Do-It-Yourself Duds

With the seasons gradually shifting from spring to summer, all members of our family have been enthusiastically digging out our summertime duds. Since we live on the coast, it takes a wee bit longer for the mercury to rise in our parts. We’ve all welcomed an opportunity to sport our shorts and sandals on a more regular basis.

As the boys began trying on last year’s summer wardrobe, I was shocked at how much the two of them had grown in a year. Muffy is definitely catching up with big brother and there is a mere 3-pound difference between the two of them. The hand-me-downs I had planned for my littlest boy are a bit more snug than I had anticipated. Since Muffy is deep in the trenches of potty training, tight shorts that are difficult to pull down simply don't fit the bill when an emergency strikes. I’ve actually always struggled with finding proper fitting bottoms for boys. When they were in cloth diapers, it was particularly difficult to find something with a wide enough waist and seat to fit over the extra bulk. Now that these two have graduated to underpants, I still struggle when it comes to shopping for clothing. Although many of the “little man” styles are cute, the fabrics are often rough (as Chi-Chi’s always reminds me) and they are very difficult to pull on and off.

I decided to take the clothing challenge into my own hands and create a quick, fun and super easy summer wardrobe for the boys. I chose a very inexpensive and light cotton/linen blend for bottoms. I stitched up several pairs of shorts and pants for both little guys. The fabric is cool, the elastic waistband is soft and comfortable and the neutral color means they can mix and match with anything. My limited sewing skills restricted my ability to create tops from scratch. I picked up several plain 100% cotton t-shirts and set to work creating a series of fun and colorful designs. I followed this tutorial on Make-Baby-Stuff.com, which outlines the process for appliqué on t-shirts. We also picked up some fabric transfer paper at the local office supply store and transferred one of Chi-Chi’s favorite drawings onto a special shirt. What a rewarding experience for Chi-Chi to be able to proudly display this masterpiece on his belly! Because our summer weather can often be a little on the cold side, I added two plain navy blue hoodies to the clothing collection, which I embellished with swimming fishies and a ferocious alligator, as requested of course!


The custom t-shirt collection was well received by the wee ones. Chi-Chi proudly wore his new apple tree shirt to picture day at preschool this week. This looked much more presentable than the grubby little PJ top he INSISTS on wearing most other days! The "Daddy Look-A-Like" business shirts are by far the favorites. I found Muffy rolling around in the dirt sporting his "Sunday Best", happy as a pig. I realize that in the very near future, the boys will likely balk at the idea of a mommy-made wardrobe. I’ll milk the enthusiasm while it lasts! As for cost, the bottoms cost about two dollars a piece and the tops about five dollars everything in. Not too bad in my books!

Chi-Chi and Muffy are set for some fun in the sun. Bring on the sun I say!

Buy the Book!

I found myself in desperate need of some new reading material this week. The straw that broke the camel’s back was likely the 1000th reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas on Wednesday evening. Wide-eyed and attentive, Chi-Chi and Muffy are captivated by this classic holiday tale and request it most days. Maybe I’m just not in a festive mood, but with spring on my mind, the last thing I want to think about is dear old St. Nick.

The boys and I have been visiting the local library on a weekly basis so we do indeed have some fresh reading material on hand. Every now and then, however, I get the urge to add a few books to the family’s “permanent collection”. I found myself dangerously perusing and drooling over the Usborne books catalogue one evening. With a few clicks of the button, my “wish list” quickly surpassed $100. Sigh… I reminded myself to “question every purchase” and hit the delete button before I could change my mind.

The next day I hit our Value Village Thrift Store to do some treasure hunting in the used book isle. It was my lucky day! All children’s books were 69 cents with an added option to buy 4 get 1 free. “Question every purchase” flew out the window as I filled my cart. I justified that I could not lose at that price.

With warmer weather on my mind, I was able to compile a rather lovely collection of spring-themed reading material for the coming months. I even did a little shopping for the Easter Bunny! Chi-Chi will be receiving a copy of “The Tale of Peter Rabbit”. Little Muffy will be the proud owner of a vintage copy of “I Am A Bunny” by Ole Risom, illustrated by my favorite, Richard Scarry. It’s in mint condition I might add (which I fully realize it won’t be for long). Not surprisingly, the nostalgic in me is drawn to vintage books. The sweet illustrations just make me feel warm and fuzzy inside!

