ScribbitScribbitMotherhood in Alaska--how could I make this stuff up? Stories from the Last Frontier as chronicled by the mother of four active children. Stories, recipes, lists, reviews and plenty of humor, 
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Moose Maternity Ward
2008-06-04 10:00:00 The kids came in this weekend reporting that they'd seen a moose and then suddenly they'd seen two moose. Just like that.I'm not really fond of moose--the crab apple pirates--but even I had to admit that baby is kind of cute. In a moosey kind of way.Technorati tags: Anchorage, Alaska , moose, wildlife More About: Wildlife , Ward , Maternity
How to Get Rid of Tapeworms
2008-06-03 10:01:00 And finally, I?ll leave you with a pleasant sort of story that occurred in the car this past week.David has been on a bug-kick lately. As in the last six years. But particularly the past week where he's spent many hours stalking centipedes in the garden. It?s truly disgusting and disturbing, don?t even make me explain the horror of it all. I'm a patient mother but I refuse to let David keep his bugs in the house. I don?t care if they are entombed in an Alcatraz-like Mason jar, those suckers look nasty enough to eat through the glass walls then kill us all in our beds while we sleep.He can keep them in their jar on the back porch, thank you very little. Anyway, Spencer and David were with me in the car talking about their centipedes and the subject turned to worms. Then to tapeworms which they discussed at length. (Ha! That's kind of a pun--tapeworms. At length. Yea, I get my chuckles when I can).At any rate, Spencer then said with all the authority of a mini Jack Hannah... More About: Parenting
June's Write-Away Contest
2008-06-03 10:00:00 I hope you're all looking forward to a lovely summer, I think I'll have to pull out the mower this afternoon and trim up the yard for the first time this season.So for this month's Write -Away Contest topic I'm thinking about summer travel, vacations and lazy days in the hammock. The topic is "Going Places" and once again you can take it literally or figuratively, it just depends on the mood you're in--I love reading the variety of posts you all produce on the same theme.If you'd like to participate here are the rules:1. Write a post or find one in your archives on the topic, "Going Places" and email your post's permalink to me at: scribbit at gmail.com any time through Wednesday June 18th. If you fail to meet the June 18th deadline I will still happily publish your link with the list of entries but it will not be judged. I reserve the right to reject submissions if they fail to meet the topic or if they contain objectionable content.2. Publish a link to the contest page here... More About: Writing
How to Build a Zip Line--Man Style
2008-06-02 10:00:00 What did you do for Memorial Day? We fled town and escaped to my parents? cabin north of Anchorage on the Kashwitna river and camped out for four-day weekend. Well, not exactly ?camped out? because there were no tents involved. Absolutely none.That?s why I like going to the cabin, because it?s not really a cabin but more of a small house with hot showers, electricity and comfortable beds. The kids would spend the whole summer sleeping out under the stars if they had their way but me? I hate being cold and dirty, my idea of roughing it is to have to use a generic brand of shampoo, so going to the cabin is a wonderful way to get away and get outdoors where the kids can get as dirty as they want outside then I can send them to take a shower when they come inside.Yes, I'm a whimp. If I'd been a pioneer they'd have left me for dead by the side of the trail.While we were making plans to go up to the cabin for Memorial Day I gave the men a project to complete: I wanted them to put... More About: Alaska , Style , Line , Build
Mustard Cranberry Glazed Chicken
2008-06-01 10:00:00 June already? Well this is a recipe I've made since I was first married and there are three things I love about it: first, it's so easy that it goes together in about ten minutes, second it smells wonderful cooking and third, everyone likes it so that I never have to worry about grumpy complaints.Lately I've gotten extremely tough against that kind of attitude--one complaint about what's for dinner and the offender is "invited" to spend the rest of the meal up in their bedroom--far away from the food that they find so offensive. I find it looks much more appealing after an hour or two of solitary.But, enough about my heartless childrearing techniques and on with the recipe. There are a lot of fancy mustards out there and most will substitute nicely--next time you're at the grocery store grab one that looks interesting and thrown it in the pot.1 whole chicken1 cup honey1/2 cup cranberry mustard such as Pepperidge Farms4 tablespoons finely chopped onion4 tablespoons butter1 ta... More About: Chicken , Cranberry
TasteBook and Insignia Fitness Triple Giveaway
