Lightening & Brightening the dining room (part 2)

Do you recall the in progress post about the dining room? If not, click HERE.

The hubbs found this light fixture that someone has set near the dumpster. Other than 1 of the arms being a little loose (nothing a little teflon tape over the threads couldn't fix) it is in pristine condition. FREE is my favorite price!

I love how it brings so much brightness to the room.

It is maybe a little too fancy/ shiny/ blingy for my dining room but I love it regardless! What is one more eclectic piece?

We need to add a touch of adhesive to the ceiling medallion and apply a fresh coat of paint. The best part (besides free) is I now have a chandelier I can decorate for xmas. Yay!

Instant Garden (at a super cheap price)

I often wonder how many times I say, "I was at Home Depot/ Lowe's/ Tractor Supply/Rural King/ Menard's / Fill in the blank and I found..."?

So yes- it is going to be one of those posts.

I was at Lowe's and that had a crap ton (which is ALOT of stuff) of perennials marked down to a dollar.

Doesn't it look pretty?

A DOLLAR Y'ALL!!

Like I was gonna pass that up, haha no way!!

  (because my trunk/ car because it was full of stuff I was taking to Goodwill for a donation drop off)

I only bought:

6 Shasta Daisies

6 Penstemon

3 Coreopsis

2 Rudbeckia

2 Trailing Cranesbill

I was so excited I almost forgot the main reason I went in there which was to buy some tomato cages because I didn't feel like making any. One of my neighbors gave me 5 more tomato plants and 3 pepper plants. They aren't all heirlooms but it wasn't like I was going to say no. haha

Lilies, Daisies, Coreopsis and Rudbeckia

As I mentioned in an update the kids bought a house, which has nooooo landscaping. I made them a planter barrel but for a buck a piece how could I not get them some plants. Although, no doubt some of these will find their way to one of my garden  beds.

Daisies and dianthus--MINE!

Fortunately for me (and my wallet)  there is a torrential downpour since I don't feel like swimming to Lowe's. I'll be nice and save some plants for other people...

MAYBE

Except the kid called and when I told her about the sale, she said the magic words...
"I'll be there in a few minutes and I have my SUV" 

So much for restraint, haha

2nd trip I bought ...

5 Asiatic lilies

5 fountain grass

4 dianthus

3 bee balm *

1 butterfly bush

Everything was a buck except for the bee balm

*(these were $3.00 each marked down from $7.98)

Penstemon

I think  it is gonna be a nice housewarming gift (well part of it anyway) and the best part?
They are on their way to an instant garden in their first home!

Bee balm, trailing cranesbill,  dianthus

Scarlet Fountain Grass

Butterfly Bush

Here's the cost breakdown

	Quantity	Original Price	Full Price Cost	Sale Price	Sale Cost
Shasta Daisy	6	$5.98	$35.88	$1.00	$6.00
Penstemon	6	$5.98	$35.88	$1.00	$6.00
Asiatic Lilies	5	$7.98	$39.90	$1.00	$5.00
Fountain Grass	5	$7.98	$39.90	$1.00	$5.00
Dianthus	4	$5.98	$23.92	$1.00	$4.00
Bee balm	3	$7.98	$23.94	$3.00	$9.00
Coreopsis	3	$3.68	$11.04	$1.00	$3.00
Cranesbill	2	$7.98	$15.96	$1.00	$2.00
Rudbeckia	2	$3.68	$7.36	$1.00	$2.00
Butterfly Bush	1	$7.98	$7.98	$1.00	$1.00
			$241.76	Total (pre-tax)	$43.00
			$229.67	Discount (5%)	$40.85
			$15.71	Tax (6.5%)	$2.80
			$213.96	Grand Total	$38.06

I saved $175.90...WOOT!!!!

Anyone else score some good deals lately?

Shared on
http://hibiscushouse1.blogspot.com/2013/07/farmgirl-friday-blog-hop-115.html

Funky and Frugal Finds #15

Some funky, some frugal, always awesome when I can save some coin!

New Store Bargains

700 thread-count sheets for $14 and a free year subscription to BHG. The sheets are offered online for $19.96 (Walmart). The magazine subscription (coupon) included said up to a $6 discount. Currently the BHG subscription is $5.95  for a year.

6 piece set of Pyrex No Leak Lids with vent. $19.99 at Target (normally $24.99). Subtract from this a $5 target gift card and 5% discount= $13.99 

Second Hand Bargains
A quick stop at The New to You thrift store and I found these awesome deals! The best part? It was 25% off day! 

I have been wanting a heavy duty enamel on metal colander for some time; however, the cheapest I have seen them was $20.

Sale price (including tax) $2.22

I am a sucker for the French White Corningware

Sale price (including tax) $0.78 each

Anyone who knows me will tell you I LOVE bird inspired decor. Well these beauties caught my eye and will be great hanging on my kitchen wall (once I remodel it anyway). And I found some inspiration on Pinterest on how to display them.

