Homemade Fungicide/Insecticide

1 tablespoon baking soda
2 1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon castille soap (we like Kirk's castille soap, which can be easily found at grocery store)
1 gallon water

Mix the the first three ingredients and a little water.
Then microwave for 30 seconds.
Stir well and mix with gallon water.
Shake.
Put in a gallon sprayer. We bought a cheap-o garden gallon sprayer from a local hardware store.
Periodically shake while spraying.

This formula will cover a 10 ft x 15 ft garden.

Spray weekly.

It works! Let me know if you try it and how it works for you!
~Karen

Christmas, Checkbooks,Dogs, & Playdoh!

Here Moe is telling me how it is so unfair Santa Claus comes to his friends' homes and not his. I explained to him there is no Santa, and he asked if I could write "from Santa" on his gifts anyway. Sure, why not?

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Here Mimi is busy, and she asked me to stop taking her picture. I asked her what she was doing, and she replied : balancing my checkbook.
Good to know! If I ever need a loan I know where to go!
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Have you ever heard of an apple eating dog? He loves apples from our tree. He nibbles on them like a person does corn! I don't know if it is good for him. He is so good! Look at his eyes! Aren't they human? I swear this dog is part human!
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And finally...Me, by Mimi. Later she mashed it violently. I don't want to read too much into that....:)

Have a great rest of the week!
~Karen

The Cursed Last Hour a/k/a You Will Love One Another!

Things have gone wonderful today. We played games, read books, rode bikes. All was peaceful....until that cursed last hour between 4 pm and 5 pm. It is like something goes off in my kids' heads and they go insane. The fighting is pretty violent at times, and I am tired of the time outs. So, today when they became temporarily insane, I told them I would not referee and they needed to resolve their issues. A moment ago the pair came out with tears streaming down their faces. They reached into the refrigerator and got out their ice packs and went back to their rooms.

I don't want to know.

Our Weekend!

I got a new lot of books. I hope they are good ones. They are all second hand. Although I am not an Oprah fan, her book selection choices aren't too bad. I told a fellow mom I didn't like Oprah, and she said she's never met a woman who didn't love her! Oh, well. I've always been a mold breaker!
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Auntie Mei and Uncle Keith's X-mas present is coming along. I think it will eventually be one fine blanket! I am trying to make a square a day. I need to hold myself to that commitment.
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Moe made himself the Wiggle Murray!
I thought this was pretty creative on his part!

He took a magnet my friend Melissa made for me, and put it over Murray's face!
:)

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Finally, after starting some laundry I went out back, and I didn't see or hear Kevin or the kids....

They were climbing the plum tree.

Are You Kidding?

My mom called me today to tell me I need to get on Facebook. Yes, my 56 year old mom has a facebook page! Go mom!

I am too tired to spend the energy getting on it....and I figure it would be yet another way for me to spend time on the internet....like I need more of those opportunities!

Have a great weekend! ~Karen

Update: She is 57, not 56!

Random Pictures that Make Me Smile

Momma cat
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My brother-in-law made this more than ten years ago. I put a layer of polycrylic on it. I had leftovers from the cabinets. I think it looks nice. I love the smile. I love one-of-a kind pieces like this.
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I got this at a yard sale. I just love the combinations of fibers with the ceramic frame. Too cool.

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These kittens are too cute. They are sweet. They are in need of a home too. I think in a week or so they will be weened.
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Surprise! Surprise! Guess what I found on my camera today? Moe shot a pic of himself. I love how his eyes are crossed.
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My great grandmother made this quilt. It was all hand sewn and made from feed sacks and clothing. I looove it. I want to make quilts like this one.

These things inspired me to get crafting.
Have a great weekend!
~Karen

Life in the Boring Lane

We've been taking it easy this week. It's been nice. The kids have been playing together and getting along. (knock on wood) The puppy is adapting to life in our hectic home. My only complaint is he HAS to go out at 2 am. He will whine and cry until taken out. I suppose this will change as he grows?! Maybe his bladder will grow? I hope.
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Yesterday at the store someone saw someone they knew and they said "Hi, Jim." Moe said "Hi, Jim" too.
Then he said "who is Jim?"
It was pretty funny. You may have to take my word for it. :)
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Moe is Wiggles obsessed. All I hear about all day is Anthony, Murray, Jeff, and Greg. I hate their songs and all the dancing. I can't believe he loves it. We don't have cable television, but my in laws bought Moe a DVD. We *try* to limit his TV time to very little to none. He can be so persistent though. He is pretty computer savvy too, and has learned how to find them on youtube. He and Mimi will actually fight because she will say she doesn't like them. She says this mostly to get on his nerves, and he acts personally offended each time.
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I am sorry if you actually took time out to read this entire post. I wish I could give you that time back, but unfortuately it doesn't work that way! I will understand though if you have to quit reading my blog because my life is simply uninteresting. I will try harder next time..maybe. ;)

Kevin's bonsai:

~Karen