letter g

hello girlfriends!

my oh my....have i been busy being green, today!

and, happily frugal, too!

see how my dishes sparkle and glow? i made homemade dish-washer detergent!

gosh-oh-golly....what's the secret, you're wondering?

here's my frugilly-earth friendly recipe:

1 part arm and hammer washing soda and 1 part borax. then fill the little rinse cup with white vinegar. that's it... i'm serious.... the dishes came out squeaky clean~ after i realized how fantastic the dishes came out.... i made a big batch to keep under the sink!

next up... i successfully made two breathtaking batches of powedered laundry detergent. why am i using breathtaking as an adjective, here? because... the recipe called for castile soap- which i found on sale in the organic isle at kroger's... and it's almond-scented! it smells luscious.



my brad, figured out that the batches probably cost me about .50 cents each, to make. i'm not sure how many loads i'll get... but i have 1/3 of the bucket above filled~ i doubled the batch.

here's the recipe, below:

this weekend...

i finished the outstanding, new york times bestseller, the red tent. my opinion? although this was historical fiction and does not accurately follow the Bible... i think the author did a stellar job... pulling one line out of the book of genesis and creating a captivating, 300 plus page book about a lady the Bible only mentions once. talk about someone having a brilliant imagination... the author deserves a nod. and lots of them~

smile, wink, nod.

PReTTY FABric SOFTENer!

Today, I made homemade fabric softener! I've been wanting to do this for quite some time! I needed material...so I ran into Goodwill and found a brand new thermal baby blanket..a really pretty periwinkle blue, for $1.99. I came home, washed it and then went to town, cutting it up into strips, similar to a fabric sheet!

Oh, sure...I could of used ugly-stained rags that I had in our rag-bag...but, well you know -- those fabric sheets have to be PRETTY!

This is so EASY to make...just pick a scent... I used a cheap .99 cent bottle of VO5 Strawberry Hair Conditioner! Dump the whole entire bottle in a big bowl...

Add a cup of white vinegar and 3 quarts of water to it!

Mix it all together, put your cut up fabric-rags in and store it in a large plastic container... then when you're ready to use...just take one out- wring it out a little and viola'! VERY CHEAP FABRIC SOFTENER! I'm not sure how many loads this will go through...but it has to be a lot cheaper then buying store bought Downy! smile, wink, nod! Plus it was fun to make!

Sunday Night!

Are you watching The Oscar's tonight? I am. Yep...I really enjoy seeing all of the beautiful dresses and I must admit, the jewelry is beyond outstanding this year! Angelina is absolutely breath-taking. Mickey Rourke is the comeback kid and Heidi Klum seems really humble.

I spent yesterday and today... in a pretty humble state, myself. I did the housewife thing...grocery's, post-office and Goodwill, laundry, church, visited a different homeschool co-op and I blew up the starter on our vacuum cleaner.

Today, I cleaned like a maniac...and I'm most proud that I stayed off of the internet for the entire day! I even cleaned cupboards! I must tell you.... I used my homemade cleaning products, that I blogged about a few posts back... I am utterly amazed at how fabulous they worked! All of them - especially the scouring paste did the trick!

I thought I'd take a picture of some of my favorite things around the house! Above, is what one corner of my kitchen counter looks like. It's not for show...I use it all. And, most of it came from garage sales or thrift shops! I am itching for those yard sales to start up again!


See the chair above? I bought it from our favorite neighbor. $4. It had been in his barn forever...literally. It is really shabby chic. Really banged up with history.

This is what houses our balsamic vinegar! The olive oil stands behind it...like a secret service agent!

Yesterday, I found this workout video for a dollar at Goodwill! It's been a really long time, since I kickboxed...and I have to tell you, this tape is pretty awesome! It's broke down into two 20 minute cardio workouts- which works out well for my choppy lifestyle.

I saved a couple of gifts that I received from Christmas. Sometimes, I do that. It's a treat to bring them out.... right about this time of year...you know, when you need a lift? Above: a fresh green apple candle and olive oil kitchen soap!

I hope your weekend unfolded nicely, too!

PRETTY NICE FREEBIES!

I found a few freebie samples to share with you!

Don't let the picture of the Dr. Pepper scare you off! I don't drink it either..well I did back in 1978 with my Arby's roast beef sandwhich....but not anymore! However, I will be filling out the quick form on November 23rd, the only day you can sign up to receive a free coupon for a 20 oz. bottle. I will be signing my mom up to receive one as well. So, just what are my plans? To donate it to our homeschool co-op as a go-along for the pizza lunches that are served! You could also donate a bottle to your church or scout group! Visit this site on the 23rd and sign up!

Now here's a wonderful sample that I've received in the past! Liquid Tide! They don't skimp on their samples, either... it's a big, thick packet! No survey's. Just a quick sign-up. Click here: Tide Sample


I also just ordered this Buffalo Soldier poster to hang in our homeschool room...also known as the side of our kitchen refridgerator!!! smile-wink-nod-it's true! It's a quick and pain-free sign up... if you're interested in hanging posters for visual teaching aides...or just really think the idea of hanging a poster on the side of your refridgerator is awesome, click here: really swell poster for my homeschool room or side of my refridgerator!