Whiffen Spit

An actual place name;  popular for a walk here in Sooke.  It appears as though its more popular to walk dogs than to take children though.  But Gaelyn was able to tell basically every person that was walking their dog that it was a 'Cute Dog' (even if it wasn't cute to the rest of us......like Banjo, hey Layne?)

Laars is NOT a walker.  He always wants to hitch a ride.  He'd rather pick flowers, but the rest of the gang is always walking too fast for him to enjoy the flowers to his hearts content.

Found a shelter to play on and in.

Laars' find was an acorn and a little carrot.  Mama said 'Yuck' about the carrot so he traded it in for a rock.

This Rock!  Mama got to carry it in my pocket for the rest of the walk.  I think it's still in my pocket!

 

Hey, I lost my shoe!!!

                           'Twas a beautiful walk. 

A Bouquet

Out with the boys in the backyard to swing, dig in the sand, and teach Anders to throw frisbee, and I couldn't help but bring some flowers into the house.  Thanks to Anders for helping mommy cut the beauties.

'Twas a better picture for the day than the one of Laars' fingernail as today he lost his second one.  We were grossed out as it hung precariously from a little piece at the base, but he lost it somewhere's in the house today.  I think I like the looks better now with no nail, then the loose one pried up at a 45 degree angle waiting for its final accidental tug to disengage it.  Glad its over.  Like I said, the flowers are a prettier sight.

My Morning Routine

Ok, 'routine' might not be completely accurate as with still having littles at my feet can make it difficult to get everything I hope to do for myself accomplished in an orderly manner consistently first thing in the morning.  But 'routine' is the best word I can think to use that is, well, understandable.

(Sorry, Beatrix, that its taken so long to get around to posting my 'routine', but better late than never, huh?)

~I get out of bed anywhere from 5:30-7am.  I think it should be more consistent, but because we still have Littles my sleep is often disturbed so I allow myself the freedom to stay in bed longer some mornings when the Littles also allow it.  My sleep & quality is really random at this stage in life, and I have to Go With The Flow.  Some mornings, like today, I can successfully sneak out of  bed about 4:30am and go unnoticed by Laars, but many mornings I lay awake in bed meditating/praying so not to disturb sleeping boys. 

~ Potty Break!  Some mornings I do an enema to help my body eliminate from the nights cleansing.  This isn't on any kind of 'schedule'.  I do it as I feel (intuitively) that my body wants/needs it, and as time permits

~Body Scrub (the T-Tapp way) to help with elimination, and improve circulation to skin

~Brush hair with firm brush (or  you could use a wooden comb) to get tangles out, then scrub scalp & clean hair with a Boar Bristle Brush to improve circulation and distribute natural oils for healthy hair.  This needs to be done in small sections, methodically working over my skull.  I have found I can't use the Boar Bristle Brush alone as it would take infinity to work out the knots in my thick hair.  That's why I start with a stiff brush.

~Scrub Face (with a softer brush than a body brush) vigorously to improve circulation, gently exfoliate.  At same time I do some face squints and stretches for toning.

~Spray body, face and hair with homemade blend of essential oils in water.  I just put water in a small spray bottle and add EO's as I like, but usually some blend including  (or even solely) cinnamon as I like a spicy smell versus  flowery.  I often use lavender, or geranium, but never leave out my cinnamon.  Endless possibilities.

~Apply jojoba oil to my face and neck for moisture and sun-protection (SPF 4)

~Do Hoe-Downs

~Drink at least 1 glass (if not 2 glasses) of filtered water

~Putter in the kitchen and help littles with their own morning 'routines'

~Drink a glass of fresh juice (if Chelle or Everette make it), or make myself a glass of water with 1 oz aloe vera gel, juice of one lemon, a tsp or so of unpasteurized honey, maybe a pinch of cayenne pepper

~If I'm feeling ravenous (which isn't often, especially when I've drank enough fluids), I will eat an apple (or Laars' leftover apple cores with lots of flesh still on them) OR our version of Muesli.....  I soak about 1/2 cup of organic rolled oats with hot water, add a couple chopped dates, some goji berries and a few shakes of unsweetened coconut.

~Then its usually time for cuddles with little ones and maybe do some reading with them, or sit & have a discussion with Everette or read aloud with him.  This is our Connection Time, if the littles allow it ;)  or we fit it in some other time of the day.




