It is hard to blog about Thanksgiving, with a sick chicken in your lap.

  Yeah, you read it right, I am trying to type this with a sick chicken in my lap. My daughter's Polish hen, "Whoopie", is sick. We had to bring her in the house, and feed her through a dropper, and she has a hard time keeping her head up, so I am holding her right now, and keeping her warm. Yes, I know, that is a little odd, but she sure is a sweet lil' hen., and I that is just how I roll.
  Anyways, back to Thanksgiving. This year is at the top of  my "Best Thanksgiving ever" list.  I am having surgery on Mon. to remove my gallbladder and to revise a defective gastric band.  This requires that I be on a liquid diet.  Wow, did I really let them schedule my surgery around Thanksgiving? Yep, I did, not thinking of course. So, we usually eat with John's dad, step mother, and paw paw, and my mom and dad, for Thanksgiving, but this year, it would just be us four, and his paw paw. His dad and step mom, had other plans this year, and my mom has been staying with my aging grandmother, my dad did not feel well. I thought well, it won't be too bad on me now, I won't have to cook a big meal. WRONG! My darling husband and precious kiddos, decided they still wanted a full traditional holiday meal. Me, not able to resist the pitiful looks and the gasps of horror at the thought of not having a full spread, I spent two days preparing and cooking enough for 20 people. I asked each one what one dish they just had to have. The reply was, mac n cheese from my daughter,(big surprise, she could live off of it), pecan pie, from my step son, and cranberry relish from my hubby. Then of course the hints were dropped for other dishes that sure would be good to have.  I made the dressing, and mashed potatoes, the baked mac n cheese, the pecan pie, and the cranberry relish. I boiled eggs to devil, and even got creative and made my first pumpkin roll, and a nice peach gobbler. My crowning moment was bringing the turkey out of the oven, (after letting it marinate in a brine all night, and cooking it breast side down, amid some funny looks), and having my husband carve it. He could not stay out of it, neither could Chayse, and all they could say, was how it was the best turkey ever. Oh, what mom and wife, does not want to hear "You are the best cook in the world!",?  It made it all worth it. Even my daughter, Makaila, who is the pickiest eater in the world, made a fuss over it.
  John, went and picked up his pawpaw, and we said the blessing and sat around the table to eat.  I looked at each face there, and listened to each beautiful voice, and was truly thankful for having a family to cook for, a family that wanted ME, to cook for them, a family, (with two 15 yr olds), that kept thanking me over and over again, for not thinking, that just because, there were only a few of us this year, they were not worth the trouble. What was I ever thinking!
  Later that evening we all went hunting, which is a normal thing around this house. No one shot anything, but we did see a few. After everyone rested up and ate another round, we went to the special Thanksgiving sale at Wal-Mart, and even though there was alot of chaos, we managed to make it back home around mid-night, safe and sound, with our religion in tacked, and everything on our list. Yay!!!  
  Did it bother me, that I was on a liquid diet? No, because I did eat a bite, or two, and then drank my soup. It filled my heart, just being with them all. I am so blessed, and I don't just think about it on certain days, and special occasions, that invoke those warm fuzzies. I thank God all the time for my blessings, that only He can provide. I can not acquire these things on my own. Anyone would be a fool to believe that something they did on their own, resulted in such a wondrous outcome. I thank God I have a power bill, because that means I have lights. I thank God I have a house payment, because that means I have a roof over my head. I thank God I had to cook a huge meal for four people, because that means I have a family that is worth it.
  Now, here I am still feeling all warm and mushy inside, holding a sick chicken, and typing this blog, because I just had to share my joy with someone. I am absolutely positive, that there is some reason I am thankful for having to nurse a sick chicken, and I will get back to you when I figure it out. I hope everyone had a great and blessed Thanksgiving. God Bless.

P.S. I will post the recipe for the juiciest turkey you have ever eaten, soon. It is great!

Frugal Fundamentals III, Healthy and Beautiful Savings!!!

I love saving money, and I have not only found ways to save by making household cleaners, but on health and beauty aids as well. Here are my personal favorites, and I do use them myself and alot.

