Square Pennies

10 Stay Cool Tips for Hot Days

2013-06-19T12:49:00.001-04:00

It's Summer! I do love summer, but some days are just too hot. Here are some ways I've found that really work to keep

you cool on those days. (If these don't work, you can always wear a wet t-shirt and stand in front of a fan!)

1. Run your ceiling fan the right way: counterclockwise. That's the opposite of the winter time direction.

2. Wear comfy clothes! That means loose-fitting cotton clothing for the most part. Thinner cotton keeps you cooler, but some really thin cotton tears easily in the washer. Try for cotton that is not tissue thin. At home you can wear t-shirts, caftans, and other loose-fitting clothing. For the office, bring a jacket or sweater if your air conditioning is set very cold. You can sometimes wear a comfy sundress to the office if you will keep the jacket on while there. Sundresses are some of the most comfortable items to wear in hot weather. Silk will keep you cool in hot weather and warm in cold weather, and is great for dressy occasions. I only buy silk tees that I can wash and iron myself.

3. Eat and drink cold things. Sno-Cones, slushies, smoothies, iced coffee, iced tea, lemonade, and plenty of ice water can replace that hot coffee or hot tea. Freeze some fruit for automatic popsicles. Have cold sandwiches and salads several nights a week. Try a new salad each week?

4. Keep some ice packs in the freezer. Grab one to put on your neck or pulse points when you want to cool down fast. You could even use a bag of frozen peas, etc., but then you'd be defrosting the peas! Those flexible blue ice packs work well. Keep enough on hand for a really hot day.

5. Take a cool shower. Don't make the water too cold or it will just rev up your circulation which makes you hotter again after the shower. A nice, lukewarm water flow will have the most long-lasting cooling effect. Lying in a cool, not cold bath works wonders as well.

6. Keep heat out of the house by grilling and/or using a slow cooker. An oven or even cooking on top of the stove just adds extra heat to the house. You can put the slow cooker in the garage to keep even more heat out of the house.

7. Go to the pool. Water cools you off just about better than anything. Bring the sunscreen and a cool drink.

8. Keep the drapes closed during the hottest part of the day. Instant shade. Buy insulated drapes for even more cooling effect. They will save you on your air conditioning bills in the summer and on your heating bills in the winter. A good deal all around. They are usually on sale in the spring, but you might be able to find some now at a good price. They are online year-round.

9. Buy a kids' wading pool that is deep enough for you so soak in. Put it in the shade and listen to the birds. Get out to sit in a chair in the shade and let the breeze dry you, cooling you all the while. Rinse and repeat. A cool drink and a little summer reading is all you need.

10. Visit a cave. They are generally about 40-50 degrees below ground and make a nice respite from the heat.

What are your favorite ways to be cool this summer?

Click any of the labels below for cooling recipes and more tips.

Deep Discount Bargain Hunting Can Save You a Bundle

2013-06-16T16:25:00.000-04:00

Bargains Make Me Happy

We all love deals and deep discounts on name brand items. What's a deep discount? I consider it to be 80%-90% off the original price. I just discovered an outlet store that handles all sorts of items that have been returned to big name online retailers (think of Amazing retailers). When the packaging has been damaged to the point that the item has obviously been returned, the retailer decides it's not in good enough shape to sell. So they sell it to re-sellers who sell it at a fraction of the original cost. It it's something you need, you can reap the savings!

Bargain Hunt Superstores (I have no connection with them) is one of these re-sellers in the southeast US with deals like this. Baby items are plentiful, but like most items, it's hit or miss in what you'll find at any one time. Since the items are not in perfect packages you probably won't be able to gift the items. However you might find things that friends and family will be happy to get if they are not put off by the damaged packaging. Or let your them know when you spot something there you think they would like or need. Bring your smart phone to check on item ratings while you're in the store if you like or buy items that you know are good. A close friend tells me she gets baby items for 80%-90% off at one of these stores.

There are large toys there too & this could come in handy for Christmas and birthday shopping for your own kids. I'm assuming items will not qualify for any warranties that usually come with the item. A way to gift smaller items to others might be to put the unwrapped items in a gift basket and wrap in plastic wrap with a pretty bow.

Here are the locations of the Bargain Hunt stores.
I hope you can find stores like this near you. If you know of other names for these type stores, please share!

Easy Light Summer Supper: Avocado Egg Salad Sandwiches with No Mayo

2013-06-12T10:00:00.000-04:00

Heart-Healthy Avocado

Our daughter made this easy quick supper for us the other night. Unbelievable. I'm not a big fan of egg salad ordinarily, but this is no ordinary egg salad. It contains absolutely no mayonnaise, so it's healthier than most egg salad. It includes a large avocado that gives it the luxurious mouth feel that contrasts well with the crusty toast. You won't find this in any of the typical sandwich restaurants, and it's an inexpensive sandwich that tastes expensive. Also quick to make when you want a light meal for dinner. What's not to like?

This light meal could have all sorts of sandwich names, but I like to call it Luxurious Avocado Egg Salad Sandwiches. Feel free to create your own name.

Luxurious Avocado Egg Salad Sandwiches (makes 3 generous sandwiches)

One large perfectly ripe avocado, cut into large chunks
8 hard-boiled eggs (boil the night before for quick assembly), chopped into medium chunks
Chopped cilantro to taste (It's even good without the cilantro.)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 Large tomato sliced into 1-inch slices
Rye bread, pumpernickel, whole wheat bread or bread of your choice toasted at the last minute (I like it fairly crusty)

Mix the eggs with the avocado using a serving spoon until it breaks down a bit into a nice consistency.
Add cilantro, salt, and pepper to taste.
Make the toast.

Spread the egg salad onto the toast, add a thick slice of fresh tomato and top with the other piece of toast. Yum. Serve with a side or dessert of fresh fruit if you like. A tall glass of iced tea is good too.

Variations
You can also use this mixture in a wrap or pita pocket with shredded lettuce. You won't have bits of the salad fall out as easily this way & is also very yummy. It will fall out of a bagel sandwich, but the combination is wonderful. Stuffing the filling into a "poor boy" bun is another option with wonderful possibilities--lettuce, piece of provolone, bacon, chopped onion?

These sandwiches could be nice on a croissant at a baby shower brunch or a sandwich buffet for a bridal shower also. You can make them into open-faced appetizers by spreading a bit on a small piece of toast and accenting with thin slice of red radish, piece of cucumber, or sprig of fresh dill. Very nice. Or spoon a dab of the mixture onto a cherry tomato half.

Keep this trick in mind to use avocado instead of mayonnaise in other salads and sandwich recipes. The avocado has heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Much healthier than mayo!

For those with egg allergies, substituting avocado for mayonnaise in egg-free salads could work well. For example, tuna salad made with avocado instead of mayo. Also, check out these sandwich spread recipes for more mayonnaise substitutes that are really yummy and healthy.

You won't find this on a sandwich shop menu, but you can easily make this for yourself and guests any time you want a luxurious sandwich that is budget-friendly.

Love it for those summer nights when you want something quick and cool! IF you have any leftovers, it makes a brown-bag lunch a treat! Just pack the egg salad separately and spread on toast when you are ready to eat.

Giving Up TV or How I Save $70 a Month the Easy Way

2013-06-11T11:38:00.000-04:00

So Many Choices; So Little Quality

We are joining the many people who have stopped getting cable/satellite tv. We will save $70 a month this way. Woo! I read about many people who have taken this step and wondered if we could do it. Now I know.

We've noticed that we don't watch much tv anymore. Isn't it amazing that with so many channels there's very little to watch? We have enjoyed some shows now and then, but mainly we've gone online for our news and entertainment. Even when we had the tv on we were mainly paying attention to our online entertainment. We joked about how we watch tv with our laptops open. (Yes, we still have laptops.)

