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Monthly Archives: May 2010
Thank you, weather committee.
Although Sunday is two days away and a lot can happen (this IS northern Michigan after all), I’m thrilled with the weather committee’s work. Sunny and 80 “they” are predicting. Yahoo for an outdoor garden party with lots of very small people because an indoor garden party is kind of ridiculous, right? So happy about this that I already made a little sign to hang across the front steps.
Still lots to do, but I’m just tickled to be celebrating the little birdie’s first birthday party that my excitement is sort of trumping my fatigue/stress/anxiety. In the midst of it all, we’re refinancing 605 and the appraiser guy is coming this afternoon. All that finance stuff makes my head spin, but luckily Chris is in my life and he makes me feel at ease about all of that yucky number stuff. Ugghhh. I know it’s worth it, but when it rains it pours, eh?
Have any fun summery weekend plans? I’m so very looking forward to seeing lots of family and friends. I’m pretty sure I’ll need a vacation come Tuesday, but in a good way.
Best!
Tummy Tub, of course!
I’ve been asked a few times recently for gift ideas for new parents. There are so many great things out there and while handmade items are always trump in my book, the Tummy Tub is a unique, thoughtful, useful gift that we love to rave about. Shortly after we first brought Wren home from the hospital and looked at each other, like “now what?” we bathed her in a traditional tub and she screamed. Oops. Fresh from the womb, exposure like that is not fun. For anyone. But she took right away to her Tummy Tub. And so did we. How cute is a baby in a bucket?
We started using it shortly after she was born. According to the manufacturer (and we agree!), it’s “an easy, stress-free and safe way to bathe and settle your baby. Developed in cooperation with physicians, midwives and nursery nurses, the TummyTub eases the transition from the secure environment of the womb to the new world. The unique womb shape helps your baby to relax and become calm in the familiar fetal position. Surrounded by water, which stays warmer for longer due to the small surface area, your baby feels confident and secure.”
Here are some shots of Wren in her Tummy Tub. So cute and fun!
Wren first started pulling herself in her Tummy Tub and then we really couldn’t be doing dishes at the same time anymore… Damn!
Bonus, dear readers! It’s green. The ultimate green baby bath tub: saves water, energy, space, and is fully recyclable. Designed and produced in Europe with very high quality standards, the TummyTub is completely BPA, PVC, lead, Phthalate, and toxin free. Not to mention it has passed all worldwide safety regulations and testing.
Don’t you love those Europeans and all their great ideas? Cheers!
Dig for Victory
While on the one hand I’m immeasurably happier when there’s a full bag of pretzels in the cupboard, our nest is consciously trying to eat whole foods, more locally grown produce and cook most days of the week instead of going out to eat. We’re also working on getting the garden going too so I’m inspired by the timeless nature of this quote from 70+ years ago: “We want not only the big man with the plough but the little man with the spade to get busy this autumn. Let ‘Dig for Victory’ be the motto of everyone with a garden,” – Rob Hudson, Minister for Agriculture, in October 1939.
So this Etsy find appeals to my sensibilities. It’s a new design based on a US Food Administration poster from the World Wars. Have room in your kitchen for it?
I’m equally as smitten by this t-shirt, which is based on a Depression-era design as well. What do you think, dear readers? Although it comes in other colors, isn’t this green the best choice?
How’s your Victory Garden coming along? Mine is WAY behind or maybe these 90+ days are making me feel like it and I’m OK. I noticed LOTS of starts at the farmer’s market this past weekend, which made me smile. Don’t you love the hope that’s embodied in the first leaves of a musk melon? Cheers, lovelies!
cute-as-a-heart button
Dear readers, I just had to share another cute-as-a-(green heart)button outfit that Wren received for her birthday. This time, a handmade dress from SweetPea and Co. So a-door-bell, right? The colors, the fabric, the thoughtful details. Love!
I especially love the detail on the chest. Isn’t that beautifully done and yet whimsical and fun?
In other (somewhat related) news, I am in desperate need of a new digital camera as you may have noticed… I’m looking for a new or used DSLR, which would be compatible with my Minolta lenses from my old manual camera. Sounds like a Sony Alpha series from my research. Any advice you’d like to share, lovelies? Do you have a DSLR that you love?
