Crystal Light at Vocal Point

This is a site I have not been disappointed in, Vocalpoint.  They send samples and coupons and and leave a comment on their website about the product. I can't wait to get my free samples of Crystal Light, and find out what coupons that I get. Register and get your free Crystal Light.

Hair Glorious Hair

 So many of you know I've trying to find a salon  that would donate hair to the oil spill. I got tired of having to grow it out for locks of love.  I had a few more inches and that would take most of the summer. Well today I found one and one that wouldn't brake the bank. Great Clips.  Not all Great Clips are recycling hair so call.
This Great Clips is in the Merchant's Exchange Shopping Center. (on the other side of the dollar theater) Their phone number is 770-578-0929.  A cut and shampoo $18(before tip)!  Always remember to tip your hair stylist. My stylist was Charlotte. She is awesome! She does a great shampoo and and a great cut!

Parent's Night Outs

Holt Road Baptist Church is having their Parent's Night Out tonight.  Register on Website.  $5 per a child from 6:30-10 pm.  Pizza, crafts, games, and a movie.

East Cobb United Methodist is having their Parent's/ Kids Night out Tomorrow Night. May 22nd 6:30- 10pm at the fellowship hall. It is a project of Girl Scout Troop #2451.  (ages 18 months—8 years) An evening of fun and games, movie & snacks. Reservations are not necessary. Contact: Jody, Co-leader at 404/308-7057 
There is a lot I don't know about this.  I've put in a call.  I don't know if there is cost or what kind of food is being served. But here are my assumptions, Since it is for a Girl scout project it is most likely free.  Since it says snacks I would feed your children supper before they go.  
Update:  I have gotten a call back form Jody and it is a donation based.  And it is just snacks.. so feed the kiddos supper before they go.  

Ravocs in Target $ spot

I spotted Rayovac Batteries in the $ spot at Target today. They are going quickly. Bring your coupons to make them free or nearly free.

Atlanta Jazz Fest 2010

Atlanta Jazz Fest is Memoral Weekend May 29th and 30th at Piedmont Park.  Go to there website for the list of performers, directions, parking and more.  Below is their flier of attractions this year. Remember taking your own food and drink is much cheaper than using the vendors.

Summer Reading

Cobb County Library has an excellent Summer Reading Program.  Also there has been vast improvements to their website.  Check out the kids section. 
Make a Splash @ Your Library
You can pick up your folder at your library starting June 1st.  Each week has a different theme related to water (except for the week of the 4th the library is in the Marietta 4th of July Parade).  Near the end of July bring your folder in and they give you a certificate of participation and will let your school know what a great job you did of reading this Summer.
Saturday, August 7th 10 am is a "Splash Bash".  Each Library will have their own schedules of story times and fun activities. At the Central Library (Downtown Marietta)  here is their schedule. Mondays @3pm Ages 6-10 activities, stories and crafts, Tuesdays @ 11am Ages 3-5 Stories and Songs, Wednesday @ 10am Ages Birth to 17 mo Rhymes and songs, Wednesday @ 11am Ages 18 mo-2yrs stories and songs, Wednesdays @ 3 pm Movie Matinee and Saturdays @ 11 am Stories and songs for whole family!  The Central Library is at 266 Roswell Street Marietta, GA 30060  you can also call them at 770-528-2331.

Freebies 4 Mom has blogged about a bunch of other Summer Reading Programs with places like Borders.  has done a great job with it.  So just follow the link for more information on this.

Have Fun Reading!

2010 Garden Tour and Plant Sale

2010 Garden Tour presented by Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County
Probably won't go on the tour. But just might have to swing  by and see what plants they have for sale. 
May 15^th  10am to 5pm
TICKET PURCHASE
Admission: $10 per person in advance. $12 per person at the gardens and the Plant Sale.
Plant Sale open to the public at Holt Road Baptist Church, 675 Holt Road, Marietta, GA 30068

For tickets or additional information, contact the Cobb Extension office: 770-528-4070, or visit http://www.cobbestension.com.

