Thursday Thrifty Tip: Bread Outlet Stores

Last Friday my friend Lynda and took our kids on a journey to the local Franz Bread Outlet store located in Everett about 20 minutes away. Folks, I'm not gonna' lie...we got a whole lotta' bread for a only a little hard, cold cash. (Good times, good times.) In addition, we conserved our resources by carpooling to the outlet store which is not only good for the environment, but your pocket book.

For $15.56 I got a month's worth (or more) of bread products. My tab included: 6 loaves of whole wheat bread, 2 packages of whole wheat English muffins, 2 packages of whole wheat hamburger buns, 3 bags of whole wheat mini-bagels, 1 loaf of garlic French bread, and 1 package of Little Debbie Brownie sticks (Fiona's idea...I swear!). Buying these whole wheat types of bread at a regular store would have easily cost me about $4 a loaf. The bottom line...utilizing an outlet can really save your family's grocery bill during the month.

So you're probably wondering...where in the world are you going to put all that bread? Easy, store it in the freezer! My parents taught me early on in life to put extra bread in the freezer so as to "stop the molding/aging process". Simply take out the bread when you need a loaf and leave the rest in the freezer. Granted... space can be limited if you only have a a freezer as part of your refrigerator, but be creative. Personally at the Little Blue Bungalow we had just made some space after I cooked up the extra 17 pound turkey that I bought during the Thanksgiving season for a mere four dollars and 24 cents. Turkey at that price is great during any season, trust me.

For other great Thursday Thrifty Tip ideas make sure to check out my fellow friend's blogs: Tracy, Genny, Anisa, and Crystal.

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Wordless Wednesday

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Saturday Work Day

Saturday proved to be a good old fashioned "work day" for our family. I know many of you snow-bound folks are missing green grass and have even asked to "camp in our back yard". (Nice.) So for my frozen tundra friends, a few pictures of our work day in the sunny, 55 degree weather.

Drew worked on glazing the main front window on the Little Blue Bungalow and I pruned some trees and tied back my raspberries while the kids ran wild in the mud. All in all, a productive day in our own back yard.

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Gardening 101: Starting Seeds

Yes, folks it is that time of year again...gardening season. (Hallelujah!) The weather has been excellent (in the 50's) the past few days so I've joyfully filled my afternoons with my hands in the dirt and working on outdoor projects. (I'm smiling just typing it!)

A couple of weeks ago I fielded some very specific gardening questions from a dear friend back in Wisconsin. I was delighted to share with Jill some of my own secrets and success with seed starting. Her question is one I often get from new gardeners so I thought I pass on our question and answer session.

Jill wrote:

Gardening...I know you're really good at gardening so you're the perfect person for me to turn to. I am very inexperienced at gardening, but this year I want to expand my garden. I want to start some of my seeds indoors this year so I can get produce faster. Last year I didn't get any lettuce or squash. I planted each twice, and got nothing. Well, I sort of got 1 squash, but it froze outside before it could grow big and ripen.

Your thrifty Thursday tips got me thinking. Can I use an egg carton, filled with dirt, to start my seeds? Is it too small? Which seeds should I start indoors? I want to plant tomatoes, squash, green beans, romaine lettuce, and maybe peas. I think that's it for this year. I'd like to get lots of green beans so I can freeze some for the winter.

My Response:

Good for you for thinking early! Yes, egg cartons would be perfect for starting seeds and even used pizza boxes will do the trick. Tomatoes and squash should be transferred out of the egg carton after they establish a decent root system (when the plant is about 3 inches tall) since you'll want to plant a bigger plant and not a "start" especially in your zone (short growing season).

Since the egg cartons are small I wouldn't put more than 2 seeds in each carton hole. As they grow you can pull the smaller one out called 'thinning'. Keep the seed starts in a warm moist spot with lots of light. Sometimes a warm back porch, kitchen window, or laundry room are a great spot to keep them out of the way.

I never planted anything until after May 1st in your zone outside (late February/early March in the Seattle area), but you could easily get your seedlings started a month before. Tomatoes and squash possibly 6 weeks ahead since they have a larger growing season. Good luck and please ask any questions you want...I love answering.

