Purex Plus Oxi Review & Giveaway **Winners Announced.

Purex Plus Oxi Review & Giveaway.

***The winners are...

Julie & Tiffany Christie 

Congratulations! Please contact me within 48 hours to receive your prize. Thank you for entering. 

Introducing Purex Plus Oxi, a new stain-fighting liquid detergent from Purex. 

I was recently offered a chance to try this new detergent as a Purex Insider. I love to try anything with an extra boost of stain remover & freshness. My favorite thing to wash with a new detergent is towels! I think you can really tell if it adds freshness when you try it on your towels. I tried Purex plus Oxi this past week on a load of towels/washrags ect... and I was impressed! The towels came out soft and smelling fresh. Another success for Purex. 

Purex has kicked off the release of the new plus Oxi with a sweepstakes! Enter to win $1000.00 here. 

 If you would like a chance to try Purex Plus Oxi for yourself, you can enter my giveaway. 

 To enter :

Mandatory entry: 

Like My Adventures In Treasure Hunting on Facebook and comment below to let me know you do. If you already 'like' my page just let me know. 

Extra entries. 

Follow this link to the Purex sweepstakes and then come back here and let me know you entered! 

Follow my blog on GFC and leave a comment letting me know. 

Share this giveaway with your friends & let me know you did.

***Purex provided me with a sample of Purex plus Oxi so I could review them. However, all of the opinions expressed here are my own. 

Capturing Memories.

I wouldn't say I am a photographer but I can honestly say photography is a hobby of mine. I am always trying to capture the memory and also the perfect photo. Needless to say, my laptop is full of photos from day to day activities and of course Ginger. Ginger is a chocolate lab mix, she was rescue from a local shelter. She is just like our own child, our four legged child. 

I have a lot of what we call 'playdates' with my niece & nephew and Ginger loves it. She loves to get right in wherever they are and get extra close to whatever they have. The kiddos love her and are always following her around. 

 Last week we decided to carve our pumpkin with the help of our niece M, and Ginger, as usual, wanted to join in too. 

A few other fall memories I have tried to capture. 

Sunday Family Dinner & Pumpkin Dip!

Our family is big on Sunday family dinners. It is a great way for us to get together and chat about the recent events in our lives and even just the normal day to day. This Sunday I decided to have both sides of the family over for dinner, with Chilli on the menu! It was a chilly (haha) and rainy day, the perfect day to cook and bake at home. Hubby made breakfast in the morning then I started the chilli. I love to start it early but let it simmer all day. Chilli is a perfect comfort food for a crowd since it can be left in the crockpot and eaten in shifts. One of the things I love with chilli is cornbread. I found a yummy recipe that says one to two eggs. Why can't it just say exactly how many. Well, as I get the recipe out, I realize that I am one egg short if I go with 2! Since I was doing two batches, I tried the recipe with three eggs. We had a little bit crumbly cornbread. Now on to the snacks...

Crumbly Cornbread. 

Pinterest is a great resource for recipes, it is a great site to search different types or recipes and see what others think of it! Well, if you are like me, you pin too many things that you will never make. My recent goal has been to try one new Pinterest project/recipe/idea each week. 

I can honestly say it has been a fun challenge. So for a snack for our Sunday dinner, this dessert/snack is perfect, so quick and easy but very creative too. I can't take credit for the creativity, you can check out the original post here at Carolina Charm. 

 The only time consuming part of this is carving the pumpkin. I am sure it would be just as good in a bowl but the pumpkin makes it even better! 

My attempt at the Pumpkin Dip! 

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Fall baking. 

I can honestly say I am not much of a cook but I am learning one recipe at a time! With that said, I do love to bake. What I bake isn't always perfect but I love to bake. As a child/teen I loved to bake and decorate cakes for all the family birthdays (with 8 siblings, I think we had a party every month) and parties. I loved it! As I got older I still loved to bake but usually simpler things like cookies, muffins and other desserts. 

 A few weeks ago, while searching for pumpkin recipes,

 I found this Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffin recipe and just had to try it. 

Pumpkin and chocolate, what more could a girl ask for? 

