Hallmark

You can read the details here. Hallmark.com is having a contest where you can make your own Mother or Father’s Day Cards.

All you have to do is upload a photo and some writing of your choice to make the card. This will be judged, so be creative!

  • Submissions must be in by 12/7/08 as judging will begin on 12/09/08.
  • Finalist for the Mother’s Day Cards will  be in January & February ‘09
  • The Father’s Day Contests will be picked in February ‘09.
  • There will be two sets of winners, one for Mother’s Day & one for Father’s Day..

The Grand Prize Winner will receive $2500!

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First  off, Kohls.com is having free  standard shipping until, Thursday, 11/20/08.

And, they are  having a 50% off sale on the following items:

I might have to take a look at this today, because the weather got really cold here, it was 28 degrees out this morning when I took the kids to school. Brrrr!!

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Last Saturday in my Snail Mail Saturday post where I highlight all of the free things that came in the mail that past week, I mentioned that I had gotten a book called Through The Storm, By Lynne Spears (Yes, Britney’s mother.) I mentioned that I got the book, free of charge in the mail.

Want to know how?

I signed up to be a book reviewer!

As of now, I know of a few websites where you can sign up to review books.

  • brb.thomasnelson.com. The brb stands for book review bloggers. As a blogger, you can receive FREE books to review. In exchange, you must agree to post a review on your blog and on any consumer website, like Amazon.com. Here is the application form to fill out. I am still in the process of reading the Lynne Spear’s book and as soon as I am done, I will post my review right here on The Frugal Mom Blog. I chose that particular book, mainly because as a mother, I am interested in seeing how and why other mom’s make the choices that they do. After you have done your review, you log back into your account, and give them the website links to your reviews. Once you are finished, you can than choose another book to be sent to you.
  • Librarything.com- I have not spent too much at this site, but essentially, it is a place where you can catalog all of your favorite books. Librarything.com has a program called Early Reviewers, where you can request an advanced copy of book and get it before anyone else. You can apply for as many books as you like, but only once for each book that you choose. Simply sign up to Librarything.com and you are signed up for the program. The only catch to this program is that the reviewers are chosen randomly, so you might not necessarily receive the book you want or any book at all. The program is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada, ages 13 and older. Some books are ope to other countries, but you have to check that out for yourself. Here is the F.A.Q. page. I, myself have to go back and read up more on this program. The deadline to request your books in Sunday, November 30, 2008, 6P.M. EST.
  • HarperCollins.com. The book review program here is called First Look. Again, like LibraryThing.com, you are chosen at random to review a book. Here is the Sign Up Page and the Programs Rule Page. I haven’t looked to much into this one yet and will have to read about it further.
  • For other Works for Me Wednesday Ideas, head on over to Rocks In my Dryer!

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    I have compiled all of the free shipping deals by category at Target.com. Some of the deals are on select items only. Others require you to spend a certain amount of $$ to qualify for free shipping. Hope this helps out if you love to shop at Target!

    Free Shipping Deals By Category at Target.com

  • Accessories
  • Spend $50 in Accessories, get Free Shipping at Target.com Through 01/31/09

    • Appliances

    Free Shipping on Select Appliances at Target.com Through 12/20/08

    • Baby

    Free Shipping on Select Baby Items at Target.com Through 1/31/09

    • Bath

    Free Shipping on Select Bath Items at Target.com Through 01/31/09

    • Bedding

    Free Shipping on Select Bedding at Target.com Through 01/31/09

    • Cosmetics & Fragrances

    Spend $50 in Cosmetics & Fragrance, get Free Shipping at Target.com Through 01/31/09

    • Electronics

    Free Shipping on Select Electronics Items at Target.com Through 12/20/08

    • Furniture

    Spend $125, Save 15%, Plus Free Shipping on Select Furniture at Target.com Through 12/13/08

    • Health & Wellness

    Free Shipping on Select Health & Wellness Items at Target.com Through 1/31/09

    • Home

    Free Shipping on Select Home Items at Target.com Through 01/31/09

    • Home Decor/Lighting

    Spend $50, get Free Shipping on Select Home Decor/Lighting Items at Target.com Through 11/22/08

