Front Porch Ponderings

I have decided that soon I want to start making Kefir (and the starter) along with other starters for bread, etc. I thought maybe others might be interested in this as well and just happened to run across making homemade kefir while looking on one of my favorite blogs for crock pot pinto beans. So if you would like to know more about making homemade kefir please check out Homemaking Homesteader . BTW-if you would like some homemade NATURAL personal beauty products like soap, lotion, etc. Crystal makes it and here is her store link . I hopefully plan to order some by the end of today and maybe some other things as well. Blessings!

In the kitchen The kitchen is the most likely place to find baking soda. Don't stop with using it for baking, though! 1. A box or small bowl of baking soda in the refrigerator, freezer, or any cupboard will keep away unpleasant odors. 2. Similarly, baking soda will keep away garbage odors; sprinkle the bottom of the pail, and then sprinkle again after you put a new bag in. 3. Grease fires can be put out by sprinkling them with baking soda. 4. To clean surfaces, sprinkle baking soda on a damp cloth. Wipe, then rinse with clean water. 5. To remove stale smells from food containers, rinse out with hot water and baking soda. If the smell persists, let the container soak overnight in the baking soda and water mixture. 6. To clean silver, use a paste of 3 parts baking soda to one part water. Rub the paste onto each item, then rinse with warm water and dry with a soft cloth. 7. To remove scuff marks or grease spills from the floor, sprinkle with baking soda and then wipe with a warm, damp...

VINEGAR To shine chrome sink fixtures that have a lime buildup, use a paste made of 2 tablespoons salt and 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar. Make your own scouring cleanser by combining 1/4 cup baking soda with 1 tablespoon liquid detergent. Add just enough white distilled vinegar to give it a thick but creamy texture. Clean counter tops and make them smell sweet again with a cloth soaked in undiluted white distilled vinegar. Clean and deodorize a drain by pouring in 1 cup baking soda, then one cup hot white distilled vinegar. Let this sit for 5 minutes or so then run hot water down the drain. Deodorize the garbage disposal by pouring in 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup hot white distilled vinegar. Let sit for 5 minutes then run hot water down the disposal. Deodorize and clean the garbage disposal with white distilled vinegar ice cubes. Make them by freezing full-strength white distilled vinegar in an ice cube tray. Run several cubes down the disposal while flushing with cold water. ...