Number one Favorite is Argon Oil, I can not stress it enough. I use it as an all over moisturizer, before I apply make up, after the shower, and in my hair. Read up on it, it is good, good, stuff. You will also be helping the women who are the sole harvesters of this oil,  

*All argan sold today is produced by a women's cooperative that shares the profits among the local women of the Berber tribe. The cooperative has established an ecosystem reforestation project so that the supply of argan oil will not run out and the income that is currently supporting the women will not disappear. The money is providing health care and education to the local women, and supporting the entire community as a whole.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argan_oil

Toothpaste

2 tbs. baking soda

2 tbs coconut oil

25-30 drops of peppermint essential oil, I like it minty! (check any other oil you may use to see if it is safe)

2 single packs of Stevie sweetener

Mix all ingredients well in a small air tight container. I just dip my toothbrush in it. It does not foam, and it DOES have a baking soda taste, but it works great, and leaves your teeth feeling wonderful. I just store it in my bathroom. The coconut oil melts almost the second it touches your mouth, and it doesn't leave an oil feeling, however be sure to rinse your sink with warm water, because it will solidify again when it gets cool.

Honey Scrub

This is a very good exfoliate,  and you don't have to worry about chemicals and fragrances, it is all natural.

1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup grits, or medium ground cornmeal,( for a more gentle scrub)
1 vitamin E capsule
2 heaping tbs, Almond or Olive oil

Put ingredients into small jar, cut off end of vitamin E capsule and squeeze oil into mixture, mix well.
Use anytime that you want to exfoliate, good for all over body use. Apply with fingertips in circular motion, rinse with warm water. Does not sting or irritate, and if it gets in your mouth, you won't mind the taste, lol.
Store in fridge, as it contains no preservatives.


*Honey has actually been used since the times of ancient Egypt, for it's healing properties of the skin.
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Soaking Salts

Here is one of my favorite bath salt recipes

Aromatherapy Bath Salts Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 cups Dead Sea salt, regular sea salt or Epsom salt, or a blend of two or three of these salts. Sea salts typically come in several grain sizes. Combining multiple grain sizes can make your salts more appealing. Keep in mind, however, that more course grains do take longer to dissolve in the tub.
• 15-24 drops of your selected essential oil or essential oil blend. Be sure and take heed in the safety data for the oil(s) you choose to use. 
• 1 tablespoon fractionated coconut oil or other carrier oil for moisturization (optional)

Directions:

Place the salt mixture into a bowl. If you have chosen to include the optional vegetable oil to your salt recipe, add it to the plain salts and mix well with a spoon or fork. Then, add the drops of your chosen essential oils. Again, mix very well. Add the mixture to a pretty jar, salt tube, or container that has a tight fitting lid. Salts that are kept in a container that is not air tight will lose their aroma more quickly.

After a day, you may wish to mix well again to ensure that the oils are well incorporated.

To Color to Your Salts:

For the most natural bath salt recipe, leave your bath salts uncolored. Certain exotic salts including Hawaiian Red Sea salt and Black Sea Pink salt are naturally colorful. Try mixing these salts with with Dead Sea or plain sea salt for a speckled effect.

If you would like to add color to your salts, FD&C liquid dye or mica powder can be added before you add the essential oils. When adding FD&C grade liquid dye, be sure to add only a drop at a time and stir well. When adding mica powder, only add a tiny amount (1/16-1/8 a teaspoon is usually sifficient) and stir very well. Using too much dye or mica powder can discolor the water and discolor skin, so be very careful. Leave bath salts at a soft pastel color. It is also important that you make sure that you are using skin-safe colorants and that the user of your bath salt blend does not have any allergies or sensitization with the colorant that you have chosen.

To Use:

Add 1/2-1 cup of the salts to running bath water. Mix well to ensure that the salt has dispersed well in the tub before entering. To keep the essential oils from evaporating too quickly, you can add the bath salts just before getting in the tub instead of while the water is running. Sitting on undissolved chunky bath salts, however, can be uncomfortable, so make sure the salts have dissolved well before entering.

Frugal Fundamentals Part II, more cleaners.

Here are some more cleaners for you, I am dividing up my Frugal Fundamental blogs for easier reading and access to particular items of  interest. Notice that most are made with the same items used in other recipes.