When we spend time with extended family, few people want the tv on anyway. It's like we've rediscovered conversation! Some family members don't want the tv on when their small children are around so that keeps the tv off as well. No baby tv for them! It's much more fun to play with the kids!

We started a Netflix subscription some time ago and found that we were watching things on there more often than on "regular tv." So why not save the $70 a month?

We pay $8 a month for Netflix and are fairly happy with the selections there. We have succumbed to the habit of watching an entire tv series in large chunks of several episodes. I'm not exactly proud of being such a couch potato, but it is great when you just want to cocoon for a little while. And you can really get into the characters.

Netflix will tailor your choices according to your rating of things you've watched. I like historical drama, for example, so I get to see what else they have in that category without doing a big search. Kind of nice. There is plenty of children's programming if you want that.

So we are giving up our high tv bill, but we are never giving up our search for better ways to spend our money. This is pretty painless saving also. Now if we had to give up our wifi? Not even gonna think about it!

What will we miss on tv? Not much. We did get a few chuckles from watching Pawn Stars, but I'll just have to live without Chumley.

Giveaway: iPad Mini and Pay-Off-Debt App

2013-06-10T01:46:00.002-04:00

Entries Available

Would you like to win a free iPad Mini? How about a handy app that helps you pay off debt? This sweet giveaway comes from my fellow blogger Jackie at The Debt Myth. You get several chances to win just by using the easy Rafflecopter form at the link below:

Click here for the "It's Time for the Pay-Off-Debt App Celebration Giveaway."

Also take a look at Jackie's posts to help you get debt under control a step at a time!

I hope you win! In my opinion, anytime you pay down debt, you are winning!

11 Inexpensive Father's Day Gifts Dad Will Love

2013-06-08T15:44:00.000-04:00

Dad Day 2013

Dad Day 2013 is just around the corner. Want to have fun with Dad? Here are some of my favorite Father's Day gift ideas that don't cost much, but are special. Some are project ideas that take a little more time, but most are easy to do on Dad's Day.

1. Breakfast in bed--why should Mom get all the breakfasts in bed? With Mom coordinating in the kitchen this could be a great treat! Turn the tables again and have the kids read a bedtime story to Dad!

2. Detail Dad's car. This is a gift most Dad's will really appreciate and kids of different ages can pitch in doing parts of the job. The kids will be so proud to do this for Dad.

3. Surprise Dad with a picnic lunch in the park followed by a hike or just playing at a playground. Local parks and nearby state parks can be great places for a little adventure that doesn't cost much. Take pictures! These green ideas are fun for the whole family.

4. Give a certificate for a particular service to be redeemed when it best fits Dad's schedule. It can be anything from cleaning out the garage to watering the garden to taking him to his favorite restaurant.

5. Does Dad have a beard? Treat him to some specialty grooming products for his beard. Beard Shampoo, beard conditioner, beard oil, etc. might be really appreciated.

6. Take Dad on a family bike ride. Great exercise for all and a wonderful way to have some bonding time. It's another one of those green ideas that are enjoyable for everyone while making for a healthy family.

7. Make a book about Dad. It could be "Things I Like About Dad" or "I Like It When Dad . . . " Let the kids illustrate it for extra fun. Definitely a keepsake better than a purchased card.

8. Make up a song about Dad and record it for him. You may feel like you are just an ordinary family, but there are things that make your family special and Dad often has a lot to do with that. Celebrate those!

9. Combine #7 and #8 into a family show to present to Dad. Turn it into a video that can be enjoyed over and over again. Kids have fun being actors and movie makers too!

Flower Pot Smoker

10. Take photos of the kids holding I Love You letters or signs. Frame for a great gift and some diy wall decor.

11. Make an easy smoker with a new clay flower pot! Click here for this popular project.

You can combine any of these activities for Dad and make a card essentially saying "You Will Have Fun!" and let him know what's on the schedule. Spending time with Dad is a super way to celebrate the day.

Click on the labels below this post for more ideas for creative activities you can plan for Dad's Day 2013.

Have fun on Father's Day!

Do You Want to Be a Billionaire?

2013-06-06T09:01:00.000-04:00

Money Money Money

Some people think CEOs make salaries that are too high compared to the average worker. Some say this can lead to problems in society. Now what if you were offered such a huge salary for your work (and let's say it's honest work for the sake of this argument.) Would you take it?

Or would you ask for less? We've heard of a few, very few, CEOs who pay themselves a dollar a year. That's extreme on the other end and almost no one can afford that. What if you were offered a salary that was not astronomical, but put you in the upper 1%? Would you take it or ask for less?

I'm thinking I would take it and use the "excess" to give to charities. I'd love to give to programs that retrain workers. That seems ethical to me. Also my taxes would support a lot of government services helping a lot of people. Giving money to fight disease and/or find a cure for a disease is a very good thing also.

Being in the upper 1% is sometimes derided, but the upper .01% is way beyond my comprehension.

So would you like to get a high salary or would you ask for less?

Map to Free Fruit, Yours for the Picking at Over 600,000 Locations

2013-06-02T09:33:00.000-04:00

You can pick all kinds of fruit and enjoy the fruit for free via a great website. They map places in the

Healthy Free Fruit

US and all over the world where you can pick it yourself for free fruit. People add places all the time to increase the choices. There are over 600,000 locations listed already. Lots of free fruit!

Some of the fruit grows in public spaces like a town square. If it's on private property, you should ask permission of the fruit tree owner. Many people are happy to share and are glad to not have to take care of it all themselves. Some people never eat the fruit on their trees. Quite a few locations are urban as well. Some items are leaves of trees that can be made into tea.

Even fruit that is not perfect looking can be used to make all sorts of desserts, jams, jellies, and fruit syrup. Click on the labels below this post for ideas and recipes.

Check it out: FallingFruit.org.

11 Free Things to Do in St. Louis that Are Really Nice

2013-05-30T00:02:00.002-04:00

St. Louis, Missouri

THIS POST IS PART OF THE BUCK INSPIRE BUCKET LIST CHALLENGE to find special events and places that are closer to home. Seeing the St. Louis Arch could be on your bucket list, but there are many fun things to do and experience in St. Louis.

Looking for a fun family vacation destination? "Meet Me in St. Louis!" as the song goes. It's my childhood home that I still visit quite often. I love that you can have a great time in St. Louis while reaping the savings of all the free attractions. How about free concerts, free fireworks, a free day at the zoo, time to wander beautiful gardens, dazzling cathedrals, inspiring libraries, museums, and historical landmarks? All for free! You'll save enough on all these freebies to splurge on perhaps the best indoor playground full of art and architecture ever. Have fun, my friends!

Free Activities and Attractions

1. The world-class St. Louis Zoo; how many zoos this big are still free? The zoo is set in Forest Park, the site of the 1904 World's Fair. Admission is free, but parking is $15 per vehicle in the two zoo lots. If you arrive early enough you might be able to find free parking in Forest Park somewhat close to a zoo entrance. You can come back to your car to have lunch at a nearby picnic table if you like. Some zoo shows and attractions charge a fee--see link below for those details. The children's zoo is free for the first hour the zoo is open. Summer hours are 8 am-7 pm. Click here for more details about the zoo. The outdoor bird cage is from the 1904 World's Fair.

St. Louis Gateway Arch

2. The St. Louis Science Center has been voted the #1 free thing to do in St. Louis. It's free to explore, but some of the exhibitions charge an entrance fee. Let the kids enjoy everything while you relax in the air conditioning. It's located in Forest Park at 5050 Oakland Ave., St. Louis. Click here for their hours and latest exhibits. Free parking.

