Sunday, June 28, 2009

Hey Artists and Crafters: Michael's is having some huge sales!

They are having tons of sales starting today! Go to their website to sign up for emails and they should send you a 40% coupon. When you sign up for their email newsletter...they send you regular coupons (you wouldn't otherwise get) and updates on sales and events and such!

I went Friday, but geez..such a good 4th sale that I may have to go back today to get the things I wanted Friday and didn't get! I am sick, sick I tell you....I love supplies!

Have a great today and even better tomorrow! :-)

Monday, June 22, 2009

Went to Yard Sales Saturday! Got some Deals!

I love going to Yard Sales!

You just never know what you might find! Some times you go out and find nothing or everything just seems overpriced. Well, this past Saturday, my friend and I just went to a few and had a great time and got some major deals.

Here is what I bought that I am excited about:

*An Egg and Spoon Race NEW in the Box...never been opened for $4.00 (in the store it is like $15 or something)

*Some new notecards with a coffee theme for 15 Cents! I am forever needing thank you notes.

*Some Vogue (New in Box) Notecards for 50 Cents! (Beautiful Cards)

*A wrestler doll for $2 (sells in the store for $15)

*Cute Welch's Glasses with Curious George and Dragon Tales for 10 Cents Each!

*A Lifehouse CD for $1.00 (I like one song on there so it was a great deal)

My fav purchase was the Egg and Spoon Relay....my son has already gotten the $4 worth out of it plus the $15 regular purchase price! It is so cute!

Those were my best deals of the weekend. I did some other shopping at Target, Walmart and Tuesday Morning...but my most exciting purchases were at the yard sales! Loving a deal and it was Fun!

Have a great Monday all!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Thifty and Creative's Blogoversary is Today!

Today this blog turns officially TWO years old!

I can't believe it either!

How did I celebrate? I took a few naps and had some coffee! :-)

Thanks to all my readers and passersby! :-)

Melanie

Here is to another two years...cheers (with cup of coffee)!

It's that time of year! Plant a garden if you haven't already!

This year we have planted: Tomatoes, Cucumbers (already getting tons of them), Grapes (this one is going to be interesting), and Watermelons that apparently never went away from last year....weird!

I encourage you, if you can...to plant your favorite veggie soon! Take advantage of just buying seeds and enjoying what You grew!

I realize, if you don't already have a garden, it may take some time and effort and maybe even a little money to get it going. In the long run...it's worth it and easier upkeep year to year once you have everything set. For example: we have a raised garden bed...my husband had to buy the wood and piece it together to create the raised and step effects. It looks so nice and it is done! We also (well husband again) put in irrigation. I suppose not a necessity, but it is nice when you don't feel like getting out the water hose or a bucket. :-) Also, you would need stakes for such items as tomatoes and such. After the initial year of setting up, it is cheaper than buying from the market.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Summer Fun with my son....Use the Library!

I got the idea from my mother who watches her other grandchild (my niece). She takes my niece to the local library once or twice a week for a children's book reading (story time). This way my niece gets to be around other children, they both get out of the house, and it is educational and fun for both! Oh yes, and it is Free!

I am home for five weeks (my summer vacation) with my son and thought, why didn't I think of that before? I sure didn't, but I will take advantage now. I love the idea.

If you are also interested...check out your local library...do a google search for your public library system and then narrow down to your location. There you go...each individual library many times has its own website and you can see the story times, etc....

I also noticed for older children...some libraries have other programs in the summer as well. I saw a science program for school age children. Also, book studies for 2nd grade and up!
Don't miss out on what your local library has to offer you and your child(ren)!

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Yay! I am now in Summer Vacation!

Finally! Sigh of relief! I made it through the school year successfully!

Time to relax at home and enjoy spending time with my son and the dog at home! We aren't going on any trips this summer. Saving money this year!

I love being home, especially with my son! He will turn 4 years old this summer!

My summer is going to be shorter than usual as our school adopted a new calendar which will give teachers a 5 weeks summer and 7 for the kids. No problem...it will be cool I think so. We will have a few long breaks within the school year and have breaks where kids can come in for extra help.

I'm excited! I love summer and the idea of a few longer breaks built in the school year.

Mainly, I am excited to have a job for next year. With the current economy and cuts to education, etc....I've been frightened at the thought of losing my job. My husband did this past Christmas as you know.

So far so good. Hanging on and going to save as much as we can to prepare for whatever the economy brings us in the next year or so.

We would love to plan a second child. I'll keep you posted on that as well!

So there is my delayed update and will be blogging more frequently now that I am on break and things have slowed down for the moment.

Oh yeah, I signed my son (will be 4 in July) up for Fall Soccer and signed my husband up to be a coach (his request). This will be fun for all of us! My son loves the outdoors and other kids. My husband loves soccer!

Have a great Saturday!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Recipe on the Cheap "Asian Salad" with an Inexpensive Noodle

I had to share this Recipe as it is inexpensive and SOOO tasty! You may have read other variations of this or this one itself. If you haven't tried this recipe...now is your chance. Not only is it SUPER EASY and SUPER CHEAP...it is a LARGE QUANTITY and will last for several meals as a side! I am getting hungry for this Ramen Noodles (c) Asian Salad just typing about it. The following directions comes from a co-worker whom wrote it out for me to try. Everyone went ga ga at work over it. She brings this for our staff "Fat Fridays."


Ramen Noodles Asian Salad Recipe:

Here it is:
1 lb. bag of cole slaw
1 c. slivered almonds
1c sunflower seeds
1 pkg. Chicken flavor Ramen Noodle Soup
1 pkg. Oriental flavor Ramen Noodle Soup

To make the dressing DRESSING:
1/3 c. vegetable oil
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. apple cider vinegar
2 pkgs. of seasoning from the Ramen Noodles

The Instructions to put it all together:
Brown almonds and seeds in dry skillet.
Combine coleslaw, almonds, sunflower seeds in a large bowl.
Break up Ramen noodles into small pieces; add to slaw mix.
Toss all of this together.
Make dressing using reserved packets of ramen seasoning. and pour onto the salad.
Toss again.
Refrigerate at least an hour before serving.
Toss well before serving.

Let me know if you have done this before or try this one and how you like it!