Some read last night that I'm moving to wordpress. Well, I forgotten how much work went into setting up this blog... and I'm not sure my picture woes with blogspot are worth the work of re-setting up everything. Argh. Blah.
Let me shake my fist at the blogsphere universe! I thumb my nose at you, oh, addictive blogging activity!
I promise to keep all informed. But, for now, the status quo remains unchanged.... youngernews.blogspot.com continues to live.
Rachael's ponderings and ramblings about life, teaching, gardening, knitting, home keeping and the various other topics and hobbies that prompt her interest.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Different ages, different diapers
I got to thinking the other day about how I'm more inclined to put a prefold on Peanut now than any other diaper. Yes, just 6 months ago, I swore by my home made fitteds. What has changed? Poop.
A baby that is exclusively breastfed (ebf) has very runny poop. Yep, so much so that when the pedi asked if Peanut had diarrhea, I asked how would I know if he did. Yes, there is a way to know, but its not just in the runniness of the poop. From month 0 to month 5 (or 6), to keep that runny poop contained, I wanted elastic around those legs. I never could figure out how to put on a prefold without having some gap around the legs and that would guarantee some poop getting on the cover. Thus, the predominate use of the homemade fitteds, the kissaluv's size 0 (which fit Peanut through about 4 months, but he is skinny-skinny) and pockets. Perhaps if I'd persevered, I might have learned how to successfully contained that ebf poop.
Now, with the introduction of solids, his poop is more solid such that it tends to stay in one place. (is this grossing you out? I'm sorry, but its necessary for the discussion.) A folded prefold to fit in the cover, or even a prefold put on with a snappi works just fine in keeping poop contained.
This is when I'm most happy that we didn't have to buy all that we needed right out. Some were gives (the kissaluvs, kushie prefolds, and gerber flats), many were hand-me-downs (most of hte pockets, many of the prefolds), and a slew I made.
Not too long ago, I was thinking about putting together enough newborn sized prefolds so that with the kissaluv's size 0, we had a newborn set of diapers that would get us through those first few months (or weeks) when the little one isn't big enough for the "one-sized" pockets and such. (no, I'm not preggers, just thinking ahead with hope).
Then I remembered. I remember why I rarely put Peanut in a prefold before month 6 (or was month 7?). Luckily, I've only made 1 prefold, so I'm not doomed, but I'll have to think through this a bit more. Do I want to learn to put on a prefold so that poop doesn't leak out? That is the question.
A baby that is exclusively breastfed (ebf) has very runny poop. Yep, so much so that when the pedi asked if Peanut had diarrhea, I asked how would I know if he did. Yes, there is a way to know, but its not just in the runniness of the poop. From month 0 to month 5 (or 6), to keep that runny poop contained, I wanted elastic around those legs. I never could figure out how to put on a prefold without having some gap around the legs and that would guarantee some poop getting on the cover. Thus, the predominate use of the homemade fitteds, the kissaluv's size 0 (which fit Peanut through about 4 months, but he is skinny-skinny) and pockets. Perhaps if I'd persevered, I might have learned how to successfully contained that ebf poop.
Now, with the introduction of solids, his poop is more solid such that it tends to stay in one place. (is this grossing you out? I'm sorry, but its necessary for the discussion.) A folded prefold to fit in the cover, or even a prefold put on with a snappi works just fine in keeping poop contained.
This is when I'm most happy that we didn't have to buy all that we needed right out. Some were gives (the kissaluvs, kushie prefolds, and gerber flats), many were hand-me-downs (most of hte pockets, many of the prefolds), and a slew I made.
Not too long ago, I was thinking about putting together enough newborn sized prefolds so that with the kissaluv's size 0, we had a newborn set of diapers that would get us through those first few months (or weeks) when the little one isn't big enough for the "one-sized" pockets and such. (no, I'm not preggers, just thinking ahead with hope).
 |
| kissaluv size 0 on the left, my newborn sized prefold on the right |
Friday, April 27, 2012
Beef Broth
Several weeks ago, we ordered a quarter of a cow... and got about 118 lbs of beef. That's a lot of beef...
