I love coupons, deals and FREE stuff!

**2 AWESOME COUPONS**

20 FREE Birth Announcements

I used this coupon before for our Christmas cards this last year (don't think i sent them out, HA!) Anyway, used coupon, then spent enough to qualify for free shipping AND they had an online special (not a code, automatic discount) I got $40.00 worth of cards for $12.89!!!! 

I'm sure they want "new customers" only but I just used my husbands email.....or you can be really tricky and if it's worth it...like my Christmas cards were you can create a FREE email account... hotmail and gmail are the places to do these! LOL!

HURRY ON THIS ONE...ENDS I'M GUESSING IN MARCH

20% CASH BACK at DIAPERS.COM

If your not familiar with diapers.com....you should be! This place is great. Don't let the "diapers.com" fool you into this place just selling diapers. They have many different options with only one shopping cart. 

ONE SHOPPING CART...you shop their 5 different stores and check out ONCE!

• Diapers.com includes diapers obviously, wipes, formula & feeding, furniture, clothes, bath & skin care, moms & maternity, baby gear, toys, etc. The also carry some of Costco's "Kirkland" brand items!!! And lots of incentives for returning to them to purchase diapers, etc!! This place is better than Babies R Us!
• Soap.com includes household cleaning items, laundry, bath tissue, paper towels, razor refills, make up, fragrance, vitamins, etc. I use this store on a regular basis!!!
• Wag.com includes everything and anything for your pet....reptile, small pet, fish, cat, dog, bird, etc!
• Yoyo.com your every thing, every age toy store! Better than  Toys R Us, Target, Walmart toys COMBINED! You....AND you kids will love this place!!!!
• Casa.com is......breath taking! Imagine a Home Depot, Target, Macy's, Walmart, Fred Myer, Lowes combined into one......do you see it??? Well HERE IT IS! There's home improvement, garden and patio, decor, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, nursery, tools and supplies....the list for Casa.com goes ON and ON and ON! This is some serious awesomness!!!!

BEST OF ALL WITH PURCHASE OF $49 ($25 FOR SOAP.COM) YOU GET FREE 2 DAY SHIPPING!!!! SERIOUSLY 2 DAY SHIPPING! EVEN IF ITS NOT FREE THERE IS NO EXTRA CHARGE AND IT'S ALWAYS 2 DAY SHIPPING!!!! 

When I space and realize I only have one last roll of toilet paper or the diapers and wipes days are numbered it's so nice to think i don't have to pack up all my kids, trek down to the store (never go to the close convenient one because of coarse its double the price. To just buy some wipes but end up spending unnecessary money on other crap i don't need. 

To know it will be here, no matter, in 2 days AND its super convenient AND cheap is the best feeling in the WORLD...besides when all the kids go to bed that is! LOL!

Did I also mention that they clip coupons FOR you!!! Yes it's true!! They try to keep up on regular coupons  for all items (i usually see this at Soap.com) and they make it super easy for you to claim! Did i say how much I love this place! LOL!

Go to diapers/soap/wag/yoyo/casa.com and see what you've been missing.....use this coupon while your at it or use the many they ALWAYS have on the website!

Shop the deals...get rewarded~

Bree and J

Pin It

Celebrate Earth Day Week: Friday

Puget Sound Energy is helping us save energy with lots of tips and tricks and new products to help save power, resources and energy.  PugetSoundEnergy.com is a great place for resources, ideas, and a great paper less way to manage your bill.


Here are some great ways, some I've never known or heard of, to save...


Heating: 

• If you have baseboard heaters, turn the thermostat down or off in unoccupied rooms and close the door. Do not do this if you have a furnace or heat pump.

Water Heating:

• Install inexpensive pipe insulation on all exposed hot water pipes and on the first three feet of exposed cold water pipe that is connected to the water heater.

• Wash clothes in cold water and take shorter showers.

Lighting: 

• Choose the right bulb for each room. CFL bulbs come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit nearly every household fixture.

