The Art of Homemaking

A little while ago I stumbled upon one of the nicest set of books on homemaking skills that I think I have ever seen. These books are jammed packed full of wonderful information on how to keep a home. I'll start with the Guide book:

There is a section for each room of the house with detailed check lists and instructions on how to do each task.

One of the assignments is to have your child create a dinner menu and invite company! Complete with printable recipe cards for their very own recipe box. I have to tell you that they have left nothing out! From managing the budget of a meal to managing every part of the home, inside and out. There is even a section on gardening and how to have a welcoming front porch!

The guide book can stand alone and you can find it here, but they also sell a set of four books that would be a great companion to the guide book, that I have been drooling over. here

Each issue is loaded with recipes and how tos, Like Pressure canning, preserving, dehydrating, Sewing and learning how to make your own patterns, Embroidery, Making Jerky, Homespun gifts, Homemade light, tips and tricks for anything you might imagine. You name it, it's in here!

I have to tell you I'm very impressed and to me it was worth the money spent. These are the kind of books that you need to fill your library with. These are the kinds of books that I don't mind spending the extra money on. Especially when I saved money on their main curriculum this year! These are the books that can be passed down as precious learning tools and keepsakes!

Homemaking is becoming a lost art! Teach your daughters responsibility and self sufficiency. It's important they know how to take care of their homes and their families! And may they learn to take pride in doing so!  If you don't, who will?

I also believe that these books are not just for your children......I've really been enjoying them and there are so many things that I intend on trying with my girls! Remember I'm always learning.......*Smile*

Memories in the making!

To Post Or Not To Post

I've been around long enough to know that good habits just don't happen and bad habits for some reason they come easy.......

And that old saying "Good things come to those who wait." really doesn't apply here.........It lets laziness creep in and isn't laziness one of the biggest "bad habits" of them all?

I'm one who loves to plan. It thrills me to see it all written down on paper. Shelves all organized. Ideas of how to run this life like a well oiled machine gets my blood pumping.

Implementing the plan is a whole new ball game. It takes hard work and consistency and there is absolutely no room for bad habits if I want to make this work.

And I'm not perfect but, I've been saved by the only ONE who is. And I'm praying and talking to Him this morning asking Him to help me with all those bad habits. And I know, to Him...... I must sound like an old broken record, but I can't quit now there is too much at stake!

I'm on this journey and I want you to join me in my struggle to become more organized and self sufficient. I want to take all those years of selfish bad habits and work them into GOOD. I know what to do, I know what it takes! I'm really good at planning......

And there is a part of me right now that really doesn't want to post this for all to see. I even stopped and had to pause for a bit......... But I know I need to press on because this is the one area in my life that the Lord keeps pressing on me. You see, too be honest I've been lazy and I let lots of bad habits creep in over the years. I've been selfish and because I only do things when I feel like it those things never get done! Oh my! Did I really just admit that? Johnny I hope your not reading this!!

So starting now and through out the summer I will be implementing the plans that I make and I need to be held accountable! That's right that is why I paused before I posted. To post or not to post. If I fail then I fail with all eyes watching and it means I really didn't put my faith in the Lord...... but if I succeed it's because I listened and was faithful to my Heavenly Father.

And I don't want it to be that "it's okay your very busy with kids and homeschool and all. You are who you are and you can't change and God's grace will be there when you fall".............. I don't need to hear the excuses to get me out of doing what I know I should be doing!

I want you to know, I want to be who God wants me to be and I know there is grace when we fall, I'm all about grace......but I believe I/we  use grace as a crutch to get away with not accomplishing what God truly wants from us, from who He really wants us to be!!

I want to hear Him say "Well done Good and Faithful Servant." I want to be Who He wants me to be!

So starting now and through out the summer I will keep you updated on my progress and maybe you will want to join me! Let's encourage one another to be who He wants us to be!

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap

Today I made my second batch of Liquid Laundry Soap. My first batch was made in February so it lasted me a whopping 8 months, and all for around $2.30. So I thought I would share the recipe. I love the savings we get. There is one thing, for that extra sweet smell I make sure I add a dryer sheet to each load. By the way I want to thank my sweet friend Jaime for turning me onto this!

4  Cups - hot tap water
1  Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax

- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)

-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.

-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.

-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)

-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" -  Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!

Where Love Settles In

It's our retreat......A place to get away from all that the day has brought.

When life comes barging in and there seems to be no escape.......we always have a peaceful place to retire. A place to go where the day gets left at the door.

I've learned over the years that this room should always be inviting. It should always be clean and uncluttered. Because the day clutters the mind enough. And when there is a cluttered room, there is no chance to clear the mind. No room to place our attention on eachother. It should be a place where dreams are told and secrets are kept.

A place where the lights dim low and the whispers of love are being said. A place where love settles in til the morning light. A safe haven to be who we are, to be that person we both fell in love with. With no hesitation, Where there is no inhibition. A place where our love has room to grow and it's not choked out by clutter.

I am thankful for A Place where Love Settles In...........