The Cottage on the Hill

I have to be honest with you. If you want to eat better and you have a limited grocery budget, not only do you have to simplify, but you have to work harder. Yep. Make your own. Hate the idea? Well, if you want to eat better, then get over it. Life takes work and getting where you want takes work. Convenience costs one way or another. Hard work pays one way or another. It's daunting at first, I know. But once you get into the swing of things, it isn't so bad. It's ok to pick and choose, too. It may behoove you to make your own yogurt, but making your own bread is just too much. Just figure out what works for you and go with it, so long as you are actually saving money. Another thing to consider when making your own is the total cost of the end result. Remember, when comparing how much it costs to make your homemade bread that you don't compare it to Wonder Bread, but rather the finer, natural loaves. Sure, it may cost you more than a loaf of cheap Aldi...

If anything, I am more than halfway through since I tend to birth early. (Every time I say that, I have this superstitious feeling that this one will be late!) In fact, I get so busy with everything else that I have to remember to stop and rub the belly! Thankfully, baby boy is pretty active and likes to kick little reminders into my lower abdomen as if to say, "hey, mom, I know I have siblings out there taking up most of your attention, but don't forget about me in here!"

Is there a burner on your stove that rarely gets used? Why? For me, it is the front right hand burner. The front left gets used the most because it is the only big burner on my little stove. The back two get used for safety reasons with curious little fingers. Thus, the front right hand burner is often on the "back burner."

Life should have a soundtrack, I think. I can't tell you how many times I've walked somewhere, or driven somewhere and thought about the music that should be playing in the background. When I was in Scotland, I remember hearing distant bagpipes as I viewed the beautiful, natural surroundings. When I head up to the Adirondacks, I often hear the theme song to the movie "Last of the Mohicans" in my head. Lately, we've been listening to instrumental hymns and celtic tunes. What is your soundtrack today?

I've mentioned before that my daughter is a VERY picky eater. She refuses fruits and vegetables 99% of the time to the point of rather going hungry than being subjected to eat them. It boggles my mind because when she was an older infant, she ate it all! I have a chart made for her hanging in the kitchen where she gets a sticker every time she eats something listed on it. It's a slow process. I also sneak fruits and veg in where I can, though she can usually tell. On top of it, I limit her intake of junk foods since she isn't getting the good foods. I'm trying to get her to ingest more vitamin-rich plant-based foods. She also needs to drink more water. She prefers milk and will refuse water. She'll drink juice, but commercial juices aren't exactly healthful. (I'm looking into a juicer.) My next idea is herbal teas. Of course, I'll make sure she only drinks teas that are suitable for children. She has recently become fond of tea parties, and...

www.ansonmills.com Lately, I've really been enjoying adding cornmeal to my sneak-attack quickbreads*. I love the texture and the reduction in the use of gluten since I seem to be gluten sensitive this pregnancy. It also adds a sweetness to the bread. *My sneak-attack quickbreads are made from leftover fruits and veggies I have laying around my house. For example, my latest one was made from banana slices not eaten at breakfast and pears that were past their prime. I made a carrot orange quickbread before that from leftover carrots and greenbeans and an orange that was getting too juicy on the inside. I've also made spinach bread, zucchini bread, apple, mixed vegetables.....any combination thereof. I use as little sweetening as possible. Bananas are usually add to the mix to add sweetness. Raisins help. I like to use maple syrup and/or molasses (depending on the bread), but if it needs it, I'll add a little Florida Crystals sugar. I follow no recipe. The result i...

I am desiring more and more for my family to eat as healthfully as possible, especially since 2 out of 3 of my children are very picky eaters. Unfortunately, our grocery bill is through the roof and I STILL pass up important organic foods because of the expense. So, I am starting this series, Budging the Organic Budget, as a sort of brain storm of ways to keep the grocery budget down and healthful foods up. Part 1 Eat more simply. Variety is the spice of life, but now that I am a busy mom of 3 going on 4, variety can be an added burden. I used to love making all those ethnic, different and gourmet dishes. Planning all those different meals is time consuming and expensive, not to mention all the leftovers that go bad in the back of the fridge because heaven forbid you eat chicken twice a week. With 2 picky children, making dinners such as casseroles, or gourmet flavorings means a lot of waste. They don't eat it. So, I am taking inventory of simple, healthful meals my children...

Thank God for nesting instincts! I'm getting so much done!

I prefer washing dishes when I have something on my mind because it makes the chore go by quickly and I don't realize how gross it is! :)

You know, it's bad enough they jacked the price of cans of tuna and lowered the contents from 6 oz to 5 oz, but then they went cheap on the cans! So now when you press down on the lid to drain the water, the lid bends and tuna goes squirting everywhere!

During my second pregnancy, I gave up on prenatal vitamins. Forget those giant horsepills that are impossible to swallow, especially during the first trimester! Instead, I found Nature's Plus Children's Chewables, a whole foods multi-vitamin. I compared labels, found that I should take two of the chewables and supplement with folic acid. This is what I've been doing, but now I am considering giving them up, too. The Healthy Home Economist posted THIS ARTICLE that discusses secondarily that synthetic vitamins are not good for you and not assimilated properly. I became very concerned about the Vitamin A, as too much synthetic vitamin A can harm an unborn baby. I am taking fermented cod liver oil and x-factor butter oil this pregnancy, so vitamin A really isn't needed in pill form. Not to mention that carrots are a staple in this family. So, as an alternative, I'm looking into making my own herbal smoothies based on THIS RECIPE . I think, overall, I may find it...

