Homemade Laundry Detergent

This Year, we have decided to tighten our budget significantly. We want to weed out crap that we buy just for a moment's joy. We also have a goal to either buy or build a new house or to add on to ours (which may actually cost us more.) One thing I've decided to start doing again was laundry detergent made at home. Last time I tried it, I made a liquid detergent but Josh started having some issues with the smell, and I couldn't deal with a lack of smell. I've found a new winning blend. I wanted to share the products, post pictures of them & hopefully keep track of how long the batch will last us. 

Homemade Laundry Detergent

2 Bars Fels Naptha Soap (grated)

2 lbs. Baking Soda

4 lbs. Borax

55 oz. Super Washing Soda

Oxiclean Odor Blaster 3 lb. tub

**Oil Drops if wanted**

Combine all ingredients after grating Fels Naptha & stir well to be sure to get some of everything in every scoop. 

I also store my detergent in a glass jar I'd bought originally to be a candy/cookie jar. I kept the scoop from my Oxiclean tub. I use roughly 1/4 to 1/2 a scoop per load. 

How to get rid of Pesky Gnats & Fruit Flies this summer

SOOOO I haven't been as active the past few months, SLIGHT Cricut obsession, turned VERY small business has been in the works. 

However, I thought I'd share a CHEAP & easy fix for the peskiest things ever....gnats & fruit flies.

We've had a lot of produce coming in from the garden the past month or so. And with amazing, healthy food comes pests.

If you're there with me and struggling too, mix up this solution and be amazed.

Use::

1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
12-15 drops dish detergent (We use Dawn)

This mixture will draw them in, and then the soap in the mixture will cause them to get stuck.

Just put this in a bowl you're not afraid to part with. I was told to try this in a jar but apparently I've got mutant, smart gnats. I'd post a picture of the gnat burial grounds, but it's seriously just gross. 

Happy Summer Guys!!

Million Dollar Pie

Okay, so a few weeks back I decided I wanted a Million Dollar Pie. I hadn't had one in like two years, and this craving fell on the week of my wedding anniversary. Perfect Storm, right??

I swear this is one of the easiest things in the world to make to taste this good. Like, smack your mama good!

It does take a little prepwork. If you don't buy pecans already crushed or chopped, thawing Cool Whip, etc. But totally worth the work & the wait for it to chill.

What You'll Need::

2/3 cup sugar
8 oz. cream cheese, room temp
1/2 small tub of Cool Whip
1/2 cup coconut 
1/2 cup pecans (chopped or crushed to your liking)
1 small can of crushed pineapple
Graham pie crust

Preparation::

Mix the sugar & cream cheese until well-blended. 

Add cool whip & mix well.

Add remaining ingredients; mix well.

Pour into pie crust.

Chill well (roughly 2-3 hours) before serving.

 

Homemade (AND EASY) Cookie Cake

 I know very few people who don't get excited looking at cookie dough. This was my favorite part of the process. Sampling the cookie dough. You know, like any good wife & mother would. My husband took my daughter to a birthday party for a friend's daughter a few weeks ago. AND, like a man, forgot to bring our son a piece of cake home. I got talked into making a cookie cake at home between the boy child and the husband also. This is one of the easiest desserts I make, and doesn't require expensive ingredients.

What You'll Need::

For The Cake::
10 tbsp butter
2/3 cups brown sugar
1/3 cup white sugar
1 egg & 1 egg yolk
1 tsp vanilla
1 2/3 cup flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1 cup chocolate chips

For Optional Frosting::
4 tbsp butter
2 tbsp cocoa powder 
1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1-2 tbsp milk
sprinkles

Instructions::
For the cookie::
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F & Grease pan IF you prefer, I've found that glass baking dishes work best for me, and NOT greasing my pan. You can also use pie pans.

Cream butter & sugars together for 2 minutes and then mix in egg, egg yolk & vanilla.

Add the dry ingredients and mix until combined. Use a wooden spoon to mix in all but 2 tbsp of chocolate chips and then press the cookie dough down into the pie plate. Sprinkle the remaining 2 tbsp of chocolate chips on top & press them down slightly.

Bake for 22-25 minutes. Let cookie cool completely, and run a sharp knife to loosen the edges.

For Frosting:: 
Beat all the ingredients together until smooth, adding extra milk if needed. Place into piping bag or icing gun & use desired tip!

 

Homemade Fried Pickles

So, lately I have been desperately wanting some fried pickles. My little couponing self had a ton stashed back from a haul a few months back that were basically screaming to be used. These were SO easy to make and absolutely delicious. Even the kids loved them!!

What You'll Need::

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper 
2 eggs
1 cup milk
3 cups of thin sliced dill pickles, drained
Oil (for deep or pan frying)
Ranch dressing for dipping *optional*


In one bowl, mix flour, salt & papper.

In another bowl, beat eggs & stir in the milk.

You may want to blot off your pickles on paper towels to get rid of any moisture.

First, coat your pickles in flour mixture. Cover both sides well. Then, dip them in the egg & milk mixture; and then return to the flour mixture for a final coating.

I had my oil in my deep fryer set to 350 degrees. I fried about 10-12 pickles per batch. Most recipes say for about 3 minutes, mine took 7-10 to get to a desired golden-brown and crunchiness for my crew. Serve them warm, with your topping of choice & enjoy!

Pumpkin Crunch

This is my favorite seasonal dessert. Thought I'd share the goodness ;)

Ingredients:
1 can 15.5 oz solid pack pumpkin
1 can 12 oz. evaporated milk
3 large eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp. salt
1 package yellow cake mix
1 cup butter, melted
1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease & flour 13 x 9 inch pan.
Combine pumpkin, evaporated milk, eggs, pumpkin pie spice, and salt in large bowl. Stir until blended. 
Pour pumpkin mixture into prepped pan. Sprinkle dry cake mix evenly over pumpkin mixture & drizzle with butter.
Bake 25 minutes; remove from oven & sprinkle with pecans. Tightly cover with aluminum foil & bake for an additional 25 minutes. 
Cool & Serve.

My People

It's safe to say that when you are homeschooling, scrutiny is something you just learn to deal with.  As for me, those who come at me with questions like, "When will your kids go to REAL school?," usually get many laughs and an extra dose of sarcasm.  The money my husband & I have spent over the past 4 years of homeschooling would astonish these folks. Yet, it's not even something we consider as an "expense", it's a necessity.  Our children are exceeding all expectations I had when we first began this journey.

Today, I got to spend some quality time with many of my friends at co-op. For those of you who don't know what a co-op is, it's a homeschooling group where we teach classes and fellowship. We joined co-op last year after being invited by my cousin. At first, I was very hesitant. I mean, who wants to add more to a full plate?? Josh insisted it would do us ALL some good, so I jumped on board. The first few weeks resulted in plenty of tears from a clingy Kyleigh. Kade was on board with bells on. Last year, I saw just how much I needed support from other "crazy, brave ladies," like myself. My kids made a ton of new friends, but what it did for me was above and beyond what I expected. I got to just sit and talk and pray with ladies whose struggles were similar to mine. And we just got to enjoy adult talk for a change of pace. 

After one day, I am completely exhausted, but I feel like life is just completed again for the kids & I. We missed everyone over the summer. And we are surrounded by people who just understand our lifestyle and don't question any reasons. I also started teaching a class this year, rather than just helping. I'm very artsy fartsy, so naturally, I picked Art. My class is filled with awesome kids who are excited and love to draw their favorite things and people. 

To each of you at co-op, I've missed you terribly & look forward to our year together!!