J is for...

... jolly jingles running through my head as my children continue to play Christmas music on the piano. Granted, it does still look like Christmas outside, but tomorrow is March! Woo-hoo! Spring is just around the corner. :)

Places to go that start with J:
*towns/cities starting with J
*Java Joe's Coffeehouse for a treat
*Jesse's Embers
*Jethro's BBQ
*Jimmy John's
*Joe's Crab Shack (I've heard this is a hit with kids, though I'm not a seafood fan)
*Jaarsma Bakery in Pella for the best Dutch Letters around
*Jake's Journey (local shop featuring "Life Is Good" gear)
*Jesse James Days in Adair (in July - depending when your "J" days fall)
*Jester Park
*John Deere (tour the factory? or just drive by to see all the huge farm machinery)
*Johnston Green Days (local celebration in June)
*Jordan Creek Amphitheater (live music on Sundays in the summer)
*Jordan Creek Mall
*jumping pillow at Center Grove Orchard
*jungle (good luck with this in the Midwest)

Things to do that begin with J:
*design jack-o-lantern faces for next Halloween
*play or watch Jeopardy
*jumping jacks
*jump rope
*have a play date with Jim, Joe, Jordan, John, Juaquin, Justus, etc.
*read books that start with J (Junie B. Jones, Journey, Just So Stories)
*wear things like jeans, jackets, jammies, jewelry
*watch movies starting with J (James and the Giant Peach, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, Jonah: A Veggie Tales Movie, Jungle Book)
*listen to jazz or music by artists starting with J (Journey, Jackie Evancho, Jason Gray, or Justin Roberts - especially "Just a Giant")
*draw a picture with the color jade
*watch TV shows like "The Jetsons"

Food that starts with J:
jam
Jawbreakers
Jello jigglers
jellybeans
Jelly Bellies
jerky (beef or turkey)
jicama
Johnsonville bratwurst
Jolly Ranchers
juice
jumbo shrimp
Junior Mints

Favorite "J" Bible verses:
"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
"...Don't ever forget that it is best to listen much, speak little, and not become angry; for anger doesn't make us good, as God demands we must be." James 1:19

We found two items that resembled J's during #1's photography summer. The first was his sock laying on the floor and the second is a part of the baker's rack we use to hold movies in our basement.

The scrapbook layout for #2 is coming along, so I hope to post that next week! Stay tuned for letter K. :)

*For those new to my blog, check out the beginnings of ABC Summers here.*

I is for...

...insanely incessant winds and inevitable snow days. Yep, it's still winter in Iowa. Yet I choose to sit in front of my fireplace in sweats, SmartWool socks, and a cozy blanket to blog about summertime.

Places to go that start with I:
*Iowa! :) (or a neighboring state like Illinois)
*towns/cities starting with I, such as Iowa City (you may pick up a theme in this post)
*IHOP (a.k.a. International House of Pancakes)
*Incredible Pizza Company
*Iowa Beef Steakhouse (grill your own steaks - yum)
*Iowa Machine Shed Restaurant (down home, artery-clogging goodness)
*I-Cubs baseball games
*IKEA (this may require a road trip, but even the kids would enjoy it)
*IMAX theatre (ours in located in the science center)
*Iowa Arboretum near Madrid
*Iowa Children's Museum in Coralville
*Iowa Public Television (check online for events or schedule a tour)
*Iowa School of Beauty (for cheap manis, pedis, massages, etc.... oh, that may be just for moms) ;)
*Iowa State University campus

Things to do that begin with I:
*play I Spy
*read books starting with I ("If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" - or any of the books in that series, "I Love You, Stinky Face," "Is Your Mama a Llama?")
*watch movies starting with I (The Incredibles, Ice Age, etc.)
*have playdates with Isabella, Ingrid, or other friends starting with I
*watch TV shows like Imagination Movers
*listen to songs starting with I like Newsboys' "I Am Free," Justin Roberts' "If You Got 1, "I Chalk," "It's Your Birthday," "In the Car," and "Is It You?" or Red Grammer's "I Think You're Wonderful"
*find an ice cream truck or an old fashioned ice cream social
*make ice cream
*go ice skating indoors (Metro Ice Facility)
*use your imagination (maybe create an imaginary friend)
*wear indigo or ivory
*indoor swimming lessons (YMCA, Urbandale public swimming pool, or other indoor pool)
*play on inflatables at an indoor playground (Playground for Kids or Monkey Joe's)
*search for insects
*find an international food fair
*tour the Iowa state capital
*play with whatever apple products you have (iPad, iPhone, iPod, etc.)
*check out the IPT Reading Roadtrip at a local library
*find irises (in photos or a garden)
*watch a YouTube video of the Isiserettes (local drum corps)
*draw or find isosceles triangles
*measure items in inches

Foods that start with I:
ice cream
Icee
iceberg lettuce
icing (you may have to bake something on which to place the icing)
Idaho potatoes
Irish soda bread
Italian anything

Favorite "I" Bible verses:
"If you want a happy, good life, keep control of your tongue, and guard your lips from telling lies." 1 Peter 3:10
"It is a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel." Proverbs 20:3
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

And finally, during L's ABC photography summer, we primarily stuck to uppercase letters. We did find one lowercase I that we couldn't resist, though. It was the handle of my file cabinet. :) The others are a door hinge, the mortar between stones on our front porch, and a dumbbell.

