tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47505384086811083992023-11-16T12:29:16.311-06:00KC Irie: A Suburban Homesteading Blogamperezrosaleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449801781080435noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4750538408681108399.post-62089954677627670112013-01-14T19:40:00.000-06:002013-01-15T12:18:36.807-06:00My DayI had a really terrible no good very bad day today and decided to vent it out in a little poem. Hope you all enjoy...<br />
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Today I am a failure. Dinner was not on the table by 5:00.<br />
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Today I am a failure. The house has mud tracked from one end to the other and up and down the stairs.<br />
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Today I am a failure. There is laundry all over the living room floor because my two year old dumped out the hamper and has been running around with it on his head.<br />
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The bed is not made, the kitchen sink is full, and the bathrooms are hardly spotless.<br />
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Today I am a failure. My 11 year old missed his very expensive hockey practice because he chose to not help get ready to leave and I decided that if he wasn't going to do his part, I wasn't going to do mine.<br />
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Today I am a failure. I didn't make it to the grocery store.<br />
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Today I am a failure. I had to finish cooking and the baby started crying before I was ready to tend him.<br />
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My bread didn't rise, I ran out of mayo, and the dog pooped in the basement.<br />
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What else can go wrong in a day?<br />
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So I'll remember...I have a baby! I am not supposed to be able to do it all!<br />
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Then I'll kiss the baby, hug the toddler and tell them all I love them. Then go to bed and rest my head and try again, tomorrow.<br />
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This post was included in the <a href="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2013/01/homestead-barn-hop-94.html" target="_blank">Homestead Barnhop</a>amperezrosaleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449801781080435noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4750538408681108399.post-16193905574023081112013-01-09T00:49:00.000-06:002013-01-09T00:55:18.523-06:00Menu Planner-Free PrintableHi all! One of my biggest goals this year, as you know already if you read my last post, is to provide healthier meals for my family. I am convinced the key to this is menu planning! I have always had trouble consistently creating weekly plans. It's kind of like working out. I do great for awhile but once I fall off the wagon I forget about it for a period until I resolve to do better and try again. Sound familiar?<br />
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Anyway, perfectionist that I am, I was looking for a pretty template that I could download (for free) and print to plan my meals on, but nothing I found seemed to quite fit the bill, so I made my own, of course. Below you will find both a simple weekly meal plan grid and shopping list page. I'm cheap and don't like to use a lot of ink, so they aren't fancy, but I think they will be exactly what I need. The problems I was having with most of the printables I found were that they started on Sunday instead of Monday, (Yes, I know this is America. I just prefer to do my planing Monday-Sunday. Plus that's how my weekly planner is laid out and this way I can lay them side by side, see who's going to be where what night and plan accordingly.), only one included a place to write in prep reminders, (Take the chicken out of the freezer, soak the beans, that sort of thing...), and none had a place to include other items that you would like to make throughout the week; things like fresh baked bread, snacks, or fermented or home canned goodies. This gives you a place to list those things you'd like to accomplish in your real food kitchen. I use my weekly calendar as a sort of to do/did it list and that is where I plan what to make what day. It seams repetitive but I like to have those items listed on my meal planner when preparing my grocery list because otherwise they can get a bit jumbled up in the other daily activities that are listed on my calendar. This way I'm sure I won't miss anything.<br />
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<a href="http://www.4shared.com/office/4VkBdcqW/Weekly_menu_planner.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://dc441.4shared.com/img/4VkBdcqW/0.6087702266526603/Weekly_menu_planner.pdf" /></a> <a href="http://www.4shared.com/office/2i5KjyYr/Grocery_List.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://dc168.4shared.com/img/2i5KjyYr/0.6516397285836916/Grocery_List.pdf" /></a> <br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Instructions:</b> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">There are a couple of ways you can put this together...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1. Print off just the meal planner as needed, and stick it on a clip board. Or put it in a page protector and use dry erase marker. Then you can use the same page over and over.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2. Print off 52 of the meal planner page and either put them in a three ring binder or have your local copy shop spiral bind them for you. (It's super cheap.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3. (What I'm going to do.) Print off 52 of each, with the grocery list on the front and the menu planner on the back of a page then get them spiral bound. That way, when it's laying flat you can see everything you need to see at once. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As a side note, I'm trying to source more of my produce organically from the local health food store or markets. I thought it would be beneficial to start a price journal so I can compare and keep track of just how much I'm spending. The plan is to jot down the prices of things straight on the grocery list while I'm at the store so that I can go back, compare sales, and know when I'm getting a great deal or when something is just too much to be worth the extra cost. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is my first time sharing files here so if you have any trouble please let me know so I can fix it. Or if you have any suggestions for improvements you'd like to see, let me know! Now, go fix yourself a nice warm cup of something and get to work. Happy planning!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This post was shared at the <a href="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2013/01/homestead-barn-hop-93.html" target="_blank">homestead barn hop</a></span>amperezrosaleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449801781080435noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4750538408681108399.post-56060959413796926302013-01-02T14:15:00.000-06:002013-01-02T14:20:57.771-06:00Goals for 2013...Wherein I Review What Little I Accomplished Last Year and Step Onto My Soap Box Momentarily<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are my annual "homesteading" goals for this year along with last years list and what I did and didn't accomplish from said list. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From my Goals for 2012:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Plant a garden: Last year I finally managed to get in some berries. I planted 2 blueberries, 3 raspberries, 3 grapes, 1 blackberry, 3 hardy kiwi, and 3 rhubarb. Of those, 1 raspberry, 2 grapes, the blackberry, kiwis, and 1 rhubarb took. I also got in some lilac that I had wanted for a long time. I have an existing herb garden with sage, oregano, thyme, chocolate mint and lemon balm. (I plant basil and rosemary in pots each spring since I've never had luck with them indoors and they aren't hardy here.) Right now, with our house on the market and wanting to buy some land I'm not planning on replacing any of the lost plants, but I do want to make sure to put in a vegetable garden. I finally installed some stepped beds along the side of the house last fall and now that the holidays are over, I am anxiously awaiting weather that is warm enough to fill them up, using the square foot gardening method, with tomatoes, peppers, onion, peas, carrots, lettuce, and more. I also plan to use the easement along the back of our property to plant Seminole squash, regular and sweet potatoes in straw or loose mulch, and maybe some corn and pole beans.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I spent most of last year pregnant with our fourth boy and the last couple of months with a new born and all of the fatigue that comes along with all of that. I was ambitious with my gardening goals last year and most of it was unsuccessful. I planted 9 varieties of heirloom tomatoes and although they grew profusely, the extreme heat and drought of last summer kept them from producing much until I was at the end of my pregnancy and not much inclined to go digging through the mass of plants to find the fruit. I neglected to pinch the sucker shoots early like I should have and the plants got way out of control, falling over on top of all the gorgeous basil I had planted around them. As for the potatoes...they died back unexpectedly and I never got around to attempting any sort of harvest. And cucumbers...beetles got 'em. Squash, melons and zucchini? I did manage a few nice big zucchinis before my nemesis, the squash bugs took over. The sweet potato slips went in to late to do much of anything. Carrots and onions didn't grow, but I did have some beautiful lettuce early in the season.</b><br style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">2. Bread: I've got my honey wheat sandwich bread to a place I'm happy with. Same goes for pretzels, biscuits, and sugar cookies, blueberry muffins and pancakes. I want to try sour dough and maybe some other artisan loaves. A good Italian Rosemary bread is on the list and I need to continue working on the original list of baking goals: croutons, pita/flat bread, bagels, quick breads, and carrot cake. Scones, baked donuts and cinnamon rolls are also on the list.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I've been on again off again with my bread making this year. I did make a pretty awesome Italian Rosemary bread a couple of times.</b><br style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">3. Cheese: Learn how to make it. I've made my own sour cream. Next is a whole milk Ricotta, and on from there. Hopefully by the end of the year, I can be on to some hard cheeses.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I made queso fresco, once, but it was really good!</b><br style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">4. Yogurt and Kefir: Obtain cultures to make these myself.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I almost bought these <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Keysands-Organic-Grains-Crystals-Tibicos/dp/B0051WV5K6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1357083446&sr=8-3&keywords=kefir+grains" target="_blank">water kefir grains</a> but wasn't sure I wanted to start that project with the house on the market and the possibility of moving, so I didn't.</b><br style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">5. Keep updating my cook book and trying new recipes. Work on consistently completing weekly menu plans and finding more healthy dishes that the kiddos will gobble up.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>This is my number one goal for this year...</b><br style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">6. Obtain the necessary supplies and learn how to can all that fresh stuff that my garden WILL be producing. :)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I did attempt a little canning with some borrowed supplies. I managed two quarts of peaches and 4 pints of some really nasty pickles. </b><br style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">7. Find a local orchard and go pick peaches and apples.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I did pick some peaches, many of which went bad before I managed to can what was left and freeze a few because my internet went down right when I had the last of them peeled and ready to process into a salsa, the recipe for which I was viewing on my iPad and had not printed. It was a very frustrating day... </b><br style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">8. Get some mini citrus and banana plants that can be raised in pots and brought indoors during our Midwest winters. A Meyer lemon, dwarf guava, super dwarf Cavendish banana, and some sort of orange top this wish list. In conjunction with this I will have to pare down on my other house plants to make room.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><br /><b>I have managed to get rid of some of my assorted house plants and clippings but with the house STILL on the market, I have made no attempt to obtain more. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br style="background-color: white;" /></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">9. In addition to paring down my inedible tropical plants, I desperately need to purge my craft room and finish several projects.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><br /><b>This I've done really well with, with a BIT of prompting from muscle man. We moved my June Bug into what was my craft room so the new baby could have the nursery and I have since proceeded to drive the man nuts with various projects strewn around the living room at various times. I have managed to finish a few things. Check out my <a href="http://pinterest.com/amperezrosales/stuff-i-ve-done/" target="_blank">Pinterest Board</a> to see tutorials for much of what I made over the last year.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br style="background-color: white;" /></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">10. We purchased our first 1/2 hog this year and I am loving shopping in my freezer for delicious pork cuts. Next, I'd like to find a source for grass fed beef and purchase a portion for the freezer. Same goes for free-range chicken and eggs.</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My muscle man actually has been helping with this one. We chose to wait on a cow since, again, the living arrangements are a bit up in the air with the house on the market, but he has a co-worker who has sourced eggs and chickens for herself and brings them to the office for us as often as we need. Can't ask for a better arrangement than that! The prices are extremely reasonable too at $10 per free range chicken and $1.75 for a dozen pastured eggs.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One other thing I've managed to do pretty well with this year is to convert most of my personal care items to more natural alternatives. My favorite change has been to eliminate both body wash and shaving cream in exchange for goat milk soap. I usually use ZUM brand's almond since I love the scent and it's available at my regular grocery store up the street. But <a href="http://goatmilkstuff.com/" target="_blank">this</a> family has some neat product and I've ordered from <a href="http://www.edengoatsmilksoapandlotion.com/" target="_blank">these folks</a> who produce a wonderful soap although it does seem to dissolve fairly quickly. I have found after switching that I don't have nearly the trouble with dry itchy skin that I did. I am using <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shea-Moisture-Butter-Healing-Lotion/dp/B005C2NAO4" target="_blank">this</a> organic raw shea butter lotion for both me and the babies and I love it's light vanilla scent but during the summer I can actually get away without using anything. Speaking of scents I picked up some <a href="http://www.kuumbamade.com/store/index.php" target="_blank">Kuumba Made</a> essential oil scent recently in <a href="http://www.kuumbamade.com/store/index.php?p=product&id=27" target="_blank">persian garden</a>. What a great alternative to traditional perfume! I won't mention my current hair care routine because after trying a couple of natural shampoos and even the no-poo method using baking soda and vinegar I am still having major issues with itchy dry flaky scalp. More experimentation will be required to settle on a hair routine that works for me. I have noticed that I can now go 2-3 days between hair washings whereas I used to have to wash daily because it was so oily so there has been some improvement. </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next time I run out of foundation I plan to try some of the natural mineral stuff that my local health food store carries. I'm still considering natural deodorant alternatives too. I tried Toms and didn't like it at all so I've been nervous about purchasing other natural brands. Wonder what muscle man would say if I tried making my own hehe.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've also done really well this year with eliminating chemical cleaners. I primarily use some combination of vinegar, baking soda and rubbing alcohol. I found that vinegar and baking soda down the drain to eliminate clogs works better than the chemical stuff and I'm totally digging both <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/200058408417725443/" target="_blank">this</a> homemade cleaner and one made by soaking orange peels in plain white vinegar for 6-8 weeks. Both work well as all purpose cleaners and the orange vinegar shines up my glass top stove beautifully after I've scrubbed it with baking soda. Vinegar also makes a great fabric softener but be careful with synthetics since they might hold the smell. I've found that most of the synthetic stuff we have doesn't really need softener at all. I have not tried making my own laundry soap, dish soap, (though I do use seventh gen.) or carpet shampoo. We have switched all of our cookware to either steel or cast iron with the exception of one little omelet pan.</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now for this years goals: A variation on a theme...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Resist the urge to plant any kind of cucurbit ..no melons, squash, zucchini, or cucumbers and let those squash bugs move on out of my garden. I'm going to concentrate this year on my tomatoes, peppers and greens. Maybe try some beans again, and some sweet peas. The really good news is that my berries, kiwi and rhubarb have all been in long enough that I should get some production from them this year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. I'm planning on making some sourdough starter tonight and really making an effort to produce more of our baked goods from scratch to avoid all the processed junk. I'd also like to do more canning, maybe try some condiments like ketchup and barbecue sauce, and definitely make some more cheese. I could eat queso fresco and homemade corn tortillas every day!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. My number one goal this year is to work on converting the whole family to a real, whole foods, organic diet. In addition to baking (and cooking...) more, I plan to start sourcing my produce primarily from the local health food store and local organic growers. I haven't convinced muscle man to do a CSA yet but there are an abundant number of farmers markets on different days and different locations throughout the city. Ooh, that might make a good future blog post...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Which leads me to my next goal which is to update this blog a bit more often. I've also started working on a page listing local businesses, restaurants and farm sources that we've found and love.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. My last goal is to make sure I'm showing my family daily how much I love and care for them. I'm hoping I can infuse some love into the food I prepare but like many children my boys are pretty picky so other little things like notes in the lunch box, and some one-on-one time spent with each of them I think would go a long way toward making them feel important. I've been very focused on the babies lately and I think the older boys, especially my nine year old who was the baby for seven years have had a tough time adjusting to all the changes. I also want to make sure to get my June Bug out of the house at least a couple times a week so he can be active and have others to play with. Trips to the local community center, park, library, and indoor play centers are all on the agenda now that the baby is a couple of months old.</span><br />
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That's it. I'm (trying) to keep it simple this year with a new baby in the house. He's our last so I really want to savor his babyhood. At the same time I am becoming more and more passionate about what we put into and on our bodies. I want my boys to be healthy and I want to be healthy so that I can always be here for them in the fullest capacity possible. I want to have energy to run after my grand kids some day and I really believe that we, humans, can make a huge positive impact on our health both in terms of preventing major disease and boosting our immune systems to prevent every day stuff like colds by eating the correct diet. Which diet that is happens to be a very controversial subject but I think it makes sense to start by eating whole, natural foods the way nature intended, that are prepared in traditional ways as they were during times when many of today's common diseases were much more rare.</span>amperezrosaleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449801781080435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4750538408681108399.post-83020069224958190542012-09-11T09:49:00.001-05:002012-09-11T09:49:22.020-05:00Sibling and Dad Gifts for When the New Baby ArrivesThis weekend I've had so much fun working on big brother kits and a (not so) new dad kit to give the boys when baby #4 arrives. You can check out my inspiration <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/200058408418108560/">here</a>, <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/200058408418209106/">here</a>, <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/196962183673627347/">here,</a> and <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/200058408417757586/">here.</a><br />
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Here's what each kit consists of:<br />
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For Little Man (who I plan to start calling June Bug because he's no longer the littlest. It's an appropriate Southern term for my very ornery 2 year old who was after all born in June.):<br />
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<li>Favorite snacks/candies and an Elmo snack/sandwich container he was oogling at the store.</li>
<li>Horizon brand organic strawberry milk (doesn't have to be refrigerated!) or juice boxes</li>
<li>Dollar store busy toys including a giant dino coloring book, re-stickable wall decals, Cars the movie magnets, Crayola Twistables slick stix, and a magic wash cloth. (All found at Walmart)</li>
<li>A homemade car wallet like <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/200058408418014433/">this</a> one and a new set of cars to fill it.</li>
<li>A <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/200058408418136996/">big brother T-shirt</a></li>
<li>A little <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/200058408418108327/">homemade doll</a> because he's at that age where he copies everything and loves to "help".</li>
<li>A homemade felt quite book (TONS of ideas on Pinterest)</li>
<li>And I may add a disposable camera</li>
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For My Older Boys:</div>
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<li>Snacks and milk</li>
<li>Their digital cameras</li>
<li>Big brother T-shirts</li>
<li>Mini photo albums to put in any pictures they take of the day</li>
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For the T-shirts: the youngest is getting one that says "I'm the <b>Big</b> Brother", the next oldest is getting, "I'm the <b>Bigger </b>Brother", and the oldest is getting, "I'm the<b> Biggest</b> Brother". I ordered the decals from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/kustomdesignzbyk">this etsy shop</a> and put them on some craft store T-shirts. She was quick to respond to inquiries and the product was shipped within a couple of days. The service was outstanding. (Note: The colors turned out to be somewhat translucent. I recommend WHITE t-shirts, but they're still cute.)</div>
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I wrote a letter to each of the boys to tell them how special they are and how much I love each of them.</div>
