Monday, July 23, 2012

Random Pictures

We've been doing lots of reading.

M has been teaching C all his new tricks (like crawling and pulling up)

Fun with bubbles!

The total crop of grape tomatoes

Anniversary pressie in the mail...

Full of sweets from my sweet.

The pillowcase and sheet I made (under Grandma's quilt).

One of the new aprons from Grannie.

Friday, July 20, 2012

The Aftermath

Now that N is back home you'd think life would have got slightly less hectic, wouldn't you?  But then you add in a language course and... you get my drift.

It has been a relief having him home though.  The boys are over the moon.  C started to crawl properly (knees) within a day of N being home but reverts to commando style when he wants to get somewhere fast!  And we celebrated our first "total potty success" (a.k.a. "accident-free") day for J last week too.  He's also been telling us when he needs to go (hooray!) and yesterday even took himself off and sat up there without any prompting from us (I just happened to wonder where he was when I hadn't heard him for a couple of minutes).

N also returned with lots of gifts (from family and friends) so they boys have been playing with new toys, reading new 'favourite' books, J wearing his new aprons (sometimes one at a time) and I have been revelling in an influx of magazines.  Here is my stack at present: Dish, Martha Stewart Living, Family Fun, NZ Healthy Food (which came with a slow cooker recipe section - next on my list of things to try to keep the oven off!), Dallas Child, and our church magazine, The Angelus.

We had some of N's language buddies with families over for lunch on Sunday so we made pizza and tried out this recipe from MSLiving.  It was yummy.  We'll be making it again.  Of course, we adapted the recipe slightly (frozen corn, grated mozzarella, spread on unbaked homemade crust).

And I got the good news yesterday that our friends' wedding in NZ today will be streamed live, so we get to 'join' them after all.  Yay!


Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Homemade: Laundry Detergent

I've been running an experiment lately.  And three people have asked for this recently so I thought I'd better get around to 'writing up my results'.

I've had to hunt hard for detergent that is kind to cloth nappies/diapers (i.e. doesn't have visual brighteners and surfactants, etc. which build up on the cloth and render it less absorbent).  When I do find it, it is often more expensive than the regular detergent, which is expensive enough already, even though it has less stuff in it.  (As an aside, this article went viral recently, exposing a spate of thefts in the US of one particular brand as currency in the illegal drug market!)  So I started hunting for homemade recipes.

The recommendations for our washing machine are for liquid detergent rather than powder so while I found lots of recipes online, the least complicated (once you get past the commentary) was this recipe with pictures based on this one from a reality TV programme here.  When I went shopping I discovered that Fels-Naptha soap actually has some of those surfactants in the list of ingredients so I opted for the purest soap I could find, which turned out to be Ivory.  The ingredient that seems to make it only "99.44% pure" is the mild fragrance - which to my nose is lemongrass.  I guess castile soap (vegetable oil-based) or Sunlight would be the NZ equivalent, though now the closest Sunlight retailers may be in Australia.

I made up my batch in mid-February and I am just getting to the end of it this week (mid-July).  I average at least 1 load of washing per day (often 2 because of nappies and potty training at present), and it has lasted me 5 months!  It took me about 30 minutes work and cost me about $8 in ingredients (for enough to make at least 30 gallons without having to get more supplies) and the 5-gallon bucket with lid for about $6.  The best thing is that it works.  I've been using it for everything I wash, and I just use an ordinary pre-wash stain spray on spills when I see them.  Everything gets clean, smells fresh (rather than scented) and feels good.  I haven't needed fabric softener either.  In fact, I don't think I'll ever go back.  I used a detergent sample the other day on some really grubby toddler clothes and gagged as I pulled them out of the machine because of the overpowering perfume.

So here's my recipe:

Homemade Laundry Detergent (yields 10 gallons when diluted)

4 c hot tap water (plus more)
1 bar Ivory soap, grated
1 c washing soda (make sure it is sodium carbonate)
1/2 c Borax

Stir grated soap and measured water over a medium low heat until soap is dissolved.
Half fill a 5-gallon bucket with hot tap water.  Add liquefied soap, washing soda and Borax.  Stir until all the powder is dissolved.  Fill the bucket to top with more hot water.  Stir, cover, and leave overnight to thicken.  (The consistency is similar to wallpaper paste or school glue!)
Stir, then half fill a clean container with soap mixture.  (I used an old detergent bottle.)  Fill the rest of the container with water.  Shake before each use as it tends to gel again.

The website recommended using 5/8 c per load for top-loading washing machines (approx. 180 loads) or 1/4 c for front-loading machines (approx. 640 loads).  I worked out it was 1.5 caps of my bottle so I usually guesstimated from this based on my load size.  Another variation which I haven't needed yet is to add essential oil drops to the cooled soap (10-15 per 2 gallons).

