Ahhhhhh....Project Friday is upon us.
My goals last week were:
1) purge the bathroom
2) update/declutter my recipe binder
Well, it's safe to say I did not complete EITHER of my tasks for this week! I made it through half the drawers in the bathroom, and I made it through just over half of typing up all the recipes in my recipe binder.
Talk about biting off more than I can chew!
But I won't put it aside. This next week is going to be filled with a lot of stay-at-home days, as we have Christmas, and my wonderful husband isn't going to heading into work for a lot of next week. So that means we will have a couple lazy days, which will turn us into feeling unproductive, which will get our task fires burning.
So to add to my last week's list (stuff still has to get done!):
3) Plan for New Year's Appetizers
4) Update our corporation's books and get them to our accountant (AKA my dad)
Our tradition every New Year's Eve is to put on a huge spread, invite my brother over (he's 15), and party in the evening with video games and the like. Top it off with fireworks, and it's the perfect evening. But, planning must go into it!!
Anyway, today I'm running out to deliver some Christmas Cards, and then I guess I will have to plug more hours away typing up recipes to get it off my list!
Have a wonderful Friday! For many people, it's the last day of work before the Christmas break, and for my kids, it's the last hurrah at school for the year!
Friday, December 21, 2012
Advent Activity Day 20
I, unfortunately, had to miss out on this Advent Activity due to a Christmas Party among my girlfriends, but as you can tell by the pictures, a good time was had by all!
My husband took the time at bedtime to ask the kids how they were liking the Advent Activities. SS said "LOVE them" and daughter said "we should do it at Easter and EVERY Holiday".
So I think it's been a good experience. The kids' love tanks are full, and that makes us happy.
My husband took the time at bedtime to ask the kids how they were liking the Advent Activities. SS said "LOVE them" and daughter said "we should do it at Easter and EVERY Holiday".
So I think it's been a good experience. The kids' love tanks are full, and that makes us happy.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Project Friday Is Almost Here!
My husband accuses me of taking on more than I can chew. It's something I can laugh at. Here's an example:
Christmas Baking. If you know me, you know I LOVE to bake. I'm good at it, and I enjoy good baking! I also love to feed my family scrumptious morsels.
So as I'm baking, my husband asks me "you sure you aren't going overboard?".
"oh no," I respond. "I only have a few more things to bake."
We now currently have a table set up in our garage to handle all the baking that won't fit into our freezers. Yes. Freezers with an S.
I think I did it again.
And now with project Friday upon me tomorrow, I realized that typing up an entire binder full of recipes is a bit of a feat!! I may be on here tomorrow admitting defeat. I guess there is a reason why things on my list stay there for months. Time.
Well, I will stop my blogging and start typing up "Crustless Bacon and Cheese Quiche" for my recipe binder. Here we go!!
Christmas Baking. If you know me, you know I LOVE to bake. I'm good at it, and I enjoy good baking! I also love to feed my family scrumptious morsels.
So as I'm baking, my husband asks me "you sure you aren't going overboard?".
"oh no," I respond. "I only have a few more things to bake."
We now currently have a table set up in our garage to handle all the baking that won't fit into our freezers. Yes. Freezers with an S.
I think I did it again.
And now with project Friday upon me tomorrow, I realized that typing up an entire binder full of recipes is a bit of a feat!! I may be on here tomorrow admitting defeat. I guess there is a reason why things on my list stay there for months. Time.
Well, I will stop my blogging and start typing up "Crustless Bacon and Cheese Quiche" for my recipe binder. Here we go!!
Advent Activity Day 19
Very Straight-forward. Because the season isn't simply about us having fun and enjoying our blessings, but when we are entrusted with blessings, it's our responsibility to share them.
The kids weren't overtly interested in this one. My daughter does enjoy this kind of thing, but my SS was hard to read. It wasn't as "fun" as some of the other activities, but I thought it was still important.
Tonight I won't be around for the Advent Activity, as I have a Christmas Girls' Night Party, and I'm disappointed to be left out of it. This last one I wasn't involved with either. The week before Christmas, and I catch a cold.
Healthy as a horse before then, but yesterday feeling like the dumps. My wonderful husband banned me from partaking in the trip to the store to pick out the presents, and instead ordered me into bed. He is a good man. He came home with cold meds and made me tea.
I really can't complain!
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Advent Activity Day 18
While we had all the presents for family and friends set aside, we needed to include our furry family - our dogs.
We first took the kids to the pet store and probably drove the store worker there nuts with everyone squeezing all the dog toys and giggling. But eventually we settled on getting them each a pre-made stocking.
The toys in the stocking will not last more than 5 minutes with the rotti, but may last at least an hour with the boxer, but there is something about the stuffies that the dogs love. Tyro (rotti) grew up with a stuffed dragon. He seriously went everywhere with it. Until he was about 6 months old and his destructive chewing killed his dragon. We've tried using soft toys rated 10 out of 10 for destruction but he always finds a way to shred them.
However, he still has a soft spot and you should see his eyes light up when he is given a stuffy. Seriously. It's like Christmas lights on a dark night.
And Lucy (boxer), well, she likes anything she can cuddle with.
So after the store, we went home and made some homemade dog biscuits. We used bone cookie cutters and baked them so they crisped up. Tyro and Lucy each got a small sample but the rest will wait for Christmas day.
