~Sunscreen~

I was looking for a "safer" sunscreen this year that went on a little bit easier than the clay I was using last year. Natural sunscreen can be very messy.  I haven't read all the label details but my nutritionist recommended this brand.

I really like the one in the tall white bottle.  I burn very easily, and being out in the sun all day Saturday I really need something that will last.  It sprays on... no rubbing in... and smells wonderful.  No burn either!

The one in the short orange bottle also works, but the pump broke and the lotion is white and needs to be rubbed in.

Both lotions work well on Nathan and Kiersten too.  The older boys don't really like to use it :-)

~My Egg Trick~

Fresh eggs every day are wonderful!

Twenty one fresh eggs every day are a lot!

I have had to come up with new and exciting way to serve eggs. My guys love deviled eggs, red beet eggs and egg salad... but, I hate peeling fresh eggs. I tried to let them sit for a week in the fridge but that still didn't work... not to mention the fact that 8 dozen eggs take up a lot of room!

I was reading about eggs and read that they do not "need" to be refrigerated... once they are refrigerated, they need to stay refrigerated though. One day without refigeration is like one week in the fridge.

So, I tried leaving my eggs out for 3 days on the counter and then I hard boiled them. They were still a little rough to peel. I tried 4 days and they were perfect! I have been doing this for two months and have only had 2 eggs that were rough to peel! (I'm guessing someone put them in the wrong basket.)

Every morning I tell the boys where to put the eggs... in the fridge or in a basket. I keep three baskets on my counter with sticky notes. The notes tell me what day the eggs were laid and what day I need to boil them.

I have waited 5 days to do two days of eggs together and haven't had a problem. I'm not sure I'd leave them out in a heat wave, but for now, it is working well!



They peel so nice that Kiersten often helps me!

~Dog Bandage~

Bullet was outside running around this morning. Jordan noticed her foot was bleeding. I sprayed it off with the hose to see what the problem was. She broke off her nail! Ugh! Just in case that happens to you, you can put flour or corn starch on it to help it clot and add pressure if it doesn't want to stop. Bullet left the bandage on for a few hours. It looks sore but she doesn't seemed bothered by it today.

~In the Oven~

I had been putting foil in my oven to keep it clean without running the self cleaning oven mode. We had an under warranty repair a few weeks ago and the repair guy mentioned that the foil will burn the bottom of my baked goods (reflecting heat). I had noticed the bottoms of my muffins were overdone but didn't realize that it happened right after I started using foil. Ugh... now what.
Well, he told me about these sheets that you can buy that wash off really easy. I found some on sale ($3) last week. I made pies on Friday and they bubbled over into the oven... looks at that sticky mess!
I just took the sheets out, peeled off the crispy stuff and ran hot water over them. I scrubbed a little but they really came clean easily! Well worth it!!!

~Strawberries~

I almost missed out on strawberry season this year. I couldn't figure out how to finish school, take care of Kiersten, and pick strawberries!

My neighbor came to the rescue by letting me pick a big bucket from her garden! I was able to make two batches of strawberry freezer jam and two strawberry rhubarb pies! YUMMY!

Here are two tips I learned this year!

* Clean your strawberries with the tops on. If you take the tops off the strawberries they will soak up the water and make the strawberries really wet. This is especially true if you fill the sink with water to wash them instead of just spraying them off.

* Tapioca is the best thing that ever happened to fruit pies! We are, without a doubt, a cake family. We love fruit and will eat pie but don't normally crave it. I don't like the leftovers either. All that runny fruit juice making a mushy pie crust. TIL NOW! I read somewhere that if you use tapioca with your fruit pies it jells up and you can't even see the tapioca. I used the recipe right on the box and, wow, it really works well and is soooo easy! I'd be making more pies... if only I could figure out how to make a pie crust!

~Back to Baking and Two Breakfast Tips~

It is so nice to be back in the kitchen baking again! This cool weather has me changing my menus over to soups and casseroles...I love a side of homemade bread with those! Of course, I like to finish the meal with something sweet!

I spent Sunday afternoon baking cookies and scrapbooking. What a fun treat!

Here are the loaves of whole wheat apple bread I made last week...delicious toasted for breakfast!

And my first try at whole wheat French Bread...from my blogfriend Tracy. She has a bunch of scone recipes that I'm anxious to try soon!

Now for the breakfast tips:

Tip 1... I don't like getting up in the morning...I REALLY don't like getting up when the house is cold and the boys are hungry and I'm stumbling around trying to wake up and cook at the same time. So I often (not always) plan breakfast the day ahead at lunch time! While I am cleaning up from lunch I will bake some oatmeal, make some baked french toast to soak overnight, make a coffee cake, or at the very least get a pack of english muffins or bagles out of the freezer. Did you know you can make your pancake batter a day ahead and just keep it in the fridge!!?!??! This makes many of my mornings much happier for all of us...especially now when I have to feed Kiersten before anyone else gets to eat!

I just pulled some baked oatmeal with blueberries out of the oven for tomorrow!

Tip 2... I have one 3 ring binder full of only breakfast/bread recipes! This tip came from Monica. It makes it so much easier for me!!! Monica covered her binder with fabric but I just laminated some scrapbook paper and hot glued it to my binder with some ribbon around the edge:-)
Do any of you have a favorite breakfast food or a breakfast tip to share!?!?!?

~Soap 'n Stuff~

I almost forgot to tell you...

I did fit my soapmaking in on August 1st! It was easier than I thought and it has been curring in my room for the past number of weeks. After this Saturday, I can give it a try!!!

