This moment in time...

I...

• Finished my meal planning
• Went grocery shopping 
• DH put up hooks for my aprons and robes
• Tucked my silly girl in bed
• Got back on the treadmill for the first time in a long time
  Now it time for some BBB with DH. Night folks.
  

All the laundry supplies are up on the shelf...

...use what you need but do it yourself!

This recipe was given to me by a friend which she got from The Duggar Family website. I made my first batch back in March and have been using ever since. Our family does about 1 load of laundry per day for a family of 3. Here is the breakdown of the cost to get started (I don't remember exactly what I paid, so I used prices from an online store).

• 5 gallon bucket w/lid                                   $5
• 1 bar Fels-Naptha Soap                               $2
• 1 box Washing Soda                                    $8
• 1 box Borax                                                  $8

That is $23 which breaks down to $3.29 per month for laundry soap. Keep in mind that you have enough washing soda and borax to last for 3 more batches. It could add up to be a great savings for your family.

You will need a 5gal bucket, 1 Fels-Naptha soap, 1 box Washing Soda (not baking soda), & 1 box Borax. Now let's get cookin' makin' some soap...

*Put 4 cups of water in a pot (I use one I don't cook with) and bring to a boil

*Shred the bar of soap

*Add the shredded soap to the boiling water and stir until melted

*Fill the 5 gal bucket half full with steamy hot water

*When all the soap is melted pour it into the bucket. Add the 1 cup Washing Soda and 1/2 cup Borax.

*Mix, mix, mix!!! Then fill the bucket up to the top with hot water.

*Put the lid on and let it sit over night. It will get very thick.

* The next day (or whenever you get to it) you are ready to finish up the soap. Get a couple of containers and something to pour with. I bought these at Wal-Mart but you can use some old laundry soap containers too.

* Fill each container half full with the soap and then fill with hot water to the top. Shake each time you use it because it will settle some. I use the same two containers and keep the bucket in the basement.

Wasn't that easy :)

Stack'em up

It's Sunday at 6am 8am and my family is  waking up with a rumble in the tummy.We have to be a church at 9:15 with belly's fed or else we'll be famished by the time Sunday School rolls around. I would love to eat something warm and filling but I just don't think there is time. Maybe I will set out the milk and cereal, DRAB, DRAB, DRAB.


Does this sound like any of you out there? C'mon tell the truth... read on for "the rest of the story" (said in my Paul Harvey voice)

{Oh, but wait} What is this?!?!?!

Why it's the Pancake and Waffle mix that I whipped up the other day. HALLELUJAH, breakfast has been saved! Scroll down to find out how you can save breakfast for your family too ~smile~

Here is the base recipe: 
3 1/2 cups of flour
    you can use whole wheat
    or white (I use a mixture
    of both)
1/4 cups of sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt                         
*make sure all ingredients won't expire before you will use all of the mix

I use a big glass jar with a screw on lid. Just add everything and whisk around. I suppose that you could put the lid on and shake but I like to whisk!!




To make Pancakes:     1 cup mix
                                  1/2 cup butter milk*
                                  1/2 cup milk*
                                  1 egg*
                                  1 tablespoon melted butter*
                                  1/4 teaspoon vanilla*
                                  *whisk together first
                                 
Let batter rest for 2 minutes before cooking. Cook on medium-low on a lightly greased pan or griddle. Makes about 6 Pancakes.

To make Waffles:     1 cup mix
                               3/4 cup milk*                      
                               1 egg*
                               1 tablespoon melted butter*
                               1/4 teaspoon vanilla*
                               *whisk together first

Lightly oil the iron plates and cook until golden brown. Makes about 4 Waffles.


This recipe is one of the best I have tried for Pancakes or Waffles. You can add in wheat germ, ground flax, fresh fruit (Pancakes), etc. They whip up in no time and I feel like I am giving my family something hot and nutritious with out giving up time.

Yup, She's a giver and a keeper!!!

