Meet Me On Monday...

Monday again and time for the Meet Me On Monday hop hosted by Java over at Never Growing Old.  This is one of the things I think most of us bloggers look forward to on Mondays.  Hope you all have a great week, here are today's questions:


1. Crunchy or smooth peanut butter?
2. What is your favorite color Rose?
3. Do you remove your shoes when you walk into your home?
4. What is your favorite season?
5. Approximately how many hours a day do you spend blogging?

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1. Crunchy or smooth peanut butter?
 

I don't care for nuts in things so I love smooth peanut butter, even better is smooth honey roasted peanut butter!
2. What is your favorite color Rose?

I would say two toned pale yellow and a touch of pink since my favorite Rose is a Peace rose (I prefer the vintage varieties to the new brighter hybrids).  The rose was named because when it was invented in France in the late 30s the inventor, Francis Meilland knew war was coming and sent cuttings of his rose to his friends in the US, Turkey and Germany to keep the rose safe.  It's believed that the cutting sent to the US was on the last plane that went out before the German invasion.  After the war the French Viscount Alan Brooke was asked by Meilland if he could name the rose after him since he was so integral in ending the war.  Brooke declined saying a more suiting name would be "Peace".  Per Wikipedia: "The adoption of the trade name "Peace" was publicly announced in the United States on 29 April 1945 by the introducers, Messrs Conard Pyle Co.. This was the very day that Berlin fell, officially considered the end of the Second World War in Europe. Later that year Peace roses were given to each of the delegations at the inaugural meeting of the United Nations in San Francisco, each with a note which read: "We hope the 'Peace' rose will influence men’s thoughts for everlasting world peace".

3. Do you remove your shoes when you walk into your home?
 

I don't think I have ever worn shoes in my house, not even as a little kid.  Its more comfy in socks or bare feet, plus its really hard on the floors to wear shoes inside so nope, we take them off.

4. What is your favorite season?

I would have to say Spring, I love watching everything come to life again and plant all my flowers and vegetables.

5. Approximately how many hours a day do you spend blogging?

That's a tough question, if you are talking about just getting mine out it can take anywhere from a half an hour to 4 hours depending on what I am doing.  Friday and Monday are the easier ones taking about 1/2 hour, Saturday's Sojourn takes about 4 hours, sometimes more.  If you are including reading as well then I can sit up in my office for a whole day sometimes, it depends on what I am supposed to be doing that day.

Hope you are all having a great day, I am looking forward to seeing everyone's answers. :)  Be sure to enter the giveaway for the free pizza and cutting board, it ends Tuesday and has REALLY low entries.

C.Q.

Sunday's media madness...

Some of you are lucky enough to live in areas where you have started planting already, up in the north we need to wait until at least Memorial day, and sometimes even that is pushing it a little.  Today I thought I would showcase a group of books to help you get the most from your garden and local Farmers Markets.

The first book is The Vegetable Gardener's Bible (10th Anniversary Edition) by Edward C. Smith.  This books focuses on getting the most out of your garden using a method he calls W-O-R-D which stands for Wide rows, Organic methods, Raised beds, and Deep soil.  The author looks at individual growing, harvesting, and best varieties of a large number of both common and more exotic vegetables and herbs.  The book features great photographs and an in depth A-Z section where you can find all the information you need for a great and bountiful vegetable garden of your own.  I was able to find the new paperback book at its lowest price at Go Hastings for $17.06 with free shipping.  If you have a Kindle you can download it for $9.48 from Amazon.

The next book is Grow the Good Life: Why a Vegetable Garden Will Make You Happy, Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise by Michele Owens.  From the Amazon product description: "With her wry, funny, and accessible approach, Owens helps beginning gardeners overcome obstacles that keep them from planting a few seedlings every spring. She explains why dirt isn't dirty; the health benefits of growing one’s own food; and that vegetable gardens are not antithetical to the frantic pace of modern life, but simple and undemanding if intelligently managed.  Grow the Good Life is not just another how-to. Instead, it will teach you the true fundamentals of vegetable growing: how to fit a garden into your life and why it’s worth the trouble."  I was able to find this book for the lowest price at Book Depository for $15.99 with free shipping.  Amazon also has this in the Kindle version for $9.99.
To go with these two great books I found because no matter how much you plant, the local Farmers Markets always have great stuff you either didn't plant yourself, didn't plant enough of or isn't ripe in your garden yet, they are a great way to fill in what you need while supporting your local growers.

