Update on Homemade Laundry Detergent and Baby Wipes

I posted about my homemade laundry detergent back on February 7th and to this day  I am still using the same batch I whipped up then, that's almost 2 months and with a 5 month old I do at least 1 load of laundry a day usually 2 including cloth diapers.  I have had no issues with stains coming out, none that I wouldn't have with any other detergent.  I have a tendency to forget to use a stain treatment on the many bibs my little one gets bright orange carrots on, but I consider that my fault due to lack of attention to details. 

I am just now getting to the end of my batch, probably still have at least 5 or more loads I can get out of it before I absolutely have to make more.  I'm super excited about how long it's lasted and how well it's done on our clothes, completely worth the little bit of time it took, and a bargain compared to other detergents.

I also made baby wipes, I posted about here.  I have been using homemade baby wipes ever since then except for when we go out, which isn't very often, then I use store bought wipes.  I don't think this would really be necessary.  The homemade wipes would probably hold up just fine in a to-go case.  I bought a large package of 6 Bounty paper towels for $6.  I cut each of them in half and half a roll lasts us about a week, sometimes a little more or less depending on how many blow out BM's we have in a week.  So 1 package of paper towels lasts us about 12 weeks or 3 months,  that's about $2 a month on baby wipes, not bad huh? 

I have changed the recipe I use for the wipes just because I ran out of baby oil and didn't really want to spend money on more.  The recipe I use now is 1cup water, 1/4 cup baby wash (probably a little less than this because I don't measure), and a couple squirts of baby lotion.  Now the wipes are not quite as soapy but still work just as well.

Homemade Croutons

I was walking through Walmart the other day doing my usual weekly grocery shopping and what do I find, loaves of french bread for $0.56, Score!  I was so excited, a bought a loaf without really knowing what I wanted to use it for, but who can pass up bread for $0.56. 
We are having a dinner for my in-laws next weekend to celebrate my mother-in-laws birthday.  We planned on having steak, baked potato, salad, and dessert.  So I thought why not make homemade croutons for the salads.  I had been wanting to try them for a while now but just never got around to it.  Here's how I made mine:

I used about half a loaf of the french bread
salt
pepper
italian seasoning (you could also use garlic if you wanted)
olive oil

Heat the oven to 400 degrees.  Cut your bread into approximately 1/2inch chunks a place in bowl.  Drizzle olive oil on top.  Use salt, pepper, and seasoning of your choice to taste.  I used a good amount of salt and pepper but was nervous about getting too much italian seasoning, after they were finished I wished I would have put more on.  So don't be scared, season liberally for good flavoring.  Mix all ingredients together until bread chunks are evenly covered.  Spread out onto a baking sheet, and bake for approximately 7-10 minutes.  Here's what you end up with:

Place in air tight container or a ziploc bag, and enjoy on salads or to snack on.

Applique Onesie

I also started on the applique onesie for little Sophie Marie.  I used Heat and Bond I purchased from Walmart.  There were two kinds, I bought the sewable.  I cut out the fabric I wanted, then pinned it to the Heat and Bond and cut around that.  Next put the shiny side of the Heat and Bond on the wrong side of your fabric and iron over top.  This makes the Heat and Bond stick to your fabric.  Next peel off the paper backing, place your fabric where you want it on your onesie and iron over top of that.  Here is what mine looks like.

Once you have ironed your picture on your onesie you will need to applique around the edges.  I like to blanket stitch mine but you could also machine stitch.

Here it is completely finished:

I wanted to have a ruffle butt on this onesie but after making the ruffles, sewing them on, and looking at it I decided it was a complete disaster.  It looked really bad, so I ripped them out and nixed the whole idea of ruffles.  Maybe next time.

Binky Clips Tutorial

Finally I'm back in full swing and feeling like myself again.  I'll tell ya the flu can really knock you on your rear.  Anyways, I have seen many tutorials for these, most use snaps, but snaps and I don't get along so I use velcro.  This is probably the quickest and easiest baby project and it is one of my go-to's for a shower gift.

Here's what you need:

Ribbon of your choice, suspender/mitten clips (you can find these in the notions section at Hobby Lobby or Joann's, they are approx $2 for 2), and velcro.

Measure and cut your ribbon to the length you desire.  Mine are about 12 inches.

Fold over the ends of your ribbon approximately 1/4 inch and stitch so there will be no fraying.

