Baked "Fried" Chicken

Learning to cook healthier for myself but in ways my family will also like is not easy.

This chicken recipe is one we all agreed we liked.

2/3 c instant potatoe flakes
1/3 c parmesan cheese
1 tsp garlic pepper or garlic powder
1 stick margarine, melted
3 pounds of boneless skinless chicken breast

Heat oven to 375.
Spray cookie sheet with baking spray.
Melt margarine in bowl.
In another bowl, combine potato flakes, parmesan cheese and garlic.
Dip chicken in margarine and roll in potate flakes.
Bake 30-45 minutes until chicken is done.

I like to turn the oven to high broil the last couple minutes to brown the chicken real good.

The fat content has to be pretty low with no skin and no frying in grease, don't you think? Is there any dieticians out there?

I like to serve this with grilled asparagus and/or honey glazed carrots.

Do any of you have heart healthy recipes you would like to share? I'm all ears!

Frugal Photo Display-Repurposing Plastic CD Cases

Do you have a stash of cd cases laying around? Check this out.I love this idea! I've seen a couple other ideas to repurpose cd cases.  What's your favorite?

Frugal wall art!  For the instructions you can go here

Art of the Chicken Coop Review

Art of the Chicken Coop by Chris Gleason

Keeping a small flock of backyard chickens is becoming more and more popular.

In Art of the Chicken Coop there are easy to follow construction plans for seven different coops, four of them for flocks of six chickens or less. The perfect size for a backyard flock. One coop is a space saver, only using 2 ½ x 3 feet of space! Each coop includes a complete supply list and lots of pictures!

If you will be keeping over six, up to fifteen, three of the coop designs will accommodate such a flock. The author also includes instructions on how to increase the size of any of the coops in the book.

What I really liked was the use of salvaged materials. Both my coops used salvaged materials. I’m sure my new coop will be no different.

There are also 3 profiles of chicken keepers who offer some great advice and tips, a whole chapter on building coop runs, advice on everything you’ll need in your coop, a characteristic chart of popular backyard breeds (with each breed pictured), and egg recipes.

From beginner to veteran this book has great information for anyone!

Zucchini Candy-In honor of National Sneak Zucchini On Your Neighbor's Porch

National Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor's Porch Day is today!  Have any of you dropped any off on your neighbors?
It always happens.  The zucchini that hides until it is soooo huge!  I've had a couple of them so far this year.  How about you?  What do you do with your bat size zucchinis?

This year I've been making candy.  That's right, zucchini candy!  I have a batch in the dehydrator right now.  They taste a lot like gummi worms. 

I have two recipes.  The one I am trying right now is one my mother gave me.  I think she found it on the internet but not sure where:

Ingredients:
A large zucchini
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 pack Kool-aid
8 cups water

Peel the zucchini.

Cut it into 1 inch chunks, be sure to cut off the center part with seeds (as uniform as you can so they dry evenly).

Add Kool-aid, water, and sugar (recipe can be doubled) in a large pot and bring to a boil.

Add zucchini chunks and turn down to a simmer,  stir occasionally. Cook until zucchini turns translucent, about 20-25 minutes. Drain using a colander.

Place them on the food dehydrator racks making sure no pieces are touching each other.  Use a fruit leather mat if you have one. This makes clean up easier. I only use mine for about the first hour then remove.

Let it dehydrate until it feels squishy but firm,  about 18 hours.

When they are done, put 3 Tbs of powdered sugar, and 1 Tbs corn starch in a bag and toss candy pieces in with it. This keeps them from sticking together in the bag or jar.

I'll let you know how we liked this recipe once it is done.

Another great recipe is:

10 cups peeled diced zucchini 1/2 inch cubes or  "worms" about 3 inches long and 1/2 inch thick and wide.
3 cups water
2 pkgs. unsweetened Koolaid (Everyone says black cherry or cherry is best, all I had was strawberry)
2 1/2 cups sugar

Peel zucchini,  dice/slice, removing seeds. Mix the liquid syrup together. Add zucchini. Bring to a boil and them simmer for 25 min. Drain. Put on dehydrator trays. Dry 14
hours at 125 degrees. Turn pieces over and dry another 4 hours. They will
feel dry and not sticky when done. Store in jars or other tightly sealed
containers. If you dip in sugar when you turn them, they will be more like
"gum drops" on the outside.


Next I will be trying these two recipes to use up large zucchini:

Zuke Chips
Take the large size zukes and slice them 1/8 inch thick, blanch them for 30 seconds, pat dry, and sprinkle salt (use Kosher or french fry seasoning) and onion powder on them. Dry them in the dehydrator until crispy like potato chips.

Zuke Burger
Take a large zuke, slice 1/2" thick, brush with olive oil, season with salt & pepper, (or any hamburger seasoning you use) and  grill.  Serve on potato roll buns.

