It's been awhile, so I thought it might be time for a quick photo garden tour! These pictures were actually taken a week ago, so just imagine everything a little bit bigger! This patch is a mix of cauliflower to the far left, potatoes in the center and front, a bit of broccoli to the …
Just for fun…
Nesting much? I did this last week (completely emptying, washing, re-filling and neatly labeling all of my spices and herbs), along with a whole slew of other cleaning and organizing tasks. It may be a bit over the top, but it does make me smile to see how pretty it looks. I need some more …
Waste Not, Want Not
I felt a little foolish saying yes, but as far as I could figure, I had paid good money for it and I wasn’t going to turn down anything that could possibly be nourishing food for my family! The “it” that I’m referring to is all the miscellaneous bones and fat that was left over …
Preserving Summer’s Bounty: Blanching and Freezing Vegetables
This year I added a new skill to my food preservation repertoire, and I can't believe how simple it is! Blanching and then freezing veggies is a great way to preserve excess food from the garden or summer markets. The reason for the blanching (and not just simply freezing) is that it kills the enzymes …
Preserving Summer’s Bounty: Blanching and Freezing VegetablesRead More
You Tell Me: How Do You Make a Whole Foods Diet Work on a Budget?
I'll confess… I have another new project up my sleeve. As if it's not enough to be having another baby and starting a new family business, I've decided to write another eBook, just for fun! 🙂 The concept of my new book is a collection of all the different ideas, tips, tricks, budgeting methods, cooking …
You Tell Me: How Do You Make a Whole Foods Diet Work on a Budget?Read More
Q&A: Blogging and Balancing Time
Just recently I began blogging myself. It is something I am enjoying very much, but have found that it is becoming very easy for me to allow it to steal my time, energy and affection more than it should. I definitely think that this is something I can do right now, but realize that it’s …
Need Extra Money? Sell Some Stuff!
I'm a big Craigslist fan! Not only is it a fantastic place to find practical, used items for great prices, but it's also an ideal way to sell things that you don't need anymore. Back when I was decluttering my house this spring and early summer, I made the decision that I had a …
Healthy, Natural Pregnancy: Caden’s Birth Story
Seeing as he's now 26 months old, it might be time to write out his birth story! I wrote Abbie's out in the weeks following her birth, but not Caden's. So here we go… Caden's birth was such a silver lining during a very difficult season for our family. My husband was diagnosed with Hodgkin's …
Preserving Summer’s Bounty: Beautiful Blueberries
Blueberries are such a mainstay of our diet! Every summer we put away as many as possible (while trying to be self-disciplined and not eat all the fresh ones in the process). Last summer we bought about 75-80 lbs and we are aiming to do the same again this year! Not only are they just …
Swagbucks Offer
The people over at Swagbucks have decided to offer a bit of a sign-up incentive for my readers! If you've been hearing about Swagbucks and are still a bit unsure of what this whole thing is about, here are the basics: Whenever you want to search for something on the web( ie. a google search), …
Shower Filters: Goodbye Chlorine!
A couple of months ago, I finally made a purchase that I'd had my eye on for quite some time… a shower filter! (I know, I know, the things that excite me!) The point of a shower filter is to get rid of the chlorine that is pretty much standard in tap water all over …
Baby Poll!
We're now past 37 weeks and are in the final countdown before baby comes! I thought it might be fun to have a baby poll, and let you give me your best guess as to the details of baby's arrival! Here's the way it will work: 1) Leave a comment letting me know 3 things: …
Healthy, Natural Pregnancy: Preparing for Labor
**I don't usually like to post two lengthy posts, two days in a row, but since this topic is what's on my mind these days, it seemed fitting to get it up quickly, before baby actually arrives and while it still feels relevant! 🙂 Image by Friarsbalsam Nobody said that labor was easy. There's …
Soaked Tortilla Tutorial
We just love us some homemade tortillas in this family! (Gosh, I’m learning to talk more and more like an American all the time- I love you gals! 🙂 After buying the whole grain or sprouted store bought ones for years, we are completely sold on eating homemade ones instead. Their texture is softer and …
Cloth Diaper Liners: No More Rash Overnight!
You may or may not remember how we've been having trouble with Caden getting rashes when we use cloth diapers overnight. We've been able to continue on with cloth in the day, but have been using more natural disposable diapers just at night, for the past 6 months or so. But no longer! Last week …
Q&A: Getting the Best Deals
Image by alamosbasement I've been reading your blog for some time now and was wondering where you purchase your beef and chicken? I've done a lot of research and want to make sure I'm getting the best deal before I make a final choice. I appreciate your time in answering my question. Thanks Monica Monica, …
Home Education Schedule for the Fall
For those who were interested after last week's post on the curriculum I've chosen, here is our daily schedule for home educating this fall: A few notes: Circle time is when the kids and I sit together and work on activities that don't require tablework, like memorization, read alouds, narration, devotions, etc. Abbie will …
Garlic Galore!
Who knew that this: would turn into this: That's a whole lot of garlic! On Wednesday morning, my brothers-in-law kindly helped me to pull up all of my garlic. I planted it late last October, mulched it with leaves over winter, and it has been steadily growing ever since. I probably could have let it …
Make Your Own Cloth Pads!
Cloth pads are something I’ve written about several times before (here and here). Not only are they healthier to use (avoiding toxic chemicals in regular pads and tampons), but they are much friendlier on the environment and the trash can, as well as on our wallets. Pads may not seem all that expensive, but they …
All Ready for Another Year of Home Educating!
As Abbie will be turning 5 this year, and has recently learned to read and develop a much keener interest in exploring new topics (“Mommy, how does my body move? But I mean, what makes my muscles move my legs? But why…”), this will be our most formal year yet, although our main focus will …
Pregnancy Update: 36 Weeks
Unbelievable that I am about 4 weeks away, and possibly even less, from meeting our new baby! And you may be happy to know (just because it proves that I am a real person, just like the rest of you) that I am not a Wonderwoman, either. I have hit somewhat of a wall, and …
Long-Term Storage for Lacto-fermented Veggies?
I've made my own lacto-fermented veggies and condiments and we enjoyed them in the fridge for up to a couple of months. However, I am unsure of what I can do for long-term storage (since they generally need to be kept cool once the fermentation has taken place, so that they don't over-ferment, leading to …
Bugaloo Winner!
We have a winner! The lucky lady is… Kentucky Kate! (If you haven't already received my email, please email me, Kate!) For the rest of you who are still drooling over fondly recalling the positively adorable and well-priced leather baby shoes from Bugaloo Kids, you can go ahead and purchase your own through this banner …
A Seasonal Menu Plan
This week I made a departure from my usual style of menu planning. Since we've been doing this special diet for my husband (a little over a month now), my repertoire of meals has been rather limited. Doing my menu plans each week has felt a bit discouraging, as I stare once again at my …