tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74164377107641198742024-02-20T09:53:08.604-08:00Discovering Me AgainA journey of self-discovery as a woman, wife and mother. Oh, and lots of baby pictures.Fromagettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632833106511956930noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7416437710764119874.post-12236733101534564372012-04-30T09:58:00.000-07:002012-04-30T09:58:03.922-07:00Introducing Eleanor Jean!Easter Sunday: Big and incomfortable
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Friday the 13th: After only 8 hours of active labor and only 2 hours at the birthcenter, Eleanor arrives.
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Two weeks later: Awesome friend wants to practice photography. Aren't they cute!
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Birth stats:
Born 6:44am April 13th
Weight: 9 lbs 8 oz
Length: 21.75 inches
Head: 13 inches
Birth: complete natural and drug free
For those that are interested, I do plan on posting a birth story when I get it written.Fromagettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632833106511956930noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7416437710764119874.post-39995588745184598112012-02-02T09:11:00.000-08:002012-02-02T09:54:31.594-08:00Musings of a Pregnant Mom: Home birth vs. Hospital birthToday I was reading an article online about a home birth advocate who died during childbirth. Being the glutton for punishment that I am, I decided to read the comments below the article and, of course, they made me mad. So mad that even though I am not one to post comments where they can be dragged through the mud, I need to get my thoughts out there before I go insane.<br /><br />First and formost, I have absolutely no problems with home births. Also, with some qualifications, I have no problems with those who chose to have their babies in the hospital. But it really gets me when people say that those who chose a home birth are uninformed and endagering their lives as well as the lives of their children. So here is my response to those people.<br /><br />Yes, it is important to be informed when making a decision regarding the birth of your child. And yes, those that have tragic experiences with home birth may have been uninformed, but not in the way that you think. Those who have hospital births may be just as poorly informed as those home birth moms. When choosing where and with whom you want to have your baby, the most important thing about which you should be well informed is your health care provider. There are good doctors and not so good doctors. There are good midwives and not so good midwives. Whatever kind of birth experience you choose, you must be well informed on the person overseeing your birth.<br /><br />When choosing a midwife, you need to know their record. How long have they been attending births? What is their maternal/infant mortality rate? What is their hospital transfer rate? Are they licensed? Can you get references from previous birth moms who have used their services? Is the midwife sensitive to your needs and concerns? What is your midwife's plan if something seems to be wrong? In my opinion, you need to find a midwife who meets your needs and desires as well as being careful to observe warning signs and get you the care you need before it is too late.<br /><br />While those in the medical field stress how important it is to be informed when it comes to our care, how many future moms do you know that know anything about their OBs and hospitals? Just like for midwives, moms need to closely examine their OBs and the hospitals they work at. How long have they been practicing? What is their maternal/infant mortality rate? What is their cesarean rate? Are interventions like Pitocin, episiotomies, forceps, epidurals etc routine or are they only used when necessary? Do they talk to you about the risks of each procedure before they perform it? Are they sensitive to your needs and concerns? Do they involve you in the decision process or do they just tell you what is going to happen? Just because you are giving birth in a hospital does not mean that everything is going to be safe and perfect. However, by choosing a good provider, you can minimize your risks just like you would by choosing a good midwife for a home birth.<br /><br />Now, what have I chosen for my next birth experience? I am going with a group of midwives that operate a birth center. My main midwife has a fabulous track record (25 years worth) and the birth center as a whole has amazing stats <br />(ie very low hopital transfers, very low cesarean rate and no maternal/infant mortality). I feel very comfortable with the care that I receive there and know that they will get me the help that I need if warning signs appear. I do NOT feel like I am uninformed and while I am not choosing to have a home birth (they suduced me with talks of massages and meals brought in to me which I would not get at home), these same midwives do attend home births and I would feel comfortable having them attend any future home births I might plan.<br /><br />Ok, I'll step down from the soap box now. Have a great day!Fromagettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632833106511956930noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7416437710764119874.post-79737564376940211912011-08-14T19:06:00.000-07:002011-08-14T19:35:59.711-07:00Welcome to Jackson Acres!I'd like to be the first to welcome you to our new home.
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<br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQEoQ4sSXLtkyPFTOjEzod8bd2OehxMopHgdNVyg9ENoEitp7GLat-fiE6jNOGInxWtpam5w1sWpAq-mh2-McRkQOeq5hmXC917eYVzGGFhrV2M1gtMOc0oJ7IzrvMq94oZ2VueuxETc/s1600/back+home+view.jpg"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 54px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640899380509863762 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQEoQ4sSXLtkyPFTOjEzod8bd2OehxMopHgdNVyg9ENoEitp7GLat-fiE6jNOGInxWtpam5w1sWpAq-mh2-McRkQOeq5hmXC917eYVzGGFhrV2M1gtMOc0oJ7IzrvMq94oZ2VueuxETc/s320/back+home+view.jpg"></A>
<br />That's right! We are buying a home! And not just any home....
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<br />Our new residence includes the following:
<br />2.13 acres (Can you hear chickens?)
<br />partially unfinished basement
<br />irrigation
<br />well established apple trees (and a few nuts. No, I'm not talking about us.)
<br />grape, raspberry and blackberry vines
<br />black walnut tree just begging for a tree house
<br />hardwood floors
<br />roomy kitchen
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<br />We really are buying our dream home. Because I'm too tired to do much else, here are some pictures for your enjoyment.
