I Made My Own Laundry Detergent

I'm on a new path to rid my home and daycare of harmful chemicals and lead more natural life.

Today I made my own laundry detergent. I found out how at www.thebeehivecottage.blogspot.com. There are many sites for directions but this one has got

the cutest laundry room!!

I of course used the PINK Zote soap because it is PINK, but I also really like the scent. It smells clean.

I have been shopping for more natural foods and whole grains. I love to cook but when it is just me and my little picky princess it is really hard to do. Now that my household is larger again ( 17 year old son is back with me !! Yiippee!! ) and his entourage of friends are always looking looking for snacks, I am excited to cook again. I am storing my pastas, rices and grain in Mason jars instead of using any plastics. I am doing mypart reccling an reusing and I love the way my pantry looks!! These jars contain - fusille, orzo, natures burger and Country gravy mix.

You can see some of my vintage ice cream scoops and a tin bread box I am refinishing for pie.

Prayers for Pennie

Blue Puffy Clouds Version of Baby Angel, with Wings, Sound Asleep in God's Hand
Originally uploaded by BL1961

Last night my friends two year old baby girl passed away after a tragic accident. My Heart goes out to her. I can't imagine her pain.
I just want to say to each of you, I love you and am glad you are part of my life. Hug someone today.

Seeing RED !

Everyone that knows me knows I am the queen of PINK. Well everything but my hair anyway!!

Well suddenly RED is my new PINK! Here is my new Anirondak furniture for my breezeway. I built and painted them myself...mostly. The rocking chair should have come with a warning label, do not sit in it alone.....someone will have to pull you out !! Whats with the angles on this thing ! My knees and eyes are at the same level. Well anything can be fixed with a few well p laced throw pillows, am I right?? I made the two chairs with table for my daycare parents to sit down in and write me checks...hehehe...and the matching little size so the kiddos can sit to put on their shoes..or go to timeout! I was so proud !! 20 minutes after putting them out I found Drifter chewing up the arms!!! Well it looked good for a minute.

Now I am definately seeing RED !!!

BOOM BOOM!!.

Space shuttle Discovery and its seven astronauts took a cross country detour and landed safely at Edwards AFB on Friday after stormy weather prevented it from landing in not so sunny Florida. As usual the double sonic boom rocked our house. We always run to thte tv as soon as we hear the booms and watch the shuttle land. That means as the we are about a

minute from Edwards AFB, as the shuttle flys. Always a thrill and even more so today while we are morning the 8th anniversary of 9/11.

Marked Woman!!!

Yesterday was our 8th wedding anniversary. I wanted to mark the day by doing something special to show my love for my wonderful hubby. I have been wanting to get a tattoo and finally decided to do it last night. I have 8 chicken foot prints on the top of my foot (ala Dixie Chicks).

Chickens/roosters have a special meaning for us and always reminds me of my darling hubby and 8 prints for 8 years of marriage. I thimk it is soo cute!! Oh and by the way...ouch!! Top of your foot tattoos HURT!!

Labor Day

My incredible hubby whisked me away for a 3 day weekend getaway and anniversary celebration! Usually when we have a holiday we work on a project around the house. It was great to just go ! We packed up the daughter and 2 dogs and headed north to Bishop, Ca. Bishop is located at the base of the Sierra Mountains. We passed Mt whitney ( the highest point in the continental US) and Death Valley ( the lowest point in the US) and lava feilds ( which daughter is studying in 5th grade ). We walked along lakes, creeks and fields. Bishop is such a dog friendly town, Drifter and Raizin went everywhere with us. We antiqued, shopped craft shows, played at the Tri-County fair, swam, BBQ'd and just RELAXED!

Here are a few pics of our holiday.

Station Fire

La Cañada fire spreading toward Altadena; Big Tujunga Canyon
Originally uploaded by Noob Photographer

Thank you all for your concern about our location and the Station Fire.
We are lucky enough to be about 20 miles North of the Acton fire line.
Our valley is full of smoke and ash. At night we can see the flames and glow above the mountains across from our home. We can feel the big water dropping planes shake our windows as they fly to refill nearby. On of our daycare families have been evacuated. Prayers and praise for all the amazing firefighters out there saving lives and property. Prayers also to the family of a local firefighter who was killed in this fire.