Homemade Laundry Detergent

We go through A LOT of laundry at our house.  Actually it is a bit ridiculous and something that we are working on.  Laundry detergent is one of those things that we use so quickly I just couldn't stand spending a lot of money on it.  We have been making our own for a couple months and I am hooked.  

Here is what you will need:

3 cups borax

1 bar of soap (We use Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile soap in peppermint and lavender, but you can use whatever you have on hand)

2 cups washing soda (this can be found in the laundry section of the grocery store)

2 cups baking soda

A container big enough to hold it, we have this glass container that I love.  This container is big enough to allow us to triple the recipe, so of course yours does not need to be this big!

The first thing you need to do is grate the bar soap.   I suggest removing the bar of soap from it's  package and letting it sit out for at least an hour.  This will dry it out a bit and make it easier to grate.

Now all you need to do is mix the measured ingredients.  Use 2 tablespoons for an extra large load.  Yep, it is that easy!  

This recipe will give you 72 extra large loads of laundry.  From my (very rough) calculations it cost us about $4 to make.  Compared to Seventh Generation Powdered Detergent, we are saving about $15 each time we make this recipe!  

Here are some other laundry tips...

1. Instead of using fabric softener in your wash fill a downy ball half way with vinegar, and throw it in when you start the load.  This will leave your clothes feeling very soft.  If you do not have a downy ball just add about 1/4 cup of vinegar during the rinse cycle.  Don't worry, your clothes will not smell like vinegar, it all rinses out.

2. Instead of using fabric softener sheets in the dryer put 2 drops of essential oil on a washcloth and throw it in with your clothes.  This will give your clothes a little extra scent.  I have not tried this, because Sam and I have very sensitive skin and are very sensitive to smells.  The smell of the bar soap is plenty for me.

3. When drying anything heavy, such as towels or jeans hang them on a drying rack or a laundry line for a few hours, then throw them in the dryer until dry.  This will shorten the time you are running the dryer, but your clothes will still feel fresh from the dryer.  Win, win!  We have been doing this for about a year and noticed a drop in our electric bill!

I hope this helps!

2010 Recap

2010 was the year of “Being Green” for the Murphy Family. We made several resolutions as a family all revolving around being aware of our actions and how these actions effect our bodies and our world. We made some big steps in the right direction and decided this will be a continual effort as we really enjoyed using our resources wisely and seeing the effect this had on our outlook and our monthly bills.

The first thing we changed was adding a large garbage can in our kitchen to be used for recycling. Before, we were making trips to the garage every time we had something to recycle. We found that this wasn't practical and when in a hurry we would just throw stuff away instead of taking the time to recycle. In a year, we have found that we are now recycling more then we are throwing away.

The second thing we changed was making a weekly menu plan and sticking to a grocery list when shopping. How is this a “green” step? First, we are not buying food we will not eat so we have less waste. Second, we cut our grocery bill in half, this allows us to purchase mostly organic and support companies who are furthering our efforts. While making our weekly menus we plan on having leftovers for lunches, this also cuts our consumption and provides more nutrition instead of the boxed or frozen “quick-meals” that we were eating.

The third thing we did was install a rain barrel. Harvesting rain will allow us to decrease our water usage in the spring and summer. Also, I have been intrigued to see the benefits of using rain water to water your indoor plants. Less water used and added nutrients. Win, win!

The final thing we did was start a compost bin. This is something that I have been interested in, but, frankly, I was afraid to take the step! Seems like it would turn into a huge rotting pile of grossness. However after 6 months of research I decided to take the leap. We have been composting for 3 weeks, adding and rotating our bin every 3-4 days. So far, so good! I cannot wait to see the benefits this adds to my garden this summer!

Now I know some of you are asking, “Why?” I am not disillusioned enough to believe that our efforts are going to save the planet or reverse decades of bad decisions. Honestly, my motives have nothing to do with global warming or the ozone layer. I put my time and effort into these things for 2 reasons: First, I want to do what is best for my family. For me this means avoiding chemicals and additives that cause rashes, headaches and bloating (just to name a few). Our family has noticed a huge change in these things since using natural products and remedies. Second, I believe that God has blessed us with every resource we have. It is important to me to use these resources wisely. Whether it is our income or the abundance of rain we get in the northwest, we can use these things to provide for our happy and healthy families.

I am very proud of the changes we have made in 2010. We have grown individually and as a family. We are moving forward in God's calling for us and have found more purpose in our everyday lives. I believe that 2011 will bring just as much growth and purpose. I am excited to see where we will be this time next year.

