Toddler Tops

Just a quick post to show how simple it is to create a toy from the most unexpected household items.  My almost two year old loves to play with this!  She can play with it on her own by putting all the tops back into the juice bottle, or we can count and learn our colors.  Older siblings love to help the younger ones with this, too!

I just happened to notice one day that the tops from the squeezable yogurts and fruits was a perfect fit for the inside of the juice bottles.  It didn't take long to get this collection!

I would recommend rinsing the tops off first and allowing them to dry before putting into the bottle.  I also suggest that you not fill the bottle too full....it makes it easier to shake the tops out.

Have fun with your Toddler Tops!

Do you have a favorite homemade toy that you've discovered and your child loves?

Please share!  We'd love to hear about it and pass it along!

Quick & Easy: Homemade Laundry Detergent!

As promised, here is the Laundry Detergent recipe I have been using for the past three years.  Just by having a few basic ingredients on hand, you'll be able to make detergent quickly and easily, whenever you need it!

So let's first gather what we need!

These are the ratios that I use.  You can easily adjust for larger or smaller amounts.

3 Cups Borax

2 Cups Washing Soda (or OxiClean Powder can be substituted)

16 oz. Baking Soda (about 2 cups)

1 Bar of Soap (Fels-Naptha or Ivory)

Grate the soap.  I use an old cheese grater that is designated just for this purpose.  And make sure the kids know it's not cheese so they don't try and sneak a taste!

I have found that I prefer the Fels-Naptha for a couple of reasons.  First it is a drier soap than Ivory, so when I grate it, it becomes more powdery.  If I do use Ivory, I will let it sit out unwrapped for as long as possible (a couple of weeks) to try and get it to dry out.  If the Ivory is still soft when grated, you will need to try to crumble it with your hands as you add it in.  I have also noticed that Ivory may not fully dissolve in a cold wash, whereas, I have never had that happen with the Fels-Naptha.

I use a Rubbermaid cereal container to store the detergent.

I start by adding the 3 cups of Borax.

Then the 2 cups of Washing Soda.

Followed by one 16 oz. box of Baking Soda.

The Baking Soda may not even be necessary, but it's good for your laundry and helps the detergent stretch further!

Put your grated soap on top!

I prefer to mix by hand.

And here it is....your own homemade laundry detergent!

For a full-size load, you only need 1/8 of a cup.  How's that for economical?

This batch will last me quite a while!

Here's the finished product!

For my machine, the detergent goes in first, then the clothes, then start the machine to begin filling with water.

***Just a note, I do not have a new washing machine that requires "special" detergent.  Mine is top-loading and still works great!  The Duggar Family website has a similar recipe that says it can be used for front loading machines.  Click here to view.

And a just a bit off topic, but since we're talking about cleaning, I wanted to share with you one of my new favorite products!

Watkins Products has a great variety of all natural and organic seasonings and extracts, natural apothecary, home remedies, personal care, and home care.  I am really loving the All-Purpose Cleaner, Tube & Tile Cleaner, Room Freshener, Shampoo and everything else that I purchased!

March 2014 Update: I have since decided to become an Independent Watkins Associate! (#489754)  You can visit my Watkins web site here.  I have bee very pleased with the prices and super fast shipping!

3rd Generation Comfort Food!

Amazing how two and half weeks of seven sick kids can set you back almost double the amount of time!  I hope everyone reading this is over that fever and cruddy cough that has been making the rounds.

I've been wanting to do some "How-To" posts for quite awhile, and this one has been waiting for me since the beginning of the kids getting sick!  It's our family recipe for Rice, Tuna, Cheese Casserole, which has been around for at least three generations, that I know of.  We eat it at least once a week, typically on Fridays which is a day that we don't meat in our home.

It has evolved quite a bit over the years, and this is my version.  My grandmother would make a white sauce and individually layer all the ingredients.  My mom started substituting cream of mushroom and milk for the white sauce.  Neither one of them used French Fried Onions.  And I decided it was quicker and easier to just mix it all together!

First of all, the ingredients!

3 Cups Dry Rice - Cooked

(6 Cups Water for Rice)

1 Large (10 oz) Can of Tuna - Drained

2 Cans Cream of Mushroom Soup

2 Cans of Milk

1 Container of French Fried Onions

16 oz. Cheddar Cheese - Shredded

Cook the Rice - This usually takes about 20 minutes, and you can cook it ahead of time.

I love my rice cooker!  This one was my mom's and is probably 25 to 30 years old...still works great!

Go ahead and pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees.  Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.  The amounts of French Fried Onions and Cheese are up to you.  Just set aside some French Fried Onions and Cheese to put on top of the casserole.

Pour the combined ingredients into a greased 9x13 pan.  I know it may not be looking pretty yet, but trust me, we're getting there!

Add to the top whatever amount you like of French Fried Onions and Cheese.

Place in your 350 degree oven and bake for approximately 30 mins.  This dish can also be made ahead and refrigerated or even frozen.  I would just recommend covering with foil to prevent the top from getting too browned during the longer cooking time.  You may need to bake for 45 mins straight out of the fridge, and up to an hour or more if out of the freezer.  Use a dinner knife blade to insert into the center to test how hot the casserole is before serving.

This is indeed our favorite meal!  A bit different from how my grandmother and mother used to make it, but I'm sure they'll forgive me!

Kara and Charlotte

Katherine loves hers!

Here's poor little Clare.  I remember when I took this pic that I thought she looked a bit flushed.  This ended up being the first of many nights that we began dealing with fevers and coughs.  :o(

But she ate all her Rice, Tuna, Cheese Casserole!

And I've gotta show my boys, Holden and Anderson!  Yuum-mmy!!

If you do try this recipe, I'd love to know how your family liked it!

And do you have a favorite, family recipe?  Please share!  If you're like me, I'm always looking for kid-friendly meals to add to our table!

Next Time:  Homemade Laundry Detergent!  I've been making the same recipe for nearly three years.  Just a few simple ingredients, and you can make your own detergent in a matter of minutes.  Quicker and cheaper than going to the store!