One of the first things I did, as the weather was still cool and this would free up a great deal of space, was to make broth from the bones.
The broth had lots of fat...
But after refrigeration, fat is easy to lift off. And to show you what really good broth looks like, out of the fridge...
Yes, that is a table knife. standing up. See, what's making it like that is the cold, plus gelatin. And gelatin is protein. That broth is so full of protein it will knock your socks off and taste absolutely delish.
But after one set of bones, I had a gallon and a half of broth, and enough bones to do this two more times. Oh, dear. I'm good with having that much broth, but my freezer just isn't big enough. I remembered that Nourished Kitchen had a post about making bouillon, so I decided to do that.
I pulled out my biggest pot and set the broth to boiling. I figured out that when I had about 4 or 5 cups left (starting with gallon and a half), that I must have started with stronger broth. First, I used more bones than she specifies in her recipe, and at 4 or 5 cups of broth left after boiling down, it was starting to stick and burn to the bottom of the pot.
The blog post directs you to add gelatin at this point, but I, in my stubborn, rebellion and improvising nature, decided not to. It was already very thick and, I didn't think, would need any help solidifying.
I'm sure my tad-less-than-1 inch-by-1 inch cubes are stronger than what you'd get if you followed the recipe exactly (I haven't had a chance to use any yet) and I'm storing my in the freezer (call me paranoid, please feel free), but they actually look inviting. That is, they look like caramels. but I doubt they are sweet. No, I know they aren't sweet.
I promise to try and use them soon so I can tell how they turned out for their intended purpose.
I got to use the cubes tonight. My cubes are really about 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch and perhaps only 1/2 tall. so they are small. I used 5 cubes to flavor 1 1/2 cups of hot-hot water for use in our stir fry. It came out pretty good. I think these cubes came out well and its worth doing if you have broth, but not the freezer space.
One of the first things I did, as the weather was still cool and this would free up a great deal of space, was to make broth from the bones.
 |
| Is this a gross picture? I'm not sure... |
Yes, that is a table knife. standing up. See, what's making it like that is the cold, plus gelatin. And gelatin is protein. That broth is so full of protein it will knock your socks off and taste absolutely delish.
But after one set of bones, I had a gallon and a half of broth, and enough bones to do this two more times. Oh, dear. I'm good with having that much broth, but my freezer just isn't big enough. I remembered that Nourished Kitchen had a post about making bouillon, so I decided to do that.
I pulled out my biggest pot and set the broth to boiling. I figured out that when I had about 4 or 5 cups left (starting with gallon and a half), that I must have started with stronger broth. First, I used more bones than she specifies in her recipe, and at 4 or 5 cups of broth left after boiling down, it was starting to stick and burn to the bottom of the pot.
 |
| Nearing the end of the reducing time. Took me about 2 hours to take it from 1.5 gallons to 4 cups. |
 |
| bullion cubes |
I got to use the cubes tonight. My cubes are really about 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch and perhaps only 1/2 tall. so they are small. I used 5 cubes to flavor 1 1/2 cups of hot-hot water for use in our stir fry. It came out pretty good. I think these cubes came out well and its worth doing if you have broth, but not the freezer space.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
My inquisitive and hungry child
For the first time ever, last Sunday, I purchased EXTRA food at a restaurant for Peanut. No, I didn't order him something, but I got extra as I'm the one who usually shares with him. And, instead of a 2 entree meal at Panda Express, I got a 3 entree meal... and we ate all of it.
We got an extra side of fries at Buzzard Billy's last night, but Peanut was less interested in eating and more at watching people, the ceiling fans and the TVs. So much stimulation, all in one place.
We've also reached the point in energy levels that Mama makes sure that we go outside at least once every day. Yes, every day. And Peanut gets to free range, on a limited basis. I have resigned myself to the fact that he gets utterly filthy, as he is still crawling around and mostly army style. But he loves it and it ensures that he sleeps well.
