tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24331122738588955402024-03-13T16:41:17.923-07:00Spruced Corner Jenny Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03253699940786076671noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2433112273858895540.post-84180207242317952642015-04-16T12:53:00.001-07:002015-04-16T12:53:02.035-07:00Camping recap, days 2 and 3. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z3ej_s26aXM/VTAQHTdNzWI/AAAAAAAAAqw/7trDOKVWc_w/s1600/IMG_0235.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rain coats are fun, but only for so long. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KmFM14rVSYA/VTAQF9iNKTI/AAAAAAAAAqo/kYbUh0wdCo0/s1600/IMG_0242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KmFM14rVSYA/VTAQF9iNKTI/AAAAAAAAAqo/kYbUh0wdCo0/s1600/IMG_0242.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">However, the sun came out early enough to start on laundry. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2dQ336mIT9I/VTAQBqr1NkI/AAAAAAAAAqg/HFP5NwXPMl0/s1600/IMG_0244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2dQ336mIT9I/VTAQBqr1NkI/AAAAAAAAAqg/HFP5NwXPMl0/s1600/IMG_0244.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And, it warm enough to kick off boots while swinging. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CrEkWenaiAw/VTAQR5cvc9I/AAAAAAAAAq4/utsKU1zu98I/s1600/IMG_0246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CrEkWenaiAw/VTAQR5cvc9I/AAAAAAAAAq4/utsKU1zu98I/s1600/IMG_0246.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First load of hand washed and line dried clothes. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--pofgmOrG3o/VTAQXofznQI/AAAAAAAAArA/ub4RDG1ZbuM/s1600/IMG_0247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--pofgmOrG3o/VTAQXofznQI/AAAAAAAAArA/ub4RDG1ZbuM/s1600/IMG_0247.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shower nears completion! </td></tr>
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Day 2 started off wet and chilly, but quickly turned into a lovely day. Our first entire day outside, and boy were we tired when it was over!<br />
Day 3 we hit up our Wednesday play group and ran to the local raw dairy farm for milk and cream. It was a cold night with a thick layer of frost on the ground, but we were surprisingly warm and snug under our wool blankets. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6rJGaAXFBzM/VTAQbma6nNI/AAAAAAAAArI/Ha82y_lQCAs/s1600/IMG_0252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6rJGaAXFBzM/VTAQbma6nNI/AAAAAAAAArI/Ha82y_lQCAs/s1600/IMG_0252.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We needed butter, but boy does it take longer without my mixer. </td></tr>
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<br />Jenny Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03253699940786076671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2433112273858895540.post-20230849808056828242015-04-14T11:23:00.002-07:002015-04-14T11:23:55.784-07:00Camping...for a month Day 1We're getting work done to fix the chipping and peeling lead paint problem in our house. Again. I"m not even going to get into the problems we had with last year's contractor. Onwards and upwards, right? So we needed to move out for another month. With all the work to be done around the farm in the Spring we crazily decided to camp in the back yard rather than rent or stay somewhere else. I finally have the laptop up and charging, and as long as I don't shift it at all I think I can give you all a visual of what our life is like. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-639Mq0VQZJw/VS1aKHhntiI/AAAAAAAAApo/xssTGsW_T-I/s1600/IMG_0223%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-639Mq0VQZJw/VS1aKHhntiI/AAAAAAAAApo/xssTGsW_T-I/s1600/IMG_0223%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First morning, "camping is fun!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S9RU2U8AHZI/VS1aH4Z_A2I/AAAAAAAAApY/g-23sPGlu-Y/s1600/IMG_0224%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S9RU2U8AHZI/VS1aH4Z_A2I/AAAAAAAAApY/g-23sPGlu-Y/s1600/IMG_0224%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kitchen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tOXVr9TIOjs/VS1aNZlgkfI/AAAAAAAAApw/_trYraWI0y8/s1600/IMG_0226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tOXVr9TIOjs/VS1aNZlgkfI/AAAAAAAAApw/_trYraWI0y8/s1600/IMG_0226.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All set up!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HiVr9QzUisQ/VS1aPfyXSdI/AAAAAAAAAp4/p0Hw6ZkYuks/s1600/IMG_0227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HiVr9QzUisQ/VS1aPfyXSdI/AAAAAAAAAp4/p0Hw6ZkYuks/s1600/IMG_0227.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Might not be pretty, but everything is in! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0Qhwc_pkTo/VS1aQ800cSI/AAAAAAAAAqA/n7moeL5GZ5E/s1600/IMG_0228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0Qhwc_pkTo/VS1aQ800cSI/AAAAAAAAAqA/n7moeL5GZ5E/s1600/IMG_0228.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Braeden's 'nook'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JL3hBFzDD30/VS1aSi-avrI/AAAAAAAAAqI/wr0fezYNx2M/s1600/IMG_0229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JL3hBFzDD30/VS1aSi-avrI/AAAAAAAAAqI/wr0fezYNx2M/s1600/IMG_0229.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The storage corner</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WbW7b73wyNI/VS1aSTjDSMI/AAAAAAAAAqM/LcljjcR-6hE/s1600/IMG_0233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WbW7b73wyNI/VS1aSTjDSMI/AAAAAAAAAqM/LcljjcR-6hE/s1600/IMG_0233.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First day faces</td></tr>
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<br />Jenny Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03253699940786076671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2433112273858895540.post-21829362422063273822015-03-28T09:25:00.001-07:002015-03-28T09:26:56.168-07:00Saggie drawers saga, or how to get those pesky 2Ts to fit your skinny baby bottom. This post is being written for my fellow ECers. For you lay people just joining, EC stands for elimination communication. It is a practice of acknowledging your young child's ability to express their elimination needs, and often offering a receptacle other than a diaper. Oftentimes we ECers find ourselves with young children ready to be diaper free without an inexpensive source for underwear. While a lot go nude, or without undies it is sometimes nice (not to mention cute) to outfit these little ones with their own sweet tiny undies.<br />
I'm not much of one for giving detailed directions, as I am more of a throw away the directions and wing it type person. If any part of this is unclear, or you want more detail please ask and I will do my best to oblige. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sjQ5l-BHlqU/VNAkll1rYKI/AAAAAAAAAoI/3zric5mc5ik/s1600/IMG_3021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sjQ5l-BHlqU/VNAkll1rYKI/AAAAAAAAAoI/3zric5mc5ik/s1600/IMG_3021.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original undies, size 2T but extra stretched out by <br />
