416th Post!

WOW! Didn't even know I had this many post until I added them up! I'm not so sure how I like this background on my blog...sorta overwhelming, but I am tired of working on it so it will stay for now! Will definitely change it again in the spring .

As you can see on my sidebar, I have posted our family's 3 January birthday pics...check them out!

We had a most WONDERFUL Christmas with all the family here....even got a white Chriatmas...which caused us to move our Christmas gathering to Saturday, December 26th since the roads were too slick and hazardous to travel on the 25th. We have learned that anytime is a holiday when we are together as family! How blessed we are!

If you haven't viewed our White Christmas 2009 Photo Show, click HERE and sit back and enjoy!

Today for the first time ever I completed "Read Your Bible in a Year". It has been a blessed and challenging journey in reading the Word of God. My heart's desire is to keep His Word top priority in my life...not just to read it but to live it out...one day at a time!

As you can see...

this is a work in progress! Come back soon for the finishing touches:)

Merry CHRISTmas!

The JOY of Christmas is JESUS
Jesus Christ is....
The message of all that God has to say to us
The fullness of all that God has to give us
The essence of all that God wants us to be.

Jesus, the word of God incarnated
The image of God revealed
The fullness of God imparted
The glory of God reflected
The grace of God extended
The power of God demonstrated
The heart of God expressed
The love of God manifested
The salvation of God provided

Click on the words above (The JOY of Christmas is JESUS) to view a devotional video .

Enjoy and be blessed!

Homemade Laundry Detergent

I am now making my own laundry detergent. The savings are less than 6 cents a load compared to 12-30 cents a load. Also there are NO additives that may irritate the skin and since it is low suds it will work great in any energy high efficiency washer. I have a front loader Maytag.

Here is the powdered laundry formula:

• 1 bar of Fels Naptha Soap
• 1 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (NOT baking soda)
• 1 cup of 20 Mule Team Borax

Directions for making: grate the soap; then mix all together. Store in an air tight container or bag. (I use an electric Salad Shooter grater to grate the soap...fast and easy!)

Normal loads: use 2 Tablespoons
Heavy Loads: use 3 Tablespoons

I have read good reviews about this formula...you can also make adjustments to these amounts...to get the best outcome for your wash. There are also directions for making liquid laundry detergent, but I prefer the powdered...takes up less room for storeage.

I am able to purchase all these items at our Ace Hardware in Broken Arrow, OK. If you cannot find these items at your locale then you will have to order them online. If you have an Ace Hardware and they don't carry these in their store...ask them to stock them.

In the meantime you can order them online from Ace Hardware by clicking HERE. Walmart carries the 20 Mule Team Borax, but none of the other items. Also you can do a google search on each of the items and may find some deals out there. Click HERE for a deal on Fels Naptha Soap.

This is what it looks like all mixed up. The yellow ingredient is the grated Fels Naptha soap grated. I bought the scoop at Walmart. It came two in a package and says one-eighth cup. One heaping scoop is 2 tablespoons. So this works great!

I found this plastic wide mouth container at Walmart and added a label on the front.

This would make a great Christmas gift too:)

In my research of laundry soap making I also came across a recipe for fabric rinse. I haven't tried it yet, but will in the near future.

Fabric Rinse formula: 1 gallon white vinegar, optional- add 25-30 drops of essential oil for scent.

Use 1/4 cup in the rinse cycle. Will NOT smell like vinegar, but clears the last bit of soap from cloths & reduces static.

Give this a try...get clean, smelling clothes and save some money!

Messing Around...

As you can see I have been messing around with my blog. I started working on this at 9 p.m. and now it is a little after midnight...ugh:( I have been having fun with this and learning alot from "Dotty Dot Dot's" blog. She has lots of info on how to do stuff to your blog...that is when you have time:)

Better call it a day. By the way that white stuff falling on my blog is snow:)
Goodnight and sweet dreams:)

Decking the Halls...

Click HERE to see our Christmas Decorating Photoshow!