The Garden Has Been Planted

Last Saturday we planted potatoes in our back garden spot.  On Monday and Tuesday I was able to finish planting everything except two rows of corn since I am stagger planting them.  It was hot, but well worth the effort.  My children were all helpful and a big reason why I was able to get everything finished at only one month postpartum. Also, I wore a sleeping Janna in a wrap during most of the time I planted which was a big help, too.

It is hard to tell from the picture but there is quite a bit planted in this garden spot. There are two rows of green beans, onions, green peppers, broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, okra, tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, zucchini and marigolds.  The flowering plants in the picture are chives which come up every year.

It is amazing how dry the garden is considering two weeks ago the ground was so wet I wasn't sure when I would be able to plant.  Today we are getting some light rain, though.

I am excited to watch our garden grown.  I can almost taste the fresh tomatoes.  How is your garden growing?

The Garden Has Been Planted

Fix It Up Friday: Baby Headband Holder

Good morning!  It is time for Fix It Up Friday again.  I am so glad to have you join me. Last week I shared my recipe binder makeover and I have to say that I am so glad to have my recipes organized again.

Today I am sharing a frugal idea for storing baby headbands and other hair accessories. Check it out.

I am loving this headband holder because Janna's headbands were starting to get out of control.  This project was not only easy but very frugal, too.  Guess what I used to make it.

An empty oatmeal container!  I simply took off the wrapper and used a towel to clean the inside.

Then, I took a 12" x 12" piece of scrapbook paper in half diagonally and glued it to the container.  I could have used Mod Podge, but I had run out.  Gasp!  I just fit the two pieces together going in opposite directions.  Kind of like putting a puzzle together.

I finished the container by gluing some coordinating ribbon to the top and bottom.  My headband holder was then ready for action.

There is tons of room inside for storing more headbands, ribbons and barrettes.  I love how organized Janna's hair accessories are now.

Not only is this decorated oatmeal container good for storing hair accessories, but it is also the perfect size for storing two rolls of toilet paper in your bathroom.  :-)

Now, it is your turn to link up your creative posts.  I look forward to seeing all of your great ideas. The guidelines for linking up are here.

I am linking this post to Strut Your Stuff Thursday.

Fix It Up Friday: Baby Headband Holder

Siblings

I usually try to keep things positive on this blog. However, I don't want anyone to think that we are perfect and never have any problems.

I think my children are wonderful, but there are occasions when they bicker and argue which can be exasperating.

Then, they go and do something sweet like sing to their baby sister and remind me all over again just how much I love them.



If you are viewing this post via email or in a reader you will have to click over to view it.

My children truly are a blessing, whether they are misbehaving or hugging me tight.  I thank God for moments like this in the midst of a trying day.

I am linking this post to Finer Things Friday.

Siblings

Tips & Timesavers

I thought it might be nice to have one post with links to all of my tips and timesavers.  I have broken them down into categories.  Maybe you will find something helpful here.

Cleaning

• Cleaning with "Holey" Socks
• Baking Soda in the Dishwasher
• Quick Bathroom Cleaning
• Natural Dishwasher Detergent Recipe
• Homemade Detergent
• Faubreeze
• Natural Cleaning Kit
• Cleaning Gift Set

Cloth Diapering

• Cloth Diapering on Vacation
• No-Sew Cloth Diaper Liners

Health

• An Otoscope for Home Use
• Acetaminophen Suppositories
• Using a Baby Monitor with a Sick Child

In the Kitchen

• Saving Money with Ice Cubes?
• Saving Time on Meal Prep
• Blender Tips
• Recipe Binder
• Kitchen Scissors
• Parchment Paper
• Saving Money on Food While Traveling
• Slicing Homemade Bread with an Electric Knife
• Cook Once, Eat Twice
• Enhancing the Nutritional Value of Recipes
• Quick Freezing Fruits & Vegetables
• Re-Using Cereal Bags
• Cooking Spaghetti
• Spice Cabinet Organization

Kids

• Kids Craft Box
• Mommy's Helpers

Miscellaneous

• Rain Gutter Bookshelf

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

• New Life for an Old Spice Rack
• Using fabric scraps without sewing a stitch.
• Reusing Empty Containers
• Repurposing Shower Curtains
• Plant Markers from Old Mini Blinds
• Scoop from a Plastic Bottle
• Kitchen Utensil Holder
• Plastic Fruit Box Turned Gift Box
• Mod Podge Pill Bottle
• Name Tags from Empty Detergent Bottles
• Decorated Oatmeal Container
• Berry Box Gift Box
• Homemade Funnel
• Using Cloth Napkins
• T-Shirt Grocery Bags
• Plastic Bag Yarn
• Shirt Sleeve Baby Pants
• Repurposed Clothing
• Chip Bag Crinkly Toy
• CD Valentine's Card
• Pop Tab Picture Hanger
• New Life for an Old Muffin Tin
• Burlap Covered Box
• T-Shirt Quilt
• Spool Picture Holders
• Recovered Bulletin Board
• TV Tray Makeover
• Nursery Furniture

Saving Money

• How we saved $800 in one year.
• Frugal Haircuts
• Thrift Store Fun
• A Thrifting We Will Go
• New Life for Old Furniture with Spray Paint

I am linking this post to Works for Me Wednesday at We Are THAT Family.