the first boy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1njNii4C1eQ/VNAkrHQ0v3I/AAAAAAAAAoY/ncezgC5y_Hg/s1600/IMG_3026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1njNii4C1eQ/VNAkrHQ0v3I/AAAAAAAAAoY/ncezgC5y_Hg/s1600/IMG_3026.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Center part of undies, sides and binding cut off. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qfsg8dcum0I/VNAknEyqKJI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/delNbLcZ_A4/s1600/IMG_3025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qfsg8dcum0I/VNAknEyqKJI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/delNbLcZ_A4/s1600/IMG_3025.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One side of undies, with the smaller new side traced out on an old tee shirt. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sides attached</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MZAlgBw4j1g/VNAkw8F5O_I/AAAAAAAAAog/btC6qmwoHK0/s1600/IMG_3036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MZAlgBw4j1g/VNAkw8F5O_I/AAAAAAAAAog/btC6qmwoHK0/s1600/IMG_3036.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leg gap before new elastic added. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6jCVXsiWx4s/VNAk0BIkj3I/AAAAAAAAAow/3tuIRWg8v38/s1600/IMG_3041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6jCVXsiWx4s/VNAk0BIkj3I/AAAAAAAAAow/3tuIRWg8v38/s1600/IMG_3041.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fit with elastic added. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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When deciding on the new side panel size, I reduced the waist measurement by 1", and the hips by 1.5". Your measurements will vary, depending on what your child's measurements are. You don't want either the waist or leg openings to be skin tight, but have approximately 1" of gap. You'll be taking this up with the elastic. Measure the elastic long enough for your waist or leg circumference plus a little extra for over lapping the ends. Stretch it to fit as you pin and sew, then there will be a slight gathering once finished. Jenny Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03253699940786076671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2433112273858895540.post-22273028832471504702014-09-12T06:04:00.000-07:002014-09-12T06:04:18.378-07:00Our medicine chest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ExPJEXh_zqk/VBLvGsvVWSI/AAAAAAAAAng/VOw_6TwdsJU/s1600/medicine%2Bchest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ExPJEXh_zqk/VBLvGsvVWSI/AAAAAAAAAng/VOw_6TwdsJU/s1600/medicine%2Bchest.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>While I haven't found the perfect pretty chest to store these in, here is a quick run down of just what I keep in our washroom. This list won't include things like cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, garlic, various berries etc that live in our kitchen cupboards. </b><br />
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<b>Here is the run down of what and why. </b><br />
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Manuka Honey - it's antibacterial properties are great for injuries, and it can be taken for viral infections as well. Dr. Bob Sears just had a great write up on Facebook about why he uses it in his office to combat MRSA and other nasty infections. <br />
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Buckwheat Honey - an alternative to main stream cough syrups, this is our go-to for colds and coughs. It's also anti-inflammatory. <br />
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Diatomaceous Earth - we use this as a detox when the boys eat something yucky. It is also on hand for tooth powder, and to be sprinkled as an ant repellant. <br />
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Bentonite Clay - another cleanser and tooth powder ingredient. This one we use both externally and internally. We put it in their bath, and on their teeth as part of their tooth health routine. It also can be used to absorb yuckiness if they eat something that doesn't agree with them or poisonous. In addition it helps balance the body's PH levels. <br />
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*Activated Charcoal - our last in the line of stomach cleansers, this also is used for brightening our smiles.<br />
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Shepherds Purse - used for internal bleeding as a tea, or external injuries as a poultice.<br />
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Slippery Elm Bark - used as a tea for sore throats, coughs, intestinal complaints of both varieties, externally for burns. ***do not take if pregnant, can cause abortions***<br />
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Magnesium Oil - for balancing the body's magnesium level. Helps relieve cramping quickly, and I need to use it several times a day during my last trimester of pregnancy to help relieve prodromal labor. Magnesium is best absorbed through the skin, rather than taken internally. We spray a little on the bottom of the feet before bed. I make our own using magnesium flakes or Epsom salt. <br />
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Epsom Salts - A base for my magnesium oil, I also add this to my water daily when pregnant. Other than that we mostly add it to baths to relieve intestinal complaints, sore muscles, and to help the boys relax during baths.<br />
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Iodine - another detox solution, it also helps balance the body's PH levels and is in our tooth decay prevention regiment. <br />
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Astragulus - immune booster/cold fighter<br />
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Xylitol - cavity prevention. The molecular structure of this birch-based sweetener makes the mouth inhospitable to the bacteria that cause cavities. <br />
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Arnica - pain relief. We use both internally and externally. <br />
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Licorice Root - The boys are free to chew pieces of this whenever they want. I use it as part of a healthy syrup to top off Saturday morning pancakes. There are lots of healing attributes for this root but the ones we use it for mainly are as part of our tooth decay prevention routine, for colds and flu, heartburn, and other stomach complaints. <br />
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Juniper Berries - mainly for congestion, but also for injuries and inflammation.<br />
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*Elderberries - another immune booster for colds and flu season including bacterial and viral infections. <br />
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Aloe - for burns, hair tangles, and as hair gel.<br />
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Pau D'Arco - an expectorant that can also be used for candida
problems. It is also an antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-parasite
agent.<br />
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Goldenseal Root - used in teas for colds and
flu, as a wound antiseptic and on newborn's cord stumps. It can also
be used for upset stomach, intestinal complaints, and whooping cough.<br />
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Clove Oil - not an essential oil, but used in tooth paste and painful teething or tooth complaints. <br />
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<b>The next three are the store bought items we have. Rather than talk about what I use them for I've put their links in.</b><br />
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Badger Baby Balm - http://www.badgerbalm.com/p-398-baby-balm-organic-baby-skin-care.aspx<br />
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Cape Cod Bug Repellant Lotion -http://www.capecodallnatural.com/products.html <br />
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Hyland's Teething Pellets -http://www.hylands.com/products/hylands-baby-teething-tablets<br />
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<b>The rest are essential oils. I don't support any specific brand, nor am I an oil expert. These are what we have collected so far, and our particular uses for them. There are plenty of 'experts' when it comes to oils. For specifics, please ask them not me. I am much more comfortable and versed in the use of herbs. </b><br />
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Calm Time Spray - My own blend of essential oils that we use during extended tantrums and before bed when needed.<br />
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Tea Tree Oil - one of our go-tos. We use this for viral and bacterial infections. <br />
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Cinnamon Bark - Mainly used in our toothpaste. <br />
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Citronella - Mainly used in our bug spray. <br />
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Lemon - Used in our bug spray and in deodorants. <br />
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Citronella - Used in our bug spray and in deodorants. <br />
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Lavender - Used for bug bites, in baths, for headaches, and in boiling water to keep the house calm.<br />
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Eucalyptus - Used in bug spray and in deodorants. <br />
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Rosemary - Used in bug spray and in deodorants. <br />
