Wordless Wednesday: It's a Toddler's World

Toys everywhere, stickers stuck onto the carpet, cookie crumbs on her face, crayon in hand.... and yes, she put the headband in by herself.. sweet princess.  There's no way I'd rather have it.

Series: Keeping it Clean with Kleenex (#3)

We had so much fun having a week full of family time.. it was very special! The last day or so, we just kind of lounged around and relaxed - which included some Redbox DVDs (skyfall! my dad is a James Bond fan:) and some half-priced shakes from Sonic. And we made a special breakfast - blueberry waffles! Made with fresh blueberries from the Farmer's Market (and homemade butter, of course). My favorite! Anyone else have a complete love for breakfast food?? Anyone? We try to have it for dinner once a week, too.

Thanks to Kleenex Hand Towels, I had less laundry to do this week... and an easier clean up. The product’s unique, Cottony-Soft™ towel is free of inks, dyes and fragrances and highly absorbent – drying hands effectively, with enough capacity in the brand’s proprietary, absorbent Dry-Touch™ fibers for secondary quick clean-ups around the bathroom sink. But you know what else it's good for? Cleaning lipstick off of your toddler's face. And yes, I've had to do that twice this week. I guess she's just trying to be like her Mama. ;)

We were sad to see my family go, but we're hoping to go up and visit them this fall. I have such a beautiful family, don't I? :)

Kleenex Hand Towels can be found in the paper towel aisle at grocery and mass retailers nationwide at a suggested retail price of $2.99 per box (60-count).

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Series: Keeping it Clean with Kleenex (#2)

As I've said in my previous post, we've been quite busy this summer. One of the best things, is that my parents and little brother were able to come visit for a week! When they arrived at our doorstep, Clara didn't even know what to do with herself. She ran around and spun herself in circles (which is what she does when she's excited, haha) We were all so delighted. Clara always gets so attached to 'Nana and Papa'... she had to have Nana rock her to sleep every night.

One of the things we love to do when we are visiting with family is EAT. We love to cook, grill-out, bake.. you name it. We just really seem to enjoy being in the kitchen and eating good homemade food. We grilled some chicken, made turkey burgers, baby reds with pesto, enchiladas, ribs, fresh fruit salad, peach praline upside-down cake, etc... I'm making myself drool just thinking about all the good food we had.

When there's 6 people in our little house for a week.. going in and out... in the kitchen an awful lot... lots of hands being washed... these Kleenex Hand Towels have saved me from doing a ton of laundry. The last thing you want to do when you have house guests, is think about laundry. They're perfect to set right on the bathroom counter... or if you have a towel rack, their design makes it easy to flip it over and set them right on top of the rack.

In home bathrooms with heavy foot traffic, shared cloth towels are often damp and germy due to overuse. Take control of your towel situation by visiting Kleenex.com, and join the 14 million people who have already joined the Clean Hands Campaign by using Kleenex Hand Towels.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Wordless Wednesday: Bon Voyage

Sitting down this morning, with a cup of coffee, and writing out all my lists for our upcoming VACATION!  I'm a wee bit excited.

Barley Corn Salad & Tomato Vinaigrette {recipe}

Today was one of those lazy days... husband went fishing... Clara and I made pancakes... we watched some Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and did a little coloring... did some cleaning and some napping.  It was just way too hot outside to do anything outdoors, although we did run out quick for some refreshing shaved ice. ;) 

But it was also one of those days where I didn't feel like slaving away in the kitchen, or heating up the house.  So this was a perfect side dish to our dinner.  It didn't take too much effort to throw together.. we served some grilled chicken on top of this and it was perfect!  I think the leftovers would be good tossed into a spinach salad... or in a wrap.  It tastes just as good the next day. 

Barley Corn Salad & Tomato Vinaigrette

adapted from Iowa Girl Eats

• 3/4 medium barley
• 2 cups corn kernels, fresh or frozen (thawed)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup red onion, minced
• 8 slices cooked center cut bacon, chopped
• salt & pepper, to taste

• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp water
• 1/2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tbsp red onion
• salt & pepper, to taste

Cook barley according to package directions.  When barley is is finished and tender, drain to get rid of excess liquid.  Place in a large bowl.  Stir in corn, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and bacon into the cooled barley.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

For the tomato vinaigrette, combine 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, water, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, 1/2 tbsp red onion, and salt and pepper in a blend or food processor and blend until smooth.  Stir into the barley salad sparingly (I pour in just a little at a time, I don't usually use all of it).  Serve salad cold.

Series: Keeping it Clean with Kleenex {#1 & a giveaway}

So summer is half over (I know, I can hardly believe it myself)... how have you been spending it? Despite the sticky and humid weather here, we spend a lot of time outdoors... we have a daughter who gets stir-crazy if she doesn't get a breath of fresh air... playing at the park, enjoying the zoo, grilling up something delicious, strolling around the local Farmer's Market, swimming at the pool, having get-togethers, or just hanging out... plus we have a few more adventures planned before the summer is over.

We obviously keep pretty busy.. and that leaves absolutely no time for getting sick. So I was pretty excited to find out about Kleenex Hand Towels. In the U.S. alone, people dry their hands on cloth bathroom towels approximately 200 billion times per year. Just because a towel looks clean doesn’t mean it is. Even after they’re washed, hands are only as clean as the towel used to dry them. Kleenex has found an ideal way to dry hands at home by delivering a clean, fresh towel each time for proper hand hygiene. And they are especially nice to have when you have house guests - less laundry (anyone else dislike doing laundry?!).


Which would would you choose:


"Even after they’re washed, hands are only as clean as the towel used to dry them." That really makes me think twice about using a towel! With all the guests we have/had this summer, and with all the in-and-out of the house that we do.. the last thing I want to try to remember is when the last time I changed my hand towels are. So I just use Kleenex Hand Towels and keep on keepin' on! Because I have more important thing to think about.. like shaved ice and soakin' up that Vitamin D at the pool!

And what better way to start your weekend than a fun little giveaway?? Just use the form below. Winners will be notified by email next weekend! US residents only

a Rafflecopter giveaway
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.