Small & Mighty Winners!

Congrats to the winners of the all small & mighty laundry detergent giveaway!

Pennywise Persuasion who said: I am the primary laundry person in my home because my hubbie doesn't know how to separate darks from whites. He just throws them all in there together.

Secrets Custom Creations who said: I have a two year old, so I have a laundry adventure almost every day!!! I deal with stains that are almost impossible to get out, toys in pockets, marker, crayon, dirt and most recently potty training mishaps:) I could really use this!

Thanks everyone for visiting, and reminding me that I am not alone in my laundry challenges!

The Laundry Monstah

I don't know about you, but my laundry fairly breeds on it's own in my washing machine. I'm challenged with a 3.5 year old boy who can create messes as only a 3.5 year old boy can.

Um, How did you get pizza sauce behind your shirt collar again?

I also am blessed with a guy who works hard all day, a good chunk of the time outside. Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow and all that. Although lately it has been on the rain, rain, rain side. Hello, pungent laundry!

The folks at MomSelect presented me with an opportunity to try all small & mighty Free Clear. The powerful 3x concentrated laundry detergent means they have been able to redesign a smaller bottle, offering the benefits of a bulk buy in a bottle that is easier to pour, store and carry. A formula 3x concentrated also means that I get to use less per wash, and a 96 oz. bottle should last me over three months.

I'm not a fragrance kind of gal, and so I'm enjoying that I can get the odors and stains out of my family laundry while using the Free Clear formula that contains no dyes, perfumes or enzymes. My clothes smell like, well clean clothes when I stuff them into the drawers and prepare for the next round of washing.

Try it Yourself - a Giveaway!
I have two coupons good for one free all small & mighty 3x concentrate (maximum value $6.50).

To Enter:
1. Comment on this post and tell us all about your best laundry adventure!

Bonus Entries:
2. Subscribe to Relishing the Dirt via feed or email and leave a comment letting me know that you have done so.
3. Follow Relishing the Dirt and leave a comment letting me know that you have done so.
4. Follow me on Twitter, and leave a comment letting me know.

Contest ends Monday, June 22nd - winners to be announced Tuesday, June 23rd.

Bakin' Bakin' Bakin'

Confession time: I am a wannabe foodie. I love to eat, and even love poring over shows on the Food Network. (Currently It's Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Lots of yummy stuff, but it gives me cravings for road trips too...) There are some great foodie blogs out there as well. Ree at The Pioneer Woman posts wonderful tales of her life on the ranch, and the photos of her cooking are usually enough to set me drooling.

My own cooking skills - not so much. To be fair, life is complicated by H working twelve hour days (sometimes six days a week), and a preschooler who is still being intensely picky about what he eats. Our local Family Network recently hosted a one night class on "Dealing With Your Picky Eater." I signed right up for that one, to be sure! Out of lots of good advice, I got more tips for adding "good stuff" to recipes. With bread being very high on Daniel's list of Things I Will Eat, I made the leap to investing in a bread maker. Mmm! Warm toasty bread, made from my own ingredients!

This Sunbeam Breadmaker model 5891 came in at a reasonable price at just under $60. I've baked two loaves so far, a nice crusty white and a banana pecan.

Pros: Easy operating switches. Can make up to a 2lb. loaf. Select a light, medium or dark crust. There's even an ExpressBake option if you need bread quickly (usual cycle with all the kneading and rising is 3 hours).

Cons: The unit is on the large side. We are often pressed for counter space in our condo, so I am trying to find a balance between ease/frequency of use and taking up available counter space.

The class I took had some interesting ideas about adding items such as chia or flaxseed to boost nutrition. Anyone have any yummy bread recipes they would like to share?

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On a side note: What would we do without the Internet? I got to spend some time searching the web for a breadmaker that I felt would suit my needs, for a reasonable price. I was recently contacted by AllChildrensFurniture.com about doing a product review. They sell items as varied as kids bedroom furniture, decor and a multitude of playthings. They look like a good spot to do some hunting for that perfect item for your kid. I look forward to letting you know more about them soon!

Tickling Your Tastebuds

Did you get pancakes for breakfast for Mother's Day? Did you know that Mrs. Butterworth has a first name?

There are oodles of contests and sweepstakes out there. This one tickled my fancy, though and I thought I would pass it along.

Stop by Mrs. Butterworth's website from now until July 17th and submit your guess for her first name. The person with the correct guess, and best reason why can win $500 cash and a year's supply of Mrs. Butterworth's syrup. A sweet deal!

Your Special Day

I have a weakness for special jewelry and similar keepsakes. I can be absorbed for ages when the craft fairs come to town. And don't even get me started on Etsy, and some of the other fabulous artists I have found online!

Michele Esposito has a unique collection at Not Just Any Old Day. Her calendar charms are crafted from 100% pure sterling silver, and are personalized by picking a specific month with a special day marked by a swarovski crystal. Birthdays, anniversaries, wedding attendant gifts, first communion - these would be a wonderful way to commemorate any special date in your life. Prices start at $98, and pieces are varied. There are necklaces and bracelets, key chains and gifts such as a cake server, baby cup, baby spoon, business card case and more. All are able to be personalized with your special day on a calendar charm.

My key chain came in the mail recently. It's delicate, and pretty and honors my son Daniel's birthday. I'm thrilled to start using it. Now if I can just keep track of my keys...

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This review is posted as part of the Momfluence Mother's Day Gift Guide for 2009.

Thomas & Friends Live! On Stage

Thanks to MomSelect, we recently received tickets to the Thomas & Friends Live! On Stage show - A Circus Comes to Town.

As H couldn't attend, I invited Daniel's buddy Murphy and Murphy's Mom to accompany us. Both boys were so excited they could hardly stand it! When I spoke with Darleen earlier in the day, Murphy had apparently told her that he was leaving his shoes on during his nap that afternoon - so he could be all ready to go!

Bursting with anticipation, the boys stayed out of their seats for most of the show. Our seats were a bit to the left, and sort of midway/to the back. This show is such a spectacle, it is hard to say that there was a bad seat in the house. The lights came down, and Daniel whirled around to Darleen and I to exclaim: This is so cool! I think a grin stayed on my face the rest of the night.

A group of engine drivers were in the audience, getting the crowd into it and we soon had Sir Topham Hatt introducing the engines themselves. The circus has come to Sodor, and Thomas must learn to work with his friends to ensure that the show goes on - without any "confusion and delay." There was a circus strongman, a trapeze artist and a clown who played pranks that Daniel still talks about: the clown jumped over the box. The performers had great voices, and the animatronic engine faces brought characters like Percy and Thomas to life on the stage. We were impressed by this quality production.

Thomas and his friends are still touring the country through August 1st. His next stop is April 28-29 in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Check here to see when he is coming to a town near you, and have a fun night out with your little ones!

Happy Friday!

Hello Everyone! It is due to be 70 degrees around here, with it leaping into the 80s the rest of the weekend. I'm off to find as many ways as possible to get out of my house.

Too bad grocery shopping must be one of them...

But one bit of business - the winner of the personalized box of My Fruit Roll-ups. Congrats to Andrea M.! Andrea, please get in touch to confirm your email contact address, so that I can send you your code.

Thanks everyone for playing!