Homemade Laundry Detergent

We have been using homemade laundry detergent for some time now, and really love it.

This is the 2nd recipe we have used, and I like it better.  No real reason why, just a personal opinion, well, it is prettier to have sitting out in the utility room, so maybe that's why, or maybe because it is so easy to mix and quick, as well.  Anyway, here is the recipe, and there are many variations online, this is the one I chose:

(Sorry for the blurry pic, don't know what happened)

One 56 oz.box of Borax

One 55 oz. box of Super Washing Soda

2 C of Baking Soda

2 tubs of Oxi Clean (Dollar Store brands are cheaper)

2 bars of Zote or 3 bars of Fels Naphtha Soap

Shred the bar soaps, or chop with Ninja processor, mix all together, (the big green tub was easy to mix in) and put in a pretty glass jar to display.

Use 2-4 T depending on your washer and loads of clothes.  I have found even with our old plain washer 2 T works great.  So, for HEs you should never need more than 2 T.

I will use Fels Naphtha next time, one, it is a bit cheaper, although you need 3 bars, two, I like the smell, and three, the lemon color is pretty as well, although the pink is pretty too. 

For my fabric softener, I am using vinegar in my downy softener ball and that seems to work well.

This actually made 2 gallons.  These are 1 gallon jars from Walmart.
 
I am currently in the process of putting a shelf up over my washer and dryer, per Pinterest, actually my hubby is, and then it will look even better with these jars right there.  I will put some pics up after the shelf is finished.  I have it painted, and it will go up tonight! Yay!!!

Always trying to make our household a better place.  What are you doing different at your home?

Always Experiencing Him,
Jody

Valentine's Day 2013

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

"We love,

because He first loved us."

1 John 4:19

We had a wonderful heart-filled day, full of surprise and wonder.  

 I gave this heart doilie to my MOPS moms when I spoke to encourage them to do something, anything, just a bit special for their family on Valentine's evening.  I asked them to place it as a reminder, so I put mine on my refrigerator.  I did have an email late Valentine's night from a dear mom who did just that, and shared how she had made their dinner special, and it didn't take much more effort with just a bit of planning ahead.  I was so proud of her!   Her husband even shared with me at our Upward games how special it had made their evening!  The C's I Love your family!!!  They are special!!!

Some decorations to be put out...

Sarah is my wonderful decorator.  So blessed.  I love my Dayspring vases!

Our lovely table setting for my loving family.  I am so very blessed and I love them so much!!!  I wanted everything to be special just.for.them.

I, yes I, found, on pinterest, how to make cloth napkins into hearts!  Yay!!!  AND I could even do it!!!  So pretty, don't ya think? 

Our meal consisted of Simpson-Dake Family Farm Beef porterhouse or rib-eye steaks, olive oil, garlic, and chives mashed potatoes, asparagus gratin with parmesan and monterey jack, mayonnaise muffins, red velvet cheesecake brownies, and cupid floats.  With the exception of the steaks and muffins I found the new recipes on pinterest.  You can find them on my boards.  Simply de-lish!!!

Cupid Floats - french vanilla ice cream, cherry 7-Up, and whipped cream, so easy!

Dad and mom joined us!  Cute face Jenny!  She's so happy, always!  Makes me smile! ♥

My darling husband brought home roses, and candy with the box shaped puzzle, so cute.  The kids got candy, a stuffed animal, Jamin had shotgun shells - so valentiney, right?, and the girls got a lamp they desperately needed for their room.  I simply love to give, give, and love seeing their faces light up, so much joy.

I had for my sweet husband of almost 2 5 years this gift set from Dayspring, (with only pictures of the mugs), Mr. and Mrs. mugs, the inside says, "I found the one my heart loves.  Song of Solomon 3:4"  In the bottom of the mug is a heart  ♥.  As on the vase behind, I am "grateful for simple blessings."  Yes, I am...  The gift set included a coupon book for both of us to use, *grin* a journal to write each other and I bought him a new wedding ring, his was a bit tight, this was a REAL surprise, and he really loved it.  I didn't get a pic, but it looks wonderful and so manly.

