A Little Knitty

It's funny that you can meet random strangers, hop on a raft together, scream at the top of your lungs and fear for your lives together and become high-fiving best friends....all within 90 seconds. Fear really brings people together. That, and nearly crapping your bathing suits together!

Here's how a vacation should go: Step 1: Have fun Step 2: Don't do laundry Step 3: Arrive home, and do laundry Here's how my vacation is going: Step 1: Get a head cold RIGHT before you leave to see family, before the little vacay starts. Step 2: Baby doesn't sleep all that much so you have little sleep AND a head cold...but you suck it up. Step 3: Son says he has a tummy ache before getting in the car to start vacay. He throws up 15 minutes later.  Step 4: Clean son up, get him gatorade and drive 1.5 hours in a car that smells like vomit.  Step 5: Arrive at destination and as you are pulling off the highway, son pukes a TON, including on his beloved blanket. Step 6: Strip son's clothes off on the side of the road in 40 degree weather while he shakes and daddy cleans up his carseat.  Step 7: Put him back in the car, miserable and without his beloved blanket. Step 8: Check into hotel, room isn't ready yet and might not be for up to 4 hours. Step 9: Take refuge in ...

Do you feel rich today? Take a moment to be thankful for the things that you have that money can't buy. Health, family, humor, smiles, laughter, love, memories and donuts.  Ok....donuts can be bought with money...but they are pretty fantastic!!

This is a nice little reminder that you don't have to be amazing at something all your life to be a smashing success! Find and follow your passion...even if it feels too late! Now I want to watch Julie & Julia....I love that movie!!

I really wish babies came with customized manuals (because every child really is different, even when they come from the same ovaries and same sperm receptacle) and little read out screens. Recently, my daughter was sick. It seemed never ending, but never reached a fever or any of those "take your kid to the doctor if they do this" symptoms. So we waited for something alarming to happen. Finally, she was just "off" enough that we took her in. Come to find out, the child was harboring two infected ears. Poor little Miss P! This is why I think children should have read out screens. I stumbled upon these parenting tips the other day, and they cracked me up....so I just had to share... The scary thing about this one, is that I've seen photos of carseats installed completely wrong...so this one isn't so far off! I could get on my soapbox (because I dipped into the wine again), but I won't. I'll just drop this little website right here , in case you, or so...

I would like to introduce my guest this evening, this is EnviroCloth, although he likes to go by E.C.  Jen: Hi, E.C. thanks for stopping by! I've received a few questions about you after becoming a Norwex Independent Consultant. Would you mind answering a question or two? E.C.: You bet! Where would you like to start? It removes bacteria, with only water. So that means it is loaded or coated with some sort of chemical, right? Nope! The microfiber is a blend of polyester & polyamide and is 1/100th the size of a strand of human hair. There is also silver woven in, but absolutely no chemicals or additives. How does it clean? When combined with the Norwex knitting process, it becomes highly effective at attracting and holding dirt and grime. You can also feel the microfiber grabbing at the surface as you wipe.  Why is it considered Antibacterial? The antibacterial agent is embedded inside tiny microfibers the size of 0.3 denier or smaller. All Norwex Antibac microfiber cloths...

Coffee might be my first love. It's probably because I'm from the Northwest...but coffee makes my world go 'round. It's not just the taste either, it's the smell (which, the other day reminded me of my Grandma B's house. She would brew coffee after dinner and evidentially that little tradition stuck in my nose because I didn't really remember it until I was brewing a cup of coffee the other day. I'm guessing I brewed the same brand or something? I dunno....our brains are strange, that's for sure. Or mayhaps MY brain is strange. I'd put money on that). Back. on. track. Jen. Where was I? Oh yes, my love for coffee. It smells fantastic. And there is nothing like holding a warm mug of coffee in your hands on a cold day. Then there is the taste....mmmmmmmmm....there is nothing like the taste of an amazing cup of coffee. There is a shop here in Bellingham that makes the best darn lattes ever. Seriously. BEST. EVER. And it's not bad to look at... im...

