Want some Tomato Seeds???

Of course you do!  And you can get them for free from Campbell's!  Just go to this page and enter the code from the bottom of any canned condensed soup... you'll have them in the mail in just a few weeks!

While you're there, make sure you click on the 'Grow' button.  Every time it's clicked, Campbell's will make a donation of 50 seeds to FFA chapters across the US.  When you request a pack, 100 more are donated... so help spread tomato goodness!

Boise Downtown Community Garden

Where it began.

"The Boise Downtown Community Garden promotes growing healthier together through the practice of organic gardening in a community atmosphere." 

I have been driving by for the last month wondering what all of these kids were doing on this vacant lot.  I watched as raised beds were built in early May, dirt was dumped in mid May, and little green life appeared in late May.  That was a ton of ground to cover in one month... I must say I am impressed.  However, not as impressed as I was when I found out this afternoon that this was going to be a community garden!  While on my way to work, just yesterday, my husband said, "They should just make that a community garden!"  Little did he know!!!  All of this time we figured it was a garden for either the church or nearby schools.  I am super excited and can't wait to volunteer some time here.  

The garden is located on Fort Street between 11th and 12th, and they plan on gardening every day, night and weekend.  Please read more about Allison Demarest and her efforts getting the garden where it is today!

Free...

... Tortillas if you got the Statesman yesterday.  On page A-11 there are some Albertsons double coupons.... go to the Mission Tortilla Website and register for a $1/1 coupon that you'll get instantly.  They're on sale for $1.99 until Tuesday, so that means combined with a doubler, they're free.

and

This Wednesday, June 3rd, Sonic is giving away 10 oz floats completely free!! No other purchase is reqired. They are limited to one per person, so take all your kids out for ice cream for free! They start serving them at 8pm and continue until closing. What a great way to kick off the summer!  Thanks to Krazy Coupon Lady for the heads up!

It's Asparagus Season

You know you've been wondering what people have been doing, crouched down on the side of the road and ditchbanks, all month.

You should know by now that it's Asparagus season, and it's everywhere.  I was lucky to be caring for my grandfather, who's home backed up to an apple orchard, last season.  You know what that means... Asparagus picking every night!  We had asparagus frozen well into mid fall, and still wished for more.  My favorite is fresh asparagus with a little olive oil, and a drizzle of syrupy, well aged balsamic vinegar.  Top it off with some fresh ground pepper and sea salt... my mouth is watering!  Roast it, steam it, grill it or eat it raw... you can't go wrong!

Here are some cooking tips for preparing fresh asparagus, stove top.

Saucepan or Steamer: Cook fresh asparagus in a small amount of boiling water until tender. Fresh asparagus will be crisp-tender in 5 to 8 minutes.

Frying Pan:
Place a strip of folded aluminum on the bottom and up the sides of the pan, extending over the edges. Bring water to a boil; add asparagus spears and cook, uncovered, until crisp-tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Use foil strips to gently lift the spears to a serving dish.

Did you know Asparagus is a member of the Lily family, has no fat, no cholesterol and very low sodium?  Go here for more facts on Idaho Asparagus, along with some fun stuff for the kids... coloring pages, a crossword puzzle, matching game and word search.  The Idaho Preferred website also has a ton of information on buying local and in season, so check it out. They also have a great downloadable calendar of what's in season.  Go here for the top 20 asparagus recipes.

And remember to always ask before picking on private property... 

Recycling Newspaper

I'm sure by now everyone is putting there newspapers in the recycling bin, but what else can you do with all of that paper?  It is so versatile, and growing up in a family who worked primarily in the newspaper industry, I'm a big fan of that stuff that's black and white and read all over.  FYI I totally didn't get that joke for years!  If you want to read more about the grim future of newspapers click here.  

Aside from the obvious stuff, newspapers are good for so many "AHA" uses.

Cleaning and Household Uses

-Use on windows for streak free shine minus the lint

-Deodorize food containers.  Stuff a piece in your thermos/lunchbox, seal and let sit overnight.

-Pack delicate items 

-Preserve antique glass.  Some older frames have finishes on glass that can be damaged by cleaning solutions.  Remove smudges by dipping paper in solution of one part vinegar to one part warm water.  Let air dry.

-Dry shoes.  Place crumpled paper in them overnight.

-Wrap gifts.  Think comics for kids and maybe a wedding announcement page for engagement gift or bridal shower.

-Keep the vegetable drawer dry and free of smells by lining the bottom with newspaper.

Garden Uses

-Use as a mulch.

-Ripen tomatoes.  Wrap each one all alone and leave them out at room temperature.

-Create pots for seed starts.  You can make individual pots as well as 4 and 6 packs.  

-Kill grass and weeds before cultivating new gardens. Mow lawn short, lay down several layers where you don't want grass, wet the paper and throw pine needles, a tarp, whatever you have... on top.  Be sure to keep the paper moist.

Crafts

-Click here for instruction on making a dragon hat, maracas, a treasure tray and Geodesic Dome... for those of you who are very ambitious, this looks awesome.

Check the links for instructions.

It's Back

The Restaurant.com 80% Off sale is being extended until May 31st!

Go here to see what you can find!  Be sure to enter discount code SPECIAL  at checkout!

Bar Gernika Review

So as you know, Restaurant.com has been running some crazy specials.  Over Memorial Weekend they ran 80% off... yes 80! (Sorry I didn't get that posted in time, I was away from my computer, and thanks Martha for the heads up!)  Of course, we stocked up on some more gift certificates, even though we still have some left from the last sale.

I really want to start sharing my dining experiences with you all, so here we go.  First stop, Bar Gernika!  This was one of those trips where we weren't exactly planning on going to dinner, but it happened.  I wasn't sure how kid-friendly the place was (you question anything with 'Bar' in it's name), so we called on our way.  They assured us that it was family friendly and that they do not serve alcohol, so it's all ages, come as you are!  Awesome!  I've had a few drinks on the patio with my husband before, but never been inside, so didn't quite know what to expect....

When we walked inside it was packed, but then again, what do you expect for a little pub and eatery on the Basque Block... I'm sure it would seem packed even if there were four couples in there!  We were lucky to find ONE pub table open right next to the door.  Luckily we were able to hang all of the toddler baggage on our chairs so people weren't tripping on it.  Liv was pretty excited to have the opportunity to sit on my lap.  It didn't take long for the waiter to approach us, and assured us that he would clean a table for us as soon as one opened up.  Ted ordered a Solomo Sandwich (pork loin w/pimientos on fresh french roll), and I had Beef Tongue (tomato and pepper sauce with onions and garlic) ... their Saturday Only Special!  It was getting pretty late in the day, so I was lucky to get some, rumor has it that some Saturdays you're lucky if they have any left at lunch time.  We also ordered some AMAZING Croquetas (little balls of butter, onion, chicken, flour and milk), which Liv devoured within minutes.  Her Basque heritage is showing!

Overall our experience was wonderful, the employees were spectacular.  Helpful, but not trying too hard for their tips (you know the type I'm talking about... "we're fine!")  It worked great for one toddler, there was enough going on that she kept entertained, plus the place was good and noisy!!! Comforting.  We fit right in!!! I'm not sure how well a family of four or more would work, but you can always sit on the patio and people watch!  I highly recommend checking these guys out... especially if you like Basque food!  Chorizo, anyone?  My only complaint is that I didn't get dessert, but that's a good excuse to go back!