Showing posts with label Around the House. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Around the House. Show all posts
October 16, 2011
harvest time
September 01, 2011
Out with the Old...
Certifiable optimism does not fit a giant box into a Honda Pilot, so we must thank our generous neighbors for lending us a truck. I sure hope the trap latches again...
Mucho thanks to beautiful (and surprisingly brawny) Carey for riding along in the biga$$ pick-em-up truck and for not dropping the box.
Without (swoop-in-for-the-glory) Scott, it would have remained a giant barrier in the kitchen. Thank you, hon, for assembling our new kitchen pride.
And, Oh-yihvia, you were the BEST hander-of-the-screws, a frightfully underappreciated role.
Without all the aforementioned parties, my dream of BIG dinners would have remained but a dream. Instead...
Bring on the dinner parties, book club dinners, and school projects, which are sure to guarantee this piece will never look the same.
(And, please bring on some new, funky chairs to complement it adequately.)
When are you coming for dinner?
January 18, 2011
Kid-isms
January 6, 2011
Olivia: Mommy, when you go anuhduh baby in uhs sommack, can you put a Inkedibuhs [Incredibles] suit on it? Cuz I want uhs hoe famy to be Inkedibuhs foh Hahyoween.
Me: Hmmmm, we'll see, Olivia. But I don't think we're going to grow another baby.
* * *
Later, and *completely* unrelated:
Olivia: yay! Maybe means yes. ( glass is half full for her)
* * *
After dropping Olivia off at her afternoon preschool, Zach must have been comparing how he's in school in the AM and Olivia's in the PM with how college classes can be scheduled flexibly as well.
He asked me, "Mom, do you think I should go to college in the daytime or at night?"
Me: "I think during the day."
Zach: "I think at night, so I can spend all day with you."
SWEET, SWEET boy!!
* * *
It had been a long week of Scott traveling, and I decided to try a new tactic. ;/
When the kids (read: Olivia) were having a hard time cleaning up, after several warnings, I finally went into her room with *The Pillowcase.* Duh-duh-duuuuuhhhh.
I put a few toys in it, saying, "You are not cleaning up, so I will take some of these for you."
She Freaked.Out. Crying, screaming. Quite unusual for her. (Now, several days and lots of TLC and fluids later, I realize she was probably heading for the flu. Poor thing.)
Anyway, she continued to cry, saying she'd pick up her room. I left her to it. But, meanwhile, next door Zach was done cleaning his room, but began crying himself.
"But, Mom, she loooooooves Doggy! Can I help her earn him back?"
Why, sure, Zach. You can help her clean. (And I don't have Doggy, btw. But you guys clean a bit, and I'll let you know that later.)
Can you see the red horns on my head??? Ugh. Oh, well. There are many things I could do better in hindsight. This episode was probably one of them, but I'm okay with instilling a little accountability.
Olivia: Mommy, when you go anuhduh baby in uhs sommack, can you put a Inkedibuhs [Incredibles] suit on it? Cuz I want uhs hoe famy to be Inkedibuhs foh Hahyoween.
Me: Hmmmm, we'll see, Olivia. But I don't think we're going to grow another baby.
* * *
Later, and *completely* unrelated:
Olivia: yay! Maybe means yes. ( glass is half full for her)
* * *
After dropping Olivia off at her afternoon preschool, Zach must have been comparing how he's in school in the AM and Olivia's in the PM with how college classes can be scheduled flexibly as well.
He asked me, "Mom, do you think I should go to college in the daytime or at night?"
Me: "I think during the day."
Zach: "I think at night, so I can spend all day with you."
SWEET, SWEET boy!!
* * *
It had been a long week of Scott traveling, and I decided to try a new tactic. ;/
When the kids (read: Olivia) were having a hard time cleaning up, after several warnings, I finally went into her room with *The Pillowcase.* Duh-duh-duuuuuhhhh.
I put a few toys in it, saying, "You are not cleaning up, so I will take some of these for you."
She Freaked.Out. Crying, screaming. Quite unusual for her. (Now, several days and lots of TLC and fluids later, I realize she was probably heading for the flu. Poor thing.)
Anyway, she continued to cry, saying she'd pick up her room. I left her to it. But, meanwhile, next door Zach was done cleaning his room, but began crying himself.
"But, Mom, she loooooooves Doggy! Can I help her earn him back?"
