Recently I opened a new package of Swiffer Dusters. I was pleasantly surprised by the wonderful smell the box emitted. Thinking it odd that the box of dusters should have such a lovely scent, I asked my family to smell it.(At least I didn't say "does this smell bad!") They too thought the dusters smelled very good.
After several moments of sniffing the box, to convince myself that this was indeed where the lovely smell was coming from, it finally occurred to me to look at the package to see if there was any indication that something had been done to the product. Some days it just takes longer than others!
Sure enough, Swiffer had added lavender, vanilla and comfort (that's right—comfort) febreeze to the dusters. I suppose if I had actually looked at the package when I bought it, I would have known. Although they did make that label kinda small. Here is a close up because you probably didn't notice it either...right?
I will admit that using the lavender, vanilla and comfort scented dusters made my dusting experience much more enjoyable!
Once I started dusting, I didn't want to quit. I felt more relaxed with every sweep of the duster.
I worked until that little cloth was fully coated with dust. My house really needed the dusting. Hey how do you like the little dish I got to hold my jewelry? I really like it. It goes very nicely with rest of the bedroom decor.
Sorry, I had to get you thinking about something other than my dusty house!
All-in-all, I like the addition of lavender, vanilla and comfort to the Swiffer dusters. My only problem is that once I finish dusting, I am so relaxed and comforted, I don't want to do any other chores! Hmmm, maybe I should look at that as a plus too!
Christine
Please note: I just like this product. This is not a paid endorsement. I'm just sayin!
I really like Starbucks Mocha! Did anyone not know that?
It's so Yummy!
It's also made by some of the nicest people, who know exactly how I like it. Oh yes, I have one of those orders...extra hot, with whip, etc, etc!
When I stop in the morning at my favorite local Starbucks or I go to my favorite Target, that has a Starbucks, (I really like Target too. Two of my favorite things at once—FABULOUS!) for a Mocha, it makes the morning grand.
But, when I stop for a Mocha with my girls...
...and we play games...
...that makes the morning sublime! Unless I win, then my morning is sublime...the girls not so much!
Christine
One of the little fish we bought the other day has been creating some big drama.
Bean's little fish, Señor Bubbles, has not been looking so good. He frequently rests at the top of his bowl and much of his lovely color has drained away. We did not expect him to make it through the first day in his new home. Bean's heart was broken.
I am sad to say that my first response to her broken heart was annoyance. It's only a fish...you've only had him fourteen hours...It's only a fish. Yep, these were my rational responses. Oh yeah, Mommy of the year material right here!
When my sweet Bean approached me, yet again, to tell me how concerned she was about her fish, the third time in thirty minutes, chin all aquiver and tears in her eyes, I finally recognized that my girl needed me to help her deal with her very real sorrow. This was not time to be rational, this was time to love her and teach her how to cope with her grief.
It took me a while, but I finally saw it, my big girl...my little girl, needed her Mommy. This was important. Thank the Lord for opening my eyes!
I held my girl tight and we had a heart-to-heart, tears included, about what she was feeling. I told her this little fish was very lucky that he got to be hers even if it was for just a little while and she was very lucky that she got to take care of him for that little while.
The meaning of what I had just said hit me. Be thankful for the time we get with those we love, instead of being bitter for the time we won't get. Wow! I stood convicted.
I expected the entire day to be a struggle for Bean, but surprisingly she told me what I said had made her feel better.
Her little fish, who created all the drama, has not died. However, he isn't doing much better either. Bean watches over him and loves on him—as much as you can love on a fish! If she could, she would hold him and hug him and tell him everything would be OK because she will take care of him.
I expect that one who can love a little fish and nurse it through poor health is learning to exercise a compassion muscle that will be a blessing to everyone she cares about her entire life. It has been amazing to watch Bean be so caring. I know that it's all for a silly little fish, but what a beautiful life lesson.
Once again I am reminded that God will use hard things in life to bring out good in us! And I am grateful He brought this Mommy to her senses so that I could have a part in it!