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<br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3eggDix21EQFcQjqc_smYiko2WxuQc5oHIx4RC-b_cFPQudJqnQOY3Nbme_xfqc-kPSD6hhAyOgnWnsaDN0Ag_Db217F7Eg2WynH1YiFwi9VKIWkIxf_drh8OIVb1XqdPHJwQbqsGhyM/s1600/IMG_6228.JPG"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640902347828558722 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3eggDix21EQFcQjqc_smYiko2WxuQc5oHIx4RC-b_cFPQudJqnQOY3Nbme_xfqc-kPSD6hhAyOgnWnsaDN0Ag_Db217F7Eg2WynH1YiFwi9VKIWkIxf_drh8OIVb1XqdPHJwQbqsGhyM/s320/IMG_6228.JPG"></A>
<br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHSPc1K09JNAENoPTeEtKwLhKTpuWMXRltyUxrF59v9yAgdOUTOpHqiCTRnlGUVfmJC_CW6RlIeCBPUQWX28SoQI4Cf3gEJpp52NBwnPzu-sUWMtLrL19HqH5CklA7AefkIXU5aYjL2I/s1600/IMG_6213.JPG"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640902353520080338 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHSPc1K09JNAENoPTeEtKwLhKTpuWMXRltyUxrF59v9yAgdOUTOpHqiCTRnlGUVfmJC_CW6RlIeCBPUQWX28SoQI4Cf3gEJpp52NBwnPzu-sUWMtLrL19HqH5CklA7AefkIXU5aYjL2I/s320/IMG_6213.JPG"></A>
<br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixN_bQQARWOglsezVsnvY25fWYRAUr8jmDWztfzCc1pURsMbrPOko8Q_LP4QF4U2bKv9BjVVEcLFwOl_4izKzjvptQHUjZcUwyUPekhkfOw2BX1EBIZgjumH04LZCo7Qww5JKr1D5zln0/s1600/IMG_6169.JPG"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640902354164829410 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixN_bQQARWOglsezVsnvY25fWYRAUr8jmDWztfzCc1pURsMbrPOko8Q_LP4QF4U2bKv9BjVVEcLFwOl_4izKzjvptQHUjZcUwyUPekhkfOw2BX1EBIZgjumH04LZCo7Qww5JKr1D5zln0/s320/IMG_6169.JPG"></A>
<br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JtsmMw3O4mJMF7_ZCf_w7WmhMj92pv6SOXK_E9O17r48Vq1QuTV9neZBxEHNwgIqr0kQzq3rHFmN9aIFxAhz5VTS_HrBDyiMd9e8N5DMt7AwRbDcGmkH759YOlruXKj_5CdGpLnS0jg/s1600/IMG_6234.JPG"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640902735792231762 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JtsmMw3O4mJMF7_ZCf_w7WmhMj92pv6SOXK_E9O17r48Vq1QuTV9neZBxEHNwgIqr0kQzq3rHFmN9aIFxAhz5VTS_HrBDyiMd9e8N5DMt7AwRbDcGmkH759YOlruXKj_5CdGpLnS0jg/s320/IMG_6234.JPG"></A>
<br />Karl took some vidoes as well, but they are too long to post here. I'll see what I can do.Fromagettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632833106511956930noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7416437710764119874.post-1572800088970672312011-01-06T13:21:00.000-08:002011-01-06T13:26:13.010-08:00We have a job!After just a few months of unemployment, we have received a job offer (two actually) and have accepted one. What a great feeling it is to know that in a month Hubby will be earning an actual income. Even better, we don't have to move. Since his job will be 15 minutes from where we currently live, we'll continue to live with my sister until we save enough for a nice down payment.<br /><br />Hurray!!!Fromagettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632833106511956930noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7416437710764119874.post-58996044341597185902011-01-03T10:29:00.000-08:002011-01-06T13:18:41.090-08:00Not your usual "Dinner in a Pumpkin"Have any of you been intrigued by the idea of dinner in a pumpkin? I have. I think it is a wonderful idea, despite the fact that all the stuffed pumpkins I had experienced were, ummm, <em>interesting</em>: too much sugar, too much ground beef, cream of mushroom soup, and all sorts of other processed food options. Since I'm all for healthy, homemade, whole foods, I decided to come up with my own recipe. I was amazed at how easy it was to come up with a delicious recipe that met all my requirements, and now you can be amazed too!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrv1Avdwer6jEV79UjSGIYsIASAHLciNhV9ouS5GL6wm3apnkSXsYIvhtV4UhNzJmyrkkdk62-gMoYrTPMn9tAlQld0wInzWCT8aZIfoFRX6tEaWlPHGcJutVr-BHO2fEKsik6XJFmT8/s1600/IMG_5791.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557660332144840994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrv1Avdwer6jEV79UjSGIYsIASAHLciNhV9ouS5GL6wm3apnkSXsYIvhtV4UhNzJmyrkkdk62-gMoYrTPMn9tAlQld0wInzWCT8aZIfoFRX6tEaWlPHGcJutVr-BHO2fEKsik6XJFmT8/s320/IMG_5791.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:150;">Not your usual dinner in a pumpkin<br /></span>1 5 LB Winter Squash<br />1 cup Quinoa<br />1 cup Onion , chopped<br />3 cloves Garlic , minced<br />1 cup Mushrooms , sliced<br />2 cups Vegetable broth<br />4 cups Kale , finely chopped<br />1 cup Meat , such as browned sausage or ground beef, cooked chicken, or whatever you have on hand<br />4 leaves Sage, finely minced<br /><br />Instructions<br />Start with an eating squash (not a jack-o-lantern pumpkin). I've used amber cup and kabocha squashes with amazing results. Cut a lid out of the top like a jack-o-lantern and scrape out all the seeds and strings. Lightly salt inside the pumpkin and set aside.<br /><br />In a small saucepan heat a small amount of vegetable oil or butter and add the onions and garlic. Cook them until translucent and tender. Add the mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes. Add the sage, quinoa, and veggie broth and cook until the water is mostly gone. Add the kale and stir in. If desired, stir in the meat and then put the whole mixture into the cavity of the pumpkin.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfF_z0OKI5tGAtJZ5SrzaTH7JIMQYkMzIT8ekTlKJBuU3tESn2ziXMTyRHmr4SYf2iPbxXuLGXMmOrA0CrWHqMK06O3wDJVGP3d-GnoC76A1VfGSnh5DQ7DCuYMUj0ke9Vg9dZrCfPp8/s1600/IMG_5787.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557661391977315762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfF_z0OKI5tGAtJZ5SrzaTH7JIMQYkMzIT8ekTlKJBuU3tESn2ziXMTyRHmr4SYf2iPbxXuLGXMmOrA0CrWHqMK06O3wDJVGP3d-GnoC76A1VfGSnh5DQ7DCuYMUj0ke9Vg9dZrCfPp8/s200/IMG_5787.JPG" /></a>Place a small piece of foil over the opening and replace the lid of the pumpkin. Put the squash on a cookie sheet or in an oven safe dish and bake for 1.5 to 2 hours, or when the squash can be easily pierced with a fork.<br /><br />Remove whole pumpkin to a serving dish. Make sure to scrape the sides of the pumpkin as you serve so you get all that yummy squash!<br /><br />Some notes:<br />You can use brown rice or a mix of brown rice and quinoa. If you use a mix, add the brown rice first, let it cook for about ten minutes, and then add the quinoa.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEkYChMbRG_g-zj4N2Kq4jUmVzZaLOkjbYEZs6h-mkALTyJKhX4NUkMkUMdLKdJx97OFU1yKrOeJaLWfvja-N4RGM61vGuo-wagWw3i-cWRE0vV5QhEHGtKAdy14YGGgEnNp19G6-2d4/s1600/IMG_5790.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557665380268364962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEkYChMbRG_g-zj4N2Kq4jUmVzZaLOkjbYEZs6h-mkALTyJKhX4NUkMkUMdLKdJx97OFU1yKrOeJaLWfvja-N4RGM61vGuo-wagWw3i-cWRE0vV5QhEHGtKAdy14YGGgEnNp19G6-2d4/s200/IMG_5790.JPG" /></a>The meat is optional. This dish can be a very tasty vegetarian or vegan meal.<br /><br />If you don't like kale, I'm sorry. But if you really must replace it with something else, know that kale works because it takes some cooking to get it tender. Whatever you use will need to be similar so you don't end up with vegetable mush. If you haven't tried kale, you should! It doesn't have a strong, "aquired taste" flavor, <a href="http://www.culinate.com/search/q,vt=top,q=kale/218157">tastes fabulous with garlic</a>, and is so healthy.Fromagettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632833106511956930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7416437710764119874.post-28313751287044909132010-11-07T08:47:00.000-08:002010-11-07T08:59:28.124-08:00Jack should have been a bakerThis is the butter that I made.<br /><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KdjGCaPa16DbgqEowr_e4rdyUaht4X73XUwQpvQ0-V5Nux1Un0OeJcROlVtH5WPsnDK0ugT2oQdz1SF0MAmEvAmi6_MaXa8N_4Rgj7aTBJcstNjZcz7oEZ2vu0vBVSqV-EMjClYDmXc/s1600/IMG_5767.