Our dirty little secrets.

We all have them.  My dirty secrets hide under my kitchen counters, above my kitchen counters, in the pantry, shoot they even hide in the hall closet.  What I am talking about are those places that never seem to be clean or organized.   

Like this...

I work really hard at keeping the kitchen presentable.  Well, at least 10 minutes to presentable.  I clean as I am cooking or baking, I unload the dishwasher the first chance I have and I have mastered the art of cleaning, disinfecting and shining my counters and sink with a single lemon.  Yet I still have the uncontrollable clutter and chaos living in my cupboards.  

Such as this...

The main reason this drives me crazy is because I spend a lot of time in the kitchen.  I love cooking and baking, however I do not love searching high and low for something that should be in the utensil drawer.  I was also never taught how a workable kitchen should be arranged.  I have learned what is convenient for me, but I am certain there is an easier way.  So I have decided to do something about it...and so begins our next series.

To take my cupboards from this...

To this...

...or something like it.  I am not striving for perfection here, just something manageable that will make my life easier.  

Yes, all these cluttered cupboards are mine, and there will be many more before and after pictures along the way.  Side note: when I opened up the pantry to take the before picture several things came tumbling out, haha, think it is about time!

Decking the Halls: Preparing our home for Christmas

I have so many wonderful memories of Christmas. The sights, sounds and smells of a warm home filled with a happy family. Through Jr. High and High school we lived in a beautiful house, my step-mom did a fantastic job decorating every inch of it or Christmas. I loved sitting in the living room, sipping hot cocoa and being warmed by the fireplace, there was a beautifully decorated tree and garland wrapped around the banister. My sister would fill the house with beautiful music from her current instrument of choice. Even as a teenager I remember thinking “I do not want to forget these moments”.
As Ryan and I are building our family and creating our home I am passionate about giving Sam these wonderful memories too. I believe that these memories happen in the small things, not necessarily the Christmas parties or other planned events. I also believe that when you stimulate more of your senses, memories are bound to be created.
Here are some of the things I have been doing:
Sights: I love decorating for Christmas. Last year as we were putting away our decorations I got rid of any that did not have sentimental meaning or that I didn’t love. This actually cut our decorations in half. I then shopped the after Christmas clearance; I spent $30 and picked up a new table cloth, placemats, beads for the tree, supplies for a Christmas wreath and 2 adorable statues. This year when I opened our Christmas boxes it was like an early gift to myself! I had so much fun putting up our new purchases and remembering everything I had bought. I am so happy with our decorations this year. We still have significantly less than we did last year, however now we love each and every one.
Sounds: In the Murphy house we begin listening to Christmas music the week before Thanksgiving (I know, I know). When Sam and I are home in the evening I love playing carols softly in the background. I find myself singing the lyrics to Sam, many of the old carols have profound lyrics about the reason for Christmas and what our reaction should be. What a great way to start speaking these truths into Sam’s life.
We also have several bells throughout our house. Sam found these in record time and enjoys making his own music. Something so simple, but helps remind me what time of year it is.
Now if only we could find the volume control of the toddler…
Smells: I learned a new trick this year; actually I am not even sure where I picked it up, but it totally sets the scene in our home. I fill a small sauce pot halfway with water, then I add various spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, whatever you like), bring it to a boil on the stove then reduce the heat to low. If I am home, I just let this sit on low all day; this mimics the pot of water on our woodstove as a child. Of course, check the water level periodically and add water when necessary. This makes our home smell so wonderful! It also adds a lot of moisture into the air, which helps combat the dry air the heater creates. I usually have terribly dry skin this time of year, this has helped so much.
Also, whenever I am home, you can be certain there is a candle (or 2) lit. There are so many wonderful scents this time of year, and this creates such a wonderful, warm environment.
Your turn…what are the things you do this time of year to set the scene?

Life Lessons

This has been a very trying week in the Murphy household.  Among other things, my Grandma Martin was put on hospice.  After leading a very happy and fulfilling life she is suffering from heart failure and was given about 2 weeks to live.  

