April 30, 2016
Soles with Goals mileage tracking begins in 1 day! Get signed up today! Details on April 26th’s post.
Today’s Morning Inspection…Never a Stone Left Unturned
Sid’s day was off to a good start. My day was a little frustrating. So much for my fence picket project…
Deal Update:
Per online ad:
Severe Weather Western Red Cedar Dog-Ear Wood Fence Picket $1 per picket (was $2.25)
Ummm…Nope!
April 29, 2016
The Farm Cat’s Morning Rounds. All is well.
ONLY 2 days until mileage tracking begins! Sign up for Soles with Goals today! Details on April 26th’s post.
Deals of the Day:
Click the above link to print a FREE May Day Maypole coloring sheet.
Click the above link for more information.
April 28, 2016
While Sid gets bored with the administrative side of things, he’s always all-in with whatever is happening at the moment. It melted my heart last night to look down by my feet and see my boy there in support as I was typing away on my computer. Obviously I was of little entertainment value to him, but he seemed pretty relaxed and content. Apparently he’s getting hydrated and rested up for the start of Soles with Goals!
Mileage tracking for Soles with Goals begins in 3 days!!! Sign up today! See April 26th’s post for details!
Deals of the Day:
DeMet’s Turtles Caramel Nut Clusters 3-piece packs
Price at Walmart $1.28 each
Buy two $2.56.
Save $1.00 on 2 Turtles 3-piece packs coupon (-$1.00)
Pay $1.56
Submit $1.00 Ibotta rebate for purchasing 2 Turtles Caramel Nut Clusters 3-pc packs (-$1.00)
=$.56/2 or $.28 each
*Price and availability may vary by location. Click the link to get manufacturer’s coupon.
April 28: Take an additional 30% off permanently reduced merchandise.
Lowe’s Special Values
1 Quart Salvia, Coreopsis or Guara 5 for $10 (was $3.48 each) Ends 5/2/16
Premium Mulch 2 cu ft 5 for $10 (was $3.33) Ends 5/2/16
Bonnie Vegetable or Herb 19.3 oz Peat Cup 4 for $10 (was $3.68 each) Ends 5/2/16
Quikrete 50 lb Play Sand 4 for $10 (was $3.75 each)
Severe Weather Western Red Cedar Dog-Ear Wood Fence Picket $1 per picket (was $2.25)
Common: 5/8 x 5-1/2 x 6; Actual: 0.57-in x 5-1/2-in x 72-in
Home Depot Special Buy
4.5″/5″ Bonnie Vegetables and Herbs 4 for $10 (reg $3.68)
Menards
Black+Decker 8″ Bypass Pruner FREE after $8.97 mail-in rebate
Paper Lawn & Leaf Bags 5 pack 2/$3
Yardworks 3′ x 50′ Landscape Fabric Buy 1 at $5.98, Get 1 FREE
April 30: Customer Appreciation Day (Special Offers, FREE Food, Music, Giveaways)
10 am-2 pm Round Rock, TX, location
As always, sales vary by region. Check your local ads.
April 27, 2016
Sid and I were outside early picking up trash, guttering and other debris scattered by the storm that ferociously blew through during the wee hours of the morning. Watching the news last night, I know we were outside the perimeter of severe weather predicted for those of you north of here and throughout the Midwest. I truly hope everyone weathered the storms successfully and is safe with minimal property damage.
Soles with Goals mileage tracking begins in 4 days!!! Get signed up today! See yesterday’s post for details.
Deals of the Day:
FREE John MacArthur Books from Grace to You Radio
Click the above link to see if you qualify for one of these FREE resource offers.
Dunkin’ Donuts Coffee and Creamer Coupons
Coupons.com has 4 new Dunkin’ Donuts coffee and creamer coupons available.
April 28: Buy an original glazed dozen, get a FREE original glazed dozen for your sidekick. Click the above link for more information.
$1 Hot Dogs at Sonic
April 28: Get an All American or Chili Cheese 6-inch hot dog for $1. Mention promotion when ordering. Limit 5. Offer good while supplies last at participating locations.
Fareway
VanCamps Pork and Beans 15 oz $.44 (Limit 4)
Idaho Russet Potatoes 15 lb Bag $1.99 with Fareway Super Coupon (Limit 1)
Festival Foods
Festival Gallon Milk $.98 with store coupon (must meet coupon requirements)
Festival Grade A Large Eggs 1 dozen $.48 with store coupon (must meet coupon requirements)
Blue Bunny Ice Cream 128 oz pail $3.98 with store coupon (must meet coupon requirements)
Gold Medal All-Purpose Flour 5 lb bag $1.99
Gordy’s
Gordy’s Garden Center Now Open: Pansy or Viola Flats $.98 each
Kitchen Kleen Potatoes 5 lb bag $.50 (limit 1)
Fresh Express Garden Salad 12 oz bag $.50 (limit 2)
Dole Bananas 2 lbs for $.50 (limit 4 lbs)
Land O Lakes Orchard Pure Orange Juice gallon $1.50
Yellow Tail Wine 750 ml $1.98 each after mail-in rebate (must buy 6)
H-E-B
Ataulfo Mangos 3/$1
Fresh Strawberries 1 lb $1.47
Ground Turkey 16 oz, 85% lean (HoneySuckle White or H-E-B Fresh) $1.97
Hy-Vee
Red Ripe Strawberries 16 oz $1.28
Hy-Vee Grade A Fresh Large Eggs 18 ct $1.49
New “That’s Smart!” Product Line: The prices are reasonable. Those of you who may try these products, please let us know about the quality.
