Falling Behind

Every year we try and put up some produce in the summer to have on hand for the winter. This year, we are slacking. We haven't gotten any tomatoes canned or much produce frozen. We did do some corn, but about 10% of last year's amount. We didn't have any excess zucchini or cukes. We have been able to keep up with what we planted in the garden, but not any extra.

I did get my order in to the organic farmer who grows my beets for me. The children put up the two plus bushels for me. Joan directed the project and cooked all the beets. Elizabeth and the neighbor girl popped off the skins. They thought it was great fun.

Michelle cut up the beets.

(There was obviously some tasting going on, too)

Mr. Boots filled the containers.
T-Bob and Thomas did help a little too.
The parents were busy with other projects.
Thanks children!
Incidentally, Tuesday night is beet night at the Mango household. Whether you try to wrangle an invitation or avoid one is up to you.

~Mom

How to Make Liquid Laundry Detergent

You all know that making your own _____ is sometimes more costly time wise that it would be to buy it. That is not the case with this liquid laundry detergent. My Aunt Miriam was the first one who told me about it, and I was a little interested. Then, after collecting enough bottles,she made some for herself and shared it with us. When we ran out, I made more. I didn't photograph the whole process, so you'll have to use your imagination a little bit. :)
A smaller recipe is on one of Mom's favorite blogs. Here is the link

at heartkeeper .

The above link she answers a lot of questions. Her recipe makes a smaller amount.

Note: this is not an original recipe. My Aunt Miriam got it from somewhere (off the Internet?). We have run across several different blogs that have this or a similar recipe.

I italicized the recipe. We did get a powdered detergent recipe along with this one. If any one wants it, let us know.

The ingredients you'll need are....

1. 4 cups hot tap water

2. 1 Fels-Naptha Soap Bar (5.5) oz

3. 1 cup washing soda ( can be purchased at a hardware store or online)

4. 1/2 cup borax

5. Lots of tap water



-Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted. If the Fels-Naptha doesn't melt completely, you'll have lumpy detergent.



-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.



-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.

-Top Load Machines- 5/8 cup per load (approx. 180 loads)

-Front Load Machines- 1/4 cup per load (approx. 640 loads)


Here is the soap after sitting overnight. It was gelled and needed a fair amount of stirring to get it into shape.

Make sure you collect enough bottles, otherwise you'll have to get creative. I suggest that you don't fill them up to the brim, as the container will expand a little as the soap cools to room temperature.

Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and the rest of the way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel) The water should be hot when you put an equal amount of it into the bottle with an equal amount of soap, so that it can amalgamate.

Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil. I haven't done this yet, but maybe next time I will.

Some of you may question, does this soap actually work? Our clothing, as well as our Aunt's, keeps coming out clean, so yes. This soap isn't sudsy though, so don't be looking for lots of bubbles.
JoAn

Illustrations from around the Kitchen Sink and a Contest

Update: The closest guess will win. We would really like you guys to guess. The contest will be open until someone guesses correctly or until the end of January.






Plants have a difficult life around our kitchen sink as seen in the photos below.


We have mixed views about the place and purpose of house plants.









How many months do you think we have had this plant (picture below)? We were given it after a gathering we attended. If you can guess what the gathering was about we'll be impressed.























We have enjoyed these flowers though they are on their way out. We have had them for several weeks. They do well in a cooler climate. How much? $1.



God has given us a large variety of beautiful flowers and plants. He uses this part of creation to make a point about the importance of His Word.














"The grass withers and the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8


Let us use the time He has given us to know Him through His precious Word. We were encouraged to do this multiple times in various ways at the Rise Up conference.



It is hard work, but there is blessing in it.


"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workmen that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth."
2 Timothy 2:15

~JoAn

P.S. Leave your guess as a comment. The first one who correctly answers will be the winner. A picture of the prize will be forthcoming.