Christine
The family, specifically Jason and the girls, like to eat gummy bears...worms...spiders...frankly, anything gummy. I can't stand anything gummy!
When I say they like to eat gummy bears, I really mean they like to bite the heads off of some...
and the bodies off others, and then make little Franken bears!
When they have exhausted all possible Franken bear color combinations, my normally sweet girls, proceed to lining up the gummy bears so the bears may watch as their little gummy bear friends are impaled on toothpicks.
Oh dear, I think one of the yellow ones passed out!
Finally all gummy bears are put out of their misery and they are consumed!
It's sick, I know! But there it is, and it's the ugly truth!
Christine
Several months ago I purchased Pappardelle pasta.
I thought the giant noodles looked amazing and I could imagine that there must be something wonderful I could make with them, so I went in search of a recipe. Finding a recipe that the family would like was not as easy as I expected.
One recipe I found had mushrooms and Taleggio cheese...the family said no to mushrooms.
NEXT!
I found a recipe with butternut squash and blue cheese...the family made gagging faces!
THAT'S A NO!
I was getting pretty bummed that the beautiful pappardelle pasta sat in my cabinet—unused!
Isn't it a pretty pasta?
Thanks be to the Pioneer Woman for posting a recipe on her blog for short ribs in tomato sauce with fettuccine. I finally had a recipe the family would like and the pappardelle would substitute nicely for the fettuccine.
HURRAY!
I know, I added another recipe to the file! But I did make it this week, and I had the pappardelle already, and the picture looked sooo good...I couldn't help it!
If you have some pappardelle pasta in the cabinet that you don't know what to do with...do this!
DELICIOUS!!
If you are interested in this recipe, use this link for short ribs in tomato sauce to go directly to the Pioneer Woman's site where she did an amazing job going through the recipe step by step.
Christine
Around Christmas, I think I lost my mind a little, because I began to entertain the idea of getting Guinea pigs for the girls. We went to the pet store to price the little rodents and the equipment necessary for maintaining said rodents.
A Guinea pig costs around $20, and the housing for a little piggy is between $80 and $120. Keep in mind we were talking about purchasing two piggies and a habitat that would accommodate two piggies. We were looking at a total of around $120 to $140, and that didn't even include; bedding, food, toys (oh yes, they need toys to chew on—who knew?), or the giant, clear plastic balls that allow the guinea pigs to run around the house without actually running free—definitely need those!
The reality of the cost of Guinea pigs was causing my mind to come back to me. What really set me right again was learning that guinea pigs can live five to seven years. In our household that will be during teen years. Momma doesn't want to be care taking guinea pigs when the girls become busy teens who don't have time for them. I let the Guinea pig idea go faster than the hot pan I recently tried to pull out of the oven with my bare hand!
I should have mentioned to the girls that the piggies were a no go, because they asked about it last weekend. After we told them Guinea pigs were a "NO", Sofibug asked "can we get a fish then?" Because I felt bad or maybe my mind hadn't completely returned, I said yes.
After buying two fun glass containers at only $5 each and three Betta fish (Jason decided he wanted one too—good thing we had a fish bowl at home) at $4 each, we had three happy campers—six if you count the fish!
Including the cost of fish food $2, a fish net $2 and plants $2, we spent under $30! Yep, Momma got her mind back!!
Betta fish are very pretty.
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| Mr. Nibbles |
They only live up to four years.
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| Señor Bubbles |
And they are low maintenance.
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| Filet-O |
My favorite thing about Betta fish...they don't shed!!
Yes Lilo, we still love you!!
Christine
I can hardly contain my excitement! It's March and I have my Martha Stewart Living magazine (special gardening issue) in hand and it clearly states...It's time to start planting!
And if Martha Stewart says it's time, then it must be time!
Obediently I pulled out my graph paper and quickly sketched a plan for my vegetable garden. It's a sloppy sketch I know, but it's time, so I felt I needed to hustle!
Then I hurried to check and see if I had all of the seeds I needed...it's time you know!
Now, I am all set. I have my garden plan. I have my seeds. Now all I need...is spring to arrive in Minnesota!
It's time!
Christine
