"New" Cupboard

I wanted to replace my metal baker's rack with something a little more rustic.  I found this gem for $20 at an antique store in Nederland, TX a while back and just now getting around to putting it in the house.  I didn't do anything to it.  I left it in all it's junky, chipped, state.  I like it.  Some people might think it's a little "too rustic" but to me it just adds to the charm.  My favorite part is the blue board at the bottom.  I don't know why it's there but I'm sure it's to hold it together!

It was fun staging it.  I found some antique cookbooks to display and added a lot of my own cookbooks, jars, and knick knacks to the top.  The bottom is just for storage. 

Gone Green...

Well, not completely.  
Maybe just a light shade of "green."

Hopefully by now you know how much I love to save money,  whether it's redoing furniture or making my own body scrub. 

Also, some of you may be familiar with my sister Kelly's story and how she had heart surgery last year.  Smells and perfumes have always bothered her and it seemed to worsen after the surgery.  Weird huh?  So my BIL looked into making their own laundry detergent.

My sweet mother came over this weekend and brought me the whole kit and kaboodle to make my own detergent, complete with the 5 gallon bucket and all the supplies.  I wanted to share this with you because I am totally amazed at the cost comparison. And with four boys in the house, I do a lot of laundry...

So the ingredients first...

1 Bar Fels- Naptha Soap

1/2 bar Zote**

2 cups Borax

2 cups Washing Soda

 Now don't worry.  All of these things my mom found at Wal-mart or Kroger  I've pictured them here because they are unusual.  
 *****Since I've written this post, Zote now makes flakes so you don't have to grate the bar.  I used 1 1/2 cups of the flakes.

 

 

So...the cost.  Ready?  About $3 per recipe!!!

This recipe makes about 3 gallons of detergent.  You use 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of liquid for each load.  Needless to say, this bucket is going to last a while!

 

I will include the recipe at the end of this post.  There are a ton of other recipes online but I know this one works because my mom and sister already use it.  Pretty cool, huh?  Saving a ton of money, making it your own using gentle produts, and helping the environment with no plastic waste.   Get the kids involved too!

If you make this, please let me know how you like it!

Have a great week!

Kerrie

Laundry Detergent Recipe

4 cups water

1 Bar Fels-Naptha, grated

1/2 bar Zote, grated

2 cups Borax

2 cups Washing Soda

In a pot on the stove add 4 cups water and grated soaps.  Melt on low heat, stirring occasionally.  Fill your bucket with 2 1/2 gallons of water.  Reserve 3 cups of this water on the counter.

When soap is almost melted in pot, strain out liquid into bucket.  Dump what is in the strainer back into the pot along with your 3 cups of reserved water.  Continue to simmer and stir until dissolved.

Turn the fire off and add your Borax and Washing Soda.

Stir until mixed.

Dump remaining soap into bucket.

Let ingredients sit over night, stirring occasionally to break up lumps.  My middle son helped me by sticking his hands in there and squeezing the lumps to separate.  He seemed to have fun!

For easier everyday use, you may add some of your detergent to a used and empty detergent bucket.

Add 1/4 - 1/2 cup of detergent to each load. 




Shared with...
Coastal Charm
Momma Hen's Coop
Handy Man Crafty Woman
Savvy Southern Style
Blue Cricket Design 
The Thrifty Home

Not just a housewife

"THE" Super Bowl Snack

OK.  The search is over for the perfect Super Bowl snack to bring to your party or serve at your house.

The technical name for this scrumptious concoction is Cheddar Bacon Ranch Pulls.  
It is also known as "crack bread."  

O.M.G.

You'll see why...

 

 

This wonderful and quick recipe came from a great little website called Plain Chicken. 

Here's the recipe...

 Cheddar Bacon Ranch Pulls (a.k.a. crack bread)

1 unsliced loaf of (round is preferable) sourdough bread

8-12 oz cheddar cheese, thinly sliced
3 oz bag Oscar Mayer Real Bacon bits
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 Tbsp Ranch dressing mix

Using a sharp bread knife cut the bread going both directions. Do not cut through the bottom crust. Place slices of cheese in between cuts. Sprinkle bacon bits on bread, making sure to get in between cuts. Mix together butter and Ranch dressing mix. Pour over bread. Wrap in foil the entire loaf in foil and place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Unwrap. Bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

 

Ummm...I think my boys liked it...

Have a great week and enjoy the game!

Kerrie

p.s. check out the Cinnamon Roll Pulls on the same website, Plain Chicken.

Computer Desk

Hello blog world.  Yes, I'm still alive, thank you.  It's been since I opened up my Etsy store that I've posted.  I really got slammed during the holidays and it was fun to see what everyone was ordering.  I've added a lot of new items and prints for Valentine's Day so check it out when you can.  I also have some dictionary paper wreaths for sale like the one I did the tutorial on.

 I wanted to show you my computer desk I just painted today.  This old, particle board (yes, particle board) desk was Michael's when he was growing up.  I guess we've just taken it with us each time we moved.  It was in my closet for years holding my stamping supplies but I brought it out when I rearranged the study.   I just can't find another desk I like more.  It's the perfect size for the space we have down to the centimeter.  I don't need anything fancy, just functional... Prepare yourself...

 

Told ya.  It's pretty janky.  

Anyway, I had good intentions of painting it, but just didn't get around to it.  Plus, my computer desk is not known for being tidy so you never really saw the top.  Well...today was the day.  I got out my Annie Sloan paint and painted it Paris Gray.  I do a lot of work with dictionary paper so I wanted to cover the top in it.  I used Mod Podge and laid some pages down.  I finished the top and sides with Finishing Wax.  Done.  Easy.  A little better.

 

So don't give up on those old, narly pieces just yet.  They might have a little life left in 'em.

Have a great weekend!

Kerrie