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They are also each getting a photo book inspired by <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/200058408417650494/">this one.</a> I haven't started those yet though...</div>
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For Strong Man, I made him a T-shirt and baby bib set inspired by <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/200058408418209106/">this one</a>, a "diaper dootie" tool box kit, and included some retro sodas with <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/56686698/Free-Retro-Soda-Labels">these free labels added</a>, a couple of good cigars and a copy of "Just Me and My Dad" from the little critter series.</div>
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<div>
Backing up a bit...Dad's shirt says, "I Make Adorable Babies" and the bib says, "Adorable Baby." So as not to leave out the other boys who were of course also adorable babies, I made the gift tags on their big brother kits look like awards ribbons- using microsoft clip art and laminated them with contact paper. I picked up some self adhesive pin backs in the craft section at Walmart that I adhered to each and attached them to the gift bags. (Which are re-useable lunch bags found clearanced for 25 cents each!) So they each have little badges that say, "Adorable Baby #1", "Adorable Baby #2", and "Adorable Baby #3". </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now for Strong Man's "diaper dootie" kit. This was fun. I had seen some new dad survival kits on Pinterest and Amazon so it's based off of those. I collected most of what went in it from around the house so it was practically free. (Love that!) I even had the little tool box already. Here's what went into it...</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>New born diapers</li>
<li>Wipes</li>
<li>Butt Cream</li>
<li>Alcohol wipes</li>
<li>Vaseline</li>
<li>Baby powder</li>
<li>Hand sanitizer</li>
<li>Homemade Pee Pee Tee Pee</li>
<li>Goggles</li>
<li>Face mask</li>
<li>Ear Plugs</li>
<li>Tongs for diaper disposal</li>
<li>Clothes pin for the nose</li>
</ul>
<div>
I made a copy of the above list and mod podged it to the top and made a cute label for the front using Microsoft clip art and word art. </div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
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amperezrosaleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449801781080435noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4750538408681108399.post-41677017889044888242012-09-11T09:20:00.001-05:002012-09-11T09:51:44.486-05:00Zachary's Birthday BookFor each of the boys, I am creating photo books about their birthdays and them as babies to include in their <a href="http://kcirie.blogspot.com/2012/09/sibling-and-dad-gifts-for-when-new-baby.html" target="_blank">big brother kits for the hospital</a> when baby Jackson is born. The idea came from <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/200058408417650494/" target="_blank">this Pin</a> which is absolutely gorgeous. I didn't want to buy the templates though and didn't want to take time to make my own so I just used the idea pages on Shutterfly, making small modifications here and there to adjust the number of pictures on some pages. I love making photo books online. No scrapbook supplies to clutter up the house and it gives you such a nice clean finished product. <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/200058408417974720/" target="_blank">Here</a> and <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/200058408417697788/" target="_blank">here</a> are two excellent ideas for overall photo organization using photo books. I also love electronic picture frames for displaying lots of photos without the clutter.<br />
<br />
PS Today and tomorrow <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/" target="_blank">Shutterfly</a> is offering a FREE photobook with the code <span style="color: #3d85c6;">SUMMERBOOK. </span>So if you have a project in the works, now's the time to finish it up. It's a $30 savings! (I have no affiliation with Shutterfly. I just really like their products!) They offer this deal a few times a year so I do recommend signing up and receiving their emails so you can be notified the next time it comes around.<br />
<br />
<br />
<object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab" height="425" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/slideshow-ui.swf"/><param name="flashvars" value="configXMLURL=http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/config/config-share.xml&slideshowModuleURL=http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/slideshow-module.swf&projectGUID=3AZsmjdmzZc4s&swfName=slideshowFlashContent&showReplay=true"/><param name="menu" value="false"/><param name="quality" value="best"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><embed width="425" height="425" align="middle" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" name="wrapper" quality="best" menu="false" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" flashvars="configXMLURL=http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/config/config-share.xml&slideshowModuleURL=http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/slideshow-module.swf&projectGUID=3AZsmjdmzZc4s&swfName=slideshowFlashContent&showReplay=true" src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/slideshow/slideshow-ui.swf"></embed></object><br />
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You'll love Shutterfly's award-winning <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-books" style="color: #6666cc;">photo books</a>. Try it today.</div>
<img border="0" height="1" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=photobook&c2=blogger" style="background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none; padding: 0;" width="1" />amperezrosaleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449801781080435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4750538408681108399.post-79138391343009242952012-09-07T23:09:00.001-05:002012-10-22T22:14:26.583-05:00What you really NEED for a new baby and my hospital packing list<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">My pregnancy will soon be coming to an end with baby #4 due in just five weeks (agh!). It's time for me to review my registries, and lists of things we need, and start packing for the hospital. It's tough to shop for a new baby, even for experienced mamas. There is so much out there and new contraptions are coming out all the time that are just so cute or look so useful. Here's my list of must haves, and then my list of wants- things that would be great and useful but not absolutely necessary, and then there are the things you really don't need at all. Admittedly there are probably some things on my list of must haves that others might say aren't needed. Everyone is different. Compare lists and make your own decisions. If you think of anything I missed, please leave me a comment and let me know!</span></span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></b>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Must Haves for a New Baby:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">(Note: I've found that clothing and blankets are very popular gifts so don't buy too much! You'll likely end up with an over abundance of tiny clothes.)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Layette:</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Clothes: plan on about 3 outfits per day for as long as you prefer to go between washes. (Babies can be messy!) Keep most of it simple- onsies, sleep-n-plays, and gowns and don't get too much in newborn sizes because they grow so fast! Some bigger babies never fit a newborn size.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">2-4 sleep sacks</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">4-7 socks and/or booties and mits so they can't scratch themselves with those itty bitty very sharp nails.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">2 small bibs- my first 2 weren't droolers so these were never used but I needed 3-4 a day for my 3rd</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">2-4 knit hats</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">sweater or jacket appropriate for the season</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">small hangers</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">10 receiving blankets or the new muslin/gauze swaddlers that everyone's raving about.(can double as burp cloths)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">10 burp clothes (I prefer the flat cloth diapers)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">2 thicker blankets</span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Nursery:</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Crib and mattress (unless you plan to exclusively co-sleep)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Some kind of portable crib/co-sleeper/play yard/bassinet. (I recommend at least one of these so you can keep baby close.) There are some very cool portable pop-up versions available now.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">4 fitted crib sheets</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">4 bassinet sheets</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Water proof pads</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Dresser</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Contoured changing pad with 2 covers</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Hamper</span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Feeding:</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Breast pump. Even if you plan to bottle feed, you'll want a small manual pump (I have used and recommend either the Medela or Aveeno.) to relieve pressure in the first days.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Milk storage bags</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Nursing bras and/or tanks (Target has good reasonably priced ones.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Nursing cover- you can use anything from a receiving blanket to scarf. This time around I made a couple of <a href="http://www.thisandthatcreative.com/2011/05/carseat-covernursing-cover.html" target="_blank">these</a> ponchos out of beautiful brocade that can quadruple as car-seat, stroller and bassinet covers.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Re-usable nursing pads</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Earth Mama Baby Angel Nipple Butter or Lanolin</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The number for your local La Leche league or the hospital's breast feeding support- just in case</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Bottles- If you plan to bottle feed or give pumped milk. Every baby prefers a different bottle so get one or two of several different styles before buying too many of any one. I like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pura-Stainless-Kiki-Infant-Natural/dp/B002WGI5SE/ref=br_it_dp_o_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3NK9D6RBNTEJX&colid=2WY6D32NRYYX8" target="_blank">these</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Evenflo-Classic-Glass-Bottle-8-Ounce/dp/B001F50FFO/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1347050964&sr=1-1&keywords=gerber+glass+bottles" target="_blank">these</a>.</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Bottle brush, drying rack and dish washer rack</span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">For later:</span></span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">ice-cube trays for homemade baby food, or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Green-Sprouts-Glass-Storage-Cubes/dp/B005JL2PGC/ref=br_it_dp_o_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&coliid=IC3Z8VAD9EF84&colid=2WY6D32NRYYX8" target="_blank">this</a>.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">spoons/sippy cups/plastic or other unbreakable bowls/plates (They will get thrown!)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">space saver booster seat</span></span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Diapering, Bathing and First Aid:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Newborn and size one diapers</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Wipes (regular or cloth)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Cloth diapers if you want to go that route- and there are many reasons to! But that's a whole other post. Minimum about 2 dozen pre-folds and 4 covers for every other day washing plus 2 good night-time AIOs with extra absorbency. (Fuzzy Buns is a good choice.) </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Cornstarch based powder</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Diaper Cream (Be careful of the type if cloth diapering! With little man we rarely had to use it...instead we used powder regularly and when he did develop a rash, a homemade wipes solution cleared it right up. 1c. water mixed with a splash of olive oil and a few drops each of tea tree and lavender essential oils. Just spray it right on and wipe off with a soft cloth wipe then allow his bum to dry completely before diapering.)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Baby wash (I like California Baby)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Baby lotion (I like Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea butter lotion available at Target)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Ear thermometer</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Nail clippers</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Gas drops</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Motrin</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Nasal aspirator</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Comb and/or brush</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Alcohol for the umbilical chord</span></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">The Rest:</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Car seat (either convertible or an infant carrier with an extra base if you have more than one vehicle)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Piddle pad for the car seat (babies are messy!)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Carrier- whether it's a homemade sling, wrap, mai tai, Moby or Ergo, there will be times when you are at the grocery store and baby just wants to be held, or nursed. Some kind of carrier is invaluable in these situations.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Some kind of swing and/or bouncy seat. I just ran across <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tiny-Love-503-003-Rocker-Napper/dp/B0073DNYSW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346866953&sr=8-1&keywords=tiny+love+rocker+napper" target="_blank">this</a> the other day and I think it would be an excellent multiple use choice but I don't have one so can't attest to that 100%. Little man slept in his swing for the first 2 months.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Stroller- not to be confused with a huge fancy travel system. Just a nice simple umbrella stroller, as long as it has a 5-point harness and reclines, will do fine. I have <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-First-Years-Ignite-Stroller/dp/B002WB2GAM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1347044541&sr=8-2&keywords=kids+first+umbrella+stroller" target="_blank">this one</a> and love it.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Lidded trash can for a diaper pail</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Monitor</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Diaper bag or tote preferably with lots of pockets</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Night light for the nursery- for night-time feedings, etc. You never want to turn on the overheads and totally wake everyone up!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Free and clear laundry detergent and blue dawn dish soap for stains</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Rear view mirror so you can check baby while driving</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Things that would be great but aren't necessarily absolutely needed:</b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Wet bags- little draw string water proof bags to keep handy in the diaper bag for soiled clothes. A must if cloth diapering though.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Memory Book</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Crib Mobile- some kind of crib toy is nice to sooth baby. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tiny-Love-Mobile-Animal-Friends/dp/B003U6HCGQ/ref=cm_lmf_tit_2" target="_blank">Here's</a> one that fits on a pack-n-play or car-seat. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/PlanToys-Plan-Preschool-Rattle-Mobile/dp/B003COZK7Y/ref=br_it_dp_o_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2WY6D32NRYYX8&coliid=IZWAODAI4LB0L" target="_blank">This</a> is the one I've been wanting.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Pack-n-play- goes under the bassinet/portable crib category mentioned earlier. They do come in handy for containing an older baby when needed- if he'll stay in it without screaming. My first 2 did, 3rd wasn't having any of it...</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Moses basket- great for portability and super, super cute but definitely not absolutely necessary</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Excersaucer or walker (but you don't need it until they're a little older...)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Activity Gym- I made one based on <a href="http://www.sewingformybabyboy.blogspot.com/2010/10/baby-activity-gymtummy-mat-tutorial.html" target="_blank">this tutorial</a> but with a simple square mat. (Post about that still to come...) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Infantino-Twist-Fold-Activity-Vintage/dp/B002DWALTI/ref=cm_lmf_tit_4" target="_blank">This</a> looks like an excellent, cost effective and space saving option.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Glider/Rocker- not absolutely necessary but very nice to have! I highly recommend a super plush upholstered version that you can nap in with baby, especially when baby is sick...</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Boppy or other nursing pillow. I didn't have one with the first two and found the one I had with the 3rd to not work well. He kind of laid in the crack between it and my body and was too low. But other moms swear by them.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Baby tub- really nice for the first 3-5 months or so- after that we just bath in the kitchen sink or regular tub, which works in a pinch for younger babies too.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Car seat protector- this fits under the baby's seat and protects the car's upholstery. It might save you some extra cleaning. I've never used one though.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Toys- don't need them until baby starts grasping. I am a sucker for anything made by Green Sprouts, Plan or Haba.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Safety gear (outlet plugs, gates, door latches, etc)- you will need them, but not until baby is mobile- around 4 months</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nosefrida-The-Snotsucker-Nasal-Aspirator/dp/B00171WXII/ref=cm_lmf_tit_1" target="_blank">Nosefrida</a> I haven't used one through 3 babies so I left it on the want list, but have been hearing very good things and definitely plan to try it this time around. <b>Update: I was a little unsure once I figured out how this is used, but it works very well! Way better than the standard bulb syringe. </b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Muslin or cotton gauze swaddle blankets- again, this is a fairly new product that I haven't tried out yet but people are raving about. <b>Update: Love these!</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">A good camera to take pictures of your new little one.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">A big stainless steal insulated water bottle for mom.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Music and lullaby CDs- I love to sing along when putting baby down for the night.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-Pack-Fresh-Feeder-Colors/dp/B000GK5XY2/ref=br_it_dp_o_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2WY6D32NRYYX8&coliid=I2VVK642B4WBYT" target="_blank">Fresh food feeders</a>- the man who invented these is a genius.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Nursing necklaces- fun for mom and baby :)</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mama-Must-Haves-Wont-Typical-Registry/lm/R38XPETW0JNNMS" target="_blank">Here's a great Amazon list</a> to check out...</div>
</div>
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Here's a great one as well as other good advice for the more minimalist, or natural minded mom from Code Name Mama, <a href="http://codenamemama.com/2011/08/18/newborn-baby-registry/" target="_blank">"As long as you have a breast and some way to hold the baby, you’re usually going to be ok."</a> I love her list of practical things to "register" for instead. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Things you really don't need at all:</b></span></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Changing table- use a contoured changing pad on the top of a dresser and use the top drawer to organize diapers, wipes, creams, etc.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Wipes warmer</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Bottle sanitizer</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Pacifiers- big no no if breast feeding, especially in the beginning if baby's having trouble learning how to latch on. Later, well, some like 'em, some don't. None of my boys have used them. Little man did a bit at first but quickly decided he preferred the real thing. If you decide you need some, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Natursutten-BPA-Free-Natural-Pacifier-Rounded/dp/B001AVR82Q/ref=br_it_dp_o_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2WY6D32NRYYX8&coliid=I2BVZJAIRBQFAG" target="_blank">this</a> is my personal favorite.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Baby wash cloths and hooded towels- cute, but you can use regular ones.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Diaper genie- they don't work well and are kind of a pain. Just use a lidded trash can and take it out every couple of days.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Diapering organizers- use the top drawer of the dresser. Or any basket or caddy will do if you want something mobile.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Crib bumper and comforter set. They look nice in the nursery, but they're for mom, not the baby. You can't use the thick comforter for him and now they say bumpers aren't entirely safe either.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">High chair- they take up too much space. Get a booster seat such as <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Healthy-Deluxe-Booster-White/dp/B001GQ2RWQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347067738&sr=8-1&keywords=space+saver+booster+seat" target="_blank">this one.</a> If you have the space however, <a href="http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=538391&cmSource=Search" target="_blank">this</a> convertible chair would be a good option that could be used for years. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Travel System- too big and bulky and really won't get used all that much. At least the one I had with my first baby didn't. As soon as he was big enough I got a $10 umbrella stroller and exclusively used that.
</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Last, some tips for saving money where you can:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Buy USED. Consignment sales, yard sales, thrift stores, craigslist. Babies rarely wear out their things before they outgrow them and there is nothing wrong with putting it to good use.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">First buy what you NEED, then what you WANT.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Wait until after your shower to buy ANYTHING. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Take your time and look for sales. Make a list!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Ask your friends if they have items you can buy or maybe even borrow for free.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Save baby's things to use next time. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Don't forget to check etsy and local craft sales! You'll find beautiful one of a kind hand made items, sometimes for very cheap, and support a small business owner too!</span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>The Hospital Bags:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
