text:
I am so fond of bees and their symbol of "industry" that I found a free printable graphic from The Graphic Fairy and made it into a label.
Leave a Comment
How much do I use with different sized loads..small, medium, large? Thank you!
Hi! How much is 4 bars Fels Naptha Soap? I live in Hungary, I don't know this soap. Thanks!
I wanted a dry/powder homemade laundry detergent so I'm excited to try this. How does fabric hold up with this homemade recipe? (Fading or residue)
Thank you!
Your soap is so decorative! I just love your ideas, Yvonne. You have such a way of elevating the industrious areas of the life and home.
I have been doing some research on borax, what I have read is not good. Would you recommend making this powder without borax?
I will try this. I too am tired of the high prices on soaps, cleaners, and paper products as well.
I would love to try this but don't know where to get the ingredients in Swotzerland 🙁
Thank you for your beautiful blog! I made my detergent today and just love it!
I am new to your blog and am very excited to follow you and learn new things! I just read about laundering antique linens and you mentioned in that post that you were going to share a recipe for liquid starch. I have searched your archives and I cannot find a post on that. Have you shared the recipe yet??? I am eager to try this laundry soap recipe. It looks like it will work very well. Thank you for sharing.
Sounds like a great recipe for laundry soap. I might make half of a recipe to start. I am so tired of high priced laundry soap! Thanks so much.
This is so cool – can't wait to make it – tomorrow…….you just have the greatest ideas………
What is the purpose of down un stoppables? Never heard of it before and does it come in unscented? I detest scented detergent. I made my own years ago and my clothes came out so gray over time.. I have found numerous recipes now and am ready to venture into it again.
Now that I can order online from Walmart , I was able to order everything and if its $50. or more, it ships free. 3 questions, the borax was 4 lbs, 1 oz. will I need to add an extra 11 oz.? The Downy Unstopables come in about 4 sizes, what size do you get? and what fragrance do you get? I am enjoying your posts very much.
I would love to try this laundry soap. I wish my laundry room was a fun looking place like yours instead of a disaster area I dread going into! Need to work on that!
I live by this stuff. I double up on the unstoppables but my stuff has lasted the last 9 months and we use 3-4 tbs each load and I still have about 10 loads left.
Okay you sold me I am going to make my own laundry soap and try it. Thank you for sharing.
I found this a while back and have made my second batch and absolutely love it. The scent is really nice but I don't notice a scent when it is dried, like with regular detergents, is that supposed to happen? I've also seen comments about using Vinegar in the wash as well, what is this used for and would I just put it into the liquid dispenser?
Thanks for any help.
Just got detergent as a part of our homemade Christmas this year, loved the post, thanks
How much soap should you use with a water
I can't wait to try this recipe for laundry soap. With so many positive reviews, it has to be wonderful. I use vinegar as a fabric softener. The vinegar works wonderfully.
I just recently made this laundry detergent and absolutely love how cleans! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!
Hi Yvonne,
Just found your site thru Pinterest (LOVE Pinterest!). I have been making my own laundry soap for about 3 years now and just love it! I also live in a rural area and finally got tired of paying the High price for store bought detergent. My recipe which is very similar to yours nets me about 8-9 months worth of detergent for 4 people. I use 3 bars of Fels Naptha soap, 1 huge box from Sam's Club of the Oxi Clean and don't use the Downy Unstoppables. They were bothering my nose after the 1st batch so I decided that I didn't need to add them. I use white vinegar for my rinse and I also have an HE machine. Works fine and gets things clean!! I also found a recipe for a "Miracle Cleaner" for stains that is
1 part blue Dawn dishwashing liquid
2 parts 3% hydrogen peroxide
Mix and pour or spray directly on stain, launder as usual and watch it disappear like MAGIC. I only make up what I am going to use as Peroxide doesn't keep it's strength when not in the dark bottle. LOVE your website!
I may have to try this. Anything new in hopes that I will begin to like doing laundry
what size downy unstoppable and how much would you say it makes. what amount of savinga do you think you save?
hello, I have made this detergent but I have noticed that ya cant use cold wtr and for some strange reason I am getting yellow stains on some clothes,(I'm thinkin the fells soap) any suggestions. Thank u
I made this today and I just love it! Thank you so very much for sharing!
Hi! I'm a busy homeschooling mama of five. I've got a household full of sensitive skin people and this detergent works beautifully! I've been making and using it for over a year now and love it! Even my son that has eczema does not get irritated by it. It cleans great. My kids can be out playing, all day in the yard and get very dirty, esp my 3 yr old, and this stuff gets their clothes clean as can be. Thanks for sharing with us!
I just made this with the exact ingredients and I LOVE it. I unwrapped the bars of soap and left them on the counter for 2 days to dry and grated it by hand in under 10 minutes. The smell is wonderful and the clothes come out clean and smell fresh. All the ingredients cost me 20.00. I am excited to share this with my sisters-in-law. I know they will love it. We are always looking for ways to save.
"Gracenotes' reminds me of the very talented Alexandra Stoddard. She used that term in her books. Are you a fan of hers?
Is this safe for septic tanks?
Never mind! Found the answer above!
Just be sure your family can use Borax before making this up. Do came down with a rash and I had to re wash all his clothes.
Hi there! I was wondering if the fels Naptha will dissolve ok in cold water washing cycle?
Where do you buy these ingredients?
Hi Yvonne,
I definitely will try this laundry soap. I love the little bee label, but when I tried to get it, I just got a message that it
was no longer available. Any suggestions about the label?
I love, love, love this stuff! I grate mine in a food processor and then run it back through and chop it. It makes tiny little balls, better than the grated. You can do it in the microwave, and it flakes, but then everything has the fels naphta taste. We like using Purex crystals for the smell. Itried the Gain scent, but it was a tad strong. II have also used the zote soap in the flakes. Easier, yes, but I just like the fels scent better. Make it, you will love it. Beware, it doesn't suds up. You will see dirty water, but in dirtier stuff I add two scoops, the scoops from the oxy clean or the dollar store brand. Buy a big glass container from Walmart. I mix min up in a big blue canner pot, and stir with a giant mixing spoon. Enjoy!
Here is the recipe I use. I grate the large pink zote, let it sit on a cookie sheet a couple days to dry out. I measure 1 and 1/2 cups each washing soda and borax. I take a small amount of each of the 3 and put in my magic bullet. It will pulverize it to a very fine baby powder consistency. I use vinegar in a downy ball. My clothes are so squeaky clean. I love the pink zote.
I just wanted to let you know I have very sensitive skin and this laundry soap does not break me out so it is really good for people with sensitive skin. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
How long does the laundry detergent normally last?
Dear Yvonne,
Sounds fabulous:) Can I use this laundry soap with hot water as well with cold water?…for dark colors , like jeans too? ..Is this soap will not change the color of the fabric? Thank you, for an answer:)
I am on a super tight budget…alot of those things are kinda of expensive for me to buy. I am a single mom living off of 480 a month. Does the receipe really need all those ingredients? Right now, I am buying Purex no sort for about 6 dollars a bottle and it last me close to 2 months. How economical is your receipe in comparison? Your website looks great and I am looking forward to reading your other articles. I am thinking about doing a blog myself…women like you are an inspiration to women like me that want to reach and share knowledge. Thank you! 🙂
Have you had issues with clothes fading?
Is the Downy Un Stopables or the Fels Naptha Soap scented? I want so much to try your laundry soap recipe, but I get sinus problems and headaches with almost anything scented. Been enjoying your blog a lot. Thanks for all the really good ideas to make our homes more comfortable and beautiful.
Is there a recipe for a homemade dryer sheet to go with this detergent recipe?!?
I got a sample of a friend's detergent and LOVE LOVE LOVE IT, but If I am not buying detergent I would also like to not have to buy dryer sheets 🙂
Also, I have heard some people say that in a HE washer the water does not get hot enough to melt the grated soap and thus clogs the machine. What is your take on that? I so want to make this.
Can this homemade detergent be used with a septic system?
I love making my own laundry soap and if you are not thrilled about the scent of Fels-Neptha like me you may like Zote it is a pink bar of laundry soap and has a different scent to it. Thank you for the post 😉
Thanks for the receip, looking forward to trying it, as I'm getting so tired of watching the prices go Up at stores and clothes do not seem very clean.
Be blessed
is there a place that i can get all the ingredients for this homemade laundry soap at once? i want to try this for sure!!
We are curious as to how much of the Unstoppables did you use? How many ounces were in the bottle that you use? Thanks!
Don't know if I missed it or not, but how much do you use per load.
Just made this tonight! It smells AMAZING! & it's makes a ton it. I had to find more containers to put it all in. I can't wait to try it out on my clothes tomorrow!:)
Do you know about how many loads this recipe does?
Just wondering why to add it directly in the tub of the HE washer , as opposed to the dispenser on top?
I can't wait to try this DIY Laundry soap recipe. I have been hearing about it for some time now… Plan on making it today & give my boys something to do, with letting them grate the fels naptha !!
Thank you for posting your recipe 🙂
Thank you for posting the recipe. I made the soap today and it worked like a charm for both hand wash and machine wash. It's way better than melting grated fels naphtha and end up with lumpy liquid soap.
Is it safe for septic tanks?
Hi Tracey, I have a septic system and don't have a problem. All the ingredients are normal things you can use around the house. Hope this helps!
I cannot find the Fals Napthia bar soap, or Zote for that matter, here in Canada or the Arm & Hammer Washing Soda. Is this only available in the US? Can I use a substitute?
You can get fels napha online. Here is the link: http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=fel+naptha+soap&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=28623098487&hvpos=1t2&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3086324864858362486&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_7na9wans0r_b
Hope this helps!
I have using this recipe for laundry soap for a few a years now and i love it, except i use purex crystals instead of the unstoppable stuff. Its perfect for my husband and kids with sensitive skin and cleans my laundry SOO well. My husband works in the oil field and his clothes are NASTY this laundry soap cleans his work clothes so well too. ( and i also hang my clothes on a line in the summer 😉 )
I am recently retired and new to all the DIY household cleaning recipes since I am on a strict budget! I made up a batch of this laundry detergent and LOVE IT!! Our clothes come out of the dryer much softer than when using commercial laundry detergent, and I love the fact that it lasts so long! Going to make up a homemade batch of scented crystals in place of the expensive Gain/Purex crystals and put that mixture directly in with the homemade laundry soap mixture!
Gini Dryden
Hi Gini! I'm with you on making my own crystals and avoiding the expense and chemicals of the Downy Unstoppable. Did you find a way to do it and what did you use? I have been making my own fabric softener with white vinegar, baking soda and Lavendar essential oil and love it! There is no turning back to store bought for me. In fact I may leave out the crystals because the fabric softener does a great job of making my laundry smell nice. the crystals do look pretty though. This recipe sounds awesome too and I can't wait to try it. seems more enjoyable to make and use than that lumpy liquid stuff I never tried making. Thanks for your help.
Yvonne, I would like to print a label like you did. When I click on your Graphics Fairy link, it takes me to the artwork. There is a link to the right of the artwork for the full size PDF. That artwork looks huge, and I see no way to re size it. I would also like to do some of my own printing on the label. Would you be able to tell all of us how to get the correct sized artwork, and how to add our own unique printing to the top of it, like you did? Also, did you print on plain paper, or use round labels on sheets. If you did, what size did you use. Thank you.
Yvonne, can you please tell me how you grated the Fels Naptha soap bars?
Thank you so much, Yvonne.
Donna and Zoe, I grate the Fels Naptha with a box grater! You will develop muscles!
Yvonne, I read your blog today and went out right away to pick up all of the ingredients. How does one grate a Fels Naptha bar? Thank you!
I have made a laundry detergent similar to this for years. The hard part is hand grating the soaps. I love the scent of the Fels Naptha. It smells so clean. I am going to try yours next time. Didn't read all the multitudinous comments; you have quite a following! So I don't know if anyone mentioned this or not, but I use a cookie jar like yours and a pretty teacup for my dipper. It looks beautiful through the glass walls of the cookie jar.
