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Alright mamas, tell me I’m not the only one. (And, please, ignore the dirty carpet.)

I’ve lost so many wipes this way. So. Many.

There’s just something about the wet wipes, that will bring babies far and wide to just keep pulling them out one by one.

Enter the brilliant Grammy.

Yes, that is a wipe container. With pretend wipes in it.

Brilliant, I tell you.

It keeps them occupied for, well, longer than most things occupy a 20-month-old.

Except maybe a brand new pack of real wipes.

Sometimes, they even cooperate while playing with this new toy.

Which, of course is a great thing in and of itself.

Grammy made these pretend wipeys with an old plastic tablecloth. Which, being plastic means this is a “close supervision” toy.

Of course, you could make little squares out of fabric, and if you’re really in a hurry,you can even buy them pre-cut. Check out the Moda Charm Packs. They’d be perfect. Pre-cut 5.5 inch squares. You could sew around the edges to keep from fraying (though, they’re already pinked), or use some Fray Stop around the edges (it’s washable!)

One of the best innovations we’ve had around here in a long time.

A great way to use some leftover fabric, or plastic (only with supervision!), and keep a plastic wipe container out of the landfill. In fact, you could even stock up on these and make some for all the little ones you know! (Pssst! Christmas is sooner than you think…)

OH! We will return to our regularly scheduled posts on Wednesday, when Launi (Mom, Grammy) gets back from her HypnoBirthing conference in FL. Sorry for hijacking the blog. My mom made me.

At least she showed me how to keep my real wet wipes safe before she left.

Mwa!

April

PS This site has been nominated for a Love This Site! award over at Divine Caroline. My mom doesn’t even know about it yet…but she’s going to be SO tickled! And will be even MORE excited if she actually has some votes over there when she finds out…so head on over and vote for her, pretty please? You have to register to vote, but it’s free, and BOY would it make her day. Just click the pink button above, and follow the instructions. Thanks SO much, sweet friends!

Gracias, danke, merci–whatever language is spoken, “thank you” frequently expressed will cheer your spirit, broaden your friendships, and lift your lives to a higher pathway as you journey toward perfection. There is a simplicity–even a sincerity–when “thank you” is spoken.

–President Thomas S. Monson

Remember those crayons you bought a lot of a few weeks ago, and then broke them up and made Confetti Crayons?

Well, I hope you saved some, or still have some around that need sharpening…

You’ll need:

• Wax paper
• Crayons
• Scissors
• Pencil Sharpener
• Black Permanent Marker
• Iron
• Hole Punch
• String

First, print out this pdf, of a few outlines of leaves.

Get out your black marker, and trace the leaves on a sheet of wax paper.

Lay out your sheet of wax paper with the leaves on it, on your ironing surface. Put a sheet of clean paper underneath to protect your ironing board.

Then, start sharpening! (And please ignore the scorch marks on my ironing board while you’re at it.)

I tried to make my shavings all pretty and in the lines. Don’t bother, it’s a pain, and totally doesn’t make a difference. Just have fun mixing colors, and then just spread them evenly over the leaf shape on the waxed paper. This is a fun way to teach kids about monochromatic colors, complimentary colors, warm colors, cool colors, etc. Oh, and if you mix too many colors, well, you’ll end up with brown. Just a warning.

Place the 2nd sheet of wax paper over the top of your crayon shavings. Set your iron on low. Put another piece of clean white paper on top of your wax paper (to protect your iron). Then, press the iron slowly down on each of the leaves. Don’t move the iron around like you’re ironing something, just press it down, pick it up, move it, place it down again. If you move it, it will smear your crayon wax everywhere, and you’ll have a mess. Trust me on this.

Please note the lovely brown patch. I told you. Too many colors=brown.

Now, cut out your leaves! If you do this part while they’re still warm, they will be easier to cut, but they cool quickly. Don’t worry if your wax paper starts to lift a little on the edges, just put your cut out piece back between the clean paper, give it a little press with the iron, and voila! Sealed up again!

Poke some holes in your leaves, tie some string, and hang up somewhere pretty!

P.S. Pssst! This site has been nominated for a “Love This Site!” Award. Please, head on over and vote for us! You do have to register, but it’s freeeee, and we’d really appreciate your help!