Yes. The kids also tried them. No. They didn't taste good. Apparently they tasted like wood. But the dogs LOVED them, and that's really all that counts, right?
We first took the kids to the pet store and probably drove the store worker there nuts with everyone squeezing all the dog toys and giggling. But eventually we settled on getting them each a pre-made stocking.
The toys in the stocking will not last more than 5 minutes with the rotti, but may last at least an hour with the boxer, but there is something about the stuffies that the dogs love. Tyro (rotti) grew up with a stuffed dragon. He seriously went everywhere with it. Until he was about 6 months old and his destructive chewing killed his dragon. We've tried using soft toys rated 10 out of 10 for destruction but he always finds a way to shred them.
However, he still has a soft spot and you should see his eyes light up when he is given a stuffy. Seriously. It's like Christmas lights on a dark night.
And Lucy (boxer), well, she likes anything she can cuddle with.
So after the store, we went home and made some homemade dog biscuits. We used bone cookie cutters and baked them so they crisped up. Tyro and Lucy each got a small sample but the rest will wait for Christmas day.
Yes. The kids also tried them. No. They didn't taste good. Apparently they tasted like wood. But the dogs LOVED them, and that's really all that counts, right?
Advent Activity Day 17
Decorating cookies is so simple, and so much good sit-around-the-table time. Plus it's good to get those creative juices flowing.
I have incredibly creative children and seeing the cookies they come up with is always a hoot.
So here is Day 17:
We had the music cranked while we worked. We don't have Christmas music per se but we made due with our itunes list. And then of course the party broke loose when Gangnam Style came on. See bottom left of the collage. Oooooh boy. :)
I have incredibly creative children and seeing the cookies they come up with is always a hoot.
So here is Day 17:
We had the music cranked while we worked. We don't have Christmas music per se but we made due with our itunes list. And then of course the party broke loose when Gangnam Style came on. See bottom left of the collage. Oooooh boy. :)
Monday, December 17, 2012
Advent Activity Day 16
Open Your Special Ornament and Put it on the Tree
We had a family gathering the entire day yesterday, so we needed to have a smaller activity to claim the rest of our evening.
While at first the ornaments may look like snowflakes, they indeed are not:
Our kids are HUGE into Gangnam Style. Everything is Oppa Gangnam Style! They dance, and can sing the lyrics (which the majority are not in English) fluently. Huge fans live at our house. So they LAUGHED when they figured out what the ornaments were!!
We had a family gathering the entire day yesterday, so we needed to have a smaller activity to claim the rest of our evening.
While at first the ornaments may look like snowflakes, they indeed are not:
Our kids are HUGE into Gangnam Style. Everything is Oppa Gangnam Style! They dance, and can sing the lyrics (which the majority are not in English) fluently. Huge fans live at our house. So they LAUGHED when they figured out what the ornaments were!!
Advent Activity Day 15
Build a Snowman
We got a good dumping of snow (good), but it was the fluffy, non-stick kind (bad).
We improvised. We piled snow and created our snowman lying down. We used a pumpkin for the head, and with the aid of power tools created some eyes and a mouth! Very funny to create this "creature" on the ground.
We got a good dumping of snow (good), but it was the fluffy, non-stick kind (bad).
We improvised. We piled snow and created our snowman lying down. We used a pumpkin for the head, and with the aid of power tools created some eyes and a mouth! Very funny to create this "creature" on the ground.
Advent Activity Day 14
*stretch
It's was a very busy weekend. Fun, but very busy. We had my husband's work banquet as well as his side of the family's Christmas gathering.
We have my husband's son again for the next week, so that always adds something more special to the Advent Activities. It's nice to have him home.
Advent Activity Day 14: Put Together the Gingerbread House
It started off well, and then it collapsed. We tried propping it up with toothpicks and holding it while the icing hardened, but there was no use. Our Gingerbread House crumbled! In the end, SS took the piece that was meant to be a tree, and turned it into a rocketship. DD (dear daughter), took one of the gingerbread men and some jujubes and turned it into a creepy old woman with a walker.
So, it was in the end a success. We arranged the house so it wouldn't fall over (with the roof as the walls), and took our finishing picture. It was fun!
It's was a very busy weekend. Fun, but very busy. We had my husband's work banquet as well as his side of the family's Christmas gathering.
We have my husband's son again for the next week, so that always adds something more special to the Advent Activities. It's nice to have him home.
Advent Activity Day 14: Put Together the Gingerbread House
So, it was in the end a success. We arranged the house so it wouldn't fall over (with the roof as the walls), and took our finishing picture. It was fun!
Friday, December 14, 2012
Project Friday
My day so far has consisted of nothing that shows proof I did anything. I dropped my daughter off at school, I worked on my advent collage for yesterday, I ran errands to the bank and grocery store. And then I remembered: It's Project Friday!
Last week I decided that getting something done one week at a time would help cross off those long procrastinated projects on my never-ending lists.
My book is done! I actually posted on the side bar. I will seriously have to find another self-publisher because while you can purchase my lovely book, I don't know of many people willing to spend $25 on a children's book. A bit steep. But if you have money to toss my way, I will take it. However, in the meantime, I will look for another place to get it published for less.
But that was a project I put off for YEARS.
This week I have another project I have put off for years. I think about it several times a week, but I never think of it when I have spare time.
Organize my recipe binder.
