July 15, 2011

FOODIE FRIDAY FREE PIZZA WINNER IS...

Karen P.

Congratulations Karen!  I will send you a message to confirm that you won.

OIP Pizzeria would like all my followers to try their pizza so they are offering a buy one large pizza and get the second on for $5.00.  Discount is only valid on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.  Print this blog post and take it to OIP Pizzeria to get your discount.

FOODIE FRIDAY PIZZA PICK OF THE WEEK REVIEW!

OIP Pizzeria was our pick for the week.  I ordered the pizza for 4:30 pm.  When I walked in at 4:30 the pizza was ready and hot.  The pizza was a round thin crust plain pie.  My family really enjoyed the pizza.  The crust was cooked perfect with just the right crunch to it.  I love this type of crust!  You can hold the slice in your hand and it isn't flopping over.  The sauce and spices mixed well together and had great flavor.  The sauce to cheese ratio was good.   My family will definitely have OIP Pizza again.  OIP Pizzeria is located 904 Upper Front Street, Binghamton.  Call 722-7262 to order ahead.

Follow our Pizza Pick circuit and try OIP Pizzeria for yourself.

July 14, 2011

Gardening with Mr. C. - DIY Gardening

You can have the pleasure of picking the freshest berries every year for little or no cost* by growing your own. I'll explain how I developed the three rows of red raspberry you see below from just a few plants (that I found by the roadside).


                                                   Red Raspberries Plants 

Berries are "invasive", ie. they spread by sending up suckers from their roots. However, I have been able to control them to my advantage. Once these new plants have developed their own roots, I transfer them to an open spot or a new bed. These first year plants and new  canes on existing plants (see the tall canes in the above picture) do not bear fruit the first year. They have larger briar's than they will in subsequent years (but red raspberry canes are fairly gentle). They will grow tall enough to touch the ground where they take root. Once these young plants are established (in the following spring), I cut them loose and trim the long canes to the height of the supporting twine. The second year canes will be the most productive. Third year fruit will be smaller (or vines can be pruned off if desired, but definitely by the fourth year when they turn gray and die). I prune and compost during the dormant stage. New plants are also produced from seed, but will grow slowly. Unpicked overripe berries (because they hide so well) will drop off or birds will eat them and deposit the seeds (look in any bare protected areas).  If you can learn to identify the seedlings, you can transfer them to your patch. My berries are ripening now. See below.

                                                          Red Raspberries

I also have a semi-wild patch of black raspberries ("black caps"). They are similar in shape to the red, but are smaller and are dark purple in color. The first year briar's are really nasty and the second year briar's are only slightly better. Berries grow in clusters with the center berry sometimes ripening first. Others ripen all at once (see below). Mine have now peaked, and will decrease and will be done soon.

                                                              Black-caps


Happy gardening - Mr. C.

*NOTE: If you would like some starter plants for your garden, please comment below or e-mail me at savingandsharingit@yahoo.com.

July 13, 2011

Pampered Chef - Outlet Specials

Save money on Pampered Chef!  Visit their website click on Shopping then click on Outlet Specials.  They have some great deals.  Purchase an item for yourself or as a gift for someone else.  The Measure and Mix Set was $20.75 is now on sale for $9.00.  Click here to visit their website.

Happy Shopping,

Katie

Get your Hormel coupons!

Hormel is offering four coupons with a savings of up to $4.00 off on their website. Life is better served with Hormel.  Get your coupons by clicking here and start serving Hormel to your family and friends.

PIZZA PICK OF THE WEEK!

OIP Pizzeria is the PIZZA PICK OF THE WEEK. On Friday, my family will have OIP Pizzeria pizza for dinner and I will write a review. One of my lucky followers will win a FREE pizza from OIP Pizzeria, 904 Front Street, Binghamton so they can also try the pizza. I will draw the FREE pizza winner July 15th at 6:00 pm EST.