7 Quick Takes (1)

Since Tuesday's Top Ten Linkup turned out to be quite fun, I decided to join another one my seemingly popular friend at Momma in Progress likes to do.  This one is fairly simple; just talk about seven things too short for their own post.  The linkup is hosted over at Conversion Diary, so feel free to join too if you wish! Here's the link up link.

I've just had a few little things on my mind lately, but none if it really seems to be able to create an entire blog post.  I guess that's why this link up was created, huh.


1.  I only have two more quiet book pages and a million little pieces to go!  Almost done with one of them anyway.  Those little barn puppets aren't turning out like I'd hoped for though.  Off to find a template!

2.  My children decided we absolutely positively NEEDED to grow corn this year.  I have no clue about where to even start with that one.  This should be interesting.   Any tips?

3.  Showers are amazing.  'Nuff said.  Though, I'm having trouble finding a good shampoo/conditioner combo that helps my hair in this hard hard water.  Do you guys have any suggestions?

4.  Today is "frantically catch up on all the housework" day because the husband comes home and I was lazy for two whole days.  Yep, there's a carpet of dog hair that requires my attention.   Good news!  My dog brush vacuum attachment came in yesterday, so hopefully that might help a little with the whole situation.

5.  Snacking is seriously helping my morning sickness.  And by snacking, I mean just eating fruits, veggies, and nuts through out the day.  Next week, I'll have to go back to having actual meals with the family because the husband isn't exactly the biggest fan of cereal for dinner, but that's alright.  I need to try to eat something meaty anyway, as I'm not exactly a very good protein matcher.

6.  My poor poor camera has gone MIA.   I seriously have no idea where to even look.

7.  Lastly, my roses got a bit of frost bite last night because I forgot to bring them inside in time.  Most are still a pretty red though.  In other news, my tiny tiny onion sprout decided it needed to bold and produce a seed.  I didn't realize it was a seed until I pinched it off the plant.  I'm pretty sure it won't grow anything, as they aren't supposed to seed -that- fast, or really until the onion bulb has atleast started to form.  Oh the joys of gardening.

Top Ten Tuesday: These Are a few of my Favorite Books

I'm joining in a linkup over at Many Little Blessings thanks to Momma in Progress showing me the way.  Feel free to link up as well here.

Today, I wanted to write more about my favorite all time books, or really, a close estimate of the best books that come to mind while I write this, because anyone who reads knows that picking your top ten favorite books is virtually impossible.  Of course, all these books are fiction books because I read for fun and occasionally to learn things useful.  :D

Ten of my Favorite Fiction Books

1.  The Catcher in they Rye by J. D. Salinger

If you haven't heard of this book, you probably just came out of that cave, right?  In all seriousness, after 7 years since I first read it, this book is still my top top favorite.  When someone asks me what my  absolute favorite is, this comes to mind.  Why?  Well, I love how easily this book flows. On top of that, the morals and values hidden within the pages just makes the story seem all the more real.

2.  The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

When thinking of all the books I could write about, this one likes to stick out.  It is a story about WWII told from the point of view of death about a jewish family in hiding.  If that doesn't make you want to read it, maybe if I tell you about the simplicity of the writing, or about how fast it sucks you in to the real life of the characters from that time period?  Just go read it if you haven't already.

3.  The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

If I told you this book was about a dog who likes racing, you'd never ever even think about picking it up, but what if I told you its about how a man who happens to like racing cars and suffers a million different problems finds his best friend twice?  Perhaps if I just tell you to pick up the book and go with it?  Because, really, no matter how you tell this book, you can't make someone want to read it without giving out all the good juicy details that pretty much ruin the story.

4.  Drawing Blood by Poppy Z Brite

Really, this book, there's just one thing to say.  If you like crazy weird mysterious books filled of interesting and horror all on the same pages, then this is the book for you.  'Nuff said.

5.  A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

I find this book great.  And of all people, my mother-in-law recommended it.  When someone who rarely reads recommends a book, you know it has to be good, so I picked it up.  And was sucked in, yet again.  This book entails the story of a little girl who grows up in Brooklyn.  Not the good side either.  The things she sees and learns create a great tale of how one travels through life and finds all those little things that cause joy. It shows how roots are planted and how someone can blossom if people just let them.