Free Veggie Garden Guide

Thanks to Money Saving Mom for posting this. A Free Vegetable Garden Guide thanks to Burpee. I signed up for mine, because I am starting a bit of my own edible garden and am clueless. My mom who is a great gardener is helping me a bit and I am doing lots (well as much as time allows) of research.  My son has really inspired and spurred this along.  He is having so much fun watching things grow and watering them.

Around Town This Weekend

 Georgia Kite Festival

Saturday May 15th  11 am – 7 pm
There will be a Kids Zone, A Sound Stage,  The Kite Construction Corner, The Humana Markert Point Health Zone, and a Vendor Village

Admission for the Georgia Kite Festival is free and open to the public, but tickets are required for entry and can be printed here. Directions to Centennial Olympic Park by car or MARTA can be found by visiting www.centennialpark.com

Marietta Greek Festival

Dates & Times

• Friday, May 14, 3:00 PM - 11:00 PM
• Saturday, May 15, 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM
• Sunday, May 16, 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Stop by for great food, entertainment, and shopping!

Please note: no animals or pets are allowed, except those registered for the disabled.

Location

The Festival will take place on the grounds of the Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church. We are located at:

3431 Trickum Road
Marietta, Georgia 30066
770.924.8080

For a map and directions from your location, click here. 

Free or $1 Summer Movies

Summer Movie "Camps"  Will be starting the first week or June and will go until the last week of July.  (At least in the Atlanta Area)  There are three movie houses that usually do this.  AMC, Regal, and GTC (Georgia Theater Company).  These are all G or PG rated movies. (Like Horton Hears a Who)  Tickets at the door.  The more popular the movie the sooner you need to get there to get your ticket. AMC has not released their schedule yet.  Last year they were a $1 for tickets(snacks regular price), Regal is FREE (last year snacks were regular price), and GTC is $1 admin (if you want)$1.50 kids popcorn size, $1.50 kids drink sizes.  So if you want to go all in for popcorn and drink it was cheaper last year to go to a GTC. Movies start at 10 am.  Doors open to buy tickets ... depends on theater. Regal movies are on Tuesday and Wednesday and GTC movies are on Tuesday and Thursday. These are great on those days when it is rainy and you need to get out.  And don't worry if your wiggle worm does not have great movie etiquette, you will be in good company.
.

Chattahoochee Events

Chattahoochee is right around the corner and they have some really cool events.  That cost only the price for parking $3.. or if your like me who has a parking pass, nothing. All it takes is a bit pre-planning because you need to make reservations because space is limited.   But what cool ways to get out and into nature and help build appreciation for nature in our kids.



This Friday Night  (this might be for more elementary kids)
Frog Frolics at Cochran Shoals  
Date:  Every Friday Weekly from 4/30/2010 to 5/14/2010
Time:  8:30 PM to 10:30 PM
Location:  Cochran Shoals - Interstate North
Contact: Island Ford Visitor Contact Station
678-538-1200

This Saturday
Paddle With A Ranger - Palisades Canoe Float 1  
(this one does require that you have a canoe)
Date:  May 15, 2010
Time:  1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Location:  Cochran Shoals - Powers Island to Palisades - Paces Mill
Contact: Island Ford Visitor Contact Station
678-538-1200

Next Week
Kids Fishing Event - Schools Out!  
(make and take your own fishing pole)
Date:  May 22, 2010
Time:  9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Location:  Island Ford Pond
Contact: Island Ford Visitor Contact Station
678-538-1200



Last Event in May
Spring Wildflower Walk 6  
Date:  May 26, 2010
Time:  2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Location:  Cochran Shoals - Interstate North
Contact: Island Ford Visitor Contact Station
678-538-1200

Strawberries...recipes.