So, now you've got all the stuff and are all ready to meet your new little one. If you are giving birth in a hospital or birth center you'll want to bring some things with you. You'll likely be in the hospital for 2 days after a vaginal delivery, or 3 (I think) for a c-section. I (try to) pack light, so here are the essentials, in my opinion...<br />
<br />
<b>For Baby:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
The hospital will provide basic clothing, receiving blankets, pacifiers, diapers, wipes, Vaseline, alcohol wipes and other essentials for the baby during your stay. Make sure you load up on the "freebies" before you head home. (You'll likely be charged for them either way...)<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>A couple of gowns/outfits if you want baby to have his own.</li>
<li>A going home outfit (This doesn't have to be anything fancy unless you're planning a welcome home party, which I do not recommend. Everyone's going to be tired.) Make sure the legs are separate- no gowns- for the car seat to buckle.</li>
<li>2 pair socks and mittens <b>Update: I was unaware of the current recommendations- mittens and hats are no longer allowed because they are believed to be a SIDS risk. </b></li>
<li>Hand sanitizer (homemade here) for mom after numerous diaper changes and siblings when they come to see the baby.</li>
<li>Comb and baby nail clippers- not always necessary but they don't take much room just in case.</li>
<li>Plastic bag or wet bag for bringing home soiled clothes</li>
<li>An installed car seat- the hospital will inspect it before they let you leave</li>
<li>A heavier blanket to tuck around baby in the car if it's going to be cold on the way home.</li>
<li>If you want, your baby book for foot prints</li>
</ul>
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<b>For Mom:</b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Picture ID, insurance card and any necessary hospital paperwork</li>
<li>Your birth plan if you have one</li>
<li>Sports bra for the birthing tub</li>
<li>Things to help you relax- classical music, lavender eye pillows, Hypnobabies tracks...</li>
<li>Snacks (My hospital's cafeteria food is barely edible.)</li>
<li>2 nursing bras and/or tanks</li>
<li>Underwear (dark is good)</li>
<li>Flip flops for the shower, socks, slippers</li>
<li>2 sets of comfy, loose fitting pj's. (I like yoga pants with a rolled waist and a nursing tank but consider a gown since nurses will be checking you for awhile and easy access is key.)</li>
<li>Going home outfit- again, keep it loose and comfy.</li>
<li>List of phone numbers for family to notify when baby arrives</li>
<li>Personal toiletries- chapstick, toothbrush, toothpaste, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, hair ties, make-up, hairbrush, blow dryer, glasses/contacts, regular human size maxi pads, etc</li>
<li>Nipple cream or lanolin and nursing pads in case your milk comes in before you head home.</li>
<li>Camera!!</li>
<li>IPod/IPad/Laptop</li>
<li>Chargers/Extra Batteries</li>
<li>Cell Phone</li>
<li>A (dark colored) full size towel for the shower. You might not get more than a hand towel from the hospital.</li>
<li>Your own pillow if you're picky about that sort of thing. The hospital's will probably be hard and flat. <b>Remember to bring it home with you!</b></li>
<li>Probiotics! In case you end up with a c-section or deliver in triage, (clears throat here...) and they decide to give you a round of "preventative" antibiotics this will help stave off yeast and thrush infections. I highly recommend either <a href="http://probiotics.mercolashop.com/probiotics-index-b.html?s_kwcid=TC|17165|dr%20mercola's%20probiotic||S|e|12950167744&gclid=CImV-KmEpbICFaUWMgodqD0Akg" target="_blank">Dr. Mercola's Complete Probiotics</a> (He has a kid pack too for those who, like me, can't swallow pills.) or <a href="http://www.inner-eco.com/" target="_blank">Inner Eco</a> coconut water kefir which is available at whole foods.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002XHFD78/sr=8-1/qid=1347075537/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1347075537&seller=&sr=8-1" target="_blank">New Mama Bottom Spray</a> </li>
<li>Optional but fun: Sibling, New Dad, and Nurses Gifts. (Post coming soon...)</li>
</ul>
</div>
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Now I'm heading over to Amazon to buy the rest of my "must haves", then time to start packing! Baby has dropped already over the last couple of days (Little man didn't drop until during labor and he was born exactly two hours after my water broke and 30 minutes after we arrived at the hospital.) so we MAY be looking at a slightly early birth, but no one can predict these things until they are happening. Prayers please that he doesn't arrive on the side of the road! I hope I can finish all my <a href="http://pinterest.com/amperezrosales/to-make-for-baby/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> baby projects before he shows up...</div>
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This post has been included in the <a href="http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2012/09/barn-hop-78.html" target="_blank">Homestead Barnhop</a> and <a href="http://www.growinghomeblog.com/2012/09/teach-me-tuesday-homemaking-link-up-60.html" target="_blank">Teach me Tuesday</a>.<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>amperezrosaleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449801781080435noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4750538408681108399.post-75314525339318582092012-08-30T09:42:00.001-05:002012-10-01T10:49:57.115-05:00Toddler Toy- Travel Dry Erase Pad SetMy project du jour was a case for the little man's dry erase pad and crayons. It was inspired in part by <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/200058408416843591/">this</a> image on <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a>. You could also use this design for an eReader, tablet, or other device, skipping the crayon pocket and adding a layer of batting for extra protection if desired.<br />
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Materials:<br />
1/3 yd cotton print for outer cover<br />
1/3 yd cotton print for liner<br />
1" velcro<br />
1/3 yd fusible interfacing<br />
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1. Measure the size of your pad, accounting for width and add 3/4" on the top, bottom and one side for seam allowances.<br />
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2. Cut out a rectangle from your liner fabric large enough to fold over the pad like a book, again accounting for width and 3/4" seam allowances all the way around. (You'll see in the picture that I only did 1/2" seam allowance. You'll need the extra 1/4" at the end when you top stitch. I fudged by pulling up the stitching over the corners so I can still fit in the pad, but it doesn't look quite as nice.)<br />
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3. Cut out a rectangle from your outer fabric the same size and the inner. Set aside.<br />
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4. Cut out 5 squares with 3" sides. Fold 4 of them in half diagonally and iron. Set aside.<br />
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5. Figure out how big your crayon pocket needs to be by laying your crayons side by side and measuring the width, depth, and how tall you want it. I'm using chunky dry erase crayons that are 1/2" diameter and all of them together were 4" across. So for the width, I took the 4", added an inch for the diameter on each side, then another inch and a 1/4 for seam allowances. For the height, I wanted it about 3" tall. I added 1" for seam allowances (though I think 1/2" would have worked better here) so my slip pocket rectangles came out to 6 1/4"x4". (I didn't allow enough width the first time. The picture shows my smaller version before I re-did it.)<br />
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6. Cut out a piece of interfacing the same size as your pocket rectangles and iron it on to the wrong side of either one.<br />
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7. With right sides together, stitch around the edges of the pocket with a 1/4" seam allowance, leaving just enough open to turn.<br />
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8. Clip the corners so they'll turn out nicely.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bAFfwEvuCGx5QQe9rLQAuNCsDlfypvhFbvQMW_KBb-uQviEYvKEnjFjIWEKN7p-6HliSsK39ICA7HHxrEQ5J5wvdGwertsDWdNEs5pjBjjOe5mCVvXdapUrT1wZrU1l9MHdblX21_HlX/s1600/DSC02850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bAFfwEvuCGx5QQe9rLQAuNCsDlfypvhFbvQMW_KBb-uQviEYvKEnjFjIWEKN7p-6HliSsK39ICA7HHxrEQ5J5wvdGwertsDWdNEs5pjBjjOe5mCVvXdapUrT1wZrU1l9MHdblX21_HlX/s640/DSC02850.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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9. Turn the pocket right side out, turning in the open edges and iron. Place it about an inch from the right side of the liner, and sew it down as close the the edge of the pocket as you can. Mine was about a 1/4".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiHNuxs0t_u2kBvn0GJtH2CtbA7Yep-ZOSUtL9vn4c12SQ_w_MTbl9FTr-F4vBArO_sy4qGQWHM8K0QXc5EwkAqWYafRjVjgvrxOLP4mYwjnVt8ZVDluwvGLYP5kg3K-kx43CqdfcrRsz/s1600/DSC02851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiHNuxs0t_u2kBvn0GJtH2CtbA7Yep-ZOSUtL9vn4c12SQ_w_MTbl9FTr-F4vBArO_sy4qGQWHM8K0QXc5EwkAqWYafRjVjgvrxOLP4mYwjnVt8ZVDluwvGLYP5kg3K-kx43CqdfcrRsz/s640/DSC02851.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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10. Fold the pocket back on the seam, iron, then fan fold it forward again. Fold the other side of the pocket to match and stitch into place.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEQeDDzyQ5YXuPjODDVXyZvfrqLSwMUqtBw8wdigfcHJcfQB27TzR-EJ0ZYQgbFi305DYXZ2tpAwCXYt3g7-dWN-TmFfFMEUiJiITgTTLmxGAql4fYNX35QkkVcjCm5tPabTtR1tejkGc/s1600/DSC02852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEQeDDzyQ5YXuPjODDVXyZvfrqLSwMUqtBw8wdigfcHJcfQB27TzR-EJ0ZYQgbFi305DYXZ2tpAwCXYt3g7-dWN-TmFfFMEUiJiITgTTLmxGAql4fYNX35QkkVcjCm5tPabTtR1tejkGc/s640/DSC02852.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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11. Sew along the bottom of the pocket.<br />
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12. Add interfacing and Velcro to your outer fabric. Set aside.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZ1yjOKwBLvWSe-rTL7dK9U6l0RhpVYeBuHBI2vC3LJMph1Qe503cUxlJYLF_yFZOlfe2_1EqVihxtGNtuhyrfo9-_n5S_ua_dQTSlgPAm9Tf5iDx9jA_3yszUIylCtkgwMuAghvipWWe/s1600/DSC02856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZ1yjOKwBLvWSe-rTL7dK9U6l0RhpVYeBuHBI2vC3LJMph1Qe503cUxlJYLF_yFZOlfe2_1EqVihxtGNtuhyrfo9-_n5S_ua_dQTSlgPAm9Tf5iDx9jA_3yszUIylCtkgwMuAghvipWWe/s640/DSC02856.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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(Center the Velcro on a short side, 1" in from the edge.)<br />
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13. Retrieve 4 of your 3" triangles and fold one side under slightly, tucking in the corner on two on them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhSeyoa0uYSC_V6gxwKwH1kXcMdtlQfFfj8tCWmFyVlWpJ7BjQfElkA9ajRVs_ZAUkGchJmYSpDg6RZBMxd-yEud9YJzhbhsPWPzZFcPL-1J40-RpoTSZ_cnOHvoJ1sBhiynTsr2pdnXD/s1600/DSC02845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhSeyoa0uYSC_V6gxwKwH1kXcMdtlQfFfj8tCWmFyVlWpJ7BjQfElkA9ajRVs_ZAUkGchJmYSpDg6RZBMxd-yEud9YJzhbhsPWPzZFcPL-1J40-RpoTSZ_cnOHvoJ1sBhiynTsr2pdnXD/s640/DSC02845.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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14. Place your triangles, on your cover, using your pad to measure placement. Your turned ends should end up in the middle of your cover liner. Remember I fudged and only left a 1/2" seam when there should have been 3/4" all the way around the pad.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73D8jA7zDSbIvKssLbGYvMWS8vKQQeuuLkyXLfjSS1sG48OgNMI4T7_plx69-AjH1QLfO_owx9StXELWlUrWQgZ_p5f3QY6O6P4hrlswH8k3GyI5K_cTnmiAi4ZMQYYd7nNVdRDRwLrKw/s1600/DSC02846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73D8jA7zDSbIvKssLbGYvMWS8vKQQeuuLkyXLfjSS1sG48OgNMI4T7_plx69-AjH1QLfO_owx9StXELWlUrWQgZ_p5f3QY6O6P4hrlswH8k3GyI5K_cTnmiAi4ZMQYYd7nNVdRDRwLrKw/s640/DSC02846.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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15. Remove the pad, pin the corners in place, and place your outer fabric, right sides together on top of the liner, making sure the Velcro will be on the front, not the back like I did...<br />
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16. Starting at the end opposite the Velcro, sew all the way around with a 1/2" seam allowance, leaving just enough to turn and to insert a tab that will fold over to Velcro your cover closed.<br />
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17. Take your last 3" square and sew two sides, right sides together with a 1/4" seam allowance. Turn right side out and iron flat with the seam in the center.<br />
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18. Fold one end in about 1/2". Tuck the raw end into the opening on your cover and top stitch all the way around with a 1/4" seam allowance. (This is where I had to remove the top-stitching over the corner triangles because I couldn't fit the pad into the cover.)<br />
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19. Sew on the soft half of the Velcro to the tab, lining it up with the rough side on the cover.<br />
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20. Watch two year old immediately take everything apart while you are trying to photograph the finished product...<br />
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<a class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fkcirie.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F08%2Ftoddler-toy-travel-dry-erase-pad-set.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-wzkGgcW2tCI%2FUD95Nck2gaI%2FAAAAAAAABTE%2F8kgP7LPEius%2Fs640%2FDSC02862.JPG&description=Toddler%20Toy%20Travel%20Dry%20Erase%20Set"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a><br />
This post has been included in <a href="http://www.growinghomeblog.com/2012/09/teach-me-tuesday-homemaking-link-up-59.html" target="_blank">Teach me Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://amy-newnostalgia.blogspot.com/2012/09/anti-procrastination-tuesday.html" target="_blank">Anti-Procrastination Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://www.themorristribe.com/2012/09/03/welcome-to-the-morristribes-homesteader-blog-carnival-23/" target="_blank">Morristribe's Homesteader Blog Carnival</a> and <a href="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2012/09/homestead-barn-hop-77.html" target="_blank">The Homestead Barn Hop</a>.amperezrosaleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449801781080435noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4750538408681108399.post-76639406900423785882012-08-29T07:32:00.000-05:002012-10-01T10:53:17.606-05:00Make a sheet saver for FREEI have a two year old co-sleeper who is a very, very heavy night time wetter. I am sick of washing the sheets on our king size bed so I started looking into a sheet saver. <a href="http://www.bellybeyond.co.nz/shop/Baby+Gear/Brolly+Sheets.html?id=U5SKxH3t&mv_pc=s">This</a> is the only one I could find that comes in a king size and it's over $50. Here's how I made one out of my worn mattress protector, for free...in about 30 minutes.<br />
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Materials:<br />
Old mattress protector<br />
Binding<br />
Sewing machine with a walking foot<br />
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1. Lay out the mattress protector and cut off all of the side fabric, leaving the seams intact to avoid extra binding.<br />
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2. Fold it in half, head to foot and cut along the fold.<br />
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3. Fold one half in half, side to side and layer it on top of the other half with the folded end even with the end underneath then unfold so you have one long piece with the middle third overlapping.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaphWRH9pU4xPjP-_v8B4FLiFgkTwWseDlfTXd93pLrUkXEDbRWGIGyn4U7bsDrl9mfwdwi2uKwzRdUDwMgDpnOa7feNY4FSYElbPBZoO-zzVRDRP0E04YRmAT32ZQ7xnPeEmfEBJO-2L/s1600/DSC02837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaphWRH9pU4xPjP-_v8B4FLiFgkTwWseDlfTXd93pLrUkXEDbRWGIGyn4U7bsDrl9mfwdwi2uKwzRdUDwMgDpnOa7feNY4FSYElbPBZoO-zzVRDRP0E04YRmAT32ZQ7xnPeEmfEBJO-2L/s400/DSC02837.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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4. Sew a big square all the way around the middle third to connect the two pieces. (If you want it completely water proof, you can add a layer of PUL, a baby lap pad or crib mattress cover.) Make sure you are using a quilting/walking foot on your machine because you are essentially sewing together 2 quilts. It's very thick but with a little guidance my old Kenmore handled it just fine. Broke the needle on the last stitch. How's that for timing? Ha!)<br />
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5. You should be left with one long raw edge. Bind it. And done!<br />
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Lay it across your bed and tuck in the ends. Now if you get a leaky diaper, just whip if off, throw it in the wash and tuck it back in. No removing sheets at all! Unless your little one has managed to squirm his way all the way to the foot of the bed, which is likely to happen at least occasionally... so make sure that the old worn mattress protector gets replaced with a nice new one sooner rather than later. Ask me how I know...<br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fkcirie.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F08%2Fmake-sheet-saver-for-free.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-kqxPEbKzSiY%2FUD4K7AJcaEI%2FAAAAAAAABPY%2FqyPwpAGo9oA%2Fs400%2FDSC02840.JPG&description=Make%20a%20sheet%20saver%20for%20FREE" class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a>
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This post has been included on <a href="http://www.growinghomeblog.com/2012/09/teach-me-tuesday-homemaking-link-up-59.html" target="_blank">Teach me Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://amy-newnostalgia.blogspot.com/2012/09/anti-procrastination-tuesday.html" target="_blank">Anti-procrastination Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://www.themorristribe.com/2012/09/03/welcome-to-the-morristribes-homesteader-blog-carnival-23/">Morristribe's Homesteader Blog Carnival</a> and <a href="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2012/09/homestead-barn-hop-77.html" target="_blank">The Homestead Barnhop</a>amperezrosaleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449801781080435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4750538408681108399.post-79444546852202492282012-08-28T10:12:00.001-05:002012-10-01T10:56:06.163-05:00Simple Skirt for a Moses BasketI have this great, very sturdy corn husk Moses basket that we picked up in Guatemala for $10, then added a mattress, stand, sheets...the whole deal was much more than $10 by the time it was all said and done, but it's such a sweet place to lay a new little one. I had made a skirt for it when little man was born but never was very happy with how it turned out. The hemmed edges rolled out in places and I had to add little Velcro sticky dots to get the whole thing to stay in place. Of course those don't work well with fabric so it just never hung quite right.<br />
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Soooo, now that we're having one more little guy, I decided to re-do the basket. Here's what it looks like now...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4M2ukKlzAnEN3_sIqnLzIlfrdjfo1Ed0EcJX2uofEHxz7gDU6bZUd8ic9URu-vFmx5Jf9tEJRfHsFc1RC43F9q-4tgntMVfABKwpXFdd0XftuhyazQVBaXK_Dturqz0r8TgHz7kbRc74U/s1600/DSC02834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4M2ukKlzAnEN3_sIqnLzIlfrdjfo1Ed0EcJX2uofEHxz7gDU6bZUd8ic9URu-vFmx5Jf9tEJRfHsFc1RC43F9q-4tgntMVfABKwpXFdd0XftuhyazQVBaXK_Dturqz0r8TgHz7kbRc74U/s640/DSC02834.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVCLiDKWvb81Vm9tbV7EY7VAjnohrU2_S9cobGscNM0jvJy-0fD6OSdqc2Ns7jlnvEXXyDMY4zb8_ffNjE0HnnILpp7wa7SlcZvSusQqn29mmIICfPAQKBfKbZu7O8y4_ipyhzPFU6JAr/s1600/DSC02836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVCLiDKWvb81Vm9tbV7EY7VAjnohrU2_S9cobGscNM0jvJy-0fD6OSdqc2Ns7jlnvEXXyDMY4zb8_ffNjE0HnnILpp7wa7SlcZvSusQqn29mmIICfPAQKBfKbZu7O8y4_ipyhzPFU6JAr/s320/DSC02836.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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I decided to do it in pieces to make it more manageable. First, the skirt. (Sorry I didn't take any pictures of the process. I was too excited to complete it and I was a little nervous as to just how it would turn out.)<br />
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Materials:<br />
about 1 yard of any fabric of your choice<br />
6 yards of 1/2 inch double fold binding tape to match your fabric<br />
3 yards of 1/4 inch elastic<br />
1/4 inch wide ribbon<br />
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1. Measure the circumference of the basket.<br />
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2. Take that measure and multiply times at least 1.5. Take a yard of 45" fabric of your choice (I used a cheap cotton.) and cut enough 10" wide strips to equal your new length.<br />
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3. Sew the pieces together on the short ends using a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvb2TaHUu-U">french seam</a>, or serger if you have one, so that you have one very long 10" wide strip.<br />
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4. Fold over 4" along a long side and iron all the way across. You'll use this crease later as a guide to sew on the elastic.<br />
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5. Bind both raw edges.<br />
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6. Sew elastic along the inside of the crease, stretching as you go to create a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lk36V9uVdA">ruffle.</a><br />
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7. Fold the skirt over the elastic and tack on an approximately 8-10 inch piece of ribbon on one end.<br />
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8. Wrap the skirt around the basket to check the length. I ended up using exactly 3 yards of finished ruffle for my 84 inch circumference basket. (I know because I didn't buy enough binding for the whole length, but it ended up just right!)<br />
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9. Sew together the ends, again using the french seam. And you're done! If your elastic is tight enough it should sit in place just fine. If you want, you can add lengths of ribbon at what ever intervals suit you to tie it on.<br />
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Next, the bonnet...<br />
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Materials:<br />
I used enough of my extra ruffle from the skirt to cover the arch of the bonnet, cut a couple inches short so the elastic will stretch and hold it in place.<br />
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Add: Another 12" or so of your fabric<br />
A length of elastic for around the back<br />
More binding. I used just a little over another 3 yards.<br />
3 lengths of 1/4" wide ribbon for ties<br />
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1. Sew the wider side of your existing ruffle to your extra fabric, again using a french seam.<br />
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2. Hang the ruffle in place over the arch and cut the hanging fabric where you want the bonnet to end. I cut mine around the middle of the top ruffle on the skirt.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZWPktXqK0xDUXFdLDRWNeqk9dKfKxuJ0-1P2DdI8hYAt69k121B51xrekKg9zoWK40UudEPufWiV45mTsmzlY4hyVz8UgKYJeLiiu9eKpSZRe2gVBEbVQuT6rpnES8-8Ozvy3j4xT0Zl/s1600/DSC02821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZWPktXqK0xDUXFdLDRWNeqk9dKfKxuJ0-1P2DdI8hYAt69k121B51xrekKg9zoWK40UudEPufWiV45mTsmzlY4hyVz8UgKYJeLiiu9eKpSZRe2gVBEbVQuT6rpnES8-8Ozvy3j4xT0Zl/s640/DSC02821.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a good shot of the bonnet in process. You can see where I sewed the ruffle to the rest of the fabric right before I cut off the extra.</td></tr>
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3. Cut a piece of elastic to wrap around the back and pin in place. Then remove the bonnet and sew on the elastic, again stretching it to create a ruffle. This part's tricky and honestly I just winged it and luckily it turned out pretty close to just right with no seam ripping involved.<br />
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4. Sew a length of 1/4" ribbon on at both sides where the bonnet will be tied on and in the center top where the elastic runs.<br />
