Summer Plans

Milk & Honey Mommy — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 06:57:06 +0000

I have a lot of ambitious endeavors planned for this summer. One of them is to start an herb garden, again. You see, this picture is of the one I started last summer.

Lily and I spent some mommy-daughter time together, headed to the co-op, and looked through so many plants. We were on a search for herbs. I figured planting and growing our own would be cheaper than buying them weekly from the grocery store.

After grabbing about half a dozen different herbs - Italian parsley, rosemary, thyme – we decided to treat our selves. Lily found a few strawberry plants which we just had to add.

After we brought them home, Lily cared for them regularly with much love and care. I decided to leave them in the box until we found the right place to plant everything.

In this box is where our herb garden remained almost seven months later. Most everything else died, but the parsley continued thriving.

Between the continued growth of the parsley and the rebirth of the basil, I am motivated again to start another herb garden and actually plant it in the ground this year.

We Do-It-Ourselves

Milk & Honey Mommy — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:53:04 +0000

Ironing isn’t the first thing I would ever choose to do. The only problem is that I have a really difficult time sending my children out or watching as Darling D leaves the house with wrinkled clothing. Just like a car that looses it value once it’s driven off the lot, I know clothing is going to get wrinkled once it’s taken off of the hanger that I just put it on after ironing.

My sister, who leads a more ~~less uptight/rigid~~ relaxed life than mine, tried to teach me the art of iron-free living. She follows the “unravel-wear-go-fall out (wrinkles that is)” mantra. I lived that way for a while and it was a lot easier to do before I had a husband and children. On me, I wasn’t able to see the wrinkles and whether or not they ever fell out later on in the day. On Darling D and my children, I saw the wrinkles. Most of them did fall out, but I had to wonder what kind of wife or mother was I who would let her family out of the front or back doors with wrinkled clothing.

My ironing board is oddly shaped, but very sturdy, and wide enough to iron the full back of a shirt.

The cover on my board has needed replacing for quite a while and my continued efforts to find a replacement cover have not been successful. Tired of the long search, I opted for a quick fix and bought a new board, new cover, and spare cover to prevent having to go through the same search in the future.

The quick fix didn’t work. The new board was not as wide as I liked and it was not as sturdy as I was use to. Some things are just not made as well as they use to be. I’m not surprised because I’ve known all along what I have needed to do.

Since I have pulled out my sewing machine, my list of projects has grown from just a few to one that has me busy for the next few months. There are the curtains, the bed accents, the napkins, and the pillows and so much more to be made. I’m really looking forward to the spring and summer dresses I’ll make for Lily and me. That is the fun do-it-ourselves I’m looking forward to.

Before the real fun begins, I have a few maintenance items that need to be completed around the house. A few buttons to sew on, a few zippers to replace, and an ironing board cover to make.

I have accepted that we are a do-it-yourself household. If we can’t find it in a store (or even if we can), can make it better or more affordably, or just want a challenge to accomplish, then that is where we will be. If it involves wood, tile, sheet rock, etc, then Darling D can handle it.

You’ll find me standing right beside him handling all things fabric. Darling D and I make a great team.

Groovy Green Giveaways

Milk & Honey Mommy — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:00:42 +0000

I love to win! I mean who doesn’t? If they tell you they don’t, then they’re really just trying win another prize: The One Who Doesn’t Really Care, When They Really Do prize. I especially like to win eco-friendly prizes because my lifestyle leans more towards that way. I also have a particular liking for handmade items because they are made with special care. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against mass production since Target is one of my favortite places to hang out, but will take a one of a kind made item anyday.

Every Sunday, I share a list of Groovy Green Giveaways being offered in the Blogosphere. Most of these are contests in which I entered and thought some of you would like to know are out there too. If you have a green, natural, or handmade giveaway on your blog/site and would like to share it here, then E-mail me at milkandhoneymommy(at)gmail(dot)com by the Friday before each Sunday posting. I would love to list it and would probably be overjoyed to win it too (ahh, that’s a hint!)!

GROOVY GREEN GIVEAWAYS AROUND THE BLOGOSPHERE

Green and Natural
11/15 Organically Hatched Bamboo Bath Robe
11/16 Practically Green: Your Guide to Eco-friendly Decision-Making (book)
11/19 Late July Snack Pack
11/22 AllerMates Necklace/Tag and Wristband Combo
11/28 Noli n Nali Getting Started Gift Set
12/4 Green to Grow Twin Pack of 4oz Baby Bottles

Handmade
11/17 Bellia Mia Pumpkin Patch Babydoll Children’s Clothing Set
11/15 Bows & Jars Turkey Thanksgiving Bow and Christmas Bow

Hallelujah – I Finished

Milk & Honey Mommy — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 05:20:54 +0000

I finally realized that it isn’t a fact that I don’t like making costumes. It also isn’t a fact that I was feeling pressure as a mommy who knows how to sew, that I should be making costumes from scratch - being a little more creative - repurposing something, for all three of my children.