As always, sales vary by region. Check your local ads.
April 26, 2016
Calling all turtles! Myrtle arrived at the farm last night which means it’s officially time for the turtle round up. Jack rabbits are invited too, because we turtles know how it all turns out in the end!
Spring training season has arrived! Sid and I want to invite everyone to join our new walk/jog/run club initiative. Soles with Goals is all about getting moving and supporting your fellow teammates along the way. How it works is simple. I have set up a special email address exclusively for our fitness group: soleswithgoals@tanktopandtennisshoegirl.com. Simply email me your alias workout name (Swoon Over Myhammies, Tomato Paced, Fartlek Frank, Sir Walksalot…), and let me know how many miles you intend to put in each week. Then as you complete each workout, email me your actual mileage. I will track the team’s progress on the Soles with Goals page of the main Health & Fitness section.
Soles with Goals is intended to be a positive and fun group. Be realistic with your goals, you can always change them at any time. Just let me know. If you have bad knees and use an elliptical to put in your miles, that’s perfectly acceptable and actually a great option. Our ultimate goal will be to hit the team’s total monthly mileage goal. Some weeks are busier than others, so never despair. You can make up mileage another week if you fall short. Again, we’re a team, so we can pick each other up and donate a mile or two if needed. Collectively we are striving to reach and/or exceed the monthly goal.
There are lots of FREE mobile apps that can help you track your mileage. I recently downloaded MapMyWalk and really like it. I can literally walk laps in my back yard while Sid explores, and it will monitor the distance. They keep asking me to upgrade for a fee, but I respectfully decline the invitation.
Mileage tracking begins May 1, so start digging out your tank tops and lacing up your tennis shoes! Let’s get moving!!! Encourage your friends, family, and fellow walkers/joggers/runners to join too! Turtles and rabbits of all ages and abilities are welcome. Always check with your healthcare professional before starting any workout program.
You aren’t going to get anywhere if you don’t take the first step!
Sorry about the chaotic ending. I was getting assaulted by bugs.
Deals of the Day:
Speed Stick Gear Antiperspirant/Deodorant 3 oz
Price at Walmart $1.98
Save $2.00 on any Speed Stick Gear Antiperspirant/Deodorant manufacturer’s coupon (-$2.00)
=FREE
*Coupon available on coupons.com. Price and availability may vary by location.
Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Triathlon
Click the above link to learn more about how your child can earn a FREE book by reading this summer.
Click the above link to print a $5.00 off any 1 Revlon Mascara coupon. Redeemable May 1st only.
April 25, 2016
Chocolate Sprinkles, Tam Jalapeno & Zucchini
Vegetation around the farm is thriving. All of the rain that has fallen recently has clearly been quite beneficial to the produce. At last count, I had 20 zucchini plants and 14 tomato plants. The eggplant and peppers are growing strong and tall. Much to my delight, even the green beans, beets, carrots, and basil seeds are all sprouting successfully. I am truly hoping for my biggest harvest yet while keeping everything in perspective. Every day as Sid and I walk the garden, I am grateful.
Deals of the Day:
Scope Mouthwash
Price at CVS $3.59
$2.00 off Scope Mouthwash manufacturer’s coupon (-$2.00)
Pay $1.59
Get $3.00 extrabucks rewards (-$3.00)
=FREE
*Coupon available on coupons.com. Price, promotion, and availability may vary by location. If you don’t have access to a CVS store, you can still get a good deal elsewhere. Walmart is said to have Scope Mouthwash for as low as $2.67. Using the coupon, you can get it for only $.67.
Axe Deodorant Products Deal at Walmart
Buy 1 Axe White Stick Deodorant $4.47
Buy 1 Axe White Dry Spray Antiperspirant $5.47
$1.00 off any 2 Axe Deodorant products manufacturer’s coupon (-$1.00)
Pay $8.94
Submit Axe White Stick Ibotta rebate (-$2.25)
Submit Axe Dry Spray Antiperspirant Ibotta rebate ($2.75)
=$3.94/2 or $1.97 each
*Coupon available on coupons.com. Price, promotion, and availability may vary by location. Check out my January 20th post if you are interested in joining Ibotta and receiving a $10 sign on bonus for using my referral code: drgkshb.
Kmart Freebie Saturday
April 30: FREE “I Love Mom” craft for kids 12 and under while supplies last. Limit 1 per child.
April 24, 2016
After spending days last summer repainting the cottage birdhouse, I never could get it reattached to the post properly. Unfortunately, it is once again showing considerable wear as it has weathered several years and taken a few tumbles. I was in the process of creating a wine bottle ring at its base when Dad came to visit and secured the birdhouse back on its vibrantly colored post. Looking at it now, I think I may have made the ring a little too large in proportion to the birdhouse. Marigold transplants have already been planted inside the bottle border, so I will just have to get creative to balance it out again. Apparently I’m not the only one pleased the cottage has returned to its proper perch.
Sid’s Deal of the Day:
Click the above link to find kids craft ideas for a diy composter, bird feeder, cloth bag, and more. You can also watch full length episodes of Nature Cat and play games on the website.
My Deal of the Day:
Garnier Whole Blends FREE Sample
Click the above link to fill out your sample request form. While supplies last.
