Our girls are now teenagers.  I have asked them to compile a list of things they like to do that don’t cost much money.  Below are some of the things they have come up with.  They are not the typical teenage girls as in they don’t hang out at the mall with their friends.  Their idea of the perfect weekend is to invite their friends over to the house for movie night, make homemade pizza, and popcorn.

1. Go swimming.  Chances are you know someone with a swimming pool, if not most places have lakes.  If you are lucky enough as we are and live near a beach, not only is it good exercise but it is fun.

2. Have a water fight, if you have some of those intense water guns they're actually a lot of fun.  If you don’t you could use the water hose or water balloons.  Check out your dollar store for some great prices on water toys.

3. Camp in the Backyard all you need is a tent.  One year when we didn’t have a tent so we used a sheet and some stakes.  We put the sheet over the trampoline and the girls camped under it.

4. Sidewalk chalk, may seem immature but with friends it is lots of fun, try drawing exaggeratedly funny pictures of your friends

5. Bonfires.  Make sure there is an adult to supervise the fire.  Check craigslist to see if anyone is giving away wood.  It is a great source for cheap or free supplies for your bonfire.

6. Ask your parents for a spot of the yard or if you know someone who has a piece of land that they will let you dig it up, you could try your hand at gardening. You may find that it is more fun to do with friends. There are several things you can do with the vegetables.  You can either supply the veggies to your families, sell them, or grow them to donate to a food bank. And seeds aren't that expensive and can ask your parents to help you pay for them. You can get books from the library about gardening, or look up articles on the internet. And it's a great skill to have.

7. You and your friends could write a play, practice it and perform for your families.  Or you could make a video.

8. Take a nature walks remember to bring along a camera.  Bring some paper and sketch trees or take rubbings of their bark.

9. Decorate your room. Be sure to get your parent's permission first. Painting is easy once you get the basic tools and check out different techniques.  Look on the Internet for ideas. Try doing stripes or different colored walls, then think about what you can move around and use to create new looks.

10. Take walks. Not only is the exercise good for you, but you'll see things you'd never notice while whizzing by in the car.

11. Learn a new skill like dance routines, cooking/baking, tie-dying or woodwork. A new hobby can eat up hours!

12. If you have a digital camera, you could take pictures of things outside and then create a website to show off your pictures. There are lots of photo sharing websites so you don't have to do the set-up work. You could put them on photobucket or just use your facebook.

13. If you live in a city that offers mass transportation like bus lines or trolleys,  you can plan to take a random bus and just explore the city. Look for all sorts of neat little shops. Don't forget your camera. You can take neat pictures.

14. Go to your local library and volunteer to help with a kids reading program. They will love you for it and you will feel good. This is also a great opportunity for you to check out some great books of your own to read.

15. Take a free class. Michael's and Hobby Lobby usually have free classes on things like beading projects, scrapbooking, etc. They also have free instruction sheets on doing all sorts of crafts.

16. You could make a CD of all your favorite songs and title it "Soundtrack of My life".   There are some great sites on the web that will allow you to download music for free.  If all else fails there is youtube.

17. Plan a picnic.  This time of year the grocery stores have a great selection of picnic items on sale.  This is something you can do with your mom or with your friends.  Make simple items like sandwiches, potato salad, chips, bottled water (made from bottles you have recycled and filled up) or lemonade, etc. 

Remember "fun" is in your attitude. Think about this quote "Do what you love and you'll never have to work." I think it is great advice.

Are you looking for something to take your children to do this summer that is free and out of the heat.  Try  taking them to a free movie.  The following is a link where you can go and find the theater nearest you that is offering this program.

http://www.regmovies.com/nowshowing/familyfilmfestivalschedule.aspx

Here is what the site has to say:

REG’s Free Family Film Festival is Now Showing!

We have planned a fun-filled summer of select movies for kids and parents. Regal has proudly offered this free summer fun since 1991. Oh, did we mention that it’s FREE!

Selected G or PG movies start at 10:00am every Tuesday and Wednesday during the festival. Tickets and seating are first-come, first-served and are limited to theatre capacity.

