30. Learn how to knit and make a scarf.

So. warm.

81. Make hot chocolate and cookies for J.

Merry Christmas J.

Your favorite...Peanut Butter cookies with the fork marks :)

35. Learn to make my own laundry detergent.

Many months ago - I came across an article about homemade laundry detergent.  In my attempts to become more "green" and reap the financial savings the article described, I began collecting the supplies to make my own.


After foraging around New York City for the supplies and finding the easiest way to make said laundry detergent - I was ready. 


I decided to make the "powder" version of the detergent for the simple fact we have very limited storage space in our apartment.  The "liquid" version often requires a large container (like 5 gallon large.) Anyway, thus begins the challenge of:

Store Bought vs. Homemade Laundry Detergent

Homemade Laundry Detergent:

1/2 cup Borax

1/2 cup Washing Soda

1 bar of soap

10 fantastic minutes of your time

First, I cut up the soap into big chunks.  Then I put the chunks in a food processor to grind them into fine bits.

After grinding the soap down,  I added the borax and washing soda and processed a bit more to make sure everything was dispersed evenly.

This my friends, is ready to use detergent.

I put the mixture in a tupperware container for airtight storage.  Each batch makes enough for 32 loads of laundry.  Use 1 tablespoon per load.

So, how much is this really saving me?


I did some simple math and came up with the following:


Store Bought Detergent  = Purex Natural Elements $12.88 150oz (96 loads) = 0.134 or 13 cents a load


Homemade = $2.99 Washing Soda, $3.99 Borax, $2.99 Dove Unscented Soap


$2.99/55oz = 0.054 or 5.4 cents an ounce
$3.99/76oz = 0.053 or 5.3 cents an ounce


Multiply by 8oz (the amount in a 1/2 cup)


0.054x8oz = 0.43 or 43 cents per batch
0.053x8oz= 0.42 or 42 cents per batch


$2.99/2 bar of soap = $1.50 for a bar of soap


Then we simply add everything up.


0.43+0.42+$1.50 = $2.35 per batch


Each batch makes enough for 32 loads. (1 tablespoon of the mixture per load)


$2.35 for a batch/32 loads= 0.073 or 7 cents a load


Making my own saves me half of what I spend on store bought detergent. (13 vs. 7 cents.)  Now, I know we are talking about cents here, but when placed in a larger context, the difference starts to make more sense. (no pun intended ;)


If I run my washer 15 times a month, it costs me $1.95 in store bought detergent per month, or $23.40 a year.

When I replace store bought with home laundry detergent in the above - it would cost me $1.05 in detergent per month, or $12.60 a year.


Thus saving me money and harmful gross chemicals touching my skin.  Sweet. 


Also, who really wants to spend money on stupid domestic things like toothpaste, toilet paper, and today's arch nemesis: laundry detergent. Not this girl, for sure.


Oh, I almost forgot - I had to do a test run.  What better way to test out how well Julia's Made-with-love detergent works than washing some towels.

At the end of the cycle, I could tell no difference in the two detergents.  Both left the towels clean smelling and eagerly awaiting the dryer. Score. 

77. Go on a date with J once a month. (November 09)

Saturdays.  The older I get - the more I appreciate the ability to sit around, do whatever I want - no agenda.    I am the type of person who likes to constantly be on the move - which is probably why as a child and teenager - I ALWAYS had to be doing something.  Every-once and while a girl just needs to wear PJs all day, lay on the couch with her macbook, and veg out...all in her own apartment of course.


Such was what was accomplished during out date day weekend.  Lots of laying around, PSU football, big breakfasts, and decorating the apartment for the holidays.  (Also - I am well aware that it is the weekend before Thanksgiving - but J will not be here for the next few weekends - and the fam is coming to visit.  So I wanted it to be all New-York-City-Christmas-esque.)


So we started the day with yummy omelets. J is a the best breakfast maker.

omelet + turkey bacon = lots of ketchup 

J is wondering if he can eat yet.

And lots of decorating.

Complete with Linus's security blanket as a base.

And baking. (Mini Pecan Tarts for my work Thanksgiving Party/Staff Meeting)

And eating.

And I loved all of it.


On Sunday - we had made reservations at Rare in the West Village.  After sleeping in - we finally dragged ourselves out of the apartment around 12:30ish for lunch.

Now being the ridiculous person I am - I WOULD agree to a restaurant where 98% of the food items included red meat - my personal nemesis.  But this is only because I had read some great reviews about their portobello burger...

Naturally, after being presented with this - I knew I was not going to be disappointed.  Plus - we got the sampler basket of fries with dipping sauces.

Score.  


I liked the sweet potato fries the best - and J was in heaven with his Bleeker Burger which had some kind of NY strip steak meat and lots of toppings.

Afterwards we walked around, did random errands, and stopped in to Starbucks to feed my addiction to their seasonal gingerbread latte.


Overall, a top-notch date day weekend. :)