April 23, 2016
Sid has been busy assessing the changes that occurred on the farm while we had company. Shy around people, the farm cat remained out of sight for most of their visit. Once our guests were gone, it was time to explore. Several of Sid’s escape routes were eliminated when my dad patched in some new fence pickets. Dad even braved the back side of the “scary area” to make repairs. Don’t think for a moment that the improvements didn’t give Sid cause for concern. Of course if you ask Sid, I’m sure he’d say he was just inspecting the quality of Grandpaw’s handiwork. To add insult to injury, I slid a piece of broken picket horizontally at the bottom of this particular area Sid was caught investigating to prevent the new mulch from washing away through the remaining small gaps.
Deals of the Day:
FREE Bass Pro Shops “The Workender” Event
April 23: FREE food, how-to seminars, and lots of prizes
Click the above link for more information.
Dulcolax Pink Women’s Laxative 25 ct
Price at Target $5.49
Buy two $10.98
$2.00 off 25 ct Dulcolax Pink Target coupon (-$2.00)
20% off Dulcolax Cartwheel offer (-$1.80)
Buy one, get one FREE manufacturer’s coupon (-$5.49)
=$1.69/2 or $.85 each
*Coupons available on Target.com. While you will be able to print the Target coupon twice, you are only allowed to use one in conjunction with a manufacturer’s BOGO coupon. FamilySavings.com indicates Cartwheel % off is deducted prior to the Target coupon, but I do not believe that to be the case. Perhaps Target’s policy has changed. It’s a great deal either way. Price, promotion, and availability may vary by location. Save an additional 5% by using your Target REDcard, and earn a $.05 credit for every reusable shopping bag you take and use.
April 22, 2016
Happy Earth Day! With the mud squishing under our paws, Sid and I have been busy pulling weeds out of the lawn. All of the rain makes it much easier to do it the natural way. Unfortunately, there are a lot of weeds! I’ve also been harvesting the water from the rain barrel and putting it into kitty litter jugs. For the record, Sid is served fresh iced water in a martini glass every morning. He’s not that desperate for water–just being a curious c-a-t!
Earlier this week, I mentioned my favorite birthday cake–white cake, creamy Oreo filling, and buttercream frosting! I have since been asked to post the recipe. Mom graciously shared it, and I have added the directions for this decadent dessert to the Celebrate! page of the main Recipes section. Mom made my birthday cake on the road this year. At home, she would make it with two round cakes, layering them to look like the cake is about to tip over–hence the name Topsy Turvy Cake. She would decorate it in a whimsical manner with polka dots and fake candles made out of almond bark. Sticking them in at all different angles would enhance the topsy turviness. This really is a fun and delicious cake–a definite favorite of mine!
Earth Day Deals:
Target
April 22: FREE Reusable Shopping Bag (while supplies last)
April 22 & 23 online only: Get an extra 10% off Made to Matter brands
Natural Grocers
April 22: FREE Reusable Shopping Bag (while supplies last)
April 21, 2016
Aside from eating lots of delicious food and playing all kinds of games, my guests got to enjoy a hands-on farm experience while they were here. Joining our talents together, we conquered the raised bed garden area. Mowing and trimming around the boxes was more labor intensive than I liked, so I’d been dreaming of ways to simplify the landscape. With the tree falling at the beginning of the year, I had branches to make a border. Mom and Dad had offered their extra weed barrier and help, so now was the time to mulch off the area. I don’t think anyone was more head over heels about the Mulch Project than Aunt Carol. Dodging raindrops, we pinned down weed barrier and added the mulch. You can see in-depth how the process went on the Mulch Project page of the main Yard & Garden section.
It’s been raining like crazy since our work day, so the mulch has yet to dry. I look forward to evening it out and laying additional mulch if necessary. I’m glad Aunt Linda convinced me to mulch over to the house instead of straight back to the fence. Not having to mow and trim that corner will be another huge improvement. All five of us were pleased with the result of the Mulch Project and earned our Hot Milk Sponge Cake, strawberries and ice cream.
Aunt Carol said she likes hard work, and when we went to my brother’s house, she taught him a few things about landscaping.
Deals of the Day:
1.5 cu ft Organic Moisture Retaining Garden Soil
Sale price at Lowe’s 3 for $10 (was $6.98 each)
April 21 at Family Video: Receive a FREE movie rental when you give a high five at checkout.
Mist Twst Lemon Lime Soda 2-Liter Bottle
Sale price at Target $1.25
35% off new Mist Twst Lemon Lime Soda Cartwheel offer (-$.44)
=$.81
*Price, promotion and availability may vary by location. Cartwheel offer set to expire 4/23. Save an additional 5% by using your Target REDcard, and earn a $.05 credit for every reusable bag you take and use.
April 20, 2016
Thank you everyone for the cards and wishes as I celebrated the 12th anniversary of my 29th birthday last week. My favorite part of having a birthday (ok, it’s really the cake but after that) is hearing from so many dear friends and family members. Then, it’d have to be the presents. Aunt Linda made me a pretty awesome pillowcase which I absolutely love. The old pickups are really really cool. One of those well built classics would be pretty handy to have around the farm. When I asked Aunt Carol if she liked the pillowcase, she replied, “I don’t know. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
The northerners arrived at my house on Aunt Carol’s birthday. She had the “Happy Birthday to Me” part of the song down pretty well. Needless to say, we ate a lot of cake while my family was together. Thanks, Mom, for all of your delicious baking. My absolute favorite birthday cake is a white cake with a creamy Oreo filling and buttercream frosting. Mom delivered yet again. It was amazing!
