Can Murphey's Oil Soap Really Do All That?

Yes! Yes, it can! This stuff has been around for ages-and for good reason. It is one of the best products out there for cleaning just about anything. For example...

*Use full strength to remove indelible marker off most any surface. NOTE: It won't remove the ink once it has been 'set' by previous washing. 

*Mixed with warm/hot water (1/2 c soap to 1 gallon water), it will clean dirt and grime off unpainted wood chairs, hand railings, floors, tables, etc. For painted wood surfaces, mix 1/4 c soap per gallon of water. 

*Mix 3 parts water to 1 part soap and use to refill your Swiffer Wet-Jet dispenser bottle. NOTE: I've been told that it may be difficult to open the bottles to refill them. Let me know what YOU think about this. 

*Mix 1 T soap with 1 c water, 1 c rubbing alcohol, and 1 t lemon juice. Pour into a spray bottle, shake to blend, and use as an insect repellent on plants (indoor and out). 

Murphy's Soap doesn't have one of those froo-froo scents like some fancy salon in Paris or Rodeo Drive. It smells clean and fresh-a lot like your grandma's house on Saturday morning. In other words, it leaves everything smelling, looking, and feeling clean, fresh, and like the home-sweet-home you are working toward. 

Keepin' it simple,

Darla, aka, Momma D

You know those bowls, baking dishes, and cake plates that belonged to your grandma or great grandma? Yes, the ones you have stored wayyyyyyy up high or in a china cabinet. The ones you point to and say, "Don't touch!". 

Well, I'm telling you to take them down off the shelf and use them! Yes, you heard me. Use them-don't put them in the dishwasher but use them. Fill the bowls with green beans, mashed potatoes, or one of those (yummy) Jello salads. Bake a pie, homemade rolls, or a cake in the baking pans. Use the cake plate for cake (go figure) or use it for a cheese and cracker plate. But don't just use them. 

While everyone is gathered around the table, talk about who it belonged to 'once upon a time'. Tell your children and grandchildren stories and memories you have of these people. If someone in the family shares their name or looks like them, talk about the connection. 

Using these family keepsakes is the best (not to mention only) and practical way to pass down their meaning and memories to younger generations of your family. And in doing so, you have a much greater chance of making what is special to you, special to them, too. And so on and so on for generations to come. 

Keepin' it simple,

Darla 

 

Keepin' it Simple at the Grocery Store

 

Hi! Thanks for stopping by for the first of (what I hope to be) many tips which will help you live a simpler, money-saving, and stress-reduced life. To get things started I thought I would share a few things I've always done to save money at that grocery store. And who doesn't need to do that, right? 

*Don't make a grocery list. Make a meal list. List the meals you'll fix over the next week or two. Next to each meal, list the ingredients you need. Don't forget to include breakfast and lunches you or the kids pack for school. 

*Before you go, check your pantry and cabinets against the list. Things have a way of getting shoved to the back-causing you to forget you have them. 

*Don't waste your money on frozen or canned fruit. Per unit it ends up being more expensive than fresh. Besides, fresh is wayyyyyyy more nutritious and tastes better. 

*Buy meat in bulk-portioning it out into amounts you use for your family. Example: pat out hamburger patties for your crew, stack between layers of parchment, and freeze. Freeze 1/2 or 1 lb. portions in separate containers to use for soups, tacos, casseroles, or spaghetti sauce. 

*Speaking of buying in bulk...consider splitting a membership with another family. You might have to shop together, but hey, sounds like a great excuse for a coffee date with a friend, before or after you shop. 

I hope these simple tips encourage you to take control of your grocery budget instead of letting it get you down. 

Until next time...

Keepin' it simple, 

Darla