Natural Drain Cleaner

Got a slow kitchen or bathroom sink drain?  Try this natural drain cleaner.  I tried it and it really works!  Remember, this is only for a drain in which you notice to be slower than normal.  Like when you're brushing your teeth and then run the water and the sink starts to fill up even though the drain is open.  That's when I notice our bathroom drain is slowing down. Now I'm able to prevent this from happening without the use of toxic chemicals.

I used 4 tablespoons of baking soda, 3/4 cup vinegar, and a gallon of boiling water.  I followed the directions from the link below. I didn't use their recommended measurements because I didn't think the drain was slow enough to use that much ingredients. But you might want to use more if your pipes are running really slow!

Make sure to pour the vinegar "very slowly" to get a chemical reaction. I poured a little, about a tablespoon, then waited a minute. Then poured a little more, waited. I did this until all of the vinegar was gone. The drain bubbled, fizzed, and foamed.  A few minutes after I poured the boiling water...the drain was running clear again!

Read all instructions before using this method. If you do this once a month you will never have a slow drain again!

http://www.household-management-101.com/natural-drain-cleaner.html

I hope you have good luck clearing your sink drain!

Use K-Cups Twice

Here's a tip: Have you ever tried using the same K-Cup twice in your Keurig Coffeemaker? I have a 16 oz. coffee mug. First I brew on the large cup setting, then using the same K-cup I allow the water to reheat and then push the small cup button and brew it again.

The coffee is still strong and very good! It actually tastes better than just brewing it once. This is a great idea if you have a 2 cup thermos to take on the road with you. I used the Dark Magic Decaf. Gonna try the Donut Shop Decaf tomorrow.

After all of our K-Cups are gone I'll be utilizing my re-usable K-Cups because I like to make my own coffee blends.

Please Help Feed The Hungry

I like to donate edible canned goods or boxed goods a few times a year to our local food pantry in order to help my neighbors through tough times.  It doesn't take much effort and at this time of year (The Holiday Season) canned goods and boxed goods go on sale quite frequently.

Please don't forget about those less fortunate than you. These are tough times for everyone. Your donation of even one canned good priced a dollar or under will help feed someone's family. God Bless You!

Thanks For Checking In!

Well all I can say is WOW! I've had 2,402 views of my blog. All I can say is thank you! I know everyone stops here and reads because my page is wide open. I would really appreciate it if you would join my blog and post your pic. I don't send annoying e-mails.  Join my Blog and post a comment if you like. See you here!

My Earring Tree!

I got r-e-a-l-l-y tired of digging through my jewelry box drawers every day to match a pair of dangle or snap close earrings so I finally decided to do something about it. I designed my own Earring Tree using craft sticks (aka popsicle sticks). It looks more like a display than a tree. Maybe call it an Earring Holder???Earring Butler??? What do you think???

Earrings are easy on and easy off! Now I have to create a holder for my post earrings...

Save A Little, But Spend Some!

We are all going to get old. It is inevitable. Just have fun while you're doing it. If you have a little disposable income, spend it. Tomorrow isn't a guarantee. It's an opportunity if you get the chance to see it. --Susan Crafts

Tell Someone You Appreciate Him or Her

"When you pay someone a compliment it makes them feel good inside. Words of recognition, taken by surprise. Your pure sincerity cast a glow upon their face, then a smile, making them proud of who they are."
-- Susan Crafts

Home Made Laundry Detergent

So many people interested in learning how to make their own laundry detergent, so I decided to re-post this recipe.

4 Cups Hot Tap Water
1 Fels-Naptha Soap Bar
1 Cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax
A few drops Essential Oil  (I like to use Lemon or Lavender available at Health Food Stores and Vitamin Shops)

This is soooo much better for our environment.  It takes less time to mix up this batch of detergent than it would for you to get into your car and drive to the store and back.

Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

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.

I store the detergent in a 5 gallon bucket that used to hold the chlorine tablets for my pool. I refill my old detergent bottles with the home made detergent as needed using my pyrex glass measuring cup and a funnel.

 When it's time to do laundry, gently shake the bottle 2 or three times.  I tip it upside down and back three times and then pour it into the cup. Don't shake it hard because it will foam up.  It should be a little watery with lots of lumps.  Don't let this bother you!  That's how it's supposed to look. Detergent companies use lots of chemicals to get their products smooth.  But it isn't necessary. 

 If you prefer a powdered detergent, it's quite simple.  Grate the soap and mix it with the rest of the dry ingredients using a wire whisk.  Store in an airtight container.  Could it get any easier than this?

Go here if you would like more information about home made liquid and powdered detergents. http://tipnut.com/10-homemade-laundry-soap-detergent-recipes/

Hot Cocoa with Marshmallows

I thought I would re-post my home made Hot Chocolate recipe now that the cold weather is upon us! Compare my recipe to your store bought brand. Their ingredients looks more like a chemistry experiment compared to mine. Enjoy!

1 1/2 cups Senalac or 2 cups powdered milk (see Tip)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup sugar or sugar substitute
1/2 cup cocoa powder
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate
Mini marshmallows

Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Take the bittersweet chocolate and roughly chop it up to give a chunky but consistent size. Mix well with a wooden spoon and
then store in an airtight container.

To make the hot chocolate, simply add 3/4 cup of water per 1/3 cup of hot cocoa mix. Heat in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring with a whisk. Heat until hot, but do not boil, about
6 to 7 minutes. Or heat water in microwaveable mug, add cocoa and stir. Serve with mini marshmallows.

Tip: Senelac powdered milk, found at Super Target, is superfine and dissolves fast. If using granular powdered milk, use 2 cups and run it through the food processor to make it superfine.

Note: I mostly use Splenda when I mix up a batch and you can't tell the difference between that and the one made with sugar.