Autumn Fun!

Delicious Autumn!

My very soul is wedded to it,
and if I were a bird
I would fly about the earth
seeking the successive autumns.

George Elliot

I love fall! It is by far my favorite season!! Today, I made fall play dough. Never heard of this? I hadn't either, but I saw a recipe in a magazine at the doctors' office and decided to try it at home. Since I didn't get the exact recipe I just made cooked play dough and added pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, ginger and cloves. It did take quite a bit of seasoning! I also tried to make it orange, so I added red and yellow food coloring. It turned out great! It looks just like pumpkin pie and smells like it too!

I see Camille needs more practice holding her scissors correctly!

Isaac has such a sweet smile on his face!

Elise made a pumpkin pie! It smelled delicious!

What a Busy Homemaker!

It is funny how some things that I do make me feel like a REAL homemaker. Baking bread, hanging laundry on the line outside and making my own laundry soap, for example! I am not sure why these activities more than others bring out that feeling in me, maybe it goes back to what I imagine Aunt Bea would be doing in Mayberry. This morning I made a new batch of laundry soap. It only takes about twenty minutes, but it saves sooo much money. Regardless of the reasons why, making your own laundry is simply smart if you are on a budget(like most of us these days)! It is so simple to do, and the cost savings vs. buying pre-made is astounding! I would encourage anyone to give it a try! Now about a recipe, there are many online to choose from. The one I use I found at The Family Homestead a wonderful resource for christian homemakers and homeshoolers. Here is the link: http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/

As we are tightening up our budget, I am looking for ways to stretch our money. I don't work outside the home, so I see saving money as my way of helping with our finances. What I have found is that I enjoy the things that I am doing to save money more than I thought I would. Making bread, hanging out clothes and making laundry soap are just small things in my day that I enjoy doing with the benefit of a big impact on our monthly budget. Living simply and being at home more has given me the focus to try some new things. I am still trying some budget friendly recipes and looking for more ideas. I'll keep you posted on what works!!