On Vacation...

Sunday's media madness...

Last week I spent a little time downloading more music to my iPod for my road trip to Montana. Since I am traveling with a friend of mine and we both like all sorts of music I thought we would both like some classic music, a little country and a little rock 'n roll so I purchased The Essential Johnny Cash and Elvis, Aloha from Hawaii. At first I thought I would just purchase the "good" songs from the albums, but when I kept clicking on the listen now link I quickly realized they were all the good song. I had the same problem with picking which to list in today's blog since they are both great albums so I decided to do them both.

Johnny Cash - The Essential Johnny Cash

Issued in commemoration of Cash's 70th birthday, this double CD is a good survey of 1955-1993 career highlights (and a different release than the similarly titled three-CD The Essential Johnny Cash 1955-1983). Is it a good place to start? That depends on what you have or don't have already, considering that so many greatest-hits compilations containing some or much of this material appeared prior to this, yet another repackage. All of his very biggest hits are here, and it leans very heavily on his first 15 years of recordings, with just eight of the 36 tracks postdating 1970 (and only one of them, his 1993 U2 collaboration "The Wanderer," postdating 1986). For that reason some may complain that it doesn't give some phases of his career proper weight, and certainly not evenly distributed weight. But let's be cold about this: Cash's best records were between 1955 and 1970, and focusing on his early work, as this compilation does, means higher overall quality. It's too bad nothing is included from his acclaimed, unadorned 1994 album, American Recordings, but otherwise this will serve as a quite satisfactory best-of for those who want both the familiar hits and a few good, not-so-overplayed ones, like his versions of "It Ain't Me Babe," "Jackson," and "If I Were a Carpenter." ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide

You can find the two disc set new at Wherehouse.com for $12.69 or used for $10.99, standard shipping is only $1.00. They also have the track listing for you to sample. The album is also available at iTunes for $10.97 with a more limited track list.

Elvis Presley - Aloha from Hawaii Via Satellite (this includes a bonus video track)

Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite is a double-album set that captures Elvis' celebrated live television concert from 1973. Arguably, it also captures the peak of Presley's live extravaganzas of the '70s. Spanning two albums and 30 songs, the record finds Elvis pulling out all the stops, running through a set that favors covers and new material at the expense of classics. That's hardly a complaint, since the whole point of his concerts in the '70s was a sensory onslaught, where a bluesy (albeit over-the-top) version of "C.C. Rider" could sit next to a schmaltzy show-stopper like "American Trilogy." And the key to the whole thing is that Elvis actually sounds more committed to "American Trilogy" than to "C.C. Rider." That passion and energy is carried over to each song, and that's what makes the entire enterprise so entertaining. It's also why the record was a massive hit upon its release and why so many fans have fond memories of Aloha From Hawaii decades after the actual concert. [The video edition contains bonus tracks.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

You can get a brand new copy of the CD at Deep Discount for $8.97 and there is no shipping charge or tax. They also have the samples you can listen to before you buy. If you want to download it, the iTunes store has it available for $9.99.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

C.Q.

Memorible Memorial...

Memorial weekend is almost here, time to get the family and friends together and have a little backyard fun to kick off the Summer. I thought I would put together some great deals for backyard stuff that may be on your wish list for this year so it won't break the bank and you will have a little extra left over for the deluxe potato salad.

Bed Bath and Beyond has Woodstock Adirondack Chairs and Ottomans in blue on sale while supplies last. The chair is only $49.99 and the matching ottoman is $39.99. If you do not receive their email it may be worth signing up for as first time subscribers receive 20% off one item in-store certificate.

If its time for a new BBQ check out the new and improved Weber Gold Kettle Grill from The One-Touch Series. Its the original model with a little extra improvements like a hinged cooking grate and a high-capacity ash catcher so indirect grilling and clean up are easier. You can find the grill at Appliance Best Buys for $111.00, when I checked they had 11 of them left in stock.

