I was really encouraged when I read this blog article: What's that Smell? Report--Chemical Fragrances in Cleaners Dangerous to Families.
It's a pretty discouraging article, so why was I encouraged?
:::I have been using scent-free, dye free laundry detergent for about three years (or more). I have one and half bottles left to use, and then I plan on making this detergent.
:::I haven't used aerosol air freshener since I bought a natural air deodorizer over two years ago. (In fact, I'm still using the same bottle! It will need to be replaced soon though.)
:::I have always used a limited number of cleaners, and most of those don't have strong fragrances.
:::But now that I'm making my own cleaners, I don't have to worry about chemical fragrances in cleaners at all! (Window Cleaner, Disinfectant and All-Purpose Cleaner Recipes).
:::I do not use plug-in air fresheners.
Now, the one thing I don't know is how safe scented candles are. I love Yankee Candles and used to burn them quite often. Because of my daughter's mobility I don't burn them very often any more. I haven't run across any research on candle-burning yet. If you have a link with information, I'd love it if you'd share!
The only product I need to do away with is scented laundry softener. In the winter it is necessary to use laundry softener or else the clothes have horrible static cling! I have fallen in love with the beautifully scented laundry softeners available, so I need to give those up! At the very least there is non-scented laundry softener available, and it does the job just fine!
There are a few more things that I'm working on finding recipes for and replacing in my home. But the things mentioned above are the areas of greatest concern.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
~Ruffle Totes~
I am so excited about the ruffle totes I have in my Etsy shop! I love every one of them and if I needed more totes I think I'd keep them all!
Details are in the shop, but here are pictures of each one:
Retro Dots and Gingham Ruffle Tote
Floral and Gingham Ruffle Tote
Gingham Ruffle Tote
Stay tuned for a little giveaway later on this week!
Details are in the shop, but here are pictures of each one:
Stay tuned for a little giveaway later on this week!
Friday, June 25, 2010
~Tin Roof Sundae~
Shortly after we were married, Kevin and I discovered Tin Roof Sundae ice cream. I didn't think I would like it because it has peanuts in it, but we got some anyhow, and I was hooked.
Tin Roof Sundae is made with vanilla ice cream, swirls of chocolate, and chocolate-covered peanuts.
We haven't had this ice cream in years...ever since we moved from California! It just isn't in the stores here. But! I was shopping the other day and guess what I found? You guessed it! Tin Roof Sundae ice cream! Of course it came home with me!
I was thinking about ice cream and how even though I like ice cream I never buy it when I'm grocery shopping. There are some things that just never occur to me, and this is one. I could put it on my list (occasionally!) and we would have a treat waiting in the freezer. But I just don't buy it and don't think to buy it until I'm craving ice cream! And then we have to make a special run to the store for it! I guess it is a good thing because if we have to make a separate trip, we sometimes just don't. So we don't eat ice cream that often.
Tin Roof Sundae is made with vanilla ice cream, swirls of chocolate, and chocolate-covered peanuts.
We haven't had this ice cream in years...ever since we moved from California! It just isn't in the stores here. But! I was shopping the other day and guess what I found? You guessed it! Tin Roof Sundae ice cream! Of course it came home with me!
I was thinking about ice cream and how even though I like ice cream I never buy it when I'm grocery shopping. There are some things that just never occur to me, and this is one. I could put it on my list (occasionally!) and we would have a treat waiting in the freezer. But I just don't buy it and don't think to buy it until I'm craving ice cream! And then we have to make a special run to the store for it! I guess it is a good thing because if we have to make a separate trip, we sometimes just don't. So we don't eat ice cream that often.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
~California~
Earlier this month we went to California for my siser's wedding. The crocheted namepiece was framed. And about 1/2" too wide for our suitcase. Grrr. We'll be sending it via UPS soon.
The day after the wedding, we went up to the Sequoia National Forest. We went to Grant Grove, and then a little drive up to Panoramic Point. The tree pictures are from Grant Grove, and then the mountain views are from the Panoramic Point. It was beautiful up there! The last time I was at Panoramic Point was August of 1999. Kevin and I were dating, and we spent a day up at the mountains with another couple. The next day, Kevin left to go back to college. Ah, memories! :-)
It's hard to depict the grandeur of these trees. They are the world's largest and oldest trees. (Not the tallest, but the largest.) The trunks are enormous.