Not only is letter J coming up, but I've also begun working on the scrapbook layout for last year's ABC summer! I'll get them posted as I finish them. So excited!

*For those new to my blog, check out the beginnings of ABC Summers here.*

H is for...

... hordes of helpers. My children love to "help" around the house. Sometimes I have to put aside my control-freakishness and let them help. I have to remind myself that done is better than not done (even if the "done" chore is not done perfectly). And I have to remind myself that there will come a day when they will not be so willing to help. They'll also move out someday, and I'm sure their roommates or significant others will appreciate it if I've taught them how to do laundry, vacuum, clean the toilets, etc. ;)

Places to go that start with H:
*towns/cities in your area that begin with H
*Happy Joe's Pizza
*Hiland Bakery
*Hu-Hot Mongolian Grill
*Hub Spot (cafe opening spring 2013 on the Principal Riverwalk)
*HyVee (either to buy groceries or to eat)
*harbor (if you happen to live near one)
*parks starting with H (Haubert Park, Hawkeye Park, Heritage Park, Hillside Park, Horizon Park)
*visit a Habitat for Humanity house being constructed
*Heartland Acres Agribition Center (Independence, IA)
*Heritage Carousel in Des Moines' Union Park
*High Trestle Trail
*Home Depot Kids' Workshops (offered the first Saturday of each month)
*Homemakers Furniture (just to wander through the rooms and enjoy lemonade and fresh baked cookies)
*hot springs (again, if you're lucky enough to live near one or be visiting one)
*HyVee Hall (check online schedule to see if any family-friendly events are happening; if not, just visit the Hall of Pride)

Things to do that begin with H:
*get out old Halloween costumes and play dress-up or peruse online shops for ideas for the next Halloween
*play Hearts, Hide & Seek, Hop Scotch, Hot Potato, or Cranium Hullabaloo
*read books like Harold and the Purple Crayon, Hippos Go Berserk!, Hop on Pop, Hooray for Diffendoofer Day!
*watch or read Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone
*listen to music by artists starting with H or songs starting with H (Hall & Oates, Harry Connick, Jr., Hawk Nelson, Huey Lewis & the News, "Henrietta's Hair," "Here Kitty, Kitty," and "Hey Hippopotamus," by Justin Roberts or "Hooray for the World," by Red Grammer
*watch other movies starting with H (Happy Feet, old Herbie movies, Hop)
*watch kids' TV shows like "Handy Manny"
*schedule playdates with friends like Henry or Hudson
*find an orchard or farm that gives hayrides
*learn the differences among hexagons, heptagons, and hectagons
*go hiking
*play hockey (air or street)
*go horse-back riding (Jester Park or Wheeler Horse Barn in Bondurant)
*wear hot pink (especially a halter top or a hoodie - depending on the weather)
*clean the house with all those helpers! :)
*hula-hoop

Foods that start with H:
ham
hamburgers
ham salad sandwiches
Happy Meals
hard-boiled eggs
hashbrowns
havarti
Hawaiian pizza
hero sandwiches
Hershey's kisses, syrup, etc.
hoagies
ho-hos
honey
Honey Crisp apples
honeydew melon
Honey Nut Cheerios
hot dogs
hot fudge sundaes
Hot Pockets
Hot Tamales
hummus
hushpuppies

Favorite "H" Bible verses:
"Being punished isn't enjoyable while it's happening - it hurts! But afterwards we can see the result, a quiet growth in grace and character." Hebrews 12:11
"'Honor your father and mother.' This is the first of the ten commandments that ends with a promise. And this is the promise: If you honor your father and mother, 'you will live a long life, full of blessing.'" Ephesians 6:2-3
"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." Hebrews 13:16"

Here are the H's we found during L's ABC photography summer. The first is from the window in our front door. The second is part of a sign at Jester Park.

Letter I is soon to come!

*For those new to my blog, check out the beginnings of ABC Summers here.*

Going Green

As a follow up to my "G" post, just wanted to share how I had success with my New Year's resolution last year. Now, I am not normally into resolutions. I typically feel that if there is something I want to stop doing/eating/drinking, start or improve, any day is a good day to change. But I had decided to try to get as many chemicals and toxins out of our home as possible, and I thought that might take almost a year. So I resolved to change to all non-toxic, environmentally friendly cleaning products by the end of 2012.