Here's a tip. I split my batch: one part with Purex crystals and one part without them. Many polar fleece and athletic tech cloth garments should be laundered without fabric softener. I love that this recipe is so easy and economical. I spend $40 a year ( two batches) instead of $40 per month now! Clothes are clean, clean, clean! And no irritation to my husbands very sensitive skin! Happy dancing!
This is EXACTLY what my mix looks like – right down to the apothecary jar (bought at WalMart $9.97 – 2 lb size). EXCEPT for the label!! How, please, can I make this graphic label for my jar? I do LOVE it!! I just made my soap mix today while I was hunkered down during Pittsburgh's winter storm! My laundry came out sparkling clean and smelling beautiful – as does my house!!
Love those pictures…. Beautiful 🙂 I have only done laundry with my baking soda, washing soda, soap mix twice so far, but so far my clothes and linens have come out clean, odorless, and not too stiff 🙂
What size bottles of the downey?
One Quick questions can we use any type of soap or only the kind listed in the ingredients. Thank you so much for your help.
I have made it with Irish Spring soap, Dial cranberry glycerin soap, Ivory (try it in the microwave but watch it–it bubbles up and then just smash- no grating needed. I always use 1 bar of either Fels Naptha or Zote and then one of the other.
Thank you for your help 🙂
I have only made it with the ingredients listed.
Thank you Yvonne for posting this, I'm wondering where you found your ingredients for this recipe? I'd love to make it but not sure where I would even begin to look for it and especially in such large amounts.
I have recently retired after 30 years in the medical profession so I am now "Chief Laundress" in the house(something my husband had to do).
Now I'm enjoying domestic bliss for the first time in years, I have even started hanging the sheets out to dry in the sunshine so this is a the next step to making it even better!
Thank you again,
PS love your blog, its my "email go to place first off" to start the day!
I have tried this recipe for laundry soap before and loved it. I am now buying liquid soap again but really miss using this soap. I think I'm heading back to the store and gather my supplies again and remake it. My first batch lasted me approx.6 months and cost me $20. Now I am spending $8 on liquid soap and it lasts about 2-3 wks. This recipe for soap is very ecconomical and fun to make and the scent is very nice too! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
This is nice information blog. Thanks for Sharing.
This is nice laundry information blog. Thanks for sharing.
I made this tonight and tried it on my sons soiled sheets and pajamas – one wash, 3 TBS of detergent and every garment came out smelling fresh! No second wash, no extra vinegar, no second cup of detergent – one shot and it was complete. I am sold! Thanks for the amazing recipe!
I have made a recipe very similar to this one several months ago which we love but I use zote soap instead of the fels because of all the chemicals in fels compared to zote. I did some research online about them. Zote can be a bit harder to find but worth it. I found it at K-Mart.
i found everything at walmart but for the box of Arm And Hammer Baking Soda 🙁 i wanted to try it this evening going to have to make another trip into town
Just made my first batch tonight and cant wait to use it. Found all the ingredents at my local WalMart. Thank's for the recipe.
I have made this twice, the first batch lasted me 3 months! This second time I added an extra bar of the soap. Found all the ingredients at Walmart. Love it!
It doesn't create bubbles, so how do you know that you've added enough? I have a large capacity washer and usually add detergent until it foams.
It is a misconception that in order for your clothes to get clean, the soap must suds! It doesn't!! That is why people use so much detergent. With this homemade soap, you should only use 2-3 T. for a large load.
This recipe is awesome! I made it in May of 2012 for my family of 6 and now it is December and I made it again today. Lasts a long time is a huge understatement!!! I hope you dont mind me sharing this recipe and link on my facebook. Thanks so so very much for this recipe. Its amazing!
I cannot find tram and hammer super washing soda ANYWHERE! I checked Walmart, Target and my albertsons grocery store! Any ideas where I can find it? Or A substitute?
Try Ace Hardware! I had a hard time as well and finally had success there. Now I stock up 🙂
Just made it and two loads of laundry through the wash. I love it. Thanks
Just mixed this up tonight. I love the smell and it looks so pretty in the big glass jar I got at WalMart. Instead of a lovely antique spoon like yours, I'm using a cute little Polish pottery spoon I picked up in Poland. So fun. Now I can hardly wait for tomorrow morning.. we're washing our sheets! Thanks for inspiring us with all your great ideas. 🙂 Now I'm off to design a label.. (yes, I admit it, I'm shamelessly copying you on this one! Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery?)
My son has sensotive skin issues that even "Free and Clear" detergents cause problems for him. I recently made the liquid version similiar to this using Lever 2000 instead of Fels Naptha. I really did not know what to expect – amazingly the clothes are "old soft t-shirt soft" and no more issues with itchy skin. We are beyond delighted with the results.
I love this laundry soap. I've made two batches since I discovered this recipe! Everyone who I have shared it with loves it as well… Thanks. Now I can't wait to try the drawer liners!! You are so fun!!!
I started using this today. LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!! Thank you. Can't wait till I can hang clothes out on the line to dry, but today isn't the day unfortunately. Thanks again!!
I love this idea as Fels Naptha, Oxi Clean, Baking Soda and Borax are all soaps that wash out of your clothing. A detergent, however is a stronger chemical that coats your clothing and doesn't wash out. So, for that reason if I made this, I would ditch the Downey product (because that is the type of product/chemical you are trying to avoid in making your own laundry soap). If you want some scent in your laundry, you can put 10-20 drops of essential oil directly into your wash load. BUT, it's never going to be as strong a smell as Tide, Cheer, Downey, etc because they are strong, harsh chemicals that coat your clothing reducing their absorbency and fire resistance. I have been using the Smart Klean Laundry Ball and I have grown to enjoy laundry that doesn't smell like harsh chemicals.
Just wanted to add that I found this recipe to make approx. 3.75 gallons, making it about 7 cents per load if using 2 Tbsp.
My costs for ingredients were:
$5 for 4 bars Fels Naptha
$3.50 3# Oxi Clean (sun brand)
$3 4# Baking Soda
$3 Washing Soda
$4 Borax
$14 Downy Unstopables
I have been making my own laundry detergent this was for a couple of years now, and I have only added on ingredient, that has made a big difference, and that is either epsom salt or kosher salt. This acts as a water softener and allows your detergent to do a better job of cleaning and clothes come out of the washer soft! I live in Phoenix, AZ the capital of hard water cities, and this has made all the difference in the world. Then i spritz vinegar onto a wash cloth and throw it in the dryer. I've never added Downy Unstoppable, but I will try it! Judy
Judy how much epsom salt or kosher salt do you add?
Appreciate DawnMarie coming back to discuss "free and clear" issues with sensitive skin. I have to use no perfume soaps too… I wish I could try this!!
I'd feel like I was sort of going "back to the prairie", making this, but with all the rave reviews, I've added it to the "to do" list! Just as long as I dont need a rock and wash board, down by the creek, everything should be fine!
I'm new here and your blog is beautiful!
Best to you,
Just found this recipe for the Laundry Soap but not being from USA it is difficult to know what to substitute…
Items like Oxy clean, Fels Naptha Soap & Downy Un Stopables ..what are they ?
How many loads do you think it does?
This recipe sounds fabulous. Cant wait to try it. Has anyone figured out the the price per load so we can figure savings?
I adore this recipe! I cut it in half though for storage reasons. I've been using it for over a month now with wonderful results. For those who ask about sensitive skin, My son will break out with nasty whelps if I use the "wrong" soap and has had no bad reactions with this at all. And for those of you having trouble finding Fels Naptha, did too at first, mostly because I had never heard of it, but lo and behold it was right in the detergent isle at Walmart along with all the other things called for less than a dollar a bar. to you who paid $20 for 4 pre shredded bars on ebay, I'm sad to say you paid $16 for the shredding! Maybe I should start selling on ebay!! I also use a quarter cup of white vinegar for the fabric softener. I have found perfection! and a tip for Walmart shoppers, if you go to the pool supply section you can get a 12 pound bag of baking soda for $7! Mine even had a $3 dollar coupon attached!
Okay, I just bought all of the ingredients at my local WalMart. It was approximately $25 for everything. I bought Zote instead of Fels Naptha, just because I liked the pink color and I bought Purex Crystals instead of the Unstoppables because they are half of the price. I will post again when I know how long this batch lasts me. Just an FYI: you can buy these ingredients online but be careful because some of the soaps online are a total rip-off. Amazon charges $4.00 for a bar of Zote and I only paid $2.94 for 4 bars of Zote at WalMart. I found that Walgreens online has most of the soaps for the same price as WalMart (but apparently they just don't carry them in their stores).
Just make this and love it! The smell is wonderful! I've been making a liquid detergent for awhile, but it didn't have the nice fresh scent this has. It is also much easier to make than the liquid. Didn't add the baking soda, as I wasn't sure what its purpose is. Turned out great! Thanks, Laurie
Very glad to see that you're back. I would check the blog periodically hoping that you would come back and I'm excited to see all the new posts. I think Ricky Ricardo would say "Yoly you have a lot of reading to do" but it reading I'm going to enjoy.
Loved this post and will be trying to make my own batch soon.
I know this is much later than your original posting. Been following your blog for a while but haven't ever posted. I love your posts btw. Your china makes me jealous 😀
I just finally finished my bought laundry detergent today after a 3 day run of laundry. (somehow every towel I owned was dirty by the time i had time to do laundry gah!) So I went and bought everything to make this today. Do you know about how long it lasts for a full recipe?
I just made this myself and used Purex instead of the Downy Unstoppables to save some money. It still smells very nice and I can't wait try it! I dd find all the ingredients at Wal-mart.
I'm new to making my own laundry soap… and I love how this recipe looks compared to others.. but I wonder if using Purex crystals instead of the unstoppables would work. They smell great, they are a touch cheaper AND they are a fabric softner! What do you think??
I've made the homemade laundry soap as a liquid and love the idea and look of this powdered soap. Just the look of it makes you want to make it! Have you tried making any homemade liquid fabric softener? Thanks for sharing your recipe! Diane
I am trying this one! Thanks.
I am loving your blog! I am new to DIY projects so I am sorry if this is an obvious question, How did you apply your label to your laundry jar? I will definitely be using this laundry soap along with your labels.
SOOOO glad to have found you blog today! I already adore it! I have been making my own detergent for awhile now. Similar to yours except mine does not include the oxy clean, or downy. And a lesser amount of the baking soda. Do you notice any fading in your clothes? If I try your recipe, I will use the "Green Works" natural oxie clean. Have you ever tried that?
So I found this on pintrest today. It inspired me to make it. I ordered everything I needed from sopa.com witha 20% off coupon for the first order and free shipping. I have baking soda at home so I didn't need that. I couldn't find Fels Naptha Soap. But I did find it on ebay pre shredded for $20 for 4 bars. Saves time. So now I just need an awsome big jar and a fancie scoop. Can't wait to try it. So for anyone that is counting I think I just payed $60 for laundry soap! I hope it is worth it because I can normaly get 120 loads out of a 186oz liquid soap form costco for $25.
I agree with Theresa!!! You can buy Fels Naphtha at Walmart for 97¢ each. I use my salad shooter or food processor to grate the bars and doesn't take long at all. At $60, that is about 5 years of laundry soap 🙁
Shelli.. $20 for 4 bars grated bars of the Fels Naptha was no bargain… Fels Naptha is only $1 a bar and only takes 3 minutes at the most to grate. The person selling it on Ebay is ripping people off!!!
So that Shelli doesn't feel so ripped off, the gal she bought it from was also paid for her gas and time to shop for the soap, bring it home as well as the time it took to grate it. Yes, that is a convenience for sure but if you do a by the hour comparison the gal is not clearing very much in the long run. Shelli simply bought a convenience and saved herself a bunch of searching time if she couldn't find it locally. <3
Most of these items can be found in the soaps/detergent aisle at your grocery store. Might be worth it to do some cost comparisons. You could also use Ivory soap instead of the Fels Naptha, which I have a hard time finding and is cheaper!