The day after the wedding, we went up to the Sequoia National Forest. We went to Grant Grove, and then a little drive up to Panoramic Point. The tree pictures are from Grant Grove, and then the mountain views are from the Panoramic Point. It was beautiful up there! The last time I was at Panoramic Point was August of 1999. Kevin and I were dating, and we spent a day up at the mountains with another couple. The next day, Kevin left to go back to college. Ah, memories! :-)
It's hard to depict the grandeur of these trees. They are the world's largest and oldest trees. (Not the tallest, but the largest.) The trunks are enormous.
Monday, June 14, 2010
~An Ugly Pair of Shoes~
"An Ugly Pair of Shoes"
I am wearing a pair of shoes.
They are ugly shoes.
Uncomfortable Shoes.
I hate my shoes.
Each day I wear them, and each day I wish I had another pair.
Some days my shoes hurt so bad that I do not think I can take another step.
Yet, I continue to wear them.
I get funny looks wearing these shoes.
They are looks of sympathy.
I can tell in others eyes that they are glad they are my shoes and not theirs.
They never talk about my shoes.
To learn how awful my shoes are might make them uncomfortable.
To truly understand these shoes you must walk in them.
But, once you put them on, you can never take them off.
I now realize that I am not the only one who wears these shoes.
There are many pairs in the world.
Some women are like me and ache daily as they try and walk in them.
Some have learned how to walk in them so they don't hurt quite as much.
Some have worn the shoes so long that days will go by before they think of how much they hurt.
No woman deserves to wear these shoes.
Yet, because of the shoes I am a stronger woman.
These shoes have given me the strength to face anything.
They have made me who I am.
I will forever walk in the shoes of a woman who has lost a child.
Author Unknown
Early this spring I read this poem on someone else's blog. I was waiting to find out if I was miscarrying. In a very odd way this poem was a comfort to me. And just a day or so later, we found out our that baby was with Jesus. This has been the most difficult thing I have ever faced.
God has been more real to me in the last few months than ever before. I have found great refuge in His loving arms. A book that has helped point me towards God and helped me wade through the grief is the devotional Grieving the Child I Never Knew by Kathe Wunnenberg.
As the poem states, I believe I am stronger now. I have a greater sense of compassion for others going through trials and loss. And I know that no matter what I go through, I know that God will always be there for me.
I am wearing a pair of shoes.
They are ugly shoes.
Uncomfortable Shoes.
I hate my shoes.
Each day I wear them, and each day I wish I had another pair.
Some days my shoes hurt so bad that I do not think I can take another step.
Yet, I continue to wear them.
I get funny looks wearing these shoes.
They are looks of sympathy.
I can tell in others eyes that they are glad they are my shoes and not theirs.
They never talk about my shoes.
To learn how awful my shoes are might make them uncomfortable.
To truly understand these shoes you must walk in them.
But, once you put them on, you can never take them off.
I now realize that I am not the only one who wears these shoes.
There are many pairs in the world.
Some women are like me and ache daily as they try and walk in them.
Some have learned how to walk in them so they don't hurt quite as much.
Some have worn the shoes so long that days will go by before they think of how much they hurt.
No woman deserves to wear these shoes.
Yet, because of the shoes I am a stronger woman.
These shoes have given me the strength to face anything.
They have made me who I am.
I will forever walk in the shoes of a woman who has lost a child.
Author Unknown
Early this spring I read this poem on someone else's blog. I was waiting to find out if I was miscarrying. In a very odd way this poem was a comfort to me. And just a day or so later, we found out our that baby was with Jesus. This has been the most difficult thing I have ever faced.
God has been more real to me in the last few months than ever before. I have found great refuge in His loving arms. A book that has helped point me towards God and helped me wade through the grief is the devotional Grieving the Child I Never Knew by Kathe Wunnenberg.
As the poem states, I believe I am stronger now. I have a greater sense of compassion for others going through trials and loss. And I know that no matter what I go through, I know that God will always be there for me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)