{ Soapberries aka Soap Nuts - What they are and how to use them }

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned my soapberry tree, and how I had started harvesting the berries and using them for laundry soap.

I first noticed these berries on the tree, about 2 years ago but I had no idea what they were, or if they were edible or usable for anything at all.  I kind of forgot about them, and then the beginning of this year I again thought about the big tree in my back yard, and all those questions came flooding back.

Perfect start to the day!

My eyes had barely opened this morning, when I found the kids hovering above me with big handmade cards in their hands. My mind quickly ran through today's date, was it my birthday, mother's day, anniversary?

Nope, just their way of saying thank you for everything I do. I love my kids, they are by far the best that's ever happened to me and I thank the Lord everyday for my blessings. I groggily sat up, opened one eye and read through the cards....Nicholas' card just said "I love you, what do you want for your birthday?" LOL
Of course it was written in a 5 year old kindergartener's dialect...which was more like "I love you, what bo you want for ur birthtay", but that just makes it even cuter :)

Jasmine's said "I love you" and then she made up a whole menu and asked me to pick what I wanted for breakfast. I could hear Curt in the kitchen with pots and pans. I smiled and quickly picked one of the items on the menu, the Toasty Breakfast....Bacon, Toast and Eggs. Sounds perfect.

So that was how my day began, sitting around the kitchen table with my family, a plate with yummy food and my hot coffee.

Do you know that it's starting to warm up already here in Arizona? I know some of you are still dealing with tons of snow and freezing temperatures and my heart goes out to you, honestly, if I could, I would be sending warmth to you all...wrapped in a pretty bow with some cookies too.

Even though it's only January, we're already in shorts and t-shirts and outside enjoying the weather, here are the kids running around first thing in the morning, Jasmine hasn't even brushed her hair but she was so eager to get out there in the warm morning sun that not even "looking like a crazy woman" stood in her way.

So what happens when you finally teach yourself to crochet and make granny squares?

And you have tons of new yarn that you purchased from the thrift store?

Well, you begin this Crocheted Afghan journey, with beautiful colors, soft yarn and a smile on your face. If you only knew how happy I am to have figured this all out on my own, to know that I can make the Granny Square without needing instructions anymore, to know that I have the formula memorized in my brain, to know that in 10 minutes I make a gorgeous square with minimal amount of yarn.

I make the squares and then I lay them out and start playing with a pattern, imagining what it will all look like when it's finished. Do you also get that giddy feeling when you're starting a project?

Quite a few of you asked me about the Soap Making and a Tutorial. I don't have a tutorial to share with you, I'm not an expert soap maker, as a matter of fact, I stick to the easiest and simplest way of making it. I started with an easy Soap Making kit and they are pretty inexpensive AND you can usually find them at stores like Walmart and Target.

But once you're done with those, you can get your supplies from places like Bramble Berry, or here at Pine Meadows or craft stores. Honestly, all you really need is the soap base, the scented oil and a mold, though you can use whatever you have on hand, like little milk cartons or plastic little tubs or whatever.

Nowadays, I just use a small saucepan to melt the soap and pour into the molds. I think the main reason I love doing this is because the kids get involved, they like picking the scents and the molds, they feel like they're part of the process and you should see their faces when they give them as gifts to teachers and family. So there you go, I know you're probably sitting there scratching your head because I didn't really explain anything LOL but that's because I'm a hands on person, I am into making the stuff and am awful at trying to explain how.

I've started a new Monday Feature for myself and for anyone that wants to join in. It's called Happy Homemaker Monday, check it out just below and if you want to play along, just add your name to Mr Linky.

I'm going to get a start on my to do list so that I can sit down and whip up some more crochet granny squares.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting for a while, I hope you're having a wonderful Monday.

A Day in the Kitchen!

I think if ever I was told to pick one room of the house to remain in for the rest of my life, it would be my kitchen, no questions asked, no second thoughts. It's the one place in the house I really enjoy being in, moreso than my bedroom and that says a lot.

So I've been in the kitchen today, for hours, all day long, with pots and pans, lemons, soap making items and this and that, come on in and sit with me at the table, I'll show you everything I've accomplished yesterday and today.

Before I tell you though, I just have to share these two photos, there is nothing cuter than kids asleep and especially when they are in unexpected positions and such.

This is Jasmine, I guess she had just finished praying when she fell asleep :)

And here's my Nicholas, holding his toy LOL

Even my little Lola was fast asleep on my bed, with her tiny pink tongue sticking out, I just can't help but hug her when she does that.

Last night, after the kids had their baths and were settled down in front of the tv with a movie and popcorn, I sat at my kitchen table with my hot cup of tea and paperwork and bills to be filed and sorted through. It's one of those tasks that overwhelms before I even start, I usually leave it until I can't anymore and then force myself to sit through it.

Within an hour I had everything done, paperwork filed, bills paid, budget made, kids school work put away etc. It felt good but I'm glad I don't have to worry about it for a bit.

I started the morning by getting my Hearty Split Pea Soup in the slow cooker, it's simmering away and it smells divine. I'll make some Grilled Cheese Sandwiches to go with it tonight and that will be dinner, simple but yummy and comforting.

Right after that, the kids and I got into some soap making, they got to pick their own base soap, the scent to use, as well as the molds. They had so much fun helping me.

Here is Nicholas and his blue glycerine based soap

Jasmine picked a Honey based soap and after it was melted, into the molds it went....I had some leftover and was out of molds so I used an empty cupcake liner tub and it worked perfectly.

These are the honey soap base with Ocean Breeze scent....smells so so good.

Here are Nicholas' soaps drying on the rack. He wasn't impressed when I told him that they have to dry for two weeks before he can use them LOL

He picked the raspberry scented oil and they smell so good.

I made some goat milk based Warm Vanilla soap. Oh my word, does it smell divine. I can't wait for the two weeks to be up LOL

I guess in the meantime I'll make a bunch more washcloths to use with our new soaps. If you've never tried soap making, you really should, it's so easy and rewarding at the same time.....AND.....you get the kids involved :)

After our soaps were up on the window sill drying, it was time to refill the Muddy Buddies/Monkey Munch tin.

I've cooked, I've cleaned, I've crafted and now I'm going to pick up the kids and hubby and we're heading to some thrift stores around the area. We LOVE thrift store hopping, you never quite know what you will find and hey, if I can find some yarn I'll be thrilled.

I'll come back and show you what I found, if anything. In the meantime, feel free to grab some monkey munch, but try to control yourselves, otherwise it's back into the kitchen for another batch, or two. *snicker*