What Are Your Friday Night Plans?

Can you imagine if you will, it's a Friday night at 8pm and a 16 year old girl rushes around to get ready for the evening.  It's been a long week at school, lots of projects, lots of homework, and hanging out with friends.  She was invited out to the movies with her girlfriends, but declined the invitation.  She wants to be home that night and just take it easy, but what are her plans you ask?  She wants to work on the blanket she has been crocheting.  Ok... let's rewind... Friday Night... teenage girl... movies.. friends... and she wants to crochet a blanket?

Ya, that was me.  I chose 'Horses' instead of 'Heels' that night.  But, I  mean obviously right, you saw that coming.  Intriguing introductions just may not be my thing.  Anyways, if you have teenage children can you imagine this question being a dilemma for them?  I'm guessing not.  However, if I could pick a question that I would like to see being asked more often in the world today, it would be: Should I finish my crochet tonight?  Oh, how fantastic it would be to have our families home more often, sitting in front of the warm fireplace, while pa reads from the bible for his family to hear, mama finishes her embroidery on the new baby clothes she made for her littlest one while he nibbles on some homemade bread watching his big sister working on the crocheted blanket that will become a part of this families heirlooms that will be passed down to their children when they are grown.

Oh, wait.... I'm in the wrong timezone again.  But, wouldn't that be fantastic?  I think I may have seen some of you cringe just now, it's ok, don't worry, that just means your more of a 'heels' gal instead of a 'horses' gal.  Nothing to be ashamed of.  I understand enjoying the finer things in life, as I sit here on my computer typing up this ridiculously long blog post, rambling on as my little one swings in an automated swing, taking a nap underneath a blanket that was made in the store.  Believe me, I understand.  But, wouldn't you want just a little bit of the 'country' back in your life?  Yes, yes you would.  I've decided for you.  It's ok to 'drop the reins' a little bit and lose some control of your life.  (lol, drop the reins. . . ) Ummm.. anyway, I am here to help you!  You can bring some of that simpler time back into your lives!  It is possible!  We must unite together to bring our families closer together!

Now for all you 'horses' gals out there, when you read that little scenario did you get a warm fuzzy feeling all over?  Good.  :)  I would definitely suggest a few books to you if you haven't read them yet, that will give you that warm fuzzy family time feeling again so you don't have to come back and read my introduction paragraph over and over again.  We all would love to hear about some of your ideas or things that you do to introduce country back into your family.

Ok. . . so here is what I'm thinking. . . back to the crochet thing now.  And you thought I completely lost track of what I was talking about. . . tsk tsk. . .

I will teach you how to crochet.  NO!  Don't leave!  I saw you almost close that browser button!  Don't be scared!  It's easy. . . promise.  :)  And if you need more enticing. . . read this:



*  Crochet is a great craft because it takes you out of the hectic space inside your own head and gives you a focused activity.  This can greatly ease the symptoms of depression.  Crochet provides a relaxing, meditative place where the mind can rest.  Moreover, it allows you to get excited about new projects and to be proud of the projects that you've created.

*  The same traits that make crochet a terrific craft for people who are dealing with depression are also useful for people who suffer from anxiety and even extreme anxiety like panic attacks.

*  Believe it or not, crochet can be useful for people who are suffering form OCD.

*  There are many different types of addiction and crochet may be helpful in that it keeps the hands busy and distracts the mind.  You may be thinking about binging on food but if you can turn your focus to your crochet work and stay out of the kitchen for awhile then you'll slowly break that food addiction.

*  People who suffer from PTSD often experience traumatic flashbacks.  In some instances, crochet has been shown to provide relief for these people.  The crochet work serves as a tangible object that grounds the person in reality and helps them to remember that they are no longer in the situation that is causing them such extreme emotional pain.

*  Crochet is a great distraction and that makes it a great tool for pain management.

*  Crochet can be used as a form of physical therapy for people who are suffering from conditions with their hands.

*  There are some studies that indicate that crochet may be useful for people who are suffering from the early stages of age-related memory loss.


Not convinced?  I can't help you.  That was a long list and I don't have anymore to add. lol




So this is what you'll need to get started:

A crochet needle.  Just get the medium size.  Not to big, not to small,  just right.

And the yarn of your choice.  We'll start off with one color so you can get the hang of it first.

Now, you go and get those items and come back here and I'll teach you how to crochet. 

Baby steps... it's all about baby steps.  :)

This is the one I made. :)

Make Your Own Laundry Detergent

For anyone who knows me, they know that I'm always coming up with ways to make some extra money.  I don't work anymore now. . . wait. . . let me rephrase that.  I don't work 'outside' the home anymore.  I work all day taking care of my little one.  And even though I would rather be paid in hugs and kiss and cuddle time, it is always nice to be able to make a little extra money on the side for savings or what not, which I have depleted thanks to a dead car battery.  

