Homestead Dreams

Last week, while riding with my truck driver husband, I brought some yarn with me.  I decided to keep it simple and decided to make a potholder.  I made 2 squares and joined them together.  I finished it the night of 4th of July.  While I was finishing it, I had people watching me.  My mother's best friend said she wanted it(plus more) so I gave it to her that night. 

I have learned that they don't take very long to finish.  I started a set(2) the afternoon of the 5th for my stepbrother who was in for his dad's birthday and the 4th of July.  (He jokingly told me he wanted a set and I told him ok.  I guess he thought I was joking, too.)  The set was finished Monday morning, the 7th, the day he was flying back to California.   As I said earlier, I join two squares together, so I had 4 squares.  It makes for extra padding and protection.  Here is what that set looks like.  

This is the set I finished today.  I am keeping them for myself.  My 8yr old daughter is holding them up for me so you can see that they are pretty good sized.

I have come to the conclusion that a lot of the women on my Christmas list will be getting a set or 2 for gifts.  That way, everyone gets the same thing(different colors, though), so no fights that one got something better than another.

Hi all.

I have had several people ask me about my homemade laundry soap. 

The recipe I used can be found on Crystals site, The Family Homestead under Homemaking and Home Management.  The link is as follows:  http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/index.html    The first time I used it, I followed it almost to the letter, except I used half a bar of Fels Naptha instead of 1/3.  Every other time I have made it, I have used 1/2 bar Fels Naptha, 1 cup washing soda, and 1 cup borax.  The cost does not change much.  It is still a lot cheaper than store bought.  Once it has cooled a little bit and starting to gel, I pour it into a detergent jug that I kept for that purpose once it was empty of the store bought stuff.  I hope this helps.