My favorite Etsy stores

With Christmas shopping in the early phases around here I've been window shopping on Etsy lately.  Here is a link to my favorites page, well it's actually 6 pages ;)


http://www.etsy.com/people/Smidgerooski/favorites?type=shops&ref=favorites

Enjoy!

Who are some of your favorite Etsy artisans?  Do you have a certain artisan you buy from time and time again?

So Funny!

Yesterday The Hubbs went grocery shopping with us.  Kinda weird, but very nice indeed.  I usually go on Monday mornings, but he said we should all go together.  As I was zooming around the aisles while he had the kids in the cart, he randomly picked up a can of bread crumbs.  I stood there waiting to hear why he picked them up and then he said "What the heck.  Look at ALL these ingredients in the BREAD CRUMBS.  Aren't they supposed to be just bread crumbs?  It even has hydrogenated oil in it." 

I seriously love that guy and he makes me laugh all the time :)

*the can had about 30 ingredients in it*

Christmas ideas

*A helmet should be worn while using these bikes*

I first saw a balance bike a few months ago at a garage sale.  It wasn't for sale, but was being used by a 3 yr old to ride around.  It looked so cool, yet so easy.  The boy was having a blast and had a lot of control while using it.  So, this year we're looking to buy one for each kiddo for Christmas.  There are no used ones to be had on Craigslist or eBay right now, but I will be watching both closely.

Another option would be for my hubby to modify the current toddler two-wheeler we have to make it a balance bike and buying a second one at thrift store and doing the same.  

Have you heard of these bikes?  Do you own one?  If so, what do you like/dislike about it?

Frugal, Non-Toxic Cleaning

This is an awesome, fact-filled post :)

http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2010/08/back-to-the-basics-frugal-non-toxic-green-cleaning.html


Written by Emily McClements, Contributing Writer

Homemade disinfecting wipes

I ran across this article and thought some of you would like to read about it.  I'll certainly be doing this :)


http://www.liverenewed.com/2009/09/homemade-clorox-wipes.html

A sale, A BIG GIANT SALE

Let me start off by saying I'm excited!  See, around here naturally living is finally getting off the ground and becoming a bit more popular.  If you're a local reader than you're likely aware of the store Huckleberrys and probably love it.  If you don't love it, than I'm sorry, because I really freaking love it.

Saturday the 18th, Huckleberrys is having their bi-annual Natural Living Sale and all non-food items are 35% OFF.  This is a screaming deal.  I've already pre-ordered (you have to pre-order before Sept. 1st) a gallon of Dr. Bronner's Almond 18-in-1 liquid soap and a gallon of Giovanni Shampoo.  Here is the rest of my list and if you're wondering, yes I already made it into an Excel spreadsheet with AutoSum at the bottom.  I may or may not reveal the total to you.  The Hubbs will be "editing" it later tonite after he chokes a little at the number ;)

Giovanni Sunset Styling Lotion Dr. Bronners Almond Giovanni Shampoo Country Save Bac-Out Bac-Out drain Maid Naturally abrasive scrub Citrasolv 7th Gen disinfecting wipes x2 Child's cough Chewy vitamins Henna Foaming soap x3 Burts Bees lip balmx5 Sea Fresh toothpaste x3 Mouthwash x2 Deodorant x3 Probiotics Pest control spray
Do you stock up on sale like these?
What is your favorite "natural" care item?

Creativity abounds

I came across this book last week and surprisingly our library had it.  So, I reserved it and picked it up yesterday.  WOWza is it awesome.  It's going to be awesome for gift giving this year.  So, if you're a personal friend, you'll likely be getting some body/facial care items for Christmas *wink wink*

I've made simple milk baths, soothing soaks, and body scrubs in the past, but this opened my eyes to the many possibilities of toners, cleansers, massage oils, and lots of etc.

On to cooking, or whatever you'd call this...

Watermelon Sorbet

My dad goes to Hermiston, OR a lot for work.  He picked us up 2 LARGE seeded watermelons and they are delish.  Seeded watermelons are the bees knees if you ask anyone in our family :)  So, now that we're all a little full of watermelon I'm going to make some sorbet.

I've adapted this recipe from here

Ingredients

• 3 cups water
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 5 cups cubed, seeded watermelon

Directions

1. Heat water and sugar in a saucepan over medium-high heat until sugar has dissolved, stirring occasionally. Allow to cool. Place watermelon in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Whisk watermelon, lime juice and syrup together in a large bowl. Cover and chill in the refrigerator.
2. Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer's directions until it reaches "soft-serve" consistency. Transfer sorbet to a one- or two-quart lidded plastic container; cover surface with plastic wrap and seal. For best results, sorbet should ripen in the freezer for at least 2 hours or overnight.