Take your suspender/mitten clip and fold your ribbon through it.  Stitch the ribbon in place.

Cut your velcro small enough so it fits on your ribbon.  I have no measurement for this because it depends on how thick your ribbon is.  Then sew on your pieces approximately 2 inches apart.

Here's the finished binky clip.

I love easy and quick projects like these.



It Has Been Awhile

I feel like it has been forever since I have been on here.  The flu hit me hard on Sunday night, full blown with a fever for 3days, vomiting, and now a cough that just won't quit.  Let me tell ya it is completely exhausting trying to care for a 4 month old when you don't even have the energy to lift your head off the pillow.  I don't think I have had more than a 24 hour stomach virus in the last 3 years, and that's saying something because I worked in  doctor's office with all kind's of sick people coming in and out. 

Anyway, on top of that my husband has been laid off.  Yes our only source of income is now obsolete until he finds something else.  Oh the trials and tribulations we go through as adults, haha.  So there has been a lot going on and alot of stress this week.  I do have a few crafts that were started pre-flu however they are not finished completely so it may be a few days before I can actually post something good.

Here is what I have in the works:
-Grant's Easter Basket
- Cloth shoes for baby Sophie
-Binky clips
-Apron (after years I am finally making one for myself, whoo hoo)

Hopefully I will have something for you soon!

New Play Toy

Grant was doing so well at putting himself to sleep.  We used to let the swing put him to sleep but seeing as he is now 20lbs and the weight limit is approximately 25lbs on our swing, I decided a little over a month ago it was time for him to start napping in his bed like a big boy. 

We had a few rough days of crying and fussing but over all he did great in the transition.  Fast forward to the last week or so and we have a new distraction, feet.  Yes he has discovered he has two feet and loves nothing more than to play with them and suck on them.  While I find this extremely cute and have taken a dozen or more pictures of him playing with this new toy, this is not good for nap time.  You see Grant is a very stubborn 4 month old little boy who hates, yes hates, going to sleep.  He has fought it since he was two weeks old, and tends to wear me out more than himself most of the time.  He even fights eating a bottle at times because it puts him to sleep, so rather than just laying there relaxing and eating he will take a few drinks with his eyes rolling back and proceed to kick his feet, throw his arms and start screaming, only to take a few more drinks and repeat the same process all over again.

So now when he starts to get sleepy and I put him in his bed he dozes off for a moment or two then realizes he is going to sleep and begins playing with his two favorite things, his feet, a toy I can't take away or make him forget about.  Hence my dilemma.  As I type this my little one is talking to his mobile with his feet in his hand having a grand ol' time when only a few minutes ago he was practically asleep in my arms sucking his thumb.  Haha, what's a mom to do?

Broccoli Cheese Soup

I made this per my husband's request the other night and it was really good, and I'm not even a big fan of broccoli cheese soup.  I found this recipe online, where exactly I have no clue, but as usual I ended up changing some of it.

Broccoli Cheese Soup

2 (16oz) bags frozen broccoli
3 (14.5 oz) cans chicken broth (I used 6 cups water and 4 chicken bullion cubes)
1 1/2 lbs velveeta cheese (I used 1 lb regular velveeta and 1/2 lb mexican velveeta)-cubed
pepper
1 onion-chopped
2 cups milk
1/2 cup flour
6T butter

Simmer broccoli in chicken broth until tender.  In a medium sized pan saute onion in butter for about 5 minutes.  Flour to make a thick pastry like paste.  Add milk about a half cup at a time and stir until thick.  Add the onion/milk mixture to your broccoli and broth, stir well.  Add your cubed velveeta cheese and stir until its melted completely.  Do not let your soup boil.  Add as much pepper as you like.

My husband likes spicey and hot flavors and I had both kinds of velveeta, if you only have regular velveeta I'm sure the soup would still be as good, the mexcian just adds a little more flavor to it.  The bonus to this recipe is it should freeze well.  As anyone who has read some of this blog of mine knows I love recipes that freeze well.  My husband doesn't like many things leftover but I hate wasting food.  Not to mention financial times are tough and it is always in the back of my mind that there may come a time when we don't have much money to spend on groceries.  It makes me feel good knowing we have extra stocked up in our freezer if we are in need or someone we know is in a rough spot.

Happy Eating!