Unplugged and Composting

I spent the last few days "unplugged", no internet, no TV. It was actually quite refreshing and relaxing. It helped me refocus on the many projects I have going. I got some boxes unpacked, more of my garden turned, and some much needed knitting done.
I also took advantage of the beautiful weather to put together my compost bin. I built it out of some pallets donated by my stepdad, a bit of baling wire, and a few bungee cords. It's huge! I'm so glad to be able to compost again. I grew up in a household that composted, but this is the first place I've lived since I moved out where I've been able to do it myself. I'm currently using a large yogurt container to collect kitchen scraps. Now all I have to do is get my husband and stepson used to the idea. :)

Soaking up the Sun

Yesterday was the first 70+ degree day of the year and I spent the maority of my afternoon in my garden. This is our first spring in this house and I am determined to take advantage of the large garden plot in our back yard. I got about half of it turned and planted my broccoli and spinach (I had planted my lettuce in planters about a week ago and noticed yesterday that it's starting to sprout).
It felt so nice to spend some time in the sun, too bad I initially forgot to put on some sunscreen. Oh well, pink shoulders are a small price to pay for fresh veggies later.

Green Bottoms, Part II

Now that I've firmly established a pattern and habit making it possible to use cloth diapers, I feel it's time to move on to the next step. And the next step is cloth wipes. I'm already washing diapers, so why not?
Before approaching this I posted a thread on Ravelry, asking for tips and tricks on using cloth wipes. The replies I recieved were varied but all very useful. Some people buy cloth wipes at the same time as they are buying their diapers. More it seems make their own, out of flannel, terry cloth, micro fiber and more. I also got several suggestions for solution to soak them in though most were very very similar. Water with a tablespoon or two of baby wash, a tablespoon or so of oil (baby oil, olive oil, grapeseed oil, bath oil) and some times a few drops of an essential oil for fragrance.
Eventually I felt that I had gotten enough information to take this plunge. I took an empty container from some disposable wipes and made my own wipes solution secented with lavendar. Then I tossed in the disposible wipes I always end up washing when I was the diapers (most of them hold up in the wash for at least one more use), I also wound up saving some disposable wipes that had dried up. Once I can get my hands on some cheap flannel I'll make some more that will last a bit longer by just top stitching a couple pieces together.
I'm already starting to see the fiancial benefits of cloth diapering. If I were still using 'sposies I would have had to buy diapers for both the kids a week ago! And it looks like I wont need to buy diapers for my daughter for another week, and a full month for my son. Whoo hoo!