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KdjGCaPa16DbgqEowr_e4rdyUaht4X73XUwQpvQ0-V5Nux1Un0OeJcROlVtH5WPsnDK0ugT2oQdz1SF0MAmEvAmi6_MaXa8N_4Rgj7aTBJcstNjZcz7oEZ2vu0vBVSqV-EMjClYDmXc/s320/IMG_5767.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> </div><br />This is the dough that was rolled in thin layers <br />With the butter that I made.<br /><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXbUcCbX8Cqze_6-QnZHXBWgjkT8qVJIwFR48DXQ41RP5gJLEgK2CFKBJHZBdXYgTdB44Wx4a3REWsajAZkxz2sH2AUQTSx7mDLfHpNbxsjRLGpvOY3uJQmLQ8Z-Vez-WDVIOKCk9Qeg/s1600/IMG_5798.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXbUcCbX8Cqze_6-QnZHXBWgjkT8qVJIwFR48DXQ41RP5gJLEgK2CFKBJHZBdXYgTdB44Wx4a3REWsajAZkxz2sH2AUQTSx7mDLfHpNbxsjRLGpvOY3uJQmLQ8Z-Vez-WDVIOKCk9Qeg/s320/IMG_5798.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> </div><br />These are the pastries baked from the dough<br />That was rolled in thin layers <br />With the butter that I made.<br /><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZd45UC-oKFori9bjupk2Wp4LS2oPJGd9y1BFX-JRRmY4U_PvxxvHHlPK2clpR4dZqjNNDs-K4tq6JKkkXNmMg08T37ZAW8bLzbrA8vSiRA_dxF0vo43WTKdSMCNSABp6rqLI0C-EcIo/s1600/IMG_5799.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZd45UC-oKFori9bjupk2Wp4LS2oPJGd9y1BFX-JRRmY4U_PvxxvHHlPK2clpR4dZqjNNDs-K4tq6JKkkXNmMg08T37ZAW8bLzbrA8vSiRA_dxF0vo43WTKdSMCNSABp6rqLI0C-EcIo/s320/IMG_5799.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> </div><br />These are the layers found in the pastries (243 of them, baby!)<br />That were baked from the dough<br />That was rolled in thin layers <br />With the butter that I made.<br /><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfR61xn4tSfOU9BRzXnea3LCva8fzDS-hTX3A7xXkyf__TjOSFrq4SeGw7XdYdY4GI0-90I8PhmddflS1RjrBFARJM4Qrhd2_UT83xleqOFcE5RooTESKFtAFNhfA28IzFXd-uXB_aKUg/s1600/IMG_5806.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfR61xn4tSfOU9BRzXnea3LCva8fzDS-hTX3A7xXkyf__TjOSFrq4SeGw7XdYdY4GI0-90I8PhmddflS1RjrBFARJM4Qrhd2_UT83xleqOFcE5RooTESKFtAFNhfA28IzFXd-uXB_aKUg/s320/IMG_5806.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> </div><br />These are the children devouring the layers (all 243 of them!)<br />That were found in the pastries<br />That were baked from the dough<br />That was rolled in thin layers <br />With the butter that I made.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNgKhMDHXSkiwxzY4BNVMzCIij-31Bh12kDVwHPV5qjVZcsQpWCwmeWZeYvqPsePEi73K8z-I62LYe93dG1saXFbQ1g1emfVWLvrPL6MOijcXqI2oxMc7vwJIpLZS8PnM9EFzLgdkprs/s1600/November+10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNgKhMDHXSkiwxzY4BNVMzCIij-31Bh12kDVwHPV5qjVZcsQpWCwmeWZeYvqPsePEi73K8z-I62LYe93dG1saXFbQ1g1emfVWLvrPL6MOijcXqI2oxMc7vwJIpLZS8PnM9EFzLgdkprs/s320/November+10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536851535252041986" /></a><br /><br />By the way, I love <a href="http://www.culinate.com/books/book_reviews/is_real_cooking_a_lost_art">this book</a>.Fromagettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632833106511956930noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7416437710764119874.post-43223642735168419692010-10-22T09:00:00.000-07:002010-10-22T09:31:47.337-07:00Musings of a Food Crazed Weirdo: The Best Food WebsiteWhen it comes to blogs/websites/etc, if you want to me to be a follower you have got to be pretty special. If don't know you, you have got to be extra, extra special. And if you are a website dedicated to food, well, let's just say I'm picky.<br /><br />Because I am so picky, I just have to share <a href="http://www.culinate.com/home">my newest favorite food website </a>that I happened to stumble upon just a few months ago. And for something to beat <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/">Epicurious</a>, that is saying something. I would highly recommend it, especially for recipes for those obscure veggies. We just can't get enough of this <a href="http://www.culinate.com/search/q,ctype=recipe,q=kale/218157">kale recipe</a> and there are so many other recipes I can't wait to try.<br /><br />But it isn't just the recipes! I love their articles. OK, sure, they are a little heavy on the local food, non-industrial food thing, but I like that. I like good honest food without fillers etc (I noticed my heaving whipping cream had added skim milk, oils, and a thickener. How is that cream?). It is amazing how much more control you have over what you eat when you start with the basics. I discovered that it is possible to make your own baking powder after my newest sister-in-law mentioned that commercial baking powder has cornstarch, to which she is allergic. I've tried it (1 part baking soda, 2 parts cream of tartar) and it works well. And I control what goes into my food.<br /><br />Enough of that soapbox, I do really like Culinate. Check it out. You just might like it too.Fromagettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632833106511956930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7416437710764119874.post-36740469977908311342010-09-17T08:59:00.000-07:002010-09-17T09:14:04.818-07:00Oh where, oh where has my little boy gone?Yesterday was a momentous day in our family. We lost our cute little cherubic, surfer dude little boy. This is was he looked like:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislqpOX9yXt_YJar03KZzp4dmKdlhiU0_VUfb9vqo27ysoreB3eh_7CJ7vJi9lYLSETEhkpLXVYtb1R3CfJWC9F_Nhh6rMpmKzX2XDoOFpvXGoDl0oEcBuMJAq886l56Daqg_WFsdwZ4A/s1600/IMG_5458.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislqpOX9yXt_YJar03KZzp4dmKdlhiU0_VUfb9vqo27ysoreB3eh_7CJ7vJi9lYLSETEhkpLXVYtb1R3CfJWC9F_Nhh6rMpmKzX2XDoOFpvXGoDl0oEcBuMJAq886l56Daqg_WFsdwZ4A/s320/IMG_5458.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517913452497286450" /></a><br />Isn't he adorable? I loved his sunbleached, angelic curls, but they was starting to get long. Well, they would on an almost two year old who has <em>never</em> had his hair cut. So, we decided to take the plunge.<br /><br />The night before, we got the clippers out and let Mathias play with the guards, hold the clippers, and feel what it is like when it is on. Fast forward to yesterday afternoon and we once again got the clippers out, this time to cut Hubby's hair. Then we asked Mathias if it was his turn. He said yes.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6LHNNwSyCIYrtmGFO35wWSzug0MVrQPyhr-blf_FLbnw6bksR9H5DsRJtBoVE48lCEqB9TdBrZyrPGpP9KH2JmXbd6YIVcgn3GToA-AJYQkhSCeu2f0t2ZQiJzOmd6qSE_K23VDCry4/s1600/IMG_5469.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6LHNNwSyCIYrtmGFO35wWSzug0MVrQPyhr-blf_FLbnw6bksR9H5DsRJtBoVE48lCEqB9TdBrZyrPGpP9KH2JmXbd6YIVcgn3GToA-AJYQkhSCeu2f0t2ZQiJzOmd6qSE_K23VDCry4/s320/IMG_5469.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517914640879827778" /></a><br />Oh, where is my cute little boy!? (Yes, I know he is still cute, but I so miss those curls.)Fromagettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632833106511956930noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7416437710764119874.post-88161393055495536652010-08-22T09:29:00.000-07:002010-08-22T09:33:37.806-07:00It finally happened!Just so you all know, Hubby defended his dissertation this past Wednesday and his committee has decided that he can graduate. Ah, what a feeling! All he has left to do is get his reading committee to sign off on his actual dissertation and then jump through whatever hoops the graduate student office has prepared and then we are free. Here's to hoping that a job isn't too far behind.Fromagettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632833106511956930noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7416437710764119874.post-52894521065339750482010-06-29T13:25:00.000-07:002010-06-29T14:19:47.270-07:00Crunchy, not CrustyMy sister would say that I've been living in Seattle too long. While I certainly don't disagree with her, for completely different reasons, I definitely have changed in the five years we have been here. (Don't get me wrong. I do love living here.)