My Garden...

I have been blessed this year with a beautiful garden. I can't take the credit, we've received an abundant amount of rain, lovely warm days and rich soil. All I've done is work the ground, plant the seeds and try to control the weeds!!

My peas are producing like crazy. The boys have been greatly enjoying the freedom to pick and eat whenever they please. I am putting some in the freezer, as we aren't keeping up with just fresh eating. My beans and potatoes are blooming, as are my tomatoes. So lots of work is just around the corner. And I'm so thankful most of my weeding is done for the summer. I do need to go out and do some light weeding in the corn rows.

Mulch---My favorite gardening 'tool'. I have seen lots of questions floating around about how to do it, and if it works. So I thought I'd share what I do and what I have found to work best for me.

Most years I have just used old hay. Some people find it 'weedy', or I should say, sprouts lots of weeds. But I've never had a problem with it. Now straw-I have gotten weeds from that!! And I was not impressed this year to say the least. My hubby gave me some wonderful yellow straw. It was finely chopped, so was very easy to use. BUT it sprouted LOTS of grass. Thankfully I had laid newspaper down first, so I would go out about once a week and just shuffle it around and loosen the roots that were attaching to the newspaper. And so far that has worked for me.

This year was also the first that I used grass a lot. And I really like it!!! It's small and very easy to lay out. I like mulching soon after it's been cut, so it's still damp. Then it dampens the newspaper and holds it all in place better. Our large yard, is on top of the drain field of the septic system, so you can well imagine it grows grass like crazy!! We have a lawn sweeper that pulls behind the mower, so it works great for picking up the grass and hauling it to the garden. You do need to mulch thickly with grass, as it can backfire and grow LOTS of weeds for you.

As I mentioned, I lay newspaper down first. It is a great weed barrier. And works really great. It's easy to use, just not on a windy day!!! I use 2-3 layers, then put the straw/hay/grass on top and you won't have to pull any more weeds. (Hopefully)

Yes, that is weeds in the foreground. ( I didn't say my garden was weed free.) It's actually along the front edge of the garden, where we plan to put it back into yard. The black plastic, is another experiment for us. And it has worked out really good. Although I will plant things closer together. I put all my mellons, cucs, and squash out on it. Maybe it will all fill up yet, we'll see. (It is left over plastic from the silage bags. See being married to a farmer has it's benefits.)

The only places I don't mulch are my corn. And that is what is needing some weeding right now. We plant corn for 2+ families, so there are 12 LONG rows and 5 short rows. Plus I planted 4 rows of popcorn. Yes, I was industrious this year. Maybe it's because last summer I only planted 6 tomato plants. And this summer was ready for a real garden again. Although I didn't miss the work last year. I had decided with having a newborn in May, my hands were full enough. And I don't regret that.

So now you know what my summer will be full of...

Linked to Works for Me Wed.

Preparing for Sunday

How are you on a Sunday Morning?? I don't mean physically, I mean mentally. When you get to Church are you ready to meet with and worship your Saviour??Are you relaxed and rested in your soul and spirit? Are you all ready to be refreshed and refilled for another week. Or are you one of those who have rushed around all morning, and when you get to your bench at church, do you plop down with a heavy sigh?? One that lets you finally relax and begin thinking of the reason you came to church in the first place, to Worship the ONE who has seen you through your full, busy week.

Preparing for a Sunday Morning Church Service begins on Saturday. And it starts with a plan, such as doing things ahead so that Sunday Morning you can be relaxed.

Have you ever noticed that when you, as the Mom, are feeling frazzled, it gets passed to your children. Many times when we get to church and I begin to relax, I realize my boys are uptight. And they tend to misbehave and have a hard time sitting still because Mom has 'Wound them up'.

This is an area I am working on, so here is a list of my idea's that have helped me to be more relaxed and still be 'On Time', on a Sunday Morning.

Saturday

-Prepare your Sunday noon meal on Sat. Or at least have most of it done, before Sunday Morning. I try to do my cooking Sat. A.M. but you do whatever works for you. I like simple things like a casserole. Baked potatoes are another common thing, along with a simple meat. My husband is also a great one for saying, 'Just make Tomato Soup and toasted cheese sandwiches'. Especially after a particularly full and busy Saturday.