Tips & Timesavers

Baby Basics: Tummy Time

I think the campaign called "Back to Sleep" is good, but people often forget the second part of that..."Tummy to Play".  While keeping baby safe while sleeping is important I think that many parents are not aware of the importance of tummy time for their babies.

My babies have all had nicely shaped heads with no flat spots due to the fact that they get plenty of tummy time as well as lots of time being held.  I have read that the incidence of babies having positional plagiocephaly or "flat head syndrome" has increased since babies spend so much time on their backs while sleeping and in other devices such as car seats.

Tummy time doesn't require any special tools.  Simply lay your baby on a blanket on the floor when he or she is awake.  Talk to your baby and get down on your tummy facing your baby.  Provide a few interesting toys or even a baby safe mirror to enhance tummy time.  Do not leave your baby unattended.

Here are some of the benefits of tummy time.

• Helps with fine and gross motor skill development.
• Head and neck control are improved.
• Back and shoulder muscles become stronger.
• Baby may reach important milestones such as rolling over, sitting, and crawling earlier.
• Flat spots on baby's head can be prevented.
• Some developmental delays may be avoided.

Even with all of the benefits some parents will say, "My baby doesn't like being on his or her tummy and cries every time."  Therefore, they will not give their baby ample tummy time.  

Here are a few things to try if your baby doesn't seem to like tummy time.  

• Lay baby across your lap while you are sitting.
• Have baby lay on your chest.
• Place a nursing pillow under your baby (see picture above), especially if he or she suffers from reflux.
• Keep trying.  Even if your baby fusses after only a few minutes on his or her tummy try again later.

Eventually your baby will love being on the floor for tummy time.


Previous Baby Basics Topics:

1. A Brand New Baby
2. Cord Care
3. Newborn Skin Conditions

Baby Basics: Tummy Time

Weekly Menu Plan

I had intended to post our weekly menu earlier today, but then I got sidetracked.  I ended up spending over two hours planting our garden this afternoon.  Most of that time I was wearing the baby in a wrap.  Talk about hot and sweaty.  However, we almost got the whole thing planted.  Yay!

Anyway, here is our menu plan for this week.  I know you were holding your breath until I got this posted.  You can relax now.  ;-)  

Menu Plan

Sunday - Leftovers

Monday - Tacos/Taco Salad, Refried Beans, Chips & Salsa, Fruit Smoothies

Tuesday - Fish Fillets, Baked Potatoes, Green Beans, Fruit Smoothies

Wednesday - Cube Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Turnip Greens, Fruit Smoothies

Thursday - Sloppy Joes, Macaroni & Cheese, Cauliflower, Sliced Apples

Friday - Chicken Breasts, Rice, Brussels Sprouts, Fruit Smoothies

Saturday -Chicken & Noodles, Broccoli, Fruit Smoothies

Weekly Menu Plan

Planting Potatoes

Last week I wasn't sure we would ever get to plant anything in our garden.  However, my husband was able to till our two garden spots twice this week.  It looks like we may get things planted before June after all.

Last night I started making a large mound of dirt in the middle of my small garden spot. I had Janna in the sling and was using one hand to use my hoe.  My husband saw me and came over to help.  After a minute or two he stopped, got out our tractor and used the front end loader to finish the rest of the dirt moving.  He likes to use his big tools whenever he can.  :-)

This afternoon I got the baby to take a nap and asked Julia to keep an eye on her.  I gave her a 2-way radio to use to let me know when Janna woke up.  This worked perfectly.  Yay, for big sisters!

Then, with the help of Joseph I was able to plant 12 potato plants, 12 sweet potato plants, and a hill of butternut squash seeds.

This was my first time planting regular potatoes.  I purchased some seed potatoes and cut them into chunks making sure that each chunk had an eye that had sprouted.  Then I planted the chunks of potatoes about 12 inches apart in my big potato hill about 3 or 4 inches deep.  I am excited to see how they grow.

The sweet potatoes are a little different to plant because they look almost like ivy vines.  I planted them about 18 inches apart.  We have had a lot of success with growing sweet potatoes over the past couple of years and I hope this year will be no exception.