Please excuse my photos, I may have forgotten to take a picture before we tested the muffins and tossed most of them in the freezer! Working on better pics a little at a time! 

I also just stumbled on this recipe for Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins on another great blog The Sweeter Side of Mommyhood.  I will definitely be trying these next week! As I feel that it is necessary to try a new pumpkin recipe each week all throughout October & November! Maybe even December too. :-) 

Did you win?

The winners have been announced for my Soft Scrub giveaway...

 Was it you? Find out here. 

I am working on a new giveaway today! Check back tomorrow to find out what it is! 

Think laundry!

Changing leaves

I don't think we could have asked for better weather today and hopefully the upcoming week. It is a gorgeous day with all the changing leaves! I tried to snap a few photos of the beautiful colors of these changing leaves! 

Shutterfly cards!

Just wanted to share my latest Shutterfly card creation with you! 

Picture In Landscape 5x7 folded card

Shop Shutterfly for beautiful Christmas cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

My Shutterfly Photo Book

Have I mentioned how much I love Shutterfly! The photobooks are perfect! I just recently finished a 43 page 12x12 Project Life 2012 photobook from Shutterfly! Today, I finished our Fall/October 2012 8x8 photobook! It turned out great! Click the link below to view it! 

Click here to view this photo book larger

Create your own custom photo books at Shutterfly.com.

Have you made any great photo gifts or photobooks lately from Shutterfly? 

Farm Kings at Freedom Farms

Pumpkins 

Freedom Farms Fall Festival. 

A perfect fall day for a little meet and greet with the King Family from GAC's The Farm Kings from Butler Pa.  

Inside the market, a little bit of everything.
Eat local, eat fresh!  

The market, with some of Lisa's flowers and you can see "The Boss" Joe talking to a fan! 

Of course I had to meet the family & get autograph's from the family... Tim King. 

Joe King

Lights, Camera, Action! 

I even got to meet Lisa (The mother of the Farm Kings) and even chat with her! After watching the Farm Kings episode where Lisa shows her daughter how she measures without a measuring cup & by remember recipes, I had to tell Lisa how my Mom is the same way and I am more like Lisa's daughter! I have to measure & follow a recipe! 

Dan King

Dan preparing food for the guests.

The King family had a busy day at the festival and they were all working hard to keep up with the customers in between taking pictures & signing T-shirts! 

So many yummy goodies at the market, I picked up some Pumpkin Gobs, and Apple Cider! Along with a few freebies!

 

If you are local and you want to find the market nearest you, check out the 

Freedom Farm's website here. 

Several Locations include. 

 Freedom Farms Market, Butler Pa

The Market at New Ken, Pa

Boldy's Bakery, Butler Pa

Did you make it to the festival? Did you meet the King Family? 

Disney's Frankenweenie

There have been a lot of great new movies in theaters lately, I don't know about you but I love seeing movies that go with the latest holidays, such as Disney's Frankenweenie for Halloween! Disney always has the best movies! I just received a great gift from Shutterfly & Disney yesterday, a super cute treat bag & a free 8x8 Shutterfly Photobook! 

I better get working on that! 

I was browsing the Shutterfly website & found an app to Frankenweenie-Fy your pet... So I had to try it of course, too funny! You can try it here.

Plus if you are looking for Halloween snacks or treats to make with your kids? Here are a few great snacks to make in honor of Frankenweenie.

Batty Cupcakes: 

Disney's Frankenweenie :

From creative genius Tim Burton (“Alice in Wonderland,” The Nightmare Before Christmas”) comes “Frankenweenie,” a heartwarming tale about a boy and his dog. After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor harnesses the power of science to bring his best friend back to life—with just a few minor adjustments. He tries to hide his home-sewn creation, but when Sparky gets out, Victor’s fellow students, teachers and the entire town all learn that getting a new “leash on life” can be monstrous.

A stop-motion animated film, “Frankenweenie” was filmed in black and white and rendered in 3D, which elevates the classic style to a whole new experience.

In Tim Burton’s “Frankenweenie” young Victor conducts a science experiment to bring his beloved dog Sparky back to life, only to face unintended, sometimes monstrous, consequences.

