28 - December 1 I'm offering 10% off any purchase with the code BLACK14, plus with any diaper bag purchase (or diaper bag custom order) I'll include a coordinating changing pad for FREE! All the details are posted in my shop.

Barr Prints

My sister has taken up silkscreen printing and you guys... she is really good at it. Her shop motto is that art should be for everyone and she's offers unique items at affordable prices! She hand draws and hand letters all of her designs, then transfers them to screens for printing. Her most popular items are her silkscreened cotton dish towels. They are 100% cotton and lint free, and are a perfect way to add a little style to your kitchen. Plus they are super absorbent! I use these towels 90% of the time and LOVE them. They make great Christmas gifts too!

She also sells silkscreen printed notebooks, both paperback and moleskine. They make great stocking stuffers and are perfect for any list-makers like myself!

She is offering a Christmas deal through the end of the year where you can buy any three towels for just $25! All the details are posted in her shop!

Happy Thanksgiving!