Getting Creative with Coat-Hangers

W is really into "reduce, reuse, recycle" and wants to know what can be done with every type of trash.  He often wants to turn it into something else; for example, a Cheerio's box might become a "garage" for his cars.  Anyway. we bought a little outfit for a friend's new baby, and I took it off the hanger to wrap it.  W wanted to know what we could do with the hanger.  Honestly, I had no idea.  After a minute or two, he said, "Mommy, it looks like a man."  So a man it was.

More Stuff We Like

Eating right hasn't been a priority of mine for quite some time.  Over the past several months, I have been working to improve my eating habits.  I've cut out sugary drinks (Dr. Pepper, anyone?) and am trying to avoid other yucky things.  I'm incorporating more fruits, veggies, whole grains and protein into my diet, as well as my family's.  Sometimes it's just using whole wheat pasta for mac and cheese instead of the regular, but I figure every little bit helps.I enjoyed this delish salad tonight, along with a whole grain flatbread with turkey pepperoni, low-fat cheese, and fresh sauce.  It was divine.

I am also trying to be more environmentally-conscious.  We recycle, and avoid using the A/C whenever possible, but I am also seeking other ways to help Mama Earth.  In our lunchboxes this school year, W and I will take our own cloth napkins.  I whipped these up tonight--

W's Cars napkins

 

 

My lovely floral napkins

I used some lightweight, but super-soft flannel that I found at Jo-Ann's.  I got a half yard of each design, and got 5 napkins made for him, and four for myself.  With the 40% off one item coupon, the total cost was $6!

Terrariums

I am really a fan of terrariums.  I think they are beautiful.  And so low-maintenance.  For his teachers' thank-you gifts at the end of this past academic year, W and I created some nice terrariums.  We got the jars at Walmart.  I put in a layer of black river rocks, about an inch of potting soil, and a nice bed of moss (gotten from Miss Mossy, on Etsy).  To complete the look, we made little mushrooms out of Fimo clay.  I think they turned out great; and as far as I know, all three of them are still alive!

We have one similar to this sitting on a table between two chairs in our living room.  It's made out of a glass cookie jar.  It's such a wonderful little self-contained ecosystem!