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!