Ode to Mama Cloth

I have been sewing "Mama Cloth" or cloth pads for a couple years and have been making a bunch to sell lately, so I thought I would add a blurb on here.  Here is what some of them look like:

Basically, it's what it sounds like only what you probably don't know is that it's more comfortable, healthier, cheaper and better for the environment.  They fold up for on the go and are so cute!

Here's an article in case you are interested to know more:

http://lunapads.com/why-switch

(Incidentally, this particular brand is high priced... contact me if you want something affordable!)

Dishwasher Detergent!

I have heard of people making their own detergent and meaning to try it for probably over a year.  Don't you know, I finally got around to it!  It's as easy as measuring and stirring.  I think next time I will just pour it right into the zip lock bag or canister and shake.  Here's my masterpiece:  ;-)

This is the recipe I used, but I substituted a package of Kool-Aid lemonade for citric acid (which I saw on a different recipe). http://laviediy.blogspot.com/2011/08/diy-all-natural-dishwashing-detergent.html  I have already tried it and it seems to work great; the dishes look clean to me!  I don't know if I will ever buy detergent again, ha ha.

Homemade Sugar Scrub

This is a little belated, but I made sugar scrubs last week with this recipe tutorial:

http://www.maybematilda.com/2011/04/baby-shower-gift-homemade-sugar-scrub.html

I want to try the cute jar decorations sometime, but these work for now.  I went for grapefruit and orange peppermint~ I LOVE orange peppermint!!  I actually got a starter kit with 14 essential oils, so I will be trying more things. Yay!  I like the sugar scrub, though I used a little less oil to sugar in mine.  My SIL says it's just right, too. :-D  My goal is actually to give out a BUNCH of sugar scrub samples as gifts at our ladies meeting (Sisterhood) in 2 weeks using the 4 oz baby food jars. Why? Because it sounds fun!

Oh- I also made a few rice buddies with essential oils.  I like it, but I can't smell it enough.  I'm going to give it to a few guinea pigs to see what they think.

BTW, 15 days of school left... oh how I can't wait for summer!!!

Garden time!

I found this blog posted on Facebook: http://www.agardenforthehouse.com/2011/11/winter-sowing-101-6/

Here's my version of it:

It works great!  The milk cartons act as a little greenhouse, protecting the young plants from weather and critters, and they were nice and portable for taking in during a freeze warning.  They came right out of the carton for easy transplanting.  Here's my squash and cucumbers:

 

Here is my pyramid garden, going on its third summer. (Thanks, Mom!):

 

It's great for planting more things in a smaller area by using vertical space.  Right now, I have strawberries, thyme, and green beans in it.  I did green beans in it last year and they are a little large by summer's end but it ends up OK.

I'm excited about my expanding garden!  I even bought heirloom seeds this year off eBay.  This way, I can save my own seeds and keep my garden self sustaining from year to year. (If you don't know, seed packets as well as fruits and vegetables sold in stores are specially designed so that their seeds will not reproduce themselves.  It's so you have to keep buying their product again and again.)  Thanks to Blake and friends for turning over all the soil behind our garage.  It will soon be sporting lettuce, eggplant, pumpkin, corn, and more! :-D

{Lord, help me be consistent with this and get great results!}