Thursday, August 27, 2009

It's Creepin' ;)

"I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air."- Nathaniel Hawthorne





It's almost here!!!! It's almost here!!!

To see past posts of excitement click here!

(Flashback photo courtesy of Ashley z. , Fall 06 with my lovely roomies Mitzi and Rachel)

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

What can YOU Do Wednesday?

This week's What can YOU Do Wednesday? is something that I'm trying very very hard to start doing.

Buying produce from local farmers markets.

And why is this so important you might be asking?

Well, there are many reasons. I'm going to give you just a few to think about.

- If you buy produce from local farmers more of the land near by will stay agricultural instead of turning into a shopping mall or convenient store.

- Local produces shows you what veggies and fruits are in season. This is why you pay so much more for things such as strawberries in the winter....they're a summer berry.

- If you eat the food that's grown close to you it takes less energy to get to you. Less CO2 out there roaming around.

- Not all local produce is grown organically but it does have less pesticides because it doesn't have to worry about a long shelf life.

- And the #1 reason to buy local..... IT TASTES BETTER!

Now I realize that for most people it's not financially possible to buy ALL your produce from a local farmers market or organic. Although if you use some of my grocery saving tips I can vouch that it's definitely possible.

But below is a list of the top 10 fruits and veggies that you SHOULD always buy local/organic because or the mass amounts of pesticides.

1. Strawberries (well, pretty much all berries) there is a pesticide called methyl bromide that is very toxic and banned on other foods but has not been banned on strawberries for some crazy reason.

2. Potatoes

3. Peaches, these have the highest level of pesticides used on them.

4. Spinach, remember that spinach scare a while back? Enough said.

5. Bananas, this one surprised me but they are apparently sprayed with benomyl which is linked to birth defects.

6. Tomatoes

7. Apples

8. Celery

9. Bell peppers

10. Green beans

So these are a few. Or the ones that have the most harmful poo on them that your body doesn't need.

I buy all produce and all dairy products local or organic because I like knowing that there's nothing bad going into my body. I leave that for the occasional dining out. Plus, the taste really is phenomenal.

So next time you go to pick up that container of strawberries just remember you're also picking up a side of toxic methyl bromide, yum!

Please, try and support your local farmers markets. If you aren't sure where one is around you check out this website, local harvest.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

She Puts A Smile On My Face :)

Trying very hard to get a big bite of ice cream.

Brushing Bunny.

And I love this. Her little hand shaking the bunny stuffers hand. So cute and little.
I adore days that I get to spend with this little angel.
Brooklyn just steals my heart. ;)



Gees! Where Have My Green Tips Gone?!

So I've realized that my green tips haven't been making their way onto my blog lately and I am going to make sure that stops. The greenness never stops in this household and I love letting others know of all the fun ways to reduce, reuse, recycle, restore everyday things.

So I will be starting a weekly blog post titled, What Can YOU Do Wednesday?. It will consist of how to recycle topics, where you can buy the best natural products for home and personal care and much more.

To jump start this topic I'm going to start with something easy.

Above is a picture of recycled glass jars (minus the huge mason jar, that one is just for visual effect ;).

When I buy things I try to see their containers as something that can be reused. So for the most part I chose glass jars with lids so that I can use them for storage.

The two small mason jars above had soups in them that I bought from Target. The soup was delicious and the fact that I could turn the jars into a cute little fix for splenda's and Q-tips was the icing on top. The one in the back was from an organic juice, I decided it was perfect for storing cotton balls.

Sometimes I don't have a use right away for the jars so i just wash them and put them in a spare cabinet for later use.

There are so many glass containers that end up in the garbage, not the recyclables each year so why not help make it less while putting them to some good use.

So stay tuned for weekly updates on What Can YOU Do Wednesday?
I've been tagged by Ms. Erin Tobin!

Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note completing the 36 "I’ve come to realize." So fill it out, and tag away but let people know who gave this to you! Have fun!

I've come to realize that my chest size...is perfect the way it is.

I've come to realize that my job....is very rewarding and keeps me laughing.

I've come to realize that when I'm driving....I rarely use turn signals and sometimes imagine I'm a race car driver

I've come to realize that I need...to make each day count.

I've come to realize that I have lost...a great deal of my selfishness that I once had, thank goodness.

