Monthly Archives: February 2009

Feb 28

Springtime Saturday

I had an idea… I thought I would share a Springtime Project every Saturday until Springtime, and then I woke up today to snow… But I’ll go on ahead and share a project anyway.

This one is perfect for an indoor snowy weather day, and it will help out the freezing cold birds out there too.

Today we are making Outdoor Bird Feeders out of Plastic Bottles

For the Bird Feeder project you’ll need:

  • Bird Seed
  • Plastic Bottles that you were going to recycle anyway
  • Duct Tape
  • Hole Puncher
  • Sharp Scissors
  • Small Nail
  • Floss or String

Remove all of the labels off of the plastic bottles, and trim the bottles to the size that you would like your bird feeder. Use a strip of duct tape to cover the sharp edge that you just trimmed, and punch 3-4 holes around the bottle with your hole puncher. Use a small nail or needle to punch a few holes in the bottom of your bird feeder for drainage. Thread your string through the holes, and make sure that your string is long enough to hang the bird feeder on a tree or planter. Fill with bird seed and take them outside for the birdies.

Thade had fun filling the bird feeders with bird seed, and I think the song birds will enjoy the extra treat on a cold day like today.

Feb 28

A Sudden Snowstorm

Well the rumors held true, today we woke up to snow. I know it is still Winter, but I was really ready for Spring to get here.

My hubby brought me home big plastic drop cloths so I could cover the flower beds in the front yard. I thought I had done a pretty good job, but it looks like the wind caught a spot and blew the cover off of a few of my daffodils. I hope they’ll make it.

Hopefully the snow won’t stick around too long. What does your weather look like today?

Feb 27

This Just Isn’t Fair

Yesterday it was 60s and Sunny, and today it is 25 and snow is on the way. That just isn’t right… I guess Winter has to show its face one more time this season. I’m going to go and get some plastic drop cloths to cover the Tulips and Daffodils.

Oh a happier note, Thade was excited to go to preschool today. They are studying the letter H and today the kiddos could wear a favorite Hat. Thade (of course) is wearing his Kevin Harvick hat, and Dylan had to wear a Kasey Kahne hat too.

It is going to be a busy day today, and I’ve got a few errands to run, even though it is cold outside.

Happy Friday to all!

Feb 26

Getting Ready to Garden

I’ve got my seeds and I’m ready to go! Now if the weather can just cooperate, we’ll be ready to garden. This year I’m expanding the existing gardens quite a bit, and I know I’ll have more plants to add in soon.

So far for the Fruits and Veggie Garden I’ll be planting:

  • Okra
  • Sweet Corn
  • Bell Peppers
  • Pumpkins
  • Watermelon
  • Cauliflower
  • Lettuce
  • Carrots
  • Yellow Squash
  • Cucumbers
  • Green beans
  • Cantaloupe
  • Zucchini

I’m also planting a butterfly garden in hopes that I’ll attract the good bugs to the yard to eat all of the bad ones. I’ll be planting:

  • Purple Coneflower Echinacea
  • Morning Glory
  • Sweet Pea
  • Sunflowers (Jumbo)
  • Dahlia

I can’t wait to get started! What are you planting in your garden this year?

Feb 25

Dry Cleaning At Home

Dry Cleaning clothes is not something that I have to do too often, but the last time that I did I had major sticker shock. I had to take in my husband’s suit to be dry cleaned, and I was hit with a $20.00 bill for Dry Cleaning services, for just one suit.

After his recent convention I had a suitcase full of clothes that needed dry cleaned, but there was no way that I was going to get taken to the cleaners again, so I picked up a Dryell kit, and saved a bunch.

I decided to check the math online so I could estimate my savings. Online I found that dry cleaning fees for pants were $ 4.57, and $4.41 for sweaters. I had 4 pairs of pants and 3 sweaters that would have cost around $31.51 to dry clean.

I picked up the Dryell kit for $8.77, and the kit also came with a $3.00 coupon for refills, that means even more savings. Dry cleaning all of the clothes at home only took me an hour, and the leftover Dryell sheet made an impromptu air freshener in the bottom of the trash can. My utility room smelled fresh for days, thanks to the re-purposed sheet.

I estimate that I saved about $22.74 by dry cleaning the clothes at home, and I also saved a few trips out too.