Trimming Roses

I love roses! I remember caring for the rose bushes in our front yard with my grandma, while I was growing up. I never got much farther than holding the hose to water and pulling weeds, before she passed away and we moved from those roses. Now with my own house I have a few rose bushes and I just LOVE them! Last summer, after the first buds bloomed, no more really grew. I was totally bummed. Later in the season, I learned how to properly trim the roses so that you will maximize the production of blooming buds. I have been doing it this summer and they keep coming!

7 leaf cluster

Here is what you do. Once the rose petals fall off and you are left with the empty center, follow the stem down to the nearest 5 leaf cluster ( I couldn't find a picture of a 5 leaf cluster, but you can get the idea from the 7 leaf cluster seen above). Trim to just above that 5 leaf cluster. I love that it is so simple and yet I had no idea that is how you do it. I used to just trim off the ugly-looking-empty-what-used-to-be-a-rose part. Trimming to that 5 leaf cluster has made such a HUGE difference. Now you know. :)

Want to learn a 2nd language?

I learned from a blog that I read (Thanks Karla!) that you can learn a second language for free through many libraries websites and Mango Languages.

You can go to mangolanguages.com, type in your zip code and it will tell you what libraries in your area offer their card holder's the ability to take lessons for free. It is great! I have been wanting to learn German but have not had resources available.

Mango Languages offer lessons in:
Russian
Spanish
Greek
Mandarin Chinese
French
Portuguese
Italian
and German

Now with my Orem City Library card, I can log on to their web site, lib.orem.org, and take lessons free of charge. For more info on using Mango Languages with your Orem library card, go here.

Like Tucanos?

Did you know that you can sign up to get a free meal from Tucanos the month of your birthday? Sign up with Club Tucanos. A postcard coupon will show up in the mail at the end of the month before your birthday month. Sign yourself and your spouse up! Happy Birthday eating!

Permanent Marker on Dry Erase Board

If you ever get permanent marker on the dry eraser by mistake, there is a simple solution. Take a dry erase marker and draw over the permanent marker, and wipe away. It will be gone!

What to do with dry beans?

I, like many of you, was at a loss when it comes to cooking dry beans. All of my previous attempts were for naught. This is, until a good friend (who is an expert at cooking beans) told me the best way to cook them.

In a crock pot place-
1 lb. bag of dry bean of choice
6 C water
Clove of garlic
1/2 onion (I prefer mine diced)

Cook on high for at least 3.5 hours or until bean is soft. Salt to taste.
You can use this recipe for any kind of bean, pinto, black, kidney, etc.
The onion and garlic help prevent gas.
You can even re-fry them in a little oil on the stove top if you like re-fried beans.

This bean recipe will change your life. It's changed mine. So easy. So cheap.
Enjoy!

First Birthday Cake

Did you know that Albertson's will give you a 1st birthday cake for free?! Just call the bakery a few days before you want the cake, give them your information, choose white or chocolate and the kind of frosting you want, and get a round one layer first birthday cake at no charge!

Super Value Laundry Detergent

This is a great recipe for home made laundry detergent. The ingredients (washing soda and borax) cost about $5.00 at walmart, and will make quite a few recipes. I STRONGLY recommend this laundry soap. It is inexpensive and does a good job of cleaning. It doesn't leave a strong scent in the cloths, just a nice general clean smell. Try it out and see if it is something you want to do to save your family some money. The recipe costs approximately $2.

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine- best value

-4 Cups hot tap water
-1 Fels-Naptha soap bar (You can try other soap, just be sure to use one that is not highly perfumed.)
-1 Cup Washing Soda
-½ Cup Borax

- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)

-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.

-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.

-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)

-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)