Mother's Day and a Humorous Article

A month ago, I requested that my husband make me a bookshelf to display my most favorite cookbooks for my little corner in the kitchen.  Yesterday he put it together as a Mother's Day gift!

And I was surprised by a lovely handmade card:

I will leave you with a humorous article, written by my brother, The 12 Most Terrifying Things Ever Invented for Babies.  Some of those inventions are unreal!  Number 12 is especially sad to me, since today there are still bizarre practices with child birth, in my opinion!  Someday I hope people can look back and say, "What you were drugged and kept in a bed with your feet up to have a baby?"

Desk Redo

Before...

And after...

I mixed up my own chalk paint with what I could find around the house.  I am still undecided with the chair.  I think it at the moment so I am going to leave it as is.

Eating Healthy on a Budget

This was my purchase from Vitacost.  Stocking up on healthy vegan food!  If you would like to give Vitacost a try you can get $10 off your order of $30 or more here.

 I LOVE this coconut oil.  It has a nice coconut flavor and makes amazing, light, fluffy, not so healthy, frosting!

And my indoor garden!  I am growing these in our windows.  I have lettuce, spinach, basil, peppers, and green beans.

More Sewing

Just a quick update of my recent projects:

 Skirt from Sew Serendipity

Jacket from Sew Serendipity, with many changes to the pattern!

Vintage Sewing

My most recent thrift store find...

 I had no idea if this machine would run when I purchased, so it was a risky purchase.  But it was at a very good price, in the case and had all its parts.  I had to have it!  When I brought it home an turned it on it worked!  It needs a good cleaning and most likely a tune up, but I am really looking forward to running it!  It will be nice to have a second sewing machine.  Some day I would like to teach my boys how to sew, along with other practical skills, like cooking, gardening, and anything their Dad can teach them!

This is one of my recent completed projects, vintage style high waisted trousers!  Made from 100% linen!

Coconut and Urban Homesteading

My mom thinks I completely lost my mind.  Recently I discovered I could make my own coconut milk.  I found myself frequently buying coconut milk for use in baking, but I wanted to get away from the canned coconut milk.  Not only to save money,  also to avoid too many canned foods (BPA in cans), and canned coconut milk has guar gum.  So I headed over to Nature's Best and found some shredded coconut.  I used a 1:1 ratio of hot water and shredded coconut and I was even able to repeat the process over a couple more times (the next couple batches may become a little more watered down).  I used my leftover coconut pulp, dehydrated it in the oven and turned it into coconut flour.   Jessica at Delicious Obsessions goes into more detail on homemade coconut milk.

Almost a year ago my husband and I started our first vegetable garden.  Fresh and local produce is important to me, but we are on a tight budget.  Last night I came across this awesome video on a family whose entire garden is edible.  And the amazing part, the garden looks beautiful!

For My Valentine