Home Made Laundry Soap

This may seem like "Oh my gosh I can't MAKE something to use!!" Well it is quite easy and quite effective and QUITE money saving. Here is how I do it!

I use the following recipe:

1 Fels Naptha bar of soap (you could use another bar, some use whatever kind they like, Fels Naptha is a laundry bar and was what I was recommended) *Found mine at Ace Hardware, all three of these items can be found at Harris Teeter
1 cup of Arm and Hammer Washing Soda (THIS IS NOT BAKING SODA- find it with laundry stuff at the store!)
1/2 c of Borax (You can find this too at the laundry isle)
4 cups of water
5 gal bucket with lid

Let the money saving begin:
First grate up the bar of soap. Now I am lazy, so I cut it with a sharp knife then throw it in my ghetto brand Magic Bullet (whoosh whoosh and its powder!) You could opt for a real live metal grater for an arm workout, to each his own.

Next put the grated soap and the water in a pot, heat until it is all melted together. Do not boil.

Fill a 5 gal bucket half way with water. Add soapy water mixture, add borax and washing soda. Stir. Fill up to the top, cover and let sit for 10-12 hours to thicken.

Stir (and I mean get your hands in there and mash up the gelatin like thickened parts, when I went in to stir mine this morning the entire bottom was like jello, you have to get it all mixed in well so it forms lumpy liquid, it won't be smooth but it won't have giant chunks either.) Fill a used laundry soap dispenser half full then fill the rest with water. Shake (this breaks up the lumps) before each use. It is not a smooth soap, it is goopy but pourable, somewhat lumpy.

Optional: Add 10-15 drops of essential oil fragrance per 2 gallons once soap has cooled.
This yields 10 gallons!! TEN!
For a top loader you want to use 5/8 cup per load (180 loads)
Front loader: 1/4 c per load (640 loads!!!!)

ROCK THE SAVINGS my friends!

This recipe was found at www.duggarfamily.com Thanks!!

A Re Cap

I'm floored, as I am most years, that the end of 2011 is upon us. I think back and wonder where the year has gone. What did I accomplish and did I do what I set out to do? If I look at the calendar year, instead of the school year, I see how many changes have actually taken place! We have begun homeschooling our kids as of 2011-2012 school year and are loving it. We have the flexibility and freedom to teach them at their own level and to their own interests, as well as incorporate our faith daily! We have another family member! Itty Bitty was born March 26th, 2011. I am now a stay at home/work at home mom, selling Tupperware and teaching my children.  I am cooking and baking and shopping and keeping the house in a way I never have before! I think of my sweet Nana often and hope that I can one day do as good a job as she did raising her 5 children and keeping her house just so. I was able to be with her when she passed and I am ever grateful to know she was not in pain and just let go of our hand and grabbed on to the hand of her Savior. I'm amazed how God brings us into a place that we never thought possible or that we never thought was in our path. He is funny that way, knowing exactly what we need and when we need it. I'm thankful to serve Him and know that my best interest is all He has in mind.

Big Dad Chef has taken a promotion this past spring at Spring Arbor and now is the Dietary Manager for both buildings there in Laurel Park. He is an astounding boss and works very hard. I'm blessed to be available to care for our children so that he can do what needs to be done, when it needs to be done.

Big Boy Child is doing second grade curriculum this year and is progressing well. He played football this fall and is just beginning his third year of basketball with Upward. He loves Legos and building things, and also likes the Wii and his brand new DSi from Santa. We have to limit the time on both or he will become glued to it!

Sweet Pea is doing a Letter of the Week curriculum as well as preschool skills (puzzles, lacing, pre writing, numbers). She is continuing to take tap/ballet at Releve Performing Arts Center and loves it. She is learning much more this year than she did last year, mostly due to her own maturity. She also did cheerleading this fall for Upward Football at Biltmore Baptist and loved it as well! It really boosted her confidence and our little gal broke out of her shell!

Itty Bitty is starting to stand on his own! REALLY!? My other two were walking by nine months but I'm happy he is taking it easy on me. He is a sweet boy who LOVES being attached to his mama. Hopefully as he ventures on and let's go of the couch, he will let go of Mama a bit too! Oh my silly little man!

Here is hoping that 2012 will be just as wonderful as 2011 has been. God has a lot in store for our family and we are excited to be part of His plan!  May you and yours be blessed beyond measure.