Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner

Ever since the little guy's been around, I've been a lot more conscious of what kinds of things I'm using around the house. While vinegar is definitely a favorite cleaner & can do pretty much anything, I wanted to something a little different for our everyday all-purpose cleaner.

Enter Dr. Bronner's castile soap. A quick Google search gives you all kinds of amazing uses, but my first use of it was for regular, all-purpose cleaner. To make this cleaner, you need:

• an empty spray bottle. Mine came from The Dollar Tree.
• castile soap. Dr. Bronner's is reasonably priced & can be found just about anywhere.
• tea tree oil. A little pricey, but lasts forever.
• water

Fill your bottle about 3/4 the way up with water. Make sure you add the water first!! Otherwise there are too many suds. Top with soap & about 10-12 drops of tea tree oil. The soap & water are your cleaner & the tea tree oil adds antibacterial properties. Tada, you're done! 

If you use a scented soap, your cleaner even smells great. (The smell is a huge bonus if your husband, like mine, can't stand the smell of vinegar - one of the big reasons I was searching for a new cleaner.)

This is a frugal, simple, and effective cleaner! It definitely works for me! For more great ideas, be sure to visit Kristen's blog.

Beginnings of a Granny Square Quilt

Sometimes, I just get bogged down in my current sewing projects. Progress is slow, and I'm a little burnt out. So, what else to do but start a new project?

Sometimes something new, fun, and uncomplicated is what I need. Since I've been eyeing this amazing Granny Square quilt from Blue Elephant Stitches, I figured sewing up a block would be good medicine.

I'm pretty pleased with block #1! Didn't intend for those two flowered blocks to end up right next to each other, but it still makes me happy. :)

Then last week while visiting my mom, she let me cut lots of 2.5" squares from her scrap stash! I love poking through Mom's fabric!!

Here's block #2 all ready to go:

What's the plan for these fun blocks, you ask? Why, I think they would make a sweet little baby quilt. At least that's the plan for now, unless I'm not able to stop with just 9 blocks!

Goodbye, Google Reader. Hello, Feedly.

As many of you know, Google Reader will be gone as of July 1. If you're like me and are scrambling at the last-minute for how you will read your blogs 10 days from now, then keep reading!

There are several popular alternatives to Google Reader. Do a quick search and you'll see many an article with the title "Top Alternatives to Google Reader". I've been looking for myself and my mom, who has asked for help with this transition. For Mom, I'm looking for a reader that's as similar to Google Reader as I can find. Mom likes Google Reader, and as my dad likes to say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. For myself, I'm open to something a little different, provided it's still free and easily aggregates my blogs.

Here's what I've found:

1. Feedly: This tops most lists at the moment. However, I didn't like Feedly at first because it was a web-broswer plugin. If that's too much jargon for you, basically it would only work (best) on your own personal computer. If you use multiple computers or like to check blogs when you're away from home, this really wouldn't be a good fit. But, just yesterday Feedly announced that it was moving to a cloud-based model that fixes this complaint. Feedly has a great interface and super-easy transition from Google Reader.

2. The Old Reader: This was my initial pick, as it has a very similar interface to Google Reader. Apparently there's no mobile app for this, though. (I haven't completely verified this - leave a comment if you know of one.) It's also a little more difficult to switch to from Google Reader. However, The Old Reader is a good, solid choice and would definitely get the job done.

3. Bloglovin': I've seen this recommended on several blogs and thought I would give it a try. I lasted all of 2 or 3 blog posts before I decided this is NOT for me! Bloglovin' physically navigates to the actual blog rather than being a true reader. This is SLOW and not how I want to read my blogs. I prefer to read through my blogs pretty quickly, only slowing down when a particular post really catches my attention.

4. All the rest: There are several other choices, primarily with other strengths. As I said at first, I was searching for a reader to mimic Google Reader functionality, not for anything else. Let me know if you have another favorite that I didn't mention!

Bottom Line: Give Feedly a try! Maybe I won't even miss Google Reader. :)

oliver + s Bucket Hat

For the little guy's first birthday, I wanted to make him a bucket hat for the summer. I have heard wonderful things about oliver + s patterns, but had never tried one out. They have a free pattern for a reversible bucket hat that was exactly what I was looking for.

Let me tell you, this pattern was great! Only three simple pieces to cut out.

I've never sewn a hat or something quite that round before and had some reservations, but I was able to follow this pattern step by step & end up with a fabulous hat for my ONE year old little guy.

I'm considering adding a chin strap to make sure this hat stays on this busy little boy, but then it wouldn't be reversible after doing that. All in all, I'd highly recommend this pattern! I'd love to try some more oliver + s patterns someday.

Works for Me: Audiobooks

Photo Credit

This is such a simple idea, but it has helped me SO much with getting housework done that I have to share. I'm in a local book club, and a couple of the girls in it have always just raved over listening to audiobooks. I had tried listening to them before, but mostly on a long trip and they would tend to put me to sleep. (Not a good thing when you're driving!)

After one book club discussion of audiobooks in particular, I decided to try it again. Now, I'm hooked. When Isaac goes down for his nap, I pop on the headphones and get busy with cooking, cleaning, sewing, laundry, you name it! I am so much more motivated to get the chores done when I have the company of a good book. {Confession: there are many, many naps where I get sucked into something not-so-productive - but I'm way more likely to get things done when I have a book to listen to.}

Any favorite audiobooks out there? I'd love some good suggestions!

Check out Works for Me Wednesday for more great ideas.