Addendum: My friend also recommended soap nuts.  We like using soap nuts (we have before), they're environmentally friendly (a berry, after all), but I haven't found a local supplier yet and this recipe is a little cheaper at the moment (8c/load versus 13c/load).

Sunday, July 8, 2012

The Finish Line

Hooray!  We've made it to the finish line!  Tomorrow we pick up N from the airport.

The past week has included more blessings:
* The Hunters watching the boys again on Tuesday and serving us lunch.
* Independence Day celebrations with friends.
* A miraculously tidy house after a month of moment-to-moment activities.  (There's been a lot of picking up after bedtime!)
* Lots of baking - my happy space. :o)
* A birthday parcel from Mum and Dad.
* A birthday lunch with the Hunters yesterday, and flowers.
* Found that N's public address, Giving the Market its memory: Finding the forgotten Adam Smith, is recorded here if you want to hear it. 
* Some brotherly moments of hugs, toy sharing and what looks to me like a hongi. :o)

One daft moment (of many) this week:
I suffered an attack from the freezer door one evening.  Something had fallen out as I'd opened the door so I bent down to retrieve it, only to be clobbered on the temple by the door swinging shut as I stood up.  Loud exclamation (surprisingly G-rated)!  A few tears - it hurt.  Frozen peas on hand.  Even so, a nice lump about an inch high and a headache that night. Beautiful black eye - think Cleopatra - on my birthday. Guess I need to be nicer to the freezer in future.

We're also very ready for Daddy to come home.  There's been a few "tempers and tantrums and huggity hugs" (to quote Diana Neild, author of Piggity-Wiggity Jiggity Jig).

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Independence Day and Rootedness

Today we have joined in the local celebrations for Independence Day.  Happy 4th of July!

It was kind of funny that a Texan (C), a Canadian (J) and a Kiwi (Me) had to scramble around to find anything red, white, and/or blue to wear!  There does seem to be a secret compartment in the closets/wardrobes of Americans that contain outfits for days such as this.  We managed to score a couple of miniature flags to wave from a friendly parade organizer and joined some of N's classmates to watch the fun in the suburb of Lakewood.  I think my favourite float was the kids playing (original, I think) rock songs on  a big trailer - those tweens were talented!  J enjoyed collecting candy (which I kept referring to as lollies) and C munched on his hat and flag (which cleared the way for the appearance of tooth #3 today).  Some of the costumes were elaborate, the political buttons were big (election year here) and the classic cars were cool (or should that be hot?)

Afterwards we had a barbecue lunch with our friends, complete with octopus sprinkler in the back yard.  C took a nap at last, J had a blast in the sprinkler (but wasn't so keen on the sand down his pants from the sandpit) and I had fun talking with everyone.

The holiday today celebrates 236 years of independence from British rule.  Canada celebrated the birthday of their nation 145 years ago on Sunday (belated Happy Canada Day!) and New Zealand commemorated 172 years since the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi (between the indigenous Maori and the British Crown) on February 6th.  In reflecting on these community markers of national identity I have been struck by how much we define ourselves by (or against) our history - our roots as nations, communities, families and individuals.  It is from our understanding of the past, the values and virtues that were cultivated there and passed on, the stories that we retell and those we choose not to, that we define our present selves and move forward into the future.  For those of us with faith, that identity is even more rich as we layer in the stories that have shaped our beliefs (and, hopefully, actions) too.

I have also been reflecting on these past weeks 'flying solo' most of the time in my role as parent while N has been away.  (I am looking forward to redistributing the wife/mother balance again soon!)  In reading a blog this week I was reminded that our role as parents is really to raise kids to be independent, and to let them leave.  In teaching our boys to be independent, however, I believe we need to teach them how to 'be' with us - within the community of our family, neighbourhood(s), nations, world - in order that they might have healthy roots through which to draw strength and sustenance as their independent identies emerge and they leave the nest.

I left home when I married N at the ripe old age of 20.  Now I realise how potentially scary this was for my parents!  One of my favourite wedding presents was actually orchestrated by my mum in the weeks leading up to the wedding.  Knowing we were setting up a brand new household, she gave me a box of goodies each week with a different theme.  All those little things you need but don't realise you don't have them until you want them to hand immediately.  I can't remember them all but some highlights include gift wrap and ribbons; a bucket of cleaning supplies; a box of stationery and office supplies; lightbulbs, super glue and other fixity stuff; and so on.  It was like getting an elaborate Christmas stocking of independence every week!  Essentially these gifts represented my parents' work teaching me not only to fly the nest but enabling me to soar (as an individual, and together with N in our marriage).

When I dream of what my boys may be like by the time they leave home I hope each of them can draw their identity from who they are in Christ, our family, communities and nations. (We've sure created some interesting scenarios by providing them with multiple passports!)  I pray that they will be both independent and rooted.  I hope they will share the wealth of their heritage, in all its glory and shortcomings, with those they know and love.  And I hope I can let them soar too.

