DIY LAUNDRY SOAP!!

O...M...G

I have been wanting to try this since last year but have just never gotten around to it until yesterday...I finally went to Wal-Mart yesterday and bought my 2 gallon glass jar (in the kitchen dept) FOR $10!!

I found this awesome recipe via Pinterest pre-deactivation and re-activation haha (they changed their terms so it's back ON!!!).

So here is what I used:

(I found all of this at the commissary so I'm thinking it should all be at your local grocery store)

Instead of pouring it all into a 5 gallon bucket I just poured it all into my 2 gallon jar...here is my side note IF you choose to not pour everything in a bigger bucket :-) :

DO IT IN A WELL VENTILATED AREA OR OUTSIDE...or wear a mouth mask haha...again...i do things the easier hard way ;-)

ok so once I got this all mixed together, I realized I forgot the soap haha so off to the store to get some IVORY soap (since the store did not have Zote per the instructions but IVORY works just as well!!). They came in a pack of 4 and I demolished shredded them up in my food processor:

(yes that is a piece of cardboard...I know you're all jealous of my MacGyver-ness...somewhere in our moves we lost pieces to my awesome christmas gift from my super awesome MIL...cardboard works just fine :-))

ALRIGHT...I mixed allllllll of this together with my wooden spoon...

(like you needed a visual hahaha)

OK...THE FUN PART!!!

I BUSTED OUT MY CAMEO AND MADE STICKERS!!!!

I used pink vinyl and black vinyl and purchased a bubble image from the online Silhouette Store (which is AWESOME since it's attached to your software and downloads right away to your Image Library!!!) and I made this!:

Note to self for next time...Use thicker/bolder outline when using curly-q type fonts haha...was quite the adventure when applying this to my transfer tape Glad Press'n'Seal...

This stuff works just as well as transfer tape..i think anyway..and it's cheaper and you can buy it in bulk without stabbing yourself in the gut hahaha plus it's a double duty product that you probably already have in your house... wooo!

OK...so as my Silhouette Cameo was at work...I grabbed a snack...I won't lie...and yes it is the candy you see in the background of my awesome stirring picture above haha...HERE IT IS!!!

can't see it?...how about here :-)

and here it is with the black part in the laundry room!! I put a "tablespoon" measuring spoon in there and made sure the "ONLY" was visible haha so the hubs at least puts more than 1 scoop for his stinky work clothes hahaha...funny huh? I had you all going thinking he did his own laundry HAHAHA :-)...only when I am not home for longer than a couple days...

YUP...that's an Instagram photo (@momdad2girls_brutus)!!! I did a load last night and it works awesome!!! And only using 2 tablespoons per load...this will last FOREVER!!!! I am sooooooo excited!!!!!! Here is the link to the awesome blog that featured this recipe I found through Pinterest!!!!

PER Being creative to keep my sanity (where I found this awesomeness), this IS HE washer SAFE!!! It is not super sudsy but you need to put it into the barrel versus the dispenser...I do not have one of these HE Washers so I can't say first hand...

I hope you all enjoyed this!!!

Good Luck...use at your own risk...but it worked fine for me :-)

HAVE FUN!!!

LISA

Asparagus Bacon Quiche..aka YUMMINESS!! AND for Lindsey :)

OK...I SUCK...I KNOW...anyways now that we've established that hahaha

since coming home from the amazing adventure, we've battled the jet lag and we all got sick and then adjusted to reality...aka i finally got everything unpacked...ok not everything...there are still 2 HUGE boxes in the garage hahahahaha

ok so...dinner :-)

a while ago I got a Groupon for The Fresh 20 and I signed up for the Gluten Free menu...LOVE THEM!!!! You can find the site here!

One of the recipes last week was an Asparagus Bacon Quiche...OMG!!! This site gives you a shopping list for everything you need and also give you a list of what should be in your pantry and alternatives...i mean it's perfect stupid proof for me hahaha

Here is how mine turned out...i took a bite out of the center and then the girls and I ate about half of it haha (dad wasn't home so that's the main reason i made it...he's not a fan of quiche..sad for him)

I baked mine in an actual baking dish, not exactly a quiche dish but I figure it all gets consumed the same way so...who cares haha

Here's what you'll need:

For crust:

1 3⁄4 cups gluten free all purpose flour 

1⁄4 teaspoon kosher salt

1⁄2 cup ice cold water

1⁄2 cup olive oil

1 Tablespoon honey

1 Tablespoon organic milk 

**NOTE: I did not use the honey because of Taitum and I used Lactaid 1% milk because of my lactose intolerant-ness...came out just fine haha

For filling:

6 eggs

1⁄2 cup organic milk

1⁄2 teaspoon dried oregano

1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper

4 ounces raw milk cheddar cheese, shredded (low fat)

8 ounces Canadian bacon chopped 

10 asparagus spears, cleaned and chopped into 1⁄2‐inch pieces 

**NOTE: again...i used Lactaid for the milk and shredded some sharp cheddar I had on hand

ALSO (per the site)...You can totally substitute broccoli for the asparagus and any firm, shredded cheese will work.

