IN MY KITCHEN / sewing projects

Some Inspiration and a question…

This is probably my most expensive post ever. I’m sitting in Barnes and Noble (where i had to PAY to connect),and my kids are exploring while I type.  Emma is pulling every ‘strictly forbidden’ book off the shelf–Dora, Barbie, Barney–knowing this is her one chance to peruse them. I’ve been teaching her a new rule which is working quite well–"no characters. No characters on our clothes, shoes, bedding, books. Characters stay inside the TV." She actually, finally understands this. I hate how mainstream clothing is covered in barbie and disney and dora. I just want a pair of shoes or a nice cotton nightgown for my children. No advertising, no gimmicky character necessary.
But I digress…
I’m sitting in BN posting because–have I told you?–our new place does not have high speed internet, so I’m back to the old days of dial-up and those wonderful screeching, screaming, dinging noises as I sit and wait for my connection. So, it has caused me to get quite creative in my blogging and blog-reading…I’ve been to BN, a local coffeeshop, the parking lot of our local community college(my most desperate yet) and surfed from my father’s office. The cable company tells me my woes will be no more at the end of the summer. So if I seem a little slow with reading or posting for the summer, now you know why….

When I was walking through my grandmother’s house the other day, I found this book. I think many of us have similar versions of "the quiet book"–which I love, but this one had a few different pages that I really liked. It got me a little inspired to try to make my own. My pictures are pretty pathetic because I was rushing, but here they are:
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I love the ideas in this book–the teddy bear puzzle, the matching shapes and the sliding beads. Gives me something to think about….

And lastly, I told you I had a question. Oftentimes, when I’m doing something around the house I wonder what other people use or like to get the job done, so for today I have my first of what may be more questions to come–what tool do you use to wash dishes? Our new place has no dishwasher and I often wonder what other people find best for washing their dishes. I’m a big fan of the o-cello sponges with the one side that scours–but is there a better way? I’m anxious to hear what you all prefer for your dishwashing needs….

This is probably my most expensive post ever. I’m sitting in Barnes and Noble (where i had to PAY to connect),and my kids are exploring while I type.  Emma is pulling every ‘strictly forbidden’ book off the shelf–Dora, Barbie, Barney–knowing this is her one chance to peruse them. I’ve been teaching her a new rule which is working quite well–"no characters. No characters on our clothes, shoes, bedding, books. Characters stay inside the TV." She actually, finally understands this. I hate how mainstream clothing is covered in barbie and disney and dora. I just want a pair of shoes or a nice cotton nightgown for my children. No advertising, no gimmicky character necessary.
But I digress…
I’m sitting in BN posting because–have I told you?–our new place does not have high speed internet, so I’m back to the old days of dial-up and those wonderful screeching, screaming, dinging noises as I sit and wait for my connection. So, it has caused me to get quite creative in my blogging and blog-reading…I’ve been to BN, a local coffeeshop, the parking lot of our local community college(my most desperate yet) and surfed from my father’s office. The cable company tells me my woes will be no more at the end of the summer. So if I seem a little slow with reading or posting for the summer, now you know why….

When I was walking through my grandmother’s house the other day, I found this book. I think many of us have similar versions of "the quiet book"–which I love, but this one had a few different pages that I really liked. It got me a little inspired to try to make my own. My pictures are pretty pathetic because I was rushing, but here they are:
Img_3581

Img_3582

Img_3583

Img_3584


I love the ideas in this book–the teddy bear puzzle, the matching shapes and the sliding beads. Gives me something to think about….

And lastly, I told you I had a question. Oftentimes, when I’m doing something around the house I wonder what other people use or like to get the job done, so for today I have my first of what may be more questions to come–what tool do you use to wash dishes? Our new place has no dishwasher and I often wonder what other people find best for washing their dishes. I’m a big fan of the o-cello sponges with the one side that scours–but is there a better way? I’m anxious to hear what you all prefer for your dishwashing needs….

19 comments on “Some Inspiration and a question…”

  1. Thats so funny you should ask because i am very particular about what to was dishes with. I get these long handled brushes from IKEA- two for $1.50 or something cheap like that. They fit well in the pots and pans and hold up well too. The closest IKEA we have is three hours away so I just bought a ton of them! If you want a couple, say the word, send me your address and I will happily share a pair! Its the least I can do for someone who has to suffer through dial up! I bought them for my mom and sister for Easter!