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5. Bind the rough edges all the way around. Then tie on your finished piece.<br />
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Now the hard part is done. Congratulations! Next, let's make a bumper.<br />
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Materials:<br />
About 3/4 yd of minky dot or another soft fabric of your choice times 2. (I made mine reversible using the minky on one side and fabric from the old cover on the other.)<br />
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Plus: 3/4 yd. batting<br />
about 2 yds of 1/4 in. satin ribbon for ties<br />
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1. I kept using my outside measurement to do the bumper. This perfectly allowed for seam allowances. Take your measurement and divide by 4. Then measure your height from the mattress to where you want the top of your bumper. Mine came out to 4 rectangles that were 21"x8" each.<br />
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2. Lay one rectangle on your batting and cut out 4 rectangles of batting to match.<br />
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3. Cut out 8 approximately 10" pieces of ribbon. Fold them in half and pin at the half way mark along the long sides at the top and bottom of one of the fabrics.<br />
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4. Layer the fabric with the wrong sides together and batting on the bottom. Using the sandwich method, sew with a 1/2" seam allowance around 3 sides, leaving room on a short side to turn in right side out. Make sure while you're sewing that the ribbons are inside the sandwich and out of the seam.<br />
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5. After turning, top-stitch all the way around again with a half inch seam and turning in your opening. (I ended up whip stitching the opening too)<br />
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6. Lay the 4 finished rectangles end to end, overlapping by about 1/2". Cut 4 more 10" lengths of ribbon and sandwich them in the overlaps. Then tack them together by hand. (My machine couldn't handle the thickness.)<br />
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7. Put the bumper in the basket and double check your length. Cut off some if needed, then sew together the ends of the whole thing the same way as step 6.<br />
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8. Tie your finished bumper to the basket.<br />
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The last piece is optional but I think it adds so much to the overall look and functionality, especially if you plan to spend any time using the basket outside with your baby. It's the netting that can be pulled over the top.<br />
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Materials:<br />
About a yard of a soft, gauzy, transparent material.<br />
An 8"x45" (Depending on the width of your netting fabric) of the fabric used for the rest of the skirt.<br />
A yard and a half of 1/2" double fold binding tape to match<br />
A yard of 1/4" satin ribbon<br />
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1. Make sure you have enough length to go from the top of the bonnet to hang over the foot of the basket.<br />
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2. Take your 8" strip of fabric, fold in half length wise and iron all the way along. (We're making a wide binding for the top of the net.)<br />
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3. Again with the 8" strip, fold each long side up to the fold and iron. Making a double fold binding.<br />
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4. Sew the wide binding what will be the top of the netting.<br />
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5. Use your 1/2" binding to bind the bottom.<br />
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6. String your 1/4" satin ribbon through the wide binding at the top and tighten it like a draw string, knotting it and leaving ends long enough to tie it to the basket.<br />
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7. Tie the netting on the top of the bonnet, underneath the cover.<br />
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8. Wait patiently for your beautiful new baby to put in your gorgeous one of a kind bassinet.<br />
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And just because I can, here's a couple more pictures of my "helper".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNxvVIw4arYc8gdNAjPFyADkOMnz8Nb8mjXYOrsz4SE5Q2SasHAhxVD-UxgZhY5KtzacxI5eTyi-lKMr6YY6vxtaljFQqzkGeAqOvUR4Mx7PLwLOthVKu_6hklTMGLz5njzm5Hto7sE-R/s1600/DSC02817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjtm6KH8Wcyn6vWxmMFIRzjZRLFxyFXW01b6Aqt7Sx5rwke57C0aOvOmiHFJmCKroetHnku4wDhBNtL-EUlEcmFAYB1u3Lc7OXLX5czhoy2B8SBoMcrZ69tPHR42LjtFWUNBQ8nW4Xip6/s1600/DSC02820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjtm6KH8Wcyn6vWxmMFIRzjZRLFxyFXW01b6Aqt7Sx5rwke57C0aOvOmiHFJmCKroetHnku4wDhBNtL-EUlEcmFAYB1u3Lc7OXLX5czhoy2B8SBoMcrZ69tPHR42LjtFWUNBQ8nW4Xip6/s320/DSC02820.JPG" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNxvVIw4arYc8gdNAjPFyADkOMnz8Nb8mjXYOrsz4SE5Q2SasHAhxVD-UxgZhY5KtzacxI5eTyi-lKMr6YY6vxtaljFQqzkGeAqOvUR4Mx7PLwLOthVKu_6hklTMGLz5njzm5Hto7sE-R/s1600/DSC02817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmhMcdrRGzNV5vZooAYFw_hIqB5WpwTAIMP111yedyS6WarlJpvpTSYKuGiS4wS6CH2gSsjXmpYmIobrdYZGQR-HwdoMWkoDDt9j6ZvrZKL2aAsO8vjjKGzJWyj4GZa52M3BvdslEIqgp/s1600/DSC02822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmhMcdrRGzNV5vZooAYFw_hIqB5WpwTAIMP111yedyS6WarlJpvpTSYKuGiS4wS6CH2gSsjXmpYmIobrdYZGQR-HwdoMWkoDDt9j6ZvrZKL2aAsO8vjjKGzJWyj4GZa52M3BvdslEIqgp/s320/DSC02822.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNxvVIw4arYc8gdNAjPFyADkOMnz8Nb8mjXYOrsz4SE5Q2SasHAhxVD-UxgZhY5KtzacxI5eTyi-lKMr6YY6vxtaljFQqzkGeAqOvUR4Mx7PLwLOthVKu_6hklTMGLz5njzm5Hto7sE-R/s1600/DSC02817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNxvVIw4arYc8gdNAjPFyADkOMnz8Nb8mjXYOrsz4SE5Q2SasHAhxVD-UxgZhY5KtzacxI5eTyi-lKMr6YY6vxtaljFQqzkGeAqOvUR4Mx7PLwLOthVKu_6hklTMGLz5njzm5Hto7sE-R/s320/DSC02817.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This post has been included in: <a href="http://www.growinghomeblog.com/2012/08/teach-me-tuesday-homemaking-link-up-58.html">Teach me Tuesday</a> and <a href="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2012/08/homestead-barn-hop-76.html">The Homestead Barnhop</a></div>amperezrosaleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449801781080435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4750538408681108399.post-5489108848940286792012-08-19T17:35:00.001-05:002012-08-20T08:30:50.393-05:00Sewing Blitz WeekendMuscle Man has been on his annual guys trip for five days so I got to spend lots of time sewing things for the upcoming arrival of the new baby. Just nine weeks to go! As most of you know we are anticipating a move to Texas so in lieu of readying a nursery or indulging in other nesting tendencies, I have spent every waking moment I can in front of my sewing machine, which I have a love hate relationship with. Lately, it's been mostly love since things have been turning out so well, but I have had my share of problems with the darn thing working correctly- threads bunching and breaking galore. It's a 13 year old machine, maybe it's time to get it serviced...<br />
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Here's a quick review of everything I've made thus far with direct links to the tutorials:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2AZr4-VHHH64X-rf7YU003Y8bTM3rb6hCq5t-fKW24-J4qVVxZWHDoVUPxUeYWL6x3132yD-vUdOeuItuBLwF2cWA2GXjOI9a5KfeqWxYZk9FQAMy4NE-Fq4qyZkrMigjSPuqXvrSKR6i/s1600/DSC02805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2AZr4-VHHH64X-rf7YU003Y8bTM3rb6hCq5t-fKW24-J4qVVxZWHDoVUPxUeYWL6x3132yD-vUdOeuItuBLwF2cWA2GXjOI9a5KfeqWxYZk9FQAMy4NE-Fq4qyZkrMigjSPuqXvrSKR6i/s400/DSC02805.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little camera fits perfectly in the other front pocket, but I was using it to take the picture ;)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_HTBac8GXP5H8w3KO6y8sH74nYzOQ-sz32Wy4daR8OtyaX5VWxJZKx2xpa4E41Qzg4dDChvi6pVrVksbhIMKsW1PeDQRKtbJbKYfX39W8Kmr4Vrn73sDm9CB0DkSpO57fphxgYAEa352/s1600/DSC02804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_HTBac8GXP5H8w3KO6y8sH74nYzOQ-sz32Wy4daR8OtyaX5VWxJZKx2xpa4E41Qzg4dDChvi6pVrVksbhIMKsW1PeDQRKtbJbKYfX39W8Kmr4Vrn73sDm9CB0DkSpO57fphxgYAEa352/s320/DSC02804.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It went from this...</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.craftpassion.com/2011/11/purse-organizer-insert-with-adjustable-divider.html/2">Purse Organizer</a> I use a large Guatemalan purse as a diaper bag. There are no pockets on the inside and it's been driving me nuts lately because everything gets all mixed around inside. I love the bag though with its beautiful embroidery and didn't want to purchase another one. This took me about 3 evenings to complete and turned out great. The instructions are very clear. I did have to hand-stitch the Velcro on the dividers because it was just too thick for my machine to handle. It adds some weight to the bag but it's very sturdy and so far I love it! I added the slip pockets as suggested in the tutorial to the outside to further organize a couple of smaller items. Cost: about $8 for binding,Velcro and interfacing. I already had all the fabric and batting. Now to see if I can fit new born gear in here in addition to Little Man's stuff...I travel light so all I need to add to the current diapers, wipes, wet bag, and extra light blanket/nursing cover is a changing pad, burp cloth, extra outfit, and a sling.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OWPbCnyUfvBX-hOMnhyphenhyphen8P8nmosBskquqO9dqegc1sZpy7bwQTJDpGtot9uGS4rTdBRU4qp1GmLE8JOFj-A7ucWwp8JvbZLJYgShEBsQ_O_99-LFRnkuV51LDfwiAgG78YkzNzSIsWgjt/s1600/DSC02807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OWPbCnyUfvBX-hOMnhyphenhyphen8P8nmosBskquqO9dqegc1sZpy7bwQTJDpGtot9uGS4rTdBRU4qp1GmLE8JOFj-A7ucWwp8JvbZLJYgShEBsQ_O_99-LFRnkuV51LDfwiAgG78YkzNzSIsWgjt/s400/DSC02807.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To this!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3gxDo5nV1x3EJ9KfZM-VeX2PCs_Au2T5Iw0RLVXQ7nAtTF-UpEgCHIr_02QYaY8bjBH3ucB2Q_eNi3OF0XIXQRtucxv4l7lOo5SXuVN2zBGeswZvPqHR3UB-4HYUX4ugDj7QjlU_hwWa/s1600/DSC02811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3gxDo5nV1x3EJ9KfZM-VeX2PCs_Au2T5Iw0RLVXQ7nAtTF-UpEgCHIr_02QYaY8bjBH3ucB2Q_eNi3OF0XIXQRtucxv4l7lOo5SXuVN2zBGeswZvPqHR3UB-4HYUX4ugDj7QjlU_hwWa/s320/DSC02811.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a><a href="http://watchmedaddy.blogspot.com/2011/10/car-seat-slipcover.html">Car Seat Slip Cover</a> Little Man's old car seat was looking a little sad even after washing the cover. I decided to brighten it up a bit and finished it in an afternoon. Cost: about $15 for a half yard of minky and a yard of calico plus binding. There's plenty of extra minky to use on another project.<br />
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<a href="http://www.imperfecthomemaking.com/2012/01/tutorial-hooded-car-seat-blankies.html">Hooded Car Seat Blankie</a> I think this woman is a genius. Safety concerns aside, I think that for a winter baby this a great solution for keeping him warm. The car seat buckles run through the back of the blanket and fasten securely around baby then you swaddle him over the buckles. The only change I made was to quilt the blanket following something similar to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwvIxGOMfpA">this</a> because I was worried that the batting would bunch and be ruined with the first wash. I finished it in one evening. Cost: about $15 for batting and a yard of dino print cotton. I already had the flannel.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFWjybQzcxt0_vfbHERjD7AtgA_Qsp56HOSDW96Yz-wehyphenhyphen2iFuZ_sqXiCjDtM7imQws4E64BzV939yZFPJuDZxobQ6-lq2l8IjL4qYf7lIkIyefzU4gnq0nzUbvB0YD4CA8cRconBnI-9N/s1600/DSC02813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFWjybQzcxt0_vfbHERjD7AtgA_Qsp56HOSDW96Yz-wehyphenhyphen2iFuZ_sqXiCjDtM7imQws4E64BzV939yZFPJuDZxobQ6-lq2l8IjL4qYf7lIkIyefzU4gnq0nzUbvB0YD4CA8cRconBnI-9N/s320/DSC02813.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.thisandthatcreative.com/2011/05/carseat-covernursing-cover.html">4-in-one Car Seat and Nursing Cover</a> I would like to say I made three of these in one day but my machine was acting up. I couldn't sew more than an inch without the top thread snapping. These (should) take about a half hour start to finish and sell for over $30 at One Step Ahead and Amazon. I just used a straight yard of fabric, cut about a 12 inch slit in the center, hung it on the seat and curved the corners so they won't drag, then bound the neck and edges. Easy peasy and so versatile! This can be a nursing poncho, stroller or bassinet cover too! Cost: A yard of fabric of your choice (I had coupons for JoAnnes and got this gorgeous brocade for $5. So I got 2. The other is a more neutral but very pretty light blue and beige.) plus 2 packages of binding ($4-$6).<br />
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<a href="http://gabrielsgoodtidings.blogspot.com/2012/01/easy-tutorial-how-to-make-diaper.html">Changing Pad</a> Made similarly to the one in the link, but using some monkey print minky that I had with a flannel back. I only had a 12 inch piece of the minky, so I cut the flannel big enough so that I could bring it around and widen the top. Sew the long sides first, then adjust it so it lays flat and sew the short sides, leaving enough open to turn right side out. Top stitch around the edges and voila, a 20 minute project. Cost: free.<br />
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<a href="https://www.hand-made.com.au/listing/3782/toy_sack_play_mat_blue_gingham">Toy Sack/Play Mat</a> I saw these while browsing etsy and thought it looked like such a great idea. I'm all for supporting small business but I made this for $8. It would have been $5 if I already owned a grommet tool. I already had the canvas for the back and just used a very cheap muslin for the top. I'm going to have Muscle Man draw roads and a city-scape on the muslin (I'm concerned with marker going all the way through the thin fabric so I haven't sewn it together yet) and have the older boys color it in. This one's for little man to keep his cars in. I'm going to use some of the leftover fabrics from all of the above plus some stuff in my stash to make <a href="http://www.joann.com/textural-play-mat/prod390074/">this</a> next for the baby. I plan to add a similar draw string so it too can be pulled together into a toy sack.<br />
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That's it for now. Stay tuned for more. I have a very long to do list. Of course while working on all of this I have completely neglected my garden for the last 5 days. I've fought the good fight well into August but at 31 weeks pregnant I just do not have the energy to chase my two year old, clean house, cook dinner, make baby stuff, and kill squash bugs. Something had to give and it was an obvious choice. Actually from the house things are still looking ok. I'm scared to go give it a closer inspection though...<br />
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This post is linked up at: <a href="http://www.themorristribe.com/2012/08/20/welcome-to-the-morristribes-homesteader-blog-carnival-21/">The Morristribe's Homesteader Blog Carnival</a>, and <a href="http://networkedblogs.com/BaoRc">Monday's Homestead Barnhop</a><br />
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<br />amperezrosaleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449801781080435noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4750538408681108399.post-27577205719656402902012-08-11T12:18:00.000-05:002012-08-14T10:43:19.246-05:00Homemade "Mitata" Style Co-Sleeper/CribI ran across this on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mitata-Portable-Sleeper-Pomfitis-Stripes/dp/B0079SWHYI/ref=br_it_dp_o_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2WY6D32NRYYX8&coliid=I3ISHZ9T6851CL">Amazon</a> and thought, "Wow, what an overpriced, easy to make and very, very useful baby item!" It's billed as a co-sleeper and portable crib. I think it will be perfect to lay baby anywhere that you need protection from falling (couch, dresser for changing) or a little extra padding (floor).<br />
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Right now I'm in a situation where I'm due with baby #4 in ten weeks. Muscle man is trying to get a job transfer that would take us to Dallas which would mean living temporarily with my in-laws, teenage nephew, sister-in-law and her hubby and their newborn due in January plus my other 3 kids and 3 dogs total until we can sell our house in KC and find a new one in D. town. That's twelve people and 3 dogs in a 3 bedroom house, oh, and a cat, livin' like real Mexicans, hehe. Any who, that doesn't exactly allow much room for a crib for baby #4 so we need something small and portable to keep the baby safe. We have a bassinet too but this just seems so, appropriate, and I think would come in handy even at home. So, here's how I made my own, in one afternoon, for free since I already had everything I needed. (Even if you had to buy everything it could be done for well under $20.)<br />
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<i>Disclaimer: Although the original product has met both US and European safety standards, my version has of course not been tested. Please use with extreme caution and as with any baby product, check frequently for any wear that could make the product dangerous to use.</i><br />
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Materials:<br />
2 yds woven cotton or other non-stretchy fabric on a 50-54" bolt<br />
heavy weight thread<br />
30"x25" piece of batting<br />
stuffing or fiberfill (I used almost all of a 16oz bag)<br />
walking/quilting foot for sewing machine<br />
needles, scissors, etc<br />
opt: sew on Velcro<br />
opt: water-proof insert for top sheet<br />
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When we had baby #3 I had made a woven wrap style carrier from a gorgeous batik print that I found at Hancock fabric. To make that all I did was take a 4 yard long piece and cut it in half length wise, hem the long sides then fray the ends. I used the other half for this project. Any sturdy cotton or other non-stretchy fabric would work. The dimensions given for the original were 28"x22" The width of my fabric was about 25" so accounting for 1/2" seam allowances and width changes after stuffing the side bolsters, I figured that was just about right. I measured down 30" from the end, folded it over then cut across so I had a piece about 25"x60". Then I cut 2 more 5" strips off the short end for the handles so you have two 5x25" pieces. If you're starting with a new piece of fabric, first cut it in half length wise along the fold that it comes with off the bolt. Then measure down 30", fold it over and cut just like I did, trimming off any extra from the edge to give you the 25"x60" piece. (You'll need a second 60" piece later for the top piece.) You should have just enough and a little extra off the end to cut the handles.<br />
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The next step is to fold the handle pieces in half length wise, right sides out, and press flat.<br />
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Then flip it and sew along one short side and the long side with a 1/2" seam allowance, right sides together. Turn it right side out and press, turning under the open seam so that when you sew the handle to the co-sleeper it will close the seam.<br />
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Lay out the main body of the sleeper and place the handles along the long, 30" side. You'll sew them on the outside of the bottom piece. Place them about 2 1/2" down from the long side and 4 1/2" in from the short sides on the right.<br />
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Pin down then sew securely leaving a 1/2" seam allowance under the handle for sewing the top piece onto the bottom piece of the main sleeper.<br />
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Now turn the handles down on the right side of the fabric and fold the large 25"x60" piece in half with the right sides together. Pin sides and make sure the handles are out of the seam allowance. Lay the whole thing on a piece of batting and cut around it so the batting is the same size as the sleeper.<br />
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I also straightened out that left side when I cut the batting ;-) Next, sew around 3 of the edges starting on the corner of a long side, around the folded side and the other long side. Then measure in 5" in from from each corner (from the seam) and sew along the last short open side leaving a 5" opening on each end to stuff the bolsters.<br />
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Turn the whole thing right side out and sew a vertical seam from the inside of each opening all the way to the other end, leaving a 5" slot on each side to stuff. Firmly stuff the bolsters then whip stitch them closed. If you don't know how to close a seam, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9kGyZDWZcA">here's</a> a very simple video tutorial to follow.<br />
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Next, you need to make the top part that adds smaller bolsters along the top and bottom of the sleeper. Cut out two pieces from your remaining fabric that are about 17x30". Sew along both short sides and one long side, again with a 1/2" seam allowance. Along the open side, measure in 2" from the seam and sew along the last side, leaving a 2" opening on either end to stuff the bolsters, similar the how you did the main sleeper. Turn your piece right side out, stuff firmly and whip stitch closed.<br />
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Attach velcro if you're using it either as tabs at the corners or as strips along the short ends, whatever you prefer to hold the top piece to the bottom.<br />
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I had thought about adding a waterproof layer inside the top piece but decided to skip it and just use a regular lap pad on top. Feel free to get creative and let me know how it works for you! I'll try to remember to come back and post some action shots of our sleeper in use and let y'all know just how well it worked for us.<br />
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This post is included in the <a href="http://newlifeonahomestead.com/2012/08/mondays-homestead-barn-hop-74/">Homestead Barnhop</a> and Growing Home's <a href="http://www.growinghomeblog.com/2012/08/teach-me-tuesday-homemaking-link-up-56.html">Teach me Tuesday</a>amperezrosaleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449801781080435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4750538408681108399.post-16016972506995181512012-06-24T22:30:00.003-05:002012-06-25T11:00:03.776-05:00Pre-Made BreakfastsI'm trying something new this week...pre-made breakfasts. Breakfast and baking are my specialties and they often go hand in hand since so many baked goods are great at breakfast time; bread for toast or french toast, quick breads, coffee cake, granola; the list goes on. After getting used to a more leisurely summer pace, we are picking it up this week while the older boys attend a wake boarding camp. We'll have to be on the road daily by 7:45 and I know I won't be getting up early enough to prepare a healthy breakfast from scratch like I often do during school when I have other kids coming over as early as 6:00am They'll need the extra energy from a healthy breakfast to see them through the active days so I decided to spend a couple hours today preparing all of our breakfasts for the week. I had quite a few recipes that I've been wanting to try so most of these are new to me too. I'll edit at the end of the week to let you know how they all turned out. <b>Scroll all the way down for both a shopping and pantry list of ingredients for all the recipes!</b><br />
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1. <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/62065301084924112/">Refrigerator Oatmeal</a> I did the blueberry maple.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec9.pinterest.com/upload/62065301084924112_wvIgD2hu_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://media-cache-ec9.pinterest.com/upload/62065301084924112_wvIgD2hu_f.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theyummylife.com/Refrigerator_Oatmeal">Photo Credit</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
