Laundry softener volcano

I'll start from the end and work my way to the beginning.

This is my new laundry softener next to my homemade laundry detergent.

 

Usually I just use vinegar and find that it works great for softening and leaves no scent whatsoever. However, I was enticed by a pin I found a recipe for scented homemade laundry softener.  I couldn't pass it up. 

1cup hot water

1/2 cup scented laundry crystals

1cup baking soda

3 cups vinegar

(The baking soda and vinegar some of the huge warning., but I thought I would go for it anyhow)

Mix and laundry crystals and set aside.

In a large bowl dump 1 cup baking soda. SLOWLY add vinegar. Stir till dissolved. Add dissolved scented crystals. Use a funnel to pour into jug.

I would love to have more pictures of this process but when I mixed the vinegar and baking soda I was overzealous and had a gigantic mess all over my counter.

I've read that once the two components are mixed together the value of them it's kind of canceled out so I think if I was to make this again I would just dissolve the laundry crystals in the vinegar and just leave it at that.

I'll give an update after my next load of laundry and let you know what I think.

Do you have a favorite homemade recipe for any home products?

My little Merida

My daughter LOVES to play dress up. I tried buying the cheap dress up costumes ( 1/2 price after Halloween) but after 6 months they were starting to fall apart. 

I can't get myself to spend the insane $$$ they want for the good quality ones. So I am left with one option. Make them myself. 

Thankfully I had a grandmother and mother who both sewed so I was taught well from a young age. 

Although I made her five costumes for Christmas, she has still been asking for more characters.

Hence, the arrival of Merida. 

 

I used a McCall's pattern but made some simple alterations to the sleeve and a little less gather in the skirt to make it the Merida style. 

I surged this seems so they would be stronger and I did not use the zipper in the back, instead I used a simple Velcro tab for easy on and off during dress up play.

Some cute gold lace, Celtic looking ribbon for the bottom, and fancy gold button for a "medallion" completed the look. 

* All of the supplies were purchased at JoAnn fabrics.

What kind of things do you make for your kids instead of buying?

Favorite products: Pocket Hose

I am hesitant to buy "as seen on t.v." products but I was tantalized by the pocket hose.

However, I still wasn't ready to go out and by one....

Then I was at my mother-in-law's house and used the one she had. That's it; I'm sold! I went out the next week and got two fifty foot hoses. (I need 100ft to reach my garden) I LOVE this hose. 

Before I had a big clunky green hose that was a pain to pull out and a chore to wind up.

Now, I have a small, light hose that can fit in a small flower pot when empty.
It stretches to the garden with a light tug and doesn't kink up.

AMAZING!  Love it. 

And a bonus, I had a 20% of coupon for Bed Bath and Beyond, so it only cost $16 instead of the normal $19.99!

Do you have a favorite "as seen in t.v. " product?

"Healthier" mac & cheese

I'm always looking for a way to sneak extra in veggies into my daughters meals.  She is currently on a Mac and cheese craze and would eat it morning noon and night if she had her way.

I do admit to using boxed Mac and Cheese on a semi regular basis, but when in have the time I like to make it from "scratch".

Ingredients:

-1 cup macaroni noodles (wheat if you want to go super healthy)

-4oz of 2% Velveeta cheese (cubed for easy melting)

-Puréed baby food (I like the stage 2)

Cook macaroni noodles. Drain noodles and return noodles to pan.
Add Velveeta and baby food.
Turn burner on LOW.
Stir until cheese is melted.
Remove from heat.

Serve and enjoy watch the kids eat extra  veggies!

What tricks do you to add extra veggies to your kids favorite meals?

Hot days call for iced coffee

In my early coffee days i just brewed hot coffee and dumped it over ice, but you just end up with watered down coffee. I have since learned how to make a much better tasting version. 

The bonus with this version is you can prep it at night after the kids go to bed and can easily finish it between getting the kids breakfast in the morning. 

Step one: gather supplies. 

Coffee (i prefer fresh ground but you can use pre-ground)

1/3 cup measuring spoon

Glass jar

Step two: Measure 1/3 cup grounds to 1 cup water. I do 1 cup ground to 3 cups water in a large jar so we have enough for my husband and I to each have a glass in the morning.

Step three: Give it a shake and stick it in the fridge for the night.

Step four: Use a mesh strainer to strain out the grounds. Dump out the grounds then put a coffee filter in the strainer and pour through again to strain out the fine particles. The second strain usually takes longer to drip through the filter so this is when I get my daughter breakfast.

Step five: Ice, coffee, creamer and sweetener if so desired, then drink and enjoy!

Do you have a different iced coffee technique or recipe? Please share!