What it really came down to is that I waited until not only the last month, or the last week, but the last few days before the annual Hallelujah Festival at our church to get a clue and realize I was winding down to the zero hours for starting, working on, and completing costumes for the children.

Creative - So far, each year, Lily has made it easy for me. She always wants to be a princess. Grabbing a ready-made, pretty dress out of the closet is so easy. I did get a little more crafty this year and made her this princess crown to go with her white dress.

Repurposing - As late as Thursday afternoon, Canyon was going to be Lightning McQueen, then a cowboy, then something else that I can’t quite remember. While searching through an unpacked box, I found River’s old raincoat and it was then that I decided we needed at least one costume that spoke of the future and fellow service to man; a fireman. He’s worn that coat everywhere we’ve gone since I found it.

Scratch - River taught me that as children grow older, their costume desires are not as simple as they used to be when they were younger. He started off wanting to be a Clone Warrior, but we were able to compromise and a Ninja he is. The costume looked a bit overwhelming to make, which tends to happen when time isn’t on your side, but I was able to sew it together in the little time I had.

I even stirred up enough inspiration (I have absolutely no idea where it came from) to make these bags, which I totally forgot about until River reminded me of them three hours before we were to walk out of the door. For some reason, I work better under pressure. I get the work done, but there has got to be a better way. There is always next year. I’ll start thinking about their costumes for next year in January. I guess what really matters is when I start making them.

Hallelujah (I finished - yippee. yahoo, yowzee) Festival was exciting and a lot of fun. People from our town and surrounding areas attend every year. I’m already looking forward to next year.

River has an arm on him. He nearly knocked over the display on the milk bottles game with his fierce throwing. I guess I better get that boy back on the baseball field.

She may be a princess and have on a pretty white dress, but look out because she can aim and is “mean” with a gun. Just think Princess Leia who didn’t take mess from anyone.

Canyon was a little more mild with his throwing. I think he was still just trying to take everything in.

This was just a pit stop in between playing games, winning candy, and bouncing in the jump houses. I wasn’t too far behind them on the candy. After the festival shut down, I raided (w/permission) the remaining candy baskets and loaded up on MilkyWays. You can never have too many of those.

My little rough and tumble girl. I can put her in a dress, place a crown on her head, and she’ll still be a lover of spiders.

Recycling a Smile

Milk & Honey Mommy — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 04:43:52 +0000

These sweat pants have been haunting me for years. They were Rivers and became one of the few hand me downs Canyon was able to use. After more than two years worth of wear by River, of his own clothing, there is usually nothing left for Canyon to use by the time he’s the right size for the fit.

If you notice the right leg, it has a hole in the knee that has resulted from hours of truck and car playing on hardwood floors, carpet, tile, concrete, and even dirt; the normal wear and tear. I really hate throwing any piece of clothing away just because of a worn hole. The only exception is when is comes to socks. I have a deep dislike for any part of my foot peeking through a hole when it should be in the comfort of a warm sock.

With the exception of the hole, these sweat pants are in reasonably good shape, still have the elastic in tact, and are one of the few pair of pants Canyon has that stay up on his waist without a belt.

As I mentioned before, I’ve been wanting desperately to start back at sewing and this looked like the opportune time to ease into it without having to start from scratch. I did a little measuring and marked off my cutting lines.

Cutting is always fun. It makes me feel like I’m actually doing something towards reaching the finished product unlike marking and pinning which sometimes ~~seams~~ (couldn’t resist) seems like a waste of time.

I guess I could have let it go like this, but I’m a very meticulous seamstress and don’t care for raw edges on the bottom of clothing.

Actually, I just prefer making more work for myself. Why take the quick and easy route when more adventure can be had with more detail?

No matter what you read or what anyone else says, ironing as you go while sewing ISN’T overrated. If you don’t iron, then try making an item and iron it as you go or if you do iron, then trying making an item without ironing anything as you go and see what you get.