2008-05-31 10:00:00 I have here today a package for the cook AND a package for the fitness fiend in your life. Or maybe they're the same person--who knows?At any rate, first things first. I've got a really fun item from TasteBook.com, a website that allows you to create your own cook book. You don't have to be a tech genius to figure it out, you simply go to TasteBook.com and register for a free account then you decide which recipes you'd like to include in your personal hardbound cook book.There are several options, you can search through their files supplied by Epicurous--the company that brings you Bon Apetit and Gourmet magazines--and use their recipes, already formatted. Or you can type in your own, complete with your own pictures. Or you can select one of their pre-made sets of recipes on a theme.I heard about TasteBook months ago and was dying to see how it worked, I chose to use my own recipes that I've published here at Scribbit and copied, pasted and uploaded 100 of my favorites stra... More About: Fitness , Insignia , Triple
The Sony Digital Reader and a Growing up Green Giveaway
2008-05-30 10:01:00 In recent headline news folks around here know I'm pretty excited about the Sony Digital Reader I was sent to review. I'd seen these jobbies (that's a word me mum uses--it means "thingamabobs" or "doohickies") over at the bookstore but I thought, "I hate reading books on my Palm so why would I spend money on a digital reader?" I didn't go into the experience with what you'd call an open mind.But I have to say it's pretty slick. I mean slick. First of all I have to point out that Sony's reader is one of the less-expensive models you can buy and though I haven't looked at any of the others out there for comparison with the Sony reader you can load up to 160 books and the filing system has been very comfortable.What I mean is that you can easily flip around between books and bookmarks and places you've been reading with ease which kind of surprised me--I expected it to be harder to navigate, like my Palm. It's not good if you're trying to search for a particular passage... More About: Green , Growing
Someone I'd Like You to Meet: Lizzy from My Ice Cream Diary
2008-05-30 10:00:00 I feel quite confident that should life ever allow this woman's path to cross my own that I'd love being her friend. Why? Well we have quite a bit in common She's married, I'm married; she's got four kids, I've got four kids; she even has hers in the same order as I do (a girl, two boys and a girl).She loves Settlers of Catan as much as I do (to the point of memorializing the game in cupcakes), she loves ice cream and here I've been petitioning to have Ben and Jerry canonized as saints for years now. If for nothing else, the introduction of Caramel Sutra into my life qualifies them for sainthood.Yes, the similarities are spooky--she likes Cheetos with her apple pie, I like Cheetos with my apple pie. Oops, no, strike that. She's on her own with that one.But regardless, since I've started reading Lizzy's blog, My Ice Cream Diary , I've enjoyed her writing and her family and feel quite sure that we'd be good friends if our homes were just closer. (If our homes were clo... More About: Motherhood , Meet
Books That Taught Me to Love Reading
2008-05-29 10:00:00 I noticed I wasn't the only one thinking about my favorite books from the past, Chris from Book-a-Rama had a few of her favorites and Mommysecrets is doing her own series of book lists, but I'm using this list to introduce the Week o' Books (what?) Yes, the Week o' Books--a highly sophisticated name for a highly sophisticated system where I have a stack of books I've been given to review but have been lazy about doing so. Instead, I'm going to mention one each day over the next week then give one away each day.Simple, huh?So here are the books that I wax nostalgic for from my childhood followed by the book I'm giving away. If you'd like a shot at winning please leave a comment on this post before the end of the day and I'll put your name in the pot. If you are posting anonymously or without an email address attached to your profile please either leave me your email so that I can contact you should you win or keep an eye on tomorrow's post because I'll announce each day... More About: Children , Reading , Love
Simple Magic Tricks
2008-05-28 10:01:00 We had a family activity a few weeks ago and Spencer and I treated everyone to some magic tricks. I don?t exactly have a repertoire of them or anything, it was kind of a whim on our part but the tricks were good and we had everyone stumped.So you want to see them? Here?s a video clip of Spencer?s card trick. Can you spot how he does it?Then, Lillian decided that if Spencer could do it, so could she (she's nothing if not confident). Here's her version:My own trick was a little different and I don?t have a video but here?s how it works:I, Michelle the Amazing, have a hat and a piece of paper and pencil for everyone in the room. I ask each person to write a simple sentence on their piece of paper, something along the lines of, ?I drink orange juice? or another easy one.Everyone writes their sentences on their slips of paper and they fold them up. I collect all the folded slips of paper in my hat and say that I will now magically read each person?s question before seeing the pie... More About: Magic , Tricks , Crafts , Simple
