Recipe For All-Purpose Cleaner

I got a request for this, so I am reposting it...

ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER

 Mix in a sprayer bottle:

1 T. ammonia
1 T. liquid laundry detergent
2 cups of water

This recipe costs virtually nothing to make and, in my opinion, works as well or better than the 409 All-Purpose Cleaner that I used for years at almost $2.50 a bottle!

Making Croutons and Seasoned Breadcrumbs

It's a rainy day and afternoon Bible study has been canceled, so  I am using the time to catch up on a few projects around the house that have needed doing for a long time. So far I have made a double batch of laundry detergent, made up a batch of glass cleaner and one of all-purpose cleaner, and now have a batch of homemade croutons baking in the oven. I always save the odd and end bread ends that come along and keep them in the freezer until I have enough to make up a bunch of croutons breadcrumbs. Here's the recipe that I use:

CROUTONS

AMOUNT: About 12 Cups

Mix together well and bake in a single layer in shallow pan at 300 degrees F. until crisp, about 20 - 30 minutes; stir and rearrange, as needed, for even toasting:

1 1/2 lbs. bread, cubed

1 stick melted butter

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder (mix with butter)

favorite seasonings to taste (I use basil and parsley)

Our Little Flock

Photos Around The Yard - Violets, Hosta, Lily-of-the-Valley, and Wandering Jew Bed

Violets and Wandering Jew

Violets and Lily-of-the-Valley

Lily-of-the-Valley, Hosta, and Violet

In The Garden

Spinach

 Romaine Lettuce

 Red Onions

 Baby tomatoes and peppers in the hot bed.

 Bigger tomatoes that have yet to be planted.

Potatoes and Turnips

Cucumbers...and grass!!! LOL!

 

Photos Around The Yard - Grapes

These Concord grapes are covered in tiny clusters and, with all the rain, it promises to be a good jelly year already.

Photos Around The Yard - Herbs

I found the idea of using an old wagon wheel for an herb garden years ago in 'The Have-More Plan'. So far I have planted sage, oregano, chives, and rosemary. I have yet to plant thyme (as soon as I can find some) and basil.

Photos Around The Yard - Up The Garden Path

I thought that this was a neat shot of the little footpath along the front edge of our house. Along it grows a variety of plants including lemon balm, irises, and oriental lilies.

Photos Around The Yard - Rhododendron

Our son and daughter-in-law got this beautiful rhododendron for me for Mother's Day. I can't believe all the new growth that's come on just in one week!

Photos Around The Yard - More Flowers

Our

Photos Around The Yard - Flower Beds and Butterfly Garden

My husband and I spent a couple of hours Friday night and Saturday morning searching along country roads for sandstone rock to edge our flower beds and butterfly garden in. I really like the natural rock look!

Our butterfly garden isn't finished yet, but we've got a good head start with coreopsis, pincushion plant, and yarrow. I've also got petunias and lavender planted in there, as well as the mandevilla that my daughter and son-in-law got me last year for Mother's Day. It's a beautiful plant that attracts hummingbirds.

Lavender! It's so pretty and it smells so good!

 Coreopsis is so sunny and beautiful!

Photos Around The Yard - Roses

The roses in our front yard are beautiful this year!

Ever Feel Like An Oddball In The Crowd?

This is how I feel most of the time! LOL!

Our Black Kitty On The Walkway

Irises In Our Front Yard