So you still have too much zucchini and are going to sneak some on your neighbors porch, be sure to include a few of these recipes for them! lol

Coupon Preview 7/31/11

COUPONS FOR 7-31-11
SMARTSOURCE
Allegra 24 hr, 30ct, 45 ct, 90 ct $2 (9/10/11)
Allegra 5 count Rebate up to $7 (mail-in) (8/31/11)
Aveeno Sun Care $1.50 (8/31/11)
Band-Aid Adhesive Bandage .50 (12/31/11)
BestLife Buttery Spread, Buttery Spray or Buttery Baking Sticks $1 (10/9/11)
Bic Stationery Products $1 on 2 (9/30/11)
Bic Razor (Hybrid, Soleil Bella, Flex 4, Soleil Twilight, Comfort3 Advance) $2 (9/11/11)
Blink Tears or Blink GelTers Lubricating Eye Drops $1 (9/30/11)
Clean & Clear $1 (9/30/11)
Complete Blink-N-Clean Lens Drops or Blink Contacts Lubricant Eye Drops $1 (9/30/11)
Complete Multi-Purpose Solution, 12 oz+ $1 (9/30/11)
Eatsmart Naturals Snack, 5oz+ $1 (10/31/11)
Energizer Batteries or Flashlight $1 (8/31/11)
Ensure Multipack $1 (10/31/11)
Extra, Orbit, Eclipse, Juicy Fruit, Doublemint, Spearmint, Big Red or Winterfresh, 3 packs $1 on 2 (10/31/11)
Finish Quantum $1 (9/11/11)
Finish Powerball or Gelpac .75 (9/11/11)
Glade Plugins Scented Oil twin refill $1.50/1 or two single refills (8/20/11)
Glade Plugins Scented Oil Lasting Impressions Holder $3 (8/20/11)
Glade Fabric & Air Odor Eliminator $1.25 (9/10/11)
Glade Automatic Spray Refill $1.50 (9/10/11)
Icy Hot Naturals $2 (8/31/11)
IcyHot, Aspercreme, Flexall, Capzasin $1 (10/31/11)
LALA Yogurt Smoothie, 8.1 oz. B1G1F up to $1.59 (9/30/11)
Listerine Mouthwash, 500ml+ or Reach Toothbrush or Reach Floss or Reach Access Flosser .50 (12/31/11)
Listerine Mouthwash, 500ml+ or Reach Toothbrush or Reach Floss or Reach Access Flosser $1.50 on 2 (12/31/11)
Listerine Mouthwash, 500mo+ AND Reach Toothbrush AND Reach Floss or Access Flosser $3 on 3 (12/31/11)
Listerine Total Care Mouthwash, Total Care Plus Whitening Mouthwash, 32 oz.+, etc. 1L+ $1 (12/31/11)
Listerine Smart Rinse Mouthwash or any Listerine Agent Cool Blue or any Reach Kids Toothbrush $1 (12/31/11)
Listerine Smart Rinse Product or Reach Kids Toothbrush $1 (12/31/11)
Mitchum .75 (9/4/11)
Nature Sweet Cherry Tomatoes (2 pkgs.) AND Fresh Eggs $1 (10/31/11)
Neosporin AND Band-Aid Bandages $1.50 (9/30/11)
Neutrogena Lip or Eye Makeup $1 (8/31/11)
Neutrogena Face Makeup $2 (8/31/11)
Purell, 8 oz+ $1 (10/31/11)
Purell $1 on 3 (10/31/11)
Revlon Color Silk Products $1 on 2 (9/4/11)
Rubbermaid TakeAlongs $1 on 2 (910/11)
Schiff MegaRed $3 (10/31/11)
Schiff Mega-D3 $2 (10/31/11)
Schiff Glucosamine $2 (10/31/11)
Schiff Vitamin or Supplement $1 (10/31/11)
Scrubbing Bubbles Active Scrub Cream Cleanser $1 (9/11/11)
Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Cleaners $1 on 2 (9/11/11)
Scrubbing Bubbles Fantastik All Purpose Cleaner .75 (9/11/11)
Scrubbing Bubbles Extend-A-Clean Bathroom Cleaner or Daily Shower Cleaner $1 (9/11/11)
Scrubbing Bubbles Antibacterial Bathroom Wipes .55 (9/11/11)
Scrubbing Bubbles Mega Shower Foamer $1 (9/11/11)
Scrubbing Bubbles Fresh Brush FREE up to $6.99 wyb Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Cleaning Gel (9/11/11)
Snackwells Bars $1 (11/30/11)
Windex $1 on 2 (9/24/11)

