just Sweet and Simple: May 2013

Sunday, May 19, 2013

How to Patch Jeans

Patching Jeans is easy. You don't have to have any great sewing skills either.

My two little boys & somehow my husband all get holes in their jeans. These jeans got this hole in less than three days! I wasn't thrilled. And they are even nice thick quality.

So instead of constantly buying more jeans, I patch them up.

It is fast... about five minutes and easy.

To patch jeans you need a scrap of Jean material large enough to cover the hole AND the "weak" area around the hole.

Also, thread to match the jeans you are stitching on. (my thread looks white in these pictures, but it is a matching denim color)

Cut the appropriate size of jean scrap & place it underneath the hole, on the inside of the jeans.

Pin to secure.
(If jeans are stretchy, pin extra well.)

Using sewing machine. Sew forward and backwards (reverse) over and over until all areas of the hole are covered.

Your stitching should cover more than just the hole. Stitch past it on all sides, because the area around the hole is weak and prone to ripping.

As you can see the stitching is far from perfect, but it really doesn't matter.
When I looked at my name brand jeans that come with "patched holes" their stitching is also imperfect.

*These jeans were little boy super skinny jeans,
so fitting it into the sewing machine was a HUGE struggle.
I had to scrunch it really tight, so you can see a better example of proper stitching on the bottom jeans pictured. I had a little more room to work with those than the first.

So in the future try patching your jeans. It saves money...and the lifespan of the jeans.
With little boys, it has saved me so much. And the patches last as I pass the jeans down.

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Getting Kids Excited to Read: Read Everyday Jar

Summer Reading Ideas

Whether your child loves to read or avoids it...here is an easy way to encourage daily reading.

A Reading Jar. It's full of simple ideas for making reading fun. Pull out a slip each day to find a fun place or way to read. They might read in the shade, under the table, wearing a hat, eating a snack or with mom...all kinds of little ways to excite them to read each day.

Read Everyday Jar

3 printable pages of ideas.

Reading Printables here.

Print, cut and fill up the jar.

Enjoy!

Friday, May 17, 2013

Scotcharoos: Chocolate Butterscotch Bars

These are a crowd pleaser.

One of my very favorites and the best part...they are quick and easy.

My husband grew up with Scotcharoo's and introduced me to them a few years back.

Oh, they are good. The chocolate with the butterscotch is a perfect match.

Ingredients:

1 cup Peanut Butter

1 cup Sugar

1 cup Light Corn Syrup

6 cups Rice Krispies

1 bag Milk Chocolate Chips

1 bag Butterscotch Chips

Directions:

Grease a 13x9 inch pan. In saucepan bring sugar & corn syrup to boil. Then add peanut butter. Stir until melted. Then remove from heat. Combine with 6 c. Rice Krispies (I like to have these pre-measured in a large mixing bowl. Then I pour the hot sugar mixture over the Rice Krispies). Spread and press mixture into 13x9 pan. Melt bags of chocolate and butterscotch chips together in microwave about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, depending on microwave. Heat until just melted. Stir then spread over Rice Krispie mixture. Cool in Fridge.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Pregnancy: Battling Morning Sickness

Battling Morning Sickness

Morning Sickness. I don't even know why they call it "Morning" sickness, because I know I'm not alone when I say it is Afternoon, Evening, & all Night long sickness as well.

Pregnancy is an exciting time...but the nausea really puts a damper on the situation.

For me Morning Sickness, is one of the hardest parts of pregnancy. It gets old so fast. But in the attempts to find a cure and make the best of it. Here are some tips and tricks I have found through my last two and my current pregnancy. BUT since pregnancy is so different for everyone and even for each pregnancy...please give me any ideas you might have. As none of these have solved ALL of my problems. And there is the alternative of a prescription. Which I will discuss more below.

Things that help EASE the Nausea:

-Preggo Pops

-Sucking on Mints

-Popcicles

-Flavored Water

-Sucking on Hard Candy

-Mint/Peppermint Gum

-Tea (Especially Peppermint or Fennel)

If none of these or any other great ideas you have found work, there is always the option of a prescription. With my current pregnancy as well as my last I have had to resort to a prescription for different periods of the pregnancy. Personally, I try to avoid them. It is always a little nerve racking taking medication when pregnant and I don't always like the side effects. But if you do end up needing a prescription, I definitely suggest finding one that DISSOLVES in your mouth/under your tongue. I find them much easier to take and more effective. Too many times, I just found myself throwing up the pill I just swallowed. So dissolvable tablets saved me!