2. <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/200058408417681247/">Blueberry Baked Oatmeal</a> We went picking last week and have a lot of blueberries to use :)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/185632815861159548_jeaYkm8c_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/185632815861159548_jeaYkm8c_f.jpg" width="427" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sohowsittaste.com/2012/06/blueberry-raspberry-baked-oatmeal.html">Photo Credit</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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3. <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/fluffy-pancakes-2/detail.aspx">Blueberry Pancakes</a> I added a teaspoon each of cinnamon and pure vanilla to my standard batter. I'm just keeping the batter in the fridge and will cook it on my big electric skillet one morning this week. It's just as quick that way as to reheat individual plates in the microwave. I'll add a couple handfuls of fresh or frozen blueberries right before cooking. If desired you can also simmer some berries with a little sweetener of your choice to make a compote to go on top.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.media-allrecipes.com/userphotos/250x250/00/58/51/585138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://images.media-allrecipes.com/userphotos/250x250/00/58/51/585138.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/fluffy-pancakes-2/detail.aspx">Photo Credit</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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4. <a href="http://coconutmama.wordpress.com/2012/06/11/better-than-cocoa-krispies/">Chocolate Oatmeal Crunch</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://coconutmama.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/img_2873.jpg?w=540&h=360" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://coconutmama.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/img_2873.jpg?w=540&h=360" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://coconutmama.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/img_2873.jpg?w=540&h=360">Photo Credit</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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5. Frozen Breakfast Burritos similar to <a href="http://cdm-arewethereyet.blogspot.com/2012/04/breakfast-burritos.html">these.</a> I did mine a little simpler with cubed ham, hash browns, and cheese.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVmEQKB53deZC2lrHBCYOF-gPt1Q79ZfTcBuK7o_kCpr3cDRp4SE5qiHepTn8miGl5eGcOsEsO-Vmx1dqXrukqEoat6VKC2yX-mFAtjLWD0MJsZ1saX1sOxTdcRgTWlWOvpc-WHjVGhgG/s400/Pork+Roast+,+Breakfast+Burritoes,+and+Easter+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVmEQKB53deZC2lrHBCYOF-gPt1Q79ZfTcBuK7o_kCpr3cDRp4SE5qiHepTn8miGl5eGcOsEsO-Vmx1dqXrukqEoat6VKC2yX-mFAtjLWD0MJsZ1saX1sOxTdcRgTWlWOvpc-WHjVGhgG/s400/Pork+Roast+,+Breakfast+Burritoes,+and+Easter+012.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdm-arewethereyet.blogspot.com/2012/04/breakfast-burritos.html">Photo Credit</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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While I was at it I also made <a href="http://sweetpeaskitchen.com/2011/05/15/lemon-blueberry-yogurt-loaf/">Lemon Blueberry Yogurt Loaf</a> and <a href="http://annies-eats.com/2011/09/23/pumpkin-snickerdoodles/">Pumpkin Snickerdoodles</a>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sweetpeaskitchen.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/dsc_0317.jpg?w=500&h=500" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://sweetpeaskitchen.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/dsc_0317.jpg?w=500&h=500" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sweetpeaskitchen.com/2011/05/15/lemon-blueberry-yogurt-loaf/">Photo Credit</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec8.pinterest.com/upload/200058408417695055_O0wln9Vw_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec8.pinterest.com/upload/200058408417695055_O0wln9Vw_f.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://annies-eats.com/2011/09/23/pumpkin-snickerdoodles/#">Photo Credit</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Shopping List: </b><br />
Blueberries (5c. +)<br />
2-3 Ripe Bananas<br />
Cubed Ham (Use leftovers if you've got 'em!)<br />
Country Style Hash Browns<br />
5-7 large lemons<br />
<b>Pantry List: </b><br />
Old Fashioned Oats<br />
Chopped Walnuts (I subbed whole pecans that I chopped in the processor)<br />
White Vinegar<br />
Baking Powder<br />
Baking Soda<br />
Cocoa<br />
Nut or Seed Butter (Peanut Butter here)<br />
Honey<br />
Ground Cinnamon<br />
Vanilla<br />
Salt<br />
White Flour<br />
Sugar<br />
Powdered Sugar<br />
Eggs<br />
Butter<br />
Milk<br />
Cheddar Cheese<br />
Yogurt (Plain, Vanilla, and/or Greek)<br />
Dry Chia Seeds<br />
Milled Flax<br />
Maple Syrup<br />
Honey<br />
Vegetable Oil (I subbed grape seed)<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b>Additional for the Snickerdoodles:</b><br />
Nutmeg<br />
Ginger<br />
Light Brown Sugar<br />
Pumpkin Puree<br />
<b><br /></b><br />
For more updates and other interesting tidbits be sure to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/kcirie.blog">like</a> us on facebook!<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Be sure the check out all the other great posts at:</span><br />
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<br />amperezrosaleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449801781080435noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4750538408681108399.post-69927595741656932782012-06-20T19:47:00.000-05:002012-06-20T20:09:29.235-05:00Garden and 2012 Goals Updates and our Big News<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm still here...really! Thought I'd update my small readership on the current goals, garden, and what's been going on lately to keep me from posting.<br />
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First my favorite subject, the garden: I've accomplished most of what I wanted to do there. The small boarder plot along the back fence is half as big as originally intended, but I have a wonderful variety of things in it including watermelon, cantaloupe, zucchini, squash, cucumbers, and pole beans in green, yellow and purple varieties plus radishes, nasturtium and marigold intended to keep the bugs away. So far so good! *edit- I found a couple of squash bugs, eggs and a cucumber beetle today. The battle has begun!*<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWeWxmOPZrPVcdg09aiqHY5otbk1WK5INiIvWoh_ePqUUnefBGt6dFlrIKgGm2yqu8U4kXb7l0HXeWhenxpFUFcdNQERCsnZ3TQFzzNo6Z2RuOo9nCK8I3qMwvCZz8_K1Fffiz-_7X36G/s1600/DSC02500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWeWxmOPZrPVcdg09aiqHY5otbk1WK5INiIvWoh_ePqUUnefBGt6dFlrIKgGm2yqu8U4kXb7l0HXeWhenxpFUFcdNQERCsnZ3TQFzzNo6Z2RuOo9nCK8I3qMwvCZz8_K1Fffiz-_7X36G/s640/DSC02500.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The squash bed right after planting.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY99sVBaJRkaM9SuRnJd_zcYsXrBOuZUntzk42ZeBPgrf8UkGb3a1RRB0uEcpOnEiN2Bf_GXgVEx15018uJV92GxmuiOkBupo99_rpODnBJDIgpj5_DtXQnTphMw8e3ETKTAdkjuyx1zBh/s1600/DSC02609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY99sVBaJRkaM9SuRnJd_zcYsXrBOuZUntzk42ZeBPgrf8UkGb3a1RRB0uEcpOnEiN2Bf_GXgVEx15018uJV92GxmuiOkBupo99_rpODnBJDIgpj5_DtXQnTphMw8e3ETKTAdkjuyx1zBh/s640/DSC02609.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We'll be adding lattice on the fence in the next few days to<br />
train everything up. Some of the beans would be<br />
more than half way over the fence already.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In my salsa beds I ended up with 13 mostly different organic heirloom tomato varieties including 3 Cherokee Purples, a German Johnson, Pink Brandywine, Striped Golden Peach, Yellow Blondakee, Yoder German Yellow, Bear Creek, Grandma Josie, Arkansas Traveler, Striped Peppermint, and Southern Night Black. I also have four bell pepper varieties and a couple of jalapenos plus a section of red onions and shallots, a large variety of basils, yellow thyme, rosemary, cuban oregano, stevia and one tiny little dill plant. Definitely an improvement over the last two years when I planted nothing save a few herbs!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNuFd87RN7G1v5sTxhwbkFCX2OI0cbXI8VRxuNmtYakQZAfnNIqWawlFK4Z9aNG8YuQSDkKOgL46w38lgWAvAdoe9SNe323vOehQoqB-zeWLk53UoTZ8DOpUSytSwe0UhVZH4k9jTMTxP/s1600/DSC02496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNuFd87RN7G1v5sTxhwbkFCX2OI0cbXI8VRxuNmtYakQZAfnNIqWawlFK4Z9aNG8YuQSDkKOgL46w38lgWAvAdoe9SNe323vOehQoqB-zeWLk53UoTZ8DOpUSytSwe0UhVZH4k9jTMTxP/s640/DSC02496.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salsa bed shortly after planting.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4ezIyk9GnYbwXD5V5Fr0BZWtNhdznOYgih9WNiFd4EXXrYroYlJApVIoRNrRbVdDKmlJaBAAtOcm-pP5aLphIiAhEhQ2mFxTf9Ll2l0rkaC20DVRFOaURj3SkBld5b_Yt2NI-5bLtmwP/s1600/DSC02605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4ezIyk9GnYbwXD5V5Fr0BZWtNhdznOYgih9WNiFd4EXXrYroYlJApVIoRNrRbVdDKmlJaBAAtOcm-pP5aLphIiAhEhQ2mFxTf9Ll2l0rkaC20DVRFOaURj3SkBld5b_Yt2NI-5bLtmwP/s640/DSC02605.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salsa bed today (6-20-12) I still need to pick up supports for a few of the tomatoes :-p</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVX4s4YBBZLyL_LjTTBtmq_oR51sRwiX8wi-Q-74mIa0IVlGApwQbRRy_22UCRHEVldTbnlf3xJiLCxhh9eJ5edSZ6T5fAW4yWFx3f2ZJ_ghEu40hAhpe_jW-YTH_ad6lk7yPX57v55ZQw/s1600/DSC02607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVX4s4YBBZLyL_LjTTBtmq_oR51sRwiX8wi-Q-74mIa0IVlGApwQbRRy_22UCRHEVldTbnlf3xJiLCxhh9eJ5edSZ6T5fAW4yWFx3f2ZJ_ghEu40hAhpe_jW-YTH_ad6lk7yPX57v55ZQw/s640/DSC02607.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first tomato of the season is almost ready! This is a striped golden peach heirloom.</td></tr>
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Unfortunately my potatoes aren't doing well. If you remember I posted pictures of the towers I made, well the reds have mostly died. The yellow russets are doing a little better but still look like they're struggling. I can't figure out why. Some took in the compost pile though so maybe I'll get a small harvest from those. God has a sense of humor doesn't he? I still have sweet potato slips that I'm going to sneak into a bare spot in my front beds. Hopefully those will do better.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0zLlhAO4DK41-dNbda8TS4ozSmTCs6dbCYYISGo4dMti12jdKG4qWIhaaZBcdJ0rIi9nOsBTpdP1pG3mBJ3F6WF45MryG6_qnMGA0SK4ii1f2q55XWS17-tj3Z3K9CAiSE55ZX4PC5oP/s1600/DSC02504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0zLlhAO4DK41-dNbda8TS4ozSmTCs6dbCYYISGo4dMti12jdKG4qWIhaaZBcdJ0rIi9nOsBTpdP1pG3mBJ3F6WF45MryG6_qnMGA0SK4ii1f2q55XWS17-tj3Z3K9CAiSE55ZX4PC5oP/s640/DSC02504.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When they still looked good...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINCR8N8S-Auk6qF0Aq7NTo311ANc5ZsvVW9Yo1-wmx5uRXF9Rzm22dyoj-5he-h0PQagpbFt0cLNMD-M2qf2U8qv05RrPdDTG5ZahxLN6rpHuseHLpSoJEmPKZ_0MLo_dgnxkx6Jbi7BP/s1600/DSC02613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINCR8N8S-Auk6qF0Aq7NTo311ANc5ZsvVW9Yo1-wmx5uRXF9Rzm22dyoj-5he-h0PQagpbFt0cLNMD-M2qf2U8qv05RrPdDTG5ZahxLN6rpHuseHLpSoJEmPKZ_0MLo_dgnxkx6Jbi7BP/s640/DSC02613.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My poor potatoes.</td></tr>
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This is what my salad table looked like a couple weeks ago shortly before things started bolting. I've since given up watering it and will just wait until fall for a fresh crop.<br />
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Here's a shot of my muscle man helping to haul all the compost and mulch for me. Gotta love him. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBfxjxqoVa1K5mZVy3sLEk2kZD3caRRAQ5valfsl5wyJp69mxtGny0eiY4EhKYBLsvmEkz22ojWb4YQuSG6fzZlvWwCucmKrB4l4I73x2MdEkHKXAgwMW3PpiytdZ35MnlI9u4WvyAC2s/s1600/DSC02494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBfxjxqoVa1K5mZVy3sLEk2kZD3caRRAQ5valfsl5wyJp69mxtGny0eiY4EhKYBLsvmEkz22ojWb4YQuSG6fzZlvWwCucmKrB4l4I73x2MdEkHKXAgwMW3PpiytdZ35MnlI9u4WvyAC2s/s640/DSC02494.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Liy-AoDnQtzqLDy-ED-1jURW7zlR4UX-STcqXuRcM-frG5-qF5b9t9gUTv7Hg43SX41YlEBxjjTB-sRKzIZnRkgw_e7c-Pu-cKSHghvQdQeObJ2h3zNfHmNp3TQAuA3RH4Duij20DY-m/s1600/DSC02608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Liy-AoDnQtzqLDy-ED-1jURW7zlR4UX-STcqXuRcM-frG5-qF5b9t9gUTv7Hg43SX41YlEBxjjTB-sRKzIZnRkgw_e7c-Pu-cKSHghvQdQeObJ2h3zNfHmNp3TQAuA3RH4Duij20DY-m/s640/DSC02608.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still have about half of the pile to go...</td></tr>
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And for fun, here are a few pictures of my patio beds and window boxes as they have progressed throughout the season.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxoAQYXrwNoduWyX_Ph-Tl2ceSsxRWE61ryY_SQs3DjF8FBZhj56JyWLXEoSlkl4w4ICs2n-hhrXgzCX1nsHbV9UNuiVgOotqUzQCb8ai-lMPoKNlS3iOv8i0tKv470mAGDb22GojHkZX/s1600/DSC02495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxoAQYXrwNoduWyX_Ph-Tl2ceSsxRWE61ryY_SQs3DjF8FBZhj56JyWLXEoSlkl4w4ICs2n-hhrXgzCX1nsHbV9UNuiVgOotqUzQCb8ai-lMPoKNlS3iOv8i0tKv470mAGDb22GojHkZX/s640/DSC02495.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Window boxes shortly after planting.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh478gomE1v0bomm48ql-xEgvwNqvAuAJOFwneOXTBghukf8Nk3jWrXV830RxXY9P2tMhb-gvaI3YT-VaqTeBRHAibW9qqrLZVbjX6eP8mXp7DCJxmRcS9aUTQoqvx8H_Ee8kkeqR2GKynN/s1600/DSC02604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh478gomE1v0bomm48ql-xEgvwNqvAuAJOFwneOXTBghukf8Nk3jWrXV830RxXY9P2tMhb-gvaI3YT-VaqTeBRHAibW9qqrLZVbjX6eP8mXp7DCJxmRcS9aUTQoqvx8H_Ee8kkeqR2GKynN/s640/DSC02604.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The heat has taken its toll on the creeping jenny and violas.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibE7QJS2eomAUrvmpiJqWP7JoTPn6GkvXZb41ZiecuB_TzQCaJZX0A6dmO-tyV3z3lpvpXlldSPJ6s6oRQsLY2euU510GdViiaaZ5gfyAsudpVQbqdSfYjpBENsOuWH250M8MHz-jHLUH1/s1600/DSC02502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibE7QJS2eomAUrvmpiJqWP7JoTPn6GkvXZb41ZiecuB_TzQCaJZX0A6dmO-tyV3z3lpvpXlldSPJ6s6oRQsLY2euU510GdViiaaZ5gfyAsudpVQbqdSfYjpBENsOuWH250M8MHz-jHLUH1/s640/DSC02502.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My patio garden holds strawberries, hardy kiwi, rhubarb, cannas, lavender, creeping thyme<br />
roman chamomile and sunflowers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bAjqNva5HO3atMzqHi0vSdmGRV36HayRuDmQfIjEZXKUu86BLjUhYsaqtMicPiGYeHc_Q_SH2VCafPLgWouDeWtUoeRNpRSPO2QFCinngl8OaWSnCXFTuX97woIA_637P5eEXT9zsfzF/s1600/DSC02616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bAjqNva5HO3atMzqHi0vSdmGRV36HayRuDmQfIjEZXKUu86BLjUhYsaqtMicPiGYeHc_Q_SH2VCafPLgWouDeWtUoeRNpRSPO2QFCinngl8OaWSnCXFTuX97woIA_637P5eEXT9zsfzF/s640/DSC02616.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I finally pruned the kiwi vines!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsthnu4WT_McEx0z13-ZjAdCuvDYzfG-1lcTrZD2pGXeNBDiPJ0Gr0_mzBI_qDPGZ8QtqPggvrzNqBM2Zpk2NdGecv08OOegh0DrnhEBRppTlZGqCZ-8BvLh5XfG8S6p_9WSey9BpPBGq2/s1600/DSC02503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsthnu4WT_McEx0z13-ZjAdCuvDYzfG-1lcTrZD2pGXeNBDiPJ0Gr0_mzBI_qDPGZ8QtqPggvrzNqBM2Zpk2NdGecv08OOegh0DrnhEBRppTlZGqCZ-8BvLh5XfG8S6p_9WSey9BpPBGq2/s640/DSC02503.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Night garden at the beginning of the season.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVKEMn2DBfDEPpt06cWTw2XOZL9CDclIICAdFk5w_i-0KxmZi8dDxdvf1CmFWdiSNP5KdVpY7wmNeZJ5h220XJHfuEjGoq2XN4fyY6RDlsglnAAaL2b6JY4UfTHfb8ZvbQ-iDg_whMDZr/s1600/DSC02610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVKEMn2DBfDEPpt06cWTw2XOZL9CDclIICAdFk5w_i-0KxmZi8dDxdvf1CmFWdiSNP5KdVpY7wmNeZJ5h220XJHfuEjGoq2XN4fyY6RDlsglnAAaL2b6JY4UfTHfb8ZvbQ-iDg_whMDZr/s640/DSC02610.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Night garden today. Looking a bit overgrown. Things need desperately to be divided.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7njzJGdR9QnG7div2AmlvPGOg-sLVtx1EubTdU51yrFccYbrJmEag44ri5u5qyzw_jaxSgAz38IJESAed0yQBoPP9YC7ZZlvuvAbPu3-nNcOe3a3inLCXpkdx-JW3K8ZmGreZOdkNNgay/s1600/DSC02615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7njzJGdR9QnG7div2AmlvPGOg-sLVtx1EubTdU51yrFccYbrJmEag44ri5u5qyzw_jaxSgAz38IJESAed0yQBoPP9YC7ZZlvuvAbPu3-nNcOe3a3inLCXpkdx-JW3K8ZmGreZOdkNNgay/s640/DSC02615.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite part of the patio garden right now. I'm loving the coleous!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0BfaXgNU1N3I5ijxo7Q1h_CVWOACDIUH31lonANPRCZejIsE5SUi2SlQJE_xZmJN3AUU8lFKvsEQEjxO-jJbvHvELxwCA268zHNcUMMIyKI52muHmMuklpg4-J2wwVb_-fgezLIZeijg/s1600/DSC02493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0BfaXgNU1N3I5ijxo7Q1h_CVWOACDIUH31lonANPRCZejIsE5SUi2SlQJE_xZmJN3AUU8lFKvsEQEjxO-jJbvHvELxwCA268zHNcUMMIyKI52muHmMuklpg4-J2wwVb_-fgezLIZeijg/s640/DSC02493.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And I must not forget this gorgeous "Carnival" hibiscus I picked up this year!</td></tr>
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As far as growing some citrus...I planted a couple of meyer lemon seeds from a batch that I picked up at Wally World of all places in early spring. One took and is growing beautifully. Maybe I'll get lemons in a few years. I won't be able to purchase any plants until we figure out for sure whether we are going to be moving in the near future or not.<br />
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Another goal I can say that is really coming along is sourcing grass-fed/pastured meat and eggs. I've been buying grass-fed ground beef at the farmers market and have several possibilities for a bulk purchase that may or may not happen in the fall. One of my husbands co-workers is getting us pastured eggs for a great price every 2 weeks and she just brings them to work for him to bring home. It doesn't get better then that! Chicken is the only thing I'm still working on. If I could get one whole bird per week we'd be more than set. *edit- Wolf Creek has posted that they'll have pastured chicken available at their market stands as early as Sat. Woo Hoo!!* Soon I'm thinking I want to create a source page where readers can find a list of my local contacts. That will help me keep them all straight too! In the meantime, some websites that I've found to be great overall resources include: <a href="http://realmilk.com/where.html">RealMilk.com</a> (if you're interested in raw milk products), <a href="http://www.pickyourown.org/">pickyourown.org</a> for u-pick farms, <a href="http://www.eatwild.com/">eatwild.com</a> to source local grass-fed meat, eggs and diary, and the <a href="http://search.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/">USDA Farmers Market Directory</a> for a national list of markets in your area. If you're in the Kansas City area, <a href="http://www.kcfoodcircle.org/">Kansas City Food Circle</a> is a wonderful resource as well. They hold an organic farmer's expo every spring that everyone should attend.<br />
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And last but not least I have almost finished cleaning out my craft room, which I no longer get to have because my two year old is moving into it to make room for baby number 4! That would be why I haven't been blogging as much. Pregnancy exhaustion makes it difficult to just keep the house clean (read clean up after my two year old tornado!) let alone keep up with the garden, learning new recipes and everything else. Our fourth boy will be along sometime in mid-October.<br />
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Check out all the other cool posts at <a href="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Barn-Hop.jpg">the barnhop!</a>amperezrosaleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449801781080435noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4750538408681108399.post-32893858746017896702012-03-19T12:57:00.001-06:002012-03-19T13:08:28.462-06:00So far in the garden...Well, I've fallen off the band wagon a bit haven't I? And for good reason I think, which I will share later. For now here's a quick update as to where I am with my garden planting and plans for the upcoming year. I haven't planted any veggies for the last couple of years because my last pregnancy left me so exhausted. Then there was a newborn in June and a toddler who I couldn't keep off the deck stairs long enough to accomplish anything outside. That toddler is finally old enough that I can take him outside and get some work done as long as I keep one eye and two ears pointing in his direction at all times. I am beyond excited to be spending more time outside in the garden and have big plans for the upcoming season.<br />
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I did my garden layout in excel which worked out really well. I'd like to share the spread sheet but it looks like the only way to do that is to transfer it to google docs which will take a little time that I'm not able to spare today. Here are some screen shots though:</div>
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Remember those cinder block teared beds along the south side of the house that I installed last fall? Here's what's going in there. (Click on the picture for a larger view.)</div>
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At the bottom there you can also see my salad table. The green highlights are where I've already planted. I'm staggering my planting so that I don't have everything come ready at the same time. Everything is based on the square foot gardening method. The number's in parenthesis indicate how many of each plant can be placed in each square foot area. </div>
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Here is my salad table all put together, the inspiration for which came from <a href="http://www.5dollardinners.com/2010/05/square-foot-gardening-legs.html">here.</a> I'm hoping to get a tutorial up soon.</div>
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Then, along the back fence, I plan to plant a boarder row/vertical garden by adding lattice along 3 of the 8 foot panels and coming out 2 feet on either side of the fence also using the square foot gardening methods as well as companion planting. Here are the plans for that...(as best as I could sqush them into a series of screen shots that would make sense.) If you lay them all end to end that's the spread of the planned garden. The numbers in each of the top blocks prior to the plant name indicates the foot in which the planting is planned.</div>
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For more information on square foot gardening and companion planting, two excellent resources are: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/All-New-Square-Foot-Gardening/dp/1591862027/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332183975&sr=8-1" target="_blank">All New Square Foot Gardening</a> by Mel Bartholomew and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Carrots-Love-Tomatoes-Companion-Successful/dp/1580170277/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332184022&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Carrots Love Tomatoes</a> by Louise Riotte<br />
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And last is my tater towers. I used a tutorial found <a href="http://urbanfarmerseward.posterous.com/potato-towers-and-living-fence-posts">here</a> and placed them on the outer side of the pad underneath my deck. Between these and the salad table I dug out all of the compost I had, and not a few centipedes and pill bugs along with it. I am a little worried about what so many pill bugs might do to my tender lettuce seedlings. The remedy I have come across is iron phosphate, sold as slug killer. It is an organic option so I will probably go ahead and do those suckers in before they have a chance to cause any problems.</div>
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That's it for now. Salads and taters are done and toward the end of the week after the rain moves out of the area, I plan to go get a load of compost from <a href="http://www.suburbanlg.com/">Suburban Lawn and Garden</a> to fill up those beds on the south side. Oh, and here's a neat little tip I read about recently. I didn't save the link, but it seems that in place of round-up, straight white vinegar can be used to kill weeds! I have an awful lot of 'em growing in these beds that need to be wiped out before I fill them up. I would be careful because vinegar is very acidic so used too often it may effect plants that are picky about soil PH, but if you're monitoring your levels (and you should be, not that I am...) I would think things would be fine. Looking forward to April 7th and attending the <a href="http://www.kcfoodcircle.org/food-news/events/eat-local-expo/" target="_blank">Eat Local Expo</a> where I plan to buy some heirloom tomatoes and other transplants. Anyone in the area who is interested, this is a great opportunity to meet local farmers who offer CSA, organic free-range meat products, eggs, foraging, canning classes, you name it! (There is also one on March 31st.)</div>
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Also, just FYI, you must check out <a href="http://rareseeds.com/our-village/" target="_blank">Baker Creek</a>. They have an awesome collection of seeds and well as heritage days festivals the first Sunday of each month now through October. In May they have a spring planting festival that looks like so much fun. Unfortunately I'll be on a cruise ship somewhere in the Caribbean that week. Well, maybe not so unfortunate but I sure wish I could do both! I just might take off some weekend before then and head down that way. They are located in Mansfield, MO just 90 min. from Branson.</div>