The Seventh Avenue catalog arrived in the mail today. Why I get this catalog, I do not know because I never order from them. But, I decided to thumb through it today and I found these: What is it?! It's a "Greek Temple Fountain Console." I call it a waterfall fireplace. It's neat. It's a unique alternative to a fireplace, I think. I wouldn't buy it. The LED lights look cheesy and it certainly doesn't fit my decor. Now, for some reason, this is like! I could see myself lounging in it wearing satin pjs and reading my latest Victoria magazine issue. Although, I think for comfort, I'd prefer one with arms. Of course, again, I'm not going to buy one.

Apparently, Princess Kate Middleton has boosted the sales of sheer hosiery with her proper royal attire. Hosiery sales were lagging? From what I've read, pantyhose are technically out of fashion. That never occurred to me before, but it certainly explains why I'm finding it harder and harder to find pantyhose in my size and color. Yes, I am out of fashion. I wear pantyhose. And *gasp* I even wear tights at times, too! I always thought it proper to wear pantyhose rather than going bare-legged. Oh, in the warmer months I will go bare-legged under my skirts and dresses around the house and to the store, but not to church (unless it's pathetically hot outside). A proper, well-dressed lady wears appropriate hosiery. Thank you, Princess Kate for eschewing fashion for appropriateness. Slips are supposed to be out of fashion, too. That is, unless you wear them as a dress or skirt with some other funky duds. I heard one fashion guru yell, "What are you, a granny?...

I'd like chickens. This family can go through up to 7 eggs at one breakfast. You know that number is only going to go up as our family size grows and our children (especially the boys) grow. Hubby isn't all too fond of chickens, though. So, we've discussed quail. Of course, quail eggs are ridiculously small, sooooo.... Hubby likes pheasants. I do too, for that matter. I'd also like a goat in milk. If we ever get a farm, hubby wants a cow, perhaps two (for rotation) to keep us in milk. For our current little slice of God's creation, we can really only have a goat, preferably a miniature or dwarf one. However, this year, we are considering pigs. My garden has diminished in quality over the years despite crop rotation and compost/manure additions. My father used to let his garden rest every 7 years. I am considering this year to be a year of rest for the garden. In its place, we're thinking of some spring pigs to till it up and fertilize it. The pigs w...

Another boy!! Very clearly a boy! Baby is doing well, but my placenta is low lying. I'll receive another ultrasound in a couple of months to see if it'll interfere with the cervix opening. Not sure what all this means for the delivery of my baby.

Oh, I folded over many more pages in the catalog that I'm showing here, but these are my stand outs, for sure! For some reason, some of them only came out as thumbnails, so for those, I linked them to the catalog page online. Hubby likes this dress, too! They have so many dresses I love this year, and so many are just perfect for that post partum nursing time with their empire waists (to better deal with the leftover preggy poochy tummy) and their surplice tops (the easier to access for nursing.) I always like to try to get away from plain ol' scoops and v's when it comes to the basic T for the warmer months. I like the ruffles on this one. Still basic, casual, but with that something extra. LOVE this dress! Love the style! Vintage cute blouse with the scalloped edging down the front! Love the large, jeweled buttons on this cardigan. It is so vintage-y! Not in taupe...not my color...but the style I like! Plimsolls! I want plimsolls this year! This "jumper" ...

Vintage Finnish Paper Dolls Paper dolls were one of my favorite toys as a child. I had a grocery bag filled with them! It was such a treat to go to the bookstore or department store and browse through the books of paper dolls. It was an even greater treat to go home with one and spend hours carefully cutting out every little garments and accessory. I love when the books included a nifty little pocket to keep everything in. Now that I have a daughter, the store shelves are devoid of paper doll books. Melissa and Doug toys have replaced them with their magnetic dress-up dolls, of which my daughter has one and likes it well enough. But, it is just not the same nostalgia. I search on Amazon.com comes up with paper dolls, though. If money is tight, or you just want to get your daughter started on paper dolls, you can print many out online. A google image search comes up with many paper doll sets you can print out. Some you can even color! Just as an aside, I know Mary Engelbreit...

After much discussion, research and thought, I am slowly deciding upon my oldest's 1st grade curriculum for this coming September. I've chosen so far: Phonics Pathways OR A Beka Phonics: I'm leaning towards the former, but it is hard to ignore everybody and their mother telling me how perfectly wonderful A Beka Phonics is. I was given the K5 A Beka Phonics teacher's manual, charts and cards, so later this year I'm going to start it with my son. If it goes well, perhaps I'll continue. If not, I'm going back to square one with Phonics Pathways. Saxon Math: I love the manipulatives this program offers. After reading the description in a couple of homeschooling catalogs, I think it'll be a good segue from the curriculum he's on now. Plus, it gets rave reviews in the classical education front. Backyard Science: I thought I'd NEVER be able to settle on a science course for him. I know it isn't necessary for first grade, but his Answers in...

