Purex Complete Crystals Softener Giveaway

 

As a Purex Insider I am sent products throughout the year to review before it hits the market.  I was recently sent a bottle of Purex Complete Crystals Softener for review and I’ve been using it for a couple of weeks now.

 

When using Purex Complete Crystals Softener you put it in at the beginning of the cycle directly on the clothes.  The softener spends more time with your laundry creating a long-lasting freshness and tons of scent.

Since I have a front loading washing machine, adding softener isn’t really a problem because I add it when I add my detergent.  If you have a top loading washing machine, I can see how the Purex Complete Crystals could be a huge help.  Purex Complete Crystals Softener comes in three different scents so you should be able to find one you like.

I’m impressed with how long it keeps our clothes smelling fresh.  I also like how easy it is to use.  I make and sell quilts and I can tell you when the customer opens up their box with their new quilt on it, they are not going to believe how good it smells. It is going to make a nice first impression.

Buy:

You can purchase Purex Complete Crystals Softener at Walmart and it will become available at other retailers beginning in January and February.
There is a $1 Off Coupon on Facebook- you can obtain this coupon by clicking on the Purex Complete Crystals Softener link- and it will take you there.

Giveaway:

ONE winner will receive a free product Coupon to try out Purex Complete Crystals Softener for yourself!  It is for a 28 oz bottle value $5.50. I will contact you for a mailing address if you are selected via Random.Org

How to Enter:

Mandatory Entry: Simply visit Purex and leave me a comment below letting me know which Purex Complete Crystals Softener scent you would choose!

Extra Entries Available:

After you have completed the first entry, you are eligible for additional entries. Make sure you leave a separate comment for EACH entry.Please also leave your email address on each entry so that I can contact you if you win.

• ONE ENTRY EACH FOR THE FOLLOWING
• Follow Growth in God by GFC
• Leave me a new comment on a non-giveaway post and then let me know where you commented.
• Follow me on  Facebook Network Bloggers
• “Like” Purex on Facebook.
• Enter My Quilt Giveaway
• Follow Growth in God and Purex on Twitter AND Tweet about the giveaway. Leave the URL to the Tweet in your comment. You can tweet once a day, but remember to leave the URL to each tweet. (3 extra Entries) Make sure you leave a comment for each of the three entries. 
•  Tweet :Giveaway for Purex Complete Crystals Softener @ http://newgrowthstartswithgod.blogspot.com/2011/02/purex-complete-crystals-softener.html
• Blog about this giveaway with a link back to Growth in God Leave the URL to your blog post in the comment. {5 extra entries} Make sure you leave a comment for each of the five entries. 

This giveaway will end on March 13th at 6:00 AM Central time. Winner will be chosen via a random number generator. Giveaway is open to US entries. The winner must contact me in 48 hours to claim their prize. Good luck to everyone!

The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely that of the blog owners. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. I received free samples in order to facilitate this review.

Bumper Pad

Thanks to my cousin I can post a picture of the bumper that we made on Friday. I sure love how it turned out. It still needs ribbons to attach to it later. I love the white, it really will go with whatever she wants to use for bedding. It was a great idea and super soft.

Menu Plan Monday

Monday Feb 28^th

Chicken Fajita Salad topped with Paul's Red Salsa
Bean Burrito Jakob

Tuesday Mar 1^{st
Sausage Stuffed Bell Peppers
Tuna Helper- Kids}

Wednesday Mar 2^nd

Fish Tacos

Thursday Mar 3^{rd
Spaghetti 
Salad
Garlic Bread}

Friday Mar 4^{th
Salmon with Mushrooms 
Jasmine Rice} 

Saturday Mar 5^{th
Chicken Fajitas Meat}

^{with bell peppers, poblano peppers, onions, mushrooms}

Sunday Mar 6^{th
BBQ Night- Paul's Choice}

$60 Gift Code Giveaway at Carries Rambles

If you have not figured it out yet, I really love CSN Stores I have gotten two items from there and they were excellent quality. Shipping was wonderful, I just dont' have a single complaint. I saw a giveaway today on Carries Rambles go check it out and enter to win a $60 Gift Code to spend at CSN Stores

Giveaway will end 03/16/11 at 11:59 pm EST. Open to US & Canada, must be 18+ to enter. CSN stores not responsible for international fees.

