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Billy and I choose our home based on one feature…the trees in our backyard. We chose this house over many other ”better” homes mainly because they just didn’t have the stunning green belt that we do. We love trees so much that they are even a common decorative theme within our home. Before Layli was born, I would lie on our bed watching the trees sway and daydream about what life would be like with our new addition.
Every morning I bring Layli into our bed to nurse her. Then I sit her up and she does the same thing I do…stares at our conifers, mesmerized by their dance. It amazes me that they have the same affect on an infant. She can watch them for minutes (which is hours in baby time). They can calm her instantly; if she’s upset we just take her outside to watch the trees and she’s fine- as if mother earth herself soothes her. How interesting that in all my prenatal daydreaming, never did I imagine that my daughter would sit quietly and appreciate these majestic elders, allowing them to bring her peace, like they do me.
I’m trying my best to make changes in our house that are better for the environment. I bought a bunch of cleaning products from Target’s environmental brand, Method. I chose Method mainly because I’m a Target junkie and because it was a line that was promoted on Oprah’s green show. I’m especially happy with their detergent because it has no fragrances or dyes which is great for me since I have pretty sensitive skin. Today we had our monthly interfaith devotional which meant that I needed to do the project that I detest the most…cleaning the floors. I really don’t like to clean the floors so I usually try to pawn it off on Billy, but I was actually excited about it today because I bought Method’s mop system which is kind of like their answer to the Swiffer. It’s really nice because you just squirt the cleaner directly on the floor and then mop it up with a mop that has a washable microfiber cloth at the end of it. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t as functional as it needs to be. It reminded me why I hate cleaning the floors. I have porcelain tile floors (which I don’t suggest to anyone- if we ever redo our floors we will definitely go with bamboo) and the mop would only move in one direction, it would collapse when I would try to move it towards me. It was SO frustrating. I definitely recommend the all-purpose cleaner, detergents & dryer sheets and their cleaning wipes but unfortunately, not their mop. If anyone has any suggestions on how to make cleaning the floors easier, besides a maid, PLEASE let me know!
I love orchids. I think they’re an easy way to beautify your home and they’re cheap! I am definitely not an expert at taking care of them but I have had pretty good luck and thought I would impart what little I know. You can get them at almost any grocery store, but I suggest Trader Joes because they’re usually in pretty good shape and they’re only $13! The closest Trader Joes is 35 minutes from me and I’m pretty bitter about it…I’m convinced that Olympia is the biggest tree hugging town in the country and I can’t believe we don’t have a TraderJoes! Anyway, when you pick one out, make sure it looks healthy and you’ll want to get one with maybe just two flowering orchids and then at least 2 more buds. That way when those die, you’ll have some more to replace them! All I do is emmerse the pot in a bucket of water for 20 seconds and then let it drain in the sink. I do that once a week and my orchids look just great for months. I got my care advice from Hooshang, the master flower man so if yours die you can blame him.