If you looking for some backyard fun for your weekend here are a couple of fun things, Horseshoes is a great game that will keep everyone entertained for a long time and is easy to set up, you can find a nice set at Dick's Sporting Goods that includes 4 shoes, 2 poles, a case and rule book for only $24.98. For the football enthusiasts Dick's has a Wild Sales Football Bean Bag Set on sale for $24.99, marked way down from the list price $79.99. There is also the traditional Croquet set available for $39.98 and includes 6 mallets and balls, 9 steel wickets, 2 stakes, instructions and a case. There are a few other great deals available at Dick's so its worth surfing the site some. If you find some things you like they are offering free shipping on all orders over $69.00, in addition if you are a first time shopper with them you can enter coupon code WELCOME15 to take an additional 15% off your order, if you are not a first timer you can still get $5.00 off an order of $75.00 using coupon code DSP5OFF75.

I hope you all have a fun and safe Memorial weekend, I will be out of town so the Saturday article will be put on hold until the following week. Thank you to my readers for following my blog.

C.Q.

Friday's freebie

Are you the parent of a child or know a child that loves Lego's? If so you may like to sign up for the free LEGO Club magazine. Just click the correct country along the side of the page and you will be taken to the start of the sign up area. Be sure to check out all the fun area's in the LEGO site, there are lots of fun ideas and activities.

I hope everyone has a fantastic Friday!!

C.Q.

Thursdays picture perfect deal...

The Picture...

My dwarf lilies are on the way up again after the deer ate them the beginning of this spring, hopefully they will be a beautiful as they were last year.

The Deal...

Eddie Bauer has a ton of great gear for summer for guys, gals and kids. Right now you can get 25% off your entire order using coupon code 25SUMMER on line or mentioning code 4143 in the store. If you get their catalog and want to order through them that way then just use code 273 when you talk to the representative.

Have a great day everyone!

C.Q.

Wednesday's learn and earn

~WORD OF THE DAY~

palimpsest • \PAL-imp-sest\ • noun

1 : writing material (as a parchment or tablet) used one or more times after earlier writing has been erased

*2 : something having usually diverse layers or aspects apparent beneath the surface

Example Sentence:
"Canada, like any country, is a palimpsest, an overlay of classes and generations." (Margaret Atwood, New York Times Book Review, March 10, 1985)

Did you know?
In olden days, writing surfaces were so rare that they were often used more than once. "Palimpsest" originally described an early form of recycling in which an old document was erased to make room for a new one when parchment ran short. Fortunately for modern scholars, the erasing process wasn't completely effective, so the original could often be distinguished under the newer writing. De republica, by Roman statesman and orator Cicero, is one of many documents thus recovered from a palimpsest. Nowadays, the word "palimpsest" can refer not only to such a document but to anything that has multiple layers. *Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.

~THE REBATE~

I love to cook when I am not under any pressure to do it, and my favorite thing is soup because I can start the stock pot and walk away. Recently my husband decided he wanted a hand immersion blender and I thought that was just a waste of money, but I got him one with a gift card I had earned. I soon discovered the joys of never having to empty my soup pot to make cream soups, or the ease of making gourmet butters with garden herbs or how quick it can be to make whipped cream, this little gizmo is amazing and I really don't know how we went this long without one. Right now KitchenAid is offering a $10.00 rebate on their immersion blender model #KHB300OB. I found the lowest price at NewEgg, they were originally $129.99 but are on sale for $89.99 so you save $40.00 right off the top. This one is about a million times nicer than the one I purchased and its a little less too. It comes with a crazy long 5' cord, the blender attachment, a different blade, a 3 cup chopper bowl for small stuff like nuts, a refrigerator cup and a storage bag. KitchenAid usually includes some recipes with their appliances so I am guessing you can find something to make right away.

To receive the rebate by mail you will need to send in the rebate form together with the UPC code from the package and a copy of your cash register receipt. Your envelope needs to be postmarked no later than July 26, 2010 and an important note, they are not allowing rebates for purchases made at either Lowe's or Bed Bath and Beyond. If you want to submit your rebate on line you can go to RebateRemedy and follow the instruction on their site, this way you should get your money back faster.

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!

C.Q.

