DIY Applesauce/Babyfood

I began making applesauce as a school project for my first grade students.  I had been looking for a fun craft or snack for my class for Johnny Appleseed Day.  While I was searching I came across a recipe for home made applesauce.  I personally don't care for applesauce - something about the texture.  But, my kids all loved it!  It was a big hit with them!  So, every year for Johnny Appleseed day we would make applesauce!  It was a great lesson that they never knew they were learning!

I am currently a stay at home, taking care of my two precious children, so I am not making applesauce once a year.  Instead I am making it at least once a month!  My children love it and think it is a great treat!  I do try to buy a lot of apples when I find a good deal and make my applesauce ahead.

I start with my wonderful Pampered Chef Apple Wedger!

This nice little tool makes the job so much faster and easier!  Simply press down, then peel each little section!

I usually cut each section in half, but that is not a must.  The smaller the pieces, the more quickly the applesauce will cook.  So the size of the apple pieces is totally up to you.  I also add about 1/4 c. water to the crock-pot.  You can add cinnamon if you want - I always did, until we discovered my daughter has a mild cinnamon allergy.

When I made this in the classroom I cut my apples into very small pieces to be sure my applesauce was cooked in time for the students to sample it! When I make it at home I don't worry about the size of the pieces.  I just toss them in the crock pot and turn it on high!

Each time I walk through the kitchen I try to just give the apples a quick stir.  This just makes sure they continue to cook evenly and also let me know when they are done!  (It has also let me know I forgot to plug in the crock-pot...)

If I were making this for my toddler or older children, I would be finished after mashing the apples with a spoon.  However, when I make it for my 6 month old, I use a blender to puree the applesauce.  Then, I spoon it into ice cube trays to freeze and use as needed!

Good Luck and Enjoy!

How to get the Best baby footprint!

I don't know about you, but I love to make crafts!  Now that I have children, I love to make crafts that involved them!  However, that can get a bit messy!!  The first time I tried to paint my daughter's feet to make a footprint craft - oh my!  There was paint all over her, me, the towel I had put down and the paper I was trying to simply get one footprint on!  It was a mess!!

After a few trial and error attempts I have finally found the best way to capture those sweet little footprints - even on the wiggliest of my babies!

I prefer to use the washable paint! It cleans up so easily!!  I can use baby wipes, a rag, or just dip those precious little feet in the sink (which is definitely what my children prefer!)!!

The Bumbo seat has been the best thing I have used for feet painting!  It keeps their little legs pointed out, and keeps their feet from touching the floor (or anything else)!   

Then, I cover that sweet little foot with paint!  Thankfully my babies laugh at this part.  In teaching I have had some children who could not stand to have paint on their feet or hands - so we settled for tracing their feet/hands! 

To capture the footprint on paper I use a hard clipboard.  Simply place your paper on the clipboard and carefully press baby's foot against the paper.  The tricky part for me seems to be getting the toes (you can see a smeared toe in the picture).  I have found that if I start at the heel and roll the foot onto the paper pressing the toes in last I get the best footprint!

I hope this helps you as you create masterpieces with your babies!!

I am all about being prepared for anything!  Which means my diaper bag has got to be organized, or I will never find anything when I need it.  I carried the same diaper bag for the past two years, and have just had to find a new one in the past few months!  There are five main things I was looking for when I chose my diaper bag.  I wanted to be sure I made the right decision because I plan to be carrying this one for at least a couple  years also!


SIZE - Will it fit where I want it to?

          I did love my old diaper bag, but it would not fit in the basket under my stroller!  I had no

          problem with it elsewhere, but not fitting in the stroller was definitely a problem!  So, think

         about where you will be and what type spaces your bag will need to fit.  I usually need mine to

          fit in the grocery cart, stroller, or the floor board of the car.

POCKETS - Are there enough pockets to hold what I need?

          Since I am all about being prepared I really want plenty of pockets.  The pockets allow me to

          organize my things so that I can find them quickly when I need them.  I have extra pacis in

          one pocket, chapstick and candy (for Mom) in one pocket.  One of the front/back pockets is 

          the perfect size for a sippy cup or bottle!  The front/back pockets are also the perfect size for a
          canister of 'puff' cereal.  (While neither of my children eat those, I do re-use the container for
          cheerios!!).

