It all began about 7 years ago. Proeun and I were newly married and at his insurance office near Snelling and St. Clair in St. Paul. My brand new sister in law was expecting her 3rd baby and I was trying to think of a good gift for her. Things were taking longer then expected at the insurance office (which has since moved) so I went out to look at some of the local shops and I wandered in to Peapod’s for the first time.

I had grown up with stories of cloth diapers, many were still around the house and used for rags by the time I was helping with the cleaning. My mom would always tell funny stories about  how she would use cloth diapers on me all the time but as soon as my dad watched me he would break out the disposables.

So 7 years ago I walked into Peapod’s and saw this,

Well almost, it’s been a couple years and they have new products all the time but you get the idea. I bought a dozen pre-folds and a little froggie bummis diaper cover for me sister in law. About a year later I had my own little baby to cloth diaper. Honestly my sister in law had never used hers so I tactfully asked for them back added to my stash and began.

Three babies now have grown up in cloth diapers. But while Two was a lighter wetter and more predictable in schedule Avril was a very heavy wetter and completely unpredictable. I tried elimination communication, I read about it from a book I got at Peapods, but went back to the diapers to save my sanity.

Recently I was reading a blog post from Farmama called “stuff.” In it she talks about the trash we generate and how her philosophy has always been if she wouldn’t want it in her backyard she shouldn’t use it as it will most likely end up in someone else’s. I thought about it and realized disposable diapers are definitely something I wouldn’t want in my backyard.

Here I will make a confession. I had been using disposables at night (to save my sheets), sometimes when traveling and often while camping. After reading this post I decided to lay down a new lease. Last time we went camping I brought my cloth diapers though we still used disposables at night.

So today I finally had a chance to go to Peapod’s and get some diapers for heavy wetters. I only bought a few to try.  I bought 2 Kissaluv’s fitted diapers, 1 Bummi’s training pants, and 1 Prorap snap cover.

The children were hoping for more.

It’s always a danger when going to Peapod’s.

There is so much to see and enjoy.

On a side note it was at Peapod’s that I discovered attachment parenting. I was there one day when Two was a baby buying more diapers and asked, “are there any support groups or anything around?” Kind of a clumsy question I know but the kindly shop owner who actually uses all this stuff on his own children reffered me to a local Attachment Parenting International group and the rest is history. Soon I was planning a home birth, knitting my own diaper covers, delaying solids till sometime around one and proudly co- sleeping (we had done this from the beginning anyway now we just weren’t afraid to tell people about it).

Peapod’s has definitely done alot for me and the family so if you are in the area please stop by at 251 Snelling Ave South, St. Paul, MN 55105 or call at 1 866 WOOD TOY.

Maybe I’ll see on an upcoming trip I am planning to buy more diapers for the baby.

Every July 4th weekend a local fur trade reenacting group holds a rendezvous on Dunlap Island in Cloquet, Minnesota. We just happen to go camping near Cloquet about once a month during the summer. And did I mention that my first job was as a “historical intrepretor” at Historic Fort Snelling, a part of the Minnesota Historical Society. While there I did my share of reenacting for fun on the weekends including one 1812 reenactment with my mother and sister. So a fur trade rendezvous is kind of up my alley.

I have a deep love of history for a lot of reasons but I love what it tells us about us. Fur Trade history is big in Minnesota and is everywhere.

No matter how you feel about furs and trapping I think most people would agree it is fascinating. Cultures collided for good or ill. Rugged beauty and wilderness, hand crafts and personal livelihoods supported high fashion back east.

Here Two is guessing which animals the furs came from. He was pretty good at it actually. The furs were donated by the Minnesota DNR.

Here Two sports a coyote hat.

Two handles baby mocassins. I always wanted to make a pair.

Avril is drawn to the beaded items.

I was reading a book that discussed Ancient Greek culture. The book claimed that during this time period a person was considered wealthy based upon talents and skills. Maybe that is what has always drawn me to the past. I love hand made items, there is a beauty in them few things can rival.

There were a few people even making things there like this blacksmith demonstrating his craft.

We bought a few things at his booth including a trade silver necklace for Two and hand blown glass beads strung into a necklace for the girls while we waited.

Of course hand made candy is the best. This gentleman owns a candy shop in Kentucky where he is a licensed confectioner but he travels 50 weeks out of the year to share his favorite treats from a simple tent.

There was even good music. All in all it was a pretty great trip back in time.