HE LIVES!!!!

Photo by Mike Kaminski, Jacksonville Beach sunrise service
  

♪ He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way. He lives, He lives, salvation to impart. You ask me how I know He lives: He lives within MY heart! ♪ 

Thank you Jesus for dying so that we might live!

WISHING EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU A JOYFUL EASTER

♥♥TRACY♥♥

Combat $1000 Giveaway - Enter To Win

Combat is proud to introduce the $1,000 Giveaway featuring NEW Combat Ant & Roach Killing Bait Strips! You can enter to win up to $1,000! After entering, you will also receive a $1 off printable coupon good on any roach or ant bait. 

Enter here for a chance to win: 
http://insiders.purex.com/win1000?id=16926

Be sure to come back to COTTON PICKIN CUTE and enter my current giveaways listed in the sidebar!

Good Luck Y'all

Winning Giveaways Series - Part 2

 Part Two:  I love winning!!

Time to tell you about the rest of my wins over the past few months.  I'm also looking for others who have won some exciting prizes.  I'd love to hear about your wins and your tips.  Let me know in the comments or shoot me an email.  I'm sure other readers would enjoy them too.

Purex With Oxi Giveaway @ Young At Heart Mommy.  Thanks Jessica!

 

Source: youngatheartmommy.com via Tracy on Pinterest

• One Month of Free Wonder Bread (4 Free Coupons) @ Mom To Bed By 8.  Thanks Teri!
  

Source: couponingfor4.net via Tracy on Pinterest

Blog Makeover from The Frugal Foodie Mama. Thanks Teri!

• Cottonelle Toilet Paper and Wipes from Mom Central "Name It" ambassador program.

• Canvas Beach Print by C. McDonald @ Chic On A Shoestring Decorating.  I chose the print "Wild Oats To Sow".  Catherine was so nice.  She said she took the photo while on vacation in Palm Coast, Florida, which is very close to where I live.  I chose it because it reminded me of home.  Who knew it was so close? Visit Catherine's shop here.  Thanks Kate and Catherine!!

• Purex Crystals fro @ Baby from Mom's Little Secret.  Thanks Jami!

• Swiffer Tee Giveaway @ Mash Up Mom.  Thanks Rachel and Swiffer!

Source: mashupmom.com via Tracy on Pinterest

• A coupon for a FREE L'Oreal Hair Color giveaway on Facebook.  Thanks L'Oreal!

• Friends Giveaway @ Farmer's Wife Rambles. Thanks Brandy!

• Be sure to come back for Part 3 in this series. If you missed Part 1 you can catch it here: Winning Giveaways Series - Part 1 

• While you're here, don't miss out on a chance to win. Enter my giveaways listed on the right sidebar!

Good Luck Y'all!
Hugs...Tracy ♥

Sweet and Spicy Popcorn

The grandkids are on Spring break this week and have been spending a few nights with us.  Tonight was popcorn night.  Well at least it was for me and Ki'a.  It seems she inherited my sweet tooth.

This is such a quick and easy treat. It's actually way too easy because I snack on it much too often.
 
Ingredients

4 quarts popped corn
2-3 Tbsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/3 cup butter or margarine

Directions
Combine butter, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg in a cup and microwave till melted. Stir until sugar is mostly dissolved. Drizzle over popcorn and toss until well coated. Sprinkle with a little salt at the end.

* Tip - I just put a couple of tablespoons of oil in my stock pot and add about 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels.  It takes just a minute to pop.  I like to pour half in the bowl and them add some of the melted ingredients stir and then add more.

It's that easy.  Now sit back and enjoy!  Ki'a is enthralled with CSI.  I don't know too many 10 year olds that like crime theme dramas like this girl.  She didn't get it from me.

A girlie girl who likes crime dramas.  Who would have guessed? 

If you try the recipe let me know what you think.  Do you have a popcorn flavor that your family enjoys?  Share it with me.  Maybe you have a different snack that you whip up real quick.  Leave me a comment so I can try it next time.