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Thyme - Used in deodorants and topically on cysts. <br />
<br />Peppermint - Used in toothpaste, bug spray, and as a room cleanser. <br />
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Basil - Used topically on cysts. <br />
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Sandalwood - Used in deodorant. <br />
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* items are not shown in the photo.<br />
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<b>I highly recommend that before you use any herb or essential oil that you do your own research as I am not any type of trained professional and am sharing what I use these items for, and am not prescribing or diagnosing anything. </b> <br />
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<br />Jenny Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03253699940786076671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2433112273858895540.post-29617992987910500362014-09-05T07:55:00.001-07:002014-09-05T07:55:19.922-07:00A messy garden. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've posted photos of my gardens on Facebook, and I'm sure some people have thought something along the lines of 'why is she spending time on Facebook when her garden needs weeding?' Here's the thing about my gardens. <br />
It's intentional. Most of it anyway. The crab grass not so much...but everything else? I totally let grow. I let the purslane, the plantain, the chickweed and others grow. It's great. Then you know what I do? I harvest it and eat it! Yup. Those nasty weeds that make my garden look messy are for our benefit. <br />
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Here are links to just some of what is growing around our property for us to harvest. <br />
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http://www.ediblewildfood.com/purslane.aspx<br />
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http://www.ediblewildfood.com/chickweed.aspx<br />
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http://www.ediblewildfood.com/broadleaf-plantain.aspx<br />
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http://www.ediblewildfood.com/dandelion.aspx<br />
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http://www.ediblewildfood.com/sow-thistle.aspx<br />
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http://www.ediblewildfood.com/new-england-aster.aspx<br />
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http://www.ediblewildfood.com/cattail.aspx<br />
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http://www.ediblewildfood.com/common-yarrow.aspx<br />
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http://www.ediblewildfood.com/bull-thistle.aspx<br />
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http://www.ediblewildfood.com/burdock.aspx<br />
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http://www.ediblewildfood.com/henbit.aspxJenny Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03253699940786076671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2433112273858895540.post-80729621874033374592014-08-31T11:17:00.000-07:002014-08-31T15:28:55.140-07:00Feeding a Family of Four - Gardening Part 3, companion planting and perennial vegetables. Let's talk saving space and time. Well, technically saving space will save you time weeding, so let's talk about saving time. Companion planting saves room in the garden. Instead of planting a tomato vine every 3 feet, and having to weed in between you can put other vegetables that compliment the plant in the open space and have less area you need to weed. There are many different plants that can be planted near each other, so this is just my short list of how I'm changing my garden plot for 2015 to maximize space. <br />
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Pepper plants between tomatoes. If our basil needs thinning, I will transplant some of it in the free space between peppers and tomatoes.<br />
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Peas on a trellis with spinach underneath. <br />
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Cucumbers on a trellis with lettuce underneath.<br />
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Summer squash on a trellis with Radish underneath. If the dill needs thinning those will be transplanted between radish rows.<br />
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Arugula planted between rows of beets. <br />
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Chard between broccoli plants. <br />
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Collards between Cauliflower plants. <br />
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Brussels Sprouts will be planted in the peas place after they have been harvested.<br />
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We have a hillside that needs to be planted to keep us from having to manage. I'm planning on putting our perennial garden here. In it will be Kale, Asparagus, Horseradish, Walking Onions, Sun Chokes, Day Lillies, Rhubarb, and eventually lots of berries and larger herbs for healing. <br />
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<br />Jenny Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03253699940786076671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2433112273858895540.post-52724701839464994492014-07-05T09:16:00.003-07:002014-07-05T09:16:45.922-07:00Feeding a family of 4, part two: Rotational Planting in the Garden. That last list was huge, and fairly overwhelming. It would also take up a huge piece of yard, and be hard to put away everything at the same time. <br />
Thanks to rotational gardening you don't have to! There is a lot of information out on rotational gardening, and I found most of it completely overwhelming. It's taken me quite awhile to wrap my head around how to successfully rotate my garden due to the fact that most information online is zone specific without actually telling you what zone they're gardening in. <br />
Here are the notes I've gathered to accompany my list of what and how much I aim to grow in our gardens. We are in zone 5B, but this list should be flexible enough to fit to your own planting schedules.<br />
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*Note, I've added bok choy and cauliflower to my master list, but have not amended the previous blog post.<br />
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Arugula: 2 plantings, 10 plants each. Early Spring and Mid Summer.<br />
Beets: 2 plantings, 40 plants each. Mid Spring and Late Summer. <br />
Bok Choy: 2 plantings, 10 plants each. Early Spring and Mid Summer.<br />
Broccoli: 3 plantings, 10 plants each. Early Spring, Mid Summer, Late Summer.<br />
Cabbage: 3 plantings, 10 plants each. Early Spring, Mid Summer, Late Summer.<br />
Cauliflower: 2 plantings, 15 plants each. Mid Spring and Late Summer. <br />
Carrots: 2 plantings, 75 plants each. Mid Spring and Late Summer. <br />
Lettuce: 2 plantings, 25 plants each. Early Spring and Late Summer.<br />
Radish: 3 plantings, 20 plants each. Early Spring, Mid Summer, Late Summer.<br />
Spinach: 2 plantings, 50 plants each. Early Spring, and Late Summer.<br />
Turnips: 2 plantings, 20 plants each. Early Spring, and Late Summer.<br />
Potatoes: 2 plantings, 25 plants each. Late Spring, and Early Summer. <br />
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While the gardens will still be large, by doubling and tripling up when I plant it will cut down on the overall space, and stretch out the amount of time I have to plant in. <br />
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Up next: Companion planting and perennial vegetables to save space and time. <br />
<br />Jenny Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03253699940786076671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2433112273858895540.post-27874962106634685152014-07-04T05:30:00.000-07:002014-07-04T05:30:00.243-07:00Feeding a family of 4, part one: Gardening. This is the first part of a who knows how long series on the numbers it would take to mostly feed a family of four off a homestead. Today's post really is just a list I have compiled after paying attention to what and how much our family eats. This list is specific to my family, in that we very rarely eat grains. Due to this limitation our vegetable intake is much higher than a family on the Standard American Diet. <a class="GCUXF0KCJ3B" href="javascript:void(0);" kind="click"> </a>It also includes enough to preserve or store for cold weather consumption. <br />