-Prepare/Plan your Sunday Morning Breakfast. This seems like such a simple thing, and yet, it can be time consuming if not prepared for. We pretty much always have Homemade Granola with Yogurt and Strawberries. It's super simple and yet filling.

-Bathe on Saturday evening. There is nothing like snuggling and cuddling with 3 squeaky clean little boys, with their damp hair and sweet smelling skin. I also like to trim finger and toe nails if needed, because they are free of foreign particles from the outdoors.

-Lay out my boy's clothes and any other clothes you may need, if you plan to be gone for lunch or the day. And pick out my own clothes. I don't know how much time I have wasted, waiting til the last minute to decide what to wear... and then something doesn't match right and I have to start over...

-Pack your diaper bag. Extra diapers, clothes, quiet toys for Church, simple snack... etc. etc.

-Do a last minute 'House Clean Up', before tucking boys in bed.

-Put boys to bed  on time, if not a tad earlier then normal.

-Have everything you need to take with you, set out and ready to be picked up and walked out the door. I have found this works great, my Hubby knows what needs to go, by the pile in the 'normal spot'. (Often the table, but I'm working on getting it moved to the dryer.)

-Go to bed early myself.

-And take time to prepare your heart for worship, be it Saturday evening or Sunday Morning.

Sunday Morning

- I like to rise early enough to be up and ready-showered and hair combed, before my 'littles' wake up. (Still an area I am working on, they like to get up the same time I do.)

-Get the boys up early enough so they have plenty of time to eat and get dressed, without me needing to push them, making you and them uptight. (Most times I don't need to worry about this. They get up too early.)

-Put my lunch in the oven on -Time Bake-.

-Eat and have the kitchen cleaned up by 8.

-Get myself and my boys ready to leave. We like to be heading out the door soon after 9.

If I can follow these guidelines-as a general rule-I find my Sundays a lot more relaxed. Even if I get most of the list done, on Saturday, it sure goes a long way in helping.

 

If I can be relaxed, my little ones are relaxed. And when we walk into church, there is a sense of calmness and a readiness for Worship and a refreshing of spirit.

Laundry Soap Recipe

Laundry Tips-Part 2
I had started a series on Laundry Tips... Well, last week was a blur and the week before I was posting Our Love Story. So it was shoved off... Sorry!!

This time I'll share my Laundry Soap Recipe. My cousin had used this recipe and I thought her strange for going to the work of making it, when it was so easy to just buy it!! She made it because all her babies would get bad diaper rashes when using store bought stuff. How times have changed and now I make my own ALL the time!! For one it is MUCH much cheaper!

Ingredients & Things You Need

• 
  
  1 Fels Naptha Bar Soap
• 
  
  1 1/2 c. Borax
• 
  
  1 1/2 c. Washing Soda
• 
  
  5 Gallon Bucket with lid
• 
  
  Water

Shred the Fels Naptha bar. I use my food processor, so fast and easy.

Put in kettle with 12 c. of water. On Med. heat - heat til soap is dissolved.
Add Borax and washing soda. Then stir until dissolved.

Pour 8 Cups HOT water into your bucket. Add the soap, Borax, soda mix to the water and stir.

Then add 2 Gallons and 12 Cups of water. I generally just do cold.

Then stir really well. And let sit 24 hours.

Then use a whisk or mixer to make smooth. A mixer works much better then the whisk. It is very glumpy!!! I use a long handled spoon, and make sure I get all the lumps worked up to the mixer, and yes, my arm gets half way down the bucket too. The one time I made it, I didn't get to the bottom very good, and when I got down to that point, I could tell it, it was more watery and not mixed so well.

It took about 2 months to use this amount of laundry soap. And I average 2 loads of wash a day!! If not more!!! And we really like it. You use 1/3 c. soap per load. I often throw in a bit more when washing Delvyn's barn stuff. There isn't really any smell that I can tell. But there is when you are heating it to melt the bar soap. Makes your whole house smell like you cleaned it from top to bottom!!! :)

A breakdown of the costs-

Fels Naptha bar of Soap- $.99
Borax-$4.99                6 buckets can be made from 1 box
Washing Soda- $2.49  4 buckets can be made from 1 box

So it costs $2.45 per 5 gals of laundry soap.
If I figure 2 loads a day on average-30 days a month, beings it lasted me 2 mths, would be 120 loads
= about $.02 a load!!! About $15 a year for your Laundry soap!!!:)And it really doesn't take much time at all to make it.

