Cloth diapers. Where do I start?
Cloth diapering is something that I love to do, and it is easy to me now. However, when I first started researching it was SO overwhelming to me. I have been asked quite a few times to share about how I cloth diaper, what to buy, how to wash them so I thought I would share that information here.
First, we’ll start with what cloth diapers to buy. (This is what I have used and liked. I make no money from these referrals.)
When Val was a newborn, we used prefolds like these. They are flat pieces of cloth that you fold by yourself. I talked a little about how to fold them here. Once they are folded, they need to be secured. Luckily, there is a new invention called the snappi so you no longer need to use pins on your little one.
Now you need to put something over the cloth so that it doesn’t leak onto their clothes. There are covers for that (and they are so much better than the old school rubber pants). The covers can be used through a few diaper changes, so you don’t need a new one each time you have to change the cloth.
For a newborn, I had 30+ prefolds and 6 small covers and that would get me through 2 days. Washing on the third morning. We will cover how to wash in another post.
As Val got older and could roll over to making diapering a little more challenging, we started using the BG 3.0’s. I love these diapers. We still use them without any problems. Now there is a BG 4.0 which I haven’t tried yet, but I am in love with the Flips.
Now, I have 12 BG 3.0’s and 2 Flips to get me through 2 days with washing on the third morning. I have a few other random diapers and covers that I have as backups in case laundry takes me a little longer. Who can pass up cute diapers once in awhile? 
I hope that is a good starting place for you. Remember, this is just what as worked for us. Experiment and find what works for you and please share below.
Be sure to check back to see how to store them when clean/dirty, how to wash, and how to strip them if they get icky.
Welcome to my Home Wednesday ~ Summer
This summer has been a busy one around our home. It’s been filled with time with friends, family, grilling, playing, fixing, decluttering, but it has also been empty a little too as we have been taking little local trips.
This past weekend we spent in the Munising, MI area with my husband’s extended family. They rented a cabin (that I drooled over because it was so cute) right along the shores of Lake Superior. We spent our days there talking, singing, playing by the water and rocks, and being outside. It was a lovely time.
{Our drive}
{The view to the Gazebo}
{Family}
{Sandy beard}
Have you been out and about this summer? What have you been seeing?
If you care to share your Life Inspired pictures from a phone like these above, visit me at this Flickr Group.
Meal Plan Monday – July 26-July 31
Have I mentioned that our summer has been busy? We have spent a lot of time “up north,” spent time with friends and family, and had time to play as well. What a great summer it has been! So if you see me slacking on the ole blog, it’s because I’m outside and trying to stay above water with my chores. 
Monday~ L: Out to lunch D: Stir fry and fridge clean out
Tuesday~ L: PB & Js D: Chicken, rice, and corn
Wednesday~ L: Hamburgers D: Pedro’s Special
Thursday~ L: Leftovers D: Lentil and veggie stew
Friday~ L: Leftovers D: Pizza
Saturday~ L: Curry D: Crockpot bean dish
Visit Organizing Junkie for more meal plans!
Meal Plan Monday – July 18-July 24
Later this week we will be heading up north for a family get together. We will be hanging out at a cabin rented by family during the day but staying in a hotel, so some of the meal plans are still up in the air. Please share ideas if you have them.
Sunday~ We ate out since we took a day trip
Monday~ L: Hot dogs D: Grass fed steak on the grill, organic corn on the cob, organic potatoes with herbs from my garden, and green beans from my mom’s garden
Tuesday~ L: Turkey roll ups D: Stirfry with wontons
Wednesday~ L: Turkey rolls ups D: Pita tacos
Thursday~ L: Beans with beef and rice D: Lentil soup
Friday~ L: Tuna salad, leftovers, and fruit D: Pizza
Saturday~ L: ? D: Hot dogs and chips
For more meal plan ideas, please visit The Org Junkie
How do I get skunk smell off of my dog?
Has your dog ever gotten sprayed by a skunk and you either can’t afford to take them to the vet for a scrub down or the vet is closed for the night/weekend and it’s not considered an emergency?!
I hope you are never in this prediciment, but if you are here’s a frugal solution to save your nose and house from smelling like skunk. And it’ll make your dog feel much better too.
You will need:
- 1 gallon of water
- 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1 tablespoon of Dawn dishsoap
Mix these ingredients together and let it fizz. Put onto your dog with a sponge and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Rinse and repeat.
Have you ever used this recipe for skunk smell on your dog? Have you tried another one? Please share!
For more Frugal Friday ideas, visit Life as Mom!