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Well, my Red Bud tree is blooming, daffies are up, peonies are just starting to poke through and all of my berries that made it through last summer are leafing out beautifully. Spring is definitely in the air and I am so excited to see what this garden has in store for me this year! Gardening is a challenging labor of love but one that I so enjoy. My husband thinks I'm insane but I can spend hours happily tugging weeds. It's therapeutic, and you get tomatoes, what's not to love! Happy planting everyone! </div>amperezrosaleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449801781080435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4750538408681108399.post-37477797158957297042012-02-06T18:32:00.001-06:002012-02-06T18:32:23.258-06:00Packing Light and Highlights of Our Trip to Costa Rica<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playa Negra, Cahuita, Costa Rica</td></tr>
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Well, we got back laaaate Saturday night from our ten days in beautiful Costa Rica. We spent the week just outside of a sleepy little Caribbean beach town called Cahuita, half an hour north of the more popular destination, Puerto Viejo. The boys spent their hours playing in the surf and I spent mine reading, beach combing, bird watching, and scoping out all the gorgeous tropical plants I could. The black sand sparkles like new fallen snow and there are all sorts of flora and fauna to enjoy.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cahuita's Main Street</td></tr>
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We stayed at a place called Cabinas Iguanas where we had our own three bedroom bungalow with kitchen for what you'd spend at a typical holiday or days inn.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Bungalow</td></tr>
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The local Ticos were very friendly. Fernando, the hotel's maintenance and pool guy spent a couple evenings visiting with us and enjoying a cold beer after work. He shared herbs and peppers from the garden and one day got us each a fresh green coconut which we all thoroughly enjoyed!<br />
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Another day the owner, Martin, brought over an iguana he had found. Each of the boys got a chance to hold it.<br />
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When my family travels, we always pack as light as possible for three reasons:<br />
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1. We don't like to check bags. Carrying everything eliminates worries of damaged or lost luggage, and airline fees for checked bags. Plus, when you get to where you are going, you can bypass the wait at baggage claim.<br />
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2. When traveling with kids, there are additional things that need to be brought- favorite snacks, diapers, entertainment for during flights, etc that necessitates lightening up in other areas.<br />
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3. Fewer bags to lug is just easier!<br />
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We have two adults, a teenager, ten year old, eight year old, and 19 month old in our family. For those six people, we packed one military ruck sack, two school bag size roller bag/backpacks, a back/pack style baby carrier with a small bag used as a diaper pouch, and one large military sea bag.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The grand total of six peoples' luggage for 10 days minus the ruck sack.</td></tr>
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Note: This is much, much easier to accomplish when travelling to a warm place! Shorts and sundresses take up half the space of jeans and sweaters!<br />
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Here's how we did it:<br />
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The orange roller bag held pantry staples and favorite snacks since we planned to do most of our own cooking in the kitchen of our bungalow. Some basic every day spices, olive oil, beans, rice, pop tarts, gold fish crackers, organic apple juice and apple sauce were among the things we toted along.<br />
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The red bag belongs to yours truly. The front part is a detachable piece that held kindles, chargers, a couple of toys for the baby, camera, Ipod, passports, all trip paperwork (email confirmations, contact info, maps, etc), anything we might need easy access to. The main compartment held all of my clothes, hair ties, a little jewelry, flip flops, an extra Kiva brand convertible bag- just in case, a couple of t-shirt totes (for shopping the local markets), swim suit, sarong, etc. (Admittedly I packed more here than I needed. I brought home 3 dresses, one tank top, and one pair of short yoga pants that were never worn.)<br />
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All diaper bag necessities went in the small pouch on the carrier. This includes diapers, wipes, powder, snacks, bottle, change of clothes, and the small blanket that I also use as a nursing cover.<br />
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The teenager carried the ruck sack with his belongings and everything else (toiletries and my husbands and other two boys' clothes plus a couple beach/pool toys, and life vests) went in the big sea bag.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packing up the boys</td></tr>
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When packing clothes, always pack half of what you think you'll need. In other words, you can wear things at least twice before washing, sometimes even three times. Plus, you can always hand wash, or find a laundry mat just about anywhere, so you do not need to bring a different outfit for every day. Pack versatile pieces that can be worn in more than one way and keep colors simple and interchangeable.<br />
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For a beach vacation, the boys each get 3-4 swim trunks, 3-4 t-shirts, one regular pair of shorts, 2 pair underwear, one pair socks, swim shoes, and flip flops. They wear soft pants, a sweater and tennis shoes on the way. I try to match up the trunks and shirts as much as possible so they can be interchanged and worn with whatever's clean. Since everything was getting thrown in the sea bag this time around, I separated their stuff into plastic bags so it could be easily pulled out when we reached our destination.<br />
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The baby got half a box of diapers, a travel container of wipes, several cloth swim diapers, trunks, swim shirts, t-shirts, and onsies, plus an extra long sleeved shirt, long pants and jacket for the trip home. I always pack a little extra for him because, well, babies can be super messy, but we didn't use half of what I brought.<br />
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The hubby wore travel pants and a sweater and brought 3 each shorts and t-shirts plus a pair of sweats.<br />
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For me, a couple of sun dresses, two gouchos and a couple of tank tops were sufficient. I also wore a pair of travel pants and sweater on the way there and had a pair of yoga pants for the trip home. You can always dress up outfits with new scarves, or simple jewelry.<br />
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I did no laundry the entire trip except to wash and dry what was still wet before leaving.<br />
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When packing toiletries, I didn't have to worry too much this time since we did check the big sea bag, but normally I have to dole out quart size bags to each passenger with bottles no bigger than the 3.4 ounces dictated by the airlines. I keep a toiletry kit for the boys, and one for me that's usually filled and almost ready to go. The boys have a mesh bag that they share with shampoo, soap, bath fluffs, combs, and travel tooth brushes. The baby's shampoo, baby lotion, and bottom cream stay with me. In my kit, I include everything I use daily: shampoo, conditioner, body wash or soap, razor, shaving cream, travel toothbrush and toothpaste, lotion, deodorant, makeup and q-tips. In addition, don't forget sunscreen, bug spray, wrinkle release, and GSE. (A couple drops a day of GSE- Grapfruit SEED Extract- is invaluable, especially when traveling to areas where the water may be questionable. It can prevent stomach parasites and save your vacation.)<br />
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Other things to remember: first-aid kit (especially when travelling with kids!) including: aloe vera gel, molefoam, triple-antibiotic ointment, anti-bacterial gel (there aren't always adequate hand washing facilities in public restrooms!), Jr. strength chew-able acetaminophen, gas-X, loperamide hydrochloride (anti-diarrheal), kids pepto, infant ibuprofen, adult ibuprofen, sinus or allergy medicine if needed, tweezers, nail clippers and file, band-aids, hydro-cortisone, and any prescription medications, all in the smallest container possible. I fit all of this in a small clear zippered bag that came with a set of Goody brand Velcro rollers.<br />
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And don't forget!... cameras, a hat, extra batteries/chargers, sunglasses, passports/visas, ear phones and ear plugs (if you need them to sleep), wallet, cell phone, lap-top or tablet if desired, stroller or carrier for the little one, (and a car seat if you'll be renting a car), beach shoes and/or flip flops, shower shoes, goggles/snorkeling gear, travel towel, trash bags for laundry, several extra quart, gallon and two gallon sized zip bags, a couple of travel sized detergent pouches, and two of the most used items I always bring; a travel laundry line and my Thermarest pillow, and leave a little space for souvenirs!<br />
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PS: Two of the most ingenious things I've heard of those zip bags being used for are: put dirty clothes with a little water and detergent in a two gallon bag, zip it up and throw it in your luggage while en route. When you get to where you're going, take it out, rinse and hang- easiest way to clean your clothes! The other is to blow them up and use them to cushion breakable souvenirs. <br />
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Hopefully that gives you some idea of how to travel light with your family.amperezrosaleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449801781080435noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4750538408681108399.post-7388648318448384012012-01-17T09:34:00.000-06:002012-01-17T09:34:52.762-06:00Menu Planning for Your SanityAh, the ubiquitous menu planning post. It seems like every site claiming to have info about mothering, home-making, organizing, or any number of topics has their version of menu planning advice. Guess what...IT'S GOOD ADVICE! Things run so much more smoothly in my home when I have a plan for the week and the necessary food in the fridge, bought, defrosted and ready to prepare, and it definitely helps us to not eat out so often. Everyone does it a little bit differently and that's ok. You've got to find what works for you. I'm going to share my routine and it may give you some ideas for streamlining the process. It doesn't have to be painful and in fact can be quite quick and easy once you get the hang of it. Admittedly I still need to work on making this a habit, but I do have a system that works, when I use it...<br />
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1. The first thing I do every week is scan the sale flyer for each of the local supermarkets. As I'm doing this, I list for each store things that are on sale (read deeply discounted) that we use.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even though I hope to eventually have a store of fresh grass-fed beef, pork and chicken and my own garden that will eliminate much of our need for grocery store items, there will most likely always be some things I rely on the store to provide.</td></tr>
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2. Then, I look at a list that I've made of favorite meals (that needs desperately to be updated- time for a brainstorming session people!) and see what I can make using sale items and things we already have on hand. Those meals get put directly on our family calendar (I use google) and then I complete the grocery list with any other necessary items.<br />
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That's it. Using sale items to plan my menus helps reduce cost. (I don't do much couponing. See <a href="http://www.themorristribe.com/2011/10/24/id-rather-have-my-dissertation-on-couponing/">here</a> to learn why I don't.) I try to make at least one new recipe per week and we use a running list that stays up on the fridge where we write down pantry staples and toiletries as they run low. Any time someone tells me that they need something, I tell them to write it on the list, because otherwise I won't remember! I just use a magnetic list pad for this that I can tear off and take to the store. Recently I saw a cute idea where a mom laminated a single page from a similar pad, or some scrap book paper and used a dry erase marker to do the same thing. This makes for a slightly greener option.<br />
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Another idea I've seen that I think is great is to use a bi-weekly or monthly rotating menu. I haven't gotten to this point and I think life might get rather boring if we did so it's not something I'm really working on, but it might work well for others. It certainly would streamline things a lot.<br />
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Something else you can do that helps immensely is to keep all of your recipes organized and in one place. Ok, I admittedly have several places, but they are (fairly) organized! I use <a href="http://www.allrecipes.com/">www.allrecipes.com</a> a lot lately and it's easy there with a free account to save and search all of your favorites. I also get a lot of recipes from various blogs. These I save in a folder on my bookmark bar in google chrome and pin what I can to pinterest. I also keep a (way too big) binder with magazine clipped recipes to try that are mostly sorted and stored in page protectors that are either full sheet or split into photo pockets for smaller clippings. Then there is my own cook book. Every recipe that has been labeled a keeper by the powers that be (read hubby and the kids) eventually gets typed up and added to the family cook book which is a red fabric covered binder. I'll go more in depth as to how this is all organized in a future post. For now I'll just say that my hope is that this will someday be a real family heirloom that can be copied and passed on to the boys and their families.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XHGo8yH7-Krjl1EpSaWA1zHqqAq0PvxCx0RrwUGHn8vgqfMua85EmymAzXQxpvtBB_uSJj3E1VlsjimRCcrEDh4itocz2dS_Fi1v-nuH3M_xV1Zbxeqo8mhV1M81PKH1T_aKatHp3CrT/s1600/DSC01933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XHGo8yH7-Krjl1EpSaWA1zHqqAq0PvxCx0RrwUGHn8vgqfMua85EmymAzXQxpvtBB_uSJj3E1VlsjimRCcrEDh4itocz2dS_Fi1v-nuH3M_xV1Zbxeqo8mhV1M81PKH1T_aKatHp3CrT/s320/DSC01933.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My cookbook shelf. Several there I really never use, and several gems too. The big red one on the left is our family cook book. Hard to miss :)</td></tr>
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In a couple of weeks after we return from our trip to Costa Rica, I plan to start a weekly menu post detailing my plans for the week. This will be my first weekly feature and will post on Friday so that those who work and do much of their planning and shopping on the weekend will have some fresh ideas ready to use. Hope you all enjoy it! If nothing else, forcing myself to publicly post a weekly plan will (hopefully) be incentive to make it a habit for myself! We all struggle with this but life is so much easier, and healthier when we do it!<br />
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<br />amperezrosaleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449801781080435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4750538408681108399.post-66426367045255931172011-12-26T22:28:00.001-06:002011-12-28T18:09:12.190-06:00Homesteading Goals for 2012I can't believe that the Christmas season has already blown by! I had meant to do posts about the decorating- I incorporated real greenery for the first time in years and so thoroughly enjoyed the smell it gave off throughout the season. I made a lovely mixed greenery wreath for the front door using cuttings gleaned from a box that Lowe's had available from their Christmas tree sales along with boxwood and barberry from my own yard. My Ryan and I went pine cone hunting around the neighborhood on a cold sprinkley day and I sprayed those with a silver spray glitter to finish it off. (I should note that the inspiration for the wreath came from <a href="http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2010/12/simple-christmas-little-things-make.html">here.</a> Amy, over at <a href="http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/">Homestead Revival</a> has many great ideas!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7c_SpAGIc86RKBgg0b8EW8fv2SJqqdVOKfqmoHwshfe5proBv0I4WS2Hc0LWFtXttE4-KTF9ApqsnCNxBrGPAXuYqNtz42_Q_Yw6mPU_APsVS-qxdobcpL7ZKkw-g3XjRpyG0jpnwF33R/s1600/DSC01574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7c_SpAGIc86RKBgg0b8EW8fv2SJqqdVOKfqmoHwshfe5proBv0I4WS2Hc0LWFtXttE4-KTF9ApqsnCNxBrGPAXuYqNtz42_Q_Yw6mPU_APsVS-qxdobcpL7ZKkw-g3XjRpyG0jpnwF33R/s320/DSC01574.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sooo happy with how this turned out. :)</td></tr>
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I also added a little three foot fraser fir on the entry table that I walk by multiple times a day, and fresh cuttings on the mantle along with a poinsettia and paperwhites.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieedtrcwLUwmkPg5Jbz8_fx92wcPIrLQliWJo949PwWOeQvPNW3YrS7rCt6OoNNgxhr92Uf4WtgDYHodlX1YCYs6lo8UBDXz3dGRo2-gV09bqSOmHHtMVcZOU2BX6L1PGicVH2pac8nceX/s1600/DSC01576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieedtrcwLUwmkPg5Jbz8_fx92wcPIrLQliWJo949PwWOeQvPNW3YrS7rCt6OoNNgxhr92Uf4WtgDYHodlX1YCYs6lo8UBDXz3dGRo2-gV09bqSOmHHtMVcZOU2BX6L1PGicVH2pac8nceX/s320/DSC01576.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mantle Close-up. I added some pothos cuttings for variety.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIua21Mc46Tr9y8WxabvM-4cxsRGPBnBTZfvP4Bfae7e8zvLCtPC0AAqeF8RsVT9qumeqwbtHhI9RS_hnCab1zDYPR6HP4tOV7hizMdHjkN6-6Yy0RvYxucVAcys_Xey5PApmrwL6hR4U/s1600/DSC01579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIua21Mc46Tr9y8WxabvM-4cxsRGPBnBTZfvP4Bfae7e8zvLCtPC0AAqeF8RsVT9qumeqwbtHhI9RS_hnCab1zDYPR6HP4tOV7hizMdHjkN6-6Yy0RvYxucVAcys_Xey5PApmrwL6hR4U/s320/DSC01579.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paper-whites sprouting in early December</td></tr>
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I didn't change much on my everyday mantle, just added the decorations in the center.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFrMuxcRTpGbi1MYrk3QN0gMreKN4I-NvOr62aofbPB1m72wVYvffZZ_lAyk6PtapbYaPdGeTKEFp5v3gchW3x6JPqlHiLSIrU5G5bH0U1Gu4P9I8neoGbk910q-tTAlr-hGDhtKwSa3J/s1600/DSC01804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFrMuxcRTpGbi1MYrk3QN0gMreKN4I-NvOr62aofbPB1m72wVYvffZZ_lAyk6PtapbYaPdGeTKEFp5v3gchW3x6JPqlHiLSIrU5G5bH0U1Gu4P9I8neoGbk910q-tTAlr-hGDhtKwSa3J/s320/DSC01804.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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The main tree on Christmas Eve. No silk flowers here this year. Felt poinsettias made a wonderful impact. You can see the paper-whites bloomed right on time. They should last a few more weeks which will give my psyche a nice boost through the first cold, dark weeks of January.<br />
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Speaking of felt poinsettias, I had also intended to do a couple of hand made tutorials- the wreath, felt flowers and a tea tray made from an upcycled thrift shop picture frame among other things. I like to add some burgundy to the tree because my living room has a lot of this color in the carpet and pillows and I think that just red and white, although lovely on the tree, can sometimes look out of place in the room. I had planned to make some red and burgundy felt rosettes but that is a project that will have to wait until next year. I did manage to take some pictures of some of my projects in process:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLUcTWwBw8P-MT6uHWIVxaFKsV9H3dFH7lsDWssJVAj99iDThZ8K-7nVbN2MD5irsrDErEDb15tC3uos05RmzdlPCvCIS4UREVcnz6bTfFAjDX1VpDZEAGdk_axTo91v2BDaoTAFDuPp9/s1600/DSC01598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLUcTWwBw8P-MT6uHWIVxaFKsV9H3dFH7lsDWssJVAj99iDThZ8K-7nVbN2MD5irsrDErEDb15tC3uos05RmzdlPCvCIS4UREVcnz6bTfFAjDX1VpDZEAGdk_axTo91v2BDaoTAFDuPp9/s200/DSC01598.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMoW9QbYDRf0BCrjM4DOumsu5FcRIfjMb7ZGYz_SdxWvo9El49X5NFYwjwWYPn-KoztyYDHIMvF7BeA-vCHJ5JKs93Fpo8OES5-Vsvm2EUqW7rs-7OrMiQh17TUiTvcwcQZcJNS3Znvzg-/s1600/DSC01600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMoW9QbYDRf0BCrjM4DOumsu5FcRIfjMb7ZGYz_SdxWvo9El49X5NFYwjwWYPn-KoztyYDHIMvF7BeA-vCHJ5JKs93Fpo8OES5-Vsvm2EUqW7rs-7OrMiQh17TUiTvcwcQZcJNS3Znvzg-/s320/DSC01600.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZUflDLC3shN3gNffkMT7LFuFt350IdokrRrzVG2UEgJSb-TfTQPWyHCSDtkBNFnIWtEYwFQWg2Hcr2h8lY94rZ9amF5Fgn5I5ZwyQ83hbfXVIMfViImrbyhKuIW5WvdFUa5wE7nvGP3y/s1600/DSC01604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZUflDLC3shN3gNffkMT7LFuFt350IdokrRrzVG2UEgJSb-TfTQPWyHCSDtkBNFnIWtEYwFQWg2Hcr2h8lY94rZ9amF5Fgn5I5ZwyQ83hbfXVIMfViImrbyhKuIW5WvdFUa5wE7nvGP3y/s320/DSC01604.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And then there is the requisite information about the hazards of Christmas with a toddler in the house:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobSSgWRWGDMml0_bj4YOiKLqs4rM65bgI_7ofMvvIDnnQiZJ_yJ40r3i_8Z0dQyYxNdMwo2j6WUjYeRfgGeqhmLCQWNimDpA31VA-uQ6VlpVHjOHQRgbEwDaYja-km1VnvMIak3gE4-j2/s1600/DSC01573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobSSgWRWGDMml0_bj4YOiKLqs4rM65bgI_7ofMvvIDnnQiZJ_yJ40r3i_8Z0dQyYxNdMwo2j6WUjYeRfgGeqhmLCQWNimDpA31VA-uQ6VlpVHjOHQRgbEwDaYja-km1VnvMIak3gE4-j2/s320/DSC01573.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who me?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJF10TrQQS897urcLLPF3tbhVCZ3zfzetuhZNR3m1Z2TA062FbgjEjjj3MNG6c_wIxmkARNBAYvyF47doIAeFUZ2gd12sdps4Ip7qsfdUZP1jjipIB1BmNQ1j7fGgXQZOTAgSvkSA3aRIA/s1600/DSC01589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJF10TrQQS897urcLLPF3tbhVCZ3zfzetuhZNR3m1Z2TA062FbgjEjjj3MNG6c_wIxmkARNBAYvyF47doIAeFUZ2gd12sdps4Ip7qsfdUZP1jjipIB1BmNQ1j7fGgXQZOTAgSvkSA3aRIA/s320/DSC01589.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That would be one of my garlands.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDhyphenhyphen2xx8uO6U40qW-oKAVsfcF-CSW-xTVOmK9xi3w7qNPL-7X5WcU3eKjPZLhbhRkT4i4a5PQ9aWGZTP1sYFLKgotCKG1lkNm_loMd-97z55K6woCxDmLT7bOcBUKgEc4NVvH5ViQsl29/s1600/DSC01593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDhyphenhyphen2xx8uO6U40qW-oKAVsfcF-CSW-xTVOmK9xi3w7qNPL-7X5WcU3eKjPZLhbhRkT4i4a5PQ9aWGZTP1sYFLKgotCKG1lkNm_loMd-97z55K6woCxDmLT7bOcBUKgEc4NVvH5ViQsl29/s320/DSC01593.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And that would be the other one.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQmimoTylduEl4bX_oiEay5wuyAAv_yyR9JW7SdMwnenSDKhs1IwJc42JgtYZ8rD7IOdSnB20oawWrps75XT2KQXFH_MyLEWyvw0sYxdPV5VyXolR3OENrYMEhEeRv7fREQrp8qQjG50o/s1600/DSC01607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQmimoTylduEl4bX_oiEay5wuyAAv_yyR9JW7SdMwnenSDKhs1IwJc42JgtYZ8rD7IOdSnB20oawWrps75XT2KQXFH_MyLEWyvw0sYxdPV5VyXolR3OENrYMEhEeRv7fREQrp8qQjG50o/s320/DSC01607.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmm...Cookies</td></tr>
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There could have been a post about the Christmasy stuff we did together like the totally awesome Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNh5ageW-3wo2iICQCYD3ORAr2G7gu3M5HVNJsf_jymTEUnI4SsU0lChB_jC3iK9O4lGWTlW479_ujs8lcJwTZ1glxbXK_JkGVTA8sq1OPsLJnXT5-rUh-FiWfWM0acdUUm5mY-xNAVDzz/s1600/DSC01656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNh5ageW-3wo2iICQCYD3ORAr2G7gu3M5HVNJsf_jymTEUnI4SsU0lChB_jC3iK9O4lGWTlW479_ujs8lcJwTZ1glxbXK_JkGVTA8sq1OPsLJnXT5-rUh-FiWfWM0acdUUm5mY-xNAVDzz/s320/DSC01656.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Or how we went too late, again, to get the kids's picture taken with Santa at Bass-Pro Shop and took one with Frosty instead:<br />