RED PLUM
AXE Shower Gel or Detailer B1G1F up to $5.99 (9/24/11)
Caress Tahitian Renewal, Cashmere Luxury, Daily Silk, etc. Body Wash, 12 oz.+ or 6-bar pk.+ .75 (8/28/11)
Degree Men or Women PREMIUM Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant or Body Mist $1 (8/28/11)
Degree Men or Women Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant .75 (8/28/11)
Domino Light or Amber Organic Agave Nectar, bottle .75 (9/30/11)
Dove Men+Care Antiperspirant, 2.7oz or Deodorant, 3 oz FREE up to $5.50 wyb Dove Womens Deodorant (Ultimate or Clinical Protection) (8/28/11)
Dove Beauty Bar, 6-bar pk+ (no Men+care) $1.25 (8/28/11)
Dove Body Wash, 10oz+ (no Men+care) $1 (8/28/11)
Dove Treatment FREE up to $6 wyb Dove Shampoo or Conditioner, no 40 oz. trial or travel size (8/28/11)
Dove Men+Care Body and Face Wash, 13.5oz+ OR Active Clean Shower Tool $1 (8/28/11)
Dove Men+Care Body and Face, 6-bar pk.+ $1 (8/28/11)
Hellmanns Product, 16.5 oz+ .40/2 (8/28/11)
Jimmy Ds Product $1 (9/30/11)
Lipton Tea Bags, Lipton to Go, or any Lipton Iced Tea Mixes .60/2 (8/28/11)
LOreal Excellence or Excellence to-Go Shade $2 (9/25/11)
LOreal Root Rescue Product $2 (9/25/11)
Magnum Ice Cream $1 (8/28/11)
Q-Tips Cotton Swabs Product, 170 ct+ .30 (8/28/11)
Ragu Pasta Sauce, jars .40/2 (8/28/11)
Skippy Peanut Butter Product, 15oz+ $1 on 2 (8/28/11)
TRESemme Shampoo or Conditioner, no trial $1 (8/28/11)
TRESemme Styling Product, no trial $1 (8/28/11)
Vaseline Product, 3.1oz+ $1.50 (8/28/11)
Wish-Bone or Western Dressings $1 on 2 (8/28/11)

RED PLUM #2
Bengay $3 (11/30/11)
Boost Nutritional Drink or Drink Mix, multipack or canister $1.50 (10/02/11)
Carnation Breakfast Essentials Product $1 (10/02/11)
Centrum Silver, 60ct+ $2 (10/2/11)
Johnson & Johnson Red Cross Products $1.50 on 2 (11/30/11)
L.A. Looks Product, 20oz or 26oz $1 (10/31/11)
Nestle Coffee-Mate Natural Bliss $1 on 2 (10/30/11)
Nestle Pure Life Multi-packs,.5 liter 20-pack+ $1 on 2 (9/11/11)
Nestle Pure Life Multi-pack, 8 oz. 24-pack+ $1 on 2 (9/11/11)
Nivea Body Lotion, 8.4-16.9oz $1 (9/11/11)
Nivea Body Wash for Men, 16.9oz $1 (9/30/11)
Nivea Body Wash for Women, 8.4-16.9oz $2 (9/30/11)
Nivea Face Care $1/1 or two Shave Gels, .5 to 7 oz. (9/30/11)
Nivea Good-Bye Cellulite, 2.5-6.7oz $2 (9/11/11)
Nivea Lip Care, 0.17oz stick -.35oz tube $3 on 2 (8/15/11)
OXY $1 (10/1/11)
OXY Clinical Product $3 (10/1/11)
Rimmel Mascara or any Rimmel Product $1 (9/30/11)
Skinny Cow Chocolate Candy, 4.65-6oz Multipack $1 (10/31/11)
Skinny Cow Chocolate Candy Singles, .77-1oz B1G1F up to .99 (10/31/11)