Deals of the Day:
As always, sales may vary by region. Check your local ads.
H-E-B
Boston Butt Pork Roast (bone-in, sold whole in the bag) $1/lb
H-E-B Natural Ground Turkey (16 oz, 80% lean, frozen) $1/lb
Hy-Vee 2-Day Sale April 21 & 22
The Natural Choice Russet Potatoes 4 lb Bag $.88
Hy-Vee Grade A Fresh Large Eggs 12 ct $.88
Festival Foods
Locally Grown Kitchen Kleen Russet Potatoes 5 lb Bag $1.00 (Limit 4)
Yellow Onions 2 lb Bag $1.00 (Limit 4)
Fresh Carrots 2 lb Bag $1.00 (Limit 4)
Gordy’s
Dean’s Ice Cream Bars 12 ct $1.88
Fresh Ground Beef Family Packs 81% Lean $2.48 per pound
Kraft Buy 6 Save $3 Event: Purchase 6 participating Kraft items and get $3 off. With this deal, you can get Kraft shredded cheese 8 oz for $1.68.
Fareway
7Up Brand Products 2-Liter Bottles $.79 each
Jumbo Yellow Onions $.58/lb
Old Navy Flash Sale
Today Only: Select Styles of Women’s, Girls & Baby Leggings $5
(In-store and online while supplies last.)
Jimmy John’s Customer Appreciation Day
April 21: Get a $1 sub between 11 am and 3 pm. Contact your local Jimmy John’s to find out if they are participating.
April 19, 2016
Eat, Eat, Eat! Play, Play, Play! Fun with Family Rules the Day!
April showers arrived with a vengeance, and I about needed the Mayflower to get home from Dallas yesterday! The typical 3+ hour drive was going smoothly until I was about an hour north of Austin. Water gushed from the sky, and visibility was limited. I pulled over at a rest area and realized my tire pressure light was on–yet again. If Discount Tire ever needs a spokesperson, I’m their woman. I need my fingers and toes to count the number of flat tires I’ve had in my lifetime.
Having ignored the warning light before to a most unfortunate fate, I knew I needed to address the situation asap. Since it was pouring, I had to wait awhile before I could get out of the car. Eventually, I was able to go in the building and then take a quick look at my tires. Walking around Subie, I kicked the tires and thought one might be a little low. Time to get to Discount Tire! Nervously, I got back on I-35 in the rain. Traffic soon came to an abrupt halt, and emergency vehicles passed by all three lanes of stopped cars. The weather was horrible, so it really wasn’t surprising there was a wreck.
Selfishly, I was wanting to get off the road and have my tire checked instead of sitting stuck in traffic–psssssssssss…can’t you just hear the air leaking out??? Yet in the back of my mind, I couldn’t help but think I may have been lucky I stopped when I did or I could have been much closer to the wreck than I ever would have wanted. Eventually all three lanes of the interstate were closed, and we were funneled around on the shoulder. I had been stopped about a mile north of my exit off of 35.
Subie and I made it to the tire shop safely. Unfortunately, they were busy so it was a lengthy wait. As it turned out, all four tires were low. The front driver’s side tire did have a puncture in it which needed to be patched. Between the monsoon, wreck, and tire issue, I added about two hours to an already miserable drive. It was hard to be so close to Sid and yet unable to get home. We were both happy to see each other once I did arrive.
If you live in an area where there are a lot of Discount Tire locations, I do highly recommend them. After buying their tires, they are there to help you. I didn’t pay anything yesterday. When I got a flat in Missouri, I was able to stop at a Discount Tire store up there and have it fixed for free. Every location I have been in (and there have been several) has always had a very friendly and professional staff. I personally do not know much about tires, other than mine always go flat, so I appreciate walking into a business that I feel will not take advantage of my ignorance on the topic. From my experience, they take care of their client, and their tires are reasonably priced. They are a company I trust.
Once I finally got back to the farm, it was obvious my garden has loved the rain!
Before:
After:
Deals of the Day:
Beyond Dog Treats 2.7 oz
Price at Target $2.24
50% off Beyond Dog Treats Cartwheel offer (-$1.12)–Expires today!
Save $1.25 on any 1 Purina Beyond brand dog snack manufacturer’s coupon (-$1.25)
=FREE
*Price, promotion, and availability may vary by location. Coupon available on coupons.com.
Ajax Dish Liquid 14 oz
Sale price at CVS $.88
$.39 off with CVS instant coupon (-$.39)
$.25 off Ajax dish liquid manufacturer’s coupon (-$.25)
=$.24
*Scan your ExtraCare Card at the in-store Coupon Center to get your $.39 instant coupon. Check your 4/17 coupon circular for the $.25 off manufacturer’s coupon. Price, promotion, and availability may vary by store.
Speed Stick Gear Antiperspirant/Deodorant 2.7-3 oz
Sale price at CVS $4.00
Save $2.00 off any Speed Stick Gear Antiperspirant/Deodorant manufacturer’s coupon (-$2.00)
Pay $2.00
Earn $2.00 in extrabucks rewards
=FREE
*Coupon available on coupons.com. Price, promotion, and availability may vary by location.
McCormick Cooking Sauce
Price at Walmart $1.14
Save $.50 on any 1 McCormick Skillet Sauce or Slow Cooker Sauce manufacturer’s coupon (-$.50)
Pay $.64
Submit $.50 Ibotta Rebate (-$.50)
=$.14
Price and availability may vary by location. Coupon available on coupons.com.