Y'all Enjoy. Hugs...Tracy ♥

New Soft Scrub Advanced Surface Giveaway

Have you heard about Soft Scrubs NEWEST product yet?  Probably not, but once again I've got the Inside scope on it.  I was asked to review the New Soft Scrub Advance Surface Cleaner + Polish.  So I decide to test it on 3 surfaces, starting with my toaster.  This toaster is at least 10 years old. It's time for a new one but who would know it with a shine like this?  It's a success on stainless steel!

New Soft Scrub Advanced Surface is the rinse-free gel that cleans and polishes granite and marble countertops, glass cooktops, and stainless steel.

I wanted to try it on all 3.  You can see it brought out a beautiful shine on my toaster.  Now lets go to something a little less attractive.  The before photo is below.  Probably didn't need to tell you that.  See the dirty rings around the burner, especially the big one that I use most often. I didn't even know my glass cooktop was this dirty.  It's amazing what you see when you use a flash or flood light.  I had a heck of a time trying to get photos of all these reflective surfaces.  I used different lighting which is why some pics are so much lighter.

In the next photo I've applied the gel so I can let it sit for a couple of minutes.  This is suggested for stubborn stains.  I think mine qualifies.

Instructions read:
Just apply to the surface and wipe away with a sponge, cloth or paper towel.  You'll be amazed at how easily grease and grime disappears.

I scrubbed and I scrubbed a little more,  Admittedly mine was baked on pretty good.

It easily brought a clean, bright shine to most of the stove top.  I did have to put some time into the really grungy part but I wasn't surprised by that. It takes good old fashioned elbow grease for things like that.  Just look at the shine below.  It looks great and I'm feeling proud again.  Cleanliness is next to Godliness, right!

It's a success on glass stovetops!

I don't have a before picture of the granite countertop but it stays clean for the most part.  The biggest problem is there are ALWAYS streaks when you wipe it with soap and water. I loved the nice shine I got after wiping them down with Advanced Surface.  Plus there's no stinky chemical smell.  It just smells clean.  It's a success on granite!

 So that's 3 of the 4 surfaces that Soft Scrub Advanced Surface is specially formulated for.

• New Advanced Surface is Tough on stains, Gentle on Surfaces!
• Specially formulated for granite and marble countertops, stainless steel sinks and appliances, and stovetops.
• No rinsing required, just wipe away with a damp sponge, cloth or paper towel.
• For more information, visit www.softscrub.com

My Final thought...

I'm always careful about what I use on my granite counters and glass cooktop.  I want something that I'm sure isn't going to scratch or leave a foggy film.  I'm really happy with this product and I'm sure I'll buy it again.  Black granite has one big draw back, I can clean it and the next day it looks like it need cleaning.  Dust really shows up.  With a quick swipe of Soft Scrub Advanced Surface it won't be embarrassing me any more.

Sweeps!

Make sure to enter the Don't Worry, Be Happy Sweepstakes!
One lucky winner will receive $1,000, while 250 second place winners get to try NEW Soft Scrub® Advanced Surface for FREE!

Cotton Pickiin Cute Giveaway!
2 lucky CPC readers will each win a FREE coupon to try a bottle for themselves. Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below before 4/09.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: Soft Scrub brand provided me with a sample of Soft Scrub Advanced Surface in exchange for a product review.  However, all the opinions expressed here are my own.   

New Purex Natural Elements Giveaway

I have a brand new review and giveaway to go with the warming weather.  Are you thinking Tropics?  You should be!

Do you remember me saying that the Purex Insider Team was all about the tropics right now?  You don't?  Well I did say it.  As in Escape to the Tropics!  I told you all about how you can enter to win a tropical vacation to Hawaii in the Tropical Trio Sweepstakes from Purex, Outrigger and Honey Bunches of Oats.

We've already had the Honey Bunches of Oats giveaway and now it's time to tell you about the NewPurex Natural Elements Tropical Splash detergent.