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Artichoke 15 plants<br />
Arugula 20 plants<br />
Asparagus 100 roots<br />
Beets 80 plants<br />
Broccoli 20 plants <br />
Brussels Sprouts 20 plants<br />
Cabbage 32 plants<br />
Carrots 150 plants<br />
Collards 12 plants<br />
Cucumbers 100 plants<br />
Garlic 64 plants<br />
Horseradish 4 plants<br />
Kale 50 plants<br />
Lettuce 50 plants<br />
Onions 100 plants<br />
Parsnips 40 plants<br />
Peas 240 plants<br />
Peppers 24 plants<br />
Potatoes 50 plants<br />
Radish 60 plants<br />
Rhubarb 20 plants<br />
Spinach 100 plants<br />
Summer Squash 10 plants<br />
Winter Squash 5 plants<br />
Sweet Potato 40 plants<br />
Swiss Chard 20 plants<br />
Cherry Tomato 25 plants<br />
Cooking Tomato 35 plants<br />
Slicing Tomato 20 plants<br />
Turnips 40 plants<br />
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My garden needs to get much larger to accommodate all of this. However it is a long term goal, and something I work towards every year. Jenny Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03253699940786076671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2433112273858895540.post-79767244507976776792014-06-09T04:51:00.000-07:002014-06-09T04:58:46.360-07:00I am a stay at home mom. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There, I wrote it. To me it feels like I am JUST a stay at home mom. Like that isn't enough. Wrangling one kid, or two, or ten. It's enough. Man is it enough. It's hard mostly thankless work. Yet, there is this voice that burrows it's way into my thoughts. It says 'you're not doing enough'. Work harder, do more, sleep less.<br />
So I try. Man do I try to do it all. I cook 3+ meals a day. 95% of the time they're completely from scratch. I do projects with the boys (which reminds me, I need to decide on Father's day gifts to make with them). I garden. I preserve. I raise chickens. I make our own self-care products. I sew. I knit. I clean this big old house. With help, I moderate an online facebook community dedicated to Elimination Communication. I volunteer with the PAC of our local play group. I try to find time to ride my horses. I read as much as I can. I have a life outside of family...kinda. <br />
I think I've been asked once in 3 years about what I do. It was a couples question, directed at both my husband and I. My answer was one sentence "I just stay home with the boys". My husband was able to hold a 30 minute conversation about what he does.<br />
There I was, out for the evening with the hubby and boys. Still just taking care of them, while Peter was engrossed in conversation about all the nifty things he does. <br />
I want to be okay with taking care of my kids, because it's awesome. I'm so blessed to be able to stay home and raise these boys. I'm not going to ask people 'what do you do' anymore when I'm making small talk. From now on I'm going to ask 'what are your interests?'. Let's see where that takes us. So...<br />
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<b>What are your interests?</b></div>
Jenny Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03253699940786076671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2433112273858895540.post-795183521261759772014-05-05T06:14:00.000-07:002014-05-05T06:14:04.996-07:00Long term homesteading goalsHomesteading, self-sufficiency, self-reliance, or just plain old money saving. Whatever you call it, I feel like most people I know have some sort of goals for this topic. I have a long list that covers many aspects. Here it is, written out more for my benefit than yours. <br />
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<ul>
<li>Put in long-term field fencing. Use the temporary fencing to section off the field into 8 paddocks. Use permanent posts for a a dry lot, and training lot. I'd like to put in 6 foot half rounds along the road and for the aforementioned lots. I'd be happy to use metal t-posts for along the creek and river. I'm not sure if I want to stick with electric fencing or use wooden rails with woven wire. </li>
<li>Trench the field for optimal drainage, put a water tank below where the spring drains into the field to catch said water, and achieve maximum benefit. </li>
<li> Improve gardening skills to the point where everything I put in the ground has an edible product. </li>
<li>Relocate ground hog or fence in all gardens so we benefit from them, and not the ground hog. </li>
<li>Add pear and plum trees to the orchard. </li>
<li>Add raspberry, blackberry, and blueberry plants to the hillside. </li>
<li>Put away enough fruits and vegetables during the growing season to last through the winter and into the next growing season. </li>
<li>Frame in a green house over the upper garden. </li>
<li>Set up feed sprouting trays for livestock. </li>
<li>Add an additional 24 laying hens to the chicken count. </li>
<li>Raise enough meat chickens to feed the family for one year. (100?)</li>
<li>Build chicken tractors to graze meat chickens in the field. </li>
<li>Add turkeys, geese, and ducks to the farm. One male and one female to potentially bring up new young. The rest would be butchered each Fall. </li>
<li>Raise 3 pigs yearly. Two to feed the family, and one to sell to cover butcher costs. </li>
<li>Sheep. An heritage breed that we can use for milk, wool, and potentially meat. If there is a breed I can find that isn't represented in our area perhaps a male as well so we can sell babies in the spring. </li>
<li>Replace the old barn roof with metal. </li>
<li>Get solar panels to go on the barn roof, sell extra to utility company. </li>
<li>Sell extra eggs and any other extras. </li>
</ul>
For now that is all I can think of. What are your goals? Jenny Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03253699940786076671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2433112273858895540.post-29260987184560546032014-05-04T06:55:00.001-07:002014-05-04T06:55:58.010-07:00The year of the fence, part 2. <br /><br />
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The field is now completely enclosed with temporary fencing. Yay for
free grazing. I took a break from all the fencing projects to clear
out the deep bedding in the stalls and chicken coop. Last week I
started on the new chicken fence. I managed to get get 6 posts in the
ground, along with turning and planting the 8x8 raised bed with root
vegetables. I still have about 25 posts to put in for the chicken run, and then get the new wire up. Everything I've accomplished either has to be done with my
two little helpers or during nap time. It sure has revised my view of
what a 'big accomplishment' is for one day. <br />
I was hoping to
purchase a rototiller this year, but decided that our little expendable
cash could be better budgeted to other expenses. For now I'm turning
everything by hand. Between digging up the garden and digging fence
posts my dislike for our rocky soil has grown immensely. This happens
every Spring, but luckily for me I have a little boy who loves the job
of removing rocks from the garden. In 5 years time I will have rock
free garden spaces I'm sure! <br />
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Jenny Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03253699940786076671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2433112273858895540.post-56535162787640653352014-04-09T10:05:00.001-07:002014-04-09T10:05:36.007-07:002014, the Year of the Fence For us, this year is the year of the fence. I started working on enclosing the remainder of our field in a warm spell in January. A snow storm moved in while I was working on it, so we left it partially completed and got dumped on. It's now 3 months later and the snow is finally gone, and ground finally thawed. I'll be finishing enclosing the field tomorrow. <br />
After the field is completely enclosed I need to put fence openings in the right areas, and come up with a solution so the horses can drink from the river. After those tasks are accomplished I'll be stepping back from pasture fencing for awhile. <br />