<br /><br />One of those many changes include how I take care of myself, personal hygiene-wise. Now, I have not become a non-shaving, skirt wearing, non-bathing, dreadlocked hippy. In fact, none of those descriptions would apply to me, except for skirt wearing and only on Sundays. But I have stopped using shampoo and conditioner.<br /><br />Now, before you get up and move as far from me as possible, I promise you my hair is clean. Very clean and probably the healthiest it's been in years. It is even coming in a little wavy, something that I've never used to describe my hair, except on the odd day with 99% humidity. It's growing out now, but I even had that lovely halo of new hair growing in for a while. You know, the one that makes your hair look frizzy no matter what you do? It is finally getting long enough that it isn't as bad, but that means my hair will be thicker, and I need it!<br /><br />So, when did I start this rather crunchy habit? Well, I first <a href="http://simplemom.net/how-to-clean-your-hair-without-shampoo/">read about it </a>in September '09, thought seriously about it in November '09, and did something about it in December '09. That's been more than six months of being shampoo free. And I love it.<br /><br />Why do I love it? Well, my hair has responded very well to it. But it is more than that. It is also very "green", which also appeals to me, <a href="http://annastiredmom.blogspot.com/2008/10/cloth-diapers-and-reason-for-green.html">for reasons I'm not sure of</a>. The final reason, and perhaps my favorite, is cost. It is SO CHEAP. A tablespoon of baking soda lasts me about two weeks. A tablespoon of baking soda costs three cents (if you pay a dollar a box). Add a couple pennies for the water and suddenly you are paying 10 cents or less a month to wash your hair. Compare that to the $3 a bottle (at least) I was spending before. The apple cider vinegar rinse is more expensive, but still probably only ends up being 20-30 cents a month. You do the math.<br /><br />Unfortunately, I don't have a good picture of my hair to show off. But really, who wants to see a close up of my hair anyway. Just trust me; it looks great.Fromagettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632833106511956930noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7416437710764119874.post-85446868907763870062010-06-15T13:40:00.000-07:002010-06-15T13:53:16.590-07:00It is finally gone!Six-ish months ago we had <a href="http://annastiredmom.blogspot.com/2009/11/ummm-so-what-do-i-do-now.html">the great cookie fiasco</a>. Since I just can't get rid of anything useful, the flour/sugar mixture sat in the cupboard and even survived the move into our new place. Finally, about a month ago, I sat down with a calculator and figured out how much of the "cookie mix" I would need to replace the sugar in a recipe for challah.<br /><br />And today, I used the very last of the "cookie mix".<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRssxr_PbnjrrDgUsG0l2-9LOGoDFyIo4LZlFmPPwWyjQ4x9P8V-XtmyuUu4k0R47bmOCryHwaqbIpk-OPfJgNtR2SgVd6iYgo3b-_0I07RxoQTamBD7MAdieSuCi_deIMDbu9Nbw2Szo/s1600/IMG_5066.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRssxr_PbnjrrDgUsG0l2-9LOGoDFyIo4LZlFmPPwWyjQ4x9P8V-XtmyuUu4k0R47bmOCryHwaqbIpk-OPfJgNtR2SgVd6iYgo3b-_0I07RxoQTamBD7MAdieSuCi_deIMDbu9Nbw2Szo/s320/IMG_5066.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483105655545218162" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJ5y1eKfp8V8Jw5djdOy3kkKdy8Lq8uguDJXSzkVs2ariPHEai-QamCUZ4tr1_vrbnDuvNYH9W7JYCZILdrJid4EvfSKi5_Ds3MSZQe_qyghyEse1SPTE7NV2AP0iei2TLuzcG3xZS_E/s1600/IMG_5064.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJ5y1eKfp8V8Jw5djdOy3kkKdy8Lq8uguDJXSzkVs2ariPHEai-QamCUZ4tr1_vrbnDuvNYH9W7JYCZILdrJid4EvfSKi5_Ds3MSZQe_qyghyEse1SPTE7NV2AP0iei2TLuzcG3xZS_E/s320/IMG_5064.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483105898426347650" /></a><br />By the way, challah makes marvelous french toast.Fromagettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632833106511956930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7416437710764119874.post-73190050860737935622010-06-14T10:51:00.000-07:002010-06-14T11:18:12.034-07:00Nothing is ever as you expectIn my last post, I was rather optimistic that my managing days were over and that the a life of peace and happiness was ahead of me. No such luck. It took a MONTH for them to find a replacement and I was stupid enough to offer to continue to work until they found a new manager or the end of March, which ever came first. Now that I'm not having nightmares about what happened (I really did have a few), I'll tell you the story.<br /><br />March 1st: We were in process of evicting someone in the building. I got a call that day from a family member of the tenant involved saying he was at the building to pick up the tenant and would I please open the front door. I did so and stayed around until they left. And left they did: everything that was in the apartment. I didn't dare go near the apartment until several days later, and then only with someone with me. The place was filthy and was basically a drug house.<br /><br />I almost quit right then, but I have an overactive sense of duty and I couldn't just abandon them. I did, however, refuse to clean anything in the apartment. The maintenance crew picked up all the needles, a junk removal company cleaned out the junk, and a cleaning company did the cleaning.<br /><br />Wait a minute, you might say, did you just say needles? How many needles could their be? 10? 50? Try this:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU68osOfqhYWMGmq8g-UXLWR1ZkT2_sjXLLgOsSMMXhXvueWow2VrRgiI59B0f5erKwxQ9gT3Xvg9G2t6NzGM7qz10JN9hR0a8X6yJP9iE_uhxcGecimKGWNBBjQOQTbViMWoTG86uh40/s1600/IMG_4936.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU68osOfqhYWMGmq8g-UXLWR1ZkT2_sjXLLgOsSMMXhXvueWow2VrRgiI59B0f5erKwxQ9gT3Xvg9G2t6NzGM7qz10JN9hR0a8X6yJP9iE_uhxcGecimKGWNBBjQOQTbViMWoTG86uh40/s320/IMG_4936.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482691757124440674" /></a> <br />Yes, that is the bathtub. Yes, it is full. No, no one believed me that it was as bad as I said it was, not even my property manager or the company that disposed of all of them for us. A friend of mine who works for the police department told her boss who thought "Yeah, sure. I'm sure the bottom of the tub is covered, but that's it." HA!<br /><br />It is only got worse, if that is possible. We had fresh needles showing up in the parking garage for a while. Then the former tenants druggie friends were kind enough to break into every single storage unit in the garage and steal from a couple of them. Then a week later THEY STARTED TO DO IT AGAIN!!!! They only stopped when we changed the locks on all the outside doors.<br /><br />And then they finally found a new manager and I was thrilled! And a week or so after that I finally turned my keys in. Oh, what a happy day that was!<br /><br />What have I been doing since that blessed day? Trying not to have nightmares and spending plenty of time outside in our yard. I'll try to post more soon, if I can.Fromagettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632833106511956930noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7416437710764119874.post-6077917442046799952010-03-02T13:55:00.000-08:002010-03-02T14:11:11.076-08:00I QUIT!!!!!!For those of you that I don't communicate with more frequently, I've been feeling that it is "<a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/abr/1">needful for me to obtain another place of residence</a>". Being an apartment manager can be hard work and for the past several months it has become quite stressful, especially as my children need more and more attention.