Homemade Laundry Soap Recipe

Several months ago my mother-in-law gave me a recipe for making my own laundry soap. At first I was dubious. There seemed to be too much water in the recipe and not enough soap. It does not produce suds, so when I looked into the washer I doubted if it was working. However, after 2 months of using this soap I and am pleased with the results. My whites are whiter! Static cling seems to be reduced! I am certain my clothes are clean! Also, my grocery bills are lower!

Here's what you need:

1 bar Fels Naptha Soap
1 Cup Borax
1 Cup Washing Soda (this is not the same thing as baking soda)
1 5 Gallon Bucket

Grate the soap into a kettle of 6 cups hot water. Heat and stir till it melts. Pour the mixture into the bucket. Stir in the borax and washing soda. Fill the bucket the rest of the way with hot water and stir well.

The next morning the soap will be a thick gel. Stir it again. Mine looks like a thin gel with some white flecks of soap in it. Add 1 cup of detergent to every load of laundry.

If you miss the scent that's added to many laundry soaps, you could add some essential oil to the bucket.

For those of you who live in the Meadville area, Valeskey's sells all the supplies. I'd say I paid around $12 for the supplies, including a bucket. The borax and washing soda come in big boxes, with many cups inside. There are 80 cups of laundry soap in a 5 gallon bucket. So, you can do 80 loads of laundry with one batch! I didn't figure out the cost per load or batch, but this is cheap. Also, if you have trouble with allergic reactions, this soap has no filler or perfume to bother your skin.

If you want to read more on this, here is a recipe for powder detergent that looks similar.

If I Were a Toy,

I would be this riding toy. Colorful and sturdy. Just waiting for a little boy to come ride me.

When I Get Big I Want to Be Like Daddy

Learning about Food

I now have a helper when I bake. Since my counter space is limited I sometimes work on the floor so Tristan can watch. It is so fun to see him learning new things. He kept taking the eggshell, holding it over the bowl, then shaking it.

Below he bowl with the remains of the pumpkin roll cream on his head. I set it on the floor for him to lick and the next thing I knew, it was on his head.

Woe to Me

“On the whole, I do not find Christians, outside of the catacombs, sufficiently sensible of conditions. Does anyone have the foggiest idea what sort of power we so blithely invoke? Or, as I suspect, does no one believe a word of it? The churches are children playing on the floor with their chemistry sets, mixing up a batch of TNT to kill a Sunday morning. It is madness to wear ladies’ straw hats and velvet hats to church; we should all be wearing crash helmets. Ushers should issue life preservers and signal flares; they should lash us to our pews. For the sleeping god may wake someday and take offense, or the waking god may draw us out to where we can never return.” -Annie Dillard in Teaching a Stone to Talk

“Since when did I begin thinking my contribution to the world was so significant – uncrumbed counters, unlegoed floors -- that I was so necessary, that I couldn't stop, slow, still and commune with Jesus? God's the One who keeps the world in orbit, keeps the river running, not the efforts of any human hands. . . . No one's so important that several times a day, even for a few moments, she can't become small, invisible, in prayer.” Ann Voskamp

Mohawk Boy

This summer Tristan has a natural Mohawk. Since his hair is growing longer it doesn't stand up as much as it used to. The other day he woke up from his nap looking like this.

Summer Equations

Jana and Sonya's Visit = Aching Joy

Maria and Mark= Radiance

Tristan Boy = Growing

Geryll = My Great Man

A Celebration of Friendship.

"Come, feel the blood applied."

Hot and cold.
Sobbing while laughing.
Blistering pain tempered by cooling relief.
I'm incredulous.

Summer Fun

2 weeks ago Geryll spent several days at a business seminar in Texas. My youngest sister Sonya kept me company part of the time. We went to Presque Isle and rented a surry bike. Tristan was not impressed with the helmet he needed to wear or with the special seat for him to ride in, so most of the time one of us had to peddle and hold him at the same time. Sonya was 8 when I left home for Faith Builders. Now, at 15, she's grown and changed so much- almost caught up to me. I love her dearly.

Tristan and I went to the Thurston Classic, a hot air balloon event hosted here in town every year. I can't believe I've never gone before! It was lovely! I've never seen a balloon on the ground, and their size surprised me.