Tropical Splash is the exciting new fragrance in Purex's Natural Elements line.  You'll smell exotic fruits like pineapple and coconut combined with distant flowers to take your nose on a tropical vacation.  It's just the right combination and not at all overwhelming.

What's different?

Natural Elements is Purex #1 selling detergent.  It delivers the same bright, white, and clean you expect from Purex, but with naturally sourced ingredients.  Tropical Splash offers natural fragrance extracts providing a great scent and a formula gentle enough for sensitive skin.  Plus, the biodegradable formula promotes green cleaning practices.

Affordabilty

Like other Purex detergents, Purex Natural Elements Tropical Splash detergent is optimized to perform in high efficiency or traditional washing machines, and cost half the price of the leading brand.  It's available in 50oz, 75oz and 100oz sizes.

Purchase

You can use the store locator to find retailers in your area that carry this product: http://www.purex.com/products/detergents/natural-elements

Before I tell you how 2 of you can win a FREE coupon for your own bottle right here, let me tell you how you can enter the Tropical Trio Sweepstakes again.

Prizes

• Grand Prize - 1 Winner -  Four-night stay at Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach for two people
• 1st Place Prize - 5 Winners - One-year's supply of Purex Natural Elements Tropical Splash Detergent and Honey Bunches of Oats Tropical Blends
• 2nd Prize - 100 Winners - Coupon for free Purex Natural Elements and Honey Bunches of Oats Tropical Blends

You can enter from February 13 - April 19 here:

 http://insiders.purex.com/tropical-trio?id=16926

Without further adu...it's time to enter to win a FREE coupon for your own bottle of Purex Natural Elements Tropical Splash Detergent.  You know the drill just use the Rafflecopter form below following the simple instructions.  Don't forget to enter the other giveaways listed on my sidebar after your done.  Good Luck Y'all!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: Purex brand provided me with a sample of Purex Natural Elements Tropical Splash detergent in exchange for a product review.  However, all the opinions expressed here are my own. 

New Dial Coconut Water Body Wash Giveaway

Spring has sprung and the light refreshing scents of summer are calling my name.  No more heavy baking scents, like cinnamon or pumpkin.  Give me something fresh.

Well hello Dial!  How did they get into my head?
I have a GIVEAWAY to give you something fresh too.  So keep reading.

I don't know if I've ever mention it but I a very sensory person.  I have to smell or touch everything.  (Neil hates it when I do that in a store).  My granddaughter is just like me.  So as you can image the smell of my soap is important to me. A bath or shower is a ritual for me.  I love to linger and relax.  The NEW Dial Coconut Water Body Wash makes the experience enjoyable surrounding me with a light scent that's not overpowering.  It smells so refreshing.  I'm resistant to say it smells clean because, well it's body wash, it's suppose to.  Well, I'm saying it anyway it smells so clean!!  I love that it has a light scent of coconut and not that strong suntan lotion coconut smell.  And don't let the clear look fool you, it produces a rich lather and leaves your skin hydrated and not stripped of moisture.


What makes the New Dial Coconut Water Body Wash so special?

It's the first of its kind to contain coconut water for clean, healthy skin.  Coconut water is found in young, green coconuts and known to be rich in antioxidants and electrolytes that provide replenishing hydration and health benefits.
Experience the Ultra Fresh Hydration of NEW Dial Coconut Water Body Wash.

My Final Thoughts

I don't like sacrificing quality for value.  I deserve to get both and that's exactly why I like Dial Coconut Water Ultra Fresh Hydrating Body Wash.  I've heard people say that soap lasts long but not for me.  It seems like a shower wash last forever in my shower.  Bar soap just melts away to some little slither and who wants to wash with that?  I get every drop of soap when I use liquid, and I don't watch it washing down the drain as it's sits on the shelf melting in the shower.

So will I spend my hard earned money on it?

You bet I will!  Oh' and don't be surprised if you ever meet me and I'm smelling myself.

Buy It

New Dial Coconut Water Body Wash can be found at your local retailer.