If you are anything like me, there are handwritten recipes, there are printed out recipes, there are recipes you don't recognize all crammed into a binder that is ripped and worn.
Splotches of oil, grease, and food that you're not quite sure you could identify are smeared on the pages and what once showed order and care, now shows chaos and crazy.
Like my daughter once said to me "mom, your crazy is showing". Well, today it's showing all over my recipe binder.
My goal for this week is to go through that binder, type up recipes that are scribbled on looseleaf, organize runaways and actually be able to look in the dessert section and not find "meatloaf" beside cheesecake.
Looking for meals shouldn't be this hard.
I'm also adding another project on my list because I envision the recipe fiasco taking just 2 days. I'm adding "purge the bathroom". We would like to sell this house in a year, and I really don't think I need to hang onto the expired medication that litters my cabinets. That and I always wonder why there isn't enough drawers in my bathroom...it looks like we should have enough...
I hate moving. And the one thing I hate more than moving, is moving all the crap I've collected that I don't really want but I keep moving it with me. Now's the time to be rid of such nonsense!!
So Project Friday concludes with:
1) Recipe Binder
2) Bathroom Purge
Beautiful. Organization? Peace? Could this be within my grasp?
Project Friday Week 2 BEGINS!
Last week I decided that getting something done one week at a time would help cross off those long procrastinated projects on my never-ending lists.
My book is done! I actually posted on the side bar. I will seriously have to find another self-publisher because while you can purchase my lovely book, I don't know of many people willing to spend $25 on a children's book. A bit steep. But if you have money to toss my way, I will take it. However, in the meantime, I will look for another place to get it published for less.
But that was a project I put off for YEARS.
This week I have another project I have put off for years. I think about it several times a week, but I never think of it when I have spare time.
Organize my recipe binder.
If you are anything like me, there are handwritten recipes, there are printed out recipes, there are recipes you don't recognize all crammed into a binder that is ripped and worn.
Splotches of oil, grease, and food that you're not quite sure you could identify are smeared on the pages and what once showed order and care, now shows chaos and crazy.
Like my daughter once said to me "mom, your crazy is showing". Well, today it's showing all over my recipe binder.
My goal for this week is to go through that binder, type up recipes that are scribbled on looseleaf, organize runaways and actually be able to look in the dessert section and not find "meatloaf" beside cheesecake.
Looking for meals shouldn't be this hard.
I'm also adding another project on my list because I envision the recipe fiasco taking just 2 days. I'm adding "purge the bathroom". We would like to sell this house in a year, and I really don't think I need to hang onto the expired medication that litters my cabinets. That and I always wonder why there isn't enough drawers in my bathroom...it looks like we should have enough...
I hate moving. And the one thing I hate more than moving, is moving all the crap I've collected that I don't really want but I keep moving it with me. Now's the time to be rid of such nonsense!!
So Project Friday concludes with:
1) Recipe Binder
2) Bathroom Purge
Beautiful. Organization? Peace? Could this be within my grasp?
Project Friday Week 2 BEGINS!
Advent Activity Day 13
Here it be!
So the plan was to actually make bannock over our firepit. However, we got a bit of a snow dumping in the past couple days and it was nice and filled up. The second idea was to do it with the BBQ outside, but quite frankly, it was cold. And I'm a wimp.
We decided instead to do it over the oven. With the roasting sticks.
Beautiful, isn't it? The glow of the element?
Day 13: take to the firepit (or oven) and make bannock!
So the plan was to actually make bannock over our firepit. However, we got a bit of a snow dumping in the past couple days and it was nice and filled up. The second idea was to do it with the BBQ outside, but quite frankly, it was cold. And I'm a wimp.
We decided instead to do it over the oven. With the roasting sticks.
Beautiful, isn't it? The glow of the element?
Day 13: take to the firepit (or oven) and make bannock!
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Advent Activity Day 12
Alright. Well as much fun as it is to GET something, it's more fun to GIVE something. My daughter has said that this one so far is the best Advent Activity.
That makes me happy that her heart is on the right path!
Create a Gift for your Teacher:
We had a lot of fun with this one. Unfortunately my husband couldn't be there as he was out driving with my dad to go pick up our half cow we ordered. Still very important! But my daughter and I cranked the music, did some wacko dancing (think funky chicken, sprinkler, "shopping cart"), and put together a gift for one of her best teachers yet.
She couldn't wait till the last day of school before Christmas holidays to bring it in. She had to bring it in this morning.
Fun, fun and more fun. These activities are seriously up there with the best things yet.
That makes me happy that her heart is on the right path!
Create a Gift for your Teacher:
We had a lot of fun with this one. Unfortunately my husband couldn't be there as he was out driving with my dad to go pick up our half cow we ordered. Still very important! But my daughter and I cranked the music, did some wacko dancing (think funky chicken, sprinkler, "shopping cart"), and put together a gift for one of her best teachers yet.
She couldn't wait till the last day of school before Christmas holidays to bring it in. She had to bring it in this morning.
Fun, fun and more fun. These activities are seriously up there with the best things yet.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Advent Activity Day 11
Yesterday we did our activity and then headed out to the States. Being in Canada is fantastic (love it!), however, getting certain deals in the US is fantastic as well. And more often than not, the deals don't ship to Canada.
On Cyber Monday we did our Christmas shopping. I will say that if you have the time, the energy, the patience and the internet connection, you should do this next year. We were done our Christmas shopping before we even started to feel the December crunch that always happens. Christmas feels so far away and then...what?...it's December 1?!
