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Monday, February 28, 2011

Starting the Garden

Winter is long gone here in Florida, so it's time to garden! You can see last years garden here. We aren't done getting plants or seeds, but we do have a few things so far. I decided to try and orange bell pepper this year. One green so far, but we will get more.


Not veggies, but I had some leftover flower seeds/bulbs from last year, so we're going to plant cosmos, morning glories & some ranunculus.


We are giving up yet on onions. We are going with red and sweet onions.


We didn't plan corn at all last year, but we're going to try again this year. I really don't love the idea of planting hybrids, but it's all I could find locally.



Green beans of course! We prefer Blue Lake Bush Beans.



I hate planting carrots because the seeds are so tiny. But I saw these planting strips & decided to give them a try.



Now we didn't plant this, but once again, we have rogue pumpkins growing on their own. This one is in our front flower bed.




And here is the actual garden. A little beyond the fence is a pond.






We also have a large area out in the field where we will be planting. This is where we attempted pumpkins last year.





Now this isn't garden related, but hey, they're fruit trees, so it's similar. Our peach tree is starting to turn green again!



New leaves...




And blossoms, too.



And it isn't the only thing. The orange & grapefruit trees are starting to bloom. And let me tell you, the yard smells amazing right now. Someone needs to bottle a true orange blossom scent.



And now I need to announce the winner of the Hailey's Bows giveaway. The lucky winner is comment #14 - Blue Eyes! Congratulations! Please contact me so I can get your information over to Sharon. Thank you to everyone who entered!


Would you be interested in sponsoring a giveaway? Or guest blog? If so, please feel free to get in touch!

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Purple Potatoes


Hands down, weirdest looking vegetable I've ever eaten!




Back tomorrow with gardening stuff!

Friday, February 25, 2011

Frugal Friday #4

No linky this week, sorry. I've got to figure out what to use now that McLinky is no longer free. But I still wanted to post & share my shopping trips for the week.




CVS
2 boxes of Pop Tarts @ 1.79 ea.
2 gallons of milk @ 3.19 ea.
1 Nice & Easy Foam dye @ 7.99
5 boxes of Colgate Pro Clinical @ 1.22 ea. (clearance!)
OOP - $1.89
SAVED - $45.34



Target
2 packs of Tide @ .97 ea.
1 Aquafresh Extreme Clean @ .97
2 Old Spice deoderants @ .97 ea.
2 Secret deoderants @ .97 ea.
2 Herbal Essences @ .97 ea.
2 boxes of Up & Up ibuprofin @ 1.09 ea.
1 box of Kleenex @ 1.57
1 bag of Purina One Beyond cat food @ 7.99
2 packs of Up & Up liners @ .89 ea.
2 packs of Always liners @ .94 ea.
7 boxes of Tony's pizza @ 1.00 ea.
OOP - $1.77
SAVED - $33.68

If you received the $110 coupon booklet from P&G, head to Target. I got most of the stuff pictured above FREE using coupons from that book! The first round expire 2/28, so hurry!



Walgreens
7 bags of Purina One Smartblend dog food @ 1.99 ea.
OOP - $1.91
SAVED - $13.00




Publix #1
10 boxes of Mueller's pasta @ 1.43 ea (BOGO)
1 pack of hotdog buns @ 1.19
1 bag of sugar @ 3.19
7 Mentos @ .50 ea.
OOP - $1.78
SAVED - $22.68





Publix #2
10 boxes Muellers pasta @ 1.43 ea. (BOGO)
20 jars of Hunts tomato sauce @ .33 ea.
1 loaf italian bread @ 2.29
1 chocolate syrup @ 1.79
1 pack Orbitz gum (not pictured) @ 1.19
OOP - $1.49
SAVED - $30.44





It was a good mail day, too! A sample of Vaseline lotion and coupons for FREE Egg Beaters, Chef Boyardee, Metamucil & Cool Juice! And don't forget to enter the Hailey's Bows giveaway! It still has LOW ENTRIES, so your chances are good! So what sorts of deals or freebies did you get this week?

Linked to:

Weekly Totals at I ♥ Publix & Monday's Tips & Tricks at Homebody
Photo Show & Tell at Addicted to Saving & Friday Finals at Southern Savers

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Rainbow Wreath


Things are slowly coming along for the rainbow party. I managed to get the wreath done, now I'm getting ready to work on her t-shirt. Lot's to do still! But I want to go ahead & share the wreath. I started with a $1 wreath form from the Dollar Tree, some batting & tacky glue.