This first book is Local Flavors: Cooking and Eating from America's Farmers' Markets by Deborah Madison.  One of the Editorial reviews: "The book offers chapters deftly arranged by fruit and vegetable families as they appear in the markets, such as "The Vegetable Fruits of Summer: Eggplants, Tomatoes, and Peppers" and "A Cool Weather Miscellany," which includes recipes such as Sautéed Artichokes with Potatoes and Garlic Chives and a marvelous "essence-of" soup, Elixir of Fresh Peas. Madison also treats unfamiliar fruits and vegetables, presenting the likes of lamb quarters in a soup made with Sonoma Teleme cheese, and sugar loaf chicory simply grilled and dressed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Recipes for delightful salads like Melon Salad with Thai Basil also appear, as do a selection of pastas and risotto, such as Winter Squash Risotto with Seared Radicchio, and sweets like White Peaches in Lemon Verbena Syrup and Date, Dried Cherry, and Chocolate Nut Torte. With sidebars like Atlanta's All-Organic Market: Late October and color photos throughout of vendors, produce, and many of the dishes, the book offers the perfect match of Madison and the markets. --Arthur Boehm"   I was able to find this paperback book at its lowest price from Go Hastings for $17.78 with free shipping.

The last book is Fresh from the Farmers' Market: Year-Round Recipes for the Pick of the Crop by Janet Fletcher.  With more than 75 fresh recipes and big color photographs, this book makes the most of what is in season with each soup, salad, entree, and dessert.  "Janet Fletcher guides shoppers through the market, sharing tips on selection and storage as well as advice from the farmers themselves, so readers can turn peak-season produce into delicious eating, year-round."  I was able to find this paperback book at Book Depository for $16.21 with free shipping world wide.

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend and remember to enter my Pizza giveaway, the entries are VERY low so you have a great chance to win a free pizza and bamboo cutting board from Freschetta.

C.Q.

Friday's freebie...

Even though I quit smoking I am still hooked on candles and it always seems like I don't have a lighter when I need one. Today's freebie may help solve that problem, or at least help a little. Bic is offering a coupon of $4.99 which will cover the cost of a free lighter. All they ask is that you fill in a short survey and tell them which of their new designs you like the best and worst. Bic will ask for your name and address so they can mail the coupon, there is a limit one coupon per household, allow 3-5 weeks for delivery. 

And now for the part everyone has been waiting for, the winner of the $10.00 Amazon Gift card is..........................KELLY GLOVER!  Congrats Kelly, I will be sending you an email so you know to watch for the email from Amazon.  Thank you so much for entering!  Kelly's winning entry that the hubby pulled out of the box was the answer to the riddle posted to our Facebook site, which I am sure you are all wanting to know the answer of so here it is:  "If all the oceans were renamed things like French Silk, Banana Cream and Pecan, what would you be steering your Zodiac on?"  The answer is Pie Seas or Pieces.  Congratulations again Kelly, and thank you to all of you for entering.  Keep watching for more contests and give aways, and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for exclusive goodies there.

Have a great end of the week everyone!

C.Q.

Thursdays picture perfect deal...

The picture...

A friend and I toured a local little museum last summer, it depicts early settlement life in Northern Minnesota.  I loved this picture because it made me think about all the times I have driven down the road and seen an odd shoe laying on the side of the road.  Seeing that single black boot made me wonder if there was a stray one laying along side some horse or wagon path in the 1800s making those folks wonder what the heck happened.

The deal...

OK so right now its a little weird with the weather, its chilly, its raining, its warm but windy so why not catch up on your Scrapbooking and paper crafts?  A Cherry On Top is a great place to find everything you need for your projects and like their site says, "There is always a Scrapbooking Sale at A Cherry on Top Scrapbooking Shoppe!"  Stop in and see if there are goodies you need now or can stock up on for future use.  Another great site I found was Scrap Your Trip for all things travel related.  They have paper I have not seen anywhere else.  They are having a sale March 9 - March 11, just use coupon code 30WRM to get 30% off your order.

Have a fantastic Thursday an remember to enter the $10.00 Amazon gift certificate give away if you haven't already, I will draw a winner for tomorrows blog.

C.Q.