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I could have done a post about how we wrapped presents in homemade paper, but we didn't this year. We used up some of the stuff that we didn't use when we did that last year. Somehow, there's still plenty left.<br />
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I could have done a post about the Christmas Eve meal that we ate, in our pajamas, because we didn't have any guests this year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHSIh3Z03JnZaXGtYyU9qpzKzlTYJu8ewzUF5ezuSnHZINjXZ1UX4MIeG_qO2ep45rDqpV7lHvD2YDwYoRD2tYyKEHxClTQOyYNDUD2lisZZ69farlRBvsIwdGts5RIyKz5gT0uGkEYio/s1600/DSC01793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHSIh3Z03JnZaXGtYyU9qpzKzlTYJu8ewzUF5ezuSnHZINjXZ1UX4MIeG_qO2ep45rDqpV7lHvD2YDwYoRD2tYyKEHxClTQOyYNDUD2lisZZ69farlRBvsIwdGts5RIyKz5gT0uGkEYio/s320/DSC01793.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My traditional Mennonite zwieback turned out better than last time.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNnFDwspU5voLbEYSYO7QG5Dp6OTiPDILQPJfC-jmfZ_l5zLcpAGg7vc6JQIRWMZMwayBUl4xyPogAcaNOWyRSf1wqpv74_mE2yCvkAG0HL0b3vEm1BW_KgCXoJAGbK1Ts7XimIf0gz-oQ/s1600/DSC01791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNnFDwspU5voLbEYSYO7QG5Dp6OTiPDILQPJfC-jmfZ_l5zLcpAGg7vc6JQIRWMZMwayBUl4xyPogAcaNOWyRSf1wqpv74_mE2yCvkAG0HL0b3vEm1BW_KgCXoJAGbK1Ts7XimIf0gz-oQ/s200/DSC01791.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ryan making his "Elf Boots" napkin folds</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVDmsR2WOpbxG6n2mzG7NO-igB12_cv5Ex9m2KyXwgI5J59GzWHoOwx5-qjSQhDw2c4bvpFYlNSz5z4rbXiuAiYz303HrjZnbAs4mkWtPb9MBQir_2Koz6s4Wl4H-17nkpKPnT3boCKJt/s1600/DSC01797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVDmsR2WOpbxG6n2mzG7NO-igB12_cv5Ex9m2KyXwgI5J59GzWHoOwx5-qjSQhDw2c4bvpFYlNSz5z4rbXiuAiYz303HrjZnbAs4mkWtPb9MBQir_2Koz6s4Wl4H-17nkpKPnT3boCKJt/s320/DSC01797.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Napkin Close-up</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuHm7m-RhsIP6o7x-tkIUVwMYU89ItSTxhUpzWG3ckAY-Qq3oj1rZi9NbzWVWdc_1sZQcwXzdEeHAcFL9ryRJXZ2z6_AuWWsNcGQ4yXFzf00mdEJj2AK4ko19SlgikYVLaNTJeP-qOLgm/s1600/DSC01795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuHm7m-RhsIP6o7x-tkIUVwMYU89ItSTxhUpzWG3ckAY-Qq3oj1rZi9NbzWVWdc_1sZQcwXzdEeHAcFL9ryRJXZ2z6_AuWWsNcGQ4yXFzf00mdEJj2AK4ko19SlgikYVLaNTJeP-qOLgm/s320/DSC01795.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Centerpiece</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDroVKu9T-GY5DlSewspXT7_RRo8IWt9qSHfKvfdApQ7L2rUiQW8KSE0GNTQ7Lm7dvuJWMXFk0XH7WRTPYgkzRkZUop9UtXhzFf9EO0PVjB7T4G37uEI3FdtyHE9zLJwZRtjcMeNM0A1v4/s1600/DSC01796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDroVKu9T-GY5DlSewspXT7_RRo8IWt9qSHfKvfdApQ7L2rUiQW8KSE0GNTQ7Lm7dvuJWMXFk0XH7WRTPYgkzRkZUop9UtXhzFf9EO0PVjB7T4G37uEI3FdtyHE9zLJwZRtjcMeNM0A1v4/s400/DSC01796.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Table Set-up</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZpEmAwCuKiGySP1mu5UvV21rGfOIddL7iEvzE_lFep45pzgQoPGTCKjgaH1zIT1WG7iYOdsPZQ1PEchyphenhyphenIsTl9MUG9q6YP8CIFqnapwIxuRR0WvM2gXX1nLsUBKZU4DT5-kclps3AKbMl/s1600/DSC01800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZpEmAwCuKiGySP1mu5UvV21rGfOIddL7iEvzE_lFep45pzgQoPGTCKjgaH1zIT1WG7iYOdsPZQ1PEchyphenhyphenIsTl9MUG9q6YP8CIFqnapwIxuRR0WvM2gXX1nLsUBKZU4DT5-kclps3AKbMl/s320/DSC01800.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two of my guys</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDk6yepS5W-Ygv4FAyjmrXtBkxEcZfIBuThVMsYRAgJ1CeBI1QSy-kgp0_iM4iBIarWORNH63XnMZRVSUMdARH1cClKPwwyS_NyzttQmv0ayPbXIxAcdwD33YYAdKB0tduLd9bU1tgvDv/s1600/DSC01803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDk6yepS5W-Ygv4FAyjmrXtBkxEcZfIBuThVMsYRAgJ1CeBI1QSy-kgp0_iM4iBIarWORNH63XnMZRVSUMdARH1cClKPwwyS_NyzttQmv0ayPbXIxAcdwD33YYAdKB0tduLd9bU1tgvDv/s200/DSC01803.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Christmas Eve Dinner</td></tr>
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And of course all the baking...I had two 2am nights of baking in which I tried a couple of new sugar cookie recipes and found one that I love. I made Springerle for the first time- turned out OK. I also got it in my head that I was going to make apple strudel, from scratch. It turned out really well but I was a little apprehensive starting out. Google and YouTube were wonderful teachers. I do wish that I had taken a picture of it before it was gobbled up.<br />
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But I have promised myself that I will not be a perfectionist and I will not let this blog bog me down. I want it to remain fun, so I will not be back-tracking over the last month and trying to create all of those posts. Instead, I'll just say I was too busy living and doing all that stuff I love to have time to write about all of it. Kind of like taking pictures. I love to take pictures, lots and lots of pictures, but sometimes, when I forget my camera, it's kind of cool to just live the moment instead of trying to record everything. Sometimes it's more enjoyable that way.<br />
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So I'm jumping back in where I am. Off and running in the new year with so many ideas and things I want to do and try. Now that I have really committed myself to this process of producing my own food, and cooking from scratch for the health of my family, I figured I should set some goals for the coming year to help give me some direction as I move along this path. Here's what's coming up:<br />
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1. Plant a garden: Last year I finally managed to get in some berries. I planted 2 blueberries, 3 raspberries, 3 grapes, 1 blackberry, 3 hardy kiwi, and 3 rhubarb. Of those, 1 raspberry, 2 grapes, the blackberry, kiwis, and 1 rhubarb took. I also got in some lilac that I had wanted for a long time. I have an existing herb garden with sage, oregano, thyme, chocolate mint and lemon balm. (I plant basil and rosemary in pots each spring since I've never had luck with them indoors and they aren't hardy here.) Right now, with our house on the market and wanting to buy some land I'm not planning on replacing any of the lost plants, but I do want to make sure to put in a vegetable garden. I finally installed some stepped beds along the side of the house last fall and now that the holidays are over, I am anxiously awaiting weather that is warm enough to fill them up, using the square foot gardening method, with tomatoes, peppers, onion, peas, carrots, lettuce, and more. I also plan to use the easement along the back of our property to plant Seminole squash, regular and sweet potatoes in straw or loose mulch, and maybe some corn and pole beans.<br />
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2. Bread: I've got my honey wheat sandwich bread to a place I'm happy with. Same goes for pretzels, biscuits, and sugar cookies, blueberry muffins and pancakes. I want to try sour dough and maybe some other artisan loaves. A good Italian Rosemary bread is on the list and I need to continue working on the original list of baking goals: croutons, pita/flat bread, bagels, quick breads, and carrot cake. Scones, baked donuts and cinnamon rolls are also on the list.<br />
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3. Cheese: Learn how to make it. I've made my own sour cream. Next is a whole milk Ricotta, and on from there. Hopefully by the end of the year, I can be on to some hard cheeses.<br />
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4. Yogurt and Kefir: Obtain cultures to make these myself.<br />
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5. Keep updating my cook book and trying new recipes. Work on consistently completing weekly menu plans and finding more healthy dishes that the kiddos will gobble up.<br />
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6. Obtain the necessary supplies and learn how to can all that fresh stuff that my garden WILL be producing. :)<br />
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7. Find a local orchard and go pick peaches and apples.<br />
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8. Get some mini citrus and banana plants that can be raised in pots and brought indoors during our Midwest winters. A Meyer lemon, dwarf guava, super dwarf Cavendish banana, and some sort of orange top this wish list. In conjunction with this I will have to pare down on my other house plants to make room.<br />
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9. In addition to paring down my inedible tropical plants, I desperately need to purge my craft room and finish several projects.<br />
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10. We purchased our first 1/2 hog this year and I am loving shopping in my freezer for delicious pork cuts. Next, I'd like to find a source for grass fed beef and purchase a portion for the freezer. Same goes for free-range chicken and eggs.<br />
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This year promises lots of adventures. Wish me luck!<br />
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<br />amperezrosaleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449801781080435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4750538408681108399.post-73509587698157347352011-12-12T12:14:00.002-06:002011-12-12T12:28:34.136-06:00Light Up the Dark Candles- Guest PostHi all! I've got a guest post today from a great guy that I had the privilege of setting up next to at a craft fair in Lawrence, KS last year. James Mowrey is a talented candle maker who makes all soy candles. This guy even does custom scents. I must have spent an hour just smelling all of the different candles he had to offer. They are amazing!<br />
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He has everything from the clean fresh scents of linen and coconut,<br />
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to delicious cinnamon apple or banana nut bread.<br />
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There are even barbecue, bacon, fresh buttered popcorn, or fresh cut<br />
grass, and they all smell divine!<br />
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Try fudge brownie, peppermint, or coffee scents to wake you up; or fireside, or butt naked when it's time to snuggle up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1mHIiqLP0zgEznwdGAqhynjVMkVcZzWVS_I0PGS6FBGuUEX9dwJ0RTqSVmLNw8unjCSVHnlelVsvlp8QjxPqoeSu8gy4wlVwUXiUN_-bZ1jLwXugic9xekf9Ho3yQQjLBhEk862_geBr/s1600/60060_149407935095314_149400345096073_192920_2899859_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1mHIiqLP0zgEznwdGAqhynjVMkVcZzWVS_I0PGS6FBGuUEX9dwJ0RTqSVmLNw8unjCSVHnlelVsvlp8QjxPqoeSu8gy4wlVwUXiUN_-bZ1jLwXugic9xekf9Ho3yQQjLBhEk862_geBr/s200/60060_149407935095314_149400345096073_192920_2899859_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF99bbywi9dZR7Q65mEV_9IiZJFGkcnD8DQSpwfT10OjjPcDJMgPl-dTCnM1nIYMf0ZamjRbLB93D3wUDnp78Ukk-2y-py91OqgBt3xbTgcBvygmNvWwiXB-odpiV0_sdYEZgq-f_3sZeJ/s1600/34735_150217285014379_149400345096073_196229_6877917_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF99bbywi9dZR7Q65mEV_9IiZJFGkcnD8DQSpwfT10OjjPcDJMgPl-dTCnM1nIYMf0ZamjRbLB93D3wUDnp78Ukk-2y-py91OqgBt3xbTgcBvygmNvWwiXB-odpiV0_sdYEZgq-f_3sZeJ/s200/34735_150217285014379_149400345096073_196229_6877917_n.jpg" width="157" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq10XAtS984LjgEXYoixZZjTRyeta_WO9Ti94834b6jz4uoUvqWjmudsPuHZVDf861HwVRzcNAWuYaTS31PgeVsvduPDfvFB5eYNNQNkw_m92UVpbAzqB9l49g9tNuVJc5N32chgd6hBWn/s1600/60060_149407911761983_149400345096073_192913_844005_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq10XAtS984LjgEXYoixZZjTRyeta_WO9Ti94834b6jz4uoUvqWjmudsPuHZVDf861HwVRzcNAWuYaTS31PgeVsvduPDfvFB5eYNNQNkw_m92UVpbAzqB9l49g9tNuVJc5N32chgd6hBWn/s200/60060_149407911761983_149400345096073_192913_844005_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Here's what James has to say about why soy is better:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;"><b>What are soy candles?</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">Soy candles are made from soy wax, which is hydrogenated soybean oil.</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">Soy wax was invented in 1992 by Michael Richards who was looking for a</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">cheaper alternative to beeswax. As he entered the candle industry he</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">realized there was a growing demand for natural wax candles. Soy wax</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">is often mixed with fragrances to produce scented soy candles. They</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">are available in supermarkets and specialty stores and can also be</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">bought online. It is also easy and very rewarding to make soy candles!</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;"><b>Advantages of soy candles:</b></span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">Soy candles have to following advantages compared to paraffin wax candles:</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;"><b>Soy candles are cheap</b>- Beeswax is a great natural alternative to</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">paraffin, but to get the same results as a soy-based candle, it is</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">very expensive. Soy wax is a new alternative to paraffin wax that is</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">cost effective. Soy wax is also made from a renewable source.</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;"><b>Soy wax is natural</b>- Soy wax is a favorite of environmentally</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">conscious people because it is made from a renewable source and is not</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">made from petroleum. Burning soy candles does not increase the CO2</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">level in the atmosphere. However, some suppliers may add some</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">synthetic wax or paraffin to their soy wax to adjust its physical</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">characteristics.</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;"><b>Soy candles last longer</b>- Some suppliers claim that soy candles can</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">last up to 50% longer than paraffin candles. And they do!</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;"><b>Soy wax spills are easy to clean</b>- It's very difficult to remove</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">paraffin wax from furniture or textiles. Soy wax spills can easily be</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">cleaned up with hot soapy water.</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;"><b>Soy candles produce less soot -</b> Soot should be avoided because it is</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">very unhealthy and can eventually coat furniture and walls. Soy</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">candles produce about 90% less soot than paraffin candles.</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;"><b>Scented soy candles distribute more flavor</b>- The incorporation of</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">soybean oil lowers the melting point of the candle, which translates</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">into cooler burning candles and faster scent dispersion. The lower</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">melting point of soy wax results in a larger size of the liquid wax</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">pool around the candle wick. It is from this liquid wax pool that the</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">essential oils evaporate into the atmosphere.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;">To find descriptions of James's candles along with more mouth watering photos go to </span><a href="http://www.lightupthedarkcandlesllc.com/">http://www.lightupthedarkcandlesllc.com/</a> and click on the online store tab at the top. Candles ship nationwide. Make sure to like his <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Light-Up-the-Dark-Candles-LLC/149400345096073">facebook</a> too so that you can find out where he might be attending his next craft show, where he usually offers a discount.</div>amperezrosaleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449801781080435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4750538408681108399.post-20170916257065421672011-12-06T08:49:00.001-06:002012-10-01T11:00:36.596-05:00Better Than McDonalds Peppermint Mocha<div style="text-align: center;">
And you don't even have to leave the house.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5NZSOoOqcTqt36h6_dkdjNYwWMyDbxX6-e5NTB69HckSWfuofn0Q3dWFxHejnkG1ViJdHzjeci8TTo46AY0kANXXulXhf9XEMviR9uP4MBfAwH2AGq0YPR0f3H1DvACrualKqjJpQ0Rd/s1600/DSC01578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5NZSOoOqcTqt36h6_dkdjNYwWMyDbxX6-e5NTB69HckSWfuofn0Q3dWFxHejnkG1ViJdHzjeci8TTo46AY0kANXXulXhf9XEMviR9uP4MBfAwH2AGq0YPR0f3H1DvACrualKqjJpQ0Rd/s640/DSC01578.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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This doesn't quite qualify as a whole, real food, but it definitely would be in the once in a while decadent treat category! And you can make some choices that make it a whole lot healthier than the Micky D's version by using Nestle chocolate which is HFCS free, homemade whipped topping, and less sugar. You can find their ingredients <a href="http://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/food/product_nutrition.mccafe.779.mccafe-peppermint-mocha-small.html">here.</a></div>
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First, make a cup of good strong coffee. Add some warm, frothed milk if desired. (You can create the milk foam without an expensive steamer! There are little wands that will do the job, but I just use my French Press. Warm the milk, put it in the press and pump the handle up and down until the milk has turned into foamy decadence.) Add about 1/3rd of a candy cane. That's it! If you really want to make it a treat, you can add whipped cream and chocolate, but it's not really necessary. Enjoy!</div>
<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fkcirie.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F12%2Fbetter-than-mcdonalds-peppermint-mocha.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-W6vs5b_6Rqw%2FTt4r8Ay22vI%2FAAAAAAAAA6Q%2FDtZEgho1ZmQ%2Fs640%2FDSC01578.JPG&description=Better%20than%20McDonald's%20Peppermint%20Mocha" class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a>amperezrosaleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449801781080435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4750538408681108399.post-88253041654491885132011-12-02T11:37:00.001-06:002011-12-07T11:14:53.226-06:00Thanksgiving Recipe Round-upNow that the frantic Black Friday shopping is over and the Christmas decorations are (almost) all up, I'm going to rewind a little bit and give you my Thanksgiving recipe round-up. This year we had an amazing, intimate Thanksgiving with just the kids. I cooked everything completely from scratch- not a single can, box, or frozen item was to be seen and I didn't even lose any sleep over it. Those who have attended my holiday celebrations in the past know that I frequently stay up nearly all night prepping, waiting for rolls to rise or bake or any other number of tasks deemed essential for the perfect holiday meal. This time I kept the menu simple, started three days ahead of time, and was able to really enjoy both the creation of the meal and the additional time spent with those I love.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCoWW87Mvwk5o2kmiDZYohGK5eX7vUFu3CMhHySss3m73i6Of_njfm_cVDwVqOc5UefIgWyydHWRaOn2yKmmyd-9gqXp20u2mFZ7ZHiok7s0YeOlSlJU5fyuJWXAzpSphLYLJgnBfn3lG/s1600/DSC01456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCoWW87Mvwk5o2kmiDZYohGK5eX7vUFu3CMhHySss3m73i6Of_njfm_cVDwVqOc5UefIgWyydHWRaOn2yKmmyd-9gqXp20u2mFZ7ZHiok7s0YeOlSlJU5fyuJWXAzpSphLYLJgnBfn3lG/s640/DSC01456.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Menu:</b><br />
Fresh turkey<br />
Sour cream and garlic mashed potatoes<br />
Sausage stuffing<br />
Green beans<br />
Cranberry sauce<br />
Sliced bread<br />
Pumpkin and Pecan Pies<br />
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For the <b>Turkey</b>, I purchased a fresh one and brined it for the first time. <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/10/my-favorite-turkey-brine/">Here</a> is an excellent tutorial on how to brine a turkey. I purchased a spice mix from World Market- this was my ONE convenience item. You can see it <a href="http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12176794">here.</a> Other specialty stores sell brine mixes for nearly $20, this was on sale for only $4.99 and I figured I'd spend way more purchasing everything I needed separately, so in the interest of frugality, I decided it would be ok to fudge on just this one item.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsA7jQ1qsQBFneZ_Ifgsb47iTTYXsuN70rsTYYQRQCa2J7-lXbwTdX9pdFz_BBFR7__8rO4aPbq6-5VPyljtMNV7voRhq2Ds6KXG61N5T6a8F9EzmVEv-OBZ-_twaVJggUUWJwUDGqUkh/s1600/DSC01447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsA7jQ1qsQBFneZ_Ifgsb47iTTYXsuN70rsTYYQRQCa2J7-lXbwTdX9pdFz_BBFR7__8rO4aPbq6-5VPyljtMNV7voRhq2Ds6KXG61N5T6a8F9EzmVEv-OBZ-_twaVJggUUWJwUDGqUkh/s320/DSC01447.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oops, a little blurry- looked clear on the camera. This is the brine.</td></tr>
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Basically, the process of brining involves dissolving the spices in a gallon of water over the stove. Then after letting the mixture cool, you soak the Turkey in it over night. I declined to purchase the $7 brining bags that I came across, instead I simply used a clear, clean, tough, outdoor garbage bag, tied tight. I tried to set this in the roasting pan and then in the fridge, but the pan wouldn't fit no matter which way I turned it, so I just put the bag in and prayed. Luckily we had no leaks.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajmaQGgrtX96J5nE5rk0bVcC5pKw_lqujzyO_LRYwQq4BpvS8Kx5V7_CV_Sc47ySanS4oBLSzO-lo68kFiotr1xuAq6MVRBVwaQgY_OFD1Qi6KtC5NxFa2UGNl7Iiw3h-2Yw5gyZ8DjXW/s1600/DSC01448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajmaQGgrtX96J5nE5rk0bVcC5pKw_lqujzyO_LRYwQq4BpvS8Kx5V7_CV_Sc47ySanS4oBLSzO-lo68kFiotr1xuAq6MVRBVwaQgY_OFD1Qi6KtC5NxFa2UGNl7Iiw3h-2Yw5gyZ8DjXW/s320/DSC01448.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turkey in the pan that wouldn't fit in the fridge.</td></tr>
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For roasting I combined Alton Brown's recipe found <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/good-eats-roast-turkey-recipe/index.html">here</a> for the aromatics and Martha Stewart's butter and wine gravy recipe found <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/353177/perfect-roast-turkey">here</a> for flavoring on the outside. I soaked a cheese cloth in the butter and wine mixture and covered the turkey, then roasted for 30 minutes at 425 and finished at 350, removing the cheese cloth at the end so the turkey could turn nice and brown. Be careful with the excess butter and high temps.<br />
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<b>Sour cream mashed potatoes </b>are an every day favorite in our house and hubby is the potato expert. He just mashes them with milk, butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder, sour cream, and mayonnaise until it tastes right. When I do it, I like to run them through the food processor to make them extra smooth. These are so tasty they hardly need gravy.<br />
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Speaking of gravy, mine separated and was super salty from the brine. That still needs work...<br />
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The <b>sausage stuffing</b> was a combination of recipes found <a href="http://www.artisanbreadinfive.com/2009/11/25/thanksgiving-stuffing-from-homemade-bread-and-announcing-10-winners-of-bobs-red-mill-products">here</a>, <a href="http://www.cookincanuck.com/2010/11/savory-bread-stuffing-with-herbs/">here</a>, and in my local paper, the KC Star, in the November 20, 2011 issue in an article entitled "Stuff Yourself!" by Elizabeth Mitchell.<br />
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First, we must start with a corn bread. This recipe comes from the More-with-Less Cookbook by Doris Janzen Longacre.<br />
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees.<br />
Mix together:<br />
1 c. cornmeal<br />
1 c. flour (part or all whole wheat ok)<br />
4 t. baking powder<br />
1/2 t. salt<br />
2 T brown sugar<br />
1/2 c. dry milk powder (optional)<br />
Make a well and add:<br />
2 beaten eggs<br />
1 c. milk<br />
1/4 c. oil<br />
Stir just until smooth. Pour into a greased 9x9" pan and bake 25 minutes.<br />
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Then, we'll make the stuffing:<br />