Today, as I hung out diapers and watered plants on the back porch (and pulled a few weeds), Peanut found himself in one of the most enjoyable positions I think he's ever found.
See that wet spot by that planter on the end... yep, he found water, and splashed in it for all the shallow bit allowed him.
And he was wet by the end. I'm pretty sure he tried eating the water, too, based on the dirt around his mouth. He was rather unhappy at me as we took off the wet clothing and headed inside. Normally, I brush him off and know that some dirt, leaves, grass and whatnot make it inside. This time, it meant a bath.
Have I mentioned that he loves water?
And he slept really well in that afternoon nap.
We got an extra side of fries at Buzzard Billy's last night, but Peanut was less interested in eating and more at watching people, the ceiling fans and the TVs. So much stimulation, all in one place.
We've also reached the point in energy levels that Mama makes sure that we go outside at least once every day. Yes, every day. And Peanut gets to free range, on a limited basis. I have resigned myself to the fact that he gets utterly filthy, as he is still crawling around and mostly army style. But he loves it and it ensures that he sleeps well.
Today, as I hung out diapers and watered plants on the back porch (and pulled a few weeds), Peanut found himself in one of the most enjoyable positions I think he's ever found.
See that wet spot by that planter on the end... yep, he found water, and splashed in it for all the shallow bit allowed him.
And he was wet by the end. I'm pretty sure he tried eating the water, too, based on the dirt around his mouth. He was rather unhappy at me as we took off the wet clothing and headed inside. Normally, I brush him off and know that some dirt, leaves, grass and whatnot make it inside. This time, it meant a bath.
Have I mentioned that he loves water?
And he slept really well in that afternoon nap.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
I love it when he likes what I like...
Peanut tends to just share off my plate when we eat, so its really nice when he likes what we are eating. and its very gratifying when he likes what I like.
One of my favorite ways to use leftover pancakes....
Pop the pancake into the toaster, slather peanut butter, then jam or fruit butter (here, its peach butter).
Peanut likes it, too.
One of my favorite ways to use leftover pancakes....
Pop the pancake into the toaster, slather peanut butter, then jam or fruit butter (here, its peach butter).
Peanut likes it, too.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Cleaning and Earth Day
So I became aware that "Earth Day" is this weekend when I got an advertisement from Amazon about cleaning products for Earth Day. Hmmm... that seems quite ironic... a company all about consumption advertising for Earth Day.
Anyhoo, after an article in Real Simple about the "best" cleaning products, I thought I ought to share my cleaning philosophy and methods.
"Cleaning philosophy?" you ask. Yes, everyone has basic reasons why they do things the way they do them. They just aren't always able to articulate them.
There are two words which encapsulate my cleaning philosophy:
CHEAP If it costs too much, I won't buy it.
SIMPLE If its too complicated, I won't do it.
With that in mind... here's my basic supplies... baking soda, vinegar and dish soap. And Simple Green.
What could more "Earth Day" than this! (not buying some fancy "organic" cleaner shouldn't count, but planting a tree might. I promise to water my garden.)
Baking soda -- this is the most awesome of gentle abrasives. I use it with some face soap for a face scrub, I mix it with some dish soap for cleaning up greasy and grimy dishes. I've used it on the glass top stove, with some dish soap, and it didn't scratch and cleaned it far better than the special "for glass top stoves" cleaner. Great for scouring the bath tub of the grime that comes from the combination of dirt and soap.
Dish Soap -- perhaps the most awesome of degreasers you could ever find. when I was cleaning the hood on my stove, which hadn't been cleaned since we moved in over 2 years ago, not even Simple Green was getting it clean. But a bit of dish soap on the rag, and clean it came! So, anytime you need a bit of suds, dish soap is your answer.
Vinegar -- a bit of acid is a good thing. Good for cleaning off and sanitizing those counter tops. It deodorizes, and helps get detergent out of clothes. Apple Cider Vinegar is a good hair rinse and will leave hair nice and silky smooth.
