Hasbro Coupons Reset!

If you missed the Monopoly printables, they have been reset.  You can get the Monopoly Deal card game for free or nearly free at Walmart with coupons found here.

There's also a BOGO coupon for My Little Pony toys, which are BOGO at Toys R Us tomorrow, making them free as well...  See Jane4Girls blog for more info.

These make great stocking stuffers!

Studio Wall Easel

Pottery Barn Wall Easel: $235 (Pottery Barn frames = $275) TOTAL: $510

Jenna's Rustic Version: $17 (Ikea frames = $85) TOTAL: $102

My spectator as I took photos :) 

Total Savings: $408

How to make your own Studio Wall Easel:

Supplies: Piece of Wood, Wood Stain, Black Ribbon, Nails, Plumbing Pipe Brackets, and Picture Frames

1. I took a hammer to the piece of wood (mine is about 6 feet long). I distressed it by hitting it with both sides of the hammer multiple times.

2. I then took the plumbing brackets and bent them around the wood and into the shape I wanted.

3. I stained the wood until I had the color I wanted.

4. While the stain was drying, I took the plumbing brackets and sprayed them black (I also took a few screws and sprayed them black).

5. Once the stain was dry, I took 4 pieces of black satin ribbon (about 4 feet each) and nailed them into the board (leaving space for the brackets to be attached on the ends).

6. Then I hung the board on the wall with the plumbing brackets.

7. Here is the secret... I didn't really hang the frames from the ribbon. I used nails to nail through the ribbon and hold the frames in place on the wall. I couldn't figure out a way for the ribbon to hold the frames but after thinking about it for way too long... I realized I didn't need the ribbon to hold up the frames... it just needed to look like it was ;)

All Fenced In

This was actually our first project (besides installing the missing bathroom door right away... that was a necessity!). We speculate that the previous owners didn't finish paying for the fence because our neighbor told us that after the house was vacant, the fence company came out, sawed off the poles, and took the entire fence in less than 10 minutes. We were left with partial poles sticking out of the ground.

TGFG (Thank God for Glenn)!! Our neighbors from our first house ROCK! We will continue to try and move them to our new neighborhood. Glenn is probably the MOST handy person we know. Glenn so kindly helped (or did 99%) of the fence for us (I know... nice, huh!?!). He did such an amazing job. Nate and I (with the help of some family) stained and finished nailing. The best part is, he is great at finding deals and we were able to do the entire fence for a fraction of the cost of having it done by a company in town. We love that guy (and his family is amazing too)!

Old view from our backdoor:

New view from our backdoor (and our new gate):

Next BIG project this summer... redo the backyard (oh the joys of buying a foreclosure)!

We don't think this grass is going to pull through for us....

Kellogg's Catalina Deal ~ Free Milk!

I stumbled upon a fabulous deal at Reasor's today!  Many of their Kellogg's cereals are marked down, including the Blueberry Shredded Wheat, (one of our fav's) to $2.50 per box.

They also have many boxes marked with $1/1 peelies, which brings the cereal to $1.50 per box.  If you have the Calendar rebate forms like I do, purchase 10 boxes for $15.00 plus tax, and send your receipt for a $10 rebate!

But wait, it gets better...

With every 3-4 boxes you buy, you get a Catalina for a free gallon of milk, any brand, any flavor, up to $4.19!!!!!

So I purchased:
10 boxes of cereal  for $25.00
Used 10 $1/1 peelies      -10.00
OOP                                 $15.00
Sent off rebate              -10.00
Total cost of cereal        $ 5.00 for 10 boxes!!!
Plus got Catalinas for 3 gallons of milk free!!!!!

Catalina offer ends 4/10/10 and would probably work at CountryMart also, since they usually run the same Cat deals.  Have fun shopping!

Hot! Free Blue Bunny Ice Cream Novelty

Look for this Spring Essentials flyer at your local grocers to find a $1/1 coupon on any one Blue Bunny Novelty. These are available at Wal-mart for $1/1 and the coupon did not beep when I tested it yesterday! 

Yippe!  Free ice cream just in time for summer!

Book Review: Going Gray, Looking Great!

Over spring break, we were blessed to be able to take an spontaneous trip to Florida.  We made the decision, packed and arrived at our destination within 48 hours! 

During the picture taking process, I realized just how much gray I can't see in my own hair! At first, I was distressed at my realization, but I'm so opposed to damaging my hair and my health with the coloring process that I needed to find a way to bolster my resolve not to color.  This book did the trick.

With information ranging from the best types of hair care products for grays, to the best hairstyles, colors for clothing and cosmetics, it didn't take long for me to realize that this transition to gray is just another season in life to be embraced and enjoyed!  Even rooms are going gray this season, per Martha Stewart!

I was please to find a corresponding website by the same name,  Going Gray, Looking Great!  With so many beautiful friends like Sister.Faith and the Penless Writer who have made the switch, I'm encouraged to continue in my natural state, and move into the phase of "unfading glory..."

The Gospel ~ dunamis

⁹ And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9, New King James Version)