How much do you use for a load of laundry?
I'm going to make this tomarrow and I can't wait!!! Do you use fabric softener as well as the detergent?
I LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog and so glad you're back. You are truly a blessed and talented woman of God.
I don't use fabric softener, but I don't think it would hurt!
Thanks for the sweet comment!
Hi Yvonne!
I just made this and I love it! Very nice scent. (I used the lavender Downy Unstoppables.) Just in case other readers live in my area (northeast GA): WalMart had all the ingredients except the Borax and the Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda. They normally carry both, but were out of stock so I found both at Publix. I have a little over $35 in ingredients, but it made a TON!! Thanks for sharing. This was a fun, practical and thrifty project!
Yvonne, I'm wondering the same thing as Patty (above) about the UnStopables…I'm guessing that you used the lavendar scent and the yellow is the Fels Naptha soap (grated). Another question, did you use the regular Oxyclean or the 'perfume free/dye free' version? I thought this might matter since you're adding a scent with the unstopables. Can't wait to try this!
Did you use two different fragrances of unstoppables? I see lavender and a yellow color in the mix. I saw one labeled "fresh" and one was lavender. I love the idea of mixing my own laundry detergent. Thanks,
Really a nice post.
Kiss My Face Soap
Lovely idea to make those mundane chores a bit more enjoyable.
Great to have you be a part of Seasonal Sundays.
– The Tablescaper
Looking so forward to making this.I found all of the ingredients as well as a large glass container with lid at our local Wal-Mart. Blessings for a beautiful day !!!!!
Yvonne, this recipe will be better than the previous one I made because of the Oxy and the Downy Unstoppables. I made a batch yesterday for my daughter. She LOVES it! I will never use a commercially made laundry detergent again. Thank you for sharing this wonderfully scented, hard working recipe.
Will definitely have to try this…not only does it sound wonderful, it looks very pretty in that jar!!
Yvonne, I have got to try this. I am tired of paying huge amounts for laundry detergent and then they don't even clean that well. I have never heard of the Downey unstoppables, but hopefully will find them. Beautiful pictures.
I'll have to give this a try, Yvonne! I love that your laundry powder looks so pretty, too.
It looks too pretty to use in my creepy laundry room basement! I might have to give it a try though. Thanks for stopping by, Laura
How neat! I will try it! Joann
Yvonne, only you would come up with a beautiful way to do laundry! The pretty homemade detergent in such a pretty jar and a pretty scoop. It just has to smell as lovely as it looks. Love you label too. Have a great Sunday.
the French Hutch
Like "all things Yvonne", even your laundry soap looks lovely and inviting!! And, like your other recipes, I can't wait to try it — crazy. So glad you're back! You're so gifted! Kerry
I can not wait to try this recipe. I have never heard Fels Naptha Soap or the Downy Un Stopables – do you get them on the laundry aisle of the grocery i assume??
I have the front load washer and dryer – and hate them! My washer always has a stinky smell and have tried so many ways to get rid of that smell. I switched from Tide to Mrs Meyers and it has helped some. I wonder if this recipe will help?? Anyone who has had this problem and solved it pls email me at firstname.lastname@example.com
Thanks for the great post today!!
If you have a font loader leave the door open when not in use. Any water or moisture will evaporate and you will not get that stinky odor. Also make sure you do not leave wet clothes sitting in your washer. Remove them right away and dry them. They will become musty smelling, especially jeans, if left sitting wet with the washer door closed. 🙂 I speak from experience and have not had a problem in 5 yrs since following these procedures.
Borax will help remove the smell from the washer. So luckily this recipe has Borax in it:)
I also leave my door cracked to allow it to dry out between uses. The other thing I do is wipe the inside of the rubber boot in the front with bleach to kill the molds and mildews that grow because of the rubber staying damp. That eliminates the odors coming from that.
I also leave my washer door open so that it can air dry. I also add about 1/2 cup of vinegar to the softener cup. It also helps clean out the pipes for the buildup that happens with high mineral well water.
I leave my washer open when I am not using it. I have well water, so no chlorine tends to harbor some smells. My owner's manual had a sanitize feature, I've never had to try it.
where do you find the ingredients for this recipe. I am not familiar with some of them?
you can get them all in the laundry aisle at walmart
Hi Jackie, I got all of the ingredient but the Fels Naptha soap at the grocery store. The soap I got at a local hardware store.
Hi Yvonne! I found this recipe without the Downy on Pinterest. I just LOVE IT! I think it does require a little more than a tablespoon, which is what the original directions call for. I might use a bit too much though. Three might be just right for a large load. It does smell heavenly clean. I will look into the Downy Unstopables.
Yvonne, "gracenotes" is such a wonderful expression for the sweet little things ~ I will remember that {smiling as I type now} Thank you!
I also love your milk and cookies breakfast! Perfect for me too!
*Happy belated Easter to you as well*
We rejoice in His Gift every day!
Oh, thank you for stating the amount to use! I've been reading throughout in hopes of finding an amount to use per load. The antique utensil shown above is pretty, but I couldn't tell how large/small it was. I'm sure the amount depends on load size, hardness of the water, etc., but I needed a "rough idea" to start with. I can then adjust accordingly.
I've been wanting to try this…LOVE the beautiful silver spoon…
THANKS for the input on my woodwork…we'll see what happens:)…Have a great weekend!
I've been using this homemade recipe (without the Downy)for a couple months & love it !! Can't wait to add some scent crystals, I love Purex Complete Crystals. I have a front load washer and put the detergent into the dispenser on top, just sliding the bar to choose powder rather than liquid & no problems, works well in cold water too. I too use white vinegar as a softener/ static remover, absolutely no smell and keeps clothes bright and aids in removing detergents (often cause of dingy whites, detergent buildup, and I always thought it was my well water)
Do you use the regular Oxyclean or the 'perfume-free/dye-free' version?
This comment has been removed by the author.
Not only is it the prettiest laundry soap container I've ever seen, it's the prettiest laundry soap I've ever seen!! I love this idea – oh, and thanks for letting us know it's good for HE washers too.
PS – you might like to know there's a typo in your first sentence – you typed bad instead of bag. Just thought I'd mention it – I miss my own typos all the time, which drives me nuts.
Thanks so much! I am such a bad speller and an even worse spell checker!
I really appreciate you letting me know!
***first sentence in the directions
Yvonne this recipe sounds wonderful but I use a liquid, in fact I put my liquid soap in a big jar drink dispenser. I am like you, I want it to be pretty too. I bet your laundry smells divine! Nothing like clean, sweet smelling laundry. If you feel industrious, could you make a liquid detergent too!! xo Kathysue
I've been wanting a homemade laundry soap but all the ones I have seen involve melting the soap, which I have tried but I don't think the proportions were correct as I ended up having a thick, THICK sludge. This one I think I can do and add some vinegar (with lavender essential oil added) to ensure that it goes down the spout of my front-loading washer. Thank you Yvonne!
Sounds wonderful! It's pretty too! I've always enjoyed the fresh scent of laundry!
Thanks for sharing!
I just found your blog via Pinterest and now I am a new follower…your blog is beautiful..
I have been wanting to try this forever. I don't know what the Downy Un Stoppables is though. I will have to look. I am assuming it is a dry product rather than a liquid one. Thanks for the recipe- xo Diana
I am so happy to have found your blog ~ It is beautiful !
What a great idea Yvonne and so beautifully presented in the big wide jar. I miss being able to hang my laundry out to dry in the sun (not allowed where we live now) as we did when we lived in the islands. It makes everything smell so fresh.
we have sensitive, how is it for that? i would love to try it 🙂
I am not sure… sorry!
Yvonne, I loved your words "An old silver serving piece becomes a scoop! Pretty little thing like this make mundane jobs…like laundry… much more enjoyable… I call them "gracenotes"!". I'm going to have to remember "gracenotes". It sounds like we are living in a gentler more graceful time even though so much is swirling around us. Thank you!
I was wondering the same thing as Anonymous about using it with an HE washer. Love your blog by the way.
Do you have an HE washer? I'm not sure how to use powder in an HE washer. :/
Yes, I have an HE washer too. Just put it in the tub and not the detergent holder on top of the washer.
Has anyone had problems with finding grated soap clumps that didn't dissolve?. maybe i need to grate it finer, but i grated my soap on smallest grater I have… I have a HE washer and we are also on a well. I'm using hot water…When i made my laundry soap the only laundry bar i could find locally was Sunlight.. Is Fels Naptha a softer bar?
I had that problem with Fels Naptha also. I started using grated Ivory soap instead. I haven't had the issues with it and it works great. Its also easier to grate. Hope this helps!!! I've been using this laundry soap for 2 yrs now and LOVE it! I have 2 teenage boys and even their clothes are clean and not "stinky". It lasts forever too, i've only had to make it a few times in the 2 yrs.
I also love to use the Homemade laundry soap. Another really pretty soap to grate is "ZOTE" soap. It is a pretty pink color. Thanks for sharing. I like the idea of the Downey
I use ZOTE in the recipe I have too. It looked really pretty with the original recipe that called for Purex Crystals which was purple. Then I found Unstoppables and my second batch looks so "Pinkalicious" as my daughter would say. I'm almost done with my second batch that I mixed last Sept. My first batch lasted over a year. I think this time around I'm finding more excuses to do laundry.
How much Zote flakes did you use?
Yvonne, this is so neat!! Love the label on the jar! It's those little details that make everyday things so special! I really want to try this!
Wow Yvonne you make this sound wonderful. I may try the recipe cut i half do you think that would work out okay?
I am having a $100 Gift Card Giveaway from Soft Surroundings If you would like to enter.
Art by Karen
Sure looks pretty Yvonne-enjoy:@)
I can't wait to try it!
This recipe is on my list!
Hi Yvonne,
I just recently found your blog and I love, Love, LOVE it!!! It's so beautifully laid out and so uplifting and inspiring! I'm going to try this laundry detergent recipe as soon as I can. I love all things beautiful and this just looks so fun to make and use not to mention how sweet my laundry will smell, so thank you! (Just a note: I just made your salt scrub and left you a comment about mine not looking quite like yours…any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Yvonne. Kim
Thank you for allowing me to email you for help. My salt scrub turned out perfectly…I just hadn't let it soak up the oil completely. Kim
Kim, Send me an e-mail and tell me about it. email@example.com.
I will give it a try!
Thanks for the recipe. Yes you make doing laundry fun. I wonder how it works with well water. We are in the country.
Linda, We have well water with a water softener and it works just fine! Hope this helps.
A friend gave me this recipe. We live in the country where we farm and have our own well. Our water is very hard here. I just want to say…… this soap is AWESOME! I I have a HE washer and it works fine in it. I only use 2 tsp. – 2 TBS. depending on the wash. Farm living can produce some smelly dirty laundry . This soap makes it smell so good. I am hooked and yes laundry time is fun!
Wow Ivonne, you have been a busy bee yourself! I'm loving this home made laundry soap and yeah, nothing more gratifying than the smell of fresh washed cloths. I specially love my clean sheets, I love to change them, wish I could do that everyday, like Jackeline Kennedy used to…they say. Thank you for the recipe, I like it too! Have a great weekend dear Ivonne…see you Monday!
Going to have to try it! This is a different recipe than what I have seen and I like the sound of this recipe! Thanks for sharing, I will try this now.
I too have been using the homemade laundry soap and love it. My son loved the smell and took some home with him. He loves it too. My reciepe did not have the unstopables in it. I will try that next time. I read a quarter cup vinegar in the rinse. This works great and there is no smell from it.
Have a great weekend.
I tweaked the recipe. I used extra fels naphta because it is a great heavy duty cleaner. I also added the unstopables because I love great smelling laundry. The laundry soap works great and smells so wonderful!
I made this recipe several months ago and just used my last scoop this week. I believe mine just called for 3 bars of the Fels Naptha. I wasn't crazy about the fragrance of that soap, so I added some essential oil to it. It smelled so fresh. I will make it again, but it's still Gain for husband! BTW….I just told my DIL this week that I love to do laundry…..she thinks I'm daffy!
Oh how wonderful.
You make laundry almost seem fun to do!
Hoping you have no rain for that laundry – vry grey and ominous here, a machine dry kinda day.