3. The St. Louis Gateway Arch is awesome when you stand at the base of one of the legs and look up. Click here for more info on the Arch.
It's a great photo op. The museum below is free and a nice orientation to the history of St. Louis being the Gateway to the West. You can go to the top of the arch for a fee, but be warned, the air conditioning is not very efficient. The view from the top is good, but it's from small windows. I'd skip the trip to the top unless you really feel a need to do it.

4. Fair Saint Louis is the 3-day 4th of July party at the Arch. Bring your beach blanket to sit on the grass. Click here for the schedule for this year's Fair Saint Louis.

Happy 4th of July!

Bring some cool drinks and sandwiches for a free show near the Arch. There is usually an air show in the afternoon and various music groups perform throughout the day into evening. The nighttime fireworks display over the Mississippi River with the arch is awesome. All is free, but you can buy refreshments if you like. This year they have Trace Atkins, the Counting Crows, and many more music groups. Not too bad having free concerts and a gorgeous free fireworks show! You will have to pay for parking ($10? for the event) in the LaClede's Landing area and walk quite a few blocks to the arch area. If you bring a cooler, make it one with w
heels or plan to have help carrying it. You will be surrounded by crowds everywhere and the traffic leaving can be extremely slow. Free parties like this are very popular.

Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis

5. The Old St. Louis Cathedral built in 1834 is on the riverfront near the Arch at 209 Walnut St. It's beautiful and serene inside and hosts many weddings. It's worth a peek inside on your way to or from the arch. Not air conditioned, so go early in the day if possible. The Old Cathedral has a simple elegance, but for a more grand experience, visit the new St. Louis cathedral. The newer cathedral is called the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis and sits at 4431 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis. Be prepared to be dazzled by the largest installation of mosaic in the world. Click here to see photos of this ornate cathedral that is open to the public. The basilica is ranked #2 on Trip Advisor's things to see in St. Louis, free or otherwise.

6. The St. Louis Courthouse is where the the historic Dred Scott case was first tried. You can wander around inside for free. Get an iconic photo (like the one at the top of this post) of the courthouse framed by the St. Louis Arch from Kiener Plaza park west of the courthouse. The park has a nice fountain as well as a large stepped waterfall. Streets flanking the park have gorgeous swathes of plants and flowers in the medians. The park makes a nice setting for a picnic lunch. There is a sunken amphitheater opposite the waterfall where you can sit, munch, and enjoy the scenery.

CityGarden Park

7. A block farther west is the award-winning CityGarden. Click here for good information on CityGarden. Families play in the fountains and bubblers and kids try to climb the whimsical sculptures along the path. It's a fun way to cool off in the middle of the city. Take some pictures here!

8. Shaw's Garden (Missouri Botanical Garden) has free admission and free concerts (Whitaker Music Festival) during the summer on Wednesday nights. Come after 5 pm and see as much of the gardens as you like for free. The kids will enjoy the Japanese Garden with the huge carp. There are sandwiches and drinks for sale at the concert, but most people bring their own drinks and snacks. Some people go all Gatsby with it, dressing up to have wine and a beautiful picnic repast. Bring a blanket to sit on. It's nice to sit under the stars and listen to the music. We enjoyed hearing the late great Etta James here one night. Her "At Last" is a classic. Click here for the Whitaker Music Festival schedule. They are featuring a lot of blues, jazz, and indie pop this year.

CityGarden Park

Click here for more info about the Missouri Botanical Garden.

9. The St. Louis Art Museum is in Forest Park atop Art Hill. There is a kind of cool statue of "St. Louis," the French king who gives his name to the city. He sits atop his horse and looks out over the lagoon below--perhaps remembering its glory during the World's Fair. See the wiki here on the 1904 Word's Fair. It was quite an event! The museum is not huge, but it contains a large "Waterlilies" by Monet that is worth experiencing in my opinion. Here is the wiki on it to give you some of the flavor of the exhibits there. Free parking.

10. The Missouri History Museum is located in Forest Park as well. It has a wonderful exhibit of the World's Fair and also one on Charles Lindburgh whose plane was "The Spirit of St. Louis. He trained in the St. Louis area and a replica of his plane is in the museum. Click here for more about the nuseum. I always like the antique toys on display here. Free parking.

11. The Central Public Library. Yes, a library. I've not been to this one yet, but it's on my list for my next visit. It contains some of the most amazing architecture and impressive old lighting mixed with modern renovation. You can take a free tour and/or wander around at will. Click here for the reviews at Trip Advisor. It's wonderful that something so beautiful can be a free public space.

The City Museum

One that Charges Admission

I have to list one place that charges admission. For family fun it's hard to beat The City Museum. It is ranked #8 on Trip Advisor for all attractions in St. Louis. They took architectural remnants from old St. Louis and turned it into art, whimsy, and a giant fun house for kids of all ages. Recycling at its best! It has a school bus coming out of the side of the building and a plane hovering above the building. This is one place that is worth the money and so much better than going to a regular amusement park. Click here to find what they have floor by floor. Address: 701 North 15th St. St. Louis. M-Th 9-5. Call for other days when they have shortened hours: (314) 231-2489.

I can't possibly list everything St. Louis has to offer. It's a fabulous place to have a good time that costs a lot less than in bigger cities. Come and enjoy! Click here for many more ideas including special interest itineraries.

Click any of the labels below this post for more ideas. The "frugal travel" label links to more inexpensive destinations.

Click here to read about the Bucket List Challenge at Buck Inspire. How do you think of a bucket list? While you're there, browse Buck's posts for motivation to get your finances on track.

Memorial Day Cookout Recipes with Fresh Flavors

2013-05-21T21:27:00.000-04:00

Grilled Salt and Vinegar Potatoes

In case you haven't planned your Memorial Day weekend food yet, here are some of my favorite recipes that have plenty of fresh flavors.

Avocado Tomato Cornbread Salad

BLT Bites

Blue Cheese Burgers--seriously, the best burgers I've ever eaten

Grilled Portobello Mushroom "Burger" with Feta Cheese

#1 Pasta Salad: Greek Pasta Salad

Grilled Salt and Vinegar Potato Slices

BLT Bites

Lemon Apple Cole Slaw

Doctored-Up Baked Beans

Creative Fruity Drinks

Rich Cinnamon Blondies with Ice Cream

I hope some of these recipes will find a place in your menu. They are good just about any time.

While Memorial Day is unofficially the start of summer, let's remember all the service men and women who have given so much to preserve our freedoms.

Fresh Fruity Drinks: Easy Summer Treats

2013-05-20T12:34:00.000-04:00

Thinking drinking these days. Thinking of cooling, fresh drinks for the very welcome warm weather! I love the beautiful and fresh addition of fruit. It's a spa touch that doesn't cost much. Make these

Fresh Summer Drinks

fresh fuity summer drinks for guests or your family. Help yourself!

Add fruit to iced tea, lemonade, water, seltzer water, wine, champagne, fruit punch. All of these drinks look special and cost less than serving a fruit salad that sometimes goes to waste. You spend less and it looks luxe! Win-win.

Most of these fruit pieces can be frozen ahead of time. Keep a container in the freezer and add to it whenever you have fruit. Frozen fruit pieces help keep drinks cold and can be added to drinks individually at the last minute according to what the person likes.

