Pesticide

I don't even remember where I first read about doing this but I did see another version of it recently. It's so easy and you don't have to worry about chemicals, getting it on your skin or breathing it in.
I have garlics growing so I dug one up, sliced it into hot water and let it soak over night.

The other ingredients you can add for more kick are, slices of onion and any form of hot pepper. I just used chili powder since I don't have any other pepper on hand.
Strain out the "debris", put in a spray bottle and use.


The main thing I use it on is my roses. They get covered in aphids to the point that the rose bud is almost white, and gross! I sprayed this stuff on liberally and within a day or two nearly all of them are gone!

As it is with any natural, organic thing, it takes a little more work, a little more patience! Rain will wash it off, sometimes you have to spray more often and you can't just pick it off a shelf, take it home and use. But it really works!
What it won't work on that I've read it will, is to keep city raccoons out of your garden OR your chicks!!! I dumped out the debris all around my chicks cage and that night, even before it was dark, we lost a chick to that evil coon! So I figure that these city rascals are quite immune to strong scent! They were also digging in my garden after it was sprayed. But I haven't had any rabbits now that I think of it. When we first moved here there were a few rabbits that would run through the yard. Either this works or my chasing them a block down the street did the trick! Yeah, I'm not a very good city chick...

On Husbands

Recently several of my friends and I have been asking our husbands questions. Real life changing questions. OK, so not that serious but for me, I do feel like it has changed my daily life perspective and priorities.
Here is the first question to ask, word it how you wish, this is how I worded mine:
  "If the entire Big House Estate was in a state of chaos, and the mistress had time to rectify one thing, what would you hope it to be?"
 I sent it in a text on a day in which there was literally EVERYTHING to do and ALL things were in a mess so I knew if he had eyes before he left for work, there was no room in the house in perfect order. Even the yard needed to be mowed, the van was dirty inside and out, the church wasn't cleaned yet...he had a lot to choose from.
  The hilarious response was, "Shave your legs". I nearly doubled over laughing! Of all things he would say was, "shave your legs". After a few texts of establishing that he was thinking the entire acreage, not just knees down, of "legs", I proceeded to take a shower and do just that.
Upon arriving home, he was lounging on the couch so I sat beside him. It wasn't long before the subject came up. When I told him, that yes, I did indeed go shave my legs (understand that I'm one of those that finds shaving to be too time consuming to bother on a daily basis) for him, he started to laugh. "You knew I was joking didn't you?!"
WHAT??? I went to all that bother just for him to be joking??? Well, fine, I now had smooth silky HAIRLESS, legs for...nothing.
After we had a good laugh over it I told him that I really did mean what I asked and would really like a serious answer! Took a little for him to figure out what I was driving at so finally I came up with saying it a little different. I told him that I had one hour in which I could clean up SOMETHING, and he has to chose what that something is. FINALLY I had my answer: laundry-not only washed but put away too!; a clean kitchen; and clean bathrooms.
 After I told my other friends of this little dialog and how I shaved my legs instead of doing laundry, they decided it was a good idea to not only ask about the surroundings but what about ourselves would our husbands like to have changed, improved or perhaps consistently done. Well, seems I already have my answer, unless he tells me again that it's only a joke!
Its been so fun getting the answers from the guys. Often, we are surprised what really actually bothers them. A few answers are: keep one sink empty of dishes (can wash his hands), nice looking yard, clean vehicle, uncluttered entryway, don't just pin up your bangs, shave your legs, look a little less conservative.
I challenge every married woman to ask her husband these questions. I have found new purpose to cleaning my bathrooms! I have a motive of love in doing these tasks that makes them a lot less painful and even fun. The first couple days I was so sick of washing dishes since I don't have a dishwasher and Belle is still too little to really wash without help. But I had a great motivator and I stuck to it. I still feel like I spend too much time in the kitchen but I just remember that I've changed my priorities and now, I do things for Nev, not for me.
A lot of other things don't get done that I would "normally" do but I now have a new "normal" and am slowly getting accustomed to it.
  I will add that I've done a lot of things "by the book" up until now. You know, you read all those great books on marriage and I seem to always read to have the toys picked up and the house always neat and tidy when the husband gets home. Well, what if the toys don't bother MY husband??? I was actually getting a little exhausted trying to do things that don't matter to him. He is quiet and won't complain about anything so to get out of him what he really likes is a trick in its self. So when I was told about this specific way of finding out, I jumped all over it! I waited for the right time and had to ask several times, in different ways, to effectively communicate what I was after.
  Books are great, but my husband is not a cookie from a cookie cutter. I have no idea how many times I have followed a book and found that it only aggravated the situation. I gave up. The only book that works is the Bible and waiting on God to give me words and wisdom, sometimes through hearing of a good question to ask!
  So, what will your husband say? I would love to hear more answers! We've had good laughs and good times doing this. Might I add, don't ask if you don't intend to do as you are told!

