Homemade Laundry Soap

3 Basic ingredients-All of them can be found int he laundry aisle at Macey's

Soap: Use Fels Naptha, Zote, Ivory, or your own homemade soap. If you use Ivory or homemade soap, use the whole bar instead of 1/3 bar.

Washing Soda: Sodium carbonate, look fro Arm & Hammer Washing Soda. This is different than baking soda, which is sodium bicarbonate.

Borax: Look for 20 Mule Team brand. A naturally occurring mineral that whitens and deodorizes.

Recipe:

1/3 bar Fels Naptha soap or other type of soap.
3/4 c. washing soda
3/4 c. Borax
2 gallon bucket

Grate the soap. I usually cut the soap with a large knife, then chop it into very small pieces. Put the grated soap into a large sauce pan. Add 6 cups water and heat until soap has melted. Add the washing soda and borax and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat. Pour 4 cups hot water into 2 gallon bucket. Now add soap mixture and stir. Add more water tot he 2 gallon bucket until it fills up, leaving about 2 inches from top or bucket (or if you want to measure it - add 1 gallon blus 6 cups water). Let the soap sit for about 24 hours and it will gel. use 1/2 c. per medium size load, and 3/4 c. -1 cup for large load.

The finished soap is a watery gel, with a consistency similar to egg noodle soup. It is a low sudsing soap. You don't get many bubbles, but it does do a good job of cleaning. You can add a few drops of essential oil to the soap like lavender or citrus.

For about 3-4 dollars, you can make detergent to was 100 large loads, or 200 medium sized loads.

Belgian Waffles

2 large eggs
1 3/4 c. buttermilk (Substitute regular milk and 1 T. vinegar or lemon juice)
1/2 c. butter melted and cooled to room temp.
2 t. vanilla
2 c. flour
2 T. Sugar (leave out if using savory toppigs)
2 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1 t. salt

In a medium sized bowl beat together the eggs, buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla.

In another bowl whisk together the dry ingredients; combine the wet and dry ingredients just until smooth.

Spray the waffle iron with non-stick cooking spray and cook according to iron instructions.

Fajitas Seasoning

2 Tbs. fresh lime juice
6 cloves of garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp. chile powder
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tsp. italian seasoning
1 jalapeno, seeded, and minced
3/4 tsp. salt

Sorry the following post about the mothers day card was suppose to go on my other blog but I can't figure it out and I want to get a $10 discount on my next purchase so I'm going to leave it here for a while.
Crystal

5x7 Folded Card

Mother's Day Damask Mother's Day 5x7 folded card

Make Mother's Day special with Shutterfly cards for mom.

View the entire collection of cards.

Mexican Rice

Blend in blender:
1/3 c. onion
2-3 garlic cloves
2-3 tomatoes

Brown 2 c. rice in a little oil.

Add tomato sauce.
Let it boil & cover or simmer on low. 25 min-ish.

*The trick to Mexican rice is to not add too much water. Then it gets all sticky and mushy.

Refried Beans

Blend in Blender:
Onion
Garlic cloves
Pinto or Black Beans

Fry in frying pan with 3 T. oil. or so