"Tara-flu"...OR...An Elixir to Keep Vampires at Bay

Keep those comments coming! The winner of the apron will be drawn on Saturday!! I am LOVING all the fun Holiday Food traditions and favorites!! You can enter here.

But I have to admit to not getting much done the last several days. You see, I started coming down with a nasty cold on Thursday night. This was unfortunate due to the fact that it was the first rehearsal for the Christmas services at my church. I LOVE singing. I LOVE LOVE singing for Jesus.  And I LOVE LOVE LOVE singing at Christmas!! So I was not going to miss the first Christmas rehearsal for anything.

Well, Friday morning, I woke up all yucky. HRH and I had to drive to Sac for the morning and I could not get out of it. So, like the lady I am, I moaned and whined the whole way. Once we were done with our appointment, we had a very, very rare treat of lunch out together. We went to the Cheesecake Factory!! And....I brought almost all of my meal home. Yet I did order dessert, so I brought that home too.

 Let's just say, even with such a big treat, I did not touch those leftovers for a while. Sad...

Then on Saturday, I was even sadder. I was supposed to go with Don and India down to Oakland for the big Diabetic Youth Foundation Gala at the Clairmont. I had ordered salmon......SOB...

I LOVE salmon! But I was too sick to go. India was taking her donation of the funds raised through Showstoppers. She was so happy to be able to donate almost $900.00!! The actual amount raised through ticket sales and donations was nearly $1000.00!! But we needed to pay a janitorial fee (which was greatly reduced by a generous sponser!) and there were some printing, music and costume expenses that needed to be reimbursed. Most people donated their time, talents and gifts-in-kind, so that we could give more of the money to the DYF. Sadly, the DVD recording of the event was accidentally destroyed when the hard drive was purged. I cried over that news. A lot.

But, India was thrilled to make her donation and was so pleased to be asked to be a counselor at the DYF Bearskin Meadows Camp next summer. It really is a wonderful organization. And India got to spend some good time alone with her Daddy. That is very important when a girl is 18.

So, there I was, at home on the sofa, watching Christmas movie (Miracle on 34th Street) after Christmas movie (White Christmas) after Christmas movie (Desk Set). I was alone for a few hours because my in-laws took Ahnalin with them to a different fundraiser.

But then........I got a message on Facebook from my cousin Tara! Tara is an actress in L.A. and is very familiar with the frustrations of being a singer with no voice due to rotten bad colds.

She sent me the recipe for a remedy, that her sister lovingly refers to as "Tara-flu".

Upon first reading, I knew I would love it! I asked Tara if she minded if I shared it, and she said that it would be fine but that it did not originate with her.

SO, to whomever created this concoction, Thank you!!

Tara-Flu

1-2" of fresh raw ginger, grated to make 1 Tablespoon

2 cups cold water

Grate the ginger (I peeled if first, but not sure if that was correct or not)

and add to the cold water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes.

Add 1/4 t of Cayenne Pepper.

Simmer 1 more minute.

Remove from heat and add:

2 cloves crushed fresh garlic

2 T fresh squeezed lemon juice

1-2 T honey to taste ( I am bad, I used raw maple syrup instead)

Let this concoction cool slightly but not a lot.

Strain it and then drink it hot.

Now, this stuff is STRONG!!! But I really liked it. It is kind of like the taste of hot and sour soup, which I love.  But be prepared, because it will make you sweat, A LOT! And the cayenne pepper is really hot! But let me tell you, it helped break up the congestion in my chest!

I finally made it Sunday night, after staying down all day. But, by Monday morning, the congestion was breaking up, and by Monday night, I was able to squeak out a few notes. I drank it again last night and this morning, I am almost back to normal. This is pretty miraculous because I have asthma and am very susceptible to both bronchitis and pneumonia. I think this may have kicked those out before they could get too cozy in my lungs this time!

But let me warn you, the "fragrance" of the garlic is quite strong! So, no self respecting vampire will come anywhere near you after drinking this. That would normally be fine, for me at least.

But, India, like many other teenage girls (and probably some of their mothers), is looking forward to the opening of New Moon of the Twilight series.

So, I doubt she will be drinking any of the "Tara-flu".
I am not a fan, but then I would rather stay home and sew, especially since I lost so much good sewing time when I was sick! UGH!

Do you want to see something funny???? India is in the choir program at her high school and this year they had a local seamstress make the dresses. NOT ME! Thankfully! Well, the measurements were taken by a woman who is not a seamstress. For some unknown reason, after taking the measurements, she added some inches "just to be safe". Well, when the seamstress got the measurements, she also added a few inches "just to be safe". See where this is going? YIKES!!!

