Apple Container Reuse

Around Halloween, Granny Smith Apples were on sale at Costco in this wonderful container. I knew the container needed to be saved for something great!

The plastic apple holder folded in half and snapped into place at the corners.

My son's teacher's birthday was this month. I made her cupcakes with purple sprinkles...although the picture does not reflect that, because my husband was on a black & white kick with the camera...and I couldn't figure out how to change it...he calls it job security when I can't figure out technical things...whatevs! Haha!!

It was the perfect container to transport cupcakes and give as a gift. I always keep labels on hand to print off whenever I need them. I slapped a Happy Birthday Label over the Granny Smith one and Wa-La! Cupcakes ready for travel in a cute package with no need to return to sender! Love it!!!

Have you discovered Shutterfly?

My sister got married this past October. I threw her a Breakfast at Tiffany's shower in August. I planned all year for it, from the moment she was engaged! I had every detail planned out, decorating even the bathroom. When it was over, I knew I needed to capture it all for her. I uploaded all of my pics to Shutterfly and made my sister a 8x8 hardcover book as a keepsake. When it came...her only words were "WOW". She was so impressed with the book and it's quality.

Shutterfly has a simple path program(http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-books/simple-path), in which the pages are already planned out and you just need to upload your pictures and drag them into the order you want. Even if you love to scrapbook, the pages look like you did! I could add captions to each page. In her case I added love quotes or quotes about sisters. The quality if Shutterfly books are outstanding! They will stand the test of time. Plus they don't take up as much space as my bulky scrapbooks! My kids love their books that I have made for them as well.

Check out Shutterfly today! Here's where you can get started:
http://www.shutterfly.com/upload-pictures

Here are some pics from her shower:

Breakfast on the go!

My kids have to be at school at 7:45am! Since we attend a Charter school, it is a bit far from our house, we have to be driving away no later than 7:15am to be on time. Which means, breakfast is often served in the car!

I came across a recipe for pizza scones in Family Fun Magazine. I altered the main ingredients by using breakfast items instead of the pizza ones.

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup fine cornmeal
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheese
  
• 1/3 cup finely chopped sausage
  
• 3 large eggs scrambled
  
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 2 Tbs. sugar
• Maple syrup

• Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper. In a large bowl, mix the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender or two knives, until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

• Scramble up three eggs and let cool. Also cook up the sausage, I used fully cooked microwaveable turkey sausage.
  

• Add buttermilk to the dry ingredients. Stir until the mixture forms a sticky dough.

• Lightly fold in the cheese, eggs, and sausage.
  

• Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead the dough until it holds together, about five times. Divide the dough in half and pat each half into a 1-inch-thick disk. Slice each disk into four wedges.

• Brush each scone with maple syrup.
  

• Place the wedges on a lightly greased baking sheet about 1 inch apart. Bake them until golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes. Serve the scones warm or at room temperature. Makes 8 scones.

Dry Erase Love Notes!

My friend Rhonda and I have our annual all day shopping day on Labor Day weekend. We hit all the clearance racks everywhere! Super fun day! Anyway, while she tried on some clothes at Anthropologie, I noticed the dressing room attendant would write each girl's name on their dressing room door. It was an oval shaped mirror. Once the girl left she would wipe it away with a cloth. So here is my version to my little guys, that they will find in the morning above their sinks! Make sure it is a dry erase markers! Just like the ones that teachers use on their
Wipe Boards.


This one is for my reader!















This one is for my learning to read guy!

Making Memories!!!

Our $6 Blueberry Pie

Rinsing the Blueberries!

Cooking & Popping the Berries!

Our Pie!

Enjoying the Fruits of his Labor!

After we picked blueberries this summer, my Five year old kept asking to make a blueberry pie. When we (I) finally got around to it, the blueberry farm had closed for the season. Blueberries were on sale for $1.79 a pint at the store so I bought 2 pints to make our pie!

Our recipe came from the Blueberry Farm's Website!

Chet's Blueberry Pie
1 Baked Pie Crust
4 cups Fresh Blueberries
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/3 cup sugar (adjust to berries)
2 teaspoons lemon juice
pinch of salt

In a small bowl whisk together the cornstarch and 2 tbls water.
Place one cup of the berries and 1/2 cup of water in a medium saucepan.
Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer 4 to 5 minutes stirring constantly until berries begin to burst.
Then while stirring constantly add the cornstarch mix, the sugar, the salt, and the lemon juice. Simmer while stirring for one more minute until translucent.
Remove from heat and quickly fold in remaining 3 cups of berries.
Spoon mixture into baked pie shell and allow to set at room temp for 2 hours.
Great with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Goodwill Fun - an unexpected good time!