The Free Family Film Festival is safe, lots of fun and a great way for kids to spend a weekday morning in the summer. Tickets for our 2010 Free Family Film Festival are exclusively available at select theatres’ box office on the day of the show.

You can also select a state from the list below to find participating theatres in your area along with what films are playing each week!

Go ahead give it a try.  We love this program, it is great when you are on a budget.  If you are planning a vacation, check and see if the city you are going to offers this program.  It will save on your entertainment budget.

Here is a listing of phishing sites, scam sites, and address harvesters.  This list came from Cafemom.com.  The ladies spent a lot of time researching these sites and compiling them so you and I don’t have to.  We certainly appreciate their efforts.  Thank you ladies.  Thanks to JHanc968 for permission to post their hard work.

Spring is now here.  And with Spring comes spring cleaning.  It is the time of year that we put up all the winter blankets, open the windows, store the winter clothes, and wipe down the walls (for those of us who heat by fire).  Most of us keep up on the house keeping during the winter months.  However, there are just some things it does not make sense to get a jump on.  Like washing the heavy drapes you use for the winter or gather up the winter clothes or blankets.  These thing have to wait until there is no longer a need for them.

When I know the weather is going to stay nice, and we are not in for any more cold, I first change my drapes from the heavy winter, thermal backed, to a light spring type of material, like valances.  I will wash or launder the drapes.  I pack them into storage boxes with some fabric softener sheets (or a rag with fabric softener on it).  This will keep them smelling fresh so I don’t have to wash them again in the fall.

Next I will start washing the walls and base boards in the rooms.  I find the easiest way to do this is one room at a time.  Because the room with the fireplace in it is the worst, I will start there.  I use vinegar to clean the walls.  I will cut through all the stuff left from the fires we burnt over the winter.  What is funny is I always thought, well we have white walls and I don’t see any soot or stuff from the fireplace.  I thought this until I first took that cleaning rag with vinegar and wiped one wall.  It isn’t much but just enough for me to have to clean them.  After I get the den cleaned I move on to the next room and so forth.  This makes it easier for me.  As I go from one room to the next I also wash the windows in that room.  The windows, window sills and the window casings sometimes seem to have a small amount of mold on them.  I find the vinegar I clean the walls with will also help remove this mold.

Because we clean our carpets all year long, my husband is really nice and does it for me, we don’t have to spend the day or several days cleaning carpets.  So I can move on to the next task.  I take out the girls summer clothes from last year.  And see what still fits them.  They are teenagers now so most of their clothes fit from year to year.  Then I have them go through their winter clothes.  The ones that need mended goes in one pile, the ones they know won’t or don’t fit them goes into another,  and the ones they will not wear next year into another.  I will mend the first pile as I am relaxing in the evenings or my husband will do it on the sewing machine.  The next two piles get gone through by the other girls to see if there is anything in there they can and will wear.  The things that are left over either goes to craft projects (my girls like to make the blue jean purses) or they get donated.  Next after I have all the winter clothes gathered up, each in the individuals room they belong to, we will put them into storage totes.  Again using the fabric softener to keep them smelling fresh for next year.

We live in Florida so we can keep the furniture by the pool all year long and still enjoy it even if we can not swim.  If you are living in a state that has heavy winters, this would be the time to pull out the deck furniture and clean it. 

All while doing this we are going through the pantry to see what warm weather foods we will need to add.  Again because we live in Florida and have unbearable summers at times, we like to do most of our cooking outside so we don’t heat up the house.  In doing this there are some things we use more of in the summer time.  Like foil and tea.  I also see what “winter” things I need to pull and use before the expiration date.  I check my canned goods and see what needs to be put up this spring and summer to get through next winter.  I make a list of these items so I can start making them as they come into season.  This will cut down on the grocery bill in the winter.  It is always a good idea to plan ahead.

I received an email the other day reminding me it had been a while since I had updated anyone on how our little farm is going.  For those of you who do not know we have a small “hobby” farm.  We call it Cracking Up Farms.  We have 13 cages for chickens, and some that are free ranged, totaling to over 300 chickens.  We have 7 turkeys, 5 rabbits, 4 ducks, 3 geese, 2 pheasants, 9 goats, 2 pigs, and a cow.  This is not to mention the 3 dogs and cat we have.  We also have 3 children at home at this time. 