6.  A Wrinkle in Time

This chidren's classic has found itsself on my bookshelf since a friend of my mom's decided to give me her favorite copy.  I still have that copy, actually, and I don't think I'll ever get rid of it.  The imaginative world created in this book finds its way to create such interesting descriptions and wonderful characters who, while they may be the odd bunch of the world, still manage to do great things.  And even find love.  Who doesn't love a good love story that takes place on some distant planet that no one would ever dream of finding?

7.  The Divine Comedy by Dante

To begin this one, I don't expect a single person to go out and buy this book and try to read it.  Why?  Well, if you're fluent in Shakespeare, then this -might- make sense to you, but otherwise, find an easy "translated" version that actually makes sense to the common person.  I decided to read this in high school for a reading log project because for some reason I figured it would be fun.  Yep, reading a book in a language only scholars could understand was fun.  At the time, yes.  It took me about four tries on each canto to finally understand what was happening, but quite frankly, it was still a powerful book.  The comedy is split into three secions:  The Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso, or hell, purgatory, and heaven respectively.  The story is actually told from the point of view of dante and explains his travels through each of the layers of each section of the afterlife.  If you don't want to read it, atleast go play the video game.  Ok, the game is super lame, but there's a good reason this epic poem is still around after 700+ years.

8.  The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

This book tells the story of a little boy who makes a few bad decisions, goes through a war, and makes those decisions right again.  Flying a kite never felt so amazing when read through the pages of this book.

9.  A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

Yes, I realize this book is written by the same guy listed above, but when you find a good book, you find a good book, and there's no telling what could come next.  Well, I'm so glad this book followed.  It tells the story of an Afghan girl (well, two really) who goes through life under the Afghan law, also goes through the war(s) and comes out alright in the end.  Really, its a wonderful story that shows life lessons of being an islmaic woman in afghanistan as well as how life is when there's so much fighting going on.  Once again, what a story!

10.  Dawn by Elie Wiesel

Lastly, I'll leave you with one more book to add to your must read list.  I can guess that almost every person in the world by now has read his book Night, but what about the others in the "series" of sorts.  Dawn and Day aren't true stories like Night is, but they still hold that same power the first one did.  Especially Dawn.

PB&J cookies

Today, I had absolutely nothing to write about.  Well, initially anyway.  Then, I decided it would be wise to go through my pictures and figure out what I hadn't shared that desperately need its own post.  Soon enough, I came across these peanut butter and jelly cookies I had made.  It seemed perfect considering a friend had requested I post more food porn.  So, Flyinghorse, here's your next dose of food porn.  Assuming you like PB&J that is.  

PB&J Cookies

(adapted from THIS recipes)

Ingredients:

1/2 c white sugar

1/2 c packed brown sugar

1/2 c peanut butter

1/4 c shortening

1/4 c butter

1      egg

1 1/4 c all purpose flour

3/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

Your favorite jelly/jam

For a healthier cookie use:

Instead of sugars:

  -3/4 c raw sugar

  -1 tbs molasses

Use whole wheat flour instead of white, or half and half.  (I personally like 1/2 and 1/2.)

Directions:

Step 1:

Mix sugar(s) peanut butter, shortening, butter, and egg in a largeish bowl.  Then add everything else except for the jelly.  If not hard enough to shape into cookies, place dough in refrigerator. 

Step 2:

Preheat oven to 375 F.  Then, shape the dough balls into whatever size cookie you happen to love.  My children love 1 inch sized cookies because they make the perfect little treat of sorts.  Place the balls on cookie sheet/pan and thumbprint them by sticking your thumb in the middle to make a well for the jelly.  Lastly, fill with jelly.

Step 3:

Bake 9-12 minutes depending on how big or small your cookies are.  Let cool for at least 5 minutes and enjoy the deliciousness.

Happy Baking!

Reusable Swiffer Pads

A while back while I was browsing pinterest aimlessly, I came across this tutorial to make reusable swiffer pads. Boy was I excited!  I made myself 2 to test out, and they worked out really well.  Soon, a new problem arose.  The swiffer cleaner just wasn't as pleasing without -their- disposable pads, and my floors had a nice sticky residue.  Granted, there was a slight sticky residue previously, but really, I just didn't like the cleaner anyway.  Then I came across this other tutorial explaining how to remove the cap from the swiffer mop.  Awesome, right?  Well, I'm the queen of lazy, and I haven't tried to remove the cap yet.  Instead, I went back to the old fashioned mop and bucket, and it has served me hot water clean floor justice.  I just love the power of hot water on a muddy, sticky floor!