Miracle-Gro Potting Mix 2 cu ft
Coupons.com has a save $2.00 on Miracle-Gro Potting Mix 2 cf bag manufacturer’s coupon available.
Kmart Freebie Saturday
April 23: FREE 6 oz Bubbles for kids 12 and under while supplies last. Limit 1.
Click the above link to find out when there are FREE fishing days in your state.
April 15, 2016
Special Delivery!
Am I not the greatest sister?! Earlier in the week, I tried to get rid of a rotted chunk of tree stump in my garbage. I came home to find it lying in the street. Clearly I needed a new method of disposal–a brother with a fire pit! But why stop at a few rotten stump chunks when you have great branches to burn? So Dad and I loaded up Subie and brought my big brother a trunk full of treasures. My yard looks so much better, and dinner has been determined.
Today’s Menu: Hot dogs Roasted Over an Open Fire
Deals of the Day:
Ego 56-Volt Lithium-Ion CordlessBlower
April 15th ONLY: Special Buy at Home Depot $99 (was $179). Limit 1.
Minute Maid Strawberry Lemonade
Price at Walmart $1.50
Pay $1.50
Submit $75 Ibotta rebate (-$.75)
=$.75
*Price and availability may vary by location. See my January 20th blog post for more information on joining Ibotta. You may use my referral code to receive a $10 sign on bonus.
Palmolive Dish Liquid 10 oz
Sale price at CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid $.99
Save $.25 on any Palmolive Dish Liquid manufacturer’s coupon (-$.25)
Pay $.74
Submit $.25 any brand dish soap 10 oz or larger Ibotta rebate (-$.25)
=$.49
*Price, promotion, and rebate may vary by location. Coupon available in most of this week’s coupon circulars and on coupons.com. See my January 20th blog post if you’re interested in joining Ibotta.
April 16th at JCPenney: Get a select Arizona tee or cami for a penny. No other purchase required. While supplies last.
April 14, 2016
Around the farm: Mending fences, strengthening family bonds, and conquering that which stumps us.
Deals of the Day:
Tide Pods
April 14th Only: Special Buy at Home Depot $9.88 (was $15.97). Limit 1. While supplies last.
Vegetable Plants
The H-E-B Plus in Round Rock, TX, is closing out several vegetable plants for $1.00. (I went yesterday and picked up a couple more tomato plants for only a buck each.)
April 13, 2016
I am pleased to report the trunk of my fallen tree has now been sawed into nice stumps, and my mind is spinning with a myriad of ideas in which to use them. It would appear my dad enjoyed the task at hand, although I think using the chainsaw was cheating. Where’s the fun in that? If you want to go all primal, get the handsaw and do it the old fashioned way!
Seriously though, thank you so much, Dad! Sawing by hand sucked! While my lumberjack workouts were great exercise, I think this particular lumberjill has officially retired from the sport. I sure hope so anyway. And for the record, I have no desire to make a comeback anytime soon.
It was a dreary rainy day yesterday, but at least it was cooler since my guests’ hands-on farm vacation involved outdoor activities. Poor Sid was not a fan of the chainsaw portion of events and spent his day back inside the house.
Deals of the Day:
Jiffy Professional Greenhouse with Plant Labels Starter Kit
April 13th ONLY: Special Buy at Home Depot $3.88 (was $7.98). Limit 5.
Hy-Vee Ice Cream 1.75 Quart
April 14-15 ONLY: Special Buy at Hy-Vee $1.88. Limit 2.
Magnum Ice Cream Bars
Price at Target $3.99
Buy 3, Get 1 FREE Target promotion $11.97
15% off Frozen Novelty Ice Cream including Magnum Cartwheel Offer (-$1.80)
Use 2 save $.75 on any 1 Magnum ice cream product manufacturer’s coupons (-$1.50)
=$8.67/4 or $2.17 each
*Coupon available on coupons.com. Save an additional 5% by using your Target REDcard, and earn a $.05 credit for every reusable bag you take and use. Price, promotion, and availability may vary by location.
Lowe’s Build & Grow Kids Clinic
May 5: Build a Chalkboard Planter
April 11, 2016
The countdown is on until my company arrives, and I love trying to find those extra special touches that will make my guests feel at home and welcome . So this morning, I had a little fun clipping blooms around the farm. And what better way to showcase the beautiful flowers than by placing them in my versatile “WELCOME” Jars?! I’ve also set a small jar of roses in one of the guest rooms. The “Welcome” Jars were originally going in the second guest room, but I thought they were too pretty to hide most of the day. So they’re now prominently displayed on my dining room table just as you walk into the house. To see the other ways I’ve used my “Welcome” Jars, check out the Seasonal Inspirations page on the main Around the House section.
Deals of the Day:
Stanley Tape Measure
April 11th Only: Special Buy at Home Depot $4.88 (was $9.97). Limit 3. In-store exclusive.
Kmart Freebie Saturday
April 16: FREE Growums tomato plant kit for kids 12 and under while supplies last. Limit 1.