I Knit Therefore I Am
2008-05-28 10:00:00 Voila! Here is what I did while we drove around Florida back in March. Both of those front panels represent the time spent on the roads between Miami, Orlando, Titusville and Ft. Myers though I didn't get the sleeves and back done until later--that pattern took me forever to get into my head. She's getting too big for me to knit for now, a size 8 sweater takes a lot more time than those 12 month-sizes she used to wear. I may have to hang up the knitting needles until I have grandkids. Or start knitting doggie sweaters for the neighborhood strays . . .Technorati tags: Wordless Wednesday, knitting, crafts More About: Crafts , Knit
Memorial Day Quilt
2008-05-27 10:00:00 Last year on May 26th my nephew Alex drowned in a lake near his home. Seven years old and profoundly autistic, he was a charming master of escape and even with all the precautions his parents had taken to prevent such a tragedy he slipped away and by the time neighbors and family could locate him it was too late.It was a time our family will always remember and we think of Alex often, especially at family get-togethers where we notice his absence more than ever. For my sister Memorial Day has a special significance in the son she's lost.I haven't written about it until now because there was a lot of misrepresentation in our local media. People who didn't know the family heard incomplete stories in the news and assumed the worst about the care Alex had received--some editorials were quick to judge without having all the facts. I didn't want to be involved in the noise and didn't want to cause more pain for my sister and her family by calling more attention to the things some... More About: Motherhood , Quilt
Forget-Me-Not Nursery in Indian, Alaska
2008-05-26 10:00:00 I have this tradition that started four or five years ago where each spring my mom and I head south to look for some spring seedlings. We're like pilgrims making our annual trip to Plant-Mecca and spring wouldn't be spring without the trip to Indian and Forget-Me-Not Nursery .Indian is a tiny town--maybe just a settlement, it's hard to tell--south of Anchorage along Cook Inlet. The drive down there is part of the prettiest, most scenic, drive in the entire world. I?ve seen pretty before and seriously, the stretch of road from Anchorage to Girdwood on a spring day is about as much beauty as you could expect in one place--just gorgeous. In fact, the trip is only partly about going to get some flowers, it's about enjoying the sunshine and the scenery and basking in the thought of the coming summer.But Mom couldn?t go this year (ironically she can?t go to Indian because she?s in India?ha!) so I got the treat of my sister Melissa to keep me company and we made a morning of it, enjoyi... More About: Alaska , Gardening
World's Best Lemon Bars
2008-05-25 10:00:00 I've always loved lemon bars, my Mom made them all the time, but I've never been completely satisfied with the recipes I've tried over the years.Some are too soft where they don't cut properly, some have too much crust, some are too curdly, you just wouldn't think that a simple thing like a lemon bar could cause so much trouble to create.Well I found Angry Chicken's endorsement for Epicurious' lemon shortbread bar recipe. They, in turn, got it from Seattle's famous 60th Street Desserts so it's got quite a trail but you'll thank me for it because it truly is, as Amy said, the best lemon bar recipe there is.For crust:Nonstick vegetable oil spray2 cups all purpose flour3 tablespoons sugar1/2 teaspoon salt3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces2 large egg yolksFor Lemon Filling:6 large eggs2 cups sugar1/2 cup all purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder1/2 cup fresh lemon juice4 teaspoons finely grated lemon peelFor Streusel Topping:3/4 cup all p... More About: Bars
Starlooks Boutique Giveaway
2008-05-24 10:00:00 You remember Little Red Riding hood?where a little girl?s grandmother makes her a red cloak and hood that she wears everywhere? (Of course you do, why did I even ask?) Well Starlooks Boutique is where Red?s grandma would have gone if she lived today.Starlooks Boutique specializes in children?s clothing and accessories and they have a special line of cloaks called Peri Ponchos that are like Little Red Riding Hood revisited?a hooded poncho that is hipper than ever. The Peri Ponchos come in more than a dozen different colors and patterns and they?re a great thing for evenings when it?s a little chilly or a drizzly day.It's hard to choose but I really like the Retro Circles and Tangerine Twirl-- you see the Bubble Tea pattern pictured above.In addition to the Peri Ponchos Starlooks also has toys, jewelry, accessories, high chair and car seat covers, diaper bags, skin and bath products and clothing for babies and children (I'm particularly taken with the Miko dresses in all their var... More About: Clothing
