"Homemaker's Helper" Herbal Tea ~ A Tiggy-winkle Tea Blend

"Then Mrs. Tiggy-winkle made tea—a cup for herself and a cup for Lucie. They sat before the fire on a bench and looked sideways at one another. Mrs. Tiggy-winkle's hand, holding the tea-cup, was very very brown, and very very wrinkly with the soap-suds; and all through her gown and her cap, there were hair-pins sticking wrong end out; so that Lucie didn't like to sit too near her."

~ The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle by Beatrix Potter

{Welcome to our "Fun Friday Series" this spring featuring Beatrix Potter Inspired Posts!}

As we all know, Mrs. Tiggy-winkle is an excellent homemaker. One important thing she understood was that the body needed time to rest and nourish itself each day. Perhaps it was only 20 minutes but it makes all the difference to a busy hedgehog homemaker! Would you like to join us for a cup of her nourishing tea? She shares suggestions for each homemaking situation. Some of us need something to strengthen our systems (with a dose of iron and other vitamins and minerals) while others may require something to sooth those strained nerves and calm anxiety. As stress is constantly hard at work depleting our precious store of vitamins and minerals, the homemaker must replenish what we have lost to stay healthy and strong. Herbal tea is an excellent and gentle healer!

Because herbs are natural, your body will recognize and respond to them unlike a synthesized vitamin that may not be so readily absorbed. These are God's healing instruments and I am personally seeing benefits from their restoring abilities.

{Please don't be frightened by my weedy looking blend! It looks a bit more rustic since I dried many of the herbs myself and did not cut them to size.}

For a blend that nourishes the female body, mix together the following herbs (you can adjust amounts/proportions as necessary):

• 2 c. lemon balm (nerve tonic; high in calcium, magnesium, B vitamins, protein)
• 2 c. nettle (excellent tonic herb for women; rich source of iron, calcium, vitamin A)
• 1 1/2 c. spearmint (stimulant; increases circulation, provide nutrients, increases vitality)
• 1/2 c. peppermint (stimulant; increases circulation, provide nutrients, increases vitality)
• 2 c. raspberry leaf (excellent tonic herb for women; rich source of vitamins, minerals such as calcium, iron, phosphorous, potassium and vitamins B, C, and E. Tones and nourishes the uterus and pelvic region.)

For a blend to sooth the nerves or alleviate anxiety, consider replacing the mints in the recipe above with some of the following (just keep in mind that the mint does keep it more palatable and less green tasting):

• milky oats (nerve tonic; relieves anxiety and stress, depression, irritability)
• borage (relieves anxiety and stress, good for combatting depression)
• chamomile (nerve tonic; high in calcium, magnesium, B vitamins, protein)
• lemon verbena (relieves tension, anxiety, stress, antioxidant, digestive tonic)
• St. Johns-wort (nerve sedative; relaxes the nervous system, eases tension, encourages sleep)

{Note: This may seem pricey to purchase all these teas but keep in mind that I do not purchase expensive vitamins. And remember, you can always start with one herb that really speaks to your needs and begin using it and slowly add in more as your budget allows. Nettle is an excellent start for overall women's health as well as the raspberry leaf. My third choice would be the lemon balm. Also, many of these can be foraged from your back yard (such as the nettle) or consider purposely growing your own herbal tea garden. Mint is an easy one to begin with and quite prolific!}

Add 1/4 cup of your herbal tea blend to a tea pot or quart sized mason jar (I just place a tea strainer directly in my tea pot and brew inside). Pour hot water over herbs and put on the lid. Let mixture steep for at least 30 minutes. Sip this blend during the day or take a 3 o'clock tea time. It is said that for a medicinal tea to be more effective, you must drink it in small doses several times during the day. I try and make a large pot in the morning and drink it throughout the morning and afternoon. In the autumn and winter, you may want to store your infusion in a thermos to keep it nice and hot. In the summer and spring you can refrigerate it for a refreshing iced tea.



Tiggy-winkle Tea Tips:

She likes to add a green tea bag to her teapot of "homemaker's helper" blend in order to get the extra energy boost and antioxidants. She will often include some of her homemade dried lemon peel or citrus slices for flavor and its health properties. When you add a bit of raw honey to this concoction (including the citrus peels or some lemon juice), it is tasty (and similar to the Arizona Green Tea but without the awful high fructose corn syrup)!

Mrs. Tiggy-winkle suggests storing a large jar of this preventative tea blend in your pantry. Consider it a part of your medicinal arsenal to keep your body healthy, nourished and strong.

Give a mason jar of this blend as a gift to a fellow (and perhaps wearied) homemaker.

Here is our label if you would like some whimsy in your cupboard (right click image to copy it). If you enjoyed this tutorial, you may be interested in making Mrs. Tiggy-winkle's spray starch, stain remover spray or her handkerchief tutorial. For more Beatrix Potter inspired projects, visit here (if you please 'm)! Thank you for joining us for another week of "Fun Friday" this spring! Have a lovely day.