text:
WASHINGTON -- In the decade after Chinese leader Deng Xiao-ping came to power in 1979, he broke down the isolation in which China found itself under Mao Tse-tung and set the world's most populous nation on a steady course of ever-growing involvement in world affairs.
Now, this 10-year phenomenon has come to a halt. During the six months since the Chinese regime called in the People's Liberation Army to suppress pro-democracy demonstrations in Tian An Men Square, foreign governments and leaders have put distance between themselves and China, leaving China largely out in the cold.
One of the casualties of last spring's political turmoil, it now seems, was Deng's long-planned and carefully nurtured plan to develop close interconnections between China and the outside world.
"The Chinese find themselves more and more isolated," says Harry Harding, a China specialist at the Brookings Institution. "They're left with Romania, North Korea and Cuba, which is an alignment that only illustrates China's isolation. For any thinking Chinese, it's an embarrassment. This is what China's reduced to, welcoming Fidel Castro?"
It is unclear whether the visit to Beijing over the weekend by U.S. National Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft and Deputy Secretary of State Lawrence S. Eagleburger will succeed in reversing China's slide into isolation, or whether it will turn out to have been a failed attempt to turn things around.
Consider what has happened to China since the political upheavals last June:
-- The leading industrialized democracies of the world--including the United States, Western European nations and Japan--joined together to impose a package of economic sanctions, including an extremely costly suspension of international lending to China.
-- The Soviet Union has become at least as threatening ideologically as the West, because President Mikhail S. Gorbachev is willing to tolerate dissent and political change to a degree unacceptable to the Chinese leadership. "To the Chinese, if we in the West are the wolf at the front door, Gorbo's the tiger at the back door," observes one senior U.S. official.
-- As recently as October, China had hoped that a bloc of seemingly entrenched East European Communist regimes--East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria and Romania--would join with it in resisting the changes that have swept the socialist world. Instead, the hard-line leaders of all but Romania have themselves been forced to give up power.
-- When China was at odds with both the United States and the Soviet Union in times past, China took solace in its close ties with the nations of the Third World. But since June, Third World governments, too, have avoided rushing to China's support.
This fall, in another surprising reversal of the past decade's trends, three Third World countries--Liberia, Grenada and Belize--broke off relations with China and established diplomatic ties with Taiwan, which through the 1980s had been losing international recognition. All three countries are believed to have received substantial economic aid from Taiwan.
"Taiwan's obviously got enough money now to go out and virtually buy diplomatic relations with some Third World countries," observes Bonnie Glaser, who, with her partner, Banning Garrett, is a Washington-based consultant on Chinese foreign policy.
In foreign capitals, even those officials who seek to reverse China's drift toward international isolation acknowledge that the Chinese leadership has become difficult to work with.
"It's like dealing with a small, beleaguered country," says one Bush Administration official who believes that isolation abroad could lead to further political repression inside China. "Except that this one happens to be large, well-equipped and centrally located."
Declares another U.S. official: "We're dealing with a deeply wounded country, led by a rump Old Guard with very little underneath them."
From the perspective of China's current leaders, there was no choice. In their view, China is not purposely withdrawing from the rest of the world; rather, the rest of the world is pulling away from China.
The different viewpoints stem directly from the events at Tian An Men. To many foreign leaders and governments, China's resort to violence to suppress the pro-democracy demonstrations was a flagrant and offensive violation of human rights.
But Chinese officials--who have, in the past, condemned government violence in other countries such as South Africa--insist that what happened at Tian An Men was not the business of any foreign country. Rather, it was "entirely China's internal affair," Communist Party Secretary Jiang Zemin told former President Richard M. Nixon this fall.
Since June, Chinese leaders have gradually developed a broad ideological theory to explain both the turmoil at Tian An Men last summer and the changes now taking place in Eastern Europe.
Chinese officials contend that both series of events stem from an ideological conspiracy--a decades-old plot by the Western capitalist powers to undermine the absolute control of Communist regimes.
The Chinese regime has a name for this conspiracy: "peaceful evolution." According to the Chinese theory, John Foster Dulles, President Dwight D. Eisenhower's secretary of state, devised a strategy aimed at combatting communism not through warfare but through economics, culture and ideas.
"They (Western leaders) changed their tactics and resorted to the 'soft sell' of 'peaceful evolution,' placing their hopes on the third and fourth generations of Chinese," the Liberation Army Daily, the newspaper for the People's Liberation Army, explained last month.
"Once we opened our doors and implemented a policy of opening up . . . they used decadent capitalist ideologies and thinking on politics, economics, social ethics and individual values to subvert and pollute the minds of our people, particularly the young ones."
Far-fetched as this conspiracy theory may sound, it is embraced at the highest levels of the Chinese regime.
"Our struggle with foreign enemies attempting 'peaceful evolution' will be (with us) for a long time," Premier Li Peng told Chinese law enforcement officials two weeks ago. "We must use the weapon of law to do battle with them."
Chinese officials have now seized on President Bush's call for an American foreign policy that goes "beyond containment"--beyond military confrontation with the Soviet Union--as further evidence of the supposed American conspiracy.
"I'm struck that even in their official pronouncements, there is an edge, an anti-Western slant, that I find troubling," says Jonathan Pollack, a political scientist at the RAND Corp.
Wherever possible, the Bush Administration has sought to preserve the existing ties between the United States and China.
The weekend visit by Scowcroft and Eagleburger was a dramatic demonstration of this effort. "By working together, within the values of our different social systems, we should seek to solve common problems and remove irritants," Scowcroft told Foreign Minister Qian Qichen.
The Administration's policies reflect both Bush's own strong personal ties to top Chinese leaders and the more general belief among Administration strategists that the United States should avoid doing anything that would permanently rupture the ties built up over the last two decades.
"I see a lot of value in preserving what's been gained over the years," says one Administration official who asked not to be named. "The overall benefit to the United States is much greater than if we poke them in the eye, tell them to go to hell and come back on our terms."
Consequently, since the June 3-4 massacre in Beijing, the Administration has had to defend itself against criticism that it has been too soft on the Chinese regime.
Critics charge that U.S. policy toward China--the special relationship forged by the Nixon Administration--has been carried out too much on China's terms. They also argue that the American policy ignores human rights and that the current Chinese leadership should be required to pay a penalty for its decision to use force last spring.
"If the United States and its democratic allies did little or nothing, it would be easier for hard-liners (in the Chinese leadership) to argue that economic modernization and political repression can, indeed, go hand in hand," asserted Rep. Stephen J. Solarz (D-N.Y.), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee on Asia, in a speech this fall.
Last June, the President announced a package of economic sanctions against China, including a suspension of military contacts and high-level visits and U.S. support for a freeze on World Bank loans. But he took this action only when it seemed that Congress might adopt a package of sanctions on its own, and since then, the Administration has taken steps to ease the impact of the sanctions.
Similarly, Bush vetoed a bill to permit Chinese students to stay in this country rather than face persecution at home, although he then acted on his own to grant some protection to the students.
Bush's policies run parallel to those of the Japanese government, which has argued that China should not be pushed into isolation. "The Bush Administration and the Japanese seem to be in a damage-limitation mode," observes the RAND Corp.'s Pollack.
Some Western European countries, particularly France, have taken a much stronger stand in condemning human rights violations by the Chinese regime. A number of Chinese students and exile leaders settled in Paris this summer and fall after finding it difficult, if not impossible, to obtain visas to the United States.
"The fact is, the French have been very provocative in their actions concerning the Chinese students," says one senior U.S. official.
Despite these differences, the United States, Western Europe and Japan have managed to stick together in preserving a series of economic sanctions against China, such as the suspension of more than $700 million in World Bank loans.
"What's surprising is the unity and not the disagreements," says Harding of the Brookings Institution. " . . . The Chinese are really surprised by the unity of the First World on this. And I don't blame them. I'm surprised, too, pleasantly surprised."
The changes in Eastern Europe this fall have hurt the Chinese leadership even more than the Western sanctions.
The collapse of the Communist governments in Poland and Hungary and the popular protests that forced the resignations of Communist leaders in East Germany and Czechoslovakia all run contrary to the official ideology of the Chinese Communist Party.
The Chinese regime has long insisted upon obedience to what it calls the "four cardinal principles": socialism, the dictatorship of the proletariat, the leadership of the Communist Party and the principles of Marxism-Leninism.
"Privately, they (Chinese leaders) are more concerned about what is happening in the East than in the West," says Garrett, the Washington consultant, who spoke with Chinese foreign policy specialists in Beijing this fall. "And they probably see Gorbachev as instigating these changes."
"The Soviet Union is going off in directions that the Chinese regard as heretical," observes Pollack. Gorbachev sent only a low-level delegation to China last Oct. 1, when the Chinese regime staged an elaborate celebration of dancing and fireworks in Tian An Men Square on the 40th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
The Chinese regime, eager to demonstrate its international support, countered by giving top billing to two officials from East Germany and Czechoslovakia, the East European countries that seemed to be resisting the changes sweeping the socialist world. One of the two was Egon Krenz, the top aide to then-East German President Erich Honecker.
In the two months since, Honecker lost his job to Krenz and then Krenz himself resigned. Both the East German and the Czechoslovak Communist parties have begun to share power with non-Communists, and China has suffered the embarrassment of losing two more international friends.
"What a humiliation for them," said one Bush Administration official.
Some specialists believe that China's growing isolation could lead to changes in what has been, for a decade, a largely peaceful foreign policy.
"The probabilities are that the Chinese are going to start pushing around externally," says Thomas Robinson, an Asia scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. "There's a kind of macho there.
"They can sell more arms," Robinson added. "They're already selling more arms in the Middle East. . . . And I wouldn't be surprised if the Chinese got directly involved in some direct maneuver abroad, perhaps even military."
Other analysts discount that possibility, at least for now. They say that given the apparent divisions within the Chinese regime, including the military, no leader would take the political risk of pushing ahead with foreign ventures such as Deng's 1979 military campaign against Vietnam.
So far, the most immediate practical change in China's policy has been its approach to Hong Kong, the British colony that will return to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. "One of the great tragedies has been the toughening of China's position on Hong Kong," says Harding.
Since June, China has ousted two Hong Kong legislators, both proponents of democratic reforms, from the panel that will draft the law under which Hong Kong will be governed after 1997. And China threw a scare into Hong Kong by refusing for a week to take back illegal immigrants, thus raising the prospect that Hong Kong could be overwhelmed with refugees from China.
Another area where China's policy might harden is Cambodia. China has long provided arms and support to the Khmer Rouge, which was blamed for the deaths of more than 1 million Cambodians when it ruled the country from 1975 to 1978.
Bush Administration officials maintain that since June, China has displayed a willingness to cooperate in bringing about a political settlement on Cambodia and to prevent the Khmer Rouge from returning to power. It is not clear, however, whether such moderate policies will continue.
Neighboring countries in East Asia seem especially wary of offending China, which remains a huge and powerful nation equipped with its own nuclear arsenal. Countries such as South Korea and Thailand have refrained from criticizing the Chinese regime and have continued to carry on business with China in the six months since the upheavals in Beijing.
As the Chinese regime drifts further into isolation and as Soviet-American relations continue to improve, China is becoming less and less important to American foreign policy.
"The Chinese have virtually no leverage in U.S.-China relations today, for a variety of reasons," says Robert Ross, a foreign policy specialist at Boston College. "One, the Soviets are simply a basket case. Second, we have such better relations with the Soviet Union that the threat of better Sino-Soviet relations is simply not significant to American policy-makers."
Indeed, some U.S. specialists are now suggesting something that would have been unthinkable a few years ago--that the United States can and should simply disregard China for the next few years.
"I have a new policy toward China," says Robinson of the American Enterprise Institute. "Let them alone. We have bigger fish to fry, in Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Rim, India. If the Chinese want to screw themselves up, let them. . . . We have our own policies. We have our own principles. If the Chinese don't like it, that's tough."