PROCTER & GAMBLE
Always Pantiliners, 30ct+ $1 (8/31/11)
Always Pads, Clean or Feminine Cleansing Cloths .50 (8/31/11)
Always Infinity, 14ct+ $1 (8/31/11)
Bounce Dryer Bar .50 (8/31/11)
Bounce Dryer Sheet or Dryer Bar refill .25 (8/31/11)
Bounty Towels or Napkins .25 (8/31/11)
Bounty Napkins .25 (8/31/11)
Braun Curzer Trimmer $5 (8/31/11)
Braun Series 3, Series 5 or Series 7 Shaver $10 (8/31/11)
Cascade, any $1 (8/31/11)
Charmin .25 (8/31/11)
Clairol Hair Color $2 (8/31/11)
Covergirl, any $1 (8/31/11)
Crest 3D White Professional Effects or 2 Hour Express Whitestrips $10 ((8/31/11)
Crest 3D White Advanced Vivid, Vivid, Stain Shield or Gentle Routine Whitestrips $5 (8/31/11)
Crest Toothpaste, 4oz+ .50 (8/31/11)
Crest Rinse, 946ml+ $2 (8/31/11)
Crest Toothpaste, 4oz+ or liquid gel .75 (8/31/11)
Dawn, any .50 (8/31/11)
Downey Fabric Softener or Dryer Sheets .50 (8/31/11)
Duracell Coppertop, Ultra, Advanced, Photo Lithium or Specialty Batteries .75 (8/31/11)
Duracell Rechargeable Batteries or Charger or 6pk Hearing Aid Batteries $1 (8/31/11)
Fixodent Adhesive, 1.5oz+ .50 (8/31/11)
Fixodent Cleanser, any .75 (8/31/11)
Gillette Body Wash, excludes trial size $2 (8/31/11)
Gillette Deodorant, excludes trial size $3 on 2 or one Clinical Deodorant (8/31/11)
Gillette Fusion Skin Care $2 (8/31/11)
Gillette Fusion ProGlide Shave Prep FREE wyb Fusion ProGlide Cartridge (8/31/11)
Gillette Fusion ProGlide Razor $4 (8/31/11)
Gillette Satin Care Shave Gel FREE up to $3.99 wyb Olay Body Wash, Bar or Hand and Body Lotion (8/31/11)
Head & Shoulders, excludes trial size .50 (8/31/11)
Iams Naturals Dry Dog or Cat Food $1 (8/31/11)
Iams Premium Protection Dry Dog or Cat Food $1 (8/31/11)
Iams ProActive Healthy Dry Dog or Cat Food $1 (8/31/11)
Iams Canned Dog or Cat Food B3G1F (8/31/11)
Ivory Body Wash or Bar or Safeguard Bar or liquid hand soap .50 (8/31/11)
Metamucil $1 (8/31/11)
Metamucil Fiber Singles Capsules or Wafers $1 (8/31/11)
Olay Pro-X Facial Moisturizer or Pro-X Clear $5 (8/31/11)
Olay Regenerist Moisturizer $3 (8/31/11)
Oral-B Battery Toothbrush $3 (8/31/11)
Oral-B Floss or Oral-B Floss Picks, 30ct+ .75 (8/31/11)
Oral-B Stages, Zooth or Crest Kids Manual or Power Toothbrush .50 (8/31/11)
Oral-B Stages, Zooth or Crest Kids Toothpaste .50 (8/31/11)
Oral-B Replacement Brush Heads, 3ct+ $10 on 2 (8/31/11)
Oral-B Replacement Brush Heads, 3ct+ $3 (8/31/11)
Oral-B Pulsar, CrossAction Advantage .75/1 or 2 Indicator or Cavity Defense Manual Toothbrushes (8/31/11)
Pampers Diapers or Pants $1/1 box or two bags (08/31/11)
Pampers Sensitive Swaddlers, Cruisers, Limited Edition or Extra Protection Diapers $2 (08/31/11)
Pampers Diaper or Pant diaper AND one Pampers Wipes, 60ct $2 (08/31/11)
Pantene, excludes trial size $1 on 2 (08/31/11)
Pringles Fat Free Cans, 165g+ $1 on 2 (8/31/11)
Pringles Snack Stack or Stix .50 (8/31/11)
Pringles Super Stack Cans, 180g+ $1 on 4 (8/31/11)
Puffs .25 on 3 boxes or one 3pk (8/31/11)
Scope Mouthwash, 710ml+ .75 (8/31/11)
Secret Flawless, Scent Expression or Fresh Effects Deodorant Twin Pack $1 (8/31/11)
Secret Body Spray FREE up to $5 wyb two Secret Scent Expressions or Fresh Effects, no trial (8/31/11)
Swiffer Wet Jet or Sweeper Vac Starter Kit $5 (8/31/11)
Swiffer Sweeper or Swiffer Dusters Starter Kit $1 (8/31/11)
Swiffer Refill or Dust & Shine .75 (8/31/11)
Tampax Pearl Compak B1G1F up to $3.99 (8/31/11)
Tampax Pearl or Tampax Pearl Compak, 18ct+ $1 (8/31/11)
Tampax, 18ct+ .50 (8/31/11)
Tide Detergent, any $1 (8/31/11)
Tide Stain Release .50 (8/31/11)
Tide Stain Release, 26-50 powder, 15-34ct Duopack or 36-68 oz liquid $1.50 (8/31/11)
Venus Razor AND Venus Refill $5 (8/31/11)
Venus Disposable Razor $2 (8/31/11)

Is it possible to have a zero waste package free grocery store?

Brothers Lane Company of in.gredients thinks so!



According to Earth911, shoppers bring their own containers the first time, weigh and label the containers with its tare weight, which will be deducted at the cash register. The store will also provide compostable containers for customers who don’t want to transport their own containers; shoppers will be encouraged to reuse the containers before eventually composting them.

How cool is that? I hope we can get one here in the Kansas City area.

Printable $1/2 Skippy Peanut Butter Coupon

GO HERE

HOT Printable Mission Chips or Dip $1/1 Coupon~Kansas City Only

Mission has released a $1 off 1 bag of chips or dip for the Kansas City Area only.
Go HERE

Summer Vacation Boredom Busters

It's the time of year when the kiddos are starting to get bored during summer vacation and ideas are running short.

All you know how I love Tip Junkie, and today I want to share another one of her great ideas...

A printable Summer Activities List!  How cool is this?  Print it out, post it, and let the fun begin.

How To Choose The Perfect Ear Of Corn

It's the time of year when fresh corn on the cobb is available everywhere.
Local farm markets, trucks on street corners, and supermarkets.

When purchasing corn, look for tightly wrapped ears that look plump and feel full.
The corn silk should be dry but not rotting.  The more corn silk there is, the more corn kernels there will be!

Save Money And Build Your Own Rain Harvesting System

Saving money on water is one thing I'm constantly monitoring.   With the need to water pets, top off koi ponds and swimming pool, watering vegetable and flower gardens as well as laundry and bathing, our water bill can get expensive.