                                                       

All the fine print. This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: The Art of Home-Making Mondays, Modest Mom Monday's, Monday's Musings, Make Your Home Sing Monday, Good Morning Mondays,  The Scoop, Tuesdays with a Twist, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link Up, Homestead Blog Hop,  Wow Us Wednesdays,  Coffee and Conversation, Homemaking Thursdays, Home Sweet Home, Our Simple Homestead, Awesome Life Friday Link Up and Create, Bake, Grow & Gather. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these. This post may contain affiliate links (which are merchant links that help to support this site at no additional cost to you if you purchase an item through them). Illustrations are by Beatrix Potter.  Note: Mrs. Tiggy-winkle found her herbal information here.

Unschooling?! ~ Grace for Overwhelmed Homeschooling Mothers

When I first started homeschooling, I read dozens of books on curriculums and teaching styles. I couldn't get enough of them! The main ones that excited my home education appetite was the unit study style of teaching along with the Charlotte Mason ideas. In the end, both were incorporated to create our eclectic style of home education. Surprisingly, it was the book on "un-schooling" that impacted me most. Though my task oriented character wasn't complimentary to this concept, I gleaned much from the book though I never "purposely" apply its concepts. For what it did do, was relieve my anxiety during those "life gets crazy" days!

Note: If you are unfamiliar with un-schooling, it is basically a child led education (you can read more about it here and keep in mind it is different to each parent). I will be sharing my version of un-schooling. 

Oftentimes, there are days (and sometimes weeks and even months!) throughout the year that emergencies come up, sicknesses occur, your extended family needs you, you are in the middle of a move, you have 50 bushels of apples to preserve, your husband needs your help in the family business, friends and family need assistance and the list goes on... and the list goes on!

What is a homeschooling mother to do?

Should she fret and give up her goals of home education every time life throws a curve ball? Should she be overwhelmed and burdened when she can't keep up with her homeschooling schedule? Should she just throw in the towel?

No, what was once important is still important. The reasons you decided to home educate are still valid. We just need to change our thinking during those times. This is where your "un-schooling" insurance comes in!

“An alarming number of parents appear to have little confidence in their ability to "teach" their children. We should help parents understand the overriding importance of incidental teaching in the context of warm, consistent companionship. Such caring is usually the greatest teaching, especially if caring means sharing in the activites of the home.”

~ Raymond S. Moore, School Can Wait

You can have peace of mind that your child is still being educated on those days, it is just a different type of learning, a practical learning experience or even a creative one! Here are some examples of how this could go via my version of un-schooling:

When those buckets of produce are staring at you to preserve, and you need to enlist those extra helping hands, you can consider that whole day "home economics" in your homeschooling schedule.

If you are needed to care for a family member during an illness, have your children help! They are learning valuable biblical lessons of carrying each others burdens. The children can assist you in making meals, serving beverages, singing songs to the patient, reading to the patient and offering up prayers. If you have older children, have them research the illness you are dealing with so they can offer suggestions, menus and ideas to make the patient more comfortable. You have potentially done home economics, Bible (character building) and science (health) that day.

“Education is not confined to books, and the finest characters often graduate from no college, but make experience their master, and life their book. [Some care] only for the mental culture, and [are] in danger of over-studying, under the delusion . . . that learning must be had at all costs, forgetting that health and real wisdom are better.”

~ Louisa May Alcott, Jo's Boys

If your husband decides to take you all to the lake for the week, do not fret! You can call that time a "family field trip". Some other areas of study would be "science" since the waters are full of marine life and critters. Taking little opportunities along the way to share and observe can transform many an outing into a nature study. If your children spend the week swimming their hearts out, you could include "physical education" in your daily homeschool log.

When I needed to start packing for a major cross-country move (and had to sell off 1/3 of our household goods), I had a stack of audio books that were listened to while my laundry was being folded, cheese for dinner was being shredded and produce was cut into salads, etc (anything that helped me to pack and sell so that life could continue was done while listening to audio books). If the book was Heidi, I would consider it "geography" and "language arts" for the day. I would give oral assignments such as, "please bring the globe and locate Switzerland and Germany for me" or any cities mentioned in the book (geography). I would implement narration by asking what each chapter was about as we listened (language arts). Our Around the World Cookbook was brought out and meals were prepared for me based on the country we were focusing on (home economics). On the weekends, we would watch movies located in Switzerland or based on the books we read. It was a busy time but school was being done the best way we could!

If your child is sick in bed, they could still have perfect attendance. If you are allowing them the privilege of watching something of worth for either historical, science or character building content, you can call that day spent learning in bed "history" or "science" in your homeschooling schedule. I think you get the point.

