Goosey picking apples.

There are few things more quintessential New England than apple picking. Apple picking in New England isn’t about picking your own to save money, it’s about the experience. Translation:  You’re probably going to pay more for the apples you pick yourself than you would pay for them at the grocery store. But, don’t let that deter you. Apple picking is an absolute must in the fall.

First, find an orchard. Ask around at school, or at the soccer field. Other parents will readily tell you which orchard they visit every year. If you aren’t comfortable asking, or no one has recommendations, check out PickYourOwn.org. They have listings for every county in the U.S.

In southern New Hampshire, Mack’s Apples is the hot spot. Why is Mack’s so popular? Because they make apple picking about the experience, not about pulling fruit off a tree. Mack’s has a farm stand, picnic areas, pumpkin patches, pie contests, an ice cream stand, and hayrides. Find an orchard like that, my friends.

On apple picking day you’ll want to dress appropriately. Long sleeved shirts and pants will keep your arms and legs scrape and scratch free. If you’re going early in the day you’ll also want to wear shoes that will keep your feet dry while walking in the dew covered grass.

Once there, enjoy your time picking, but make sure you allow a little extra time for exploring all the other  activities available at the orchard. You’ll definitely want to take advantage of the photo opportunities, so make sure to take your camera!

Finally, after the kids have exhausted you with their endless energy, head home for a nap. Once you’re awake it’s time to really enjoy the fruits of your labor. Bite into one of those crispy apples, make a pie, or if you’re like me, make a fresh apple cake. What? You’ve never had one of those? Lucky for you I’m willing to share.

Happy picking!

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Holy Jungle

I am not sure what happened this year- we started out with the very best of intentions.  I know I had visions of spending time out there rake in hand and making it the best darn looking garden of them all.  The past few years my generous Father in Law did most of the work, leaving us with the reward of a garden full of vegetables and looking good- there use to be paths.  This year for some reason my husband and I decided we would take over ownership of our garden.  We planted and hoed the land..all set we thought, that was easy. I guess we sort of forgot that we would need to spend time out there tending to our crops.

So what happened? Life happened.

The weekends filled up with fun out of town plans, trips to the beach and time with family and friends.  Summer happened and we embraced it in every way except pulling weeds and carefully tying up tomato plants.

Still to our amazement our garden grows and produces vegetables …. Garlic, cucumbers, a few tomatoes so far, peppers and squash.  We also have pumpkins  that might *we hope* spring up in time for the birth of our son.  I even remember to water them every now and then.

A garden without paths is actually kind of cool if you are three.  Tommy likes to spend time walking around the plants that he refers as the jungle.  My Father in Law hasn’t said too much about our wild garden although there is a joke going around that we are growing dandelions this year.  To that I say, They’re edible I believe.

Could it be better- oh yes it could.  Should we spend more time out there weeding and watering, maybe.  Somehow though our garden still grows this year and that’s good enough for me.

How does your garden grow?   Did you try anything different this year?

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Coastal Connecticut from the train.

My husband takes the train from Boston to Manhattan frequently, but I had never done so until last week. When I was making my travel plans for BlogHer 12 I looked at the cost and convenience of traveling by  train and decided that they outweighed the quickness of flying.  So, I booked AmTrak!

My roundtrip train ticket, booked at times most convenient to me, was only $150. Had I been willing to leave at 6am, I could’ve shaved another $50 off the ticket price. The  ticket price includes two pieces of luggage, limited to 50 lbs each.  But, honestly, no one checked my baggage, so I could’ve taken more on and I promise that my one of my suitcases weighed well over 50 lbs. on the way home.  I loved not paying baggage fees! And, no one cared how many liquids I had in my bags.

It was also awesome to be able to show up a few minutes before the train left and not have to worry about checking bags, waiting in security lines, or having the runway door close on me several minutes before the flight left. With the train you can run through the doors just minutes before the train leaves.

My absolute favorite thing about the train was the riding experience itself. The seats are big and cushy, with no seat belts. There are huge windows that allow you to watch the passing countryside as you roll along. If the train is “sold out” you might have a seat mate, but odds are they’ll only be there for part of the time because you make multiple stops and passengers are constantly getting on and off. But, by far the best perk is the wireless internet. The train is equipped not only with wi-fi, but it also has outlets in each row so you can power up your laptop, tablet or phone. That’s right, you can use your phone too!