I cut strips out of the batting (doesn't need to be perfect) and wrapped it all around the wreath.





This is what you will end up with.



I used this super soft baby yarn. It has 86 yards & was less than $3. I knew this would cover it & I wasn't looking to spend much on this.



After wrapping the entire wreath in yarn, you have this. I love how soft & fluffy it looks, almost like a cloud!



And here is the end result!



I don't have any photos of making the flowers, I was kind of playing with them as I went. At the time I wasn't 100% positive what I wanted to do. But the flowers are easy. Just cut a spiral in the felt & roll it up. I used a little hot glue to secure them together.





I haven't decided if I am going to make another bunting for this party (I made one for all three parties last year), so I wanted to add one to the wreath. It's just triangles of felt, glued together.



I strung them on a piece of baker's twine.



I think it turned out pretty cute! I might hang it in their bedroom when the party is over, not sure yet. Oh, and please check out my current giveaway, your choice of bow from Hailey's Bows. There is only one entry so far, so your chances are good!

Linked to:

Hookin Up With HoH at House of Hepworths
Too Cute Tuesday at Funky Polkadot Giraffe
Catch-as-Catch-Can at My Repurposed Life
Weekend Bloggy Reading at Serenity Now
Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest
I'm Crafty at So You Think You're Crafty
Show & Share Day at Just a Girl
Weekend Wrap Up Party at Tatertots & Jello
Strut Your Stuff at Saturday Mornings
Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table & Dreaming
Sundae Scoop at I ♥ Naptime
Tute Yourself Tuesday at Little Eme
Get Your Craft On at Today's Creative Blog
Whatever Goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts
Idea Sharin Wednesday at Women Who Do It All
Whats Up Wesnesday at Sew Woodsy
Show & Tell at Blue Cricket Designs
Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Talent Tuesday at Vintage Wanna Bee
Looks What I Made at Creations by Kara

Monday, February 21, 2011

Hailey's Bows Giveaway

First I need to announce the winner of the $25 Publix giftcard. And the winner is.... #11, Kaity-Bug Crafts! Congratulations!


Now I want to introduce you to a brand new Etsy shop called Hailey's Bows. It is ran by my friend from way back in high school, Sharon. She hasn't been open very long, but her inventory is quickly growing! And she LOVES custom orders. How cute is this camo & pink bow?


Also fitting in with that cute, country girl style is this adorable John Deere bow!


This green bow would be perfect for St. Patrick's Day.


She even does diaper cakes!



GIVEAWAY CLOSED
Now for the giveaway! One lucky reader will win their choice of bow from Hailey's Bows!

MANDATORY ENTRY:
Visit Hailey's Bows on Etsy. Come back & leave me a comment telling me about your favorite item.

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES (one comment for each entry):
1. "LIKE" Hailey's Bows on Facebook (You can also check out more of her designs there!)
2. Become a follower of my blog, or let me know that you already are
3. Blog about this giveaway
4. Share this giveaway on Facebook

Giveaway will remain open until Monday, February 28th. Good luck!!
Linked to Giveaway Directory #46 at Someday Crafts

Sunday, February 20, 2011

What's That? A Scrabook Page?

Not just one, but two! I used to scrapbook regularly. In fact, I was caught up. Blake has at least 3 complete books. But then Layla came along and things slowed down. And by the time Morgan came, scrapping was a thing of the past. Now it isn't all their fault. Most of the time I don't feel like dragging everything out since I don't have a dedicated craft room. Scrapping means 100 trips back & forth, getting things I forgot or didn't know I needed. Then I have to put it all the way. But the other day I decided to give it another go.


And Morgan officially has her first scrapbook page! Simple, but I think it turned out cute.





How awesome are those flowers? They came from a fabulous little Etsy shop called Dragonfly Expression. Check her sold listings, too, she makes the best flowers! She blogs, too, check it out!




Blake got a new page, too. Gotta love the BB gun. Layla got a pink one for Christmas this year!



I never leave the chipboard raw, or leave the centers in, but I liked the way it looked on this page.



But I did paint a few pieces to add some more blue.




So, do you scrapbook?
Linked to:
Sundae Scoop at I ♥ Naptime
Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table & Dreaming
Strut Your Stuff at Saturday Mornings
Get Your Craft On at Today's Creative Blog
Tute Yourself Tuesday at Little Eme
Look What I Made at Creations by Kara
Whatever Goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts
Link Party #43 at Tea Rose Home
Idea Sharin Wednesday at Women Who Do It All
Show & Tell at Blue Cricket Design
What's Up Wednesday at Sew Woodsy