January 2013

Here are some pictures of this past January, some of you have seen some pics from instagram but for others who don't have here it is. We had some of the kids in our congregation over at our house, they're all cousins and brothers and sisters. The rest is when Abby and I finally had a weekend off together. Hope you like.

The kids playing dance central video game

Our "adopted kids"

our weekend off together heading out

Josh brought me to Sunken Gardens. Beautiful scenery.

So many varieties of palm trees and so tall

At the gift shop. Josh found finger puppets

We wanted to check the Chihuly museum. It's glass blown art, but we didn't have enough time. That thing is glass formed.

On our way home just before reaching the bridge, we pulled over to finish seeing the sunset.

Sunset right off the highway

We didn't wanna go home just yet so we went mini golfing

There was a portion that had live baby alligators and you can feed them. yes they are real.

Laundry time

So I found a recipe for laundry soap and an all-purpose cleaner i really like. There are 2 other blogs you can check out for these and other recipes, the second one has info on the price breakdown of making this laundry soap i like and how they put a scent in there's. i have not tried putting anything yet into mine for scent, i have skin allergy problems to certain detergents so wanted to make sure first that the soap didn't bother me-so far so good!

Here are the blogs:

http://trhr1972.blogspot.com/p/homemade-cleaning-supplies.html

http://thethriftycouple.com/2012/02/02/make-your-own-laundry-detergent-with-scent-like-tide-and-all-surf/

The laundry recipe I like is this:

(makes about 50 loads and the supplies you buy make about 3 batches)

2 cups borax

2 cups super washing soda

2 cups baking soda

1/2 bar zote soap (full bar if Fels Naptha )

I have an extra grater so i grate the soap and mix all ingredients in a plastic container with a lid. Use about 2 tbls. (or 1/8 cup) per load.

*You can also add Hydrogen peroxide and some baking soda to your washer if stuff is really dirty or use that with some water to soak clothes before washing (1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide with 1/2 cup baking soda and as much water you need)

The all - purpose cleaner:

1 spray bottle

1/4 cup white vinegar

2 tsp. borax

1/4 cup liquid soap (I used dawn to help with grease)

Mix all ingredients in bottle then fill to top with Hot water. You can also use they say about 20 drops of essential oil, but I have not tried that yet.

If anyone has tried these or some other recipes for homemade cleaning ect. products tell me how you liked them or what you did different! Email me or leave comment.