It All Comes Out In The Wash

Laundry. Some dread it but I actually like it. There is just something wonderful about everything being clean, crisp and fresh! I came up with some info about laundry~

Did you know:

Your front loade washing machine needs maintenance to keep from  smelling bad?  http://www.ecokaren.com/2009/06/front-loading-washer-maintenance/

You can make your own laundry detergent for pennies?
http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2011/07/brand-name-laundry-detergents-last.html   http://www.howdoesshe.com/cheaper-and-better-diy-laundry-detergent/

There are oodles of options for hanging your clothes out? (Or inside!)  http://www.momadvice.com/money/line_drying_clothing.aspx   http://www.clotheslineshop.com/

You CAN learn how to iron? http://www.wikihow.com/Iron   http://www.wikihow.com/Press-a-Shirt   http://www.wikihow.com/Press-Pants   http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-iron-a-shirt   http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-iron-trousers

There are charts for helping to get out laundry stains?  http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/web/pdfs/pdf3/stain_removal_basics.pdf

There are products for sale that are natural AND smell heavenly? http://www.care2.com/greenliving/5-favorite-natural-laundry-detergents.html    http://www.farmhousewares.com/farmhouselaundrypowderbysweetgrassfarm.aspx

In the time it takes to hang out and take down your laundry from an outdoor clothesline you can get some of the 20-30 minutes of sunshine needed for healthy vatamin D and thyroid production?  http://www.womentowomen.com/hypothyroidism/alternativetreatments.aspx     http://parkaireconsultants.com/30minutesaday/

 Happy Laundering!

Summer Kitchen

summer kitchen:

 

noun

an extra kitchen, usually detached from a house, for use in warm weather.

I'm in the process of getting my summer kitchen set up. It's in the back room closed off from the rest of the house so as not to cause the air conditioner to work more than needed because the temperatures here in Phoenix can get up to 110 and more in the summer.

I decided to add a small convection oven this year because I figure it will pay for itself with what I save by not buying baked goods at the bakery. Other small appliances out there are 2 crockpots, a roaster, rice cooker, bread machine and an electric fry pan.

One day I am hoping that I will actually have a real working kitchen back there but until then I'll just keep "winging it". :)

SEW AN EASY SKIRT

1. 2-1yard lengths of 45" fabric. I'm a big girl you smaller ladies will need to cut some fabric off one of the finished edge or, depending on the fabric and your size you could use one length and just fold in half andsew one seam down the finished edges.

2. Hold the elastic around your waist, stretching it a little, overlap the edges and cut.

3. Sew and press open seams on finished edge.

4. For casing, start by turning over and pressing the edge at 2".

5. Match raw edge with crease at 1" .

6. Press edge only.

7. For hem Press a 1" edge.

8. Press raw edge to crease and press only the edge.

9. Sew along the very edge leaving an opening about of about 1" for the elastic to go through. Do the same for the hem only you don't need to leave an opening.

10. Use a large safety pin to guide the elastic through the casing.

11. Hand sew opening closed.