Mostly Mango

Baby L. is getting to the age of baby food. By the time she is ready to eat mangoes they won't be in season, so another friend suggested buying them at 3 for $2 and making it now. So, I set about doing that. I am not particularly fond of mangoes, and consequently do not know how to pick them out, but headed to the store anyways to do just that.

A few days later I finally got to working on them. With the help of Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron, and The Basic Baby Food Cookbook by Julianne Hood, I was able to make some great mango puree.

Kj thoroughly enjoyed nibbling the remnants off the pit, eating the steamed mango slices (skin and all) and the frozen puree sticks. Kevin also tried a frozen bit, commenting that it was better than expected. I on the other hand tried little bits along the way and wasn't too fond of it. Oh, well, at least I know that if Baby L. doesn't like it either, there are others that will enjoy all the rest.



I used the leftover steamer water, or whatever you call it, to mix into our made from concentrate orange juice. We'll all try that in the morning to see what we think. Speaking of juices...we had an excess of grapes that I had bought for a BBQ that was canceled due to inclement weather, so I decided to try my hand at making homemade grape juice. I found some directions at pickyourown.org. It looks kind of murky right now, but we'll try that cold sometime tomorrow as well. Thanks to my sister for the food mill after Kj was born.

**Later note: The grape juice is delicious when cold, even though it is murky. :)

Organization...

I'm setting out to reclaim my "Hobby Room" this weekend. This week, we moved Baby L. to share a room with her big sister, Kj, and now the hard work begins. Results will follow.

$2.75

The amount of money spent this summer on 2 pairs of wonderfully fitting, perfectly new looking blue jeans. Yeah!! You may have guessed it...garage/rummage sales. Thank you very much. Trying to do my part to save the planet. Reduce, reuse, recycle!

Another Apron

I was "forced" to use my sewing machine again, and it was wonderful. Aunt A. asked me if I could make an apron for her sister-in-law. So, one week she chose her material and we had plans of starting the project the next week...well, it got put off for a few weeks and then it was time for the bridal shower. One week to make it! In this case I worked well under pressure. I used one dual-naptime for cutting out all the pieces. Then before the girls went to bed (one currently sleeps in my sewing room), I got out all my supplies and sewing machine. I got it halfway done that night!! The next day A. was visiting and going to watch the girls and help with parts of it. She did the hand stitching on the ends of the "ribbons" and I finished the rest. We made a great team!

I'm ready for my next project! It may end up being some toddler skirts. I found a long skirt for Kj at Old Navy and I'd like to make some more. Yesterday, she danced around the house in it. Very fun.

Saver...sometimes...

A friend just stopped by this morning for a short visit. I have been in the mood for decluttering for some time now, but she said something that stuck all afternoon as I was going through baby things and folding laundry. "You don't need to keep everything that people give you." This may not seem like a really profound statement, but it is to me at this time. So, if you come to my rummage sale and see something that you gave me...do not be offended. I really do still like you!!!! I just need less stuff. :) Thank you, Tracey!