Tuesday's tid-bit

Monday's value meal

SMOKED SAUSAGE WITH RED BEANS AND RICE

1 lb. pkg. smoked sausage, cut in chunks

1 med. sized onion

1 med. sized green pepper

1 stalk of celery

1 lb. pkg. dried red kidney beans

2 c. uncooked rice

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

Garlic powder to taste

Directions:

In a 2-quart saucepan, add 1 1/2 quart of water, add beans, onions, celery, and green pepper. Let this mixture simmer for two (2) hours or until beans are just about done (beans should be soft but not mushy). Add smoked sausage and seasonings. Continue to simmer for another 1/2 hour or so. After you have added the sausage and seasonings, you may want to start to prepare the rice. Follow the directions on preparation on the side or back panel of box (rice box). If you use regular rice not (UNCLE BEN'S®) after the rice has cooked, pour the rice into a colander and rinse with cold water. Add about 2 cups of water in the pot you cooked the rice in. Place colander over the water. Bring water to a boil; this allows the rice to steam. Serve beans and sausage over rice. Traditionally served with cornbread but you can serve with whatever you like.

---Main Dish---

$1 off any TWO (2) packages of Hillshire Farm® Smoked Sausage

$0.75 off any two (2) Uncle Bens products of your choice

---Salad---

$0.55 off one (1) package of Tanimura & Antle Artisan® Lettuce

50¢ off one (1) Newman's Own® Salad Dressing, Pasta Sauce or Salsa

---Bread---

$.030 off two any size/variety Refrigerated Pillsbury® Grands!® Biscuits

---Desert---

$0.50 off any LUIGI’S® Real Italian Ice

I apologize for the lateness of today's blog, I am trying to get my house in order and the vegetables planted before I leave for vacation and I have a VERY busy week before I leave. I hope everyone has had a great Monday.

C.Q.

Sunday's media madness...

I have had several movies laying around that I haven't watched yet and when it was raining last week I took the opportunity to watch a few. The newest one in my stack was "Did You Hear About the Morgan's?" staring Hugh Grant, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sam Elliot and Mary Steenburgen. Although not a movie that will ever end up on the top 10 movies of all time list; I really liked this movie, it was cute and fun to watch.

Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker star in this delightful comedy about finding love in the most unexpected places. Two successful New Yorkers, Paul (Grant) and Meryl (Parker), are at their wits' ends with repairing their strained marriage. But when they become the only witnesses to a brutal murder, the police hide them away in Wyoming - together. Now these die-hard city dwellers will have to survive the weather, bears, fresh air, and forced time with one another if they want to make it out alive.

The lowest prices I found were at DealOz, $6.25 for the DVD and $7.40 for the Blue Ray versions. If you would like to download a digital copy you can go directly at the Sony site for the link that will take you into iTunes where you can purchase it. You can also watch clips of the movie and check out some of Sony's other pictures.

Hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend!

C.Q.

Lunker fishing deals...

Today is the opening of fishing season here in Minnesota so in keeping with the day I though I would gather up some great deals for all the anglers. If you have pulled out all your equipment for the annual once over and found that your pole is a little worse for the wear Shakespeare has a great deal going, between April 1, 2010 – August 31, 2010 if you buy $30 or more of Shakespeare kits or combos (excluding Ugly Stik® kits and combos) and mail a copy of the receipt together with a copy of of either your 2010 fishing license or your reciept for your license together with the mail in rebate form they will send you a $10.00 rebate. They are allowing two (2) rebates per address so you could do this with your spouse or kids. If you prefer an Abu Garcia pole they are offering a free pair of Wiley X sunglasses (a value of $126) with either emerald or blue mirror polarized lens, with the purchase of any Abu Garcia pole over $159.95. You will need to mail in a copy of your receipt together with a check for $11.95 for shipping and handling and the rebate form. They are allowing 2 per household and the offer is good between November 1, 2009 and September 7, 2010. If you purchase a an Abu Garcia pole between $89.95 and $139.95 you can still get a $10 rebate from them. Just send in a copy of your cash register receipt together with the rebate form, this offer is good between January 1, 2010 and September 7, 2010.

Maybe your pole is in good condition but the reel has seen better days. If that's the case check out Pfluger reels. They are offering a free Coleman flashlight with the purchase of any reel over $99.95. You will need to send in a copy of the receipt together with a check for $9.95 for shipping and handling together with the rebate form. They are allowing two (2) per household and the offer is good between November 1, 2009 and September 7, 2010. If you prefer Penn reels they are offering a free tackle bag with the purchase of any Penn Senator reel or combo. This offer is good from November 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010 and they are allowing two (2) per household. You will need to send in a copy of your cash register receipt together with a check for $9.95 for shipping and handling and the rebate form.