I only have little ones, right now. Two 20-month-olds, to be exact. And while I know it’s too early for patriot stories, and lessons on territory disputes, and tea parties (the Boston kind)–I know it’s never too early to start teaching little souls what really matters. Like courage, and respect, and bravery. It’s not too early for them to learn reverence for solemn things, and love for people who sacrifice. Even if they aren’t in a developmental place where they can comply with the teachings, those sweet babies notice when I stop and feel. They notice, and to my amazement, generally reflect my mood. They feel. And so, when we speak of things like wars, and remembrances, of towers and countries, and constitutions, I want my sweethearts to understand how much was paid for them to enjoy the life they have. I want them to grow up with a profound sense of gratitude, and a knowledge of how and why their country works.

I am a part of a generation that says a lot, and does very little. Especially in the political arena. We protest, we complain, we bash, we YouTube. And yet, I find that when I actively question many of my peers on the issues they are protesting, or supporting, they have a very finite understanding of how this country works. Of why this country works. Many of them have never even read the constitution, or know how many branches of government we have.

I want my children to know. To know the heritage they are a part of. The country that they must be actively engaged in maintaining. And so far, I’ve found that the best way to teach them is by example.

Today, I’m going to learn a little bit more about this place I call home. I’m going to say a prayer of thanks for those who have gone before. I’m going to remember those who fell, whether on this day 6 years ago, or in the centuries preceding.

And hopefully someday they’ll see my example, and fold their arms, too.

————————–

Week 26 Food Storage Prompt: 100 lbs. wheat

Because if you, like me, are drowning in tomatoes…

And if you, like me have ever had someone say “Blanche? What are you talking about?”

Or even worse, make a reference to a grouchy retiree from an old tv sitcom…

Then this little tutorial is for you. Or them. Or both of you.

So. Blanching. It’s a really quick and easy way to get the skins off of soft-skinned fruits. Think peaches, apricots, plums, tomatoes.

Apparently, it’s also used to prepare some vegetables for canning–but since I’m scared of canning vegetables, well, I can’t say I’ve ever used it that way.

Here are the details:

Step 1: Fill a large stock pot about 2/3 full of water. Put on to boil.

Step 2: Wash your tomatoes (or other fruit).

Step 3: Place tomatoes in a metal sieve, colander, or steamer basket. My stock pot came with this awesome piece, which is dead useful. The main thing is that your basket needs to be deep enough to completely submerge your tomatoes in the boiling water–as well as have a handle that you can use to pull them out without getting burned. Alternately, if you don’t have a colander that will work, you could drop the tomatoes in the water, and then fish them out with a slotted spoon. This will work, of course, but I wouldn’t suggest it, because if you’re anything like me, there are just too many ways to splash boiling water when you’re trying to drop them in and fish them out. In addition, when you blanch something, you don’t want to cook it, you just want to flash cook the skin so it will come off. The time it takes to fish all the tomatoes out will likely take long enough that your tomatoes will be cooked, at least partially. It’s more messy to peel cooked tomatoes, but if you’re using them in something that will be cooked anyway, it will still work.

Step 4: Submerge the tomatoes in the boiling water for 10-15 seconds.

Step 5: Remove the tomatoes from the boiling water, let drain and cool for several minutes.

Step 6: Cover your working area with a clean kitchen towel. This prevents getting a tomatoey mess all over your counter, as well as helps your working area have a little more traction. Peeled tomatoes are slippery.

Step 7: Using a sharp paring knife, make a slit in the skin of the tomato.

Step 8: Slide the skin off.

Now your tomatoes are ready for sauces, salsas, or bottling!

Using the kitchen towel is also great because you can just fold it up, and your counter is clean again. Remember to rinse your towel well so it doesn’t stain.

In the next few days, I’ll be chronicling my adventures with salsa. I’ve already made one batch, my first time. While it’s pretty good, it’s not salsa-y enough for me. Tastes kinda like slightly flavored tomatoes. SO, you seasoned salsa makers, tell me what you know: does salsa need to sit for a while and mix flavors? Should I open up a jar and try it now, a week later to see if I like the flavor better? Should I start over with a new recipe, and if so, do you have one I can try?

Please! Share your salsa stories and recipes!