A safer clean

High chair straps. How often do you think about the cleanliness of them? You wipe them down when they get drooled on, but I'll bet if you're like me, you usually place the bib over them to avoid getting them dirty. So you rest fairly well assured that they're clean when you give them a…

Simplifying

I'm going to be reading Marie Kondo's book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and putting it into practice soon. I've been meaning to do this for a while, but after a peaceful week at a simple beach house, I was pushed over the edge from "want to" into "let's get it done already". We came home…

Naturally dyed Easter eggs

Easter Sunday is just two days away, and today Big Brother and I checked to see on the eggs we dyed overnight. I tried it two years ago and was a little disappointed with the results. This time, I feel better about my method and three of the five colors we did (I know how…

Tempus fugit

Well here I am again, after quite a long spell away from the blog. We have been busy moving recently, plus I continue to put the kids first, so the writing just hasn't been happening! I have been posting over at Instagram and keeping the Facebook page (fairly) updated. But mostly I have been admiring…

4-year-old + toilet = ?

Well, today was a day. Big Brother decided to unroll an entire roll of toilet paper and shove it into the toilet, just so he could have the tube to play with. Then he tried to flush. And then he decided to try plunging to see if that would help. "A" for effort, buddy. He…

Slow cooker woes

Well, two weeks ago my beloved Crock Pot died. I had everything ready to go for a great batch of chicken broth, but after much prodding of buttons and outlet-changing, I discovered it had given up the ghost. Alas. So the hunt promptly began for a new one, and wow there are many choices! I…

Winter prep

It's August, and I've just pulled my knitting box out of the closet. Why? I'm hoping to avoid the stress and headaches I've endured the past two times I've made knitted gifts for Christmas. Yes, I gave myself headaches by knitting too much, too close to the holiday. But no more! This year, I am…

Diffusing essential oils

One of my favorite ways to use my essential oils is to diffuse them throughout our home. We have a few diffusers, all of which are ultrasonic. This is important, because heating the oils will damage them, making them less therapeutic (though they will still smell good). Young Living has many wonderful diffuser options, even…

Wellness arsenal extras

Okay, here are some oils (and products) I keep on hand in addition to the Golden Touch collection. I am doing my inventory of what's low and in need of replenishment now ahead of the germy season so my family will be well supported and hopefully avoid most of the nasty stuff! Oils: Oregano, Rosemary,…

Look ma, no toxins!

Our home is clean, but you will never smell the usual cleaning products lingering in the air. You will never find chemical residue on my countertops or tubs. Our toothpastes do not sport poison warnings on the label (none needed!), even our multi-purpose cleaner is safe. The bubbles in my cleaning routine do not "scrub",…