Homemade Laundry Detergent

The first time I made this was about a year and a half ago and I just ran out this week. I cannot believe that one batch lasts that long!

It only costs about $30 to make, so for me, that breaks down to approximately $1.67 a month for laundry detergent. Amazing!

We only do laundry for two, which equals to about 5-6 loads of laundry per week between our towels, darks, colors, whites, bedding and John's work clothes. I use 1/8 of a cup per load so it makes sense that it lasted us this long!

The recipe is so simple and all of the ingredients are easy to find at any grocery store.

You Will Need:

A large bucket

A huge mixing spoon

A fine cheese grater

Container to keep detergent in

1 Box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda

1 Box Arm & Hammer Baking Soda

1 Box Borax

1 Tub Oxyclean

1 Bottle Purex Crystals Fabric Softener

(I use Fresh Clean Waters Scent)

2 Bars Fels Naptha Laundry Soap

Step One: Grate the two bars of soap into a bowl. This method takes the longest and gives you hand cramps, but it gives you the finest result. You can also cut the soap into one inch cubes and put in the food processor until pulverized. (that's what I did last time) Or, you can try this method in the microwave and crumble it.

mmm... looks like cheese! But don't be tempted. Soap would not be good on your nachos!

Step Two: Take each ingredient and pour half into the bucket layering as you go. Do the same with the other half. I find this makes it easier to get it to mix evenly than just pouring all each ingredient in at the same time. Mix thoroughly.

Step Three: Pour into a container and start saving money!

I love, love, love this recipe because it's septic safe, HE compatible, it's gentle enough for sensitive skin like mine and it still gets the clothes clean and smelling fresh! Oh, and it saves me money!

Oh! And I like to save the empty Purex bottle for other homemade cleaning recipes, like this fabric softener I make.  You can save the tub from the Oxyclean too!

Gender Reveal Party

 
Sunday December 15th we had our gender reveal party for little baby Wallace. After getting an ultrasound Saturday night we brought the results to my best friend Kassie's house so she could bake either a blue or pink cake. As much as the anticipation killed me, it was so awesome to find out with our family and friends when we cut into the cake! Here are a few ton of shots from the party! Be prepared for a million pics! 

DIY Snow Globes

Last Christmas I made some DIY snow globes inspired by a pin I saw in Pinterest. I've gotten so many compliments so I thought if do a tutorial. A few of these will be gifts this year and they are definitely budget friendly. I already had everything I needed except for extra trees so this project cost me less than $3. 

You Will Need

Glass jars if varying sizes (wide mouth if using mason jars)

Glue gun

Epsom salt (mine is from the dollar store bought last year)

Clear or white glitter (optional)

Bottle brush Christmas trees (mine are from Ben Franklin)

Little critters if you want

I started by laying out all my jars and supplies so I could see how many little trees would fit in each one.

Next I cut out little bits of cardboard so I could make my trees sit up higher. If you skip this step your trees will sit much lower and you will barely have any snow in the bottom if your jar. Little wood dowels would work well too.

I started gluing the little bits of cardboard to the bottom if the trees. While those were drying I glued my mason jar lids together. Don't hot glue your thumb like I did... I forgot how much that little bit of glue could hurt!!!

After putting everything together I added the Epsom salt and glitter to the bottom of the jars. I just eyeballed this and added enough to where I thought it would reach the bottom of the trees. This was definitely trial and error but there's no easy way to try and measure it out.

Finally, I glued the lids on and voila! Done!

Mini Chicken Pies

I love absolutely anything that's comfort food. And these definitely fit the bill.

I decided to try this recipe last fall and we fell in love with it!

They remind me of little chicken pot pies laced with cheese. What could be better!?

The greatest part is that they freeze really well so the leftovers make a great meal for later on. My husband will sometimes take a couple of these out of the freezer to have for breakfast too. (he eats weird things sometimes!)

This recipe is super easy to make and anybody could do it. Half an hour to prepare, (or 3 if you do shredded chicken my way) half an hour to bake and voila! Mini Chicken Pies!

What You Will Need:

3 Large Chicken Breasts, Shredded

2 Cups Mixed Veggies

2 Cups Shredded Cheese

Salt

Pepper

Garlic

1 1/2 Cups Bisquick

1 1/2 Cups Milk

3 Eggs

1 Cup Cheese

Step One: Prepare your shredded chicken. I like to do mine in the slow cooker so the meat is juicy and tender.  All I do is put the chicken in the slow cooker, add a can of chicken broth and let it cook on low for 2-3 hours. Once it's cooked I let it cool for a minute then break it up with two forks. This is the only way I do shredded chicken and I swear it's amazing!

Step Two: Add the veggies and cheese. Season to your liking.

Step Three: Prepare the Bisquick Mix. (I also turn the oven to 375 at this point to preheat)

Step Four: Grease your muffin/cupcake tins. Add 1 tsp of Bisquick to the bottom of each.

Step Five: Add filling to each cup. I'm not a very technical cooker, so I just use about half a handful per cup. I don't pack it in too thick though because I want the Bisquick to get in between the filling.

Step Six: Add approx 2 tbsp Bisquick to the top of each cup.

Step Seven: Sprinkle Cheese on top of each cup. Bake for 25-30 min or until golden.

I love these mini chicken pies! (or meat muffins as they were recently called! hahaha) They come out super moist and flavorful! I love how convenient they are too... you don't even have to use a fork if you don't want to! Now go get cookin!