subset: commoncrawl


text:
You can bet that when decorative-gourd season touches down, we get a bit competitive. But, with an arsenal of paints, scalpels, scoopers, carvers, and candles, our most mighty tool is actually our illustrator friends. You already recognize their work from all over the site, but today we asked these creatives to swap their pixels and Photoshop for a pumpkin. Click through to see the seven gourds that passed through their studios — and tell us, which one puts a grin on your face?
Where We Left Off With The Walking Dead
Super Bowl, Schmuper Bowl. The real big Sunday action takes places this weekend with the February 12 midseason premiere of The Walking Dead. To say that


text:
After overcoming his first-day nerves and David Goffin on day one, Murray will be back to face the little-known Rola - and surprisingly the British hero has been shunted on to Court One for the challenge.
"I don't know loads about him but I watched him play at the French Open," third seed Murray said.
"(Fellow Briton) James Ward played him in the last round of qualifying there so I know a bit about him.
"He hasn't been on tour too long. I'll watch a little bit of video of him and get a better idea of his game."
While the crowd on Court One will be delighted at the chance of cheering on the standard bearer of British tennis, Centre Court spectators will have to make do with watching top seed Novak Djokovic's intriguing showdown with wily Czech Radek Stepanek.
Djokovic is an old hand at winning grand slam titles but many pundits have tipped Grigor Dimitrov as a future champion which explains why the Queen's Club winner earned the right to play on Centre Court.
The Bulgarian, who could face Murray in the quarter-finals, will take on young Australian prospect Luke Saville.
Women's fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska opens proceedings on Centre Court against another Australian, Casey Dellacqua.