200 Coupon Giveaway

Enter this giveaway for 200 cut coupons at Madame Deals

I don't know where we would be without coupons. We had a dry spell for a while because I could not seem to get coupons and sales to match up for Kroger- who I love to shop with.

I entered this giveway, I could do a lot with 200 free coupons!

My Review

Originally submitted at CSN Stores

Wonderful and Stylish PotRack

By SunshineofAutumn from Magnolia, Texas on 2/27/2011

 

5out of 5

We have a very small kitchen and I liked the idea of a pot rack. It was very hard to choose what I liked best. This one met all our needs. It is very sturdy and was easy to put together. I love the blue finish too.

(legalese)

Sunday Recipes Banana Bread

Banana Bread

½1/2 c sugar

¼1/4 c honey

1/2c real butter slightly melted

2 eggs

1 c mashed bananas

1/3 c milk

1 tsp vanilla

2 c flour

1 tsp baking soda

½1/2 tsp salt

Oven 350 Bake 50-60 min

Beat sugar and butter until fluffy, add eggs, milk bananas, milk and vanilla, beat. Stir in flour, salt and baking soda. Mix well. Pour into well-greased pans or muffin tins. If you make muffins adjust time accordingly. Sometimes I also add in a half cup of blueberries. You can also substitute half the butter for applesauce.

Closet Project Return

This part of the pantry we had nearly finished a few months back. I have reorganized after the work we did today

This side is the new addition. I really like the plywood shelving. We didn't want to scrape ourselves on the boards on this end so he put wood along the sides- it also helps promote stability. I like it! We really needed a place for appliances, paper towels and laundry supplies too.

I also very much love this. He was able to get two items from work. One a small fridge someone did not want. Then the second a cabinet that is air tight. I really wanted to get it hung several months back, but we got it done today- YEAH

Its actually pretty big inside. We went through nearly all our pasta, pancake mix etc over the summer and winter months so there's not much to store just yet but I am thankful to have it up and ready.

I am excited to have so much space! I organized pretty well for now. Its funny to see how much we leaned on this storage room over the winter. I really didn't buy much because there were not many sales that matched coupons so I made do with what we have. I am hoping there will be a few more sales in the next couple weeks now that overtime picked back up so that I can restock the pantry. I am also praying we can save a little because I need to get a window unit in here before summer hits. I already know that my tackle it Tuesday project will be making a curtain so that the food is protected now that we have sunshine again. What a great days work! Tomorrow we are adding baseboards and ceiling boards to help climate control the room more.

Shopping Trip

$60 shopping trip. I love these kind!! Saved $90 and got 5 $3 off my next trip coupons back ($15)

Here is what I got

4 Boxes of Chex cereal

4 Capri Suns (we use them for lunches)*

6 Totinos Pizzas

2 Grands Biscuits

6 BC Fruit snack thingys

8 Bottles of Ragu Spag Sauce

10 Packages of Noodles

6 Bottles of Purex
10 Little Debbie Snacks (lunches)

10  packages of Muffin mix

24 Yoplait Yogurt

Free BC Cake Mix (thank you Kroger)

Free Nature Valley Granola Bars (thank you Kroger)

Bottle of Windex*

Gallon of Milk*

Tub of Butter*

Bag of Pepperoni*

* Means I did not have a coupon for it, the Pepperoni was on sale, as was the butter, capri suns and bottle of cleaner. I just can't really beat prices when I can combine Kroger sales and coupons. I am excited that I got $15 back. That means my bill could have been $45 if they would have just given me the money off my total instead. Of course I am sure I will have a week where I can use to have all those $3 coupons.

Life Lessons

Proverbs 22:6

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. (NIV)

This sure is a week of lessons for us. We have been working very hard on some basic skills, such as these.

1.       Watching what we speak and how we treat others.

2.       Doing what we are asked WHEN we are asked- the when is the key word there

3.       Not procrastinating- when we get an assignment do it then, don’t wait because it’s not due yet.

4.       Video games and computer time are not essential to living

5.       We must take a shower not just change out of the clothes we wore all day

6.       Going to bed early is very important, so we are not so tired in the morning

7.       We can always confide in our parents, no matter what it is

8.       Mom will get up and braid my hair each morning differently if I ask (this is a new one for us)

9.       Pitching in on the weekdays with chores helps us do fun things during the weekend

10.   Work hard the first time so you don’t have to work hard redoing it.

There are probably several others but I feel like I have been the bad guy a lot lately. Although when you look at this bible verse, I feel like I am more preparing them for the future and following the word of our heavenly father.