(Details on what I did differently on my swiffer pads below!)

Fast forward to yesterday.  The husband had realized my trusty mop had started to rust at the base of the metal handle.  Boo.  So, like all people who love their trusty mop, I went to buy a new one, but what did I find instead?  Why, I found this "freedom" mop of sorts.

This mop is just like the swiffer, without all the effort involved in making the swiffer eco friendly!  Sewing up each of those swiffer pads without the aid of a sewing machine proved time consuming!  In that second picture, you can see the fill tank.  Fill it with whatever.  (hot water, anyone!?)  Below is a crappy picture of the completely washable microfiber pads.  Granted they are expensive, totally worth it.  Later, I plan on sewing a couple of cheap cloths to the size of these to see how well they work.  I'll update with results once I actually get around to doing it.  Although, considering the velcro and how it is required so your mop doesn't scratch up the floor through the layers, I think I'll just drop $5 a piece on these pads.  Totally worth it when I have a million other things on my forever long to do list.

But, if you're still interested in making the swiffer pads, that tutorial is pure awesome.  (Yay instructables.com!) I added velcro to the bottom of mine because the felt just didn't want to stick right.  If you intend on doing this too, I recommend sewing the velcro to the felt itsself before sewing the entire pad together.  It is MUCH easier that way, but make sure you have your placing right before doing so, as it could mess with everything.  during the flipping right side out part.

I also sewed two horizontal lines and 4 vertical ones instead of 3 horizontal and 5 vertical.  It works well and probably saved me a good hour or two.

Oh, and instead of using a wool blanket and t-shirts, I used the cotton fabric I had laying around as well as receiving blankets, a t-shirt or two, and felt.  I imagine real wool felt or the wool blanket will stick to the swiffer without the need of velcro, but be sure to test your fabric of choice before you decide not to have the velcro.

Happy Sewing!  (Or shopping!)

Lastly, I'd love to know:  What's your favorite way to clean the floor?

10 Dr. Seuss Books and What They Really Mean

I love top ten lists, and my friend over at Momma in Progress decided to link up with Many Little Blessings in a Top Ten Tuesdays writing topic link up.  Don't forget to see what they have to say as well!  If you like to blog as well, feel free to join in the link up and visit this post for the details.

Ten Dr. Seuss Books and What They Really Mean (to me):

10.  Yertle the Turtle

In this story, you find that Yertle isn't happy with the stone in which his throne is on, so he uses the other turtles to create a taller tower so he can see to expand his kingdom.  What I get from this book is how power can corrupt a person, or in this case, a turtle.  He turns from a good leader to a horrible tyrant because he wants more.  Finally, the turtle on the bottom burps, and everyone tumbles down.  Yertle is covered in mud, and the other turtles are finally free, as they should be.  Too much power really does bring a kingdom down to the mud, doesn't it?

Slightly unrelated, but this book reminds me of Animal farm By George Orwell.  Oh the fun of running a dictatorship.


9.  There's a Wocket in my Pocket 

There's really no huge parables and life lessons hidden in this book, unless you count how silly things are everywhere, whether you like them or not.  This is one of two books my son actually likes to listen to, so as fun as it is, after the twentieth time, the book kind of gets old, but now, both children always take the time to point out the little things that make them smile, especially if they're silly things, like squirrels and twirls or keys on trees.

8.  One Fish Two Fish

I'm pretty sure Dr. Seuss wrote this book to combat segregation, racism, and bullying because of differences. Each and every person is different, whether they're red, blue, old, or new, and I think brought that to the light for children.  It may be very subtle, but even a child seems to pick up these things, though they don't describe them as we adults would, but instead put them into practice.  Watch the closest three year old who reads this book regularly and see how they socialize with kids totally different than they are.

7.  I Can Read With my Eyes Shut

Nothing deep here, just a love for reading.  This book is obviously about showing kids what they can find in reading and, and that they can't just close their eyes and learn everything.  Learning things has to be found, and the best way to do this is to read and explore, or so this book explains.  I agree.