COLORS - Will this color/pattern be something I can use in the future?

          When I had my first child I tried to emphasize to people that I still wanted gender neutral

          items.  I did not want to have to purchase everything new for the second child if we had a

          different gender than the first.  Some people do want very gender specific bags.  This would

          also include any monogram on the bag.  My bag is brown and has our last name on it.  We

          know it is ours, but it can be used for either child (or both). 

DURABILITY - Is this something that I will not have to worry about tearing up?

          I don't like spending money.  I prefer to save it.  So, when I do spend money I want to get the

          most for it.  I have had the bag I am now carrying for 4 years before I chose to use it for my 

          diaper bag.  I have a second bag (different pattern) that I carried back and forth to school when

          I taught and it is still in great condition.  This is a bag that I will be able to carry for quite

          awhile!

SPACE - Is there enough space to hold everything I need?

          Having all of the above does no good if your bag won't hold the necessities.  Think about what 

          you plan to carry in your diaper bag.  (I will post about what I carry in mine soon!)   Lay it all

          out so that you can have an approximate idea of how much space you will need inside your

          bag.  Every parent is different, so your bag may need to be larger or smaller than a friend or

          than mine.  That is fine!  Decide what is best for you and your children!

I ended choosing a bag that I already had on hand.  It is the Organizing Utility Tote (with Zipper Top) from ThirtyOne.  Of course, when I got my bag they did not have the zipper top option...so...I may have to save my pennies and get a new one! :)  I have been carrying it for a month or so now and it is perfect!  I began carrying it just to get me through until I could find a diaper bag that I liked.  But, the longer I carried this bag, the more I liked it!!

What do you look for when you choose a diaper bag?  I would love to hear from you!

God Bless!

Rice Cereal Cookies

My daughter is loving those little rice cereal cookies that you can buy at your local grocery.  We buy ours from Wal-Mart.  However, even buying store brand they are about $2.50 per box and I just hate to spend that much!  So, I looked around for some recipes.  I found one from Wholesome Baby Food that I liked.  I, as always...., changed one thing in the recipe.

My recipe:

You can also use flavored baby cereal if you want. I made them plain, just because this was the first time I was trying the recipe.  Next time I may play around with some flavors.  The original recipe only used the rice cereal,but I thought I would try it with a mix, and it was a hit!  

Let me know if you try them and what you do differently!

Diaper Box Makeover - Pinterest Project of the Week

Although I use cloth diapers when we are at home...I have chosen to use disposables when we are out and about, especially when we travel! Therefore, I have several diaper boxes.  I also am trying to organize my daughter's closet in a cute and inexpensive way.  Therefore, I saw a great idea on Pinterest about covering diaper boxes. The idea that I read mentioned using contact paper or sticky shelf paper.  When I went shopping the cheapest I could find was approximately $6 + tax, and, it was partially see-through.  So, as I was walking through the store, I found a large display of very cute duck tape!  Voila!  I actually bought 2 rolls ($3 each) because I had other projects that needed duck tape!

This project used less than one roll of duck tape (I probably could cover 2 boxes with just one roll).  I was beyond excited about how my project turned out!!  Check out the pictures below and let me know what you think!


I began with one diaper box...

Use scissors or a box cutter to remove the top flaps (I think using a box cutter is much easier!)...

I then began placing the duck tape (I alternated my two designs just for fun!)

The finished product is now in my daughter's closet holding all kinds of wonderful things!!  Seriously! This was so much cheaper than purchasing storage cubes!  I could easily have done 2 boxes from one roll of duck tape and possibly had a little left over!!  Yay for super Pinterest project!!

Let me know what method you try and how it worked out for you!

DIY Laundry Stain Remover

So, my beautiful little distraction tends to create stains on her cute little pink clothes!  And since little girls look much cuter in clean clothes, I had to find a great stain remover!  My Mom told me about a home made stain remover that she had found and tried and how wonderfully it worked!  It got out a stain that had been in a sweater for years!  So, I decided to try it, and I love it!  This is my second batch...