Well, some how, my munchkin sized daughter was put in a size XL!!! On the sides, there is at least 12 inches of extra fabric, and the length is a good 10 inches too long! I called to see if this was a mistake, and was told that EVERY SINGLE DRESS was made this much too big!! Thankfully, the local seamstress who made the gowns offered to alter them all. Whew! I did not want to touch this! I will do alterations, but altering something that is at least 4 sizes too big, and doing it in such a way that the dress can be re-altered for a different girl, would be a real pain!

So, we pick up the dress this afternoon and she has to wear it to a choir festival tonight. I hope it fits better after the alterations!

So, what do I need to accomplish this week? Oh my!

I need to smock and construct a custom dream birthday dress for a soon-to-be 4 year old princess from China. The dress above was commissioned by the princess's mommy last year. I will post this years next week before I send it off in the mail.

In addition to this, I need to sew an authentic costume for India to wear as Queen Katharine for her Chamber Choir's Madrigal dinner. Um....other than ordering the fabric, I have not started on this. I am praying the fabric arrives soon! And yes, pictures will be posted of this costume when it is done.

Oh....and then there are Christmas jammies, dresses, presents, etc. to be sewn!

And did I mention that I am writing the instructions for the "Yaya's Apron"? Yes. That is in the works.

On that note, don't forget to enter the giveaway!! I will do the drawing on Saturday and then will post the winner's name here. I hope to get the apron sent out on Monday, so do stay tuned!!

Love to you all, and keep those vampires away!

Sivje

Showstoppers Pictures At Last!

At last! Showstoppers pictures!

India introduced herself and spoke briefly about the Diabetic Youth Foundation, and her passion for Broadway music. Then she started off the show with "Putting It Together" from the musical "Sunday In The Park With George."

Next up "Past the Point Of No Return" from "Phantom Of The Opera". In addition to our Phantom and Christine, we had 6 tango dancers. We were so blessed to have a marvelous dancer, Mary, choreograph some of our numbers.



Don did an amazing job as Tevya from "Fiddler on the Roof!" Not only was he perfect for the part vocally, but he danced like a crazy man!

While this song is NOT from a Broadway show, it was certainly a "Showstopper" in every sense of the word. The kids in the choir and drama departments are all pretty hooked on the movie "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" and so they insisted on performing the song "Men in Tights". This left me to make 10 Robin Hood costumes! They are not great sewing, and yes, I used felt. But they looked great and the kids had the dance spot on!

My favorite song of the whole show, or at least one near the very top of the list, was when India and Laurissa sang "Defying Gravity" from the musical "Wicked". They were incredible!!! This song, especially, makes me cry. I am overcome when my beautiful takes command of the stage and sings "And nobody, in all of Oz, no wizard that there is or was, is ever gonna bring me down!" That is how she feels about her diabetes! This disease is not going to stop her. She will not let it! Makes a mama proud!

Then we had "Chim Chiminee" and "Step In Time" from the musical "Merry Poppins". Our Mary and Bert looked just like the original characters! And our chimney sweeps were hilarious!

Dean and Carol Chilecoat represented the Diabetic Youth Foundation and shared about the fantastic and live changing programs that we strongly support.

Showstoppers in the Union Newspaper

Showstoppers and India were in the newspaper this morning!

Open up to page C1 and then click on the story to the right. India is the blond on the right with her hair in a pony tail and wearing a white tank top.

The picture shows her with her friend Larissa while they are rehearsing "Defying Gravity" from the Broadway show "Wicked".


I promise!! I will get back to blogging and showing fun sewing projects soon! Really!!! I double promise!!!

India and Ahnalin update

India is still sick. She has been out of school since Monday. Her inner ear infection is better according to the doctor but her sinus infection is still raging. Her blood sugars reflect the infection as well. She is still very dizzy and just generally feels yucky.

Showstoppers is just a week away and every rehearsal counts right now. So Don has been helping a lot with rehearsals so India can just sit in a chair and direct. But we are all feeling the pressure of being down to the wire.

I am busy sewing things like hats for one of the numbers and a boned top for one of the singers. I am desiging in such a way that the "tail feathers" can be removed so that she can wear the top again. I have several other costumes to make as well. This is in addition to things like curtains for a local client.
I will post pics soon.

Ahnalin has her next surgery on Monday. We are praying that the doctor is pleased with her healing, so that she will come out of the next surgery with no cast. PLEASE GOD!!!!

We would really appreciate prayer for our girls and for India's show.

I will put up pics later of the sewing I am doing.

Showstoppers Tickets for Sale

India's show is just 11 days away!! Please come and support her and her performers as they raise funds for the Diabetic Youth Foundation.

The DYF has been very important our our family life and the lives of many, many diabetic families. They provide training, support, entertainment, encouragement and valuable information at their camps and other services. We LOVE the DYF!

India is 18!

