Sunday's media madness...

I didn't get to see many children's movies as a kid and as a result I love watching them as an adult.  My latest joy came from the age old romance story told by Shakespeare so many years ago and re-told now by Disney; Gnomeo & Juliet.  This story is great for both adults and kids, as adults we all know the tragic story of Romeo and Juliet, but as seen through the eyes of Disney and Elton John this story takes on a new life.  Amazon says: "Lured out of their respective gardens by wanderlust and an exotic orchid, Gnomeo (James McAvoy) and Juliet (Emily Blunt) meet and instantly fall in love. Their forbidden love blossoms with a little help from a plastic pink flamingo named Featherstone (Jim Cummings), and soon life-threatening lawnmower races ensue, an epic battle is staged, and wisteria trees and gnome hats are hacked to bits in the process. Shakespeare himself (Patrick Stewart) makes an appearance and declares that, while this story bears a marked resemblance to one of his own, he's not sure it will end in quite the same way."  Some of the other great voice over talent includes Michael Kane, Dolly Parton, Hulk Hogan, Jason Statham, Ozzy Osbourne and Dame Maggie Smith.  Despite the fact that this story has been told thousand of times in as many different ways over the centuries this was a fun way to spend a little bit of time and get lost in an animated backyard.  I found a new copy of the DVD at Amazon for $15.99 with free shipping if you are a Prime member or place an order over $25.00.  The 3D version is available at Glyde for $21.00 plus $4.09 for shipping and handling and the Blu-Ray version is on sale at Amazon for $19.99 again, with free shipping for Prim members or orders over $25.00.

I hope you all have a great Fathers day.

C.Q.

Saturday's Sojourn...

Saving along the way



Today I decided to look at vacations a little differently at let you in on some money saving ideas that will make it easier to go on a vacation with your family.

The first thing to tackle is the getting there. If you are driving make sure your car is tuned up and your tires are inflated properly, this is a huge gas saver. Also, you can check eBay auctions and gift cards sites like ABC Gift Cards for gas gift cards, there is usually a very small savings on these but any savings is good. If you are flying then make sure you check all the sites for the lowest fares, including the airline directly. Kayak, Cheap flights and Booking Buddy are great places to get deals. Most importantly, remember to include all your expenses in your calculations, here's what I mean; I am going to Chicago with some friends in a couple months and we thought about driving, the cost of gas from here to there is about $215.00 according to the AAA fuel cost calculator, plus the additional expense of parking at over $40 per day for 6 nights ($240) made the driving cost about $465.00. Our local airport ran a special offering one way tickets, non stop to Chicago for $99.00, so flying cost us a little less than driving and we don't have to worry about a car. Almost everything is with in walking distance to where we are staying so our transportation in the city is almost nil.  Also, be sure to check eBay for drink vouchers and airline gift cards, these can increase your savings even further.

The next huge expense is the hotel.  For our vacation I found a great deal right in the city using SniqueAway.  They offer 4 and 5 star hotels at very discounted rates.  This vacation will be my first time using them but the reviews on TripAdvisor are all favorable.  Another great option is Hotels.com, sometimes you can find rooms they want to book closer to your arrival date.  Remember to join the hotels guest rewards program if they have one as well, this may not earn you a free nights stay unless you visit a lot, but it will almost always get you free internet service in your room.  If you are a member of AAA be sure to ask when checking in or making your reservation is you get a discount with your card.

Once you have arrived its time to have some fun, one of the best things I have found to do is see if there is an Entertainment book for the area you will be visiting, these are filled with discounts and can save you hundreds.  Also be sure to check in with at the Tourist Information area, most every place has them, from big cities to little towns and they can be a source for some great coupons and information on specials in the area.  If you have a general working idea of the area you are going to visit then you can shop ahead at Restraunt.com for some great discounted meals, just be sure to read the small print, some require a purchase of a certain amount and others may expire.  You can also check on eBay and places like Gift Card Rescue for discounted gift cards, just make sure you don't get a card larger than you can use or it will go to waste.  If you are headed to a larger city be sure to check out CityPass, they offer a discounted price for all the largest attractions in the area.  I have also found that doing a simple Google search on Tourist Discounts for ______ will net you some pretty amazing results.

Do you have a money saving tip? I would love to hear about it.

Have a great weekend! 

C.Q.

Friday's freebie...

Summer is great and getting out in the sun is so worth the wait of winter, but with how dangerous it is it's important to remember your sun screen.  You can get a free sample of Avon's new Anew Solar Advance Solar Sunscreen that combines a 45 SPF with their great Anti-aging product. Just fill in your address information and they will get it sent out to you. 

