Penny Pinching: DIY laundry detergent

I decided to try my hand at making my own laundry detergent. First though, I needed to make sure it was going to be worth the effort. I mean, why go through the hassle if I'm only saving a few dollars. So I did the math:

Made detergent:
I would get 271 loads
The cost would be $17
I would end up spending $0.06/load

vs

Bought detergent:
The detergent I buy cleans 30 loads
It costs $5/bottle
That means I spend $.16/load

I'd have to buy 9 bottles of regular detergent to get 271 loads. That means I'd have to spend $45 for the same amount of detergent.

MONEY SAVED: $28

I decided that it was worth it. An extra $28 can give me 1/2 tank of gas! I wish I could make that on my own for cheaper!

You'll need:
4lbs box 20-mule Borax (laundry aisle)
3lb, 7oz box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (laundry aisle)
4lbs baking soda (I found it in the laundry aisle as well, but you may have to venture to the baking area)
2 16oz oxygen cleaner (I got mine from Dollar Tree)
2 7oz bars Zote (laundry aisle, I used pink, but there are others, find the one that suits your needs)
Optional: 28oz bottle fabric softener crystals (I used Purex, but Downey also makes one)

Grate the Zote bars into a 5 gallon bucket. I got mine from Lowe's in the paint aisle.
Add all the other ingredients and mix.
I bought a 2 1/2qt bucket from Lowe's as well so I didn't have to worry about storing it all in my little laundry area and to make it easier to handle.

You'll only need 2Tbsp per load. I kept the scoop out of my oxygen cleaner since it was 2Tbsp (I measured) so I can just tell the hubster 1 scoop per load. Makes it easier.

Problem window

I have waited for an eternity to dress up the window in our living room. Mainly because I lost the hardware for the curtain rod. Sounds lame, I know, but that's what's been the hold up.

I saw something on Martha Stewart that suggested using shelf brackets as a way to hold the curtain rod, but I have a fear of Lowe's and Home Depot so I never went. I finally sucked it up and got all the stuff I needed. 

I need to make a wider curtain, but I'll get to that.

To make the sign, I just painted some wooden letters and super glued them to a white canvas. Super easy.

Knock-off: McDonald's Iced Hot Chocolate

Before I found out I was allergic to corn, I practically lived on McDonald's Iced Hot Chocolate. It was the best stuff to go along with a breakfast burrito. Then they stopped offering it. Completely bummed me out.

Now, it's hotter than Hades around here when it's supposed to be winter! Maybe I'm just used to an Idaho winter and I'll be freezing my bum off like the rest of the folks around here come next year. However, I don't like to drink hot drinks when it's hot. Doesn't make sense to me. I got a hankering for an Iced Hot Chocolate, but wondered if I could figure out how to make it on my own. 

News flash: I did.

You'll need:

1 packet hot chocolate mix

1Tbsp chocolate syrup

1c milk

ice

optional: whipped cream

You may have to look around to find a corn-free version of these, but it's really not that hard. If I can find it in a little town in Idaho, I have faith.

Pour everything into a saucepan and cook on low until everything has dissolved and it's slightly warm. You don't need to boil it or anything.

Pour it over ice and stir. I'm not patient enough, but you can top with whipped cream if you like. I'm just 

ready to tear into that bad boy!

Easy Peasy Pasta

I love me some pasta! But here's the thing: sometimes finding sauce that's corn-free is kinda hard. Also, sometimes I just want a dinner that I don't really have to think about. I have a "regular" full-time job, a photography business I'm trying to grow, my husband works full-time, and he's in school. Sometimes I just don't have the time to cook! Plus, there are nights where we don't get home till after 9, but are hun-gry. Here's where this came in:

Looks good, don't it?

You'll need:
1/2tsp red pepper flakes
1/4c olive oil
1tsp jarred minced garlic
1/2c grated parmesan cheese
4oz cooked spaghetti

Cook the spaghetti according to box directions. Drain, add noodles back to warm pot, then add everything else. Eat.

That's it. Seriously.

Best of all, you only messed up 1 pot!

Oatmeal Hairband Holder

Ya know when you see something, think it's a neat idea, but also know that there's got to be a way to improve on it? That's the way I felt when I first saw someone turn an old container of oatmeal into a holder for their hair accessories.

Now, the way I saw it done was the lady (I'm assuming it was a lady) covered the container in scrapbooking paper. That's cool and all, but I didn't want this busy looking thing sitting in my corner of the room where I couldn't really see the designs of my super cool headbands.

For that reason, I'm changing this post's name to Super Cool Headband Holder. Deal with it!

You'll need:
paint
an empty oatmeal container
a candlestick...just go with it, k?
strong-ish glue (I used good ol' super glue)

Paint that bad boy. Glue the candlestick to the bottom & put your headbands on the outside of the container.

Put all of your other hair accessories (elastics, bows, bobby pins, etc) on the inside.

It was so easy & it's not an eyesore.

Hello dear readers,

It is I, your resident crafter/baker/cook. I was involved in an accident over the weekend and therefore will not be making my usual post this week. I am fine, but poor Berta needs a facelift. Prayers that her repairs go smoothly would be appreciated. We'll be back with our regular scheduled programming next week.
Till then, take care and many blessings,
Heather

SODA MONTH: 7Up cake

Y'all, this is another recipe from Mawmaw :)
She makes this for all of her grandsons on their birthday. Sometimes she makes 2 depending on how many people show up. The grandsons fight over every morsel. And let me tell you, you don't want to get between them and this cake!

You'll need:
1 box lemon cake mix (this one doesn't have corn syrup)
1 box instant vanilla pudding
4 eggs
10oz 7Up (or Sierra Mist to be corn-free)
3/4c oil

For the glaze:
1c powdered sugar (Trader Joe's has a corn-starch free version)
2Tbsp milk
1tsp lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350. Mix all the cake ingredients together & pour into a greased bundt cake pan. Wilton's Cake Release works magic, just saying. Cook for 45-60 minutes until inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Let cake sit in pan while you mix the glaze. Whisk all the ingredients together to get all the lumps out. Turn cake onto plate & pour glaze on top.

YUM YUM!