my mom's baptism

Yesterday we attended my mom's baptism. I was very happy for her, and it meant a lot for me to be there (especially since no one else in my family wanted to take this event seriously enough to attend). Before her pastor dunked her, he asked her "Claudia, why are you getting baptised today?" When she responded "I accepted Christ in my heart...", my eyes teared up. At that moment I became overwhelmed with those words that I never imagined I would hear from my mom. I became so overjoyed that I just can't explain it.
Afterwards, Tim and I were talking about the event. My mom seems to...let's say...not do things so smoothly. When my mom's pastor asked the girl who got baptised before my mom why she is getting baptised, Tim though "Oh, no. Whatever she says is not going to come out right". I just hoped she wouldn't slip down the stairs as she was going in or out of the baptistery. But everything went perfectly! Everyone I talked to told me how nice or sweet my mom is. It just has to be God.

pasta casserole

I threw this together last night and it came out tasting pretty good. It's quick and easy for a last minute meal.

1 lb. turkey burger (or any ground meat you like)
3 c. Rotini (spiral pasta...or any small pasta you have on hand)
1 lg. can diced tomatoes
about 3-4 green onions, chopped
Velveeta cheese

Cook meat and drain. Meanwhile cook pasta according to package directions and drain. Throw everything together in a 9x13 baking dish. Put however much cheese you like on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted.

almost no time to lose

My brother is getting married in 2 months. It came to my realization that since the bride-to-be is from the same town I went to high school, I could possibly see others that I have not seen (and been avoiding) for years. Ah, I have to shed these last 10 lbs. to make it back to my pre-pregnancy weight. Ok, I have two months...actually less than 1 month before the shower. I can do this. This morning I made a vow that I will no longer eat any nasty, stale, donuts; honey buns; or other store-bought junk that comes in this house. I have followed Weight Watcher's in the past so I know that changing my eating habits is the most sure way to lose weight the quickest.

homemade laundry detergent

I washed the same load of laundry in the following homemade detergent and Tide (my favorite store bought). Both loads washed out the same so I believe the recipe below works just as good as store bought detergent.

Items you will need:
~ Water
~ 2 gallon bucket
~ 2/3 Fels Naptha soap, grated (or any bath bar soap, beauty bar or deodorant soap can be substituted)
~ 1 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (do not use Baking Soda)
~ 1 cup Borax (laundry detergent)

Notes:
~ Fels Naptha soap and Washing Soda can be found in the laundry detergent isle. I had to go to my local grocery stores to find these. My Walmart and Target do not carry them.
~ Also, I use a 5 gallon bucket because I could not find a 2 gallon bucket. I measured and marked the inside of the bucket to 2 gallons (about 6.5 inches down from the top) with a permanent marker so I knew where to fill the water to.
~ I use a cheese grater to grate the soap. Tim likes to chop the soap finely with a knife on a cutting board which melts better.

Directions:
~ Mix 2/3 grated bar of Fels Naptha soap in pan with 12 cups (6 pints) water.
~ Heat low on stovetop until dissolved.
~ Stir in Washing Soda and Borax.
~ After mixture thickens, remove from heat.
~ Add 8 cups (1 quart) of hot water to the bucket.
~ Add soap mixture and mix well.
~ Add hot water to fill up the bucket (or to the 2 gallon mark on your 5 gallon bucket).
~ Set aside for 24 hours for mixture to thicken.

Yields: 2 gallons or 64 loads

Use:
~ 1/2 cup per load (stir before each use)

Note: You can cut the ingredient measurements in half and pure the soap into a 1 gallon jug. Shake the jug before using.

laundry detergent breakdown cost

The following is a breakdown of the cost for Homemade Laundry Detergent compared to store bought.

Fels Naptha soap
*Cost: $1.00
*Amount in package: 1 bar
*Amount needed for recipe: 1/3 bar
*Equation uses per package: 1 / 1/3 = 3
*Equation cost: $1.00/3 = $0.33
Washing Soda
*Cost: $2.36
*Amount in package: 55 oz.
*Amount needed for recipe: 1/2 cup (4 oz.)
*Equation uses per package: 55 oz./4 oz. = 13.75
*Equation cost: $2.36/13 = $0.18
Borax
*Cost: $2.81
*Amount in package: 76 oz.
*Amount needed for recipe: 1/2 cup (4 oz.)
*Equation uses per package: 76 oz./4 oz. = 19
*Equation cost: $2.81/19 = $0.15
Water
*Cost: $0.01 (per 2 gallons)
*Amount needed for recipe: 2 gallons
*Equation cost: $0.01/1 = $0.01
Sun Oxygen Cleaner
*Cost: $2.03
*Amount in package: 30 oz.
*Amount needed per load: 1 scoop (1 oz.)
*Equation uses per package: 30 oz./1 oz. = 30
*Equation cost: $2.03/30 = $0.07

Homemade Laundry Detergent (64 loads per bucket):
$0.74 ($0.01 per load)

Tide Liquid Laundry Detergent (64 load per jug):
$13.48 ($0.21 per load)

homemade antibacterial wipes

Supplies:
1 roll Paper towels with smaller sections
1/2 cups Mr. Clean Antibacterial cleaner
2 1/2 cups Water
1 container with lid (old baby wipes or Rubbermaid container works well)

Note:
Use good quality paper towels like Bounty or they will fall apart...I know from experience when I tried to use Viva brand.