As an offset to all the lovey-dovey fuzziness, I snatched up some great dinosaur books for my monster lovers. To top it all off, I actually stumbled on a copy of one of the Usborne books on my wish list!

I bargained with myself, and do admit to ordering one special Usborne book for Chi-Chi’s upcoming birthday – the Animal Picture Atlas. He’s fascinated with a similar book at preschool and has taken a keen interest in geography lately. Purchase justified! I see no harm in fuelling his desire to learn.

I will not deny that these books are for my personal reading pleasure. Chi-Chi and Muffy will likely never tire of their faithful old favorites. Used books are a great way to keep things fresh for all members of the family and they are a lot kinder on the pocketbook!

Having a Ball...

Though our family’s vacation this past summer was lovely, it was certainly a wet and wild one! With two active and curious boys, it didn’t take long for us to go a little stir crazy confined within the four cottage walls. The inclement weather opened the door to opportunities and activities we would likely never have signed up for, such as bowling! Every time I go bowling (once every ten years or so), I’m reminded of how much fun it can be. The kids loved it. At just two years old, Muffy in particular impressed us with his skills. And the shoes…..size 7 toddler bowling shoes are ADORABLE!

A couple of weeks ago I was picking up some thread at the local craft shop and I discovered a super deal on hardwood child-size bowling pins. Inspired by our vacation visit to the alley, I couldn’t resist them. They stand six inches tall and polished up quite nicely with a coat of beeswax. (I beeswax everything around here!) I also found a couple of wooden balls to complete the set. When I showed them to Hubby he just laughed. He reminded me that Muffy was recently caught pounding our windows with a wooden toy hammer. Hard wooden balls would not last long before a confiscation would be necessary! I considered using some of our woolen balls but figured they would be a tad light for the job. My best option seemed to incorporate both wood and wool. The result is a set of colorful felt balls with wooden cores. Hard and heavy on the inside, soft and forgiving on the outside! They are perfect!

I have to admit, my attempts to create felted balls in the past were less than successful. I was thrilled to discover a wonderful instructional video on creating felted balls at www.crunchyparent.com. Her step by step instructions were very clear and easy to follow with fool proof results.

I'm "having a ball" picking away at these last minute little Christmas projects this past week. It’s just plain fun being one of Santa's elves and I’m thrilled to be as far away as possible from the dreadful crowded malls. I have no doubt this classic game will be enjoyed by all members of our family for many years to come – not bad for $11 taxes in!

Resisting Temptations...

Before Hubby and I planted our roots and built a home on Seaside Farms, we lived in some very, VERY tiny one-bedroom apartments. As two newly married frugal accountants, we were penny pincher extraordinaires.

As any homeowner would tell you, spending habits go through the roof before you even sign the dotted line. The term money pit comes to mind. A completely rotten deck railing, a full septic tank, pealing paint, a broken washing machine - just a few general household maintenance items to hit the books in 2008. My review of the past twelve months reveals a number of unbudgeted temptations I could not seem to pass up during the year – my beloved chicken coop, a painting for that horrid blank spot on the wall and more wool than any human being (fairy or not) could possibly burn through in a year.

The temptations are always lurking behind a corner, waiting to pounce on me in a weak moment. One such temptations resides in my basement. The cold, dusty concrete floors and the bare dismal walls scream at me to be finished. I dream of a cozy, finished basement space. I’ve even got an antique store counter hanging in the rafters of an Annapolis Valley barn, waiting to be transformed into the most amazing craft counter/wrapping center. A finished basement is not even on my budget’s radar. It’s at the very bottom of my never-ending wish list.

We are currently in the midst of a very wet and windy weather system. As a result, our time outdoors has been limited. There are times I fear my Chi-Chi and Muffy will literally be swept off to sea in the fierce winds we are experiencing. When in need of a change of scenery, we head down to the basement. Though the space is dark and dismal in my eyes, the children see a place they can completely let loose. They can run, shout, ride their bikes, swing and get good and messy!!! Only in an unfinished basement can they paint the walls and floors (and themselves) without one cautionary word from mommy. My only rule is no eating paint!

