Real Life Deals

If you a.re looking for a gluten free pizza dough alternative, here’s a great option.

Today’s Money Saving Idea: Know when to buy

I recently read a book called Living Rich By Spending Smart. It had a comment that I really liked…. “Don’t buy things when you need them. Buy when it’s on sale.”

That’s how I try to shop. “Buy” the hair color when its less than $1.00. That way I won’t have to pay $6.99 when I ‘need’ it and don’t have a sale.

Not planning to use Hunts tomatos this week? No problem. When they go on sale at Kroger – stock up! That way when I want to make a big pot of chili, I won’t have to pay .99 or more for the same can.

Got an idea to save money that doesn’t involve a coupon? I’d love to hear!

The Speed Art MuseumTo Participate in Art Museum Day
Offering Free Admission on Saturday, May 19, 2012

Louisville, Kentucky, The Speed Art Museum announced today that it will offer free admission to Museum exhibitions, events, and Art Sparks Interactive Gallery on Saturday, May 19 as part of International Museum Day.

My family visited last year and absolutely loved it. Read about our visit here.

Yesterday I vacuumed out our van.

This has been on my to-do list for weeks so I am thrilled to get that done.

Are you still getting things done or have you settled in to just ‘getting through the day mode’?

If you live in Danville, remember that you don’t have to pay to vacuum your car - just know where it’s free!

We love our yard – the trees, shrubs and flowers. But sometimes it’s a little intimidating to know when to prune, transplant or how to care for the growing things in your yard.

Basically, now is NOT the time to do much pruning of shrubs, bushes or trees.

When to prune shrubs:
I’ve heard that it’s always best to prune your shrubs is in the months ending with an R. September, October, November, December. By trimming during these months you will not have to worry about cutting off fruit buds. This makes sense, but I’m no expert.

Should you cut back your Butterfly Bush
We have a huge butterfly bush. Some experts think you should cut it back to about 8-10 inches every fall. I have to admit that it is hard to cut back a huge flowering bush. I did actually cut it back one fall and it grew back even larger and with more flowers than it had before. So I’m a believer in trimming it back.

From the experts: We suggest cutting butterfly bushes back to about 4 feet high for the winter (so that heavy winter snow won’t crush the bush to the ground). And don’t cut the butterfly bushes back too early; November is our recommendation.

When should I give up on a tree and cut it down?
When your tree looks like ours in the backyard, it’s probalby time to cut it down. A few years ago it was hit by some kind of blight and has never recovered. Since less than half of the maple tree has green, I think it’s time to give up on this one.

So whether you live in Texas and need to contact the folks at www.centraltexastreecare.com or decide to get out and do the work yourself in Kentucky, at least now you’ll have some resources and tips for taking care of the trees and shrubs in your yard.

Mango Peach Smoothie

Just a great example of how any fruit can make an amazing smoothie! This is a great way to get fresh (or frozen) fruits past your kids! I usually forget to add a juice when I make a smoothie. But that will make it so much smoother and tastier! Thanks Kristen for this great step by step tutorial on making smoothies!

Just click on the picture to see how it’s done!

Got a Kitchen Cabinet Recipe you want to share? Just send it to me and we’ll get you posted!

Subscribe to Women Living Well’s email and you will receive her daily posts in your email inbox.
At the bottom of each post, there will be a link to this ebook – simply click on it to open it!

Here’s what the eBook includes:

Is the Proverbs 31 Woman For Real?
How to be Treasure to Your Husband
Does Your Husband Trust You?
A Woman of Action
Working With Eager Hands
Shop to the Glory of God
The Proverbs 31 Woman Rises Very Early
Do You Have a Dream?
Vigorously Clean Your Home & Get a Bonus Workout
Burning the Midnight Oil
Mundane Tasks Are a Hidden Treasure
P.S. Your Hands Are Beautiful
Are You Prepared for the Weather Changes?
The Proverbs 31 Woman is Classy
Help Your Husband be a Man of Influence
Pursuing Excellence
Let Me Help You Pick Out Your Clothes
Putting Order on Your Tongue
Managing Our Time, Family and Home
What Do Your Children Think of You?
Be the Woman Your Man Needs
The Proverbs 31 Woman’s Beauty Secret
Pity or Praise the Proverbs 31 Woman?

Thanks Sonya!

Kindle Daily Deal, May 13

Today only, 20 books that were made into films are just 0.99 each. With adaptations ranging in genres from horror and sci-fi to a heart-warming sports film and an Emmy-winning television movie, this selection offers a compelling variety of cinematic reading.

Click here for the 20 Books on the Kindle Daily Deal.

The Civil War Fort at Boonesboro will be having a Civil War Living History event on Saturday, May 19, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 1240 Ford Rd. in Winchester. Free Admission. The event features the 12th United States Colored Heavy Artillery reactivated with cannon fire on the hour, numerous re-enactors and demonstrators. Park at the former Banana’s restaurant on Ford Rd, shuttle transportation is available to and from the site. For more information call: (800) 298-9105

More information here.

Thanks Kayelynn!

When we moved into our house 6 years ago we realized we needed to eventually replace the existing windows. So about 3 years ago we made the investment and replaced them with new double paned windows. We have been so glad to make that improvement. However sometimes its just not the right time to plan that big of a home renovation project.

So what are some ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home without installing new windows?

I have heard and seen some people cover their drafty windows with aluminum foil, but I personally want a little more subtle way to save.

Seal any leaks
A tube of caulking is much cheaper than installing all new windows. So check to see if you have air escaping through any cracks around the edges. Some experts suggest using a stick of incense to see if the air is flowing through the cracks.

Close the blinds or curtains
When the sun is beating down on your back porch, then it makes sense to close the windows or blinds to block some of that heat.

Check with your friends
If you end up needing only 1 or 2 windows because one of yours has been broken, check with your friends and neighbors. Sometimes people have extra windows sitting around in a garage that might save you some money and buy you some time.

When you are ready to make a purchase of new windows, check with your friends and get recommendations for the company they suggest. That’s how we found the company to do our replacement windows. Then make sure you ask the company if they give referral credit to that friend. My friend got a $50 surprise gift just because I told them that she referred me to them.

For more information about new windows, you can check out www.windowestore.com/