Obviously, older students can still do the basics (reading, writing, arithmetic) if your curriculum and schedule allows and they could also help the younger ones when they are finished to do theirs. I also purchase special independent workbooks for times such as these. Our favorites are the Queen Homeschool curriculums (think Charlotte Mason style workbooks!). When life gets crazy, I pull them out.

"Written directly to the child, our courses need no teacher's manual, and allow both parent and child to develop interests outside of school time, as well as having the time to pursue them."

~ Queen Homeschool Supplies {Affiliate Link}

I have also noticed that once "school" is over for the day, what continues to happen in our home is still education! I see encyclopedias opened (to Rococo Art on one occasion!?), I see a birdwatching notebook being created, animal husbandry books being read and applied in the back yard, meals being made, desserts being baked, little frocks being sewn for little ones, embroidering, painting, drawing, writing of novels, crafting, reading, reading and more reading!

Note: I hate to be the bearer of bad news (or upset anyone) but I must speak plainly. If you keep a no TV schedule these activities shared above will take place. Leaving your child in front of the television all day long is not educational even if the programs are all educational. Although an occasional movie has its place, it is certainly not a replacement for reading, exploring, creativity, playtime and other childhood activities that encourage learning and development. Yes, it may be "the" answer for a few days but please don't make it a habit.

The most important lesson (for mother and children) to learn while homeschooling is that life isn't perfect and smooth! Our children need to understand that we need to roll with the punches. Plans change, things come up and learning how to modify our schedules is also an important lesson to learn. It teaches flexibility (for mother and children). Life doesn't revolve around the homeschool, rather, homeschool revolves around life. That is true education for the real world.

"Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life..."

~ Charlotte Mason

I hope this has alleviated some stress and anxiety for those of you going through different situations. I will leave you with a true story to inspire.  Michael Smith (an attorney from the HSLDA) told it at a homeschool convention and I constantly fall back on his words when the going gets tough. There was a woman who had to take off the homeschooling year in order to care for a sick parent. She was very regimented in her homeschool and the time "off" was a great trial to her orderly character. When the children started school again formally the following year, she had them tested to see how many grades they had fallen back during their "educational absence". What she found was that each child had progressed to the next year! They had already learned how to learn and were continuing their education even when she was not able to be a "teacher". I hope this encourages you as it did me. While I am not suggesting that you purposely abandon your homeschool schedule and curriculum, I do hope this offered some grace during those difficult days.

For more home education posts, visit here.

This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: The Art of Home-Making Mondays, Soul Survival, Modest Mom Monday's, Monday's Musings, Make Your Home Sing Monday, Good Morning Mondays,  The Scoop, Titus 2sdays, Titus 2 Tuesdays, Roses of Inspiration, Tuesdays with a Twist, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link Up, Homestead Blog Hop,  Wow Us Wednesdays, Wildcrafting Wednesday, Coffee and Conversation, So Much at Home, Homemaking Thursdays, Home Sweet Home, Hearts for Home Thursdays, Home Acre Hop, Growing in Grace Thursdays, From the Farm Blog Hop, Farmgirl Friday, Front Porch Friday Blog Hop, Awesome Life Friday Link Up, Simply Natural Saturdays and Clever Chicks Blog Hop. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these.

What to Do and Make With All Your Lovely Lavender {DIY List}

"If you could choose only one herb for household use, lavender would have to be at the top of the list. Apart from its pretty flower and much loved scent, lavender is antibacterial, antibiotic, antiviral, antiseptic, deodorizing and insect repelling, which means that you can use it in the living room, kitchen, bathroom, laundry, nursery and patio, as well as in your wardrobes and drawers, on your pets and on your skin." 

~ The Complete Illustration Book of Herbs, Reader's Digest

If you have read this blog for some time, you already know that lavender, with its variety of uses, is one of my favorite plants. Though its water was prized in the Regency Era (Jane Austen wrote of lavender water in her novels and referred to it in her letters), it was Queen Victoria who popularized this amazing flower as a homemaking necessity. She had her rooms perfumed with it and even appointed a Miss Sarah Sprules as “Purveyor of Lavender Essence to the Queen”!



“It is generally known that the Queen is a great believer in Lavender as a disinfectant, and that she is not at all singular in her faith in this plant… The royal residences are strongly impregnated with the refreshing odour of this old-fashioned flower, and there is no perfume that the Queen likes better than Lavender-water, which, together with the oil for disinfecting purposes, Her Majesty has direct from a lady who distills it herself.”