So for the time being I'm able to witness the silver lining in my doomy unfinished basement. I will continue to battle off the temptations on this one! I better make it pretty clear to these two monkeys that the basement rules differ drastically from the upstairs rules. Otherwise I may end up with a new paint job in my living room. I'm not a big fan of black and hot pink!

Reflections from the Woodpile

Although we tend to focus our attention on the glorious sights of autumn, there is something special about the scents of the season. The rich aromas that go hand-in-hand with fall have a tendency to bring out the nostalgic in me. The smell of decaying leaves blowing in the wind brings back fond memories of playing hide and seek in the piles of leaves in our backyard. Turkey and pumpkin pie baking in the oven stir up cozy thoughts of Mom. There is also something comforting about the earthy, woodsy scent of firewood. It brings me back to the cool fall days spent with my father, lugging and stacking firewood to heat our house during the frigid winters in Northern New Brunswick. How I loved hurling those logs down the wood chute with all my might!

After so many years, I’m thrilled to be spending my Sunday afternoons piling wood in my own garage! Like many homes in Nova Scotia, ours has always been heated solely with oil. We recently decided to install a wood stove in an effort to both save some dollars and draw on a more renewable energy source to heat our home. The wooded areas of Seaside Farms recently underwent a Hurricane Juan clean up effort. Although our forest is primarily comprised of spruce and fir soft woods, we were able to collect a fair number of hardwood logs, perfect for burning in our new stove! For the past couple of months, Hubby has been picking away at cutting and splitting the wood. The boys are always thrilled to observe Daddy’s efforts with chainsaw and axe. Chi-Chi and Muffy gladly offered their assistance in piling the logs. Both my husband and I were amazed at the amount of effort and sweat equity that goes into the harvesting and preparation of firewood. It’s been an eye-opening experience for the both of us and has given us a greater appreciation of the amount of energy our family consumes. I guess we had not given considerable thought to the amount of energy and money that goes into producing and transporting a tank of oil for our furnace to burn. It’s so easy to sit back and relax while the oil truck fills up ones tank. Of course, it’s not so easy to swallow those hefty heating bills…ouch! Just as growing a garden or shopping at a Farmer’s Market makes us more in touch with our food sources, being directly involved in our heating source makes us more aware of energy consumption.

Certainly, our family is just taking baby steps in all of these areas. Planting a few rows of beans, raising a couple of chickens and chopping a few cords of firewood are all a good start. Finicky little Muffy refused to touch a vegetable until he started gobbling up our own garden beans fresh from the vine. At the very least, being involved in the process might result in better eating habits for this little guy. He’s now hooked on apples and pumpkin muffins after our trip to the Annapolis Valley last weekend where we put him to work on the “harvest”. I’m hoping he’ll take a liking to farm fresh eggs in the near future. This kid could use some protein!

Dying To Try Dyeing

Last weekend I paid a visit to my absolute favorite wool destination – Gaspereau Valley Fibres Farm Wool Shop in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. I had a Christmas gift certificate burning a hole in my pocket! The rustic old building is a perfect place to spend a misty spring afternoon, browsing the wide array of luxurious yarns, while the woodstove belts out comforting warmth. While Muffy and I shopped, Chi-Chi and Nanny fed Willie the sheep and chatted with the resident chickens.

Since I learned to knit, I’ve been itching to create a couple of sweaters for the little ones. I’m consistently attracted to the beautiful hand-dyed yarns available. I marvel at the organic mixing of rich colors and the lush texture of the fibres. With the boys growing like weeds, I am well aware that these little sweaters will experience limited wear. Although I’ve been known to drop a fair penny on a certain never-ending poncho project for myself, I wasn’t willing to spend $60 on a sweater that may be outgrown in a year.

I was admiring a creamy white merino wool skein, imagining how quickly it would become stained with mud and blueberry juice, when the friendly lady at the shop suggested I dye the wool myself. Eureka! I had not considered this! This sounded like a perfect project that would prove to be very economical. $13 was all I had to spend on enough wool for an entire sweater!