Please don’t tell anyone, but I’m a topstitching freak. Whenever I make a pair of pants, shorts, top, etc., I get this really strong urge to topstitch. This feeling even has even come over me in the past while making skirts and dresses, and sometimes even formal wear. When it comes to those, I somehow manage to control myself and don’t often mix satin and topstitching.

I really love seeing this smile over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again.

Just like a kid to burst your bubble. I pulled the sewing machine out again and fixed this hole. Yes, of course I knew it was there, but I was hoping nobody would notice. I’ve been putting off repairing that too.

Groovy Green Giveaways

Milk & Honey Mommy — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 17:47:31 +0000

GROOVY GREEN GIVEAWAYS AROUND THE BLOGOSPHERE

Green and Natural
10/18 Amber Jewelry
10/13 Candles Made from Soy
10/6 Delicae Gourmet $25 Gift Certificate
10/7 Ecotronic Eco Mic Toy
10/15 Green is Black Hemp/Silk Blouse
10/8 Helen’s Kitchen Organic Meals
10/9 KOA Organic t-Shirt
10/18 Lady Lait Eve nursing Gown
10/13 Livie & Luca Shoes Baby or Toddler Shoes
10/7 Lola & Ben $75 Gift Certificate
10/13 Mermaid’s Purse Spa Pack
10/13 My Bump $50 Gift Ceritificate
10/12 Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters Snack Pack
10/13 Outfit Additions $50 Gift Certificate
10/14 Soy Delites Tealights
10/12 Yes to Carrots Lip Glosses and Tints
10/9 UPrinting Custom Greeting Cards (250ct)
10/7 Wee Gallery Woodland Art Cards

Congratulations Grissell!!!

Milk & Honey Mommy — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:02:21 +0000

I’m sure I could have done this a little bit easier, but we’re like that. We often commit random acts of unnecessary behavior.

CONGRATULATIONS GRISSELL!

…and the winner of the Monkitude Organic Inspired Onsie

Milk & Honey Mommy — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:57:54 +0000

I’ve decided to do something a little bit different. You see, what I failed to mention is that I too can be a little bit random. When I opened the giveaway, I was still unsure of how the winner was to be chosen. I know a lot of people use Random.org for their contests/giveaways, so, at the time, it sounded good. There were about seven ladies - 14 entries - who registered for the giveaway (thank you so much), so there really wasn’t a need for such commotion to decide a winner randomly. Well, I started thinking. I could be just as random as the next generator. Heck, if you have children, then you know they can be just as random in their thoughts as well as with their actions at any time.

I say all of that to say again, that I decided to do something a little bit different. We just bought these Popsicle sticks which we call tally sticks when we’re doing our math. It pained me to spend $1 on the package because I know somewhere, packed up in the boxes that still remain in our home is a bundle of Popsicle sticks that we saved after my children, with great effort, licked every bit of frozen fructose off of so we could recycle them and use for art projects, etc. I’m sure I’ll find them sometime soon.

I labeled the sticks with the entry names and made one for each entry submitted, and tossed them into this box. I taped the bottom so no sticks would get stuck under the flaps. River mixed the sticks around, Lily mixed the sticks around, and I even let Canyon do it because you know when two do it, then everyone must do it too. I even got in on the fun and mixed them around the final time.

The question was who would be the one to pull the winner. I thought about letting River do it, but he would have asked a lot of questions before drawing the winning stick. Questions that would have lead to a systematic way of him pulling the winning stick that could have possibly given one contestant an advantage. Since we were going for random, he was out. I then considered letting Lily pull the winning stick, but then River would have commented and since we’re going for random, I didn’t want to experience his predictable response. The only one left was Canyon. I knew I could depend on him to ask no questions, just pull a stick, and go on about his business. In this instance predictability won over randomness.

So, without further ado…click here to see who is the winner.

Don’t Hate Me Because I’m (not) Green

Milk & Honey Mommy — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 03:37:37 +0000

My first taste of blogging was as a writer for a green issues mommy blog. The arena was new and I had an opportunity to be part of team of mommy writers who were blogging about their green journeys. At first, I felt out of place because I wasn’t living a bright neon green life. You see, although I promote more green and natural living, I’ve never professed to be the greenest person in the world. The only idea I was really committed to was making some lifestyle changes that would promote greener, more natural, and more frugal living in our home and for my family. There were still many aspects in my life where I had thought about making changes, but there I was out in the open, writing about the life, and not living every single minute that way. Last year, I made a list of ten ways that I was still not quite so green and the likelihood of me changing wasn’t too probably anytime soon. This is how my list went:

1. I love long hot showers, but I wash my clothes in cold water.
2009 Still the same. I now have a clothes line and as soon as it stops raining, I’ll give it a try.
2. I drive an SUV, but I go to town/drive usually only two days a week because I schedule to save gas, time, and money. Also, the SUV is a perfect size for our large family and everything that comes with one.
2009 I still have the same vehicle, but drive even less.
3. I love buying a bright, shiny, new book to read, but I’ve reduced my magazine subscriptions from four to one and our library cards are used frequently every month.
2009 I stopped all magazine subscriptions completely.
4. I use probably more toilet paper than I should (Is this a women thing?), but I have tremendously reduced the amount of paper towels we use, which I buy recycled.
2009 I use less toilet paper, but have gone back to regular Bounty paper towels. I will be moving towards more cloth options.
5. I will wash a piece of clothing in a minute, but wash large loads and use natural and non-toxic cleaners.
2009 I’m still using the same non-toxic cleaners, but have done better with combining clothes in larger loads.
6. I still occasionally buy bottled water, but use well and filtered water when at home and will finally be buying reusable, BPA free containers next week. Don’t ask me why it took so long. Also, we recycle the bottles because I am determined to buy me a Cagoule hat.
2009 We are a Klean Kanteen loving family and fill up at home, with filtered water, every time we go somewhere.
7. I leave my computer on ALL DAY (please be kind), but don’t watch a lot of television, and do listen to a lot of radio.
2009 Still the same.
8. I still use conventional feminine products, but Nature Mom has made me curious enough to look into trying alternatives to disposables which I may actually do. I never knew of such until I read it there. See, I’m learning.
2009 I’m still using disposables.
9. I have a child who has Asthma, which requires Albuterol treatments, but have found natural alternatives resulting in, I believe, a healthier child. Having been in the trenches a little longer has provided opportunity to find out what works best for him. I was determined for my son to not go the route of “daily, doctor prescribed medication.“ Instead, treatments are required only a few times a year.
2009 River hasn’t used medication in more than two years. Natural alternatives all the way!!!
10. My husband enjoys using his John Deere riding lawn mower (and I love the look and smell of freshly cut grass), but on occasion, he uses his manual lawn mower to get a good workout. With the amount of grass, it’s definitely a work-out.
2009 I still love freshly cut grass and in this rainy part of the world, it has been necessary to John Deere more often.

As I continue my journey, which will be never ending and where I’ll always be learning, I’m happy with where I am at this point. I’ve done some backsliding, but have recovered and continue despite of myself. Going green is personal. There are so many others doing so much more than me and then, there are so many others doing far less than me; there are also others doing nothing at all. Regardless of anyone’s decision to do something or not, going green is not a contest where we have one winner and everyone else is a loser. It is also not about being better than the next mommy as we try to determine who is more green than the other.

Fortunately, there are several ways to be green and as far as shades go, pick anyone you would like. There are quite a few areas in my life where I need to improve choices I make, which would inadvertently make me more green, and also just make better money ~~cents~~ sense. On the other hand, there are some activities in my life that may never change like enjoying long hot showers or the fact that I leave my computer on ALL day. This is my journey and regardless of what anyone thinks, I’m traveling it my way.

If you’ve decided to travel the “green” journey (or not – and why?), how are you doing? What changes have you made? Is it a better way of living for you? How have you involved your children?

Groovy Green Giveaways

Milk & Honey Mommy — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 03:29:50 +0000

GROOVY GREEN GIVEAWAYS AROUND THE BLOGOSPHERE

Green and Natural
9/16 Bibbitec Full Cover Bib for Children
9/16 City Girl Naturals $25 Gift Certificate
9/16 City Girl Naturals Shower Gel/Skin Emulsion Gift Set
9/16 City Girl Naturals Mini Gift Set
10/5 Cloth Diaper
TODAY Earth Mama Angel Baby Gift Basket
9/16 ecoTimeToys $50 Gift Certificate
9/15 Frecklebox Personalized Gift
9/23 Green Toys Recycling Truck
9/15 Kalencom Weekender Diaper Bag
9/22 Kid Basix Safe Sippy 2
9/26 Kid Basix Safe Sporter Child’s Cup
9/18 Mediclear Skin Therapy System
9/21 New Native Baby Sling
9/17 Piggy Paint $20 Gift Certificate
9/22 Piggy Paint $15 Gift Certificate
9/20 Sonoma Soap Body Care Products
9/16 Sunlight Blvd $50 Gift Certificates

Handmade
9/16 Gala Glass $25 Gift Certificate