text:
Taking things back online, let's search for a track. Wi-Fi off, though, so we could see it working over a typically poor O2 data connection. Songs were pretty slow to load over Edge, and we had to give them time to load as they lurched and paused quite badly.
However, when on 3G, there was no problem and very little inter-track latency. Sound quality is also excellent.
The Search is self-explanatory, while you can flick through the Tracks, Albums and Artists tabs when you have typed in your search term. Once you've found your album or track, you can add it to a playlist, shuffle it or play.
Here's the artist search tab.
As with the desktop app, navigating around can be a little tricky if you want to browse through albums. This was a little frustrating for us, but probably not so much for others.
Here's the main play screen and, below it, the information screen, enabling you to browse the album (useful if you'd just searched for a specific track) and add it to your playlist.
Presumably this would be where any buy links would be – that must be a plan for Spotify, but since it has a deal with 7Digital, we're not sure how that would (or, most likely, wouldn't) work out with Apple.
Oh and by the way, unlike the desktop version of Spotify, the iPhone app doesn't sync details of your played tracks to Last.fm.


text:
Unleash the lawyers.
A class-action lawsuit was filed within 48 hours after South Korean automakers Hyundai Motor America and Kia Motors Corp. apologized for overstating the fuel economy of their vehicles.
Hyundai and Kia have admitted the estimated mileage of more than 900,000 cars, trucks and sport-utes sold in the United States and 120,000 sold in Canada since 2010 was exaggerated and said it would compensate current and former owners with debit cards for the additional amount they spent on gasoline.
The automakers apologized in full-page ads in The Washington Post.
"We sincerely apologize for these errors, and our top priority is to make things right for you," their statement said.
That's easier said than done, but that's what the Korean automakers say they will do.
"We think our reimbursement program provides the best, quickest, and most customer-focused remedy," Hyundai Motor America spokesman Chris Hosford told The Detroit News. "We are fully compensating affected Hyundai owners for the additional lifetime fuel costs associated with our rating adjustment -- plus a 15 percent premium."
Hyundai said owners of affected vehicles "have responded very favorably to the plan," which would give an average Florida motorist who drove 15,000 miles a year about $88.
However, the mea culpa and offer of compensation did not stop a Cincinnati law firm from filing a 14-page suit in U.S. District Court seeking more than $5 million in damages.
The News said the reimbursement program could cost Hyundai and Kia more than $100 million in addition to any civil penalties exacted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Hyundai and Kia revised its corporate average fuel economy for its entire fleet of 2012 vehicles downward 1 mpg to 26 mph -- but the adjustment for some specific vehicles was as much as 6 mpg. The Kia Soul compact crossover, popularized by those commercials featuring hip-hop hamsters, saw its mileage reduced as much as 4 mpg, depending on the model.
The automakers also retracted claims that three of its 2013 models, including the hot-selling Hyundai Elantra, get 40 mpg. Hyundai sold more than 1 million Elantras through October.
Consumer Watchdog, a consumer group, filed a lawsuit in California in July, claiming Hyundai misstated and inflated gas mileage for 2011 and 2012 Elantras. The car's revised fuel economy rating is 2 mpg less, 38 mpg in highway driving.
Industry experts say the mileage flap likely will reduce the resale value of Hyundai and Kia vehicles in the near term.
Consumer Watchdog President Jamie Court said consumers may end up with "residual values that are less than they paid for a product that doesn't deliver what they want," USA Today reported. "They advertised 40 mpg even when they knew no one would get 40 mpg."
Investors sent Hyundai Motor shares down more than 7 percent Monday.
Hyundai and Kia blame the overstated mileage claims on "differences in interpreting" results of fuel efficiency testing in the United States and South Korea, The Chosum Ilbo, an English-language Korean newspaper, said.
The companies said the inflated mileage claims were caused by "procedural errors" and said they had "corrected the test process."
Sung Hwan Cho, head of Hyundai-Kia technical centers in the United States, told the Detroit Free Press the misstatement was more a result of the complexities of the testing process rather than results in the information on a new vehicle window sticker at the dealer.
One key component called "road load" measures the resistance of a vehicle's tires on the pavement, the vehicle's wind resistance and how the parts of the drivetrain, engine, transaxle or transmission, work together.
"There are hundreds of different parameters that can affect this road load," he said. "Ambient temperature, wind speeds, atmospheric pressure."
Cho said Hyundai engineers had added steps to the testing process in 2010 different from the recommended EPA process in to improve the efficiency of the test.
The EPA does not test the fuel economy of every vehicle sold. The National Vehicle and Fuel Emission Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Mich., routinely tests 150 to 200 vehicles a year to make sure the mileage and emissions match the data submitted by auto companies to the EPA.
Suzuki ending U.S. sales of cars and trucks
After 27 years in the U.S. market, American Suzuki Motor Corp., the U.S. unit of the Japanese automaker, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and said it would stop selling new cars and trucks in the United States.
Suzuki will continue to sell motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and marine equipment in the U.S. market.
"The realignment is intended to better position ASMC for long-term success and is a return to the company's roots in the U.S. market, which began with motorcycles," Suzuki said in a statement.
The struggling small car specialist entered the U.S. market in 1985 and sold 102,000 vehicles just five years ago on the strength of such popular vehicles as the Grand Vitara SUV.
The bestselling Suzuki model in the U.S. this year was the crossover SX4. Although its mid-size Kizashi sedan received favorable reviews, sales were hit hard by the financial crisis and rising gasoline prices. Suzuki also was at a disadvantage because it imported all of its vehicles from Japan while other Japanese automakers like Toyota and Nissan have U.S. factories.
Sales declined to slightly more than 21,000 new cars in the first 10 months of this year, about 1,000 less than in same period of 2011. Although sales were up 5 percent last month from October a year ago, that's a far cry of Suzuki's ambition to sell 200,000 vehicles in the United States annually.
Analysts said by focusing on smaller vehicles Suzuki had surrendered a large segment of the U.S. market, but that it may sell more smaller, low-cost vehicles in emerging markets like Brazil, Russia, India and China, where automakers Nissan and Volkswagen are considering selling cheaper sub-brands.
American Suzuki Motor Corp. said it will honor warranties on its vehicles and offer parts and service through its dealer network
New car vehicle mileage best ever
The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute says fuel economy of new vehicles sold in the United States in October averaged 24.1 mpg, the best in the history of the survey.
Mileage based on the EPA estimates on the window stickers was 4 mpg higher than estimated fuel economy in October 2007 reflecting a 20 percent improvement, and that includes corrected mileage for Hyundai and Kia vehicles.
The university's Eco-Driving Index, which estimates average monthly emissions of greenhouse gases generated by all U.S. vehicles, has improved 19 percent since 2007, the first year of the index. The Eco-Driving Index was for August.
Regular unleaded gasoline averaged $3.46 a gallon nationwide this week, 5 cents higher than a year ago.
The average fuel economy was calculated from monthly sales of new light-duty vehicles -- cars, trucks, SUVs, vans and pickups -- and the combined city-highway fuel-economy ratings in the EPA Fuel Economy Guide for the respective models, the Institute said in a release.


text:
A milestone was reached in IUCN's history with the recent news that it has been accepted as a Project Agency for the Global Environment Facility (GEF). This will boost IUCN's impact on biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration and sustainable development around the world.
The GEF is a partnership for international cooperation with 183 countries working together with international institutions, civil society organizations and the private sector to address global environmental issues.
On 22 May, after two years of preparation to ensure that IUCN complies with GEF policies and procedures, the GEF decided that IUCN has met all requirements for accreditation as a Project Agency.
GEF Agencies are responsible for creating project proposals and managing GEF projects. The list of current agencies includes the Asia and African Development Banks, the United Nations Environment Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organisation.
Since 1991 the GEF has provided US$12.5 billion in grants and leveraged US$58 billion in co-financing for 3,690 projects in 165 developing countries. Developed and developing countries alike have provided these funds for activities related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, and chemicals and waste.
Among the results of these investments, the GEF has set up protected areas around the world equal roughly to the size of Brazil, reduced carbon emissions by 2.3 billion tonnes, transformed the management of 33 major river basins and a third of the world's large marine ecosystems while contributing to better livelihood and food security of millions of people.
Project Agency status will increase opportunities for a broader and stronger implementation of IUCN's work programme through the flow of additional resources and a strengthened position of IUCN in global environmental governance.
"IUCN and the Global Environment Facility share a long-term commitment to support biodiversity conservation at the local and global level," says IUCN Director General, Julia Marton-Lefèvre. "This partnership is a milestone in IUCN's history. It will improve our ability to achieve our vision of a just world that values and conserves nature."
GEF Chief Executive Officer Dr Naoko Ishii welcomes IUCN as Project Agency


text:
dot41s on Family Tree Circles
sort: Date Alphabetical
view: full | list
view: full | list
Journals and Posts
My great great grandmother - Mary McKinlay b.1814 Scotland - married James Rowatt b 1814 Scotland. Written letter by my great grandmother details her (Mary) as being related to President McKinley - I can't find the connection. Can anyone help?
It may have been the Rowatts that were connected. The letter states that my great grandmother " Mary Rowatt was formerly Mary McKinley whose brother - William- migrated to America, and his son became a lawyer at Philedelphia and later became a big man in the political life, he was elected President and was assinated."
Any help would be great.
- Displaying 1-1 of 1 Journals
- 1
- of1


