Washing Soda

So, I've been making soap like no one's biz... and now I want to go to the next level...  laundry detergent. It's economical, and I can use my homemade soap in it.  The basic ingredients are 1/2 of Borax, 1/2 cup of washing soda, and 2 cups of grated soap.  I had no problem finding the borax... but the washing soda, I couldn't find to save my life.  You would think in an urban setting, I would have no problem finding it.  So with a little research I found out you can make it!  Washing Soda is Baking Soda cooked.  By baking baking soda for about 2 hours on 400 degrees, the baking soda becomes washing soda.  If you are interested in the chemistry of it... google it....  but I must say....  I am now a proud maker of laundry detergent.  Two table spoons of detergent into the load... and I have clean clothes!

Cold Process Soap: Alternatives to Water, What NOT to do!

Another wonderful experiment with cold process soap!  This time, I wanted to try to substitute water for another liquid in my soap.  I have had much success with beer.  So I thought, why not use apple juice using the apples from my tree (how full circle of me!)

Well, let me tell you a little secret... it was NOT a smart idea!  Thank god I had on gloves and goggles!
So, this is what happens to the lye solution when adding lye to juice:

...  it turns to sludge... in seconds....  it's called pectin ... Boy, did I learn my lesson!
So,  I disposed of the lye solution properly by waiting for it to cool, and transfered it into plastic bags  to throw away.  Then I tried it again... this time I dissolved all of the lye into half of the amount of water I normally use, and used the other "half" for the apple juice.  The key is to add the apple juice to your oils and lye just before you pore it into your molds.  Then it turns into something like this:

Apple Art

Here is another idea for using apples!  As you know, we have been talking a lot about apples around our house since I have been cooking with them so much.  My four year old said, "We should paint with them!" Hum... not a bad idea! We can make apple prints!  And so, we did!

Applesauce

 Our tree is loaded this year, and I have been spending most of my free time creating something with this wonderful fruit! Today, I made applesauce!  I forgot how fun it can be... especially with a 4 year old helper!  The basic recipe is simple.  I threw the following ingredients in my crockpot and cook it on high for 3 hours.  Once it cools, I pureed it, added any additional sugar or cinnamon to taste...  and bam....  GREAT APPLESAUCE!

Apples (about 5 lbs)

spritz of lemon

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup of H20

cinnamon to taste

Fairy Princess Tutu

Fairies, princesses, and dress-up are a HUGE thing around our house. And we are in need of something new to add to our collection...  So, today, I went on a scavenger hunt around the house to find items that would make some sort of costume. What I found wound up making a tutu. I used a hair band, tule, and ribbon.  I cut the tule into 3 inch strips and looped them onto the hair band.

 

I then kept adding tule until it was filled up!  I was happy, and so was my daughter!

A Fart Egg?

Raising chickens has been quite an adventure.  We've learned (though experience) how our chickens were escaping from our backyard,  how to clip their wings, that they don't get seriously sick every fall (they  just molt), and that every once in awhile, they may lay very, very small eggs... called fart eggs.

Of course, being new to raisimg chickens, we thought that there was something seriously wrong with them.  But after a little research...(ok,  A LOT of research), we discovered that a fart egg had been laid.  Apparently, it occurs when reproductive tissue breaks away.  The chicken's body treats the tissue as a yolk and forms the rest of the egg around it.  However, the fart egg is completely yolk-free.  Who knew?

Sprouting Time!

New addiction: sprouting! Good on sandwiches... Good on salads... Good for you!  I had heard that those little sprouts had more nutrients then their elder counterpart, the full grown plant.  So, I figured why not try to grow then myself?  Our family always needs more "good stuff." 

Day 1:  Take seeds ( I used spinach) and soak them in water overnight in a jar.

Day 2: Drain and set jar at a 45 degree angle in order over the course of the day to prevent seeds from getting moldy.  That night add water to the jar, giving the thirsty seeds a drink.  Then immediately drain and set jar at a 45 degree angle.

Day 3 -5:   Each night add water to the jar.  Then immediately drain and set jar at a 45 degree angle until seeds sprout.  Keeps up to a week in the fridge!