To top if all off, the train stops at Penn Station in Manhattan, so you’re already in the city! No taking a shuttle or taxi in from the airport. I love that! When we decide it’s time to take our kids to New York we’ll definitely be riding the train.  It’s so convenient and family friendly.

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If this is your first time being pregnant, chances are you’re not quite sure where to start. There are a few important things to take care of in early pregnancy. From revisiting your diet that directly affects the fetus, to finding the care that’s right for you. Here are some things you should add to your early pregnancy checklist to make the next nine months tolerable and joyous!

FOOD! I think if there is one thing that is on a pregnant woman’s mind all day, it is food. Whether she can’t keep any down or can’t get enough, it’s all.she.is.thinking.of. At least that’s how I was. What you eat is a very personal choice. But keep in mind that it does affect the baby growing inside of you. Try to avoid genetically modified foods, diet soda, and generally nutritionally void foods (donuts, prepackaged store bought desserts, artificially flavored/colored foods, etc). Don’t skimp on good fats that are absolutely essential to the growth of your child (fish oil, avocados, nuts, coconut oil). You should also look into food-based prenatal vitamins, avoid synthetic ones commonly sold at drug stores. Even if you have a healthy diet, trust me, you need all the help your body can get. After two children I can certainly see the toll it has taken on my health.

INSURANCE! No matter what your financial situation, you don’t want to find out your insurance doesn’t cover labor and delivery days before you’re due, that alone can send some women into preterm labor! Call your insurance provider and speak to them specifically about your plan to make sure it covers both prenatal care, and labor and delivery. One phone call can save you a lot of grief in the future. You may also qualify for state health insurance if you have low income. Look around your area, I was surprised to find a small birth center that took my insurance and all the services were covered since they do billing through a regular hospital. That’s the only way I could afford the water birth I really dreamed of!

PREGNANCY CARE. Many women are not aware of the many care options available to them. If you are generally healthy and have no pre-existing medical conditions, you may want to look into midwifery care. If you have health problems, find an OBGYN that you are comfortable with. Many healthy women who have already given birth at least once may even consider a home birth with the assistance of a professional, especially those with short labors.

WORK. Chances are you are working while pregnant, especially if this is your first baby. Around three months you should talk to your boss about maternity leave and job security. Do you want to return to work? Do you want to switch to part time? Perhaps you may want to stay home if your spouse has a job that can provide. It is a decision that varies for each family greatly. What we found worked for us is me staying home despite the fact that we could not afford it. We cut out all luxuries and extras and found that we saved money with me staying home. Moreover I could pursue online work. There are so many options, it is something to think about the moment you find out you’re pregnant. Don’t be scared to make ‘the wrong’ decision, do what works for your family and go with your instincts.

What has been your experience in early pregnancy? What else needs to be taken care of at this stage?

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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This coming week don’t miss out on the abundance of Boston Earth Day events that your kids will love. It will teach you and them a thing or two about reusing, recycling, minimizing waste, and healthy living. Here are some great Earth Day (and week) events you don’t want to miss!

Earth Day Party for the Planet at Franklin Park Zoo (Sunday, April 22, 10 am to 3 pm): Even as is, a zoo is a ton of fun! On Sunday there will be special exhibitors such as Mass Wildlife, Green Schools, and Sunlight Solar Energy as well as music, treats for the animals and a chance to recycle your electronics.

19th Annual Earth Day Clothing Drive in Boston (Monday, April 23rd – Friday, May 11th, 7 am to 7 pm): Get on that spring cleaning and help those in need by donating clothing, shoes, and accessories. What a great idea!

Natick Earth Day Festival at Natick Common (Sunday, April 22, 11 am to 3 pm): Live music, food, conversations on sustainability and environmental education, kids activities, Live Birds of Prey Show. Sign up for a free Home Energy Audit!