Simple Green -- because I got a monster bottle 5 years ago and it still isn't gone. Good as a degreaser for counters.
Method?
I've written out cleaning tasks for each room, based on the flylady zone cleaning lists, and customized it to my current house. Then I grouped rooms into "zones", again based on flylady zone cleaning lists. I have 5 zones:
Anyhoo, after an article in Real Simple about the "best" cleaning products, I thought I ought to share my cleaning philosophy and methods.
"Cleaning philosophy?" you ask. Yes, everyone has basic reasons why they do things the way they do them. They just aren't always able to articulate them.
There are two words which encapsulate my cleaning philosophy:
CHEAP If it costs too much, I won't buy it.
SIMPLE If its too complicated, I won't do it.
With that in mind... here's my basic supplies... baking soda, vinegar and dish soap. And Simple Green.
What could more "Earth Day" than this! (not buying some fancy "organic" cleaner shouldn't count, but planting a tree might. I promise to water my garden.)
Baking soda -- this is the most awesome of gentle abrasives. I use it with some face soap for a face scrub, I mix it with some dish soap for cleaning up greasy and grimy dishes. I've used it on the glass top stove, with some dish soap, and it didn't scratch and cleaned it far better than the special "for glass top stoves" cleaner. Great for scouring the bath tub of the grime that comes from the combination of dirt and soap.
Dish Soap -- perhaps the most awesome of degreasers you could ever find. when I was cleaning the hood on my stove, which hadn't been cleaned since we moved in over 2 years ago, not even Simple Green was getting it clean. But a bit of dish soap on the rag, and clean it came! So, anytime you need a bit of suds, dish soap is your answer.
Vinegar -- a bit of acid is a good thing. Good for cleaning off and sanitizing those counter tops. It deodorizes, and helps get detergent out of clothes. Apple Cider Vinegar is a good hair rinse and will leave hair nice and silky smooth.
Simple Green -- because I got a monster bottle 5 years ago and it still isn't gone. Good as a degreaser for counters.
Method?
I've written out cleaning tasks for each room, based on the flylady zone cleaning lists, and customized it to my current house. Then I grouped rooms into "zones", again based on flylady zone cleaning lists. I have 5 zones:
Zone
1: Kitchen & Dining Room
Zone
2: Living Room & guest bathroom
Zone
3: Guest Bedroom & Nursery
Zone
4: Master bedroom & bathroom
Zone
5: Front & back porches (& other possible miscellaneous
locations that need attention)
Often, though, the kitchen becomes its own zone. I've been aiming to do 1 zone a week, but that is just a bit too much for me right now -- I'm too distractable to do that much focused work. I don't do all the tasks for each room each time I have that zone up, either, but those that show a need. So, for example, I might not wash the curtains int he dining room every time I have zone 1 on the weekly schedule. On the other hand, I try to vacuum the whole house at least once a week (preferably twice a week), sweep kitchen and dining daily, and mop once or twice a week. Dusting I'm happy to do once a month or so.
Of course, there are also things that are done on a near constant basis -- like dishes and picking up, for, hopefully, obvious reasons. Laundry is done regularly (I do use plain old detergent here, I guess that is one more cleaning agent I use!) and I try not to let it build up.
Oh, yeah, I do keep bleach around for toilets and really-got-to-get-this-truly-santized kinds of moments.
I hope this gives you ideas for your own house. You don't need any fancy cleaner, nor something special for this that or the other. Keeping it to such simple items also keeps your budget down. Aren't we all into saving a bit of money these days?
Of course, there are also things that are done on a near constant basis -- like dishes and picking up, for, hopefully, obvious reasons. Laundry is done regularly (I do use plain old detergent here, I guess that is one more cleaning agent I use!) and I try not to let it build up.
Oh, yeah, I do keep bleach around for toilets and really-got-to-get-this-truly-santized kinds of moments.
I hope this gives you ideas for your own house. You don't need any fancy cleaner, nor something special for this that or the other. Keeping it to such simple items also keeps your budget down. Aren't we all into saving a bit of money these days?
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