Pork Milanese with Orange & Red Onion Topping

The Rachael Ray show is a favorite of mine but I haven't taken the time to try too many of her recipes, even though I always plan to! Today was the day! I decided to make Rachael's Pork Milanese with Orange and Red Onion Topping. It was delicious! I couldn't find the blood oranges so I just used regular oranges. 

 It was actually really simple & relatively quick! My kind of recipe! 

  

Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup

As I have mentioned before, I love fall and cooking/baking. Today was a perfect fall day for trying something new in the kitchen, Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup! 

I found the recipe here and I love it! I made this once before and used the heavy cream & butter and it was delicious, but this time I decided to skip that part and it was still delicious! Definitely not as creamy so it depends on what kind of soup you are going for. 

 What did you make today? 

Shutterfly

It's almost that time of year again... time for Christmas/holiday cards! 

Do you send out cards? I do, I love that little bit of holiday cheer that I can send to friends & family, especially those I don't see very often! I also love to send a very personalized card such as a photo card or homemade card. 

 My favorite place for holiday cards has to be Shutterfly! I have made my cards at Shutterfly the past few years and love them! They always run a lot of great specials such as 40% off cards ect... So keep an eye out if you are planning to order yours! 

 If you aren't a Shutterfly member, you can sign up here. 

You can check out their recent special offers here. 

I always use Shutterfly for my photobooks as well! My most recent project was a 43 page Project Life Pt. 2 Photobook! It turned out great with about 400 pictures in it!  

My photobooks, I also have traditional scrapbooks but recently I switched over to photobooks! 

Can't wait to get my latest photobook, hopefully by next week! 

 Have you purchased cards from Shutterfly before? What do you think? 

What's for dinner?

Working on this week's meal plan has me stumped as usual trying to come up with ideas! 

 Yesterday was a busy day and I made a sort chicken & vegetable soup with tuna sandwiches for lunch. Meatloaf and mashed potatoes for supper. I usually make a bigger meatloaf to have leftovers. My hubby works out in the field and can't heat his lunch every day so he will take leftovers for sandwiches. 

I have been browsing Pinterest for some other new recipes but also sticking to some of my usual recipes! 

 Tentative meal plan:

Sunday 

 Garlic Chicken & seasoned potatoes

Monday

 Chicken Wraps & side

Tuesday 

 Spagetti & Salad

Wednesday 

 I love Rachael Ray & saw this recipe so I might have to try it! 

 Thursday 

 Lemon Pepper Cod or Haddock (whichever I have 

Friday 

 Ranch Pork Chops 

 Saturday 

 My brothers big 30 birthday party so we will be having LOTS of BBQ! 

 What's on your meal plan this week? Any great new recipes I should try? Feel free to share! 

Halloween @ The Hollywood

Support your local theater & party at the same time! 

 A friend & reader shared this info today about a local theater that is making the transition to digital since all movies are being released digitally starting this month and to help offset the cost, they are having a fundraiser/Halloween Party on October 27th! 

You can find more information by clicking here. 

Event info:

Halloween @the Hollywood

Join us for a Halloween Costume Party from 8 to 11 p.m., Saturday, October 27.

• Come as your favorite movie character (prizes will be given to the best costumes).
• Get creeped out by the classic silent horror movie “Nosferatu”
• Be spellbound by Casey T. Malone’s ‘Blood of the Witch’ Trilogy (three really spooky silent short films)
• Discover your future with a Tarot card reading ($5)
• Take a chance at our raffle
• Enjoy light refreshments
• Receive two drink tickets.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. For tickets go here . Or pick them up at the theater before October 22nd.

This event is a fundraiser for the theater! Help the Hollywood and have some fun!

That’s a “Rocky Horror Picture Show” night, and we hope you’ll stick around to dance the Time Warp.

Have you been to the Hollywood? 

Perfect Fall Day = Pumpkin Squares with Cream Cheese Icing!

Fall is such a perfect time of year, the perfect time for baking and cooking! 