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Reader's Note: Do you have a question about gardening? I'd love to answer my perspective and my advice about gardening from the Little Blue Bungalow.

Thursday Thrifty Tip: Invest in Your Kids

I apologize in advance for my lack of "real" writing depth this week. I didn't want to think I had forgotten you, my faithful readers. Honestly, I'm just in an adjustment mode. I am defining my role in the working world (part-time that is...) and continuing to be the best mom and wife I can be. I am being refined.

It is a new balance, but a good one. I was often told how "amazing" I was to be able to handle being a full-time "stay at home mommy" for four years. However, my hats are off to the ladies that work all day and then come home to get supper on the table, kids bathed, spend some quality time with the kids AND then get all the other regular household duties done on top of a 40+ work week. Whew! You totally "AMAZE" me.

Raising kids is one of the most difficult, but rewarding aspects of my life. I can't imagine my life WITHOUT them and truly...I don't remember what my life was like BEFORE them. Anyway...today's Thursday Thrifty Tip is going to be a stretch, but invest in your kids lives.

By investing I'm not saying to start them on their own 401K when they are two months old. No. I mean...take the time to get to know them, "really" know them. Give your kids your attention, praise them, hug them, make special treats for them, kiss their boo-boo's, pray for their future, and love them unconditionally even when they make mistakes. Making your children's lives "rich" in experiences and love is the best investment on their future livelihood and yields great "return" on your heart. Our children has and will continue to be one of the Drew and I's biggest riches in our lifetime.

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Reader's Note: For other great Thursday Thrifty Tips don't forget to read the following blogs: Tracy, Genny, Anisa and Crystal.

Wordless Wednesday Archive

Giraffe feeding 08/01/07.

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Dog Tired

This picture sums up how I feel tonight...deep-down, brain exhausted, feet aching TIRED. Whew! (Can I get an amen in the back?) Starting a new job after four years of being "mom", volunteering for the YMCA's Invest in Youth campaign and normal day-to-day mom, wife and ministry duties have me stretched this week. My bed and pink striped pj's have never sounded so inviting...

So long, fare well. Good night.

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Valentine's Day = Snow Shoeing?

I know most of my readers would be shocked to learn that my husband and I don't celebrate Valentine's Day. (Gasp!) OK...really take a deep breathe. I can certainly attest that we are totally in love after almost eleven years of marriage, but we just "choose" not to celebrate this "Hallmark holiday". Instead, we try to focus on celebrating our love daily in various ways.

However, when Drew's mom told us that she wanted to take the kids so we could enjoy Valentine's Day we didn't hesitate for a minute. (OK, not even a second.) We had been eager to try out snow shoeing and this was our "golden" opportunity.

So...as our friends and family were enjoying great movies, meals, flowers and chocolate we drove up to Stevens Pass to met our guide for the Snow Shoe Trek with a Ranger Program. (So Pacific Northwest...I know...I know...stop thinking it.)

The three-hour program was led by Forest Service ranger, Nan, who began the program with a historic slide show of the area including the 1920 Wellington avalanche disaster. From there, we strapped on our snow shoes for a mile trek on the Pacific Crest Trail stopping along the way for historic and ecology lessons.

Honestly, it was a blissful experience and a great memory for me to share with my my honey on Valentine's Day. The snow level at Stevens Pass was currently around six feet making it so fascinating to hike this trail. This new "height" advantage gave us the opportunity to see the forest in a new light and enjoy a snowy Saturday afternoon together as a couple.

Since this was such a great experience for us I wanted to make sure to pass on this information to my local blogging readers whom might be interested in a snow shoeing adventure. The Snow Shoe Trek with a Ranger program runs each Saturday and Sunday, once a day at noon through March 29th. Reservations are encouraged, just call the Skykomish Ranger Station, Wednesday - Friday 8 AM-4:30 PM, 360-677-2414. The meeting place is at the Forest Service Guard Station, in Stevens Pass Ski Area Parking Lot A, on the south side of Hwy 2. A $10 per person donation is suggested to help defray program costs and believe me is worth every penny!

I'm sure this won't be the last time you see us with snow shoes in hand...it was a experience worth repeating!