These "drying racks" were made a number of years ago...we went to a beach that was known for fossilized shark teeth and we used these as screens! Totally off topic...but we found lots of teeth. Can't wait to try it again with the boys being older! Anway, they work great for the soap!

I've also been using a shampoo bar instead of regular shampoo/conditioner. I was a little intimidated by going "poo free" and thought this a good alternative. So far (3 weeks into it) I really like it. Way easy, no conditioner...and no knots! I have my eyes set on this website and their shampoo bars. I should try just using baking soda...maybe I'll make my own...I found a recipe on line. I have used a vinegar rinse once a week...contrary to what is said, I can smell it even after my hair dries if I don't do a rinse.

`

Lastly, I've been using my own laundry detergent for several months. I have tried both powder and liquid. Again, there are many, many online recipes to try. It doesn't take long to make a batch, and it last for awhile...even with my laundry pile! I have had to rewash a few things (boys play clothes can be a challenge!) but everything else has been clean and fresh smelling.

`

Chemical free? Not yet, but making great strides!

~Change of Plans~

I have learned to go with the flow...toddlers don't read daytimers and there is no sense getting stressed over changed plans. I must admit, it wasn't the easiest thing for me to learn:-)

Anyway, my plans for this week included changing over all the boys clothes. I keep each size in a big blue bin. I thought this would be a good project to do now before baby even though some of the boys haven't completely grown out of their "size." I was able to accomplish Jordan, Jared and Aaron earlier this week (I always do oldest to youngest as many times I can pass the clothes down). I was planning on doing Eric and Nathan first thing this morning...as well as getting all the baby stuff to the basement to be washed. Don't worry...I didn't lift one bin. It's nice to have young men around!

BUT it looked like rain and I wanted to get to the parking lot sale of my local greenhouse. The battery was dead in the van...long story short...I jumped it and we were on our way. Look at these beauties. It is fun to wait for those "extra" flowers...1/3 the cost! I'll put some in hanging baskets and some in pots around the back patio!

We also stopped by the library to pick up these books I had ordered...

Once home, I hung out the wash, packed lunch and laid on the couch for 15 minutes before leaving to take the boys bowling. Again, a dead battery. Maybe God wants me home today. So, home we are! I spent a lazy couple of hours laying on the couch reading about chickens and playing picnic lunch with plastic food...compliments of Nathan! I didn't realize how tired my body was...thank you God for the battery problems! and double thank you for not letting me sit at the greenhouse or the library!

I'm off to clean up the kitchen and make fruit salad for a picnic we are going to tonight. I have thrown away my to do list for tomorrow...I'm enjoying a quiet day at home (hopefully!) with my two little guys while the big boys do big boy stuff! I guess those big blue bins will decorate my dinning room for a few more days...

Happy Weekend!

~Some Links for You~

Today was one of those days...like...I didn't want to move. I only accomplished two loads of laundry, three meals, and two naps:-) Oh yeah, I played legos with Nathan.

I thought I'd share a few links with you today since nothing else was going on around here!

Here is a link for Heart-to-Heart with Diane. She told us how to look for a good deal on toilet paper! I never really know what a good price is...double rolls, triple rolls, thin and thick...yikes! It is really easy...go check it out!

Here is a link for Canon Paper Crafts. They have a good assortment of printables. Many are more difficult (Jordan will have some trouble) few are easy. But I think we will print some out to do as a family. Egyptian pyramid, structure of the sun, maybe some vehicals, and I'd like to try out some toys for the little two guys. They recommend using photo paper...but you can use cardstock...you just won't have as clear of a photo.

Here is what the boys were working on...

Here is a link for a unit study on The Book of Virtues. I am new to this blog but from what I can tell, she is a homeschool mom of four and decided to bless the homeschool community with this huge study...992 pages worth! I looked through it last night and I think we will be going through this in 2010-2011. (Our 2009-2010 is already full). Just scroll down the right hand side and look for Book of Virtues. Even if you are not ready for this, I'd download it now and save it to a disk...you'll probably want it later and it will be either hard to find...or costly!

One more...Here is a link for a printable pattern for an apron through Susan Branch. I made this one the other week. I like how it looks but am not used to a full apron...I have only worn half aprons. It will give you a lot of practice with bias tape! I used ribbon instead of the ties.

Enjoy!

~Dog Grooming 101~

We got these sweet little cockapoo's last September...

They sure have grown!

A few months ago, I gave them their first haircut...just last week, I had to give them another one. This time much shorter:-)

Bullet before...

Bullet after...

I used a flowbee! I am very pleased with how it worked. It took about 20 minutes for each dog. Comparing the price we paid for the used flowbee and the cost of grooming...it paid for itself in one use:-) River does not like her face done...so I used scissors.

When searching for info on the flowbee, we found the older ones were actually nicer. They do make flowbee's for pets, but we have found this one to work just fine.

Do any of you have tips on doing their ears or feet???

~Sit and Sort~

Ok, the truth is...this has to be one of the worse of my chores! Sorting socks takes so much time and seems to never be done. There are always those that don't have matches! I took about an hour going through the sock basket and still have a couple dozen leftover!

A friend of mine suggested using safety pins. You simply pin the socks and put them in the drawers. The child unpins them to wear them and then pins them and throws them in the hamper at the end of the day. They go through the wash together...and you just put them away again. Sounds like it would work...it doesn't. I can't get my boys to pin the socks! They poke the pins through everything else, disassemble the pins, leave the pins lying open on the floor or "loose" the pins.

So, I have a question for you! Does anyone have suggestions/ideas for me?!?!?!?! What should I do with all these socks!