The benefit of being brokeHer little red ponytail bounced up and down as I prodded pins through the strap around her neck. It was 10:28 at night. The time when all good sewing projects are inspired to start.I've been homeschooling for 2 weeks now and hit my first breaking point. My heart and soul were demanding for wine- the whole bottle at that, and a therapist- two things I don't have access to right now with the current condition of the world.In attempt to distract my gritting teeth from … [Read more...] about Repurposed Apron
MEAT TO EAT IN 2 MONTHS
Livestock you can buy for $1.99We are on Day 9 of Quarantine. The "Coronavirus" aka Covid-19 struck our countries headlines- 1 week after I started writing my blog. My mind immediately went into survival mode with all such talk. I began saving all of my couch cushion change up for a batch of livestock that could quickly stock my freezer using a jar of linty coins. Little yellow Broiler chicks were my lucky golden ticket.What is a Broiler?I called our semi local Runnings (farm supply store) … [Read more...] about MEAT TO EAT IN 2 MONTHS
FUNCTIONABLE FARMHOUSE KITCHEN
THEY COOKED MORE & HAD LESSI'm always fascinated by these house hunters that complain of the kitchen spaces always being too small. The fact that in the 1800's & 1900's women fed their families of 8+ in a space the size of a postage stamp (average kitchen size was 70 square feet). They made daily bread by hand on a fold down table since counter space was either non existant or very limited, big cast iron washboard sinks cleaned freshly butchered chickens and filled large stock pots over … [Read more...] about FUNCTIONABLE FARMHOUSE KITCHEN
GAINING THAT WINTER WAIT
GETTING THROUGH THE HEAVY STUFFWAIT + WEIGHTThe earth is muted and the wind blows hard cold air and heavy snow at the front door, making me never want to open it. But I do. And we must. This slow, stationary pace has purpose in it's lack of excitement, it also brings tea by day, red wine by night and too many donuts but really who's counting? This is a waiting period. The weighting period. A time to gain inspiration and inches to the waistline from experimenting in the kitchen, relaxing on the … [Read more...] about GAINING THAT WINTER WAIT
FEELING FRESH BATH SALT
YOUR FEET WILL THANK YOUThat one time in Vegas...Epsom salt is also known as magnesium sulfate. It's a chemical compound made up of magnesium (a laxative), sulfur (an antibacterial) and oxygen- aka something I don't know too much about but saved my tired soles after a 3 day bender walking the strip in Las Vegas one time. When it is dissolved in water, the particles are absorbed through your skin providing you with the benefits of magnesium and sulfates- related to better sleep, stress … [Read more...] about FEELING FRESH BATH SALT
DIY SURFACE CLEANER
SPRAY.WIPE.REPEAT.This is your kitchens boss in a bottle to say the least! Grubby fingers are always greeting our fridge, door knobs, spilling Cheerio milk on counters and leaving muddy footprints on the floor. Stop in on any given day and you can see we live here, however it's never too early to start teaching kids how to clean up after their own messes too.KIDS CLEANING UPIf you've potty trained a little boy, aiming, I think you know where I'm going with this...I make this solution and split … [Read more...] about DIY SURFACE CLEANER
DIY STAIN REMOVER
SPAGHETTI SAUCE & GRASS STAINS ARE NO MATCHA cousin of mine borrowed our cloth diapers for a few months after her 9 month old developed a horrendous ongoing diaper rash possibly due to a bad box of diapers. I sent them off with her and wished her the best in the laundering department. They came back whiter and brighter than I sent them to her with! She said she used this concoction of peroxide, dish soap and water. HOLY MOLY! So simple and works amazing!BS + VinegarOur farm water tends to … [Read more...] about DIY STAIN REMOVER
DIY Laundry Soap
A STAIN FIGHTING SUPERHERODear SHI**Y cloth diapers, You are no longer a match to me. I ditched the harsh bleach, the obnoxious liquid laundry detergents, the softeners, the scents. I have a potion that will rock the socks, rags, & greasy work jeans right along with ya. And it does a dang fine job too. Sincerely, ~A mom + her Superhero laundry soapI've used cloth diapers (not full time) on both of our kids for the penny saving aspect but trust me it's not a sunshine and … [Read more...] about DIY Laundry Soap
DIY HAND SOAP
NATURAL.KID FRIENDLYOften times, I wonder if I'm the only one whose kids go ham on the foam soap. What the heck is it about this stuff that makes it so appealing to pump half the bottle down the drain in one wash? AND why do I continue to make this? (palm slap to forehead) Becccaaauuuusseee it's so luxurious feeling!! It may change from pump to pump but this recipe never fails to leave your hands feeling grand and smelling good too! Changing scents from season to season is another simple way to … [Read more...] about DIY HAND SOAP
DIY Dish Soap
Fresh.Simple.NaturalI don't own a dishwasher. Growing up we had a dishwasher but after I moved to college and beyond it was a luxury that just didn't make it to the necessity list. 10 years and counting I've been hand washing crusty cereal bowls and scraping pans and it doesn't bother me a bit! I love Dawn dish soap with all my heart, I really do- but MAN it can do a number on your hands (it has super woman powers to remove grease aka stripping your skin from softening oils). Come winter my … [Read more...] about DIY Dish Soap