tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post4035176319556769560..comments2024-02-02T07:13:37.313-06:00Comments on Like Merchant Ships: Ramblings in sidewalk chalkUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-33873090359512140602007-06-25T20:39:00.000-05:002007-06-25T20:39:00.000-05:00My husband and I chose a long time ago to not purc...My husband and I chose a long time ago to not purchase items made in China - especially toys and products related to Christian holidays - for reasons of economic and social justice. I couldn't stomach the thought of buying a toy for my children to enjoy that had been made by a parent who seldom to never got to see his or her children or by another child who would never have the opportunity to play with the things he or she made. And holiday items? The very idea of buying Christmas decorations made by a people for whom the choice to celebrate Christmas could result in vicious oppression or imprisonment was one that I simply couldn't justify by any means. And now, with so much safety-related news, we have all the more reason, sadly enough. <BR/><BR/>"Cheap" in the store aisle almost never translates to "cheap" in any other sense.Marshahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01758280217840082486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-15027723783539381242007-06-25T19:21:00.000-05:002007-06-25T19:21:00.000-05:00P.S. You cracked me up when you said you'd be buil...P.S. You cracked me up when you said you'd be building your own, but then I thought "She just might do it!" On that web site http://www.barclaywoods.com/home.htm there are instructions for making your own actual standard unit blocks! (It looks like a lot of work, but if you have the wood and tools, and time, you can do it!). My 2 yr old comments on how the sizes fit together and doesn't realize he's learning math since they are standard unit blocks.Someone Beautifulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10235213938101654290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-7691269669162504642007-06-25T19:17:00.000-05:002007-06-25T19:17:00.000-05:00We don't have many painted wood toys-just alphabet...We don't have many painted wood toys-just alphabet blocks and Melissa & Doug animals. I am looking at our alphabet blocks with teeth marks in them and paint chipped off. :( I am going to try to find out where they were made. If there is any doubt, I will get rid of them. We have a small amount of plain untreated solid maple blocks from http://www.barclaywoods.com/home.htm At the beginning of the year, they discount their sets from last year. It is still outrageous but a great gift idea if everyone in the family will chip in. You have been one to encourage us to switch to natural. :)Someone Beautifulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10235213938101654290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-37616879965675053462007-06-25T16:36:00.000-05:002007-06-25T16:36:00.000-05:00I so agree about the products from China. I try a...I so agree about the products from China. I try and not to use them because of the recent scares.DonnaBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13890459804766354255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-37758963112393178622007-06-25T15:51:00.000-05:002007-06-25T15:51:00.000-05:00I would also love the dishwasher recipe. I make m...I would also love the dishwasher recipe. I make my own detergent, laundry stain treatment, shower spray, etc., but not dishwasher detergent.<BR/>Hope you have time to post your recipe some time. Thanks.nancyrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03607720003538273566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-16714064221598246392007-06-25T15:24:00.000-05:002007-06-25T15:24:00.000-05:00I think there is alot about the "made in China" it...I think there is alot about the "made in China" items that would scare us all. But we keep paying for them because they're cheap. We're a culture stuck in the sale aisle at walmart. Well, at least most of us. <BR/><BR/>And I second the dishwasher recipe. Do tell.TheNormalMiddlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12331429075393644206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-45547928434999660732007-06-25T13:24:00.000-05:002007-06-25T13:24:00.000-05:00I would love the dishwasher detergent recipe...I would love the dishwasher detergent recipe...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-9486769074204033042007-06-25T12:14:00.000-05:002007-06-25T12:14:00.000-05:00i hadn't thought about this in these terms... now ...i hadn't thought about this in these terms... now I am anxious to hear some of your recipes for your staples and how you balance it (like marycelery)<BR/><BR/>blessings,<BR/>KarlaKarla Porter Archerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12852059935122763051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-8492082898405288802007-06-25T11:28:00.000-05:002007-06-25T11:28:00.000-05:00I too, am very concerned. We have toxic chemicals...I too, am very concerned. We have toxic chemicals leaking in our baby bottles and sippy cups, lead paint on toys, even "organic" doesn't mean what it once did. <BR/><BR/>It is very hard to ballence budget, health and precious time!mama khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05070909433011566246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-54550616740188938232007-06-25T11:23:00.000-05:002007-06-25T11:23:00.000-05:00Rosie, I don't think your email came through! I d...Rosie, I don't think your email came through! I did have an email from RoseAnne in TN, but I replied to that one.