Here are some ideas to try. Substitute water, seltzer water, ginger ale, lemonade, or iced tea for wine if you like. Apple juice, white grape juice, or a combination of white grape juice and ginger ale (fake champagne) work well also.

blueberries and cherries in lemonade

watermelon cubes and strawberries added to lemonade

slices of lemons, limes, and/or oranges (wash peels well before cutting) for iced tea, lemonade, and white wine spritzers
blueberries, cherries, and small cubes of jicama in white wine spritzers for 4th of July

watermelon stars and blueberries in seltzer water for 4th of July

grapes--frozen green grapes look wonderful in white wine

cucumber and lime slices in water

cherries and lime slices in lemonade

peaches and blueberries in white wine

cucumber and honeydew melon in water

watermelon balls and honeydew melon balls in white wine

cantaloupe balls and honeydew melon balls in seltzer water

blueberries and green grapes in white wine

blueberries and kiwi fruit in white wine or lemonade

blueberries and cantaloupe balls in white wine

peaches and cherries in red wine

strawberries and honeydew melon balls in ginger ale

strawberries and peaches in white wine

strawberries and blueberries in seltzer water

strawberries and kiwi in lemonade

raspberries and kiwi in white wine

raspberries and blackberries in white wine

peaches and raspberries in white wine

raspberries and blueberries in white wine

raspberries and honeydew melon balls in seltzer water

strawberries in champagne (sometimes)

You might not be surprised that one of my favorite children's books is Jamberry!

Click here for a simple lemonade recipe that's just perfect!

Click here to link to a classic recipe for Sangria with lots of fruit! It's beautiful for summer entertaining.

What did I miss? Any favorites you like? Please share!

Here's to summer!

Kid Proof Decor? What Survives and What Doesn't

2013-05-16T17:12:00.000-04:00

If you have kids you know things around the house seem to get ruined on a regular basis. I know of the many ways that happens having raised three boys and one girl to fairly responsible adults. We lost a number of furniture and decor items via normal contact with kids. I'm sharing what worked, what lasted, and what didn't.

Here are the things that did not last:

1. Wall finishes. I could say our kids were budding archeologists, discovering which walls could be taken apart layer by layer. Or maybe they were artists when they applied berry juice in tiny dots to the walls in interesting patterns. My recommendation: paint walls with washable/scrubable paint. Test it out before using. (Ask for advice at the paint store.) When all else fails, repaint with the paint you saved for that purpose. For damaged walls, learn to spackle and repaint. Set proportionate consequences for wall damaging behavior, preferably something to do with cleaning. If they are old enough, have them do the repair work in addition to the cleaning. We didn't have a lot of problems with wall defacing, but . . . it happens.

2. Leather or vinyl. It's supposed to very durable and it is. However it also can be cut with a pocket knife given to a child that you thought was responsible enough to have one. Solution? Don't listen to their pleadings.

3. Fabric on furniture. They will either spill on it or throw up on it. Solution? Get a fabric that won't show stains too much (think print) or forbid eating and being sick in those rooms. Slip covers help some, but won't protect totally. Navy blue hides stains well if you don't want a pattern.

GLASS SHELVES

4. Anything glass. Most of our pictures with glass frames survived, but glass shelves did not. What were we thinking? My mom lost a mirrored top coffee table when her marauding kids (me included) landed on it. She cried for a quite a while about that table. Our glassed-in china cabinet has survived because the kids were not allowed in that room for the most part.

5. Anything tall enough to topple over could be a safety hazard. At one point my husband literally tied an etagere to the wall using eye screws (or is it eye bolts?) and rope. Not exactly a chic look, but it worked until we just threw it out. I could have used it as a trellis in the garden, but someone did pick it up from the curb to upcycle.

6. Book shelves. They seem to be like Mount Everest. Kids will climb it because it's there. Also they can pull them over onto themselves--a real danger. Screw the bookshelf into the wall (we did) or place it in your bedroom where the kids don't go.

7. Rugs and carpet. We replaced our family room carpet with polypropylene that basically can handle a herd of elephants. You can clean just about anything from it. A wood floor would be tougher and longer lasting, but not as comfortable for lounging around on which was a priority at the time. My husband has put in a wood floor or two over the years and it's very durable.

8. Most drinking glasses made of glass. We eventually settled on basic glasses that were quite thick and mostly breakproof. They are the kind used in cafes that can hold either hot or cold beverages. We got them at Williams-Sonoma and they lasted very well. They were also good for serving ice cream and puddings.

9. Large prints of photos. Elbows and toy swords are good at punching holes in these. Stick with a photo album or photos in frames with glass or plastic protecting the photo.

10. Your children's friends and even your friends' kids can damage plenty of things. There is no solution to this unless you don't allow any other kids into your house. If a child is particularly destructive, either drop them as a friend or suggest meeting at a playground, etc. We frequently had other children playing at our house with relatively few problems. If something got broken, we didn't say anything to their parents. We just monitored them a little better the next time they came and made sure they knew some areas were off limits.

BEAUTIFUL POTTERY

What passed the test?

1. Pottery seems to survive quite well and I love collecting it. I bought inexpensive small to medium sized pieces of pottery over
the years and I enjoy supporting local artisans when we are on trips or vacations. They go well with many different decorating styles and look wonderful displayed as a collection. For some reason the kids were never interested in playing with it. Maybe because it is pretty much unbreakable!

2. Wooden items survive pretty well, though they may acquire a few nicks and dents along the way ("character") especially if it's a soft wood like pine. Hardwoods do much better.

3. Baskets of all types are still in very good condition. They work with many decorating styles, including the popular coastal look. We had some wicker chairs that did not survive. The kids played with them a lot and that took its toll. They were inexpensive to begin with, but if they had been better quality I would have protected them with enamel paint at some point-and not let them be included in the kids' forts!

4. For some strange reason, our kids did not play with the curtains. Did they know they were inexpensive or were they too busy having Star Wars light saber encounters with wrapping paper tubes? Other fabric items that passed the test: table runners and holiday tablecloths.

5. Speaking of holidays, most of our holiday decorations made it through. So much so, that I've given much of it to our grown kids. The grandkids love it!

6. Miraculously our lamps survived. We had to replace just a couple lampshades, but that was because they just got too old, not from kid damage.

7. Polypropylene carpet! It truly lives up to the hype. Stains can be removed easily and the pile keeps its original look. The carpet pad underneath did go flat eventually, but that's a separate issue. Highly recommended.

8. Wood floors can take a lot of traffic. They are ideal for hallways and areas that get a lot of foot traffic. They are beautiful and usually add to the value of your home when it's time to sell.

Our children were fairly normal and were not mini-Vikings by any means. Many people told us we had such nice, well-behaved kids. Well, they were good kids, but active enough. Have you found certain items last better than others with kids? Please share!

A Luxurious Copper Floor for Pennies and 7 Other Penny Decor Projects

2013-05-13T14:43:00.000-04:00

Looking for some home improvement, decor, or craft projects that cost just pennies? With the name of this blog, I had to post about this trend in the "Maker Culture," also known as do-it-yourselfers. I love the penny floor, but I think I'll try some smaller projects first! It seems a penny covered bowling ball is a hot project in garden decor these days.

Garden Penny Ball

1. It's fairly easy to cover an old bowling ball with pennies, definitely not as difficult as mosaic bowling balls. Display a penny ball in your landscaping as an objet d'art that might also kill slugs because of the copper content. The pennies will gradually oxidize to a verdigris that many people like. If you want the verdigris look sooner, I hear you can spray it with a very dilute solution of Epsom salts and water. You can often find old bowling balls on Craigslist or at garage sales. It's a fun way to recycle them and they are not likely to blow away during a storm.

2. An easy way to try out this look is to tile a small table with pennies on the top. This could be a fun update to a small table you use outdoors. If that goes well and you like the look, you might like to try larger surfaces. This is also a way to try the verdigris look or to see how a clear sealer looks.