Random Links for a Random Friday
2008-05-23 10:01:00 I had to pause and post a few of my favorite links I've seen lately--everything from food to crafts to interesting designs. Pause, as we officially head into summer because yesterday was the last day of school.No, wait, I take that back. School ended about two weeks ago and the kids have done nothing (and I mean nothing) but go on field trips, have picnics, watch movies, have parties and clean out their desks since then. Rather irritating really, yesterday I asked Spencer when the last time he'd done any school work was and after a thoughtful pause he said he'd done a couple math sheets on Tuesday but that was it. But today was first day they didn't have to report to the school building. I'll just leave it at that. I won't get into a rant against the public education system. I promise.Anyway, on with the link list . . .If you've ever wondered what to do if a moose dies in your yard (I know you've been lying awake at night worrying about it) wonder no more, because the... More About: Random , Links , Friday
Let's Recap: Apple-Good, Mundo Corp-Bad
2008-05-23 10:00:00 We had a death in the family folks.Yes, my two year-old Gateway laptop--the one that I got for my birthday just as I started blogging, the one that has been with me these two years of posting--died a sad death. I'd used it so much and so hard that I'd worn off the letters on the keyboard then I even wore off the white-out I'd used to mark the letters back on the keys. Like a favorite pair of jeans or a faithful pair of shoes that computer has been at my side through thick and thin. I'm gonna miss you boy.BUT . . . on the bright side it was the excuse I needed to finally get a Macbook ! WOO HOO!So enough of the mourning, I've already moved on and my new Macbook came on Wednesday. Don't look at me like that--it's a tax deduction, right? And to show you that I'm not completely spendy here's how I did it: I bought a refurbished Macbook.I bought it at the online Apple Store, completely rebuilt and like new with a year warranty but at 25% less than a regular Macbook (and we a... More About: Mundo , Recap , Good
Summer Movies I'm Dying to See
2008-05-22 10:00:00 Can you handle another movie post? I don't know what it is but I've been in a movie mood lately, we've seen a couple good ones and it's just whetted my appetite for the summer blockbusters that seem to be bigger and better than ever this year. At least from my humble perspective. I'm just a movie nerd, what can I say?I've already seen Iron Man (loved it) and Prince Caspian has come out (I'd like to see that one too) but here are a few I'll be tempted to pay full price to see. Won't see all of them obviously---that would total something like $16,780 for two tickets--but I'll sure see a lot of them.1. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (May 22, 2008) This one is absolutely number one on the list. It's out today and I've wanted to see this since I first saw Raiders of the Lost Ark when I was 13 years old. That's still on my favorite movie list and I'll watch it over and over. Don't worry, I'm not expecting this fourth installment to be anywhere ne... More About: Movies , Summer , Dying
Make Your Own Bracelets of Power
2008-05-21 10:01:00 You want an activity for boys and girls that will thrill your five year-old as easily as your preteen? Oh I've got the answer for you! Behold, the mighty Bracelets of Power .March yourself down to your local hardware store (Home Depot or Lowes for example) and buy several feet of 1/4 inch and 3/8 inch plastic tubing. It's probably over in the same aisle as the PVC pipe--it's not hard to find neither is it expensive. I bought two large coils of tubing for about $5.Cut a nine-inch length of small tubing. Cut a one-inch segment of big tubing to use as a coupling (be careful not to get the tubing oily or greasy then it won't fit as tightly). Stick the large tube segment on the end of the longer, small tube segment then drop tiny beads or a little bit of glitter inside the bracelet through that larger opening.Once you've got as many beads or as much glitter as you'd like use an eyedropper to fill the tube with water then stick the other small end into the coupler to make a circ... More About: Crafts , Make
Some Room for Dad by Guest Poster Janice at "5 Minutes for Mom"
