the Dirt on Laundry

LAUNDRY.

It’s something we all have  in common, unless you’re lucky enough to send it out or have you very own personal laundress,  which I do not.

Lately I’ve noticed lots of interest in making your own laundry detergent. No, I haven’t completely lost my mind….It’s just being frugal….. really really really cheaper and greener.

Kristi from The Thrifty Gypsy  had a recipe on her site and I was inspired to give it a try. She used Castile soap but I tried the Fels Naptha recipe.

 

1 cup Washing Soda

1 cup Borax

About 1/2 bar Fels Naptha, grated finely. I used a cheese grater.

Optional is Oxi Clean, about 1/2 cup, for a  heavy duty detergent.

 

It’s a little laundry experiment…kind of like a science project. For one month I’ll use only home made detergent and then do another post on my thoughts.

 

Since I’m using  vinegar instead of fabric softener,  I decided to try some scented oil that I found at the Dollar Store to use in the dryer instead of dryer sheets. Just dab a small amount on a rag and toss it in.

 

Now it’s your turn to air your dirty laundry…so to speak.

Do you sort carefully or just jam it in the washer? Yeah, you know who I’m talking about.

How do you sort?  Whites in one pile, darks in another, sheets, towels?

Do you bleach your whites every time you wash them?

Liquid or powder detergent? I always used liquid because powder left white residue on the clothes.

Fabric softener, yes or no? Did you know that you can use 1/4 cup of white vinegar as a fabric softener? And no, your clothes will not smell like vinegar. I tried this and it works! Seriously

Share  your laundry tips, shortcuts that work or even your laundry disaster! Does your husband wear pink underwear?

If you’re interested, here’s another  laundry site with recipes for homemade laundry detergent, liquid and powder.

Debbie (((xx)))

Spring 2010

   It seems like the weather is behaving this week. We’re supposed to have some days in the 70’s! Woot…woot!
Inspired by the return of Spring, I’ve created a little vignette in the kitchen. Does the beautiful weather inspire you?

All the salt and pepper shakers came from the thrift store and were just 20¢ each. The bunny is faux chocolate but he looks like the real thing….I’d like to bite off his head. The daffodils, in another salt shaker, came from the back yard and I just planted the rosemary in a white sugar bowl.
  The teacup pedestal stand I made last year and looks perfect displaying the old salt shakers.
On the front porch are some silk daffodils and greenery that were in an arrangement I won on my birthday many years ago…..that’s why I keep things……I just might reuse them. The vintage wicker planter and  the pineapples were previous yardsale finds. The giant eggs were from Big Lots.


A little birdie sticks his head out to say “welcome.”

And on the front door, last years Spring basket makes a reappearance.
That’s a little Spring decorating here at the Bungalow.



Check out lots more inspiring ideas here,

White Wednesday at Faded Charm
Trash to Treasure at Reinvented







Debbie (((xx)))

A new magazine

Would YOU love to have your blog in a magazine? Who wouldn’t?

 

Head over to Holiday with Matthew Mead to find out how you can win the opportunity to have your blog or online shop mentioned in the magazine. Holiday with Matthew Mead is a  "book-azine" celebrating and offering inspiration for the Christmas holiday season. To be released in October 2010, Holiday is offered via online orders only - in limited quantities - and will not be sold on newsstands. But, by simply following the BUY HOLIDAY MAGAZINE link below their banner, you can reserve your own copy of this beautiful magazine, with guaranteed delivery of the magazine straight to your mailbox! Holiday with Matthew Mead is144 pages of holiday inspiration with well-known and admired designers, bloggers and top-notch features, printed on beautiful paper and not drowning in ads!

Now, head on over for your chance to win!

 

Congrats to them on their new endeavor and Good Luck!

Debbie (((xx)))

My hair color story

If you dye your hair at home, read my hair color product review, here at my review page.

 It's not a paid review but entirely my own experience.  Shall I say, Not Excellence.....

Amaryllis Beanstalk

 
A couple weeks after Christmas I stopped in at Lowe’s  and spotted some bulbs on clearance sale for 80¢. And now, about 8 weeks later, this beautiful, bright red amaryllis is blooming  in the dining room.  I’m love the pop of bright red against my yardsale bunny print, it’s sooooooo pretty and those bunnies aren’t having it for dinner.
Remember the story of Jack and the Beanstalk? That’s what I think of when I look at this. I didn’t trade a cow for a magic bulb (bean) like Jack did and  I only watered it twice. It gets plenty of sun so I don’t know why it grew so tall, but grow it did!