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Thursday Thrifty Tip: Using Recycled Inkjet Cartridges

Personal computers and the gadgetry that goes along with them can easily be considered "a necessity" in every one's home today. That is especially true at the Little Blue Bungalow where a very technical man, Mr. Drew Britten, resides. With this gadgetry often comes the need for extra money. I was always taken aback and literally groaning when the printer announced it was out of ink. I knew instantly that purchasing new inkjet cartridges were going to "set us back" for the month.

However, my attitude has changed after my hubby introduced me to this amazing company, InkSmile. At the site you can purchase inkjet and toner cartridges for a fraction of the regular cost and without shipping costs or tax. ($$ signs!)

Not only is the company saving you money on their products, InkSmile also has a recycling program called Empties4Cash. Empties4Cash encourages schools, business, and private residencies to reduce the impact on our environment by recycling a multitude of cartridges in exchange for cash. Empties4Cash even provides free shipping labels and PAYS you for each returned cartridge anywhere from $.50 to $4 depending on the type. Hello...they are paying you to recycle your garbage! (Can it get any better than this?)

We currently are saving our cartridges to send to Empties4Cash. (A minimum of 15-20 ink cartridges need to be returned per box.) The check may be only $7-10 in the end, but saving pennies or in this case dollars is worth it in the long haul in saving money and our environment.

If you are looking for other great tips and ideas in stretching your budget make sure to view my Thursday Thrifty Tip crew at the following blogs: Tracy, Genny, Anisa, and Crystal.

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Wordless Wednesday (Late)

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Simple Pleasures

We don't have cable, we don't own a gaming system and we don't have toys streaming out of our kids room at the Little Blue Bungalow. Behind the times you may ask? Not really. (If you ask my hubby and I.) Instead we are very intentional about the time we give our kids. What we do provide as parents are lots of one-on-one attention, real-life learning experiences, and exploration of the world around us.

So...when I find my kids simply watching pizza bake in the oven like it is the best Super Bowl ever. (Seriously.) I have to stand back and evaluate the situation.

Are they that bored? Is there a joke I missed here? Or are they just enjoying the simple pleasures of life...anticipation of a good lunch?

I prefer the latter. Maybe we should all just slow down and watch pizza bake...waiting on the simple pleasures of life.

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Have you read?

My post about the Invest in Youth Campaign? Click here to see my YMCA story.

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

"When Mom is away..."

...the kids will play.

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Invest in Youth Campaign 2009

Our family LOVES the YMCA. I honestly could write a book about what the YMCA has done for our family. But beyond just my family, there are hundreds more stories that could be shared. I personally want the best community we can have for my town, neighbors, friends and more importantly my family. Partnering with our YMCA is an amazing way we can invest in our community.

Families are being changed, kids are being changed, our community is being changed daily through the outstanding programs offered by the YMCA through financial assistance. Each year through the Invest in Youth Campaign our YMCA raises these necessary funds to provide programming, lessons, camps, child care, etc. to families that otherwise wouldn't be able to participate. Sometimes we often don't see the benefit of such funding, but I can tell you we are one of these families.

I don't often ask friends and family for monetary support, but the Invest in Youth Campaign is something I REALLY believe (110%) and I need your help.

Since May 2008, our family has personally benefited directly from this financial assistance to be apart of YMCA community. Honestly, without their help Fiona would not have had the opportunity to participate in soccer and swimming lessons and our family wouldn't have regained our health. These programs are invaluable and to deny someone strictly because they can't "afford" it is just not acceptable. Between us, knowing Fiona wouldn't have these opportunities just breaks my heart.

I am personally donating my time and efforts in raising money for the Invest in Youth Campaign for the Monroe YMCA because I believe that everyone, just like our family, should have the opportunity to participate in these programs. The YMCA of Snohomish County makes every effort to ensure that no person, especially youth, will be denied access to programs and membership because of financial hardship. I am so thankful for what they have provided for myself, my family and my community.

Would you please join me in support of the YMCA? (But, how Katie Jean?)

I'm personally asking you, the blogging world, to please contact me at my email kjbritten@gmail.com to join me in donating to the 2009 Invest in Youth Campaign. From there, I'll get you set-up with your pledge card that you'll complete with your information and pledge amount. In the days to follow, I am hoping my email box is filled with requests for pledge cards for donations of $10, $25, $40, $100, $250, and maybe even $500. (Hey...I gotta' aim high!)