3. A penny tiled bird bath could be really nice, especially in a verdigris finish. Even just a large terra cotta saucer could be tiled in pennies for a very pretty bird bath. You can intersperse a few craft marbles with the pennies for added interest. I could see some aqua and green colored craft marbles looking nice in this, especially with water over them.

4. How about a flower pot covered in pennies? This could look nice in the verdigris finish. Cluster several of these copper covered pots in various sizes for an attractive vignette.

Attractive Penny Floor

5. A copper penny floor has a rich look, in my opinion. This could look nice as a bathroom floor. It's a bit time-consuming, but your floor will cost just pennies per foot! (Sorry, I couldn't resist.) Prep the floor with backerboard as you would for a ceramic tile floor.

6. Tile your shower or bath enclosure with pennies for a luxury look. You'll need to use all the usual wall preparation, like backerboard, as you would for using ceramic tile. Ask at your local home improvement store for details.

Penny Accent Wall

7. Tile a backsplash in pennies? I think it might look nice in a small bar area, especially if it's a bar set up in a closet or other alcove. Again, prep the wall as you would for ceramic tile with backerboard. You can also make a penny wall as an accent wall. This looks best on small wall sections in my opinion. Here's a tutorial at Lucy Wants More for a penny wall using Liquid Nails. They glued the pennies to a piece of plywood laid flat horizontally. When the glue was dry they attached the wood to the wall. It looks really nice, I think.

8. Try this on a bar top for a smaller area, but with great impact. You have the advantage of working on a horizontal surface without the backache. The sealer makes this waterproof and easy to clean. It's also a lot cheaper than covering a larger surface.

I've written before that pennies might be phased out eventually. That's because they cost more to
manufacture than they are worth by face value. If you tile with pennies you are getting extra value! And if they are discontinued, these penny projects could become even more valuable!

Be sure to use an adhesive appropriate to where you will be using the penny "tiles." Whatever you would use for ceramic tiles for a particular placement and conditions should be used for the pennies. Tile adhesive, 100% silicone E6000, or liquid nails could work for items that will remain outdoors. In case you are wondering, there are 304 pennies in a square foot, more than I would have guessed.

CAUTIONS AND DISCLAIMERS: I've read that this is not a totally cheap project even though you are using pennies. The adhesives and the top sealer add a lot to the cost. It will cost about the same as using the average priced ceramic tile. Also, most sealers give a very smooth surface that can be slippery when wet--a safety problem in bathrooms, and somewhat of a problem in kitchens. Choose your project with that in mind. Also if you ever intend to sell your home, this treatment might not be to the taste of future buyers. You might have to remove it or cover it over in order to sell. Think about installations that you can remove easily or cover easily. Finally, this is a very time consuming project. I read of a kitchen floor that took 128 man-hours of work. That's a serious chunk or time, not to mention patience and backache. Be sure to research this online before starting one of these projects. Personally, I'd try a small project first, like a small table top. A table is portable and you can sit to work on it!

Would you try one of these projects? It's similar to mosaic, but you can get your materials at your local bank!

Click here for more bowling ball DIY gazing ball art for your yard.

Penney's Backtracks; Too Late?

2013-05-10T11:22:00.000-04:00

We Like Sales!

I wrote about J C Penney's big marketing change in January 2012. They moved to a "Walmart model" of "everyday low prices" and no sales promotions. It failed big time. Shoppers were accustomed to sales at Penney's and did not like having to buy on the first and third Fridays to get the lowest price. Most didn't know about the price structure and just saw Penney's as a place with no coupons. As busy as people are these days, it's no surprise. But it was a big surprise to Penney's leadership. What did they do? At first they waited for customers to get used to the new Penney's. Shoppers did not come back. Shopper wanted sales, not "everyday low prices."

After turmoil at the top, Penney's went back to their previous model of sales coupons. The trouble? Many long-time Penney's customers had gotten out of the habit of shopping at Penney's. Michael Francis, the new president who brought the no coupons/no sales policy, was replaced by his predecessor Mike Ullman. Then Penney's put out apology ads. The apology was a bit vague, but it was still pretty unusual.

Recently when my mom was in a nursing home/convalescent center I had to go to the laundry to find her clothes. We didn't remember to mark her clothes with her name, so it was off to the lost and found. I noticed most of the clothes were Penney's brands. It struck me that Penney's was the preferred brand of the middle class, at least among this age group.

Sales Return to Penney's

I don't know if it's a matter of trust or habit, but it's possible Penney's has lost their customer base. You might not care, but I wonder where those shoppers have gone instead. Keeping the trust of your customers has to be a big thing. Then again, maybe it's like Sears. Stores that used to be the backbone of middle class shopping now are more expensive than Walmart and Target. Sears and Penney's don't seem to have enough vibe to attract younger shoppers. It's not exactly a favorite of Millennials.

What do you think? Will Penney's survive? Who is replacing them? Macy's? Target? Walmart? Where do you shop for basics?

Are we addicted to coupons? Would we believe a store is selling at rock bottom prices without coupon sales?

By the way, I still think that's a very sexy shoe.

The Joneses and You: Trouble Where You Live

2013-05-06T11:40:00.002-04:00

Designer Clothes

We all know we shouldn't try to "keep up with the Joneses." That way leads to big financial problems. But do we feel uncomfortable no matter if we try to keep up or not? I think sometimes we do. Much of that comes because of where we live.

We make so many decisions based on the type of lifestyle we want. Who models that lifestyle for us? You guessed it. If the Jones family lives next to you, it's difficult not to notice and feel a twinge of jealousy.

Many people choose a neighborhood for its lifestyle. Whether you call it moving to an area with good schools or something else, it usually brings a certain lifestyle. The idea of "moving up" is strong in American culture. The idea of living below your means? Not so much. And yet, living below your means is the secret to achieving your goals. The American Dream has been to own your own home and to have your kids do better than you did. You can debate whether that's as possible as in the past, but it's still the dream.

The Joneses in Debt

Dreamland, paradise, or money trap? If you bought the biggest house that the bank would finance for you, you probably have a large portion of your income going to that house payment. (Home buyers beware!) As bad as that is, your house is most likely in an area of homes that cost about the same. It's no surprise that you have neighbors that like to spend more money for their lifestyle than you can. They might have a larger income than you and/or be up to their eyeballs in debt. Remember all the foreclosures on "McMansions"?

Saving Big

To combat pressure to spend more and more, it's important to define "the good life" on your own terms. Maybe you're saving for your children's education, your retirement, and/or to pay off debt. Whatever it is, it's what's important to you. This is the best antidote to being jealous of the Joneses. Your goals are the strongest motivation to keep on track with savings.

You don't need to explain your priorities to others unless you choose to, but don't expect them to agree. Some people save to pay off their mortgage early. Some people save a big chunk of their income so they can retire early. Not many people will understand that, but your goals are your goals. You can become a "stealth saver" if you don't want to keep explaining yourself to others.

It's better to find friends of similar values when you can. Look in your local paper for clubs and organizations that might interest you and not be expensive. Even if you have other friends now, it pays to add some friends with a lifestyle that works for your budget. If you have kids, plan more family time that doesn't always include your friends. Your kids shouldn't feel that you would always rather be with your friends. You need to bond with your kids to help them feel secure. Family activities build positive memories that sustain your children all their lives. That's a priceless gift.

Experience Camping!

If you are in a group of friends that continually spends more than you do, suggest activities that cost less. Start a monthly potluck whether it's in the form of a brunch, cookout, picnic at the beach, or travelling dinner. Enlist them in volunteering at a local charity every so often. You might want to start a hiking or camping group. Find an inexpensive restaurant to share. If you want to do less expensive activities, you will have to be the one to get it started. Or be busy with your own hiking, volunteering, family activities, etc. some of the time. Take charge of your calendar rather than just reacting to what others plan.