Leftovers the next day, with my roses tervis.

So, as you can see, we had a lovely evening, even though it did include going to the funeral home for a beloved family in our community.  A loving wife lost her husband the day before.  Our prayers are with them, and I don't want to take even one day for granted.  We are not promised another day, so love your family, and thank Jesus, our Lord and Savior, for all He continues to bless you with.  

"We love,  

because He first loved us."

1 John 4:19

I would have no other reason for doing things for my family if not for His love for me. 

Please share what you did for your family...I'd LOVE to hear...

Always Experiencing Him,
Jody

The Day!

Valentines Day 2012!

My darling Husband brought in a dozen roses and candy!  For everybody!  Even my parents!  Wasn't that just thoughtful!

We had a nice dinner, homegrown black angus beef hamburgers and all the fixin's.

Some pics before we ate.

Hope you enjoyed your day!

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting light."

John 3:16

What are you doing to show love to your family? Your friends? Your neighbor?
Let me know!!!  I love ideas!

Always Experiencing Him,
Jody

Happy Valentine's Day - Eve

*Valentines Day* a year ago - what are you planning?  

Celebrate  your family and in the comments let me know your ideas!

Remember, in a recent post about Valentine's Day, I told you we had to celebrate early because 2 of the girls will be leaving to visit my sister and her family for a few weeks.  Here are some of the our decorations, 'cause I LOVE hearts!  White lights make everything seem fun and bright!  We even have red, white and pink balloons, we just aren't sure how the cat is going to react, so we haven't blown them up yet.

Heart confetti thrown here and there, with lots of heart candles!

His Love Endures Forever! 

Psalm 100:5

More hearts!!!  Did I say I LOVE hearts!

How sweet!!!  Be Mine!

Fantastic Strawberry Fudge (recipe below)

Fantastic Strawberry Fudge

1 can of strawberry frosting

1 bag of white chocolate chips

Melt the chips, stir in the frosting, and pour in a small square or rectangular pan.

You can't get much easier than this.

My kind of recipe!

Another year we made rice krispie treats with pink marshmallows and used a heart cookie cutter to cut them out.  They were so pretty!

Be creative, think red and pink, and make some regular recipes with color or make them heart shaped.  You can even make a heart shaped meatloaf!

Just have fun with your family focusing on the reason we can love, 

God's Amazing Love!

1 John 4:7 & 16

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God;

and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

We have come to know and have believed 

the love which God has for us.

God is love, and the one who abides in love 

abides in God, 

and God abides in him." 

Always Experiencing Him,
Jody

What is Love?

Love

What is Love?

Where do we find our answers for life's questions?

Yes! God's Word!

Let's look at the "Love Chapter," 1 Cor. 13.

LOVE IS

Patient

Kind

Rejoices with the truth

Bears all things

Believes all things

Hopes all things

Endures all things

Love is NOT

is NOT Jealous

Does NOT brag

is NOT Arrogant

does NOT Act unbecomingly

does NOT Seek its own - selfish

is NOT Provoked

does NOT Take into account a wrong suffered

does NOT Rejoice in unrighteousness

Love NEVER fails

Do I love? I mean, do I truly, really, honestly LOVE?

Lord, help me to be PATIENT, help me to be KIND,

help me to REJOICE in TRUTH, help me to BEAR ALL THINGS,

help me to BELIEVE ALL THINGS, help me to HOPE in ALL THINGS,

and guide me in ENDURING ALL THINGS.

AND, God, help me to NOT be jealous, to NOT brag,

oh, LORD, to NOT be arrogant, act unbecomingly,

or Lord, please, oh, please, help me to NOT be SELFISH!

You know my heart! OH, how I wish you didn't!

Help me to NOT be provoked, to NOT hold a grudge,

and NEVER to rejoice in unrighteousness.

And thank You, thank You, thank You that LOVE NEVER FAILS!!! You are good! You are God! When we love this Valentine's Day, and every day, let us love with God's love, let us use His precepts to love one another.

