Backyard Garden 2013....Pin There, Done That....Using what you've got.....

Can you tell that I struggled with naming this post?  Is it about the garden, Pinterest or re-using?  I will let you decide.

Pinterest...... I have a love/hate relationship with her, as most of you probably do as well.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE all of the fantastic food, projects, fashion and funnies that she has to provide.  Why do I look at the food on Pinterest at night, when I am getting ready to go to sleep when it only makes me hungry!?!?!

The "love" portion emerges when I see a Pin that is appealing and I realize that I have the components to make the item or recipe. 

Insert springtime......

I have been frequenting the "Garden" category lately and refreshing my memory with items that I previously pinned during the winter.

I am a mild hoarder.....if someone is giving something away (particularly a family member) and I envision a use for it, I gladly take it from them.  I may not use it for a while, but I keep it. Also, I really like springtime - the flowers, grass, trees - yea - whatever - it's bulk pickup time!  Where your neighbor's trash can be your treasure - for FREE!

Old windows have been used in so many crafts.  I am fortunate enough to have two of them.  I have had them so long, that I don't remember which family member I got them from so I can't give them credit.

I saw this fantastic idea on Pinterest to take the glass out of a window, attach legs to them and cover one side with screen.  This way, you can grow lettuce under the screened window, in the shade, and cucumbers or squash on top of the windows that gets full sunlight.

GENIUS!!!!

I thought that I was going to have to nail the legs onto the sides of the window, but realized that these were originally swinging windows and still had the hinges attached. Treat it with a little bit of the husband's "grease in a can" and the hinges move perfectly. SCORE! My legs can now lay flat for storage!

 
I have planted the lettuce and will soon plant the cucumber or squash to run havoc on the top of the windows.  Do you see the piece of decorative metal that cap the end of the raised bed?  It's from an old sewing machine.  We got it from a yard sale a few years back for about $5 for both pieces.  The dogs like to run the fence and bark at the neighbors dogs, so this helps keep them out - along with yelling of course!  I could go on and on about re-using what you've got, but I think you get the picture. 

Do you see the piece of decorative metal that cap the end of the raised bed? It's from an old sewing machine. We got it from a yard sale a few years back for about $5 for both pieces. The dogs like to run the fence and bark at the neighbors dogs, so this helps keep them out - along with yelling of course! I could go on and on about re-using what you've got, but I think you get the picture. 

Did I mention that I did the project all of this by myself AND while the Husband and I were building the pieces for the outdoor shower at the beach house?  (see the "The 2013 Beach Project - Back Yard - Outdoor Shower" if you missed that post.)

Upcoming Events at Harris Teeter and Lowes Foods

 

It's that time again!!! 

 

Harris Teeter will have Triples April 24 - 30

 

AND

 

Lowes Foods will have Super Doubles April 24 - 30

 

I no longer do the matchups for these events, but check out

 

 Moola Saving Mom

and

 Coupon Keri

 

for the best matches.

 

Good Luck everyone!!!

$3.00 off a $3.00 purchase from Food Lion?

You read correctly!!! 

 

Food Lion is encouraging us to sign up for their Shopper's Companion program.  Do you have a MVP Card?  If so, all you have to do is sign up, and an email will be sent to you.  Open the email and you can load the $3.00 directly to your Food Lion Card.

 

SWEET!!!

 

Are you already signed up for this program?  No worries, you can still get the $3.00 e-coupon.

Light Bulbs anyone?

Light bulbs are one of those things that you take for granted.  When you have one that works well, you don't really notice that it's there.  When you flip that switch or turn the knob for the lamp and the light bulb had blown, it really stinks.  IF you happend to be out of light bulbs in your house - it really, really stinks.

Let's take a step back.  With all that's happening in the world today, if the inconvience of having a blown out light bulb is our only problem, we are doing pretty darn good.

But wait - I have good news!!! It won't solve EVERYONE'S problems, but if you are out of light bulbs, it will solve yours!

Lowes Foods has their GE CFL Sprial Energy Smart 1 count light bulbs on sale for $1.00.  These babies are usually $6.99.  This is an 85% savings!!

But wait - there's more!!!  We received coupons in Sunday's paper for $1.00 off.  This makes it a 99% savings (after tax).  I went to Lowes Foods on my way to work this morning, picked up 4 and paid $.28 total. A lot of times, stock on this type of item is low, and if we received a coupon for the item, they go really fast.

If you want to take a gamble on stock and wait until 4/22 (Monday), there may possibly be a catalina deal associated with this.  It's not been confirmed for Lowes Foods, but other stores are participating, so who knows? 

Here are the details of the catalina:
Buy 2 or more GE energy smart, GE reveal, or GE energy-efficient soft white lighting products between 4/22/13 and 5/19/13
Buy 2, get $2 OYNO
Buy 3, get $3 OYNO

Good luck everyone - let me know how you do!

 

The 2013 Beach Project - Back Yard - Outdoor Shower

Since the inside is complete, (see the following posts for details: #1, #2, #3,) AND the outside is MOSTLY complete, Link,  it's time to work on the outdoor shower.

When I see a monsterous task in front of me, I envision the end result immediately.  One reason is that The Husband can do ANYTHING.....no joke.  He makes things possible.  When I have wild-brain ideas, he either supports me (after he has a few minutes to think about it and plans how he will execute it) or shoots me down and brings me back to reality - usually by throwing me a dollar amount that I am not willing to invest.