<br /><br />So I quit. I've been looking around for places to rent, in particular houses or duplexes, and just a few weeks ago we found a place with in our budget. Of course, the move corresponded with a previously planned vacation, so I wasn't really involved. But thanks to my most amazing Hubby and his parents, the kids and I came home to a new house already unpacked. Am I lucky or what!<br /><br />I sincerely hope that by removing the stress of managing from my life I will be more able to be a better person, mom, wife and friend. Wish me luck! And look for future posts about gardening in a YARD!!!Fromagettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632833106511956930noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7416437710764119874.post-39089876082039102662009-11-15T19:57:00.000-08:002009-11-15T20:12:30.403-08:00Ummm... So what do I do now?Hubby thinks it's time to start making Christmas cookies. Now, I don't disagree. His butter cookies improve with age and it certainly will save time later. Except...<br /><br />Except that letting Hubby into the kitchen is sometimes disastrous, and tonight was no exception. After all was said and done, we ended up with two beautiful batches of butter cookies and a bowl full of 4 1/2 cups bread flour and 1 1/2 cups sugar*. Yep, bread flour. Can't use bread flour for cookies!<br /><br />So, the question is, what do I do with a bowl full of bread flour and sugar? My first thought was to make challah, since that is a fairly sweet bread, but there is enough suger mixed with the flour to make EIGHT loaves of challah, following the recipe in the Joy of Cooking. I don't need that many.<br /><br />Any suggestions?<br /><br />*<em>In his defense, last Christmas, there was only one tub of flour on the counter. Now there are two, one bread flour and the other all-purpose. Since they aren't labeled, they both just look like flour, as he so aptly put it. And he </em>is<em> a great cook.</em>Fromagettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632833106511956930noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7416437710764119874.post-29978302379537966822009-11-11T21:31:00.000-08:002009-11-11T21:31:29.438-08:00Oh, Pumpkins!I love pumpkin. There is something about that orange color and squashy taste that just fills me with warmth and contentment. Perhaps I didn't always love pumpkin as well as I do now, but that's just because I didn't know where good pumpkin came from.<br /><br />Apparently, there are two general categories for pumpkin: eating and carving. Now, you can always eat carving pumpkins. I grew up eating our Jack-O-Lanterns before they got (too) moldy. My mom would cut them up (and cut out the mold), steam them, puree them, and freeze them in convenient sized bags to use all year long. And who am I to question this order of things? It is the way it must be done!<br /><br />So, last year after <a href="http://annastiredmom.blogspot.com/2008/11/halloween-finally.html">carving our pumpkins</a>, I did what I was supposed to do and processed the pumpkins (they were not moldy). But I did something different without really intending to. While at the pumpkin patch, I fell in love with a <a href="http://www.naturehills.com/product/cinderella_french_pumpkin.aspx">beautiful pumpkin</a>. It was a brighter orange than I had seen before and, while rather too squat and heavy for a jack-o-lantern, I knew I needed to have it. Back at home, it was dutifully carved and, within a day or two, processed into puree. Initially, I was astounded by only the orangeness of the puree. And then my mom made a pumpkin pie out of it. Wow.<br /><br />To make a long story short, I'm not going back. In the future, I will be purchasing some pumpkins to carve and some to eat. I've already done that this year, getting not one, not two, but three Rouge Vif D'etampes pumpkins (two of which have already gone the way of the freezer). <br /><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sOG8AVDT0RnWlOW3Av1Vuu4S3cD_Q-G3XqfqS56riPbB5qMsUuQzxAfvaxPfhGJL3y1NKZl_aQYr1xeNXBFfax5ty_g_Gip_Y_vC6uffG06xkY8AcG0UJggeAn-cWQuRb5G3BmZaRpI/s1600-h/Other.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sOG8AVDT0RnWlOW3Av1Vuu4S3cD_Q-G3XqfqS56riPbB5qMsUuQzxAfvaxPfhGJL3y1NKZl_aQYr1xeNXBFfax5ty_g_Gip_Y_vC6uffG06xkY8AcG0UJggeAn-cWQuRb5G3BmZaRpI/s320/Other.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a> </div><br /><br />A helpful hint when processing your own pumpkin:<br /><br />Drain your pumpkin. I line a colander with paper towel, pour my pumpkin in, and then let it sit for a long time, often overnight in the refrigerator. The pumpkin doesn't stick to the paper towel once it has drained enough.<br /><br />And some words of wisdom (ie don't repeat my stupid mistake):<br /><br />Don't try and use a food strainer to remove the skin from the pumpkin. I have a pumpkin screen for mine and I thought I would try it out. Of course, I tried to do things right and looked online for instructions, but wouldn't you know, there is nothing worthwhile to be found searching under "food strainer pumpkin how to". So I tried just one. Sure enough, little pieces of skin came through. (Now, I'm not sure why you would use a food strainer to do your pumpkin if you have to scrape the flesh out with a spoon anyway. I'll take my stick blender anyday.)<br /><br />And because I can't help it, one of the few photos of my cute little pumpkins.<br /><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIU9UZBoQJ6UI8gGywHDqTBObxCg5Fbqe2ezZybjCz6W4sVA2woavmyU1xdSLhnubwRym8nWGKG8ANKoYlotcjLytarKC_lRP8NXfGE6b9PLkpexVlj9aHgyzaA8omUfrMSZ952DdXjZk/s1600-h/IMG_4418-1.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIU9UZBoQJ6UI8gGywHDqTBObxCg5Fbqe2ezZybjCz6W4sVA2woavmyU1xdSLhnubwRym8nWGKG8ANKoYlotcjLytarKC_lRP8NXfGE6b9PLkpexVlj9aHgyzaA8omUfrMSZ952DdXjZk/s320/IMG_4418-1.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> </div><br /><br />And what do you do with pumpkin puree? I like the Joy of Cooking pumpkin pie recipe, or my mom's <a href="http://www.bigoven.com/167283-Pumpkin-Pancakes-recipe.html">pumpkin pancake</a> recipe.<br /><br />Or you can try <a href="http://www.bigoven.com/171026-Pumpkin-Oatmeal-Muffins-recipe.html">these</a>:<br /><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55YJrPcjRHjSftlIREUYxWa0H0j1sASxDgTOm0Fp2CayeDJ7BxV37uqr3UKDfRIZzOr05SnUGWb9tJfFeBQexNrLPEe4UrdsA90dGI1EREbhmx8gdZSdgqBl86daflaDhDcpoqOyWUUI/s1600-h/IMG_3561.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55YJrPcjRHjSftlIREUYxWa0H0j1sASxDgTOm0Fp2CayeDJ7BxV37uqr3UKDfRIZzOr05SnUGWb9tJfFeBQexNrLPEe4UrdsA90dGI1EREbhmx8gdZSdgqBl86daflaDhDcpoqOyWUUI/s320/IMG_3561.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> </div><br /><br />And because I just can't help myself, <a href="http://www.homestarrunner.com/brainkriegween.html">here</a> is one more pumpkin treat to enjoy.Fromagettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632833106511956930noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7416437710764119874.post-90582690252228810992009-10-21T13:35:00.000-07:002009-10-21T13:38:21.594-07:00Why I love being a MomIt's pictures like this that show why being a mom is so rewarding. I wouldn't trade them for the world.<br /><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQQJ1-PGWp1mUWG55POO64-_OatpWqpExG5R8d3EfHW1VRyuwZPDzwzfeGLiyvkMMWwSz99UHsMHTgAfsW4oeAw1i3jXEjEPzbAm-Z5fQYUQR2beggREqGoeE4aqmP-KOk8Xo8FB9B4w/s1600-h/IMG_4392.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQQJ1-PGWp1mUWG55POO64-_OatpWqpExG5R8d3EfHW1VRyuwZPDzwzfeGLiyvkMMWwSz99UHsMHTgAfsW4oeAw1i3jXEjEPzbAm-Z5fQYUQR2beggREqGoeE4aqmP-KOk8Xo8FB9B4w/s320/IMG_4392.