I am aware that Christmas lands on the exact same day every year. It's not a surprise. It's not hidden and then suddenly revealed. The moment Christmas is over, we do expect another one in exactly 365 days.
Yet every year I experience the same panic, the same stress, the same planning malfunctions.
But not this year!! Seeing as my Christmas plans were changed anyway by an outside source, I thought I'd mix things up and actually shop BEFORE December.
So we had our packages shipped to a place right by the border. They take your shipments (US Address), and then we just drive out there (just over an hours' drive), pick them up, pay a small fee per package, pay our taxes owing at the border and zip on home.
Glorious.
Shopping on Cyber Monday can get you all kinds of deals. But have your lists ready (so you don't fall prey to "oh that's cool, let's get that too") and check your prices earlier on. Some state that they have deals, but if you look around, they really just offer it with big print and bright colours. Also check your shipping. Almost got caught on that one.
We wrapped most of the presents until we ran out of wrapping paper, and that was our evening.
Of course, we didn't have our daughter with us seeing as there were presents to pick up. She went to Grandma's house. She LOVES Grandma's house.
So everyone was happy!
I organized this activity so it would be really short and quick and she could get to her favourite place in the world, and we could get on the road.
Unwrap a New Book. Who doesn't like getting a new book? My daughter LOVES to read. She has several series going on right now including this book that she got yesterday. She just started Lord of the Rings, and has a couple others by her side.
So here we are; Advent Activity Day 11:
On Cyber Monday we did our Christmas shopping. I will say that if you have the time, the energy, the patience and the internet connection, you should do this next year. We were done our Christmas shopping before we even started to feel the December crunch that always happens. Christmas feels so far away and then...what?...it's December 1?!
I am aware that Christmas lands on the exact same day every year. It's not a surprise. It's not hidden and then suddenly revealed. The moment Christmas is over, we do expect another one in exactly 365 days.
Yet every year I experience the same panic, the same stress, the same planning malfunctions.
But not this year!! Seeing as my Christmas plans were changed anyway by an outside source, I thought I'd mix things up and actually shop BEFORE December.
So we had our packages shipped to a place right by the border. They take your shipments (US Address), and then we just drive out there (just over an hours' drive), pick them up, pay a small fee per package, pay our taxes owing at the border and zip on home.
Glorious.
Shopping on Cyber Monday can get you all kinds of deals. But have your lists ready (so you don't fall prey to "oh that's cool, let's get that too") and check your prices earlier on. Some state that they have deals, but if you look around, they really just offer it with big print and bright colours. Also check your shipping. Almost got caught on that one.
We wrapped most of the presents until we ran out of wrapping paper, and that was our evening.
Of course, we didn't have our daughter with us seeing as there were presents to pick up. She went to Grandma's house. She LOVES Grandma's house.
So everyone was happy!
I organized this activity so it would be really short and quick and she could get to her favourite place in the world, and we could get on the road.
Unwrap a New Book. Who doesn't like getting a new book? My daughter LOVES to read. She has several series going on right now including this book that she got yesterday. She just started Lord of the Rings, and has a couple others by her side.
So here we are; Advent Activity Day 11:
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Homemade Laundry Detergent
In desperation to find enough shelves in my brain to house all the thoughts, ideas and tasks that I create for myself, I decided to dedicate some of the blog to sort out these ideas. There are a few things I need to get straight and do research on, but without dedicated time, they fall through the cracks.
Since quitting my job in May, money is tight. It keeps getting tighter, and I need to find smart ways of getting our house in order, saving money, and paying off those elusive debts that seem to never go away.
I have a couple areas I'm trying to clean up my life, and money is the biggest thing on my plate right now. I want to get our money in a smart state and run a household with brains and pennies instead of convenience and chaos.
With that in mind, I've decided that dedicating a certain day to my plights, might aid me in fixing these areas (or making a small, but visible dent in the sides). This assures me that I do actually have to time set aside for my journey.
So starting today, I will brave Tuesdays with my money saving ideas and see if they actually do pan out, or if they are merely ideas that have no merit.
Today is Tuesday, so here we go!
HOMEMADE LAUNDRY DETERGENT
I love Pinterest. I love Pinterest too much. It is a devourer of my time. However, good can come of this. I discovered this idea of Homemade Laundry Detergent on there.
I'll attach the link that started my brain working on this idea, but I ended up reading many different sites, many different ideas, and then creating a concoction of what I had readily available at my fingertips. And what made sense the most financially.
In the original version that I read, they discussed using baking soda as well as washing soda, and oxyclean. I did more research, and a lot of what I read lead me to believe that the baking soda is for hard water and the oxyclean is for more cleaning power. We live in a small town, and have well water, so our water is hard, however we use a softener, and I read in several spots that that will eliminate the need for the soda.
I also read many recipes that did not include oxyclean, so I figured that if my laundry wasn't coming out clean enough, I could always add a sprinkling of this if I found I needed to. Yesterday I washed our bedding and it looked and smelled very clean.
Also, for people who want their detergent to have a stronger smell, can add laundry crystals or use a stronger smelling soap. I don't need my laundry smelling like fields of clover, or like I'm burying my face into a bouquet of flowers. I just need it to smell clean. So, this wasn't an issue for me.