The outdoor shower was a no-brainer.  With our new beach place having only one bathroom, it's a must.  I visited Pinterest (like I NEED an excuse to go on their website) and pinned tons of outdoor shower ideas.  I also Googled outdoor showers and clicked on images and saved some of those pictures.

Wood is not inexpensive.  It's inexpensive compared to gold or marble, but it amazes me how much something like an outdoor shower costs. 

In addition to Pinterest, I am also a Craig's List junkie......especially the freebies.  I used to be religious in checking Freecycle, but Craig's List free items are the best.  You actually have a chance to get some of the free items, unlike Freecycle. 

I replied a post where a person listed free decking boards and various other pieces of treated wood for free.  He required that you had to take at least half of the pile AND the nails had been removed.  SCORE!!!!

We were able to get all of the wood below for free.  I say we.....guess who took his lunch hour to go get the wood - in the rain?  You got it - The Husband.

Included with the free decking boards are some posts that work great for the base of the shower deck.  We also got enough to do the deck floor - all for free.

Next, it was time to build the wall that houses the shower nozzle. 

This will get bolted to the frame of the deck.

 

Then, we built the shower door.  Most of the wood that we used for this was also free, but not as thick as the decking boards. We did have to buy some 2 x 4s. 

 

 

We loaded it on the trailer and it's ready to go to the beach.  We have more time around the house than we do at the beach, so by constructing the major pieces at home, it is going to save us a lot of time.

 

The Husband made the executive decision to construct the walls at the beach - he didn't want the alumium to get crushed. 

 

 

 

 

We are going to frame them with 2 x 4s and double them up to gain height.

 

I have mentioned "we" a lot during this post.  The Husband is the brains of this operations (at least THIS time), and I was his trusty assistant.  I can measure correctly and run the saw, pre-drill holes and lift a decent amount of weight, so I did help out. My legs are telling the real story - I did squats for the better part of 3 hours.  They should look like a super model's legs, so you can imagine my shock when I look down and they don't.  Oh well..... at least we got started on the outdoor shower!!

 

Stay tuned for an update in a few weeks.

Don't Worry.....Be Happy Sweepstakes - Updated!!

Congrats goes to Bonnie for winning!!! Bonnie, please send me your address and I will mail the free coupon to you.

Have I ever told you that I won a Ridgeway Grandfather Clock? The Husband and I attended a Nascar race in Martinsville, VA ages ago and he signed me up for the newsletter.  He thought that if I received something in the mail addressed to me, that it would make the Nascar race more appealing. I don't DISLIKE Nascar at all, but I don't like it as much as he does.

Anyway, it just so happened that I won the door prize which was a Ridgeway Grandfather Clock.  The winner of the race also received one as a prize. 

Too bad the Husband and Kid are not too fond of the chimes.  I relish when they go out of town and I stay home.  The first thing I do is turn the chimes on. 

My point is that if you don't sign up, your chances of winning are ZERO!!!

Check out the Don't Worry, Be Happy Sweepstakes featuring NEW Soft Scrub® Advanced Surface. 
One lucky winner will receive $1,000, while 250 second place winners get to try NEW Soft Scrub® Advanced Surface for FREE!

Soft Scrub Advanced Surface is a rinse-free gel that cleans and polishes granite and marble countertops, glass cooktops and stainless steel.  It is tough of stains and gentle on even your most delicate surfaces.  Simply apply to the surface and wipe away with a sponge, cloth or paper towel.  You'll be amazed at how easily grease and grime disappears!  For more info, visit the Softscrub website.

To enter the Sweepstakes, click here: Sweepstakes

Also, I have three free coupons to give away. I will draw for them on Wednesday, April 10.

You will receive one entry for each comment below:
1. Like the Softscrub Facebook page and leave a comment telling me you have done so,
2. Mention my blog while you are on the Facebook page and leave a comment telling me you have done so,
3. Leave a comment telling me what room or surface in your house that you plan on using this.

Good luck everyone!!!

Purex Insiders provided me with a sample of Soft Scrub Advanced Surface in exchange for a product review. However, all of the opinions expressed here are my own.

Purex Natural Elements Tropical Splash - Updated!!

Bonnie is really on the ball!  Two wins in one day!!! Congrats!!!

I don't wear perfume often.  One of my pet peeves is getting on the elevator with someone who skipped the soap in order to bathe in perfume.  It's breath-taking - not in a good way.

On the other hand, I LOVE the smell of fresh laundry.  In the spring and fall, if you drive through any given neighborhood on a Saturday with the windows down, chances are that you will catch the aroma of someone doing the laundry.

This brings me to the reason for the post.

Purex Natural Elements Tropical Splash.  Take Purex, add exotic fruits like pineapple and coconut, throw a few flowers in and BAM - you've got Purex Tropical Splash. It's gentle enough for sensitive skin and the biodegradable formula promotes green cleaning practices.  It's a Win Win!!!

As usual, I have free coupons to give away - three to be exact. I will draw for them on Wednesday,  April 10.

You know the drill.....
1.  Like the Purex Brand Facebook page and leave a comment telling me you have done so,
2.  Mention my blog while you are on the Facebook page and leave a comment telling me you have done so,
3.  Leave a comment telling me your favorite day of the week to do laundry.

You will receive one entry for each comment.

Good luck everyone!!!

Purex brand provided me with a sample of Purex Natural Elements Tropical Splash in exchange for a product review.  However, all of the opinions expressed here are my own.