Sunday Scripture...

Psalms 103:1-2

 

Restocked Pantry Mixes...

I just love seeing stocked shelves. One of our favorite mixes is for homemade brownies. I think our choice of cocoa powder is important, so I spend a little more for Ghirardelli cocoa for our brownie mix. 

The jar on the left is the mixture, and when I have filled all the jars I can put on the shelf (and still be able to close the cabinet door), the extra is stored in the gallon jar. I'll pull from that first, adding nuts when I make up the mix to bake.

I also restocked my cornmeal muffin mix - which is soooo much better than Jiffy™ (sorry, Jiffy), so I'll be able to make cornbread muffins to go with chili once the weather turns cooler. I pressure canned beef with homemade chili mix, and I also pressure canned our own chili beans. Add some fresh celery, onions, and a jar or two of stewed tomatoes, and I've made an entire meal with the contents of our pantry. The best part is that I know every single ingredient that went into every single jar. Only the best for Handsome and our family.

I also made up a new batch of laundry soap. It makes a lot! If you'd like to check out the "recipe", I shared it HERE in this post. I haven't rechecked the price per batch or load lately, but I know it's less expensive than Tide™ or other detergents, and there's virtually no waste. All the containers (except for the OxyClean™) are cardboard. 

***I just tested the link within that post for the recipe, and it's not working, so I'll share her recipe here:

Stone Gable Laundry Soap

4 lb. box of Borax Detergent Booster

1 lb. box of Arm & Hammer™ Baking Soda

55 oz. box of Arm & Hammer™ Super Washing Soda

4 bars Fels Naptha Soap™ (grated)

3 lb. container of OxyClean™ 

After grating the Fels Naptha bar soap, mix all ingredients together. Store in an airtight container. (It makes a lot, so you may need more than one.)

Use as you would your usual laundry soap. I use one scoop per load. (You can use the scoop that comes in the OxyClean container. If you'd like, you can also add a container of scent beads, like Downy Scent Booster beads. I usually don't add them, choosing to add them to the water separately, if I want to use them.

I'll be at work today, so knowing that we have healthy, simple meals in our pantry assures me that I can make a great dinner for us when I get home - and it actually doesn't take more than a half hour from the time I pull jars until we sit down to enjoy it.

I have a few things I need to do before I go to work, so I'm going to finish my cuppa and motivate. I never want to be late. Enjoy your weekend, and I'll be back to chat on Monday. Of course, you don't want to miss a moment of inspiration and reflection with a Sunday Scripture.

Having Faith...

Wood Shed Queen Anne's Lace

I took a walk around our yard yesterday. Once I was up behind the wood shed, I saw all the huge patches of Queen Anne's Lace. I thought the shed made an interesting backdrop of my favorite wildflowers.

I'm missing Tag so much this week. Maybe seeing Grace sparked it. Maybe it's just that I miss having him underfoot as a work in the kitchen; as we eat dinner; chasing him in the yard; or just having him to cuddle. I needed the walk to clear my head, or to walk barefoot in the grass to ground myself again. I'll still miss him, but being in nature helps to push it down again for a little while.

Handsome is doing so much better, and I have the girls (canine and feline) to help me snap out of it. I have so much for which to be grateful. Today will be better. I just know it. Rather, I have faith that it will be.