Blogging...

So, in all honesty I never thought much about blogging...I always tell people I am not a grammar fanatic.  However, I find myself correcting people's facebook posts.  Seriously, I wish it would allow you to edit and fix other peoples grammar (although, some may say that about my grammar...)!  I also never considered myself a writer with much to say.  However, I stumbled into this very fun outlet for my busy busy mind, and I love it!!  I am not always the person who blogs on a regular basis.  In fact, you will find large gaps in my blogging (especially around the time of the birth of my children).  But, I do enjoy sitting down and putting my thoughts into words.

I don't see this as something that will make me rich.  Although, I wouldn't complain if it did! However, I have made a little bit of money by doing it!  I suppose I'm writing this to simply say, If you enjoy writing, you never know who will enjoy reading what you have to say about things, and hey, if you can make a couple dollars, then why not!   So, go write something and share it!!

New Laundry Detergent

I know that I have previously posted a recipe for laundry Detergent, but I have been given a new one that is SO easy!!! (I'm honestly not sure where the recipe originated...)  It works great!  My Mom made me two gallons when we moved because I had to wash everything that we stored.  I have just made myself another gallon and it was so simple!

You will need:

1/4 c. Borax
1/3 c. Super Washing Soda
2 Tbsp. Dawn
Water
Sturdy Gallon Container (for liquids)

I filled the container about 1/4 full of HOT (really hot) water.  Then I added the Borax and Washing Soda.  Swirl the container around until the powders are dissolved.  After the powders are dissolved add the 2 Tbsp. of Dawn, and then fill the container with water (temperature does not matter).

You're Done!  Wasn't that easy!!

Use this just as you would any other liquid detergent!  It has worked great on baby clothes, my clothes, my husbands work clothes and everything else I have needed to wash over the last month!

Let me know what you think!

Getting Settled

Well, for those who may not have know, we have moved!!  It was certainly an experience!  We put our house on the market and had a contract within a month.  We had prepared ourselves to wait much longer because several homes in our neighborhood had been slow to sell.  Since we were somewhat unprepared for the speed of the sell, we had not yet found a house to move into.  We looked every chance we had - when my husband and I were both off work.  But, the day came to move out and close and we were homeless!  Thankfully we were able to stay with family (my husbands parents) while we continued to look for a house.  We put all of our things in storage and packed our suitcases...

We finally found a house, and it was for sale by owner.   We were so excited!  It was a great house, closer to my family, and hubby's as well as being closer to hubby's work.  We started on the process of putting a contract on the house, got inspections and so on.  We got down to near time to close and kept hitting little hiccups...we were truly afraid we were going to have to start all over.  However, the Lord answered our many prayers and we were able to close on our house!  My wonderful Mom and I came over and began cleaning and lining cupboards immediately!  Then, moving day was here - and it was a little chaotic! But, all of our things were once again in the same place we were, and we had our own bed to sleep in!

Fast forward about a month and a half and now we are settled in (for the most part) and unpacked (for the most part).  Finally getting back into our routines and our way of life.  So...all of that being said - be on the lookout for more postings from me.  My mind is on craftiness and DIY overload!  I have SEVERAL projects all lined up to do and share!  I can't wait!

Rice Cereal Cookies

My daughter is loving those little rice cereal cookies that you can buy at your local grocery.  We buy ours from Wal-Mart.  However, even buying store brand they are about $2.50 per box and I just hate to spend that much!  So, I looked around for some recipes.  I found one from Wholesome Baby Food that I liked.  I, as always...., changed one thing in the recipe.

My recipe:

You can also use flavored baby cereal if you want. I made them plain, just because this was the first time I was trying the recipe.  Next time I may play around with some flavors.  The original recipe only used the rice cereal,but I thought I would try it with a mix, and it was a hit!  

Let me know if you try them and what you do differently!

Cream of 'Whatever' Soup

I (as many of you) try to pinch pennies whenever possible, without losing quality.  I also love to use my crock pot...especially on days that I babysit.  Several of my crock pot recipes call of a can of cream soup.  While browsing Pinterest I found a recipe for a dry cream soup mix.  I have actually been planning to try it for awhile...but am just now getting around to it.  What can I say...life happens! The original recipe can be found 'here'.  There is also a second dry soup mix recipe I have pinned that I want to try when this one runs out.  I did make a couple minimal changes to the recipe!

You will need a container (that will seal well) to store your dry mix in.  I chose a large glass jar.  I also used a Sharpie marker to write the recipe and directions on my jar.  (If I need to use the jar for something else a little acetone will wipe that marker right off!)

