Natural Homemade Laundry Detergent

Apparently I didn't publish my post about homemade laundry detergent last night, so I just did that. And so this post is the follow up.

So I just checked the detergent and it is very gelatinous! It was cold in that part of the cabin where it spent last night so I had to run my hands through it to break it up. It reminded me of oatmeal that had been in the fridge, clumpy and squishy. BUT, it looks perfect as laundry detergent now that I have broken it up with my hands, and it will become easier to work with as it gets warmer.

Homemade Laundry Detergent

A few years ago I tried making my own laundry detergent and for some reason I didn’t keep doing it. It’s SO EASY to do, something that anyone who is wanting to get away from chemicals and head towards more natural products should do. The recipe I use is one of the main ones that is floating around on youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfEJHb5lfds

I had written down different amounts of washing soda and borax, so mine will be thicker than in the video. I don’t know where I got these measurements, I probably watched someone elses’ video for those. So I used 1-1/2 cup each of washing soda and borax. So if you try following the video and don’t like the outcome of your soap try using more. Also, I’ve heard some people add essential oil during the last rinse cycle so it smells nice or disinfects, whatever the property is of the essential oil. I’m never coordinated enough to do this and we are washing machine challenged here at LMSH at the moment so I’m not going to bother with that. I will just have to smell natural : )

Antsy Pants

At my computer, so I thought I’d record some thoughts… I feel antsy today. There is so much I want to do. I start one project, then feel pulled toward another quickly, just so much to do. It’s sunny today, so a walk is in order, but I’ve been inside so far except to take out the compost. Made potato kale soup, knitted, more laundry, cleaning, talked to Lori about life… that’s the nice part about having roommates, especially Lori : ) We have one that is still asleep at it’s 3:48 pm. He’s a night owl. Oh! And I did some design on our logo that desperately needs to be finalized. Still feel antsy. Want to get pics on this blog. Will work on that too.

Hike, Laundry, Bread, Firewood

It’s hard for me to know where to start when it’s been a week. I am out of the habit of posting every day, which would be ideal. So let me start with the weather. It has been wintery here the past few days. I welcome it, as it is more standard for what we normally have for winter weather. Today brought sleet and snow, but not heavy. Interestingly, I choose today to explore a trail near the house a few miles down the road. It’s a connector trail for Cloudland Canyon called Long Branch. We were toasty even though it was sleeting, and we even met a couple mountain bikers on the trail so we weren’t the only adventurous ones today. Beautiful place, definitely going back, and it’s so close to the house.

It’s hard for me to report on everything that is getting done because Lori is doing a lot and we’ve been forgetting to report at the end of the day so I don’t have a complete picture of what she is doing. The weather has not been ideal to build the boxes for the garden so that has been on hold. Honestly since it has been cold a lot of our activities have revolved around wood since we heat with wood. Our friend Mark made a surprise visit with a load of firewood and solicited us to help with another load so we have a good amount at the moment, but we’re burning through it like mad women : ) We like to keep warm, and it’s a challenge to not use space heaters. I like challenges. Today I dried my laundry in the room in the basement where the big barrel wood stove is. Since it has been wet we have to get the wood inside so it can dry out before we burn it…ideally. If it’s already a rip roaring fire we toss wet wood on and it doesn’t do anything to the fire.

I have not been working on jewelry as much this week, but instead have been focusing on posting them on etsy. The challenge now will be to sell it since Christmas is over. I need to reaccess my nursing career and do training so I can renew my license in June. Even if I don’t work as a nurse right now I can keep my license for a time. I don’t want to do anything I will regret. I have been noticing that some physical issues, mainly chronically tight muscles, are slowly disappearing and I attribute that to not having such a stressful job! Ha! Maybe it’s just a coincidence. Maybe it’s the good mountain living. Who knows.

So today we woke up and Lori made a good breakfast while we did wood related duties. I made bread in the bread machine, and it turned out well. While in the basement I ran across my box of knitting things, and was excited to pull that out today. So I started a scarf since it’s been awhile since I have knitted, and I don’t want to be too ambitious, however it does have cables in it. Not sure why I haven’t been knitting, as I love hand made things, just haven’t taken the time to I guess. In my knitting box I found a project I almost had finished for my niece…who is now 2 and a half. Probably need to resolve that project somehow since it’s a bit too late for a baby blanket.

Ok, ‘twas a wonderful day, just need more like it. Am looking forward to the day when I can share this lifestyle with someone, as it is so rewarding. The other residents at LMSH will have to do for now.

Windy rainy down time

Yesterday was cold, windy, and rainy. We were able to have a status meeting about our Junior Master Gardeners Program. We decided there needs to be committees for each county, Dade, Walker, and Hamilton. Also, Lori is interested in developing a farm school, as we don’t have one in this area that we are aware of.

Kevin left yesterday, earlier than expected. He has definitely helped us know more what we do and don’t want with regard to interns/apprentices.

I was able to post a couple items to my etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/shenandoahdesigns. Still learning how to take good pictures and post items.

We are excited for the arrival of the new age!