Next up is upgrading the chicken enclosure. I have very naughty chickens who like to pick through the gravel on the side of the road. This annoys my neighbors who in turn call animal control to complain, so we try to keep them penned up. Last year's attempt was a big flop. I'm hoping to use 2x2 posts that we already have on the farm to keep the budget low, then staple chicken wire up, top with thin boards and run hot wire along the top. I'll also be clipping their wings this year, as the Aracunas like to fly out. <br />
After the chicken run is finished I need to tackle fencing in the backyard. Before I know it I'm going to have to running boys to chase, so a fence to keep them away from the road is necessary. I plan on putting one fence, with a large gate between the stone foundation from the summer kitchen, and the stone fence that borders the pasture field. Another fence will be placed between the corner of the house and the corner of the barn. Before that can go in I need to level off the ground. There is a 2.5 foot drop from yard to where the garden is, and that just isn't safe or pretty. After that I need to work on fencing in along the rock wall and the pasture, but I haven't come up with a solution for that. At least with the two boundary fences in they won't be able to run towards the road.<br />
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Lastly, we need some sort of privacy fence put up along the foundation for the summer kitchen. I have a vision of a backyard patio where our family can hang out, cook, and relax. However, those aforementioned neighbors? They drive back and forth staring onto our property, instead of watching the road. It makes me uncomfortable to be observed so often, so I'm dreaming of something to put up to block their view of us when we're having family hang out time. Jenny Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03253699940786076671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2433112273858895540.post-52172455516775648512014-03-31T09:35:00.002-07:002014-03-31T09:35:30.558-07:00tooth powder recipeYou'll have to forgive me for the lack of photographic evidence in this post. I'll try to add photos in after the next batch we make. <br />
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Homemade Re-mineralizing Tooth Powder <br />
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1 TBS Bentonite Clay <br />
1 TBS Calcium Magnesium Citrate Powder<br />
1 TBS Baking Soda<br />
1/2 TBS Sea Salt*<br />
1/2 TBS Xylitol *<br />
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These last two ingredients need to be run through some sort of coffee grinder, or food processor to turn them from large granules into a powder. <br />
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You'll notice that the measurements are large, and I don't use teaspoons. This is because it allows my son, who is nearing is third birthday, to make it himself. <br />
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I have used different things to flavor the powder, but he hasn't liked any of it. He much prefers the citrus taste combined with the sweetness of the xylitol. In the past we've tried ground peppermint leaves, cloves, and cinnamon.<br />
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The bentonite clay is used to pull impurities from the mouth, such as toxins or heavy metals. <br />
Cal-Mag powder is awesome in itself. Calcium is obviously something we need to help remineralize teeth. Everyone knows that we need calcium for healthy teeth and bones. However, lots of people don't know that adequate amounts of vitamin c are needed to help the body absorb the calcium properly. Magnesium is an extremely important mineral that is lacking in most modern day diets. So yay, lets throw some of that in too! <br />
Baking Soda works as a light abrasive, and aids in balancing your PH levels and fighting the bacteria that cause cavities. <br />
Sea Salt also works in fighting those cavities causing bacteria<br />
Xylitol again is to work against the bacteria. In this case, it makes the mouth inhospitable to the bacteria. It also works to balance the PH levels in your mouth. <br />
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So that is the short of why we use these ingredients in our tooth powder. Maybe some day I will take the time to write about how exactly we 'healed' my son's cavities. Jenny Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03253699940786076671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2433112273858895540.post-14748665595633666552014-02-22T09:18:00.001-08:002014-02-22T09:18:28.112-08:00movin' on outWe're in the final stages of moving out, so work can get accomplished on our house (for more details see: <a href="http://www.apolloswilliamshouse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The House that Apollos Built</a>). It's crazy, and hectic, and nuts, and you probably get the point by now. What would make it even more stressful? A huge custom order. <br />
I've been working on expanding the tiny bit of sewing for profit that I do. In fact, I even set a monetary goal for myself, for the year. $365, or one dollar a day. So far, I'm no where near that goal. In steps my friend's husband. With a request for alterations on his uniform, 2 undershirts, and 2 new coats for his reenacting hobby. I'm excited, and nervous at the same time. Honestly, I think I'm more nervous about getting this order right for him, than when I sewed her wedding dress!<br />
Back to the moving out topic. We're trying to keep the amount we take with us minimal. Then this order comes in, on top of the work I had planned on doing while we were staying at my in-laws. So now I'm bringing one plastic tote of projects, a sewing machine, a serger, my knitting, AND having fabric shipped to their house. Oh, and I need my reference books. I'm a compulsive researcher. If the littlest thing strikes my fancy I can spend hours reading up on it. So, here are my research books I'm bringing with (I have other ones waiting for me at the library in town) <br />
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<br />Jenny Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03253699940786076671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2433112273858895540.post-50731652169571792732014-02-06T13:31:00.001-08:002014-02-06T13:31:27.008-08:00Home EC...homesteading economics. I'm starting an on-going challenge to post tidbits and how to's on the how what and whys of homesteading. Despite growing up in the country on a 'farm', I feel like I've had a ton to learn, and still have miles to go. I'm also going to be hosting guest bloggers on this, since I am, admittedly, not an expert in much. <br />
So...here is the first tidbit:<br />
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When it comes to being a woman, but having to break open livestock water in the winter, don't do it the way men do. Men go out with their BFH (big friggin hammers, for those of you who didn't grow up in the Midwest) and bash away. That's how I've been doing it. Until today that is. Today I had to shovel a foot of snow off the top of the water before breaking it open. Rather than walk the extra 10 steps back to a scoop shovel, I grabbed my garden spade. Turns out it works great for breaking ice up. In fact, it works better than the sledge. I was able to break more ice open than in the last couple weeks, and then scoop the ice out of the water as well. <br />
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It's the little things...<br />
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JennyJenny Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03253699940786076671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2433112273858895540.post-70586801318712609292014-02-05T09:44:00.000-08:002014-02-05T09:44:03.817-08:00Attempting gluten. Now that January, and my attempts at limiting foods are over, I'm going in the opposite direction. We've been gluten free for 10 months, and Paleo for about 9 of them. I'd like to try reintroducing grains into our diet again, because we miss breads. I'm still very cautious about gluten, as they led to stomach upset and cavities for Braeden last year. <br />
The cavities are healed (another post is coming on that subject), but the stomach upset still lingers. Grains don't affect him nearly as bad as soy does, so we're experimenting with reintroducing soured and sprouted grains.<br />