If your rod looks good then its time to check your line, if it is too dry it can snap easily and you will loose your first fish of the season. Berkley is offering a rebate between January 1, 2010 - September 7, 2010 when you buy any 2 or more Berkley® line, bait or tool products. (This excludes rods) It is a graduated deal, buy $10 and save $3, buy $20 and save $7, buy $40 and save $15, you will need to mail in a copy of your receipt with the items that qualify circled together with the rebate form, they are allowing four (4) rebates per address so remember to hang on to your receipts over the rest of the year. If you use Stren line they also have a $6.00 rebate going if you buy any two 125 yard or larger spools of Stren® line between January 1, 2010 - September 7, 2010. Mail in a copy of your receipt with the products circled together with the rebate form, they are allowing two (2) per household. Finally if you prefer Ultracast Braid fishing line or Spiderwire Stealth line they are offering a $7.00 to 10.00 rebate depending on the yardage you purchase. (The offer excludes the 100% Florocarbon, Mono and EZ Brade) Just mail in a copy of your cash register receipt together with the rebate form, they are allowing two (2) rebates per household.

Looking for new lures this season? There are a few offers out there. Rapala has three different deals going as well as a contest you can enter to win. Buy any 5 qualifying Rapala lures and get a free vinyl decal set and Rapala hat; buy $25 worth of Rapala tools and accessories and get a Rapala Roll-Up Tool Wrap, Rapala Hat, and vinyl decal set; or buy any Rapala fixed blade knife or electric fillet knife and receive Rapala fillet glove, and a free 10 minute instructional video. Check out their special offers page for more information. Mepps May special offer is 2 free Mepps Comet Minos in the size of your choice with a $60.00 on line purchase. Trigger X is offering a free long sleeve t-shirt in L, XL or XXL with the purchase of of any $15.00 of their lures, just flip the switch on their web site and the link is in the upper corner. You will need to send in the original cash register receipt together with the printable form. This offer is good between January 1, 2010 - September 15, 2010.

If you are using live bate and just need some new hooks then check out Tru-Turn Hooks. They are offering up to five free packs of hooks when you purchase up to five packs from your local retailer. This offer is good through June 30, 2011. You will need the UPC from the packages you purchase as well as your cash register receipt and the rebate form, if you would like a Tru-Turn fishing team hat just check the box at the bottom and include a check for $9.95.

I know this is a long one today but I wanted to be sure I had a little something for everyone. Hope you are all having a great weekend and good luck with your fishing!

C.Q.

Friday's freebie...

Do you have a child who is fascinated with outer space or technology? If they would love a cool poster of the Whirlpool Galaxy or a Majestic Gas Shell as seen through a telescope in their room then check out today's freebie. The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is sending out free posters and brochures. You can order one or both of the posters. If you are an aspiring astronomer yourself they have beautiful brochures that look very interesting as well!

Radio astronomy is a national resource that contributes to American competitiveness and drives progress in key technologies. Technical innovations developed or enhanced for radio astronomy are found in communication antennas, transistor design, cryogenic coolers, medical and scientific imaging, time and frequency standards, atomic clocks and GPS navigation, precision spacecraft navigation, laser rangefinders, and location of cell phone 911 calls.

Have a great Friday everyone!

C.Q.

Thursday's picture perfect deal

The Picture...

This picture is the first evening grosbeak to our yard this summer, I am always so happy when they return.

The Deal...

Its been a cool spring here so I chose the Coldwater Creek women's jacket sale for today's deal. They are all marked down 30% both on line and in the stores until 5/26/10, no coupon needed fr the sale. In addition, if you spend $100 with them you can get $30.00 off. If you are going to shop on line use coupon code WHH3209 when you check out for the $30.00 off, if you are thinking of going into a local store you can print a copy of the $30.00 coupon to take in with you. They also have a sale going on their cropped pants and some of their tee shirts, if you buy two or more you will get 30% off those as well.

Hope you are all having a great week so far!

C.Q.

Wednesday's learn and earn...