By the way, the Joneses could be really nice people and a lot of fun to spend time with--that just makes it more difficult to resist accepting all their invitations. Stick to your own spending and saving plan as your first priority and get together with them when your budget allows.

It's not always easy to resist the lure of the Joneses, but it can be done. Focus on your goals and take charge of your own lifestyle!

How do you counteract the pressure to spend more? What are your favorite inexpensive activities?

Click on any of the labels below this post for more ideas.

Mother's Day Brunch Recipes and Wisdom from My Mom

2013-05-04T10:12:00.001-04:00

So Easy, So Pretty

Most Mom's enjoy being taken out to dinner, but bringing them something you took the time to make for them has extra meaning. Click on these links for some of my favorite Mom's Day ideas.

Any of these Beautiful Strawberry Treats for Mom say I love you and don't cost much. As I've said before, strawberries and Mother's Day just go together. Easy chocolate-covered strawberries are linked there also. They are super easy to make and cost much, much less than the ones you can buy. Much fresher too!

Oven Pancake

The Best Fruited Chicken Salad in the World served on a tender croissant is such a treat. Make this for Mom as part of a little lunch or brunch. I like a brunch because you can include the extended family and honor all of the moms. Add a fresh fruit salad, good coffee, and a strawberry dessert. Yum. Click here for some of my favorite brunch recipes, including the Oven Pancake pictured.

Wisdom from My Mom I wrote this last year, but it remains true. Mom has had some health changes since then, but is still an inspiration to me. Her plucky spirit is amazing.

Happy Mother's Day to all who care for a child. It's still the most important job in the world.

The Money Saving Secret Behind Sunday Dinner

2013-05-01T14:58:00.000-04:00

Nobody likes to feel deprived, especially when it comes to food. I'm letting you in on a secret that

Sunday Dinner

experienced cooks have known forever. It's a secret that allows you to feel blessed by abundance, all the while you reap the savings of a little planning. The secret? Make a big Sunday dinner.

Whether you make it Sunday dinner or Saturday night dinner or any other day the important thing is to have that big meal. It provides a feeling of satisfaction for the whole family and great leftovers for quick easy meals. Don't overlook this as too simple. It makes a huge difference for your budget, your convenience, and your family's feeling that they eat well no matter what the economy is doing.

The great thing is that the big meal is really easy to make. Get a large beef roast or pork roast (shoulder roast is a good buy) or any other meat you like. Chicken can be done this way also, if you cook enough of it at a time. Buy the "family pack" to get the best deal and cook it all at the same time. (If it's a nice day, masses of chicken can be grilled outside to get added flavor.) Bake it in the oven along with vegetables like potatoes, carrots, onions, celery, and any other veggies you have. If you have a lot of veggies, just put them in a separate pan with some olive oil; they will taste terrific!

The more side dishes you have the less meat will be eaten. Put out the applesauce, pickles, raw veggies and dip, lettuce wedges, a jar of beets, macaroni and cheese, loaded baked potatoes--whatever will tempt your family that costs less than meat per pound. Consider adding some kind of bread and/or dessert to the meal to round out the feeling of a feast. Let the family work together on this meal to make it an even more memorable tradition. It won't hurt that the kids can learn some cooking skills at the same time.

The idea is to let your family eat to their heart's content at this big meal. Afterwards, pack up the leftover meat into freezer containers with the right amount of meat for a future meal. You might want to label each package with the name of the recipe you plan to use it for if the amounts are different. Date the label & sit back with your favorite beverage to congratulate yourself. You have just banked several future meals that will be quick and easy to pull together. And the meals will use less meat per serving than in your "big meal." Money saved and healthier too!

Here are ideas for these money saving meals:

stir fry

Add More Side Dishes!
pizza
egg foo yung
barbequed pulled meat sandwiches
soup, stew, chili, etc. (can add gravy from the roast)
fajitas, quesadillas, enchiladas, burritos, etc.
pad thai
wraps and sadwiches with lots of vegetables
as part of appetizers
pocket sandwiches with vegetables
salad toppings or add-ins
omelettes with vegetables
toppings for pasta with alfredo sauce and cooked vegetables
pasta salad
part of crepe fillings
fried rice with vegetables and meat

You can probably think of more if you think over the recipes you make often. Suggestions?

After a few "big meals" you will find you have quite a nice choice of meats in the freezer to choose from when you want a quick meal. Your family will think you are such a good cook and so creative. You'll know that you've been using less meat in these creative meals that are the best convenience foods ever. With the cost of meat being one of the most expensive parts of most meals, you are continually saving money. You can also add a meatless meal to your menu rotation once or twice a week to save even more money.

I find this more manageable than the well-known Once-A-Month Cooking. It's not such an ordeal in my experience. Do whatever works with your schedule, energy levels, and freezer space.

You can't prevent inflated food prices, but you can learn to outsmart rising meat prices. And nobody needs to feel deprived with all this goodness being served on your table. Enjoy!

Click on any of the labels below this post for recipes that work with this.

Why You Should NOT Plant a Tree This Spring

2013-04-29T14:44:00.000-04:00

Why should you not plant a tree this Spring? Because it could die very quickly. Also beware of holding outdoor events from now through mid-June! Here's why.

Spring Beauties

2013 is the year of the cicada. The 17-year adult cicadas , often incorrectly called 17-year locusts, emerge after 17 years underground and fly to trees to lay their eggs. They also make a lot of noise. These critters can give your local rock band plenty of competition in decibels! While you might like to show your kids these scary-looking insects up close (trust me, they do look scary), some people even have figured out a way to eat them on pizza! I'm not ready for that yet, I must confess.

The 2013 brood, known as Brood II, will be mainly on the eastern coast of the US and it's not a good idea to plant a tree this spring if you live in those areas. All or parts of CT, MD, NC, NJ, NY, PA, and VA will be affected this year from late April until mid-June. See map link later in this post for specific areas.

From Rodale:

Cicadas: They're Baaaaack!

"If you live in a cicada hot spot, expect the insects to emerge in late April or early May, sticking around until about mid-June. Day said it's probably best to avoiding planting new trees this spring if you're in the cicada zone. Instead, wait until fall. You can purchase fine netting to protect small trees already on your property. "It will be completely safe to plant trees in these areas this fall because the adult cicadas will be long gone," Sorenson says. "They'll all die by sometime in June, and the next crop of adults won't show up until your "new" tree has had 16 growing seasons!"

What Can You Do?

The adult cicada cuts into the bark of branches and trunks to lay eggs. It's this action that weakens your trees. Pesticides don't work on the cicadas because they are so big. Also, since birds eat cicadas, using pesticides could kill your local birds. Your best tactic is to prevent access to the branches and trunks by covering with netting (holes no bigger than 1/4 inch) or old sheer curtains. You might find some usuable curtains at resale shops. Tie the netting/curtains securely at the base of the trunk so they can't climb under it. Wrapping aluminum foil around the trunk does not work. After the cicadas die in June you can remove the protection. Your vegetable garden will not be affected, so garden away as usual.

From Garden Hobbies:

"Damage to trees can be severe. Often, small and even medium sized trees are destroyed. Large full grown trees usually survive. But, they may be unsightly for a year or so. The female chooses deciduous trees. She cuts slits in small twigs, and lays her eggs. Were infestation are heavy, this the egg laying process is repeated on a tremendous number of twigs. This causes the twigs(or ends of the tree) to die, and break off. With the massive number of insects, this process is repeated countless times on the ends of the tree."

Click here for a map at the Baltimore Sun showing areas that will be affected this year and in the future with other broods.

