Country Cabin Living

Still trying new things for the New Year

I was so supprise how little time it took to make my own Laundry Detergent .Wow , anybody that wants to save lots of money ,here's your sign . I was blessed with a great batch of detergent my very first time. Here's how I did it , I looked at 3 different recipes for the laundry detergent . I came up with my own recipe ,and it worked !!! I really had no idea it would be this easy to make . My cloths are brighter and fresher ,and you don't need fabric softener !!! It softens the cloths for you . NO need to add anything to the wash !! Even your hands feel soft from just handling the wet washed cloths !!! And I have well water and it worked like a horse on my cloths .

Laundry Detergent By Shaune

1 bar of grated bath soap (you choice )

1 cup of Washing Soda (not baking soda,will have to order it )

1 cup of Borax

Water

3 gal mop bucket or other bucket

Here's how I did it all . Bring 9 cups of water to a good boil . Grate the bar of soap , put it in a large bowl (that can handle hot water). Add the hot water to the grated soap . Now just keep stiring w / a long spoon (I used wooded spoon) til the soap is melted into the hot water .You might want to wear gloves (I didn't) in case it does  get on you. Just take your time til soap melts.  Now add the Washing soda, stir well to desolve .Then stir in the Borax, stir will to desolved . Keep stirring to mix everything up ,well. Now pour this mixture in a mop bucket (mine was marked for the gallons ,etc)I had it sitting in the sink. Now add warm water to make this mixture make 2 gallons total . Stir well and let it sit over night . It will gel and swell to become almost 3 gals !!!! I was so shocked . Stir it again and pour into containers .It should be very thick . I have been saving my detergant containers , so this works out good for me . Give it a shake and use 1/4 to 1/2 cup per load . I even just use the cap from my old detergent bottle . I love it so far , I have washed several loads and all it well !!! I put everything in detail as possible to help you even more.

Here's what I figured out so far .

I batch from above makes about 3 gals and about 130 loads . I used a cheaper brand store bought detergent for $ 12.00 total tax and all  for about 3 gals and about 130 loads .(1 gal size and one 2 gal )size. Keeping in mine trying to buy at a bargin price to save money. Most people spend alot more than I do on cloths detergent .

Now  buying Enough stuff (high quality grade ) to make atleast 10 batches  (about 3 gallons each) , 1300 loads and about 30 gallons for detergent all for $18.00 which includes tax and the cost of having the Washing Soda shipped to me . Now this is very Thrifty Indeed !!!! You do the math and see what you think .Thats like not even a penny a load or something like that . I am guessing My detergent bill will only cost me $18.00 a year now , if most $36.00 if I wash more . I'm just guessing . But about 130 gallons of detergent (for $18.00) ,that's alot of Laundry I can wash !!

Hope this helps all my frugal friends . I am very excited  to be able to save money and make ends meet better . Where there is a will ,there is a way !!! Have a great week everyone , Shaune

Items For Sale

This new year brings new ideas to me . I have decided to share my sewing talents . All my items are new and re-useable for the buyer  ,which is very frugal . And saves you money in the long run  . I am selling Cloth Dinner Napkins . All different colors and prices .

These are a (pinkish) set of 4 for $4.00 .

These are a Purple turtles set of 6 for $ 5.00

 These  same design 1 set of 6 for $5.00, or if needed I can sell as a set of 8 or set of 4 and split it up to meet your needs.

These are Candy Canes 1 set of 4 for $4.00

Fancy Pants ,a great gift .  (makes 2 dish cloths ,cute instruction card included). I have only the ones w/ green ties for $4.00 each .I will have more colors soon .

These are The Happy Hats ,one size fits most .I have several different patterns to choice from . They are made of fleece for $10.00 each . A good seller in my home town.

