Monday, January 31, 2011

Works Cited - Grand Opening Today - Free cup of coffee!

The new Works Cited Cafe grand opening is TODAY!  Ribbon cutting ceremony is at 10am.  They have out samples of their new pastries, and tell them you saw the coupon for a free cup of coffee good for today!  Actually, they have the coupons right in front of the register when you walk in you can pick up, hand them, and get your free cup!  I stopped in on my way to work today for a cup of our local  Midwest Coffee Roaster's blend.... perfect for a Monday morning!

They have a whole new menu of sandwiches, bagels, soup & pastries, and their prices are very reasonable!  Remember, there is a kids room, so call a friend, take your kids, and stop by!  YEAH Marion!

215 S. Adams Street
Marion, IN 46952
765.662.3447 phone

Friday, January 28, 2011

$5 for one full year of Parents Magazine or $8 for 2-year subscription - Marapedia Sweet Deal!

Parents Magazine - $5 for one year subscription or $8 for two-year subscription - click here for Marapedia Sweet Deal! 
(offer good thru Mon, Jan 31)

 

Highlights

  • Award winning writers and articles including parenting tips from authors like Dr. Sears
  • Read by millions of families regularly to help them raise healthy, happy families
  • Well written features on everything from breastfeeding to college applications

Details

  • Must provide mailing address for subscription at checkout
  • Valid for 1-year subscription only
Also Available:
Valid for new subscriptions and renewals. Limit (1) per household. May purchase as gifts. Offer valid Jan 27-Feb 1, 2011 only. Will automatically receive subscription in 4-6 weeks after order placed.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

$10 for $20 Bath & Body Works Gift Certificate - today's Groupon!

Great gift idea - today's Groupon is for $10 for $20 gift cert at Bath & Body Works online.  Know someone with a birthday coming up?  This is a great way to get them a gift & not pay shipping costs!   Haven't tried Groupon yet?  YOU SHOULD!  Free to sign up - check it out here!  This deal is only good today, Jan 27, 2011.  

 

$10 for $20 or $15 for $30 at Bath & Body Works' Online Store

 (Note: this must be used online.)

The Fine Print

  • Expires Apr 27, 2011
  • Limit 1 per person. Limit 1 per order. Online only. Not valid on previous purchases. Must use in 1 order, no cash back. Tax and shipping not included. See full terms.
  • See the rules that apply to all deals.

Highlights

  • More than 35 exclusive body care fragrances
  • Home fragrance & candles
  • Good for any online purchase
  • Thoughtful gift idea

Click here to sign up for Groupon to get this deal!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Works Cited Book Store & CAFE - Grand Opening Jan 30th, 2011

You may have previously seen my posts on Works Cited, a new bookstore & now CAFE right off downtown in Marion.  I'm pretty excited about the new cafe addition.  Stop by on Jan 30th for the Grand Opening, which will include specials and entertainment all day, as well as a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10am.  Yea Marion!  A new business! 

The new cafe part of works cited will be serving the following:
  • Assorted Bagels
  • Assorted English Muffins
  • Breakfast Items: Including sandwiches, oats, etc.
  • Lunch Items: Including sandwiches, egg salad, chicken salad, etc.
  • Salads
  • Homemade Soups
  • Fresh Fruit
  • Vegetables
  • Full Service Coffee Bar with Signature Coffee Blends unique to Works Cited
  • Assorted Teas
  • Pepsi Products
  • Assorted single-serve snacks refreshments
Works Cited
215 S. Adams St.
Marion, IN 46952
Phone: (765) 662-3447
Fax: (914) 298-1130

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Victory Acres Farm - Community Supported Agriculture 2011 Season

Victory Acres is accepting applications for the 2011 season (May - Oct).  If you haven't seen my previous posting about Victory Acres, it is a locally owned CSA (Community Share Agriculture) in Upland, Indiana, producing organic produce & livestock.  You purchase a full share or a 1/2 share & you go out to Upland each week to pick up your locally grown in-season produce & all the fresh cut flowers you need!  

My family purchased a 1/2 share last summer and it was a great experience.  My kids were exposed to a farm (both produce & animals) and we were all exposed to new vegetables & ways to get into our diet.  It was a great experience & we signed up again for this summer - check out their website for more info & for 2011 rates.

http://www.victoryacres.org/

Friday, January 21, 2011

Homeade Oreos... YUMMY!

Definitely a project for a cold winter weekend... how yummy do these sound?  I'm thinking they may be a good Valentine's Day treat for all three of my boys...

