making laundry detergent

I have been making my own laundry detergent for a few months now...it saves me SO much money, and works really well for our household.

 These are the ingredients....Washing SODA, Borax and Ivory Soap bars (although I am sure you could use any soap bar depending on your fragrance desired--we use Ivory because I can get 10 bars at the dollar store for $4)

Recipe

1/2 cup borax

1 cup washing soda

1 grated bar of soap

I usually triple this to make at one time to fill the jar below.

Grate bar of soap and combine with other ingredients. Then, I put it all through the food processor to grind fine. ( I find this helps for the soap flakes to dissolve in our washer ).

 Finished product

I usually use 2-3 teaspoons (and keep a spoon right in the jar) per load. 2 for a medium load and 3 for a large load, but you can adjust as needed.

Next I want to try making my own dishwasher detergent (but I have some store bought to finish), and then move into making my own cleaning products. I have this book that I bought in Philadelphia that tells you all products to make using natural items and essential oils. LOVE it!

menu for the week

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, I know we did! We spent Christmas Eve with my in-laws...Christmas Day with our friends, John and Laura...and enjoyed talking to my parents and Nick, Cory and Lucy on Christmas Day too!

I am off this week...so it is a lot of days spent cooking, cleaning and organizing closets...it is SO nice to be home. I have been off since last Tuesday, and I know this Monday will be hard for me to go back.

So, better late than ever...

Monday-Shrimp and Crab Creamy Pasta (Williams and Sonoma)
Tuesday-Pioneer Woman's Chicken Pot Pie with baked potatoes and rolls
Wednesday-Tacos (hard and soft)
Thursday-Rockfish (thanks to Todd's cousin Nick), red potatoes, salad
Friday-lamb, twice baked potatoes, creamed spinach and salad
Saturday-Chili
Sunday-Pork Roast, mashed potatoes, broccoli and asparagus

Today, hubby and I went up to Kent Island to look at a house for a job bid (paint and carpet) and then we stopped at the outlets on the way home...I scored a new Coach wallet for $46 (including tax!), and we exchanged a sweater that I bought Todd the wrong size. I was so mad that I did that, but he ended up getting something different anyway...so it worked out.

We stopped at Blockbuster to use a gift card we got (thanks Mike and Krista) and are going to curl up tonight in front of the fire and watch Knight and Day....and the new Wall Street Movie.

Have a great week!

Meal Plan and weekend catch up

We had a great weekend...Todd got some winterizations done for a few houses, and I got the house decorated for Christmas. We went Saturday afternoon to cut down our own Christmas tree. I think this was a first for me, it was so much fun. $40 for any size tree, and we got a beauty! (pictures to follow...)

Yesterday, Todd went to work on his duck blind for hunting...and I stayed home in my PJs ALL day. It was great. I cooked a roast port, and we just vegged out in front of the fire in the evening. Today, I am home sick and after a trip to the Dr. , I have a sinus and ear infection She wrote a script for a Z-pak and some ear drops...should be good as new soon!

Mon-Spaghetti
Tues-BLTs with fries
Wednesday-Book Club/pizza
Thursday-pork chops, mashed potatoes, baked beans

Then we are on our own for Friday and the weekend. I am leaving work early to meet Laura and go to the Philadelphia airport to pick Cory up from the airport, and head to King of Prussia Mall this weekend to shop, shop shop!

Happy Holidays!

LID!!!!!!!!

It's official.....we are paper pregnant!!! Our log in date (LID) is 11/8/2010. Now we still have a long road to go, but this is a huge milestone and we couldn't be happier.

I'm off to www.etsy.com to find the most perfect hand stamped necklace to mark this specaial date, and to enjoy a glass of wine to celebrate!!