Learn More

Learn more about having Healthier Skin. Healthier You. at:
dialsoap.com
facebook.com/dial 


Be sure to enter Dial's Healthier Skin, Healthier You Sweepstakes!

• One lucky grand prize winner will l receive $1000

• 250 second place winners get to try Dial® Coconut Water Body Wash for FREE! 

Just click on this link to enter:  http://insiders.purex.com/healthier-skin?id=16926

Being a Purex Insider gives me the opportunity to share with you too.  I'm giving 2 Cotton Pickin Cute readers the chance to win a FREE coupon so you can try it yourself.

Entering is super easy, just follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter Giveaway Box below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  "Dial Soap provided me with a sample of NEW Dial Coconut Water Body Wash in exchange for a product review.  However, all the opinions expressed her are my own."

While you're here be sure to enter the other giveaways I have listed on the right sidebar.

Good Luck Y'all.

Winning Giveaways Series - Part I

I've had the best luck lately. (I've worked at it too)  I thought it was time tell you about them.  Everybody loves winning and I'm no exception.  Every time I win anything and I mean anything, you'll see me doing a happy dance at my house.  When I won the Samsung Chromebook, Neil didn't know if I was having some sort of attack or if I'd been drinking.

This is the first of a series of 3 post.  Well 3's what I've got planned for now.  The next post will show you more things I've won over the past few months.  I'm hoping this will encourage y'all.  People really do win you know!  I've been in dry spells too.  Sometimes it seems like you get one winning email behind another and then you go for what seems like forever before you get another.  I've gotten discouraged and thought enough is enough and then things turn around.

While you're here you may-as-well enter my giveaways too.  Just look for current giveaways on my right sidebar. 

So without bragging here's all the goodies I've won lately.  Don't be jealous now.

• Samsung Streaming Chromebook @ Sober Julie.  I've been wanting to win a laptop for so long and needed this so much.  Thank you Julie!!!   I'm still pinching myself!!! 

• Cricut Mini @ Mom It Forward.  I couldn't believe I won this!  Thanks Jill and thanks to the sponsor Provo Craft

Source: momitforward.com via Tracy on Pinterest

• Body Shop Giveaway @ Jewel's Fab Life.  Jewel is a social media and marketing genius, which leads her to the most exciting blog events and she lets ride along.  Thanks Jewel!!

Source: jewelsfablife.com via Tracy on Pinterest

• Scentsy bars from Musings From a Stay at Home Mom. I'd like to thank Erika's sponsor sponsor Sariah Finn, Independent Scentsy Consultant.  She was so nice.  When my scentsy bars didn't come right away she straightened it out and even sent me an extra bar.  How nice was that.  Thanks Erika and Sariah!!

• Scott's Liquid Gold Touch of Scent Dispenser with 3 Refills in Tangerine Mist, Ocean Breeze, and Very Vanilla @ Mamawj's Moment Away.  You've heard me talk about sweet Julie so often.  Love her! Thank you Julie!!!

• $20 Bed, Bath and Beyond Gift Card @ Kit Kat Plus Celiac.  Thanks Kat!!

• Pinklette Derby Bracelet @ Cavalcade.  Thanks Danielle and Pinklette!

Source: cavalcadeblog.com via Tracy on Pinterest

• Winter Ski Time outfit from The Queen’s Treasures @ Doll Diaries.  Thanks Char!!
  

• Are you like me, do you like to hear about others winning stories?  I'd love to hear what you've won lately.  Encourage me y'all!  Do you have any tips you want to share, leave me a comment.  Maybe you'd like to be a guest host on Cotton Pickin Cute and share your story with my readers.  That would be great too.  Just leave a comment or email me here:  cpcblogging (at) hotmail (dot) com

• While you're here, enter my giveaways.  You can find them on the right sidebar.

• But don't forget to come back and read Winning Giveaways - Part 2.

 Good luck Y'all!!!!

 

NEW Tom’s of Maine Wicked Cool! Toothpaste Reivew

This is the story of how my battle with my granddaughter ended with me being Wicked Cool.

