Anne & The Chipmunks "I'm Yours"

Mr. Cruz

Peek-a-Boo

New Camera Lens

I got two lenses for the price of one for my birthday. The Nikkor 200 that I have been saving for was on sell because it didn't come in a box and the difference made up for the Nikkor 50mm that I have been wanting. So here are a few shots with the 50mm. I love it, I just have to practice some more. The last three shots are from the bowling alley during neon bowl.

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap

Here lately I have become quite the "Frugal Domestic Diva." I am now grinding my own wheat and making my own bread, I make my own bath soap, hopefully in the future I will learn how to make shampoo and conditioner and I also make laundry soap. I have been using this recipe since the summer. I love it and it saves about $40 a month from store bought soap. I think here in AK 10 gal. of this soap will cost about $4.00 and depending on how many people are in your family it lasts a while. Not all stores carry the ingredients, but the Fred Meyers in Palmer has it all.

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine- best value

4 Cups - hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax

- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)

-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.

-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.

-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)

-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - in some stores or may be purchased online here (at Meijer.com). Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!

The 80's Party

Allison surprised Dwayne with a 80's party for his 30th. We had so much fun!!! I finally had an excuse to use my polaroid camera (which not of these picts are from) and tease my hair. The guys and their wigs were hilarious:)

January Pictures