Pinterest FAIL FAIL FAIL: Dishwasher Detergent

I loved this blogger's homemade laundry soap, so I went into making the dishwasher detergent with high hopes. I am so, so, SO very disappointed.

I followed the recipe, and as recommended, I used citric acid instead of kool-aid, because I didn't want to dye my dishwasher yellow. And I use vinegar with every load in my dishwasher (hard water!!) already, so I figured that would be good enough, rather than paying more money for Lemi-Shine.

But regardless of how much vinegar I use, my dishes have been coming out with a thin film on them. I reduced the amount of soap from a full, rounded Tablespoon to slightly less than a TB, and the dishes didn't even come out clean. And there was still a film on them. Ugh.

I'm not happy. I really hate wasting things. Even if it's under $20 of ingredients, it's still wasteful. Boo.

I think I will add the rest of the bottle of citric acid to the soap and see if that helps. Maybe I didn't put enough in to begin with. But... I doubt it will make a difference at this point. If not, I'm done. Back to store-bought soap for me. 

Lame!

Parenting Stuff Idea 3- Let Your Kids Do Hard Stuff

Safe Routes Partnership

It occurred to me this week at a piano recital that we parents frequently try to rescue our kids from difficult things. Not only big difficult things, like that science fair project you stay up all night with, but little things such as sitting through the entire concert, instead of taking them home early. My son was playing in a recital on Friday night and he was third of 15 or so performers. My daughter, itching to get home and call her friends, asked me a few times if we could just leave after he played. I toyed with the idea, because I wouldn't have minded getting home earlier, too, but as I thought it over, I decided it would be good for her to hear some new piano pieces, and to support her fellow students, and even though it might be hard, she's not a toddler anymore, and it would be good for her to sit still for an hour and behave.

Parenting Stuff Idea 2: Rules

Idea 2: Rules

from: BBC.co.uk

Parenting involves a lot of rules and limit-setting. It is necessary to have limits and guidelines for the children in your stewardship. Even God has rules, so naturally we parents of little mortals better have some. This can be extremely painful for you and your kids, or it can be loving and reasonable.

Parenting Stuff, Idea 1: Relationships

Idea 1: Relationships are the most important thing.

Photo courtesy: CrystalHollenbeck.com

If you believe in the afterlife, and I do, then I assume you believe you will have loved ones around you there. Therefore, all you take with you when you die are your experiences, your memories and your relationships. Relationships are based on love, so start there. Love your children. 

Heaven in the Desert

I took three of my kids with me and traveled to St. George during our school district's Spring Break. We had a great time-- the sun was shining, the air was clear, the sky was SO blue-- just a gorgeous time to be in Utah. The condo we stayed at belongs to my parents, and it was very nice, though the complex was pretty crowded. I think half the state decided to go to SG for their breaks, too. But that's okay. It's too lovely a place to be bothered.

60 Dinners and Counting

Recently, I started a 2-month menu plan, hoping to rotate some of our easier, more affordable dinner favorites, but still have a good variety so we don't get bored and I no longer have to hear "What's for dinner?" and not have an answer. I'm going to post it on the fridge, like I used to do.

In case you are interested in some meal ideas, here is my list. There is room for growth, please suggest and share links and/or recipes if you have a favorite I didn't include! Some of these are a tad obscure or have personal references, so I will post recipes or links to recipes if you ask for them!

EDIT: I was about to post this and I realized it is really more of a cold weather list. I won't be making soups as much when it gets warm outside, so I think I will dub this the Fall/Winter list and make a new Spring/Summer list as well...

Fall/Winter Dinners List:

1.    Spaghetti

2.    Soft tacos and burritos

3.    Burgers & dogs

4.    Crock pot fettuccine w/chicken

5.    Olive oil linguine with garlic shrimp

6.    Lasagna, salad

7.    Roast beef

8.    Roast chicken

9.    Jeni’s crock pot chicken

10.Jeni's Pink sauce chicken

11.Enchiladas

12.Tomato soup & grilled chz

13.Cheesy potato soup

14.Broccoli soup

15.Chili

16.White chili w/ckn.

17.Chicken noodle soup

18.Apricot chicken

19.Meatloaf

20.Tortilla soup

21.Salmon & rice

22.Fish sticks or fillets

23.Beef in gravy over potatoes

24.Beef stew

25.Chicken in gravy over potatoes

26.Mexican pork nachos

27.Pulled pork sandwiches

28.Sloppy joes

29.Chicken nuggets & fries

30.Hamburger helper

31.Chicken sandwiches (grilled or breaded)

32.Crockpot meatballs & noodles

33.Stroganoff

34.Shepherd’s pie

35.Mona’s chicken

36.Fried chicken

37.Egg rolls

38.Teriyaki chicken

39.Beef & veggie soup

40.Ckn enchilada soup

41.Ckn & wild rice soup

42.BLTs and potato salad

43.Chicken salad croissants

44.Macaroni & cheese

45.Ckn fajitas

46.Steak fajitas

47.Steak (financially seasonal)

48.Bbq chicken

49.Pork chops

50.Chicken tacos

51.Chicken quesadillas

52.Breakfast for dinner

53.Dirty rice & meat

54.Homemade pizza

55.Frozen raviolis

56.Greek chicken, lemon rice

57.Chicken pillows

58.Fresh fish (seasonal) & rice

59.Stuffing casserole w/ckn or turkey

60.Cream cheese chicken (Pinterest)

Side dishes include:
Salad

French/garlic bread

Homemade fries

Homemade chips

Rice pilaf

White rice

Mashed Yukon Gold potatoes

Roasted Red potatoes (SO YUMMY)

Various veggies frozen, fresh or canned

Red Potato salad

Lion House rolls

Ramona’s rolls

Kentucky biscuits (so much better than regular buttermilk biscuits)