Frugal Friday - All Purpose Cleaner

As the wife of a school teacher - I am always trying to find ways to add a few more dollars to the grocery budget. I am going to try to use Fridays to share some of the things I have found that help me save a few pennies. Maybe you will find them useful too.

I recently ran out of glass cleaner and found this old recipe laying around. I gave it a try and it works pretty well. I like the fact that it can be used as an all purpose cleaner and disinfectant as well. Sure I can buy glass cleaner at the dollar store - but this recipe cost just a few cents to make and can be used for a lot more than just glass.

Homemade Disinfectant / Glass Cleaner

2 cups water

1 cup clear rubbing alcohol

2 Tbsp non-sudsing ammonia

Mix well in squirt bottle.

Homemade Lotion

Well, I'm not sure that this lotion is actually homemade, but it is definitely improved at home. My hands get very dry in the winter and it was expensive to buy any lotion that would combat the problem effectively. I finally found this recipe at recipezaar and whipped up a batch. It made alot for very little money. I just used the cheap store brands of lotion and petroleum jelly. It worked wonders for my dry skin. Click here to check out the recipe on recipezaar.

Oreo Pops

We are in the process of getting our house ready to sell, so my days are pretty busy and posts may be rare for a week or two - but for today . . .

These are what I am planning to make for my sons preschool class for Valentines Day.

Click here to go to Happy Birds Crafting Haven and see her tutorial.

Sweet Valentine Treats

"Gourmet Mom on the Go" has some very fun ideas for valentine treats.

Click here for her tutorial on how to make these heart shaped cinnamon rolls. Yum!

Click here for her tutorial on how to make these fun edible crayons. Wouldn't these make a great valentine for kids to give to their friends? So cute!

Chocolate Bon Bons

I made these little babies before Christmas for my husband. He loves them, and I only make them once a year, which is strange because they are soooo easy. Probably, because I love them too and cannot stop at one (or two, or three...).

Chocolate Bon Bons

3 large Hershey Bars (with or without almonds)

1 13 ounce tub Cool Whip

1/2 tsp peppermint extract (optional)

crushed vanilla wafers, flaked coconut, powdered sugar, chopped nuts, etc.

Melt chocolate carefully and pour over Cool Whip which was placed in large bowl. Pour slowly and fold in chocolate as it is poured. Cover and chill in refrigerator for at least two hours. Drop by teaspoon in wafer crumbs (or coconut, or nuts, etc.) and roll into a round ball (about bite size). Place on a cookie sheet covered in waxed paper and freeze. Yum!

Forgiveness

Today, I decided to let bygones be bygones. My boys have been begging me to play with play dough for weeks now. Today, I decided to allow it. One problem - I had thrown all the commercial Play-Doh out months ago, due to an incident where I found hot pink Play-Doh smeared all over my new carpet. After lots of time, work, and elbow grease, my husband I and were able to get it out of the carpet (It does not come easily). Play-Doh was then outlawed in this house.

Since I decided to give my children another chance today, and I did not want to run to the store for Play-Doh, I dug up an old recipe that my 4-H leader had given me years ago for Cooked Play Dough. It has a nice texture and stays good for weeks, if stored properly. You can probably find this recipe all over the internet, but I decided to share my particular variation. I highly recommend it.

Cooked Play Dough

1 Cup all-purpose flour

1 Cup water

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

1/4 cup salt

1 Tablespoon vegetable oil

Food coloring

In a medium sized saucepan, mix all the ingredients. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. The dough will begin to look very lumpy and then it will come together into somewhat of a ball. Remove from heat and dump onto waxed paper or a plate. Cool until it is easy to handle and knead for several minutes until smooth. Give it to the kids and let them have fun - with strict instructions to keep it off the carpet!!! Store in a sealed container.

Reindeer Cookies

Check out this super cute idea for making reindeer cookies from Tiny Stitches! Click here to see just how cute they are, and for the recipe and instructions.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Don't we all need a good chocolate chip cookie recipe? This recipe never fails. I have given it to several people and it has become their "go-to" chocolate chip cookie recipe as well. It is so easy and the cookies always turn out perfect.

3/4 C granulated sugar
3/4 C brown sugar
1 C butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 large egg
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 1/4 C all purpose flour
1 cup coarsely chopped nuts (opt.)
1 cup chocolate chips

Cream together the sugars, butter, vanilla, egg, baking soda, and salt until light and fluffy. Add the flour and stir until incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls (or a #70 cookie scoop) about 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes or until light brown. Remove from oven and cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire rack.

Fantastic Cooking Blog

I have become quite a fan of a cooking blog called Dinner's on Me. I tried to pick out just one post that was a favorite - but there are so many, I couldn't decide. All of her recipes look like things I would like and they seem pretty easy to pull off. I also enjoy her good tips. If you need some new cooking inspiration, I think you will enjoy her blog too.

Pizza on the Grill

I found this really fun blog today. It is called Lost Button Studio and it is full of great ideas. I especially appreciated her post about how to make pizza on the grill. I have always wanted to try this, but have been too intimidated. Her tips and instructions are really helpful, and I think I might just give it a try now.

So click here to check out her pizza post and be sure to take a look around at the rest of her blog. I think you will really enjoy it.

Peanut Butter Clay

I got this recipe for Peanut Butter Clay from my aunt when I was a little girl. I made it with my boys for the first time this morning. They played with it for a long time and had a ball.

Here is the recipe:
2 C. Peanut Butter
2 C. Powdered Milk
1 C. Honey
Mix all ingredients together, adding more powdered milk, if necessary, to get desired consistency. Make things and then eat 'em up!

Since this recipe has peanut butter and honey, I definitely would not make it for anyone under one year, and I would be careful when using it with toddlers.