I keep meaning to update on our progress! We are still going strong!! There have been a couple times where it would have been SO easy to swing through fast food because I didn't pack enough snacks for the day, but I didn't give up! On Valentine's Day we were out an about and P fell asleep when we were mere minutes away from home. So, I decided to take my son on a date while my daughter napped. We went to a local drive in and had burgers, played "I Spy" and "Twenty Questions" (N wants to be a Surfer when he grows up). Ya, not health food, but it WAS real food and actually came from a cow and didn't have 9872987 additives...so it wasn't a total cheat! There have been a couple hidden benefits of giving up fast food. I have accidentally given up soda. I had no intention to do this, it just happened. I was thinking about it the other day, and we rarely have soda in the house, so really the only time I drink it is when I go out to eat. Then I realized ...

"If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today? Whenever the answer has been 'no' for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something" -Steve Jobs I found this quote the other day. It so perfectly described how I was feeling.  This week we made a pretty major decision, I quit my Saturday job. I LOVE my job, but when it came down to it, I LOVE my family more. With busy schedules, we were having less and less family time. I was missing so much...we knew something just had to give.  I'm going to miss my job a lot. I'm going to miss the people and on the days my kids are naughty or puking, I'm going to miss being able to walk out the door, giving my husband a smile that says, "Have fun with that!"  I'm sure I'll miss the extra money, but I won't regret having more laughs, more smiles, more hugs, more kisses, more milestones and more memories. I'll even take more fits.  

See that at the end of my driveway? Ya, I should take a photo, but I'm too lazy....it looks like this: My lonely trash can  makes my heart swell with pride. Know why?? It is simply ONE garbage can at the curb. ONE!!! The only time this happens around here, is when we are on vacation....for a full week! We just seem to make SO much garbage between two children and two "grown ups" (I couldn't write adults, I'm not so sure that is accurate! *grins*). Anywho...the garbage can. Sure, it is feeling a little lonely because his friend is empty and sitting next to the deck, but this means that all my little changes to eat better, use less processed foods (which always have more packaging) and just have less "stuff" seems to be working! Oh, it is the simple things in life that make you so happy!

Meal planning saves lives. Seriously. Life is just so  much easier when you know what you will be eating at 6pm instead of looking in the cupboard at 5:45 and finding a can of tuna, a tablespoon of peanut butter and brown rice. Meal planning saves money too. By knowing what you are going to be having for dinner that week, you go out to eat less and you know exactly what to purchase at the grocery store. My point? When you have a list you generally stick to it (sure there are a few random things that honestly grow legs and jump into the cart. Or, if you have kids, they throw stuff in). AND you can go one step further...check out the grocery store ads before you meal plan and see what meats are on sale before you select your meals. Even more savings! Not a fan of scouring ads, dreaming up meals, making lists, grocery shopping, putting groceries away and cooking?? I have some sites & tips for you, although I have no ability to help you with the actual shopping, putting away and c...

Sure, it's a holiday created by Hallmark...but remember that the Hoff still loves you. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

I have many variations of this meal but here is how we are going to throw down today... First, put some chicken boobs in your crock pot. (darn it, I was going to have a photo right here, but I totally forgot to take it...pretend you see chicken breasts). Done. Next, open a few cans and containers and dump them on top of your boobs (drain the beans first!) That would be a can of black beans, a can of diced tomatoes, a can of kidney beans (I would use pinto...but was out!) salsa (1 cup) and a couple table spoons of taco seasoning. Corn is good, but I was out of that too! Now, there is one can missing from this photo....cream of chicken soup. It's missing because I'm going to make some homemade cream of chicken soup! Why go to the trouble? CHICKEN STOCK, WATER, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, CHICKEN MEAT, MALTODEXTRIN, CREAM (MILK), CONTAINS LESS THAN 1% OF: WHEAT FLOUR, VEGETABLE OIL, SOY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, CORNSTARCH, SALT, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, LOWER SODIUM NATURAL SEA SALT, FLAVORING, ...

