Attempting to be a Super Mom

So, I'm not going to get into details, but last night was a rough night here in my family and it has bothered me all day as well.  I've spent a good chunk of the day depressed and to top it off, the kids haven't slept in three nights.  Shawn has been going in with the big kids to try and allow me to get some sleep, but no luck...  I spent all morning just laying around and watching movies with the kids. Harley Quinn has been quite snuggly too!  I think animals can sense when you need snuggles on bad days. I did manage to make a cake, since that's all I wanted to eat for lunch.  Hahaha!  I made Crazy Chocolate Cake and it turned out amazing. I have a messy family of 5 and Sydney often goes through two or three outfits a day, so we do a lot, and I mean A LOT of laundry.  Shawn and I make our own laundry detergent though to cut down on cost and help with Ben who is allergic to Era and has on occasion had reactions to Tide. Today, was m...

Last week I was a busy busy lady in the kitchen.  Wednesday, Ben, Sydney, and I decided to make butter.  We saw it over on Sandra's blog, here .  It's so easy and so tasty. Homemade Butter I used a pint of cream and a 1 qt jar. Make sure the lid is on tight because you are about to shake shake shake, shake shake shake, shake your butter. No really, you'll be shaking it for quite a while.  Everyone can do it. Finally after what feels like forever and your arms are so sore, you'll have delicious butter that makes it all worth it.  Poor off the liquid (buttermilk) and don't throw it away.  Use it in pancakes.  That's what we did anyway.  Take the butter in your hands and run it under water until the water runs clear.  Now you can add salt, honey, garlic, or anything else you want in your butter.  We mixed in honey and it was amazing.

I'm always looking for other uses for things that I have in the house and also, safer things to use. Yesterday I looked down at my ring and realized that it was filthy.  I had food stuck in it and it didn't really shine. After researching online, I found the best and easy option. Take 1/2 cup of hot water and 1 tsp of baking soda. When you put the baking soda in, it will fizz, like a science experiment.  Stir it up. Drop the jewelry in the cleaner. After scrubbing them with a toothbrush they looked as good as new. I also read that it's very important you be careful when make your own jewelry cleaners and research what you are using with what you are washing.  Vinegar will cause pearls to desenegrate.