Homemade Milk Bone Recipe

Homemade Milk Bone Dog Treats

Ingredients

1. 3/4 c hot water
2. 1/3 c margarine

3. 1/2 c powdered milk

4. 1 tsp. salt

5. 1 egg (beaten)

6. 3 c wheat flour

Directions:

-Pour hot water over margarine

-Stir in milk, salt, and egg

-Add flour 1/2 c at a time and knead

-roll out dought and cut into desired shape

-Bake at 325 degrees for 50 minutes

Chubbs

Looks like I'm going to have to start fighting Chubbs for the coupons on Sunday mornings :)

Cleaning!

Recently, I purchased "The Complete Household Handbook". In preparation for moving into our new house, I wanted tips on cleaning and organizing so I won't be totally clueless once we move. This book has been amazing! There is one section that I found extremely helpful, and I thought I would pass it along. These are cleaning tips for your kitchen, bathroom, and throughout the house and helps you know what you should be doing daily, weekly, and occasionally. Enjoy!

KITCHEN:
daily-
Dispose of trash and recycables
Handwash and dry dishes or place them in teh dishwasher
Wipe table, countertops, and range top
Wash coffeemaker thoroughly
Run food disposal and clean the sink
Sweep or vacuum floor; wipe up any spots with a damp paper towel

weekly-
Thoroughly clean range top and front, drip pans, control knobs, and back splash
Wipe down microwave oven, both inside and otuside
Organize refrigerator and wipe up spills; dispose of leftover foods that have spoiled
Clean items on countertop; move them away from walls to wipe under and behind them
Sweep or vacuum and wash floor
Wipe table and chairs

occasionally-
Wipe refrigerator sides and top and vacuum coils
Wash refrigerator and freezer shelves and drawers, as needed
Wash ventilating fan/hood filters
Thoroughly clean cabinets and drawers
Dust or vacuum wood work
Wash curtains, windows, screens, blinds, and shades
Clean light fixtures
Clean the oven

BATHROOM
daily-
Wipe fixtures, chrome, and countertops
Straighten towels
Use a squeegee or daily shower cleaner to prevent streaks and soap scum buildup

weekly-
Scrub bathtubs and sinks
Clean mirrors
Clean shower stalls and doors and disinfect toilets
Clean toothbrush and soap holders
Wipe tile surfaces
Vacuum and wash floors

occasionally-
Wash throw rigs and shower curtains
Wash windows, blinds, shades, or curtains
Clean medicine cabinet and closets; discard medicines that have expired
Clean light fixtures
Dust or vacuum walls and woodwork

THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE

daily-
Put clothing, books, toys, and other items where they belong
Straighten living spaces and bedrooms
make beds
Go through the mail; handle or recycle, as needed

weekly-
Dust furniture, books, pictures, lamp bases and shades, and electronics
Vacuum floors and upholstery- and wood work as needed
Wipe smudges off walls and woodwork
Empty wastepaper baskets
Change bed linens
Clean the mirrors, if needed
Recycle or toss newspapers older than a week and magazines older than 3 months

occasionally-
Vacuum or clean cutrains, draperies, and radiators
Wash windows
Dust or vacuum walls and woodwork
Clean light fixtures
Move and clean under furniture
Polish furniture
Deep clean rugs and carpets; clean and wax bare floors
Turn mattresses and vacuum mattresses and box springs; launder mattress pads
Straighten closets; give away unneeded items
Clean garage, basement, and attic
Clean humidifiers and dehumidifiers
Clean china cabinets and bookcases and contents, as needed

Sham-Rock On! 26.2 miles

Many of you know that I have been training for my first full marathon (26.2 miles) for the past 6 months or so. I have 4 half marathons under my belt and decided that it was time for a new challenge. The date of my marathon quickly approached and before I knew it, March 22nd was here! Last Sunday was my last long run and the i was supposed to take this week off from running. I did end up doing a coupld miles two days this past week, but nothing huge. Friday, I started carbo loading. Jonathan and i went to Atlas pizza and then on Saturday we met some friends of ours for a pasta dinner at Olive Garden! This is me the morning of my marathon (obviously BEFORE the run) :)
Jonathan and my family were waiting for me at the finish line. Special thanks to Heather and Josh, the Otte Family, Lori, my family, Jonathan, and T J Bilbrey for coming out and cheering! You have no idea how much the cheering and supportive comments help! I'm pretty sure TJ doesn't read this blog, but Laura, please tell your husband that him and the troops were THE MOST supportive throughout the whole 26 miles. They were awesome..please thank him for me! :)

This was right after the race. I felt like I could not stand any longer.....currently I am still feeling this way! Haha

I must say that running the 26.2 miles was absolutely miserable while you're in the middle of it. But once you cross the finish line, you seem to forget about all of the pain that you just went through. Immediately after I finished, I said "No way..not again!" Now, I'm not opposed to another one at all. My official time has not been released yet, but I am thinking it is right around 4 hours and 40 minutes. I did not have a goal time for this race, I just wanted to finish. Next time I will aim for 4.5 hours. With a little bit of harder training, i know I can do it!

Thanks again for those of you who came out and to those of you who have been so supportive and encouraging these past 6 months. It means so much to me!!

Who wants to run the next marathon with me?! :)

Free Ice Cream!

If anyone is interested, Brusters is giving away a free one scoop waffle cone this weekend to anyone who shows up in their pajamas. I don't think Jonathan and I will be participating, but I know some of you will do some crazy things for free food.....especially ice cream!! :)

Because I LOVE them...

I just had to share these pictures of our dogs from last night. It's hard to believe that we almost got rid of Einstein because they were not getting along as puppies. They cannot be separated now! :)

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Many of you have been asking me for the recipe of the homemade laundry detergent that I made this weekend. I got this recipe from the Duggar family (they have a show on TLC called "17 Kids and Counting"). Here is the recipe. I will say that it was very easy to make! I have not used the detergent yet, but I have a friend who has made it as well and said that it works great! Let me know if you give it a try!

Ingredients:
Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine- best value
4 Cups hot tap water
1 Soap Bar (pick one with a mild scent)
1 Cup Washing Soda (The only grocery store I was able to find this at was Harris Teeter)
½ Cup Borax

Directions:
- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)
-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.
-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.
-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)
-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

I am eventually planning on making all of my cleaning products myself. I have ready how much better it is. As a migrain sufferer, I am looking forward to getting rid of the strong odors that many cleaners have! Unfortunately I have stocked up on cleaning supplies from triple coupon days that it will take me a while to go through them all.

If you are interested in saving money on fabric softener as well, you can cut your dryer sheets into thirds. They will still work just as well...and last three times as long! Another idea is to mix up a solution of 1 part liquid fabric softener and 3 parts water into a spray bottle. Keep a stack of washcloths in your laundry room and spray a washcloth with the mixture. Then, just throw the washcloth in with your load of clothes to dry. Works well and it will save you a ton!