This morning I was feeding Miss P her breakfast. I told her I should start the "11 Month Old Diet" fad. For this diet, you can only eat organic baby food, things that are easy to chew and breastmilk. This made me giggle. But maybe I'm on to something? I could get a Kardashian to endorse it (because they have some strange spell over people) and when everyone starts demanding breastmilk in large quantities, us lactating mommas will be the cat's meow!! Oh goodness, my brain is very strange. I was dropped as a child, that is my excuse!

I'm not a fan of paying for things you just throw away/wash down the drain. I know laundry detergent is necessary to get our clothes clean, I just don't like paying much for it! I am excited to try this... It is the new laundry detergent from Norwex. I think I'm most excited because it is supposed to be awesome on cloth diapers too, so I will no longer have to buy two different detergents (and those diaper detergents aren't cheap!) I have yet to try it, but will report back when I do...however the preliminary financial stats look promising... One bag will get you: 552 loads using 1/2 tsp. per load for Front Load HE =$0.04 / load 276 loads using 1 tsp. per load for Front Load HE = $0.08 / load 92 Loads using 1 Tablespoon Top Load (Soft Water) =$.23 / load 46 Loads using 2 T. Top Load (Hard water) =$0.46 / load We have a front load HE, so I'm kinda excited that I should only have to use 1/2 tsp! How does this stack up to other detergents? 80 Load box of Tide HE powder...

It's not nasty out, but it's not stellar either....so tonight, we shall dine on comfort food! Tater Tot Casserole 1 onion (I mince so that no one knows it is there, if I had zucchini, I would mince that up too!!) 1lb low fat ground beef or ground turkey Low sodium seasoning 2 Tbsp ketchup 1 package frozen mixed veggies (with the lima beans and all that jazz) 1 can cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup (I plan to make homemade cream of chicken soup later this week, but have some low sodium mushroom soup that I'll use up today) 1/2 package tater tots 1/2 cup cheddar cheese Brown onion & ground beef, season to taste and add ketchup. Transfer to the bottom of a casserole dish. Take the rest of your friends.... And toss them in the pool... ...and add to the top of the ground beef mix. Sprinkle a little more cheese, if you dare, over the casserole. Cover and bake at 425 for 1 hr. Enjoy

I found this adorable craft idea on Pinterest . I already have felt and ribbon laying around, so it was super cheap and easy for a 3 year old to do (of course I did all the cutting, but I did it at night so everything would be ready to go the next day) the almost one year old enjoyed eating them (now that is a shocker!) The garland will look super cute when we decorate the house on Valentine's day....and maybe even decorate the neighbor's door! :)

"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." -Albert Einstein How many of us do this daily? We are all smart in our own way, but we can't all be smart in EVERY way. Take time to discover what you are amazing at, and don't worry about what you aren't so great at...that's why someone else is amazing at it! The above quote was in a magazine I was reading....and then it led to reading about empowering children. I enjoyed this read ...  " Gone are the days where parents solely want their kids to get "good jobs" but now we want them to have rewarding lives! It is a shift of epic proportions." Isn't it true though? I don't so much dream a future for my children that includes what I feel they should be, or where they should go to school....but I dream of them being content, confident, giving members of society. Parenting seems to be a long term scie...

I'm labeling this "What's on my needles?" but honestly they aren't on my needles yet...but I want them to be! How cute are these sweet little shoes? And my daughter won't be able to rip them off her feet like every other shoe that I put on her. You can get the free pattern here .  Currently I'm knitting these hats... ...to place for sale in my etsy shop. They are my own creation and I'm SO proud of them. I plan on working up the pattern and placing it for free on ravelry ....but just need to find the time! Can I get a cloning machine please?