Catching up

Hi Friends. We’ve been busy, but not blogging so I need to catch up.

Thursday the 6th we attended the Year Christmas party for Master Gardeners, spoke to Bud Hines about teaching a composting class. Also, Mike Payne agreed to head an effort to get master gardeners here in January to build planter boxes.

We have been having a challenging time with family members who already live here at LMSH transitioning to a cooperative living model. We are constantly trying new ways of communication and negotiation. Such is the cooperative life…

Saturday 8th we attended Sequatchie Valley Institute’s Craft sale. We went more towards the end of the day and were able to spend some time talking with the residents there.

Tuesday 11th was our Christmas Open House and Holiday Handmade Gift Party. About 15 people braved the darkenss. I sold handmade earrings, Emily sold crocheted scarves and sewn bags. Lori sold homemade jam, mistletoe. The cabin looked beautiful!

Camilla decided she needed some time away from the homestead so she left on the 11th so spend some time with her grandmother. It was a nice break for all of us, and she returned almost a week later on the 17th.

Wednesday 12th we attended Lisa Holt’s open house in Hixson. We met a few very interesting like minded individuals, one who a farm school up north for a year.

Thursday 13th Shalamee Campbell visited and toured LMSH.

On the 15th I sold handmade jewelry at the Brainerd Farmer’s Market.

Sunday 16th was Pickin – handed out Spanish class fliers and LMSH memberships sheets. A friend I met in when I lived in Winston-Salem was passing through Chattanooga so I invited him to Pickin. Somehow we talked him into coming up the mountain with us and he has been hanging out with us since.

Monday 17th, tackled wood pile, removed nails, Certified Wildlife Habitat through national Wildlife Federation.

Tuesday 18th - We became an official station of Community Collaborate Rain, Hail & Snow Network. Our duty is to report precipitation daily.

We also learned to slaughter chickens at Wildwood Harvest with Keith and Katie Bien. It was an eye opening experience. I appreciate the spirituality they have for the process and the appreciation they have for the lives of their chickens. Lori eats meat and feels she should participate in slaughtering but was not able to do the act. She doesn’t want to be hypocritical but is not ready to take the life. She had no problem defeathering and gutting them though. I don’t feel I need to participate since I don’t eat meat and never have beyond a few tastes. Kevin was able to slaughter 2 chickens and enjoyed learning the process.

We have concluded that if you eat only meat that you have slaughtered, you’d eat a lot less meat due to the time and effort involved. It’s likely that because of industrialized meat production it has become easier to eat the amount of meat we do these days.

Wednesday 19th – Today we were FINALLY able to put a planter box together. We got a LOT done in the garden area. I made bread and it turned out much better than it has in the past. We ate well, I did laundry and made a trip to town, bought groceries. Kevin and I got two screens ready for screen printing tomorrow. It has been a good day. Oh! And Kevin cleaned our fireplace.

We have been super psyched about having him here. He has been a big help around the house and garden. He is good with wood and he has tackled our lumber pile aggressively and today (the 19th) finished one planter box! It’s nice to have new energy here. It is giving us a taste of having a regular intern here. Unfortunately he’s only staying until Friday, then he will move on to his next adventure.

Kevin is traveling from Michigan to Louisiana on bicycle…with his sweet dog Maggie Mae. I think we’ve decided that a canine like her here at LMSH would be a wonderful addition. Hopefully at the next chance we get we’ll be able to get one.

I will do my best to blog more often. I would post pics, but a bunch of my pics disappeared off my camera. I hope I can find them.

Accomplishments yesterday, Dec 3rd:

Monday was somewhat productive. We cleaned house, then we had a visit from Emily Franklin who is the other artisan who will be selling her things here at LMSH on Dec 11th. We were able to get a "Square" so we should be able to take credit cards for our Holiday Handmade Gift Party. That's so exciting! We'll also be able to take donations by credit cards now.

We use propane to heat water, cook, and dry our clothes when we can't use the clothesline and yesterday we had it refilled. It should last us a few months.

I was able to spend time on my personal business making bags for things once they are purchased. They don't take too long, but I'm not sure it's necessary to give people a bag for their jewelry. Lori says no, so I guess I'm wasting time. They're fun though.

Camilla and Noah were helpful and raked leaves. The yard looks so much better!

Lori saved more Marigold seeds. We'll have seeds to share!

I spent time brainstorming the new LMSH logo. This is a process for me. I can't just design something good overnight. Maybe I'm too close to this project and it will make designing the identity difficult. We'll see. I enjoy doing it.

Main x24

Wow, it has been a few days since we posted last.

Friday was filled with preparing for Main x24. I also baked bread and raked leaves. I do that for exercise and, well, it just makes me feel productive. Lori worked more on the website. In fact, she works on this pretty much every day. It’s live now, at www.lookouthomestead.com. Please visit it and return often.

Saturday was Main x24 from 8 am to 10 pm. I had a booth selling my handmade jewelry, Lori and Camilla sold food. It was a good day, beautiful, way too warm for December but I was thankful for the nice weather.

Will report more soon.