Why, sure, Zach. You can help her clean. (And I don't have Doggy, btw. But you guys clean a bit, and I'll let you know that later.)
Can you see the red horns on my head??? Ugh. Oh, well. There are many things I could do better in hindsight. This episode was probably one of them, but I'm okay with instilling a little accountability.
January 12, 2011
So Stealthy...
She was so quiet over near the sliding door, as I finished up MOPS minutes.
"Wow," I thought. "She's being so good."
I even had a tinge of PMS-induced emotion. "She's getting so biiiiiiig. Going to school four days a week, keeping herself occupied, treating the cats more gently."
Looking more closely at her, crouched on the doormat, I caught sight of the pink XO goodie bag I brought home from the MOPS retreat. It's filled with M&Ms and peanuts and candy.
!
She said she was feeding Sumo. How nice of her.
June 02, 2010
Herbs
I can never remember which herbs go where, so here it is to help me.
Depending on how big your container is, here are some herb combinations that will all grow well together as companions in pots:
1) Sage, rosemary, lavender, thyme and germander.
2) Cilantro, oregano, lemon balm and basils.
3) Oregano, thyme, lemon verbena, lemon balm, parsley, cilantro.
4) Thyme, mint, basil, oregano.
5) Growing basil in the same container (or plot) as tomatoes will improve their flavor.
A few herbs, like dill and fennel, need quite a bit more room and grow better in beds. Most herbs, however, adapt very well to pots and containers. You might also consider scented geraniums, tricolor sages and trailing herbs like penny royal, prostrate rosemary or cat-mint for hanging baskets.
*Source*
Depending on how big your container is, here are some herb combinations that will all grow well together as companions in pots:
1) Sage, rosemary, lavender, thyme and germander.
2) Cilantro, oregano, lemon balm and basils.
3) Oregano, thyme, lemon verbena, lemon balm, parsley, cilantro.
4) Thyme, mint, basil, oregano.
5) Growing basil in the same container (or plot) as tomatoes will improve their flavor.
A few herbs, like dill and fennel, need quite a bit more room and grow better in beds. Most herbs, however, adapt very well to pots and containers. You might also consider scented geraniums, tricolor sages and trailing herbs like penny royal, prostrate rosemary or cat-mint for hanging baskets.
*Source*
September 23, 2009
Scott's Handiwork
Pretty new flooring in the laundry and bathroom on the main floor. We may take a little break before tackling the rest of the main floor, but that's the plan. Scott has been a machine about getting this floor done. Well done, I might say!
P.S. Look and Enjoy. Because this is the cleanest you'll ever see the bathroom and floor, most likely. We had to remove the toilet in order to get the floor down. Scott cleaned it thoroughly and was hosing it down outside when our neighbor drove by and commented out his window, "You know, I can clean a toilet with the best of them, but I've never gone to that extreme."
April 22, 2009
Happy Earth Day - Clotheslines
Coincidentally, I received the poem below just as I was thinking, "I need to bring in the clothes on the line before those clouds open up."
A clothesline was a news forecast
To neighbors passing by.
There were no secrets you could keep
When clothes were hung to dry.
It also was a friendly link
For neighbors always knew
If company had stopped on by
To spend a night or two.
For then you'd see the "fancy sheets"
And towels upon the line;
You'd see the "company table cloths"
With intricate designs.
The line announced a baby's birth
From folks who lived inside -
As brand new infant clothes were hung,
So carefully with pride!
The ages of the children could
So readily be known
By watching how the sizes changed,
You'd know how much they'd grown!
It also told when illness struck,
As extra sheets were hung;
Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe, too,
Haphazardly were strung.
It also said, "Gone on vacation now"
When lines hung limp and bare.
It told, "We're back!" when full lines sagged
With not an inch to spare!
New folks in town were scorned upon
If wash was dingy and gray,
As neighbors carefully raised their brows,
And looked the other way . . .
But clotheslines now are of the past,
For dryers make work much less.
Now what goes on inside a home
Is any body's guess!
I really miss that way of life.
It was a friendly sign
When neighbors knew each other best
By what hung on the line.