Meet me on Monday...

Well Monday has rolled around again which means its time for Meet me on Monday hosted by Java over at Never Growing Old.  I do look forward to this every week!!



This weeks Questions:
1. What is your favorite way to eat potatoes?
2. What was the last package that was delivered to your house?
3. What is your favorite scent that you love to smell?
4. Do you smoke?
5. Are your parents married or divorced?

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1. What is your favorite way to eat potatoes?

I would have to say hash browns, but not just any hash browns.  When I was younger a friend was a waitress and I would stop to pick her up on my way back to our apartment, I was usually there before she was done and the cook got to know me so he would always have a plate of hash browns with cheese, guacamole and sour cream, they were amazing and I am sure my arteries are very glad I haven't had them in about 25 years, but I still think about them and it makes my mouth water!


2. What was the last package that was delivered to your house?

Two shirts and a fancy sweatshirt I ordered for my up coming vacations this year, I am a little obsessive when I plan trips.

3. What is your favorite scent that you love to smell?

I love the smell of flowers, especially peonies, this one is a picture of one from my garden last year, I can't wait for spring!!

4. Do you smoke?

Not since 12/24/2007 (can't believe I found this picture, its an actual ornament and you can find it and a ton of really funny stuff at Trailer Park Christmas ~ I spent about an hour there chuckling and planning for this year.)

5. Are your parents married or divorced?

They are both gone now but my dad had been divorced once before he met my mother.  My folks were married for over 45 years.
 
Have a great week everyone and don't foget to enter my $10 Amazon giveaway!!
 
C.Q.

Sunday's media madness...

I have been waiting for a couple of movies that were just released the first of March.  The first one is Faster staring Dwayne Johnson aka: The Rock as a man refered to through the move as Driver.  It's the story of a man released from prison who goes after the men responsible for his brothers death.  The film also stars Billy Bob Thornton as the cop assigned to capture Driver.  As the story progresses you learn more and more about each character, slowly revealing the full story behind the death of Drivers brother.  Thrown in the mix is an assassin sent to kill Driver before he gets to his last victim played by Oliver Jackson-Cohen.  This movie is high on the list of must sees for anyone that enjoys the sheer adrenaline rush of watching fast cars and things that blow up, and for that, you can count me in!  I was able to find Faster for the lowest price at Amazon for $14.99 plus $2.98 shipping if you are under the $25 minimum for free shipping.  The Blu Ray copy was the lowest at Amazon also for $19.99 plus the $2.98 shipping.

The next one is Burlesque staring Cher as Tess, a Burlesque theater owner struggling to stay afloat, enter Christina Aguilera as Ali the small town girl looking to make it big.  Ali starts in the club as an actress and works her way up to the stage and soon becomes the star of the show.  This movie didn't receive high marks from the critics but I think the music and the costumes will more than make up for what may be lacking in a rather predictable story line.  I was able to find the DVD version Burlesque for the lowest price at Amazon for $16.99 plus $2.98 shipping if you are under the $25.00 minimum.  The Blu Ray copy was also the lowest at Amazon for $19.99 plus the $2.98 shipping.

So there you have it, the two movies I have been waiting moths for that couldn't be more different than night and day.  Have you seen either of them?  If so I would love to know what you thought of them.

Have a fantastic day and remember to enter my giveaway that ends this coming Friday.

C.Q.

Friday's freebie...

Well its here, today is my Birthday (old enough, thats how old) so today's freebie is a link to the Spoofee site that lists a ton of places you can get fun free stuff for your birthday.  Oh ya, and a contest to give away a present to one of my readers.  Lets see, how about a $10.00 Amazon Gift certificate emailed to the winner?  If it sounds good here are the ways to enter:

1) Everyone who is following me on Google friends is automatically entered once.

2) Leave me a comment with the best birthday gift you ever got for two entries.

3) Follow me on Facebook for three entries.

4) Solve the word puzzle and send me a private message at CouponQueensThrone@Gmail.com with the answer.  There are three different hints, one on my twitter feed, one at Facebook and this one: Its a bird, its a plane, no its a FISH, the one word answer is worth four entries.

5) Upload a picture of your oldest expired coupon to the Living on Less Facebook page for five entries.
 
The winner will be announced in next Friday's blog, best of luck to everyone!!
 
I hope you all have a fun day!
 
C.Q.