Just a note-Washing Soda IS different then Baking Soda. You can find washing soda at Walmart and most grocery stores. Same with the Borax.

Happy Laundry Day!!!:)

For printer friendly version click HERE.

Saving Money...

...One dime at a time.

This morning a cousin of mine posted a thought on Facebook and it stirred up an interesting discussion. And it made me think... Back to what I used to think, and what thoughts I still fight. It is carnal fleshly desires, I want things and want them NOW!! I don't want to wait, or I forget to plan ahead, saving for things before we will need them. I thought back on the journey God has brought me through, and where He is taking me, and what he is still teaching me!!

Do I need to keep up with 'the Jones'?? Or am I content to 'live a step down' from them?? Does it make me feel inferior to those who have more, over to visit?? Or can I relax, and enjoy their company?? I find far to often, I'm wishing I could have done an upgrade in my home when I invite certain people over. Or that I feel just a bit smug when inviting those over who are 'lower class'. What a shame!!! I am to look at all people equally!! And so many times I don't!!! And I wasn't even realizing it 'til I started writing all this out. (One thing I love my blog for!!) I've got some work to do in my heart!! Rather I should say-I've got corners to allow God to work at and clean out!!

I don't even remember how I found MoneySavingMom's blog. I just know that she has taught me allot and I know I'm not done learning yet. I admire her ability to budget and live well within her means. I love the way she is frugal and finds ways to save a penny here and a dollar there. She is not scared to track down deals and get the best price she can. And then she shares it with so many other people.

When I first followed her blog, I found myself wasting a lot of time... trying to track down deals, following links and printing coupons. I was even spending money that I didn't need to, because I was 'Saving Money'!!! I loved looking at the pile of things I was getting for a little bit of nothing, but then realized I was still spending more then I really needed to, because there were still things I was buying that I did not REALLY NEED!!! And I am learning to cut back my spending even more. And not 'buy' the extra things, unless they are free or almost free. I do buy candles at Walgreens and Target for next to nothing with coupons and sales. And have been saving them for gifts, when needed.

I admire people that use Envelope System, by Dave Ramsey. Only giving themselves an allotted amount of cash to spend each month, and when it's gone it's gone!!! I keep wanting to try it and I have to a certain point. One day I will do it all the way.:) I am staying under my Hubby's authority, when it comes to this. I also struggle with knowing what to do when a good sale comes along and it's a really good time to stock up!!! For example, last week Walgreens had a really good deal on Huggies diapers, and with 2 boys in diapers it takes a lot to keep them in supply. I spent an average of $2/$3 a pack!!! How could I NOT stock up?!?!?!?! I had my Mom and my Mother in law print coupons on their printers as I can only print 2 coupons per printer.

I have been learning to live within my means... and one fast way to learn is to have milk prices hit rock bottom less then a year after buying a farm!! I am still learning to have contentment in my heart. I have plenty, I live in a warm house, have lots to eat, warm clothes to wear, a vehicle to drive... and the list could go on. Is my house perfectly decorated?? No, but we have beds to sleep in, a table to eat at and a couch to sit on. (Plus LOTS of other things!!!) Sure there are the little things I'd love to add, to make the look I want, look complete. But will it make me any happier?? Probably not!! And I've learned if I have to save up for it, I appreciate it much more then if I just go out and buy what I want, when I want it.

And I've learned to accept my husbands answers when I ask about buying certain things... There have been times when I'll ask him about buying something-a bigger dollar item, and his first response is, 'Do we really need it?' But we'll keep talking and I will keep wiggling it around and finally get a begrudging affirmative to get it. But soon after I get home, I get the feeling that it was not right. And if I want to take it back, my  hubby won't let me. So now every time I look at it, I am reminded of stepping outside his will. And I come to actually loath the very thing I thought we really needed!!!

