Dear Freddie

Cup of Joy for the day is my favorite tea mug (on the days when a cup and saucer just won't cut it) and some good old  English breakfast tea, this collection of tea happened to be a gift this year from one of Mike's Attorney friends.  We get spoiled, every year around Christmas a huge basket of goodies arrives on our doorstep...

Frederick has been in our family now for 6 months.  Obviously, I'm so in love with this little man. 

At six months, Frederick enjoys playing with empty water bottles, my keys on my school lanyard, any rattling shiny objects and his little monkey stuffy that plays neat jungle music. 

He has started this new sound where he is says "dadadada." Of course it would be that sound, cus I'm with the boy most. Ha!!All of my kids said "dadada" first. He giggles when I play peek-a-boo and kiss his cheeks.  He likes to get the attention of all of us by shrilling loudly above everyone.

He sucks his thumb.  When he gets sleepy he puts his head on my shoulder, snuggles up and puts his thumb in his mouth. Not long after that he's sound asleep. He can roll onto his side; he doesn't care to be on his tummy for long.  

Lizzie likes to pick him up and carry him around the living room when he gets fussy while I'm cooking.  Maddie calls him "baby fuzzy" sometimes and she'll ask him, "baby Freddie, you love me? you love me?" Bella likes to tickle his feet and tells him, "you're so cute, I could eat you..."  

Everyone loves him...I think all of my kids have about 5 adopted aunts and grandmas.   

"A little bit of heaven

Has been (sic) sent from above-

A handful of happiness,

A heartful of love.

The mystery of life,

So sacred and sweet

The giver of joy

So deep and complete.

Precious and priceless,

So lovable, too

The world's sweetest miracle,

Baby  Freddie (sic), is you"

-Unknown

Cup of Joy: Cozy Chamomile, FMR III Newborn Pictures

The kids are sleeping; I have a cup of tea and I thought it would be great time to upload some pictures. I attempted to take some pictures of Frederick as a newborn. 

Cup of Joy- Feeling Accomplished

Well, I sit here in my kitchen, enjoying a nice hot cup of Twining's Breakfast Blend tea and a little "me" time while the kiddies nap.  I like this flavor because it's really not just good for the mornings (boxed that way because it is black tea and has caffeine) but good for an early afternoon pick-me-up.  I'm indulging in a maple cookie and lemon sugar cookie as well.  My china choice is Spode English bone China, "Ribbons and Roses."  This was a favorite design my mother picked out, I remember she wanted to upgrade her fine china to this design.

In the background I have the 1983 BBC production of "Jane Eyre" starring Timothy Dalton playing.  Sometimes in the day I'll put on a movie when the girls are napping while I get things done.

I've been doing a lot of research on trying to save money. In that quest, I've been reading a lot about making your own laundry soap.  From what I read, it really seemed pretty simple.  So I finally did it.  I made my own laundry soap.  And let me just say I can't believe I've been buying laundry soap for so long.  It really is easy and it works just as good and you get the satisfaction of knowing that you did it yourself.  I've been trying to be less dependent on commercialism, and slowly I've been trying to incorporate more homemade money pinching things into our lives.  Making my own soap is just the tip in this quest to be more self reliant…and after doing it, it's just motivated me more to incorporate the next thing…

I started out by buying all necessary ingredients, and they didn't even add up to what a Sam's supply of Tide costs--I can even make several batches with what I bought.

I finally got to use my thrift store purchase: this huge pot I got for under $5 (Walmart has these pots for $20) 

First, grate your soap (1 bar of whatever you like) and boil it in some water (4 c), let it boil till the soap dissolves.

After the soap dissolves-and this is my own trick-I add some Downy (I did 2 capfuls, but next time I'm going to add 4) this gives you the added bonus of soft and fresh smelling clothes.

Next, add your borax (1/2 c) and washing soda (1 c) and more water (from the warm tap-3 gals.), let it sit for 24 hours

My whole laundry room smelled so clean, after the 24 hours this is what you have, a gelatinous, watery concoction.

Give it a quick stir and start using...

I didn't want to leave it in my pot so I transferred the soap, using a cut milk jug and cut water bottle, into some laundry soap containers I saved...

Here it is!! This batch yields 52 cups, 1 cup per load.  Every time I open my cabinet and use it, I feel accomplished and happy because of how much money I'm saving…

Just for thought's sake, the next time I make this, I may add two bars of soap to concentrate it more so I can cut the yield in half…we'll see what happens.

Tea Time with Very Special Little Ladies

Today, I was privileged to have tea with some very important people...my two lovely daughters, Lizzie and Bella. 

We set the coffee table with the girl's tea cups.  They were super excited when I said we could really drink out of them.  So we brewed some very fine Gatorade "tea" and had chocolate chip "crumpets". 

During the tea many delightful things were discussed.  We talked about our day. Lizzie told me she went dancing (I played some old Celtic Folk Records of mine that my Dad gave me.  Interestingly, I danced to the very same records when I was about Lizzie's age.  That's why my Dad gave them to me), and Bella explained very intently to me that she went flying all with wild arm gestures and pleadings to, "Watch me! Watch me!".  It was quite interesting.  I didn't realize that these VIPs was so talented and adventurous. (Actually I did. :))

The girls were so pleased we had a "real" tea party.  I love that they are so easily amused.

Bella and Lizzie in the tea room.

 

 Our refreshments; so dainty.

The host serving her guests first.

Pouring some refills.

Bella telling me about her flying trip.

Again the host refilling.

Bella drinking her tea.

Bella setting her tea cup down...lol

Lizzie enjoying her crumpets.

More refilling.

 

All of us!

 

Enjoying some fine conversation and company!