One of my children said to me, even though you are mean at times at least you care..hmm something to ponder.

Thankful Thursday

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

For More Thankful Thursdays, you can link up or read at http://womentakingastand.blogspot.com/

I am still very thankful for the week we had. Sunday concluded the visit with my grandma but I am still flying pretty high from being able to see her. It is so rare that I have family come to Texas to visit. I am thankful that this weeks homework schedule has gone better. I got another surprise quilt gift made. I love when I can make something so unexpected for someone, I don't care for not being able to post the pictures though. I always just want to share right away. I have to remain patient on the gift I finished up Friday night, as it still has not gotten to its owner either.

This week I was reminded of how careful we have to be with the friends our children make. In our household we really try to teach the kids the principal of "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." We don't just say it, we practice it. Even amongst our own family members I try very hard to implement this value/moral/biblical principal. Mekenzei learned this lesson first hand this week. Its so hard to grow up in the world of teenagers these days. They know so much more than I can ever imagine through older siblings, relatives, television the internet...the list goes on and on. Mekenzei was told something by a little girl this week that just shocked me to my core. I could not even believe the little girl said such a thing. I felt bad for her on several levels. Both her and this girl are part of a circle of girls and it seems that all the girls failed to make very good choices when one friend was sided with over the other, Mekenzei being the one left out. 

That was the first lesson- If you have a friend that is going to not talk to you because they are told not to by someone else, then maybe they aren't really that great of a friend in the first place.

The second lesson was- Yes you have a valid reason to be upset and hurt over what was said. However, you know that you are a person with high moral character and what was said should not even be given a second thought because there is no truth or value to it. (so incredibly hard to realize)

Third lesson- You always have your dad and I to come to, to share with and to cry with whenever its needed, also Zekaryah stood up for her, both at lunch and the bus ride home- so I emphasized an another important value in our house- Family is everything, through thick and thin you have them by you. I was proud of Zekaryah for being there with her.

Fourth and Final Lesson- Remember what utters from your own mouth. Too often I think - especially with little girls things get said and you can't always take them back. Also just the gossip. So and So is mad at So and so which leads two or more to talk about so and so behind their back..It just gets mean and ugly. I just focused on the fact of how this comment really affected not just her but all these girls, how we really need to watch what we say and think and how we treat others. Think of how we would feel if the shoe was on the other foot.

The whole situation just showed me how thankful I am to have wonderful caring children. I am also incredibly grateful that they feel they can come to me and not be judged but they can be comforted.

Ephesians 4:29 

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 

Proverbs 21:23 

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. 

Titus 3:2 

To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

Psalm 34:13 

Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.

St Patricks Day

Pictures In Green St. Patrick's Day Card

Create custom cards for Valentines Day and Easter at Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

Family and Love

Proverbs 31:15-17

She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.  She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.  She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.

I have lived in Texas for 16 years now. It is very difficult sometimes to be so far away from family. I was born in Utah, and raised in California; I have family in both states, as well as some others. The hardest thing was being away from my parents and grandparents. We grew up spending many holidays with various grandparents. One set I didn't get to spend much time with until I went to college, that is my Grandma June and Grandpa Kale. Grandpa Kale passed away a couple years back. I was very thankful to have had time with him shortly before his passing. He really just impressed upon me that despite the situation between my mom and biological dad he never stopped loving me and his only regret was the lost time. He was so proud of the woman I had become and that I was such a great mother.

The last time I saw my Grandma June was at his funeral. The summer after he passed I had visited with my mom because I felt her days on this earth were limited, turns out that the Lord had made a good impression in my heart, thankfully I listened because last summer that came to pass. I had really wanted to see my grandma again, at least one more time before she too returns to our Lord, so I find myself very thankful for this past week.My Aunt and her husband just welcomed a new grandbaby into their lives through my cousin's new baby. My cousin and family  live here in Texas, about 30 mins or so from us. My aunt came up with a wonderful idea- to bring my grandma with them, she just loves new babies. For me this will be a wonderful treasure of memories. It was very rare all these years for me to bring along my children to either California or Utah when I would visit. It is very expensive to travel. Therefore, my children did not really know their great grandparents at all. They have no real memories since they were 3 and under the last time they spent any time with them.

