A Bountiful Harvest

Check out what I harvested from my garden this morning!

Here is what I have up my sleeve for today: Strawberry Rhubarb Jam, Eggplant Parmesan from Ott, A for dinner, and Golden Harvest Bread for dessert (more on this later in the week)!

Looks like I have a fun and relaxing day ahead of me.  I think I will put in my James Taylor CD and get started!

Nursery Update: We are Making Progress!

We have made some real progress to the nursery this weekend.  Although, you probably can't tell by just looking at it.

It looks....empty!  Yes, this is a good thing.  We finally got all the extra furniture out of the room! It looks so much bigger without the spare bed, dresser and all my extra junk!  My HHBL also spent today cleaning the carpet.  It really did make a big improvement!  He actually cleaned the carpet throughout the entire house.  What a stud! 

I also ordered a beautiful rug online from Target.  It is a paisley floral pattern that has green, pink, and a touch of lavender in it.  Hopefully, it arrives within the next couple weeks!

To Do List:

• Decide on window treatments: either curtains or some fabric to make a valance
• Find replacement cushions for a glider

I am still taking any suggestions you might have for decorating the nursery!

FREE Deli Bites from Johnsonville!!!

Johnsonville is having a great FREEBIE right now!  Click here to fill out a quick and easy form to receive a free package of Deli Bites!  I signed up earlier today, and have already gotten an email saying that they will be shipped the week of August 2! 

I would hurry though...they usually only give out a certain number of samples!

Enjoy!

Nursery Decorating Step 1

The first step to decorating the nursery is complete!  The crib is bought, and my HHBL assembled it the day it arrived!

Check out the green paint!  I painted this room just last year and am not wanting to do it again.  I think we can keep it as is and still make it "girly."  Any suggestions on completmentary colors??

TO DO LIST

• Clear out the rest of the furniture!
• Look at crib sheets and sets!
• Find a rug to hide the not so great carpet!

Garden Update: I can taste the veggies!

With all this rain and hot weather, my garden has been growing at a rapid speed.  I am lucky that my garden is a "raised" garden so the heavy rains haven't hindered it as much as some other gardens. 

I harvested my first cabbage today!  This beauty is going to be used to make a Chinese Cabbage Slaw recipe!

I will be eating fresh broccoli by the end of the week as well!  YUM!

This is my first zucchini that is setting on!  It won't be long until my freezer will be filled with Zucchini Bread and Zucchini Pie!

My tomato plants are a bushy mess; however, they are starting to fill with blooms.  Better mark my calender for canning days full of tomato juice and catsup!

At first glance, my second planting of green beans are looking good...

It turns out that dirty rotten varmit has been back. I decided that it can have my green beans as long as it leaves everything else alone.  If you have extra green beans this year, I might know someone who you can share with!

My cucumbers have a long way to go since I had to replant them as well.  However, I am already looking at pickle recipes to try out.  Let me know if you have a good one!

I hope you enjoyed this garden tour! I bet you can taste the veggies already!

Frugalista Shopping: Week of June 27

This Fruglista had a busy morning shopping.  I was prepared with three piles of coupons: one stack for Meijer, CVS, and Walgreens.  I would say that I had a very successful day.  I was able to stock up on some pantry and freezer staples to last me for a while. I also stocked up on a lot of drinks to keep my HHBL hydrated during these hot summer days!

Meijer

Total Spent: $46.01

Total Saved: $43.84

Number of items: 44

I got a ton of stuff so I will just name a few of my favorite deals from this week.

Best Buys:

Ronzoni Pasta: On sale for $.99 minus $1.00 coupon= FREE!!  I found these coupons in several different magazines such as Parenting and Rachel Ray.

Sara Lee Cheesecake: On sale for $2.49 minus $1.00 coupon found here= $1.49

Heluva French Onion Dip: On sale for $.99 minus $.75 coupon= $.24

Old Orchard Juice: 2 for $1.99 each minus B1G1 coupon minus (2) $.50 Meijer coupons= $.50 each

Oscar Meyer Hot dogs: (2) On sale for $.99 minus $1.00= $.50 each

CVS

Total Spent: $16.32

Total Saved: $58.04

Total ECB Earned: $11.00

Best Buys:

Spend $10 on Select Cleaning Items, Get $5 EBC

• Pledge: On sale for $2.50 minus $1.00 coupon= $1.50
• Windex: On sale for $2.50 minus $1.00 coupon= $1.50
• (2) Pledge Fabric Sweeper: On sale for $2.50 minus $1.00 coupon= $1.50 each

I spent $6 out of pocket and earned $5 ECB= $.25 each for the cleaning supplies

Spend $15 on Clean and Clear items, Get $5 EBC

I spent $15.97 + used (3) $2.00 coupons found here= $9.97 out of pocket + earned $5 ECB= $1.65 each

Stayfree Pads: B1G1 at $6.99 minus (2) $2.00 coupons= $1.50 each

Deans Milk: On sale for $2.69 + earned $1.00 ECB= $1.69

Walgreens

Total Spent: $18.61

Total Saved: $28.00

Total RR Earned: $7.00

Best Buys:

Pepsi 12 packs: 4 for $13 + earned $5 RR= $2.00 each

Huggies Wipes: Walgreens coupon for 2 for $4.00 minus (1) $.50 coupon and (1) $.75 coupon= $1.38 each

Purina Dog Food: On sale for $5 minus $2.00 coupon= $3.00

Colgate tooth brush: On sale for $1 minus $.75 coupon= $.25

Twizzlers: On sale for $1.50 each minus $1.00 coupon + earned $2.00= $.50 each

I spent $80.94 total this week for 68 items total!  Not so shabby.  I think I will take a nap now as my reward!

Why I Married a Farm Boy

This past week, my HHBL and I celebrated our two year anniversary.  His gift to me was a beautiful desk that he has been building for the past couple months.  I absolutely love it.  He actually has only been working with wood since this past Christmas.  It all started with a 12 in compound miter saw that I gave him as his Christmas gift.  I want to share with you all the goodies that he has built for me in the past 6 months. 

He built these pedestals for my new washer and dryer to set on.  I wasn't about to spend $250 for each of them at the store.

This handy dandy box keeps all my plastic sacks contained in one spot.

This lovely bookcase shows off my numerous cook books and his WWII books.

He built these shelves for my new laundry room.  They even have a bar so I can hang up freshly laundered clothes.  (Pretend you don't see the junk up there.  I haven't gotten around to putting pretty things up there yet!)

This bench also adorns by laundry room.  It is a perfect place for my HHBL to sit down at the end of the day to take off his dirty work boots!

Last but not least...the masterpiece of his short career!  This is my gorgeous anniversary present. 

Can you believe you has built me all this stuff in just six months?  I better get a bigger house someday so because I see no end in sight.  This is just ONE reason I married a farm boy; he can do anything he sets his mind to!