<BR/><BR/>If you're not one and the same, try again : )<BR/>likemerchantships@yahoo.comMeredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08455517419708043340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-37050921203170272192007-06-25T10:52:00.000-05:002007-06-25T10:52:00.000-05:00Hi Meredith! I just wanted to let you know that I ...Hi Meredith! I just wanted to let you know that I emailed you on your merchant ships address & didnt know if that was a regular email for you or not. I know I have 2 email accounts, my regular one that I've had for years(that I emailed you on) & one that came with bellsouth that I hardly ever go to.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, I hope you're having a great Monday so far getting your project done in the garage! Oh, also thanks for the tips about potential dangers of products & food.<BR/><BR/>Blessings!<BR/>Rosie(another TN mom!)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-18760803473311685352007-06-25T10:05:00.000-05:002007-06-25T10:05:00.000-05:00and what recipe do you use for your own crackers? ...and what recipe do you use for your own crackers? That sounds interesting3boysmamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04681527386218906722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-44305221637347822972007-06-25T10:04:00.000-05:002007-06-25T10:04:00.000-05:00How much time and money does it take to make your ...How much time and money does it take to make your own dishwashing detergent? Just curious.3boysmamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04681527386218906722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-41840232412746698722007-06-25T09:57:00.000-05:002007-06-25T09:57:00.000-05:00As for food safety vs the budget I think this is w...As for food safety vs the budget I think this is where eating a large variety can help. This way any one food makes up a smaller percentage of your diet. How do you make your dishwasher detergent? It is so expensive to purchase. I detest the ammount detergents eat into my budget. Thank you for demonstrating to the world that frugal can be elegant. <BR/>-MelissaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-90344805488439450092007-06-25T09:23:00.000-05:002007-06-25T09:23:00.000-05:00I too worry very much about the food I feed my fam...I too worry very much about the food I feed my family and the food I feed these day care children. I know it is not a solution that everyone can do, but we grow a whole lot of the produce we eat right in our own back yard. We have a modest garden with plenty of veggies. As I am in Texas we can grow food almost year round. A lot of food also comes from the local farmers market. We got blueberries this week, a bit high at $3.00 a basket (quart) but well worth it for the muffins and pan cakes I made. I even had enough to hand the children to eat while I made the pan cakes. I try very hard to be aware of where our food comes from. I buy eggs from a local farmer. I buy meat too local. I think it is worth it to know I am feeding the children as best I can. I do keep the budget reasonable. I spend less than $100.00 a week to feed my family (4) and the 8 day care children. RoxieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-64817186391139584822007-06-25T09:16:00.000-05:002007-06-25T09:16:00.000-05:00My father and my husband both love to work with wo...My father and my husband both love to work with wood. I am lucky to have had a huge supply of wood scraps for years and have built a huge block supply for you day care children as well as my grandchildren to play with. All pieces are natural wood, and have been sanded to remove any rough spots. That's it. NO paint, no wax, no other harmful things that might go into little mouths. Over the years I have gathered more than 500 blocks of all kinds and sizes. They are the most popular toy in this day care. I keep them in a large wooden box my dad made for me....Roxie (in Texas)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-27714825102701738462007-06-25T09:14:00.000-05:002007-06-25T09:14:00.000-05:00Well said, Meredith. I am profoundly concerned ab...Well said, Meredith. <BR/><BR/>I am profoundly concerned about things made in China - especially food! I am still working out how to balance food safety on my very modest budget. I love the idea of the 100 mile diet, but I live in the middle of a desert!<BR/><BR/>Please blog about your choices and what you do to balance these two. <BR/><BR/>Blessings.<BR/><BR/>Miss Marymaryceleryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10563378335807736742noreply@blogger.com