Be open to what's available

You won't belive what my son and I came across while walking home yesterday (and even the week before). The CVS near my house was discarding huge bags filled with awesome usable, non-expired and in excellent condition household goods.

Yesterday just a few of the things we found were a pack of Scott toilet tissue perfectly wrapped in its packaging, 7 bags of Lindt chocolates, 3 Ghirardelli bags, and 3 Toblerone chocolates.  All perfectly good, unopened and unexpired. I'm guessing maybe it was leftover from Easter and Valentine's. 

There were also several bags in Easter packaging of York Peppermint Patties, various boxes and brands of Bandaids, a lint roller, Arizona ice tea, and much more. I tossed a couple items when I got home that were missing caps and cleaned off anything that may have gotten dirty.

The week before I scored Oreo cookies, a couple of boxes of Frosted Flakes cereal, and Chips Ahoy chocolate chip cookies. My kids were loving it because I never buy that stuff. I did manage to get one healthy item--Quaker multigrain cereal for me.  (I've been having it for breakfast since got it.)

Keep those eyes open. You never know what you'll find.

FREE Cone Day at Carvel - Thursday, April 30th

Get your free ice cream cone at Carvel this Thursday, April 30th from 3 pm to 8 pm.

Yummmm!!

FREE Comic Book Day - Saturday, May 2nd

Don't miss it. This Saturday, May 2nd is FREE Comic Book Day. My family loves it and looks forward to it every year.  The tradition started when the kids were little.  My husband was a big comic fan as a kid and wanted to share that with our kids. Plus, its a great way to encourage reading.  This year my husband has to work so he will go to comic book stores by his office. We will take NYC. 

The event is just what the name says--go to participating comic book stores and snag designated free comics. Special edition comics are printed for the occasion and that is what you choose from. 

Some some stores lay out the red carpet for you and some not so much.  In the past, my favorite stores have had cool giveaways, artists signing their work, and costumed superheros to greet you. But it's fun to go no matter what.  If we get duplicates, I give them to friends.

Check out freecomicbookday.com to find a location by you and map out the best route. Get there early if you can as the comics can go quickly.

Fun, fun, fun!

Take Your Child To Work Day

Don't forget that tomorrow, Thursday, April 23rd is Take Your Child To Work Day.

Enjoy the special day.

FREE Performances at the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center

Located across the street from the main Lincoln Center area, the David Rubenstein Atrium is a small but interesting space that offers free performances. I've been there and enjoyed the show!!

Check the calendar for the various shows offered.

Tribeca Film Festival Family Street Fair/ ESPN Sports Day

For years one of the highlights of the season for my family was the Tribeca Film Festival Family Street Fair with the ESPN Sports Fair.  Tons of cool entertainment, film screenings, crafts, sports activities, and givaways.

Come early since it gets very crowded. Officially its from 10AM to 6PM but it really winds down at the end.

Located from Hubert to Chamber Streets in Lower Manhattan.

Also check online for FREE screenings and fee based online and theater screenings too.

FREE Urban Gardening Info

I am a novice gardener and have found a love and appreciation for vegetables and herbs that I can grow myself.  However, I don't really know what I'm doing.  LOL.  Below are just two sources of gardening information that beginners (and not so beginners) may find useful.  The below has general info and NYC specific info (which I've had more difficult to finding).  Hope it is helpful to you.


The New York Botanical Garden is a wealth of knowledge.

Frequently Asked (Gardening) Questions section, listing of resources and info (similar but not the same as Grow NYC's) and a plant helpline (listed below) are all on the website.

Need plant help?

Contact the experts at:

(718) 817-8681

Mon.-Fri: 9:30 am-12:30 pm

Or email us anytime at:plantinfo@nybg.org

From GROW NYC:  City Lot Fact Sheets

• A City Gardening Primer on Perennials
• Annuals Perennials Tolerant of Dry Conditions
• Birds in Urban Gardens
• Caring for roses in summer
• Diseases and Insects
• Early Spring Bulb Alert
• Essential Garden Tools And Maintainence
• Fences and Bollards
• Good Gardening Practices
• Grow Truck Tool Loan Agreement
• Growing Propagating in a Cold Frame
• Herbs in Urban Gardens
• Horticultural Oils
• How to Construct a Tree Bench
• Indoor plants in low light
• Insects and Diseases
• Lawn Care and Maintenance
• Managing Weeds
• Month to Month Gardening Schedule: what you should be doing every month to get the most out of your garden.
• New Ways to Plant City Trees
• Noxious Weeds in your Garden
• Plan a Cutting Garden in NYC
• Plant Propagation
• Plant a rock garden in NYC
• Plants for Shade Gardens
• Plants for window boxes and tree pits
• Poisonous And Injurious Garden Plants
• Prepare for Maintenance
• Preparing and Selling Herbs and Dried Flowers
• Putting Your Garden to Rest for Winter
• Rubble Mounds
• Spring flowering bulbs