I have mostly fond memories of being "made" to hang clothes on the line at Grandma's house, growing up. Dragging the umbrella-like line out to the hole in the middle of the yard; the smell of heavy, wet linens; running under them; toes digging into the soft ground; spending "hours" combing the grass in search of Mom's aquamarine earring; folding sheets out in the sun; jumping in the basket on top of fluffy, warm clothes; the heaven-scent of line-dried sheets on bed at night.
And, today, our HOA does not allow clotheslines. Really? So I have one long, retractable line that is not permanently affixed, but which I jerry-rig to the poles of our deck. It's not really high enough, but it works. And I challenge the HOA police to call us on it.
I'm such a rebel, you know.
A clothesline was a news forecast
To neighbors passing by.
There were no secrets you could keep
When clothes were hung to dry.
It also was a friendly link
For neighbors always knew
If company had stopped on by
To spend a night or two.
For then you'd see the "fancy sheets"
And towels upon the line;
You'd see the "company table cloths"
With intricate designs.
The line announced a baby's birth
From folks who lived inside -
As brand new infant clothes were hung,
So carefully with pride!
The ages of the children could
So readily be known
By watching how the sizes changed,
You'd know how much they'd grown!
It also told when illness struck,
As extra sheets were hung;
Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe, too,
Haphazardly were strung.
It also said, "Gone on vacation now"
When lines hung limp and bare.
It told, "We're back!" when full lines sagged
With not an inch to spare!
New folks in town were scorned upon
If wash was dingy and gray,
As neighbors carefully raised their brows,
And looked the other way . . .
But clotheslines now are of the past,
For dryers make work much less.
Now what goes on inside a home
Is any body's guess!
I really miss that way of life.
It was a friendly sign
When neighbors knew each other best
By what hung on the line.
I have mostly fond memories of being "made" to hang clothes on the line at Grandma's house, growing up. Dragging the umbrella-like line out to the hole in the middle of the yard; the smell of heavy, wet linens; running under them; toes digging into the soft ground; spending "hours" combing the grass in search of Mom's aquamarine earring; folding sheets out in the sun; jumping in the basket on top of fluffy, warm clothes; the heaven-scent of line-dried sheets on bed at night.
And, today, our HOA does not allow clotheslines. Really? So I have one long, retractable line that is not permanently affixed, but which I jerry-rig to the poles of our deck. It's not really high enough, but it works. And I challenge the HOA police to call us on it.
I'm such a rebel, you know.
April 01, 2009
Live from Lakewood!
SmithWallace Ensemble
One show only.
Featuring Master Zach on vocals and lead guitar, with DollyLollit on the recorder and PopSmith with backup chords and the only real melody.
At a special post-show jam session, The DollyLollit did some picking herself.
One show only.
Featuring Master Zach on vocals and lead guitar, with DollyLollit on the recorder and PopSmith with backup chords and the only real melody.
At a special post-show jam session, The DollyLollit did some picking herself.
February 08, 2009
October 27, 2008
How Do They Learn this Stuff?
Flash back with me to January of 2008.
That's only 10ish months ago, right? Wow, has a lot changed since then.
I opened my My Pictures folder, and found this little mug muggin' at me. Really, who teaches these kids that this is a "smile?" Somehow they learn because, not even just when it's mine, whenever a camera comes out, our kids bring out the crinkle-your-nose-squint-your-eyes-bare-your-teeth-almost-puppy-like smile. It's often accompanied by a sound that's presumably a version of "Cheeeeeeeese" but without the "ch" and the "s." So basically, "Eeeeeeee."
I'll dig up some of Zach's cheesing, but for now, here are a few of Olivia in January, at almost 11 months. Please excuse the terrible linoleum and especially the flakes of whatever she's scooting over. Maybe it was just something on the camera lens. Let's go with that.
Check out those CHOPPERS.
"The view down here's the cat's meow, almost literally, if that were possible!"
That's only 10ish months ago, right? Wow, has a lot changed since then.
I opened my My Pictures folder, and found this little mug muggin' at me. Really, who teaches these kids that this is a "smile?" Somehow they learn because, not even just when it's mine, whenever a camera comes out, our kids bring out the crinkle-your-nose-squint-your-eyes-bare-your-teeth-almost-puppy-like smile. It's often accompanied by a sound that's presumably a version of "Cheeeeeeeese" but without the "ch" and the "s." So basically, "Eeeeeeee."