OK...PREHEAT THE OVEN TO 425 DEGREES F

For crust:

In a 5‐qt bowl, combine flour and salt

Mix in ice cold water, olive oil, honey, and milk to form dough.

Press dough into a 9x13” baking dish, forming a 1⁄2‐inch crust on bottom of dish.

Bake for 5 minutes. 

***NOTE: Below you will see that they want you turn the oven DOWN to 350...do that when you take out the crust so you have time for it to cool down...

For filling:

Whip eggs and milk together. 

Add oregano and black pepper.

Gently stir in cheese, bacon and asparagus.

Remove shell from oven. Use a tablespoon to lightly press

down any puffs. 

Lower heat to 350 F.

Pour filling into the shell and return the tart to the oven. 

Bake for 20‐25 minutes, or until the filling is firm.

LEGAL STUFF SINCE THIS RECIPE IS NOT MINE...I RECEIVED THE RECIPE FROM THE FRESH 20 SUBSCRIPTION I PURCHASED THROUGH GROUPON...IT IS THEIR RECIPE...

It is amazing...i loved it...Taitum ate about an entire corner haha and Emma ate and ran and ate and ran and ate and ran...you know, like a 3 year old haha

I swear I am getting my time management under control HA! and am getting back into keeping up with the blog...I have  A TON of projects in the works!!! It's getting warmer so we are building a patio table, and I am making my "coffee bar" thanks to Miss Ana White!!! I LOVE HER AND HER PLANS!!! And then as soon as I get a piece of tempered glass for my kitchen table...the kitchen should be pretty much finished :-)

I have also broken in my Cameo and made these...

MORE COMING!!! I SWEAR I'LL STAY ON TOP OF MY POSTS!!!

PEACE, LOVE AND CHICKEN GREASE!!

LISA

TEACHERS!!!

OK...so I know...I apologize...no post in a looooooooong time :-/...vacation has been that busy :-)

Emma has been going to this AMAZING nursery (Giggles English Nursery) over here and Wednesday is her last day :-(...I wanted to make her teacher, the Principle and the rest of the staff something special so here is what Emma and I did :-)...3 gifts for under $10 each!!!

I have seen these all over crafty blogland and they are AWESOME!!! So this is my and Emma's take on the crayon shadowbox!!

Good ol' Ikea had the shadowbox for $4 and I just took the card stock frame out, covered the cardboard back with some construction paper I had, made a dotted "Miss Lisa" for Emma to trace and then we used glue tape to get the crayons ($1/pack and i think we sued 3 1/2 boxes) to hold in an "L"...OH, I made an "L" stencil and put the crayons on top...super easy peasy! Super quick, personal gift for about $7!!

Next, I found this free printable over at Skip to my Lou for the Principle's gift and (minus the twine) I mimicked her card...I mean for reals, what a cool idea to thank anyone for anything!!  Here's my finished product (I also wrote a note for her on the back). I am going to put it in a basket with some cookies and the super cute mug my dad and step mom found at Zayed College!

I had everything on hand and didn't buy the cup (heehee but I think it was about $5 or $6) so aside from the cookies and gift card, this could be a free craft!! Ok...ok...I bought a Starbucks coffee juuuuuust so I could get the sleeve hahaha

Neeeeeeeeeeexxxxxxxxxt haha, Emma and I made this M&M Jar for the rest of the staff because, really,  everyone is a teacher in a nursery and Emma wanted to get EVERYONE something...I haven't won the lottery yet hahaha so this seemed perfect!!

I found the poem over with Tina at Mommy's Kitchen (she has some super really amazing recipes!!!).  I modified the poem (have to had...pretty much made it past tense) and added the colored M&M's to the poem.  Obviously, you can customize the jar how you want...make it HUGE..make it small...ours is plastic but a mason jar would be super cute too!! Best part...you can most likely find the jar, M&M's, craft paper (if you need it), and any other embellishments at the dollar store or Wal-Mart.  All I needed were the M&M's ($1/bag and we had to get 4 since they don't sell the monster bags here) and the jar ($2).  $6 thank you gift and the poem is super cute and totally true!!

