Hooray for Freebies

This looks like a few really good freebies for your Tuesday.  I just received a free full sized package of Secret deodorant from one of their Facebook Friday giveaways.  It was the only thing in my mailbox today, which makes me happy.

• How about a Schick Hydro for free?  A million years ago, Schick sent me a free Quatro.  I love that thing and have been using it ever since.  Evidence that free samples work!  I always used disposables before that and cut myself to shreds.  I'll be looking forward to trying my Hydro.
• Free sample of new Ovaltine sticks.  I love this for my coffee!
• Looks like Charmin is doing giveaways all week.  (I worked all day yesterday, so missed the initial announcement on this.)  Like this page on Facebook and watch daily for it to go live.
• Redbox is doing 10 days of deals. Text FUN to 727272 to get in on it.
• Cafe Escapes sampler of free K-Cups!  Just click here, like the page, and fill in the info.  I had to refresh a few times, but it worked.  I have gotten some great freebies from them.

Enjoy!

Spring Gardening

We've been doing some gardening lately, so there goes any free blogging time I might have. I thought this might be a good time to repost some of my favorite gardening posts. And maybe some freebies?

Free gardening resources:

• Free gardeners idea book
• Free vegetable gardeners guide

And now for some of my own resources, culled from my own internet research and trial and error.

• Lasagna beds for preparing soil and less tilling.  This one will be better for the fall.  
• Egg carton planters, one of my most popular gardening posts.  You can start your plants at any time in egg cartons, but it needs to be something with a short growing season at this point.  Awesome way to get the kids involved.
• My personal favorite, The Three Sisters.  We work in a lesson about Native Americans, talk about soil and seed science, and enjoy lots of beans.  For the past two years, we've gotten straight line winds that blew over our corn.  Crossing our fingers for this year.
• Another fun one, potato in a bucket.
• Gardening in small spaces: hanging baskets.
• And how could I forget composting?

Mother Earth's Magical World

This is always a fun time.  There will be a lot of great crafts to do, plus live music and story telling.

 It's all at McFarland Park (outside of Ames) and between 2 and 5 pm today.  I've had it on my free fun calendar, but I thought it was worth highlighting.  Haven't checked out McFarland Park yet?  Here's a post I did about it last year.  They have so many great activities for families.

Blank Park Zoo Adventure Days

It's a little bit of short notice for the first one, but it will be worth a last minute trip if you don't already have plans today. Blank Park Zoo is having Adventure Days every other Saturday throughout the summer. This first one is a Cinco de Mayo theme. While it isn't free admission to the zoo, the extra events don't cost extra. May 5 – Fiesta Latina Experience the zoo in a new way- in Spanish, as you learn about Latin American countries and cultures. Do you know which animals at our zoo originate from Latin American countries? Have you ever Salsa danced? Don’t miss the flower making activity from the Latino Heritage Festival and the performances and lessons from Salsa Des Moines from 2-5pm. Check out the whole schedule here, and as always this has been added to the free fun calendar on the right. If you know of any other events I've missed, I always welcome reader submissions.

National Public Gardens Day!

Well, I somehow let two weeks go by without posting. I apologize, and I promise that the summer sanity savers are coming soon so you can plan your free summer fun. As a good start, how about a free day at your local public garden?  Better Homes and Gardens sponsors this every year, and it's a great opportunity to check out someplace new.

In my area, Reiman Gardens is participating, but there are many gardens in many states taking part.  You can see all the details here, or click here for the full map.

Make your plans to enjoy some beauty on May 11.