My recipe:
5 1/2 Cups Borax
5 1/2 Cups Washing Soda (NOT BAKING SODA)
1 1/2 Bars Ivory Soap
I used Ivory Soap for 2 reasons...actually 3.
1) Several recipes suggested it
2) I buy it anyway and so have piles of it in my cupboard
3) It's a pure, natural, nothing-added soap and that makes me feel better about myself. I like feeling good about myself. :)
You use a cheese grater to grate your soap. The grater is easy to wash later and bonus, it's super clean. Mix all the ingredients together in a large container and VOILA! Laundry detergent.
Use 1-2 tbsp per load. This will dissolve in both warm and cold water which makes it even more wonderful.
Now, with money saving tips, I also don't want to be spending countless hours to save a couple pennies, so my motto is "the effort has to equal the savings".
I'm pretty sure this one hits the motto on the head.
Ivory Bars: $3.47 for a pack of 10 (enough for 6 batches)
Borax: $5.99 (enough for 2 batches)
Washing Soda: $5.97 (enough for 2 batches with some leftover)
So one batch equals $6.51
Soap ($3.47/10*1.5) = $0.52
Borax ($5.99/2) = $3.00
Soda ($5.97/2) = $2.99
The batch will make enough for approximately 125 loads (I measured out my "practice" one before using accurate measurements on my second batch so this is my guesswork) . That works out to $0.05/load!
If you buy TIDE's PODS (which I usually don't but have the last 2 times because they are convenient and my kids don't pour the liquid all over the machines and let it run down the sides....), they sell for $19 for 77 pods. That is $0.25/load!
I would say that is pretty good savings.
It took me about 10 minutes to measure, grate and mix and put it into a ziploc bag. I want to get a pretty container like the lady who turned me onto this idea, but we have to do these things one at a time.
Anyway, HAPPY DETERGENT MAKING!
Since quitting my job in May, money is tight. It keeps getting tighter, and I need to find smart ways of getting our house in order, saving money, and paying off those elusive debts that seem to never go away.
I have a couple areas I'm trying to clean up my life, and money is the biggest thing on my plate right now. I want to get our money in a smart state and run a household with brains and pennies instead of convenience and chaos.
With that in mind, I've decided that dedicating a certain day to my plights, might aid me in fixing these areas (or making a small, but visible dent in the sides). This assures me that I do actually have to time set aside for my journey.
So starting today, I will brave Tuesdays with my money saving ideas and see if they actually do pan out, or if they are merely ideas that have no merit.
Today is Tuesday, so here we go!
HOMEMADE LAUNDRY DETERGENT
I love Pinterest. I love Pinterest too much. It is a devourer of my time. However, good can come of this. I discovered this idea of Homemade Laundry Detergent on there.
I'll attach the link that started my brain working on this idea, but I ended up reading many different sites, many different ideas, and then creating a concoction of what I had readily available at my fingertips. And what made sense the most financially.
In the original version that I read, they discussed using baking soda as well as washing soda, and oxyclean. I did more research, and a lot of what I read lead me to believe that the baking soda is for hard water and the oxyclean is for more cleaning power. We live in a small town, and have well water, so our water is hard, however we use a softener, and I read in several spots that that will eliminate the need for the soda.
I also read many recipes that did not include oxyclean, so I figured that if my laundry wasn't coming out clean enough, I could always add a sprinkling of this if I found I needed to. Yesterday I washed our bedding and it looked and smelled very clean.
Also, for people who want their detergent to have a stronger smell, can add laundry crystals or use a stronger smelling soap. I don't need my laundry smelling like fields of clover, or like I'm burying my face into a bouquet of flowers. I just need it to smell clean. So, this wasn't an issue for me.
My recipe:
5 1/2 Cups Borax
5 1/2 Cups Washing Soda (NOT BAKING SODA)
1 1/2 Bars Ivory Soap
I used Ivory Soap for 2 reasons...actually 3.
1) Several recipes suggested it
2) I buy it anyway and so have piles of it in my cupboard
3) It's a pure, natural, nothing-added soap and that makes me feel better about myself. I like feeling good about myself. :)
You use a cheese grater to grate your soap. The grater is easy to wash later and bonus, it's super clean. Mix all the ingredients together in a large container and VOILA! Laundry detergent.
Use 1-2 tbsp per load. This will dissolve in both warm and cold water which makes it even more wonderful.
Now, with money saving tips, I also don't want to be spending countless hours to save a couple pennies, so my motto is "the effort has to equal the savings".
I'm pretty sure this one hits the motto on the head.
Ivory Bars: $3.47 for a pack of 10 (enough for 6 batches)
Borax: $5.99 (enough for 2 batches)
Washing Soda: $5.97 (enough for 2 batches with some leftover)
So one batch equals $6.51
Soap ($3.47/10*1.5) = $0.52
Borax ($5.99/2) = $3.00
Soda ($5.97/2) = $2.99
The batch will make enough for approximately 125 loads (I measured out my "practice" one before using accurate measurements on my second batch so this is my guesswork) . That works out to $0.05/load!
If you buy TIDE's PODS (which I usually don't but have the last 2 times because they are convenient and my kids don't pour the liquid all over the machines and let it run down the sides....), they sell for $19 for 77 pods. That is $0.25/load!
I would say that is pretty good savings.
It took me about 10 minutes to measure, grate and mix and put it into a ziploc bag. I want to get a pretty container like the lady who turned me onto this idea, but we have to do these things one at a time.