I've wrote about rain harvesting and using rain barrels before, but feel the subject is worth repeating and staying on top of new found ideas. 



How much rain does it take to fill my system?
Not as much as you think. It is easy to calculate how much rainwater your roof generates. The constant to remember is: 1" of rain will produce 625 gallons of runoff from a 1000 square foot roof, or 625 gallons per 1000 square feet.

Too much math for you? Check out this easy Rain Harvest Calculator. It will figure it for you in seconds.

Thanks to Homesteading Woman for the great video on your Rain Harvesting System!

4th of July Fireworks Displays in Kansas City Area 2011

Hope everyone has a safe 4th!
If you havn't had enough celebrating or would like to catch a professional fireworks display in the Kansas City area, here is a list for Monday, 7/4/11.

Fourth of July Celebration- Parkville, MO
Independence Day Celebration Mormon Visitors Center- Independence, MO
Oak Grove Park Fireworks- Gladstone, MO
Smithville Lake Fireworks- Smithville, MO
Liberty 4th Fest- Liberty, MO
Weston Jaycees Fireworks- Weston, MO
Worlds of Fun- Kansas City, MO
Platte City Family Fun & Fireworks- Platte City, MO
Raymore Fireworks- Raymore, MO
Blue Springs Fireworks- Blue Springs, MO
Oak Grove Fireworks- Oak Grove, MO
Sugar Creek Fireworks- Independence, MO
Harrisonville Fireworks- Harrisonville, MO
Fireworks & Salute to the Union- Leavenworth, KS
Star Spangled Spectacular at Corporate Woods- Overland Park, KS
Great Mall of the Plains Fireworks- Olathe, KS
Gardner Fireworks- Gardner, KS
The Spirit of Stillwell Fireworks- Stillwell, KS
Pride Fireworks Display- Basehor, KS
Leawood City Park Fourth of July Celebration- Leawood, KS

For more information on any of these, visit Cutting Coupons in Kansas City. Amy has links for each of these. Thanks Amy of Cutting Coupons in Kansas City for taking the time to put together this great list!

We will be going to one that Amy did not list. lol
We have been going to this display almost every year for 15 years.

Drexel: For decades, this southwest Cass County burg has put together a celebration to rival cities five times its size. For miles around, even in neighboring towns, folks perch on rooftops and hilltops to watch Drexel’s annual fireworks display at dusk.
But actually go to Drexel and you’ll find stage entertainment, plenty of food and the traditional motorcross races during the day leading up to the nighttime pyrotechnics.

Breakfast at Community Building

9:00 & 9:15
First and Second PeeWee Motorcycle Races 11:00
Parade Begins on Main Street 12:00
1st Annual Horseshoe Tournament Begins in the Park 11:00-1:00
Lunch at Community Building **Proceeds benefit DREXEL LIONS CLUB**
Enjoy music by Doc Marsh and Friends 11:30
First Motorcycle Race Begins 1:30
Second Motorcycle Race Begins 2:00
Hot Dog Eating Contest 2:15
Watermelon Eating Contest 4:15
Trophy Handout for motorcycle races 4:00
"Full House" Band plays in Community Building 4:30
Dr. Damon Dennis and Friends, outdoor stage 5:00
Dinner in Community Building **Proceeds benefit DREXEL LIONS CLUB** 6:30

Inside Community Building: NICHOLAS PIERCE, MAGICIAN 7:00

"JukeBox Heroes" performance begins outside and performs until...

Fireworks in the Park!
All-Day Petting Zoo, Pony Rides!

Drexel Lions Club 52nd Annual Day in the Park ~ 4th Annual Motorcycle Race
7:00-10:00am

 

iPhone Tip: Turning Off Auto Correct

I found the auto correct on my iPhone very annoying and even more annoying when I received a message from my husband that didn't make a lot of sense. (Uhhmmm, honey you really need to put your glasses on....please)

So I turned it off. It's simple, here's how:

Go to Settings,
Then to General

Scroll down and choose Keyboard

Then tap the grey button next to on beside "Auto-Correction".

That's it! Easy hugh?

FREE Motor Oil $26 Rebate

In celebration of Independence Day, Green Earth Technologies
would like to help you do your part by choosing G-oil, the worlds first and only API Certified bio-based full synthetic motor oil.

Just purchase a 5 quart bottle of G-oil and they will rebate the full amount up to $26.00

Go HERE to print the rebate form.

CopyCat Instant Chocolate Milk Mix

It's always cheaper when you make your own mixes! Kids love chocolate milk (and so do I!)

This is so simple as well as quick!

2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup cocoa
Pinch of salt

The better quality cocoa used, the better the taste. I use Hershey cocoa.

No Till Garden Update

Our no till garden gets better & better and easier & easier with each year. The first year was the hardest as far as work. Getting the dirt and compost moved in and the beds set up. Last year we added two more beds. This year we have added one more so far. I want to add an additional two more this year.

Each year planting the beds established the previous years is so simple! No tilling needed! I top dress each bed with a 6-8 page layer of newspaper, 3"-4" of new compost, set the plants in (or so seed) and top with 6"-8" of straw.

