It has been a cold, windy, blustery, blizzardy Christmas. The storm we thought was only going to drop 1 or 2 inches of snow and pass on decided to get stuck over us and swirl around and around and dump a whole lotta snow on the plains and hills. (It feels very North Pole-ish here) We probably received a foot of new snow on top of what we had but it is very difficult to measure when the winds are whipping at a sustained 35 mph. Blizzard. The ski resort that is an hour and a half from us got a whopping 50 inches of snow. A new record. The kids are excited to get up there with their snowboards.
We were blessed to get out on Christmas Eve to attend Candlelight Services at our church and then gathered with our kids at my parents' home for a nice prime rib dinner. Oh, it was so lovely. The night was cold, but quiet and calm, just like you would imagine a Christmas Eve to be. But after the drive home, the blizzard conditions descended.
Since Christmas Eve, we've been in the house playing lots of cards and cribbage. I've been sniffling and sniveling with a little cold that just leaves me feeling tired. Nothing serious, but today I decided I needed some soothing as well as a little decongesting. I watched one of the boys sucking on a peppermint candy cane and thought it would be just the thing for me. Peppermint always makes me feel better whether I'm all stuffed up in the nose or if I have a tummy ache. I thought hot peppermint tea would be just the thing to sooth my throat and nose, but I didn't have any. I did, however, have a bottle of peppermint oil so I put 2-3 drops in my tea mug and added a little bit of honey and water just off the boil. It was the perfect soothing treatment I needed. I also added a few drops of peppermint oil to the pan of water that is on the wood stove adding a little humidity to the dry air in our home. The smell wafted through the kitchen and living room and just gave everything a fresh "flavor." I'm feeling much better.
The blizzard passed this evening at about supper time. I'm looking forward to a little sunshine tomorrow.
If you have more candy canes than you can eat, check out this recipe for Candy Cane Syrup from Storybook Woods!
I think I need some peppermint! I hope your cold flees soon. What a nice post. I love your little home in blog land. I'm so glad I can visit you! Stay warm and rest if you can. love love love ~pom pom
ReplyDeleteWell, we are still waiting for snow! We can't seem to get any...I too love the peppermint in anything..so nice! Hope you do get the sun tomorrow..hum, that sounds like a song! Come say hi :D
ReplyDeleteOooh, how fun! I love a good blizzard and being trapped inside. All obligations are suspended and you can have some "me" time. I hope you're feeling better today!
ReplyDeleteHello sweet Gumbo Lily!! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty image and a lovely and useful post to go with it!! It's especially timely as I have recently purchased a bottle of peppermint oil (to add to a cider vinegar rinse, to use in my hair ;). With so much left, I am excited to try your idea of using it to create peppermint tea! I have used a few drops (dotted beneath the nose) to help clear stuffy sinuses, but the tea sounds so much better. Also, thanks so much for the great links for using up an over~abundance of peppermint sticks!! (Don't know how I missed that post from Clarice's blog!)
I hope you're staying warm and cozy as you enjoy your beautiful snow!
Warmly,
Tracey
P.S. Your blog is just so charming!! I love your tree, and your pine cone garland and everything I've seen and read thus far...and I've only just started to browse! xo
i wonder if peppermint candy canes melted would work the same way? I also have peppermint extract - but I don't think it's quite the same as oil. I think it would be very soothing to a poor stuffed up nose. I do hope you're feeling better soon.
ReplyDeleteWe've been hearing about that blizzard - that was a whopper! I'm so glad you were able to get to church and be with your family.
Jody, 50 inches of snow is difficult to comprehend. Wow! I hope you get to feeling better. I love peppermint in my coffee. It is a favorite!
ReplyDeleteWe do love those peppermint candies. They are so pretty and fun looking too!
ReplyDelete~Silver
Reflections
Guess you caught the sniffles from me! Ha...it made the rounds in my family over Christmas. We have had snow...not near as much as y'all...ha ha on global warming.
ReplyDeletePeppermint oil is good for headaches as well...just rub a touch on the temples.
~M~
They said we had about 12-18" of snow. It's hard to tell with all the drifted snow. None on the flat, lots next to fences, trees, buildings.
ReplyDeleteFifty inches in the Hills. My kids love to ski/snowboard so they are smiling.
Ranch Wife,
We could use some global warming about now!
Jody