    • Jewelry

    Spend $50 in Jewelry, get Free Shipping at Target.com Through 01/31/09

    • Kitchen

    Free Shipping on Select Kitchen Items at Target.com Through 12/20/08

    • Men’s

    Spend $50, get Free Shipping in Men’s at Target.com Through 01/31/09

    • Shoes

    Spend $50 in Shoes, get Free Shipping at Target.com Through 01/31/09

    • Stationery

    Free Shipping on Select Stationery Items at Target.com Through 12/20/08

    • Toys

    Free Shipping on Select Toys at Target.com Through 12/20/08

    • Women’s

    Spend $50 in Women’s, get Free Shipping at Target.com Through 01/31/09

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    I do not have a dog, but I still send away for samples like this. Why? Sometimes I will randomly give them to someone shopping for dog food at the grocery store, if it is a coupon for a free sample. Other times I give them to friends or I leave them in the donation basket at Church.

    This sample is for a bag of Whites Premium Dog Food.

    I did not have any problem filling out this form. I love free pet food!!

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    Frugal Upstate is hosting a Frugal Thanksgiving Mini-Series this week and today is all about desserts. Yummy! We are not really big on eating sweet cakes in my house or really fancy desserts, so I try to keep it really simple when it comes to making desserts for  Thanksgiving.

    We Usually have:

    • Apple Pie- Recipe below.
    • Pumpkin Pie- My mom either makes or buys Mrs. Smiths.
    • Pumpkin Bread- Recipe link below.
    • Banana Bread- Recipe link below.
    • Cheesecake - My sister makes.
    • Cookies.- Recipe Link Below.
    • I did try the Warm Winter Cake Recipe. It was good, I just think I will save this recipe for an afternoon type of dessert when I have someone over for coffee or tea.
    • I still have to make the Buckeye Bars. I forgot to get Vanilla Wafers at the store. Will try this recipe this weekend.

    It seems like a lot, but the sweet breads are usually left over from Thanksgiving breakfast and we top the breads with whipping cream, the cookies are for the kids and I love pies! A lot of this goes home with the guests, that is why I always make sure to have enough on hand.

    Kentucky Apple Festival Apple Pie.

    SERVES 6

    Ingredients:

    Pie Crust

    • 1/3 cup shortening
    • 1/3 cup butter
    • 2 cups flour
    • 1/3 cup boiling water
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

    Filling

    • 7 granny smith apples
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
    • 3/4 cup sugar

    Directions:

    Crust:

    1. Mix shortening, 1/2 cup butter and flour.
    2. Add boiling water, salt and baking powder.
    3. Mix well.
    4. Separate into 2 balls; place between 2 pieces of wax paper; roll.

    Filling:

    1. Peel, core and slice apples.
    2. Lightly mix cinnamon and sugar with the apples.
    3. Pour into pastry lined pie pan and dot with 1 1/2 tablespoons butter.
    4. Cover with topping crust; slit to allow steam to escape.
    5. Bake at 425°F for 15 minutes then reduce temperature to 350° and continue baking 45-60 minutes.
    • Pumpkin Bread- This is my favorite recipe for pumpkin bread. I will not try anymore, as this one is so delicious.
    • Banana Bread- Also delicious and one that I make practically every week.
    • Cutout cookies. We have some leaf shaped cookie cutters. We sprinkle the cookies with colored sugar. The kids love these, mainly because I only make this type of cookie around the Holiday’s or on someone’s Birthday.

    If you are looking for simple, frugal Thanksgiving desserts, give some of the ones above a try. Most of the ingredients used above are in season, like apples and pumpkin, making these desserts inexpensive.

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    Sign up to receive a free $10 Coupon Booklet from Pillsbury.com. You will be signing up for their Enewsletter, which are always great to get, because they often have money saving coupons inside.

    The coupon booklet will have coupons, tips [...] Continue Reading…

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