It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

Yesterday we finally received snow.  The boys were so excited.  They got all bundled up and headed out to help Thomas shovel.  (Garrison is on the left, in the garage.)

 All my cute boys posing before getting back to work.

 This is the boys and Aza hanging out on Christmas Eve morning.  They decided to bury Aza in pillows and as you can see she could have cared less.  That's why we LOVE our dog.

around our house

Here's what I've been hearing lately around my house...

Garrison had been running around the room pretending he was a car on a racetrack when I asked him to go put his pajamas on...

Garrison: "Mom, I can't."

Me: "Why not?"

Garrison: Walking up to me as if he's going to fall over from pure exhaustion... "I'm running out of gas.  Can you fill me up?"
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Garrison:  "Mom, I want to say bad things because I'm a bad kid."

Wherever that came from.
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Josiah had just passed a little gas.

Garrison:  "What's that smell?"
Josiah: In the happiest voice ever... "Me!!"

I died laughing.

wrapping gifts

Are you busily wrapping presents as Christmas is only 9 days away??!!  I finally finished shopping today.  I shouldn't say "finished."  My husbands side doesn't celebrate Christmas until his parents can be here in February.  So I'm done shopping for everyone I needed to shop for by December 25.

I enjoy watching a Christmas movie or listening to Christmas music while wrapping presents, but I think I might bust this song out tonight while-st I finish up my gift wrapping. (Caleb Hawley's music video)  Here comes 2012!!!

Homemade laundry detergent

I ran out of my store bought laundry detergent and I couldn't be happier.  (I lead a simple life.)  I ran across a homemade laundry detergent a little while ago and I've been waiting patiently for my store bought stuff to run out before I made my own detergent.

I've been trying really hard these last few months to find ways to save money.  I feel it's my responsibility to help my husbands dollars go as far as they can.  I've been clipping coupons, receiving free samples in the mail and now am starting to make my own detergent.  Next I'll try my hand out on making dishwasher soap, hand soap and fabric softener sheets.  (stay tune as I try those babies out.)

Homemade laundry detergent

5 gal. bucket
1 bar Fels Naptha soap
1/2 c. borax
1 c. Arm and Hammer washing soap

Grate and melt bar of soap in 4 c. water on stove.  Add to other ingredients in the bucket.  Fill bucket with hot water and stir.  Cover and let sit overnight. (it will turn into a thick, jello-like consistency) 

Stir and then pour your homemade soap into left over laundry detergent bottles.  Only filling 1/2 way.  Add water to fill to top.

Shake before each use.
Use a full cup with each load.

*I was able to find all the supplies at Walmart.

Savings...
fels naptha soap... $0.97
borax... $2.98
arm and hammer washing soap... $3.24

The box of borax yields about 12 batches.  The box of washing soap yields 6 batches.  I'd have to buy a bar of fels naptha soap for each batch.  If I make 6 batches that's a total of $11.13.  With the detergent that I use now it costs me $7.97 for 96 loads.  The homemade recipe makes 10 gallons which is about 960 loads (if you use 1 cup.)  To get 960 loads out of the store bought detergent I'd have to buy 10 bottles which would cost $79.70.  Take the $79.70 I would have spent on the store bought minus the $11.13 I will now be spending and I save $68.57.  Sign me up!!