Homemade Laundry Detergent.

Tonight, I made homemade laundry detergent.  I found a recipe on Pinterest a few months ago and have been waiting for our detergent to run out.  I found the recipe here. 

First, a bar of soap is grated.

I used a bar of Lever 2000, but any bar of soap can be used.

Next, the grated soap is added to the pan.  Side note, this pan is not large enough to hold the two gallons of liquid, hence a bucket later on.

Looks like cheese, but alas it is not.

A gallon of water is added to the soap.  I used hot water because I read on another website that hot water dissolves the soap a lot better.

Heated to dissolve the soap.

Once the soap is dissolved, one cup of Arm & Hammer Washing Soap and one cup of Borax is added to the pot.  This is then heated to a boil.

Boiling.

I noticed it bubbled and foamed on top as it was boiling.  This was then poured into a bucket with one gallon of cold water.  I need to search Goodwill or some other thrift store for a large stock pot that will hold at least two gallons.

Stir hot and cold together.

This mixture is then put into containers.  I was going to leave it in the bucket overnight, but then I thought it would be easier to put into containers now instead of later when it has congealed. 

I need to save gallon containers...

When washing, a half of a cup is used per load.  Researching online, it says this will not create very many suds when using in the washing machine.  I read suds actually don't help clothes get clean and are there for looks.  Sean says the true test of the detergent will be on his cycling and work clothes.  I'll keep everyone posted as to how well this works.  Mom and Becky, you two are getting some of this. 

Buying the box of Washing Soda and Borax and two bars of soap cost me less than $9.  That is A LOT cheaper than it would cost me to buy two gallons of laundry detergent.  The savings alone is just incredible.

Friday Favorites.

I'm going to start something new on Fridays.  I'm going to list a few of my favorite things from the past week.  The list may or may not include photos of everything.

• I found this amazing daily deal website last night.  YipIt is a service that combines all daily deal in your area in one website instead of having to go to Groupon, Living Social, Plum District, etc., to find deals you are interested in.  It's pretty amazing.
• I'm in the mood to bake.  These especially.
• My peas have sprouted in my garden.  Yay!

So, I'm blanking on other things I've liked this week.  How was your week?  Happy Friday!

Kitty.

Last night, as I was getting ready to clean up the table after Sean and I ate dinner, a little kitty head popped up.  I'm not sure how long Boots was sitting on the chair, but apparently she wanted some dinner too.

Kitty ready for dinner.

Whenever we eat at the table Boots always needs to know what is going on.  A few weeks ago we were having pancakes for dinner and as Sean was buttering a pancake a little kitty paw is reaching up trying to get in on the action.  It was adorable.

Ruh-roh.

I haven't posted in a week.  Ahh!

Really, there's nothing new to report.  It's been cold and rainy.  I've been working on my garden.  I've been feeling lazy.

Sean and I finished pre-marriage stuff for the church we're getting married in.  We're good to go, almost.

What else... Oh!  Wedding cake flavors have been decided.  I'll keep you in suspense.

How is it going to be May NEXT WEEK?!  This is just ridiculous.  2012 is flying by far too quickly.

That's about it.  I can't think of anything else new.

How about you?  What's new with you?

I forgot to mention...

I have a garden plot!  I'll be working there tomorrow and/or Wednesday night.  My plot is in an area of all new plots so I have to turn the dirt and mulch over a bit more than an established plot.  I also need to haul over some compost to my plot. 

Once all of the prep is done, I can begin planting.  That is a good thing.  I need to get shallots out of my apartment.  Boots and shallots do not mix.  She was a sick kitty last Wednesday, which worried Sean and myself a lot.  I also need to figure out some sort of fencing for my peas.  Dad, got any thoughts or anything I can borrow?  Should I buy a roll of steel fencing from Menards and create my own fencing?  If I did that, I could then create my own cages for the tomato plants. 

Hmmm, thoughts? 

Lemon tree!

Lemon tree!  Look how grown up you're getting.  You look bushier than you when you first came home with me and also on this day.

Lemon Tree is a lady.

 "Can we please talk about that lemon growing there?"  That's what you're asking, I know.  Let's take a closer look.

Lemon!

I'm pretty sure I talked about naming the Lemon Tree once upon a time.  Her name is Lemon Tree.  Original, I know.  Those who know me well may be thinking, "Kali, Lemon Tree is a she?  But you name everything a boy."  My reply is that Lemon Tree is a lady, therefore, she is a she.

Enough tree talk.  Time to throw something together for dinner.  Have a nice Thursday!

Can we please?

Can we please talk about how amazing this is?

From Practical Ryan Gosling

 The blog includes pictures of Ryan Gosling with the "Hey girl, ..." quotes.  All wedding related at Practical Ryan Gosling.  And, if I daresay, sometimes quite humorous.

Five favorite things.

I was inspired by last week's Joy the Baker Podcast to blog about my five favorite things right now. 

My little kitty, Boots. She makes me smile every single day.

Boots, my kitten who actually isn't a kitten.  This morning after my alarm went off she was extra affectionate.  She was cuddly and laying on my chest.  Luckily, she only weighs eight pounds so I could still breathe.