Blessed by a Child

"Even a child is known by his doings; whether his work be pure, and whether it be right." Proverbs 20:11. Last week Tristan's young friends came for a birthday party. 15 children brought our small backyard to life as they blew bubbles, listened to stories on tapes, hopped in a trash bag sack race, and pulled each other in the wagon.

As the party ended, I helped my friend and her children cross the street to her van. Returning to the backyard, I found my little friend Chris hard at work. He had cleaned up the yard! The blanket tent was taken down from the washline. The games, books and toys were piled into the wagon! His mom said he wanted to clean up before he went home. Earlier, when some children were in danger of being scratched by some branches from a bush, Chris came to me, worried. I clipped some branches, then gave the clippers to him. He continued to prune for a long time.

The memory of his gift lingers in my mind since that day. His thoughtfulness and willingness to help reveal the beauty of his young heart. They call me to offer my gifts to God and others freely.

Almost One

Since Mom and Dad came to visit this weekend, we had a family party in honor of Tristan's soon coming birthday. Can it be a year since he arrived? Life changed so much for me and Geryll since his birth. Stepping away from school and into motherhood hasn't been super easy for me. Mothering is WAAYYY harder than teaching! There aren't so many definite answers or immediate results; no leaving the work at school; no weekends off; no uninterrupted nights of sleep; no lunch talks with colleagues; no after school discussions to stir my brain.

On the positive side, Tristan is a joy boy. Our mornings are much cheerier with a little boy happily sharing our breakfast. Afternoon walks and shopping trips are more fun with him. He waves and kicks and makes happy sounds. He opens my eyes to kitties and action. I love caring for him and seeing him grow.

Here he is in the decorated wagon. Grandpa Sam was pulling him around, much to the delight of both of them.

His cake, a combination of his two favorite toys: a monster book with a surprise mirror page at the end, and his toy dinosaur. He dug into it as soon as I picked him up for the picture.

Kylie and Kaden help him open his John Deere cell phone from Grandma.

We spent Saturday afternoon and evening at Presque Isle with Dad, Mom and Sonya. Tristan HATES the beach, crying in fear as soon as we get in sight of the lake. Here he's riding in his favorite position, pulling Daddy's hair in delight.

Turning Thirty

A little over a week ago, it happened. I turned 30. In many ways I'm ready for this. Plenty of my friends have gracefully reached this mark. Still, it's sobering. I want to cling to the energy and passion of youth while receiving the wisdom and maturity of age. Is it possible to have both?

At times the fervor of youth surges through me: reckless ambition, wild dreams, desire to change the world for Christ- whatever it takes. All accompanied by a pounding heart. Often the feelings subside as I soberly realize how much hard work, disappointment, sacrifice, and tears will accompany the fulfilling of those dreams. Life has taught me that having your dreams come true isn't as glamorous as it first seems.

Still, I will dream big, for at 30 I know more of God's bigness than I did at 20. In the last 10 years He's taken me places I never imagined as a teenager, some happy, some sad- all full of His presence, whether I saw it or not. I open my journal, take pen in hand, and dream about the next 10 years, knowing nothing is too big for Him.

The flowers are from my dear far-away friend, Rhonda, who graciously remembers my birthday when I forget hers. The picture is poor, but there are 2 sweet lilies in the boquet.

On to other things. . . We went to Caia's wedding in West Virginia- a 6+ hr. drive. With a boy pushing 4 teeth, plus driving down Friday and coming back Saturday, most of the trip wasn't super fun. As we crossed the West Virginia mountains, I kept thinking of the pioneers. Here I'm going crazy cramped in the backseat of a car with a fussy boy. All the while I can look forward to a break for a cone, a bed in the evening, and meeting with friends the next day. None of that for them! I can't see that riding in a wagon day after day would have been comfortable for Mom or fun for a toddler. No bathrooms, friends left behind, stewing supper over an outdoor fire. . .the list could go on and on. Below, Tristan and Geryll are relaxing in the hotel. Somehow, I didn't get any good pictures at the lovely wedding.

Baby Karlin

Karlin Lowell was born to Matthew and Larisa early Friday morning after a long day of labor ending in a c-section. 3 weeks early, he is tiny, soft, and oh so sleepy!