Amazingly His,

Jody

Thank you for gifts and blessings,

#106 for chapel services

#107 examples of love

#108 for quiet rest

#109 for sunshine

#110 a gentle breeze

#111 God's Word resting in my heart

#112 God's Word taking hold of my heart

(Edited from post archives)

What does LOVE mean to you? I'd love to hear.

Always Experiencing Him,
Jody

1st Snow of 2013!

Beautiful white to wash away and cover.

"Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."

Psalm 51:7

Always Experiencing Him,

Jody

I Shall Sing

"But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength;

Yes, I shall joyfully sing 

of Your lovingkindness in the morning.

For You have been my stronghold

And a refuge in the day of my distress.

O my strength, I will sing praises to You;

For God is my stronghold, 

the God who shows me lovingkindness."

Psalm 59:16-17

Always Experiencing Him,

Jody

Daughters' Blogs and Shop

Our daughters have a wonderful blog, and I wanted to remind you to read about their love for their Lord, their family, God's will for their lives, and day-to-day happenings as well.  Just click the logo below to keep up with the 3 maidens, Sarah, Jenny, and Julia.

Sarah began her own blog awhile back to journal her writings and thoughts.  Click below and then follow and subscribe to read what her Lord has brought to her mind.

Jump on over to the girls' Etsy shop to view or purchase their handmade items.  As they have chosen to stay home in preparation of  being the Titus 2 younger women who will "love their husbands, love their children, be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored," they are looking to the Proverbs 31 woman, as well, "She looks for wool and flax and works with her hands in delight."  

"Many daughters have done nobly,

But you excel them all.

Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,

But a woman who fears the Lord, 

she shall be praised."

Proverbs 31:29-30

Our girls are seeking the Lord in all that they do, and listening for God's will wherever they serve, whether it is in a ministry within our church, or taking cookies or meals to neighbors who are ill, or who have lost loved ones, or taking their guitars and singing for those who are shut-in, or serving their father, their brother, and their family, immediate and extended, and helping to fulfill their father's vision as they wait on what God has in store for them.  

We could not be more proud of them in searching God's word and the many books by God-fearing men and women to search out His will for their lives.  He has so blessed them with many talents and we are so ever grateful for His many blessings upon us. 

Follow Sarah's Pinterest boards at the link below...

Come on over and follow my Pinterest boards as well, lots of recipes, quotes, Scriptures, and aging with grace.

Many links above but click on any and especially the girls' blogs to send them a comment encouraging them in their endeavors; you may also subscribe to their blogs to receive updates, and follow along so they know they have many encouragers alongside them, but most of all, pray for them as they seek God's will for their lives.

Thank you for your sweet spirit, and drop me a comment to say you jumped on over to say "Hi."

Always Experiencing Him,
Jody

Faithful Fridays

When things don't seem to go as we think they should.

When it's been a hard day.

When I've mumbled under my breath;

And others have seen and stepped away.

They know mom is having it tough.

It seems He is far away... is He?

No, He is waiting for us to reach upward again.

To take hold of His hand, the hand that holds;

The hand that guides;

The hand that never lets go.

Grateful for simple blessings;

Sweet words from children;

Encouraging words from daughters.

A gentle touch from husband.

Yes, He is here.

Yes, He is near.

Where am I walking?  
Who is my guide?  
Guide my steps dear Lord.
May each and every step I take only be in the direction that follows You.
My only desire is that ALL I do is for you.
With faith I take another step,
And another,
Until I am wholly in step with You, Savior.

"Increase our (MY) faith!"

Luke 17:5

"We walk by faith, not by sight" 

2 Cor. 5:7

"But I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail"

Luke 22:32

Jesus prayed for us, for me!  

Thank You, Jesus, my Lord, and my Savior!

Always grateful...when we are thankful, our vision clears.

My heart prays thanks.

I speak thanks to Him.

When cleaning, or reading,

Or walking, or talking.

A heart full of thanks has faith that moves mountains;

Heart mountains, heart attitudes.

Make my heart fill with joy;

Joy for You, Lord.

It is here where I cannot get enough of You;

Of You in me, and me in You.

Live, guide, walk, carry, and fill me.

I want to overflow with Your love.

(from archives)

Always Experiencing Him,
Jody