I've come to realize that I hate it when...people don't say what's on their mind.

I've come to realize that if I'm drunk...I will feel it in the morning, I'm not 18 anymore.

I've come to realize that money...can be a headache.

I've come to realize that certain people...make my life what it is and for that I'm grateful.

I've come to realize that I'll always...love my blankie and will NEVER want to share it.

I've come to realize that my sibling(s)...are nonexistent.

I've come to realize that my mom...is one of the greatest people in my life.

I've come to realize that my cell phone...doesn't have a chance.

I've come to realize that when I woke up this morning...I was comfy.

I've come to realize that before I go to sleep...I always check FOX news.

I've come to realize that right now I am thinking… how can I be tired when I lounged on the couch all day.

I've come to realize that my dad...can never be replaced, he lights up my life.

I've come to realize that when I get on Facebook...I look at the same 2 or 3 peoples profiles and then get off.

I've come to realize that today...was unproductive.

I've come to realize that tonight...I'm going to get things ready for the new week and go to bed early.

I've come to realize that tomorrow...I've got a million things to do.

I've come to realize that I really want to...see where it goes.

I've come to realize that life...is imperfect and can't be planned.

I've come to realize that this weekend...went by too fast.

I've come to realize the best music to listen to when I'm upset is...duffy or amos lee...

I've come to realize that my friends... make my heart happy.

I've come to realize that this year...has been one of the best.

I've come to realize that my ex... was never worth it.

I've come to realize that maybe I should...take more chances.

I've come to realize that I love...what you learn as you grow up.

I've come to realize that I don't understand...everything but each day I understand just a little more.

I've come to realize that parties...are much more fun when their with only your best of friends.

I've come to realize that I'm totally terrified of...losing loved ones.

I've come to realize that my life is...close to perfect...to me anyway. :)

Thursday, August 20, 2009

One Busy Bee


With the Fall semester right around the corner I can just feel the excitement.

In order to get ready for the new semester and the new school year at work there are a few things that had to be done.

Buy supplies?

Decorate my classroom?

Register?

Well, yeah all of those things must be done too.... but first and foremost I MUST get every little square inch of the house in order!

So in true OCD fashion I have spent the last week or so taking everything out of its place and putting it back in a nice neat organized way.

For those of you who have seen my place you are probably thinking, "what? why? it looks just fine."

Here's why.

When things aren't perfect in my house they just sit there in the back of my mind wanting me to go fix them even if you can't see them. I know they must be done before I can do anything else.

So whether it's reorganizing the bathroom cabinets, doing every last piece or laundry (even the hand wash only's), or finding a new organizational system for socks, it's ALL been done.

The new school year at the preschool starts on Monday and Fall semester for me starts next Thursday so I will be a busy little bee the rest of the weekend putting the final touches on the house so that I'm ready for the new school year.

So if I'm MIA this weekend.... you know why.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

With Much Pain....


I finally said goodbye to my favorite denim lover. When I purchased these jeans some 5+ years ago they were hole less and a much darker denim. However, over the course of the past couple of years they've been through many adventures. Of course they look cute and even wearable from the front.

But from the back there's no denying that they have seen better days.


Not only can you see both of my tushy cheeks when I put them on there is also a small hole now in the crotch area. This of course is not acceptable.
So I put on my thinking cap.
I remembered that I've also been telling myself that I'm going to teach myself to sew for the longest time.
And what better time to learn than when I need to recycle my favorite pair of jeans.
So I began....
And I was awful. It took me an hour to learn how to thread the needle and learn what a bobbin is.
But eventually I got the hang of it and started my first project.
Project 1: The Apron
Notice the pocket. I took it from my jeans. I also saved the rest of them for later projects. And even though I made something functional and cute out of a piece of them a part of me was still sad that I will never get to wear them again. But it's for the better, lord knows I don't need to be prancing around in some butt-less jeans.

So after finishing my first sewing project I realized that I really like sewing and that I wanted to do more of it. So I dove in head first and started a new project. Quilting.


Here is some of the fabric I will be using. I'm really excited I've got a little bit started but haven't taken a picture yet. I will have to post them soon. I'm so excited!
That's all for now. Lunch break is over and I'm heading back to work to see my precious angels. Have a great Tuesday!