The straw helps hold moisture in which conserves water and inhibits weeds from growing.

The two cantaloupe were about 3" tall and had three leaves about the size of a quarter when I planted them two weeks ago.  They have really taken off!

The two cucumbers have little more than doubled in size.  I planted what is suppose to be a gherkin cucumber.  I'm hoping that's what they turn out to be.

 Hopefully this year I will have some zucchini.  The plants are doing well and there is two small squash already.

The 8 tomato plants are looking great! Most are blooming.  I'm really excited to see how well my grape tomato plant does.  This is the first year I've ever grown a grape variety.  I hope they are sugar sweet!

Things are growing great so far.  Can't wait to start harvesting.... something.... anything.  I'm craving home grown veggies!  The watermelon is planted but nothing sprouted yet.  The asparagus is still growing and thriving, although there will be none picked this first year.  The potato plants are huge. I hope the potatoes are doing as well as the plants! And the okra has sprouted and it won't be long until it will really take off.

The great thing about a no till garden other than we didn't have to till last fall or this spring is that I haven't had to do any weeding yet.  The heavy straw mulch keeps it to a bare minimum.

What are you growing this year? Anything that you've never grown before?

I'm insurance poor!

In just the last three years we have went from paying $200 a month for health, auto and home insurance to $500 for all three which now have higher deductibles on the car and health.

Shopping for insurance is a pain! Trying to compare apples to apples is near impossible.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Upcycled Wine Bottles

I hate throwing away wine bottles. So many of them have great labels and I love the different colors and shapes.

Check out these great ideas for upcyled wine bottles.

Creative Vases

Grow Bottles

Bottle Torch

My favorite is the grow bottles. What's your favorite?

Free Ebook- It Happens Every Spring

Gary Chapman is one of my favorite authors and I really enjoyed this book.

You do not have to have a Kindle to download this book. You can read kindle books on your PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, Android, or Windows 7 phone.

Gary Chapman, author of the best-selling books The Five Love Languages and The Four Seasons of Marriage, brings his teaching and insight to a completely new audience with It Happens Every Spring, the first book in the new "Four Seasons" series.

In combining Chapman's practical knowledge with award-winning author Catherine Palmer's considerable writing abilities, Tyndale House Publishers may have found a winning team, if this first offering is any indication.

The fictional counterpart to Chapman's non-fiction book The Four Seasons of Marriage, It Happens Every Spring is set in Deepwater Cove, a small community on the Lake of the Ozarks. It tells the story of Steve and Brenda Hanson, a middle-aged couple who are drifting apart. Steve is consumed with his business, while Brenda is languishing from a lack of attention.

This is a great book for anyone who is married to help understand the waves, the ups and downs of marriage.

Get it today FREE!

