Home-Made Dishwasher Soap

With all of us pinching pennies over the past several months, like many folks, I too have been trying to find ways to stretch my dollar. I used to spend about $6.00 for a large name brand dishwashing soap. Through trial and error, I have made my own dishwashing powder and saved money. Here is what I do:

2 cups Wal-Mart brand (Great Value) dry dishwashing powder

1 cup Arm and Hammer baking soda

1 cup 20 Mule Team Borax

Mix in a bowl and store in a quart glass jar. It lasts me about a week. I use 2 heaping tablespoons per load and do about 3 loads a day.

I also have begun placing apple cider vinegar in my rinse cycle canister. It actually does a better job than the expensive name brand that I used to use.

"There is treasure to be desired and oil in the swelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up." Proverbs 21:20 KJV

Blessing for a wonderful day, Suzie

Quilt musings

Dear daughter and I have been working hard trying to get our 'first' quilts finished in time for the county fair.

It was my first quilt that I did using my own pattern, for dear son, and dd's first try at hand quilting as well as learning how to 'stitch in the ditch' and learning to do the binding.

DD received a blue ribbon and I a white one (third).

We had a lot of fun learning together.

She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff...she maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple...Strength and honor are her clothing: and she shall rejoice in time to come.

Proverbs 31:19 ff

Blessings for a day of strength, Suzie

The Battle of Salamis

We just finished studying Unit 24, of Tapestry of Grace. To go along with the battles between the Persians and the Greeks, we found JuniorGenerals.org. It has gobs of games to simulate historical battles throughout the centuries. We had a blast cutting, taping and creating the game. Thanks to Molly's Blogspot for introducing us to these soldiers. She also has a blog titled Historical Paper Soldiers. We used these soldiers and these triremes. Here were the directions to the game. .

The directions indicated to use a ruler to make your moves. This was perfect for my dear children ages 8, 10 and 12.

Check out this great game board they made out of large drawing paper.

Meet the teams....

The Persians and

The Greeks.
It was fun time had by all. Much was learned in the process.

Blessings in your school this day, Suzie