Retro Valentine's Day Cards

Retro Crafting

Valentine Cards

One of my favorite grade school activities was crafting Valentine cards for my classmates, friends, and family. To be fair, I wasn't overly fond of school and any excuse to spend a day with scissors and construction paper was fine by me, but there was always something special about Valentine crafts. There's something about poorly-fashioned paper hearts covered in glitter and doilies that says "I care" better than any store bought gift. 

Receiving a Valentine isn't something that happens much anymore in this day and age, could you imagine your surprise if you found a big red paper heart in your mailbox? I know people should show each other they care daily, we shouldn't need a specific day, but the truth is we lead busy, hectic lives and it's very easy to forget to show our appreciation for each other. 

So this year, instead of rushing to the store to buy something cheap and impersonal, why not sit down and craft something from the heart for that special someone in your life?

I could write a step-by step tutorial on how to do that, but that wouldn't be very personal, right? So instead here are some tips and suggestions.

Materials

You can use anything your little heart desires, but here are a few suggestions:

• red and pink paper
• glitter
• glue 
• paper doilies
• retro card printouts
• candy hearts
• dried flowers
• paint and markers
• ribbons

Crafting

Be creative! Cut out hearts, pictures from magazines, card printouts, and glue them all together. Cover them in glitter, flowers, doilies, ribbon, and sweet sayings. 

Make them as big or as small, as simple or extravagant, as personal or platonic as you'd like. 

If you have kids, cut out a bunch of different sized hearts and allow them to put them together how they'd like. 

Giving Them Out

Valentines can be handed directly to the recipients or hidden somewhere they'll find them. Mailing one to a friend you don't see very often is a great way to show them you're thinking about them,    

Home Remedies for Colds and Flu

Fighting Winter Illness the Natural Way

If your life is anything like mine right now, you or someone you know is sick and you're probably tired of running back and forth to the store to restock your medicine cabinet. Unfortunately I don't have any miracle cures for you, but our Mid Century ancestors held firm to the reliability of these home remedies. 

DISCLAIMER: This is not medical advice. Do not give any alcoholic beverages to children or mix alcohol with medications you may be taking. 

1. Hot Toddy

The Hot Toddy can be traced way back to Britain (where it was consumed cold) and Scotland (where it was consumed hot) and has long been believed to prevent and cure colds and flu. A concoction of hot water or tea, lemon (for vitamin C) honey (to soothe) whiskey (to numb) and sometimes with a stick of cinnamon or a few cloves, was certainly a tasty treat on a cold night, but does it actually work? 

According to the medical community, hot alcoholic beverages can help to relieve the symptoms of colds and flu by relaxing the body, widening blood vessels and clearing nasal passageways. All these can help the body to heal quicker, but the drink itself is not a cure and will not prevent illness. 

Recipe

Add to a mug of hot water or tea: 

1 tsp of honey

1 1/2 oz whiskey

1/2 oz lemon juice (or more to taste)

Optional

Cinnamon stick

Cloves

Nutmeg

2. Just Plain Liquor

According to the "Medical Men" of the 1950's, "pure and wholesome" whiskey was the only way to fight the dangers that come with getting the flu. 

While liquor will relax you and widen your blood vessels, like with the toddy, it's probably not a good idea to lie in bed and get hammered while you're ill.... Right?

3. Chicken Soup

OK, we've all heard this one, right? As a child, within seconds of a single sniffle, my mother would be pouring gallons of salty noodle water down my throat.

I can't say with any certainty if I felt any better afterwards, or if I just fell into a soup coma, but according to Dr. Stephen Rennard, it's the real deal. Just like a Hot Toddy, the steam from soup can help clear congestion. Unlike a Hot Toddy, chicken soup also has anti-inflammatory properties, they're just not sure why.

If you're currently lying in a bed of misery without mom or grandma around to whip up their famous homemade soup, you might be happy to know that canned soup works just as well, if not better, than homemade. How convenient is that?

4. Garlic

My grandmother swore by garlic, in fact, she would eat entire bulbs of it raw like a normal person would eat an apple.

Turns out grandma isn't always wrong, and neither are old wive's tales, because garlic is a natural anti-viral and anti-bacterial.

Eating the garlic raw is key (right again, Nana) but if you find chewing on a garlic clove to be a bit much, try chopping it up and eating it in a spoonful of honey, or spread on a piece of toast.

If you still can't handle it most health food stores sell garlic in capsules!

Does your family have a traditional home remedy? Have you tried any that have worked for you? 

Let us know in the comments below!

Winter Home Maintenance

Winter Home Maintenance

(Or How to Keep From Losing Your Mind)

It may seem like winter has been here forever, and if you're anything like me you're pretty over it by now. Unfortunately we still have a few more months of cold and dreary Pacific Northwest weather to look forward to, so how do you keep from going stir crazy during the long wait for spring? While major home repairs are generally saved for the warmer months, your time indoors can be spent doing simple home maintenance to ensure your home is in tip-top shape for the year! Follow this simple list and before you know it spring will be here and your home will feel like new!

