DID YOU KNOW ...(52)?

Photo source 

It is claimed that happy people live 9 years longer.

A SUMMER TREAT: YO-S-CREAM

We are in summer here in Australia and we are trying to make the most of it, sensibly. As I have written here as well, our kids' diet is almost sugar free. They have good amounts of natural sugar in their foods such as fresh fruit but we have chosen to exclude the added sugar as much as we could in their early years in life. Mr. Junior has tried some sugary foods this year as his taste buds are pretty developed and he knows the difference between good and bad, healthy and unhealthy, all-time and occasionally. However, Miss Junior is still at a stage where she is not introduced to sugar including icecream. 

On hot days, we have come up with our own version of sugar-free icecream and we like calling it 'yo-s-cream'. In the pictures below, you can see our plain 'yo-s-cream'. You can also make it with fruit (such as berries and mangoes) mash. 

The plain yo-s-cream has only one ingredient; natural yoghurt. (You can add your choice of fruit to it if you like). The materials used are a small freezer-safe container and a toothpick or a quarter of a skewer. Simply, just put some yoghurt into the container, put the toothpick in the middle and place in the freezer until frozen. You can serve it as is or with some fruit.  

Enjoy something cool today!

Last Just Before the End Giveaway Results

Proudly announcing the lucky winners of the latest giveaway:

• Margie Burke
• Emily Dick

Both the winners and the sponsoring businesses are contacted regarding the results. Please check your e-mails.

DID YOU KNOW ...? (51)

Photo source

Navel oranges were named 'navel' because they have belly buttons, another word for navel. It is also a claimed fact that the larger the belly button, the sweeter the orange. 

PLANTING TREES: Tips and More

Australia is an island continent that has a lot of water restrictions and high water bills as well known by most of us. Even though gardening is great in many ways, it can get quite dear as well. When planting, it is good to consider whether your plants are immune to drought and so forth. It is also wise to use methods and materials that will keep your soil moist for longer. Other ways of saving water are important too but here, I will share with you how we have chosen to plant our trees in a water-wise way. 

We used a drainage pipe (as it makes watering easier, the use of water more efficient and is so much cheaper than many other watering solutions), water crystals and some mulch as our water-friendly materials. 

First, Mr. Hubby dug holes where the trees were to go. We made sure that the holes as well as the tree roots were well soaked. 

Then, we placed the drainage pipe making sure that it was long enough to have both ends out of the ground. 

After that, we put some water crystals in the middle of the hole, around the pipe. 

We also added some organic chicken manure with Blood & Bone.

We placed the tree in in the middle of the hole with the soil that it originally had. After this stage, we filled in the hole making sure that the tree was upright. We firmly patted down the soil on top. Then, we watered the plant generously with some seaweed mixture. (We repeated the application of the seaweed mixture about a week later as well.) Lastly, we layered some mulch (approximately 5cm thick) around the tree trunk and the pipe ends. 

Tree planting - no mulch as yet

All we need to do know is to water the trees (from the pipes) every few days. (We particularly try to water them the night before a hot day). 

If you would like to read more about our garden tips and what we have been doing there this year, you can click here, here, and here. 

LAST JUST BEFORE THE END GIVEAWAYS

As promised earlier, the giveaways have not ended yet. Here are three more gorgeous prizes for three lucky people (one prize per person) thanks to the sponsoring businesses.

Don't forget, one of the prizes is available only for the U.S. residents when the others are open worldwide. When entering, make sure you let me know which prize you would love to win.

Prize #2

Prize: $25 Gift Certificate for eDiaperCakes.com. The Gift Certificate will expire on 5/2014. U.S. only. Gift certificate will be emailed to the winner.

eDiaperCakes.com is a company that is U.S. business that makes diaper cakes for baby showers. They started a year ago when the owner of the website gave birth to girl and she wanted to create a business that would let her spend more time with her daughter. They have a selection of over 60 themed diaper cakes and they also sell Do-It-Yourself cakes in which you can decorate yourself. Some of their popular themed cakes include characters like the Hungry Caterpillar, Goodnight Moon, Peter Rabbit, Pat the Bunny, Winnie the Pooh, and much more.

So if you’re looking to buy one, they would make a great choice because they are fairly priced, have a great selection and their diaper cakes are hand assembled in 2 business days.

Links:

http://pinterest.com/ediapercakes/diaper-cakes/
twitter.com/ediapercakes
http://www.facebook.com/pages/E-Diaper-Cakes/421894347872320

Note: This offer (Prize #2) is open to the U.S residents only.

Prize #3

Prize: A sock monkey set: A hat/beanie and a diaper cover from Crochet Magik. 

Hello. My small business is called Crochet Magik. I offer cozy warm in style crochet product for photo shoots to everyday wear from newborn to adult, simple as that. I just love the satisfaction it brings clients and their love ones. Crochet Magik is here to serve you! Please check me out  Have a wonderful day. And thank you for participating.  

Link: 

http://www.facebook.com/Crochet.Magik

Note: This offer is open worldwide. 

Prize #4

Prize: 1x size 000 trucks all around hand stitched singlet from Precious Ladybubs Boutique.

Hi! From Precious Ladybubs Boutique! Behind the scenes we are a team of 3 generations who all like to create unique items for your little princess or prince to wear and use. Precious Ladybubs began in July this year and we started out by making nappy case covers & hair clips. From then on we have since ventured into bracelets, headbands, taggy toys, baby singlets and dress! Just to name a few! Pop over to visit our range of gorgeous goodies 

Note: This sponsoring business will be closed until the new year, so the winner will be able to claim the prize early in the next year.

Link: 

www.facebook.com/PreciousLadybubsBoutique

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hand-Stitching Basics: How to Thread A Needle

Below are some easy to follow instructions that are both worded and pictured for beginners in hand-stitching. I must warn you starters that once you start stitching, sewing or crafting, you cannot go back! As long as you know a few basics, what you can do with that knowledge and skill is almost limitless and I am not even talking about fabrics yet. It is ADDICTIVE and this is how it all starts!

1. Preferably, cut your thread at an angle. 

2. Using your thumb and forefinger, grasp your needle.

3. Push your thread through the needle hole using one of your hands while the other hand is holding the needle. If your hand is a bit moist, that would be helpful.

4. Wrap one or both ends of the thread around your forefinger (I used both ends in the pictures below).

5. Allow some lap-over of thread (about a quarter of an inch or just over half a centimeter)

6. With the help of your thumb and forefinger, roll the threads together and off the finger.

7. Pull your know towards the end of your thread and tighten by pulling it.