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In a 10-12" skillet, brown:<br />
1 lb sausage<br />
1 med. onion<br />
Wipe out the skillet, then add:<br />
2 T. olive oil<br />
2 c. chopped celery<br />
1-2 T. fresh sage<br />
1 t. fresh thyme (or 1/2 t. dried)<br />
1/2 c. fresh parsley<br />
1 t. fresh rosemary<br />
Saute until just cooked. Meanwhile, crumble a 9x9 pan of corn bread and most of a loaf of homemade wheat bread (recipe found <a href="http://kcirie.blogspot.com/2011/11/bread.html">here</a>). Add:<br />
1 3/4 c. chicken broth<br />
1/4 melted butter<br />
4 eggs, beaten<br />
Toss in the sausage, onion, and contents of skillet. Place in a greased 9x13 casserole dish and bake at 350 for 25 min, covered, then another 15-20 minutes uncovered, until golden brown.<br />
<br />
The <b>Grean Beans</b> came from the November 2010 issue of Good Housekeeping and were made that year by my mother-in-law who gave me the recipe.<br />
<br />
2 T. olive oil<br />
4 sprigs fresh thyme<br />
2 large onions, thinly sliced (I think I only used 1)<br />
1 clove garlic, crushed<br />
8 oz. cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced<br />
4 oz. shiitake mushrooms, stems discarded, thinly sliced (I found a mix that was only 4 oz total-worked fine)<br />
3 lb fresh green beans, trimmed (I used 2)<br />
<br />
Heat a covered sauce pot of water to boiling. Meanwhile, in a 12 in. skillet, heat oil on medium high. Add thyme and onions; cook 10-12 minutes or until browned and very tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute. Add mushrooms and cook 5 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in 1/2 t. salt and 1/2 t. freshly ground black pepper. Remove and discard thyme.<br />
<br />
Add green beans and 2 t. salt to boiling water. Cook, uncovered, 8-9 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Drain and rinse with cold water. If making ahead, transfer mushroom mixture to a medium bowl and beans to a resealable plastic bag. Refrigerate up to overnight.<br />
<br />
When ready, return beans to sauce pot, add mushroom mixture, stirring to combine. Cook on medium until heated through, stirring occasionally.<br />
<br />
The <b>Cranberry Sauce </b>is super easy. Just rinse a 12 oz bag of berries, removing any soft or bad ones, then add them to a lidded pot with 1 c. sugar and 1 c. orange juice. Boil until most of the berries have popped, stirring often. Serve warm or cool.<br />
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A good <b>pie crust</b> tutorial can be found <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/11/pie-crust-102-all-butter-really-flaky-pie-dough/">here.</a> I halve the salt to suite my own preference but it's good as is. I also used the video <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84e71BdlfoQ&feature=related">here</a>, which gives some excellent technical info. This <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMq7Z6ga54Q">video</a> gives you some good tips on rolling your pie dough and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcQGja6jpbE&feature=related">this one</a> gives some neat ideas for decorating the edge of the crust.<br />
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My dad gave me some huge seminole squash that he grew this summer and told me that they are supposed to make excellent <b>"Pumpkin" Pie</b>. He couldn't have been more right! I used the recipe <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/better-than-pumpkin-pie/detail.aspx">here</a>, increasing the puree to 2 c. because the pie pictured looks a little flat. It turned out divine!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGUCc7GarHM583Nhnd7uvwOa_87Nf-fdR74QnjOT9i8ldZxRPmieV5BXVjRfd2dItI8fSFvAGSq4uRE9iyeKBxWTXw05aRWHkVrgS0i0l9WDdBZvAJFjmKuRVzg_ew70Ko1Ud4z7-46F-/s1600/DSC01228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGUCc7GarHM583Nhnd7uvwOa_87Nf-fdR74QnjOT9i8ldZxRPmieV5BXVjRfd2dItI8fSFvAGSq4uRE9iyeKBxWTXw05aRWHkVrgS0i0l9WDdBZvAJFjmKuRVzg_ew70Ko1Ud4z7-46F-/s320/DSC01228.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That squash is as big as my kitchen aid!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To make the puree, you can either peel, cut and steam the squash or pumpkin, then run it through the processor, or if you're lazy like me, just cut it in half, scrape out the seeds, then roast it at 350 in a pan, flat side down with 1/2 inch of water in the bottom. Once cool, just scoop it out of the skin into the food processor.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJjZXp8eTQNopjW9eNjbKLORY3GfHLXrs7P-FZPDYlmGWBs3WdvpGH4tn3iVPOwv3KsZfaQ_SPbYFoCOnW-brGBeE3_UhBNxhjukGekBDyRyj1rVSwSrpGstU86scZY2_LFo_d90fPaB0/s1600/DSC01446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJjZXp8eTQNopjW9eNjbKLORY3GfHLXrs7P-FZPDYlmGWBs3WdvpGH4tn3iVPOwv3KsZfaQ_SPbYFoCOnW-brGBeE3_UhBNxhjukGekBDyRyj1rVSwSrpGstU86scZY2_LFo_d90fPaB0/s320/DSC01446.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puree from the Seminole squash. I saved the seeds to plant next year. Just rinse them and lay them on wax paper to dry for a week or so.</td></tr>
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For the <b>Dark Pecan Pie</b>, I used Paula Dean's recipe found <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/bourbon-pecan-pie-aka-douglas-dark-rum-pecan-pie-recipe/index.html">here,</a> substituting cheap whiskey for the bourbon and 1/3 molasses with 2/3 light corn syrup for the dark corn syrup. So good.<br />
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<b>Whipped cream</b> is so very easy to make. Beat 1 cup of heavy whipping cream until soft peaks form, add 1 t. pure vanilla and 1 T. sugar. Continue to beat until desired consistency is reached. Don't over beat because it will become lumpy and more like butter.<br />
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Here is the schedule that allowed me to do all of this. The idea is to get as much of the prep done ahead of time so that you have as little as possible to do the day of.<br />
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Monday: This is my usual baking day, I made an extra loaf of my regular bread for the stuffing and to serve in lieu of rolls. I put it in the freezer after it had cooled so it would stay fresh.<br />
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Tuesday: Shopping day- went and picked up the turkey, brine, and fresh ingredients that I needed. My step-son was a HUGE help because he came along and helped with the baby man while I was in and out of stores. He also shelled most of the pecans that came from my mother-in-law's tree for the pie.<br />
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Wednesday:<br />
1. Take the sausage out of the freezer so it will be ready to brown tomorrow. (I forgot this step.)<br />
2. Bake the corn bread<br />
3. Make dough for the pie crusts and refrigerate<br />
4. Make pumpkin puree<br />
5. Brine the turkey<br />
6. Go ahead and set the table<br />
7. If you have time, you can also prep veggies (except potatoes), getting them trimmed, sliced and diced so they are ready to cook.<br />
8. Make whipped cream<br />
9. The pies are best baked the evening before, but can be done first thing the next morning. They'll need time to cool before serving.<br />
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Thursday: Everything else :)<br />
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I should also include our center piece since it was a huge part of the celebration. I put some bare sticks in a clear vase filled with pecans to stabilize them. Then, we cut leaf shapes out of scrapbook paper and had everyone secretly write about things that they are thankful for on at least three leaves. During dinner, we took turns guessing what everyone had written. There were certainly some gems. We all got some good laughs and there were some very sweet moments as well.<br />
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This list will be invaluable to me when next year rolls around, making it super easy to put on the traditional meal, no planning needed! Hopefully it will provide you with some inspiration and ideas for your own family traditions. Now, on to Christmas!<br />
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This post is linked at the <a href="http://networkedblogs.com/r57jx">Monday's Homestead Barnhop</a>, <a href="http://realfoodforager.com/2011/12/fat-tuesday-december-6-2011/">Fat Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://www.aboverubies.net/2011/12/domestically-divine-tuesday.html">Domestically Divine Tuesday</a>, and <a href="http://frugallysustainable.blogspot.com/2011/12/frugal-days-sustainable-ways-4.html">Frugally Sustainable</a><br />
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</div>amperezrosaleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449801781080435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4750538408681108399.post-87195011154214690782011-11-12T11:38:00.001-06:002011-11-12T14:44:49.501-06:00We cut the cable!<div style="text-align: left;">
Yesterday began our TV experiment. We have cut the cable! Yes, you read that right, with two boys ages 8 and 10 who love to watch cartoon network and a little one just beginning to show interest in Nick Jr., we have decided to cut the line. We aren't going completely TV free. We still will have the local channels only because they were free with our new internet connection, and we have Netflix streaming and are considering Hulu Plus. We may have come to this decision eventually but were forced to consider our options after our relationship with AT&T U-Verse went sour. Without going into the whole sordid story, after several years of service, somehow the cables that they used to install the boxes suddenly were no longer compatible and we would either have to pay $275 for them to rewire everything, or we could cancel and sign back up as new customers, but after the introductory period, for the same service we were currently receiving, we would be paying about $40 more per month. After researching our options and considering just how much we were spending every month, bearing in mind the few channels that were actually enjoyed with any regularity, and the quality of some of the shows that the older kids were becoming fond of, we decided it was a good time to go cold turkey. As unbelievable as it may sound, even though I am the one who is diving into the whole homesteading, self-sustainable, minimalist, etc, etc life-style, it took some convincing from my husband to give this a try. And even though I barely watch any television myself, I still had a hard time with the idea of cutting the chord, mostly because I was concerned about how the kids would react. So far, so good, but it's only been a day and they have certainly expressed their feelings about the situation. But when hubby mentioned taking advantage of the lack of zombie time in front of the TV to spend more time together and the $1000 dollars a year saved that could be used toward the trips that we love to take, how could I say no?</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
For good concise articles offering more reasons to cut the chord, click <a href="http://www.castlemaineindependent.org/2011/10/kids-tv-screen-time-2s/">here</a> and <a href="http://www.babble.com/CS/blogs/strollerderby/archive/2007/07/20/kid-s-tv-food-ads-are-supposed-to-improve-sort-of.aspx">here.</a><br />
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<br />amperezrosaleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449801781080435noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4750538408681108399.post-25976158444151674982011-11-10T10:53:00.001-06:002011-11-10T10:58:35.449-06:00Pork Chops and Bread CrumbsLast night I made the pork chop recipe found <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/baked-pork-chops-i/detail.aspx">here.</a> Yes, I love <a href="http://allrecipes.com/">allrecipes.com!</a> They were absolutely delicious!! I followed the instructions as written with the exception of doubling the sauce using one can cream of mushroom and one of golden mushroom as recommended in the reviews. I also sauteed fresh mushrooms in the pan after frying the chops and just added the rest of the sauce ingredients, warming it on top of the stove, and never added it to the baking pan. We ended up with way too much sauce- I only did four chops instead of six- even though we used some in lieu of gravy for our mashed potatoes. I plan to freeze it and use it over chicken in the crock pot some other night for a quick dinner. I think in addition to the yummy sauce, what really made this a stand out recipe was the homemade bread crumbs that I used. I've been steadily saving the crumbles that are left after slicing my loaves each week and had about a cups worth in the freezer which was more than enough. I added some Italian seasoning to it since the recipe called for Italian bread crumbs and I think it worked perfectly. If you don't already have some handy, making bread crumbs is beyond easy. Just leave a couple slices out on the counter for an hour, then break them up and blend them in the blender or food processor until the desired consistency is reached. Experiment with adding seasoning after or while blending and using already seasoned herb breads. There are so many possibilities!amperezrosaleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449801781080435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4750538408681108399.post-1132896980458116942011-11-07T22:22:00.003-06:002012-02-13T12:43:10.142-06:00Bread!<br />
Ok, here it is, what you've all been waiting for, da, dadada, da da daaaaa...I have perfected a homemade sandwich loaf! No trans fats, no preservatives, no high fructose corn syrup. Just fresh from the oven (well, weekly at least) homemade goodness. I'm sure there are those that have done this before me, but I feel like I can honestly call this recipe all my own. I must credit the original recipe that I started with. You can find it <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/simple-whole-wheat-bread/detail.aspx">here.</a> I made several changes to suit my own tastes and relied heavily on input from reviewers on the original site. I've found that this bread lasts at least a week in a plastic bag and holds together perfectly as a sandwich. Without further ado...<br />
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(Pic to come!)<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Honey Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Makes 2 loaves</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Start with:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
2 ½ c. water,
110 degrees Fahrenheit<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
3 teaspoons active dry yeast<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
¼ c. honey<br />
3 c. white
or regular whole wheat flour </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Mix with
paddle mixer or wood spoon until well blended and let sit for 20-30 minutes until puffy<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Add:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
2 Tablespoons melted butter
or olive oil<o:p></o:p><br />
1/8 c. additional honey or molasses</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
2 teaspoons salt<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
2 Tablespoons vital
wheat gluten </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Additional unbleached bread flour until dough cleans sides of mixer (approximately 2 1/2 cups).</div>
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<br /></div>
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Knead 8-10 minutes on low until the dough is smooth. Or knead by hand. (I like to finish 1-2 minutes by hand after my mixer has done it's job.)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
At the end, if
desired, add about 1/2-1 cup total steel cut oats, milled flax, chopped sunflower and/or chopped
walnuts, millet, etc. Knead just until mixed. Place in a large, lightly greased bowl, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rise about an hour, until the dough has approximately doubled. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Punch down. Divide with a sharp knife
and shape into loaves. Place the loaves in greased pans, cover again with plastic wrap and let rise until it tops the pan by 1”. (I generally remove the plastic toward the end for about the last 15 minutes to allow the dough to really poof.)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Bake
at 350 for 20-30 minutes. Rub tops with a stick of butter while still hot and
remove from the pan as soon as it's cool enough to handle. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Note: If adding seeds, I recommend kneading by hand after adding them. I almost burned up my mixer because the dough became too heavy.</div>
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Note 2: Vital wheat gluten is what makes this a perfect sandwich bread. It helps the heavy whole wheat rise better and gives it that soft texture that helps it hold together for sandwiches. It can be reduced or omitted for a slightly hardier loaf.<br />
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Note 3: Although NOT slicing the entire loaf before storing can help it last a little longer, I find it's just so much easier to have it sliced and in the pantry ready to use. So I slice it up and store it in a gallon size Ziplock. Works perfectly for us. :)</div>amperezrosaleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449801781080435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4750538408681108399.post-92017482791454591082011-11-02T12:09:00.001-06:002011-11-07T09:49:06.009-06:00A little Halloween Fun and Biscuit Success!This year for Halloween we joined forces with some friends to build a haunted yard. We spent most of the day before Halloween at their home enjoying a pot luck barbecue and carving pumpkins while the guys set up, then headed back over on Halloween night for trick-or-treating. I had a little extra fun with the dishes I brought.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MTZWn4AUZAAV835YK_M3TiT0deAuEcug-aHEQv6psaps_5fGDpp3tmxHOAiE1Bfbs0HsDQHi2PkhKsei1v1ocNdy_X_YGwEDiVRXb4OXRDXPrrUjlrwL26QhGLsSLttrUTaZFH8mCiPS/s1600/DSC01365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MTZWn4AUZAAV835YK_M3TiT0deAuEcug-aHEQv6psaps_5fGDpp3tmxHOAiE1Bfbs0HsDQHi2PkhKsei1v1ocNdy_X_YGwEDiVRXb4OXRDXPrrUjlrwL26QhGLsSLttrUTaZFH8mCiPS/s320/DSC01365.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Potato Salad with Grated Carrot and Radish Eyeballs</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fruit Punch</td></tr>
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For the potato salad, I just made a standard salad with mustard and mayo then added grated carrots and radish for extra color. The eyeballs are partially pealed radishes with holes dug out to fit a lifesaver and some mini chocolate chips in the center. I've seen these done with olives too but I just used what I had on hand. Tip: If you're going to add radish to your potato salad, do so sparingly. It was very strong.<br />
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For the punch I mixed a can of orange juice and a can of lemonade concentrate then used a bit of the mix to cook tapioca beads, adding more as it started to gel in the pan. Once the tapioca was cooked, I added a few drops each of green and red food coloring and put the whole lumpy gelatinous goop into the orange juice and lemonade mix. To that I added a two liter bottle of sprite, several sour patch straws (or gummy worms), Swedish fish, and three large scoops of rainbow sherbet and voila, I had Putrid Pond Water Punch, complete with worms and fish eggs. I assure you that although it looks absolutely disgusting, its tart lemon flavor is delicious.<br />
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Aaand last but not least, I made some pretty darn good biscuits today! The recipe can be found <a href="http://www.kfc.com/tips/ky_biscuits.asp">here.</a> I reduced the salt to 1/2 teaspoon and replaced all of the shortening with real butter. Some of them were a little lopsided but overall they rose nicely and had a glorious buttery flavor. Another recipe I've looked at uses an extra 1/2 cup flour and 1/3 cup milk. I might try that next time just to see what happens. For our Halloween breakfast, I also made these, but cooked them in muffin tins. I made and indention in each before baking and filled that with cubed ham and cheese and called them Halloween Blobs. I have been told they must go on the regular breakfast menu rotation. Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture before they got gobbled up.<br />
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<b>Update***</b> Check out these beauties. I added the extra flour and milk, plus an additional approximately 2 tablespoons of flour because the dough was too soft to work with. They are still a little lopsided, but these are the softest, biggest biscuits yet. Definitely found a keeper! The original recipe can be found <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/jps-big-daddy-biscuits/detail.aspx">here.</a> Below the picture you'll find my version.<br />
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2 cups plus approximately 2 tablespoons- 1/4 c. all-purpose flour<br />
1 T baking powder<br />
3/4 t. salt<br />
1 T white sugar<br />
1/3 c. COLD butter<br />
1 c. milk<br />
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Whisk together dry ingredients, cut in butter with a pastry blender or fingers then add milk. Press or roll out dough to about 3/4 inch thick and cut with a large biscuit cutter. Work the dough as little as possible. Repeat until all the dough is used. Bake at 425 for 13-15 minutes. Enjoy 100% trans-fat free giant jumbo buttery goodness. Makes about half a dozen.<br />
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I also captured a picture of the so called blobs. These are a great portable breakfast with a little bit of protein! I wonder how they'd taste with some cream cheese on them.<br />
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PS. Notice my new baking sheets? I got two at Walmart. It's the Nordic Ware "Natural Commercial Bakeware" and they cost me just over $10 each. Here's a link to the same thing on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Ware-Bakers-Half-Sheet/dp/B000G0KJG4">Amazon</a>. The rolled lip keeps them from warping in the hot oven. They clean up easily and bake like a dream. I've only used them twice, for the biscuits and for a batch of pumpkin spiced cookies, but so far, I really, really like them! I will need at least a couple more before I embark on my annual Christmas baking extravaganza. These replaced my cheapo flat sheets that I discarded after my last biscuit baking catastrophe that ended with the use of the kitchen fire extinguisher.<br />
<br />amperezrosaleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449801781080435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4750538408681108399.post-48836990146194252022011-10-29T18:18:00.000-05:002011-10-29T18:18:38.140-05:00Bread Results<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have finally managed a nice full size loaf, and the added grains are wonderful. The extra gluten allowed the plain wheat loaf to rise beautifully. The grain loaf, where I added milled flax and steal cut oats after the first rise, didn't do as well. I don't know if it was the extra kneading necessary to add the grain or the grain itself. These are wonderfully smooth loaves perfect for sandwich making. I must say that I do like a heartier flavor in my bread; that's one of the things that makes baking your own bread so great. For the kids who are used to store bought wheat bread though, this will be a perfect and oh so much healthier substitute. I think I will keep a pre-cut loaf in the freezer for the children's lunches; using it frozen in the morning since it will easily defrost by lunch time, and at the same time help keep other things in the lunch cold. I have not attempted this as 100% whole wheat yet. It's about half and half unbleached bread flour and whole wheat, but I think it should work fine. I'm going to pick up some King Arthur's white whole wheat and see what happens with that. King Arthur's seems to be reputed to be a very good flour for yeast breads. Meanwhile, I will keep experimenting to find something that will satisfy my husband's and my desire for a something a little more hearty. I'm going to wait to share the recipe because I'd still like to tweak it a little in an effort to make it a smoother process with measurements that will be easy to remember so that when one is attempting as I am to quit buying store bought bread, it is a simple procedure to whip up a couple of loaves once or twice a week without pulling out any cook books and without dirtying every measuring instrument you own. Clean up is my least favorite part of the baking process and the less I have to do the better.</div>
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<br />amperezrosaleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03772449801781080435noreply@blogger.com0