Homemade Oreos

makes 25-30 sandwich cookies
Ingredients
For the chocolate wafers:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch process cocoa (I used Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 to 1 1/2 cups sugar [see recipe note]
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) room-temperature, unsalted butter
1 large egg

For the filling:
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) room-temperature, unsalted butter
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract (I used clear vanilla extract)
Optional- Gel dye

Method
1. Set two racks in the middle of the oven. Preheat to 375°F.
2. In a food processor, or bowl of an electric mixer, thoroughly mix the flour, cocoa, baking soda and powder, salt, and sugar. While pulsing, or on low speed, add the butter, and then the egg. Continue processing or mixing until dough comes together in a mass.
3. Take rounded teaspoons of batter and place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet approximately two inches apart. With moistened hands, slightly flatten the dough. Bake for 9 minutes, rotating once for even baking. Set baking sheets on a rack to cool.
4. To make the cream, place butter and shortening in a mixing bowl, and at low speed, gradually beat in the sugar and vanilla. Turn the mixer on high and beat for 2 to 3 minutes until filling is light and fluffy. (Optional: Blend in a tiny bit of gel dye until you reach the desired color.)
6. To assemble the cookies, in a pastry bag with a 1/2 inch, round tip, pipe teaspoon-size blobs of cream into the center of one cookie. Place another cookie, equal in size to the first, on top of the cream. Lightly press, to work the filling evenly to the outsides of the cookie. Continue this process until all the cookies have been sandwiched with cream. Dunk generously in a large glass of milk.

Notes:
-I used Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa Powder instead of Dutch Processed.
-I used Wilton Gel Dye to color the centers.
-Once I measured out a rounded teaspoon of dough, I rolled the dough into small balls before baking.
-This recipe is slightly adapted from Smitten Kitchen and can be found at http://smittenkitchen.com/2007/05/my-kingdom-for-a-glass-of-milk/]

Thursday, January 20, 2011

All Things Thrifty - Coolest decorating site ever



This is the coolest site ever.  If you're looking for unique ways to decorate your home/rooms/etc. check this out!  She's super creative & I love the end results!  I've long been a thrift-store fan because of the fun/unique things you can find, and she takes the thrift store hunt to a new level - she sees potential in everything.    You must check this site out!  http://www.allthingsthrifty.com/



Wednesday, January 19, 2011

LowesBuildAndGrow Free Kids Clinic - Ball Toss Game (Sat 1/22/11)

This week at Lowe's kid's clinic they are making a ball toss game.  If you haven't been to one of these clinics yet, you should try them out!  The clinic is Saturday, 1/22/11 from 10am - 11am, and it is FREE.  They only take the first 50 kids, and these fill up quickly, so click here to register your child.  Kids 3 & up (with help) are eligible.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Area Activities - Jan 2011

Looking for some activities to keep you busy & out of the cold?  Here are a few things that I know about that are going on in the area this month.  What can you add to my list?

Sun, Jan 16
IWU quartet concert at 6pm - Epworth United Methodist Church (105 W 8th ST., Matthews)

Mon, Jan 17
3700 Club sign-language class - 6:00 - 6:30pm, The Potter's House (call 674-7400 for more info)

Fri, Jan 21, 22, 23
Stewart's Indiana Flea Market - noon - 6pm on Fri, Sat 10am - 6pm, Sun 10am - 4pm
Indiana State Fairgrounds - FREE ADMISSION!  For more info: www.stewartpromotions.com

Sat, Jan 29
Annual Indy Home Show thru Feb. 7
Indiana State Fairgrounds $13/adults, $5/kids ages 6-12; www.indianapolishomeshow.com for more info

Tues, Feb 1
Little Ones Book Club - 10am, Van Buren United Methodist Church (songs, crafts, snacks anf free books for kids ages 6 months - 4 years old).  Call 934-4372 for more info.

Fri, Feb 4
Lord of the Dance - Honewell Center - tickets $19 - 45.  www.honeywellcenter.org


In the mood for a game?  Check out http://www.iwuwildcats.com/ for local events.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Free Entrance into the National Parks this weekend!

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

America's Best Idea – the national parks – gets even better with several fee-free days at more than 100 national parks that usually charge entrance fees.*
Mark your calendar for these fee-free days in 2011:
  • January 15-17
    (Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday weekend)
  • April 16-24
    (National Park Week)
  • June 21
    (First day of summer)
  • September 24
    (Public Lands Day)
  • November 11-13
    (Veterans Day weekend)
Making the fun even more affordable, many national park concessioners are joining the National Park Service in welcoming visitors with their own special offers.
Here’s a tip – many of your 394 national parks NEVER charge an entrance fee. So start Planning Your Visit!

http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm for more info

P&Gbrand SAVER - in this Sunday's paper (1/16)

So have you tried your hand at couponing yet?  Yes, I admit it takes some time, but it really is amazing how much money you can save.  I started about a year ago, and it has been a HUGE saving in my budget.

The first step?  Get the Sunday paper - start THIS Sunday, as Proctor & Gamble puts our a huge insert of coupons about every couple of months, and their next one will be in this Sunday's paper.  It will be worth the $1.50 you spend on the paper, I guarantee it.

The next step - get some help with your coupons.  What do I mean by this?  There are many  blogs out there that help you with your coupons - they are resources.  These blogs tell you what stores are having sales, what the sales are on, and how to match your coupons up with the sales so that you get the best bang for your buck.  These sites will save you time!  Two I like are: CouponDivas.com and moneysavingmom.com

Before you say no, try it out.  I recommend starting with coupondiva.com as she walks you thru a bunch of "how to" tutorials.  And, don't forget - make sure to pick up the Sunday paper this week. 

