Proverbs 31

I recently came across this teaching on Proverbs 31 and thought some of you might like to read it as well. It is a bit long, I had to read it in parts until getting through all of it. Hope you enjoy.

Proverbs 31 Woman

My First Cucumber Blooms

Yesterday as I was tying my tomato plants I noticed one of my cucumber plants has it's first blooms. I was very excited to see that, b/c they were looking a bit shabby, I actually thought they were going to die. I hope this is a good sign that they are making a good root system and in a few weeks start making some veggies. I should have taken pictures of my other plants as well they are growing so big.

Cheap Dinner Meal: Chicken Pot Pie

You start off with 2 frozen pie shells ( walmart brand $1.28 for 2 pack), one small can of vegall and one can of cream of chicken soup ( $1.50 for both), I had left over chicken so was able to use that at no extra cost. I used 2 large boneless thighs to make 2 pies.















Here is my cream of chicken soup and vegall and chicken mixed with about 1/2 cup of broth to thin some.














after you fill one pie shell, take the other and put on top, mine broke apart, if it does not you need to remember to put some vent holes in top. Also remember to cook on a cookie sheet so it does not drip onto the bottom of you stove.













Here is the finished results, very easy to serve with salad or some other side or just have alone. I was so happy that Gus liked it, since it tastes really good and is very cheap to make, especially if you have left over chicken you use. Total cost for 2 pies was less than $5.

Laundry Detergent

Well I got up this morning and took a look at my detergent and it was very congealed on top. I had to stir it quite a bit to mix it up well. I took an old detergent bottle and washed it out well and filled it up to take up to my laundry area.

I ended up using about 1/2 a cup, for my largest load setting. It does not make a whole lot of bubbles but you can tell the water is soapy. Even with the lavender essential oil it is not very scented. So far the clothes look clean and just have a nice clean smell.

My First Attempt at Laundry Detergent

First I wanted to show you my supplies and the cost. A 5 gallon bucket $4.26, Washing Soda right under $3, Borax around $3 and Zote laundry soap $.88. I ended up using just over half the bar of soap so you could use half and get two uses out of each bar. I will end up getting multiple uses out of each box of the other ingredients, so in the end this will be very cost effective.

I ended up using the recipe from the Duggar's website, since I had a 5 gallon bucket.















Here is my 1 cup of Washing Soda and 1/2 cup of Borax.
















Grated Zote soap, it was not hard to do at all. I thought it was going to be hard to grate, but was very easy.
















Here is the grated soap, melting in boiling water. I thought I did something wrong at first b/c the soap all clumped together, but as it boiled it all dissolved.
















Here is my dissolved soap, washing soda and borax all mixed and all I had to do was top off with water and mix well. I added a bit of tea tree oil and lavender essential oil for a mild sent.

I will update tomorrow after I use it to let you know how it works.

My Father's World Update

We have been using this for about 2 months now, we are still not very strict about schedules, but try and get 4 days a week in. Last week we took an impromptu visit to my parents so there was no school, but the kids were able to go fishing with my dad and have other learning experiences with my parents.

The teachers manual is very easy to follow, very simply laid out. Tells you exactly what to do for each day of the week. I have found even the projects are pretty easy to do and they have made sure it does not take a lot of extras expense or materials to get them done. Most of the time I have been able to use things in the house or materials from outside.

Here are some pics of Boog's favorite thing to do. Tracing letters in salt, it was one of the suggestions for helping them learn to write letters correctly.

Best Deal of the Year

The kids and I went up to visit my parents for a few days this week. When we go I always love to go and take a look around this store they have called Dirt Cheap. It is a store where they get all these randoms clothes and things from stores and they mark them at least 50% if not more off. Well I lucked up big time. They had about eight racks that had clothes on them for $1 a piece, mostly winter stuff. It is time consuming b/c there is not rhyme or reason to the order. How every I got the two Quicksilver jackets you see above for Boog this coming winter for $1 a piece. They will be a bit big, but he will probably end up wearing them for 2 winters, which ends up being an even better deal. These retail for $20 a piece new.
















I got these 3 shirts for Baby Girl for $1 a piece, new they were from Old Navy and were priced at $9.50 each.















Lastly were these two pairs of gym pants for Boog at $1 each, retail for $16.50 each.

I was so happy to get all these thing for less than $8. Who says you need lots of money to have kids? :)

Quote of the day

I read this quote today on a board for momys and wanted to share. This was stated by a man named Doug Phillips.

"The Bible calls debt a curse and children a blessing. But in our culture, we apply for a curse and reject a blessing. Something is terribly wrong with this picture."

Recently watched movies

We watched this one last night. It is based on the book, which I have never read. I thought it was very good, laid out the information well and was informative. I think it gave me much to think about and areas that you could delve into for more study.



















We watched this one last week, I know it has been out for some time, like 3 years. I thought it was very good and something you can watch together as a family. I have since taken a liking to Hadassah as a girl name. Gus not so much. :)

Memorizing Scripture

A week or so ago, I started reading Psalm 119. Throughout this whole chapter it talks about keeping God's laws and decrees and statues. God has really laid it on my heart to start memorizing more of His word. The reason not only being that we need to know it, but his Word tells us to keep it in our hearts. Also with the possibility that one day we may have to know God's word if the actual book is taken from us.

My friend shared a dream given to her from the Lord regarding the same thing. She dreamed that Satan kept trying to attack her in different ways and in each scenario there was always a way out. God showed her that during the times she is being attacked she did not have time to go and cram from His word, she only had the word she had stored in her heart to use against the enemy. It just showed her it is very important to know God's word in our hearts.

Psalm 119: 11
"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you"

I just want to challenge myself and others to start memorizing God's word that it may always stay in our hearts.

Just wanted to announce....

We will be welcoming a baby BOY in August. We are more than thrilled as are the kids.