Homemade Laundry Soap

I know crazy!! But it is wonderful stuff and CHEAP!! Juliet has had a rash since she was born and it is now going away. Great for the baby and the environment also, And did I say it is CHEAP. Total cost about 4 dollars for 5 gallons of soap.
Here's how it goes:
1 Bar Zote Soap, shredded
1 cup borax
1 cup baking soda
2 cups super washing soda
4 gallons water

Put the shredded soap in a large stockpot with 1 gallon water. Heat on low until dissolved, if not dissolving add more water. After the soap is dissolved turn off heat and add other ingredients and stir. It will become thick. Let cool overnight and put into a storage container. Add one cup to each load of laundry. So easy.

Weekly Menu 5/16-5/22

It's been forever posting. Lots going on with the end of school and Juliet. Ready for summer and a break from the norm. So here goes, this week is a little different because Daniel and I celebrate our 10th anniversary this week and we are celebrating. I LOVE my husband so much and thank God everyday for our wonderful little family.

Sunday 5/16
Yard work all day so we had quick sandwiches
Turkey, bacon, avocado on onion rolls.

Monday 5/17
Chicken, Pablano, and queso sausage
Rice and Veggies

Tuesday 5/18
Spicy Sesame Noodles with Roasted Chicken
from the "For The Love of Cooking Blog"

Wednesday 5/19
Spiced chicken with couscous salad
From Real Simple June 2010

Thursday 5/20
Our Anniversary
Lemony Grilled Lamb Kebabs with peppers and onions
Orzo salad with Zucchini and Feta
Mint ans Scallion Relish
From Real Simple June 2010

Friday and Saturday we will be in town eating at wonderful restaurants.
Sunday we will be going to brunch at Hugo's, I'm so excited about this!!!

The Garden

Mint
Seedlings

I love that it is spring! The garden is ready. Last year we enjoyed our garden so much. It produced so much that we had plenty to give away and we put some up too. Most of the small tomatoes never made it into the house. They got eaten in the garden by two little girls. We put the garden on the ugly side of the house with the a/c unit so it is out of sight. We also have a compost bin out there that is very useful. This year we started everything from seeds, it is so much more satisfying to see it really grow. Greta loves to look at the seeds every day, and we just have to keep Juliet from picking everything. Can't wait for it to start producing.

The Great Horse Race

At Greta's school the first grade does horse races every spring. The Friday before spring break we had ours. We made the horse out of a box and put as much sparkles on it as possible. She did great and there were a lot of very creative horses. All of the children had fun and were so cute.

Try it #2 Cherry Cream Scones

Today I made Cherry Cream Scones. Let me just say it was MESSY! I had to tweak the recipe alot. But I made them and they do not look perfect but they taste wonderful. The tart cherries blend perfectly with the creaminess of the scone. Cranberries would be perfect in these also, but I will never know (can't have them, BOO!). I had alot of fun but I must clean the mountain of flour off of the floor.

Sara

Try It #1- Simply Delicious Yellow Cake

I did it! I made a cake that actually tasted good and came out sort of pretty. I would not be embarrassed if someone came to eat it right now. The edges are a little dry, so I do need to adjust the baking time a little. But other than that it is great. Greta even wanted some in her lunch today. I did use store bought frosting because I had it in the pantry but I added pink food coloring to make it pink. Here are the pictures they are not that great because I do not have a fancy camera.

Sara

A New Challange For Myself

Lately I have been thinking about baking. I really want to be a good baker. I LOVE to cook and most everything comes out great but baking is another story. I always make my children's birthday cakes, but when they come out it looks as if I let them make them. Sometimes it tastes good sometimes not.
Today I was looking through my beloved cookbooks and came across one of my new ones and I am in love with all of the pictures. Everything looks so good in its simple elegance. Nothing is fussy and so beautiful. The book is The Sweeter Side of Amy's Bread. It's nothing fussy just beautiful and so yummy looking. So I am going to start today. I really want to make everything is this book, so I am. One by one I will get there.
As I enter the birthday season at our house I will become a baker. Hopefully I will learn something and make beautiful cakes for my children. I will let you know how it goes.

Sara