Ultimate Pull-Apart Coffee Cake

This is sooooooo yummy, and it is prepped the night before which makes is especially good! Just grab a bunch of napkins and a tall glass of milk and you are all set! Just don't eat the whole thing yourself :) Enjoy!!

16-18 frozen dinner rolls

1 pkg of butterscotch pudding (cook and serve)

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/2 c pecans

1/2 c. melted butter

The night before, place frozen rolls in well- greased Bundt pan. Sprinkle with dry pudding, then with brown sugar, then with nuts. Pour melted butter over all. Cover with a damp towel or cover with plastic wrap. Let rise overnight at room temperature 8- 10 hrs

Preheat oven to 350. Uncover and bake 30 min, Remove, cool 5 min. Invert pan onto serving plate and enjoy!!

Flower Power

        Aren't these flowers beautiful?! No, Mr. didn't get them for me :) I've been getting a bouquet quite frequently when I go to the grocery store just to brighten up the kitchen. I got these at Kroger for $4.99!! How do you beat that? They usually have some great looking flowers that are clearanced.
I just love fresh flowers. I love to get them, grow them and give them away. So next time you are at the grocery store grab a bouquet, you'll be glad you did!!

$1.99 at Kroger!!

My post wouldn't be complete without M's grass! ( Thanks Mrs. Michelle)

Here are my hydrangea's that did exceptionally well this year!

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Homemade Laundry Soap

Wow! life sure does get busy sometimes. I've barely had time to turn around lately. Oh well maybe I can get back into a "normal" routine this week. Which brings me to today's post. do you have 15 min a month? Well then you can make your own laundry soap. It's cheap, works great, and lasts a month! (and I wash a lot) Give it a try it's fun :)

What you need: Bar of soap, borax, washing soda, essential oil (optional) ,grater, and a 5 gal. bucket

Any kind of soap will work. I've used a variety of brands and the only difference is how they set up. You will need to grate the soap to make little curls. I like to leave part of the paper on so the soap doesn't get slick and hard to hold. ( yes, I have notoriously "clammy" hands)

It will look like this. Now get 4 cups of water simmering, not boiling because when you add the soap it will get too foamy and bubbly and bubble right over your pot. Not that I know from experience though :D

Now add the soap curls a little at a time and stir until they are melted. Then add more. DO NOT add them all at once or you will have a big glob of soap that will take forever to melt :) After it is all added you will have a nice looking pot of soap soup :)

 Now remove from heat and add 1 c. washing soda, 1/2 c. borax, and essential oil of choice. mixing until it is all dissolved. 

Put 3 gal. of warm water in your bucket and add your soap mix, making sure to stir well. Please excuse the 1970's green tub, we're currently saving for a bathroom remodel :)

Just add a lid, let it set for 24 hr. Although I have used it right away before be cause I was out, and laundry was up to the ceiling:)

The next day it will look like a solid bucket of soap jello. Just give it a good stir and it is ready to use. It will be liquid and kinda lumpy. That's normal, all the soap chunks break apart in the wash. Now put it in an old container and use 1 c. per load. The cap on my container holds 1/2 c. so I just fill it up twice.

Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad

 Yum! This stuff is so good. This recipe was given to me by a good friend, and is perfect for those hot summer days. It can be eaten right away but is better if it marinates all day first. It does also need to be eaten within 3-4 days or the veggies start to get soggy.


Bunch of broccli
Head of cauliflower
1 c. raisins
1 c. nuts
6 slices of bacon cooked and crumbled

Dressing:
1/2 c. mayo
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 c. vinegar

Cut broccli and cauliflower into bite size florets. Add nuts, raisins, and bacon. Stir together dressing and pour over veggies. Stir well, cover and refrigerate. Stir throughout the day and before serving.

I like to make it in a bowl that can be covered so I can just layer everything in and shake it up to mix.

I even like to turn it upside down in the fridge so the dressing gets mixed in really well. I also like to add more bacon and double the dressing. Just don't quite double the vinegar :)

Enjoy!!

Mock Fishtail

I love the look of a fishtail braid, but I've never taken the time to master it. So I found a cheater's way to get a similar look with minimal effort and time. All you need is a brush and some clear elastics.

 1. Make a low ponytail. I like to do this on the side , but it can be done in the middle just as well.

2. Put your fingers through to make a hole. so you can pull the pony tail through.

3. Now pull it through. You will have the classic piggy flip or topsy tail or whatever you want to call it :)

4. Now just put another band below the first flip. Then you pull it through and flip again.You can tighten or loosen as needed to get it to flow together.

5.Now just repeat until you are at the end. I did three bands with Mallory's hair. I only can do two when I do it on myself.

As you can see it's not exactly like a fishtail but pretty close. Now just finish off with a cute ribbon and you're all set!

Scarf Organization

Do you have a scarf collection that needs to find a home other than in the bottom of your closet? I did! mine were just piled in a box usually overflowing, and falling on my head every time I would get something out of my closet. Well no more! Yea! I saw this on Pinterest and it's just too good of an idea not to share.

All you need are the plastic shower curtain rings and a sturdy hanger. I used a plastic one the first time but it didn't hold up to the weight. Now I had these rings on hand but I have seen them quite often at thrift stores. Who cares if they're a tacky powder blue? Nobody will see them :) (apologies if you have blue ones in your bathroom :] )

Now just snap them on and hang those scarves! Ta Da, no more scarves falling on my head and all over the floor! So easy, I wish it was my own idea. :D

Sping Clean!

It's that time again! I'm going to start spring cleaning this week. I thought I might share some of my favorite herbal cleaning supplies. Why herbal you say? Well, I'm not a fan of harsh chemicals to start with so this was a great alternative. The cost is cheaper and the supplies are readily available, and leave my house smelling so fresh. They are safe around my little ones so I don't have to worry, especially when Mallory decides to "clean" too. So have fun, try herbal, and let's clean house!!!

1. Walls- mix equal parts of water and vinegar in a spray bottle and 6-8 drops of essential oil of choice, for grease cutting power ( a clear or light oil should be used like eucalyptus or mint) Mist walls and wipe with a soft cloth


2. Floors- I love Murphy's oil soap it smells good and is plant based. Mix 2 gal of hot water, Murphy's oil soap, and essential oils of choice. The possibility for scents is endless. Some of my favorites are lemon, lime ,and sweet orange, eucalyptus, lavender,or pine needle.

3.Bathroom- Put a few drops of essential oil on the cardboard tube of the toilet paper roll, and every time it is used it will release the fragrance.

To help mats and rugs smell fresh between washings scent 1/2 c of baking soda with 8- 10 drops of essential oil of choice sprinkle on rugs wait 15 min then shake well or vacuum.

Toilet cleaner- 1/2 c baking soda
                         1/4 c vinegar
                         10 drops of tea tree essential oil
 Combine all ingredients add to the bowl and swipe w the brush


Mirror Bright- 1 1-2 c vinegar
                         1/2 c water
                         8  drops of citrus oil

 Mix all in a spray bottle, and shake well before each use. spray and wipe with a soft dry cloth.  It can also be use of faucets too



Hope some of these help you! Happy cleaning!