I started by making a list (big surprise, I know...) of the cleaning products I used. Then I planned to research (i.e. Google) comparable products that were healthier for our family and our planet. I figured it would take multiple purchases to find products that I thought worked as well as my "normal" ones. That's why I gave myself a year to get everything squared away.

It just so happens that some awesome friend or family member (who has yet to own up to it) gave me a subscription to Kiwi magazine in 2011. Kiwi is all about being natural and/or organic. One of the last issues that year had a list of the top three environmentally friendly (according to their research) cleaning products in every category possible. I tore out the list and used it to begin replacing the standard products I'd been using. With the help of that list, I was able to bypass much of my planned googling and just see what was available at our local Target and HyVee.

I quickly found that I was not as impressed with Kiwi's suggestions for glass cleaners or toilet cleaners as they were. The glass cleaners left streaks and the toilet cleaners were difficult to rinse (green globs of it would stick under the rim of the toilet bowl despite my scrubbing efforts). Luckily, another great friend invited me to her Norwex party. I had not yet heard of Norwex and I was unable to attend her party, but she told me how much she loved their cloths for cleaning her mirrors and windows. I had her order me a set and I've never looked back. They are awesome!!! Later last year, I ordered the Norwex toilet cleaning system and I've been very happy with that, too.

Since I love lists so much, I'm just going to make a list for you of all the cleaning products I now use around our house. You may or may not agree with some of my choices, but I have been very pleased. I should note that I try to purchase everything fragrance free when possible. I just feel like that is the healthiest option for the family. However, I love the almond scent of all the Method wood cleaning products, and some others I cannot find fragrance free.

Kitchen products:
*surface cleaner (I use this to wipe down appliances and the insides of my refrigerator & microwave): Green Works glass & surface cleaner
*counter cleaner: Method All-Purpose Natural Surface Cleaner french lavender (this works great on my solid core counters, but not so well on appliances)
*dishwasher detergent: Seventh Generation Automatic Dishwasher Gel lemon
*dish soap: Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid free & clear

Floor product:
*Swiffer wet jet (but I don't use their spray anymore)
*hard surface cleaner: Method Wood for Good squirt & mop wood floor cleaner almond

Dusting products:
*Swiffer dusters or the Norwex dusting mitt
*Method Wood for Good wipes or spray polish almond (to clean my wood tables and the fronts of my cabinets)

Bathroom products:
*surface cleaner: Green Works glass & surface cleaner
*tub cleaner: Method Tub-n-Tile flushable cleaning wipes
*toilet cleaner: Norwex Sanira toilet brush system
*mirror cleaner (also works great for windows, computer screens, and the flat screen TV): Norwex Enviro cloth and Window cloth (wet the Enviro cloth & clean; then dry with the Window cloth for a streak-free finish)
*shower spray: homemade concoction of vodka and Thieves oil (I'm also into Young Living Essential Oils) in a spray bottle

Laundry products:
*laundry detergent: Seventh Generation Natural 2X Concentrated laundry detergent free & clear
*vinegar to remove any odors (I fill the liquid fabric softener space with vinegar for every load)
*dryer balls rather than fabric softeners (I just use the cheap ones from Target)

Disinfectant products:
*Method Antibac wipes lemon verbena (I use these to wipe-down light switches, door knobs, and cabinet/drawer pulls once a month)

Miscellaneous:
*Mr. Clean Magic Erasers (these are just super-fine sandpaper - no chemicals)
*Bar Keepers Friend... This is the one cleaning product that I cannot seem to replace. It is a cleanser and polish that I use to clean my white sink and the grout in my shower. It is oxalic acid, but I found this blog about it and I decided it was "green" enough for me to keep using. http://www.finelyground.net/2012/04/barkeepers-friend-is-it-safe.html

I also bought my husband the car care package from Norwex so he has his own cloths to use on the cars. :)

Since that all went so well last year, we decided as a family to make another big resolution this year. We are attempting to lower the sugar intake in our foods. I will not buy anything that has sugar listed as one of the first three ingredients (we already avoid high fructose corn syrup, concentrated juices, hydrogenated oils, saturated fats, milk with hormones, and anything with a bunch of stuff I can't pronounce or define). I'm going to attempt to replace white sugar in recipes with agave nectar, honey or applesauce. I am also trying to stop buying things with color additives (i.e. yellow 6, red 2, etc.) or with BHA or BHT (a preservative). I have to admit, though, that I cannot seem to give up my sugar-free Orbit gum, even though it does contain BHT. Don't get me wrong, I am not going to restrict my children to the point of causing them to go hog wild at their first opportunity. We still get popcorn and M&Ms at the movies, Happy Meals, and Lunchables on occasion. I just want to provide healthier food here at home where they eat the majority of their meals and snacks.

Hope your year is getting off to a great start now that we're well into February!

*For those new to my blog, check out the beginnings of ABC Summers here.*