Ladybug House

Grandma had a wonderful surprise for Freckle Foot at our last visit. A ladybug tent. Freckle Foot was thrilled with it. Freckle. Little Loaf even enjoys hanging out in the tent. Thanks Grandma.

Clean nipples a sign of a good day

Before I was a stay-at-home mom I fantasized what it would be like. The house would be clean and orderly, there would be time to work in the yard and tackle that long list of projects I could never seem to get around to. Two kids and two years later I have to laugh at the my ridiculous fantasy.

As a Stay-at-home Mom my daily tasks are endless and monotonous. I am always trying figure out new little routine or sign of accomplishment. I was so excited to call my friend Sarah and tell her about my lasted discovery.

The conversation went like this:

Me: Sarah I just figured out how to tell if I have had a productive day?
Sarah: Really how?
Me: my nipples are clean and on the counter.
Sarah: (silence followed by laughter) What?
Me: Freckle Foot's bottle nipples.
Sarah: Oh, bottle nipples not your nipples
Me: They are always the sign that my kitchen is clean.

Here's to hoping you have a clean nipple day.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Freckle Foot got Chicka Chicka Boom Boom from the library she loves the book so much I decided to use a story extender from Kizclub.com. She liked it when I recited the book and she could put her magnetic ABC's on the coconut tree. Her favorite part is all of the letters falling off the tree and all over the kitchen floor. I just printed the black and white version of the tree and we spent time coloring it in this morning. Then I used contact paper to attach it to the dishwasher. I have been following the Tot School Blog about lap books. Sometime in the next few weeks I hope to print off the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom lap book.

Homemade

In an attempt to eat less processed food and more homemade I have been taking the time to makes the following recipes.

A few years before my Dad passed away he started making these pickles. We both fell in love with them. Since I was working full time he would make a double batch and bring them to me whenever he made them. I am not sure where he got the recipe so if there is some one out there I can give credit for these fabulous pickles I would love to know. My favorite way to eat them is to make a cheese bagel sandwich with turkey pastrami, with melted provolone cheese over the pickles so that they don't fall off the sandwich.

So-Sweet-Squash Pickles:
3 small yellow squash thinly sliced
1 medium onion chopped
1 large sweet red pepper cut into stripes (1/4 inch)
1 Tbl salt
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup white vinegar
3/4 tsp mustard seed
3/4 tsp celery seed
1/4 tsp ground mustard

In a large bowl, combine the squash, onion, red pepper and salt. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour; drain. In a large saucepan, combine the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Add squash mixture; return to a boil. Remove from heat; cool.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for at least 4 days before serving. Maybe stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. Makes 4 cups.



Before I quit my gleaning job I was able to get 4 pounds of strawberries and borrow my Sister-in-Laws dehydrator. I sliced the strawberries all up and put them on the dehydrator for about a day and half. Freckle Foot loves these. I was getting freeze dried strawberries, apples and banana's from Costco but these work great.