By the way, if a cicada happens to land on you, don't worry they don't bite. It's just a little disconcerting. Your kids might like to make a sci-fi movie of all of this: "The Day of the Cicadas." As a kid we put on our clothes the dried exoskeletons of cicadas that had molted. Such a thrill! Are you ready for deep-fried cicadas? Perhaps covered in chocolate?

Click here for some great trees to plant in the Fall if you are bugged by cicadas this Spring. Fall can be an even better time to plant trees to help them get a good start.

Really Quick Pad Thai with Shrimp or Chicken

2013-04-24T15:10:00.003-04:00

Shrimp Pad Thai

We love Pad Thai at restaurants, but I always wonder just how much protein is in it. Finally I found a recipe for Pad Thai that has a nice 25 grams of protein per serving yet only 345 calories. I'm in love! Now I can enjoy this guilty pleasure without any guilt at all! Plus there's all that chewing satisfaction from the whole-wheat pasta. Yum.

This is especially fast if you keep cooked shrimp and pre-cooked chicken in the freezer. You can throw this together pretty quickly and you might have these ingredients on hand already. Kids like this too. I can't count how many win-win-wins this makes.

By the way, the original recipe at Prevention did not include bean sprouts or shredded carrots. I like to include them for more of a restaurant experience and they don't add much in the way of calories. Bean sprouts are a decent source of protein as well as good vitamins, so I consider them a real improvement to the original recipe.

Quick Pad Thai with Shrimp or Chicken (Adapted from a recipe at Prevention.)
4 Servings

6 ounces uncooked whole-wheat cappellini or angel-hair pasta (about 1/3 of a 16 oz. box)
1 cup cooked chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces or pre-cooked shrimp
1 Tablespoon soy sauce
3 eggs
1/3 cup chopped cilantro
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 Tablespoon peanut butter, creamy
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 Tablespoon water
1 Tablespoon chili sauce

2 teaspoons red chili flakes or to taste--individuals can add these to their plate to get the level of heat they like. Or pass the sriracha sauce at the table for added heat.

Garnishes:
Lime wedges to squeeze on top of each serving (scrub with dilute vinegar the outside of the lime before cutting)
Crushed peanuts
Bean sprouts
Shredded carrots

Cook pasta according to package directions. Toss with the olive oil.
In a small bowl, make the peanut butter mixture: stir soy sauce, peanut butter, sugar, chili sauce, chili flakes and water until smooth.
Crack eggs into pan and scramble until firm. Add shrimp or chicken and cook for another 2 minutes.
Add cooked pasta and peanut butter mixture to pan, tossing with chicken and eggs. Add chopped cilantro.
Provide garnishes that people can add to their own taste: extra red pepper flakes, crushed peanuts, bean sprouts, shredded carrots, and lime wedges.

Green Projects that Save You Money and Raise Your Spirits

2013-04-20T13:19:00.003-04:00

Here are some of my favorite green projects that give you big benefits, not just on Earth Day. It's a great time to plant some flowers.

1. Take the Nature Cure. Just being out in nature is great for reducing stress. Click here for fun ways to do that--including some amazing benefits of playing in the dirt! Don't knock it until you've tried it! Maybe pot up some cherry tomatoes and hot peppers? Yum.

2. Change out your shower head to save real money. It gives a 640-to-1 return on investment. Where can you get that kind of ROI these days? Click here for the details. You can go green and save green at the same time.

3. Add some fast-growing trees to your yard for an investment that literally grows before your eyes. Click here for some specific kinds of trees that grow fast and give more curb appeal to your house. The shade can also lower your energy bills and provide a nice place to have a glass of lemonade too.

4. Recycling can be fun and provide you with some valuable items. Click here for some fun jeans recycling projects. And click here for some great ways to recycle socks. You can even use old socks as Swiffer replacement cloths! That saves money as well.

I hope you get outdoors to take a walk and enjoy the spring weather. It benefits us in so many ways. Maybe a picnic in the park? Happy Spring!

Click any of the labels below this post for more ideas.

UPDATE
You might have heard about the cicadas coming this summer. They won't hurt garden vegetables, but will bother young trees and shrubs. If you live in the areas of the US that are expected to be overrun by cicadas in 2013, you'll want to postpone planting trees and shrubs until 2014. Click here for the US map showing areas that are in the path of the cicadas this year. Older, established trees and shrubs should be able to take it, but young ones will be severely weakened and possibly die. These areas are mainly on the east coast, but check the map to be sure. If you have trees or shrubs that are less than 4 years old you can cover them with sheer curtains or netting with tiny holes when the cicadas arrive. Click here for more information on the cicadas and how to protect against them.

Garden with Much Less Water: Save Money and Enjoy Great Vegetables!

2013-04-16T17:50:00.000-04:00

Veggies Grown by You!

It's no secret that gardens require a lot of water, especially when we don't get the rain that's needed. Whether we get drought conditions this year again or not, finding ways to use less water is a good idea. It saves you time when you can water less and it saves you money on your water bill. Plus you will get more vegetables from your garden.

By the way, these methods make gardening a lot easier because you don't have weeds to pull nor a hose to drag around.

1. Try lasagna gardening using newspaper and grass clippings to keep down weeds and provide free fertilizer. Click here for a comparison of lasagna gardening and interbay mulch gardening. Both methods work well, but people seem to prefer one or the other.

2. Use a soaker hose in your garden beds. This keeps water from evaporating like it does when you use a hand held hose. And since the water trickles in at such a slow speed the water gets absorbed by the soil instead of running off. Much more efficient. You can leave the hoses in the garden all the time and put the water on a timer if you like.

Easy Hanging Basket Watering

2. Add a water reservoir and/or add water holding crystals to your soil. Hanging baskets of plants require almost daily watering. To cut down on the frequency of that chore, add some shredded disposable diaper innards and mix it into your potting soil. It contains crystals that hold water and release it as the plants need it. If you don't have diapers handy, compare the price of the cheapest package of diapers to the price of the water absorbing crystals at your garden center. You can also make a water reservoir by inserting a 2-liter soda pop bottle upside down in the center of the planter. Use a nail to poke holes in the sides of the plastic bottles, then cut the bottom off and leave the cap on. To water the planter just fill the pop bottle with water. It will be released into the planter basket as needed working like the soaker hose does in a garden bed. This is so much better than the daily watering that often results in the water just running through the basket with little being taken in by the plants. Water when the pop bottle is nearing empty. So easy! You might want to try this method in potted plants or even in your garden bed.

DIY Earth Boxes

4. DIY Earth Boxes are easy to make using 5-gallon buckets. These are also called Dearth Boxes Click here to link to the easy directions.
because you need so little water to grow plants this way. You can cover the outside of them with burlap and tie with rope/twine if you don't like the bare naked bucket look on your deck or wherever.

5. Let rain barrels collect free water for you. You can connect a soaker hose to a rain barrel or a regular hose. You can make your own inexpensive rain barrel from an extra-large trash can. Click here to learn how at Family Handyman.

Hugelkultur: Zero Water Use

Bonus: Try Hugelkultur! It uses no water at all. It takes some work to get it going, but in future years you can grow all sorts of things without any water and any soil preparation. Kool! Click here to learn more about this strange method that really works!

If you are planting flowers or shrubs, choose those that are drought-resistant. And seriously consider zeriscaping your yard! Click on any of the labels below this post for more ideas.

Cleaning Out Mom's House

2013-04-12T18:45:00.001-04:00

Old Photo Albums

April 12, 2013

In case you noticed there haven't been many new posts this week, it's because I've been busy clearing out my mother's house. She's in a nursing home, but will soon go to assisted living. It's been an experience.

