New way of doing things...

I wrote this and questioned posting it. Often times I write drafts but never publish them to my blog... I didn't want to come off braggy or spoiled.. but as I reread it tonight I think it's worth sharing. During this difficult economic time it is hard to see families falling apart because of things of this world, we could have been one of those families but by the GRACE of an awesome God our hearts were transformed. This is part of our story and I decided to share...

Wow! How spoiled are we...

We have officially moved into the new place.

I have been impressed with us, making the much smaller living quarters work for our family.

The joy of being home owners and moving toward serious financial freedom has made the pitfalls of this transition so much easier.

A new way of thinking...

Although we would have loved to get all new stainless steel appliances for the house the reality was we had about $200 cash (not wanting to use credit) and needed an oven, microwave, refrigerator, washer and dryer...

I had just about figured out that we could get by with a fridge, microwave and washing machine for the first few months.

I have to brag on Tony because he really made some great finds...

microwave -$5
oven -$60
refrigerator -$75
washer and dryer -free (I think it did cost about $10 for the new tubing to make them work)
and $20 gas to pick up the great finds with my grandpa's truck.

I'm sure God had a hand in those great finds!! Call me crazy but I can totally see God in every facet of this move, the change in our thinking, the joy in the midst of something that before we would have responded with stress and question what we were thinking with this move- honestly we probably would have never even considered this move. How foolish we were.

I let the desires of this world influence my wants... quickly realizing that they might not be realistic. I returned a handful of items from some prior purchases and was able to purchase light fixtures for every room and a new fan to replace the one that didn't work in the living room as well a storage solutions and a few flowers for the front entrance that made the house feel like home.

Under bed storage has become my answer for most storage solutions in our new smaller space.

The pest issues.. not very grateful for that, but thankful that the spiders as big as my face are gone and we are still working on the roaches... palmetto bugs.. whatever they are called- they are creepy and gross.. now they come out dead or dying but I'll be glad when I don't see them anymore, ewww..

I just hope this cool weather stays until we can get the A/C guy out to let us know why the air conditioner won't turn on correctly.

All these little pitfalls would have seemed so overwhelming at one time.

I found myself lining the 28 year old cabinets thinking how much I missed my big kitchen, with the new clean built in stove top and custom cabinets.

God quickly transformed those thoughts into realizing the blessing of contact paper.. such an amazing material and really helped transform those old things.

While for a moment I considered the fact that my master bedroom could have easily fit inside my old bathroom... I found joy in the $avings of the small space and the low utility costs when compared to our big house.

I have found the joy in it all... from sharing a bathroom with the kids to being the dishwasher... it is true that it's good for the soul to wash dishes.

As Tony celebrated the victory of fixing the leak in the free washing machine I found myself thankful that we ran out of the wood floors and the soapy water mess was on my remnant vinyl floor (I got for $25) instead of the wood.

I love this house... this broken... old... little... house... that with a little work and a lot of love is becoming beautiful, maybe it's a lot of work and a lot of love...

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15

bar soap to liquid soap

Yes my friends, this is a cup of soap... this recipes makes lots so it's a good idea to have an extra container ready.

I have been on this mission with soap for a while now... I love soap! A little too much maybe... I am sure I have spent far too many hours perfecting this project but I think it is finally right...

I have really sensitive skin, I've been making my own laundry detergent with Ivory soap for some time now.

I had seen ways to turn bar soap to a liquid. I wanted to try it... how cool to use Ivory bath bars, Ivory laundry detergent, Ivory hand soap and Ivory body wash... but make it all at home! Ivory everything!

I dunno, but to me this was an exciting thought.

Well, if you search 'bar soap to liquid soap' online you will find 100s of links. The recipes all differ slightly and after trying a number of them and failing miserably -my neighbor was my test subject- thank you Sarah for trying my soap :)

I think... I have finally figured it out.

Things you will need:
Cheese grater
1 bar of soap (IVORY!)
1tsp vegetable glycerin
1tsp honey
5 cups of water

And here we go...

Grate the bar down so that it melts quicker


Boil water, add soap, glycerin and honey, stirring continually till soap melts




Once melted, let cool 20 minutes or so, it will just look like soapy water, my husband was a bit concerned as I cooked soap...


Once cool, pour into a blender- this is when the glycerin takes effect and it gets that 'store bought soap texture'-use the whip setting on your blender only about 20-30 seconds


This will cause it to foam up quite a bit, let it sit for 15 minutes or so and it will being to take a thicker consistancy as it cools.


Pour into containers and use! It will thicken as the hours pass, it really takes about 24 hours to 'look' like store bought but it works just the same.


Doesn't a little spray paint do wonders for a recycled plastic soap dispenser?

This recipes also doubles as great body wash. I got these cute containers at Target, back by the pharmacy for 89 cents.



And clean up is a breeze because everything is already covered in soap...

I finally have a crafting space

There was a time when I had an entire room in our other home that was dedicated to my crafts. I had two long tables, scrapbooks, computer, printer, paints, everything my little heart desired and then more. The room was so big that I didn't know what to do with it, I never got time to play in it either because it was upstairs and away from where the kids would play, not very functional. We moved from that house to a much smaller home and I don't have a crafting room anymore. I am so thankful for the little space in our little home that is now My Crafting Corner!
I love it.
Perfect spot for my sewing machine and projects. It is right in the great room next to the sliding glass door that leads to our backyard, where Sophia and Troy spend most of there time so it is just perfect!
So if you don't have an entire room to dedicate to your creativity... designate a small piece of your home for yourself and make it you!
And here are some pictures of my crafting space.
The dinosaur in the bottom right corner is Troy's touch to my space. The basket underneath stores the fabrics that I am working on. I have a book shelf in my closet that I use for storage but this little desk offers a place that is not the dining room table for me to work. The desk is a cheapy that I picked up from Target for $30 and I am VERY happy with it. The shelves were two for $20 at Target as well and I filled mason jars with buttons and metal hair clips for decoration and storage. Oh and I didn't take a close up but the green frame on the wall has a piece of fabric in it... simple, but super cute.

I bought a 'media basket' for ribbons, scissors, and extras that I need at arms reach. I suggest buying the 'media baskets' because they were more inexpensive than the 'storage baskets' ($4 difference) but are just the same!

This is an old vase that I filled with potpourri for decorations... simple and pretty!

Troy's Florida Room

Now- I still have much to do but his Orange Tree is on the wall, the oranges are finished, and a nifty sign to go with it. I just have to add the ladder, so he can climb up and pick the felt oranges off of his tree. I may make a trip to Lowes tomorrow, great way to kick off the New Year :)

I painted the tree trunk with "chocolate brown", I sponged the top of the tree with "green green" and "lime green". The oranges are were made with felt and stuffed with batting then attached to the wall with a sticky velcro tab. :)



So far he loves it, but it is kind of high for him so I am going to have to get his ladder done, ASAP.

Here is the orange sign I made to hang on the wall. My dad brought me an old piece of lumbar from the farm and I painted it, perfect for my little guys Florida themed room.



And so far...