I am on a mission to make some extra money because I will be going to Italy soon.  We are taking a trip in 2014 to Europe to see Italy, Ireland, Spain, and many more places.  We are very blessed to have our transportation and lodging paid for, but we need money to be able to go out and eat at the little cafes and buy souvenirs and take tours.  I mean, this is a once in a lifetime adventure and I am more than happy to forgo my occasional candy bars that I sneak into the cart at checkout, or buying clothes for my wardrobe, to save some extra money.  I make cakes, cupcakes, and jam on the side.  I sell Thirty One on the side.  And if there's anything else I can possible make money from I'm all in it.  I'm even selling a crocheted baby blanket.  However, with a 4 month old I can't nor do I want to spend most of my time trying to make money.  I have more important things to do with my little one.  

I always here people say. . . If you need more money, then make more money.   Well . . . why not, if you need more money, then save more money?!?!?!  This is how I came across making my own laundry detergent.  Laundry detergent is expensive!  I'm sure I don't need to tell you that.  I buy the really big sizes from Sam's Club and whenever a few months have passed I know I'm going to have to go fork over $30 more dollars for more.  That $30 can be spent ordering authentic Italian Gelato on our trip!  And my family only consists of myself, my husband, and my son.  I can't imagine how other families do it.  

So in addition to saving money by making my own laundry detergent, I always feel 'country' like as I'm mixing my ingredients, making what I need by hand. . . even if I am doing it in heels.  :)

When people think of making their own laundry detergent, they are turned off by the time required to make it.  I am here to say that it does not take very long at all!  Depending on the soap you use (and we'll get into that later) it takes anywhere from 15 - 35 minutes.  So, If you think about it. . . you or your hubby work for, let's say, $8 an hour, and laundry detergent let's say costs $30, and you have to buy that laundry detergent 4 times a year, which will cost you $120 so in 15 hours or more of work (factoring in taxes and blah blah blah) you'll have finally bought your laundry detergent.  Now that's just based on a family of 3.  So, 35 minutes for 10 gallons of liquid laundry soap which will give you 320 loads of laundry for top-loading machines and 640 loads of laundry for an HE front-loading machine.  And since you've heard all the math already, I won't bore you with any more numbers.  But, it comes out to about $0.01 per load!  Ya, I'm sold.  

Another great benefit of homemade laundry soap is that the materials in the soap have no phosphates.  Borax and Washing Soda are naturally occurring compounds.  The laundry soup uses recycled dispensers, and for every 5 gallons you make, you save 10 plastic containers from going to the landfill.

And one last benefit you have to read through to get to the recipe, is that the laundry soap is completely customizable.  For every 2 gallons of laundry soap you can add 10 drops of essential oil.  Essential oils come in a variety of wonderful scents, so you can pick your own.  Don't go crazy though, any more than 10 and you'll start to see spots on your clothes.

Ok... you've hung in to the very end... you've earned the recipe.  :)

This is what you will need.  

Now you don't need the ivory soap, you can use either Ivory or the Fels-Naptha.  Some people prefer one over the other in smell but I go for the Fels-Naptha.  If you want to do Ivory instead you must make sure it is the 'plain' brand... no moisturizing, etc.

Plus a 5 gallon bucket.

Ingredients:  

4 Cups Hot Water

1 Fels-Naptha Soap Bar

1 cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda

1/2 cup Borax

I was able to find all of these ingredients in the laundry detergent isle at Walmart.

Directions:

1.  Heat up 4 cups of water in a saucepan.  Grate the Fels Naptha soap and add it to the saucepan.  Heat over low heat until the soap is melted.  Stir the melted soap and water to mix the solution.

2.  Fill the 5 gallon bucket 1/2 way with hot water.  Add the melted soap, Borax and Washing Soda.  Fill the bucket to the top with more hot tap water.  Then let it sit overnight to thicken.

3.  The next day stir the mixture and dispense into cleaned laundry soap dispensers (use your old dispensers or cleaned milk jugs will work as well), only adding enough to each bottle to fill it 1/2 way.  Then top the container off with water, and shake before use.  :)

There.  That's it.  Your first lesson in making your own laundry detergent.  Money saved.  Knowledge gained.  Now, what else can we make?

Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

After a few people asked for the Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe I made the other day, I decided to offer it to all.  If you live in California or Utah, you may have been to Cafe Rio.  That place is delicious.  When we went down to California to visit family a few months ago, we went there and tried it for the first time.  The burritos were pretty good, but their Chicken Tortilla Soup. . . was amazing!  Since, then I have been craving it.  And about a week ago it just became too much. . . I needed some soup!  So, after scouring the internet I decided to give one a try and change it up a bit to make it taste more like the one I had.

