We got a new toy at work that I have been dying to try out. The infra-red camera lets you see and take pictures of heat. About a week and a half ago we had a real cold snap outside so I took it as an opportunity to borrow it and try it out. Here’s what I found: I ventured inside to get a better idea of where the problem spots were . . . The good news is there…
Becopotty: It’s a completely biodegradable toilet. It’s designed to be used starting with really small babies (for parents more dedicated than me that practice elimination communication), but I’ve read several reviews of people that used it with their toddlers. The seat can last for multiple kids and when you’re all done with it you can bury it in your yard and it will biodegrade over a couple of years as it nourishes your flower garden. The best part is it…
In honor of Thanksgiving being this week, here’s a creative way to cook your turkey: Okay, so I really wanted to talk about light bulbs. I am a firm believer in doing things that are “green.” However, I am also a believer that those things should save me some green as well. As astute readers of our blog may have noticed, we bought an old house a few months ago. In an ongoing series of blog posts I’m going to…
Typically we are flexitarians, but when I’m pregnant I seem to crave meat a lot more than usual. The thing is, meat is expensive (our desire to eat “happy animals” doesn’t help this) and we by nature are kind of cheap. Well, we’ve come up with a pretty good solution that doesn’t compromise our checking account or our moral integrity: buying whole chickens. Seriously though, a whole chicken generally costs less per pound, makes me feel less guilty since I’m…
When we were house shopping, commute time to my work was a very important part of the decision. We were quite adamant about it and had even picked out a neighborhood. Nevertheless, our real estate agent found it difficult to believe. We were shown several houses that were “only 15 minutes farther away” and supposedly cost less. Ultimately, we got our way and paid a little bit more for a shorter commute. Now as I leave work and turn onto…
There’s something about becoming a mother (and to a degree a father) that changes your perception about socially acceptable topics of conversation. Subjects that were once faux pas suddenly become fair game during a casual afternoon lunch with people you’ve barely met. For the mother, this shift is nearly imperceptible and it’s hard to remember that there ever was a time when you would have died before you discussed anyone’s bowel movements. (Does it make it better or worse that…
Image from smittenkitchen.com Growing up, both of my grandmas had freezers full of things that little kids love. One of my favorites that my McConkie grandma often had was homemade Oreo cookies. They were so much better than actual Oreos, and not just because they were homemade, but because they had cream cheese icing. When I got older I learned the best part, they weren’t even that difficult to make – all you needed was a cake mix, 3/4 C…
Make sure you read about our amazing diaper sprayer below, but I just wanted to let you guys know about a diaper deal. Flips are my diaper of choice and I know I have recommended them to some of you. Right now Cotton Babies has seconds (meaning they have an imperfection of some sort) of them on sale for $9.00. I just got an envelope of them in the mail today and even though they are seconds I can’t tell…
Audrey has really been jonesing for a diaper sprayer lately. Buying one outright they cost $45, but the other day she found this tutorial on how to make one out of a few bits and pieces from Home Depot for allegedly around $20. So the Saturday before last we set out with our list of random plumbing parts. After staring at the wall of valves and nipples and compression fittings and toilet stoppers for about 15 minutes I made the…
We’ve got a long list of things we want to do with some of our rooms, so I think I’m going to take you on a tour room by room as things get done. Generally our bedroom is the last thing we seem to focus on, but this time it was the first. Before we even started looking at houses I found a tutorial for some Anthropologie inspired bedding. Truth be told, I’ve never even set foot inside an Anthropologie…