2008-05-20 10:01:00 Is there anyone who hasn't already heard of 5 Minutes for Mom run by sisters Janice and Susan? I thought not. And I'll tell you a secret--Janice and Susan are just as nice as you'd expect them to be, nice and they produce great content. Today I'm honored to swap blogs with 5 Minutes for Mom and welcome Janice as a guest poster--I'm over at her place typing away about the difficulties that blogging sometimes presents and I'd love to see you there!***I want to be my children?s hero. I want them to adore me. I want to meet all their needs and be the best mom I can possibly be.Where I fail in the ?homemaking? area, (I rarely ever wear an apron, let alone cook any gourmet meals and our kitchen table is usually covered in laptops and paperwork instead of matching placemats and folded napkins,) I try to make up for with my total adoration of my children. I would trade my life for theirs in an instant and I try to live out that love for them.But as a work at home mom, I have chosen... More About: Motherhood , Poster , Room , Guest
May's Write-Away Winner
2008-05-20 10:00:00 Thank you to the 50 writers who sent in entries for May's Write -Away Contest on the topic of "Shoes," thanks to our guest judge Ice Cream Dairy and thank you to Payless ShoeSource for providing such a great prize (that $50 gift certificate plus a pair of their new Friendship Shoes).I had no idea shoes would be such a popular topic, Andrew has been very smug about choosing such a great subject and it'll be hard to top it next month but I'm thinking with every brain cell I own and will do my best to present a theme worthy of your consideration and talents come June 3rd.. . . And the winner is:StoriesFor.Us with Competition in the ClosetI wish I could give you a better introduction to our winner but the truth is, she's a bit of a mystery woman. Two children and one husband, blogging anonymously from an unnamed location, StoriesFor.Us is a new-to-me-blog and I look forward to getting to know her better. Hope she likes shoes . . .Honorable Mentions:Miriam Pauline's Monologue with ... More About: Writing , Winner
How to Make Popsicle Stick Purses
2008-05-19 10:00:00 In one of my Friday night roamings at the bookstore I came across a craft book, Nifty, Thrifty and Kitschy Krafts by Leah Kramer, that had a pattern for popsicle stick purses. The idea was so quirky and unusual (and with my love of handbags being legendary) I knew I had to give it a try.I'm afraid I have to say (but with the utmost humility of course) that I like the design I came up with better than the octagonal fishing creel-looking contraptions from the book.The project was easy enough that it would make a fun kid craft for summer. If you're capable of gluing one popsicle stick on top of another then you can probably handle this project. We're not talking mapping the human genome or designing an artificial heart people, it's just a purse made out of wooden sticks. The hardest part will be eating all those popsicles.Here's what you need:Popsicle sticks, at least 150 of themWood glue such as Elmer'sWood stain and a sponge or brush for applicationA handkerchief for a line... More About: Make , Purses , Stick
Hummus Surprise Soup
2008-05-18 10:00:00 I saw this recipe over at Smitten Kitchen and thought, "Hey, I like hummus!" followed by "I think I'll try this." And the rest is happy hummus history.It's basically hummus in soup form and just like SK claims, the soup is so fast and easy it takes only about 15 minutes to have it on the table and ready to tempt your taste buds.High in fiber, low in fat, high on taste and great with a side of homemade pita it got enthusiastic thumbs up from all six of us. How often do you hear that?I've tweaked the recipe just a little bit so I'm linking to the original but publishing my own version. Mine makes 6-8 servings while the original is a much smaller batch, has a little more heat but less spice.4 14-ounce cans of garbanzo beans (chick peas)3 tablespoons light olive oil3 tablespoons garlic1 teaspoon ground ginger1 tablespoon ground coriander1 tablespoon ground cumin1 14-ounce can chicken broth16 ounces cubed cooked lamb or chicken or beef (optional)1 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon freshly... More About: Soup , Iron Man
Pak Naks and Sow and Grow Triple Giveaway
2008-05-17 10:00:00 I have a triple giveaway today with a couple fun products for kids (always a good thing heading into summer, right?)First there's Pak Naks (which are a little different so hear me out on this one). They're kind of like charms but kind of like trading cards but also kind of like little toys. Vague, huh?Well, more specifically, Pak Naks are these cute little rubbery guys that are backed with super adhesive Velcro so children can stick them anywhere but then switch them around with other Pak Naks via the Velcro.Each Pak Nak comes with a trading card, name and profile (you see samples above) and there are all sorts of characters to choose from.Lillian was sent a flower named Mona, a monkey named Martin and a robot named Robert which she promptly and proudly stuck on her back pack. Well, actually she stuck the flower and monkey on her back pack but gave the robot to her best friend Allison.Pak Naks are made specifically to stick to back packs and tote bags (and so far Lily's have re... More About: Books , Grow , Triple
What Do You Do When Your Child Lies?