Lastly, I planted 5 butternut squash seeds about an inch under the dirt in a hill at the end of the potatoes.  They will vine out quite a bit as will the sweet potatoes so I am hoping there is plenty of room for everything to grow properly.

This is our main garden spot. I am hopeful that I will get to work on it a little at a time this week. If it takes me two weeks, that is fine. I have a baby, who is one month old today, and I have to be realistic about what I can accomplish. I have the seeds and plants ready to go whenever I have the time.

For those of you who garden, how is your garden this week?

I am linking this post to Frugal Gardening 101 at The Finer Things in Life.

Planting Potatoes

Fix It Up Friday: My Recipe Binder Got a Makeover

Good morning!  It is time for Fix It Up Friday again.  I am so glad to have you join me.

Last week I told you that my recipe binder needed a makeover. Well, that is exactly what happened this week. Actually, I used a new binder altogether.

Some of you had some great suggestions and I thank you for your input.  Ultimately, I decided to stick with the same system and add a few new categories.  I think the larger sized binder will suit my needs much better than the smaller one I was using.

I have been working on printing out all of the recipes I have shared here, but have never printed out for myself.  I find that I do better with a printed copy than trying to look at the recipe on the computer.

I used a three inch binder, some scrapbook paper and Mod Podge I had lying around.  I applied the Mod Podge to the binder, laid the papers on top and then applied two coats over the papers.  One thing I would recommend doing is to leave some of the edges showing on the binder.  Otherwise, it will be too hard to cover.

I think my new recipe binder looks bright and cheery on my baker's rack with all of my other cookbooks.

I also made a little video about my binder in case you are interested in a more in-depth look at my system.



If you are viewing this post in an email or a feed reader you will have to click over the the blog in order to view the video.

Thanks for keeping me accountable this week.  I feel good with one thing crossed off of my to-do list.  There are just a few hundred more things left now.  :-)

Now, it is your turn to link up your creative posts.  I look forward to seeing all of your great ideas. The guidelines for linking up are here.

Fix It Up Friday: My Recipe Binder Got a Makeover

Smiles and Solos

Today my baby girl is 4 weeks old.  Janna has had a couple of firsts this week.  The first one being that she is smiling in response to my smile.

This was the best I could do to get a picture of her smile.  She was just about to really let loose and give me a big ol' toothless grin.  I can't wait to see more smiles as the weeks progress.

The other first for her this week was something I wish wouldn't have happened.  She has the sniffles.  I have had to suction her nose quite a bit, but it seems to be contained to her nose, thankfully.  I am praying we are over the worst of it now.

Last Tuesday night my daughter Julia had a solo in her school's music program.  She was the first one to perform and ended up standing onstage for about 5 minutes while they tried to get her music to work.  Then, she started singing and you couldn't hear her.  So, they spent another 5 minutes trying to get the microphones working. She stood there and was so poised. I would have been a nervous wreck.

She finally got to sing and here is how she sounded.  Pardon the video quality.  I was pretty far back from the stage and I cried through the whole song while holding Janna. Not a great videoing combo.  However, I loved listening to my daughter sing and wanted to share it with you.



If you are viewing this post in an email or a feed reader you will have to click over the the blog in order to view the song.

I definitely don't want to leave my boys out of this post, so here is a picture of them from a few weeks ago.  My hereos...

I am linking this post to Finer Things Friday @ The Finer Things in Life.

Smiles and Solos

Homemade Baking Mixes

Today I wanted to tell you about something I did before Janna was born that has saved me quite a bit of time in the kitchen.

Saturday is always pancake morning at our house.  I have to make two kinds because Joshua has food allergies.  I decided to make up several bags of pancake mix to save time.

I put all of the dry ingredients in a zip-top bag and labeled it with what other ingredients needed to be added to make the pancakes.

This has worked so well that I am now trying to figure out what other recipes would work this way.

Have you ever made homemade baking mixes?  They work for me!

I am linking this post to Works For Me Wednesday at We Are THAT Family.

Homemade Baking Mixes

Baby Basics: Newborn Skin Conditions

This is the third week in our Baby Basics series. Today we are talking about newborn skin conditions. Last week we talked about cord care.

I used to think that all babies had perfect skin and never had to deal with skin issues. However, once I had children of my own I realized this wasn't the case.

Here are some common newborn skin your baby may have to deal with.

• Milia - These are tiny white bumps on the face that are just under the surface.  They are caused by oil and old skin cells.  They usually clear up within a few weeks.  Janna had these all over her nose at birth and now, at 3 weeks old, they are gone.

• Baby Acne - This is a condition where a baby appears to have pimples on their face and/or body.  Often this occurs on the cheeks, forehead, chin and back.  Usually it looks like small whiteheads surrounded by redness. My son James seemed to have this more than any of my other children and it peaked between 1 and 2 months.  It went away on its own.  

