Thursday, April 25, 2013

Rub a Dub Dub - Laundry's in the Tub

Have you saw the price of Laundry Detergent lately? Let me tell you, I have! Even with coupons, it is still rather pricey - more so than I have decided I will pay! That led me to the search for homemade laundry detergent. Now mind you, I didn't want to go back to a washboard and clothesline exclusively, but a happy in-between was more along the lines. The Duggar's recipe is what we decided to go with and it has been a great fit for us! Here is what you will need: 4 Cups - hot tap water 1 Fels-Naptha soap bar 1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda* ½ Cup Borax 5 gallon bucket - we got ours from Lowe's :o) Start off grating your bar of soap, then add to a sacepan to melt with your 4 cups of hot water...
-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken. -Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel) Even if yours doesn't "gel" it tends to still work wonderfully! -Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. We left this step out however and have clothes that just smell CLEAN and FRESH! -Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons. The recipe yeilds about 180 loads for top load washers and 640 loads for front load washers. 5/8 cup for top loaders per load and 1/4 a cup for front loaders per load. Make sure you get arm and hammer super wash soda not the baking soda laundry detergent!! Happy Laundry Day from the Momma!

Friday, February 10, 2012

Popcorn on a String

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A shoestring budget that is! It is so fun to have a little one, but in order to celebrate all of the holidays to the fullest and not break the bank, we have to get a little creative about things.

One of our favorite gifts to give is homemade "gourmet" popcorn! It is super simple to create actually and you can have a ball deciding what to gift it in. Some of our favorite gifting containers include upcycled candy tins, the brown paper bags from Hobby Lobby and Micheals in the cake decorating section, and of course, Mason Jars.Here is how simple it is:
1 bag microwave popcorn - I get no butter so it's whiter
1 bag Wilton white chocolate
1/2 bag Wilton milk chocolate or color of your choice
Seasonal m&ms

In a large bowl mix popped popcorn, melted white chocolate, and m&ms.
Spread on a cookie sheet and drizzle with milk chocolate or colored chocolate. Allow to wool before breaking apart to bag up!

These make great gifts for all of Abby's teachers, from preschool and Sunday School to Dance class as well. They would also make great little gifts for bus drivers. We like to add some holiday M&Ms based on what holiday we are making the gift for to give it a little more jazz!
Happy Popping!

Monday, February 6, 2012

Mexican Chicken Cassarole

Need a meal to warm you up from the cold weather? How about trying this super simple chicken recipe that our family loves?

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Here is what you need:

  • 1 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth 
  • (4.5-ounce) cans chopped green chiles, divided
  • 1 3/4 pounds skinned, boned chicken breasts 
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil 
  • 1 cup chopped onion 
  • 1 cup evaporated skim milk 
  • 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese  - we used more :o)
  • 1/4 cup (2 ounces) tub-style light cream cheese 
  • (10-ounce) can enchilada sauce
  • 12 (6-inch) corn tortillas
  • Cooking spray 
  • 1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded reduced-fat extra-sharp cheddar cheese - again, we used more :o)
  • 1 ounce tortilla chips, crushed (about 6 chips)

  • And here is how we make it:
    Combine broth and 1 can of chiles in a large skillet; bring to a boil. Add chicken; reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes or until chicken is done, turning chicken once. Remove chicken from cooking liquid, reserving cooking liquid; cool chicken. Shred meat with two forks, and set aside.
    Preheat oven to 350°.
    Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 can of chiles and onion; sauté 3 minutes or until soft. Add reserved cooking liquid, milk, Monterey Jack, cream cheese, and enchilada sauce; stir well. Stir in shredded chicken; cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
    Place 4 tortillas in the bottom of a 2-quart casserole coated with cooking spray. Spoon 2 cups chicken mixture over tortillas. Repeat layers twice, ending with chicken mixture. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese and chips. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

  • Look at what's in that pan...

At the Collins household, we think cream cheese is a good addition to purt near anything! Getting ready to go in the oven...
This recipe actually came from Pinterest, with a few tweaks of course.   If you want to check out the original recipe, click here.  I am not the best at following recipes. I blame that on my grandmothers! Ha!

Happy Eating!

Friday, February 3, 2012

Mission Possible: Organize and Declutter

Got those New year's resolutions broken yet. Surprisingly, statistics show that most people do by now. I have found one that I have happily stuck with *so far* and wanted to share it with readers. It is the Organize and Declutter calendar from: mysimplelife.com, you can find it here! Although this is only February, I am amazed at the accomplishments I have been able to make in our home and ultimately in the life of my family one small step at a time. I honestly did not realize we had so much room, we were just not properly utilizing it. I've always wanted to be organized, and had even "googled" for ideas and the daunting lists would always send me to the pantry for cookies rather than a garbage bag to clean house with! This calendar lays out a whole year and gives you small tasks to do each day that quickly add up to make a big difference. Want to try it, but discouraged that you are a month behind already? No problem, either start now and move forward, saving January to do in Jan 2013 or start now and do an extra task from January as time permits until you are on track! Thank you for gracing me with your lovliness today!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Framed L-O-V-E

That love time is quickly approaching. Time for all of the little Valentine's that will eventually be strewn everywhere before they find their way into the trashcan. I know, I know - we have intentions of saving them and making the memories last, but after they are tattered and torn from being played with over and over, what can you really do? This month I am going to show you some different methods of Valentine gift giving that will not break the bank or time or money.

Pin It First up today is a super simple little frame. Just grab your favorite little one and off you go! You will need: frame scissors card stock (scraps work great for this) patterned paper marker ink For my frame I chose the $3 frames at Wal-Mart that are designed for two pictures and took the mat out and did some trimming to it to make it have only one opening. Cut the patterned paper of your choice the size of your frame. I decided to ink all edges of my papers and card stock, just because I like that look - yours is up to you! On scraps of card stock I let my 4 year old write out L, O, E, and sign her name to the bottom of one of the pieces. I then added the end of the Bible Verse from Corinthians, Love is patient and kind, to the top of the cardboard piece she had written her name on. She used her little finger prints to stamp out a heart for the V. Glue those on to the pattered paper and stick in the frame - voila - instant Valentine's decoration that any grandparent will be thrilled to receive. Let's face it - Valentine's day is not when most of us have a ton of decor for and this is a gift that can be used year after year! Have a blessed day and thank you for stopping by!

Friday, January 6, 2012

Welcome

Welcome to the future home of Shabby Cinderella. Please come back soon!