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I made a sour dough starter with the flour from my cupboard, so it's definitely not fresh. I've been experimenting with biscuits and pancakes. I'm slowly getting my chops back when it comes to baking with gluten, however Braeden's stomach doesn't seem to be appreciating it. My wheat berries are sprouted, and going in the dehydrator today, so hopefully some freshly ground sprouted, and then soured grain will sit better with him. <br />
I also still have spelt and rye flour in the pantry to experiment with. I'm hopeful we can find something that his gut will tolerate, so we can have 'normal' baked goods now and then. <br />
Jenny <br />
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<br />Jenny Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03253699940786076671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2433112273858895540.post-49430451937290672302014-02-01T09:24:00.004-08:002014-02-01T09:24:41.664-08:00Happy February and a Giveaway! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-smZKiwFvMUQ/Uu0tdGNTOOI/AAAAAAAAAag/Y9Nce89U78I/s1600/P1060482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-smZKiwFvMUQ/Uu0tdGNTOOI/AAAAAAAAAag/Y9Nce89U78I/s1600/P1060482.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bDVtNsg1yJM/Uu0tOcdUcMI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/JUDZwhh66Qo/s1600/P1080147+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bDVtNsg1yJM/Uu0tOcdUcMI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/JUDZwhh66Qo/s1600/P1080147+-+Copy.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><span class="userContent">HAPPY FEBRUARY!<br /> I am so excited that it's February, and we're that much closer to Spring and warm weather. <br /> To celebrate I'm having my first give-away! 1 pair of felt cupid wings, just in time for Valentines day! <br /> Each person to enter will<span class="text_exposed_show">
have their name written on a piece of paper and thrown in a bowl. The
drawing will be next Saturday, February 8th.</span></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"> I have a couple ways to
enter:</span></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> 1.Share Spruced Corner's facebook page on your wall.<br /> 2.
Have a friend 'like' our page and comment on our wall about who sent
them. (Both you and your friend will we entered this way.)<br /> 3. Follow us on Etsy at :<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SprucedCorner?ref=shop_sugg" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.etsy.com/shop/SprucedCorner?ref=shop_sugg</a><br /> 4. Follow one of our blogs: (or both for two entries) <a href="http://sprucedcorner.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://sprucedcorner.blogspot.com/</a> or <br /> <a href="http://apolloswilliamshouse.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://apolloswilliamshouse.blogspot.com/</a> If you already follow both blogs, comment on a post and let us know you want to be entered! <br /> <br /> That's right, there is the potential to get entered 5 times to win a set of wings for your little one!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wings you'll win!</td></tr>
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Jenny Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03253699940786076671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2433112273858895540.post-83340209940568786892014-01-23T13:59:00.001-08:002014-01-23T13:59:51.585-08:00Color sorting, Cursive letters, and Japanese<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The other day Braeden had a bit of cabin fever, and Kelan had a cold. I didn't like the idea of dragging Kelan out into the below zero wind chills so that Braeden could burn off energy. Instead I thought up something to occupy his mind for a little while after nap. I combined color sorting, cursive letter recognition, and Japanese. I wrote both the color names in romaji, so that anyone can pronounce it, and katakana so he can see the symbols. I feel equally rusty in writing both cursive and katakana. <br /><br />
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I started off with a pile of pompoms, an empty egg carton, colored pencils, scissors, glue, and construction paper. I had 8 colors of pompoms, so I cut off two rows of the egg carton. </div>
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To close up the egg carton, I cut off the top with an approximate extra inch and a half. </div>
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Cut two slits into the top, folded them in and taped it. </div>
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Cut the center out of each of the bottom sections next. This egg carton was set up perfectly to accommodate this. </div>
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Each section was then covered with a color of construction paper that coordinated with the pom poms. I glued the papers on, then reopened the holes. Doing it this way ensured that I wouldn't make the holes too big. </div>
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To make boxes I cut rectangles from the construction paper, slit the corners about 1 inch in, </div>
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glued each corner, </div>
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and patiently held them until they were dry. </div>
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On more construction paper I wrote the color in English cursive, romaji which is the romanized version of the Japanese language, and then in katakana at the bottom. I glued each of these sheets onto the bottom of my boxes and filled them with their coordinating pom poms. </div>
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I managed to get it set up just before he woke up. </div>
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Here he is after he matched all the colors, sorting them back into their boxes to start over. </div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-fQe2LM7f9T0%2FUuFNAbJD8BI%2FAAAAAAAAAVk%2FStk9adGHWKM%2Fs1600%2FIMG_0758.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fQe2LM7f9T0/UuFNAbJD8BI/AAAAAAAAAVk/Stk9adGHWKM/s1600/IMG_0758.JPG" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fQe2LM7f9T0/UuFNAbJD8BI/AAAAAAAAAVk/Stk9adGHWKM/s1600/IMG_0758.JPG" with "https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fQe2LM7f9T0/UuFNAbJD8BI/AAAAAAAAAVk/Stk9adGHWKM/s1600/IMG_0758.JPG" -->Jenny Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03253699940786076671noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2433112273858895540.post-33785416740893258842014-01-22T08:16:00.001-08:002014-01-22T08:16:38.248-08:00Gardening in January, or I feel overwhelmed. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It was going great. I had my Baker Creek catalog, <a href="http://www.rareseeds.com/" target="_blank">http://www.rareseeds.com/</a>, and had picked out this year's garden seeds. Then I drug out the seeds left over from last year and the feeling of overwhelm struck. Braeden had explored my seeds, without my knowledge. Now I have quite a bit of mystery seeds to sort through, an order to adjust, and garden plots to write out. However, spring is coming, so all is well. Jenny Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03253699940786076671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2433112273858895540.post-48558535468853195932014-01-16T10:43:00.002-08:002014-01-16T10:43:42.765-08:00A substitute for oatmealThis time of the year I crave warm carb laden comfort food all day long. I attempted to make a paleo friendly substitute for baked oatmeal the other day. The photos aren't that great, but it was late and I was in a hurry to get it in the oven before Kelan woke up. I also didn't measure anything but one ingredient. It's all 'to taste', or 'looks about right'. <br />
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I started with shredded low fat coconut flakes. It's what I had in the pantry. Ideally I would have had full fat coconut flakes. You know, the big kind? </div>
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I added one can of full fat (bpa free) coconut milk. And a lot more coconut. I then added a little water until I got the consistency I liked. </div>