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> </div><br />By the way, even though I haven't posted much lately, I am trying to post more on my kids' blogs. So check them out if you can! (If you want in on this insiders club, just let me know. Their blogs are private, not exclusive.)Fromagettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632833106511956930noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7416437710764119874.post-90170440781809911892009-10-12T10:07:00.000-07:002009-10-12T21:59:56.722-07:00Did you miss me? Reflection and ConfessionYes, I know I haven't posted in three months. I apologize to the half a dozen of you that occasionally read my blog, but I had my reasons. Life has gotten busy. So, let me show you what I have been doing, in no particular order:<br /><br />Running after a very mobile little boy.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmOB99TAJTisDrtfCsge7LOpG0yC0ZxO5S1hp8dSFz60qHJNDNV5S3ETdN1LTCTJUe09Wb1wm7PuJOnONPsDltKDLHy4pAf4MTbsiC87MKhoKByEySPAuRuY1VotL57oi1dYPDpykl0s/s1600-h/IMG_4042.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmOB99TAJTisDrtfCsge7LOpG0yC0ZxO5S1hp8dSFz60qHJNDNV5S3ETdN1LTCTJUe09Wb1wm7PuJOnONPsDltKDLHy4pAf4MTbsiC87MKhoKByEySPAuRuY1VotL57oi1dYPDpykl0s/s320/IMG_4042.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391930505643802770" /></a><br /><br />Filling my new chest freezer (which we've crammed in our already cramped apartment) with eggplant, pesto, blueberries and anything we can find on sale.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrLhJXEUxbYZw5sbc-_78lF1jzpB5mfZrq2MzxnZM9TGbDAl4TCL6YTNI2p-_sTrNFlk4u6RKXoqmd3LnnCOZsNuOFhJ4Y-8sRjVBVIoyxxNn3KKFDLCVBZMtmHv7ypzhJaXzYCH7Dng/s1600-h/IMG_4355.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrLhJXEUxbYZw5sbc-_78lF1jzpB5mfZrq2MzxnZM9TGbDAl4TCL6YTNI2p-_sTrNFlk4u6RKXoqmd3LnnCOZsNuOFhJ4Y-8sRjVBVIoyxxNn3KKFDLCVBZMtmHv7ypzhJaXzYCH7Dng/s320/IMG_4355.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391941387440018434" /></a><br />Re-<a href="http://annastiredmom.blogspot.com/2009/05/spring-cleaning-finally-some-results.html">rearranging my hall closet</a> to fit in my canning (First time I've ever canned!).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdJu_2uMefMXOZ1UCLq9uGPH01HrvnlaY2X8m3JU9tM2IjY65j19hRWi7OUCmX2AUlFf_pb0Yw2rWs8pR0nhUm52cLEVy8uz1BLfgP2zALDm4gOQlQeOrO2rkJTiwgKBNT2TKUuwp19Q/s1600-h/IMG_4353.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdJu_2uMefMXOZ1UCLq9uGPH01HrvnlaY2X8m3JU9tM2IjY65j19hRWi7OUCmX2AUlFf_pb0Yw2rWs8pR0nhUm52cLEVy8uz1BLfgP2zALDm4gOQlQeOrO2rkJTiwgKBNT2TKUuwp19Q/s320/IMG_4353.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391941101842468114" /></a><br />Working on my Pain au Levain making skills and showing them off at the fair.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLau4V7YsuU180rBN7BdRLlPyzxAbWPp-0He3wHiDlAx9CunVHOWN8RODL_ayzpbWJhlnoLZ_i676zPdWLSLB6SDjjnP57a_Kt5YfO80ZAZN0PXDQKZ3txSwvQG3lz8FDy4aBx3Rhu_w4/s1600-h/Pain+au+levain.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLau4V7YsuU180rBN7BdRLlPyzxAbWPp-0He3wHiDlAx9CunVHOWN8RODL_ayzpbWJhlnoLZ_i676zPdWLSLB6SDjjnP57a_Kt5YfO80ZAZN0PXDQKZ3txSwvQG3lz8FDy4aBx3Rhu_w4/s320/Pain+au+levain.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391932262688585442" /></a><br />Celebrating one birthday...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9489IXenI3BcC0lmg_jCXWHkqoIKJ_UN-tsn23WdaC8qFfdIlQdBNtjweOqg7TXP3To9WaubACfnqGMCeBEVvIBHy1rf4zo99iMxQD1G7FqXX4NzplO-APxxBX03A6P7A34uVK95_tY/s1600-h/IMG_4212.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9489IXenI3BcC0lmg_jCXWHkqoIKJ_UN-tsn23WdaC8qFfdIlQdBNtjweOqg7TXP3To9WaubACfnqGMCeBEVvIBHy1rf4zo99iMxQD1G7FqXX4NzplO-APxxBX03A6P7A34uVK95_tY/s320/IMG_4212.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391932688991447890" /></a><br />... And then another.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZxiTv-gxW08KGRBjaSPCtOiXj9HoAnmGNQL0eyYKTWWCsVkqsLS1B5LBFV13Rl4CIrPWkw9wwEkj7WpM6330eC7b0bSLjGBKzyu6Vs6utGo56nWfPXnbtZJ9NO1gmMSMyjYbF7D5A6M/s1600-h/IMG_4257.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZxiTv-gxW08KGRBjaSPCtOiXj9HoAnmGNQL0eyYKTWWCsVkqsLS1B5LBFV13Rl4CIrPWkw9wwEkj7WpM6330eC7b0bSLjGBKzyu6Vs6utGo56nWfPXnbtZJ9NO1gmMSMyjYbF7D5A6M/s320/IMG_4257.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391932992598832610" /></a><br />Developing scars.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKo5X-BZExHeJuutVvn98iTUwXOY2J4CAx3qDDIsXtNbcEh2tV_W6eAtKZ-SxE21NoeKygfbG4hY79-5rO42fCK3YeXLG_3F1NuN9hOi1gE2Z9txVl0BZa-CTMvz75puwLtomyLe70kg0/s1600-h/IMG_4153.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKo5X-BZExHeJuutVvn98iTUwXOY2J4CAx3qDDIsXtNbcEh2tV_W6eAtKZ-SxE21NoeKygfbG4hY79-5rO42fCK3YeXLG_3F1NuN9hOi1gE2Z9txVl0BZa-CTMvz75puwLtomyLe70kg0/s320/IMG_4153.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391933659930884562" /></a><br />Swimming in Zion (with a bunch of polygamists (not shown)) and learning to wear underwear everywhere.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZOkNIhC2ZvUzC37tZWbZf9O97pVBDJqmADt-Qy8tjA2pfuxGbcpm1dKypJvgQBXW-5vD9VLDd8s77RfHxtKfW4zJXDDM5pU-EuCaBpXZ240k9iO7CsMMV62K0belG9qzPOV7nXkyE2E/s1600-h/IMG_4030.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZOkNIhC2ZvUzC37tZWbZf9O97pVBDJqmADt-Qy8tjA2pfuxGbcpm1dKypJvgQBXW-5vD9VLDd8s77RfHxtKfW4zJXDDM5pU-EuCaBpXZ240k9iO7CsMMV62K0belG9qzPOV7nXkyE2E/s320/IMG_4030.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391934407298322866" /></a><br />Growing our very own rooftop oasis.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyH9Ai2dAw44C4z2ah710a9b3iQ5dPvKEqtKnTIzDoxTlD_p1ZK-h_SCuCaYXMY88Sa5A9-yuI1X7HfSk8P_Al6oqdEopigZ8bq0OT9m9YcE1pqBrxSxddvmXIJOWV6fqnA2BgC6kEupc/s1600-h/IMG_3871.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyH9Ai2dAw44C4z2ah710a9b3iQ5dPvKEqtKnTIzDoxTlD_p1ZK-h_SCuCaYXMY88Sa5A9-yuI1X7HfSk8P_Al6oqdEopigZ8bq0OT9m9YcE1pqBrxSxddvmXIJOWV6fqnA2BgC6kEupc/s320/IMG_3871.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391944650110722114" /></a><br />As you can see, I've been busy. Mathias is getting to the age where he demands a lot more attention. But how can you resist such a cute little boy as he lifts up your hand and gently places <a href="http://www.preschooleducation.com/br80.shtml">Moo, Baa, La La La</a> into it for the 15th time in a day?<br /><br />Summer time is a time of light, and here in the northwest, you have to take advantage of it. In addition, summer is a time of fresh produce and I really have been spending many of my evenings canning and freezing.<br /><br />And above all, I've been trying really hard to not spend so much time on the computer. There are much more important things that I need to focus on and that I take too long to do. Besides, I have trouble believing that there are people out there who really want to know what I'm doing everyday. I mean, who really wants to know that I can nurse Mathias in my <a href="http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/">Ergo </a>while hiking near Cedar Breaks? Maybe there is someone, but I really don't feel like I am that talented of a writer or that interesting of a person to really matter in the blogosphere.<br /><br />Whew, I got that out of my system. Now you know the real reason behind my silence. Now, don't worry. I'm not going to drop out completely, but my posts are going to be fewer and farther between. But I'll save this blog for the major discoveries.Fromagettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632833106511956930noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7416437710764119874.post-54362490324728339832009-06-23T12:54:00.000-07:002009-06-23T13:04:57.755-07:00Sleep at LastAs you know, we have had some adventures with Mathias and his sleeping pattern. After the last breakthrough, we settled into an acceptable pattern of him waking up twice to eat, once right before we went to bed and once more sometime in the 2:00 to 3:00 am time period. Things were looking good, even if I still had to get up at night.