Appliances and Electronics: 

• Many electronics draw power even when turned off. Plug items like TVs, DVD players and game consuls into power strips that you can switch off when not in use. Special “smart” power strips do this automatically

• When cooking, match pots and pans to the right-sized burner. Use a microwave oven, rather than your stove, to heat food whenever possible

Weatherization: 

• Use inexpensive weather-stripping and door sweeps to reduce air leaks around entry doors. For a no-cost fix, roll up a bath towel and hold it against the bottom of the door with a weight.

These tips and ideas from Puget Sound Energy,  Click Here to go directly to the tips and ideas page.

Save some power, money AND the Earth~

Bree and J

Pin It

Celebrate Earth Day Week: Thursday

5 Easy ways to get your Kids involved!

1. Turn off the lights!  Helping you kids learn about conserving energy through simple tasks like turning off the lights and unplugging unnecessary chargers will conserve your money too!

2. Picking up trash!  Take a walk around your neighborhood and make a game of it.  Be sure to watch what your kids might want to pick up that they shouldn't!  Since their little hands are too small for gloves, try using sandwich baggies instead.  It might give you piece of mind too!

3. Turning off the water!  Brushing your teeth and washing your hands is very important and we don't want you to stop!  Turning off the water while your your brush is in your mouth is an easy example of how to save water.

4. Not wasting food!  Lots of communities can now recycle their food scraps in their yard waste containers.  Call your local services to find out more information!  You can also put your scraps in your own compost pile just remember no meat or dairy to keep pests away.

5. Recycled Art!  Our kids LOVE to draw and create with paper of all kinds.  Encouraging your kids to use both sides of the paper is another easy way to cut down on wasted paper!  You can make collages and other art projects from pass art.  We've even made seed starter pots from used pages out of a coloring book!

Pin It

Grandma Worthy Hints and Tips Food: Tips 1-10

I have a recipe book that my wonderful Grandma Holm made me many, many years ago....through out the years I have added many more recipes, ideas and tips from some of my best known bakers! My Family! Thanks to my contributors Grandma Haley and Rita as well!

Here are only a few tips (10) from grandma knowledge!

10 Hints and Tips for Food:

1. Freezing Berries: To prevent berries from sticking together when you freeze wash them gently, pat dry and lay on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Place in freezer. Once frozen remove berries and place into desired bags.Hulling Strawberries: To easily hull strawberries insert a sturdy straw through the bottom tip of berry and push it out the top. This will remove the hull and leaves.

2. Avocados: To store halved avocados and prevent them from turning brown, refrigerate them flesh side down in a bowl of water with a little bit of lemon juice. They will keep for a few days. You can also do this when preparing slices of avocado ahead of time for salads or garnishes. To keep guacamole from turning brown, lay plastic wrap directly onto the guacamole.

3. Baking Pastries: When baking cookies, choux puffs, or pastries cases directly on a baking sheet (or just use a pastry sheet), slide a thin palette knife or metal spatula under the pastries to loosen them from the sheet halfway through the cooking time.

4. Ball of Herbs: Put loose herbs into a tea ball and hook the chain over the edge of the pot. Then you don't have to strain the sauce or go fishing for the cheesecloth bag. Another trick if you want to use the cheesecloth bag, tie the bag with long enough string to tie to the pot handle or lid handle. Then you can easily find it.

5. Chicken Roasters vs. Broilers-fryers:
A Roaster chicken is usually a 3-5 month chicken weighing 5-7 pounds. It has a thicker layer of fat, which help baste the bird, as it roasts. They aren't as good for grilling or boiling since the large pieces will overcook on the outside before cooking the middle. Its meat is slightly tougher but more flavorful, which means it benefits from slower cooking of roasting, braising or stewing.
Broiler-fryer chickens are younger and tenderer meat coming to market from 6-8 weeks old and are more suitable for broiling or frying over higher heat. They usually weigh between 3-4 pounds. Left whole they make a fine roast chicken although the parts are smaller and a 4 pound chicken will barely serve four people. They are not suitable for slow cooking methods such as stews or braise since they could dry out more easily.

6. Chili Peppers: When handling chili peppers put your hands in plastic bags to prevent the juices and smell from your hands.

