Domestic Science

I already love the blog Remodelista - but I just found another reason to love them even more. They have an index page called domestic science for all of those very cool, but hard to find household items that make the work of keeping the home up a little easier and more pleasant (and it doesn't hurt that they are really nice to look at, too). Check it out.

However, my all time favorite source for simple, inexpensive and useful tools for around the house is Lehman's. I bought my very first iron skillet from them, and now I am eyeing their clothesline supplies.

Belly

I haven't done a very good job of documenting this pregnancy - for example, I have two ultrasound images, one at 6 weeks and the other at 17 weeks, that I should have already scanned and posted. I'll get there - but for now, here's a belly shot - 27 weeks.

Cleaning Green

I've been trying to eliminate the number, type, and toxicity of chemicals that we use for cleaning at home. The toxicity of conventional cleaners and the cost ($$$) of pre-made natural cleaners has led me on a search for inexpensive and non-toxic basic ingredients. Doing tons of diaper laundry actually started me on this kick. Figuring out what I can and can't use to wash the diapers has shown me how many additives and unecessary chemicals we use in our homes.

This is a list of non-toxic cleaners that I have found  that can pretty much do every job in the house:

• Country Save laundry detergent (LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this stuff - cheap and effective)
• Borax (disinfecting the laundry, cleaning the toilet etc..)
• Baking soda (for scrubbing, a great laundry additive) 
• Vinegar (also a great disinfectant, this stuff does almost everything - see here) 
• Dr. Bronners soap

The three conventional cleaners that we still use are Clorox bleach every now and then (trying to find a good oxygen cleaner that doesn't have detergent in it like Oxyclean, though the Borax might do the trick), Comet cleaner (I have a hard time giving this one up, even though the powder cloud it creates is awful), and disinfecting wipes (here, I'm just finishing up the last of the container).

I'd like to eventually work some essential oils into the spray bottles of cleaner that I mix up. I saw a great tip the other day on how to use fresh basil, but my little basil plant out in the front hasn't grown enough for me to start using its leaves. So far, our new system has worked out well.

Two things that I like - a lot.

and

from here and here. (Note: The price of the shoes is actually lower in USD, yay!)

Teepee and Other Misc. Projects

Making one of these is on my list of sewing projects for the boys. Doesn't that look like a fun place to play?

It looks simple enough, I just need to figure out the most cost effective fabric to use - painter's drop cloths, burlap yardage, thrift store sheets? Where to get the bamboo poles?

Lately, I've been thinking about lots of projects that I'd like to get started- however, plans for them invade my mind right when I'm getting ready for bed and then into the middle of the night. Having crafty ideas is really fun, I just wish the inspiration wouldn't strike when I should be sleeping.

Some other projects keeping me up at night include: contouring a bunch of prefolds for the new baby, putting together a night diaper stash for Oliver (the BG 3.0s are leaking on us), replacing all the velcro tabs on our stash of BG's (Cotton Babies sent me 24 kits for free!), making a compost bin, spreading grass seed in the back yard, building some small beds in the front yard and transplanting a few plants, finishing up the hook rack in the laundry room, cleaning out the area under the stairs and making a play area out of it for the kids, installing safety latches on all the cabinets, and culling through and simplifying all of the household chemicals. Whew!

After going to bed last night at 10:00, I think I finally fell asleep around midnight. Perhaps this is why I'm blogging about my list of projects - if I get it all written down, hopefully I won't have to go through it in my head every evening. We'll see....

photo from here.

Cowboy

Oliver is really into riding his stick horse. The only thing missing is his hat. He loves hats too.

Oliver's Maiden Wagon Voyage

He LOVES the wagon, passed down from his big sister Quinn. Looking forward to many, many trips through the neighborhood in it.