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I transferred it to a baking dish, and added ginger and allspice. Tasted it, and it wasn't quite what I wanted. So, I added 8 oz of no sugar added applesauce and cinnamon. Then I stuck it in my convection oven, set to slow cook, and went to bed. <br />
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It was pretty darn tasty! All the males in the house liked it. It would even work as a crust for a pie. Best of all, I didn't need to use a ton of eggs like I have to with coconut flour. <br />
<br />Jenny Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03253699940786076671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2433112273858895540.post-45785721642688874952014-01-02T13:42:00.004-08:002014-01-02T13:42:49.812-08:002014Here I sit with a brand new notebook, the first pages filled with lists and goals for the new year. And here I sit for the second day doing nothing. Yesterday was the beginning of my new detox. It didn't sound too crazy on the 31st but it's proving to be very hard. No sugar, no dairy, limited caffeine whole food, strict paleo for 30 days. I'm not doing this to loose weight, but feel better. My sugar cravings are out of control, and I'm curious to see if going dairy-free will help my eczema. I went into it with the realization that I'm nursing a baby, and a toddler. I may have to adjust to meet increased dietary needs for their sake. Yesterday I was sluggish and wanted my cream and sugar in my coffee. By the end of the day I had a migraine and felt nauseous. Today I woke up shaking and with an upset stomach. That candida bacteria fights back! I'll be honest, I did consume a little sugar with breakfast. It just
so happens it's really hard to find breakfast meats that don't have some
form of sugar in them. It's 4:30, and I finally felt up to making
'bullet proof coffee'. It would be way better with sugar, but I'm
sticking with it for the rest of the day at least. <br />
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Here's to hopefully taking the time to blog more. Jenny Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03253699940786076671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2433112273858895540.post-70116336338745741162014-01-01T08:22:00.000-08:002014-01-02T13:44:17.590-08:00Wordless Wednesday: lists<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Jenny Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03253699940786076671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2433112273858895540.post-4358996949155844152013-08-20T06:33:00.001-07:002013-08-20T06:33:15.912-07:00fostering learning independence While I still haven't made any decisions on introducing a second language to Braeden, we have started working on the phonetical sounds of letters. Braeden knows all of his letters thanks to Dr. Seuss, and I have grown really bored with hearing what letter is what all day long. Does it make me a bad parent, to say I got bored with my child? I'm digressing. Anyway, I was bored so I started telling him the sounds of the letters. He'd bring me a fridge magnet letter, tell me which one it was and if it was big or little. I would then tell him the sound, which he would repeat. Then he'd run off to get a new letter. This left a pile of letters in my lap, and a pile of knowledge in his brain!<br />
He also is very into coloring, and telling me what letter he has scribbled. Some times they look just like a letter, and sometimes it takes a little imagination to see what he's seeing. I started thinking about getting him some sort of letter tracing 'thing' so he could self-learn letter writing. I'm very into kids doing things themselves. Feeding, dressing, bathroom. You name it, I'm all for them doing it themselves. <br />
On an unrelated shopping trip I was waiting for a friend in the Target entrance, and wandered over to $1 bins. I totally scored! I got several different letter tracing items, and phonics cards! He hasn't retained any of the sounds yet, or done more than scribble over the tracing letters but it will come. I pull those out occasionally when he's having trouble self-occupying while I cook or clean. <br />
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<br />Jenny Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03253699940786076671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2433112273858895540.post-36945861643872018902013-08-04T11:09:00.000-07:002013-08-04T11:09:04.011-07:00Culture Shock<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last week we packed up our Honda Insight and headed to visit my
husband's family out on Cape Cod. Whenever we leave our little corner
of Western Massachusetts I feel like I experience parenting culture
shock. We go out among strangers, and see every type of parenting that
has been given a monicker; helicopters, tigers, traditionalists, etc. <br />
The
difference in parenting styles seems to smack me in the face, whereas
at home we are very lucky to live in an area where, like us, many
parents practice some
version of gentle parenting. I feel like in our area 'normal'
encompasses one or more of the attachment parenting ideals;
bed-sharing or co-sleeping, extended breastfeeding, baby wearing, gentle
discipline etc. In other parts of our state and the country I've
witnessed the parental norm reflecting the parenting styles of the
mid-20th century rather than what I feel is the current attachment
parenting trend. <br />
This trend isn't something new, instead it is
something old. Instead of mirroring the last couple generations of
parenting styles people are looking further back for guidance. Back
before there were TVs and computers to amuse even the youngest of
babies, and extended families would work together to bring up the newest
additions. I think the most important aspect of attachment parenting
is to guide children with your actions, not your words. However, words
can be extremely powerful as well. <br />
Two separate incidents from
our recent vacation have been on my mind. We headed out to the beach on
our second day and as we were nearing the steps up to the beach from
the parking lot we were pushing our stroller down (yep, even some times
AP parents use strollers) we overheard a mother saying over and over
again that she was so surprised that her daughter was 'good'. This
sweet little girl looked to be about a year old, and was cute as could
be toddling around the beach in her swimsuit. Her mama was so engrossed
in her conversation that I don't believe she noticed her daughter was
hanging on her every word. While she was exploring the sand around her,
she would pause and listen whenever her mama spoke. I wonder at what
age will she question why her mother was surprised that she was
inherently good. What happens when she starts to push boundaries, and
question authority as all children do? Will she stop being considered
good, or is her goodness contingent on her continuing to go with her
parents flow, and not exert her own will? <br />
The second experience
was on our last day. It was far from sunny, occasionally spitting
rain, but warm so we headed to the park with the boys. I watched as one
mama arrived with her little girl who was about 18 months, scolded her
for hanging back and then pushed her forward with the demand to 'go
play'. As a parent of a 2 year old who still takes quite a bit of time
in new situations to adjust, I was sad that the little girl didn't have
the support she needed to get comfortable on her own terms. I find that
Braeden warms up to new situations quicker if he isn't forced into
joining them, and is allowed to hang back with the support of either
myself or his daddy until he has fully observed everything and
everyone. Then watch out, because he turns into a ball of energy with a
need to socialize. <br />
The mama of that little girl sat down with some
friends at the table nearest our stroller, where Kelan was napping. I
spent my time going between checking on him in the stroller and talking
with Peter as he watched Braeden run, jump, and climb everything he
could. At one point a boy, close to Braeden's age accidentally bumped
his head. Braeden called for me and started crying. I could tell from
his cry he was more startled and scared, then hurt. I was hugging him,
and we were talking about what happened when the boy's daddy, from the
near by table, carried him over and demanded that he apologize NOW.
