Arm & Hammer Products Review

I recently had the opportunity to review a variety of Arm & Hammer products.

I am very familiar with Arm & Hammer baking soda. In fact, I can't remember a time that my Mom and Grandma DIDN'T have a box of baking soda in their freezers and refrigerators.

Through the years I've used baking soda for bee stings, baking biscuits, and occasionally to clean with, but this was my first experience with Arm & Hammer's cleaning products.

First, I tried the Arm & Hammer Essentials Perfume Free Laundry Detergent. The description of this product uses words like "gentle," "biodegradable," and "safe for septic systems."

I confess I was skeptical that it would get my laundry clean. Remember, I have 3 very active children who end most days coated in dirt. And 2 of those children are boys - little boys who leave their clothes with the unique scent of dirt and boy sweat!

I was pleasantly surprised that Arm & Hammer Essentials Laundry Detergent not only cleaned the dirt out of my kids clothes, it also left them smelling clean!

Then I tried Arm & Hammer Essentials Cleaner & Degreaser. I guess I'm just a natural skeptic because words like "smear-free" and "fresh scent" made me wonder if this product would live up to its description.

It did! I now keep the Cleaner & Degreaser under my sink to clean my stove top and counters.

You should know that every Sunday night is pancakes and sausage night at my house. Sausage. It splatters grease everywhere. And I have a tendency to let the splatters sit for a day (or 10).

So I put the Cleaner & Degreaser to an intense stove top test. I removed all my grates (I have a gas stove) and sprayed it down. The gunk wiped right off with a paper towel!!

AND it really does have a "light, fresh scent." There's no harsh chemical smell in my kitchen after I clean my counters. I love that!

Now, y'all know I am all about frugal living and saving money, so I feel the need to tell you, I have no idea how much these products cost (remember, mine came for review).

But, I do know that if you go here and sign up to receive future coupons you will immediately be able to print a $1 off coupon for the Cleaner & Degreaser. I love a good coupon!

In addition to the Cleaner & Degreaser and Detergent, I also received 2 regular boxes and 2 cannisters of Arm & Hammer baking soda. That means I have a whole lot of baking soda to use!! So, I need some ideas and tips (other than baking biscuits. I have that one covered!) for ways to use it up.

So, PLEASE share your favorite tips for using baking soda?

Baseball Birthday Party for William

There seems to be a debate these days about kids' birthday parties. After 4 years of birthday parties my opinion is to keep things as simple as possible. In fact, we probably wouldn't have parties if we had extended family nearby.

But since our nearest family members are over 1000 miles away our kids each get a small party starting at 3 years of age (something I started when I only had TWO kids!). I try to have a general theme related to the birthday kid's current interests.

So what happened for Will's birthday in May?

Well, he talked of nothing but a cowboy birthday party after Ben's party in February. Then about 3 weeks before his party, Will decided cowboys were out and baseball was in. Since our guest list only included 2 families and I hadn't started buying party goods yet, we made the switch.

What do you need to have a baseball themed party for a 6 year old?

Friends wearing baseball clothes!

Bags from the Dollar Store filled with Popcorn!!

A Ball Cake: white frosting with lines of chocolate chips!

And lots of baseball playing!!

A super simple party with lots of fun for everyone!! You can watch some of the fun here:

Mothers of the Bible Speak to Mothers of Today - Book Review

Giveaway is now closed. Congratulations #4 Amy! If you haven't received an email from me, please send me your full name and shipping address by June 13.

A couple of months ago New Hope Publishers sent me Mothers of the Bible Speak to Mothers of Today by Kathi Macias to review. If you are unfamiliar with New Hope Publishers maybe you will recognize their parent company - WMU (Women's Missionary Union).

Mothers of the Bible Speak to Mothers of Today is a devotional book that takes 15 mothers of the Bible, briefly studies each woman's life and applies principles from each woman for mothers of today. Included at the end of each chapter are questions to help you meditate and apply the principles that have been shared.

My favorite chapter, if I have to pick one, is Jochebed: The Greatest Sacrifice. Jochebed, the birth mother of Moses, sacrifices her relationship with her son in order to insure his safety and well-being.

This story certainly isn't new to me, but I don't think I had ever considered Jochebed's devotion to God and her son before. Or the courage it took to allow her son to be raised by another woman.

I found this book to be doctrinally sound and recommend it to any individual or small group wanting to study the lives of Biblical mothers.

In fact New Hope Publishers is providing an additional copy for me to giveaway to one blessed reader!!

To win Mothers of the Bible Speak to Mothers of Today leave a comment by 8:00 PM (EST) June 12 telling which Biblical mom you would like to study the most. A winner will be chosen via Random.org and notified by email Friday night.