To make it more Spring like, I added a nest and some eggs on the platter. It’s Christmas and Easter decorating in one!
 Did you ever see a house that has Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s, 4th of July and every other holiday decoration in their yard? That used to be one of my pet peeves, but I’m feeling that I should rethink it. Maybe they’re on to something……decorate once and forget it. Santa could have his sack full of Easter eggs and the Easter bunny could hop down the bunny trail waving his patriotic flag. Hang a wreath on the front door with poinsettias, mums, and tulips, maybe even a few red hearts and bright green shamrocks. What a timesaver….decorate once and it’s done. Let’s start a new trend! Are you with me?


Debbie (((xx)))

Spring Wreath and Pink clogs

It sounds like an unlikely combination, but it’s just so gosh darn cute.
My thrifty finds were the little pink crocs, $1.50 and the straw wreath form for $1.00.
To create the wreath, I used moss that was a 25¢  yardsale find from last year, floral pins and ribbon I had, a bit of  old faux (you know that’s just a fancy word for fake)  ivy and some pretty pansies.

I used the floral pins to loosely hold the moss and the fake faux ivy on the wreath. Next, I tied on the crocs with purple ribbon and a pretty bow.  I stuffed more moss in the crocs to keep the dirt from falling out, then added the pansies and hung it on the shed door.
Now when I’m standing at the kitchen window I can see this pretty wreath instead of snow! I’m sick of looking at snow.
The birds will love me for the free nesting material and it’ll be fun to watch how quickly all this moss disappears.

Pansies are a sure sign that Spring is finally here, are you as happy about that as I am?
  Doing the Happy Dance!

To see lots more thrifty treasures hop over to Rhoda’s

Added to Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch.






Added to Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm.


Debbie (((xx)))

Hope at Hand

 

Hope at Hand is a ministry created by a woman I’m honored to know, Christina Moyer and supported by my church, Community Bible Church.After experiencing a stillborn birth, Christina created this ministry as a way to help other women cope with the loss of a child under one year of age. I was so touched by Christina’s story  that I volunteered to help her in any way I could. 

Recently I baked cookies for one of her sessions and was privileged to create this precious baby. (I have not experienced a stillborn loss.) While sculpting tiny clay babies, Christina shares her story and encourages the women to share theirs also. As tiny noses and eyes emerge, Lisa Haldeman from Loving Clay Dolls who also has experienced the loss of an infant, instructs every step.

After the babies are sculpted and baked, you choose a hat and bundle them in a blanket to hold as a forever keepsake.  These babies are so incredibly sweet and tiny enough to fit in your palm.

With raw emotion, some women share stories of recent loss,  while others share stories from many years ago, still grieving.

Connections are created, numbers exchanged and new friendships formed with a common thread….loss. It’s an amazing ministry.

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Please read Christina’s touching story, Stillborn loss.

Read the article that was  in the local newspaper.

Click here to read about portrait keepsakes, Drawn by Debbie (not me)

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Women are wondrous creations, aren’t we?

Debbie (((xx)))

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5: 4

Stuffed Pepper Soup

Like stuffed peppers? If you do, you’ll like this soup. It’s  stuffed peppers, in soup form. Really.

I used red and green bell peppers because I love red bell peppers, but the original recipe called for only green peppers…..yellow would be pretty too, so colorful.

• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup chopped celery
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 cups chopped  bell pepper
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 pound lean ground beef
• 1 (16 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup tomato juice
• 1/4 cup uncooked white rice
• 3 cups water
• 2 tablespoons  parsley
• 2 teaspoons white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Saute onion, celery, garlic, and green pepper in oil until  tender. Do not brown.

Stir beef into vegetables; cook until beef is browned. Stir in rice.

Add tomatoes, juice, water, parsley, sugar, salt, and pepper to the browned beef mixture.

Cover and simmer until rice is cooked. Add more liquid if necessary. Stir in cinnamon.

I know I’ll be making it again. It’s good!

If you want stuffed peppers without actually stuffing the peppers, try this recipe, it’s a keeper.

Added to Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum.

Debbie (((xx)))

4SALE, Sweet coverlet 4 baby

A sweet vintage baby’s coverlet, er….I mean a sweet baby’s  vintage coverlet. It’s the coverlet  that’s old, not the baby.

