Do-it-Yourself Foaming Soap

I used to buy the large refill bottle for my foaming soap but it only came in one scent. So I read about making your own and want to share it with you!

Need:
1 large empty bottle
1 bottle hand soap (NOTE: creamy soaps don't work very well)
Water

1. Empty hand soap into empty bottle. I used a makeshift funnel to avoid mess.

2. Fill the empty hand soap bottle up with water and dump into large bottle. Repeat once.

3. You'll notice that the soap and water don't mix at first. Place the cap on the large bottle and shake!

4. Pour into your soap dispenser and use. Simple as that!

New House Project!

I am SO excited to have this project in the works! I have been waiting 5.5 LONG years to do it but with the cost it just didn't work. FINALLY we are going to remodel our bathroom. After our basement bathroom project last year that was just finished a month or so ago (the trim wasn't up but it was functional) we have decided to hire it done. We are having one of Mike's friends, Trevor Rome with Trevor Rome Construction Services, do it.

We will be going from this 'beautiful' three-tone teal bathroom:

My least favorite aspects of this bathroom are:
- The white tiles patched into spots where they removed things
- The disgusting grout on the floor
- The hidious porcelain knobs
- The tiled vanity top

When we moved in it was painted a light shade of yellow which believe me did nothing to help it! The brown made it livable and I had a shower curtain that was shades of teal and brown, but the rod broke so until it is remodeled we won't be using the shower.

This is the accent tile we picked out:
Cabernet. The main tile will look like this:

We have almost everything picked out/purchased. Still need to find a medicine cabinet, vanity top and sink faucet. It should be just a couple weeks until it begins. I can't wait!

Christmas Recap

I realized that I haven't posted any pictures from Christmas yet so I thought I'd do it now.

Latest Knitting Project

I found this fun cowl pattern from Purl Bee. It was EASY and I got a chance to use my new needles I got as a Christmas gift. I like it so far but I might need to put a button on it to keep it together.

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Today is my Grandma Leah's birthday. Let me tell you a little bit about her.

As a kid we spent lots of time at her house as she lived on a farm and we loved all the animals and space to run. She is a loving but firm grandma who didn't put up with anyone's grief...especially my bothers! I think there were a couple wooden paddle sticks and spoons broken over my oldest brother Nakia's behind. And she never tires of telling the story about my youngest brother, Sonny, telling her that he wasn't eating because he got the wrong cup but yet she turned around and he'd cleaned his plate!

She has an opinion and she's not afraid to use it! She is one opinionated person and although she sometimes drives me crazy because everything comes out I think it has helped me as an adult to realize that it is okay to express your opinion.

As I said she was a tough lady but couldn't love her family more. She has 9 children of her own, 7 boys and 2 girls. They lived in a 3 bedroom house and for most of her kids' life she didn't even have a bathroom but just an outhouse. I don't know about you but I can't imagine living without indoor plumbing! Her and my grandpa have been married for 70 years. They have 27 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren (by my count but she said 40 this morning), and 6 great-great grandchildren. She is so proud of the family that she has raised and continues to watch grow. Although we have a large family that is spread around the country it feels as though we are all close (although not without our drama). I'd say she has a great big reason to be proud!

My grandma has taught me how to make the best of a situation even if not ideal. She's taught me to love my family and hold them close, to read to my babies to get them to sleep, that a swat on the butt isn't going to hurt them, to have an opinion and to let it be heard. Best of all she taught me how to make the best fried chicken and gravy I've ever had. I love her and with every year that passes I know that I am going to miss her that much more when her time comes. So I continue make the most of the time I have with her and to make the effort to see her as much as I can.

Love you Grandma and Happy Birthday!

Caramel Rolls

I had to share this recipe for these amazing (and amazingly easy) caramel rolls. I made them for my daycare kids this morning and they are always a hit...I could eat the whole pan!

Here is the recipe (TIP: I always spray the foil with nonstick spray):

This is what they look like when you put them in the pan the night before:

In the morning when they have risen:

Baked and yummy...can you smell them?

Striking Out!

I like to try new recipes on a regular basis and have gotten pretty good at figuring out if a recipe is something my family will eat or not.
Over Christmas when I reorganized the house (I haven't posted abou that yet have I...soon) I found my binder with TONS of recipes to try and wanted to start widdling it down. I have tried several new recipes since the new year and I don't think a single one has been a keeper. Now I'm not one to give up but I have seriously not been having good luck! I make things and my family turns up their nose or it just isn't that good. I even tried a brownie recipe and it wasn't that great...brownies!

I am determined to find something new that everyone loves. So wish me luck and I'll be back with a report!