The 5.2 Project

I am so excited to be announcing the launch of a new website called the "5.2 Project". I am still learning about it myself but I wanted to add props for it because God has started a really cool thing in a dear friend of mine. She has been through some incredible trials in her life and God has literally worked miracles in her life and her family. Here is an excerpt from an email she sent me to give you an idea what it is about:

"The “project”… is a way of life based off of the little boy who offered Jesus 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish and encompassing the bi-lines “Know what you know, Live what you know, Share what you know. You’ll see many venues for participation.. straight from home taking only moments of your time. There are several blogs including one for prayer requests, one to share a thought from your devotions, one (VERY importantly) for offering praise, thanks or something that you know about God… strictly to simply praise Him!!!!"

I would just really encourage you to take time to read about it and if you want to participate, please do. I think it's a very practical way to share what God is doing in your life to help encourage believers and to share about Jesus to those who are searching.

What a great way to grow closer to God and share in that journey with others.

Let me know what you think if you get a chance to look around.

http://www.the52project.com/

Eat your Greens!

10 reasons to include leafy green veggies in our diets:

1) Reduce risk of heart disease and cancer

2) Rich in vitamins, folic acid

3) High in fiber

4) Rich in potassium

5) Good source of iron and calcium

6) Boosts the immune system

7) Helps protect eye function

8) High in Antioxidants

9) Good for the bones

10) Cheap and easy to fix!

Some ideas for fixing greens are - saute them with fresh garlic and onions in olive oil, make a salad, add cooked or raw greens to burritos, lasagna, quesadillas, and soups. Add any leafy green as a side in dinner. It's a very inexpensive way to contribute to meal times and to your health.

What are some of your favorite leafy greens? Feel free to share any recipes too!

Strawberries Strawberries

Have you ever spent money on something that you totally regretted after the fact? Well, that happened to me yesterday. I am a pretty thrifty person but yesterday I went against my better judgement. For the past 3 years, the U-Pick farms in our area have not had good strawberry crops. As a result, we have bought strawberries from roadside stands or the farmer's market. I appreciate those establishments very much but I also enjoy taking Jubal to pick berries at a farm. Finally this year, I thought I hit the jackpot. The first part of May, I called a farm right up the road and the owner said they would have some. She said to call at the end of the month. So I did. But it was to no avail. No strawberries to pick this year....bummer. So, I decided to go to a tailgate market to buy some. There was only one stand and the berries were 3 dollars a pint. That's about 15 strawberries...maybe. In my reckless desire to have strawberries this year, I went ahead and bought 2 pints. 6 bucks. I know that may not sound like a lot but when I bought a gallon today for 8 bucks, that made me regret the purchase all the more. Oh well, I try to make tasty lemonade out of life's lemons so I wanted to make these strawberries count for something. So, last night I made muffins using a recipe I found on the internet. They ended up being very good. I would like to pass it on to my readers so you can enjoy them too. I have a few berries left over to add to some cereal. Yummy. I am thankful that I found some berries this morning at a little stand to make jam with. That really makes the start of my summer feel so good! I think I am feeling better already. At least there is another lesson learned for me to tuck away in my mind. For that I am thankful.

Strawberry Muffins

1/4 cup veggie oil

1/2 cup milk

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp baking powder

1 cup chopped berries

Mix oil, milk, egg and vanilla in a bowl. Set aside. Mix dry ingredients in seperate bowl. Toss stawberries into dry mixture. Add oil mixture in and mix gently until well blended. Pour into muffin cups 3/4 of the way full. Put in 375 degree oven and bake for 15-18 minutes. Let cool.

New Pictures

I think Energizer needs to replace the bunny with my husband. Really. My husband is one determined man and I am so proud of him and what he has done with our house. We finally got the contracted work done and inspected with flying colors. In the past week, Stephen has busted his tail to get the rest done. He laid the floors, painted the gable, stained the trim and put it up, framed and drywalled 2 closets, painted Jubal's room (with Jubal's help), moved furniture.... you get the idea that he has been a busy man. He has also maintained working full time at his other job as well. Whew!

We are so close to being done. Just a few little details remain. My plan is to make Jubal a comforter and curtains once we get him a new bed. I will also be converting Jubal's old room into my sewing/storage area. I will show pics of that when it's finished. We are so happy with how our house has turned out and so thankful for the extra room. The hard thing now is controlling myself at Target ;).

Here are the pics:

Our Bedroom

The Closet (Instead of doors, there will be curtains)

Living Room

Jubal's room (Blue specks are our handprints)

Jubal's room

For the Bathroom

I love these ideas for the bathroom. I have tried most of them and they really work. I would love to hear any success stories out there!



1) Drain Cleaner - Pour 1 Cup soda, 1 cup salt, and 1/2 cup distilled vinegar down sink, tub, or shower drain. Let sit for about 15 minutes. Flush with hot water.