text:
NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2006A-0579
PI: Joel Parker, Southwest Research Institute, firstname.lastname@example.com
Address: Department of Space Studies, Suite 400, 1050 Walnut Street, Boulder, CO 80302, USA
CoI: Brett Gladman, University of British Columbia
CoI: J. J. Kavelaars, National Research Council Canada
CoI: Jean-Marc Petit, Obs. des Sciences de l'Univers de Besancon
CoI: Lynn Allen, University of British Columbia
CoI: Allyson Bieryla, Southwest Research Institute
Title: The Kuiper Belt Legacy Project
Abstract: To advance our understanding of the Kuiper belt, the region of the solar system extending beyond 30 AU, we have identified three core issues: [i] Well-determined orbital elements of trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) are essential for providing an accurate view of the Kuiper belt's physical properties such as dynamics, formation, and structure; [ii] A program of dedicated recovery observations of TNOs is absolutely necessary to obtain an unbiased collection of objects with well- determined orbital elements; and [iii] Such recoveries are most effective when they are coupled to a discovery program which is well understood and characterized. To address all those issues, this NOAO proposal is to make recovery observations of TNOs discovered by the CFHT Legacy Survey (CFHTLS) over the past few years, and is a vital part of a coordinated international recovery effort. The resulting well-characterized database of TNOs will allow us and other researchers to determine the dynamical structure and distribution of the Kuiper belt, identify intriguing objects for further observations and analysis, and provide accurate orbital elements so that objects will not be lost for subsequent physical study. Our ultimate goal is to understand and map out the formation history of the outer solar system.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2006A-0579


text:
This spray can be used as a body or facial mist before going to bed or alternatively spritz your pillow and linens to create a sleep friendly environment. Rest your head on the pillow and drift into a sound and relaxed sleep.
The blend is specifically designed to soothe and calm your body and encourage an overall sense of well being. Used just before its time to sleep the Sleep Linen Spray Serum can help you get some well earned rest and quality sleep.
This product page is for the 1 Fl oz Linen, Body Mist, Pillowcase Space Spray, it is also available in a handy 5 ml Topical form that you can dab on certain parts of your head that will help the essential oils get absorbed into your skin.
As a Body Mist - Spray on your neck and shoulder and or close your eyes and spray on to your face, do keep your eyes shut when doing this and only a light spray is required.
As Linen and Pillowcase Spray - Spritz your pillowcase and sheets near where your head rests, then rest your head on your pillow and drift off into a sound and relaxed sleep
As a Space Spray - Spray this aromatherapy sleep mist into the air above where your head will be resting in bed just before you turn off the light.
Contains Essential Oils of Lavender, Rose & Roman Chamomile in a Jojoba base.
4.25" Tall Glass Essential Oil Spritzer Bottle
1 fl oz of Linen Spray / Body Mist
Was this comment helpful ?


text:
MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – The Georgia College women's basketball program and head coach Maurice Smith announced the signing of Enisha Donley Monday.
Donley comes to Milledgeville from Loganville High School where she played for head coach John Zorn.
"Enisha is a tremendous athlete who can play multiple positions, adding a lot of versatility to our team," reveals Smith. "She will also bring a certain level of toughness as she is a strong and physical player. Her energy level is always on high and she never takes plays off."
A four-year starter, she averaged 19 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals per contest as a senior, and was chosen All-State after her final season. Also a three-year all-region selection, Donley scored 1,000 points in her career, her team making the state playoffs in each of her final three seasons. They advanced to the Sweet-16 round this past year.
Donley holds the school record for field goal percentage and was a versatile student-athlete, earning Scholar Athlete honors for her efforts in basketball and track. She plans to major in nursing at GC.
The Bobcats finished 22-7 with an 11-6 PBC mark this past season. GC won the PBC Tournament Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2007.
The Georgia College Department of Athletics, back-to-back winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup, sponsors 10 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' multiple appearances in post-season competition as well as documented academic success and community-service involvement. Sign up at www.twitter.com/BobcatSports and www.facebook.com/gcbobcats for up-to-the-minute reports, and visit www.GCBobcats.com for more information, and to nominate your favorite former Bobcats and Colonials to the GC Athletics Hall of Fame.


text:
What people are saying - Write a review
LibraryThing ReviewUser Review - dryfly - LibraryThing
I love this book because it goes where I really want to. Hell if I know if it would of any use though! Read full review
FACTS FOR THE VISITOR Visas Permits Regulations 28 Embassies 31 Customs
GETTING THERE Kashgar 50 To Kasbgar 50 From Kashgar 51 Islamabad 52
8 other sections not shown
Common terms and phrases
Aabpara Abbottabad Aga Khan Asia Balakot Baltit Bank Rd Batura Beijing Besham bridge British bus stand buses cafes Centre century Chalt Chilas China Chinese Chowk climb crosses doubles east foreigners Ganesh Gilgit Glacier Gojal govemment Gulmit Havelian highway hire Hong Kong Hunza River India Intemational Islamabad Ismaili Jamat Khana jeep road Karakoram Karimabad Kashgar Kashmir Kashmir Rd Khunjerab Pass Kohistan Mansehra Market metres mosque mountain Murree Murree Rd Muslim Nagar Nala Nanga Parbat Naran NATCO Northem Areas ovemight Pakistan Pamir passenger Suzuki Passu Pattan Pir Wadhai Pirali Places to Stay police PTDC Rajah Bazaar Rakaposhi Rawalpindi retum Saddar Saddar Bazaar Seman Shia shops side Sikh Silk Road singles/doubles Skardu station summer Sust Swat Tashkurghan Taxila There's ticket toilet Tourist town travellers treks trip Urdu Urumqi Uyghur village visa wagons walk westem Xinjiang


text: Papasans Unlimited supplies frames in a similar pecan color and style to that pictured being 12 1/2" high and 18" diameter (excludes cushion, which needs to be ordered separetely - see our papasan footstool cushion page . Freight cost inclusive, within continental USA. All frames come with our guarantee of product excellence, and don't forget to have a look at our customers testimonial page.


text:
You don't have any saved vehicles!
Look for this link on your favorites:
Once you've saved some vehicles, you can view them here at any time.
* 8 Cylinder engine * * 2013 ** Ford * * F-150 * * Supercrew 4WD * It doesn't get much better than this 2013 Ford F-150 Supercrew 4WD, which boasts a hill start assist, stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, dual airbags, side air bag system, and airbag deactivation. It has a 8 Cylinder engine. The exterior is a sleek white. Drive away with an impeccable 4-star crash test rating and prepare yourself for any situation. Don't wait until it is too late! Call today to schedule an appointment. Contact Information: Bayshore Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, 5225 I-10 East, Baytown, TX, 77521, Phone: (281) 421-6000, E-mail: email@example.com.
Our team brings over 120 years of combined automotive experience to the table, and with a robust inventory flush-full of new Chrysler, Jeep, RAM, and Dodge models near Baytown, TX quality pre-owned vehicles, and a state-of-the-art service facility, we're ready to be your one-stop shop for all your automotive needs, big and small!
New vehicle pricing includes all offers and incentives. Tax, Title and Tags not included in vehicle prices shown and must be paid by the purchaser. While great effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this site, errors do occur so please verify information with a customer service rep. This is easily done by calling us at 281-421-6000 or by visiting us at the dealership.
**With approved credit. Terms may vary. Monthly payments are only estimates derived from the vehicle price with a 72 month term, 4.9% interest and 20% downpayment.
*Online Price is cash price only. See dealer for complete details. Price does not include dealer processing and reconditioning fee of $879*.
*Number of views in last 30 days
† Based on 2013 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.
Thank you Bill ( Commercial Manager ) for RESOLVING ISSUES with contract work done on our new truck. We Appreciate the COMMUNICATION & work put in to making the experience Better. Louis in SERVICE is TOPS.
Had a recall on my vehicle and they got me in and out within an hour.
Good service
I am so happy Roger Guerra went all the way to get me a vehicle with Bayshore Motors. I have been knowing Roger Guerra for some time and he can and will go the extra mile for his customers.
Very helpful Erin and the others
Went here in search for a new truck. I had Roy Olivarez as my sales rep. He was very polite and gave alot of good information. Gave me a great deal on the specs that I asked for, and went beyond my expectations by getting me one even better on the same deal. Will definitely head there again for my next vehicle purchase.
I just bought a 2019 dodge ram. Roy Olivarez helped me get into it and was vary helpful. So if you're interested into getting into a vehicle ask for roy.
You don't have any saved vehicles!
Look for this link on your favorites:
Once you've saved some vehicles, you can view them here at any time.
281-421-6000Call Now
5225 I-10 East • Baytown, TX 77521Get Directions
Open Today! Sales: 9am-9pm
Open Today! Service: 8am-3pm
Open Today! Parts: 8am-3pm
Phone: (281)421-6000http://maps.google.com/?q=5225%20I-10%20East%2C%20Texas%2C%20Baytown%2C%20TX%2077521


text:
Puppy mill figure closes controversial kennel in Adams County
A Connecticut-based website called "Against Puppy Mills" named breeder Jeff Fortin to its Hall of Shame.
Another website called "CARE2 make a difference" posted an action alert and petition to revoke Fortin's breeding license.
Protesters have turned out – even in howling winds – to line North Washington Street with signs near Fortin's kennel in Adams County.
Fortin, however, rarely speaks to the media to defend himself against allegations that he is the poster boy for all that is wrong with puppy mills.