~ Fragrant Flowers, 1895

And the romantic, natural, modern-day homemaker? I suggest you embrace it to its fullest capacity! Here are some wonderful ways that we use lavender in our household and for gift giving. We will be sharing more ideas in the future since there are so many enjoyable things to do and make with this heavenly herb! {Note: If you don't have a lavender plant, you can always purchase flower buds here.}

{all titles are linked}

luxurious lavender bath salts

lavender scented carpet deodorizer



{no sew} lavender drawer sachets

lavender infused cleaning solution



lavender lotion bars



lavender infused medicinal oil

how to dry lavender for teas, potpourri and such



lavender infused cleaning product collection with printable labels

"sweet lavender" botanical perfume

lavender laundry soap

grow your own lavender from cuttings

scent your letters with sweet lavender sprigs

“The air was fragrant with a thousand trodden aromatic herbs,

with fields of lavender,

and with the brightest roses blushing in tufts all over the meadows...” 

~William Cullen Bryant

This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: The Art of Home-Making Mondays, Modest Mom Monday's, Monday's Musings, Make Your Home Sing Monday, Good Morning Mondays,  The Scoop, Titus 2sdays, Titus 2 Tuesdays, Roses of Inspiration, Tuesdays with a Twist, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link Up, Homestead Blog Hop,  Wow Us Wednesdays, Wildcrafting Wednesday, Coffee and Conversation, So Much at Home, Homemaking Thursdays, Home Sweet Home, Hearts for Home Thursdays, Home Acre Hop, Growing in Grace Thursdays, From the Farm Blog Hop, Farmgirl Friday, Front Porch Friday Blog Hop, Awesome Life Friday Link Up, Simply Natural Saturdays, The Tip Garden and Clever Chicks Blog Hop. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these. Lavender image was found here.

Stain Remover Spray {DIY} ~ A Tiggy-winkle Tutorial

"Then she took something else off a clothes-horse— "That isn't my pinny?" said Lucie. "Oh no, if you please'm; that's a damask table-cloth belonging to Jenny Wren; look how it's stained with currant wine!

 It's very bad to wash!" said Mrs. Tiggy-winkle."

~ The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-winkle by Beatrix Potter

Ah, the sorrow of stains in the laundry! No one understands that better than our dear washer-woman, Mrs. Tiggy-winkle. However, she does not fret my friends, for she knows how to make her own frugal stain remover!

If you please'm, all you need is some water, dish soap, liquid glycerin and essential oils (the essential oils are optional but helpful). Liquid glycerin can often be found in the health/body care aisle in most markets or it can be purchased online.

Either lemon or eucalyptus oils are chosen specifically for this easy project because of their stain removing abilities. I often use lemon in our household recipes when acceptable because it is a less expensive oil.

Simply mix together 1/4 cup of dish soap (Dawn is preferred), 1/4 cup of liquid glycerin, 1 1/2 cups of water and pour into a spray bottle. Optional: add 8 drops of lemon or eucalyptus essential oil to the final product. Use like you would any stain remover spray. This recipe was adapted from Clean House, Clean Planet by Karen Logan.

Here is also a printable stain remover chart that may be helpful to have on hand (per Mrs. Tiggy-winkle of course).

"If at all possible, it's best to treat spills and stains on washable garments immediately --while the stains are fresh and before they dry. The more quickly you treat a stain, the less likely it is to set... Blot liquid stains with a clean white, lint-free cloth or paper towel. Gently scrape or brush off excess solids, if there are any. Avoid excessive rubbing, as it may spread the stain or damage delicate fabrics... After pretreating and washing a stained item, always check to make sure the stain has been removed before putting the item in the dryer. Dryer heat can permanently set some stains. If the stain remains, pretreat and wash again."

~ Donna Smallin, Cleaning Plain and Simple

"Lily-white and clean, oh!

With little frills between, oh!

Smooth and hot—red rusty spot

Never here be seen, oh!"

~ Mrs. Tiggy-winkle's Wash Day Song by Beatrix Potter

    

We are also sharing our label for the stain remover spray (feel free to copy). If you enjoyed this tutorial, you may be interested in making Mrs. Tiggy-winkle's spray starch or her handkerchief tutorial. For more Beatrix Potter inspired projects, visit here (if you please 'm)! Thank you for joining us for another week of "Fun Friday" this spring! Have a lovely day.

                                                       

This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: The Art of Home-Making Mondays, Modest Mom Monday's, Monday's Musings, Make Your Home Sing Monday, Good Morning Mondays,  The Scoop, Titus 2sdays, Titus 2 Tuesdays, Roses of Inspiration, Tuesdays with a Twist, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link Up, Homestead Blog Hop,  Wow Us Wednesdays, Wildcrafting Wednesday, Coffee and Conversation, So Much at Home, Homemaking Thursdays, Home Sweet Home, Hearts for Home Thursdays, Home Acre Hop, Growing in Grace Thursdays, From the Farm Blog Hop, Farmgirl Friday, Front Porch Friday Blog Hop, Awesome Life Friday Link Up, Simply Natural Saturdays and Clever Chicks Blog Hop. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these. Illustrations are by Beatrix Potter.