Anyway, HAPPY DETERGENT MAKING!
Advent Day 10
I haven't made Gingerbread men in YEARS. I forgot how tough the dough is to roll out. That, and we were supposed to refrigerate the dough for 2 hours, but we were short on time, so 15 minutes would have to do!
I left the activity early for a coffee with a friend, but my husband finished it up with my daughter. He let her finish (read: eat) off the decoration icing. Straight in her mouth. I got a text from her at bedtime. She was very excited about that part!
Memories, memories!!
I left the activity early for a coffee with a friend, but my husband finished it up with my daughter. He let her finish (read: eat) off the decoration icing. Straight in her mouth. I got a text from her at bedtime. She was very excited about that part!
Memories, memories!!
Advent Day 9
Take in a Movie at the Theatre.
This by the way, is an amazing movie. It was really, really good.
This by the way, is an amazing movie. It was really, really good.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Advent Activity Day 8
Christmas Trees for the Birds!
Okay, well, the original plan was to take pine cones, lather them with peanut butter and roll them in bird seed. But you work with what you have. We took apples, gouged a couple divots in them, smeared peanut butter on them and rolled them in hamster food.
We tied ribbons around them and then attached them to our tree outside our front window. They are very pretty hanging there! Starting yesterday, SS (stepson) went to his mom's for the week, so we only made 3 apples, and you'll notice his absence from the pics for the next week.
Our daughter had a lot of fun. She's crafty and loves doing things with her hands. I don't generally, and I can't think of anyone she is related to who does, but this fills her little love tank up. You do what it takes!
So we are sharing the Christmas spirit with God's little winged creatures today (and I'm sure the squirrels will beat the birds to them. Bless their furry little hearts.)
Okay, well, the original plan was to take pine cones, lather them with peanut butter and roll them in bird seed. But you work with what you have. We took apples, gouged a couple divots in them, smeared peanut butter on them and rolled them in hamster food.
We tied ribbons around them and then attached them to our tree outside our front window. They are very pretty hanging there! Starting yesterday, SS (stepson) went to his mom's for the week, so we only made 3 apples, and you'll notice his absence from the pics for the next week.
Our daughter had a lot of fun. She's crafty and loves doing things with her hands. I don't generally, and I can't think of anyone she is related to who does, but this fills her little love tank up. You do what it takes!
So we are sharing the Christmas spirit with God's little winged creatures today (and I'm sure the squirrels will beat the birds to them. Bless their furry little hearts.)
Friday, December 7, 2012
Advent Day 7
So this day we went to Bethlehem Live. A church in Winnipeg, puts this on and it's amazing! This was actually our first year going.
It's set up so a group of 20-30 people are put through at a time, with different scenes from the Bible leading up to the birth of our Christ. It's put on entirely by volunteers, the set up is phenomenal, and I can't imagine the work put into it.
The first scene is a scene with King Herod and the Wise Men, then you're moved onto another scene, and another. Everything from a market place filled with women chattering about the latest news, to an stable filled with real animals. It really was impressive.
So this year we were able to take it all in and it was really, really good. (oh, also baby Jesus is a real, live newborn. Amazing!)
It's set up so a group of 20-30 people are put through at a time, with different scenes from the Bible leading up to the birth of our Christ. It's put on entirely by volunteers, the set up is phenomenal, and I can't imagine the work put into it.
The first scene is a scene with King Herod and the Wise Men, then you're moved onto another scene, and another. Everything from a market place filled with women chattering about the latest news, to an stable filled with real animals. It really was impressive.
So this year we were able to take it all in and it was really, really good. (oh, also baby Jesus is a real, live newborn. Amazing!)
Catching Up to My Dreams
I can't be the only one out there who has way more ideas than followthrough! Today as I was sitting and catching up on Facebook, and drifting to check out Etsy, I came up with several neat ideas that I could probably do for some cash on the side. Just little things...crafty things...smart things...
All things that I'm sure somehow, deep down, I'm capable of. And then it dawned on me that I haven't even finished my list of things I already have written down. Things I need to take care of.
So. Today I decided that I need to focus, get my butt in gear and get a few things off my To-Do List before I start scratching more onto the bottom of it.
One thing I did actually complete just a couple days ago was a collection of Photobooks. My hubby and I figured that it would be nice if the kids actually got pictures of their lives. You know, so they can remember past the mundane chore lists, and the boring day to day things and back to the fact that yes, we did actually do things.
As I was putting the books together, I came across things that even I forgot about! We found a turtle in my garden in 2011. That's kinda cool!
I made each kid their own books, with pictures primarily of them. I made a book for 2009, 2010 and 2011 for each of them. Plus we took the kids to Disney World in 2011, so that was recreated in a separate, and identical book.
Why 2009? Well because that's the year I met my stepson, ergo I have pictures of him. Eventually, I will go back in time to finish my daughter's books, but I don't really have any other pictures of my SS before that period of time and my husband didn't have a whole lot in his boxes either.
They will get those books as Christmas presents and from this year on, will get a book capturing the previous year's shenanigans. So next year, they will get 2012 and so on.
So that's ONE thing off my ever-growing project list.