• Red/Blotchy Skin or "Stork Bites" - All of my babies have had red, blotchy skin as newborns. This usually occurs when they have been crying, but can happen anytime.   They usually come and go and are harmless.

• Diaper Rash - This is a rash that occurs in a baby's diaper area.  This can occur anytime during a baby's diaper wearing years.  When a baby has a diaper rash the area can be red, bumpy, and sore.  It is important to keep the diaper area clean and dry.  Often that is enough to prevent or treat a diaper rash, but sometimes a diaper cream can be helpful.  If your baby has a long-lasting rash that won't go away, you may need to see a health care professional. I have dealt with diaper rashes with all of my children at some point in their diaper wearing years. 

• Birthmarks - There are many types of birthmarks, too many for me to list here.  My daughter Julia has a "strawberry birthmark" on her belly near her belly button.  At first I thought it was from the cord clamp, but it never went away.  My son Joshua has a small tan colored birthmark on his bottom. When I changed his diaper for the very first time I kept trying to wipe it away and then realized it was a birthmark.  :-)  Some of my children also have moles which are another type of birthmark.

• Jaundice - All of my children have had jaundice and Janna still has it.  I will be devoting an entire post to this sometime soon.    Jaundice is a yellowing of a baby's skin and eyes and has to do with the body's ability to process bilirubin.  

• Cradle Cap - This is scaly, crusty skin on a baby's scalp.  It is caused by the normal build-up of oil and dead skin.  I have found that the best way to prevent or deal with cradle cap is to brush my baby's hair every day, even if they don't have much hair.  Also, keeping their hair/head clean helps.

• Heat Rash or "Prickly Heat" - This is a rash that usually occurs when a baby gets overheated.  It generally occurs where baby has been covered with clothing.  Cool, loose fitting clothing and cool baths may help this rash go away as well as removing baby from the heat.

This is not an exhaustive list of newborn skin conditions, but some of the more common ones.  Also, remember I am not a health care professional, but just a mom who likes to share information.

What other conditions have your babies had to deal with?  Do you have any tips for dealing with any of the above conditions?  I would love to hear from you.

Baby Basics: Newborn Skin Conditions

Homemade Vanilla Experiment

I have been thinking about making my own vanilla ever since I read about it over at Heavenly Homemakers. I finally decided to go for it when I read Amy's post at The Finer Things in Life.

I had been using real vanilla for several years after doing a little research about imitation vanilla and trying to use more natural ingredients in our cooking.  Vanilla can be expensive to buy, so I thought it would be fun to try to make it myself.  It also might make good Christmas gifts.

So, I ordered some vanilla beans and asked my husband to purchase the other ingredient needed to make vanilla.

I wrote a list for my husband since he does most of the grocery shopping.  He looked over the list and then questioned me about one specific item on the list.

Vodka.

Yes, you read that right.  A very pregnant me asked my husband to purchase vodka at the store a few weeks ago.

I explained why I needed him to purchase it, so he went to the store one morning before work to get 1 1/2 gallons of vodka so I could make a bunch of vanilla.

Since he was at Walmart before 7:00 a.m. trying to purchase alcohol he was told he would not be able to buy it.  ?  I guess Walmart doesn't sell alcohol before 7:00 a.m.

Not even for men who are trying to oblige their pregnant wives who want to make vanilla.

Well, as you can see he was able to later purchase the vodka and I was able to make the vanilla.

To make the vanilla I used my kitchen scissors to cut up the middle of each vanilla bean.  I then put 40 of the beans in a half gallon jar and added a 1/2 gallon of vodka.  I have it stored in my basement pantry and will shake it every so often for the next 4-6 months. Then I will strain it and put it into smaller bottles.

I think this will definitely be more potent than the vanilla I have purchased at Aldi's which contains other ingredients besides alcohol and vanilla beans.

I sure never thought I would ask my husband to purchase alcohol or to post about it on my blog.  But, I thought maybe one of you out there might just be interested in making your own, too.  You just never know what you might find me talking about.  :-)

Enough about that.  Here is my menu plan for the week.  What are you serving your family this week?

Menu Plan

Sunday - Leftovers

Monday - Chicken Breasts, Rice, Turnip Greens, Sliced Apples

Tuesday - Beefy Noodles, Brussels Sprouts, Fruit Smoothies

Wednesday - Fish Fillets, Macaroni & Cheese, Green Beans, Fruit Smoothies

Thursday - Smoked Sausage, Fried Potatoes, Butternut Squash, Baked Apple Slices

Friday - Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Cauliflower, Fruit Smoothies

Saturday - Ham & Bean Soup, Cornbread, Carrots & Celery, Fruit Smoothies

I am linking this post to Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie.

Homemade Vanilla Experiment