World’s cutest skirt!
One of Wren’s lovely aunts gave Wren this skirt for her birthday. Isn’t it wonderful, funky and fun? We love it! Here are some more designs by Pretty Me:
Don’t you know a little girl who would just delight in wearing one of these? They make me smile. You?
Happy Birthday!
Happy first birthday, dearest Wren Sabina! You have brought us immeasurable joy and taught us so much about ourselves and the world. Thank you for being so wonderful! You are such a gift. XO
Do you like my hat?
Capturing a simple moment in time, inspired by SouleMama.
On the cusp of one year. 75 and sunny. Do you like my hat?
Invites. Check!
So I’m a bit behind in Wren’s birthday party planning. I JUST got the invites out and the party’s on the 30th… Did I mention that I was a bit behind? But I’m really happy with the design. Just wish I had gotten it done last week. Alas…
- Invites. Check!
- Birthday banner. Check! Although I had a ridiculous (?) thought yesterday that I would make a new one in fuchsia and tangerine to match the other party elements…
- Cups and napkins. Check!
- Cupcake ingredients. Check!
- Candle in the shape of a number one. Check!
- Menu of sugary goodness. Check!
- Thumbelina zinnia plants growing well for the favors. Check!
- Party dress. Check!
- Beautiful weather…. ?
- Thinking of making some of these wheatgrass centerpieces for the dessert table. Have you ever done this? I like these. How springy!
Now I’m pondering a fun activity for the older kids – other than eating sugar. Any ideas, dear readers?
Grapefruit pits?
I am no hippy. But (you could see that coming, right?) I have been trying to go a deeper shade of green in our nest and this weekend, I admit to experiencing what I will coin a “happy hippy moment.” Our nest used up all the homemade laundry soap that I posted about last month so I decided to make a double batch this time.
While Chris mowed the lawn with Wren on his back…
I decided to make a batch of homemade deodorant (not anti-perspirant) that I read about a while back on How About Orange’s blog. It appealed to me because I’ve tried just about every “natural” deodorant out there with mixed results and I cringe when I think of all the sticks I’ve thrown away (err, recycled, but still) over the years. For the last few months I had been using Tom’s and of course, like most of the crunchy ones, it smells pretty good (lavender), but the smell doesn’t last and by the end of the day, I’m smelling a bit too ripe. God forbid if I run or practice yoga then smell my pits. Alright, enough personal blah blah blah about my arm pits. Moving on.
Furthermore, the crunchy stuff is pretty darn expensive so this DIY deodorant was sounding more and more desirable. But was it going to actually work? I often have that gut-reaction to a DIY crunchy solution to life’s battles. Probably because the marketing wizards and all the fancy pants packaging has convinced me that there’s no way a “home remedy” was going to work…
But I’m here to tell you that after a weekend of wearing it, I’m thrilled with the results. Really! I wish again for a scratch-and-sniff blog feature so you could’ve smelled my pits after a kick-a** ashtanga yoga practice this morning, but alas, no such luck. You’ll just have to take my word for it.
I guess you’ll just have to have a “happy hippy moment” of your own and make some. You will not be sorry.
Grapefruit Pits Deodorant
Ingredients:
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup arrowroot powder
4 tablespoons coconut oil
10 drops/shakes grapefruit essential oil
A tin or jar with lid
This amount will probably last about 4-5 months. Wow!
How to:
In a bowl, stir together your dry ingredients, then add the oils gradually until you like the consistency, mixing together with a fork. Note: Mine got a bit too thick to stir together at one point so I zapped it in the microwave to increase the viscosity and made it oh-so-easy to stir. Scoop into your container of choice and store the closed container at room temperature.
To apply, scoop up a bit with your finger, hold it against your skin for a couple seconds so it melts a little, then rub around.
Absolutely lovely! Thanks, How About Orange, for the great tutorial. I’ll be forever thankful.
How was your weekend, dear readers? Any progress on your gardens? Did you kick back and read a good book? Eat anything good? I’d love to hear about it.
Best!