A Frugal Recipe

Okay, so my brother of all people recently started a blog. On his blog he has vowed to post yummy recipes and such that his family enjoys so that others can share in their life. I thought this sounded like fun so the big sister is now going to copy her little brother :)

I recently read the Duggars new book and loved it. They share many frugal recipes and one that I have actually tried is their recipe for laundry detergent. It works out to between 3 and 4 CENTS a load!! Gotta love that! We started using it last week and I think the batch might just last us a year :) Seriously it made a 5 gallon bucket worth of laundry detergent and there are only 4 of us...

A friend of mine suggested this website, http://www.soapsgonebuy.com/ for buying the soaps you need. They shipped out the soaps very quickly and the price seemed reasonable.

Liquid Laundry Soap

Water
1 bar grated Fels Naptha soap
5 gallon bucket
1 cup Arm and Hammer Washing Soda
1 cup 20 Mule Team Borax
4 1/2 gallons water

Put grated Fels Naptha in saucepan and cover with water. Heat on low until dissolved, this takes a while. Just be patient. Fill bucket with hot water and add soap. (I suggest adding the water first and then the soap...I did it the other way and I have never seen so many bubbles) Stir to combine. Add 1 cup washing soda and 1 cup borax and mix well. As it cools, it will thicken. If mixture becomes too thick, add hot water to thin it to desired consistency. Mine did become too thick and I heated some water in my tea kettle and added a little bit at a time. I worked great. May be used immediately. Mix well before each use. Use 1/2(normal) to 1 cup per load (heavy). Cost per load .04.

I also added some glass beads(marbles would work too) to help keep the soap mixed well.

Enjoy!

Simple Woman's Daybook~ March 30th

For Today...

Outside my window... Beautiful blue skies and gorgeous sunshine...slightly deceptive looking, when you open the door there is still a bit a chill in the air...

I am thinking... of how to better arrange our office...what to remove to make the place a more efficient and calm working area...

From the learning rooms... nothing today...they are closed down at the moment :)

I am thankful for... all of God's amazing and unwarranted blessings...for His wonderful grace in this time of unemployment...how His peace is enough and in our weakness He truly is strong...

From the kitchen... rotisserie chicken, potatoes, broccoli...

I am wearing... jeans, cotton tee...

I am reading... the books of Deuteronomy and Luke in my life application study Bible and Our Quiver Full...

I am hoping... to have a peaceful rest of the day with my family...

I am creating... a useful office space...hopefully :)

I am hearing... my daughter and husband chatting and Mikah chiming in every so often...

Around the house... a just swept and mopped floor in the kitchen... a simple pleasure...

One of my favorite things... laughing with my children...

A few plans for the rest of the week... the usual cleaning, laundry, restarting Mikah's program, hopefully Dave will have a second interview...

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Two of mommy's favorite people...It is so hard to get the both to cooperate at the same moment...

The Simple Woman's Daybook~February 9th

FOR TODAY...

Outside my window...the snow is melting and our yard is a muddy mess.

I am thinking...of my husband and his back pain.

I am thankful for...my daughter's singing her songs she has learned at AWANA. She is worshiping God with her songs and doesn't even know it yet.

From the learning rooms...we are taking the day off.

From the kitchen...noodles, hamburger, sauce and cheese. Yummy!

I am wearing...jeans and a t-shirt.

I am creating...a plan.

I am going...no where else. I have already been to the chiropractor to drop my husband off and to the library and back to the chiropractor to get my husband and home. That is enough traveling for one day for me.

I am reading...The Centurion's Wife and A Charlotte Mason Companion: Personal Reflections on the Gentle Art of Learning.

I am hoping...the my husband hears from the company he interviewed with last week and receives a call for another interview.

I am hearing...the faint sounds of a Pooh Bear movie and my son chattering.

Around the house...there is trash to take out, floors to sweep and toys to be picked up.

One of my favorite things...hearing my son laugh and seeing his adorable smile.

A few plans for the rest of the week: finish reading Matthew, fill out more financial help papers, grocery shopping...

Here is picture thought I am sharing...Just reminiscing...This is my son, Mikah Alexander, a few hours after he was born. How precious.