7. Cooling Stock: The easiest way to chill stock is to allow enough time for it to cool in the refrigerator. The fat congeals on top and you can easily skim it off with a flat bottomed spoon. If the stock is warm, skin off as much as you can with a spoon and then use a paper towel. Lay the paper towel over the surface of the stock. Immediately draw it up toward you and away from the stock. Have the trash can handy for the dripping towels. Cool lettuce also works to attract fat molecules. Use it as you would the paper towels.

8. Cutting Cheese Cake: When cutting cheesecake use fishing line or dental floss instead of a knife. Cut it longer than the diameter of the cheesecake. Wrap the ends of the line around your middle fingers, stretch the line and push down through the cake. Let go of the line with one hand and pull through the line staying as close to the plate as possible.

9. Egg Wash: To make an egg wash that is smooth, evenly textured and brushes on easily, add a pinch of salt to one whole egg beaten with 1 tbs. of water. The salt breaks down the protein in the egg white so the wash is fluid. Egg wash can be used for instance to brush on a pie crust.

10. Edible Flowers:
Sweet Flowers: anise hyssop, elderberry, honeysuckle, lavender, lemon balm, rose, scented geranium, violets, johnny jump ups.
Savory Flowers: borage, calendula, chive, chervil, chrysanthemum, coriander, dandelion, day lily, dill, fennel, lovage, nasturtium, rosemary, sage, squash, thyme.
Sweet/Savory Flowers: daisy, dianthus, lilac, pansy.

Happy Cooking~
Bree and J

Pin It

How To: Style Curly Hair

BREE'S HAIR
THICK, THICK, THICK!
VERY CURLY...ALMOST SPIRALS
AND CRAZY FRIZZY IF I LET IT
DID I MENTION ITS SUPER THICK!!

Products:

Lotion, Garnier Fructis Styling Products, Flat Iron and Blow Dryer WITH diffuser!

Garnier Fructis Style Products

From Left to right: Curl Sculpting Cream-Gel, Curl Shaping Spray Gel

I will also use lotion, doesn't matter what kind but I like to use baby lotion...cause we already have it around. Right now I'm in love with there honey apple one.

I start with my hair wet! Best to do it almost right out of the shower...once it starts to dry the frizz already begins! I do not brush it with a comb.

To start I put about a quarter size amount of the Curl Sculpting Cream-Gel into my hand, rub my hands together and flip my head upside down. I then make sure to get this product everywhere using scrunching movements with my hands.

Repeat the same amount and motions with the Curl Shaping Gel. I only use the spray portion of this when I need to "fix up" or make my dry hair decent again. I normally twist the top off and pour/squeeze out a quarter size portion. Repeat head upside down and scrunching motion. Make sure to do this everywhere...on the sides, front and back of your hair as well as deep down towards the roots in the middle.

While remnants of product is still on my hands I flip my head up right and use my fingers like a brush and brush out my knots. The Cream-Gel acts like a conditioner and makes this task actually very easy.

Then (this may be very odd and who knows how "great" it is for my hair but it is THE only try thing I have found to fix "frizz"...it works...i do it, LOL) I pump out about a quarter size amount of lotion. Rub together in hands and while my head is up right scrunch into my hair. I do this mostly where I know my hair will frizz.

I add some hair spray BEFORE I blow dry. Not alot just a tiny bit where i know my hair frizzes (usually on the sides and back about ear level) I do this while lifting the hair to get spray under each layer.

Now comes the hair dryer WITH the diffuser. I again flip my head upside down and move hair dryer up and down, not quickly....take your time. Move the hair dryer in an up and down motion so the diffuser is grabbing some hair in the down position and when you move it upwards towards scalp it almost cradles the hair. A diffuser helps with frizz control and helps keep your curls together. You want your curls to stay grouped together because if they are all separate curls you will find yourself with an afro. My curls "usually" group together to be about the same thickness as a large strand of yarn.

Once its just dry...DO NOT over dry, I style. I personally part off center so my part is on my left side.

I then have side bangs. I like to straighten mine. To accomplish this without it being too much of a curl I use a flat iron. To start I just make multiple passes flattening the curly bangs. I do this WHILE pulling to the side. This is so they straighten while going to the side. Once it is straight you don't want to try and fix it too much.