To see my daughter bond with my grandma was so special. She even sang for her, which was neat to watch as I once have done the same thing from time to time. My grandmother just loves music. She can break out into song over anything. It always amazes me how she can remember nearly every word to so many old songs. I watched her embrace my children and share her love and hugs with them. Even my oldest who is not really the hugging type.  I have some wonderful pictures from the past few days and I know the book I made for her to take back to Utah will be something she will go through several times.

I think last night was a little difficult. I went into the night realizing that this might very well be the last moments I have with her. Funny how even though I realize how much she would love to be back in my grandpa's arms, I still wasn't quite ready to accept the fact that this could be it. It really made me reevaluate life once again. So often we live in the idea of there is always tomorrow. The funny reality is that isn't quite true, sometimes tomorrow is in eternity instead of on this earth.

When I think of my Grandma June I think of strength. I think of spring- she is always beautiful, always bright, always full of smiles, hugs and more love than I ever thought was humanly possible until I had my own children. I think of music and rocking chairs, boy does she love to rock. I think of wonderful pancakes- she was always wanting to cook for me any time I stopped in- of course she always knew my favorite was pancakes- and banana cream pie. I think of a wonderful woman of God. One who is definitely a Proverbs 31 woman, a great example to mothers and wives and even those not yet with child. She is one that would always welcome you as family. I was so impressed to see her with the quilt that I made- She immediately said, it looks like sunshine- it reminds me so much of you.

When I later the next day shared with her my Tshirt Quilt book I put together she was just in awe- I lost track of the times she looked through it. She made sure I knew how proud she was of me, that I had such a great talent and heart. She also told me so many times how much she loved me and was thankful I was in her life. I think the last three days I have were probably the sweetest ever. I am very thankful to all her children for allowing her to come on this very long trip to see us. It was a visit beyond words.

Menu Plan Monday

Somehow my menu got messed up for this week, so I am reposting

Monday Feb 21st

Spaghetti, 

Garlic Bread, 

Salad

Tuesday Feb 22^nd

Chicken

Mashed Potatoes

Veggies

Wednesday Feb 23^rd

Veggies Burritos

Thursday Feb 24^th

Grilled Cheese and Soup

Friday Feb 25^th

BBQ Night and a Movie

Saturday Feb 26^th

Hamburgers and Hotdogs

Sunday Feb 27^th

Pancakes

Eggs, Bacon

Sunday Recipes Spicy Black Eyed Peas

Spicy Black Eyed Peas

 

1 Package of Black Eyed Peas

4 slices of bacon

Chicken Stock (saved from chicken Fryer)

1 Can of diced jalapeños

Handful of Chicken Thigh Meat- cooked from Fryer in Crockpot

This is how I did these Black Eyed Peas

I cooked a Chicken Fryer that I used for three meals.

I saved the broth and put it back in the crockpot
I added a 16 oz package of black eyed peas to the stock

I then cooked it for an hour

Then added the chicken, cooked bacon- and its drippings

Can of jalapenos and let cook another couple of hours

My husband loves to eat this for lunch, super simple and portions out for an entire week.

Andy Griffith - Down In The Valley For My Grandma June

FaithFul Fridays

This week has been full of ups and downs for me. I am so thankful that the Lord guides my path and that I listen.

I had created a quilt this week that was not what someone wanted- I was upset at first, then thought about the fact that it really fit my Grandma June- what was perfect is that she is here in Texas visiting, so I got to drop that off last night. She opened the gift and said- wow reminds me of Sunshine and so much like you! Brought big tears to my eyes, still does thinking of it. What a memory The Lord created for us.