6.  Green Eggs and Ham

Another book simply put for helping parents get their kids to eat the weird things or foods they don't like.  I use this book as a resource/example when my daughter won't try something because it doesn't look good.  You might just like it if you'd just try it once!

5.  The Lorax

This book is the epitome of eco friendly Dr. Seuss.  It speaks of how the world will be ruined with all the businesses, trash, greed, and carelessness of the people.  I imagine the underlying thought of how fast things can be ruined when we don't take care of them explains why Hollywood just made an awesome movie about this book.  The moral of the story:  Simple.  Take care of the earth and your surroundings, and it will take care of you.

4.  How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Dr. Seuss really was a fanatic about teaching children the horrors of greed, wasn't he?  If you live in a cave and just discovered the internet, then you probably haven't heard about the grinch.  (Or you might just be the grinch himself!?)  Regardless, in this particular grinchy story a big mean old grinch decides he needs to steal christmas because all the joys and festivities were very annoying to him, or so I gather.  He hated others being happy and felt the need to ruin their happiness.  Of course, he succeeded, until a little girl named Cindy Lou Who made his whole world change when she gave him the gift of happiness.  Isn't it crazy how a little child can teach an adult great things with their innocence?  Other than how the little things teach the best lessons, this book is about the true spirit of christmas.  It isn't about the gifts, the lights, the food, or the toys.  Its about the fun, the games, the company, and joys.

FUN FACT:  According to his niece, the grinch greatly reflects how Dr. Seuss (or Theodore Geisel as he is actually named) wasn't exactly the holiday celebrating type.  Read more about that here.

3.  And To Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street

I'll keep this one short and simple.  With a little imagination, your boring simple world can be turned into a fantastic place filled with silliness and joy.

2.  The Butter Battle Book

This book is about two groups who spend the entire time arguing over what side of the bread to butter.  Then end up building all kinds of crazy contraptions which ends up with total annihilation.  Moral of this story?  There's no sense destroying your entire humanity over something stupid like which side to butter the bread, or you know, religion.  Silly yet true.

1.  Oh, the Places You'll Go!

I picked this book as number one because it is my absolute favorite!  Simply put, this book is all about how you'll find success and happiness if you take the lead and let the world be your guide.  Of course you'll not always come out on top, but you should be happy with what you've got and make the best for yourself and others around you.  You will find many places and stages in life, and the world is waiting for you to see what's out there and what you'll be!  Here's a great link to a wonderful blog that has a good look at the book.

Of course, these books just happen to be the ones that popped in my head first, and honestly, probably the ones I read most often.  Dr. Seuss actually wrote more than 60 popular kids books, most of which you've probably heard of and read at least once.  One I didn't write about today that might have caught your attention is Oh Say Can You Say. , or perhaps, Happy Birthday To You! which the popular quote, "Today you are you, that is truer than true;  there's no one alive who is Youer than YOU!"  Maybe next week I'll make a top ten list of my favorite motivational quotes from books.  Afterall, March is the month of reading.

From Sheet to Baby Wrap

Yesterday, my son felt the need to nurse his cold as much as he could, and of course, that means I couldn't put him down.  For some reason, I hadn't ever actually bought a baby carrier.  Ever.  I've borrowed several, and actually intended to buy them, but never did.  Then I won a moby in an awesome giveaway hosted by Momma in Progress. (Yes!  Go check out her blog!  I imagine you'll love it.) Sadly, that won't arrive for atleast another week, providing the military is speedy about their mail, which, lets be honest, never ever ever happens.  That's like asking an elephant to stand completely in a one square inch space.  Off to pinterest I went!  Something had to be done so my arms could get a break, and maybe, just maybe, my house might find itsself a tad bit cleaner.  All I found were these wraps, which you bought some cotton fabric, and then just cut it in half.  I didn't have a car or a reasonable bus to take to post to find fabric, so after frantically searching my house, I found a twin bed sheet.  It worked well:

Sadly, that's the best worst picture I was able to take.  Atleast he finally fell asleep.


All you have to do is take a twin sheet, cut it in half hotdog style, and then sew the two shorter ends together. It might be smart to hem the edges afterward, but I didn't have the instant time.  That will be done tomorrow, although, I think I might go find a fabric/different sheet to make it reversible.

Now, to buy an ergo!  Definitely the best baby carrier I've tested so far.

How about you?  Have you made any wraps?  If not, which wrap or baby carrier is your favorite?