What you doing this weekend?

ok so this is my usual Friday post.  There does not seem to be much going on.
Tonight is Parent's Night Out
Holt Road Baptist Church- East Cobb
Milford Church of God- Austell
 (see previous post for more info)

Lowes has their kids workshops.  A school house I believe. Must register on their website.

Home Depot is having a work shop.  Must register in person.

Micheal's is having a bunch of crafts some you have to pay for.  Almost every day this next week.

Lakeshore Learning Center has their usual free craft.

So what are we doing. Parent's Night Out at Holt Rd Baptist. We might go to the Home Depot one if I get there today and if there is any room left. Yard work. (I need to get some ground dig up a bed for planting the lettuce and carrots that have sprung up. and spread mulch on the playground.) We will see how much of that happens with the forcast. And well we are going rearrange a room.
What does your weekend look like?
Do you know of any other events?

Wood Chips Here

Ok so I am re-posting. Mainly because our free wood chips arrived. Yeah! and Mr. Lamar Darby was great! He is even going to be able to take down a tree and cut some back. Yeah! that will save us a couple thousand dollars! Cutting trees down these days cost a ton. We got a quote for our back yard and it was around $10,000. Needless to say we did not go that route. So we still have a TON of trees in our back yard.

This will vary depending on what area you are in. But here our power company will deliver and you can pick wood chips at no cost. Free! Check with your county or your power company and they might do the same.  This is great for back yard play grounds!

Details for Marietta Power and Water:

Wood chips are available to Marietta Power customers at no cost. We will deliver within the service area. We have a stock pile area at the North Marietta Parkway Board of Lights and Water office complex that is open to our customers from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 7 days a week. The stock pile is located behind the Marietta Power and Water building.
For further information or detailed directions, contact Lamar Darby at 770-794-5244.

Mod Podge

For those of you thrifty crafters that love Mod Podge but don't love the price. Here is a formula that is close to Mod Podge. 3 parts white glue (like Elmer's) and one part water.  This solution will not hold up in watery places.  So if it is for something outside or in the bathroom not your solution.   I did run across this recipe that is suppose to be just like Mod Podge by a blog called Crafts On-Line  not sure if it is.  I've never tried it.
Just Like Modge Podge
1/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. non-self rising flour
1/2 tsp. powdered alum
1 3/4 c. water
1/4 tsp. oil of cinnamon
In medium size pan, mix together sugar, flour and alum.
Gradually add 1 cup water, stirring vigourously to break up lumps.
Boil until clear and smooth, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat.
Add remaining water and oil.  Stir until thoroughly mixed.  Put into container with screw on lid.

Parent Night Outs

Parent's Night Outs here are a couple I know of this weekend.  With the cost of what baby sitters, these are great ways to a date night and it not cost an arm and leg.

 

Holt Road Baptist Church.  Marietta, East Cobb Has theirs this Friday, April 30^th - 6:30 to 10pm.  Usually these are once a month.
Ages: Infants through 5^th grade. Bible Lessons - Music - Snacks - Games.  Cost is $5 per child, $15 max per family.  Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Limited space.

 

Milford Church of God. Austell This is weekly on Fridays, 6:45-10:30 exceptions noted on their website.

Ages: Birth to 6th Grade, Cost: $10 includes pizza , $7 is without pizza, Call by Thursday 5 pm for reservation 770-432-5459

If you know of a Parents Night Out let me know.

Strawberries

Strawberry Season has started.   We are growing our own.  But I've not seen any sprout yet. We did plant late.  Crossing our fingers.  But some of the U pick farms have started to open up.  This is a great outing with the family.  Check websites and sometimes you might need to call ahead before you make the trip. Happy picking.  I will post my strawberry jam recipe later.

Washington Farms  in Loganville just opened for weekend picking.


Harry Stacy Farms in Dallas have not opened yet.  But are hoping to this weekend.

Activities this weekend

I'm not sure if we will be doing any of these but there are a lot of fun options this weekend.  Let me know if I have missed some special event. The closer to free the better.

Spring Jonquil Festival

Sat., April 24 from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Sun., April 25 from Noon - 5:00 p.m.

• Arts & Crafts Festival with over 150 booths, food, live entertainment and a children's area - all on the Village Green.  (Use 2800 King Street, Smyrna, GA 30080 or 200 Village Green Circle, Smyrna, GA 30080 for web delivered driving directions.)
  
• Puppet shows and more live music along with the Featured Artists Market.

Free Crafts at Michael's: 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.: Free Family Event. Pluffy Clay Magnet

 Lowe's Free Build and Grow Clinic:  I think it is a bird feeder.  Check your local store.

Touch-A-Truck
Alpharetta- North Park Football Fields  Saturday, April 24, 2010 10:00 AM (maybe rescheduled due to weather.  please call 678-297-6130)

 Ok so this is not an event per say.  But I thought this deal was worth putting up. Sat and Sun Ikea is offering there 10 meatball plate for $1 after 11am.

 I saw a sign for this while I was out driving. I don't know if this is a great event or if the kid stuff is free. But I thought I would list it. This is an art festival. So if you are in East Cobb it might be worth a drive by.

Meat Mania and Gallon Milk for $1.88

Today only Will these deals be going on the same day.  Meat Mania. Lots of meat at great prices. I got Tilapia pork loin, chicken leg quarters and bologna . There is a a sale on their Tyson all Natural Chicken.  Also the milk will be on sale for $1.88 a gallon limit 4. This is only for a few days.  Look like I will be doing a lot of food prep in the next few days.

Free Wood Chips

 

This will vary depending on what area you are in. But here our power company will deliver and you can pick wood chips at no cost. Free! Check with your county or your power company and they might do the same.  This is great for back yard play grounds!

Details for Marietta Power and Water:

Wood chips are available to Marietta Power customers at no cost. We will deliver within the service area. We have a stock pile area at the North Marietta Parkway Board of Lights and Water office complex that is open to our customers from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 7 days a week. The stock pile is located behind the Marietta Power and Water building.
For further information or detailed directions, contact Lamar Darby at 770-794-5244.

Garding Calender for Georgia

From what I can gather Walter Reeves is the Man when it comes to gardening and keeping a lawn here in Georgia.  I ran across this and thought I would share. It is a gardening calender for Georgia.  I know most of you probably know about this site inside and out, but I'm just starting on this gardening thing. I am allergic to so much that is green outside so I just stuck my head into the ground.
So cool.  Now if I could just link it with my google calender... even cooler.  Maybe you all whom are tech savvy and garden savvy already know of a such a thing.  Please let me know.

Making seeding pots out of Newspaper

I saw this in Nana's Birds & Bloom Magazine April/ May 2010. I think this is brilliant way to reuse all those newspapers from couponing. 
What you need is newspaper and maybe a bit of masking tape.
1. Take a sheet of newpaper and cut into fourth.  You will only need to use one layer of paper. Also to save time you can cut many layers at once.
2. Use a small round container like a spice jar  and roll the paper around it, leaving about an inch overhanging at one end. Don't roll to tightly, or it will be hard to get the jar out later.
3.  Fold the overhang in as if you were wrapping a present. Then seal with masking tape.
4.  Remove the jar and then fold the edges all around the top.  This helps with stability and gives you a shorter pot.
5. Repeat until you have all the pots you want.
 
Also on this page, in the magazine, it had other uses for Newspaper like: line you compost pail with newspaper, add 4 layers to ground before adding mulch to help keep out weeds, and donate to animal shelter. There were 10 tips in all.

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.