Strawberry!

I have nothing clever to say or share, no tip or trick that will make your life so much easier. I don't have a funny story, or a list of things I would like to get done today. Today and yesterday, and probably tomorrow are what I refer to as mushy days (as in mushy brain). I am going to try to talk myself into getting one or two things done today so the day isn't a total bust.

In the meantime, take a look at my sweet little strawberry. I'll do my best to reclaim my brain and come back with something of merit possibly as soon as tomorrow.


The boys picked out this outfit for Clara.


Daddy is convinced her eyes will be blue. She would be the first without brown eyes.

Sewing With Young Children

As our household welcomes more and more children I am finding that my private sewing time has greatly diminished. I can usually squeeze in one measly little hour where I can sew all by my lonesome on the weekends, but that just isn't enough time to get much accomplished. So, I have been learning how to sew without absolute silence.

I tried sewing while just letting the children play around me, but that was way to distracting. I kept making mistakes because my attention was not even fifty percent on what I was doing. I decided I needed to give the children a "sewing" project of their own that would keep them focused on their work, and not on trying to vanquish any enemies that might be lurking in the playroom.

I gave them each a small pile of fabric scraps that were too small to transform into any future projects. I also gave them each a roll of cheap tape. They started taping their scraps together to make all sorts of things. One made a flag (a pirate flag that he later shot canon balls at) the other made a gun (to aid his brother int he pirate scuffle). This project kept them happy, focused, and relatively quiet. The 20 month old was napping and the baby was playing on her blanket. I got a good hour in of sewing. If I have this sewing time several days a week I will be able to make some real progress again!

For more great tips make sure to visit Rocks in my dryer for Works for me Wednesday!

Revolution Money Exchange - Earn $25

April 15 is the last day to sign up with Revolution Money Exchange and earn $25! I did this last week, it was simple and easy and I was paid immediately. Revolution Money Exchange is just like Paypal, only you don't have to pay fees for money that is sent to you with a credit card. You will have to give your social security number, just like you did when you signed up for Paypal, but this is a legitimate company run by legitimate people. You can refer others to sign up with your link and earn $10 per referral up to $500.

So if you are interested in signing up and earning a quick $25 please consider using my link, and make sure you sign up by tomorrow!

Frugal Gardens

This week I have been getting seeds started for tomatoes and peppers (a little late mind you, but now is better than never). It is really amazing how much money you can save by starting your own seeds versus buying them already going. One packet of heirloom seeds will be a bit over two dollars, and that will get you around 50 seeds. I have been starting extras too. I will sell my extra plants and plant some of the extras to sell the produce.

To start seeds cheaply indoors I use dixie cups, large gallon sized ziplocs and a mix of peat moss and vermiculite. This is so much cheaper than buying the little mini greenhouses!

There are tons of veggies too that you can plant the seeds directly into the ground so there isn't the extra work of starting them indoors. Among the vegetables that can be seeded directly are squash, pumpkins, beans, cucumbers, and corn. I am sure there are others I am forgetting.

Don't forget about all of the flowers that can be started either indoors or sown directly! Growing your garden from seed although it takes a bit more time is a huge way to save (and make) money!

For more frugal tips visit Biblical Womanhood for Frugal Friday.

What We've Been Doing Lately

We've resumed our schooling, that's why Clara looks so serious, she's soaking it all in.



I took this picture while I was folding laundry. We are doing a TON of laundry, 2-3 loads of regular laundry, plus a load of cloth diapers daily. I feel like the majority of the day is spent doing something related to diapering. I counted how many diapers I changed yesterday, 22! We have three in diapers right now. I had Robert mostly potty trained before Clara was born, but he has majorly regressed, so he is back in diapers for a few more weeks until I can go through the process again with him. Between changing diapers, washing diapers, and folding diapers, I'm guessing I spend at least 2-3 hours a day on diapers. I'm going to time it on Monday just to see.



I've started working on Ted's quilt again, if you remember, it was on my To Do List of things to do before Clara was born. I still fully intend on checking everything off of that list. Somehow, someway, quilting has become very therapeutic for me. I used to dread the task, but loved the result, so I kept doing it. Now though, I am enjoying the whole process.




I'm loving it so much in fact that we skipped school today in favor of sewing! WooHoo! The kids did LEARN something today though, I "taught" them a bit about measuring perfect little squares, and how to make perfect little squares into perfect little triangles! Hooray for skipping school!



This is my new (used) machine! She weighs a ton, but sews like a dream come true. My neighbor used to own a sewing machine shop. She has several top of the line models at her home and so graciously offered to sell me one for about 1/4 of the retail price. I jumped all over that offer.




So that's what we've been doing this week. School, laundry, and sewing. We hope to add a few more of our normal activities next week. On the list are gardening, cleaning, and organizing!