Eucalyptus Wreaths!

This is something my mom used to do all the time growing up. I saw the materials at my local craft store and decided to give it  a go. My wreath didn't turn out as even as I would have liked but it's still nice. you can do this with herbs too... lavender wreaths are awesome.

What you:ll need:

1. A good amount of eucaluptus stalks cut to desired length.

2. A premade twig or straw wreath base.

3. A spool of florist's wire.

4. Anything else you might want to add. Ribbons, spanish moss, glue gun, decorative branches, etc.

Gather your eucalyptus into bundles of 4 to 6 branches and wrap florist wire around the bottom to secure. Do this repeatedly until the wreath i covered. be careful to cover any wire with the next bundle.

Add your decorations. Use your glue gun or florist's wire to attach bows or spanish moss or rafia or whatever to your wreath. twist a wire loop around the back of your wreath to hang it.

This is my first try since I was little. Next time I'll make it better but I still think it's pretty... and it makes the house smell nice. If you mist the wreath with water every once in a while it will make your house smell super nice. Have a nice day!

How-Tuesday!

Aunt Judy's Amazing Cherry & Almond Scones!

The first time I met Chad's aunt Judy she had made these scones for us. Chad and I were both hooked. She sent us home with a bag of about twelve scones and we ate each one before we pulled in the driveway of his parents house. She gave me the recipe, along with several other amazing recipes, In a cute little recipe box for a bridal shower gift. I'm so grateful she's given me permission to share this recipe with you and I'm sure it's going to be one of your new favorites. It's a keeper for sure.

What You'll Need

• 1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1/3 cup Butter (or smart balance or vegetable shortening)
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 3.5 oz. marzipan or almond paste
• 1/2 cup dried cherries
• 1 egg (slightly beaten)
• 4-6 tbsp coconut milk (or buttermilk)
• 1 egg white
• 1/2 tsp almond extract

What You'll Do

1.  Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

2.  In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar & baking powder. Cut butter and marzipan into flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. 

3.  Stir in cherries then add the egg and enough coconut milk so that the dough leaves the sides of bowl.

4. Turn dough onto lightly floured pastry board and knead. Shape into ball and cut in two.  Press each section into half-inch thick circles and cut into wedges.

5.  Place on cookie sheet or Silpat and brush with a mixture of egg-white and almond extract.

6.  Place in oven and bake for 10 - 12 minutes. remove from cookie sheet immediately and place on rack to cool.

hehe... My oven is sooo small :)  you don't have to arrange the scones to look like bow-ties but it makes me smile so that's what I did.

7.  Enjoy!!! please tell me what you think or let me know if you try anything new! If you get really excited about it, take a picture and post a link! Happy Home-making!



P.S. There are endless variation possibilities with this recipe. Try chocolate chip & vanilla extract, orange zest & dried cranberries, banana & walnut. try out something new and let me know what you think!

How-Tuesday

How to Make Your Own Laundry Detergent!

When I was first invited to join Pinterest by my Mother-in-Law one of the first things I pinned was a tutorial for making my own laundry soap. I made it and I really like it! here's the blog I pinned it from. So I made it once successfully and thought that I'd share my experience with you for my second batch. here goes...

What You Will Need

1. Large container ( I used a drawer-type storage container. I'm actually happy with it even though it seems like an awkward set up because I can sit it on top of my dryer and close it when I'm done and still have a "dryer top" to work with.)
2. 1/2 cup scoop and stirring spoon
3. 1/3 of a bar of Fels-Naptha laundry soap. (other brands are Octagon, Ivory or Zote)
4. 1/2 cup Baking Soda ( there is a difference between washing soda and baking soda, and I'm sure washing soda works really well, but in every laundry aisle I tried there was only this type of soda and it actually works really well so I wouldn't stress it if you can't find washing soda)
5. 1/2 cup Borax. This stuff is awesome to have around the house too. there are so many uses for Borax. I read the box and I'm so excited to have this stuff. It cleans carpet and the bathroom and it does it without chemical fumes so... good stuff)

Directions

1.  Cut your Fels-Naptha (or whatever brand) of soap into thirds and grate finely.



I've found that the smaller you grate the soap
the better but this little grater would be ridiculous.
cute but ridiculous



All done

    2.   Put 6 cups of water on low heat and add your grated soap. Stir mixture until soap melts but DO NOT let it boil.

    3.   Add Borax and baking soda and continue stirring until mixture thickens. (like syrup) Then remove from heat

    4.   Pour 4 cups of hot water into your container and then add your soap mixture. Stir really really well. If you want to make your laundry soap smell good you could add some essential oils. When I made this the first time I added 12 drops and I couldn't smell it on my clothes so this time I added 20 and I can smell it. It probably depends on what kinds of essential oils you use too- I used sweet orange and rosemary.

    5. Add another gallon + 6 cups of tap water and stir. Then put somewhere safe (Betty kept trying to play in it) and let it sit overnight.



This is what my container looked like after I'd used up my whole last batch. when I did this last time I didn't dilute it until after I'd let it sit out overnight and the texture was a lot more mealy but it gelled up over time.

This is what it looked like after I'd diluted it before I let it sit over night



stirring stirring stirring...

This is what the finished product looked like. Gelled and beautiful. I stirred it for a long time but I keep the spoon downstairs so I can continue to stir it because it changes texture all the time. The blog I discovered this recipe from put their concoction in the blender to make it smooth and I'd be curious to know how that worked out if the weather changed... I might have to go buy a blender. Blender or no, if you stir it really well then you can either leave it in the container in which it was born or funnel it into your old laundry detergent container.

   6. Scoop out by the 1/2 cup for each load and enjoy your new cheaply cleaned clothes.



 


My laundry station! These are the first major appliances Chad and I have ever bought together. They're second hand but completely refurbished and they work really well. I love older stuff anyway.

Note to Readers with Sensitive Skin

I have very sensitive skin and always have. My mother could never use tide or anything like that when she washed my clothes and we always used the "Free & Clear" or "sensitive skin" versions to avoid a full body rash situation. I was hesitant when I first tried this recipe because I wasn't sure how my skin would react. For the most part it's fine. I can wash my regular clothes in this and I don't have a problem. I do; however, still have to use a Free & Clear detergent for my Underwear (TMI) otherwise I'm in for a very bad day. My friend, Brittany has a recipe for a powdered detergent that is supposed to be great to use for baby clothes. I'm excited to try that out next time and see if I like it. Even if I do have to wash my unmentionables seperately this recipe still saves our family a bunch of money. Let me know what you think of it or if you have another good Idea to share! happy housekeeping! 

P.S. Thank you Frugally Green!