~WORD OF THE DAY~

alacrity • \uh-LAK-ruh-tee\• noun
: promptness in response : cheerful readiness

Example Sentence:
"The good-humoured little attorney tapped at Mr. Pickwick's door, which was opened with great alacrity by Sam Weller." (Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers)

Did you know?
"I have not that alacrity of spirit / Nor cheer of mind that I was wont to have," says Shakespeare’s King Richard III in the play that bears his name. When Shakespeare penned those words some 400 years ago, "alacrity" was less than a hundred years old. Our English word derives from the Latin word "alacer," which means "lively." It denotes physical quickness coupled with eagerness or enthusiasm. Are there any other words in English from Latin "alacer"? Yes -- "allegro," which is used as a direction in music with the meaning "at a brisk lively tempo.” It came to us via Italian (where it can mean "merry") and is assumed to be ultimately from "alacer."

~REBATE~

Today's rebate is from Pert Plus shampoo for Men, you will receive Pert Plus up to $3.99 mail in rebate, when you purchase any specially marked Pert Plus for Men product. All you need to do is complete the rebate form, attach the "Try me free" sticker from specially marked packages, and mail it in with your cash register receipt dated between 1/1/10 and 12/31/10. Please check the rebate form for any further instructions.

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

C.Q.

Tuesday's Tid bit

Monday's value meal

Oriental Baked Cod

***I found this great recipe on line and can't wait to try it myself! I love fish and the taste of oriental foods, and any recipe without a ton of ingredients is nice. I hope you guys like it too.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce

2 tablespoons apple juice

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh ginger

1 clove of garlic minced

1 teaspoon crushed Szechwan peppercorns*

4 cod fillets (about 1 pound)

4 green onions, thinly sliced

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray roasting pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside. Combine soy sauce, apple juice, ginger, garlic and peppercorns in small bowl; mix well. Place cod fillets in prepared pan; pour soy sauce mixture over fish. Bake about 10 minutes or until fish is opaque and flakes easily when tested with fork. Transfer fish to serving dish; pour pan juices over fish and sprinkle with green onions. Garnish, if desired.

* Szechuan berries look much like black peppercorns, but they contain a tiny seed and are not related to the peppercorn family. Mildly hot with a distinctive flavor and fragrance, Szechuan peppercorns can be found in Oriental markets in whole or powdered form.

For desert try a cookie sundae, just scoop ice cream on an over sized cookie, maybe a little bit of topping for extra decadence.

----Main Dish----

$1.00 off any brand of Alaska Pollock or Alaska Cod fillets

$1.00 off on any Annie Chun's Gourmet Asian Sauces or Plain Noodles

$1.00 off one 64oz. or 96oz. Welch's® 100% Juice or

$1.00 off any two refrigerated Welch's juices

----Salad----

$1.00 off any Two (2) Litehouse® Products when you sign up for their news letter or

$0.50 off any One Newman's Own dressing

$0.55 off one (1) package of Tanimura & Antle Artisan® Lettuce

----Bread----

$0.40 on two (2) Pillsbury® Italian Meal Breads

----Desert----

$1.00 off any two (2) pints of Starbucks® Ice Cream

$1.00 off any two (2) Pillsbury refrigerated cookie dough

I hope everyone has a good week!

C.Q.

Sunday's media madness...

Happy Mothers day to all the moms out there! As a special tribute I chose "Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation" by Cokie Roberts for today's book, there is a lot of interesting history that I was totally oblivious to over all these years. I think this will appeal not only to mom's but anyone with an interest in history.

Book Description ~

Cokie Roberts's number one New York Times bestseller, We Are Our Mothers' Daughters, examined the nature of women's roles throughout history and led USA Today to praise her as a "custodian of time-honored values." Her second bestseller, From This Day Forward, written with her husband, Steve Roberts, described American marriages throughout history, including the romance of John and Abigail Adams. Now Roberts returns with Founding Mothers, an intimate and illuminating look at the fervently patriotic and passionate women whose tireless pursuits on behalf of their families -- and their country -- proved just as crucial to the forging of a new nation as the rebellion that established it.

While much has been written about the men who signed the Declaration of Independence, battled the British, and framed the Constitution, the wives, mothers, sisters, and daughters they left behind have been little noticed by history. Roberts brings us the women who fought the Revolution as valiantly as the men, often defending their very doorsteps. While the men went off to war or to Congress, the women managed their businesses, raised their children, provided them with political advice, and made it possible for the men to do what they did. The behind-the-scenes influence of these women -- and their sometimes very public activities -- was intelligent and pervasive.

