Free Toby the Train

Free Toby the Train Coloring Book. This is from Norfolk Southern.  If we are ever in Norfolk their museum will be at the top of our to do list.
Thanks Deal Seeking Mom

Weekend Plans Dogwood Festival, Thomas, Yard Sales

So many things to do this weekend. And not enough time.

First if your child is into trains then Toys R Us is having a special playdate with Thomas the Train 11am to 1pm. Thomas story time, games, trivia, coloring and free gifts.  I'm not sure that we will go to this because we defiantly want to to the next thing.

Second if your in the Atlanta Area Dogwood Festival starts today at Noon. There is lots of free stuff to do and not so free stuff. Pack snacks, water bottles and some sandwiches, and a blanket.  The dog shows were great! the live music great!  The playgrounds are great! Last year we brought lunch and then bought food vendor stuff for an early dinner.  Also I highly recommend taking Marta. A Single One-way Fare is $2.00 Children 46" & under ride free, maximum four per paying adult; check at Breeze Vending Machines, faregates and entrances of bus doors to measure height of child.  If your not familiar with the stops check their website.  Also this weekend is a busy weekend for Atlanta you might want to check schedules. (Trust me so much less hassle to take Marta.)


Lastly.  Start looking around. I noticed there were lots of church and neighborhood garage/ yard sales.  These are great to go to. Go early or late to get the best deals and finds. If you are wanting furniture go early.  To get the best deals and to stay on track. Make a list and have dimensions on the items you want and bring a tape measure. If you go at the end you are more likely be able to bargain more. Like I'll take the lot for x amount.  My list consist of legos, containers for planting, maybe even seedlings of plants (much easier for me to grow from seedlings instead of seeds), and a few glass jars.  I found this neat craft that I want to try out. for making tinted glass lanterns.  When I do it I will post it.  Also an outdoor planting bench/table.  I'm not holding my breath on that one.

Big Lots Reward System

I don't know about you there are times I seem to frequent Big Lots and then I go for a long time not going.
But I was just in look for a bird bath. Didn't get one. Very flimsy and very white. (Very white would not be good on GA red clay.) So I skipped, but I did find out that they have a rewards system.

Buzz Club
They email you the sales a couple of days early. And make 10 Qualifying Purchases of $20 or more in 12 months and earn a 20% discount.*  You can "pre-register" online. Not really sure what them means. But hey a 20% discount at Big Lots is a good deal.

Strawberry Salad Dressing

My Community Group from my church has been so great to try recipes on.  So far everything has turned out great. Knock on wood.
This recipe I modified from Saving Dinner.  

They send out emails and on their Tuesday Emails there is a recipe.  This week was about Raspberries.  Well strawberries were on sale. So I used them instead.  Also I had dried parsley so I did not quite use a tablespoon. 

DRESSING:
3/4 cup olive oil
2/3 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons of mashed Strawberries
2-3 tablespoons of honey
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced

Mash Strawberries in bowl. 
Add all other ingredients and whisk.  If tossing with salad toss and serve right away.  Store in Refrigerator.

$17 Tickets to GA Aquarium

$17 Tickets to the Georgia Aquarium

Do you volunteer? If so, the Georgia Aquarium wants to thank you with an awesome ticket offer: You can buy $17 tickets during Volunteer Appreciation Week. The only downside is that you need to use them by April 17, 2010.
The deal is meant for volunteers, but it’s good for their family & friends, too, so you’re set even if you haven’t worked volunteerism into your life yet (not to be preachy, but you should give some of your time if you don’t already…).
The Georgia Aquarium is located at 225 Baker St. NW, Atlanta. 404-581-4000.

This is directly from Atlanta on the Cheap.  It was quicker for me to copy and past then to figure out how to Facebook or Tweet just this deal. 

the planting itch

So I don't know about you, but I've gotten the planting itch.   I am a self declared black thumb gardener.  But I love plants, and flowers.  Even though I am allergic to all types of pollen imaginable. So maybe it is just spring or the allergy drugs but I've started to garden. Sort of. Most of my plants are in containers.
I am starting to cure my black thumb. I think it might be brown at this point.  I don't really know the in between thumb colors. A couple of years now at our MOPS (Mother of Preschoolers) group we had a master gardener come.  Also I went to a Ladies Night Out at a Smith & Hawken (These stores seemed to have all disappeared.) where we got do do some hands on gardening. (If you are a to-be mom up to kindergarten age I so recommend you look into a local MOPS group.) 

Sorry for the side trek. Back to Gardening.
I am trying to do a lot of things by seed this year.  So we shall see. I'm also trying strawberries. (Per request of my son.)  So what I have learned it is better to get your plants and seed from your local nurseries.  I've had good luck with Pikes , freecycle and a local nursery called Grower's Outlet.   This year I am planting marigolds early.  They did help keep the squirrels for taking my tomatoes last year. We have very "friendly" squirrels. And also make sure there is the right amount or drainage under your roots. This might mean you need to dig deeper here in red clay land add soil before plant. And if you did not get the fertilize soil remember to add some fertilizer. Read the packaging and ask LOTS of questions. That is my wisdom on planting.

Lindsay Olives BOGO coupon + on sale at Walgreens next week.

Lindsay Olives are going to be one sale next week at Walgreen's for .99.  Here is a BOGO (Buy one Get one Free) Coupon. I'm not sure if they will have the new packaging. But I love Olives! So I printed my two and will find next week.