1. Deep Clean

Everyone has heard of "spring cleaning" but honestly, that's never made much sense to me. Why would you wait until the weather is finally nice, just to stay indoors and clean? Why not do it in the winter when most of us don't want to be outside anyways? Consider doing some (or all!) of the following:

• De-clutter. Get rid of anything you don't use, donate what you can!
• Scrub your grout
• Clean out and organize your fridge and pantry
• Wipe down walls and baseboards 
• Throw out expired cosmetics, lotions, and other toiletries 
• Shred old documents 
• Wash drapes and dust blinds

2. Make Minor Repairs

• Tighten loose knobs and towel racks
• Clean or replace air filters
• Re-seal windows
• Re-caulk tubs and sinks
• Have appliances maintained if needed
• Fix leaky faucets

3. Go All Out

If you're a "go big or go home" type of person, these activites may suit your fancy:

• Redecorate a room or give it a new coat of paint
• Tackle an un-finished attic or basement and  make it usable space
• Make a lifestyle change your family agrees on, like eating meals at a table rather than in front of a television

4. Plan For a Spring Garden

• Map out where you'd like to put some garden beds or planters
• Look through seed catalogs or order seeds online
• Start some seedlings indoors
• Plan an indoor herb garden for your kitchen
• Search Pinterest for easy garden crafts 
• Start a garden journal

I hope that list will keep you busy for the remainder of the season! What kind of things do you guys do to beat the winter blues? Let me know in the comments below!!

Seattle Open Houses October 2nd, 2016

Open House Sunday

If you're currently in the market for a new home, and you like a good deal, you may be in like. Traditionally most people prefer to do their home shopping in the spring and summer, and this drives up the cost of available homes, creating a seller's market.

If you don't mind some rain, and possibly a little snow, then I recommend doing your home search in the autumn or winter. While it's true there will not be as many homes to choose from, there will still be quite a few (you only need to find one!) and there will be much less competition. 

To get you started I'm providing a free downloadable and printable map of all the Mid Century open houses in Seattle on Sunday, October 2nd!

The homes very in price range and condition. Some have never been updated, while others are super modern, definitely something for everyone!

Mid Century not your thing? Maybe you're looking outside of Seattle? Feel free to contact me for a personalized list suited to your needs and wants!

retro-thana.realtor

Open House Sundays

Open House Sunday

It's another beautiful weekend to search for that perfect Mid Century home in Seattle, or just do some wishful browsing. 

Below is a downloadable and printable map of all Mid Century open houses happening in the Seattle area this Sunday, August 28th. 

As before, these are not my listings and any cancellations or incorrect times are out of my control. Want a map of a different area in Washington? Just let me know in the comments below!

Fun and Sun in Seattle

Summer is Almost Over!

Back to school time is almost upon us, but there's still a few weekends left of summer vacation. Make the most of this time with your kids or your friends (or just by yourself!) with some of these great events happening this weekend.

Free Entrance Days At National Parks

August 25th - 28th is fee-free day at all national parks. This includes entrance fees as well as some tour and transportation fees. Take your kids to explore nature and enjoy what Washington State has to offer! 

To get more information and find a park near you go here https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm

Chehalis Garlic Fest

Everyone loves garlic, right? Enjoy garlic-y goodness with food, crafts, kids activities, and two stages of live music all weekend long! There will even be a beer garden for the big kids. 

The event goes from August 26th-28th

$5 general admission, kids 7 and under are free!

Get more info here http://www.chehalisgarlicfest.com/

Bacon, Eggs & Kegs

Don't have kids? Garlic not your thing? Maybe you'd enjoy a Brunchy Booze fest this weekend at Century Link Field! Taste some great food and sample local craft beers (from your very own tasting glass given to you upon entry) on August 27th and 28th from 11am - 3pm. If you're not a fan of beer, like me, there will also be a selection of ciders, bloody Marys, Irish coffees, root beer floats, and a bunch of games! 

Tickets are $40 for Saturday or $35 for Sunday.

To find out more about what your ticket will get you, click here http://www.baconeggsandkegs.com/

Don't let the rest of summer pass you buy, get out there and enjoy it!

Fun and Sun in Seattle

Explore Your City!

Whoever you are and whatever you're into, there's always something fun to do in Seattle. From free concerts in the park to viking village reenactments, the Emerald City has it all!

This weekend is going to be HOT, and if you don't want to waste your free time in front of a television, or hear tiny voices chanting "There's nothing to doooooo!" You may want to make weekend plans for some fun in the sun.

Arts in Nature Festival

Held in Seattle's only campground, Camp Long, the Arts in Nature Festival is a weekend of art and performance installations placed around the park. Stroll through the woods as you listen to a variety of music and see art in all medias. This event is held on August 20 - 21 and it's a great way to spend time outdoors with your kids and away from computers and tablets!

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under. 

Find more info here http://fest.naturec.org/

Seattle Street Food Festival

Woods not your thing? Maybe you'll be interested in checking out the Seattle Street Food Festival in South Lake Union instead. Sample culinary delights from over 200 vendors showcasing the very best of the Pacific Northwest. 

Held on August 20 - 21, this festival is free, family friendly, and sure to satisfy everyone's palate. 

Learn more here http://www.seattlestfoodfest.com/

Do you know of an event you'd like to showcase? Let us know in the comments below!

 

retro-thana.realtor