Wordless Wednesday- Blooms start here

in , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Wednesday, March 27, 2013


seed packets
Our seeds: Sunflowers, Foxglove, Sweet Pea, Hollyhock, Baby's Breath.


Spring is here! Spring is here! It’s the best time of the year! Those of us who love digging in the dirt have been waiting anxiously for planting time. We’ve dreamed of warmer days for months.
We’ve poured over seed catalogs, visited our favorite websites and sketched up our gardens and flower beds and got out our tools. Some of us who got warm weather last week have even bought some plants in preparation for our gardening season.

But wait! Don’t plant just yet. The USDA changed hardiness zones last year. Now is the time to double check your number.

plant hardiness zone map Tennessee MyWAHMPlan.com
Courtesy: USDA

2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location. The map is based on the average annual minimum winter temperature, divided into 10-degree F zones. 

It's easy to check your zone: go HERE, type in your zip code and/or state to see your personalized map. This site puts my hardiness zone as a 7 as seen on the above map.




Better Homes and Gardens (my second bible) has in depth gardening by region information as well. Go HERE to find out what they say your planting zone is and get a free personalized garden plan by going HERE.

 This site puts me in a zone 6.

What does this mean to me? I’m going to follow both guidelines and ask lots of questions at my local nursery if I fall in love with a plant I have not personally worked with before.

What plants are you looking forward to growing this year? My yen this year is Hollyhocks, Sunflowers. My new addition, which according to my ever helpful Better Homes and Gardens regional planting guide says will grow splendidly here, is Fleabane


Fleabane flowers MyWAHMPlan.com
Courtesy: B.H.G.com

Fleabane Description and growing Information:

This tall wildflower produces tiny, daisy-like flowers in great clouds in late summer into early fall. It is often mistaken for an aster, but is easier to grow and isn't plagued by fungal problems. Plants start blooming in midsummer and often continue blooming until fall. The native forms are seldom grown in the garden because they can be weedy, though they're great for naturalized areas and prairie or meadow plantings. However, many well-behaved, beautiful hybrids are available. All are beautiful when cut in big sprays and arranged in a vase.

Light:
Sun

Zones:
3-9

Plant Type:
Perennial

Plant Height:
18-30 inches tall

Plant Width:
18-24 inches wide

Landscape Uses:
Containers,Beds & Borders

Special Features:
Flowers, Cut Flowers, Attracts Butterflies, Drought Tolerant, Easy to Grow. 

Isn't Fleabane pretty?  If you have had experience with this plant, please let me know in the comments and happy spring!





Wordless Wednesday- Spring Blooms

in , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Wednesday, March 20, 2013


happy first day of spring
Happy First Day of Spring. I can't wait for these beauties to bloom again this year.

Dole Fruit Parfaits Review

in , , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Tuesday, March 19, 2013


I have always enjoyed Dole fruit products, so I was expecting good quality and great taste when I gave Dole Fruit Parfaits a try recently. What I wasn't prepared for was the stick my finger in the cup to get every last drop of goodness out taste! 
Readers, be warned: you will want to stock up on all three flavors of the Dole Fruit Parfaits. At just $2.79 per 4 cup package, it won’t break your budget to do so. 



fruit and creme
Courtesy: www.Dole.com

About Dole Fruit Parfaits:

Dole Fruit Parfaits are available in three flavors: Pineapple and Crème, Apples and Crème, Peaches and Crème. Each parfait package contains 4 grab and go clear cups with easy peel off lids (so your kids can open them by themselves). This is a plus for me because some fruit cups lids are hard to open, leading to big messes, even for my bigger kids.
Another plus is that Dole Fruit Parfaits contain all natural fruit with Vitamin C, are low in fat and sodium and cholesterol free. 
And they score high marks on keeping calories low. The Peaches and Crème cup and the Pineapple and Crème cup have 120 calories per serving and the Apples and Crème has 130 calories per serving.  Please visit www.dole.com for more information. 


Here's what the Peaches and Creme Looks like:

fruit and creme
Cup before mixing


fruit and creme
Cup after mixing




My Review:

I love them! My kids love them! My husband loves them! Seriously. I have never been able to give a 4 point Love to a product before here on My WAHM Plan, but these fruit Parfaits deserve it.
We have tried all 3 flavors and found them to be a refreshing treat. None of us had a clear favorite. All 3 flavors will be bought again!
The fruit is naturally sweet, like we have come to expect with Dole fruit and the crème is light-tasting, not heavy. You can serve these parfaits room temperature, cold, or add them to warm cereals like oatmeal for a quick and easy way to dress up a morning staple.

Dole Fruit Parfaits are a snack we can feel good about giving our whole family. 

I highly recommend this product.



You can learn more about Dole Fruit Parfaits by visiting their website HERE, liking them on Facebook and following them on Twitter.

I hope you found this review helpful. Do you have a favorite Dole Fruit product? Please share!




Disclosure I am part of the Mom It Forward blogger network. Mom It Forward and DOLE partnered in support of this campaign. DOLE compensated me for participation in this campaign. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.



Just saying Mickey is somehow magical isn't it? What if you could win some Mickey magic? Well, thanks to Pixie Vacations you just may be a winner!



Pixie vacations
Courtesy: Pixie Vacations

About the 365 Days of Mickey Sweepstakes by Pixie Vacations:

Each week for the rest of 2013 one lucky winner will be drawn for a Magical Mickey. This is not an ordinary Mickey, each Mickey Mouse plush has a little extra magic!

The Prize:

 One lucky winner of one of these 52 magical Mickeys will win a Four Day, Three Night stay at the Walt Disney World Resort with Four Days of Disney Park Admission for up to four adults. Now that is magical! 

Enter To Win HERE!




About Pixie Vacations:





Pixie Vacations is owned and operated by Steve and Lisa, past Disney Cast members. They are Free to use and will help you every step of the way. If you are planning a trip to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney Cruise, or an Adventures by Disney Vacation, they will create the best Disney vacation package for you at the lowest possible price. Please take a minute to review all that Pixie Vacations offer before you book by clicking HERE.

 Every week in 2013 Pixie Vacations® will be giving away prizes and magical surprises so be sure to return and enter weekly.

Also be sure to take advantage of the latest Disney Vacation Packages at Pixie Vacations and read some of their client testimonials HERE



I would love to take advantage of their 4th of July at Walt Disney World Vacation Package Savings.


Disney
Courtesy: Pixie Vacations
 From Pixie Vacations:  "Book a Disney Vacation Package for 5 nights / 6 days at select Disney, Value, Moderate, or Deluxe Resorts and get a FREE Disney Water Park or DisneyQuest Ticket for each person in your party.
Enjoy Independence Week at Walt Disney World:
It’s red, white and blue as Disney Parks salutes America with a 4th of July Fireworks Party — for an entire week, with patriotic lighting bathing the Cinderella’s Castle. Mickey Mouse appears in his patriotic finest and you will find special USA shirts, Ear Hats and other limited-edition souvenirs available to purchase."
Booking Window: 8/10/12 – 6/01/13
Travel Window: 7/1 – 7/8/13

Pixie Vacations
Courtesy: Pixie Vacations
As you can see, there is a wealth of information and prize winning potential at Pixie Vacations
I hope you found this post helpful as you plan your next dream vacation. 

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. As part of the USFG team, I was happy to help spread the word about this sweepstake. I may be eligible to win a prize for my participation. 





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