Automatic Dishwasher Detergent

Supplies:

Container ( any jar with lid, storage bag, small bowl)

Baking Soda

Washing Soda

Borax

Essential oils, if wanted for fragrance

Mix together equal parts of all ingredients, add 2 heaping tablespoons to each load, 1/8 measuring cup, or coffee scoop works well.

If you do not have hard water you do not have to use the washing soda. 

You can also put vinegar in your rinse agent (jet-dry)dispenser. Doubles as rinse agent and water softener.

To save energy, instead of using sanitizer setting on dishwasher, just toss a couple of capfuls of bleach in with each load.

 

 *Don’t forget, some essential oils have anti-bacterial and anti-viral qualities!
** If you are concerned with the effects some ingredients may have on appliances, please contact manufacturer. I myself have had no damaging effects. 

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Paste Scouring Cleaner (Soft Scrub) 

Note...No harsh chemicals, you can lock yourself up in the shower and scrub the glass door all day if you wanted too.

Small container or jar with lid.

Ingredients:

*Amount of ingredients is up to you, however much you want to make, keep stored in airtight container.

Baking Soda

Dishwashing Liquid

Mix together baking soda and dishwashing liquid in container until desired (somewhat pasty) consistency.

To use.

 Dip damp sponge or brush in mixture, use like Soft Scrub. Rinse with wet cloth or sponge. Circular motion works best on most surfaces. Will not scratch sinks and tubs, because the baking soda is softer than most surfaces, and dissolves fast.

** If you are not sure about a surface, test first in inconspicuous spot. I have never had it damage any surface.

Frugal Fundamentals

  Well I am sitting here today, it is cold and rainy, so what better than to wash some clothes? Actually, snuggled up on the couch, with hot cocoa, 3 doggies, and a good movie, is better, but washing clothes during this time is okay too. I decided I would post some of my homemade cleaning, laundry, and health and beauty concoctions. I do apologize, I have no pics, my husband has taken over my camera for work.(honestly though, none of them make for flattering photogenic subjects)
  I have taken the recipes and advice of others and tweaked to my own personal preference, yours may be different too. Play around with it till you like it, you will still save money in the long run.

Okay, lets get started with everyone's favorite and most widely argued...

Laundry Detergent

Note...I usually cut recipe in half, for storage reasons, unless I am sharing.

1 Fels Naptha laundry bar (grated, I use a handheld cheapo grater, it is just soap, it washes off)

1 cup of original scent Gain powder detergent (when I find it on sale, I am a Gain scent junkie)

1 ½ cups Washing Soda

1 ½ cups Borax

2 quarts water

4 ½ gallons water

Place grated laundry bar in 2 quarts of warm water and place on medium heat, stir until dissolved.  Add Gain washing powder, washing soda and borax, mix well.

Pour into large container and add 4 ½ gallons of water. Let mixture sit overnight.

Day 2

supplies needed

5 gallons water

You should have a mixture that resembles slime. Recruit some kiddos if you have them handy, they love this part. Use your hands to break it up. Put 2 quarts of mixture into 10 separate jugs then add 2 quarts of hot water to each jug and mix gently by turning from side to side.

Instructions

Before each use, gently mix by turning from side to side

½ cup for top loading machines or

¼ cup for front loading machines.

I have had a friend to tell me, she uses it as a powder just skip the melting the soap, and water parts, mix it all up, and scoop it out. I have not tried that, but I will, and I will let you know.

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Here is my fabric softener recipe as well...

1 cup hair conditioner (yes hair conditioner, I use any nice smelling VO5 kind, usually less than $1)

1/2 cup vinegar (optional, mainly for hard water, I use it anyway, you cannot smell it after wash)

1 cup Gain fabric softener, if on sale. (optional, again I am a Gain freak, you can use any fabric softener or none)

3 cups water

You can keep this in an old softener bottle and use a cap full, per load, added to your washer, or Downy ball.

If you want to make your clothes incredibly yummy smelling, take your fabric softener, either homemade or store bought, mix one part fabric softener with 3 parts water. Store in resealable container (mine is in a butter bowl), take a regular household sponge, immerse in liquid, squeeze out, and throw in dryer with clothes. When clothes are dry, take out the sponge and store in bowl with fabric softener. (note it is a bit messy on your hands, but rinses right off. I actually find it makes my hands softer.)

Look for more homemade, household solution, recipes coming soon.