In my past days as an avid rug hooker, I had tinkered with hand dyeing my wool. I have an extensive set of dyes and recipes. These dyes, however, are very toxic! They must be if the instructions call for safety goggles, rubber gloves and a facemask. Somehow, it didn’t seem appropriate to use these chemicals on garments destined for my little ones. I’ve heard of people using both Kool Aid and Wilton icing color to dye wool and thought this would be the perfect opportunity to give it a shot!

With Chi-Chi and Daddy gardening, and Muffy enjoying an afternoon siesta, I set to work in the kitchen. Earlier in the day, I had set my skein in a bowl of water and vinegar to assist the dye in attaching to the fibres. Winging the rest was my approach on this project. I laid the skein out in a roasting pan and mixed up a couple of dyes with boiling water. I chose Wilton’s Royal Blue, Leaf Green, Moss Green and Sky Blue. I figured the colors would not muddy since they were all a combination of blue, green and yellow. I “painted” the skein using a sponge brush, alternating the colors along the length. Once finished, I poured boiling water into the pan so that the wool was completely immersed. I then set my stove on medium low and sat back with a cup of tea and waited. I dumped in another cup or so of vinegar and continued with the waiting game.

After about an hour, the water in the pan was clear and the dye was well “attached” to the wool. I parked it on the back porch to cool and made another cup of tea! Once cool, I laid the skein in some old towels and squeezed out as much water as possible. I hung it on the line to dry in the gorgeous spring sunlight. How beautiful it looked against the backdrop view of the ocean. Obviously, my color selection was ocean inspired. I’m so pleased with the results. My knitting needles are ready and waiting!

A Tree Fit for Charlie Brown

Nothing quite adds to a festive atmosphere than the scent of balsam wafting through the house. I’ve been enjoying this cheerful aroma for the last couple of days. On Sunday our family ventured on our annual "Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Hunt". Since the majority of our sixteen-acre property is forested, we forego the tree lots each year and head into the woods to select our special Christmas tree.

Chi-Chi was simply thrilled with the day’s adventure! Waddling around in his puffy snowsuit, he examined our options carefully and was tickled pink when we finally settled on an adorable 3 foot spruce tree. Neighbour friends joined in on the fun and went home with a 15 foot beauty, a perfect fit for their cathedral ceiling family room. This homegrown selection represented the deal of the week for this family. Our local tree lot was offering 12 foot varieties for a whopping $125 plus tax!
Due to the Muffy’s “active tendencies”, we were forced to find an out-of -reach spot for our little tree. It is nestled on top of our sideboard in the dining room and I must admit, it looks rather ridiculous. I’m currently watching Muffy as he eyes the tree. The wheels are churning inside that little head. No doubt he’ll devise a strategy to tear it down before the holidays are threw!

I’ve always been partial to homemade decorations, thanks to my mother. Growing up, our tree was adorned in adorable handmade ornaments. Over the last few years, I’ve been working on compiling a set of homemade tree garnishes. Since we live next to the Atlantic Ocean, I thought it would be fun to decorate our tree in a coastal theme. I stole a few items from my shell collection and in no time created a set of seashell ornaments. After drilling holes in a few muscle shells, periwinkles and sand dollars, I simply strung them with bits of yarn and ribbon. Chi-Chi proudly contributed a basket of pine cones he collected a few weeks ago to our set of ornaments. Appropriately, a large starfish sits atop our tree. Not only are these decorations cute, they were free and are 100% biodegradable. You can’t beat that!

Thanks to our sweet little tree, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Christmas Comes Early for our Feathered Friends

The temperature has certainly taken a nosedive in our neck of the woods. With a wind chill reading of minus 12 degrees Celsius, it’s just a tad too frosty for Chi-Chi and Muffy to spend too much time outdoors today. No doubt we are not the only ones feeling the effects of the falling mercury. Our feathered friends are braving the frigid winds in an effort to fill their tummies and fatten up for the long winter ahead. Nestled comfortably in our toasty house, I felt a wee bit guilty watching the little chickadees dutifully pecking away for their breakfast.

