We've discovered a little treat at our house that I feel pretty good about.  Outshine bars!  Thanks to my friend CO for the introduction!

My kids love them, the hubby loves them, I love them . . . and they are really pretty tame as far as ingredients go.  There is added sugar, but lots of fruit and veggie purees and all natural colors (at least in the two versions I have brought home, both shown here).  If you haven't tried them . . . I highly recommend them.  Lime and tangerine carrot are my personal favorites! They are slightly more expensive than regular popsicles, but at least you're paying for something worthwhile instead of a bunch of high fructose corn syrup and artificial colors. (I think I paid $3-something for each of these boxes, though I've seen them on sale at Target too.)  Next I plan on sampling the coconut version.  There are tons of flavors and varieties . . . I don't think you'll be disappointed!

appreciate

 Originally posted 2012.

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” - Thornton Wilder

I don't think a person can ever appreciate enough.  It takes what could be stressful situations and turns them into something positively powerful.

I got a call around 9:20 last night that our daycare provider, who is never, ever sick . . . is sick.  My husband has been in Tennessee for work since Sunday night and not expected home until about 9:00 tonight.  I'm a teacher, which means "calling in sick" is actually a very long, work-involved process of sub plans and room preparation.

With 2 sleeping kids and no husband at home, there was no way that I could reasonably go into school to make sub plans.  Of course, making them from home is always an option, but I still need to go in at some point.  Long story short, I was feeling a lot of pressure to figure out a plan, but really no easy answer.  So . . . I put my worries away, left a message with my in-laws, enjoyed an hour or reading in bed, and trusted that things would work out or I'd at least manage in the morning.  Sure enough, when I tried my in-laws again this morning, they were happy to take my sweet boy, who will jump for joy when he finds out that he gets a day with Grandma and Grandpa all to himself.  This is a beautiful thing!!  Certainly not worth stressing about, so I am glad that I was able to purposefully make another choice.

And then this morning I was listening to the news.  The bodies of two sweet, young girls who went missing in July in Iowa were found by hunters yesterday.  My heart squeezed with so much sadness.  I think of those parents and what they must be feeling.  I can't even begin to comprehend where I'd go from there.  I think of those girls and what they must have gone through . . . and I'm flooded with anger for the evil that took them from their innocent lives.

I think of how fortunate I am that this morning I can get my beautiful boys up, hug them so close, and tell them all over again how deeply crazy I am for them, how hugely I love them, how nothing will ever change that.  And I'm grateful . . . and I appreciate today.  Even in the middle of chaos and darkness, there is much to appreciate if you can see between the curtains.

It is worth a peek.

So about this "Castile Soap" . . .

If you want to be green AND clean, I have a favorite little tip for you.  Pick up some Castile soap.  I prefer Dr. Bronner's, but there are other versions, you will just want to be sure that they are natural and simple, assuming that is what you are going for.  (I've found some with added junk, just so you know.  Same price even.  Not worth it.)

Here is what we use Castile soap for at our house . . .

• foaming hand soap (just put a couple of ounces in a foaming bottle, fill will water; viola)
• body wash (foaming is good here too)
• shampoo (especially for the sub-five footers that live here)
• dish soap (ditto on the foam, but you don't have to)
• laundry detergent (add to a DIY recipe)
• DIY cleaner (will post a recipe for our favorite later)
• . . . I'm sure I'm forgetting a few things.

Anyway, it's quality stuff.  Buy the big 32 ounce bottle and you can get quite a few products out of it.  Super quick, easy to use, good for you and the environment too.  I've purchased it at Target, Walgreens, and Amazon.  You can usually get the big bottle for right around $15-16.  If you want to be frugal, think of all the products you can get out of one bottle.  If you use about 2 ounces per product, you can get about 16 out of one bottle . . . that equates to $1 a product in Castile.  Sometimes that is all you're using (hand soap, body wash), which means it is crazy cheap AND healthy.  Sometimes you'll be adding a few things to it (DIY household cleaner), but all of those are simple, cheap ingredients as well, so it's a clear win-win.

https://www.drbronner.com/DBMS/category/LIQUIDSOAP.html

PS My favorite is the peppermint scent!

DIY: Liquid Laundry Detergent {my favorite}

Several people have asked, so I'm blogging this bad boy.  We found a version on Pinterest and modified it just a bit.  I can't say if it was because it was just easier to remember or something else, but our final product works well, is much better for Mama Earth and our health than most store-bought version, and is crazy inexpensive, which is always a perk.