This is the last set that I have like this it is for $10.00 .I also have some solid colored hats not as thick ,for $7.00 each. I will be selling some more home sewn items .  I'll post as I make  some more . Please email me (beauty_mark_1973@yahoo.com  or send me a message if you would like to buy any of my items . Shipping will very depending on how much you order .Thanks Very Much ,Shaune

Frugal Ideas

Dear blogger friends ,I am going to list atleast 10 things that my family and I are doing to be more frugal .  I would like you  to list your ideas as well . We all can learn different things from each other . Tag you are it !!!! Shaune

  1. Use cloth napkins. Instead of just paper towels.

  2. Use cloth dish rags ,Instead of sponges.

  3. Use cloth pads (90% the time).Instead of buying it .

  4. Buy used cloths from thrift stores ( buy under garments new).

  5. Uses bar soap at sink ,it will last longer .Instead of liquid soap.

  6. Hang your towels and wash cloths to dry after bathing . Reuse several  times. Save wear and tear on your towels .

  7. Cut off lights ,etc. that aren't being used .Save lots of money .

  8. Use a cloths line . Instead of always using your dryer .

  9. Make your own cloths detergent ,and frabric softener.

  10. Buy food at salvage stores and plant a garden . Hunt for meat.

   11. Plant your own fruit and nut trees ,add trees more every year.

   12. Can your veggies ,fruits ,bake your own bread ,make your own pizza ,dry your own trail mixes,fruit ,and jerky . Homemake foods are healthier for you  and your family.

  13. We have chickens for fresh eggs .

  14. We feed all the Farm animals the same feed .Instead of paying more for different kinds of feed fo each animal .It's an "All Stock Feed". We feed horses, goats, chickens ,guineas ,turkeys,etc all the same feed .

Goals for 2009

I have dicided to make some goals for 2009 . That way I can work towards my goal and not punish myself if they don't get finished .

1. Putting God in First Place for 2009, read the bible more .

2. Health is very Important (I am having a few problems now).

3. Cooking and eating more Healthy Foods .

4. Family Exercise Program ( We all need to lose some weight).

5. Pay off any debt that we can this year .

6. Still working towards being Self- Suffient off our land.

7. Pantry Stocking (Being prepared for the slow falling economy).

8. Garden Planning ,buying more jars from Thrift Stores, etc.

9.  Buying a Wood Cook-Stove ,and a Hand Water Pump.

10. Built a Solar Shower (for outside), and make rain barrels(For animals water) .

11 . Sell the extra Cars we don't need (extra cash).

12 . Making some Home Sew Items to sell(extra $$) and for Christmas Gifts of2009.

13. Sell the extra House we have ,(was going to keep it for a rent house ,but it is to far away to keep up with ). 

14. Stay home more and spend less . Shop once a month for all our needs !!

Greetings to all , it's been a while !!!

Follow Through

Put you best foot forward ,You have talent -then show it. How else is the world ever going to know it ? But - one word of caution - Success depends, too ,On how well your every-day foot follows through .

Just a thought for the New Year ,dream and make it happen . Never give up ,God is on your side . Progress is sometimes slow ,but aleast your still moving forward !!!!Some of the best things happen to those who wait .Where did we ever get the idea that things had to happen so fast ,quick and easy ??? Take back your life in 2009 ,and make it yours again .You set the pace and don't be pushed by your problems . God made our lives to be enjoyed ,relaxed and jolly . Be good to yourself and follow your dreams !!!! Shaune

SNOW IN LOUISIANA !!!!!!

This was a record breaker . We got 1 foot or more of SNOW !!!! That has never happened here ,ever that much anyway !!! We loved it !!!! We built 4 or 5 snowmen ,and my son built an IGLOO !!!! He played in the snow for 3 days morning to night . We lost light due to the trees and limbs filling up with snow and breaking . The leaves caught the snow ,because the trees here don't shed all the leaves in the wintertime . So , the weight was a killer for the trees and power lines . We were so thankful that we had our fire place  to keep us warm and cook with . That's the way to camp , indoors during the winter with a nice warm fire place going . What a winter blast just playing in the snow !!!!!!!!!!! In Louisiana !!!!! P.S Yes, my son used real carrot's for the noses !!!!