When I quit my job in May to focus on our side business as well as somehow develop a more efficient home I had grand ideas. Get this. One of my great ideas was to bake every other day. Maybe even have healthy, yummy snacks for the kids when they got home from school. I also planned on having suppers ready every day for my husband when he got home. Well, that one I'm pretty good at, but there are occasions I melt down halfway through the day with other things going on and my wonderful husband comes home to rescue the supper burning on the stove or with a pizza in hand.
Well, actually I very rarely burn anything. I'm a very good cook, but you get the idea.
The moral of this story is that life is BUSY. Life is full of distractions. Take today. My goal today was to clean up the house, take the youngest dog to the vet for socialization (because she is afraid of every blinkin' thing and wets herself over anything), and maybe get a workout in. What is actually happening...well, I'm blogging. But after that, I'm hopping in the shower, heading down to my mom's to take pictures of her Bible Study group, picking up a Notice of Assessment from my accountant, stopping by the bank to get a letter, squeaking back in the door to hopefully organize supper and head out the door for Advent Day 7. So...things don't happen as we plan.
That all being said, we all have things on our To-Do Lists. I need to plan out my kitchen for future renos in February. I wrote a book years ago that my husband wants printed so we can give it to friends of ours who had a baby last year (it's a kids book). I have to de-rust my bathroom (hard water. You know.). I have to take the dogs for a walk consistantly. I have to catch up on my paperwork for the business so I can get the taxes filed. I have to start preparing for my personal taxes. I have to wrap Christmas presents....
I have to. I have to. I have to!!
So many things. Too many things. I need to stop chasing 100 things at a time and focus on one thing. Focus on one thing and finish it. Then move on. It's so overwhelming thinking of the meal plans to make, the chores that need accomplishing, the dreams that need fulfilling. If I find the time, I find I'm often aimless because I have no focus. So then the time I have steals away and I still have the exact same list I started with.
So. Today is December 7th. This week, I am focusing on finishing the children's book that my husband is pushing for me to complete. It's not getting professionally done, so it won't have the same finished look, but I've entered most of it onto an application called Blurb and it'll be nice.
December 13th is my official deadline. I have that time to make the edits I need, to increase the page length creatively (the book has to be 20 pages to print. I'm at 14 pages. Arg.), and to get it ordered. December 13th.
And now every time I have a grand idea floating around in my head, I'm going to create a list. A list that each week I will tackle something on it. It won't be overwhelming because it'll be written down AND I'll be crossing something off.
December 13th, expect a post about the completion of the book!
All things that I'm sure somehow, deep down, I'm capable of. And then it dawned on me that I haven't even finished my list of things I already have written down. Things I need to take care of.
So. Today I decided that I need to focus, get my butt in gear and get a few things off my To-Do List before I start scratching more onto the bottom of it.
One thing I did actually complete just a couple days ago was a collection of Photobooks. My hubby and I figured that it would be nice if the kids actually got pictures of their lives. You know, so they can remember past the mundane chore lists, and the boring day to day things and back to the fact that yes, we did actually do things.
As I was putting the books together, I came across things that even I forgot about! We found a turtle in my garden in 2011. That's kinda cool!
I made each kid their own books, with pictures primarily of them. I made a book for 2009, 2010 and 2011 for each of them. Plus we took the kids to Disney World in 2011, so that was recreated in a separate, and identical book.
Why 2009? Well because that's the year I met my stepson, ergo I have pictures of him. Eventually, I will go back in time to finish my daughter's books, but I don't really have any other pictures of my SS before that period of time and my husband didn't have a whole lot in his boxes either.
They will get those books as Christmas presents and from this year on, will get a book capturing the previous year's shenanigans. So next year, they will get 2012 and so on.
So that's ONE thing off my ever-growing project list.
When I quit my job in May to focus on our side business as well as somehow develop a more efficient home I had grand ideas. Get this. One of my great ideas was to bake every other day. Maybe even have healthy, yummy snacks for the kids when they got home from school. I also planned on having suppers ready every day for my husband when he got home. Well, that one I'm pretty good at, but there are occasions I melt down halfway through the day with other things going on and my wonderful husband comes home to rescue the supper burning on the stove or with a pizza in hand.
Well, actually I very rarely burn anything. I'm a very good cook, but you get the idea.
The moral of this story is that life is BUSY. Life is full of distractions. Take today. My goal today was to clean up the house, take the youngest dog to the vet for socialization (because she is afraid of every blinkin' thing and wets herself over anything), and maybe get a workout in. What is actually happening...well, I'm blogging. But after that, I'm hopping in the shower, heading down to my mom's to take pictures of her Bible Study group, picking up a Notice of Assessment from my accountant, stopping by the bank to get a letter, squeaking back in the door to hopefully organize supper and head out the door for Advent Day 7. So...things don't happen as we plan.
That all being said, we all have things on our To-Do Lists. I need to plan out my kitchen for future renos in February. I wrote a book years ago that my husband wants printed so we can give it to friends of ours who had a baby last year (it's a kids book). I have to de-rust my bathroom (hard water. You know.). I have to take the dogs for a walk consistantly. I have to catch up on my paperwork for the business so I can get the taxes filed. I have to start preparing for my personal taxes. I have to wrap Christmas presents....
I have to. I have to. I have to!!
So many things. Too many things. I need to stop chasing 100 things at a time and focus on one thing. Focus on one thing and finish it. Then move on. It's so overwhelming thinking of the meal plans to make, the chores that need accomplishing, the dreams that need fulfilling. If I find the time, I find I'm often aimless because I have no focus. So then the time I have steals away and I still have the exact same list I started with.