I have a 10 year fashionista living in my midst.  You'd think being a fashionista would automatically mean bathroom rituals like brushing her teeth would be a drama free zone.  But you'd be thinking wrong.  This girl does everything including throw a tantrum when I announce that it's time to brush your teeth.

When I asked Ki'a if she'd like to be my review tester for Tom's of Maine New Wicked Cool toothpaste for kids and she said yes, I was a little shocked.  I think the name Wicked Cool was enticing to her. Note to self...Advertisers can teeth parents a lesson or two about how to make things seem more fun.

You can learn more about Tom's of Maine Wicked Cool! by clicking the link below: 

http://smiley360.com/1347943.cfm

 

Okay so she was a little hesitant at first, as you can see in the photo below

You can see she got past the taste test and went into full brush mode.

Heaven's to mercy!!!  She's actually smiling.  No hurrying to get through.  She kept brushing.

I thought she might just do it quickly to pacify me, but nope she really liked it.  I didn't even have to ask, her face said it all and she told me so before I could get the question out. 

She said "Grandma it's not spicy or hot like other toothpaste".  Her way of saying she doesn't like the strong mint flavor of other toothpaste. I never thought about the flavor, I just thought she hating taking the time to brush.  Who knew?

Now, we're both smiling, She likes the mild mint flavor.
As for me I'm happy that Wicked Cool! toothpaste features natural ingredients and is ADA-Accepted to help prevent cavities, strengthens enamel, and freshens breath.  And like all Tom's kids toothpastes, it has no artificial dyes, sweeteners or flavors.

Finally I've found a secret weapon thanks to Smiley360.  So now it looks like this Grandma might just be Wicked Cool!

Disclosure:  I was provided a free sample of #TomsWickedCool from Smiley360 to assist in my review.  All opinion however are my own.

New Purex With Crystals Giveaway and Sweepstakes

The Purex brand has been around for years.  It's a well established brand but they're not resting on their laurels. 

They know products change, fabrics change, i.e...stains change.  They are determined to keep up with those changes.  This year they've been working overtime to come up with ways to make laundry less of a chore for consumers.

They also need to let their consumers know about all these new changes and that's where Purex Insiders come in.  We're the first to find out about these products, review them and share our honest opinion with readers like you.  With a review comes a giveaway so keep reading.

What's new?

Purex plus Fabric Softener with Crystals Fragrance!

What's Different?

Last year you heard me go on and on about Purex Crystals, my favorite new product ever!  Well now Purex has made laundry even easier with Purex plus Fabric Softener with Crystals Fragrance!  You can see in the photo below that it's a got a bit of a cloudy look.  Just what you'd expect to see in a fabric softener.  It's like 2 steps in 1.  It's perfect for everyday laundry.  Loaded with the most popular Purex Crystals fragrance, your whole laundry room will smell wonderful.

The new detergent also has the power of DirtLift Action which works deep into clothes to get the out dirt.  Beginning in 2013 Purex added DirtLift Action to the entire family of Purex detergents.

New enchanting fragrance, same Great value.  Purex plus Fabric Softener with Crystals Fragrance leaves your clothes smelling fresh for half the price of the leading brand.  An average family could save over $45 a year by using Purex with Crystals fragrance detergent. 

You can still use it with Purex Crystals for even more long-lasting freshness. I'm crazy about Purex Crystals, in case you didn't hear me the first 100x's.  Little secret...I keep my smelly cat liter box in my laundry room.  Who want's to smell that?  That's why it's in the laundry room.  Well I don't relish the idea of doing laundry in a smelly room, so I keep a dish with Purex Crystals in it.  That way it's smells fresh even before the laundry starts.

Let me tell you how I really feel about Purex

Just like you laundry is an everyday or at least weekly part of my life.  Nobody naked here.  Even though I get sent new items to review, I still have to spend our money buying more.  I can honestly tell you that I've bought only Purex for the last couple of years.  If it didn't work I wouldn't be spending my hard earned money on it.  A laundry detergent's only an affordable and a value, if it works.  Purex has superior cleaning qualities.

