First off, I must apologize for my less frequent posts over the past month. Both our kids came down with the dreaded RSV, which has been especially bad this year. Quite a few of the kids we know, both here and in other states, had it at the same time as ours did, and a friend who is a PICU nurse in Nashville said that her floor is filled with young kids on ventilators. It’s heartbreaking!
While Littlest Buddy’s chest congestion and fever were at their worst, I was thanking God that this outbreak didn’t happen last year when he was a newborn. I was also thinking back to my decisions to keep him away from others until he was eight weeks old and to wear a mask myself when I had to go out in public and filing them in my mental list of things to do again when we have another child, even if COVID isn’t a threat at that point.
After our children healed, we had visitors, followed by Thanksgiving craziness, and then more visitors. Needless to say, it was a busy few weeks for us, but things are calming down now.
And now for my post about spices. Have you ever been to a spice shop? If you haven’t, I will warn you that it can be a dangerous place, especially if you like to cook or bake. There are just so many interesting blends, and the aroma of the shop is irresistible. We have a spice shop with two locations in Nashville, and they both happen to be near great coffee shops, which makes me visit them more often than I otherwise would.
I enjoy browsing, but I (usually) hold back and only buy certain spices from the spice shop. My favorite is their chili powder. It’s so good that I won’t make chili with any other brand. I also enjoy their basil, parsley, and oregano because they don’t cost much more than conventional, but they taste SO much better. I used to buy herb plants during the summer and freeze enough for the winter, but these taste just about as good without all the extra time.
Do you have a spice shop in your area? If so, what spices do you buy there?
I donāt think I have a spice shop near me, but will have to look into it.
Glad the boys are doing better. I also know many kids who have gotten it this year too.
Merry Christmas!
Alayna
Why do you think RSV has been so bad? Why do people have to learn the hard way to wear masks and to stay away from others? Of course all the Thanksgiving visiting made things worse, and Christmas will too. Why can’t people control themselves and stay home? If there’s something going around that puts children on ventilators, common sense should tell you to keep your children at home and away from others. Visit virtually, call, e-mail, whatever. You don’t have to be total social outcasts in order to stay safe at home. Everyone should be wearing masks in public again, too.
You haven’t been to a spice shop til you’ve been to Kalustyan’s in New York City. They’ve been in business almost 80 years. They’ve been called the Disneyland of spices. They have spices A-Z from all over the world, common and obscure. You can also pick which ocean you want your salt to come from (Antarctic sea salt is excellent). It’s a heady experience shopping there. They have a website you can order from or just browse to see the shop – foodsofnations dot com. If they don’t have it, it doesn’t exist.
Sounds awesome! If we go to NYC again, we will definitely go.
Hi Ellie! It’s Hollie from Savory Spice in Nashville and Franklin- thank you so much for your kind words- we agree our chili powder is terrific – we look forward to seeing you again.
So kind of you to comment Hollie! I love your store!
Iām glad your boys are better! Life is so hard when kids are sick! We think our 4 year old had some variation of RSV during Oct/Nov. None of the 5 doctors we saw could diagnose her and she tested negative for other things. This year definitely seems different with little kids sicknesses.
I did the same, keeping both my kids (2018 and 2021) in for the first several months! We loved it because it got us out of having traditional visitors and attending large gatherings. š I loved that time.
Sorry to hear your kiddos got sick! Thatās always so hard- especially on the mama who just wants to take all the pain and sickness away from her little ones š
Thank you, WA Mama! š
I’m glad your babies are ok.
Thank you!
You poor thing! Sick kids are the WORST! My youngest has been off school for a couple of weeks and trying to work with him downstairs has its challengesā¦
I live in London so I have great access to spices! Have you ever made dahl? Itās the easiest (and cheapest) dish! My middle son is a pretty picky eater but he loves super spicy curry.
I havenāt made it! Iāll have to look it up. Hope your youngest is able to go back to school soon!
I see a “Savory Spice” store in Franklin. Is there one in Nashville as well? Whereabouts?
Hi Sarah! There is one in Franklin and Nashville. The Nashville one is located near the Sylvan Park and Nations neighborhoods. š
So happy that the boys are doing better. That is one of the reasons people should wear masks. We have never been to a spice shop. We do use spices,basil,poultry seasoning and oregano. Wishing you and yours a Blessed and Merry Christmas. Have a healthy,happy and peace filled 2023.
Joan,Marion and Marilyn
I’ve never been to a spice shop. I needed to check to see if we have one near me and we have three in the city which is about half an hour from here. I’m going to have to check one of them out some time. I’m sorry your boys were sick and I’m glad they are better.
Thank you Regina!
Hello Ellie, I have been to a spice shop once and loved it but found all the aromas overwhelming. It was part of a market.
I am sorry your boys have been ill. I hope they have fully recovered and are ready for Christmas celebrations. Have a wonderful Christmas season full of family events. Eileen
Thank you, Eileen. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas. Have a blessed new year. Praise God that your boys are feeling better.
Have a Merry Christmas Ellie,Mt.Handsome.little Buddy ,Littlest Buddy
LOL I THOUGHT THE BOTTLES WERE WINE, LOL, HEY I AM GLAD TO SEE U!!!!!! I LOVE U FAB 4!!!!!!!1