How does your garden grow?

It has been so long since I have posted anything on here, but I am very excited to say that we have another wonderful garden this year!  My boys have been very excited about the garden and actually enjoy going our with me to check on our fruits and veggies and to help me pick them.  We always are amazed at how big some or our zucchini get.  My zucchini and yellow squash have exploded even more so than last year.  I realized this year that they don't need much water and I definitely don't water at night or on top of the leaves. This was a big mistake last year.  I have already harvested at least 4 dozen and have given many away.  We have made several loaves of bread, 4 dozen muffins, over fried zucchini, and Poor Man's Crab Cakes (I posted about these last year...they are delicious and very easy).  I have also shredded some and froze it for future use in breads and muffins.

My tomatoes and peppers are doing well too.  Last year, my peppers never made it, so I am happy that all four of my plants are doing fabulous.  New this year...cantaloupe...and we have one that should be ready by the weekend!  My boys are very excited about it.  I planted a small strawberry plant that was on clearance for only $2 at Lowes.  I got a couple strawberries from it, but look forward to it doing better next year.

And I am super excited to report that my raspberries are AMAZING!!!!  I have probably triple the plants I had last year (they spread like crazy and I must give some away) and half of them have already started harvesting.  I have picked a small container of raspberries everyday for about the past two weeks already....and we still have the rest of the summer and fall to enjoy them!

This year's garden was very simple to put in since I did all the prep work last year when we started.  My neighbor picked up all my plants for me (except the raspberries since they were already there) for only $7!  Another friend gave me her left over manure, so I used that along with the soil from last year.  All in all, everything is going well.  I just need to make sure the tomatoes and peppers stay watered since they seem the most sensitive to all this heat.  How is your garden growing?  What are you most excited about?  If any of my local friends would like to swap crops I would be very up for that!

Shutterfly: Free Cards for Father's Day!

I love Shutterfly so much...I think most of you know that by now.  They have the best deals/discounts, best quality for prints, books, and gifts, and great customer service.  I just got done making several photo gifts, cards, and collage prints to give out to our family members for Mother's Day (very late) and Father's Day.  Right now, you can also get 5 free photo cards just in time for Father's Day (or any other occasion you may need them for).  Use the code DADCARD at the checkout to get your free cards.  Shipping and handling will be extra, unless of course you spend $30 or more at use the copse SHIP30 to get free shipping!  Both of these codes expire on June 9, 2011.  (I just posted a sample of the card I made). 

I just love Shutterfly to pieces!!! Free Cards!

5x7 Folded Card

View the entire collection of cards.

Free Ebook: 31 Days to Clean (today only).

I just found out about this free ebook offer that ends at midnight tonight.  The book is called 31 Days to Clean:  Having a Martha House the Mary Way. I am very excited to read it as I can use a lot of help in this area....managing a home in a God glorifying way.  It looks really good!  The author, Sarah Mae, has a really inspiring blog too that I look forward to exploring more. 

If you want a copy too, just Twitter, Facebook, or blog about this new ebook by tonight at midnight and let Sarah Mae know you did through email with your link.

Thanks, Money Saving Mom!

Frugal Birthday Cakes: Part 3-The best frosting!

I started this series on frugal birthday cakes a long time ago.  You can read Part 1 and Part 2 if you would like.  Part 1 shows you some of the cake I have made in the past.  The most recent one, is the Spaceship cake you see above that was for my oldest son's 5th birthday, Toy Story party.  Isn't it great?  More details on that one later.

I have been meaning to post this recipe for frosting for a long time.  Sorry.  This is a recipe my family has been using for years and we even know the baker who invented it.  She is the one who made many of our cakes for various birthdays, showers, and even rehearsal dinners for our family's weddings.  This frosting is very smooth and creamy and not too sweet.  It works great for decorating cakes.  The key to this recipe is to make sure that the evaporated milk is very cold and that you beat the frosting for a good 10 minutes (or even more).  I also put the frosting in the refrigerator at various times while I am decorating a cake to make sure it doesn't get too runny.  It freezes well too and tastes great with animal crackers!  I don't know about you, but our family loves to dip animal crackers in frosting!  Yummy!  Let me know if you try it and what you think.

Butter Cream Frosting

1 cup Crisco

1 cup (2 sticks) Blue Bonnet or Parkay margarine (cold)

3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup very cold canned evaporated milk

Blend Crisco and margarine together.  Add powdered sugar.  Add vanilla.  Gradually add the 1/2 cup of evaporated milk and beat on high for at least 10 minutes.  

ACME deals get even better!

I just wanted to post real quick that the cereal and milk deals at ACME just got even sweeter.  Now, you can get fee, or really cheap fruit too!  I was there yesterday picking up my Kellogg's cereal and free milk and discovered that some of the boxes of cereal had "peelies"  (sticker coupons on the boxes) on them for $1.00 off fresh fruit purchase when you buy two participating boxes of Kellogg's cereal.  So I picked up 4 boxes of Pops and 2 boxes of Froot Loops since they were are included in the deal.  I got four of the peelies, but only used three yesterday.  SO, for only $7.97, I walked away with 6 boxes of cereal, 2 FREE gallons of milk, a 4 pound bag  of navel oranges (sale price $1.99) and 3 bananas with all the sales, deals, and coupons.  It was like getting the fruit for free too!  Yeah for ACME!

DIY: Family Handprints Wall Hanging (final picture)

This is a picture of my family handprints wall hanging I showed you how to make last year.  I got them hung up about two months ago...finally!  They are hung in my homeschooling classroom. Don't you love the green walls too!  I love it!  It was a great upgrade to the room and makes it so cozy!
Check out my post from last year on how to do this easy, creative, inexpensive, family handprints wall hanging.  It will make for a great decoration and a great keepsake!


Well, I just copied my post from last year to make it easier for you all to read (from March 2010):

I am super excited to share this "Do It Yourself" project that I just finished last night. Well, almost finished. Now, they just need to be hung on the wall. I take no credit for this idea though. Back in November, I was at a friend's house (she did it herself too) and that is where I got the idea. And she found the idea from here. So, what is it? You take blank, framed canvases, paint them a solid color-use acrylic paint, and then do a handprint of each of your family members on each one. My boys were so excited to help me with this project. Over the past couple of weeks, I have been painting the 5 canvases with 2-4 coats of paint, depending on the color. I picked bold, bright colors, since I will be hanging them in our classroom. Last night, we had a great family evening together, painting out hands and then doing our handprints. And if we messed up, baby wipes worked great to repair them. I must say, I think they turned out awesome. What do you think? So you're probably wondering the cost...well, here it is...$2.79 for each 8 x 10" canvas (about $14.00 total) at Michaels and about $0.75 per small (not the smallest) bottle of paint and I have a lot left over.  I did get the canvases in a 3-pack that was on sale and during a sale when I could use an additional coupon.  So under $20 for a beautiful wall display and great family memory! It would have been $39.99 for the kit from the site I referenced above and that's only for four. I am so thrilled about it! Hopefully we will get them hung up soon for all to see. Even our cute little 6 month old got to participate.