The recipe is:
1 c. Non-fat dried milk
3/4 c. Cornstarch
1/4 c. Bullion
4 T. Dried Minced Onion
1 t. Basil
1/2 t. Thyme
1/2 t. Parsley
1 t. Pepper

I did learn something very new when making this recipe.  It may be something you all know, but it was new to me and I was excited! It truly is the little things that make me happy!  I did not know that you could buy bullion powder!  I have only ever purchased bullion in cubes.  This stuff is amazing!  I can use just a couple teaspoons when I make rice!  I love it!  If you don't want to purchase this item, you can crush up some cubes.  Although the bullion powder was very reasonably priced!

Also, I didn't have any minced onion, so I used Onion powder and it worked great! If I have something in my cabinet/pantry that will work I don't buy new!


To use the dry mix you add 1/3 c dry mix and 1/2 c water.  Then microwave for 30 seconds (or until it starts to thicken.  Just be careful, if you cook in longer increments it may get too thick, so check it often until you find the right time for your microwave!

Let me know what you think!!

Frilly Scarf Tutorial

First of all, I have tried to write this blog several times...every time I sit down to type someone needs me! :)  It is wonderful to be a needed wife and Mom though!!

I'm sure you have seen the 'frilly' scarves that became quite popular last year.  I always wanted to make one, but the price per skein of the yarn was more than I was willing to pay... I can be rather cheap sometimes! :)

Not to long ago I found the yarn on clearance!!!  Yay!  So, I purchased several skeins (with intentions to make one for myself and a few for gifts or to sell).  Then, they sat in my craft closet for several months.  Sadly, I had to take a break from crocheting during the second half of my pregnancy.  My fingers would go numb (from slight swelling in my hands and wrists) if I did to much...since grading papers and typing lesson plans was what I was getting paid to do, I had to put those things ahead of the fun stuff!

Now, I am finally back to crocheting and crafting and I am loving it!!!  I certainly missed it!  I finally sat down to make the 'frilly' scarves and oh my goodness!  They were so much fun to make!  It does not take much time to make them at all! I had all of mine made in two afternoon nap-times! (I now measure thins by nap-times!)

I looked at several tutorials (I am a visual/hands on learner) and I still had a couple questions.  So, after I figured it out I  took a few pictures of my own to share with you!

I used a size 'h'crochet hook.  If you spread the first part of the yarn out, you will notice that the two sides are different. You will want to work in the side that is more open...has holes for you to work in.

You are going to run your crochet hook through every other hole/space until you have cast on 10.   In the picture below you can see my crochet hook going through every other space.

After you have cast on 10, you will gather all except the one closest to the hook, and pull the single strand through the group.

Stitch markers were suggested in at least one of the tutorials I looked at, but I chose not to use them, and had no problem.  I believe they were suggested so that the whole scarf would not unravel or you would not lose your place if you had a mishap and dropped the stitches you were currently working on.

Now, I do not claim to be a super knowledgeable crafter/crocheter.  So, if something I have said does not make sense, please comment below or message me and I will do my best to help you out!  

Enjoy your new 'frilly' scarf!!!

DIY Microwave Popcorn

I don't know about ya'll, but I LOVE popcorn!! The more butter and salt the better!  (Not better for you....but it sure does taste good!)  Last night I decided I would like some popcorn...but, I didn't have any microwave popcorn.  I do have an air popper, but I was being lazy and didn't feel like pulling it out.  So, I decided to try the DIY microwave popcorn I had seen on Pinterest!  It was good!  I did learn a couple things to make it better next time though!

The tutorials I read each said to put 1/4 c. popcorn kernels in a glass bowl.  I used the 1.5 quart, and it was much too small...  I would probably use my largest glass mixing bowl.  It also said to put a ceramic plate on top...that was no problem, unless you don't have one big enough for your bowl.

The tutorials also said to pop the popcorn about 3 minutes...that was not long enough for mine.  I'm sure all microwaves are different though and the time will vary from person to person.  I let mine go for about 4 minutes and my popcorn kernels were not all popped.  However, my bowl was full!

The healthiest way to eat the popcorn would be plain...but, I don't always go for the healthiest (even though I do try to usually).  I like to melt a chunk of real butter in a bowl with some olive oil and drizzle the mixture over the popped popcorn and then add some salt!

My snack was absolutely delicious!!  Let me know if you try it and if you like it!!