Little baby "N" (yes she has a name now- nope we aren't sharing yet) is due to make her debut in a little under two weeks- if not before then. Her room has been fun and challenging at the same time. I wanted something neutral and welcoming- nothing over the top- something that fit right into our home. And since its officially complete she is welcome to quit kicking my ribs and come anytime- anytime little one. 

By far my favorite thing about this room is this white wall- designed to look like an old wood farmhouse wall i couldn't be more thrilled with how it turned out! 

In case you were wondering we will fill those frames with pictures of her once she arrives- but until then we are content with the photos we took to share the news of her arrival with our families. And the frame in the middle- thats my baby blanket- her name is pinky. It once was bright pink with sheep and now its grey and see-through. It makes me so happy to see it hanging on her wall. 

 the room is complete with one big brother whose patiently awaiting her arrival! (we secretly are praying he likes her- poor guy has no idea how badly his world is about to get turned upside down)! 

Well i never figured i'd be the type of girl to make my own homemade laundry soap but hey here i am. This recipe is super easy and saves you money- big money. I'm talking around the total cost is around $6 for 550 loads. When we make this recipe/batch it usually lasts us (myself and the drover) around 2 months. Here's what you need;

1 bar of soap (any kind will do but i use dove free- i'm allergic to any kind of scents- yeah that includes lotion, perfumes, body wash, candles etc) 

1 cup borax

1 cup washing soda 

a big pot (that holds more than 2 gallons)

a grater 

a funnel 

a long spoon

2 empty containers 

optional: a few drops essential oil for smell 

Step 1- Place 1 gallon water into your pot- 

 

Step 2- grate your bar of soap and add it to your pot- heat the water and soap until the soap fully dissolves. 

Step 3- add 1 cup washing soda and 1 cup borax to pot- stir until it comes to a boil

*watch your pot carefully- it boils over it your not careful* 

Step 4- once it boils add 1 galloon cold water- turn off heat and allow it to cool. As it cools it will start to coagulate (gets thicker) usually within 24 hours. Using a funnel pour soap into containers. 

I use about 1/2 cup per load. On a side note this soap doesn't make suds like regular laundry soap but cleans wonderfully. I haven't had any problems with unclean clothes or colors fading. Happy washing.  

We are supposed to be spending the weekend camping- enjoying the wilderness. But since its been a non stop torrential rain here for the past week we decided it wasn't worth threat of mudslides, flash floods and chance of spending 72 hours in a soggy wet tent. So we are home- and i'm pouting. The smell of wet grass just doesn't have quite the same appeal as clean mountain air. Tonight the drover mowed the lawn (in the only 90 minute space of time that has been rainless) and i milled around the yard taking pictures dreaming of a campfire and smores.

 

 

 

Good news. I'm no longer mad at my sewing machine. We're on good terms again which means lots of sewing (I commented to the drover the day that my sewing machine may be one of my all time most useful gifts!) I mean hello i made that bright happy yellow pillow for like $4. For that price my throw pillow obsession can officially be justified. And now for the new spring pillow collection... 

Ok this is not a pillow but i don't think i've ever publicly expressed my love for my bedside lamp. And I do love it. We found it at an old antique store and it was a killer deal because it didn't work- step in handy fix it husband. Now the lamp works and i get to admire it every night before bed. 

 

Next task- a new bed for mr. dog. a) i have never actually sewed side paneling on anything in my life. b) somehow in my rush at the fabric store i let the drover talk me into putting in a zipper with no previous zipper experience. c) its finished and together but by all means not perfect- like the corners don't exactly match but the mr. seems to enjoy it and thats what counts. right? 

And i've been busy sewing more dog collars. I've been selling a few here and there so if you're interested in any or have a special pattern/design you would like made- send me an email. blackborder(at)live.com- Let me know if you like them because this is my test run to see if an esty shop would be worth my time and energy.  

 

And my model sporting the new spring fashion. On a side we are currently in week two of his shock wave treatments and (knock on wood- and don't say it out loud) his shoulder/limp seems to be getting better. And at this point i'd just mention it is nearly impossible to keep a border collie/any dog on leash restraint for 4-6 weeks. There's no way to explain to him why he can't run and play fetch anymore- or why he is stuck inside all day- or that i'm doing this for his benefit. He just looks at me like i'm the meanest person in the world. Its no fun- no fun at all.  

 

And lastly... meet our new neighbor. He looks just like mr. dog- and therefore we think he's pretty darn cute even when he is trying the wedge himself through the fence.