« January 2012 | Main | March 2012 »
February 2012
How to: A Natural Remedy for Eczema Using Oats
So, today's post is not so much a craft as a natural remedy for eczema - a skin condition that bothered me throughout my childhood. The other day I noticed that Nola was scratching a little spot of eczema behind her knee. My first reaction was to reach for the oats... this is a treatment that has been passed down my family and is from my Welsh great uncle. And - it works - amazingly well.
My dad has these soft, big, cotton handkerchiefs that I used as a kid. As Eric does not own any handkerchiefs, I talked him into donating one of his old work shirts to cut a square out of. My point - any cotton will do - cut into a 8" square.
Put 3/4 cup of old fashioned oats onto the center of the cotton square.
Gather up the corner of the cloth and tie to keep all the oats inside the 'pouch.' I used a little Pink Sorbet twine from The Twinery so Nola felt extra special.
Fill a bowl with boiling water and put the oat pouch inside the bowl. Wait a few hours (or overnight) for the water to cool down. Take the pouch out of the water and gently squeeze the water out. A very light, watery paste will appear through the cotton as you squeeze the oats.
Dab this paste onto the eczema and let dry. Repeat every few hours. You will see improvement the next day. We used pouches for 2 days and then made a new one. The eczema usually went away in a few days.
Please note: I am not a medical doctor and this is not medical advice, simply a natural solution that helped me (and now my daughter) feel a little more comfortable.
Follow Curly Birds on Facebook
Follow Curly Birds on Pinterest
| | |
|
Make Tea...
This illustration really does something for me. Found at Creature Comforts via Pinterest - how did I only just find this beautiful blog?
Are you as addicted to Pinterest as me? I LOVE it and am inspired everyday by the gorgeous pictures, handy tips, and general yumminess.
| | |
|
From Her Perspective
Nola's perspective - window ballet.
Give a Kid a Camera Project - documenting her 5th year. At the end of the year we will make a book to celebrate everyday life. Won't you join us?
| | |
|
Art Happens Here
We just bought a new art table for the girls. It is a big, proper desk that is very red.
| | |
|
Doing Good - Support for Food Bank Recipients
Every day some families have to make a very difficult decision - a decision that would break my heart. They quietly sacrifice their own health for their children and skip meals so their children can eat.
During the winter, bank accounts are emptied by higher heating bills, and unforseen medical bills, but growing bodies always need nutritious food.
Emergency food boxes are available throughout the US, and many other countries, to help alleviate the problem. These emergency boxes rely on donated food to fill the gap. During the holidays, food banks often see a rise in donated foods. But as the winter months continue, donations fall and the food banks' supplies becomes alarmingly low.
How can we help?
As a family we talk about how lucky we are. Those who have so much can help those who have so little. My girls are ready to help...
We chose food from our cupboards, attached pictures of support to the cans, and donated them to the food bank. We donated a big box full of love and we will donate again next week.
I hope this project gives encouragement to young families in need, teaches children the love of giving, and most importantly, nourishes growing bodies.
A few tips to get you started:
- Find your local food bank
- The most needed canned items are peanut butter, canned meat, canned vegetables, canned fruit, pasta and cereal.
- Do not cover the expiration date or ingredient list with your pictures or words of support.
- Many grocery stores have drop-off boxes for items donated to local food banks.
- Many food banks will give kids tours of the facility - call ahead to schedule.
More ideas to help give back:
| | |
|
From Her Perspective
Kira's perspective...it makes me smile.
Our living room and Nola, who had just been sent to the couch for pushing her sister.
Give a Kid a Camera Project - documenting her 5th year. At the end of the year we will make a book to celebrate everyday life. Won't you join us?
And now I notice how well my blog font matches of our living room walls.
| | |
|
Homemade Games: Memory Tray
Did you play this game as a kid? Nola and Kira got so into it that they were jumping up and down - I don't remember it being quite that exhilarating when I was young.
Fill a tray with 9 - 12 common objects. Everyone spends a minute or two observing the tray.
Cover the tray with a cloth and take one item away.
Reveal the tray - who can guess what is missing?
Were you right? By this point the girls were dancing around the room looking for the telephone booth. We added an extra step of wrapping the hidden object in the cloth, because it is always fun to unwrap things. The girls started finding their own treasures for the tray. It was a good hour of fun - not bad for a cold day.
Here are some more games that we have made:
Do you make games for your kids? What did you used to play when you were young? I'd love to hear! I'm thinking about making lots more...
| | |
|
Giveaway - Valentine Fortune Cookies
To show my love for Curly Birds' facebook fans world-wide, I'm giving away one set of 3 Valentine Fortune Cookies, all wrapped up in a little to-go box. Make sure you are a facebook fan of Curly Birds and leave a comment on my facebook post...I'll pick one lucky person on Wednesday, 8 February.
Lots of love!
Congratulations Paula - your cookies are on their way to Portugal!
| | |
|
A Family Portrait
This idea came from my friend Deena. She was in a house and noticed a wall of family portraits. Each year a framed family portrait, which the kids draw, is added to the wall. Over the years the wall has became a beautiful memory of a family growing up.
Isn't that lovely?
A simple project documenting kids' art and family.
I asked the girls to draw our family portrait and here is Kira's first picture. We are all shown in our favorite colors and this is the first time she has drawn clothes. (I'm the happy one in green).
As well as hanging the picture on the wall, I uploaded it to be displayed in the International Children's Gallery.
| | |
|