2008-05-16 10:00:00 I received an interesting email this week and want to see what your thoughts are on the matter:Hi, this is way off topic but I thought I would ask you for some advice. I just found out that my 12 year-old son forged my signature on a note sent home by his teacher. Then when I found it, he continued to lie about it. As I sit here eating crow and popping anti acids I am clueless as what to do. I've asked to meet with two of his teachers and told him that all TV, video games, and computers are out of bounds for him. But how long can I do that? Any suggestions? I'm desperate. Have your kids done this? Please say yes, I don't want to think that I'm alone on this one. OK, deep breaths and some chocolate and a few hours of sleep should put this in perspective. Right?I'd almost like to say nothing more, but leave this open to comments and see what you have to say but I don't want to cop out on you here. I'll tell you what I said in response but then I want to hear if you've had sim... More About: Motherhood , Child , Lies
Popcornopolis--The Prada of Popcorn
2008-05-15 10:01:00 Since I had a list of Anchorage activities for you today and most of you don't live in Anchorage (poor souls) here's something for you in a wider geographical range.I haven't ever explained how I do product reviews, but if someone writes me with a product they want me to review I'm rather particular. I don't like writing posts that blast a product out of the water--seems a rather cheap shot. So if I can tell that I won't like something I'll turn them down. I'm fine pointing out a product's shortcomings or drawbacks but I'm only going to promote stuff I think has legitimate value--it's only fair to people reading to get honest feedback.So. . . a couple weeks ago I got an email asking me if I'd like to try some samples of gourmet popcorn. I guess I'm a complete hick because I pictured vaguely in the back of my mind a box with packages of wrapped, unpopped, microwave-type popcorn but I was busy that day and said "sure" without much thought then promptly forgot about it.... More About: Prada , Popcorn
Twenty Free Summer Activities for Kids in Anchorage, Alaska
2008-05-15 10:00:00 This has been a popular list the past two summers so, following tradition, I've updated it with current times and locations along with a few new events.I get frequent emails from people new to Anchorage who want to know about activities for kids and this post is my answer. If you're not in Anchorage it might give you ideas for activities in your own community--try putting together a list for your own town. Every parent there will thank you.1. Visit the Loussac Library. Sign up for the 2008 Summer Reading Program "Catching the Reading Bug" where children earn rewards for reading.Some extra events to see (click links for more details):June 13 Beekeepers and BeesJune 26 Alaska n InsectsJune 24-25 Bugs on the Big Screen movies and craftsJuly 1 Creepy CrawliesJuly 8 Don Russell, magicianJuly 15-17 Bugs on the Big Screen 2 movies and craftsJuly 22 Mad Science in Alaska bug expoJuly 29 Megan Holtan, jugglerJoin one of the reading groups at the story theater in the Loussac Library:Moth... More About: Kids , Parenting , Free
A Personalized Family Calendar
2008-05-14 10:00:00 This project is a good thing for children that are a little older to tackle. If you're going to hand this off to your kids then they'll need to at least be able to write legibly though you could make it up yourself and have small children illustrate it for you.So . . . I give you the "On This Date" family calendar. You've seen the items in the newspaper where they will list significant events that happened on whatever day it is? "On this date in 1789 the first Constitutional Convention was held, in 1949 the invasion of Normandy began and in 2002 Sponge Bob Squarepants was born." Or something equally significant.Well make up your own important events calendar for your family, go through your immediate and extended family and collect birthdays, anniversaries, death dates, anything of importance to your family history. Then add to that significant events that may not be listed in your vital records: the first day you met your husband, the first tooth, the first step, when you fo... More About: Family , Crafts , Calendar
Show Them the Back Door: By Guest Poster Meredith from "Like Merchant Ships
More articles from this author:2008-05-13 10:00:00 Today I'm welcoming guest poster Meredith from Like Merchant Ships whose wonderful blog is full of helpful tips and support for frugal, economic living. We're swapping blogs for the day: she's posting here and I'm over at her place posting my own thoughts about creative frugal living . . . come on by and say hi!***Nothing makes me want to splurge more than spring nurseries full of gorgeous green plants! Luckily, it doesn't cost much to spruce up the back door using things we already own. Our back entrance looks so cold and sterile without color. (Speaking of which, why haven't I painted these doors yet?)This fall, I budgeted half an hour for a fast-and-dirty transformation. I bought two mums ($8 total), washed the doormats, swept, and consolidated the half-dead plants from around the house. I moved the cherry tomato from the yard so it could anchor the group of smaller pots. I also angled the grill to break up the straight line of the house. I consolidated the outdoor toys in ... More About: Gardening , Show , Poster , Back 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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