The size is approx. 36” x 53” and it’s totally hand stitched with yellow, blue and pink kittens, pink flowers and blue bows.
  I’m calling it a coverlet because it’s not heavy, but you might call it a quilt.  It’s really pretty in person, these pictures just don’t do it justice.                            
I’d say it’s in Good condition, not perfect, there are a few small spots. This is the worst one and there are 2 smaller spots and some stitches are loose.


If you like kitties and vintage linens, you’ll love this!
$16.00 + shipping. If interested please email me.  (below)

Also 4SALE, a McCoy piece in Perfect Condition.

It’s size is 6'” across, 2 1/2” tall and 3 1/2” tall at the peak.
Pretty shade of gold with brown swirls. This piece is beautiful!
$7.00+ shipping.
Email me HERE,  if interested!

Thank you and Have a great day!

Debbie (((xx)))

Frugal Fashion

I’ve been working at the thrift store for about 6 weeks now and naturally I’ve been doing a little shopping, a little working, a little shopping…it’s an addiction. Here’s what I got.

 

Two skirts.

I recently discovered that I like wearing skirts. I like the way the fabric moves when I walk, that’s kinda weird huh?

A crocheted vest in a great color and a jacket. Not just any jacket, but this jacket. I love this jacket. I mean, I. Love. It! I love the colors and the crazy pattern, I love it so much I want to marry it.      I do.

 

Two tops.

The orange one is so purdy and great as a jacket or a blouse. I wore the other one with brown trousers and even got a few compliments!

A wrap dress, I’ve always liked this style and would love to find one with long sleeves. I remember having a Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress many, so many years ago. Ok, so that ages me….what ever.

A small black wallet with cute little charms on it, new, $1.50

Tommy Hilfiger bag, $2.00, a case for my camera, new, $1.50, open toed pumps, $3.00.

And, you won’t believe the price on these trench coats! The black one has a zip out lining and the other is the classic trench coat style.

.25 each,

yep,

25¢

just 1/4 of $1.00.

Twenty five cents each. It was during winter clearance and there were so many bargains that flew out the door.

The total price of this shopping spree was $43.50 and that’s not to shabby. I seriously ♥ thrift shopping.

Have you come over to the thrifty side? What’s your best find?  If not just give it a try, I think you’ll like it.

Next week, Rhoda at Southern Hospitality is starting her Thrifty Monday again for this year. It’s just about time for yardsales, we can get tons of inspiration and all share our thrifty finds.

Debbie (((xx)))

Making Bacon

I love bacon, but hate the mess of cooking it. Greasy splatters all over the stove and walls…ugh. I even used a splatter guard and still managed to get grease splatters when I turned the bacon.

 

 

 

 

But no more, now I use the  oven to cook bacon without a big mess. Just lay the bacon on a broiler pan and all the grease drains into the bottom pan. I love this method, no more grease splatters.

You don’t have to baby sit the bacon while you cook the eggs and it cooks more consistently.

  

Bake on the middle rack @ 400 for about 10 minutes or until it’s just how you like it.

You still need to pat off the grease with paper towels but the oven method is so much easier.

I apologize to all vegetarians but bacon is so good!

 

Debbie (((xx)))

Spring Tassels

These tassels have been sold. I don't have a shop but just tried a little tassel making. I am now linking up this post to Nester's Tassel Party. My tassels are not even close to the beauty of hers because she is the original tassel maker who singlehandedly created a tassel frenzy in blogland.

My tassel technique needs work and I have recently purschased her Tassel making guide which is awesome by the way. Maybe I'll make a few more tassels ...or not..... but tassels are just so darn cute!
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 Like so many other bloggers, I’ve always loved tassels.
I’ve been inspired by the talented tassel makers are all over blog land to create some of my own for you.

Bunny Tassel #1 in colors of yellow, pink and white.
From the top of bunny’s head to tip of tassel is approx. 8”.
    This sweet bunny is offering you a pretty pink flower.

Bunny tassel #2SOLD   in colors of aqua, brown, and tan.
This tassel is approx 8” from the top of bunny’s head to bottom.
 The cute little bunny sits in a nest of aqua and brown feathers.

 Tassel #3, Follow Your Dreams is sweet chick in yellow, orange and white and is approx 7” long.


  Spring fever has helped me create these tassels in pretty, bright Spring and Easter colors just in time for Spring decorating and Easter baskets. If one of these sweet tassels is calling your name and you’d like to purchase one, please contact me here.  

THANK YOU
Debbie (((xx)))