Just 18 short years ago, a tiny baby was placed on my belly. She was so little, yet strong and curious. As soon as the doctor put her there, she put her little hands down and pushed up to look around the room. The doctor and nurses looked shocked and told me that newborns are not supposed to be able to do that yet. But she was born in the posterior position, so her little neck got really strong, really quickly! She also rolled over the very next day. She was so inquisitive! Ready to take on the world with no fear from that very day.

When India was a baby, Don was on staff at First Presbyterian church in Bellingham, WA. The church was right across the street from Western Washington University. The church had a HUGE university ministry called "The Inn" which met weekly and had a congregation of students MUCH larger than the general congregation of the church. The Inn was staffed with some of the most wonderful women I have ever met. And every time I would walk into the church, one of them would grab India out of my arms and I would not see her again until she was hungry or we needed to leave. India never had a fear or strangers or ever worried about her place in the world. She was just always happy and "OK". She knew she was loved and just loved everyone in return.

India has always been confident in who she is. She has not EVER been a "follower" in any way, except for being a follower of Jesus. She welcomes everyone with open arms and an open heart. She will defend you to the death and encourage you constantly. She is a dreamer and a gifted writer. She is an AMAZING singer and if you ever have the chance to hear her, you will be awed! And her acting ability is simply a gift. Often when she is acting, I forget it is her. I get so drawn in and become so emotional, that I have to stop myself and remember that she is not really homeless, or pregnant, or struggling to survive a concentration camp,...............or a floating princess. Yes, she has played SEVERAL princess roles over the years.

You can't really see it well, but she is wearing a tiara. She has several. She has taken the princess role to heart and wears her tiaras whenever she needs a lift. This was her outfit today. Frilly, sparkly, a fluffy crinoline under her dress, and all together fabulous. She is beautiful. She still is pretty pale but she has been ill quite a bit lately. She does not let that stop her though. I am so proud of my precious girl.

Last night, before we went out to Big A for burgers with Grandma, Grandpa, and Papa, Don gave India a very special present. Very special! He gave her his Seagull acoustic guitar. India LOVES this guitar. She has been in love with this guitar since she was about 8 years old. It has a lovely tone and a small neck, so her little fingers fit around it very nicely. India was in shock that her Daddy would giver her this much loved instrument.
She cried so hard she could barely talk. She will write such beautiful songs on this guitar. And she has the best guitar teacher there is, the giver of the gift.

After her Daddy gave her the guitar, we left for Big A, with it's homemade root beer and decadent burgers. She asked her Daddy what were the things he wanted to know when he turned 18. He did his best to impart all of his wisdom to her while we sat at that table outside the restaurant. It was so sweet.

Here is the Birthday Girl with Grandma, Grandpa, Ahnalin and me. Daddy was taking the picture.

Today was actually India's birthday, yet she had to leave after school for Chamber Choir retreat up in the mountains. So, I ordered a birthday cake for her to share with her friends. Hey, if you have to be stuck in a cabin in the mountains with 40 people you may or may not love, they might as well sing "Happy Birthday" to you, right?

India and her buddy Erin are doing their best to look completely dorky for this picture.

But seconds earlier my beautiful girl looked like this.

So, I kissed my girl goodbye, knowing that the next time I saw her, she would be an "adult". Notice I did not say "Mature Adult".......no....just adult!

 

This is how I have seen her a lot lately. She is working on "Showstoppers" here. Yes, LOTS of phone work. She is getting to hate the phone as much as I do. But, it is a means to an end, and there is much to be done to prepare for the show.

Here, India is directing her singers in a rehearsal of Showstoppers. She is really very good with her direction. Daddy is the accompanist, and India is directing......interesting dynamic, but it is working.

Sorry this is so blurry. I am not good at motion shots! And yes, they were in motion.

Daddy was helping to direct this song, "Seasons of Love" from "Rent" because India is one of the soloists on this ensemble piece. One of the female singers had not arrived yet at rehearsal. But OH! The kids are sounding sooooo good!

Just a cute picture of India and her boyfriend Kevin. He brought her yellow roses, chocolate, and a princess balloon today at school for her birthday. She was over the moon!

I am going to have to scan some baby pictures of my girl. I know I do not show pictures of her as often as I show Ahnalin.  India is so busy and I just don't get her time as much as I used to. But I am proud of my beautiful girl. I love her so very much.

Please pray for her health. I believe that God has HUGE plans for my lovely and talented girl. I pray that good health is part of those plans. Please pray with me that the next two weeks are productive and successful for her with Showstoppers.
Tickets are now available. If you are near Grass Valley, you can see her show on Saturday, October 10th at 7:00PM. Tickets at $10.00 for adults and $7.00 for seniors and students. All profits will go to benefit the Diabetic Youth Foundation.
If you are not nearby but would like to donate to the cause, you can email me at sivjegoose @ sivjegoose .com  (remove the spaces).

Thank you so much for your prayers for my girl.
India, I love you so much and am proud of the woman you have become.