Randomness

Is randomness even a word? Well, I'm using it anyway. How are you? Annabelle was home sick yesterday with a stomachache/headache/fever thing, but thankfully she's feeling better today so both kids are at school. Wednesdays are early days...she has to be at orchestra rehearsal at 8:00 a.m., so Mason and I drop her off then kill some time at Walmart until he has to be there at 9. At least I get shopping done early!

I went to Michael's afterwards and got a basket to hide my cable modem and router in the "new" living room.

 

It's a bit better than the tangled mess it once was. OK it's still a tangled mess but at least you can't see most of it now.

Over the weekend, Dave and I hung up some artwork and sconces in the living room.

I got the sconces and flameless candles at Hobby Lobby at 50% off. The candles are on a timer so they come on automatically every evening. Very cozy! Underneath that is the new liquor cabinet. It's pretty cool, the doors have storage in them, and when they're open, the top folds out so there's a big drink-pouring surface. Now we have some drinking to do. LOL That lamp there will one day house a terrarium. the lamp part lifts off and you can fill the glass bottom with whatever. Christmas Tree Shops! Oh and all the art is from there too...

I love all these prints! And they were super-cheap! Here's the other wall, not quite finished though...

Dave and I have spent several evenings in this room already. In fact I even took an inadvertent nap there on Sunday!

On Monday I was inspired to make my own laundry detergent. I belong to a handmade soap group on Facebook, and some of the vendors make and sell their own laundry detergent as well. That appeals to me because it's gentle, natural, and cheap to make! So rather than pay for someone else to do it I figured I could give it a go. I took pictures of the process but unfortunately I deleted them from my camera by mistake. Oops! Anyway it was easy...you just need three ingredients.

2 bars of soap (I used Fels-Naptha laundry soap; but any pure-type soap will do, like Ivory)
2 Cups Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (found in the laundry aisle)
1 Cup Borax (also found in the laundry aisle)

Grate the soap with a cheese grater or food processor. (*note: I used a hand grater - be prepared to work out your arms! You can buy the soap pre-grated, I'm looking into doing this next time!) Mix all ingredients. Most laundry loads will use 1 tablespoon; large or heavily-soiled loads, use 2 tablespoons.

The verdict? I LOVE it! It smells so fresh; my clothes get very clean; it was cheap beyond belief; and last but not least, how cute does it look in the jar??

Anyway, that's my frugality of the week!

Have you decorated at all for spring/Easter yet? Annabelle and I got a few things out yesterday while we were home. I don't seem to have a lot of spring decorations, but these are the tall bunnies we put by the fireplace every year. They hold the kids' Easter baskets until the big day.

I bought these little painted eggs at Wegman's the other day; aren't they sweet? The plate is from Target last year.

Here's a decorated cake stand, crowded-out by the new book that arrived today from Amazon...can't wait to read this! Kathleen you can borrow it when I'm done!

I've been working on the 1930s quilt that I started last year. Each block takes me awhile to do, but hopefully at this rate I should be done in time for Christmas. I better be, geez! Anyway this will be for my niece who is already looking forward to her Christmas quilt! She's such a sweet girl so I think the dainty little prints will be perfect for her.

The pattern is 4 OT from Miss Rosie's Quilt Company...which suits my niece perfectly since her name is Rose!

Talk to you soon!

♥ Jen