So many conflicting emotions appear when clearing out a house of over 50 years' worth of stuff. While you make a renewed promise to yourself to declutter your own living space, you come across all the items that have memories for you. Which to keep and which to put on the sale? Deciding each item on an individual basis takes time and you get tired of making decisions. Thankfully we took several days to go through everything.

Right away we said that anything one of us had given Mom would go back to the giver unless they didn't want it. We found a way to divide photos wanted by more than one "kid." We spread them out on a big table and took turns picking photos. For one-of-a-kind photos we made notes as to who wanted copies. This went so well without anyone getting their feelings hurt, that we were quite pleased with ourselves!

Bigger items went to whoever in the family wanted them at no cost other than to arrange for the transport of the items themselves. A couch went to one of our family's favorite charities for a group home. Mom will be happy about that. A granddaughter took a bedroom set she will use for her child; a grandson took a piano for his daughter's future lessons. A granddaughter took a mixer that she remembers using when making chocolate chip cookies with Grandma. A grandson took some tools to remember Grandpa by. I took Mom's old colander which I remember using so often. I am following my Mom's sewing footsteps with some of her laces and fabrics. My new granddaughter will be getting some fun clothes from me after a while.

It's a rite of passage I guess. The end of an era. All those holiday meals and fun times in the same house will exist in memories a long, long time. The few mementos we gather are just our way to try to hold on to some of it.

To close on a less serious note, think about what your family and friends will be saying/thinking when it's time to clear out your place. Consider decluttering now! Maybe start giving away some things? Have a garage sale? I'm thinking my husband may be right--we need to simplify! So good to be home again even if it's not perfect.

Adding this link to my post last fall on downsizing and minimalism with more ways skinny down your stuff.

Cobb Salad Pita Pockets for a Fresh Spring Lunch

2013-04-04T15:10:00.001-04:00

A Beautiful California Cobb Salad

April, 4, 2013

If you love California Cobb salad, you can capture all those flavors in this perfect pocket sandwich. Simply tuck your favorite Cobb salad ingredients into pita bread for a satisfying flavorful sandwich to take anywhere. How about a picnic lunch at the park or Saturday lunch on the deck? Ah, Springtime!

Feel free to change up any of these ingredients or their proportions to you liking. This is just the way I like it.

This a fairly healthy sandwich, so enjoy its fresh flavors without the guilt! It's nice enough to serve to guests for lunch in my opinion.

Cobb Salad Pita Pockets (makes 4 generous servings)

2 cooked chicken breast halves, sliced
12 Lettuce leaves, Romaine preferred for the crunch and all the vitamins
1 cup fresh spinach leaves
1 large ripe avocado, peeled and sliced (use 2 if they are small) and coated with the juice of 1/2 lemon
2 large plum tomatoes or a pint of grape tomatoes, washed
2 hard boiled eggs
12 halved black olives
4 slices bacon (can be turkey bacon), cooked until crisp, drained, coarsely crumbled
2 large pita pockets, cut in half
a few blue cheese crumbles
4 dollops of plain Greek yogurt

1, Boil the eggs earlier in the day or the day before so they have time to chill well in the refrigerator.

2. Put avocado slices in a bowl with the lemon juice and mash with a fork, pastry blender, or potato masher leaving some good sized lumps. This will thicken after a bit and make a great spread.*

3, Wash and dry spinach and lettuce leaves.

4. Slice the tomatoes. If using grape tomatoes, leave them whole.

5. Peel and slice the hard boiled eggs.

6. Spread 2 Tablespoons of the avocado mixture in each pita half or just add it on top of the chicken in step 7.

7. Add in this order: lettuce and spinach, chicken, tomatoes, olives, and sliced eggs.

8. Place a dollop of avocado mixture just off-center and top with blue cheese crumbles.

9. Put a dollop of plain Greek yogurt next to the avocado mixture and sprinkle some bacon crumbles on top.

10. Serve with a side of fresh fruit. (Prop the sandwich up with some grapes.) Lemonade or iced tea would be good with this.

Of course it doesn't have to be lunch for this yummy sandwich. Saturday night or whenever works too. Enjoy!

*Use the avocado mixture as a sandwich spread on any sandwich as a healthier alternative to mayonnaise.

Is Cheap Going Mainstream?

2013-04-03T14:30:00.001-04:00

Smart Saving is "In"

Is it cool to be cheap? I'm sensing a change in attitudes. I don't hear "It's only money, honey" anymore.

Do your friends brag about how cheap they are? I was at a get-together where that was exactly what was happening. As we sat around a fire into the evening family and friends started bragging about how cheap they were. I mean everybody was laughing about how cheap they were with stories to prove it. Had I stumbled into an alternate universe?

I remember when frugal was a dirty word. If you said your boyfriend or husband was frugal, you got lots of sympathy. Frugality was almost a disease. Worse than alcoholism maybe. You just didn't talk about money, much less admit that you were frugal. Most people tried to dress in the latest fashions and would do the humble brag about their vacations and specialty cars.

Is It Cool to Be Cheap?

Not so much anymore. Some of these same people are telling stories about how they got such a great deal on this or that. They dress down and when they dress up it's in classic styles that won't go out of style quickly. These same people who used to stay at only the best places are now asking Mr. Pennies and me about how they can copy our frugal lifestyle. And they are not being sarcastic.

Is the economy just that bad? Or have people awakened to the fact that being frugal is just smart? "Smart is the new rich" is a saying I hear on tv these days. Being smart about money is just . . . smart.

Have you noticed a change in attitudes lately? Or did I really stumble into an alternative reality?

April Deals and Warm Weather Fun Ahead

2013-04-02T11:12:00.000-04:00

You can save money this Spring for fun outdoor living that lasts into early Autumn.

1. On sale in April: laptops, cookware, barbeque grills, and insulated drapes. Click here for ways to use these to save on upcoming events and to reap the savings through Summer and into Fall. Remember insulated drapes save on air conditioning bills as well as heating bills. They will pay for themselves over and over in the coming months. Snap them up now while they are at the best prices of the year.

2. Turn your porch, patio or deck into a welcoming area for warm weather entertaining. Click here for some easy ways to spruce up your outdoor spaces for very little money. Just sitting outdoors with some iced tea or lemonade is relaxing and revives the spirit. Plus you can invite people over without having to have the entire house in perfect order!

3. Scout the garage sales and resale shops for an old croquet set. A well-worn set has a certain panache that goes well with this vintage game. Or add some used lawn flamingos for a funky Alice-in-Wonderland style. Click here to link to the flamingo croquet mallet tutorial. It may inspire you to do an Alice-in-Wonderland themed party!

4. Wouldn't you love to come home from work and change into a really comfortable tank dress? You can make one from a tank top and a little bit of fabric in just 30 minutes. This is a great way to upcycle any tank tops that have gotten too short in the laundry. You can even make dresses this way that will work with a jacket for the office. Click here to link to this super easy sewing tutorial that even beginning sewists can do.

Attractive Zeriscaped Patio

5. In case we get drought again this summer, take steps now to keep your lawn healthy and strong during the hottest days. Click here for Mr. Pennies' 4 easy secrets to a lush lawn on a budget. He tells exactly when to fertilize to get the healthiest lawn. It's less than you think! You can also cut down on your lawn mowing this year by replacing sections of your lawn with gravel/decorative rock, a rock garden, and/or drought-tolerant plants. If you don't want that, you can put in a basketball hoop area, patio area, deck, extra parking area, mulched play area, picnic table area etc. Taking out just 20% of your lawn will cut down your mowing time by that much. You'll be glad you did every time you mow! Even if you just take out a little bit of lawn at a time, it can really add up over time.

I hope you are getting warmer weather by now and can get out and enjoy the fresh air. Walking is some the best exercise and it's free!

Click on any of the labels below this post for more ideas.