Homemade Italian Spice Mix

I am working on a recipe for crockpot spaghetti sauce, but for now I wanted to share with you our homemade spice mix. I was in the habit of buying spaghetti sauce until I discovered how easy it was to make your own, not to mention cheaper! I love putting this mix together because of the aromatic spices, the smell is wonderful. Also, once you do this you'll never go back to buying expensive Italian Herb mixes!

Mix together in a jar:

• 2 tbsp Basil
• 1 tbsp Majoram
• 1 tbsp Oregano
• 1 tbsp Parsley
• 1 tsp Thyme
• 1 tsp Rosemary
• 1 tsp Coriander

The great part about this mix is you decide which spices you like more of or which ones you don't like. Coriander is definitely optional - we like it in our sauce, but I also just happened to have it in my cupboard. Don't feel like you need all of the spices to make this mix, go ahead and make it anyway and see how you like it!

- Sarah

Linking up with Party Wave Wednesday

“You know well enough that Our Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our actions, nor even at their difficulty, but at the love with which we do them.”                                                            ~ St. Thérèse

Five Favorites: In which I show off my Bambinos . . .

Linking up today with Hallie from Moxie Wife. If you haven't seen her blog before, hop on over - you won't be disappointed!

Things have been sloooooow going over here for one main reason, which happens to be this:

1.

Luke Vincent! Let me introduce to you our newest Baby Doll! Born on August 26th - 9lbs 8 oz. This picture was taken when he was a week old, he is now six weeks old and things are just starting to feel normal. Well, as normal is it gets with a newborn! He is now giving me smiles and coos - my heart is overflowing with love for this little guy. . .

We had the most lovely home birth a girl could dream for. I started labor shortly after noon and had sweet little Luke on my chest before dinner. I can't say I am looking forward to my next birth, but this experiences was so positive that I feel more optimistic than ever. Maybe the third time's the charm? In any case I am so grateful to Our Lord for a wonderful birth and healthy baby!

Stay tuned for his birth story, I need to get it written down before I forget all the details!

 

2.

This is Peter.

This is how Peter walks around most of the day, with some sort of weapon in hand and a scowl on his face!

Ok, I don't give him enough credit, haha. He can be the most charming, sweet, loving and compassionate little boy I have ever been around. Things have been rough going since Luke was born, but he's coming around to his old self again and we get a kick out of things he says every day.

Peter has been hitting us with his sword lately so we put the sword in "time out" thinking he'd not have any weapons. Well, we watched Tangled the other night and this morning he was walking around getting all the bad guys with this frying pan!

3.

Gianna has been the sweetest little Mommy to Luke. Every chance she gets she's kissing and playing with him. Even though she's only four, she's been a great help with Luke. I can see how it'll only get easier as she gets older! 

I love seeing how my children act towards Luke - it's so sweet to see other people love Luke as much as I do. I feel as if every baby we have there's more love to go around and our hearts become more generous.

We have been doing some preschool activities with Gianna this year - and I know she would like us do to more, but life is tough with three little ones! Hopefully things will be a little easier when we start homeschooling for kindergarten next year - because im not sure how im going to do it!

4.

I put Gianna and Luke on opposite sides of my bed for a nap the other day and when I checked on them I found this. 

Heart melt. 

5.

The majority of days around are hard. Really really hard. Im in survival mode and I think it'll be like this for awhile. 

The kids wear their pajamas most of the day and I am constantly frazzled, exhausted  and grumpy towards the older kids. Forget having dinner made. 

That being said, I hate dwelling on the negative. So in case someone thinks its all lovey dovey and roses around here - it's not. For my own sanity, I need to savor, capture and share the beautiful in order to get through the rough.

This particular moment melted my heart and I snuck a picture before the kids saw me. Reading is one of my absolute favorite activities and I beam with pride when I see my children enjoying a book together. 

LOVE it. 

Thanks for letting me share my kids with you, have a blessed day! 

~ Sarah

"Help me, O Lord, that my heart may be merciful so that I myself may feel all the sufferings  of my neighbor. I will refuse my heart to no one. I will be sincere even with those who, I know, will abuse my kindness. And I will lock myself up in the most merciful Heart of Jesus. I will bear my own suffering in silence. May Your mercy, O Lord, rest upon me."

- St. Faustina Kolwaska

Hot Buttered Cinnamon Tea

Now that the weather has turned and the days are chilly I long for a cup of hot tea in the morning. Coffee usually gives me the jitters and causes my blood sugar to dip - so black tea it is. I love it. I'm not sure any other word can describe my relationship with tea. There's something about savoring a few moments of quiet in the morning with my hot cup of tea and a brief prayer as I begin my day. Now, to be honest those moments hardly happen around here with three little ones, but a girl can dream, can't she? It gives me the boost to get going in the morning without the horrible crash later in the day, and it taste ooh so delicious.

A beautiful Tibetan woman drinking Yak Butter tea.

A few weeks back my sister told me she was drinking butter in her coffee. I immediately thought, "Eww!" But after some convincing, I had to try it, and maybe it was good after all? I was out of cream as usual so I made my tea, blended it with butter and honey and was immediately hooked. Thanks sis!

I looked up hot buttered coffee and found a bit of information on it, apparently it's an Ethiopian tradition to drink butter in your coffee and in Tibet they drink Yak butter in their tea. So I'm not crazy after all!

When I told my mother about my newest obsession she said, "Like hot buttered rum? Oh yeah!" Yes Mom, just like hot buttered rum. :)

According to a travel and leisure website it's considered one of the world's strangest street foods. "It's made by churning or shaking yak butter, black tea, and salt together in a covered container; the result is best consumed when it's hot and foamy." Locals usually drink dozens of cups a day and if you are a guest in their home local custom dictates that your cup is filled after every sip.

So interesting!

Now, I don't have yak butter, but I do have delicious Kerrygold butter made from cows grazing on green grass in Ireland. It's a slice of heaven if there ever was one and taste wonderful in tea. Here is my "recipe" if you are interested in trying it out:

 
Hot Buttered Cinnamon Tea

12 ounces hot black or Rooibos tea (or coffee if you prefer!)
1- 2 tbl butter
1 tbl honey
A dash of cinnamon

Blend your tea, butter and honey with an immersion blender or countertop blender. Blend till creamy and frothy. Pour into your favorite mug, top with a dash of cinnamon and enjoy!

Let me know what you think or if you have tried this before, I would love to know!

~ Sarah

"You learn about great food by finding the best there is . . . then you savor it, analyze it and discuss it with your companions . . ." - Julia Child

Linking up with Party Wave Wednesday and  Pennywise Platter