Day 5: When Under Attack…

The Caboose (that’s our youngest) and I are under attack by some rather insipid and invasive little buggers, and both feel like our heads might explode at any moment. Whenever I feel icky, I remember my grandma gently spreading Vapo-Rub on my chest as a child, and that soothing touch (and smell) always made me feel better. So, naturally now whenever my boys are under the weather, I reach for the same soothing comfort (making sure to save some for myself, too!) I’m not comfortable with the petroleum base of the traditional Vapo-Rub my grandma used, so I’ve experimented (a lot!) with homemade remedies. Here’s the current favorite (used liberally today, and now in need of replenishing – as soon as I feel better!)

Bee Better Balm
1/4 cup beeswax
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup sweet almond, jojoba, or grapeseed oil
10 drops peppermint essential oil
10-15 drops eucalyptus essential oil
10 drops tea tree oil
20 drops lavender essential oil

Melt the beeswax, olive oil and 1/2 cup of your other oil choice together (I do this in a pyrex in the microwave, start with 1:30, stir and then work in 15 second increments till it’s all melted). Add the remaining oils, and stir gently to mix, then pour into your container of choice (I use half pint mason jars, they’re easiest to dig fingers into. Rub on liberally when you or your littles are feeling under the weather, and breathe a little easier!

Today there’s two patterns with a “comfort” theme – the Babywearer, and the Stripey Slippers.

The Babywearer is the ultimate comfort for a winter sling baby! Keeps you both covered and cozy, without the fuss of a coat and fitting it over you both. There’s a bunch of lovely projects on Ravelry, including this beauty:

The Babywearer is only $5.oo today, so grab it while the gettin’s good!

Second, is there anything more comforting than a cozy pair of slippers on a cold winter night?  Everyone in my family teases me that I’ve got frigid feet, so I’m rarely without a pair of slippers in winter.  The Stripey Slippers are fun and quick to knit, and feature a clever construction that will keep the knitting engaging.

Check out all the inspiring projects on Ravelry, and then go grab your very own pattern (just $4.00 today!) and warm up all the soles {souls} in your home.