The City Chickens

I feel giddy! We have two guys that live down the street that build sheds etc for a living and often throw their scraps etc on a heap before taking it to the dump (or where ever it goes). Randomly I walk the two blocks with the wagon and bring home a few boards for crafts and evening fires.
Well, yesterday I set about to use up those scrap 2x4s, determined not to have to buy any, and made the frame/studs for the tiniest chicken coop on the front range! :) I have 4 little chicks that are outgrowing their tote in the breeze way and need an outdoor arrangement. I did it! The frame work is complete and I did not spend a thing! The only thing that I need to buy at the moment are screws because I ran out, one short so I found a long enough nail to do the trick. (it's called making do with what you have on hand)
Last night we took a family walk down those two blocks again in search of boards for the sides. What a gold mine! He was cleaning up the place, loading up a trailer with sundry items that were begging me for a better life! I now have the siding, the shingles, some things that-I-forget-what-they-are-called to use for a feed trough, and what makes me shiver with glee are the weathered panels of privacy fence that are now proudly hiding "out back" waiting my eager hands and brain! I've been wishing for old barn boards for all those lovely things I see around but can't find any without having to pay dearly for them. Now, I have stacks...FREE!!! I told Nev that my only problem is that I have so many now that in my happiness of mind, I can't think of what to make first!
Back to the chickens! My goal is to construct a well made, look-nice-enough-even-to-city-people, nearly expense free chicken coop and I nearly have it accomplished! My dear friend says she has the wire I need for the run so I even have that covered! I am ecstatic! I don't have any picts yet but perhaps when I get to the next faze I'll remember my camara.
For now, I need to go clean the church house.

Tiramisu

A friend of mine told me how to make a very simple, very delicious Tiramisu.

Start out with an Angel Food Cake. I made mine from scratch while the recipe called for a store bought one.

1/2 cup double strength coffee (I used Starbucks, yum)
1 cup whipping cream
3Tbs powdered sugar
1 sm box instant vanilla pudding
2 cups milk
instant coffee granules
baking cocoa

Whip the cream and powdered sugar.





You can make the coffee from instant or brew it as I did.







Mix pudding with milk. Fold whipped cream and pudding together after pudding sets up just a little.

Cut angel food cake in half. Carefully pour half of coffee over cake. Layer half of the pudding/cream mixture over. Place other half of cake on, then repeat layers.
I sprinkled instant coffee granules and unsweetened baking cocoa over layers

 I forgot to take a picture before I put in the toothpicks to keep the plastic wrap up off the cake. But here she is in all her glory.

Lastly, put it in the fridge and wait for at least 6 hours till serving to allow the flavors to blend.

I was going to serve it to friends but those friends had to cancel so my girls and I had a little feast ourselves!




Tips to myself for next time I make it:
In a home made cake, the coffee doesn't soak up as quickly, takes more.
A homemade angel food cake is larger than the loaves from the store so it might be smart to double the filling. Also, because it is lager, cut in 3 layers rather than only 2.

Etsy

I'm now on etsy! I don't know much about it but I'm giving it a whirl and see if I can catch some wind! Check it out... here. If any of you are better informed on how to sell on etsy feel free to let me know what you do. :}

Baked Oatmeal

My girls will squeal, yell, clap their hands and generally put up quite a clamor when I say we're having baked oatmeal for breakfast. I make it when they are sick and won't eat anything else and they get it for every meal of the day! I took these pictures about a month ago but the pan is sitting next to me once again and I remembered I was going to blog it...so.... The original recipe comes from The Best of Country Cooking 1999 but I tweaked it to fit my taste.

3 cups quick cooking oats
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
2 eggs
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp vanilla

Mix all ingredients. Spread evenly in a greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350* for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Serve immediately with milk, fruit, brown sugar etc.

Here are my variations: I always bake it in a baking stone which makes it light and fluffy without the "custard", slimy bottom it can get in other pans. The other cool thing with the stone is that I don't have to fill it and it bakes just fine. I don't have the right size for this recipe so I simply don't spread it over the entire pan!

My girls are spoiled and usually have chocolate chips or m&m's. I sprinkle them over the top then pat them down with a spoon. This way they are evenly distributed and I can better control how much chocolate they get!




                                                              While it bakes I have them set the table.



When the timer starts beeping they come running and yelling that the baked oatmeal is finished!

Baked Oatmeal = Happiness at Breakfast!

Paper Dolls

I found these amazing printable (and FREE) paper dolls and thought I'd share for any of you who would like simple joys for your little girls. My Belle was enthralled when I gave her the first one. I think all girls should have a chance to enjoy this simple joy and pass time.

Some enjoy it more than others as shows in the fact that Tori isn't overjoyed by them altho' she will play with them at times.

Click here for web page.