Monday, Monday

Today the sun is shining and there is definately a promise of spring in the air.


My DH came home from his week away from work and when I met him at the door:

Such a sweetie!

It has been a lovely weekend and I feel refreshed and full of hope.




I have for months been missing the fresh veggies we usually always have from our garden but with all the hospital trips and things the garden has fallen by the way. I really miss this place of harvest and abundance- of seeing things grow and watching God transform tiny little seeds into crops, I miss popping out and grabbing some fresh peas or some spinach and the wee ones used to eat so much more fresh veg as often they would just eat t raw from the garden.



Well I spent some time out in the sun in my veggie garden yesterday afternoon, I have been inspired by many of the pics of everyones gardens and with winter drawing to a close for us here in Australia I really am itching to get back out into the beds.



Everyone had a great time- Lil 3yo, DD was in there- not a care in her lil heart about medical reports or the events of last week- after all there was dirt to be played with! So refreshing and so lovely to hear and watch some much needed giggling. My heart was lifted.



We did lots of digging and there was weeds to get rid of and rocks to throw out and then when everything was nearly ready for planting we spread ALOT of manure over the garden- this manure made the garden rich with everything it needed to support the coming growth and harvest, then in went the seeds & seedlings and we put back the little protective netting to keep our ducks out and let the veggies grow in peace.



This is so like what is happening all around at the moment- the turning over and breaking up is difficult and hard, then stuff is added to life that just seems wrong and dreadful, but with the things of God, protection, sunshine and a little rain the garden will grow & grow and the harvest will come. Thank you Lord for the lessons you teach me in my garden.



Have a great Monday,

Hugs

C

Homemade Laundry Liquid

My DD 13 & I have wanted to make laundry liquid together for quite a while and when we came across the Duggars recipe we gave it a go- I figure they do quality control on 18 kids every week including little boys so it must be good at getting out many varied stains!!


Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine


4 Cups - hot tap water

1 Fels-Naptha soap bar (I used a bar of Sard Soap)

1 Cup  Washing Soda ( I used powder Lectic Soda- it is in the laundry aisle at woolworths- it must be Sodium Carbonate- not baking soda which is sodium bicarbonate)

½ Cup Borax (Also form the laundry aisle in woolworths in a green tub)



- 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 (18 L) 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. You can use empty 3L milk bottle or the clear 2 or 3L apple/OJ fruit juice bottles.I store them in big bottles and every few weeks pour into a small bottle to use so it is a bit easier.

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. (I didnt because I was satisfied woith the sard soap smell)

-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons. (36L)

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

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


It doesnt suds up very much but does a terrific job of cleaning the clothes.

I occasionally add an extra scoop of napisan or sard just like I would if I was using store bought detergent to get tough toddler stains out. I love it & I enjoyed making it with M, so I wont be buying laundry liquid anymore
:)

Decluttering I go!!

I have gone on a mission to de-clutter my life & my home.
I need to be able to de-stress and this cluttered disorganised home is not helping!!
I did my pantry and freezer 2 weeks ago and I made a big list that is in my iphone of whats in there and it has helped with my shopping and meal planning heaps.
We could go a month without needing to put anything else in there!!

Going to tackle under the kitchen sink next, wish me luck- Im going in!!