Strawberry picking is such a great family bonding activity! and now your home faced with gallons of strawberries. :) never fear there are some great things to do with strawberries. My favorite is freezer strawberry jam. This recipe I got from Recipezaar.

If you want to freeze your Strawberries until you can use them in smoothies or pie recipes.  You need to spread them on a cookie sheet unwashed and not touching each other. Freeze. Wash quickly,  put back in freezer and then put freezer bags.

Here is our Family Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Recipe very yummy.

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

8-inch Pastry for 8-inch 2 crust pie                     
1 - 1 1/4 cups sugar                                          
1/4 cup all purpose flour                                     
1/4 t. grated orange peel (optional)                     
1 1/2 cups cut up rhubarb (1/2 inch pieces)        
1 1/2 cups cut up Strawberries                          
1 Tablespoon butter
                                         
9-inch Pastry for 9-inch 2 crust
1 1/3 to 1 2/3 cups sugar
1/3 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon grated orange peel
2 cups cut up fresh rhubarb
2 cups cut up Strawberries
2 T. butter


10- inch Pastry for 10-inch 2 crust pie
1 3/4 to 2 cups sugar
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon grated orange peel, if desired
2 1/2 cups cut up fresh rhubarb (1/2 inch pieces)
2 1/2 cups cut up Strawberries
3 Tablespoons butter or margarine

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Prepare pastry. Stir together sugar, flour
and orange peel. Turn half the rhubarb into pastry lined pie pan;
sprinkle with half the sugar mixture. Repeat with remaining rhubarb
and sugar; dot with butter.Cover with top crust which has slits cut
in it; seal and flute.Sprinkle with sugar. Cover edge with 2 to 3
inch strip of aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning; remove foil
last 15 minutes of baking.

Bake 40 to 50 minutes or until crust is brown and juice begins to
bubble through slits in crust.

Weekend Happenings

Unlike last week there are many choices of things to do, if your itching to get out of the house. 

Usual free workshops Micheals, Lowes, and Lakeshore.

Let me know if there is anything that I'm missing, because I know I am.

Festivals:

Sweet Auburn SpringFest 2010
May 7-9, 2010 - Auburn Avenue in Downtown Atlanta Georgia

Attracting more than 500,000 people ... Sweet Auburn SpringFest is the largest street festival in the Southeast. In 2009, SpringFest featured 7 stages of live entertainment... Fantastic Fun Zone for the kids, a Technology Expo, an International Craft Marketplace, the Sweet Auburn Film Festival and more. The 2009 SpringFest expanded to a 2-mile radius and included Centennial Olympic Park.

Sweet Auburn SpringFest 2010 times: Fri. 5 PM - 11 PM, Sat. 11 AM -9 PM, Sun. 2 PM - 8 PM. Admission is free. 

6th Annual Barefoot in the Park

May 8th 10:00AM to 6:00PM and 9th 12:00PM to 5:00PM Town Green in downtown Duluth, GA (metro Atlanta/Gwinnett County)
3167 Main Street
Duluth, GA
678.475.3506

Festival-goers can enjoy a full day of free performances by a great mix of local, regional and international performers. The Duluth Town Green amphitheater stage will play host to a full weekend of dance, live music, jazz and the performing arts. 2008 performers included: Phusion Performing Arts Alliance, Chappelle Rock band, Metro Jazz Club featuring Maxine Cummins, the popular Celtic band Collateral Relations, the Atlanta Harmony Chorus, Atlanta Chinese Dance Company and many more.

PARKING/TRANSPORTATION
Free Parking is available on Hill Street, behind the Town Green. Limited street parking is also available in and around downtown Duluth.

Tucker Day

CELEBRATING TUCKER DAY - AND NEW STREETSCAPES
"Breaking Ground in Our Home Town"

 

Downtown Tucker

In what has become the official commencement of summer fun and community pride, the 58th annual Tucker Day parade and celebration is set to take place Saturday, May 8, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Parade is at 10am.

