My laptop is flipping out, so I’m going to have to post some pictures in the morning…

parenting

All four of my boys have March birthdays, so I’m beginning to file away  birthday party ideas. Here’s a fun one… make your own (nontoxic) temporary tattoos from Crafting a Green World.

crafting

P hasn’t seen the Star Wars films, but he loves Legos and has played Lego Star Wars on the wii with his dad, which makes me certain that this R2D2 dreidel project is going to be a huge hit.

resources

Green Mom Finds shares some family heirlooms: Grandma’s homemade cleaner recipes. I definitely need to try the furniture polish.

Eco Child’s Play details some greenwashing found via the Women and the Enviroment’s The Dirt on Cleaning Product Companies report (PDF). What I found especially interesting was the Report Card, which at least directs you to the least egregious conventional company (and one that is a local major employer in our region, interestingly) for when you need type of product for one reason or another.

Hey gothammom (my sometimes-commenting, always-IRL BFF) and you other mommas-to-be that might not find out the gender in advance… Look at the deal on this Action Baby Carrier:

$55 down from $89 on clearance, plus Cool Mom Picks just posted a coupon code for 10% off (WEARME). I think the blue and purple paisley is handsome for a boy or a girl and the price is just amazing.

The Horizon milk deal is back at Amazon! Baby Cheapskate has all the details:

18-packs of 8 oz. Horizon Organic Reduced Fat Milk (plain, chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla) boxes are $22. Save 15% percent when you use Subscribe and Save (it’s easy to cancel your subscription online after one delivery). Save an additional 20% off that with code HORZNORG. Your price will be $14.96 with free shipping. That’s .83 each. Good through the end of December.

I really, really don’t need this, but don’t my son’s dolls need a triple stroller? It’s currently about 60% off and there are 20% off coupon codes out there, too.

Grab a Dockers Organic Cotton Henley for less than $25. It’s a great gift for a hard to shop for brother or uncle.

We love Einstein’s Bagels! They have nice turkey sausage egg sandwiches. Yum! Free? Yummier!

parenting

Parent Hacks starts a discussion of household items that do double duty in craft projects. It’s a nice list, and check the comments, too!

I love it when I read something *just* at the right time. Our friends at Parent Hacks also suggests keeping some favorite newborn outfits for doll clothes. I’ve been looking for something to excuse the number of outfits I decided to keep, and of course we’re also in the market for a doll (or two, or three…).

crafting

Another totally inspiring embroidery hoop project! I just bought a vintage lot of 11 from eBay in a variety of sizes and materials. This is definitely inspiration (via plumpudding) for a present for my mother-in-law, the super dedicated grandma.

Two sources to have your designs printed on fabric… I’m so intrigued by this but it seems like such an investment to try each out head-to-head. (Spoonflower, The Fabric Press)

resources

The DIY vs BUY post at Tiny Choices has been open in my browser since I first read it and I keep going back to it and thinking. Why? I think because DIY personal care items are my next big hurdle and they make it seem easy. I tried some new stuff today, including just using baking soda and water as a face scrub and you know what? It was easy and it worked, in fact it felt a lot like the $37 stuff I prefer. I feel a New Year’s resolution coming on…

Kelly shares quick and easy tips for frugal housecleaning at Almost Frugal. Sometimes the simplest things need to be pointed out to me sometimes, like the idea of diluting cleaners. If you’re thinking of making the switch for dishwashing powder or detergent, Eco Childs Play reviews a few on the market.

My post today at BeCentsAble is bit about me. An actual picture of P and I, too. Enjoy!

We’ve been involved in big household projects and I have to, have to, have to organize my office/craft room and our laundry room (if not our entire basement) with my limited free time. Easy meals rule this week!

Sunday — MIL’s turkey tetrazinni and other leftovers.

Monday — Cheesy Tuna Quinoa (recipe below)

Tuesday — Rotisserie chicken, garlic fries, and corn

Wednesday — Hopefully out with my husband, weather and childcare help permitting

Thursday –Chicken chili

Friday — Linguine and clams

Saturday — Pizza night

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Cheesy Tuna Quinoa

1 cup quinoa, prepared as directed (I boiled in 2+ cups of homemade stock)
½ medium zucchini, diced
½ medium yellow squash, diced
½ small onion, diced (for all the veggies I subbed about half a bag of Whole Foods frozen Asparagus stir fry, which is a really nice, inexpensive blend of frozen vegetables)
1 (6oz) can tuna
½ bag of shredded cheese
1 tbsp butter
¼ cup or so milk
Salt, Pepper, & Cumin to taste
Slivered almonds

Blanch zucchini and squash (or, in this case, thaw…). Mix ingredients together in a large bowl and transfer to casserole dish. Top with almonds. Bake at 350 until heated through, about 15 minutes.