Let's face it. Spa treatments and a jacuzzi aren't in the budget. To top it off, it is getting harder and harder to find a trustworthy babysitter these days. Mine ate a multi-vitamin and grew up all of a sudden and is off to college. Don'tcha hate how fast kids grow up? Anyhow, a couple years ago, hubby treated me to a day spa. 1 hour massage, full mani and pedi treatment. Oh, I loved it. LOVED IT! I decided after that that the only way I'd support Obamacare would be if such treatment was included. ;b I've been wanting to treat myself again, but let's face it (again), it ain't gonna happen. I compromised by having my son drive his toy tractors on my back and taking showers while laying in a tub with the plug in. I guess I got spoiled because it wasn't enough. 2011 Christmas season gave me an upgrade for my "home spa." My parents got me the Conair Hydrotherapy Footbath Massager with Heat. Oooohhh....that was the springboard into my oth...

My God shall supply all your needs! With this new baby on the way, hubby and I discussed what we will need. After all, 3 active children can do a hurtin' on baby gear. Our infant car seats both needed to be discarded. Our double stroller was torn, stained, and otherwise looking grim. The pack and play mat is damaged and flattened and unable to be used in the bassinet portion (where our babies spend their first several months sleeping, if not with mommy.) This being our last child, I really did not want to spend a lot of money on new baby gear. I also didn't want to bother searching endlessly for used items (and having to travel hill and dale to retrieve them only to see they aren't what I'm looking for and feeling obligated to buy it anyway). I didn't want to borrow, either, since all of my children have been pretty destructive to things. One good puke in the carseat, and I'm not going to feel right returning it, no matter how much I clean it. So, off I...

In my ideal world, I'd be eating 99% local, organically grown foods, many that I grew or raised myself. As it stands today, that is not the case, so I shop by some food rules and compromises. 1. Buying local doesn't work to well in the great northeast when you're dying for citrus or bananas. In this aspect, I try to at least buy USA only products. 2. Because we eat apples frequently, I have begun buying organic apples when I can. As for local, I don't know of any apple orchards in my local area that doesn't spray. 3. I have decided to buy tomato products in glass jars the best I can to avoid the BPA leeching from the acid. 4. I won't buy tomato soup, sauce or ketchup made with high fructose corn syrup or canola/soybean oil. (I did have major sticker shock when I bought a small glass jar of pasta sauce made with sugar and olive oil. Around $5.00!! Thankfully, my local Big Lots had larger jars of other brands, many organic for only $2.50. That still seem...

It is never to early in the year to prepare for the next in regards to homeschooling, at least for this beginner. I also live in a State that has stricter rules and requires more from parents. I'd like to have all my i's dotted and t's crossed. I love the Answers in Genesis curriculum I'm using for my 5 year old. I LOVE it. It makes me wish they'd continue with more full on curricula for every grade. It seems as if they lean towards Alpha Omega, though I could be wrong, for continuing home education. I looked up Alpha Omega and it didn't feel right. A Beka is probably the most popular curriculum in the local homeschooling community. Having the local support (and access to cheap, used curricula) is a plus, but it doesn't settle with me, either. I have been able to look through the K5 phonics, reading and writing teacher's manual, and it makes my head spin. Not the academics, mind you, just the way it is set up and presented. Vertias Press is appe...

I could never be a true locavore. I don't even think our summers could sustain a citrus tree! I just love citrus too much to give it up, however, I do check to make sure it comes from the USA. Last week, I was finally able to purchase my favorite orange available here in the frozen north; cara cara oranges! Cara Cara Oranges Pink Grapefruit Lemons Limes That is how my citrus love list goes. I'd love to hear from you what your favorite orange or citrus fruit is!

I splurged and bought a bottle of Dreft laundry detergent. There's just something about the smell that I love. It relaxes me and makes laundry doing more enjoyable. There's just something about baby clothes washed in Dreft. There's just something about using Dreft that makes me want to redo my laundry area! There's just something so vintage and homey about Dreft. Do you have a favorite detergent?

We have books. We have a lot of books. So, I go to the library and get more books because There is something about library books. I feel compelled to read them whereas books I own don't seem to beckon me so.

You can download patterns for these aprons HERE. It felt good to get back into routine after the holidays. Thankful for the burst of 2nd trimester energy, I was able to get plenty done today. As I worked, I thought about my 3 year old daughter: She loves to help me in the kitchen. I wish she helped more around the house. Even with asking/telling/leading/instructing she is very reluctant to do her tasks. She is upset that Daddy spends so much time with big brother. Big brother is at that perfect little boy age where he just HAS to pal around with Daddy. She is emotional and prone to break downs. She craves one on one attention. While thinking these things over, a thought popped into my head: APRON THERAPY! When she's reluctant to help, When she's upset that she can't go with big brother and Daddy, When she's over emotional and breaking down, When she obviously needs some one on one attention, I will do my best to set aside time for apron therapy. We'll don our a...