Earth Day 2012 at New England Wild Flower Society (Sunday, April 22, 9 am to 5 pm): Half price admission and a host of events from noon to four. Take a scavenger hunt, make a butterfly ring, learn about native plants, create a memory piece of art. Free parking (unlike Boston)!

Picnic for the Planet at the Boston Common Frog Pond (Sunday, April 22, 11 am to 5 pm): Sample local foods, listen to live music, enter to win free tickets to Earthfest (May). The event is rain or shine and will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest global picnic!

All across the country towns and cities also have volunteer clean ups at local parks, rivers, and public spaces. It can be a lot of fun for kids and will teach them something, next time perhaps they will walk the extra ten feet to the trash bin instead of littering!

Image: dan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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I know I am not the only mom that feels like snacks are all the kids really want. While in my experience less snacks also means cleaner plates at dinner time, a day doesn’t go by without eating a snack of some sort. In our house we only stock healthy snacks, believe me when I say you do not miss anything by not buying junk food.

We love eating apples and I do not usually cut them up for my toddler into slices, the way most kids prefer. She loves when I peel the whole apple for her and she eats it whole! These I buy organic because apples are way up there on the list of the most pesticide content in produce. Our favorite varieties are Fuji and Gala apples. We used to buy apples at a local farm, but they are not organic and still sprayed almost as much as conventionally grown apples.

Though we mostly eat cheese at breakfast, it is also a great healthy snack. It’s easy to just cut a piece or a few to take along in a container. Cheese is best eaten before evening as it may be hard to digest at night. Our favorites are raw milk cheddar, Jarlsberg, and gouda (really high in vitamin K2). My toddler loves the Jarlsberg, but raw milk cheddar is her all time favorite. It is especially great for us because we do not drink milk and need calcium from other sources.

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Image: Grant Cochrane / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image: Grant Cochrane / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Ah, sun. How I missed thee this solemn winter! Thankfully we can now think about spring baby clothing for our little infants and tots. Even better if it is Eco friendly spring baby clothing, made from sustainable materials such as bamboo or organic cotton. We love these finds that just scream spring! Happy season is budding with warm weather styles that are comfy and make our super adorable kids even more so. Organic baby clothing is becoming both easier to find and more affordable, you can find amazing deals on private sale sites as well.

Halter Sunsuit from Kate Quinn Organics ($41): Made of 100% organic cotton, can be paired with a onesie or t-shirt for cooler days or worn as is at the beach when it warms up!

Organic Baby Summer Hat from Sckoon ($16.99 sale): Comes in three colors, blue, red, and limeade. 100% 300CT organic cotton satin, dyed with eco friendly, natural dyes. Will make any outfit adorable.

Zen Dress with Bloomer from Under the Nile ($26): 100% organic cotton in cute, eye-catching stripes, your little one will stand out in a crowd! There are also other items available in this print as well as a navy stripe onesie for boys.

Polo with Anchor from Sage Creek Organics ($24 sale): 100% organic cotton pique, ribbed collar and armbands, two-button placket, refined for your little stud and perfect for both the park and special occasions.

Ocean Blue Bandej Onesie from Sama Baby ($24): Who says girls can’t wear blue? This 100% organic cotton onesie is perfection in a little package. Extremely soft and perfect paired with shorts, pants, or a skirt.

Hummingbird Snap Bodysuit from Speesees ($20): Actually everything from Speesees is very happy and springy, including this adorable organic 24 rib cotton bodysuit. Easy in and out, no need to pull it overhead. Available in 0 to 18 months.

Better Basics Stripe Baby Body from Giggle ($16): Affordable organic cotton onesie in cute, trendy colors. Perfect for warmer weather, bottoms optional!

Crew Sweater and Pants from A B Sea ($90): Luxurious comfort for those cooler nights available in sand, bay, or foam colors. Sizes 3 months to 24 months. A gorgeous blend of silk and organic cotton that makes for very practical clothing.

Have you found some organic baby clothing for spring? Share with us what you love in the comments!

Image: Tina Phillips / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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I am all for shopping local and supporting local artisans and crafters. Did you know you can shop local on Etsy? This really neat feature lets you find crafty people near you. If you are in the Boston area and you celebrate Easter, you should check these Etsy Easter finds for Bostonians. A lot of very talented and creative people around here! Everything from art and decor to adorable children’s accessories are all available right here.