Where you can find Purex plus Fabric Softener with Crystals Fragrance

You'll find it available in the liquid detergent aisle at your local Walmart, Target, Kroger and other Purex retailers.

Before my giveaway, I'll let you in on the Purex Sweepstakes details

Purex is having a sweepstakes -  One grand prize winner will receive $1000 and a YEAR of FREE Purex plus Fabric Softener with Crystals Fragrance.  500 Second Place winners will receive a coupon for free Purex detergent.  

TO ENTER -- PLEASE CLICK The link below to visit Purex's sweepstakes page to enter! 

http://insiders.purex.com/experience-enchantment/?id=16926

Time for my GIVEAWAY details

Purex is giving 2 Cotton Pickin Cute readers the chance to win a FREE coupon for a bottle of Purex plus Fabric Softener.  This means 2 winners!!  All you have to do is follow the easy instructions on Rafflecopter widget below.  Open to all U.S. mailing addresses, sorry to my international readers.  Giveaway ends on 4/2 at 12am EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck Y'all,

Tracy ♥

Disclosure:  The Purex brand provided me with a sample of Purex detergent plus Fabric Softener with Crystals Fragrance in exchange for a product review.  However, all the opinions expressed here are my own.

Free Paint, New Baby and Camping - What a Weekend

Spring may not officially start till Wednesday but it was definitely Spring here.  Ever since Ty brought his family back home from New York they have spent more weekends than not at the beach.  It's like winter forgot us and they've loved it.

Sometimes it's really good to live in Florida!  This weekend we had that perfect weather that I wish we had more of.  Not to hot to go outside - just perfect!  The first week of Spring looks like it living up to Spring expectations.

Some may look at the coming rain with a frown but not me.  It's been way to dry and there's already a breakout of wildfires, so I say bring it on.  Plus the rain will awesome for the yard.  Oh' and do you see the weatherman's warning of a cold front coming? Yep' it looks like behind that rain is a cool down.  We may not even reach the 60's. he-he.  Truth is we hardly had a winter at all and as much as I love having beautiful weekends like this past one, cold is good for killing off pest and weeds, and even we Floridians enjoy a change in weather.

Neil & I spent Saturday grocery shopping and picking up my FREE paint from Ace Hardware.  Did y'all get yours?

That evening I received a call from my sister reporting that her newest grandbaby was on it's way.  That's right I'm a new great aunt to Ava Leigh born in Atlanta March 16, 2013.

  Isn't she precious and she has such a beautiful Southern name.

Ty, Christal & the grandkids did something a little more fun then grocery shopping and a little less strenuous than having a baby.  They went on there first beach camping trip.  They spent all day over at Amelia Island which is only about 20 miles away.  It's where I spent all my summers growing up at the beach and where I raise Ty to be the surf boy he is.  I love knowing Zach and Ki'a are enjoying there childhoods there too.

 Ending a long day with a marshmallows and a campfire is what sweet dreams are made of!

Ty's best friend brought his family down for a while too.  His cute little daughter Tallulah seems to be having fun.  I think it's neat that Ty's daughter's name, Ki'a means Start of the Sea and his best friends daughter's name Tallulah means leaping water.

After a sweet night of sleeping to the sound of crashing waves and the scent of the sea they woke up to this beautiful view.

I'd love to open my eyes to this view every morning.  How can you not be in AWE of GOD's  amazing wonders when you see the sun rising over the ocean.

 

It was such a gorgeous day that Neil and I decided to spend it outside cleaning up the yard.  The family came over and pitched in.  It was just to nice to stay inside.  If we did we would have missed this.

 It was a dolphin right in front of the house!  That's the first time I've ever seen one out there.  Lucky for him an alligator didn't decide to have him for dinner.  He was having so much fun out there and everything just stopped when we saw him.  You can't buy moments like those.

It was such a wonderful weekend.  I hope yours was too.

Love Y'all....Tracy ♥