Last Day~Purex 31 Days of Fun Sweepstakes!!

I can't believe it-we are on the final day of the sweepstakes.  So, one last chance to win-today its a ga grill valued at $880! Click here to enter, and let me know if you won anything!!

Purex 31 Days of Fun~Day 30

Oh, I know my boys would be thrilled to win this!  If you'd like to enter to win, click here.  Check in tomorrow for the last prize day!

Purex 31 Days of Fun Sweepstakes~Day 29

I think we all would like to win this prize!  $400 would let us stock up for awhile.
Click here to enter to win!

Wordless Wednesday~First Day of School

Besides our oldest who is not in school, this year we have a 5th grader and a College Freshman!

Purex 31 Days of Fun Sweepstakes~Day 28

This would be a great prize to win for the family movie night!!  Click here to enter today.

Try a New Recipe Tuesday~Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

This is a mild, creamy recipe.  Our family does not like spicy food,  so I usually omit the chilies.

Chicken Enchiladas

approx. 1 lb boneless,, skinless chicken breasts-cooked and chopped/shredded
1/2 to 1 onion, chopped
1 can minced green chilies
2 cans cream of chicken soup
milk
1 cup sour cream
flour tortillas
2-3 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Saute onion until tender.   Mix 1 can soup, onion, chilies, sour cream, and 1 cup cheese.  If the mixture seems too thick, add a little milk. 

Put some of the mixture in each tortilla, roll/fold as you wish.  Place in greased/sprayed casserole dish. 

Mix one can soup with one can milk. Pour mixture over tortillas.  Sprinkle with more cheese over the top. 

Bake at 350 until hot-usually about 30 to 40 minutes.

Purex 31 Days of Fun Sweepstakes~Day 27

What a fun prize for the kids and grandkids!  If you'd like to enter to win, click here.  Good luck!

Purex 31 Days of Fun Sweepstakes, Day 26

Nice prize today!!  This would be a prize the entire family would be excited about!  If you'd like a chance to win, you have to enter today!

Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!!!

Would you like to win a $10 Amazon gift card?  Thanks to Purex Insiders, I have one to give away!!!  We really want to get the word out about the Purex 31 Days of Fun Sweepstakes, so in the Rafflecopter form below you will be asked to share the sweepstakes info. 

This is going to be a quick giveaway, so be sure to get entered!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Purex 31 Days of Fun Sweepstakes~Day 25

What a fun prize-bikes for the family.  I can imagine nice evening bike rides this Fall.  If you'd like to enter to win, click here. 

Purex 31 Days of Fun Sweepstakes~Day 24

Our trampoline has seen better days, so I'd love to win this for the family!  Click here to enter!

Book Review~10,000 Babies: My Life in the Delivery Room

I recently read the book 10,000 Babies: My Life in the Delivery Room.  I was immediately intrigued by this book when I read the description.  The author, Dr. Silvio Aladjem, M. D., has delivered over 10,000 babies in his 40+ years as an obstetrician. 

I have always loved watching the shows on television about pregnancies and births, and I enjoy reading birth stories.  10,000 Babies is full of short stories from different pregnancies and deliveries.  The stories focus on different aspects of pregnancy and delivery, and can range from funny to heartbreaking.   One of my favorite stories was the woman who delivered twins with weeks in between the births!  Also included in the book is history on obstetrics, differences with culture, and myths surrounding pregnancy.  I was glad to see that Dr. Aladjem  included a section commending the special people in the medical profession who take care of pregnant women, and I commend him for all the families he has helped. 

I thoroughly enjoyed 10,000 Babies: My Life in the Delivery Room.  I'm sure its not reading material everyone would enjoy due to the medical content, but if you like birth stories and shows like I do, you'll enjoy this book!   10,000 Babies is available at Amazon. 


*Disclosure: I received this book free in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Product Review~Lifeway Kefir

Thanks to Influenster, I have discovered a product that I am in love with.  It is Lifeway Kefir, like yogurt but 99% lactose free, gluten free, a good source of calcium, with live and active probiotic cultures.  There are lots of different products in this line.  So far I have tried the drinkable Kefir, and it is so yummy!  I got it in Raspberry,  and can't wait to try all the other flavors.  It is thick and filling with lots of probiotics that are 'good for the gut'. 

Check out Lifeway's Kefir website at http://www.lifeway.net to learn more.  I found Lifeway Kefir in the yogurt section of my local grocery store. 


*Disclosure: I received a free sample of this product through the Influenster VoxBox program.  All opinions are my own.

Purex 31 Days of Fun Sweepstakes~Day 23

Today you can win $250 for a sewing machine and fabric!  Click here to enter.