<br /><br />Then he stopped wanting to nurse during the day. Sorry, Bud, but that is not acceptable. Mathias would nurse well at night, and then not nurse much until dinner time. To me, there is nothing worse than wanting to feed my baby and to have him refuse, expressing his desire with wiggles, screams and bites.<br /><br />Luckily, I spoke to a wise friend at church (the wisdom coming from having six kids) who said that she had had the same problem with some of her kids and that the only way to fix it was to stop nursing them at night. Inspired by her experiences and the hope that there was a solution to the problem (that I would be happy with), we started that night.<br /><br />A week and a half later, I'm happy to say that Mathias is well on his way to sleeping through the night. I started by just cutting out the second feeding, but the last couple of nights, he has cut out the first one as well. I've been getting so much sleep that I am just exhausted! And even better than that, Mathias has nursed well during the day ever since I started. He doesn't get as distracted as he used to so I don't have to shut myself up in a room and warn Anna to stay away <em>or else</em>.<br /><br />Hurray for Sleep!Fromagettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632833106511956930noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7416437710764119874.post-78390976442423135402009-06-12T09:12:00.001-07:002009-06-12T09:20:08.966-07:00AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!So, I went to grind some corn in my Nutrimill this morning (for <a href="http://www.great-salsa.com/mexicancornbreadrecipes.html">cornbread</a>). I poured the corn in, turned it on and it just didn't sound right. <br /><br />I stopped it, fiddled with the dial a bit, and turned it on again. Still didn't sound right. <br /><br />Fiddled with it some more. Still didn't sound right and then stopped making any sound at all. Ummm, not good. Especially when there is smoke coming out of the back.<br /><br />WHAT DO I DO!?! HOW DO I SURVIVE WITHOUT MY GRINDER!?! (at least until I can find a Bosch store in the area who's phone is not answered by a fax machine.)Fromagettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632833106511956930noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7416437710764119874.post-31295993430772744382009-06-09T13:47:00.000-07:002009-06-15T12:53:22.003-07:00Parsnips A-PlentyWhat do you do with parsnips? After Oma (my mother-in-law) left some for us at Easter time, I've been wondering what to do with them. Roasted parsnips are great, but the flavor of parsnips is so distinct and unusual that it is hard to pair them up with other dishes, at least the meals in my repetoire.<br /><br />Then, the other night I was watching Good Eats at a friend's house and Alton made <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/parsnip-muffins-recipe/index.html">this recipe</a>. Now, it seemed a little strange to me too, using parsnips in muffins, but I was surprised with how well they turned out (yes, the parsnips were still good after all that time in the refrigerator). What a great way to highlight the flavor of parnsips, Alton!<br /><br />And for those of you who like Homestarrunner, I hope you enjoy <a href="http://www.homestarrunner.com/parsnips.html">this</a>.Fromagettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632833106511956930noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7416437710764119874.post-68461960649758730292009-06-09T13:28:00.000-07:002009-06-09T13:42:53.755-07:00It's that time again...It's gardening time!!!!<br /><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href="http://s692.photobucket.com/albums/vv286/sarahfromage/Blog/?action=view¤t=IMG_3871.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/vv286/sarahfromage/Blog/IMG_3871.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> </div><br /><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href="http://s692.photobucket.com/albums/vv286/sarahfromage/Blog/?action=view¤t=IMG_3872.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/vv286/sarahfromage/Blog/IMG_3872.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> </div><br />Just in case you were interested, this year we planted: four tomatoes (Oregon Spring, Cherokee Purple Heirloom, Siletz, and a cherry tomato), arugela, a small romaine lettuce, swiss chard, cilantro, green onions and green beans. Oma donated basil, parsley, thyme and oregano for my birthday and Anna brought home two black bean seeds from church that sprouted and were added to our rooftop garden. We already had the chives.<br /><br />Though I really don't like gardening in containers (I ache for a real yard with space to garden in), our roof deck is the greatest place to grow tomatoes. Every day that there is sun, our tomatoes get every bit of it. And here in the Northwest, we need to use all the sun we get.<br /><br />Oh, I just love growing edibles!Fromagettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632833106511956930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7416437710764119874.post-65064496326329648772009-06-09T12:48:00.000-07:002009-06-09T13:20:33.342-07:00One Man's JunkLet me tell you the story of our water pitcher.<br /><br />Once upon a time, Hubby and I got married. With said marriage came gifts, for which we were very grateful. And one of those gifts was a lovely Brita water pitcher, making it possible for us to drink the water in Utah. Oh, we loved that pitcher. So much, in fact, that we carefully packed it up, sent it in a trailer to Oregon, and picked it up on our way to our new home.<br /><br />Somewhere in this process, however, the unthinkable happened: the pitcher cracked. Being the frugal (cheap or miserly also works) person that I am, I could not bring myself to purchase a new pitcher and instead took epoxy to the outside of the crack.<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://s692.photobucket.com/albums/vv286/sarahfromage/Blog/?action=view&current=IMG_3861.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/vv286/sarahfromage/Blog/IMG_3861.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br />Though the epoxy wasn't exactly food safe, the pitcher worked just fine and we tried to be careful to keep the water line below the crack.<br /><br />Now, after three something years of living with the crack, we have finally moved on. We now have a new pitcher!<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://s692.photobucket.com/albums/vv286/sarahfromage/Blog/?action=view&current=IMG_3862.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/vv286/sarahfromage/Blog/IMG_3862.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br />But wait, you might say, I thought you were miserly, I mean cheap, I mean frugal! How could you possibly convince yourself to purchase a new pitcher when the old still worked just fine? Well, I have one word for you:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.freecycle.org/"><span style="font-size:180%;">Freecycle</span></a><br /><br />Oh be still my miserly, cheap, frugal heart! And I thought <a href="http://www.craigslist.org/">Craig's List</a> was amazing. Here is the description from their website:<br /><br /><blockquote>Welcome! The Freecycle Network™ is made up of 4,763 groups with 6,854,000 members across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It's all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills. Each local group is moderated by a local volunteer (them's good people). Membership is free. To sign up, find your community by entering it into the search box above or by clicking on “Browse Groups” above the search box. Have fun!