The Simple Woman's Daybook~February 2nd

FOR TODAY...

Outside my window... the sun is shining and the trees are casting shadows on the snow.

I am thinking... of my husband, his search for new job and wondering what will happen in the in between time.

I am thankful for... all that God has blessed us with and the trust and peace we can find in Him and His promises. And the interview my husband has tomorrow. God's mercy and grace is overwhelming.

From the learning rooms... we are continuing our reading program and I am halfway through The Charlotte Mason Companion.

From the kitchen... we will be making Maple Syrup and Chocolate Chip Granola Bars.

I am wearing... a green cable kniw short sleeve sweater and jeans. My feet are cold, I should really put some socks on.

I am creating... peace and order in our house through the use of my new schedule.

I am going... to stay home as much as possible, it is still too cold outside for me.

I am reading... A Charlotte Mason Companion: Personal Reflections on the Gentle Art of Learning by Karen Andreola and The Centurion's Wife by Janette Oke.

I am hoping... that my husband and I will strengthen our relationship together and with God through this time of uncertainty.

I am hearing... the hum of the computer, the furnace and my son playing happily beside me.

Around the house...there are dishes to wash, a fish tank to take down and clean and a warm inviting fire to relax by during quiet time.

One of my favorite things... knowing that there are so many wonderful friends praying for our safety and well being during this loss of a job.

A few plans for the rest of the week: calling to find funding for Mikah and his medicines and tube feeding supplies and any other financial help he qualifies for and enjoying the quiet moments with my husband.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Our giant pine tree during the winter snows last week. The picture does not do it justice. It was as if it was bowing down to our Majestic Creator.

Simple Devotion~January 28th Entry

For Today...

Dear Lord,I bring you my shortcomings...my fears and my worries for my family, my children...all the things I want to do more of with them, the things I feel I am failing at..Please help me to trust that when I am weak, You are made strong in my weakness.

I bring you my worship and praise...for the beauty of Your creation. For each individual snowflake that is like no other. For the precious moments with my children...

I bring you my prayer...Lift me up out of this pit and plant my feet upon Your rock. I pray for joy.

You spoke to me...through Your word today...

(Join us...more information found here)

Blogger friend school Assignment #118 - All You Add Is Love

I found this on another blog and thought it was so cute...

Assignment #118 - All You Add Is Love (Purina Dog Chow)

Memory Verse: Psalms 127:3 (New Living Translation)
Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.

Intro: This week we continue with shaking things up a bit. Children are often so pure in what they say. There is no sugar coating it, they just say it as they see it. Their thoughts can make us laugh, touch our hearts and open our eyes.

Assignment: This week are going to do an “Interview With Mom” and post it to your blog. There are a list of questions below to interview your children with. Feel free to add your own questions or remove any question you don’t want to use. You will then ask your children the questions and post the answers that they give you.

WHAT DOES MOM ALWAYS SAY TO YOU?
Ellie age 3~ I love you

WHAT MAKES MOM HAPPY?
Ellie age 3~ when I ask you to color with me

WHAT MAKES MOM SAD?
Ellie age 3~ I don't remember

WHAT MAKES MOM LAUGH?
Ellie age 3~ when I say funny words

HOW OLD IS MOM?
Ellie age 3~ 6

HOW TALL IS MOM?
Ellie age 3~ kind of as tall as up to daddy

WHAT DOES MOM LIKE TO DO?
Ellie age 3~ color

WHAT IS MOM’S JOB?
Ellie age 3~ helping me

WHAT IS MOM’S FAVORITE FOOD?
Ellie age 3~ spaghetti

HOW DO YOU KNOW MOM LOVES YOU?
Ellie age 3~ you always say the love you words

CAR

Mikah is saying CAR!!! It is official. Dave and I heard him say it several times. Ellie heard him say it. My grandparents heard him say it.

I am so proud! I am so excited! What a good word for a little boy to say!

This is his Superman car that his Great Aunt Faye bought him for Christmas. I think this car is what prompted his use of the word. He LOVES this car even though Dave and I thought for sure it would be too "old" of a toy for him.



Thanks Aunt Faye!!

Mikah's other favorite cars.