text:
British scientists recently reported finding signs of the gum-disease bacterium (P. gingivalis) in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. The new study is being widely reported as adding to a growing body of evidence linking periodontal (gum) disease to an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease.
However, such data needs to be considered very carefully.
In fact, what the study found was that substances on the surface of the bacterium (lipopolysaccharides) were present in the brain tissue of four out of 10 recently deceased people who had Alzheimer's. It was found in zero out of 10 age-matched patients who did not have Alzheimer's. The bacteria itself was not found in the brain tissue of any people.
The theory behind linking gum disease with Alzheimer's is that the presence of gum bacteria lipopolysaccharides in the brain may cause inflammation. This in turn could trigger a biological cascade that may be linked to the brain changes associated with Alzheimer's disease.
We already know that P. gingivalis is commonly found in chronic periodontal (gum) disease, and, if there is significant dental disease, it can enter the bloodstream through such everyday activities as eating, brushing teeth and invasive dental treatments. While in the bloodstream, the bacteria can settle on heart valves and damage them. Hence, patients with mitral valve prolapse and other heart anomalies often take an antibiotic before dental procedures to prevent the bacteria from depositing within the heart. However, no bacteria have been reported in the brains of patients with gum disease, as the brain is an immunologically, well-protected organ, more so than any other.
It is important for readers to know that these types of studies show an association between gum disease and Alzheimer's disease, but do not prove causation. For example:
- The number of subjects is extremely small to make a definitive conclusion, and the finding could have occurred simply by statistical chance.
- Only four out of 10 subjects with Alzheimer's had such changes, not 10 out of 10. If the gum disease was causative, one would expect more than just a minority of patients exhibiting the lipopolysaccharides.
- Finally, what if very early stage dementia caused people to actually brush their teeth less often, or altered their dietary intake? They would be at risk of developing gum disease. But the gum disease would have resulted from the early dementia, not vice versa.
It is also important to note that previous studies have shown links between gum disease and other illnesses, including heart disease and certain forms of cancer; these findings are not specific to Alzheimer's.
The study is important and should be followed up with larger sample sizes, but given the above limitations, the study does not show that "brushing teeth reduces the risk of dementia" or that "gum disease can lead to dementia."
Thanks for reading.
Director, Memory Disorders Clinic
Associate Medical Core Director, Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study
University of California San Diego
This post originally appeared in Alzheimer's Insights, an ADCS Blog.
Learn More
- Prevention and Risk of Alzheimer's Disease
- Healthy Volunteers Needed for Alzheimer's Research
- What Is Alzheimer's Disease


text:
I'm not a Jerry Springer fan, but once his show is on, it can be hard to look away. I felt the same, back in October, when I tuned into a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on Benghazi. It had high drama: A stiff State Department official described his requests for additional security in the months leading up to the attack on the US consulate in Libya. When his grim-faced boss, seated next to him, retorted that the consulate had the "correct" number of armed guards, you could almost hear the audience mutter: "Oh no, she didn't just say that." I watched all 3 hours, 12 minutes, and 59 seconds of it.
In the weeks that followed, I checked in on the news of the House and Senate intelligence committee Benghazi hearings. But the plot didn't really thicken. There were no big revelations. Nobody said or did anything surprising or new. So, I must confess, I skipped the House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, "Benghazi and Beyond." And I'm probably going to miss the next episode: the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's "Benghazi: the Attack and Lessons learned."
I hate to say it, but it must be said: Benghazi has jumped the shark. Republicans had a good point, at first. It was crucial to investigate an attack that killed four Americans, including an ambassador. And it was odd that the administration's spokesperson on the issue, UN ambassador Susan Rice, told talk shows that the attack was believed to be the work of spontaneous demonstrators rather than terrorists.
But there is such a thing as overkill.
Four separate congressional committees have scheduled about a dozen hearings and private briefings on Benghazi. A review board, led by former UN Ambassador Thomas Pickering, is due to hand over its report this week. And don't forget about the FBI's investigation. But all this isn't enough for Senator John McCain. He still wants a special committee on Benghazi.
Those of you who are still tuned in to the Benghazi show should ask yourselves: Is Benghazi really our nation's biggest problem? What are the chances that we will see four different congressional committees hold hearings on the senseless shooting of 20 first graders in Newtown, Conn.?
Benghazi-mania on Capitol Hill rivals the flurry of hearings that took place during the summer of 2003, when it finally dawned on Congress that the weapons of mass destruction that we went to war over in Iraq did not actually exist. That intelligence failure — or, rather, that fake-intelligence success — dragged us into a protracted conflict that ultimately killed more than 4,000 Americans, a thousand times as many as died in Benghazi, at a cost of some $800 billion. Iraq has yet to recover.
But did Congress "get to the bottom" of it back then? Not really. The Senate Intelligence Committee delayed its investigation into the Bush administration's misuse of Iraq intelligence for four years, until after Bush was reelected.
Did McCain or Senator Lindsey Graham threaten to hold up Condoleezza Rice's nomination as secretary of state because of her own false statements on talk shows that led to — or justified — the war?
Of course not. She breezed through her confirmation, unmolested by anyone but Barbara Boxer.
And Condi is hardly the only trusted aide to become secretary of state after carrying suspicious water for the president. Alexander Haig, Richard Nixon's chief of staff, helped deflect questions about Watergate, but still became Ronald Reagan's secretary of state. Members of Congress accused Henry Kissinger of misleading them for years over a covert bombing campaign in Cambodia, but even his most outspoken critic, Senator Ernest Hollings, a South Carolina Democrat, voted for him. "Unless a nominee for office is obviously unfit, by reason of intelligence or character, the president should have a relatively free hand in selecting the members of his own team," Hollings said.
So maybe the only thing that sets Susan Rice apart from the hallowed figures who have ascended to the helm of US foreign policy is her willingness to stand down. Rice withdrew her name from consideration last week, on the grounds that her confirmation hearings would only prolong the needless distraction of Benghazi-mania. Do you think Haig or Kissinger would have done that?
John Kerry will make a fine secretary of state, if he is nominated. He knows his stuff, and he deserves the job. But it is hard to find a historical precedent for what happened to Susan Rice. It's certainly a dramatic finale to the Benghazi Show. Let's hope it's over now.
Farah Stockman can be reached at email@example.com. Follow her on Twitter @fstockman.


text:
Clinton: Obama helped on speech
MIAMI — President Barack Obama offered a few key edits to Bill Clinton's convention speech — and Clinton agreed to them, the former president told POLITICO Tuesday night.
Clinton said Obama made suggestions on the sections of his speech that dealt with Medicare and welfare reform, though the former president declined to say specifically what Obama advised him to modify. Clinton said he worked on the speech with National Economic Council Director Gene Sperling, who served in the same role during his administration, and that he showed Obama the full text for his prime-time speech that morning.
Story Continued Below
( Also on POLITICO: Bill Clinton's DNC speech)
Clinton offered his thoughts on the speech, dysfunction in Washington and golf to a POLITICO reporter and two other journalists, who ran into him in the lobby of the Biltmore Hotel as they were leaving after dinner and the former president was walking in.
He spoke earlier in the evening at Miami's Florida International University, where he delivered a more professorial version of the speech that drew rave reviews last week at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. He is scheduled to campaign for Obama again in Orlando on Wednesday.
Wearing white slacks, a white button-up shirt and a grey, black and white checkered blazer, Clinton told the reporters that Obama is "doing great" in the campaign. The two men speak when Obama calls him, but Clinton said he knows presidents, especially those in the midst of a campaign, are too busy to take unsolicited calls.
"He knows where to find me," Clinton said.
He repeated a condensed version of his message on the economy from last week and earlier Tuesday, saying that "people have to know it couldn't be fixed" so quickly.
Clinton — toting a copy of Milica Z. Bookman's new book about economics in the afterlife, "Do They Take Credit Cards in Heaven?" — spoke of recruiting presentations he'd attended at the local Mormon church while he was growing up in Hot Springs, Ark. Clinton, a Baptist, said he admires the church for its high ethical standards and belief in a celestial kingdom but said the idea of being in a heaven without his non-Mormon friends was too much to give up.


text:
It's 5 star make over time again, and this month's theme is squash!
Right away, I knew I would be doing something with butternut squash. Sweet, and remarkably vibrant orange in color, it's definitely my favorite member of the squash family.
Even though it has been more summer like here in Virginia with 80 degree days, the evenings have been cooling off, and the idea of things like soups and stews are beginning to sound appealing.
I decided to make a bisque for this month's challenge, showcasing the true flavor of butternut. I roasted the squash along with a red bell pepper to bring out the natural sugars before blending into a smooth puree; the base for the creamy bisque. Sauteed onions and leeks were invited to the mix, along with some chicken broth and a bit of cream for simmering. I balanced it out with some crisp salty prosciutto and crab for the garnish.
After shooting the pics for this post, we ate the bisque for lunch (one of the benefits of photographing food for your blog! ); a nice treat to sit down and enjoy on a busy weekend day. —-really loved this one, yes, butternut squash is still my favorite.
I can't wait to see what everyone else has come up with this month! Be sure to stop by and visit 5 Star Foodie or Lazaro Cooks for the roundup this Friday for all kinds of wonderful ideas for squash!
- 1 (2 pound) butternut squash – halved and seeded
- 1 red bell pepper, roasted, peeled, seeded
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup finely diced onion
- ½ cup finely diced leek
- 2½ cups vegetable or chicken stock
- 1⁄2 cup of heavy cream
- Garnish:
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 3 slices prosciutto
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup lump crab meat
- Preheat oven to 375°.
- Brush the cut sides of squash with 6 tablespoons of the butter. Season with the salt, pepper and thyme. Place the squash cut side down in a baking dish and bake until tender, approximately 1 1⁄2 hours. Cool, scoop out the pulp from the skin.
- Puree the squash in a food processor with roasted red pepper. Reserve.
- Meanwhile, prepare garnish. Heat olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Add prosciutto slices and cook until crisp, a few minutes per side. Drain on paper towel lined plate.
- Melt butter in saute pan over medium high heat. Add Panko crumbs and stir until crumbs begin to turn golden brown, about 2 minutes. Add crab, continue to stir an additional minute. Transfer to plate and reserve.
- In a large saucepot, heat the olive oil and add the onions and leeks. Sweat over low heat. Add the puree of the butternut squash, and stock. Bring to a boil and then lower heat; simmer gently for 15-20 minutes. Whisk in the heavy cream.
- Garnish with crispy prosciutto and toasted crab crumbs