Today's Tip of the Day

If you wait too long to empty the clean dishes out of the dishwasher there will be enough dirty dishes on the counter to fill it again.

The Long Toenail

I was walking past Bella, when she accidentally kicked me in the leg.  Her talon toenail left a huge gash scratch in my leg.  I told her that she should probably trim those claws before she does some serious damage to someone (mainly me).

A couple weeks later, and she was trying to get her sock off her foot after dance class.  It was stuck on her long toenail.  She said, " I should probably cut my toenails."

Later, at home, (she still hasn't cut her nails) she asks me to do her nails.  I looked at her toes and said that they were in desperate need of a pedicure.  Well, at least a good trimming.  I looked at RT and asked him if he has that problem where his big toenail grows REALLY REALLY long.  Maybe it's hereditary?  He said, "No."   He also said he would do a little research and find out if there is a long toenail gene.

Mouse Poop

My Mom taught me a lot about cooking.  She gave me different tips.  Let me help prepare meals or desserts with her.  She eventually had me make dinner once a week when she took art class.  I think that was her goal.  To get one free day a week where she didn't have to cook dinner.  I always made the same meal.  I followed her recipe and never received any complaints when I cooked.

One of the "tips" she taught me was to always clean the tops of a can before you open it (you know, the tomato sauce or tomato paste cans?).  She said that her Mom taught her to do this when she learned how to cook.  I asked why?  She told me that there might be mouse poop on it so you have to clean it before you open it.  You don't want the mouse poop to get into your food (if the lid falls in).

Now, I don't know if this is/was true, but, to this day, whenever I open a can, I make sure to clean it before opening.

Over the years, I have taught all three of my kids how to cook.  I have always stressed the "mouse poop" rule.

One day, I was in the kitchen, cooking, and Nick grabbed a can from the pantry for me.  He said, "Don't forget to clean the top of the can so there's no mouse poop."

I said, You remember that?

He said, Of course.  It gave me such a visual that I find it necessary to clean all cans before opening them.

Do you clean the tops of your cans before you open them?

Will you clean them now, after reading this post?

DIY Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

As you know, I make a grated version for homemade laundry detergent.  I still use the grated version, but, decided that a liquid laundry detergent would be nice, especially for dark clothes.  I wash a lot of my clothes in cold water and sometimes the powder version doesn't do well with the dark clothes.

I found this recipe for liquid laundry detergent on One Good thing by Jillee and I love it!  It's simple to make and easy to use!  Check out her site for some more helpful hints.

Here's the recipe:


Liquid Laundry Detergent

1/2 cup borax
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup Dawn Dish soap
4 cups HOT water

Pour the borax and washing soda into a gallon size container.  Add the Dawn dish soap.

Slowly add the hot water.

Slowly fill the rest of the container with cold water.*

*You might have to let it sit for awhile and let it settle before completely filling the container.


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Well, now that I made some, I have to go do some laundry!

If you try it, let me know how it works for you!

Today's Helpful Hint

When moving Nick's car, try not to get your hair caught on the fishing pole that is in the middle of his car.  It sets on the dashboard between the two front seats and the back shelf behind the back seat.

Oh, and that gross thing hanging from it is the lure.  Try not to scream.

There's a new kid on Pinterest

I'm sure you have heard of Pinterest.  If not, it's a place to "pin" all thinks (items, articles, sayings, recipes, crafts, etc.) that you find interesting onto a board.  You can have as many boards as you want and millions of "pins."  It's fun to go and look to get ideas.  It can also be a HUGE time suck (good bye two hours of my life that I will never get back.)

The other night, RT was on his phone.  He told me that he was downloading Pinterest.

Yea.
RT.
On Pinterest.
Strange, right?

He said that he wants to get some ideas on a desk to make for the office.  I'm sure that's what everyone says when they first sign on to Pinterest.  9,326 hours later......they have 1000 boards and 4,000,000 pins.

We shall see if this "desk" ever materializes.

It's October!

It's time for all things fall, pumpkins and Halloween!

I thought I would put some links to my past Halloween posts for you.  Take a look, make a craft and get in the fall spirit!

Halloween Crafts

Bat Pencil Cup
Extra Crafts - using construction paper, owls, witch, ghost, foam monsters
Mosaic Pumpkin - using paint chips
Mosaic Pumpkin - using construction paper
Owl - using construction paper
Pony Tail Craft - using ribbon
Pumpkin and Ghost - using Popsicle sticks
Pumpkin Magnet - using foam
Spider - using pipe cleaners
SPIDER
Spider (under $1 craft)
Witche's Hat


Recipes

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Enjoy!