Drawing upon personal correspondence, private journals, and even favored recipes, Roberts reveals the often surprising stories of these fascinating women, bringing to life the everyday trials and extraordinary triumphs of individuals like Abigail Adams, Mercy Otis Warren, Deborah Read Franklin, Eliza Pinckney, Catherine Littlefield Green, Esther DeBerdt Reed, and Martha Washington -- proving that without our exemplary women, the new country might never have survived.

Social history at its best, Founding Mothers unveils the drive, determination, creative insight, and passion of the other patriots, the women who raised our nation. Roberts proves beyond a doubt that like every generation of American women that has followed, the founding mothers used the unique gifts of their gender -- courage, pluck, sadness, joy, energy, grace, sensitivity, and humor -- to do what women do best, put one foot in front of the other in remarkable circumstances and carry on.

I found the lowest price for this book at Discount Book Sale, the cover price is $14.99, their price is only $4.63, a savings of $10.36. Shipping is free on the first item you order. If you would prefer to download this to a kindle, get the audible or CD version, or don't mind a used copy you can got to Amazon and check their low prices, some of the used hard covers are as low as a penny.

I hope everyone is haveing a perfect weekend!

C.Q.

Cashing in on credit...

A lot of us are trying to use our credit cards less now days, but if you plan it out right it can actually benefit you to use them a little more. The first rule of credit is to never charge more than you can afford, its important to pay your credit card off in no more than 2 months or you will defeat the savings you can actually get. The second rule is to always use a card that pays you back for using it, something like Discover, American express, Capital One or Diners Club. If you use these two simple rules you can really make credit work for you, not only do you earn for your spending but if you have an interest bearing account at your bank you also get that as well.

The other bonus to using a credit card is there are many discount offers out there available to card holders. For example if you shop on line American Express and Discover have a specific web site for shopping through that will give you additional cash or points back. American Express offers double rewards on Travel and often upgrades in airfare and hotels for using their card.

The biggest thing to watch for is the annual fees, American Express is high but if you use the card enough you will still get the savings. Many companies will wave the annual fee for the first year. Notice I didn't mention the interest rate because I am talking about paying off your credit debt with in two months each time you use the card. If you pay it in full each month the interest rate won't apply. Also remember you don't need a ton of cards, I carry only three and they all offer some form of reward, the least being a store card that earns me a percentage off at a specific retail chain. There is no need to have individual cards for every little store you visit, I am always offered the opportunity to open an account at Macy's, Yonkers, Sears, JC Penney, Kohl's etc. but I decline because I get better rewards using the cards I have and the points/cash back builds up much faster. It is also better on your credit report to have a reasonable number of cards vs one for every store.

If you interested in finding a new card or just checking out how yours stacks up you can check Credit Card 321 for comparisons. If your interested in applying for a reward type of card be sure to check out the great article at Credit.com, there is also a lot of additional helpful information at this site to help you with many areas of credit and loan information. If you already have a reward card but can't pay it in full here is a great little calculator from the Federal Reserve that will show you how long it will take to pay off your cards balance.

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

C.Q.

Friday's freebie...

Until May 8th Walgreen's is giving away a free 8 x 10 collage print, a $3.99 value. Upload up to 20 photos for your collage, you get to pick out the layout and you can even put a title on it if you want. When you are done use the coupon code GOODTHOUGHTS at check out and opt to pick it up in the store near you. When you head out to pick up your new work of art be sure to check out Walgreen's coupon page for any other items you may need.

Have a great Friday!

C.Q.

Thursdays picture perfect deal...

The Picture...

My Bleeding Heart grows so fast in the spring, this picture is from last year but it is almost ready to bloom now and I am looking forward to the bright pink flowers. My grandmother had these in her yard and seeing them always makes me smile.

The Deal...

If you took out your lawn furniture this spring and it didn't looks so great here is your perfect opportunity to check out the line of Lay-Z-Boy outdoor furniture. The Lay-Z-Boy Preston line is on sale right now at Sears for 20% off. The Preston Recliner was originally $499.99 but with the on line only deal from Sears the cost is $399.99. The items over $299 qualify for free shipping as well. Its important to note that this is an on line only offer and the stores won't be able to match these prices. Remember, if you are a member of Sears Shop Your Way Rewards you will get $4.00 in your account to use towards future purchases. I also found a coupon code for Sears for $5 off $50, its not a lot but every little bit counts, use code SEARS5OFF50 at checkout.

