This Frugal Family

I love reading It’s Not Hansel and Gretel, to my 7 year old.  I love that the ending is happy, and it’s a “Happily Ever After” moment.  I never would’ve thought when I started to read the book, for the first time, that it would be a happy ending, because of “Hansel And Gretel” in the title.  But, it’s not your average Hansel and Gretel story.  It’s much more, and fun to read. Josh Funk had a great idea, when writing this book, that is now sold on Amazon.  It’s truly a masterpiece.  Josh takes books, and does his own twist with them.  Check out his site, and follow him on Twitter @joshfunkbooks.  You’ll find some more truly amazing books, along with It’s Not Hansel And Gretel. The Illustrations are fantastic!  Edwardian Taylor did a wonderful job.  I love how colorful, and meaningful they are. It’s Not Hansel And Gretel will take your young child’s mind off of those video games, and school work, even if just for 10 minutes.  They will feel so happy, at least my son does, after reading such a wonderful book. Jacob is in second grade, and sometimes, the weight of school gets to him.  I’ll…

I can’t go out much, because I deal with Panic Disorder.  And, well, Valentine’s Day, and all the people, I couldn’t go out.  So, we had a Valentine’s Date at home, with Crated With Love.  It was so special.  We started with the book that came with Crated With Love, so we knew what to do.  Our box was Our Sweetheart Safari.  It was so much fun, and super cute! The book has challenges in it, so Challenge One was “Our Safari Skills”, Challenge Two:  “Lions, Tigers and Bears”, Challenge Three:  “Jungle River Excursion”, Challenge Four:  “Our Goals Journal”.  These are so cute, and so fun to do with the person you love, for a special day, or any day.  We just picked Valentine’s Day, because my spouse knew I couldn’t be around all those people. Why a Date Night, you may ask, well here’s the answer found on Crated With Love: Couples that have dedicated “couple time” at least once a week are 3.5 times more likely to classify their marriage as “very happy” compared to those couples who enjoy less quality time together. My daughter, age 21, and her boyfriend, age 22, even asked if they could borrow…

I’ve been using Cave Tools for some time now, and every time I order something, I just get more impressed.  The Jalapeno Grill Rack with Pepper Corer is so great.  Even though the weather isn’t nice enough to grill, in Pennsylvania, right now, I’m still using the pepper corer and my hubby still used the rack.  My mom loves her hot peppers, so this is a treat when she comes to my house, and actually has some peppers already cored.  She loves this little tool, too, and asked where she could get one.  I sent her to the Cave Tools page, on Amazon. The Pepper Grill Rack is so functional, and easy to use.  You just core the pepper, and slide it in the hole.  It couldn’t be more easy.  I can do it, and I’m a little over the top.  I love using the rack, and even though it is chilly in Pa, we have had a few warm days, so my husband tried out the rack.  My mom loved the way the peppers turned out, and said that not only did she need the corer now, but the rack too, so my dad could grill the peppers when…

My daughter loves the Notebook Doodles Peace Love and Notebook Doodles Fabulous Fashion Guided Journals.  She really likes the pages that ask her questions, because she loves answering them.  I’ve looked at them, and she’s doing a fine job. The Notebook Doodles Peace Love And Music Journal is magical.  You don’t really have to answer the questions, you can write whatever you want, but it starts with “What does harmony mean to you?” and ends with “Write a short story starting with this sentence:  Sophia had a secret talent.”  On every even page, new questions, on the odd pages, either blank, or pictures to color.  It’s a really awesome book.  You should get one for your pre-teen. Here’s some features: This inspiring guided journal for tweens ages 8 – 12 is designed to build confidence and self-esteem in young girls! Fun and positive guided journal for ‘tweens ages 8 to 12 Writing prompts encourage young readers to practice the four basic writing styles taught in school—narrative, compare and contrast, descriptive, and goal setting Beautifully illustrated with inspiring fashionable art from Notebook Doodles coloring book artist Jess Volinski Artist Jess Volinski is an established popular designer and book illustrator for young adults My daughter…

Spring, and Summer, are just around the corner.  And, I love the new line of Sparkly Sun Screen Lotion from Sunshine And Glitter.  I’ve never felt pretty.  My 21 year old, daughter, loves it too.  She took a bottle for herself.  This stuff is magnificent.  I will continue to use it, until I die.  Even though it’s too cold in Pennsylvania to go outside with it on, I’ve tried it, and it leaves me feeling so silky, and ready for a tan. I gifted a bottle, to a friend, for her little girl, and she said that she won’t let her wipe it off.  Every time she bathes her, she wants more on.  I love it too, especially the Beach Gypsy SPF 30+.  The Beach Gypsy leaves you all glittery, and makes you feel so silky smooth. I can’t wait to go to Lake Erie, this Summer, and wear these at Presque Isle.  I’ll be so shimmering, and fancy.  My daughter says she can’t wait either.  We will be the cutest ones there. Sunshine and Glitter (Beach Gypsy) is Water Resistant, up to 80 Minutes, UVA/UVB Protection is important, as well, and they provide it.  It’s also Eco-Friendly, biodegradable glitter, and NO…