Small life
being
Small heart
beating
Small fingers
clenching
Small voice
crying
Great miracle
gracing
Our family

Tristan is pleased with the trike I found at a yard sale. He loves being pushed, and I feel like a kid again, with my one bare foot balancing on the back bar and the other one scooting us along.

Spring Cleaning

Tonight Geryll cleaned windows while Tristan watched. I tried cleaning from the inside while Geryll worked on the outside, but I had to keep going after the boy who was busy sampling rocks and leaves while he crawled away from his blanket. I'm thankful for windows that are cleaner on the outside than they've ever been since we lived here, for a husband willing to wash them, and for a curious boy who makes work more fun.

Summer. It's on its way! When I think of the summer months I look forward to so many things:

• Seeing my friend Caia marry her lover in West Virginia.
  
• Finally getting to see my sister Jana again and meeting her boyfriend Sammy for the first time! Sammy was recently approved for a 10 year, multiple entry visa! PTL!
• Turning 30!
• The birth of my new niece or nephew.
  
• Reaching our 5 year anniversary.
• Going to the zoo- several times, I hope.
  
• Vacationing with family in the Outer Banks.

The list could go on, but one possible event is missing. Seeing Jesus with my eyes. Sunday morning the church sang, "Then with golden harps we'll sing, 'Glory, glory to our King!" and I realized how little I anticipate this event. More certain than any of my summer plans is the reality that Jesus is coming back. I will see him, perhaps to the exclusion of these other plans. As Grandma Martha used to say, "Lord willing we will. . ."

Some snapshots from the last few days:

Maria surprised us by driving from Lancaster and bringing her happy self to Larisa's baby shower. I love the next picture of Mom and Larisa full of joy at the shower.

Tristan shrieked happily as he ate his first Hank's frozen custard cone. We don't have a picture of the broken down car on the way home. The alternator gave out and we had to walk the last several blocks.

My niece Kylie gave her first dance recital. She was so pretty and happy. Very cute to see those little girls dancing around the stage in front of a large audience.

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the God and our Savior Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." Titus 2:11-14

Erin: "Oh, Tristan, it's so good to see you again."
Tristan: "You too, Erin! You look so pretty!"

"Here, let me fix your hair."

"Ok, Tristan, let me wipe that drool off your mouth."

Erin sings while Tristan accompanies her on the sound tube.

Ready or not, here I come!

 

Thankful for the coming of warm weather and these dear women in my backyard today.

Meditating Mercy

Some thoughts upon reading Madeline L'Engle's book, A Live Coal in the Sea:

“But all the wickedness in the world which man may do or think is no more to the mercy of God than a live coal dropped in the sea.” William Langland (167)

When I first read that quote I squirmed. For, it seems like the atrocities of Hitler and those who persecute Christians can’t be so quickly quenched by God’s mercy. Maybe my hesitancy came because too often I think mercy equals permissiveness. As L’Engle says, “Mercy and permissiveness are not the same thing.”

“Mercy. It didn’t mean that everything was okay, could or should be condoned. But we can’t move out of ourselves and our own self-justifications until we look in the mirror and know, yes, I, too, could have done this. Or worse.” (170)

“Papa had lived a long, full life, and he had come to terms with more than most people can begin to imagine. He was able to be merciful to himself, and to teach us to be merciful, too. He believed that God’s redeeming love can come into the most terrible things, and while I do not have the kind of radiant faith that Papa had, I believed him.”(285)

Because of my atrocious sins Christ died on the cross. How can I say it must take more mercy to forgive another person (i.e. Hitler) than it takes to forgive me? Lord, have mercy on me! The song “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” speaks profoundly to this: “But we make his love to narrow by false limits of our own.”

Fanny Crosby says it well: “Could we with ink the ocean fill and were the skies with parchment made, were every stalk on earth a quill and every man a scribe by trade, to write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry, nor could the scroll contain the whole though stretched from sky to sky.” I believe this to be true!

Hooray for Spring!

Sing hey! for the bath at close of day
that washes the weary mud away!
A loon is he that will not sing:
O! Water Hot is a noble thing!
Sung by Pippen in The Fellowship of the Ring