Gettin' Our Veggie On

The last couple of weekends at Ellis Farms have been pretty busy. Since we both have full time jobs, the weekends are when we get the biggest chunk of work done on the farm. We've begun our gardening for the new season and planted out "cold ground" veggies. So far, we've done potatoes, cabbage, spinach, brussel sprouts, broccoli, carrots, red onion, and sweet onion. We also planted 3 blueberry bushes of different varieties. Looking forward to the harvest!

 

Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

About a year ago, we began making our own liquid laundry detergent. What a savings!!!! We're talking that it costs only a FEW CENTS per load of laundry. When I bought our initial supplies to make the first batch, it cost around $7- $8. We are still using the original box of Borax and box of Washing Soda. The only thing I have had to restock was the Fels-Naptha Soap and it's $1 a bar. I've bought 3 bars in a year. My husband is who actually makes it each time. It takes him about 20 minutes. It makes 2 gallons of liquid each time. That 2 gallons lasts our family of 4 approximately two months. I've got you thinkin', haven't I?
YES!!! My clothes are clean! YES!!! They smell good. YES!!! It's worth the extra effort. The $$$$$ savings ALONE should convince you!!! If you buy it in the store....This stuff ain't cheap!!!

Here is our recipe:

Get a pot that is large enough to hold 6 cups of liquid. Get it on the stovetop at around Medium temp.
Grate 1/3 of a bar of Fels-Naptha Soap into 4 cups of hot water (NOT BOILING). Stir until it's dissolved.
Add 1 cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda. Stir until it's dissolved.
Add 1/2 cup 20 Mule Team Borax. Stir until it's dissolved.
In a two gallon container (we use an old laundry detergent container that we had saved), add two cups of WARM water then pour the dissolved liquid mixture into the container. *I suggest using a funnel and another set of hands to help with this.
Fill the remaining space in the container up with more warm water. Then let it cool.
*Some folks will add essential oils like lavender for added scent, but we don't. I like the natural clean smell just from the original ingredients.

About a 1/2 cup per load is what you would need.

NOTE: Each time you use the detergent, you will need to shake the jug because the gel settles out when it sits.

It is safe for HE washers (this is what we have). This recipe does not "suds up". It cleans. It doesn't make bubbles.

Now go get started!!!!

Our Two Priorities

Working with at-risk youth for 17 years has taught me one thing.....in the blink of an eye, ALL children.....regardless of race, religion, upbringing, etc could be deemed "at-risk". I have seen it all.
As a parent, I strive every day to show my own two kids the right path. I can only pray that they make the right choice. I'm realistic. They will screw up. They will make mistakes. But I will hold them accountable. I will not make excuses for them. I will do that, because it's my job. It's not my job to be their friend.

What You Might See Here

Seriously....I'm as normal as can be. BUT, I have certain quirks and oddities that I find interesting that you may see pop up on here from time to time.

I am addicted to mindless reality TV. I can't help it. It's like a train wreck and I can't look away. Some of my favorites are So You Think You Can Dance, The Amazing Race, Survivor, American Idol, The Voice, Hoarders, American Pickers....God I could list a thousand!!!

I love 80's music. I was born in 1972 so it fits and I can't lose it. I have an insane taste in music....anything from RUSH to Lil Wayne to Korn and Metallica.....all the way to Rascal Flatts, George Strait, and Jason Aldean. I love just about anything. My co-workers get a taste of my craziness because I tend to sing and typically the computer has Pandora playing so you never know what's coming out of the speakers at any given time.

We love to eat at my house. Good old home southern cookin'! And my weight reflects it. That being said, I've been on a weight loss journey since July 2012. I have lost almost 35 lbs and I have drastically changed my eating habits and I'm exercising more. I still have a long way to go though. 

I am an avid reader and I love crime shows. I own a Kindle Fire and it is never far from my reach. I love the written word and I encourage my kids to do the same. I have read the Twilight series, 50 Shades, Hunger Games. The next series I hope to start soon is the Sookie Stackhouse series. I love mystery suspense books which goes along with the crime shows. Some of my favorite authors are Kathy Reichs, James Patterson, and Patricia Cornwell.
We watch Bones, Criminal Minds, and CSI. I getting into the new show, The Following, as well.


An oddity in my TV watching....The Walking Dead. I've always been a fan of horror movies as well but I'm OBSESSED with this show!!!!!

About Me

First off, let me say, that I am new to the Blogging world. I am learning as I go. Please be patient as I navigate this new world.

Let me start by telling you a little about myself. My husband and I have been married since 1997. We have known each other since Kindergarten (I know....Awwww). Haha. We have a son (Andrew) and a daughter (Addison). Drew is 11 and Addi is 4 1/2. We live on a small family owned "farmette" as I like to call it, in the Foothills of North Carolina.

By day, I work as a Juvenile Court Counselor working with youth within the juvenile justice system. I teach part-time in the Psychology Dept. of a local community college as well. I am a graduate of Appalachian State University (BS Psychology, BS Criminal Justice) and a graduate of Gardner-Webb University (MA Counseling).

About a year ago, we got "a wild hair" and decided to build a chicken coop and get "a few" chickens for fresh eggs. A FEW has turned into 14 total and is likely to continue to growing. I'm quite obsessed and I have no problem admitting it. We have now finished construction on a barn and we are preparing to get into dairy goats. I'm interested in learning how to make goat cheese and soap.

I envision this blog to be full of my thoughts, interests, likes, and dislikes....which I will warn you....can be quite schizophrenic in nature. I turned 40 in November and I have found that my "filter" has flown slap off my mouth and I pretty much say whatever I'm thinking.....which sometimes shoots myself in the foot. But that's OK too.

I hope you will follow the daily adventures of me and my little family. I hope it's informative. If nothing else, it's sure to be entertaining.