Have a wonderful Thursday everyone!

C.Q.

Wednesday's learn and earn...

~WORD OF THE DAY~

tatterdemalion • \tatt-er-dih-MAIL-yun\ • adjective

1 : ragged or disreputable in appearance
*2 : being in a decayed state or condition : dilapidated

Example Sentence:
"What he wants to do is to get the tatterdemalion main building into shape so that it can be used as a retreat for priests and laymen, perhaps with profitable results." (Jonathan Yardley, The Washington Post, August 15, 2007)

Did you know?
The exact origin of "tatterdemalion" is uncertain, but it’s probably connected to either the noun "tatter" ("a torn scrap or shred") or the adjective "tattered" ("ragged" or "wearing ragged clothes"). We do know that "tatterdemalion" has been used in print since the 1600s. In its first documented use in 1608, it was used as a noun (as it still can be) to refer to a person in ragged clothing -- the type of person we might also call a ragamuffin. ("Ragamuffin," incidentally, predates "tatterdemalion" in this sense. Like "tatterdemalion," it may have been formed by combining a known word, "rag," with a fanciful ending.) Within half a dozen years of the first appearance of "tatterdemalion," it came to be used as an adjective to describe anything or anyone ragged or disreputable.

*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.

~REBATE~

Today's rebate is from Kellog's Special K, you can receive a Kellogg's $10 off Jeans Voucher, or $10 donation to the United Way when you purchase 5 specially marked Kellogg's Special K products. The packages have a little pocket printed on them, there is a sample on the rebate form. This programs runs through 12/31/10 so you have plenty of time to eat the 5 boxes of Kellogg's. The products include in the rebate are Special K cereals, waffles, cereal bars, crackers, protein meal bars, protein snack bars, protein water mixes and Bliss Bars. Here are a couple coupons from Kellogg's to get you started.

To receive this offer, mail completed certificate and other required items. See mail in rebate/offer form for more details. Allow 90 days from receipt of order for delivery.

Have a grea day everyone.

C.Q.

Tuesday's tidbit...

Sunday's media madness...

Last night I was listening to my iPod in my hotel room and the song that came up on the shuffle was one of my new favorites, "House Rules" by Christian Kane. Some of you will recognize Christian from the TV shows Angle or Leverage, but he is also a country singer with a fantastic voice. A few weeks back it was a free download from his site, this week the free download is "Whiskey in Mind". Both songs area available on his album which can also be purchased directly from his site and downloaded to your computer. You don't have to have an iPod to enjoy the music, once you download it you can put it into any portable media player or burn it to a disc. The entire album for download is $3.99.

I am having a hard time with images using a hotel computer, I will add a picture later. Hope you are all enjoying your weekend!

C.Q.

Dining on less Dollars...

I love to dine out and consider myself to be a bit of a foodie so the last thing I wanted to do in this economy was to eat at home more. Thankfully I was able to find some great sites that really pared down the amount we spent on meals out and continue to save us a lot of cash.

Groupon offers a deal a day for many cities, these deals are half off or more and are not always for dining, you can find some great deals on spas and services as well. Living Social also does one deal per day for a variety of markets.

HalfOffDeals.com has local deals for many areas, they offer multiple deals and they are all half off. However, instead of getting one certificate you usually get two that need to be used on different occasions. For example if you order $50 of certificates for $25 you will get two $25 certificates to use on two occasions.

Sudden Values offers money off printable coupons to area merchants, both services and restaurants. Most areas offer a lot of different discounts, some are half off offers, other are just coupons for savings, be sure to check the expiration dates.

Where I live we have a several sites that all start with www.thebestof_______.com. I did a little checking and this seems to be true for a lot of areas with some exceptions. I tried thebestofChicago, Boston, Houston, New York and San Francisco and the site was available for all of them. Give it a try and see if it works in your are. These sites all offer discount coupons and half of gift certificates.

Of course Restaurant.com always has terrific deal on dining, usually you can get a $25.00 certificate for only $10.00, sometimes even less.

It is also worthwhile to check out WOW Coupons for any printable coupons that can be used together with your discounted gift certificates to stretch your savings even further.

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

C.Q.