You will need:

Dish Detergent (I used Dawn)
Hydrogen Peroxide
Baking Soda
Small Container (I use a small canning jar)

Mix all ingredients in container and you are done!  How easy was that?  As the mixture sits the baking soda does seem to settle to the bottom.  I use a small spatula to stir the mixture before each use and then to apply it to the stained clothes.  I just keep the stain remover and the spatula right beside the washer!  I hope this works as well for you as it has for me!

DIY Liquid Laundry Detergent

So, I had hoped to post this much sooner! However, I currently have a very cute distraction:

So, I am finally getting around to re-posting this with more details and pictures!  I have been using homemade laundry detergent for a couple years now and I absolutely love it!!  This recipe will make 10 gallons (the 5-gallon bucket is double concentrate that you will mix with water as you use it).  I could not even tell you the money we have saved by using this as opposed to purchasing detergent!

You will need:
          - 5 gallon bucket (with lid)
          - 1 bar of soap (Fels Naptha, Ivory, Castille...)
          - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
          - Borax

You will need about 2 cups of water in a medium sauce pan, on medium heat.  

Grate your bar of soap into the saucepan of water.

Stir until the soap is completely melted.

I usually place my 5 gallon bucket in the bathtub.  I also measure my Washing Powder and Borax ahead of time and place them in a small container.  After the soap is dissolved in the water, pour the soap mixture into your 5 gallon bucket. Add your Washing Powder and Borax.  Stir until the dry mixture is completely dissolved.

Fill the bucket with water and let sit overnight.

It's consistency will turn to a gelatin like consistency, with some liquid around the edges.  When you are ready to use it, simply fill a laundry detergent container half way with the homemade mixture and then finish filling the container with water. Shake well and use just like you would your regular detergent!

**If you want, you can add some essential oils for a nice scent**

I hope that this has been helpful!!! Please feel free to comment below!

Let's Try This Again...

So, in my last post, I stated that I would be blogging again....which I truly had every intention of doing.  However, my computer had other intentions! :)  Don't you just love technology some days?  Anyhow, the computer is once again in a cooperative mood and this time, I am back! :)  I have several things lined up to blog about over the next week or so including a recipe or two, some home remodeling, and of course something crafty! So, please, don't give up on me! 

I look forward to sharing with you soon!!

~

I'm Back!!

Well friends, I have taken some time off from blogging, but I have certainly missed it! So, I'm back!!  I have a plethora of ideas to blog about and can't wait to get started!  First things first...I have some exciting news to share!!

 

There will be another pair of boots beside the back door in January!!

 

Although Cooper isn't showing his excitement...he truly is excited! He has loved 'sniffing' all the new things are making their way into the house!

Therefore, you can probably expect my blog to begin containing baby things also...this could get crazy - crazy fun!!

Thanks for reading!

Pinterest Project of the Day - Day 1

I have pinned so many amazing and interesting things on Pinterest, but have not followed through on doing many of them.  Therefore, I am going to try to go through and do as many as possible!!  I thought it would be fun to post about how each project went as I did them.  Today, I made my first diaper cake.  I have seen many diaper cakes as various showers and such, but I have not ever made one.  I wanted mine to be a little different.   I had noticed at showers there was always a cake and a diaper cake.  So, I thought I would try to combine the two.  (I also thought it might be a cute marketing idea for Simply Sweet ~ by Cori www.simplysweetbycori.blogspot.com)  I checked out pinterest for some diaper cake ideas and there were so many cute ones!  Since this was my first I didn't do anything to terribly elaborate.  I simply made a large round cake and then made two layers of diapers for the topper.  I did not plan ahead very well and had to ask my husband to help me.  I really needed more rubber bands than I had on hand.  I needed to rubber band the center, then wrap the diapers around it and rubber band that...but my husband had to hold diapers in place until I could rubber band them! The cake turned out very well!  Hopefully now that I have the basics down I can make one a little more fun/fancy next time!