We tried Vade Nutrition, and we love it, and will continue to buy it.  We have the little shakers, and we are trying to get into shape.  The self-dissolvable scoops are perfect.  No more measuring, when it comes to our nutrition drink.  Just throw it in, and add the liquid, and pow, our drink is ready! The dissolvable scoops come in chocolate, vanilla, or chocolate & vanilla, all in one pack.  They are amazing.  My diet is going great, I’ve lost 7 pounds, and my wife lost 4 pounds. This 100% Whey Isolate Protein is just what we needed in our lives.  I’ve already placed another order, so we can continue to drink it.  There’s 0 Lactose in the dissolvable scoop, so if you are lactose intolerant, don’t worry about that. Vade is delicious, or we wouldn’t drink it.  Vade is worth your time, and it’s not expensive.  If you need a Protein drink, in your life, I would definitely recommend Vade.  It’s worth every penny.  And, if you still aren’t sure about it, try the Sample Packs, with 2 Vanilla and 2 Chocolate, to get you started.  They also have shakers, and a travel shaker, for the on-the-go you.  We…

As if we need an excuse to enjoy our favorite tequila cocktail, February 22nd is National Margarita Day! A margarita on the rocks can pack anywhere from 450 to 800 calories, but Sparkling Ice makes it easy to make great-tasting margarita with only a fraction of the calories (aka more room for chips and guac!). Spicy Sparkling Margarita INGREDIENTS 2 parts Blanco Tequila ½ part Cointreau 3 slices of Jalapeño pepper Juice of 1/8 lime 1 ½ parts Sparkling Ice Lemon Lime DIRECTIONS Shake Tequila, Cointreau, lime juice and peppers with ice. Pour into rocks glass with salted rim and lime wedge. Top with Sparkling Ice Lemon Lime. Pomegranate Margarita INGREDIENTS 2oz tequila 2oz pomegranate juice 1oz lime juice 1oz simple syrup Sparkling Ice Classic Lemonade Vanilla flake salt rim, for garnish Lime wedge, for garnish DIRECTIONS Rim glass with a lime and dip into salt, fill glass with ice and set to the side. In an ice filled cocktail shaker, combine tequila, pomegranate juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and shake. Strain into glasses and top with Sparkling Ice Classic Lemonade, stir lightly to combine. Garnish with a lime wedge. Sippin’ The Beet INGREDIENTS 1 ½ oz silver tequila ½…

From the Academy Award®-winning team—directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, and producer Peter Del Vecho—and featuring the voices of Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff and Josh Gad, and the music of Oscar®-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2019. Check out the new teaser trailer from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2.”   #Frozen2 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisneyFrozen/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/disneyfrozen/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DisneyFrozen Hashtag: #Frozen2  

Lionsgate Joins Actiview & Nyle DiMarco to Make Its Critically Acclaimed Film WONDER the First Live Action US Film to Have American Sign Language Interpretation   SANTA MONICA, CA (February 12, 2019) – Lionsgate has teamed up with Actiview, a mobile application company that provides film accessibility solutions for blind, deaf, and foreign language speaking audiences, and Celebrity Deaf Advocate Nyle DiMarco to make the worldwide box office hitWONDER the first live action US film to have an American Sign Language interpretation available for viewing along with the film. The Actiview app is designed as a “second-screen” experience, either through headphones or on the user’s phone screen, that allows users to playback audio descriptions, captions, multi-language dubs, and even sign language interpretations of films and shows while they watch on a TV, laptop, or in a theater. “Lionsgate is committed to making our movies increasingly available and accessible,” said Brian Day, Lionsgate Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships. “We’re delighted to be working with Nyle and Actiview to make our incredibly moving and heartfelt movie WONDER the first live action film to ever have American Sign Language available alongside it.” After winning America’s Next Top Model in 2015 and then becoming a champion on Dancing with the Stars, actor and model…

    A thrilling and vibrant live-action adaptation of Disney’s animated classic, “Aladdin” is the exciting tale of the charming street rat Aladdin, the courageous and self-determined Princess Jasmine and the Genie who may be the key to their future. Directed by Guy Ritchie, who brings his singular flair for fast-paced, visceral action to the fictitious port city of Agrabah, “Aladdin” is written by John August and Ritchie based on Disney’s “Aladdin.” The film stars Will Smith as the Genie; Mena Massoud as Aladdin; Naomi Scott as Jasmine; Marwan Kenzari as Jafar; Navid Negahban as the Sultan; Nasim Pedrad as Dalia; Billy Magnussen as Prince Anders; and Numan Acar as Hakim. “Aladdin” is produced by Dan Lin, p.g.a., and Jonathan Eirich, p.g.a., with Marc Platt and Kevin De La Noy serving as executive producers. Eight-time Academy Award®-winning composer Alan Menken provides the score, which includes new recordings of the original songs written by Menken and Oscar®-winning lyricists Howard Ashman and Tim Rice and includes two new songs written by Menken and Oscar and Tony Award®-winning songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.   Like us on Facebook:                     https://www.facebook.com/DisneyAladdin Follow us on Twitter:                     https://twitter.com/DisneyAladdin Instagram:                                          https://www.instagram.com/DisneyAladdin YouTube:                                             https://www.youtube.com/user/DisneyMovieTrailers Hashtag:                                              #Aladdin