Monday, July 2, 2012

Three Down; One to Go

Yep, three weeks of N being away down and one more to go. 

I must say that this week has been mentally tough and I am SO ready for N to be home again with us!  So to keep things from spiralling downwards here is one tale of woe (in three acts) and then me counting my blessings (so they cancel out the woe - I hope!)  Once again, no pictures sorry.  (You'll be glad in a moment!)

A Cautionary Tale: How NOT to Get Organised to Go to Playgroup on Wednesday Morning

Playgroup is an informal gathering of mums and young'uns at our apartment complex and/or with connections to a local church.  We take turns hosting the group in our homes from 10am - noon each week.  This week we were not hosting.

(Act 1)
Me: It's nearly playgroup time, J.  Please pack away your toys.
J: (starts to hunt for his shoes and repeatedly tries to open the door.)  Pway-grup, pway-grup, pway-grup!
Me: It looks like C needs a quick feed.  Hold on a moment, honey. Pick up your cars, please. (Settle to feed C only to have him fall asleep in my arms, while J gets more agitated.) I guess we're going to be a bit late for playgroup after all.  Why don't you read a story for a little while? (Transfer C to crib to sleep. Read multiple books multiple times to J for 10 minutes.  Whip up a quick recipe - ginger crunch from the Edmonds Book - to bake while C sleeps and J plays again.)

Act 2:
(Twenty minutes after C falls asleep, the baking is in the oven, J is happy playing and I am preparing the icing.)
C: Waaaa!
Kitchen Timer: Beeeeep!  Beeeep!.....
Me: Bother! Hold on a moment. (Switch off timer, turn off oven, get tin out of oven.)
C: WAAAAAA!
Me: Okay I'm coming. (Hurry in to C.)
Me: (to J, while carrying C) Right, now we can get moving.  Come with me to the potty.  That's it.  Now try to go while I change C.  I'll be back in a minute. (*Disclaimer: this has worked well in the past!)
(Go to change C in bedroom.  Put him on the floor mat then move to kitchen to pour icing quickly onto warm base.)
J: (running into the living area with nothing on below his navel) Oh-oh! Oh-oh! Oh-oh! Naughty!
Me: Who is naughty?  Show me what's wrong.
(Walk into bathroom to discover entire new roll of toilet paper is unrolled on the floor.  It makes a big pile!)
Me: Oh, J!  That is naughty.  You know you shouldn't do that.  Now we need to roll it up and we'll be even later to playgroup. (Grumble to self while starting to roll up paper for next 3 minutes.)
J: Oh-oh! Naughty! Time out. Naughty! Time out. (Runs to bedroom, shuts door in self-imposed time out - still amuses me that he'll do it before I even think of sending him at present!)

Act 3:
(Me still in bathroom rolling...)
J: (as he opens the bedroom door again) Oh-oh! Naughty! No.  In the potty. Oh-oh!
Me: Yes, that was naughty but I'm nearly done.  (Pause.) What do you mean, "in the potty"? (Turn to look at J.) Oh man!
(* J hasn't done anything in the potty, but has lost control while he was in his room.  And since he has nothing on to catch it, has left FIVE deposits on the carpet, in gradation of viscosity!  The least solid has been left right behind the door, so as he opens the door it is spread in the gracious arc of a monotoned rainbow.)
Me: Delightful!  Okay, now you can bring me some of the toilet paper that is still on the floor in the bathroom. The biggest piece you can find. (J brings a scrappy strip maybe one square long.) No, I said the BIGGEST piece you could find. No, don't rub! Arrrgh!... ( You can imagine the rest!  Now you are glad I didn't take photos, eh?)

Postscript:
I also managed to split open my finger in my rush to unfold the stroller before we finally got underway to playgroup - arriving at 11.25am!

Counting My Blessings
  1. That C was relatively immobile while the comedic tragedy above unfolded and stayed happily rolling around between two toys the whole time.
  2. That I can now laugh about this event!
  3. For the Hunters, who looked after both boys on Tuesday morning so I could have some time to myself and then invited me for lunch too. Yummy dumplings Georgian style (not US Georgia).
  4. Shopping without kids.
  5. Mocha.
  6. A needed time of reading, prayer and journalling.
  7. My wonderful hubby sending an anniversary present - fancy boxes filled with sweets and treats.
  8. Friends who you can visit anytime (B particularly this week).
  9. Thankful for our sermon series on Ephesians - I love this book!
  10. C's passport has arrived.
  11. The house is relatively tidy, considering all we have done today.
  12. The weather is warm enough to dry most of the washing outside, so I don't have to run the dryer as much.
  13. That when J doesn't nap he will go to sleep by 7.30pm.
  14. For skype and those I connected with this week.
  15. For those praying for us.
  16. That this time next week N will be home! :o)
  17. That there is more worth counting but that I needn't bore you with it.