2) Clean combs, hairbrushes, curlers, loofahs, and makeup applicators by soaking in a solution of 4 tbsp baking soda in 1 quart water.



3) Grout cleaners - Clean mildew stains from grout with baking soda sprinkled on a wet toothbrush. Rinse well.



4) Clean chrome fixtures, sinks, tubs, showers, shower doors, ceramic tile with baking soda on a damp sponge. Rinse well.



5) Clean shower curtains of mildew by sprinkling soda on stains and scrubbing with wet brush. Rinse well and dry.



6) Clean the toilet bowl with 1/2 cup soda sprinkled in and scrubbed with toilet brush. Rinse.

Here are some ideas to use baking soda for personal hygiene.

- Dissolve 1/2 cup of soda in bath water to clean the body.

- If you have a sore body, combine in a container, 2 cups of soda, 1 cup epsom salt, and 1/2 cup of salt. Use 1/2 cup per bath.

- For minor burns, soak in a tepid bath containing 1 cup of soda. Or for a small area that is burned, make a paste of 3 tbsp. baking soda and 1 tbsp witch hazel or water. Gently rub on affected area.

- Hair rinse: combine 1 tsp baking soda to 1 pint water. Add some vinegar for extra softness.

- Deoderant: Dust some soda under your arms for absorption and neutralizing odor.

- Face cleanser: Gently rub a paste of 3 tbsp soda and 1 tbsp water. Rinse and pat dry.

- Foot soak: Soak tired feet in solution of 1/2 cup soda and 2 quarts warm water for 10 minutes.

- Bee stings and insect bites: Apply 1 tbsp baking soda, and 1 tsp water to insect bites or bee stings. Cover with damp dressing.

- Rinse mouth with 1 tsp soda to half a glass of water for a fresh mouth.

- Poison Ivy relief: Make a paste of 1 tbsp soda and 1 tsp water and make a wet compress.

- Toothbrush cleaner: Soak toothbrush overnight in 1 tsp soda in 1/2 cup water.

- Teeth cleaner: clean teeth with wet toothbrush dabbed in soda.

Got Soda?

I checked out a really cool book at our library called "Baking Soda Extravaganza." It's amazing that there are so many uses for baking soda that a book was made about it. It is such a practical, cheap, and healthy alternative to a lot of products out there. Since there are so many things you can do with baking soda, I will spread out what I learn and have practiced over a few blog posts. I hope these ideas help your family as it has mine. If you already do any of these tips, let me know how it's worked for you.

Ideas for the Kitchen:

1) Appliance and Sink cleaner - make a paste with soda and vinegar. Rub all over sink or appliance. Let sit for 15 minutes and rinse.

2) Soak kitchen sponges, nylon scrubbers, and scrub brushes overnight in a solution of 1/4 cup soda and 1 quart water for a thorough cleaning and degreasing.

3) Coffee pot cleaner - Wash glass, enamel, and stainless steel coffee pots with a solution of 4 tbsp. of soda in 1 quart of water.

4) Deodorize wood or plastic cutting boards of fish, onion, or garlic odors by scrubbing with a past of 3 tbsp baking soda and 1 tbsp water. Leave paste on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse well and dry.

5) For the dishwasher -

* Sprinkle some soda in dishwasher between washings to control odors.

* Remove stains and odors from the insides by scrubbing soda with a damp sponge. Rinse.

* Wash the door gaskets to keep them clean and mildew free.

* Add 2 tbsp soda to hot water and add to the detergent for extra grease-cutting action.

6) Mix a container of 1 lb. of baking soda and 1 lb. salt. Store tightly covered. Once a week, poor 1/2 cup down the drain followed by 1 cup boiling water. Allow to sit for an hour or so and flush with hot tap water.

7) Clean wax and pesticide residues from fruits like apples, plums, nectarines, and pears with a paste of 3 tbsp soda and 1 tbsp water. Rinse well and dry.

8) Pour 1 Cup soda in garbage disposal to clean and deoderize. Keep water running briefly after all the baking soda is gone.

9) Eliminate onion, garlic, and fish smell from hands by wetting hands and scrubbing with baking soda. Rinse well and dry.

10) Clean microwaves, refrigerators, freezers, and plastic containers with a little baking soda sprinkled on a damp sponge. Rinse and dry.

Little Abode

It's been a while since I have posted house pics (or anything for that matter) so it is time to show some updates. We are getting close. We are waiting for the electrician to come and finish his part, the final inspection, and then Stephen will lay the hard wood floor and we will almost be done. Tell me what you think!

Our ceiling

Knocking out the old wall

Wall is gone, sheet rock is up, and living area is painted

A glimpse of our bedroom

Hardy plank siding

Siding is painted