About an hour ago I ran, quickly, away from my house, and didn't look back. Today wasn't a bad day...it was just long...and my son was being...um....three years old. We started our morning at the library, where he didn't really listen to me, didn't listen to the lady reading books and bit me on the way out the door. Awesomesauce! Things got better mid-day. A friend of his came over to play and P napped. We played playdough and made hand puppets....it was fun...but he was very needy and I was needing of a little personal space. Side note:  I remember before I had kids, I would look at a parent in my position, and think "Awe, all he wants is a hug" but when he's had two trillion hugs and cuddles, EVEN WHILE I PEE, there is a breaking point....I had reached mine! Then, 5pm hit.  I'm not sure why, but this is the point in the evening where I start losing my cool....and he ramps up. It wasn't pretty. B came home and I said "I have to leave soon or ...

I never really explained my blog title, did I? You see, I am on a bit of a self discovery mission. Part of my mission is spiritual, part of it is to be the best stinkin' example I can be for my children, and part of it is to leave the earth better than I found it. A New Year's Resolution of sorts...but wasn't really decided on New Years... Of course on a grand scale I would like to cure cancer or something, but honestly, what are the odds of me doing that? So I have decided to just be more, with less...  Be more giving, with less taking Be more wise, with less judgment Be more healthy, with less junk food Be more physically active, with less whining Be more earth friendly, with less packaging and waste Be more content, with less "stuff" Be more friendly, with less effort Be more creative, with less planning Be more present, with less contemplation about the past or future Be more genuine, with less concern of what people think of me Be more playful, with less tele...

I have a minor  major obsession with my crock pot. It makes me insanely happy. I put random things in it, turn it on and when dinner time comes around, there is magical, hot food inside. This is a busy momma/lazy momma's best friend. I have come to the conclusion I could put my shoe and a bottle of A1 in there and something fantastic would come out, however I'm not really willing to try this (I really love my shoes!). Today I am making fajitas for dinner. This morning I eye'd my crock pot, wondering if it could crank out some yummy fajitas. But then I decided to just do it on the stove top instead, my crock pot really does need a day of rest! Imagine my amusement when I was surfing Pinterest just now (thank you nap time) and stumbled upon this... That right there is a recipe for Crock Pot Fajitas, folks!  (The recipe is here ) If only it weren't 2.5 hours before dinner....if only... P.S. What does one get their Crock Pot for Valentine's Day?

Recently, my friend started selling something called Norwex. She was passionate about the product. Some of the stuff looked good, but honestly....$15.99 for a towel? It better make me coffee!!! I wanted to support her though, because she is fantastic! So when she had a contest on Facebook to spread the word about her Norwex business...I shared away! And low and behold, I won a couple towels in the contest! SCORE!!! Free stuff AND supporting my friend! I read a bit more about them on her site, and when they came in the mail I started using them. This towel is freaking MAGIC...I would not be surprised if I woke up one morning and it made me a cup of coffee!! So, first of all....what is microfiber?  One of the most important technological developments in recent years has been the  ability to produce extremely fine fibers. These “micro-fibers” are of an even finer quality than  natural fibers such as silk. In many products it is the luxurious feel and look of the fabrics, whi...

It's Fast Food Free February in our house. Why? Because.... This photo has been making it's way around Facebook lately. I ignored it at first. I would rather be blissfully ignorant while I munch my "chicken" nuggets dipped in high fructose corn syrup/sweet n sour sauce. It is cheap. It is fast. I have two children and we are on the go a lot and I KNOW my son will actually eat something at McDonald's without a fight. It tastes fairly tasty (going down, about 15 minutes later is another story). And honestly, I crave it from time to time. But then I kept seeing the photo more and more, and I opened up Pandora's box. I KNOW McDonald's is not good for me. They publish their fat and calories right on your meal now and I know it's just junk...but I never really looked into WHAT was in it. When I did, I told the family we would be having NO fast food in the month of February as a little science experiment.  So here is what scared me (from the book, " Omni...