We are also in the process of finishing our garden.  We have decided to do raised beds.  We mapped out about a quarter acre to plant with boxes.  On this plot we got 40 boxes that are 4’ X 8’.  We are hoping that we are able to feed our family and sell the surplus along with the fresh eggs we collect daily. 

If you are in our area come on by and see our “hobby” farm.  For those that are not in our area you can check out some of the pictures we have on www.crackingupfarms.com.  We will try to update the site in the next few days with new pictures of all the animals and the boxes we have done.

Here is a unique gift idea for your Mother's Day present for the special mom in your life.  Make a clay print of your children's hand or foot.  It is simple to do.  And as you should have all these ingredients in your pantry anyway it should not cost you anything but a little time to do it.

You will need:

· 2 cups flour

· 1 cup salt

· 1 cup water

· Few drops food color

· Ribbon

1. Add the food color to the water.

2. Mix flour and salt in a bowl.

3. Add water and flour together, a little at a time, until dough sticks together.

4. Flour a surface well.

5. Turn dough out on floured surface.

6. Roll out the dough to 1/4” to 1/2” thickness.

7. Trim the edges and smooth out.

8. Flour a cookie sheet.

9. Gently lift the dough and place on cookie sheet.

10. Place your child’s hand in the dough.

11. Punch two holes in the top of dough with a pencil for ribbon

12. Add the date and your child’s name.

13. Bake at 200° F in the oven for 3 or 4 hours.

14. Hang to dry.

15. Once completely dry and cooled , tie the ribbon through the holes.

16. Now it is ready to display.

Even if you don’t have children this is a nice thing for you to do for your for your mother.  Just put your hands in it or put a special message on it.  They are sure to love it.  This will also thrill for other holidays and grandparents birthdays.

In August of 2008 I wrote an article on "what free meant  to me". I received an email the other day from a reader and she was just as frustrated as I am about what some people think free is.  So I am reposting the article that I wrote. 

What is your definition of free?  Mine is that I get something without expending anything in return.  Webster defines free as:

1.  costing nothing or complimentary,

2. given to without subject to a charge or payment,

3. given without consideration of a return or reward.

4. not subject to special regulations, restrictions, duties, etc.  

Now as I look at these places that say they offer free items, it seems to me that I have to fulfill all these requirements.  To receive the gift for this promotion you must: 1) register with valid information; 2) complete the user survey; 3) complete at least 2 Silver, 2 Gold and 6 Platinum offers. Available offers will vary and some offers may require a purchase to qualify. Receipt of your item requires compliance with offer terms, including: age and residency requirements; registration with valid email address, shipping address and contact phone number; completion of user survey and sponsor promotions; and not canceling your participation in more than two Sponsor Offers within 60 days of your Sponsor Offer Initial Transaction Date (the Cancellation Limitation). Upon valid completion of all Program Requirements we will ship your item to the shipping address you provided. Unless otherwise indicated, participation eligibility is restricted to US residents, 18 and over. Void where prohibited.

This does not make that bag of coffee you were offering free.  Most times I have to purchase a magazine subscription or sign up for a credit card.  Not only do I have to qualify for it, I have to a purchase something on the credit card.  Now I have another bill.  This is what I am trying to avoid.  I am trying to cut my bills so my children can have the braces they need.  Or the college education I feel they will need later in life.  Or my husband can retire without having to worry about where the money will come from to live on. I could make a whole list of other things I would like to do with my money, however, I think you get the point

I don’t want to sound bitter.  This is all I am saying, if you say free it should be free.  Chances are if I like your product, I will find a way to put it in my budget.  I am not however, going to put it in my budget if I feel like you have tried to trick me.  Don’t say free if I need to sign up for other things.  State that in the beginning and be up front about it.

Please respond and tell me how you feel about this issue.  Tell me what you like about your favorite free site.  What is your worst experience with a free site.

This is an article that was published last year.  I was asked to republish it this year as it has some great tips on eggs.

Happy Easter to those who celebrate it.  Now that you have all those wonderfully decorated eggs, are you like so many of us and wondering what you are going to do with them.  Did you know that the week after Easter is National Egg Salad Week.  It seems the average household boils between one and five dozen eggs for coloring at Easter time. 

