Teach Soap

Right now I am making M&P. I just received some of my oils, olive, coconut and palm.
I also have some jojoba butter and I think Shea butter.

I have two questions, one, the basic soap recipe here on this site, if I remember correctly, its for a 4.5 pound loaf. Never making CP before, I would like to practice with small 2# loafs. Can I just half that recipe?

Two, I've been reading "the everything soap" book and found a couple of books at the library (very very basic books) and reading alot on the web and different forums.
But....I just can't wrap my head around the soap calcs
No matter how many times I play with it, I don't get it!! Is there an "easy" tutorial for simple minds like me??

Thank you!

Dee,

I haven't looked at the basic soap recipe on this forum but usually you can half a recipe. I found soap calculators confusing at first too but I like http://www.summerbeemeadow.com It will adjust the 4.5 lb recipe on here to your mold size which is great.