Sale price (including tax) $1.42 each

Not to bad, eh?

Funky and Frugal Finds #12

Funky and Frugal Finds Monday #12

Welcome to Funky and Frugal Finds Monday! My daughter and I perused Goodwill on Sunday. The best part it was 50% off everything!  it was some slim pickin's  I didn't buy much but I am pleased with what I found! 

The awesome metal plant stand (?) came in at $4.00. I am gonna clean it up, paint it and I promised it to my daughter. Darn it!! She has the perfect location for this-- under the  entryway coat rack to corral some of her shoes- mostly her kazillion pairs Chuck Taylor's!

I loved this sweet little handmade picket fence box! This will find a home on my  vanity table. Rather charming for $1.50

This is my all time favorite!! A vintage step-"stool". It looks a tad worn but nothing a bit of elbow grease and some paint can't spiffy up! Not to mention I am a Shorty McShort-Short and can definitely make good use of it! Not bad for $5, eh?

My frugal weekend shopping spree

Can a shopping spree be frugal? I spent some time with my thrifty friend (who also happens to be the mad genius behind The Money Badger Blog--you should check it out !!) Mrs. $ Badger talks the talk and walks the walk on  budgeting, frugal shopping and a prepared pantry. She also has mad craft skills! We went to the Farmers Market in Hamilton 

http://moneybadger.blogspot.com/2012/07/this-little-badger-went-to-market.html

Where I  bought some beautiful and delicious blackberries. Unfortunately this all that is left because I could NOT stop eating them, haha And it is a really good thing this picture took because I ate them while I was typing this.

Up next on our frugaltastic shopping spree was Main Street Market (formerly Marsh's grocery) for the Berry Fest sale. 3 lb package of strawberries for $3.98--that is a  small batch of jam! They also had boneless/ skinless chicken breasts for $1.97/ lb. and bone-in chicken breast for a $1.19/ lb. Let me tell you the suckers were huge! I got a package of each (they both weighed in at 6.5 lbs). Since it is just me and the hubbs, I portioned the chicken into 2 piece packages. I was able to get  a total 6 portion packages. That is equivalent to $3.42 per pkg on average. Gotta love that savings!

We rounded out our trip at Rural King. ALl I can say Rural King is like a Tractor Supply--but on steroids. They had Ball canning (pint) jars on sale for $6.99 per case (which is the cheapest I have seen around here). And I had a coupon for $3 off the purchase of 2 cases. So I was able to purchase the jars (which includes rings and lids) for $5.49 each before taxes---that is a helluva deal. I dare say Mrs. Badger would say it is..."Badgeriffic"   Maybe not...haha

However my best purchase while at Rural King was this...

The original price was $74.95. It was clearanced at $44.95

Holla! I now get to make homemade jerky and fruit leathers. I am such a foodie nerd!

Frugal Foode Friday

Here are a few of my favorite easy-peasy  $ savers.

I don't know about you, but I am always on the look out for easy and frugal foodie type tips. With the cost of everything  going up (except my income, haha) I thought I would share some of my favorite frugal foodie tips.

Ice cube tray tricks-You can freeze eggs, broth, gravy, sauces, herbs and wine

I make extra french toast and pancakes and freeze them between wax paper and securely wrapped in freezer paper or freezer bags.

Prep ahead for meals. I use my crock pot--a lot! Then I found this awesome ideal on Pinterest--Pre-package your crock pot meals in the freezer. HOLY HELL!! This woman is a genius! Why didn't I think of that ??!!  Grab it, toss it in the crock pot and fuh-geta-bout-it! Well for 8-10 hrs anyway.

http://mamaandbabylove.com/2011/09/06

I also like swip-swap meals. For instance sloppy joes leftovers can go into spaghetti sauce. And left over taco meat can go into chili. And left over chili can go into  chili mac, etc...well you get the ideal.

From this...

To this...

I make my own breakfast sandwiches and freeze. So much healthier and cheaper than store bought. And I learned an awesome trick to make your eggs in a muffin pan . Then they are the perfect size for your bun or or English muffin!

community.tasteofhome.com

Make your own TV dinners, by storing leftovers in divided containers.

cardiofoodie.com

I freeze my strawberries before they go bad to make into jam later.  Ripe bananas and no time to bake? Freeze em! Peel and place in a freezer bag. When I want to make banana bread I can thaw and mash for banana bread.

Speaking of baking--it is just as easy to bake 2 loaves as 1, so I always bake my breads in multiple batches. 1 to eat and 1 keep in the freezer.

Choco-chip Banana Bread

If you don't have time to can, freeze your sauce. Add to freezer bag, remove air, seal tightly, lay flat  on cookie sheets, freeze and then stack 'em up.

http://dianestexasgarden.blogspot.com/2011/08/fire-roasted-tomato-sauce.html

Did you know you can freeze buttermilk, cream cheese, cheese, butter, cottage cheese and sour cream? Buttermilk will be a slight separation on thawing but a little mix will take care of that.Great for pancakes, biscuits or fried chicken. Cream cheese, cottage and sour cream can freeze but will have a different consistency after thawing, but is great when used in cooking/ baking. The same with hard type cheese. Use your frozen shreds, grates, and slices for cooking and baking. Butter freezes very well but can pick up odors due to high fat content. Place in a freezer bag to protect it.