These photos here is on the 3rd day .You can see the snow melted off the fence railing . He was using the packed snow to build his igloo . It was still about  4- 61/2 inches in places.And the sky is blue and clearing up ,it's not all white like it was .

This is inside the igloo  . How cool !!!

Divine Health

This is a book I have been reading . It has alot to think about according to the bible and our health . "God's plan for extending your life". How long shall we  live ??? Science confirms that the Bible and God's laws hold the answers . And that we all should still obey the law to live our life to the fullest .Man should be living about 120 years ,yes even Today in our time . Wow ,that is if we obey and keep our bodies healthy ,toxic and disease free . I personally had no idea that some of the foods we eat cause so many problems in the human body .

"Anyone ,then who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it ,commits sin".

So with that being said it is going to make it easier for me to find out what to feed my family .I would not want to shorten our lives and sell ue short of our lives here on earth . I believe in God's word ,and if it is unhealthy and now I know it is ,why would I want to sin ??? I don't ,but it will be a slow process in changing our habits . We think we can just eat what ever don't eat us first .

The Health Laws, with instructions for cleaniness, diet and clean and unclean meat .Saying ; some animals are vegetarians and eat clean foods :others are scavengers and are designed to clean up the refuse of other animals.

A healthy body is immune to disease by its very nature . Synthetic drugs are foreign and alien to the human body.

All dieases begin with a mineral deficiency.

It says :that we form a habit of drinking sufficient water each day in order to keep the system clean . Toxic waste that stays in the colon to long is breeding grounds for cancer to form . Experts say that 90% of human diseases begins in the colon . Start cleaning those colons with good nutrition ,which is affected by our air ,food and drink that we put into our bodies .

Calcium  is very important .Our body uses calcium more than any other substance, and woman require 7 times more than men . White sugar depletes calcium in the body .Honey is best and has important enzymes to aid the digestive process . Low calcium is aften the cause of deep depression ,insomnia ,crying spells ,tension ,anxiety ,and especially suicidal tendencies .

Vitamin C is the glue(electricity) that holds the elements of the body together.

Balance the body chemistry and the body will remove its own toxic waste . 

Exercise : This is very important for having a healthy body . "Plans fail for lack of counsel ; but with many advisers they succeed ." Prov. 15:22

Mushrooms are actually a fungus . Pork and mushrooms grew the best cancer cultures . So this is something to think about . Why eat something if you know it will for sure cause cancer . I believe alittle bit is ok ,but some folks eat pork every night !!!!!!! That can't be good for anybody. But ,God has his say on the Pork issue !!!!! When in doubt do with out !!!!

"Commit to the Lord in whatever you do and your plans will succeed ." Prov.16:3

I made my very first batch of BREAD !!!!!!

I finally bake my own Wheat Bread !!! It was so much fun and very easy !!! My DH even made a loaf with me . I was very pleased with the turn out . It was nice to eat a sandwich with the bread that we baked . My DH brought sandwiches to work to just show off the bread. LOL . He never brings sandwiches to work . We have already baked more bread and froze it . I got the recipe from the HIllbilly Housewife site about 1 year ago. And just decided that I was going to try it . Heck, I make and bake everything else ,why not  try it . I turned out so beautiful  !!! I don't think my family will every want to eat store bread again . I know it's healthier for my family . It does take some time to rise and make . But ,so very worth it to see the smiles on my families face !!! See if I can make bread ,you all can to !! I really didn't think I could make sandwich bread at home and it turn out so good . Have a great week ,Shaune         

These are the Roses that my DH got for me on Valentine's Day and for our Anniversary ,which to is on Valentine's Day, too . Lovely Roses , he's such a sweetie !!

This Is a picture of my other Daughter ,Jessie (Curly Quarter Horse)

How do you spell Friendship ?

F orgive each other.

R efresh each other.

I nvest in each other.

E ncourage each other.

N urture each other .

D epend on each other.

S hare with each other.

H elp each other.

I nspire each other.

P ray for each other.