So, here it is:

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Ingredients:

2 seeded, soaked ancho chilies (I found them at Walmart in the ethnic food section)

1 onion

2 tomatoes

2 cloves garlic

6 cups chicken broth

Rotisserie Chicken

8 corn tortillas

1/2 cup cilantro

Oil
Salt to taste

Directions:

Pull apart your Rotisserie Chicken and set meat aside. ( I had my hubby do this part  :)

Your ancho chilies will be dry, so run some hot water from the tap into a bowl and place your ancho chilies in the water to soak for a bit while you get the rest of the ingredients together.

Cut up your onion, tomato, and garlic and place in a blender.  Remove your chilies from the water, cut off and discard the stems, and add the chilies to the blender.  Puree until smooth.

Cover the bottom of a soup pot with olive oil or canola oil.  Heat over medium-high heat.  Add the puree and fry for a minute or two.  

Once you smell the amazing aroma of spices add the chicken broth, shredded chicken, and cilantro.  

Take 4 of your corn tortillas and tear them up into quarter size bits and toss into the soup.  Add salt.

Lower the heat and let the soup simmer for about an hour.

While, it is simmering, make your tortilla strips.  Take your other 4 corn tortillas and cut them into strips.  Place them in a pan with hot oil and fry them like you would taco shells.  Scoop them out with a spoon once they get a bit golden and transfer to a plate with paper towel.  Add some salt.

Ladle your soup into big sized bowls (you're going to eat a lot of it, trust me), and sprinkle with cheese and tortilla strips.

If you REALLY want it to be amazing. . . cut up an avocado and mush it up a bit.  Take a BIG scoop of Avocado and add it to your soup before you put on the cheese and tortilla strips.  This takes it from great to amazing!  :)

Enjoy!  Let me know how it turned out for you!

The Peaches Need Pickin... the Fences Need Fixin'...

You may have read this from one of my other blogs, but I figured this was a good start to this blog so I've moved it here.  :)

You might have recognized the title from a country song by Rodney Atkins.  I enjoy country music very much, and let's face it, I live in Texas.  No shortage of country music here.  But what I really enjoy is the image of actually doing those things.  Fixing a fence, finding eggs, milking the cow (although the only thing I've every tried to milk was a goat at the fair when I was 14, but I think I got the hang of it).  I have an image in my head of one day living out in the country or at least a house with land and being a part of nature.  Of actually having a hand at growing food and caring for livestock.  Although my husband would definitely limit the animals we could have because I would have them all.  And I'm talking like in the movies where a goat presses his head through the window of our wood cabin.  I know, such dreams.  :)

I enjoy reading books about pioneers.  To read about their way of life and how they survived without all the amenities we have today.  They would take as many supplies as they could and load it into their  wagon.  They'd bring things like cornmeal, eggs, dried meat, potatoes, rice, beans, and a big barrel of water.  They'd bring their cow if they had one and use it for milk.  Pioneers also made their own clothing and performed all their own repairs.  Everything that fit in their wagon couldn't weigh more than 2,000 pounds.   And this was for the entire family.  Everything they needed.

There's a particular series of books I enjoy.  It's called the Love Comes Softly series by Janette Oke.  It's the kind of series I can read over and over again and imagine myself in that time.  To be able to pick up and journey off to a new land and find a beautiful clearing near a river and build a log cabin, raise chickens, and start a vegetable garden.  If you haven't read this book I encourage you to.  They are not very long but are very descriptive and just fun to read.  And yes they are sappy love stories as well but what woman doesn't enjoy that every now and then.  I also found the books to be great spiritual uplifters.  Which is always a good thing to be able to enjoy when you can, especially with all the other entertainment choices out there.

And you can tell this stuff interests me by my favorite movie choice, which is Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.  Again the story takes place back in that time where there was 'courting' and wood chopping and beautiful full length skirts.  Lol  My mother-in-law always tells me that she wishes she could be apart of that era.  She says she was born in the wrong time. Lol.  I think I would enjoy to be able to experience some of that time.  But, that is why I am determined to bring the essence of that time into the now.  I know I can't go out and buy a farm somewhere (even though one of my dream vacations would be to go to a working ranch and work for seven days straight . . . my husband is probably shaking his head at this).  I know, who would want to work on their vacation?  I still think I would enjoy it.  :)

I believe that adding a little bit of self sufficiency into our lives is a very good thing to do.  Grow a garden.  Collect seeds.  Learn how to preserve food by canning.  Make your own blankets (I'm working on a blue crochet one now for my hubby).  Grow herbs for cooking.  Bake your own bread.  So much to do, but the city life calls.  How can you possibly fit the country into a cookie cutter neighborhood?  Well, we'll find out. . . :)