So. Today is December 7th. This week, I am focusing on finishing the children's book that my husband is pushing for me to complete. It's not getting professionally done, so it won't have the same finished look, but I've entered most of it onto an application called Blurb and it'll be nice.
December 13th is my official deadline. I have that time to make the edits I need, to increase the page length creatively (the book has to be 20 pages to print. I'm at 14 pages. Arg.), and to get it ordered. December 13th.
And now every time I have a grand idea floating around in my head, I'm going to create a list. A list that each week I will tackle something on it. It won't be overwhelming because it'll be written down AND I'll be crossing something off.
December 13th, expect a post about the completion of the book!
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Advent Activity Day 6
Today my dear husband was away at work all evening. Unfortunately that meant him missing out on the Advent Activity. So, in order to compensate, and still do something family orientated (and something that still needed to get done!), I move a couple around and we signed the Christmas Cards that we're sending out!! (Cheers? no? Groans?)
It wasn't a very exciting one, as the other ones seemed to be, but with the lure of eating fresh gingersnap cookies after the task was done, I succeeded in getting 60 cards signed.
It was still a lot of fun, and just getting those 10 minutes in (yup. 10. They are super signers. Especially when rewarded with molasses in cookie form) of family bonding was good. It was too bad my husband missed out on it, but at least it wasn't as involved as some of them are.
Here's the picture for today!
It wasn't a very exciting one, as the other ones seemed to be, but with the lure of eating fresh gingersnap cookies after the task was done, I succeeded in getting 60 cards signed.
It was still a lot of fun, and just getting those 10 minutes in (yup. 10. They are super signers. Especially when rewarded with molasses in cookie form) of family bonding was good. It was too bad my husband missed out on it, but at least it wasn't as involved as some of them are.
Here's the picture for today!
Advent Day 5
I'll do better from now on with getting the days posted when they ACTUALLY happened. Sometimes life just takes over but I'm sure I can find 10 minutes to get on with the program.
Day 5 was making hot chocolate (homemade), and playing a board game. The kids picked Scattergories, and although they had never played before did really well! My ten year old had a harder time with it, as there are things to think of like Historical Figures and Notorious Characters, but she kept her chin up and had a ball! We got really loud and played for much longer than anticipated. Most times, games take about 30-45 minutes. We spent an hour and a half trying to kick each other's butts! My hubby ended up owning us all and was thrilled that he finally beat me at this game. Usually I win, but he had the brains last night (and arguably all the time)!
Day 5 was making hot chocolate (homemade), and playing a board game. The kids picked Scattergories, and although they had never played before did really well! My ten year old had a harder time with it, as there are things to think of like Historical Figures and Notorious Characters, but she kept her chin up and had a ball! We got really loud and played for much longer than anticipated. Most times, games take about 30-45 minutes. We spent an hour and a half trying to kick each other's butts! My hubby ended up owning us all and was thrilled that he finally beat me at this game. Usually I win, but he had the brains last night (and arguably all the time)!
Advent Day 4
It was SO COLD, but it was SO FUN! I haven't gone sledding in probably 2 years. I take the kids sledding, but actually going....I think I remember the last time was when Mark and I were dating and we took the kids out for an activity. I forgot how much fun it was.
The days before we went were full of melting, then freezing, so while the hill was pretty treacherous to climb, it was a quick ZIP to the bottom. We only stayed out for about 45 minutes in the cold, but we spent each minute wisely. Lots of sliding, and I'm pretty sure I was the loudest screamer.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Advent Day 3
I tried posting this last night, but sometimes my computer and I are not on the same page. However, today him and I are on the same side!
We find even though some of the activities are very low-key (this one took around 5-10 minutes because we each took turns placing a character into inn), it is what you make of it. I still enjoyed the family time, and it was evident that the kids did too. It's not about the activity. It really is about the time together.
Advent Activity Day 3:
Monday, December 3, 2012
Advent Day 2
Yes, I do realize I'm posting 2 in a day. I might even post 3, as today is actually Advent Day 3 in our household.
But here is Advent Day 2:
But here is Advent Day 2:
Advent Day 1
I don't think time and I are friends these days!
My husband and I's business had a huge event 2 Sundays ago, and most of my week before it was spent practicing my facepainting, getting supplies and helping pull things together for the event. It was ridiculous. The week after the event was spent trying to recover and, well, Ikea came to Winnipeg (YAY), so I had to spend some time getting in on that action!
But I really wanted to document the days that we had with our advent calendar. So far the kids are enjoying it. It's an excuse to hang out, and I'm pretty sure we haven't entered the "totally uncool" stage yet with our kids. We might be "kinda uncool", but I'll take it!
So here is Activity Advent Day 1:
My husband and I's business had a huge event 2 Sundays ago, and most of my week before it was spent practicing my facepainting, getting supplies and helping pull things together for the event. It was ridiculous. The week after the event was spent trying to recover and, well, Ikea came to Winnipeg (YAY), so I had to spend some time getting in on that action!
But I really wanted to document the days that we had with our advent calendar. So far the kids are enjoying it. It's an excuse to hang out, and I'm pretty sure we haven't entered the "totally uncool" stage yet with our kids. We might be "kinda uncool", but I'll take it!
So here is Activity Advent Day 1:
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