My daughter has a heart of gold. She is a caring, compassionate little girl who wants to put a smile on every face she comes in contact with. These YUMMY, OH SO YUMMY cookies are just what she ordered up for some people in our church. Bill, who is going through treatment for cancer (throat) and Debbie, who has Lou Gehrig’s frequent our hearts and lips. We are praying for their strength and their families as they face the unknown. God is their guiding light, which no matter what the outcome may be, will be eternally with them. Haily was set on making these cookies for them so they know that she was thinking and praying for them. How sweet is that (you can get a Kleenex now). {She’s a giver and I think I’ll keep her}

It is pure joy that God has given me this child to raise up. I need to constantly be reminded that she is only mine for a while and I need to use that time to train her in the ways of the Lord.

Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

I always knew it!

I found this little quiz on a blog I check just about every day. The tempation to see if I was correct about my style was too strong (even though I don't like taking these things). Here it is.......

COUNTRY CASUAL
Your home expresses your open, easygoing approach to life. You love unique finds, and can turn a few mismatched garden chairs or floral teacups into a charming arrangement. You appreciate a pretty mix of relaxed pieces, like painted wood or weathered furniture, lovely florals and other patterns, lots of throws and pillows, mementos and bunches of fresh flowers that give your home a unique sense of breeziness and charm.

You value comfort. Your home is a warm and open friendly place, and you feel happiest when everyone is cared for and relaxed in your space. Elements like pillows, throws, overstuffed furniture, and good lighting set the mood. You may also enjoy layering different fabrics or mixing patterns to create a cozy effect.

Do you have a certain style?

Power of Prayer

I just thought I would share how excited I was tonight. Our church holds a prayer meeting every Wednesday from 7-8. Most of the time there aren't  more than 20 people there, mainly due to the summer months taking up time with yard work or sports, etc.. Tonight was a different story-there was about 35 people. It's not really about numbers but when you think about it there are 20-35 people right in our own community praying for needs in our little town, our country, our world and for those who we hold near to our hearts. These people are faithfully meeting every week. I know of a group of women who gather every Thursday night taking turns at their houses for prayer group. So many answered prayers have come out of us faithfully gathering to lift up prayers to our Father! I encourage each one of you to take time to meet with Him daily. Find a prayer partner to meet with weekly or monthly.

Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 10:20

These hands were made for workin'

I'm back!!! Lately I have had way too much to do and somthing had to give. I wanted to let the laundry go since that is the one thing I could put off. Well when I think about it I don't mind sorting or putting into the washer. I also like to smell the clean fresh clothes drying and to feel their warmth as I take them out of the dryer...that's where the task turns from love to hate not really like. My wonderful husband on the other hand despises laundry left unfolded and not put away. The next logical thing that had to be put to the back burner was the computer. Don't get me wrong I have hopped on fb at midnight for like 5 min or so but I have really stayed away from the computer. The reason for my sabbatical you ask... 1) I had my first and second show to get ready for 2) Haily started 5th grade-my how the time goes quickly 3) Fall programs started at church and I had Sunday School stuff to get ready :) 4) Gardening HAD to get done... I could keep going but mentioning gardening brings me to a thought. I'm thinking that my arm (the inside fleshy part, the part that shakes when you raise your arm to wave..you all know what I'm talking about) and rump hurt. As I was cleaning out the mint that has taken over my herb garden bees started to buzz around. Before I knew it I was stung in the arm. I ran around my back yard like someone was chasing me with a knife. Then before my sweet husband could stop me I was stripping off my shirt and swinging it all around. The bee was STUCK inside my shirt. I felt stupid after I realized what I had done and made a glance up to make sure my neighbors didn't see me (I knew they could hear me). I slowly put my shirt back on and went to digging again. Then came the bees; 20 or so this time. I ran like a mad women, they chased me, they were in my shirt again, off it came again!!! I could still hear it buzz, buzz, buzz. I realized that I had a BEEhive hair do. Yup they were in my hair. I started shaking my head all around and next thing I knew my hand went to my rump. It got me right smack dab in the middle of my behind...I was DONE!! I have to say that getting stung 2 times is enough for me to call it quits. So that is what I have been up to. Things are getting back into a schedule for us.

I hope to share more on organizing our everyday stuff as it can get nuts if we don't stay on top of things. I have many little tips that I use to keep my house in check while still serving in other areas.

Do you have any ideas you would like to share?