Coupon Preview 5-15-11

Please send your orders to gbtaylor1@windstream.net

COUPONS FOR 5-15-11
SMARTSOURCE
Arm & Hammer Spinbrush Powered Toothbrush or refill $1 (7/31/11)
Arm & Hammer Spinbrush Globrush Powered Toothbrush $1 (7/31/11)
Atkins Day Break Square, 5 pack or Shake, 4 pack $1 (7/31/11)
Atkins Bar, 5 pack or Shake, 4 pack $1 (7/31/11)
Bausch + Lomb Alaway Eye Drops $4 (7/31/11)
Bausch + Lomb Opcon-A Eye Drops $1 (7/31/11)
Chi-Chis Salsa jars or Snackers Salsa and Cheese cups, 12oz+ $1 on 2 (7/31/11)
Chi-Chis Tortillas packages $1 on 2 (7/31/11)
Claritin Non-Drowsy, 4oz or 10 ct+ $2 (6/12/11)
Claritin Non-Drowsy, 24 ct+ $5 (6/12/11)
Classico Pasta Sauces $1 on 2 (9/10/11)
Colgate ProClinical Toothpaste, 4.0oz+ .35 DND (6/4/11)
Dole Fruit in Gel $1 on 2 (7/31/11)
Dole Parfaits $1 on 2 (7/31/11)
Hidden Valley Farmhouse Originals Salad Dressing or Salad Kit $1 (6/30/11)
Honey Made Grahams, Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallows AND Hersheys Milk Chocolate, 6 pk. $1 (6/30/11)
Hot Shot Product $1 (6/30/11)
Huggies Pure & Natural Diapers $2.50 (6/11/11)
Huggies Little Snuggles or Little Movers Diapers $2 (6/11/11)
Huggies Baby Wipes, 64 ct+ .50 (6/11/11)
Huggies Little Swimmers $2 (6/11/11)
Huggies Little Swimmers Sun Care $1 (6/11/11)
Huggies Pull-Ups Jumbo pack $1.50 (6/11/11)
Huggies Pull-Ups Flushable Moist Wipes $1 (6/11/11)
Jell-O Snacks Refrigerated $1 (6/15/11)
Joint Juice $1 (7/15/11)
KC Masterpiece Barbecue Sauce or Marinade, 8.5oz + $1 (7/17/11)
Kikkoman $1 on 2 (12/31/11)
Kraft Mayo or Miracle Whip Dressing, 22 oz+ $1 (6/12/11)
L.A. Looks Product, 20oz or 26oz $1 (8/15/11)
Land O Lakes Deli Cheese Products $1 on 2 (7/31/11)
Land O Lakes Deli Cheese Product, 1 lb. $1 (7/31/11)
Land O Lakes Fresh Buttery Taste Spread Product .50 (7/9/11)
Lysol Clean-Flip Starter Kit or Floor Cloths $1 (8/31/11)
Method Laundry Detergent, 25 load or 50 load $1 (6/30/11)
Midnite, Midnite PM, or Midnite Menopause $1 (11/30/11)
Mold Armor Brand Product $1 (8/31/11)
9 Lives Dry Cat Food, 3.15 lbs+ $1 (7/16/11)
9 Lives Wet Cat Food $1/1- 12 can variety pack, 12 individual cans, or three 4-packs (7/16/11)
Nylabone Non-Edible Chew $1.50 (6/21/11)
Nylabone Edible Chew or Treat $1.50 (6/21/11)
Olay Total Effects Facial Moisturizer or Facial Cleanser $2 (6/30/11)
Orajel Childrens Toothpaste, Teething, Toothache or Mouth Sore Product $1 (8/31/11)
Oscar Mayer Lunchables Combinations with Fruit $1 (7/10/11)
Oscar Mayer Sub or Flatbread Sandwiches, Cracker Combos or Sandwich Combos $1 (7/10/11)
Oscar Mayer Lower Sodium Turkey Bacon $1 on 2 (7/10/11)
Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs $1 on 2 (7/10/11)
Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh or one pound Shaved Lunchmeats $1 on 2 (7/10/11)
Oscar Mayer Sandwich Combos $1 (7/10/11)
People Magazine $1 (7/5/11)
Pepperidge Farm Milano Melts Cookies $1 (8/7/11)
Pepperidge Farm Cookies $1 on 2 (7/10/11)
Pepperidge Farm Bread or Rolls .30 (7/31/11)
Planters Nut Bars, 6 ct box or Big Nut Bars, 5 ct box $1 (7/31/11)
Reynolds Wrap Non Stick Foil $1 (6/30/11)
Reynolds Wrap Foil excluding 20, 25 & 30 sq ft $1 (6/30/11)
Ritz Crackers and/or Ritz Crackers Sandwiches, 9.5oz+ $1 on 2 (9/5/11)
Ronzoni Garden Delight Pasta $1 (9/10/11)
Shout .55 (6/26/11)
Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Cleaning Gel AND Fresh Brush 2-in-1 Starter Kit or Refill pack $3 (6/25/11)
Schiff MegaRed $3 (8/31/11)
Schiff Mega-De $2 (8/31/11)
Schiff Glucosamine $3 (8/31/11)
Schiff Vitamin or Supplement $2 (8/31/11)
Shout Laundry Product .55 DND (6/26/11)
Stride Gum single packs $1 on 3 (7/9/11)
Sunsweet D Noir Prunes, 9 oz .75 (7/31/11)
Ziploc Bags $1 on 2 (7/9/11)
Ziploc Containers $1.50 on 2 (7/9/11)