Don't buy boxed or bag stuffing mixes when you can make your own!

moderndaymoms.com

Pre-mix of batches of dry ingredients for baking mix. Then measure out when ready to use.

midnightmaniac.com

What are your frugal hints and tips?

Funky and Frugal Finds #5

Welcome to Funky and Frugal Finds  Monday #5. 

I'm telling you the thrifting gods have forsaken me! I am having a terrible time finding stuff. And not to mention the last few times I have gone thrifting the customer service was HORRIBLE (as in downright rude)! I can't wait for yard-selling season. Well that and I am scouring neighboring counties for new thrifting spots.

I spend a little time at Half Price Books and more money than I wanted but I am very happy with my purchases!

Yes I am old school--I still play vinyl. I have a DVD player and a MP3 but I really love LP's.  And $1.99 for Foghat? These young kids don't get it...And yes I feel old sometimes when I am rifling through the piles of albums. All of these albums may have a little wear and tear on the jackets but the LP's are in  pristine condition. 

A funky little monkey-pod wood tray

Goodwill, $1.50

Look at the size of this awesome basket (ignore the mess in the background).  This is the perfect size for the lap blanket and my snuggie. Yes-I totally admit it--I broke down and bought a snuggie (on clearance for $7.50 and it has puppies on it). Me=Loser

Goodwill $6

Enamel on iron chicken roaster. No scratches, dents or dings. Just a smudge on the outside which came right off after being washed.

Goodwill $8

And matching Enamel on iron bean pot

Goodwill  $6

Well that's all I got! What about you? Any thrifty treasure you want to brag about?

Cockadoodle doo--I got a message for you!

fowlvisions.com

My alternate title was something to crow about...haha lots of corn here!! I love to hear crowing roosters.

Remember how I was working on my command center?  I still had a few things on the list to complete, such as

Install a tack board

Install a light

Get some chalk for my chalk board! 

After pricing out tack and bulletin boards I was a little frustrated by the cost. I COULD have bought a roll of cork but it seemed kinda flimsy. Then I got to thinking. Thumbtacks might not be such a good thing in a high traffic area. Because I guarantee if there is a rogue thumbtack (or any pain inducing sharp object)--my toes will find them!

sourced from web

So I decided to pin my hopes on something else. (Ummm-- these corny puns are getting to me now!)

Any ideals yet?
 Chicken Wire Memo board

I know, I know....Chicken wire memo boards have probably been done to death but I HAD to do this. It was perfect for my space.

Here's whatcha' need

Picture frame, an old window frame or scrap wood to make frame if you are handy (which I am not) staple gun/ staples
fabric
chicken wire
paint
clothes pins
wire cutters
gloves

I finally found a suitable sized frame. In this case an old window frame. This originally had glass but I didn't want the glass. I tried to score along the glazing putty to remove the glass but that didn't work. So I taped newspaper to both sides of the glass. donned a pair of heavy gloves and safety glasses, held the window over the garbage can and whacked the crap-o-la out of the glass until it broke. (Man was that cathartic!)

I then used pliers and wire brush to remove any remaining glass shards This was what I was left with.

A quick wipe down and time to start amping up the patina on the bad boy.

First some white

Some brown and blue (I forgot to take a pic of them separately--oops)

 HOLLA!  Can I get a Woot woot? ! I am soooo diggin' this!

Next I  added piece of poultry net aka chicken wire by stapling. (Painted side down) Pull the wire as taut as you can.  Do yourself a favor and get your chicken wire from Tractor Supply, Home Depot or Lowe's (you can get 25 feet for $8) not that overpriced mamby-pamby crap from the craft store.. 

Front view--next step fabric

Turn the frame painted and chicken wire face down. I grabbed some fabric from my hoard. Place the fabric right side down, fold edges, pull taut and staple. For every staple point, I stapled directly opposite checking to ensure the material wasn't warping or distorting.

Looking kah-yute! And the best part when I showed the hubbs my fabric choices--HE picked this one, haha!

Close up of finish

I added a wire hanger on the back so I could hang it up. Here it is as part of my command center.

Cost breakdown
window=free from a friend, in exchange for a pan of brownies (Not SPECIAL brownies! ha)
~ 1 yard fabric=free from hoard
paint=all free from my hoard
Staple gun/staples and Gloves/ wire cutters=free from the hubbs tool box
Clothes pins=free from my closet

FREE FREE FREE! Not to bad eh?


Since I have plenty of leftover chicken wire I have several other projects in mind. None of which involve  chickens.

disclaimer-all images/video not watermarked MyCozyLittleFarmouse sourced from web

 


 

http://howtonestforless.com

Wow Us Wed #56