Around the Ranch

Now that Spring is Officially here, although you can’t tell by the cold fronts that keep moving through, it’s time to turn our attention to new projects around the ranch. I’ve been able to move two horses out of their winter fields and as they dry out, are getting dragged, reseeded and waiting for the warm weather to come back so the grass can come back in. As much as I love this place, I hate the mud that comes with winter.

Nathan has stayed busy over the winter months, doing projects on other farms. Below are a couple of pictures of projects he did for others off the ranch.

Fence for Andrea

Run in at Mustang Alley Horse Rescue

Zac even had to get in on some early spring action. He helped me plant all my little seeds and checks on them every time he comes over.

Zac checking on plants

With everything else going on, there have been a number of sleepless nights, as I pre-plan the  re-planning of our business plans.While I enjoy how things are going, and the fact that we are not growing any faster then we can handle, we still have lots to get done. We have some changes we need to make before next winter, to make this better for the horses, and easier for us. As these plans come together and projects get done, I’ll give you an update.

Until then, from our family to yours, we wish you a very Happy Easter, and may the Lord bless you in all you do.

I’ve been looking all over the internet for some home made laundry detergent recipes. It’s pretty hard to find one where you don’t have to melt anything, since I don’t have any non-food pots at the moment, I had to find a recipe that didn’t call for melting down any of the ingredients. I did finally find a recipe over at One Good Thing by Jillee. Her recipe is so simple, I just had to give it a try, and since it is a no-grate recipe, it makes it that much better!

Finished Laundry Detergent

Gather your supplies: You will need Borax (I use 20 Mule Team, which is what I remember from way back when), Washing Soda (found with your detergents in the grocery store), and Dawn Dish Liquid. While both Borax and Washing Soda are laundry boosters, and can be used separately, they apparently work very well together. Dawn Dish liquid, as we all know, is great for getting out grease and heavy soil (and you can choose a scent you like best). A measuring cup, pot, funnel, and a TBS measuring spoon and a one gallon jug. That’s it.

Ingredients for home made laundry detergent 

Equipment for Homemade Laundry Detergent

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil, while adding 3 Tablespoons of Borax and Washing Soda and 2 Tablespoons of Dawn to your gallon jug. Add the boiling water to the jug, and SWISH around. Do not close up the jug and shake or you will have a blow-out, literally. Swish until all ingredients are dissolved, and let set to cool.

ingredients with 4 cups water

Once cool, finish filling the jug with cold water. Suds will run out the top, but that is okay. Leave uncapped until the suds are gone. You will use between 1/2 cup and one cup of laundry detergent per load, since this is a liquid and  not a gel. You need the grating recipe to make more of a gel type detergent.