Home Makes Me Happy: January 2015

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Homemade Laundry Soap

HOMEMADE LAUNDRY SOAP

Our family saves a lot of money using this for our laundry. These are all the items you need to make this very inexpensive, efficient laundry detergent that I use on all of our loads. It uses only 1 tsp. per load! Sometimes, towels and really dirty items, I might use 2, but really 1 is all you need.

You need a food processor, 1 large Zote bar, Superwashing Soda, and Borax. The Zote bar is usually at Walmart, but 2 Walmarts were out, so I found it at Smith's. The Superwashing Soda and Borax are at Walmart for sure. Each batch is less than $5 and lasts me over 6 months.

First, use the piece below on your food processor which says GRATE on it.

Cut the Zote bar into 3 pieces so they will fit in the chute of the food processor. Once you grate it up, it'll look the like long, stingy pieces below.

Next, remove the grated Zote soap, take out the grater and add the blade piece. Add 2 cups each of the Superwashing Soda and Borax to the food processor. Then put the Zote soap on top as pictured below.

When it's all mixed up, it looks like this. It smells so good!

1 Tablespoon per load. Voila!

Homemade Laundry Soap

1 Zote bar

2 cups Super Washing Soda

2 Cups Borax

Monday, January 12, 2015

Rylee's First Day of Sunbeams

I almost forgot I took this picture. It was last Sunday. I am one of the Sunbeam teachers, and at first we had Rylee put in Sis. McKissick's class, but she was set on being in Mom's class for now. Sis. McKissick was Jace's teacher last year and we love her, so hopefully Rylee will warm up soon.

The bag Rylee is holding is from Bro. and Sis. Earl, her old nursery teachers. It was so thoughtful! Inside were fruitsnacks, Rylee's favorite red crayon, stickers, and the picture of Rylee they used to put on the board when she arrived to class. Below is that picture.

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Pumpkin Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

All the kids loved eating these delicious muffins after our 3 Bean Chili tonight. (Click HERE for the chili recipe). It was pretty easy and didn't have too much sugar since the bananas give it extra sweetness. These were the motivation behind everyone cleaning up the living room and getting the pajamas on. =)

RECIPE:

1 c. all-purpose flour

1 c. whole wheat flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

pinch of salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 c. brown sugar, packed

1 cup pumpkin puree

1 ripe bananas

2 eggs

1/4 c. melted coconut oil

1 tsp. vanilla

lots of chocolate chips

First, mash the bananas in a medium bowl, then add the wet ingredients (pumpkin, 2 eggs, coconut oil, vanilla). Next, mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl (flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and brown sugar). Combine the wet and dry ingredients in the large bowl. Add the chocolate chips. Fill muffin cups and bake for 15-20 min. at 350 degrees.

3 Bean Chili Recipe

This is my first recipe post. When I heard both Talon and Jace say dinner was delicious and they love my cooking, I knew I needed to add the recipe to our blog. Then I can document which recipes they will for sure love. Rylee was not so into it, but she was tired and didn't want to eat anything--until it was time for Pumpkin Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins. (Muffin recipe HERE).

RECIPE:

1 3/4 c. water
1 6 oz. tomato paste
1/2 white onion, diced
2 tsp. chili powder
2 tsp. cumin
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
3 chicken broth cubes
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 (15 oz.) cans black beans, rinsed and drained (or cooked beans from food storage)
2 (15 oz.) cans kidney bean, rinsed
1 (15 oz.) can garbonzo beans, rinsed

Heat all in a large pot for 20-30 min. We ate ours with cornbread and soda crackers, but it would also be good topped with cheese and/or sour cream.

Monday, January 5, 2015

Girls Shopping Trip!

Rylee and Mom headed to a couple of clothes stores, then we got some groceries and headed home. When we got home, the boys were still gone and we were locked out. So, we had to go get some food at Café Rio and visit Best Buy before going home. Later that night, Mom found that she'd had the house key in her pocket the whole time! Oh well, it was a fun Rylee & Mom date!

Rylee stayed entertained by drawing Mom pictures while she looked at clothes. What a sweetie!

I'll have to post some of her drawings and writing.

She can write her name, Mom, Dad, and lots of other words.

Guilt-free dinner at Café Rio. A total of $6.42. Rylee had the free cheese quesadilla and Mom got an enchilada. Just water for us! It was yummy and cheap!

My strong boys

Just for fun, here's a video of my strong boys. I do give them their vitamins every day!

Happy New Year!!! 2015

We went to bed early on New Year's Eve, but the weekend was still young. On Saturday, we visited the Container Park down town, and we went to the crazy Fremont Street Experience to watch people ride on the Slotzilla zipline. We ended our outing at Burger King.

http://downtowncontainerpark.com/

This is by the slides. The boys went down the slides, but Rylee was nervous about it.

Just chillin'.

BRING IT ON 2015!!

Sunday, January 4, 2015

CHRISTMAS 2014

IT WAS FUN. IT WAS ALL EVERYONE DREAMED OF. THE BIG DAY FINALLY ARRIVED!!!!

Mom heard Talon ask, "Is this for real?" and "This is the best Christmas ever!" Even though Mom was super tired, it was so nice to hear the boys ooh and aah over the wonderful sight in the living room. They were allowed to look at what came in their stockings. And they even made the presents into piles to make it all organized to open the gifts. (Talon says he went back to bed for 3 hours, but Jace says he stayed up since 1:15 a.m. Tired kids later that day!)