Then once straight I make some more passes with the flat iron but angle it at a 90 degree angle to add alittle bit of a curl to bangs. I do this while still pulling to the side.

Now for the final look. If I need to (may be alittle frizzy) I add a small amount of lotion to my hands and pat hair down towards scalp. Like pushing it in towards my head. This also helps if you have too much volume.

To finish off I hair spray my side bangs, in the direction they are styled. Then spray alittle all over. I use Garnier Fructis Anti Humidity Hair Spray. Love this hair spray because if there is alot of moisture in the air this hair spray really truly helps!!

Finished product!

The one most important thing about having curly hair, no matter what style, type or thickness. You NEED TO HAVE IT CUT CORRECTLY! Usually needs to be layered so it doesn't create the Tree effect where it is frizzy and poofing at the bottom and not at the top. Looks like a triangle shape or a tree.Get it cut by someone that really KNOWS what they are doing!!! This is THE most important thing! I am 26 and in my life time I have only found 2 people that know how to cut it. Thank you so much Miss Heidi!!!Beware people say they know how but they wont always! The best clue is if they have your same hair. My new stylist was upfront and told me she knew how to cut it but not how to style it. Didn't matter...the cut was AMAZING!!!

JESSI'S HAIR

THIN, THIN, THIN!
VERY CURLY...ALMOST SPIRALS
AND CRAZY FRIZZY IF I LET IT
DID I MENTION ITS SUPER THIN!!

Products:

Dove Hair Therapy Style and Care, John Frieda Frizz-Ease and Suave Kids Detangling Spray

Suave Kids Detangling Spray

I also use Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion, Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner

John Frieda Frizz-Ease, Daily Nourishment Leave-in Conditioning Spray

Dove Hair Therapy, Style and Care, Nourishing Curls, Whipped Cream Mousse

I start with damp hair. If I didn't get to do my hair right away and it starts to dry I can add detangling spray to help "wet" it again.

If its really tangly I use my daughters Suave Kids Detangling Spray, LOL, to help remove tangles and brushing easier.

I spray it thoroughly with frizz ease stuff and run a stiff brush through it to get out the tangles. Then I spray it some more.

With Dove Mouse for Curly Hair I add a good size amount into my hands. It comes out more like whipping cream. Spread between my hands, this makes it even more "foamy".

Then I flip my head upside down and apply mouse throughout hair. Making sure to get it all the way to roots in upward scrunching motions.

With the edge of a comb I use the center of my left eye to make a part and scrunch it with more mousse from Dove that’s for curly hair. 

Then I air dry and style with clips or ponytail. 

Final Product after it drys!I also use the spray to refresh my hair later or before going out. Once I’ve brushed it in the morning, I never touch it again with a brush until the next morning. I wash it twice a week but shower everyday.

Be patient with your curls~
Bree and Jessi

Pin It

FH Sisters Pinterst Board Highlight: Bounce into...Spring

To see more on an idea you like here or more of our spring ideas and pins go to "Bounce into..Spring" Board on Pinterest.

Or if you have a pinterest account and you like our "pinning" style please feel free to follow all our boards at 

Farm House Sisters on Pinterest

Happy Spring~

Bree and J

Pin It

Money Saving Tip: DIY Pant Hanger

I have yet to try this on adult clothes, I would guess it could hold up lighter items but NO WAY on jeans!

Keep watching your wallet~

Bree and J

Pin It

Save your "old" strawberries for smoothies

Buying Bulk can save you money, but sometimes it just doesn't all get eaten...especially when buying bulk fruits and veggies. Nothing is less appetizing when your fresh produce starts to look old. The truth is it still is ok to eat. When our strawberries start to turn we wash, trim off the bad areas and freeze them in smoothie serving sizes. This is usually 4 to 5 berries to a bag. When you are ready to use frozen berries just take out of freezer place in warm water for a few and then add them in to blend. Simple!

Simple Strawberry Banana Smoothie that is a favorite at our house.

Freeze, blend and enjoy~

Bree and J

Pin It