RED PLUM
Aquafresh Iso-Active Foaming Gel $1 (6/26/11)
Aveeno Sun Protection Product $1.50 (7/31/11)
Aveeno Sun Protection Products $3 on 2 (7/31/11)
Benadryl Topical Product $1 (7/31/11)
Black Box ( Wine) $5 Rebate Offer (7/31/11)
Brawny Paper Towels, 6- rolls+ $1 on 2 ((8/11/11)
Caltrate $2 (8/22/11)
Caltrate, 155ct+ $3 (8/22/11)
Carbona Color & Dirt Grabber $1 (8/13/11)
Carbona Stain Devils $1 (8/13/11)
Centrum Silver Womens or Mens, Centrum Womens or Mens, 100ct $2 (8/7/11)
Centrum Silver Womens or Mens, Centrum Womens or Mens, 100ct $5 on 2 (8/7/11
Centrum Silver Womens or Mens, Centrum Womens or Mens, 200 ct $10 on 2 (8/7/11)
Cesar Entrees B3G1F up to $1.19 (8/6/11)
Cortaid Product $3 (7/31/11)
FiberChoice Product $3 (7/9/11)
Gillette Body Wash, no trial $2 (6/30/11)
Gillette Deodorant B1G1F up to $4 (6/30/11)
Goya Olive Oil, 17oz+ .75 DND (8/15/11)
Goya Adobo, 16.5 oz+ .55 DND (8/15/11)
Grain Berry Antioxidant Cereals $1 (7/31/11)
Grain Berry Pancake or Muffin Mix $1 (7/31/11)
Grain Berry B3G1F (mail-in) no date
Johnson & Johnson Red Cross Brand Product $1 on 2 (7/31/11)
Kelloggs Frosted Mini-Wheats and/or Raisin Bran Cereals, 14oz+ $1 on 2 (6/26/11)
Kelloggs Cereals, 8.7oz+ $1 on 3 (6/26/11)
Kelloggs Pop-Tarts, 8 ct+ $1 on 3 (7/10/11)
Kraft Dressing, 14 oz+ $1.50 on 2 (6/12/11)
Land O Frost Premium, One Pound .55 DND (7/31/11)
Lawrys Marinade .50 (6/19/11)
Lawrys Spice Blend .50 (6/19/11)
LOreal Sublime Bronze Product $1 (7/10/11)
LOreal Paris Skincare $1 (7/10/11)
LOreal Ever Sleek, Ever Pure, Ever Strong Shampoo or Conditioner $1 (7/10/11)
LOreal Ever Sleek, Ever Pure, Ever Strong Treatment $1 (7/10/11)
LOreal Vive Pro Shampoo $1 (7/10/11)
LOreal Studio Line Styling Product or LOreal Vive Pro Glossy Style Product $1 (7/10/11)
LOreal Haircolor Product, any $2 (7/10/11)
LOreal Haircolor Products, any $5 on 2 (7/10/11)
Milos Kitchen Brand 100% Real Dog Treats, 3.3oz or smaller $1.50 (7/9/11)
Milos Kitchen Brand 100% Real Dog Treats, 10oz+ $2 (7/9/11)
Neosporin Lip Health Product $1 (7/31/11)
Neosporin AND Band-Aid Adhesive Bandages $1.50 (7/31/11)
Nivea Body Lotion, 8.4 fl. oz - 13.5 fl. oz. $2 (6/26/11)
Nivea Good-Bye Cellulite Product, 2.5oz-6.7oz $3 (6/26/11)
Osteo Bi-Flex Caplets, Softgels or Powder, no liquids $5 (6/26/11)
Polident Products $1 (6/26/11)
Poligrip Super Products $1 (6/26/11)
Pup-Peroni Dog Snacks, 4.8oz+ $1.50 on 2 (7/15/11)
Scotties Facial Tissues $1 on 5 boxes or 2 multipacks (6/18/11)
Sensodyne ProNamel Toothpaste $1 (8/14/11)
Sensodyne Toothpaste or Iso-Active Foaming Gel .75 (8/14/11)
Silver Palate Thick & Rough Oatmeal $1 (7/31/11)
Smuckers Toppings Product $1 on 2 (8/31/11)
Snausages or Snaw Somes Dog Snacks, 9.75 oz+ $1.50 on 2 (7/15/11)
Sundown Vitamins or Supplements Product $1 (6/28/11)
Turkey Hill Drinks, half gallons+ $1 on 2 (8/15/11)
Uncle Bens Original Converted Rice Products $1 on 2 (7/10/11)
Venus Razor or Venus Disposables Razor $2 (6/30/11)
Venus Refill $2 (6/30/11)
Whiskas Dry Food for Cats $1/1 bag (7/9/11)
Whiskas Tray B1G1F up to .69 (7/9/11)
Wisk Laundry Detergent, 50 oz+ $2 (6/26/11)

FREE Gooseberry Patch Slow Cooker Recipes

I love Kindle books, even though I don't have a kindle!
That's right, you can download the Kindle for PC from Amazon for FREE
and then snag this great cookbook from Gooseberry Patch.

Mother's Day

I hope you all had a very

How long will it survive?



So much waste!

Do you recycle?
Do you consider packaging when making your purchases?

Can You Identify This Flower

A friend of my father recently went to work for a greenhouse and has brought home my mother and I several flowers that were to be thrown away.  I love FREE flowers!

I was able to identify all of them but this one....

They smell so good!

If anyone can help me out I would appreciate. I can then look them up to see how to care for them.

SKOY CLOTH WINNER

SKOY RE-USEABLE CLOTH, 4 PACK Giveaway Winner

#5 is the winner!

pmj said... I have about three rolls of paper towels.
pjames330 at aol dot com

Congrats Pam! Email me your full name and address for shipping.

You can't win if you don't enter!

SKOY RE-USEABLE CLOTH, 4 PACK Giveaway

GO HERE TO ENTER

One hour, 3 Humans, 52 Morels!

Three morels, do you see them?

Two more!

And two more!

So fresh they hadn't even totally uncurled!

A "true" morel will be hollow.

When sliced length-wise, it is hollow from top to bottom and one piece.  There is NO cap on a stem.  False morels will have a cap that sits on the stem.

                                                          False Morel photo courtesy of Northern County Morels

The above picture is a false morel.  See how the stem is only attached at the very top. Here is two sites that are very informative. Northern County Morels and Edible Mushrooms or Poisonous Mushrooms

Today we found a total of 52 morels.  Our knife we took wasn't sharp enough and some pulled away from the ground when trying to cut them.  It's a good idea to cut about 1" up from the ground. This will leave spores to produce more in the future.  We left small (smaller than your thumb) ones as well as a few dried up ones for the same reason. 

I really enjoyed being outdoors with hubby and my son, teaching my son how to forage correctly for morels.  Now I just have to convince him to eat them!

Who else has found any this year?