I hope you are having a wonderful Friday.

C.Q.

Thursdays picture perfect deal...

The picture...

I took this picture last Spring on Lake Superior, this ship is the Isoloda, one of Polsteam's fleet of ships. The five vessels, the Irma, Iryda, Isa, Isadora and Isolda are all bulk carriers, 34,600 tons, 365 feet in length, and were built in Japan in 1999 - 2000. These ships will take passengers to Europe in private cabins, but you better know some Polish since the officers and crew and food are Polish and depending n your destination, the trip can be long.

The deal...

Save 20% on your entire purchase at Dress Barn with their coupon, just print it off and present it at checkout.  If you have a Dress Barn credit card you will save 25% off your total.  To use the coupon on line enter code ESUM20 for the 20% off or ESUM25 if you have the Dress Barn card.  The coupon expires 6/19/2011.

Hope you are all having a nice week.

C.Q.

Wednesday's learn and earn...

~WORD OF THE DAY~

samara \SAM-uh-ruh\ ~ noun

DEFINITION: a dry indehiscent usually one-seeded winged fruit (as of an ash or elm tree)

EXAMPLES: Pairs of samaras grew along the maple tree's branches.

"The samara looks much like a tiny green round ravioli, or those dots of explosive caps for toy guns of the past. These are the fruit of the elm tree, with the seed forming a reddish bump in the middle." -- From an article by Marilyn Sallee, posted February 22nd, 2011, on the Native Plant Society of Texas web site

DID YOU KNOW? Not familiar with the term "samara" referring to the winged fruit of the elm, ash, maple, and sycamore, among other trees? Then how about "key," "whirlybird," "helicopter," "whirligig," or "spinning jenny"? Those nicknames are all excellent descriptors of a samara. A samara resembles a key and when it falls its unique shape enables it to spin like a helicopter's rotor and drift away from its tree. Botanists began using the term "samara" in the late 16th century. In Latin, it means literally "seed of the elm."

~THE REBATE~

Its grilling season and from now until December 31, 2012 if you purchase a Blue Rhino propane tank, either with our without an exchange you can get $3.00 back.  To recieve the rebate just print out the form and mail it together with your original recipet and the original proof of purchase.  There is only one rebate allowed per household per calander year.

I hope you are all having a nice week so far.

C.Q.

Tastefully Tuesday...

I love Southern cooking and one of my all time favorites is Chicken Fried Chicken.  I found a great recipe at AllRecipes that is super easy.




Chicken Fried Chicken

30 saltine crackers

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons dry potato flakes

1 teaspoon seasoned salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 egg

1/4 cup vegetable oil

6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

Place crackers in a large resealable plastic bag; seal bag and crush crackers until they are coarse crumbs. Add flour, potato flakes, seasoned salt, and pepper to bag and mix well.  Beat egg in a shallow dish or bowl; heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. One by one, dredge chicken pieces in egg, then place in bag with crumb mixture, seal bag and shake to coat. Reduce heat to medium and cook coated chicken in skillet for 15 to 20 minutes, turning frequently, until golden brown and juices run clear.

$1.00 off any one Arrowhead Mills Product including flour

$0.75 off any three Idahoan Potatoes (the print coupon button is at the top of the page)

$1.00 off one Zoye 100% Soybean Oil

$1.00 off any one Pilgrim's Pride chicken

Today's no cook idea is from Cici's.  Today is the last day to print and use the kids eat free coupon and is good with the purchase of one adult Buffet.

Hope you are all having a great week!

C.Q

Meet Me On Monday...

Monday again....already!  I swear the weekends go faster when its warm out!  Time to meet up with Java over at Never Growing Old for the Meet Me On Monday blog hop, one of the best things about a Monday.






Here are today's questions:

1. What is your favorite yogurt flavor?
2. Ankle or knee socks? and on the same theme, white socks or coloured??
3. How is the weather right now?
4. Are you a fast typer?
5. Red or White Wine?
------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. What is your favorite yogurt flavor?

Lately I have been enjoying just vanilla and putting granola in it for crunch.

2. Ankle or knee socks? and on the same theme, white socks or coloured??

I adore colored ankle socks and even have fun holiday socks for special days.

3. How is the weather right now?

A beautiful sunny day with a light breeze, great day to get out.

4. Are you a fast typer?

I can be, it depends on the keyboard.  The one in my office sticks sometimes so I have to slowdown to check it.

5. Red or White Wine?

Red wine gives me migraines, I love it but it doesn't love me back, so my favorite is sparkling white wine.

I hope everyone is having a great start to their week so far.

C.Q.