Today I wanted to get my DBA (doing business as license), I have been quilting for a while and feel like the Lord is really opening so many doors for me to continue to serve Him using my talents, enabling me to stay home- I have had three friends offer to go with me to get the paperwork done. Something always comes up, today was one of those days- I was discouraged at first then just prayed about it and called to find out if a closer location accepted forms, then printed a map and called my husband for better directions- so guess what I did it. I am officially Sunshine of Autumn Quilts for Montgomery County Texas. It really warmed my heart to know its official, also it wasn't so bad to do it alone, I overcame some social anxiety. :-)

I am thankful that the Lord is providing some last days with my Grandmother this week. I really am sad to think that this might really be the last time we see her, but I am so incredibly thankful to have her in my life, she is so full of love and giving and caring and just simply amazing. I will always treasure her beautiful smile and warm gracious hugs. For now I focus on today and Sunday. I am thankful that my children are getting to also spend time with her, usually I travel to Utah alone, this time she came here to Texas, with my Aunt and her husband to see my cousins new baby boy. 

I am thankful also for the insight to do something amazing for someone special in my life. I have desired a greater deeper relationship with this person since I knew they were part of my life story. I will be honest that there were huge obstacles in the past that have prevented us to become close, however with those obstacles being torn down I am happy to know that there is a possibility for more in the future. My creation started yesterday afternoon and I finished the whole project at 3 am (this morning). It is simply amazing. I found the perfect bible verse for it and everything. I am also thankful that I will have an angel, someone I love, deliver this gift to this special someone. It will be so much more personal than mailing it. I pray that it is received with an open heart and that the Lord fully work in our lives for the better of all of our family relationships. Oh and I will share pictures once they receive their gift. Have a wonderfully blessed weekend.

If you would like to join in the fun, follow the link to Striving for 31 today and link your Blog post, or if you do not have a Blog you can comment on her post for today.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer. 29:11

Thankful Thursday

I am very thankful for the birth of my cousins new baby boy. I am also thankful that the birth brought vistors to her house and that they live close enough I get to visit today with my younger two. Most of my family lives in either California or Utah and it makes seeing anyone very difficult. My grandmother there, who is in her 90's, has not seen my children since my daughter was 7 months old, she is now 11. I am very excited that my younger two decided to go with me after school today. I am hoping to persuade my oldest to join us on Sunday night for dinner and the babies blessing- we shall see.

I am also thankful this week that I finished the second memory quilt from a Father's clothing. It was such a blessing to be able to work on this. It really had helped me work through my own loss some too. I know it will be a huge blessing for the woman these two quilts belong to, that brings me such Sunshine into my heart and I am ever so thankful the Lord put me in their path so I could help provide that. I am hoping that through these quilts our heavenly father can wrap his arms around these women and provide them with comfort during this time.

I had created a summer quilt for a friend this week, it turned out that it was not going to be big enough. What is nice about that is I can create another one, once I buy more of the main fabrics and this one can go to my grandmother. I really think it is a perfect lap quilt and I hope it will be something she can use until she too goes home to our Lord. Then I will have it back and have something to treasure of her. The Lord sure forsaw that need in my heart.

I worked on some potholders for the kitchen, some that match my giveaway winner Rita- and then the Liberty ones I posted yesterday. My husband was excited to see good quality potholders. I hope to make some more next week. It is nice when I can do some little things to improve a room in our house, or being able to do something as easy as pull food out of the oven and know we won't burn our hands. My old potholders leave something to be desired. 

I think the only thing I was not thankful for this week was all the multiple projects the kids have had. I did find myself a little thankful last night because it means that I husband has to stay home this weekend- which I prefer, he wanted to go out of town with his brother in law, and it also means we spend quite a bit of time together, because of having to work together with them to get it all done.

Lastly I am thankful for my valentines day gift this week, even if it was a day late. My husband bought several bags of half off Valentine's Day Candy and a Side Winder. I can't tell you how many times I am in the middle of stitching a quilt, or doing some binding and I run out of bobbin thread. It is always such a hassle to undo the top and rewind a bobbin. Since my hubby has helped me a great deal with quilting some quilts lately, he has seen it happen and thought to pick one of these gadgets up. Its funny I saw it two or more years ago, but refused to spend the money on it for myself. I am thankful he will, it was a very nice and useful gift. I am also thankful that my friend Pam will take me to a nearby town to the courthouse to get my DBA next week. I am horrible about stuff like that, my social anxiety just takes over. It is nice to have friends and family and love.