Baby Girl Headband in Creamy Pink from MayaJAccessories, $12.95: Complete the look by adding this super adorable giant flower headband to your baby girl’s outfit. It fits infants to toddler but can also be made in any size.

Purse Tote Canvas Bag, Woodland Bunny from BucktoothedBunny, $30: This image transfer tote is generously sized at 14 by 16 by 11 inches and has an interior pocket. The image is also available printed on other items like a smaller tote, messenger bag, and pocket mirror.

Robin Egg Black Tea Soap from TheBowerStudio, $5: Dress up your bathroom with this glycerin soap made with palm and coconut oil, lily of the valley scent, and exfoliating black tea specks. I don’t know, I think they may be mistaken for candy too.

Bunny Hat from Boston Beanies, $28: Dress up your little bunny with one of these cute hats available in any custom colors and sizes (newborn to child).

Girls Easter Top from CoralBelles, $45: For your little lady age 5 to 14, this top is great to wear anytime but especially fitting for the occasion. (photo: Ashley Glasco)

Easter Baby Booties from FudgieKnits, $9: These super soft Mary Jane style booties in size 3-6 months would look adorable on a baby girl and not just for Easter. Available in custom colors as well.

Naked Easter Eggs Kitchen Art from SeptemberWren, $28: This 8 by 12 vintage photograph printed with archival inks would look great in my kitchen, I wouldn’t save it just for Easter though, I think it is fitting year round. A lot of great vintage photographs in this shop worth checking out.

Do you have any spring or Easter favorites on Etsy? Perhaps something local to you?

Image: Grant Cochrane / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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I do not particularly have a green thumb, nor do I have any land to plant on. I am interested in container gardening though. Interested is the key word there! I don’t know when I’ll actually get around to realizing my dreams of growing our own veggies, but until then a girl can dream, right? For now I’m keeping our local farmer’s markets in business!

If I had the time, land, and motivation to plant a garden this spring, here is what I would plant. These are crops that are great for starters and easier to take care of than many others. If you actually do it, please, please do share! If you could even link to your own blog post about a spring garden, I’m all ears (and eyes)! I’m just sharing the basics on how long till you eat them and how we like to eat these.

Green Onions: These take about 45 to 70 days to reach full harvest size. No salad is complete in this house without green onions! Perfect chopped on top of your baked potato with sour cream, in your grilled cheese avocado sandwich, really in almost any savory dish. Great as garnish for decorating any creation from your kitchen.

Beets: About two months until they are ready to eat. They are best cooked with the skin on to retain nutrients and then peeled. We love the sweetness of beets in our salads! They are delicious paired with contrasting flavors like pickles, avocados, and olives.

Lettuce: Some varieties are ready to eat in 45 days. Heat tolerant varieties are best if you want a longer harvest. It needs moist, well drained soil. Of course lettuce in salad is a given (though some of the best salads I have tried do not always have lettuce). But beyond the salad, consider it a great snack topped with your desired craving (uhm, caviar please!), as is on the side of any meal, and a perfect mess free toddler snack.

Radishes: Ready to eat in about 21 to 35 days. My favorite thing ever is the spring radish and cucumber salad. Just slice some cukes and radishes raw, mix with sour cream and dill. Amazing! This is the taste of my childhood, always brings me back to my summers spent in the Ural mountains, grazing on my grandparents’ garden.

Herbs: You can buy already sprouted ones and eat nearly right away, wink. You could plant your own and they may be ready to eat in a few weeks. If I ever start growing anything, it will be some herbs, the easiest thing to grow with little upkeep. Maybe even on my window sill, oh wait, I don’t have any window sills in this 1969 house, sheesh! Anything you may want to know about growing herbs (and everything else) can be found at Savvy Gardener. Of course fresh herbs are wonderful in all your cooking, add some aroma to any dish and go from ‘blah!’ to ‘wow!’ in no time.

It’s mid March already, so you better get started soon. The weather is warming up nicely! Make sure to get your seeds from a local farmer or grower who has already done the work for picking out what works best growing in your area.

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Image: Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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