April 8, 2016
Ice cream secured! Today’s mission accomplished. Two of my aunts are coming down from Minnesota, along with my parents, for a visit next week. Sid and I are scrambling to get everything ready. One thing I know for sure, if I have ice cream, Aunt Carol will be happy! For an extra special treat, I baked mini hot milk sponge cakes last week and placed them in the freezer. To go with the cakes, I picked up some fresh strawberries. I sliced the big beautiful berries with an egg slicer. That handy gadget made cutting the strawberries extremely quick and easy, so I soon had a big container full ready to freeze. Topped with Cool Whip and ice cream, our strawberry shortcakes should be delicious! You can find the recipe for Hot Milk Sponge Cake on the Flour, Sugar, Eggs… page of the main Recipes section.
I think my relatives from the north are going to love stepping into spring for a while. Although, it does appear there’s a chance of rain next week. Rain showers could definitely dampen progress on the farm project my parents said they’d help me with while they are here. I refuse to worry yet, the weather forecast can easily change between now and then. Right now, I need to focus on cleaning and possibly making some mini chocolate cakes to go with the strawberries and ice cream. Num…
Deals of the Day:
Simple Green Cleaner Gallon
April 8th at Home Depot: $4.88 (was $9.98) Limit 2. Offer good in-store today only.
2.5-Quart Salvia, Guara or Candytuft
Sale price at Lowe’s 3/$10 (was $5.98 each). Variety varies by location.
Menards FREE after Mail-In Rebate Offers
Sunnyside Deck Wash
Touchscreen Cleaning Wipes 20t
Shaw Floors Floor Cleaner
Jar/Bottle Opener
*See your local ad for offers available in your area.
M&M’S 9.9-14 oz
Sale price at CVS $2.49
$1.00 off 1 bag of M&M’S Brand Chocolate Candies manufacturer’s coupon (-$1.00)
=$1.49
*Coupon available in the majority of this week’s coupon circulars. Price, promotion, and availability may vary by location.
April 7, 2016
Seeing the World in Gray & White
Sid seems pretty happy this morning. He got to watch the tail end of Nature Cat while lapping up his freshly brewed “iced coffee”. Then much to his delight, I let him go outside and enjoy the morning exploring the farm. He’s now snuggled up in his cat throne taking his mid morning nap. Life is good for Sid.
Home Depot’s Spring Black Friday Sale has finally arrived! Once again, note the .75 cu ft bag of Miracle-Gro Garden Soil. It’s still a great deal, just a shift in standard product size. I recommend taking a look at the entire ad as this is a good overall sale flyer. Of course, the ads may vary by region.
Deals of the Day:
Home Depot Spring Black Friday Sale
(Price, promotion, and availability may vary by location. Check your local ad.)
Miracle-Gro Garden Soil .75 cu ft: 5/$10 (was $4.47 each)
Earthgro Mulch 2 cu ft: 5/$10 (was $3.33 each)
Quart Perennial (Coreopsis, Guara, Gaillardia): 3/$10 (was $3.98 each)
3′ x 50′ Weedblock Landscape Fabric: 2/$10 (was $9.97 each)
All Vegetable, Herb & Flower Seed Packets: Buy One, Get One FREE
April 7 Only: 10″ Boston Fern Hanging Basket $5.00 (was $9.98)
FREE National Parks Entrance Days
April 16-24: National Park Week
Hippo Sak Trash Bags FREE Sample
Click the above link to request your FREE sample. Offer good while supplies last.
April 6, 2016
Have you ever been trying to roll out your pizza dough only to have it stick to the surface or rolling pin? Or perhaps you roll it out in one direction, and the dough retracts right back in again. Then you roll it in the other direction, and yet again, the dough pulls right back in to where it began. If you’ve ever attempted to roll pizza dough, I know you know exactly what I’m talking about. Next time, try using olive oil instead of flour on your work surface and rolling pin. This ingenious tip from Sara Moulton works! And FYI (from my experience) a little goes a long way, so use the olive oil sparingly.
Deals of the Day:
FREE Copy of the Constitution & Declaration of Independence
Click the above link to request your copy.
IAMS Dry Dog Food 15 lb
Sale price at Target $17.99
Buy two $35.98
Use 2 save $4.00 on any 1 IAMS Dry Dog Food Bag (9 lbs or larger) manufacturer’s coupons (-$8.00)
Pay $27.98
Receive a $10.00 Target gift card for purchasing 2 (-$10.00)
=$17.98/2 or $8.99 each
*Coupon available on coupons.com. Price, promotion, and availability may vary by location. Save an additional 5% by using your Target REDcard.
Rimmel Nail Polish
Price at Walmart $1.50
$1.00 off any Rimmel London product manufacturer’s coupon ($1.00)
=$.50
*Coupon available on redplum.com. Price and availability may vary by location.
Ground Beef 80/20 16 oz Roll
Sale price at Hy-Vee $2.48
April 5, 2016
“The smallest seed of faith is better than the largest fruit of happiness.” –Henry David Thoreau
How glad I am that I planted several crops from seed. The process is stunning. A few of the zucchini seeds and bean seeds have started to sprout. Sid is in charge of monitoring the plants’ growth and has opted to use feet as his preferred unit of measure.
At about 1/5 of a Sid’s foot tall, I think this zucchini seedling is doing well. So far, I have eight zucchini sprouts emerging, the tomato plants are growing steadily, and my eggplant and pepper plants appear to be thriving.
A little over a week ago, I picked up a sad looking BHN 444 tomato plant and a gypsy pepper plant (whatever that is) on closeout for $.50 each at my local H-E-B. I am happy to report that the BHN 444’s leaves have gone from a distraught yellow to a nice healthy green. The gypsy pepper looks great, and I’m eager to see how it produces and tastes. From my research, it appears to be a sweet pepper. Sid’s special Valleycat tomato plant seems to be struggling the most, so last night I moved it into a location where it will get more sun. I’m hoping that will help it flourish.
I still have two open spots in my garden and am completely undecided as to what will fill them. The thought of Black Krim tomatoes still makes me drool…perhaps I will have extra zucchini plants sprout, and I can carefully transplant a couple…herbs would make a nice addition…Oh how the dreams of a gardener forever grow!
Deals of the Day:
April 5: FREE Lemon Madeleine at La Madeleine Country French Cafe
Home Depot’s Kids Workshop
May 7: Build a FREE Angry Birds Bird House
Now Available on Coupons.com
Save $4.00 on any 1 IAMS Dry Dog Food Bag (9 lbs or larger)
Buy one 4 lb or smaller bag of Purina Dog/Puppy Chow Natural, get 1 bag FREE (up to $6.50)
Save $1.95 on 1 bag of Purina Beyond brand of dry dog food, any size, any variety
Save $2.00 off any 1 Scoop Away cat litter 14 lb+ clumping
Save $2.00 off any 1 IAMS Dry Cat Food Bag
A save $.50 on any 1 Carefree product coupon is now available. Walmart and Dollar General are said to carry the liners for $1.00 or less. Click the above link for more details.
April 4, 2016
My little rebel finally ended up behind bars. Sid managed to escape containment two weeks ago but ultimately surrendered to the law yesterday afternoon. The furry little fugitive was avoiding his annual shots, and a rabies vaccination is legally mandated.
Coercing a 16.5 lb cat into a carrier when he doesn’t want to go is not an easy task. My first attempt a couple of weeks ago resulted in a round 1 victory for Sid. I tried picking him up and pushing him in, but he fought me and won. One of the many reasons I absolutely love my boy is that he did not claw or try to bite me. In fact, once I let go of him, he did not run away. He came over and nuzzled me as if to say, “No hard feelings. I just really don’t want to go in there.” I tried using toys to lure him in, and he just sat at a comfortable distance watching and enjoying the show.
Sid was a big brave boy yesterday. He fought me a little, but not as much as a couple of weeks ago. I successfully got him in the carrier the first time. Sid howled the entire way there and all the way back home again. Of course, when the girl actually gave him his shots, he was a perfect angel. I was so proud of him, because I knew how scared he was.
Now, just because Sid was respectful and polite to the vet technician, does not mean that he no longer has strong feelings about what transpired. The peaceful protester has taken to pen and paper to express his disapproval of the entire situation. That translates to he gave me an earful during our ride in Subie, and I have agreed to type up and share the concerns he dictated to me. You can read Sid’s thoughts regarding mandated vaccinations on the new Sid’s Editorials page of the main Sid’s Space section. If you’d like to hear a tiny excerpt of his impassioned speech for yourself, watch the following video:
Sid was worn out after his journey and took it easy the rest of the afternoon. Early evening, we did enjoy a little fresh air outside. Apparently he still had a little of his rebel self in him, and he snuck under the fence. I busted him on the other side. Check out the middle photo at the beginning of today’s blog to see my little Hairy Houdini caught during his disappearing act.
Deals of the Day:
Suave Gold Hair Care Products
The deal materialized! Sale price at CVS 2/$6. Buy 2, get $4.00 extrabucks rewards. There are several Suave Gold product coupons available. Coupons.com has a save $2.00 on 2 and a save $1.00 on 1. I had two $1.50 off 1 manufacturer’s coupons from prior coupon circulars (my second coupon may have been from an extra coupon flyer my neighbor gave me).
Seventh Generation Liquid Laundry Product 5 Load Trial Size
Price at Target $2.99
Save 50% with Target Cartwheel offer (-$1.50)
Save $2.00 on 1 Seventh Generation Liquid Laundry Product manufacturer’s coupon (-$2.00)
=FREE
*Product not available at all Targets. Look for it in the check lane. Price may vary by location. Coupon available on coupons.com and within your Cartwheel app.
Airborne Chewable Tablets 4 ct
Price at Target $.99
$1.00 off any 1 Airborne Product manufacturer’s coupon (-$1.00)
=FREE
*Look for the 4 ct package in the travel section. Coupon available on coupons.com. Price and availability may vary by location.
Glade Pet Air Freshener
Price at Walmart $.97
Pay $.97
Submit $1.00 Glade Pet Ibotta rebate (-$1.00)
=FREE
*Price and availability may vary by location.
Kmart Freebie Saturday
April 9: FREE mini flavored lip balm for kids 12 and under while supplies last. Limit 1.
April 3, 2016
Sid and I awoke to a beautiful morning and decided to enjoy some time outside. I always tease Sid he tries to wake me up early so he can watch Nature Cat on public television. Today’s episodes were “Love you, Michael Bluejay” and “Ze Worm Whisperer”. I do not see many blue jays around the farm, but low and behold, Sid and I saw our very own Michael Bluejay this morning–too awesome! If you have kids or grandchildren who enjoy cartoons, Nature Cat appears to be a pretty cute show. I particularly liked “Ze Worm Whisperer” story line. It was quite educational as to how worms help in a garden.
Aside from the fresh morning air, the primary reason I wanted to go outside was to clip a few roses to bring into the house. As I was looking through my cabinet for a jar to use as a vase, I came across an old glass that my grandpa and grandma had given me. Today would have been Grandpa Schmidt’s 98th birthday, so I thought it fitting to use that very special glass.
