Playing with Water Fire.

So my sweet, wee, almost-three-year-old was playing at the sink.  She had helped wash the potatoes and kumara, she had filled every dirty cup and bowl with water and lined them up on the draining board and she was looking around for something else to do. 

She spied Wild Puss strolling by nonchalantly (as only cats can do).  Her eyes gleamed.  "Mummy."  She says with total conviction.  "Wild Puss wants a bath."

I almost let her try.

You're soaking in it, luv.

My newest frugal tip. I can't claim this one, cheers dear sister-in-law.

I know I should probably wash the dishes by hand, and I WAS planning to when we moved into the shed. But some very kind people (gotta love the in-laws) gave us some money towards a dishwasher (she knows I hate washing dishes) so I just HAD to get one.

So to assuage my guilt at using lots of power and water every time I wash, I make sure to use eco-friendly powder. Plus it's also ok for when I use the grey water on my garden (which I do, a lot - there's a drought you know). This Eco-store brand has to be the best I've ever found - it even shines my copper bottom pots!

But, here's a trick to make it go further. Dilute it by half with baking soda (soda bicarbonate). Then mark the bottle so you don't dilute it again by accident! Still works just as good.

Now before you all send me recipes to make my own much cheaper, greener cleaners, I will attempt to make my own soap, clothes washing powder/liquid and my own dishwasher goop one day. But, just at the moment, I'm wrestling with cooking, baking, vege gardening, chickens, rabbits, crafting and quilting and children and that's enough for now. It's on the to-do list, but just a bit further down!

*And the title? It's a reference to an old tv ad for Palmolive dishwashing liquid, remember it fellow kiwis?!