{You'll need . . .}
large container(s) - we use two of those 200+ oz.containers that we saved from our detergent-buying days
borax - found near detergents at the store
super washing soda - harder to find, but same spot in the store; both also on Amazon, but cheaper in-store
soap - you can use Castille soap or Dawn dish soap; we've been using Dawn because, frankly, we need to degreasing power with two boys and a hard working hubby (I realize this isn't completely green, but without phosphates and with biodegradable surfactants, it is better than lots of other options)
warm water
a small funnel is helpful
tablespoon

{Ready?}

1. Fill your container(s) about 1/4 of the way full with warm water.
2. Measure 4 Tablespoons of each (borax, super washing soda, soap) into the container.  The funnel is handy here!
3. Put the cap on and shake.
4. Fill with more warm water until bubbles appear at the top.  This is where I let it sit for a while (could be hours, whatever time you have is fine) until the bubble settle down.  Fill with more warm water.  If you fill slowly, the bubbles won't be as crazy.  You don't want the bubbles to run all over, try to keep the soap IN the container.
5. Use a capful or two, depending on the cleaning power you need.

{Another tip . . .}

I don't love fabric softener.  It is chemical filled and clings to clothes in a way that grosses me out.  Instead, we use vinegar in the softener well in the wash.  Works like a charm and you don't smell it after everything is dry!  If you love the smell of fresh laundry though, you can use regular softener with your DIY detergent.  I usually have a bottle on hand for those times when I'm craving warm, scented sheets on my bed.  I've also tried to add essential oils to my detergent with mixed results.  I'll probably try again, but haven't found anything that I love or a scent that lasts after drying.

When life gives you cold . . .

make donuts.

I should clarify.  When I say "cold" . . . I don't mean "cold" . . . I mean positively, ridiculously, in-the-words-of-the-weather-guy, STUPID cold.  Granted, I live in Minnesota, so "cold" is nothing new during our long, dark winter, but this year is different.  In fact, Governor Mark Dayton cancelled all public schools today . . . it's that cold.  I woke up to a temp of something like -22 (notice the negative in front of that number) and windchills of -46.  Silly, but whatever, we've got this.

In honor of the cold day at home, my boys and I aren't going anywhere.  Unfortunately the hubs headed out this morning, but such is life.  Anyway, I pinned this yesterday . . .

http://camillestyles.com/food-2/the-perfect-bite-french-breakfast-donuts/

. . . so today we thought we'd give it a try.  {THANK YOU CAMILLESTYLES.COM and JESS SIMPSON!}

I followed the recipe almost exactly, except I didn't have nutmeg, so I subbed a little cinnamon instead and used skim milk because that is what I had on hand.  I also don't have a donut pan (is this something people really find necessary?), so I baked them in a muffin tin.  PERFECTION!

Anyway . . . BEHOLD!

It actually made 9, but I needed to sample one for the good of the people.  They are a fabulous treat!  Not overly sweet (you can lay off on the cinnamon and sugar topping too), definitely not health food, but made with real ingredients, so better than plenty of the sweet breakfast alternatives.  Super fast and easy to make too!

A total TEA-reat.

Okay.  Pushing it, I know.  But if you're a tea drinker, you've got to try this . . .

I received it as a gift from a student and cannot get enough!  It's really flavorful and completely delicious, especially on these cold sub-zero winter nights.

Oh, and check out my sweet, sweet mug.  I won this in the "dice game" that I played with my family at Christmas.  An owl wearing a hat?  Swoon!

Just two more things that ROCK MY SOCKS . . . now run to Trader Joe's and pick up some tea.  You'll be glad you did!

Before and After

Not long ago, I asked on a local Facebook page if anyone was looking to sell an old end table.  We had a need in our living room after reorganizing, and I had a hankering to do something crafty.  I also love, love, love the idea of reusing old things for so many reasons, so I was especially excited when one of the sweetest, most genuine people I know (with whom I'm also fortunate enough to share a school . . . we're both teachers) offered me one that she had . . . for a simple "pay it forward".  THAT I can do.  It's the very, very best kind of generosity, the kind that keeps giving.  (I'll report back when I pay it forward specifically with this lovely table in mind, Mrs. McN!)

After taking down the Christmas tree today, I really wanted to get to work to fill the space and have a functional table where we needed one.  Here's what I started with . . .

Not a bad little table by any means, just one that has been loved over the years and one that I was anxious to transform into something that "fit" into our living room.  I hit it with some 100 grit sandpaper, next came a can of Rust-Oleum spray paint in Dark Walnut with a satin finish, and finally a little more sandpaper on the edges and . . . finished!  Oh, and because I'm a huge fan of the little things, I added a square of one of my favorite scrapbook patterns for a pop of orange inside the drawer.  (And in my excitement I couldn't even wait for the modge podge to dry completely . . . )

Finally, here's the finished project!  I'm in love!  I have my eye on a square basket that should fit perfectly in the bottom cubby.  Here's to fun new furniture that will remind me to "pay it forward" every time I look at it!  (Thanks Mrs. McN!!!)

BEFORE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AFTER