I have been trying to stay on top of this challenge to reduce clutter by getting rid of 7 things each day except on weekends - gotta take a break sometime.  Last week I took an old changing table that had been in the garage for over a year to the Salvation Army.  I also found things to get rid of each day and then took most of it to Goodwill.  Some of it just needed to be recycled or thrown away.  

I am participating in Money Saving Mom's Clutter-busting Challenge.  You can link up your posts at Money Saving Mom or comment here.  I would love to hear about your clutter-busting accomplishments.  

Here are some pictures of things I got rid of last week.  

I found a few things in the kitchen to get rid of.  I need to find more, the kitchen is way too cluttered.  

An old worn out puzzle, a shirt that is too tight and unless I got awesome abs, I would never wear again, some baby stuff that we didn't even use when we had an infant

Two printed bib pieces that I will never use to make bibs, some old clothes, and a train car that does not go to any of our train tracks

Some old magazines, two empty bottles that were in my medicine cabinet, a few toys and books

We've been so busy and eating really simple meals.  Also grilling a lot since it is finally warm.  What about you?  What is on your menu plan?  

Monday:  Dinner at friends 
Tuesday:  Grilled brats and hot dogs, Hot German potato salad, spinach with garlic chips, lemon cake
Wednesday:  Shrimp Risotto, Tomato Caprese Salad
Thursday:  Lazy Cabbage roll casserole, buttered green beans
Friday:  Chicken tenders, french fries, butter beans
Saturday:  takeout pizza
Sunday:  Tomato soup, grilled cheese 

There are two promotions going on at Abe's Market and you can stack them and use them both on the same order.  You can combine free shipping and 20% off your order of natural products from Abe's Market.  

1. Click through the Free Shipping link. This will take you to a page with all Abe's Market product categories on it, and it will say that you'll be prompted for a pledge at checkout. 

2. Add products to your cart, then proceed to checkout.

3. You'll see a list of items in your cart, and on the left, a field where you can enter a coupon code. Enter SPRING20 and click apply. If you do not have an account with Abe's Market, you will be prompted to create an account. After your account is created, use the shopping cart link on the top right of the page, or on the lower left side of the page, to return to your shopping cart in order to continue checkout.

4. After you've entered the coupon code (created an account if necessary), continue the checkout process. The next step will be the page prompting you to make a pledge for free shipping. Make your pledge, and then continue on. Voila, 20% off and free shipping!

Happy Shopping and Saving!

Disclosure:  The links in this post are my affiliate links.  

I love Hanna Andersson and Zulily prices.  Come shop with me at zulily!  They have new things every day—it's like a treasure chest of cute stuff.  Membership is free and I think you'll really like it.

Disclosure:  The links in this post are referral links.

The boys and I made some personalized tea towels for gifts and had a lot fun in the process.  Actually, Daddy helped too.  He was the Transformers expert.  My five year old really got into it, creating Transformers designs.  I would love to take credit for this idea, but I saw it on a favorite blog, I Can Teach my Child.

To make these towels, you can purchase finished kitchen towels and attach the handmade design or make homemade towels.  I made homemade towels since I had lots of fabric on hand.  

Supplies needed:
Tea towels or fabric to make towels
Cotton fabric for artistic design
T-shirt (fabric markers)
Pinking shears
sewing machine

I bought two natural colored fat quarters and cut them each into 4 sections with pinking shears.  I needed 7 pieces of fabric for the boys to color.  I used pinking shears to help prevent raveling.  

The boys had a lot of fun coloring the fabric pieces.  Make sure to use t-shirt (fabric) markers so that the drawing will not wash out of the fabric.  

I used one of my towels as a pattern and cut the new towels out with pinking shears.  

I folded the edges over once and hemmed them.  I figured by cutting the fabric with pinking shears, I would reduce raveling so I didn't turn the edges under.  If you have time, I would turn the edges under.  

