Azure Standard

So, I'm sure I'm probably the only one who just found out about this awesome company, but just in case you also missed it...http://www.azurestandard.com/

What is it?

Azure Standard is a place to order all natural and organic food for a lower price than one can typically find in a local grocery store or online. They have drop points all over the country (Ours is in Warrenton, MO less than half an hour from my house!) where you pick up your bulk order (placed once a month)

I found out about it from a friend and just placed my first order. I'm so excited!

I bought so much great stuff for really cheap. Ex. Organic apples for less than $.70/lb. 15 lbs. of organic PB (Unfortunately, that won't be hard at all for us to polish off.) 15 lbs. organic raisins and so much more!

Go to their website to find a drop location near you!

I still buy my wheat and oats from the Amish in Bowling Green. They have really great deals too. I'm convinced bulk whole foods are the way to go for health and money saving.

Our family's scripture this week: Psalm 23 (We are only focusing on the first sentence for Ruth.)

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the path of righteousness for His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You annoint me head with oil; My cups runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Missouri Morel Fever!!

Crock Pot Yogurt!

I tried this overnight and wow! It was so easy and cheap. I made a half gallon of organic yogurt for $2! Check out ths link for the instructions:

http://www.nourishingdays.com/2009/02/make-yogurt-in-your-crock-pot/

I've tried a couple other yogurt techniques, but none were near as easy as this one. The directions are easy to follow and it yields near perfect results. If you consume much yogurt, you should try this to save money.

The end result is plain yogurt (nonfat if you use nonfat milk and whole if you use whole, which is what I did. We buy our milk straight from a farmer in town that is organic, raw milk for only $4/gal.) You will want to sweeten it with honey or stevia and fruit, like blueberries, strawberries and bananas. You could also use it as a replacement for sour cream in recipes.

I use my yogurt to soak my whole grains to remove phytates, making my baked goods more easily digestible and healthy. Read more about that on this blog:

http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/04/whole-grains-grinding-soaking.html

The blog I just mentioned (Passionate Homemaking) is an awesome resource for any mama focused on being the best homemaker they can be for their family. I strongly recommend checking it out and browsing its content for ideas that can help your family.

Adult Skirt to Toddler Dress Sewing Tutorial

Skill level: Easy

Materials:

1 adult skirt

coordinating 1.5-2" wide ribbon

2 pieces of elastic no wider than 1" (18" and 20" long for size 2T)

coordinating thread

sewing machine

For this tutorial I found a very full adult skirt with extra layers of fabric, so it would make a pretty and full little dress.

1. Cut off the elastic around the top.

2. Measure two pieces of elastic. One is for the chest and the other is for the middle. For a size 2T-3T, like the one I made cut one piece 18" and the other 20"

3. Serge around the top. (where you cut off the elastic) If you don't have a serger, iron down 1/4" Then iron it down again to make a casing for your elastic. Ex. If you are using 1" elastic iron it down 1 and 1/4" so the elastic easily fits through. Then sew down your casing, leaving a 1" spot open, where you will eventually put the elastic through.

4. Measure the width around the skirt where you want the waist to be. Take that measurement and add 1/2" for overlapping, and cut a piece of ribbon that length.

5. Pin the ribbon around the area where you want the waist of the dress to be. Sew the ribbon edges right sides together at the side seam of the skirt, so you don't have to worry about fraying. If this part is too tricky just overlap the ribbon edges at the side seam.

6. Sew the ribbon all the way around the waist of the skirt on both the top and bottom of the ribbon, leaving a 1" spot when you are sewing the bottom of the ribbon, to put the elastic through. Make sure you sew the top and bottom stitches around the ribbon far enough apart to fit your elastic through.

7. Time to string your elastc through both of your casings (the one at the very top of the skirt and the ribbon) using a safety pin to push it all the way around.

8. Once you get it all the way around, overlap the elastic ends and sew a couple zig zag stitches to keep them together.

9. Sew your casings closed (the 1" spot you originally left open to put your elastic through.)

10. Cut two pieces of ribbon for the straps. Mine were 9" but yours may need to be longer or shorter depending on the size of your child. Pin them on your dress where you like them. You may need to do this while your child tries it on to make sure the straps are where you want them. Be careful not to poke her with a pin! Sew your straps on and you're done!

What I've been up to

I've been sewing....a lot. I want to (eventually) post tutorials on how to make a lot of this stuff, but right now I do not have the time. Between two little ones, food to make, a home to keep, a Bible to study, a husband to love (and not in that particular order) etc. etc. I have time to sew a few garments and put them on my new etsy shop, but I'm finding little time to blog about them and make tutorials. But in the mean time, here are a few things I've sewn for my etsy shop ruthiebell.etsy.com

Oh and by the way I discovered an awesome new recipe!! Cheese Waffle BLT''s (with whole wheat flour and turkey bacon)

Here's the link for the recipe: http://jumboempanadas.blogspot.com/2007/05/w-blt-it-may-be-longer-to-say-but-itll.html

You should make them. They are delicious and healthy and take about 1o minutes!