  2. That is the cutest quiet book I’ve seen! Such good ideas. I likey. 😎 Sorry about the dial up connection. Yuck! After high-speed you never wanna go back right?Dishes: I use one of the little circle scrubbers with a cap in the top for detergent (I never put in detergent though) and a plain old dish rag.

  3. Molly, those pictures of Meemu’s Quiet Book made me get all choked up. I used to read and play with it ALL the time when I was at her house–hoarding it in whatever room I was sleeping in so I could use it whenever I wanted to and not have to go hunting through the other bedrooms to find it. And I’m dreading going back home to a summer of dial-up. My poor blog is going to take a big hit–no pictures for 3 whole months 🙁 xo

  4. I’m with you on the characters – they are banned from our birthday parties although I have to admit to a few on t-shirts.

    Dishes? I use the same kind of sponge as you, but my husband prefers a brush (especially for really grotty grill pans etc) which he then leaves caked in gunk right next to the sink. IT DRIVES ME MAD!

  5. I’m glad to see I’m not the only person with a no character rule. Sofia is fond of announcing loudly in stores where there is character merchandise to be found that she ISN”T ALLOWED to have characters on her clothing (all in a voice as if she’s being terribly abused;-)

    It is even funnier though when she wraps it up by saying “‘Cause I’m not supposed to be a walking advertisement.” LOL

  6. actually, I enjoy those sponges too! also, if you can get one that doesn’t leak, I enjoy those sponges with the dishwashing liquid that you can put inside the handle. it definitely cuts down on time if you’re in a hurry!

    last but not least, those brushes that have bristles on them, almost like giant toothbrushes…those are pretty great for really stuck on stuff!

    I love that quiet time book! what a great idea!

    oh dial-up..how I loathe thee. I had it at my mom’s house all last summer and it was well…painful. lol. but you’ll make it through! 🙂

    oh yes and I LOVE your necklaces!! so, so pretty. as soon as the money fairy grants me a long-term stay, I would love to purchase one!

    .♥.

  7. That’s funny I’ve seen people sitting outside a local starbucks in their car surfing the internet becasue it’s a wifi location, I fell for you!! I love that book what a great idea, and I use Ocelo sponges too.

  8. I also use ocello sponges, all the way in China. I brought a lot with us and sometimes you can find them for sale at one of our foreigner stores. I loved doing the mini swap BTW.

  9. I don’t like having characters on clothing either, but we do have a few BUT we do not wear them in public.

    As for dish cleaning, we use a basic scotch brite heavy dute sponge and this *thing* my husband’s grandma knits? crochets? I don’t know how she makes it, it just rocks (its like a little scouring pad thing. I can send a picture if you like — just e-mail me).

  10. Ha! I am one of those moms that tells my kids no characters too! I am so glad there are other people that feel the same way too.

    When we HAD cable, I even went as far to tell my kids…”don’t ask for anything on TV, you will never get it!” Hee! I am so mean, but hey, they will thank me…I know they will!

    Now there is no cable and they are fine with that and so am I!

    The sponge with little hande…best thing. I actually love hand washing my dishes. It’s therapeutic, but then again, when I did handwash I had only one child. Now there is 3 and a machine does the therapy for me. 🙂

  11. that book is awesome…what a great ideafor handmade interactiveness:)

    and so sucky about the dial up…i’d be lost without my internet connection:)

  12. I’m glad to know that there are other anti-character moms out there. I can’t snand them!

    As far as what I use to wash dishes, I’m pretty boring. I use a scrub brush for the stuck on stuff and a plain old cotton wash cloth for the rest. The wash cloths get changed daily.

  13. I totally agree with your thoughts on “characters stay in the t.v.”I am the mother (& I’ve never told anyone this) who got-rid-of the character-(Dora)-red-fake-velvet-suppose-to-look-like-a-santa-outfit-girlie-nightgown-yuk! that my daughter received as a christmas gift. I totally chucked it into the trash. And it felt good. should I feel guilty? I even considered donating it to the goodwill, but why? Anyway – now I digress, A big thumbs up to you and your “no character ways”!

  14. What an amazing book! Your grandmother sounds like a lady I’d like to craft with (as well as her granddaughter, but you already know that). I’m only now catching up on my blogs, so sorry I haven’t been in touch. Blind with no sleep. I’ll write soon. xo

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