Lenny.

My bike, Leonard.  Lenny is my trusty biking companion.  On Saturday I'm planning on going for a pretty long bike ride.  I should bring my camera with and see if I find anything pretty and unexpected.

Family circa 1988 - thanks for the picture from your Facebook Dad.

My family.  I tried looking for a picture of us currently all grown up, but I can't find a picture with everyone in it.  Definitely need to get one soon.

Zyrtec, my life saver.

Spring time in Minnesota.  Itchy, watery eyes.  Itchy, bumpy rash arms.  Allergies.  Zyrtec is saving me right now.

Quote from Pride and Prejudice.

This is my favorite quote from Pride and Prejudice.  I watched the movie last Saturday.  Pride and Prejudice is my favorite book.  This quote gives me goosebumps every time I watch the movie.

A change in pace.

I haven't blogged in almost a week.  I'm sorry.  I've been busy-ish.

So, in lieu of last week's downer of a post, I think I'm going to go back to weighing myself of the 1st and 15th of the month.  I know, I started Weigh in Wednesdays because I felt like I didn't keep myself accountable enough.  I'm still in a funk from last Wednesday.  I don't like that funk mentality, so I want to go back to the lifestyle changes roots. 

That means, weigh day will be on the 1st and 15th of every month.  What do you think of me switching back to different weigh days?  Do you think it is a good idea?  Also, I've been toying with the idea of posting my weight.  Just toying, not decided yet.  Thoughts?

Weigh in Wednesday

No beating around the bush today.

April 4, 2012: +1.7 pounds, -36 pounds total

I have a problem.  I have a food addiction.  I love sweets.  I can be trusted around anything with sugar in it.  I need a sugar intervention.  I love to bake, which in turn, makes me want to eat everything I bake.  Basically, that means no baking.  I think I need a sugar detox.  Or to only eat savory foods, no sweets.  I need help with my eating.  I need to be better at tracking things in Lose It.  I need to quit making excuses for myself. 

This weight loss thing is hard.  I knew that.  I lost the motivation I had in the beginning.  I'm at the weight I was during college.  My clothes are fitting again.  In turn, that makes me feel comfortable.  But.  I'm still incredibly unhappy with the way I look.  So unhappy. 

Like I said, I have a food addiction.  I eat because I'm bored.  I'm bored because I have a sad social life.  I eat to numb the pain of feeling like I have no friends.  I've been this way my whole life.  I've eaten to numb the pain of something else going on.  That has to be the most real and vulnerable thing I've said here.  This is real life.

Reasons why I eat to fill the void of:

• feeling like I've lost all of my close friends.
• pushing away the friends that were once close to me.
• feeling like a failure when it comes to my career -- I know what I want to do with my life, but I can't do that without years of experience and no one will give me the experience I need.  Feeling like a failure.

This feeling is a double edge sword.  I still have thoughts of this below.

Reasons why I want to be as healthy as possible:

• To feel good about myself and be happy with myself.
• When Sean and I are ready to have a baby a few years from now, I want my body to be in tip top shape.
• To be happy.  I know reaching my goal weight will not make instant happiness, but the journey of getting there and working my ass of (literally) is what will make me happy.

It's kind of a sad state around these parts.  Never fear, I'm still the happy, optimistic person I usually am, but a weight gain makes these kinds of thoughts run through my head.  I don't want to sugar coat things.  This little bloggy blog is me and sometimes I'm sad and down on myself.

I'll be back to my bubbly self in the next blog post. 

Wedding shoes.

My wedding day apparel.  Dress, check.  Veil, check.  Shoes, no bueno.  I love shoes and I'm disappointed I haven't found anything I love yet.  I am sticking to flats since Sean and I are the same height, I don't want to be towering above him and feeling all awkward.

Here's some shoes I've been lusting after, but something has always been a bit off and I haven't 100% decided yet.

Cece Suede Ballet Flats from J.Crew

Ah, I love these.  They're perfect!  Too bad they're $128 for a small ballet flat.  Sad.  To rich for my blood.

White Glitter TOMS

Of course my list needs to include TOMS.  This is the first of many TOMS I like. 

Silver Crochet TOMS

They look gray to me instead of silver.  I think it would work, but I'm not totally sold.  And I think if I'm going to have colored shoes, I want yellow not gray.

Pewter Glitter TOMS

Okay, ignore the comment I just said about wanting yellow instead of gray.  I was perusing the TOMS website some more and I came across these.  Sweet Jesus, I am smitten.  As of right now, these are my front runner.  I can get behind something this glittery. 

Movember TOMS

I've decided I want to wear TOMS for the wedding.  Not only are they incredibly comfortable, I already own a pair that I love.  Originally, Becky had gotten the Movember TOMS for me for Christmas, but I have huge feet.  I went to exchange them at Nordstrom's and they didn't have my correct size.  I got the burlap TOMS instead (which I love just as much).  And!  There's a mustache on the side of this shoe.  I have a strange obsession with mustaches.  I think a mustache finger tattoo would be a fantastic thing. 

Yellow Palmetto TOMS

My favorites are the Pewter Glitter, Movember, and Yellow Palmetto.  What do you think?