We live in challenging times. Every day youth and teens face great risks, family budgets are stretched beyond their limits by the current economic climate, and we are facing a national health crisis caused by unhealthy lifestyle choices. However, the YMCA is a proven positive factor in our community. Please email me today to invest in our community.

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Tea Time

This week was absolutely nuts. I found myself coming and going...over committed and running on empty...pushing myself and the kids to their limits. I strongly "dislike" weeks like these, but even the best scheduling is sometimes met with the "craziness". I'm sure you all can relate, so I won't whine...well, not too much. (Smile.)

Not only was it a generally busy week, I started my new job at the Monroe YMCA. (Surprise!) Yes, I'm back in the working world as a part-time front desk attendant at our amazing Monroe YMCA. Honestly, I am so thankful for the opportunity to supplement our income and be a part of something that I believe in..."we build strong kids, strong families, strong communities". It is a wonderful environment for me to interact with the community and allows me to share my passion about how the YMCA has shaped my family and I.

As we all know, new job + commitments = one busy week. (Hello.) On top of all of our extra commitments Fiona was not "thrilled" that mom was going to be working now. For almost four and half years, Mom has always been home. She is smart girl and knows when things are changing...Fiona needed to be reassured that our relationship would stay the same. So in the midst of the hectic week I stopped and enjoyed a two and half hour tea party with Fiona. Yes, I stopped. Frankly, my daughter needed this special one-on-one time with me as much as I needed it...and we even had "real" tea. (What a treat!)

In the pictures you can see a little girl in pure delight of an afternoon devoted to thimble size tea cups, chocolate chip cookies, little heart shaped cakes, Cheetos (don't ask.), and the direct attention of her Mom. What the pictures don't show is the piled up dishes, clean laundry that needed to be folded on my bed, unmade beds, bills and mail laying by my computer, blog posts undone...but in reality that doesn't matter. It doesn't. What mattered, in that moment was Fiona...my first born, my daughter and some uninterrupted tea time with my favorite girl.

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Thursday Thrifty Tip: Creating Birthday Cakes and Goodies

Though there is obviously some time involved in creating birthday cakes, you have to decide for yourself if you have more time or money to invest. Since the Little Blue Bungalow often lack the extra resources, I always find the time to create delicious birthday cakes, cookies or cupcakes for my family. Not only is it a great cost saver it is also a fun and interesting hobby for me!

After Fiona was born, my wise husband encouraged and signed me up for a Wilton cake decorating class. His hope for me was to "get out of the house" as well as gain a new skill. Over the years I've created numerous cakes: a Spiderman, racing cars, Boots, a princess castle and a teapot to name a few. Proudly, I've never purchased a "shaped" pan, costing anywhere from $9 to $15. (Pictures of my creations available upon request.) Instead I've looked into my own cupboards for inspiration...utilizing my own pots and pans to create just the right shape.

In addition to creating my own children's birthday treats, I am often asked by other friends and family to make custom goodies for their parties. It is always an honor to prepare them for friends and serve as our "gift" to the recipient. My kids absolutely LOVE helping me create the goodies and presenting it to the person at their party. In turn, creating these custom gifts definitely help defray the costs of purchasing presents and nothing is better than a present "made with love".

On average, supplies tend to cost me $8-$12 depending on the size and/or extras I have to purchase to "customize" the cake. This is a great saving compared to pre-made cakes at grocery store which normally run anywhere from $20 to $30+. For example, the 48 cupcakes I made for Alexis's 4th birthday "Royalty" party last weekend included upside down peanut butter cups (for crowns, of course!) and plastic jeweled ear rings. I purchased both "extras" at our local Dollar Tree store for a total of $4. Not only, did these special touches help create the theme of the cupcakes, but served as an extra "toy/treat" for the kids.

Saving time and money is the name of the game...Thursday Thrifty Tip! Be sure to view these other great thrifty tips on the following blogs: Tracy, Genny, Anisa and Crystal.

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

Oh and in case your wondering...we did manage to trap one oppossum a couple nights ago, but we are still on the "poo" case. (Ahem.)

Wordless Wednesday

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean