It's officially warm weather!  Woohoo!  I'm so excited because we have been cooped up for so long!  Only problem with warm weather: huge mess outside, huge mess inside.  Also, the neighbor kids are swarming since we have a brand new play set up.  (That's a whole separate topic...)

This will be our third year of gardening.  I am hoping this year is a winner.  Quick recap: First year: we were in our apartment and tried those hanging planters.  Our upstairs neighbor decided to sabotage all attempts of growing by throwing toxic water off of his balcony daily.  Last year: drought = dead plants.  I cannot say that I haven't tried!

So what do I do when I become obsessed with a topic? Check out books from the library and scan Pinterest.  Ricky always makes fun of me because I check out 10 books at a time and skim them all.  When we started planning the wedding I DVR'd every wedding show and checked out every book.  (I also have an issue with reading books that have been made into movies).  

From all of this research I have learned some great tips for building a (hopefully) successful garden.

Here's my favorite tips:

(If my garden crashes and burns this year, I'll blame Pinterest)

1.  Save egg shells to help nourish your soil.  I kept them in a bag, crushed them up and dried them at 200 in the oven for about 45 minutes.
2. Before laying down your soil, place 3-4 layers of newspaper to help keep out weeds.  I sprayed each layer with the hose between to help it from blowing away.
3.  Before planting your tomato plants, put a banana peel in the ground with some extra egg shells.  
• Also, make sure you put your cages around your tomatoes when you plant them NOT later as they grow.  Learned that the hard way last year!!
4. Keep mint away from EVERYTHING.  It spreads like wildfire.  
5. Compost! It's a super easy way to feed your garden.  We throw everything in a bowl during the day and then take it out to the compost at night.  We use an open tub with holes cut in the bottom (to help drain water).  We aren't' perfect at it yet (I forget to turn it), but it seems to really help our soil!
• There are many lists online which go over what items work.  One word of advice: no pits and break up citrus peels.

I am NO expert, so any tips are much appreciated! 

Do you have a green thumb?

Driscoll's Rewards Program: High value coupons!

In our house, we eat berries by the container full.  I'm not complaining, but that gets EXPENSIVE this time of year!! 

I was so excited when I saw the organic raspberries were the same price as regular at Meijer this week.  $1.66 for some berries is great for this time of year!!

Even better?  With each carton, you can take a quick survey (3-4 minutes) for the Driscoll's Rewards program and in return get a coupon!  Score!

The rewards program is free and you get special offers and a little birthday berry treat.

You all know I love to take surveys...might as well get some coupons while you're at it.  I love when I can find deals on produce, since coupons are hard to come by in that department.  With each survey you take, you are also entered to win $100.  Hey, you never know!

What are your tips for saving in the produce department?

The minute I walk into the store, I beeline for the markdown produce cart.  Ricky says I can sense a orange clearance sticker from a mile away!

Not sure what to do with markdowns?  Here's a few tips for you:

• What to do with grocery markdowns
• Markdown bananas
• Turn day old bread into garlic bread for your freezer

Free Father's Day Card from Treat! {EXTENDED to 5/31!}

Father's Day is coming up quickly!  As much as I love for the girls to make a nice homemade card (or 10), I also love the look of photo cards!  Plus they are great keepsakes!

Treat is offering a FREE card by using code TREATDAD.  Order soon though, since this deal only lasts until Friday (5/31)!

What do you like to do for Father's Day?

We usually make Ricky breakfast (while he is wearing his lovely cereal box crown) and then I make my specialty ribs on the grill with all of the fixins for dinner.  Mmm mmm!

Summertime go-to dip: Spinach & Feta

I am loving this weather!  Aside from yesterday, it has been perfect weather to lounge around outside while the girls play.  I love just watching them on the patio while they march around the backyard playing various games.  It's so interesting to watch Gabby interact with them.  I cannot believe she is almost 2!  Gabby copies everyone and is talking up a storm now...she also chows on sand and dandelions.  So gross!

I've posted this dip before, but I have spruced it up a bit with some Greek yogurt.  I seriously could eat this daily with some carrots or Wheat Thins.  It's an old Weigh Watchers recipe, but no one has to know that! 

Sitting outside with some ice tea, I can munch on this dip.  The girls like it on their turkey wraps too. 

Here's what you need:

• 1/2 cup Feta cheese: I really like the Mediterranean style
• 1/2 cup 0% Greek yogurt
• 1/2 block of low fat cream cheese
• 3 large handfuls of fresh spinach (I tend to use a whole small bag)
• 4 green onions,chopped
• Lemon juice, from half of a lemon
• S&P to taste

This is so simple to make. 

1. Blanch spinach quickly in boiling water (2-3 minutes) and then ring out water with a strainer.
2. Combine everything in a chopper (or blender) and it's ready in less than 5 minutes!

What's your favorite dip to make?



Craftsy offering a FREE class {May 18 only!}

Pinterest has given me the crafty bug.  Well, maybe I should say the inspiration to be crafty.  Whenever we go to a craft store, I always glance at all of the fun classes they offer.  In a perfect world, I would have time to take all of them and be super crafty Mom.  But, let's be real... I'm lucky if I shower and eat lunch before 3:00.

Have you tried Craftsy yet?  It's a great website where you can take craft classes from the comfort of your own home.  Best part?  Once you buy a class, it's yours FOREVER.  No pressure to hurry up and finish.

They are always offering specials and FREE and discounted classes, so it's a great way to learn a new craft.  There are also fun free mini-classes.  I keep browsing the cake and sewing sections...I really want a sewing machine!

Today (May 18th), they have a great event going on.  All new members get a choice of a FREE class (up to $39.99 value!) and donations will be made to DonorsChoose, to fund arts education in schools across the US.  Win/Win situation!

I just started this creative play costume class and it's perfect for our family.  My girls could live in costumes if I let them...might as well know how to make some cool ones!

Make sure to get in on this great deal today and let's get crafty together!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.  By using these links, you are helping support this blog.

Spring is FINALLY here! {I'm back!}

The girls having their "morning coffee" outside.

Well HELLO again!

I am back and more excited than ever to be sharing recipes and money saving tips.

After working for a deal website for a few months, I have realized I LOVE saving money, but the deal site really isn't my thing.  I give major props to all of you bloggers out there who keep us updated on all of the great money saving deals happening...it's exhausting!

I have a fun spring-y giveaway coming up soon and some tasty recipes to share.  This is the first week we are working on our garden, so I'll have some great new tips I've learned over the winter.

How have you all been doing?  I've missed you all!  Any type of recipe you are looking for?  

Update! Check me out at Deals in the Mitten!

You may have noticed I've been a bit quiet lately!

I have decided to help Sarah out over at Deals in the Mitten  & Kitchen in the Mitten. I will be posting some recipes and deals daily.

Here are some recent posts:

• 2-Minute Cinnamon Roll Waffles
• How to Freeze Produce

Other than that news, things have been going well for us!  The twins turned 4 in February and they are in dance classes now.  They keep me busy, that is for sure!

Gabby is growing like crazy, she's directly taking the twins' hand-me-downs.  She's only 20 months and in a 3T already.  Where has my baby gone?

I have been chugging away on my 29 bucket list.  Since turning 29 in January, I have been trying to branch out and do new things before I turn the big 3-0 next year.  I have been trying new workout classes at the Y (I am addicted to willPower + Grace class) and getting out there more in the community.  In August I plan to do the color run (me? running? HA!).

So far 2013 is going well for us!  Although I am not regularly posting on here anymore, I will still update occasionally!