I am coming to appreciate those little reminders in life. How ever crude they are. I am thankful for a Hubby that lets me make mistakes, and helps me learn. But most of all I am thankful for a God who loves me and teaches me things in ways I understand.

Planning...

Photo Credits-Flicker

Waaaahhhh!!!

The cries of a child penetrate my dream... must I really get up NOW??? After talking to my hubby late last night-again, the last thing I feel like doing is getting up at 7:30. Soon the boyish prattle of another child, merges into my foggy brain. I soon hear footsteps toddling across the hall, and entering my room. Maybe if I pretend not to see them, they'll leave and I can sleep a bit more. ha They are on to me... and soon they are snuggling up against me. I am soon feeling WIDE awake. 20 cold toes on my toasty warm legs and stomach are enough to wake anyone up instantly.

I decide to just enjoy the 'Moment'... I know they will not be wanting to do such a thing with Mom, in the near future as the years are speeding by.

'Mom, I'm hungry.' Those famous words all Mom's dread hearing I think. (Seems you just clean up one meal and they are back asking for more.) I try to hold him off, knowing I've gotta get up, shower and dress for the day. Sometimes it works other times it doesn't. On the days it's doesn't, it can get very frustrating... I wanna get dressed so I feel ready to face my day. My boys wanna eat, so they feel charged for their day. And now I feel behind time, because I stayed in bed so long.

And until I am ready to start my day, with the boys fed and starting their day-it's 9:00 or later. And that means half my morning is GONE!!! My brain feels foggy, because I'm not in a good mood. The little 'buggy' things the boys do to each other bugs me. I get upset at them, and next thing you know, they are upset with each other, and the whole house is a mess!!! My day was not very productive... I felt like a putz... and it was ALL because MOM got out of bed LATE!!!

Photo Credits-Flicker

I had been noticing this pattern for a while and decided to start watching my day, and see what was causing it... it didn't take long to realize I needed to get up BEFORE my boys. (Yes, I did like that morning cuddle time. But not when the rest of the day is hay-wire!!) So I decided to get up at 6:30-at least. It doesn't work for me to get up much before that at this point, my baby still gets up around 6 to nurse. But I like to lay there and plan my day and pray. So I'm wide awake ready to get up as soon, or soon after he's done eating. And it makes so that most times I am showered and dressed before my boys even get up. My baby goes back to sleep after he eats, for another hour or so. Then when my other 2 boys show up with their smiling faces, I feel like smiling back!!! And we can cheerily start breakfast and be ready for our day by 8:00!!

And by that point, I often have my laundry going... floor swept, and other such things.
I have also discovered planning takes alot of stress out of life!! I had been getting very frustrated with my day. But by planning my day/week, things are much more organized.
I had tried for years to make a planner/home management binder work for me. It looked like a great idea. I had seen so many ideas for a BIG 8x11 size. So I tried it. But you know, I did not use it- because it was so big!! I could not haul with with me wherever I went, and would wish for it. I finally found a better idea- a HALF size one. And now I LOVE it. It is much simpler and basic then the bigger size... but it works for me. I like menu's now... I had tried them before, but could never make them work. Now I plan them Sunday evening or Monday morning. for the week. I know that may not work for alot of people, because of how you do your shopping. (I only go about 2x a month. Grocery that is.) I plan to do a post about my binder at some point, so won't say whole lot more about it right now.
I have loved how much smoother my days seem to go... I love being up ahead of my boys, ready to greet them when they sleepily come to me for a morning hug... I love being ready, emotionally, to give of my self... I love my quiet time before they get up... I love the 'extra' hour or two of work that I get... And best of all I love my attitude through out the day... All because, I'm on 'top of the day', and have a plan for it. I'm so Thankful God showed me another area I needed to change.
*Disclaimer-Before you think this works perfectly everyday-It DOESN"T!! There are still mornings I just sleep in, there are mornings without motivations, there are times of frustrations... mostly because of a particularly late night previous. Or mornings some little boys rise before I am ready for them to get up. But I do know it works when it is put into practice, and since practice makes perfect, we'll keep practicing it as much as we can!!