Who knew that the Goodwill could be a fun, exciting activities for kids?

We went this week and spent 1 1/2 hours inside looking for treasures.

My boys are 7, 5, and 1...so shopping isn't on their to do list....EVER!

Lately, their treasures include VHS movies...they are usually 99cents.

Of course Mom says, "YES!"

Don't worry, Mom found some treasures too!

Just not sure what I will do with mine yet!

SONIC

One place I wanted to scratch off our "to do" list this summer
was to hit Sonic and experience carhops!

They have a wonderful do$$ar menu!
Perfect sized sundaes with Reece's, Snickers, Oreos, or M&M's.

After 8p.m. they have $1 sundaes!
We got hot fudge...so yummy!

Happy Hour is 2-4p.m.
1/2 off all drinks!

We love surprising the kids once they have their jammies on
and hopping in the car and heading to Sonic!

Popcorn Obsession

My kids LOVE popcorn! They want it every time we sit down for a movie! I also make it before we go to the movies! I know I'm not supposed to bring "outside" food into a theater, but for one I cannot pay those prices, especially if we are there for the free movie (cuz seriously we then lose the free factor) and I don't want my kids eating that unhealthy oil/butter!

I discovered how to make this popcorn from The Frugal Girls Website. All you need is 1/3 cup popcorn kernels, brown paper lunch sack, and some tape! Hit the microwave button and voila! You have healthy, easy popcorn for your peeps!

With all the talk about microwave popcorn and the fumes and so many are made with partially hydrogenated oil...I try to find alternatives for my guys!

My husband was shocked when I grabbed the 8lb. bucket when we were at Costco...it cost me $9.99...so I don't really know if I am saving money or not...but I'm saving their cholesterol! : )

I do melt about a tablespoon of butter and toss it all over the popcorn! The boys love it!

Customer Appreciation Week @ Chick-Fil-A

Another reason why I love Chick-Fil-A! Every year they have Cow Appreciation Day, where you dress like a cow and get your meal for free! (See Blog below!) Last year, they gave out freebies each night leading up to the Cow Day! They are doing it again! For each person present in your party, you will receive a free item!

Any Southern California Chick-Fil-A.

July 5th - July 9th
4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

MONDAY: Spicy Chicken Sandwich

TUESDAY: 3-Count Chicken Strips

WEDNESDAY: Chick-Fil-A Chicken Sandwich

THURSDAY: 8-Count Chicken Nuggets

FRIDAY: Cow Appreciation Day - All Day
Dress in Full Cow Costume & receive a FREE Chick-Fil-A Meal.
Wear a Partial Cow Costume and receive a FREE Chick-Fil A Chicken Sandwich!

Last year, we took the kids each night right at the start to beat the rush! The spicy sandwich is too spicy for my kids, but each boy ordered one. Then we took them and I froze them for my husband's lunch for work! The nuggets freeze well too! Just make sure you bring the whole Fam...because everyone in your party gets the free item, but you must be present!

Free Dinner All Week...What's Not To Love!!!

Cow Appreciation Day is Coming

If you know me...you know that I love Chick-Fil-A.
Every year they have Cow Appreciation Day!
This year it lands on Friday, July 9th, 2010.
Dress up like a cow from head to toe and you will receive a free meal!
Even if you have part of a costume, you will receive one free item!
Last year, I dressed the baby up to get my free meal!
Get a cracka lackin' on your costume now!
Find something from home, the best part of the challenge is
spending no $ to get your free meal!

Hint - Hint:
(If you hit up your CFA the Tuesday/Family Night on July 6th,
you will get your Eat Mor Chikin sign and ears.)

Seven Eleven Free Slurpee Day

Mark your calendars for July 11th, 2010...or 7-11, for the free slurpee day.
You can go in and get a free 7.11oz Slurpee all day from 8 am - 11pm.
We did this last year! I love doing free stuff, cuz my boys think I'm a baller!
If you have your summer survival guide it is in their also!
Have fun and slurp up!!!

