Old-Fashioned Learning Fun, Inspired by the Delaware Children's Museum

Last week, we went to the Delaware Children's Museum in Wilmington, DE.  It resides in a huge warehouse that used to be home to a bar / restaurant back when we were in college.  I will tell you - the museum is a GIANT upgrade.  At $10 a ticket with AAA, it was a GREAT value.  We were there for three hours, and we could've stayed for more.  Because my right shoulder seems to sag below my left shoulder due to the gargantuan weight of my pocketbook, I didn't bring my camera.  But, we got tons of good ideas for low-tech, old-school summer activities as a result of exploring the museum.

Upcycled Glass Jelly Jar - From Trash to Treasure in 15 Minutes

Sometimes, I clean and save empty glass jars.  I'm not sure why.  There's something inherently crafty about them.  However, there's nothing crafty about them if you let them sit on a counter, collecting dust (as is usually the case in my house!).

Sometimes, inspiration strikes.  I was looking for a container to hold Q-tips on my bathroom counter.  Using an old jelly jar (with a name like Smuckers, it has to be good), a scrap of fabric and glue, an upcycled apothecary jar was born!

Here's how to make yours...  This whole project took about 15 minutes, total. 

Upcycled Glass Jelly Jar - From Trash to Treasure

City of Motherly Love's Second Giveaway - Six Sisters' Stuff Goodies!

Calling All Bloggers! 

I am so excited to announce our second giveaway!  Since I started this blog a few months ago, I've been trying to learn the ropes.  One of the things I've learned is that no one does blogging better than the Six Sisters!  If you've heard of them, you know exactly what I'm talking about.  If you haven't, you're in for a treat.  SixSistersStuff.com offers the best recipes, crafts, giveaways, tips and more.  And, they've graciously offered three sets of their wildly popular e-books for the City of Motherly Love's second giveaway.  The books are AMAZING and are jam-packed with great ideas for YOUR blog.  We'll be giving one set away each month.  Each set contains:

Completely Free Subscription to Better Homes & Gardens Magazine

Here's a completely free subscription for one year to Better Homes & Gardens.  You don't need to provide a credit card and you won't be billed.  I've done this offer before, and it's legit!  Unfortunately, a subscription does not mean that your house or garden will automatically look like those featured in the magazine, but they're purdy to look at!

Here's how to sign up....

One Woman's Fight Against Grime - Oven Edition

We have an older white gas oven, with gray grates and those other things!  You know, the round pieces that go over the burners, but under the grates?  I am embarrassed to say that I don't know what they're called.  As you can tell from this blog, I like to cook, and within a week or two, the amount of food and grime that can attach itself to my stove top is appalling.  Over the years, I've been on a quest to find an efficient way to clean the burners and the grates.  I've tried putting the round pieces and the grates in the dishwasher multiple times and have also used various cleaners.  None of it made a difference worth writing home about (or blogging about)!  After researching, I decided to try something new....

Completely Free 2-Year Subscription to Parenting Magazine

We love magazine subscriptions in my house (probably because we've gotten most of them for free through various online offers).  Currently, I think we have about 15 subscriptions.  The mailman must love us!

Well, now it's your turn!  Rewardscountry.com is offering a completely free 2-year subscription to Parenting Magazine. 

Here's how:  Fill out a brief survey (past ones have been about MP3 players or music downloads), and you'll be subscribed.  We've used this site before, and it really is completely free!  Can't beat that!  Oh, and if you already have a subscription, just make sure to enter your address online as it looks on your monthly subscription label.  They'll extend your issues for two years past your current date.

Sign up for your free subscription here!
Thanks, BudgetSavvyDiva!

Such a cool idea - I wish I'd thought of it!!!!

With help from other creative mommies, Ashley at She Makes a Home whipped up an issue of an online magazine.  It is absolutely gorgeous -  with tons of great recipe, decorating, entertainment fashion and DIY gift ideas.  Filled with lots of beautiful pictures, Snowed In is just inspiring to look through!  I wish I'd thought of this idea :)  Maybe next year, you'll be reading a "City of Motherly Love" special issue ;)

I'm not crazy about snow, so thankfully you don't actually have to be snowed in to enjoy it!

Motherly Love Subscribers, Don't Forget to Enter Our Contest!

The City of Motherly Love is Growing! 

If you're a subscriber, don't forget to enter our very first contest.... All you need to do is leave a comment in my previous post! 

And, if you're not a subscriber, it's easy to do...  Just enter your e-mail address here.  Then, head on over to my contest post and let me know the good news.

Free Shipping Day - Helping You Procrastinate!

Do you remember the episode of Friends where the gang procrastinates and needs to buy Christmas presents for each other at a gas station on Christmas Eve?  To make sure that no one on your list receives candy bars or antifreeze like Monica did, sign up for an e-mail reminder about Free Shipping Day on December 17th.





On this magical day, over 1,000 merchants will offer free shipping and other discounts, with delivery to the 48 contiguous United States by Christmas Eve.

Even if you don't need to order any present because you finished your shopping in September, or because Hanukkah is over, you can still get great deals on things you might need anyway.

Small Business Saturday - Get $25 Back

Have you heard about Small Business Saturday yet?  The day after Black Friday is now known as Small Business Saturday.  Enroll your eligible American Express® Card to GET $25 BACK ONE TIME WHEN YOU SPEND $25 OR MORE at a qualifying small business location on November 24th. Enrollment is limited so act early before enrollments run out. Corporate and prepaid cards are not eligible. 

To enroll your card and find qualifying small businesses, check out:  Shop Small

We did it last year (it only takes a few minutes to register your card), and, sure enough, we had a $25 credit on our statement after doing our Saturday shopping (at a qualifying small business, of course!)

Lego Love

My son looooooooves Legos and he loves magazines.  Did you know that there is a free Lego magazine you can sign your child up for?  My little guy is five, so he gets the Lego Club, Jr. magazine (there's also an option for older kids).  When we first subscribed, I was a little nervous that it was going to be one big Lego ad, but it's actually not.  It has easy-to-follow Lego patterns, comics and activities.  Word to the wise - subscribe on the down-low.  It takes MONTHS before you'll receive your first issue.  That way, when it comes it will be a huge surprise, instead of an agonizing wait for your little builder.

Lego magazine subscription