Directions:
~ Pull half (about 77) of the paper towel sections off individually (one roll of paper towels will make two containers of wipes).
~ Fold each paper towel section into a tri-fold like an accordian or whatever fold works best for the container you are using.
~ Place the towels in the container.
~ Bring water to boil on stovetop.
~ Add Mr. Clean to water.
~ Pour the water over the towels and let set for a little while.
~ Then flip the container over so the water can absorb evenly.
~ Add more water if neccessary, but do not add more Mr. Clean.

Note: If you think pulling each towel sheet individually is too tidious, you can cut the paper towel roll in half with a very sharp knife. Pour the water mixture over the towels and then pull the soggy card board roll out of the middle. When I tried cutting the roll, I made a huge mess. It's easier for me to pull and fold the towels individually when I am talking on the phone or watching TV.

Cost Breakdown:
Paper towels
*Cost: $1.96
*Amount in package: 154
*Amount needed for recipe: 77
*Equation uses per package: 154 /77 = 2
*Equation cost: $1.96/2 = $0.98
Mr. Clean Antibacterial cleaner
*Cost: $2.27
*Amount in package: 40 oz.
*Amount needed for recipe: 1/2 cups (4 oz.)
*Equation uses per package: 40 oz. /4 oz. = 10
*Equation cost: $2.27/10 = $0.23
Water
*Cost: not enough to be a cost factor

Homemade antibacterial wipes (container of 77):
$1.21 ($0.02 per wipe)

Clorox antibacerial wipes (container of 35):
$2.58 ($0.07 per wipe)

homemade baby wipes

Supplies:
1 roll Paper towels with smaller sections
1 T. Baby oil
2 T. Baby shampoo or baby bath
2 - 2 1/2 cups Water
1 container with lid (old baby wipes or Rubbermaid container works well)

Note:
Use good quality paper towels like Bounty or they will fall apart...I know from experience when I tried to use Viva brand.

Directions:
~ Bring water to boil on stovetop and let cool to room temperature.
~ Pull half (about 77) of the paper towel sections off individually (one roll of paper towels will make two containers of wipes).
~ Fold each paper towel section into a tri-fold like an accordian or whatever fold works best for the container you are using.
~ Place the towels in the container.
~ Once the water reaches room temperature, stir in the baby shampoo and baby oil.
~ Pour the water over the towels and let set for a little while.
~ Then flip the container over so the water can absorb evenly.
~ Add more water if neccessary, but do not add more shampoo or oil. This would make the wipes to soapy...which I also learned the hard way.

Note:
If you think pulling each towel sheet individually is too tidious, you can cut the paper towel roll in half with a very sharp knife. Pour the water mixture over the towels and then pull the soggy card board roll out of the middle. When I tried cutting the roll, I made a huge mess. It's easier for me to pull and fold the towels individually when I am talking on the phone or watching TV.

Yeilds: about 77 wipes in a container

Cost Breakdown:
Paper towels
*Cost: $1.96
*Amount in package: 154
*Amount needed for recipe: 77
*Equation uses per package: 154 /77 = 2
*Equation cost: $1.96/2 = $0.98
Baby oil
*Cost: $1.77
*Amount in package: 20 oz.
*Amount needed for recipe: 1 T. (0.5 oz.)
*Equation uses per package: 20 oz. /0.5 oz. = 40
*Equation cost: $1.77/40 = $0.04
Baby Shampoo
*Cost: $1.52
*Amount in package: 20 oz.
*Amount needed for recipe: 2 T. (1 oz.)
*Equation uses per package: 20 oz. /1 oz. = 20
*Equation cost: $1.52/20 = $0.08
Water
*Cost: not enough to be a cost factor

Homemade baby wipes (container of 77):
$1.10 ($0.01 per wipe)

Parent’s Choice newborn wipes (container of 77):
$2.17 ($0.03 per wipe)

explosion of ideas

After I started reading "The Tightwad Gazette", my mind started to explode with ideas of what I could make at home to save money instead of buying at the store. New ideas pop up in my head all the time. I'll be doing things around the house, and I will spot something and think "Can I make that myself?" Well, I have researched how to make and tested a few items so far and want to share them with you. Along with the recipes, I will break down my cost to make the product so that others can see how it really is cheaper. Calculations will vary according to the area people live in (cost to buy products), but in the long run all recipes should be cheaper to make at home.

the reasons i turned to "simple living"

Makayla (6 years) & Ruben (4 months)

little photograher

Makayla
took
this
picture.

She
captured
a
beautiful
setting.

diaper photos

My first sewn cloth diaper without help. Just a few alterations and it will fit perfectly. Hopefully each new one will start to look better in appearance.

Hiney sight of my first cloth diaper.

cloth diapering

I finally finished sewing my first cloth diaper! My sister-in-law, Lori, designed a daiper pattern and taught me how to make cloth diapers that fit like a disposible diaper. I never thought I would resort to this (and I am still leery about it), but it will save us tons of money. It doesn't look the greatest (my sewing), but it works great! One down and "only" 23 to go...

straining baby food

This afternoon I was preparing peas for my little one for the first time...I figured he was getting sick of green beans. I couldn't seem to get all those little pea skins to chop up. After chopping for about 20 minutes my brother-in-law suggested using a wire strainer. Well, wouldn't you know that's the one thing we don't have in our kitchen. As I scoured the kitchen, a flour sifter caught my eye. It works great! As you turn the wire knob it pushes all the juices through and leaves the left over chunks. Now I don't have to resort to purchasing those over priced baby food jars from the store.

what's all that screaming about

This week my 4-month-old, Ruben, has discovered his "screaming" voice. It's driving me insane. He screams when he's upset, when he's happy and about everything in between. I know this doesn't come from my side of the family! I also have to start figuring out how to carry him around the house while doing chores. Typing is especially difficult since he wants to chew on the keyboard.