Dinner 4 a Buck Fourteen

Pizza Crust 82cents + Sauce 32cents = $1.14
(We already had cheese at home.)




The boys added 1/2 cup warm water and took turns stirring!

Rolled out their dough!

Now comes the sauce!

Cheese Please!

Mmm Mmm Good!

Beach Day

Beach Day

Cheapest thing to do is pack a lunch, sand toys, swim clothes, and towels in the car and get on your way down to the beach! We drove down to Oceanside beach. This can be a fun last minute thing. We didn't get down there until 4pm. The boys still ventured into the freezing Cali water, collected two buckets of rocks and ate sandy peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!

A good time was had by all! Even the baby loved it...he wasn't scared of the water or sand at all. The only mishap was someone brought 3 Batman characters and they were either washed away or buried somewhere in the sand. Another little boy will be so happy to find them someday! Total spent was $3 for parking! Woo Hoo!!!

Berry Picking

Last week, we went blueberry picking! Super fun activity. The boys won't eat store bought blueberrries...but love the ones that they pick. Local blueberries are so juicy, just like grapes! It can get pricey, $5 a pint and my boys picked two and half pints! Yikes....but we enjoyed eating all of them!

For your area, google u-pick berries and see what pops up! We're hoping to hit the strawberry farms in Carlsbad next!

Vacation Bible School

Look to your area churches that offer Vacation Bible School(VBS). Most churches offer free or low fees for kids to attend a week long 3 hour a day program. The program usually includes learning Bible stories, songs, a fun snack, craft and games! Check out church websites to find out more or some can be found on:

https://www2.lifeway.com/vbs2010/yourvbs/index.php/find/

My kids are attending one this week from 1-4pm. We get to do fun stuff in the morning...they are off to VBS...and then they are ready to unwind and have dinner. I get some down time while they are off having fun with friends and learning about God! We all win!
My mom can still remember the key verse
she memorized when she attended as a little
girl in VBS.

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.
If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,
I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."
~Revelation 3:20~

Fun Quote of the Day

"Don't mind us ladies,
we're just making everyday of summer count!"


~Phineas

Free Movies

One of the first things I do is scope out all the free things to do in the surrounding cities, such as all of the free movies at movie theaters, parks or outdoor venues. My kids love movies and packing up our chairs, blankets and yummy snacks!

Check your local cities websites or parks/recs. for the outdoor venues.

Two movie theater chains in our area have links posted below:

http://www.regmovies.com/nowshowing/familyfilmfestivalschedule.aspx

http://www.kptmovies.com/aboutkpt/upcomingevents_details.cfm?ue_id=93



Some other venues in the 951 area are:

Movie on the Dos Lagos Promenade (by Trader Joe's)
Thursday Nights in June @ Dusk

June 3 Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
June 10 Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs
June 17 Where The Wild Things Are
June 24 Wizard of Oz
(Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs & blankets!)

Menifee Movies in the Park
La Ladera Park 5-10pm

July 8th - Up
July 22nd - Monsters vs. Aliens
Aug. 12th - Cloudy w/ a Chance of Meatballs

Lake Elsinore Movies in the Park:

Wednesdays: Free Movies in Summerlake Park 7:30pm
900 W. Broadway Lake Elsinore

Make your own popcorn ahead too:

Homemade Microwave Popcorn:
1/3 Cup Popping Corn
1 Brown Paper Lunch Bag
1 piece of tape
Salt & Butter (optional)
Pour Corn into bag, fold over & tape shut!
Microwave until popping is 5 seconds between pops.
Maybe press popcorn button & listen!

An inexpensive place to see the latest movies is your local drive-in!

Van Buren Drive-In
www.vanburendriveintheatre.com
Adults $7
Kids 5-9 $1
Under 5 Free

What are you doing this summer?

First of all this blog was started because a good friend encouraged me to do so!

When my oldest son was 2 years old, I passed a flashing sign on the freeway for the RV sales lot....it read, "You have 18 summers with your child, what are you doing this summer?" Of course, it was to urge parents to start RVing with their kids. Uhhh....not so much for me! However, it got me thinking that I need to make every summer count, and I never wanted my kids to start school saying that we didn't do anything.


I am also a SAHM(stay @ home mom) so I am definitely on a budget! I find the free-est, cheapest, and funnest things to do!

So follow me and see where you can take off to!
18 summers...what are you doing?