That poor little soul was mortified. His face was bright red, I could
tell he was embarrassed at the way he was being held, that he was being
presented to strangers and commanded to speak, not to mention he had
accidentally bumped someone and made them cry. That last one is enough
to embarrass most people. Tears started to well up in his eyes too,
and Braeden was now calm but uncomfortable with the strange man's tone towards his own child. I told the little boy that we understood it was an accident, and that we weren't upset or mad at him. I also said we could tell he felt badly for scaring Braeden, so he didn't need to use his words to apologize. <br />
Shortly thereafter both boys were back to playing and I was nursing Kelan. The boy's mama seemed to be trying to interact with me by commenting on how hungry Kelan was. When she started explaining to her younger boy about the baby I brought him over to show. The mama said 'we love babies, but then they grow up into this, nodding down at her toddler, and then they're trouble'. I couldn't stand that negativity directed at what seemed to be a sweet little guy. I responded with 'I just love toddlers, they're so fun!' and walked over towards my boys. I spent the rest of the time avoiding eye contact with them. <br />
Words are powerful tools, and our children's minds are like sponges. I'm finding out just how trying these little people can be, and we're only in the beginning of it all. However, I feel that as frustrating as these days can be, its really important to not put labels on children. They are good, no matter if they follow your rules implicitly or question every thing. Children are not troublesome. They are adventurous. They are curious. They are full of awe and wonder at this world, and if we can just spend five minutes each day looking at things through their eyes our busy adult world would mesh so much better with their world of wonderment. <br />
<br />
<br />
What is the prevalent parenting style near you? In what ways do you wish the parents in your community would alter their child-rearing ways?<br />
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*DISCLAIMER* This post in no way means I think I am the perfect parent. I am constantly wishing I could take back how I did something, and educating myself in different ways to be a more peaceful, gentle, child-friendly parent and adult. <br />
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<br />Jenny Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03253699940786076671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2433112273858895540.post-50550744664296905202013-07-22T08:00:00.000-07:002013-07-28T19:34:39.808-07:00LanguagesI had lots of interests when I was younger. History, drama, movies, books, animals, and languages. We lived far into the country, nearly 30 minutes from our town. This meant I spent most of my time away from my peers.<br />
<br />
I didn't really mind, because I enjoyed doing my own thing. I'd ride my horse, read whatever books I found interesting or my parents recommended, and do a little self-taught language learning. I really enjoying sharing these passions with my son(s). Braeden is now 2, and seems to be a bookworm. He will spend hours 'reading' to himself or asking us to read his entire library. He knows all his letters by sight, and likes to show them to little brother, Kelan, and tell him how to pronounce them.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Dqo9gsYLeU/UeyfjuX_PPI/AAAAAAAAASs/sZmvti5koUs/s1600/Reading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Dqo9gsYLeU/UeyfjuX_PPI/AAAAAAAAASs/sZmvti5koUs/s320/Reading.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last year's Halloween Costume. A book worm, reading a book. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />
When he was just a couple months old I started to slowly introduce
sign language to him. It took quite awhile for him to catch on, but
once it 'clicked' with him he loved signing. He was considered a late
talker, but had many signs to get his point across. Once he took the
step into verbalizing his words we started slacking in the signing
department. Since his brother's birth he has started signing again.
Most likely due to the fact that we haven't been able to always give him
our undivided attention. He seems to be accentuating the important
words with signs. Also, in the 'too cute' department he has been trying
to teach 6 week old Kelan how to sign.<br />
We used the book 'The
Joy of Signing' by Lottie Riekehof. It isn't a typical baby signing
book, but more of a dictionary of common signs. The first chapter
explains different aspects of signs, and how to string sentences
together. I'm going to be using this book again to expand on his
signs.<br />
<br />
In addition to the signing, I'd like to introduce a
foreign language to him. Studies have shown that the best time to
introduce another language is before age 5. I've studied French,
Spanish, German, and Japanese. The majority of my studies were in
Japanese. I took both courses offered at my high school, did some
independent study of it the summer after I graduated, and was accepted
to the UW's Japanese program. Unfortunately my anxiety and self doubt
got the best of me and I opted out of it.<br />
I also studied German
in high school, and have done a little independent study of it. It
might be easy to pick up German because of the similarity of the
alphabet, many of the letter pronunciations, and sentence structure.<br />
I'm
debating between introducing him to a language that I already have a
background in, like Japanese or German and Spanish. While I don't have
much background in speaking Spanish, it seems to be a good option, due
to the number of people in our country that speak it as a first language
but for the most part I'd have to learn along side him.<br />
For now we'll continue ASL while I weigh the pros and cons of each language. Jenny Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03253699940786076671noreply@blogger.com0