Teachers are the amazing people who help us educate our children...if I could do more to thank them I would!!

Her teacher took pictures today of Emma and all of her friends so I'm going to make a fun book for Emma later and...yeah.  Super awesome that my dad and step mom were able to find this place for Emma since were only here for 2 months.  She had so much there!!!

Alright well...more later :-).  

Lisa!!!

PS...sorry for all the "copyright" logo's on the pictures...since reading about the crazy Pinterest terms and conditions and some shady out there who like to take other people's creations, I became a little anal and deleted my Pinterest and am now stamping my works...kind of annoying but it doesn't take long so it's ok...

Alright...I hope you enjoyed what we made!!! Have a fantastic day to most of you!!! Goooooooood night!!!

I'm linking up here!!! :

Oh New Jersey...

A very good friend of mine posted this last week on Facebook...yes I re-opened it...picture sharing while on our trip is much easier this way...anyway....

What are your thoughts on New Jersey Governor Christ Christie's decision to lower American flags at government buildings to half-staff Saturday to honor singer Whitney Houston on the day of her funeral?

This would be total act of disrespect for all of those who have put their lives on the line for this country, even more so for the men and women who have given their lives ... No celebrity should be held with the same honor as those who have served our country ... We don't fly the flag at half mast for all the soldiers that have come home in body bags.... I'm sorry but this makes me sick , Men and women have died for our honor. but a drug out singer gets a flag half mass for what???

NOT ONLY...is this a HUGE act of disrespect for everyone who has put their lives ON THE LINE to PROTECT people like Whitney Houston and the Governor of New Jersey but it is insulting that he would even think to suggest such a valiant show of respect be put forth to a diva, superstar who did what? Addict herself to drugs...go in and out of rehab...reach iconic status in the music industry...sorry but

BIG DEAL!!! WHO CARES!

I have friends of whom I consider my dear family, closest friends I will ever have who have lost their loved one's...these are the men and women who get the honor of having the flag lowered because it is an honor...not a gimmick...not a show....not a stage...an HONOR!!  They sacrifice their lives, their families when they go to work every day...superstars sacrifice what? Their personal lives? Being stressed out and hounded by the paparazzi is no excuse for any behavior you put yourself through.

Whitney Houston was a sensational music artist with an incredible voice...she won awards...she's in the Guiness Book of World Records...GOOD FOR HER!! NONE of this constitutes an honorary gesture involving lowering the American Flag to half mass...you may as well have played TAP's at her funeral...

Again...we still have soldiers dying in the war...it's not over...but do you know why you don't know? Do you see every flag at half mass every day?...No...so it never crosses your mind unless you hear something on the news or read something in the paper.  

Flying the flag as half mass would be like giving her daughter the flag...my friends don't have Grammy's...The President of the United States has never invited them into the Oval Office and our spouses work for him; they don't entertain him.

This makes me sick and yes it is an over due post but I had to get my thoughts out there...it is sad she died but it warrants NO act like this. She was found in her hotel bath tub...not on a battlefield...not defending our country

This act is earned not received by just anyone...If I were her family, I would be ashamed that the Governor would even suggest such a thing

Say what you will but in the end I stand by my word and this is a shameful act of disrespect to every service member.

Lisa

5 of the many men and women who receive this honor...we all miss you guys!!

Valentine's Gift Mug through SHUTTERFLY

ok...I received an email from Pampers with a code that gave me a free white mug through Shutterfly!!

UM HELLO...OF COURSE!...So here is what I did!! 

Good ol' construction paper...markers...glitter glue...scissors of course :-)...and...

VOILA!!!

I mean...seriously...came out pretty snazzy eh? and it's the perfect gift to send off since we are not home :-)...and ps...I love Shutterfly...I mean how cool is this picture below!! You can scroll right to left to see the whole mug!!!

  Collage Mug

Send Shutterfly Valentine's Day cards to those closest to you.

View the entire collection of cards.

DUBAI!!!!!!

SOOOO...Saturday we went to Dubai!!..Minus Taitum...sorry Taitum...I am going back so I will take some more pictures...like of the amazing shopping in the Dubai Mall buuuuahahahaha...

LIKE THIS...CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN STORE!! SAY WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!?! Next time I'm trying on a pair....notice I said trying on...aka drooling over and not purchasing hahahaha

I mean come on...the store front in itself is AMAZING 

aaahhhh yes...me...in the amazing store!