 Lately I have pinned about a thousand pumpkin recipes! There are so many on Pinterest and other blogs that I follow! Too many to choose from! Today I took advantage of the not so busy day today for a playdate with my adorable niece. We made Pumpkin Squares with cream cheese icing! She loved it, especially cracking the eggs! 

Nothing fancy but so yummy! 

 My Mom used to always make Pumpkin Bars when we were kids still living at home! 

When I think of fall, I think of Pumpkin Squares!! 

Pumkin Squares with Cream Cheese Icing:

Ingredients

Bars:

• 4 eggs
• 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 15-ounce can pumpkin
• 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Icing:

• 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  
  

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Using an electric mixer at medium speed, combine the eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin until light and fluffy. Stir together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and mix at low speed until thoroughly combined and the batter is smooth. Spread the batter into a lightly greased 13 by 10-inch baking pan. I used my Pampered Chef Bar Pan, it bakes perfectly on it!

 Bake it for 25 - 30 minutes. Cool completely before frosting. Cut into bars.

To make the icing: Combine the cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the sugar and mix at low speed until combined. Stir in the vanilla and mix again. Spread on the cooled pumpkin bars.

Did you bake anything pumpkin or anything that reminds you of fall lately?? 

Fall Festivities...

Fall is my favorite time of year! As I mentioned in my last post, the pumpkins, changing leaves, all the cooking/baking and more! Another part of fall that I love is the local fall festivities, fall festivals, pumpkin patch/festivals ect...

There are so many events in our area & many different places to choose from, there is something to see and do every weekend! If you love fall as much as I do, your house is probably already decorated, pumpkins and fall mums on your porch! 

As I mentioned before, we have had a little excitement in our little area of Pa, The Farm Kings owners of Freedom Farms, has their own docu-reality show that just premiered September 27th! They are a local farm with a big emphasis on going local and supporting your local farms! Who doesn't love fresh local grown fruit & veggies? 

Anyways, they are having their first annual Fall Festival next weekend! Looks like they have lots of activities planned...

Face Painting

Hay Bale Maze

Gob Eating Contest 

Pie Baking Contest

Pumpkin Painting 

Dunk Tank 

Prizes

Games and more...

If you are local, check it out! 

 What fun fall activities do you & your families enjoy? 

Did I mention Pinterest has about a million fall ideas from decor to treats to recipes! 

October 1st = Birthday Celebrations!

The first of October is usually a perfect day to celebrate fall and did I mention... my birthday! A perfect sunny day for the start of this lovely month of fall! Pumpkins, changing leaves and lots of fall cooking/baking. One meal that really makes me think of fall is Chilli. So with my awesome new Dutch Oven my awesome hubby got me for my birthday, the Chilli was simmering and the house smelled yummy! 

Lately after reading The Pioneer Woman Cooks & Dinner A Love Story, my favorite new cookbooks & food blogs, I have been wanting a dutch oven! 

So I was pretty excited about this awesome gift! 

Here it is...

The start of the Chilli! 

Ginger soaking up the sun on this gorgeous day! 

 Do you have a dutch oven? What's your favorite thing to cook in it? 

I need some new ideas so feel free to share! 

Latest Freebies!

Just wanted to share my latest freebies! 

My freebies from last week! 

Kleenex Hand Towels from Kleenex

BzzAgent kit from Glade plus more freebies I got with coupons

Victoria Secret birthday reward

Chobani Yogurt Coupons & free product 

Progresso Free can of their recipe starters

Unreal free product coupon 

More great freebies this week!

Free product coupon from Nivea

Free sample Purina from Walmart
Free sample Waggin Tails from Walmart
$10.00 off $10.00 from Lowes
$10.00 off $10.00 from Dick's sporting goods

Lots of birthday freebies!

BYGO Free dinner at Smokey Bones for my birthday!
Free drink at Starbucks
$10.00 off at Victoria Secrets

Plus all the email freebies for my birthday!
Free Dessert at Smokey Bones
Free dessert at Longhorn Steakhouse
50 free Swagbucks
$5.00 off $10.00 at DSW
10% any HouseSpecial at Houseparty.com
And more!


What kind of freebies do you get from stores/companies for your birthday?