Park at Tucker High and walk around.  An insider bit.  The highschool serves breakfast as a fundraiser for the football team.  Due to construction at the school it is at the 1st Baptist Fellowship Hall is $5 and is from 5am to 11 am.   If you go to this go to this I recommend getting there right before 9am eat breakfast walk around (there is usually lots of free stuff) watch the parade then go to St. Mountain. I recommend packing a picnic lunch. or bring burgers/hotdogs to grill. 

Other Events:

National Train Day

May 8th
10:00AM to 5:00PM

Southeastern Railway Museum
3595 Buford Hwy
Duluth, GA
770-473-2013

The Southeastern Railway Museum is happy to support the 3rd annual National Train Day by offering free caboose train rides with admission to the museum. National Train Day celebrates America's love for trains with events around the country. This year, National Train Day marks 141 years of travlers connecting coast to coast by rail.

Marietta Farmers Market

It is suppose to be the first Saturday of this great farmers market. I know there is construction going on and their website say that it will open in May. Not 100% it will be open from the look of the website. I also tried to call, but no answer. 

The Market is open Saturday morning from 9 am to 12 pm. 

Wilton at Micheal's Deal

Ok so some of you know I am taking a cake decorating class at Micheal's.  They teach the Wilton method. Well I needed to buy supplies and the kits for the classes are on clearance for $9.99 instead of $24.99. They are changing their classes in June and are selling the current kits for a steal. Each store will very with what they have. I know the Smyrna store only had course one, and the East Cobb store had course one and two. So if you are looking to invest in some stuff for cake decorating call ahead and see if they will hold it for you.

Buying Clothes On-Line

I don't know about you but I don't really buy my clothes on-line because of the fit issues.  I like to try mine on before I buy. Well here is a Website that takes the guess work out, SizeWize.com.
You can enter your measurements or enter in the clothing that you have by size and brand.  Once you have created your free account, your measurements are saved for future uses. SizeWize has a selection of 150 brands and 50 major retailers.

Lane Bryant Freebies

Right now get your free Lane Bryant Cami. This Coupon is good until 5/10.  You will have to Register. I missed the previous give away.  It looks like there might be two more after this coupon.  So here is to getting free big girl stuff. :)

Thanks to The Freebie Blogger for spotting this.

Some VBS's around town

Here is a small collection of VBS(es) (however you make that plural).
I am going to list the Church and date and have a link to their website. Some websites have a registration page and some do not. As far as I know all these VBS(es) are free.
Let me know if you know of other VBS(es) around town.

June 7-11 9:30-12:30 Powers Ferry United Methodist Church
June 7-11 (Sent flier home from Parent's Night Out but cannot confirm with website.  Last year theirs was in July.)  Holt Road Baptist Church
June 21- 25 (tentative date and in past years there seems to have been a fee in past years) St. Catherine's Episcopal 
June 27- July 1 time varies depending on day Eastside Baptist Church
July 19-22 5:45-8:30pm (dinner is included) Cumberland Community Church

Many are excepting registrations now.  Some churches will only take a certain amount and others will make room.  So if there is a VBS you know you want your child to go to, register early.

Edible Garden

I have started an edible garden of sorts. Prompted by my son.  I have some pictures here to show you.  I am really proud of how everything is going so far because I am a self proclaimed black thumb.  no really.... I can kill the unkillable plants. Sunflowers that we first planted ... well died. The Carrots that we planted at the same time have taken off.

carrots

the lettuce, bell peppers and tomatoes are coming in nicely.

bell peppers or tomatoes or both

lettuce

The Strawberries in the planting bed ... I've not seen a sprout for, but did get some actual plants to put in the Topsy Turvy strawberry holder. And one watermelon plant.
We tried digging an area to plant the carrots, lettuce and lone watermelon plant, but red clay roots, rock and rain have gotton the better of us. Before the rain it was 6" deep. Need it to be a foot deep. 
So how many of you are trying to plant edible gardens this year? And how are yours doing?