With the whole family suffering a mild case of cabin fever, I thought it would be a good opportunity to get the little ones involved in an activity to both pass some time, and celebrate the winter season that has descended upon us. My tiny backyard birds provided me with the inspiration I was looking for!

I’ve spent the last couple of evenings working on my Christmas list. In an effort to avoid the malls and big box stores this holiday season, I’ve decided to hand make a number of gifts. Why not enlist the services of my talented, eager and willing children to help out in the gift making process? Flipping through various craft and project books, I came across several recipes for bird treats. After a quick glance in the pantry, I was able to assemble enough ingredients to create a revised version of the various recipes I’d seen.

My bird treat recipe is simple, quick and easy. Despite the fact I had a 2 ½ year old in the kitchen, the mess was minimal.

2 cups quick cooking rolled oats
3 cups boiling water
1 cup shortening
½ cup chunky peanut butter (no salt)
3/4 cup black oil sunflower seeds
1/4 cup thistle seed
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup Red River cereal
1/2 cup dried cranberries

I cooked the oats for approximately 2 minutes. After letting it cool to a lukewarm temperature, I brought the pot over to Chi-Chi to work with. He gleefully dumped in the rest of the ingredients and stirred them well. Once the mixture was fully cooled, the real fun began! Chi-Chi delighted in working with this “bird seed play dough”. He skillfully formed patties and cookies and placed them on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. We popped them in the freezer and in no time they were frozen solid. It didn’t take long for our crew of chickadees to sniff out this tasty new treat. They have been enthusiastically gobbling it up all afternoon.

Not only was this a fun activity for Chi-Chi, but it also helped Mommy cross off a few items on her Christmas list. These yummy bird cakes will be a great gift for the nature lovers on my list. Not only are they easy on the gift-giving budget, they are eco-friendly and fully biodegradable! Of course, they were also made with love by the hands of my 2 year old, which makes them particularly special. He will be thrilled to pass these out to his loved ones - a gift that truly comes from his dear little heart!

Hats Off to Cast-Offs

As I sip lemonade on my sun-drenched deck, basking in one of the few remaining days of summer, bizarre visions of snow squalls and sub-zero temperatures drift through my wandering mind. This may sound rather peculiar, considering the thermometer reads 20 degrees and I’m sporting a tank top and sandals. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that Chi-Chi and Muffy are parading through the house in attire suitable for an Arctic expedition. Just moments earlier, a scavenger hunt in the hall closet lead to the exciting discovery of treasures from a recent trip to the local thrift shop. Muffy is proudly toddling along in a cuddly, cozy red LL Bean bunting suit with the $2.99 price tag still attached. Chi-Chi is decked out in a smart navy blue Land’s End snow suit and matching Stride Rite winter boots. His complete outfit set me back a mere $24, which is a far cry from the $200 retail price (including shipping, duty and taxes). The true accountant in me surfaces as my lips form a wide, satisfied grin. I feel a deep sense of pride as I tally the savings in my head.

As the “baby” of the family, I grew up cringing at the mere mention of the word hand-me-down. I had little need or desire for my sister’s outgrown and unwanted leftovers. I hastily snubbed any previously owned article of clothing that snuck into my closet. Needless to say, the tables have now turned, and as a parent, I pounce on any opportunity to clothe Chi-Chi and Muffy in second-hand threads. No doubt, others may find it premature to be shopping for a winter wardrobe as we cling to the fading summer. Experience has taught me that this is a prime time of year for rummaging through second-hand shops and scanning eBay listings for super deals on cold weather apparel. Ninety percent of Chi-Chi and Muffy’s closet is comprised of gently-used attire. I frequent the thrift shops regularly, keeping my eyes pealed for a bargain. I’m rarely disappointed and my efforts are often rewarded with fabulous finds of high quality clothing in pristine condition.

Not only are hand-me-downs easy on the pocketbook, they are also friendly on the environment. Reusing and recycling second-hand items is a great way for families to reduce their ecological footprint and practice the “Three R’s” in day-to-day life.

In setting a positive example, my hope is that Chi-Chi and Muffy will inherit an appreciation for hand-me-downs and the benefits they offer. My dear mother is likely chuckling to herself as she reads these lines. My days of giving cast-offs the cold shoulder are long gone!