I picked flowers, watered the garden, and pulled some weeds. Sid was in his glory birdwatching, clawing the fence, and wallowing on the concrete. He had absolutely no interest in coming back inside, so I walked the yard and let him be happy.
Deals of the Day:
7UP, A&W, Canada Dry, Sunkist or Dr. Pepper 2 Liter Bottle
Sale price at CVS $.99
Save $.30 with in-store instant coupon (-$.30)
=$.69
*If you printed a save $1.00 on two 2-liter bottles of Canada Dry manufacturer’s coupon awhile back and still have it, this is another nice opportunity to use it. Price, availability, and promotion may vary by location. Scan your ExtraCare Card at the Coupon Center to get your in-store instant coupon.
Mars Chocolate & Select Candy
Buy 1 at $.99, and get $.75 in extrabucks rewards at CVS.
Colgate Max 6 oz, Total 4-4.2 oz or 2-in-1 4.6 oz Toothpaste
Sale price at CVS $3.00
Save $2.50 with in-store instant coupon (-$2.50)
=$.50
*If you have a leftover Colgate Total coupon, now is a good time to use it. Price, availability, and promotion may vary by location. Scan your ExtraCare Card at the Coupon Center to get your in-store instant coupon.
Barilla Pronto Pasta 12 oz Boxes
Price at Target $1.27
Save 30% with Target Cartwheel offer (-$.38)
Save $.55 when you buy 1 box of Pronto Pasta manufacturer’s coupon (-$.55)
=$.34
*Coupon available on coupons.com. Price, promotion, and availability may vary by location. Save an additional 5% by using your Target REDcard, and earn a $.05 credit for every reusable bag you take and use.
New Coupons on Coupons.com
$2.oo off 1 Tide Detergent 37 oz or larger
$1.00 off 1 Downy Liquid Fabric Enhancer
April 2, 2016
Since I had never held a garage sale in Austin, I had no idea what items people would be interested in purchasing. People do approach garage sales differently in various regions. A garage sale in Missouri is not the same as one in Minnesota. I can attest to that. However, the one thing that seems to supercede the geographic distinctions is the fact that people buy the crap you think will never sell.
Today’s sale was pretty small which was ok since there really weren’t a lot of people out looking. It was a chilly morning, but once the sun made its grand entrance, it really turned into a nice day. I’m grateful for my $19, and my neighbor sold his two items–successful enough for me. Sid watched the morning’s chaos from inside the 
house for the most part. I eventually let him out, and he hid behind the front bushes. Being able to go outside in the front yard is a huge treat for him, so I think Sid may have enjoyed the garage sale most of all!
Deals of the Day:
Pepsi Cherry Vanilla 12 pk
Price at Target $4.99
25% all 12 pack sodas Cartwheel offer (-$1.25)
Save $1.50 on one 12 oz 12 pk of Pepsi Cherry Vanilla manufacturer’s coupon (-1.50)
=$2.24
*Coupon was available on coupons.com as mentioned in my previous post. I no longer see it available. Cartwheel offer expires 4/4/16. Price and availability may vary by location. Save an additional 5% by using your Target REDcard, and earn a $.05 credit for every reusable bag you take and use.
**There is a possibility Target may have a 4/$12 sale starting Sunday which would overlap 2 days with the Cartwheel offer. If you were able to snag 4 coupons, that’d be an awesome deal if the sale materializes. It’s still a great deal if you printed your allotted two coupons.
Dove Men+Care Sensitive Shield Body Wash & Axe Dark Temptation Body Spray FREE Samples
Click the above link to request your sample. You will watch a short advertisement video and fill out your information.
April 1, 2016
Happy April Fool’s Day to me. My stupid smart clock automatically sprang forward this morning. Let’s just say there was a reason that alarm clock was on sale when I bought it. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize it at the time, and trust me, it was no bargain! I’ve been falling back and springing forward the wrong weeks for 10 years!
So far, today has been full of surprises. Aside from the time confusion, an unexpected storm rolled through early this morning, and it has continued to rain. I will always be grateful for spring showers, but the wind got pretty fierce for awhile. Once the rain stopped for a bit, Sid and I went out to assess the situation. Much to my dismay, I found a shingle at the back of my lot. At this point, I’m not sure if it came from my roof or blew off of a neighbor’s house. One of my trees sustained some minor damage. The broken branch is caught up in the other limbs enough that I can’t pull it down at this point. If you look at where it broke and where it is now–those were some crazy winds! Otherwise, it was scattered empty water jugs, a damaged hanging planter, and some blown over buckets and decor.
This packrat will be busy inside avoiding the rain today trying to come up with items for a garage sale tomorrow. Our HOA allows two community garage sales a year. I just saw the sign for it and got an email notification on Wednesday. That’s not a lot of time to prepare. My neighbor called and asked if I’d be interested in participating. Since I was already toying with the idea of setting some things out and it’d be a lot more fun with someone else, I opted in to the sale. I’m sure Sid will enjoy watching everything through the front windows.
Deals of the Day:
FREE Original Glazed Doughnut at Krispy Kreme
April 1: Get a FREE doughnut at Krispy Kreme. Click the above link. They say this is legit.
Pepsi Cherry Vanilla
A new save $1.50 on one 12 oz 12 pk of Pepsi Cherry Vanilla coupon is available on coupons.com.