<---

World's Tallest Bldg...

--->

A castle in the middle of the city??!!

No...those are apartments/condos...that just looks like a HUGE castle!! haha

OK...so...it was a good day!! We went and shopped...I got a pair of UHMAZING Steve Madden boots and an UUUUHMAZING Diesel handbag...for some reason I didn't take pictures...stay tuned :)...OH WAIT...HERE'S THE BAG!! OK...I'll get a better picture of it hahaha

Funny story...So...we are sitting at this cafe, Eric Kaiser, for a before lunch coffee and I ate food haha and Emma had a chocolate milkshake...thick...so...at first she is drinking it just fine out of the straw...fantastic! THEN I look at her (she is sitting across from me) and I see her pick up the glass as if she is drinking water with no straw and attempt to drink the shake...in my head I'm thinking "ooooo she should NOT do this...it's going to..." and then SPLAT!!! CHOCOLATE MILKSHAKE AAALLLLLLL OVER HER FACE AND EVERYTHING!!!

What did I do...

BUUUUUUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

....YES...I laughed in my 3 year old's face because I saw it happening just before it happened and I thought it was HIIIIIILARIOUS!!!!!

Emma...MOM!!! IT'S NOT FUNNY!!! STOP LAUGHING AT ME!!

UM...NO! heehee...it was so funny...yes I had a change of clothes and yes she was fine afterwards but come on people...so funny!!! I couldn't get a picture quick enough though :-( hahaha

OMG...then we had lunch at Mango Tree...SO GOOD!! Thai food yummmmm....of course I picked spicy as HECK lobster with chili sauce...MY MOUTH WAS ON FIIIIIIIRE

 aaaahhhh...yes...and I had a strawberry lemon martini YUMMMMMMM

FIIIIIIRRREEEE...but it was so gooood

LMAO..did i mention the shell was in the dish? and when I put the lobster together to show Emma she got suuuuuper scared??!!...No?...hahaha OMG...I had to ask the waiter to take the shell away from the table hahahaha

BUT...it was sooooo goood...

OK...so then we had High Tea at the Burj Al Arab aka Sailboat hotel in Dubai :-).....sooooooooo fun!!! 

I mean this hotel is amazing...the architecture is so beautiful and everything is super nice and it's just amazing...we got a little lost took a detour on the way but you know as long as you can see your destination and it's getting bigger and not smaller, then it's ok hahahahaha

so our reservations were at 6...we were there at 630...meh...whatevers haha

ok so then drooooooooooove back to Abu Dhabi and the week started Sunday and Emma went back to school and pilates and then yoga today and all is well :-)...OH and we skyped with Nona!!

I leave you with some more pictures :)...

<---- Emma can you pleeeeeeeeeeeeease take a picture with me?!?!

------>

Being classy as usual in a 10 star hotel hahaha

<---- Looking up as far as I could from the lobby!! Everything you see that is gold...is real gold!! 

---->

WHOOOOOOOA!!!!

<----- Super cool "dancing" fountain!!

I swear...more touristy pictures next time :-)

~ Lisa

Super Slacker...my bad :-/

HELLOOOOO ALL!!

So we made it to Abu Dhabi!!! Here is the long and short of it all...Emma got here 2 weeks before the Tater and I...The Tater and I got stuck in Chicago for 2 HOURS...on the plane...it literally looked like the snow was burying the plane and then they had to de-ice the plane..that was "comforting" hahaha but, nevertheless, we MADE IT!!

*** OK...I always get asked "You're going where?? Abu what??" and then I always "Do you know where Dubai is? Like an hourish away"...OOOOOOOOOOOOHHH....SO...This is where Abu Dhabi is :-) ***

SOOOOO...we've been here 1 week and Taitum has adjusted fantastically to the 12 hour time change which is so nice now...Emma is having so much fun!! Emma goes to a "nursery" aka school here 5 days a week for 6-7 hours a day which is super nice and she LOVES it!! I've been going to the gym with my step mom 4 days a week..pilates, yoga, cardio...feels good...and of course shopping around :)

Nothing too crazy exciting as of right now BUT we are headed to Dubai tomorrow!! Many pictures will come soon I promise!! And I am going to try and get something posted at least 2-3 times a week..so...it will probably happen 1-2 times hahahaha :-)

I get to fool around with my fantastico Silhouette software and create some stencils which is great fun for me so once we get home...I'll be a printing MACHINE!!!

OK...I hope everyone had a fantastic week!!! We are having a great time and enjoying all of it!!

More later :-)...have an amazing weekend!!!

~ Lisa