</blockquote><br />Have fun, indeed. Once I discovered Freecycle, I was able to start getting rid of perfectly good stuff lying around our house that just couldn't be given to a thrift store and that I just couldn't throw away, like a partially used bottle of perfume. And through Freecycle, I was able to get a relatively new Brita pitcher (complete with three unused, still-in-the-wrapper filters) for <em>free</em>. And yes, keeping usable things out of the landfill is a great bonus.<br /><br />Now, should I post my cracked pitcher on Freecycle? After all, it does still work...Fromagettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632833106511956930noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7416437710764119874.post-19884208027569331032009-05-28T21:47:00.000-07:002009-05-28T22:28:12.365-07:00Do you hear angels singing?Anna has something she wants to show everyone.<br /><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href="http://s692.photobucket.com/albums/vv286/sarahfromage/Blog/?action=view¤t=IMG_3843.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/vv286/sarahfromage/Blog/IMG_3843.jpg" border="0" alt="All clean"></a> </div><br />Yep, that's underwear. Underwear that she wore today. All day. Do you see where I'm going with this?<br /><br />After months of slowly teaching Anna what to do with that lovely porcelain device in our bathrooms, we finally have some results. Our first, very first, accident free day.<br /><br />You have to understand that this is a miracle. Less than a week ago, Anna started screaming any time we tried to sit her on the potty and was asking for a diaper. In fact, the whole time we've been trying to potty train her, it has been a struggle. However, after this last Sunday, I was about ready to put her in diapers until she was 20. But I didn't. Instead, I was forced to recognize that Anna and I were having major <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft%3A*&rlz=1I7GPMD_en&q=power+struggle+children&aq=0&oq=power+struggle+child&aqi=g1">power struggle</a> issues and if anyone was going to change, it was going to have to be me.<br /><br />So, I discussed things with Hubby, and <a href="http://auntebis.blogspot.com/">Aunt Ebis</a> who happened to be in town, decided on somethings that I needed to change and hashed out a new plan for this whole potty training torture. <br /><br />What we decided to do was a bit contrary to just about any advice I had been given. Instead of having her sit on the potty every hour or so, like everyone says that you should do, we stopped having her sit on the potty at all, except for right before naps and any time we left the house. I wouldn't mention it. Then, each time her underwear was wet, I would calmly respond and have her remove her underwear all by herself (not a fun task). Putting all the responsibility on her helped me to let go of the anger I felt each time Anna had an accident. Suddenly it wasn't my fault any more and she wasn't doing it to thwart my efforts to get her on the potty.<br /><br />Of course, the first couple of days were messy, to say the least, but then she stopped pooping in her underwear, but would sit on her little potty when she felt it coming. And today she chose to sit on the potty several times, all on her own, and managed to keep her underwear clean and dry.<br /><br />Yes, I know it isn't going to be perfect from now on, but at least I've been given a glimpse of what it is going to be like when this is all over. So, thanks to everyone who kept me sane. The end is in sight.Fromagettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632833106511956930noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7416437710764119874.post-28379713207685949972009-05-27T21:57:00.000-07:002009-05-27T22:08:40.960-07:00Spring Cleaning: Finally, some resultsYeah, I know. Spring cleaning started, what, three weeks ago? And I still have yet to report on my progress? Shame, shame on me.<br /><br />Unfortunately, I'm still not done with everything. The bedrooms have yet to be touched because of the overwhelming amount of work that needs to be done there. But they will be done. The kitchen I did do, but the problem is I use it, regularly. So what was once clean and nicely organized is now slightly cluttered. I'll get "after" pictures soon.<br /><br />So what do I have to report on? The hall closet. Yep, the linen/food storage/wheat grinder/games/guest pillows closet. I've wanted to better organize that 4 square foot section of my apartment for months, if not years. And I sure am proud of it.<br /><br />Before:<br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href="http://s692.photobucket.com/albums/vv286/sarahfromage/Blog/?action=view¤t=IMG_3767.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/vv286/sarahfromage/Blog/IMG_3767.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> </div><br /><br />After:<br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href="http://s692.photobucket.com/albums/vv286/sarahfromage/Blog/?action=view¤t=IMG_3768.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/vv286/sarahfromage/Blog/IMG_3768.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> </div><br /><br />Doesn't it just make you want to weep with joy? It is amazing how organizing such a small space makes such a difference in my life. Everything there has a place.<br /><br />Now, on to the bedrooms...Fromagettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632833106511956930noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7416437710764119874.post-57355329113091879692009-05-20T09:34:00.000-07:002009-05-20T10:01:36.668-07:00Cloth Diaper Anniversary<a href="http://annastiredmom.blogspot.com/2008/10/cloth-diapers-and-reason-for-green.html">Six months ago </a>this week I started washing my first batch of cloth diapers. Ah, what a great change that was! Other than a brief hiatus when the prefolds we had were far to small, we've hardly used any disposables at all. And I have loved just about every minute of it.<br /><br />Even when Mathias started solid foods, it still wasn't so bad. Yes, I didn't like the toilet swishing, but we found a solution for that.<br /><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href="http://s692.photobucket.com/albums/vv286/sarahfromage/Blog/?action=view¤t=IMG_3700.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/vv286/sarahfromage/Blog/IMG_3700.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> </div><br />Thanks to the internet, and this <a href="http://gidgetgoeshome.com/2008/08/25/diy-tutorial-make-your-own-diaper-sprayer/">site</a>, we managed to find instructions on making our own diaper sprayer. All it took was a kitchen spray hose and some brass fittings, and we were ready to get spraying.<br /><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href="http://s692.photobucket.com/albums/vv286/sarahfromage/Blog/?action=view¤t=IMG_3703.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/vv286/sarahfromage/Blog/IMG_3703.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> </div><br />We did make a change to the original instructions. Hubby got a needle valve (per the Lowe's salesperson's recommendation) and installed it after the filter connector splicer. With that, we didn't have to get the compression connector. However, I would recommend getting a ball valve instead of a needle valve as you don't have to turn it as much to get maximum pressure. <br /><br />Oh, and asking for help at the hardware store? Priceless. (Just make sure you and they know what you are talking about. Home Depot didn't, but then neither did I.)<br /><br />Next in the cloth diaper scene? Visuals of some of the amazing diapers my sister-in-law made for us.Fromagettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12632833106511956930noreply@blogger.com5