Welcome to my Home Wednesday ~ Snippets
Our week around the house has been BUSY BUSY, and our week outside of the home has also been BUSY BUSY. Let’s recount it in snippets.
- We’ve had a friend working in our basement since we have finished the massive decluttering and organizing project down there. He has painted some pipes to make them look new, put up paneling in my laundry area, and started painting the floor. It’s still a basement, but it looks much cleaner and much BIGGER!
- We went to Marquette, MI on a mini-vacation. I love the town and we like getting out by Lake Superior and on some hiking trails once in awhile. We played on the beach, spent time at Lower Harbor, and bought a new Kelty hiking backpack that carried Val, which turned into our first trip to the ER with her. No stitches, but she has quite the cut above her eye. Poor baby! If you buy a hiking backpack – get one with the sun/brush shade!
- Tour de France!!! We’ve been watching together as a family – Val even asks to watch. ”I watch biiiiikes.” ”Go Ants!” (Go Lance)
It is a fun way to wake up as a family these days. - Our house had another showing on Monday, but no word yet. I am torn about if I want it to sell now. I feel like we have it “up to par” and it’s actually a pretty nice house. Haha! We could totally do an urban homestead….
What’s going on in your home this week? Any snippets to share?
Meal Plan Monday – July 11-July 17
We are home from our little getaway to a town north of us. It was a little too adventure-filled. We had our first ER trip with Val, and I am glad that’s behind us. She is doing GREAT and healing up fast (she nearly had to have stitches 
). I am hoping for a week close to home, and we have a showing of our home today. Wish us luck!
Sunday~ L: Snacks and fruit D: Spaghetti
Monday~ L: Leftovers and salad D: BBQ at the in-law’s house
Tuesday~ L: Sandwiches, fruit, and veggies D: Chili
Wednesday~ L: Soup and crackers D: Nachos
Thursday~ L: Tuna salad D: Meatballs, potatoes, peas
Friday~ L: Leftovers D: Pizza
Saturday~ L: Hummus and veggies, boiled eggs, and fruit D: Meatloaf cups and veggies from Farm Market
For more meal plan ideas, please visit The Org Junkie!
Have a great week everyone!!!
Welcome to my Home Wednesday ~ Curb Appeal
We spent our 3rd of July, along with James’ mom, doing landscaping in our front yard to give it more curb appeal for selling. We had bushes in there when we moved in and took them out because they were really ugly. We just left the grass grow in and never added to it – until now.
My mother-in-law, James, and I (they did most of the work) took out the sod, got fill and leveled the area, put in a liner, edging, new bushes/trees, and mulch. The edges of the sidewalks also got trimmed and we put fill and grass seed in parts of the yard that needed new grass. It took a FULL day of work, but it was worth it. It looks so nice!!
We had a cute little boss to keep us in line for the day.
Here is a picture of one side of the landscaping. (I am sorry for the quality – it’s a phone shot and at dusk none-the-less).
What have you done to your house for curb appeal (or just to make you smile when you arrive home each day)?
Meal Plan Monday – July 4-July 10
I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July with your family. I celebrated with family at my sister and brother-in-law’s house for my nephew’s birthday. Later this week, we may be taking a short trip for a few days with friends so you will see that included in my menu. What do you do for food during car trips?
Sunday – Happy 9th Birthday to my nephew, Tyler. Eating at the party.
Monday – B: Potatoes, eggs, and bacon L: Tuna sandwiches, grapes, chips D: Tortellini with sauce, garlic bread, and salad
Tuesday – L: Pancakes and eggs D: Mexicali chop salad
Wednesday – L: Turkey sandwiches on bagels, fruit, snacks D: Hot dogs, potato packets, corn
Thursday – L: Peanut butter and jelly on bagels, fruit D: Out since we will be traveling
Friday – L: Baked ravioli D: Pizza
Saturday – L: Hummus with veggies, boiled eggs D: Chili in the crockpot
For more menu ideas, be sure to visit The Org Junkie.
Meal Plan Monday – June 27-July 3
Sunday ~ L: Herbed roasted red potatoes D: Fried rice
Monday ~ L: Beans and rice D: Grilled portabellas on bagels and fries
Tuesday ~ L: Soup and egg salad sandwiches D: Chicken breasts and corn quinoa salad
Wednesday ~ L: Nachos D: Lasagna
Thursday ~ L: Pancakes and eggs D: White pizza
Friday ~ L: Hummus with veggies and chips and boiled eggs D: Bean dip and raw energy balls from The Kind Diet
Saturday ~ L: Leftovers D: Tortellini
For more meal plan ideas, visit The Organizing Junkie!