If you find yourself with more Easter Eggs than your family will eat with in a week try to make one of the following dishes: Egg Salad; Potato Salad; Macaroni Salad; Deviled Eggs; or Parmesan Toast Dippers With Soft Boiled Eggs.  Go to the recipe section in forums for the recipes to the afore mentioned dishes.

In the meantime here are some tips from The American Egg Board:

Wash your hands thoroughly before you handle eggs at every step including cooking, cooling and dyeing.

Refrigerate eggs again right after you dye them and after you display them.  Hard cooked eggs should be kept in the refrigerator for no longer than one week.

Color only un-cracked eggs. If you want to eat your dyed eggs later, use food coloring or specially made food-grade egg dyes dissolved in water that is warmer than the eggs. If any eggs crack during dyeing or while on display, discard them along with any eggs that have been out of refrigeration for more than 2 hours.

If you keep hard-cooked eggs out of refrigeration for many hours or several days for a decoration or for hiding, cook extra eggs for eating.

If hiding eggs, Avoid areas where the eggs might come into contact with dirt, pets, wild animals, birds, reptiles, insects or lawn chemicals. Refrigerate the hidden eggs again after they’ve been found.

Best way to store eggs is to store eggs in their carton because eggs can absorb refrigerator odors.

Eggs difficult to peel? Fresh eggs may be difficult to peel. Those which have been stored for a week to 10 days before cooking will usually peel more easily.

This year we have decided to make the girls an Easter basket.  I have purchased two “new” Betty Boop purses( from yard sales). We are going to make these their “baskets”, as they are teenagers now and are into the hand bags.   I also purchased a digital camera at another yard sale.  I have picked up odds and ends through out the winter to place in the “baskets”.  I also purchased some makeup and gotten some beauty products free in the mail that will be placed in there.   We have left over candy from Christmas and Valentines Day, along with a few pieces I will pick up from the dollar store to add to the baskets. 

For my husband, father, brother and son this year we will do a garden basket. Take a flower pot and fill it with packets of seeds, potting soil, drainage rocks, gardening gloves and instructions for planting spring flowers. You can also include gloves, sun hats for the children if the family has kids. Or you can make these baskets one per family.

For my sisters and mother this year we thought we would try something fun, like make-up baskets.  To make these, you can take a nice hat and staple pink ribbons to its sides to make it a basket handle. Then add a make-up container filled with sample-sized cosmetics or other make-up items. Bath products also work in this type of basket.  Every woman loves not only be pampered but to pamper herself.

You could make popcorn baskets for the movie watcher in your family. You could also include a personal popcorn bowl with packets of gourmet popcorn.  Maybe find a movie on sale.  Or you could even buy credits at one of the movie houses or rental stores to place in the baskets. 

For an aunt or uncle or older friends you could make a comfort basket.  I love to make jar gifts.  They are easy to put together.  You could Google jar gifts to get recipes.  Or email me and I will be happy to send you my e-book filled with recipes for jar gifts.  You could even put a framed picture of the family in the basket for a special touch.

Another fun idea is to use a hat box and fill it full of your loved ones favorite things, chocolate eggs, cookies, popcorn, make-up, bath and beauty products, garden supplies, or just whatever you think they would like.

For those of you who celebrate Passover, I hope you have a great one.  For those who are curious about what Passover is I will give you a quick overview.  At the end there are some great recipes for you to try.

And this day shall become a memorial for you, and you shall observe it as a festival for the L-RD, for your generations, as an eternal decree shall you observe it. For seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, but on the first day you shall remove the leaven from your homes ... you shall guard the unleavened bread, because on this very day I will take you out of the land of Egypt; you shall observe this day for your generations as an eternal decree. - Exodus 12:14-17

The name "Pesach" (PAY-sahch, with a "ch" as in the Scottish "loch") comes from the Hebrew root Pei-Samekh-Cheit , meaning to pass through, to pass over, to exempt or to spare. It refers to the fact that God "passed over" the houses of the Jews when he was slaying the firstborn of Egypt. In English, the holiday is known as Passover.

Probably the most significant observance related to Pesach involves