Two Frugal Chicks

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I know we’ve posted several times about Bountiful Baskets, but I was curious just how much I was saving.  I was taking everyone’s word for it that it was a good deal, but I wanted to find out for myself.  I paid $19.50 for my first basket ($15 for the produce, $3 first time set up fee, and $1.50 handling fee).  From now on, baskets will cost me $16.50 total.

I went to Safeway and priced out the same produce that I got in my basket as closely as I could.  Here’s what I came up with:

1 English cucumber – $1.99
6 Tomatoes – $5.97
6 Oranges – $4.47
1 Cabbage – $1.20
1 Yellow honeydew – $4.98
2 Bunches of bananas – $2.40
2 – 1lb bags of carrots – $2.58
1 – 5lb bag potatoes – $2.99
2 Heads of romaine – $5.00
2 Heads of kale – $3.98
1 – 3lb bag of Granny Smith apples – $3.99
1 Bunch of green onions – $ .79

TOTAL  $40.34

I saved $20.84 by buying the same produce through Bountiful Baskets!!

If you are interested in participating here is the link http://bountifulbaskets.org/.

Ivar Haglund would have been 107 today.  In honor of Ivar’s “flounder” they are offering a buy one entree, get another entree for $1.07.  Come celebrate on Tuesday, March 20th for a birthday bonanza. 

*$1.07 entrée must be of equal or lesser value. Valid on “Ivar’s Birthday Menu” at Ivar’s Seafood Bars, Ivar’s Acres of Clams, Ivar’s Salmon House and Ivar’s Mukilteo Landing on Tuesday, March 20th only. Not valid at stadium locations..

After hearing Suzanne sing the praises of Bountiful Baskets, I decided I would give them a try, too.  I picked up my first basket this morning and all I can say is….A.W.E.S.O.M.E!

I got:
1 English cucumber
6 Tomatoes
6 Oranges
1 Cabbage
1 Yellow melon (like a honeydew)
2 bunches of bananas
2 – 1lb bags of carrots
1 – 5lb bag of potatoes
2 Heads of romaine
2 Heads of kale
1 – 3lb bag of Ganny Smith apples
1 Bunch of green onions

If you are interested in participating here is the link http://bountifulbaskets.org/.

Our next Couponing 101 class is Thursday, March 15th from 6-8:00pm at the Burien Community Center.

We teach you where to find coupons, how to organize them, and how to utilize them properly for maximum savings. This two hour class covers the basics all the way to extreme couponing. 

Click here to register..

  I picked up my first Bountiful Basket this morning and am amazed at the quality and quantity. It is a co op that pools their money to get a lot of fruits and vegetables. All this for ONLY $15!!!  It was quick and easy and I’m looking forward to building meals around my basket. It used to be I built my meals around what meat I had on hand, but with this much produce you have to build your meals around what is likely to go bad the quickest.

This weeks basket
2 large head of romaine
2 bunches of asparagus
2 large cucumbers
1 large bunch of Kale
2 bunches of green onions
1 bunch of carrots
1 pineapple 6 bananas
4 oranges
12 apples
4 mangos
Pile of peppers

If you are interested in participating here is the link http://bountifulbaskets.org/

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March and April are the months for observing Blue Herons in their nesting behavior. A small but easily overlooked rookery is right in Auburn, WA. This is a great example of how a community came together to preserve a natural resource. This marsh was saved from destruction when the highway department wanted to wipe it out for road realignment.

Take exit 143 from I-5 and go east on 320th which will turn into Peasey Canyon Rd. In just under 3/12 miles, Peasley Canyon will end at West Valley Hwy, where you turn right and go immediately into a little parking area. There are signs that direct you to the viewing area.

The large size of the herons and the presence of many nests together makes for entertaining bird watching. Whenever possible Great Blue Herons nest in trees and an established rookery may be used for decades. Preferred sites for rookeries are frequently flooded lands because this reduces the risk from ground predation. The young have an interesting defense, they will lean over the edge of their nests and vomit onto the unwelcome intruder.

The herons start returning to the nests and pairing up as early as February, but March is when they start becoming really active with their nests, territorial displays, courtship and mating. The action continues to build as the first young hatch in April and the rookery stays busy through June. Herons like to nest in cottonwoods and Alders and it can be difficult to see whats going on when the trees leaf out, so now is a good time observation.

Some interesting behaviors can be seen at the nests. “Head down”, the “stretch” and “swaying”. In the head down, a heron stands in the nest, stretches its neck and head out very straight and at an angle downward and snaps its bill. It often raises the feathers on its head and neck. It is a territorial display that signals others to stay away. Its fun when both members of a pair both display at the same time, crossing necks and clacking away with their beaks. Some call it kissing heron-style when they are swaying. A pair will lock bill tips and move their heads back and forth together. In the stretch, a bird points its beak and head straight up in the air, then lowers its head toward its back while making a crooning or howling sound. This is sometimes done after the male brings the female a gift of a nice stick to add to the nest.

Remember to observe from a distance and bring a scope or binoculars.

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Deal #1

Get a $10 Red Robin gift card for only $5 for Saveology first time buyers only.  Super easy, I just got mine!

Deal #2

Be sure to sign up for Red Robin’s Red Royalty card at participating Red Robin restaurants. Once you get your card, register it on-line and start enjoying your rewards.

You’ll get:
~One free Gourmet Burger during the month of your birthday.
~Buy 9 items and get the 10th free (Mix or match Gourmet Burgers, full-sized salads, sandwiches or entreés). *This really adds up quick because its not on your 10th visit, its on your 10th item.  If you take your family out and order 4 entrees, you’re almost halfway there to your free item!
~Visit 5 times in the first 5 weeks and receive $20 off your 6th visit.
~Surprise & Delight Offers…customized just for you! Occasionally throughout the year you will receive offers designed especially for you..

Here is a link to a buy one get one free at Baskin Robbins through March 5th.
http://image.email.baskinrobbins.com/lib/ff031272766405/m/1/FOM_Email_5.jpg
It says it’s for flavor of the month, so your mileage may vary on other flavors.

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