Homemade Rainbow Playdough

So my homemade playdough started with pumpkin spice for fall but kinda spiraled from there.

So I made rainbow play-doh: -vanilla coconut -pumpkin pie -grape glitter -blue spearmint -green is Christmas cookie -lemon -orange tangerine -black cherry -pink lemonade.

I generally use the same recipe for all the playdough bases and then the add-ins make each batch unique.  Stir together the following dry ingredients in a saucepan then add the wet ingredients and cook on low heat.  

1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
1 cup water
2 Tbsp oil
2 tbsp cream of tartar

Pumpkin Pie = Add 1 Tbsp of pumpkin pie spice & 1/2 tsp of cinnamon & a pinch of clove spice

Vanilla Coconut = I replaced the vegetable oil with coconut oil & added a tsp of vanilla extract

This one is a bit less stable than others - it works great for play but will not keep as long as the others.

Grape Glitter = I added an entire packet of grape Kool-aid, a few drops of food coloring (I already had a purple but you can mix primary colors as well - I love the "Neon" colors pack) and a Tbsp of purple glitter.

Blue Spearmint (my favorite) = I added blue food coloring & a couple drops of Spearmint Essential Oil (another option is peppermint extract if your're not into oils - color it red)

Green Christmas Cookie = I've heard amazing things about Frankincense being used for calming in kids but the smell of a few drops in the playdough was pretty bland so I added some cinnamon and it smelled just like Christmas! Several drops of green food dye created a deep green color.

Lemon = Add yellow food coloring & a few drops of lemon essential oil (or try lemonade drink mix powder if you do not have oils - replacing the water with actual lemon juice will not work as it will change the consistency too much).

Orange Tangerine = Red & Yellow food coloring to create orange & a few drops of Tangerine essential oil.  I have also used orange Kool-aid mix and a citrus-y DoTerra oil called "Cheer."

Black Cherry = the coloring and scent both come from black cherry Kool aid packet 

Pink Lemonade = Country Time pink lemonade drink mix (I used 2 Tbsp) & 2 drops lemon oil

Also, visit this post is a recipe for Gingerbread Playdough & Candy Cane Dough

If stored properly in sealed gallon zipper bags they will last for 6 months.  When the kids play with them I occasionally knead the dough and if at all sticky add a tiny bit of flour while kneading.

14 Truths About Pregnancy After Loss

Pregnancy after loss is different. High risk pregnancy with hyperemesis after MULTIPLE losses at various stages of pregnancy for several different reasons is filled with sheer terror. As much as I WANT this baby, as much as I already LOVE it, I’m barely HAPPY or excited. Anxiety & Fear are the dominant emotions and dwarf any competing thoughts.

Okay, I know what you’re asking “Is this a pregnancy announcement?” Not exactly. I AM pregnant. (I've written a little bit about that pregnancy in this post.) However, the sad thing is I never know how long any pregnancy of mine will last. So with this post, my hope is it has staying power and value beyond THIS pregnancy. That others can relate to my experiences and not feel so alone. Because, let me tell you, I FEEL alone in these emotions.

My PAL Journey: Weeks 1-9

Pregnancy After Loss is more easily referred to as PAL.  I'm hoping to document MY pregnancy after loss - or my PAL journey.

Pregnancy after loss is different. High risk pregnancy with hyperemesis after MULTIPLE losses at various stages of pregnancy for several different reasons is filled with sheer terror.  As much as I WANT this baby, as much as I already LOVE it, I’m barely HAPPY or excited.  Anxiety & Fear are the dominant emotions and dwarf any competing thoughts.

I’m only 9 weeks pregnant and have already spent over 5 weeks with life at an absolute standstill. It’s been an adventure.  It isn’t even that interventions are needed so much as caution and awareness based on past history.  As of now, things are good. Meaning if I was an “ordinary” pregnant woman I’d be going in for my first routine visit just now. But I’m not normal. So every symptom must be investigated.