I'll try and post an Evening Routine later.

Botanical Beach & Cuts

Yesterday we drove out to the west coast of the westcoast.  That's the west side of Vancouver Island.  Everette's mom, sister & her dh were supposed to meet us out there in the afternoon, but they weren't able to find us until the end of the afternoon when we returned to our van which they had parked right behind.  So, at that point we stood around the parking lot eating wraps, oranges and corn chips with salsa  while visiting.

Below are some pics from our family's day at the beach.  It was a couple of km walk down to the beach from the parking lot.

We missed these big rain forests.

Laars with his walking stick.

Loads of tidal pools to observe.

Unfortunately this baby octopus was dead.  We found him/her just on wet sand, probably where a small pool of water used to be.

smokin' an orange segment.

Sights on the drive home......

So, that's what we did yesterday (Sunday). 

Today was Victoria Day, what we usually call May Long Weekend.  We decided to spend an extra night at Hales, get another visit in with Mom Johnson this morning, hang-out and get some hairs cut. 

this is the pile of hair cut from my own head.

      And............

you'll have to come back tomorrow to see.........

What's Vinegar and Honey and Oil Got to Do With It?

As part of a recent WISH (Women's International Summit for Health) I heard Janice Cox
sharing about all the wonderful spa treatment ingredients most of us have sitting in our pantry and in the fridge.  Not only are these homemade 'products' cheaper than store-bought, they are less toxic for you, & for the environment (what's going down the drain or packaging to the landfill).

I've started incorporating some of Janice's ideas in the past couple weeks and am happy with the results.  Three of them in particular that I wanted to share.  My favorites.

SOFTER HANDS & STRONGER NAILS
Several of us were starting to get dry skin on the backs of our hands.  But now that I've placed containers with olive oil at each of the sinks in the house we just apply a few drops of oil after each hand-washing, rub it in well not only into the skin but also into the nails.  We all have revived skin.  Any excess we rub into our cheeks and neck.  Voila!  We feel silky.

Janice said that nails become brittle because they lose moisture.  So right after washing them, lock that moisture in with a coating of (organic, preferrably) oil.  Purchasing it from the grocery store will save you money.  Try coconut, olive, almond, etc.  An obvious note: make sure you don't use what you might internally and/or externally be allergic to.

TOOTSIE CARE
Another skin idea is focused on the feet.  This is a 'luxury' I particularly enjoy.
Fill a sink or small tub with warm water.  Pour in some vinegar (white, apple-cider, even old wine).  The acidity will soften your soles.  Rub vigorously or use a scrubber to remove hardened spots.  Then after drying your feet remember to seal in the moisture with your favorite oil & pay attention to massaging oil into your toenails.  It's good to put organic cotton or wool socks on to keep your floors clean from oily footmarks, or if you don't mind wearing socks to bed it will keep your sheets cleaner.

I remember hearing Bernardo LaPallo sharing in a video about his father telling him as a young boy that if he took care of his feet, they would take care of him throughout his life.  He has been massaging them every night ever since with olive oil.  This man iss 108+yrs old and looks absolutely fantastic!  

MANES
Our hair is something that often gets overworked.  A great way to freshen it & clean the build-up out of it is to at least once a month put 1 tsp of baking soda in a cup of water & after you shampoo your hair, (or even add to your shampoo) scrub this into your scalp.  If you don't like to use shampoo, you can go the 'No-poo' route that many do.  Just google for options.  I personally haven't used anything on my hair/scalp for cleaning since, golly, must be last summer/early fall?  And no, its not greasy.  I just scrub warm water over it.  That's it.  Free and easy.

But here's my third Favorite idea (the baking soda idea was an extra!).
I now use liquid honey for hair conditioner.  It might sound sticky but it washes out easily, and I love the feel of my hair.  It's a great moisturizer for all hair types.  Leave on for 15-30 mins before rinsing.

If you are super sensitive to different pollens, you might want to  be careful of the plant source for the honey.  Currently ours is from a blueberry farm, and we love to eat it, soak in it (right in the bath water) and moisturize with it.  Oh, but if it gets in the eyes, it can sting.  May be short lived, but it sure stung my eyes.

Honey is so healthy from head to toe.