Thursday, September 11, 2014

Grapefest

I found out about Grapefest through an e-newsletter. Since they were having free admission days, I decided to take Ivy.

I spent $20 for ride tickets. She rode a ride by herself, and I rode two with her. I mainly took her because SeaLife and LegoLand both had a kids area. It wasn't spectacular, but kids were entertained! The attractions for the kiddos were a small touch tank, Lego build areas, a stage that had minute-to-win-it games going on and a petting zoo. 

The midway (games and rides) was smaller than I'm used to. Instead of a thoroughfare of food venders, it was full of artisans. Leather bracelets! Your name carved in wood! Glass mosaics! Chachkies galore. Wine tasting bar tents. Many with a wine theme because Grapevine + Grapefest = wine. 

There was even a booth for grape stomping but it wasn't open. The downtown area is nice and I intent on visiting again during a normal day. 

But, let's look at pictures!









Wednesday, September 10, 2014

More Freebies!

I am totally digging finding and hearing about awesome deals!
This week, I picked up three free Pedia Care medicines. I had to make two separate trips because I only had one coupon on the first trip.


The second trip took me to three locations. Obviously something that is free is a hot item. The first two DT's I went to were out. The third DT had a decent stock. 
(I traded one of these for a fever reducer.)

(Leaving some for the next people!)

I've made a statement about it before, but I do not plan on creating a stockpile and portioning off my house for that. I'm only going for what is reasonable and what we will use. 

Hooray for cold season!

Monday, September 8, 2014

Menu Plan Monday 9/8-13

I am probably on the road as you are reading this, snacking on leftover Schlotzsky's and Gold'n Cheese crackers, singing kid songs with my little bird, and pointing out every Jeep and roadside animal I can find. We spent a long weekend visiting family for birthdays and anniversaries. It was a jam-packed weekend!
I love spending time with family but I am ready to get back home! We need to get back to school-work. I will be making a couple of homecoming mums this week. I'm also gearing myself up for some more couponing. And of course...

Menu Plan Monday!

Sunday - Confit byaldi which is the ratatouille recipe in the movie, Ratatouille. I know this sounds odd, but ratatouille doesn't normally look like this - it's more of a stew.

Monday - Leftovers
Tuesday - Leftovers

Wednesday - Tacos/Nachos

Thursday - Gnocchi with pink sauce

Friday - Fried chicken

Saturday - Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Sunday, September 7, 2014

September Photo A Day


Another month and I decided to do another Photo A Day! I liked challenging myself to spot the things on the list, to hunt it down, and to capture it in my own way. I debated whether or not I would do it again this month and finally thought to myself, "Why am I worried if people like these or not?" - because I was totally doing that. I'm doing this for me! It's a moment out of my day that helps get me out of my own head, and it's a bit of a routine, so I do it.
 
Again, I'll be posting one week at a time. I hope you enjoy and join in!


1. In my cup

2. Stripes


3. Button


4. DIY

5. Upside Down


6. I Need... to keep my mind occupied. 


Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Free Laundry Detergent



Credit goes to someone of a Facebook group for spotting this. 

This detergent was on sale at Tom Thumb for 7.99 from 11.99. There was a store coupon on my store card for 4.00 off and then I stacked that with a manufacturer's coupon that was also 4.00 off. 

I only paid tax!

Sunday, August 31, 2014

August Photo Challenge Part 5: The Finale

I have really enjoyed taking photos daily for the August Photo Challenge via Fat Mum Slim. Other people seem to be reaching enlightenment. There are beautiful photos out there. I just shared snapshots. I think I take things to literally. I'm not very good at metaphors. 

I am considering, but have not decided, if I want to do the one for September.

Here is the last set of photos.
24. Fragrant

25. Mail
* I am absolutely obsessed with mail. I must check the mail. I must check the mail. I love getting mail! I don't know why. I have always been this way. I used to have a TON of penpals. I just don't anymore - technology y'all. I love letters. I love little packages. I love ripping open envelopes!

26. Breakfast - I forgot to eat breakfast so this is a morning snack.

27. Dull
I'm actually pretty tickled how this one came out.

28. Travel 

29. Dessert
I baked these cookies just for the photo. We don't really have many desserts in the house.

30. Nearby
Ivy's dance classes are nearby. Her bag was nearby.

31. 10AM

A weekly update?

If you read this post, then you know I have goals this year. Keeping the house clean is going well. Menus are flowing, Ivy is learning and even self-educating (cool!) and we make time for a lot of fun. Granted it has been a grand total of two weeks, but still. I'm pretty proud. Dinner is on the table (or in front of our faces) usually before 6pm. I'm still trying to broaden Ivy's dining horizons. And she is also picking up after herself.

So, a new goal is to save money. I want to cut corners wherever I can. I've done the whole couponing thing before and the wind quit my sails. Who knows why. But I'm starting up again. I hope it'll stick around a lot longer this time. It has to. It needs to. It must. Because really... why pay for full price when you can get things for very cheap or even free!

Wish me luck!


Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Dinosaur Valley State Park

Another adventure! I've been looking around for cheap things for us to do with Ivy or for me to do with Ivy while Daddy is at work - these will also be known as "field trips."

This was a weekend that Daddy was home! We all took a trip to Dinosaur Valley State Park. We normally take her to Fossil Rim every summer but we decided that we would do this instead. The Paluxy River is at one of it's lowest points at the end of summer so this is prime time to see dino tracks! There are four main sites to view tracks. One site is currently closed for safety reasons. One site, we just didn't feel like visiting. 

Upon arrival, we got suited up in case there was some good water to cool off in. Sadly, the water was a no-show.

Hiking.

The Paluxy River from the trail!

This ledge is normally covered with water but we were still able to put our feet in one of the tracks! We are standing right next to the "Blue Hole."


At site #2, you walk across the river bed to see the main site of tracks. Here Miss Priss is, pointing to a theropod track.

Two more tracks!

You can see the tracks "walking" away. There are also sauropod tracks (brontosaurus, circular).

Here is another set of tracks! This was my first time seeing these because they were covered by the river the previous times we have visited.

Family fun!

I was trying to do a forced perspective here.

She was growling!

And getting her into the EC/PP craze!

It was terribly hot. I knew it would be. I made sure we stocked up on water bottles and ice packs in the cooler. We also spoiled our lunch and got a cold dessert. 
It is a really neat park! Especially knowing that this part of the state was once a shallow sea. Once Ivy is older and we have a better time of the year to go, we will do some more hiking on the trails. There are letterboxes out there that I want to get to. And there are other parts of the park that are just so pretty and exciting to see.

Sunday, August 24, 2014

August Photo Challenge part 4

Another week of Photo-A-Day

17. Dinner - I guess I was too hungry to wait.

18. Arrow

19. To-do - make sure to have fun!

20. Before bedtime

21. Decorate

22. Words - I'm speechless

23. Style