She is completely at peace with her diagnosis.  She is a wonderful Christian women and is ready to go home.  Spending time with her the past couple days has made me remember several important things.  The most important is this:

When asked what she has learned in her full life and what she would like to pass down to her family she said this: "Be considerate and love people."  She went on to tell a story about a neighbor boy she grew up with.  They were the same age and were friendly towards each other (she went on to say this had nothing to do with sex, which is young peoples problem today, but that's another story).  When she got married and moved to the other side of town she didn't see that boy again.  Just this year she attended a friend's funeral and was introduced to that boy.  She said "I am real happy I was friendly with that boy, because you never know who you will meet later".

I love this.  It is such a simple concept yet so many people forget it or never learned it.  In today's culture it is more common to burn a bridge then it is to loose touch with somebody.  How many of us have ducked into the other aisle when we see a familiar face coming towards us?  

At the end of this dear women's life this is what she held onto.  She was friendly to everyone and "never met anybody she couldn't love real well."  What a great example.

Keeping Christ in Christmas: Names of God Garland

I have mentioned before my passion for remembering the reason why we celebrate each holiday and removing the commercialism from our family traditions.  While doing this I have been coming up with some creative craft ideas to help us focus our attention on God and incorporate more scripture in our home.

Here is my latest project...

Names of God Garland

Here is what you need:

Construction paper or cardstock

Wrapping paper

Scissors

Glue

Yarn (I used about 6ft)

You can choose to either write the names, in which case you will need a sharpie, or you can print the names.

1) Cut out 12 circles from the construction paper, I used the lid to a baby food jar as a guide.

2) Write some names of God on the circles, here are the ones we used, but of course use whatever ones resonate with you...

Yahweh, Jehovah, Master, Father, Adoni, Elohim

Then we used some Jehovah compound names such as:

Jehovah Rophe- The Lord our healer

Jehovah Uzzi- The Lord my strength

Jehovah Eli- The Lord my God

Jehovah Shalom- The Lord our Peace

Jehovah Sali- The Lord my Rock

Jehovah Jireh- The Lord our Provider

3) Cut out 12 circles from the wrapping paper, you will want them a little larger then the construction paper circles, I used the rim of a pint jar as a guide

4) Now it is time to glue the circles together and onto the yarn.  Put some glue on the back of the construction paper circle

5) Lay a wrapping paper circle face up, underneath the yarn

6) Add the other circle on top, basically you are sandwiching the yarn between the 2 circles.

7) Continue to add the circles every 3-4 inches.  Until all the circles are added.  You will end up with this...

You can use it like this or add more decorations like stickers or glitter.

Now you can add this anywhere in your home.  We cut down our Christmas Tree today, I cannot wait to get it decorated and add our new homemade garland!  Another great idea would be to make or purchase a garland of greenery, wrap your homemade garland around it and hang it over a doorway.

I hope this gets some creative juices flowing and encourages you to focus on Christ this Christmas!

What I am thankful for...

In July 2009, my first birthday as a mother, Ryan gave me a scrapbook filled with pictures of our first month with Sam. There is our first picture as a family, taken as the doctors were patching me up from an emergency C-section. There are pictures of Sam’s stay in the NICU, his first pictures in his new world, his face covered in tubes to help him breath and eat, pictures of him getting progressively better then, eventually, of him illuminated in blue from the Billi-blanket to heal Jaundice, the last thing he had to conquer before coming home. There are pictures from our first outings as a family, complete with wires from Sam’s heart-rate monitor (which was cause for stress and tension every waking and sleeping moment as we adjusted to parenthood).
Then the priceless pictures of him wire and tube-free, exploring his new world like any other infant.
About a month ago Sam found this scrapbook. It has been his favorite “story” book every day since. He loves looking at the pictures, pointing out “mama”, “dada” and “samsam” as we retell him the story.
He doesn’t understand what great obstacles he overcame at a very young age. He doesn’t understand that his infancy was any different than other kids. He doesn’t understand the priceless lessons he taught “mama” and “dada” as he fought his battles.
Sam is quickly becoming a little man. Each day needing less and less of “mama” and “dada”. As this transition happens it makes me marvel at what we have walked through, how much we have grown and the lessons we have learned.
Each time Sam brings me the scrapbook, gives me his best smile and vigorously rubs his chest “please” I cannot help but be overwhelmed with thankfulness. I am thankful for the blessing of witnessing God’s miracles as he healed Sam. I am thankful for an amazing, happy and healthy little man. Most of all, I am thankful for a loving and faithful God whose grace has proved to be more than enough.
I am confident that God has amazing plans for Sam. I hope that as we retell Sam the story of his battles, and most importantly his victory over them, that God will plant an amazing purpose in him to use this story for God’s glory.