Homemade Laundry Detergent

The ladies in my bible study have been raving about a new recipe for homemade laundry detergent.  Easy to make, economical, "green," and a little goes a long way. So....I finally gathered the ingredients and made a batch this afternoon.  
 

• 1 cup Borax
• 1 cup Washing Soda
• 1 bar Laundry Soap (I used Fels Naptha)

The most difficult task was grating the bar soap. It was time consuming and a little more work than I expected.  AND, I was surprised at how fragrant the Fels Naptha was. Overwhelmingly fragrant, actually.

Once finished, the bar soap ended up looking a bit like grated cheddar cheese. Kinda strange when you put it all together, as the consistency is so different. 

In any case, because the fragrance was so strong, I decided to start with one load of towels.  If the perfumey smell was too much, at least I wouldn't have to wear it!

So, I just pulled the towels out of the dryer and there is no perfumey smell at all!  As a matter of fact, I wonder if I should go back and add the optional essential oil for fragrance.  All in all, it made nearly 4 cups of detergent and it only takes 2 TBSP for a standard load.   Looks like I'm in business with my own homemade laundry detergent!! 

Thanks to Savvy Brown for the recipe and instructions!  Click here for more info:  Savvy Brown's homemade laundry detergent

Winter

It's been a delightfully mild winter in NE Ohio, just a couple of dustings so far.  And we're almost through January!!  Here's hoping it continues...only 61 days til Spring!!

End of Summer Bounty

So...... friends and family are tired of seeing the poor, forlorn bat when they check to see if I've updated my blog. I decided it was time to replace him with a lovely photo of veggies.... the last of my Dad's bountiful garden. 

It's been a busy summer, with little time for blog posts. While I love the summer days, they are filled from start to finish with work. Thank the Lord, I enjoy the work! But the days come and go so quickly.

In any case, fall is officially here with shorter days and cooler temps. Maybe more time for blogging... we'll see.

After Sunrise...

Oops!! Looks like this little guy didn't quite get back into the barn before the sun came out. And he was so close.....

Bath Time

I finally decided it was time for a real good bath for Samson.

I've tried, quite unsuccessfully, to wash him in the bathtub, and have been meaning, instead, to take him to the local groomer.  Of course, it's never convenient to get him there and I'd rather not spend the money...  so a recent 80+ degree day provided the perfect opportunity. I ran up to the discount store and bought a kiddie pool and some doggie shampoo.

Here is the sweet, unsuspecting victim...

And here is the scene of the crime...(of course, I couldn't get a picture as I was holding his leash and washing him at the same time!) 

Wouldn't you know it... as soon as he was perfectly clean, he had a nice, good roll around the yard -- rubbing his shiny clean coat all over the grass.  Sheesh!!

Once we were finished, he decided he'd keep his distance for awhile.  Bet he won't be so unsuspecting the next time!! 

P... U ....

Caught something in the Havahart cage.

Uh - oh!

Are you thinkin' what I'm thinkin'??

Just Dandy!

The last couple of weeks have held a fair share of difficulties.
...a computer virus, which disabled my PC for a few days.
...storms and rain, much more than usual for the spring months.
...a significant challenge (and accompanying motherly anxiety) for my son's fledgling business.
...and a mower repair service in no hurry to return my riding mower.

No big deal, really. Just your standard everyday challenges. But, that explains the gap (again!) in my blog. Ugh.

The lack of a riding mower, and an abundance of rain, have created the biggest challenge. It means mowing two acres with a small push mower. In 2-3 hour evening segments, it takes me all week (11 hrs last week)... just in time to start over again! And I'm no spring chicken anymore!!

I will say, though, that my brain works overtime when I mow. I think. And I pray. And I think some more. This week, as I mowed, I had plenty of opportunities to think. LOTS of time to think. And my mind went to dandelions...

There they were, aaalllll over the yard... creeping taller and taller and poking out their silly yellow heads. I couldn't wait to get them mowed down! And then I remembered something...

My mom thinks they're lovely. :-)

Dreaded weeds I can't wait to get rid of, and my mom sees them as little splashes of God's lovely color on the earth. She doesn't see a difference between dandelions and any other flower you plant and tend and cultivate. As a matter of fact, the fact that they spring up on their own and don't need to be planted makes them that much more a delight to her. LOL!!

My mom.

She sees beyond the natural to the supernatural. Beyond the troubles to the truth. The truth is that dandelions are sometimes more colorful than any flower in the garden. A burst of sunshine in an otherwise plain 'ole green field.

Mom made the comment to me recently that she even finds those dandelion puff balls fascinating. The little seeds are carried off on the wind to settle and grow somewhere else. Once more, God's unique creation. And my mom's always-rosy perspective.


Maybe I should draw on that perspective in times of challenge. Maybe not having the computer gives me more time to connect with friends. Maybe push-mowing the lawn provides good exercise. Maybe life challenges give me more opportunities to trust God.

Maybe a dandelion isn't a weed at all.