Category: all-natural

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senior-ita!

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Well this senior-ita is not Spanish or even a Spanish speaker, but she does like Latin.  (Canis in via sedet.  Coquus in culina coquit.  My Latin teacher would be so proud to know that I know where the dog is sitting and the cook is cooking.  She did write our book.)
I had the opportunity to take this Latin-lover’s* senior photos on a beastly hot day this summer.  We held up well with lots of water, paper towels for blotting and a trip to our local coffeehouse, Fair Grounds, for some AC and iced lattes.
* Yes, I do think I’m “punny.”

PhotobucketOn a side note… It’s my birthday today and I really don’t feel my age, however; my senior year seems decades ago.  Well, I have to say to myself, “Sarah, it was decades ago.”   However, I wouldn’t go back for anything.  Each year seems to get better than the last, even though it seems like the years keep speeding up.Photobucket
Do you like the vintage photo look?  Go to Willette Designs for the free download.

Enjoy the AC this summer and your years before they’re gone.  E pluribus unum, y’all.

SPL

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Photobucket This is a free frame from The Coffeshop Blog.  Check out all her great freebies. Photobucket

 

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It's snowing down south?

“It’s snowing down south?” Did your mom ever say that to you?  That’s the way mine would tell me my slip was showing.

Here in Norfolk, we just don’t get snow.   We’re too close to the water and it always turns to cold rain.  Around here, the weathermen and women peak during the hurricane season {summer to early fall.}  They love themselves some brewing storms and with that comes: storm tracking 24-7 on the tube.  And then, around November we are lulled to sleep with the humdrum reports of the cold and rainy season.

BUT 2010 has brought us a second helping of crazy weather.  And our weatherpersons have worked themselves into a froth once again.  I take most snow predictions with a grain of salt.  {And everyone else goes to the store to buy salt and all the bread and milk.}  But, boy howdy, they weren’t kidding this time!  We really had snow and bread and milk.

So what’s a southern girl to do in the snow?  Put on a Snow White costume and go downtown.  And that’s what we decided to do for this photo shoot.  Little Miss A, her mom and I braved our streets {blanketed in an ill-fitting Snuggie of ice} to get these photos at a vacant warehouse.  Some artsy-fartsy types have wonderfully “tagged” this site with their cool designs.  So, we did our best to take advantage of their efforts.  The snow had melted a bunch, but you’ll still see a bit in these snaps.

Enjoy.  I predict that you’ll like them.  SPL



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Homemade Laundry Detergent and Vinegar Fabric Softener


You might think I’m crazy, but I do make my own laundry detergent.
It takes about 5-1o minutes prep time and costs about $5 for 10 gallons.
This soap is all-natural and easy to make. And it works.

HOMEMADE LIQUID LAUNDRY SOAP
For front or top load machines

1 bar pure-castile soap {I like Dr. Bronner’s Lavender}
Hot water
1 cup sodium carbonate washing soda, soda ash {not to be confused with sodium bicarbonate or baking soda}
½ cup Borax Laundry Booster
20-30 drops of essential oil {optional}

  • Grate the soap and add to saucepan with at least 1 cup of water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves completely.
  • Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot water. Add soap from saucepan, sodium carbonate and Borax. Stir well until all the powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
  • Stir and fill a laundry soap dispenser {I keep a used container for this} half full with detergent. Fill the container with water. Shake before each use.
  • Add 20-30 drops of essential oil if you would like to give your detergent a slight fragrance.

Yield: 10 gallons

Top Load Machine: 5/8 Cup per load {~180 loads}

Front Load Machines: ¼ Cup per load {~640 loads}

VINEGAR AS FABRIC SOFTENER

1 cup White Vinegar

  • Add vinegar to rinse cycle. Removes residue and odors.
  • Also helps to keep washing machine and hoses fresh and clean.
  • Check out the other uses of vinegar here. Link to VINEGAR USES