Another random trick, but it really works for me....Mentholatum!
I use a generic Mentholatum Ointment as "Chapstick" on my lips. The smell totally calms my stomach. Random I know. It also keeps me from smelling the random unwanted smells that make me nauseous. Plus, Pregnancy is known to cause congestion/stuffy nose and this clears me up immediately. A little moisture on my lips is an added bonus.
(TIP: Vick's Brand, says not to use on chapped lips, so look for a brand that specifies. Mine was Walgreens brand and says it is for chapped lips and chapped skin.)

For Meals & Snacks...
I say, go with what your stomach tells you.
But there is always the fall back plan of: Crackers, Fruit, or good old fashioned Peanut Butter & Jelly.

I find the trick is to eat in small portions and sip drinks throughout day. Too much water or food can trigger the gag reflex.

And of course, Plenty of Sleep!
A rested body can make such a difference.

Well, this is what works for me. Or at least works has worked for me at some point, depending on each pregnancy...But, what works for you. I could really use any suggestions!

More to come on Maternity and Preparing for a new Baby!

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Cleaning 101 Series: Kick Off

Cleaning 101

There was a time I considered myself to be a clean freak. Sometimes a little OCD. I credit my mother, who was very clean and literally vacuumed herself out of the room after tucking us in at night...so we could walk onto fresh carpet.

Personally, I feel better, think more clearly, and am so much more productive and happy when my house is clean. But I know not everyone is that way and I also have learned, since having children, that I have to find a balance.
I NO LONGER HAVE THE TIME TO CLEAN THE WAY I DID & WITH KIDS IT DOESN'T STAY CLEAN VERY LONG.

So after several years of trial and error...I have a cleaning schedule and plan that works great for me...hopefully it can help you too.

Here is the Basic Break Down:

Daily Quick Clean: (20 minutes tops)
A Weekly Cleaning Day: (2 hours)
Monthly/Spring Cleaning Duties Day: (1-2 hours)

Daily Quick Clean:

I do a "Quick Clean" every day that last AT MOST 20 minutes. Usually it takes me 10 minutes.

This includes making beds, picking up, and a simple wipe down of surfaces, etc.

I have a routine, and once I got the routine down I can do it in 10 minutes.

1. I begin in my room: Make bed, pick up & put away clothing etc.
2. Bathrooms: Put away items, wipe down counters, sink, and toilet.
This is a QUICK wipe with a disposable Clorox Wipe.
3. Living Spaces: Pick Up & Put Away items. Wipe down kitchen counters & Table.

Staying on top of this daily, keeps the house under control and tidy. AND makes Cleaning Day easier.
*ALSO, this keeps the house tidy for those unexpected visits from friends or neighbors.

Cleaning Day:
I have one day a week that is my CLEANING DAY. For me it is Friday. We usually entertain on the weekends, so I like the house to be freshly cleaned. This "day" isn't a whole day, it actually totals 2 hours of cleaning. That is not a lot, but I can get a TON done. I work fast, use a timer, and have a routine.
1. Scrub Bathrooms
2. Scrub Kitchen
3. Dust
4. Vacuum & Mop Floors
I will go into "cleaning details" further posts of this series.

Monthly Cleaning:
Each week, I rotate through a "Spring Cleaning" project totaling 1-2 hours. Depending on my week I may tack it on to my cleaning day, or Do it another day.

These jobs include anything from cleaning appliances, vacuuming the couches, washing windows, etc. Tasks that don't need to be done each week (or maybe I should say, in reality, I can't accomplish each week). I rotate through them, so that I don't have to have a huge Spring Cleaning. I like staying on top of it. It keeps the house clean and my job easier to handle.

Cleaning 101 Series:

So Throughout this Cleaning 101 Series I will break down the routine, how to clean, cleaning tips, kid's chores, and so much more. To follow all of the posts in the Cleaning 101 Series I will continually link them below.