Finally spring has sprung in Chicago and I was able to, at least, sow the seeds for the greens in my vegetable garden. Going back to my old posts, I notices, I sow the seeds for greens in mid March last year. This year, I could do it on April 9th. I had some leftover seeds from last year. The rest, I got from Natural Gardening Company. I've been … [Read more...]
Organizing herb, spice and seed bottles
We use herbs, spices and seeds a lot, and we use a lot of them. I also dry my own herbs from the garden during the summer to use all year round. So we had so many different types and sizes of bottles and ziploc bags filled with dry mint, oregano and parsley. Then within all that disorganized crowd we cannot find what we are looking for and go to … [Read more...]
Repurpose: From toy chest to ottoman bench
We've been making some decor changes in the house since the kids are transitioning from a toddler, preschooler setup to elementary setup. I have been trying to get rid of unused items through craigslist or simply by donating. I also try move around some items to reintroduce them with a better purpose. This almost-7-year-old IKEA toy chest is one of … [Read more...]
Ghost costume for kids- DIY
This is the easiest Halloween costume ever. My son came up with the idea and loved it. He got so many compliments for his costume. Sewing part was easy. The only issue, I really had to work on was his safety with the length of the costume.Materials:2 yards of white muslin fabric White thread Black … [Read more...]
Preparing the garden for fall and winter
Our vegetable garden was like a jungle for quite a while. Especially after our one month away from home, everything grew out branches and leaves without much of a fruit (i.e. veggies). We wanted to get the dried plants out of the way.I pulled out all bean, corn, broccoli etc. There is still some kale.My husband pulled out the tomatoes and … [Read more...]
Russian Mammoth Sunflowers and Carrots
I had two new residents in my vegetable garden this year. The first one was something I seeded, expecting something else, much smaller in size. The second one, we got from our neighbors because they didn't have the space to plant everything they grew for their science project.This is the flowers of one of the "seven" Russian "Mammoth" … [Read more...]
Decorative bunk bed curtains for children
Since the children moved into their bunk beds, I have been planning to sew decorative curtains that would reflect their own interests and likes. We went to the fabric store together and they picked their own patterns. I wanted to get a black sky, stars and galaxies fabric like the one I used for a shirt for my son, we could only find this blue. … [Read more...]
Vegetable Garden 2012 – Harvest
These are photos that I've taken 3 weeks ago from my vegetable garden. We can only go on vacation in August because of kid's camp and school schedule and that is right during harvest time. I hope there will be some veggies left when we return.These are bush beans. We were able to cook and eat some before we left for vacation. My husband is freezing … [Read more...]
Beaded summer dress for girls
Maxi dresses are in fashion this summer. I love them myself. My daughter has been asking me for a maxi dress for her, whenever I put on one of mine. So I found these at Jo-ann fabric. Not exactly a maxi dress model but still works. These were readily elastic thread gathered at the bustline and frilled at the skirts. I just needed the fabric cut to … [Read more...]
How to lay new sod by yourself
I've explained how we prepared the soil to resod the lawn in my post, "When weeds took over". I was closely following the weather forecast. I gave the order for the ready sod rolls from a sod farm, Central Sod Farm, for the first sunny day I spotted. Based on my research, sod farms, instead of Home Depot or Lowe's, was the best way to go. We … [Read more...]
When weeds took over our lawn
When we were looking for our house, I was leaning towards the ones with a big yard. Universe heard my wishes, God heard my prayers and we got a house with with a big yard. We moved in, in the fall. Next spring we hired landscapers to straighten out the lawn, that was untouched for years. They sodded the lawn. They helped me prepare the vegetable … [Read more...]
Hail damage in my veggie garden
Last Thursday, just as we were getting ready to put the kids to bed, suddenly, pouring rain came down. The weather was so nice that day with 82F, storm, thunder and lightning with rain was a bad sign for the weather getting worse. Then with an exploding rumble, hail started. Kids got quite startled. It was torrential. I poked my head out of the … [Read more...]
Update from my Vegetable Garden – April
I wanted to give an update on my vegetable garden, which I've started on the third week of March, with some photos. A week after planting the seeds, the summer-like weather faded away and the temperatures came down to season averages. Unfortunately, we have been terribly spoiled. Everyone things it's too cold now.Since then 2 had 2 nights of … [Read more...]
Product Review: Apple Slicer
You might think I am lazy, when you take a look at the picture of this post. First, yes, I am a bit lazy. In truth, I had thought this product was a lazy-man's-work as well, when I had first seen it. I had thought, can't people use knives to slice an apple anymore?However, I have been using this slicer every single day, sometimes more than once … [Read more...]
Planning the vegetable garden layout
I always plan the layout of the vegetable garden before planting for that year. I usually plant new items and drop some items that I cannot grow really well. Sometime I just change the amount I am planting. Eventually, I do a new plan every year.I start with taking the measurements of the areas I am planning to grow vegetables. Here my helpers … [Read more...]
Best indoor plants for air quality
Forests and plants are our source of life on this Earth. They provide us with oxygen and food. What's even nicer is that they aren’t necessarily have to be outdoors. There are many indoor plants for air quality which help decorate your house at the same time.As a matter of fact, I grew up in a household where there was always a corner or a room … [Read more...]
Preparing vegetable garden soil for seeding and planting
As the temperatures went up to 70F on Sunday, I couldn't wait to tackle the soil preparation for my vegetable garden. Every spring,I prep the soil before I plant the seeds and the seedlings. This process includes the gruesome tasks such as pulling out the weeds, tilling and mixing the soil that comes out of the compost bin.You can see my … [Read more...]
Preparation for vegetable garden 2012
I received the second catalog from the seed company. Since the weather has ben unseasonably warm in Chicago I decided to roll up my sleeves and get ready for "vegetable garden 2012". If you are looking forward to grow your own veggies in your garden this summer, you better get preparing.This is my 5th year in my garden. I feel seasoned enough … [Read more...]
Product Review: Portable Hide Away Bed Rail
Kids have been sleeping in their new bunk beds for a long time. My son is 6,5 and daughter is 4 years-old now. They occasionally wake up at night. Sometimes they come into our bed in the morning. In some cases, when they need to sleep in separate rooms, when one still wants to chat, we take one into our bedroom (until they fall asleep) and the … [Read more...]
Boys’ shirts for space fans
I've shared the easy sew dresses that I've sewn for my daughter. Sewing for girls is fun, with lost of fabrics, patterns and accessories choices. Choices for boys are very limited. In any case, I sewed few pieces that my son would like. He chose his own fabrics. I chose the patterns. This fabric was cotton, bright and colorful. I saved the … [Read more...]