Welcome Autumn!

Yes, Mom, this post is for you!

We welcomed some cooler weather this weekend and since we are so close to the actual first day of autumn, I whipped together a fall wreath to show my welcome of this wonderful season.

The wreath cost $2.50 at Michaels and I had some leftover fall decorations plus a few acorns from a recent hike that I just hot glued on. I also had some garland that I took apart into sections and inserted those into the wreath. It took me about 10 minutes to make, 15 minutes if you include clean-up time. No more expensive pre-made wreaths for me!

Lincoln Log Parking Garage

For those with little boys, we're always looking to find new ways to play with little cars and trucks, right? Here's a two-story parking garage my son and I made. :)

Waiting for This...

It's hard being patient, isn't it? My impatience shows itself clearly when it comes to gardening. I always want to pick the produce the first day it looks ripe, but we all know that everything stays sweeter the longer you leave it on the vine. Well, I have been staring at these beautiful red blackberries as I water them every day, anticipating the day that they are sweet, delicious and black. Last year the plant spent all of it's energy expanding it's roots and branches and this year we have been rewarded with bucket loads of berries on this plant!

So, if anyone has any tried-and-true good 'ol recipes for blackberry jam or blackberry pie, or any other great blackberry recipe, send 'em my way, because I will be in the kitchen with loads of blackberries this summer!

Wordless Wednesday - The Intricate Beauty of Roses

Joining in on:

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

I Went Shopping....Frugal Friday Tips!

Ahh...the rush that comes from getting a good deal when shopping. Why do us women succumb to it?

I don't believe it is wise to have a lot of credit cards, but there can be times when opening one at a store that you frequent a lot can actually provide you with some great savings. I have cards at Kohls and Old Navy because I can purchase clothes for the whole family from these two places, along with some great thrift store items that I find also. With the Old Navy credit card, they occasionally send me $10 or $20 rewards cards after I've accumulated enough points, and I got one in the mail today, right when they are having a fabulous sale! Knowing when the stores change out their seasonal items is key to nabbing some amazing deals. Since Memorial Day is almost here, the stores are now looking to clearance out all their spring items to make way for their summer gear.  I was also picking up a few essentials at Wal-Mart and noticed that they had their spring items on clearance too. Notice the cute white basket for $2.50!

So, here's the run-down on the deals I got today at Old Navy:
Espadrilles - $6.75 each (two pairs - one to give to my darling sister!)
3 Boys T-shirts - $2 each
Plus - $20 rewards card = Entire shopping trip FREE!

I could have even stocked up more on other items, but I was in a bit of a rush, so I didn't get to browse as much as I would have liked.

See, shopping doesn't always have to cost you money! :)



Joining in on: Mama to 4 Blessings Blog Hop

Wordless Wednesday - A Boy and His Costumes