Laundry Soap

I've been looking for a while for a recipe that I could use to make our own Laundry Soap.

I finally found one that works great (I might even be tempted to say that it works better than any other laundry detergent that I have ever used). And, its so inexpensive to boot!

Here's the recipe:

1 bar of Fels Naptha soap (the only place I can find it is at Winco. Its located in the laundry section); grated
1/2 cup Borax (Target, Winco)
1/2 cup Arm and Hammer Washing Soda (Winco)

Mix all together and use 2 tlbs for a large load.

Grating the Fals Naptha soap takes a little elbow grease, but its worth it.

Here's the price breakdown:
Fals Naptha $1.05
Borax $3.15 (for the box) you use approx a fraction of the box for each batch
Washing Soda $3.00ish (for the box) you use approx a fraction of the box for each batch

So, for each batch you are probably spending $1.75! You can get about 20 loads for each batch...

Try it. I'm sure you love it. This is good for HE washers too. The Fals Naptha doesn't suds up so its perfect for HE washers.

DIY: APRON

For Christmas Phil's parents gave me a sewing machine.

I decided for my first project to make an apron.

I don't like using patterns, so I searched some that I liked from here and took a little of this and that from a few different ones. It was super easy and it only took me a few hours from start to finish.

I used thick ribbon as my ties. I thought this added
a little visual interest and texture.

I added a ruffle on the bottom with a complementing fabric for a little
"frill".

DIY: DINING TABLE

When we moved into this house, I knew that we were going to be needing
a new dining table. We had long outgrown our little four seat table. Instead of spending
a ton of money, I decided that I would try and find a fixer-upper.

So, I did. After months of searching Craigslist ads I found this little gem.

It was exactly what I wanted...almost. It needed a lot of help. I refinished it after many, many
hours. I think we bought it at the end of July and I have myself a goal to finish by Thanksgiving...I made my goal with a week to spare. Haha

I used the technique from Young House Love found here.

Here's the Before:

AFTER:

Christmas 2009

This year was a fun filled Christmas. We were able to spend time with a lot of our family
and dear friends.


To carry on a family tradition from Phil's side,
we are getting the kids PJ's for Christmas which they
can open Christmas eve. They love it this year. Here's
Savannah wearing hers.

Elijah's in his.

Mimi (great-grandma) came for my mom's b-day
and a little early Christmas with the kids. We had such a great time
visiting with her.

My dad and Elijah teaming up to make Christmas
cookies.

Mimi and Bubba

Just a sampling of cookies. This is a tradition from my grandparents.
They have made Christmas cookies for over 45 yrs.
This is a tradition we will be carrying on. This was our first year
doing it and it was a TON of fun!

Pizza making at my parents house.

Elijah in with his new blue guitar.

Savannah with all her princess gear and
shopping cart. :)

Thanksgiving

This year for Thanksgiving we joined my dad at the fire station. He was working and so we thought it would be fun to let the kids have Thanksgiving at the fire house! We had a good time and enjoyed meeting all the fellow firefighter families. Elijah loved hanging out on the firetruck and ambulance too!

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, it is now tradition to have a "leftover potluck" with the college students. This year was great and we had tons and tons of food (which I actually think is better than the day of). Anyway, here are a few cute pictures of the kids from the potluck. :)