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Kids' Day at Indiana Wesleyan University - Feb 5, 2011

All the info below is from IWU's website - see  http://www.indwes.edu/Kids-Day/ for more info. 

Kids’ Day 2011

Calling all underwater creatures!

It is with great excitement, Indiana Wesleyan University’s Student Activities Council invites all 5-to-12-year-old siblings, relatives, and friends to Kids’ Day on February 5. Our theme is “Under the Sea.” It’s going to be a splash! Dive on in, and prepare to get hooked. Please take a look at the information that follows and make plans for your child to join us on Saturday, February 5.
Check-in is 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. on February 5 in the Barnes Student Center Banquet Halls. Parents can pick up their guppies at 8:30 p.m. on February 5 in Barnes Student Center Globe Theatre.
Get Ready…It’s going to be a splashin’ good time!

Attention: Parents

Important Information

  • Drop-off time on Saturday, February 5, is from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Check in will be located in the Barnes Student Center. If you need additional assistance, please contact Donna Pick at 765-677-2738 prior to your arrival.
  • Please be aware that your child must be with his or her college student at all times during the day.
  • Pick up and drop off is located in the Barnes Student Center. Please make arrangements to pick your child up Saturday evening at 8:30 p.m. inside the Student Center Globe Theatre.
  • Registration fee includes all meals and activities for the day, one Kids’ Day t-shirt, and entrance to all activities for college student hosts. Host is responsible for his/her meals and fee does not include a t-shirt for college student host.
  • Registration forms are due by January 31, 2011.

Registration

Please submit the registration and waiver form by January 31, 2011 to:
IWU Student Activities
KD ‘11
4201 S. Washington Street
Marion, IN 46953
OR fax information to 765-677-1927; Attention Donna Pick, Director of Student Activities
OR drop off to Donna Pick, located in the Game Room in the Barnes Student Center.
Questions? Call Donna Pick at 765-677-2738 or email donna.pick@indwes.edu.

Schedule

Swim into the fun all day with under the sea activities at Indiana Wesleyan University!
8:00-10:00am Check-In (Barnes Student Center Banquet Halls)
10:00am Under the Sea Skit performed by Student Activities Council (Globe Theatre)
10:30am Build a Submarine (Barnes Student Center Banquet Halls)
11:30am Lunch (Baldwin Cafeteria)
12:30pm Under the Sea Adventures:
Pool, Rec and Wellness Center
Climbing Wall, Rec and Wellness Center
Neon Under The Sea Exploration, Barnes Student Center Banquet Halls
Ocean Crafts, Barnes Student Center Banquet Halls
4:00pm Roller Skating (@ Idyl Wyld)
Shuttle service provided from Barnes Student Center Commons
6:45pm Under the Sea Skit – final (Globe Theatre)
7:00pm Pizza Party with movie [TBA] (Globe Theatre)
8:30pm End of the day
Pick-Up your guppy in Barnes Student Center Globe Theatre 

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Payless Shoes 20% off Entire Order Coupon - Good thru 1/16

In case your kid's feet have been growing as quickly as my little weed's, you may want to head to payless with this coupon.

20% off thru 1/16 (in-store or online) - must surrender coupon at time of purchase - click here. 

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Rachel Ray EVERYDAY Magazine - 1 year subscription only $4.99!

This deal is only good thru today, Saturday, 1/8.  Use link below and enter coupon code EVERYDAY for a HUGE discount!  Only $4.99 for a year subscription to EVERYDAY with Rachel Ray.  May make a great gift for someone (or yourself is okay too!)  I learned about this deal from CouponDiva.

Click here to purchase Rachel Ray magazine- don't forget coupon code!

Friday, January 7, 2011

LOWES FREE Kids Clinic - LowesBuildAndGrow - Game Box 1/8/11

Hope everyone had a great holiday.  My family was able to visit with both my husband's side and mine, and we were thankful for quality time & fun!  Now that we're back to "real life", I'm going to try to get back to posts for this blog with services, events, sales, etc. - I started working outside the home in December, so my schedule is quite a bit busier now & I'm going to shoot for a few new posts a week, instead of daily.  Hope you'll hang in there with me as I make the transition, and I also hope that  if you have something you'd like to add you'll let me know (either by emailing me or by making a comment after one of my posts)!  Happy New Year!

This week, Lowes has resumed their FREE kids clinics - LowesBuildAndGrow.  My husband went to one of these clinics with my 3-year old before the holidays, and they had a great morning together doing a special Daddy-son day (donuts & one-on-one time!).  The clinics are recommended for school-aged children, but if you don't mind doing a good chunk of the assembling, they'll accept kids starting at age 3!

This week's (1/8/11) project is a Game Box.  Clinics are SATURDAYS from 10am - 11am.  Click here to register to save your spot!  They only take the first 50 kids.