Purex 31 Days of Fun Sweepstakes~Day 22

If you have a baby or are expecting one, be sure to enter to win today's prize! Even if you don't have any babies in your life, you could still enter and if you win, donate to local women's shelters.  Click here to enter. 

~Wordless Wednesday~

I snapped this at a stop sign  last night (a little blurry).  It's Utah's Capitol building-my son lives up the street from it.  Pretty all lit up at night!

Review and Giveaway~Fels Naptha Bar Soap

Have you heard of Fels-Naptha before?  I hadn't, until I researched making my own laundry soap. Fels-Naptha Laundry Bar and Stain Remover has been around for 120 years, fighting tough laundry stains.  I've learned it has many other uses, too!

Fels-Naptha (by Purex)works great on tough laundry stains, especially oil-based.  It did a better job on my husband's collars that the leading spray pre-treater!  It can be used for many other things-as a bug spray, in homemade cleaners, and more.  I have used it to make my own laundry detergent-the bar grates and melts down really easily.

My favorite thing about Fels-Naptha is its wonderful, clean smell! As you can see above, my spokesperson/model really likes the good smell :)   I would love to put a bar of Fels-Naptha in every dresser drawer to keep it smelling clean and fresh!

To learn more about Fels-Naptha, visit their page on the Purex  website and like Purex on Facebook.

Sweepstakes~  Through August 28th, Purex/Fels-Naptha is having a 120 Years, 120 Winners Sweepstakes!  One lucky winner will win $500 and 119 second place winners will win a free bar of Fels-Naptha.  Click here to enter.  Good luck!


GIVEAWAY!!!!

Three The Loose Screw Readers will each win a coupon for a free bar of Fels Naptha!  Enter below:





a Rafflecopter giveaway


*Purex provided me with a sample of Purex Fels-Naptha Laundry Bar in exchange for a product review.  All opinions expressed here are my own.

31 Days of Fun Sweepstakes~Day 21

Today's prize would look so nice on my new brick patio!  If you'd like to enter to win this for your patio, click here.  Good luck!

Purex 31 Days of Fun Sweepstakes~Day 20

If you enjoy cooking and baking, today's prize is for you!   Click here to enter.  Good luck!

Purex 31 Days of Fun Sweepstakes~Day 19

Today's prize is one of my favorites!  I would love to win this tablet.  If you would like a chance to win, click here to be taken to Purex's Facebook page. Good Luck!

Schoolhouse Crew Review~Reading Kingdom

 

 As part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew, I was delighted to find out we were going to review Reading Kingdom again.  This is a wonderful online program for parents and teachers that teaches children to read and write up to a 3rd grade level.  The suggested age range is 4-10 but can be used by anyone not yet at the 3rd grade reading level.  Reading Kingdom is easy to use, and fun for children too! 

 

Reading Kingdom was created by Dr. Marion Blank, a world renowned expert on literacy.  Her program is the only program to incorporate elements of whole language and phonics, plus additional skills for reading and writing success without requiring memorizing complicated rules.  These six skills taught are:

*Sequencing

*Motor Skills

*Sounds

*Meaning

*Grammar

*Comprehension

Click here to learn more about the program and why Reading Kingdom works.

 

My son Chad is 10 years old and has Dyslexia.  He is at about a 2nd grade level in his reading.  What is really great about Reading Kingdom is that your child is given a skills assessment and then placed at the level they need to be at.  The program adjusts to your child's skill level and where he/she needs to be.  This aspect of the program makes me feel good about how he is progressing, I know he is learning what he needs to.  Chad enjoys Reading Kingdom-he is learning but still having fun.  The activities are fun for kids, while they learn!  We used Reading Kingdom four to five days a week. 

For such a great program, it is affordable too.  You can start with a Free 30 Day Trial. After that, Reading Kingdom is $19.99 per month or $199.99 per year (20% savings over monthly).  Additional children on your account are 50% off.  There are supplemental products available as well at the Reading Kingdom Store. 

Be sure to visit the Reading Kingdom Website for lots of valuable information and resources.  If you have a new or struggling reader, this is the program for you!

 

                 

Purex 31 Days of Fun Sweepstakes Day 18

Today's prize is fun!  My schnauzer Tulip would enjoy some new toys and treats!  Click here to enter. 

Purex 31 Days of Fun Sweepstakes~Day 17

Today's prize would be so nice to win! I've never had an IPOD, and would love to have one.  then getting the accessories with it is really nice. Go to Purex's Facebook Page to enter to win this prize today.  Remember you can enter every day in August.

Win $1,000 from Purex and Little Tikes!

One lucky winner will win a $1,000 gift card to be redeemed at www.littletikes.com, plus a year's supply of Purex Detergent!

