Homemade Laundry Detergent

One of the things that I want to do with this blog is to share some ways I have found to save money around the house. I, also, like knowing that when I make things myself I guarantee that there are not hidden ingredients that I am not aware of. So, this is a recipe I found for making homemade laundry detergent. I was skeptical at the beginning. However, this works really well. The clothes do not loose any color. It is safe for sensitive baby skin. Finally, it costs 1 PENNY per load.  I make a batch every two to three months. This batch literally took 20 minutes or less. The recipe is below.

Homemade Laundry Soap

1/3 bar Fels Naptha Bar or other type of soap, as listed above (can use a Dove bar)

½ cup washing soda

½ cup borax powder 

You will also need a small bucket, about 2 gallon size

Grate the soap and put it in a sauce pan (I recommend that large grating size. The fine grating takes forever and does not really make that much of a time difference - fine grate is pictured below).  Add 6 cups water and heat it until the soap melts. 

 

Add the washing soda and the borax and stir until it is dissolved.  Remove from heat. 

Pour 4 cups hot water into the bucket.   Now add your soap mixture and stir.  Now add 1 gallon (16 cups) plus 6 cups of water and stir (22 cups total). 

Let the soap sit for about 24 hours and it will gel.  You use ½ cup per load. 

I put the bucket in my laundry room or basement. Every couple of weeks, I stir it and use a funnel to fill my old Tide container. Before each wash I just shake the bottle and pour it in the washer like regular detergent. And, yes, the shaking before laundering is one extra step. However, I ask myself what they have added to regular detergents to keep them congealed together. Then, those additives are on our skin. :( As well, I love that Maddox can participate in making it because it does not have harmful chemicals (I would not let him eat it of course). 

This is so economical and easy. I highly recommend trying it for yourself. I have other recipes for homemade household cleaners I will share later. I hope you enjoy! Have a great afternoon.

Songs of Encouragement

Last night was a long night. Caroline is sleeping better, but still not sleeping well. That is another conversation all together, however.

I ventured into a Christian Bookstore today to try and find some wall decals. I was reflecting on Deuteronomy 11:18-20 (which is taken very out of context, by the way). He wanted them to write to words that he spoke in Deut. 11:17 on their doorposts (super scarey words), but I think the message still rings true. We should put the word of God on the doorposts of our hearts and homes. Anyway, those decals are super hard to find. Instead, I decided to wander the store. I love wander shopping. It is sometimes more fun to wander and contemplate buying than actually purchasing.

In my wandering, I remembered that our pastor's wife had recommended Seeds Family Worship CDs to me. I saw Power of Encouragement and decided to give it a try. It is so precious.

The CD comes with two discs. One to keep and one to give away. My sinful heart thought, great, one for in the house and on for the car (we did actually give the other CD to a friend, later). The music is unlike most Children's Christian music. While children are singing, they are not the primary voices. As well, the music sounds like music you would hear on the radio. It is not perfect singers, but it is beautiful music sung unto the Lord. The songs are each one scripture verse set to music. So, the words get plastered into their hearts and minds. Well, I was sold. I listened my entire way home this afternoon and even sang along. But, what would Maddox think?

He LOVES them. He began dancing and grabbed his "atar" (aka. guitar/slash broom held at a horizontal). When the songs were over he said, "Mommy, play my music again." We immediately had another break dance session. It was a beautiful and joyous moment that the Lord allowed me to participate in with my child. Worship can be so simple and beautiful. I think that is how God intended it.

P.S. There are multiple volumes in the series. I can not wait to get more.

Sitting on the couch

I am sitting here on the couch listening to the rain. Sadly, our zoo trip for the day is going to be canceled due to these severe thunderstorms. I am, also, camped out on the couch to avoid the pain of walking.

My dear lower body is aching thanks to the motivation to start a new work out regimen from my "Aloha state". She chose "Jilliam Michael's 30 Day Shred." Mine got lost in the move. So, I am using the alternative "Jillian Michael's Ripped in 30."

I have been using our eliptical everday since we purchased it in January. So, I had confidence that I would not encounter the same level of torture from Level 1 as my counterpart. Oh how wrong I was. The first workout went really, minus the push-ups (I can not for the life of me do military style push-ups). That day my legs were a little shaky but nothing too extreme. Fast forward to sleeping.

Sleeping and rest would, in theory make you feel better. I, however, only woke to feed Caroline in excruiating discomfort in my lower half. I feel like the tin-man before he was oiled. So, I moved on to Day 2. Starting a workout with sore muscles feels terrible. After a few minutes, I felt fine. I, again, set myself up for speedy recovery. Let's just say this morning now involves me sitting on the couch, typing, and contemplating how much I really want my beloved coffee. If you know me at all, that is crazy talk (I take two thermoses of coffee to work each day).

So, cheers Jillian. My body better be truly ripped in 30 days or it am going to pout for sure. Maybe it would also help if I could get over my current obsession with Key Lime Pie.

P.S. When I went to get the image of the DVD case. People had posted before and after photos. They look promising. Sorry folks, no before or after photos on this blog.

The Circle Maker

I just started the book, The Circle Maker. We are reading it for our church leadership. Granted, I am only a few pages in, but I want to share how it has touched me already. 

"The greatest moments in life are the miraculous moments when human impotence and divine omnipotence intersect..."

"We pray out of our ignorance, but God answers out of his omniscience. We pray out of our impotence, but God answers out of his omnipotence. God has the ability to answer the prayers we should have prayed but lacked the knowledge or ability to ask"

These words are so profound. The book started with a biblical times hero named Honi that sat in a circle until rain came and ended a severe drought. Imagine if I prayed like that. Not small things that I know in my heart could be expected to happen, but big things that could only be explained supernaturally. What a testimony to the Lord! I want to create this post the be a thread where people can view prayers that I have and can add their own. I intend to share stories of how my prayers were answered.

1. Praying for God to raise up my children to be Godly.

2. Praying for a son to be returned permanently to live with his father and soon to be new mom.

3. Praying for Nora - http://iwillcarryyou.wordpress.com/2012/04/23/nora-6-days-old/   to live a life 

that influences those around her, and for her families faith to be strengthened.

4. Praying for Brian's heart to be ready to adopt a baby internationally and for God to be ordaining a sweet child for our family.

Those are just a few thus far.

How to begin

I have contemplated starting a blog for awhile now. We live away from my family and I would love for them to get a better look into our lives. As well, I feel like I have a lot that I would like to share with others. I am a Christian, full time mom, part-time working Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, granola wife and mother. I love finding new/retro ways to do things. I am currently working on being more frugal. So, this blog will be a conglomeration of information and experiences. I hope that you enjoy reading! I always welcome commentary and new ideas!