The Homestead Journal~ Week 45~ Fall Colors

Homestead Happenings

We made 5 gallons of laundry soap and one gallon of bath soap this week I am not sure how long it lasts us, but I have it written here, so I can look back for reference. I used a new bar soap for laundry this time, Ivory had some in the laundry aisle. Its much harder to grate and I don't any difference in quality. It is very easy to make and it costs about $1.50 to make 5 gallons. I also made bath soap for the first time. I used one+ bar of  Irish Spring.                                                                

To make the soaps, I put about 2 cups water in a sauce pan and bring to a boil. I add the shaved soap and stir constantly with wisk for about a minute.  For the laundry soap I pour the melted soap into a 5 gallon bucket and add about 1 gallon HOT water and 2 cups of washing soda. I stir well until dissolved and add cold water to fill the bucket and let sit at least one day. (Mine sat two because of my schedule.~ you can actually store it that way if you choose)   I then separate it into gallon containers for storage and use an empty laundry soap container to use on hand. I use about a capful for each load. For the bath soap, I just added the melted soap to a gallon jug and add cold water. We use a gallon bottle with a pump dispenser on it. 

On Sunday's after church, our Bishop gives each child a candy. Zachary was one of the first to get his and was sitting on the couch eating his Starburst, when  I overheard his conversation with a fellow church member. She was telling Zachary some Halloween story about a troll that you have to give your candy to etc. .. without missing a bite, he just nonchalantly replied "yeah, that's why we don't celebrate Halloween"  I guess they are listening even when we think they aren't. For more info about our take on Halloween, click here.

Lucas has been a chatter box. He is using more and more words. After 15 months of trying to get him to say milk before he nurses, he finally did! He has actually been pretty talkative in general. Thursday night Quinten was carrying him and he kept pointing to me saying "Mom". 

Ezra is continuing to crack me up. He was playing with a toy the other day running through the house, hiding under table and around corners like some action~ adventure hero. But most exciting was that I walked in on him using the potty all by himself! 

Tuesday I came home from work and Olivia had brought one of her baby dolls to me. She had colored "hair" on the baby's head with blue and purple marker. About 30 min later Lucas woke from his nap.. and as he walks closer to me I see that he too has purple and blue marker on his head.... I really need to watch that girl.. LOL 

Jacob passed of his 25th and final scripture mastery for this semester. He has memorized all 25 New Testament scriptures. Now he has to recite them to me, as part of our deal that if he completed them before his birthday ( Dec 18) then I would buy him dinner. 

What We Are Learning About 

We are still deep in Ancient civilizations. Egypt  and the pyramids was fascinating an the children have been practicing hieroglyphs this week. They have also began working on their vocabulary again. I have been slacking on requiring it, but I think with the cooler temps sneaking in, we can up our school work load. 

Our Adventures

Tuesday we went and checked on the cows and then took a road trip to pick up an item for one of our jobs. It was a semi boring trip, being most was interstate, but the tree's changing color provided a few snapshots. 

Wednesday I went to the library with the 5 older ones. They get to use the computer and a few of them participate in the arts and crafts project.  Then we go off to scouts.

Thursday, despite the chilly weather, we headed into town to get ice cream and cones. 

On Our Bookshelf
We borrow a lot of books from the library. The children pick out their own books, and I grab some that I feel they need for school. This is a somewhat partial but nearly complete list

The Little's Books 

they just got a handful of little board books and a few Curious George books.  

The Older's Books

Jacob is reading the New Testament 
Quinten is reading the Book of Mormon
Abigail read 3 Nancy Drew books
Isaac read the Time Machine, and the Invisible Man

The Schooling Books
Everyday life in Bible Times
Illustrated dictionary of Bible life & times
The Israelite's / by the editors of Time-Life Books.
Sign Language for Kids
Drawing Creepy Crawlies
Incredible Bugs
Several books on types of animals and bugs 
A book on making paper airplanes and paper birds 

Mom's Books 
Liberty Defined: 50 Essential issues that effect our freedom

What We Are Watching 
DVD's 
The  Work and The Glory (family) ★★★★★

Netflix Streaming 
Curious George (family)
Man vs Wild (family)
How its Made (family)
Groundhog Day (Jacob)

Hulu Free*
Parenthood (mom)
Bones (mom)

You Tube etc
Ezra Taft Benson on Socialism (mom)
Ezra Taft Benson Stand up for Freedom (mom) 
How the States Got Their Shape (school) 


Abigail and Isaac have been using Book Adventure to quiz on the books they read. Check it out! 

Challenges/Accomplishments This Week
After realizing working 12 hr shifts at night was a bad decision, Joe left the auto part factory and was offered a job that will work with our families needs. I will share more about it next week as he settles in to it. I will just ask that you pray for us that the Lord will continue to provide us the opportunities we need to care for our family. 

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