I pinned the artwork fabric to the tea towel and sewed it in place with a simple straight stitch.

This was easy and delicious.  The boys had second helpings which is unusual for our 5 and 3 year olds.  They loved it.  This will be one of our busy weeknight go-to meals.  

Ingredients:
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 red, yellow, or green bell pepper
2 T Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp dried thyme 
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp salt
28 oz can diced or crushed tomatoes
6 cups coarsly shredded cabbage, (1 small head)
1/2 cup uncooked rice

Instructions:
1.  Brown beef, onion, green pepper, worcestershire, thyme, garlic, and salt in skillet over medium heat.

2.  Stir in tomatoes and uncooked rice and heat until bubbling.  

3.  Place cabbage in slow cooker and pour meat mixture on top.  Cook on low 6-8 hours or high 4-6 hours.  

Adapted from Spark Recipes.

My wonderful husband and my three sweet boys planned a special surprise for me this morning.  First, my husband let me sleep in, while he got up with the kids.  (Thanks honey!)  When they were ready for me, my husband led me into the kitchen and had me sit at the end of the table where I could not see into the kitchen.  Then he cued my oldest to come out from hiding in the kitchen by announcing "one green and speckled frog".  My oldest brought me this gorgeous bouquet picked fresh from the yard.  Next he cued our middle child by announcing "two green and speckled frogs" and I was presented with a beautiful homemade card signed by each child and my husband.  I don't know how my husband got our 22 month old to wait behind the counter for so long, but he did.  He was announced "three green and speckled frogs" and excitedly brought me a box of chocolates from our favorite candy store, Fannie Mae.  The boys had such fun planning the big surprise.  

We had breakfast, sampled some candy, went to church and enjoyed a fun Mother's Day.  Then my husband took the boys out to play for the afternoon and I had the house to myself.  It was wonderful.  I clipped coupons, wrote out the grocery list, did some laundry and cleaning and enjoyed the peace and quiet.  How did you spend Mother's Day?  I would love to hear.  

Get a free Nescafe Taster’s Choice sample.  These are great for making Easy Frozen Coffee Frappe Drinks.  


Thanks Money Saving Mom.

This week is teacher appreciation week.  Parents at my oldest son's preschool have organized something for each day.  Today we brought in food for the teachers.  I made homemade tortilla chips and guacamole.  Tomorrow, everyone is supposed to bring in a small gift that the teachers will enjoy over summer vacation.  I completely forgot to pick something up today and started trying to think how we could manage to stop in the morning and still get to school on time.  Then I realized that I could probably come up with something suitable that we already had.  I found some coffee samples (we don't drink coffee) and individually wrapped specialty tea bags.  I decided this could work.  What says relaxing summer vacation more than coffee and tea?  Maybe alcohol - but we won't go there.  

Now that I had gifts for my son's three amazing teachers, I had to make them look pretty.  I rummaged through my sewing tub and found some scrap fabric and ribbon.  

I trimmed the edges of the fabric with pinking shears, then tied the fabric up around each gift to create these simple little bundles.  I think this is the perfect teacher gift and it is frugal because I did not have to buy anything.  

Chick-fil-A is helping you make today #FreshMade, by creating new menu options that you can feel good about! They are introducing 3 new premium salads and an improved wrap all under 430 calories made with premium ingredients.

Take the are you a "starter"? quiz - Some of us wake up with pep in our step, ready to conquer the world. Others might need a little kick in the behind to inject something new into their lives! Find out if you’re already raring to to go or need a little help getting the good time rolling! 

Do you love Chick-fil-A and can't wait to try their new salads?  Enter to win 2 Chick-fil-A Salad Coupons!  The prize will be sent via FedEx or USPS. No P.O. Boxes please.  

Disclosure:  The assets included within this message were delivered in promotion of the Chick-fil-A release of the Chick-fil-A #FreshMade Blog App.  I am working with Chick-fil-A for this giveaway.