Trying New Things

Hi everyone and happy Sunday evening!  I want to start out by saying I am so sorry to those of you who have left comments that I have not answered.  I am desperately trying to learn more about blogging and how to do things more efficiently.  Some established bloggers are very generous to give tips on how to do basic things(like responding to comments) and I am trying to learn from them.  Please be patient with me and keep commenting.  I will get it in gear soon! 

 I want to start out buy saying that I have been a busy girl this week.  I read alot of posts about making laundry detergent and I was intrigued.  I decided to give it a go and combined several recipes and added a little bit of my own idea and here it is.  I used 1 1/2 cup Borax, 2 cups washing soda, 1 cup baking soda and 1 1/2 bars grated Yardley English Lavender soap.  I put 2 Tablespoons of the detergent in the machine with running water before I add my clothes and so far, so good.  I am doing the math as to how cost efficient it is.  I am presently researching a homemade fabric softener recipe .  It may be difficult to find one that works. 

I also mentioned I had a horrible cold last week.  I was not wishing to be put on another antibiotic so I was pulling out all the stops to feel better and get through it.  I came across this tutorial for shower vapor discs and had to try them.  They turned out pretty good.  I found they melted very quickly in the shower so I am letting them cure longer in the jar I have them in.  Taking a good whiff of the jar when I remove the lid has been very nasal-opening!  I am a huge fan of essential oils so this idea appealed to me. 

I remembered some cotton crochet thread I have had for several years doing nothing, not earning its keep in my yarn stash when I saw this cool washcloth crochet tutorial on Aesthetic Nest.  Her instructions and pictures are perfect for a crochet newbie like me.  The multicolor one(which is folded in the picture) is from her pattern.  The white one is done in half double crochet and I got fancy and did a crochet border around it like I saw on a You Tube video.  I swear, you can find such great instructions for so many crafts out there.  All you need to do is look.  I have no excuse not to try a new craft anymore.  I have two knitted scarves I am working on, but I am drawn to crochet.  I am really enjoying it. 

  
Lastly, I want to share a delicious orange jello salad with you.  I had a similar salad at a party at our neighbor's house when I was young and I have been searching for something like it(from what I remember).  This is close.  I took an 11oz. can of mandarin oranges and drained them, reserving the juice.  I put the juice in a 2 cup glass measuring cup and set aside.  I boiled water in my tea kettle and right before it was ready, I heated the orange juice in the microwave until very hot.  To that juice, I added enough boiling water to make 2 cups.  I whisked in 2- 3oz. packages of orange gelatin.  I took 1/3 of a half gallon of orange sherbet with a vanilla ice cream swirl and added it to the very hot and totally combined orange gelatin mixture.  Stir that until all the ice cream melts.  Add the reserved mandarin oranges.  Pour into a jello mold sprayed with non stick spray or a pretty glass bowl that you won't have to unmold.  Refrigerate at least 6 hours.  It is very refreshing and tastes like a Creamsicle.

I just learned how to turn off that annoying thing on my comments that makes you type in the fuzzy nonsensical codes to prove you are a person and not a spamming computer.  I didn't even realize I had it on there until someone politely told me!  I hope you all have a great week.  Take care.  Nancy