Garden = Savings

Like all network news/talk shows that are jumping on the "home garden" bandwagon,
GMA had a short segment this morning.

They touched on the basics of planting seeds, hanging tomato plants upside down (and you don't need a special "sold on TV" pot for that) and composting.

The show also stated that a $70.00 investment in a veggie garden
can save you $600 p/yr on groceries.

How much could you save if you garden year round?

Any way you look at it, it's a Savings and it's Healthy!

My first tomato and pepper harvest for 2009 :)
Yummy!
~Patricia

Patriotic Bling Tees

Currently Listed on eBay
(will be uploaded to the OBOGB website next week)

Do you know a little girl that is
Fun, Spirited and Independent ;)

Let your little Firecracker show her Patriotism with this Sparkly Bling Tee

Back my popular demand...
Made in the USA Bling Tee
(on the website and at auction)

So cute for a Boy or Girl!
~Patricia

Upcycle ~ T-Shirt Bag

Earth Day Upcycle Craft

How to make a Bag from an old T-Shirt

I chose an old dingy shirt that does not fit my son anymore.

Lay the shirt out flat, seams together
Cut the sleeves off using a rotary cutter or scissors
Depending on the size of your shirt cut a 7-8 inch circle around the neck
I used this helpful circle cut ruler but you could also lay a large bowl on the shirt to use as a guide.

Turn the shirt inside out, pin along the hem
Sew the bottom of the shirt closed...I went back over it a second time to reinforce the stitch.

Turn right side out.


You're done!

It was so quick and easy I made one for my daughter ;)
~Patricia

Reduce Reuse Recycle & Upcycle

Happy Earth Day!
To celebrate the day I have a couple Environment Friendly projects.

Going Green for me is not just about helping the environment, it's also about saving money.
I thought a good way to start is making my own laundry detergent.

Of course I can't find my receipt so I don't have the numbers on this.
The last time I bought "regular" commercial laundry detergent I think it cost me around $15.00-17.00 and I bought the HE kind for 64 loads.

The ingredients to make this detergent only cost a few dollars.
The recipe it self would be under $2.00 for approx. 40 loads (maybe less if I knew the numbers LOL).

Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent

What you need:
1 Bar Soap (Pure & Natural, Kirk's, Fels-Naptha or one you prefer)
1 Cup Washing Soda (not baking soda)
1/2 Cup Borax

You can Grate or Chop the bar soap.
If you Grate you do not need to use a Food Processor.
Since I am making a Powder Detergent I wanted it really fine, so I chopped and put it in a Food Processor.

If using a Processor, put all your ingredients in...

Pulse until well mixed and fine.

I recycled a plastic container to store the powder.

If you didn't use a Food Processor, just Grate the bar and mix the ingredients.

You can mix a few drops of essential oil in as well, perhaps orange, lavender or tea tree.

To Use:
1 TBS or 2 TBS for heavily soiled loads

There is also a recipe to make this a liquid detergent. I haven't tried it yet.
When I do, I'll post it.

additional info:
Why I chose Kirk's Soap
No Animal By-Products, Never Tested on Animals, Hypoallergenic, Biodegradable, No Synthetic Detergents

Check back later for a fun Upcycle project!
~Patricia

Princess Jasmine Bling Tee

"Wonderful! Magnificent! Glorious!… "
is what the Genie in the Aladdin calls Princess Jasmine
and she's just that on this Shinny Bling Tee


I just listed this brand new design in an eBay Auction

Bid Now to get one for your Princess Fan or
for your visit to the Most Magical Place on Earth!

~Patricia

Spring Garden Hazard

To much shock and amazement from my family I am still gardening!
I actually grew lettuce and spinach over the winter and they are still doing well in the spring garden.
Here's what I have growing in our Spring 2009 Square Foot Garden


We had a very mild winter here in Florida but this Spring has been a different story.
Mid 80's one day and 60's the next (Northerners will have a good laugh at that but it's a big drop for Florida). The cold fronts have been accompanied by strong winds and rain. The rain is Great...we really need it and my grass looks fabulous.
My tomato plants are not holding "Up" well to the wind.
Here's what they should look like
Tall, Beautiful, Green, Lots of tomatoes growing, with a couple strawberry plants taking up the extra space


But for the past 2 weeks they have looked more like THIS

Yes, they still have lots of tomatoes, even a few turning red.
I am pretty sure they shouldn't be laying down and the low branches are taking a beating.
They are turning yellow and brown.

After they fall over I head out and carefully pick them back up.
The top section of one of the plants broke off. It had a bunch of tomatoes on it so I stuck it in the ground with the hopes that it will root.

If you followed my gardening adventures last summer you know I didn't have much luck with tomatoes. My plants were attacked by a Tomato Horn Worm. The plants eventually died.

To add to the tomato bad luck a few months ago I started seeds in a tray.
I was so excited, heading out to water them everyday, waiting to see a sprout pop up.
Before they could even sprout the dogs played tug of war with the trays.
The Dogs Won!

I am determined to have a successful garden and tomatoes are my favorite, so I am not going to give up. Today I will go out and assess the damage from yesterdays storm. I might even start some seeds in the event that these plants don't make it.

~Patricia

Eleven

Trenton was born on April 4, 1998
David and I were young
and this little baby helped us grow up and become a family.



On Saturday he turned 11 years old!
We have all done a lot of growing in these past years.
We have a little girl, a new house, new pets and new experiences everyday.

Trenton had a fun filled bowling party Saturday night
with close friends and family.


A few days before, Trenton was chosen to read a speech he wrote in a school competition.
He read the speech to his entire school, a panel of judges and of course family.

I was so proud to see him overcome the fear of public speaking that most people have.
He did a fabulous job!


This week he also pitched his first baseball game.
Trenton loves and plays many sports
soccer, golf & tennis

This is his first year playing baseball since he was 4.
When he is not on the mound he plays 3rd base.


Trenton we are so proud of you
Love Mom & Dad

~Patricia