Monday, June 25, 2012

My Powerhouse Cleaner


I was never concerned about chemical household cleaners until I had the boys. I actually love the 'clean' smell of bleach, pine-sol, windex, and other cleaners. The problem? Babies put their mouths on everything, and put everything in their mouths.

I started looking for safe, non-toxic, effective cleaners. I discovered vinegar. I have used vinegar for multiple other things, but never to clean counters, toys and floors. Well, what can it hurt to try? I mixed the ratio recommended (don't remember now usually do half vinegar, half water).

The verdict- it worked. Everything looked and felt clean and germ free. The problem was that the house smelled like a pickle factory after I cleaned. I was willing to look past this knowing the boys wouldn't be ingesting bleach everytime they put their mouths on something. (The smell does go away after about a half an hour or so.)

One day while surfing I found a post about citrus vinegar. The cleaning power of vinegar, without smelling like a pickle factory- could it be true?

I am in love. Here's a brief how-to:
Peel citrus fruit. (I use oaranges cause they are cheap)
Put peels in container.
Cover with vinegar.
Wait two weeks.
Strain liquid from peels.
Put concentrate in container until your spray bottle needs filled.
Fill spray bottle half citrus concentrate, half water.
Use the same as any household disenfectant.


This stuff is amazing. It actually works better than the plain vinegar mixture I was using. There is still a slight vinegar smell, covered by a citrus aroma.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

A New Skirt For Mommy



I have a bad case of (self-diagnosed) ADD. I also have a finishing problem- an aversion to finishing projects I start. This is why our dining room table is stacked with sewing stuff, the vacuum is sitting in the corner, the laundry is piled in baskets (folded though), and the list goes on. I look around and see so many unfinished projects I get overwhelmed, and want to hide.

Lately I have been trying to finish projects. (Part of my 30 by 30; craft through stash) One nearly finished project in my stash is a skirt. I made it last summer, shortly after having the boys. Needless to say it is a bit too big now. Instead of finishing it, into a (rather big) pile in the closet it went.

Today I finished it! The sad thing is, it took me longer to load my bobbin into the machine than it did to finish it.



This skirt was super simple, the hardest part was pinning a straight line (something I sorta have a problem with). Unfortunately, I do not know where I found the tutorial, so maybe I'll post my version of instructions next time I make one.



I am extremely happy with this skirt. It is very comfy, light, airy, summery and cute. One more to-do done!

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

30 by 30

Wow, May flew by and June is on it's way! I had a birthday in May and my first official Mother's Day.

I'm not good at New Years Resolutions. I fail forget about them before the first week is over. I'm horrible at any type of habit changing activity. See, I like to track progress, mark things off, see my accomplishments. That's all good, except I have this need to start at the beginning- the beginning of the week, the beginning of the month, the beginning of a challenge... you get it? (Please tell me I'm not alone!) Then when I slip up for a day, week, whatever- I think what's the use?

Well, I made a 30 by 30 list. Kinda a bucket list of things to do before I turn thirty (next May). I guess you can't even call it a bucket list, because it's nothing exciting, just things I have wanted to work on in my life. So, here's my 30 by 30 list (with a couple added in for safe measure):

  1. purge home, clear clutter
  2. make cleaning a habit
  3. make recycling a habit
  4. scan pictures, organize pictures
  5. organize recipes
  6. paint bedroom; decorate
  7. paint living room; decorate
  8. learn how to effective manage household, and time
  9. make wedding album
  10. journal for the boys
  11. journal for my husband
  12. learn how to use my camera, and take more pictures
  13. have monthly date nights with my husband
  14. go on mini-vacation with hubby
  15. go on vacation with the family
  16. read to the boys every day
  17. learn to/teach the kids to pray (and Lord's prayer, and Ten Commandments)
  18. teach my step-daughter to sew and/or encourage her creative interests
  19. implement a budget
  20. start nursing clinicals
  21. manage time better
  22. get up early (like to start day by 6:00)
  23. dress for my hubby more often (less jeans and t-shirts)
  24. style hair more, less ponytails
  25. blog regularly
  26. exercise regularly
  27. craft through books; get rid of books not needed
  28. craft through stash
  29. make a dress, and wear it
  30. start selling on etsy
  31. do a 365 project
  32. have a (semi) handmade Christmas
There it is, my 30 by 30. Here's to hoping I can check it all off!