Handmade (All Natural) Liquid Soap

     I have told you about one of my favorite new blogs, Heavenly Homemakers.  I also told you I would be trying out some of her ideas/recipes and letting you know how it went.  I decided to try and make her liquid soap. 
     Have you ever read the ingredients to the liquid soap you buy at the store?  Pretty scary.  I had not really thought about it until I read her blog post about the soap.  I am one of those people who wash their hands A LOT, so I thought it would be a good idea to go for all-natural and cheap!! 
     I'm excited to share this process with you.  Making your own soap instead of buying it can save lots of money.  I think mine came to about a $1.00 per half gallon.  This would cost about $4-$5 in the store.  It also gives one a great sense of accomplishment.  And this is not even a real comparison, because my soap is organic....now, organic soap purchased at the store would be crazy expensive.

Here are the easy steps:

You will need a 4 oz. bar of soap.  I purchased mine at Publix.  There were several choices, but I chose one that did not smell "girly" since I live with 3 boys!  Grate the soap.

Bring a gallon of water to a STEAM.

I grated my soap while I waited for the water to steam. 

Stir in the grated soap until dissolved.  You may want to use a handmixer.  I just stirred mine.

Let it sit overnight.  Stir well.  Again, if you have one, use a handmixer.

I filled up my empty liquid soap container, as well as half of a gallon of an empty water jug.

Note:  I found that this soap needs shaking up some.  I also found that it works really well after it has been in the containers for about a week.  My family likes it (the boys haven't even noticed) and it smells wonderful.  Let me know if you decide to give it a try! 

Blessings,

Letha

GratiTuesday ("Skipping Thanksgiving")

     Have you heard?  Has anyone noticed?  It seems more obvious this year than ever before.  Yesterday (Halloween Day) as I walked into a store, I saw the store clerks clearing the shelves for all the Christmas decor and goodies.  (I had hoped this would mean great deals on fall things, but no such luck--there were not any to be found!)  "Christmas comes earlier every year" is something I've heard for as long as I can remember...but on Halloween morning???   It breaks my heart that the world seems to want to "skip" Thanksgiving---and head straight for "Happy Holidays".
     I really cannot blame the retailers or the world for this.  Many of them are lost.  They are also trying to make a buck in this economy.  I just don't want this notion of "skipping Thanksgiving" to seep into my heart.  I need to guard against that---everyday---not just in November. Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...." 
     This topic brought up some great conversation with my family over lunch yesterday.  I really liked how my older son saw it.  He said it is not that upsetting that they are putting up Christmas things...because we love the real meaning of Christmas.  What was upsetting to him was the motivation behind it.  It was about "getting stuff" instead of celebrating Christ's birth.  (And then I said, "Son, would you like to be a guest blogger for me sometime?")
     Last night my family watched Swiss Family Robinson.  Our boys LOVED it!  Near the beginning of the movie, though, we noticed part of a scene was left out.  When the family escapes death and makes it to the shore of the island, they pause to pray and thank God for their safety. (Sound like a familiar story?)   As soon as you see them put their hands together, the movie went to commercial.  When the movie came back on, it was at a totally different scene!  They skipped the prayer!  They skipped "Thanksgiving"!
     So, on this "GratiTuesday"  I want to encourage you to to not "skip Thanksgiving".  Don't conform to the world.  Sure, go ahead and get some Christmas shopping done.  Order your Christmas cards.  Definitely fill up those shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child.  Just don't forget about Thanksgiving and our Lord and Savior to whom we are eternally grateful!

Letha

FREE (Online) Fall 2011 Issue of "This Old Schoolhouse" Magazine

    To all my homeschool friends out there...I thought you might enjoy this!  (It also has great articles for anyone to enjoy.)  Happy Friday!! 


http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine-digital.com/thehomeschoolmagazine/freegift#pg2

You Might be a Preacher's Kid if.... (#2)

   

     Last night was our church's Fall Festival.  As my sons and I were working on their costumes, we got to talking about the one time they went Trick-or-Treating.  It was several years ago when we lived in Texas.  Our church didn't have a Fall Festival that year, so we just went around to church member's homes along with those we knew in the communtiy.   At just about every home we visited, we were invited in.  Needless to say, we only made it to about 5 or 6 houses.  I remember my oldest son asking, "Mom, is this Trick-or-Treating or are we on visitation?!"  

GratiTuesday (Operation Inasmuch)

     This past Saturday, many churches in our county participated in "Operation Inasmuch".  People came together with the joint purpose of serving some of the elderly in our area who were in great need-- without expecting anything in return.  Floors were repaired, plumbing fixed, yards cleaned and much more.  I loved hearing all the testimonies from those who were "out in the field" that day.  One person commented that an elderly man told him, "I didn't know people did this anymore."
     I am so grateful to be part of a church (and community) that doesn't just say they love others--they actually show it.  I am also grateful to God for giving me the strength and joy I needed to serve Him that day....by providing childcare with 3 other great gals at our church.  What a blessing to serve alongside other brothers and sisters as we serve HIM! 

operationinasmuch.org

Gratituesday



     One of the blogs I read on a regular basis, Heavenly Homemakers, has "Gratituesday" every---you guessed it, Tuesday!  The author of the blog encouraged us to have an "Gratituesday" on our blog as well.  I loved her idea before, but didn't want to be a "copycat".  Today she asked us to copy, so I am!

     I will attempt to keep up the tradition and share what I am grateful for every Tuesday.  I'd like you, my readers, to post what you are thankful for as well.  :)

        I am grateful that I got to go to church with dear friends of ours from Tennessee.  We attended the "Howard's Chapel Baptist Church" (A church literally built into a rock!) while on a quick get-away at DeSoto State Park.  During the service, it struck me that it had been years since we had worshiped together. This brought a few tears to my eyes, but made me so thankful and blessed  to have the chance to sit in the pew next to our friends with all our children beside us.

Letha

"Sticks and Stones" YUMMY Trailmix

     My family just got back from a weekend get-away with some great friends at a DeSoto State Park.  (What a wonderful and beautiful weekend!)  Before leaving, I thought it might be fun to try out a recipe for a trail mix I've had for a while.  I got the recipe from Family Fun Magazine.  It is a healthy snack sweetened with juice and brown sugar.  My friends and family enjoyed it so much!  I hope you do, too!

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons butter

1/4 cup frozen orange or apple juice concentrate (I used apple.)

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon

3 cups Quaker Oatmeal Squares (I used the brown sugar flavor.)

2 cups pretzel sticks

1 1/2 cup whole almonds (unsalted)

1 cup raisins or dried cranberries (I used dried cranberries.)

Heat the oven to 300 degrees.  Place the butter, juice concentrate, and sugar in a large, microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high for 45 seconds to melt the butter.  Stir in the cinnamon.

Spread the oatmeal squares, pretzels and almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet. 

Toss the pieces with the melted butter mixture to coat.  Bake the mix, stirring the pieces every 10 minutes , until the mixture is dry to the touch (it will still be a little sticky) and the nuts are lightly toasted, about 30 minutes. 

Remove the pan from the oven, then stir in the dried fruit.  Let the mix cool completely before storing it in an airtight container.  Makes about 7 cups. 

***A bonus: This will make your home smell DELICIOUS!