I'll dig up some of Zach's cheesing, but for now, here are a few of Olivia in January, at almost 11 months. Please excuse the terrible linoleum and especially the flakes of whatever she's scooting over. Maybe it was just something on the camera lens. Let's go with that.
"Eeeeeeee"
Check out those CHOPPERS.
"The view down here's the cat's meow, almost literally, if that were possible!"
September 16, 2008
June 18, 2008
Natural Cleaners and Wipes
I saw this post on another blog, and I plan to try making some home-mixed cleaners too.
Does it seem that I might clean more, too? :)
I DID once buy a super-cute broom that was to inspire me to sweep more. Actually, I do enjoy sweeping more using it. It's got pink, leopard print! I thought better of gifting similar brooms. Even though I'd never have meant it to imply someone else should sweep more, I can see where that impression might be drawn.
Does it seem that I might clean more, too? :)
I DID once buy a super-cute broom that was to inspire me to sweep more. Actually, I do enjoy sweeping more using it. It's got pink, leopard print! I thought better of gifting similar brooms. Even though I'd never have meant it to imply someone else should sweep more, I can see where that impression might be drawn.
So...here are the recipes. Thanks, Dana, for letting me reproduce them here!
Glass Cleaner
2 parts vinegar to 1 part distilled water.
2 parts vinegar to 1 part distilled water.
Sometimes I add some antiseptic essential oil such as lemon, lavender or tea tree. Oh, three or four drops.
Store in reusable, spray bottle.
All Purpose Cleaner
2 teaspoons Borax
20 oz of distilled water
10 oz vinegar
2 drops of your favorite dish soap
A few drops of essential oils if you wish
Store in reusable, spray bottle
All Purpose Cleaner
2 teaspoons Borax
20 oz of distilled water
10 oz vinegar
2 drops of your favorite dish soap
A few drops of essential oils if you wish
Store in reusable, spray bottle
Scrubby Stuff
A box of Borax
A box of baking soda
A few drops of essential oil -- here my favorite is lemon and rosemary
Store in ziplock bag (or plastic, lidded container) with scoop
Do you do homemade cleaners? What are your recipes? My Radical book club friends also passed along a great recipe for homemade baby wipes:
Baby Wipes
1 roll of paper towels (I usually use Kirkland or Target brand, which are nice because they're the choose-your-size version, but it's probably "greener" to go with the 7th Generation brand, or similar)
2 cups boiling water
1.5 Tablespoon baby oil (I use Burt's Bees apricot baby oil, but I've heard grapeseed oil is great as well)
1 Tablespoon baby shampoo
2-3 drops tea tree oil (it has anti-fungal and antiseptic properties, awesome stuff)
* Using a non-serrated kitchen knife, cut a roll of paper towels in half, so you end up with two "short" rolls.
* Place one half of the paper towels in an airtight (cylindrical, if possible) container. Save the other half for your next batch of wipes.
* In a 2-cup Pyrex measuring cup, boil the water.
* Add the oils and shampoo and stir.
* Pour the mixture over the paper towels. Let the liquid seep through the roll. After about a minute, pull out the cardboard center of the roll, and the center-most sheet of paper towel, which may have glue from the cardboard. Careful, these may be hot, but it's much easier to get them out right away.
* Cover the container, and when you're ready, pull the towels from the center.
These wipes are great because you know exactly what's going on the kiddos' bums (and faces or fingers).
To make them ToGo, pull out several, and fold them into a reusable wipe containers.
One final tip, from Sarah the natural guru: place this formula in a ziplock baggie, and tape it to the bottom of the wipes container, so you're all set next time you need 'em but can't recall the ingredients. Or maybe you've got a better memory than we do - congrats!
Finally, I didn't invest in a cylindrical container like the one pictured. I just make do with the rectangular box that Huggies wipes come in. I place the roll of towels in vertically, in order to let the "potion" seep into the paper, but once it's all saturated, I lay the towels horizontally, and pull from one end. Some brands of paper towels are thicker, and harder to fit in the Huggies box, but we manage!
*Oh, just one more thought: When our kiddoes were infants, we didn’t use paper wipes at all; we just used warm water on 4” square pieces of old t-shirts, which could just be thrown in the wash and reused (kind of a la cloth diapers). I wonder if putting those scraps into a container and pouring the wipes potion over the top would provide an even “greener” option for wipes. I haven’t tried that, but have thought about it. Just putting it out there!
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