This contest runs through August 30, 2013

Click here to enter!

Purex 31 Days of Fun Sweepstakes~Day 15

Oh, I would love to win $300 for new clothes!!!  Enter here for a chance to win new clothes for your Fall wardrobe!

Wordless Wednesday~Play Doh!

Click the button below to check out more Wordless Wednesday posts or link up your own;

Purex 31 Days of Fun Sweepstakes-Day 14

Nice prize for late summer/fall planting!  Click here to enter to win today's prize.

Try a New Recipe Tuesday~Blueberry Cornbread

I found this recipe in the back of an Amish fiction book I recently read.  Yummy!

Blueberry Cornbread
2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk or substitute*
1/4 cup butter, melted
2/3 cup all purpose flour
1 1/3 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, rinsed

In a bowl, beat eggs, buttermilk, and butter to blend.  In another bowl, mix flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt. 

Stir flour mixture into egg mixture just until evenly moistened.  Gently stir in berries.  Spread level in a buttered 8 inch square pan. 

Bake in a 375 degree oven until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 35 minutes, depending on your oven.  Let cool 10 minutes, then cut into 9 squares.

 

*I used a substitute for buttermilk: Put one teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar into a 1 cup measuring cup.  Fill the cup with milk the rest of the way to the top.  Let sit for five minutes, then use as you would buttermilk. 

Check out this weeks new recipes:  

Schoolhouse Crew Review~Notgrass Company: Draw to Learn

The Notgrass Company was started as a family business in 1999 by Ray and Charlene Notgrass.  Their homeschool curriculum is easy to use and Bible-based.  I was sent Draw To Learn Proverbs to review, along with access to the e-book versions of the other four Draw To Learn books.  The purpose of this series is to help children internalize truths from God's Word.  It is a combination of art and Bible Study.  The five Draw to Learn books available are Proverbs, Psalms, Paul, Acts, and The Life of Jesus.  There are directions in each book on how to expand it into a unit study if you wish.


There are 150 lessons in each book, enough for an entire year's curriculum.  Each lesson has a scripture to read and think about, and instructions for drawing a picture related to the scripture.  I loved the concept of this book/curriculum.  My son Chad loves to draw, and he really liked a lot of the drawings that were suggested.  We did a lesson every weekday, and took our time reflecting on the scripture and then drawing.  Here is one of Chad's drawings (for Proverbs 3:17-18).

The physical copy of the Draw to Learn books is $14.95.  It is spiral-bound and consumable.  The e-books are $9.95 and you can make as many copies as you wish.  With only one child, I prefer the physical copy, but the e-book would be a good choice for multiple children.  Since this book can be used with any age, it would be nice to do together as a family!  I definitely recommend this series, and check out all the great products available at the Notgrass website. 


       

31 Days of Fun Sweepstakes~Day 13!

Is there anyone out there who couldn't use this?  I know I could-I've had mostly the same décor throughout my home for years.  $200 would help give a nice little face lift.  To enter to win this prize, click on the Purex Facebook Page today, August 13th.  Tomorrow will be a different prize, and you must enter each day to win that day's prize.  See you tomorrow!

Review and Giveaway~Purex Fabric Softener Sheets

I love fresh laundry that smells good.  Purex now has Fabric Softener Sheets to help you have great-smelling laundry.  These new Softener Sheets have three times the fragrance of the previous sheets, add softness and reduce static cling from your laundry.  They also repel pet hair and lint!  When I received my box to try out, I already  had a full box of softener sheets from another brand. No one in the house has used the other brand since we received the Purex Fabric Softener Sheets! 

My grandson Daniel (above) is my official super-cute Purex spokesman.  He wouldn't be holding them and smiling if they didn't smell great!  Even little guys like their laundry to smell good! Besides laundry, I use fabric softener sheets throughout the house.  I like to put one in the bottom of my laundry basket, in the closet near the shoes, and anywhere else that can  use some freshening (teenager's room?).  

 

 

 

 

 

I received the Mountain Breeze scent of Fabric Softener Sheets, which is my favorite scent in the Purex laundry detergent as well.  I love the clean, fresh scent-not too perfumed.  They are also available in Sweet Lavender-lavender is known to be a relaxing and calming scent.  Purex products are great quality products, and much more affordable than leading laundry products.  

 

To learn more about Purex products, like them on their Facebook page, and visit their website: www.purex.com. 

 

GIVEAWAY!!!

 

Purex has generously offered two The Loose Screw readers one coupon each for a free box of new Purex Fabric Softener Sheets!  Enter using the Rafflecopter form below:

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


*Purex provided me with a sample of Purex Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets in exchange for a product review.  However, all the opinions expressed here are my own.