DIY Liquid hand soap...

http://www.diyncrafts.com/1136/health/money-saving-diy-make-your-own-liquid-hand-soap-from-a-bar-of-soap

August 18th...

Went to my 1 month check up, lost 13 more pounds. Talked about wanting more energy, exercising 5 days a week, more water and more protein. Goal right now is try to lose 30 lbs. in next 2 months! I can do it!

Today's Work:

Chickens cage cleaned-thanks to my boys.
Area swept up- thanks to Carson.
Peaches peeled- thanks all minions. I sliced and froze peaches.
Peeled oranges for vinegar spray.
Did a mound of dirty dishes.

Now to make more homemade laundry soap and other homemade items.
Then, knitting. Chicken is in crock pot for supper.

Amanda's husband, Sean Ironmonger, sews these amazing project bags. 

His Etsy shop is: The Guy Who Sews. This one was a gift. I love the chicken theme!!! 

If she is a he what do I do next? I love my chickens, but sadly can not have a rooster.

My daughter is always beautiful. I love this red color Lauren!!!

Stevia Extract...

How to Make Homemade Stevia Extract
By Jill Winger (photo too)

You will need:-Fresh stevia leaves (Dry leaves can work too–see the note below)-Vodka*-Clean glass jar with lid

*The amount of ingredients you need will depend on how much stevia extract you want to make. I made a fairly small batch this time around, so I only ended up using about 1 cup of vodka, and a handful of chopped leaves. Depending on how many stevia plants you have, you can make a big batch, or just a small one.Wash the leaves and remove them from the stem. Discard any wilted or brown leaves, and coarsely chop the rest. Place the leaves into a clean, glass jar. I filled my jar to the top, but I didn't pack the leaves down. Fill the jar with vodka, making sure the leaves are completely covered. Place the lid on securely, and give it a good shake and set it aside. Let the leaves steep in the vodka for around 48 hours. This is a much shorter time frame than many other extracts, but if you let it sit more than a day or two, the resulting stevia extract is pretty darn bitter. After 48 hours, strain the leaves from the vodka (I also gave my leaves a good squeeze to smoosh out every last bit of extract). Pour the extract into small saucepan and heat it gently for 20 minutes. Do not let it boil, just warm it up to remove the alcohol and improve the sweetness. It will also thicken up a bit and reduce in volume. Pour your finished extract into a small bottle (I like one with a dropper–it makes it easier to use) and store it in the fridge. It should last several months.

8/1-8/7....

Getting Supplies...

 

Happy Man. Did Manly stuff!

Porter hangs out with Daddy as he works on the coop.

Mini Bird Cage for Treats for the Chicks....
Sophie, hanging out

Chicks...

Love to see Cameron draw.

Lala looks like Elsa from FROZEN, eh?

Made Chicken Pot Pie Stew for the family

Frogged my Hitchhiker Scarf....
too many mistakes drove me CRAZY!

Other Stuff....

Fairy Lights and Love Vignettes...

Stoked...

Talked with James. His plans for while I am visiting Lauren in CT. are as follows:

1. Dry wall big hole in ceiling (that has been there for a number of years now).
2. Dry wall behind garage sink and hook up water (for yarn dyeing use).
3. Good Will/CHKD Thrift tons of stuff still in garage.
4. Clean out garage Freezer...in prep for stocking.
5. Till soil, compost it, prep, and organize Garden for... when I get back, so I can plant freely!

I AM TOTALLY STOKED!!!!!!

OK, so the stairs, walls and doors still need painting and our upstairs floors need to be re-done and a few more items need to be tended to....but I can always work on those slowly over spring/summer and James can do some of that as time permits here and there. So it's all good. — feeling blessed.

Saturday goings on...

James bought supplies at Lowe's to build a 2 person computer desk for the older boys.

Hope he gets it done tonight. Boys are anxious.

Running a plethora of errands also....

-Carson needs a shoulder rest for her violin (Music Store).
-Carson also wants to buy black bands for her loom (Michael's)
-Boys need several laundry baskets for their Raid Rack -using instead of dressers (Wal-Mart or Target)
-I need to purchase healthy groceries to stock and have several items I plan to make ahead and freeze (Kroger, Sam's Club and Wal-Mart).
-Might purchase a food processor...or not (BBB or Wal-Mart???)

Spring planting...

Seedlings in a DIY 'green house'...(a plastic container from Hefty, turned upside down....genious!).

 Waiting for Garden frames to go in to be able to sow these seeds directly into the ground.