Planting Fruits and Vegetables

Planting your own produce can be a great alternative to buying from the supermarket especially if you are on a budget or prefer to eat organic. Buying seeds doesn’t cost a lot of money and saving your seeds to replant is even cheaper. Saving seeds from cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers are great choices to regrow. Buying seeds packets is very cost effective as many discount stores sell packets for less than a dollar.

Be sure to do some research since the best time to plant seeds depend on the climate and type of seed.

Selecting your planters

Planters come in all shapes and sizes such as rectangular boxes, round pots and raised garden beds have become very popular. One of the best things about round pots is that they are very inexpensive. I personally love buying terracotta pots and painting them to add a personal touch. You can even check your local dollar store, you might be pleasantly surprised at the selection.

Create your own oasis

No matter if your garden is big or small you can create a space to fit your budget. Adding lights and chairs are a special touch to create a nice ambiance. String lights come in all shapes and sizes and don’t cost a lot of money. Incorporating a water feature or selecting a color scheme are other great ways to pull your space together.

I’ve found gardening to be so relaxing and I just feel accomplished when I see my flowers start to bloom or a tomato grow that I planted myself. Create your garden on a budget and enjoy the fruits of your labor!

Find Out More with My Military Savings and DIY & Crafts!

Ingredients

•  2 tablespoons olive oil
•  1 cup carrots, peeled and sliced thin (about 1 1/2 large carrots)
•  1 cup celery, sliced thin (about 2 stalks)
•  1 cup sweet Vidalia or yellow onion, peeled and diced small (about 1 medium onion)
•  64 ounces (8 cups) low-sodium chicken broth, plus more if desired
•  2 bay leaves
•  1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
•  1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
•  1 teaspoon pepper, or to taste
•  12 ounces wide egg noodles (or your favorite noodles or pasta)
•  2 cups shredded cooked chicken (use store-bought rotisserie chicken to save time; or roast or cook your own chicken in a skillet)
• salt, to taste

Directions

1. To a large stockpot, add the oil and heat over medium-high heat to warm.
2. Add the carrots, celery, onion, and sauté for about 7 minutes, or until vegetables begin to soften. Stir intermittently.
3. Add the chicken broth, bay leaves, thyme, oregano, pepper, and bring to a boil. Allow mixture to boil gently for about 5 minutes or until vegetables are fork-tender.
4. Add the egg noodles and boil mixture for about 10 minutes, or until noodles are soft and cooked through. I added a bit more chicken broth once the noodles were cooked through to ensure there was enough broth for the soup.
5. Add the chicken and boil 1 to 2 minutes, or until chicken is warmed through. Taste soup and add salt to taste. I added about 1 tablespoon but this will vary based on how salty the brand of chicken broth used is, how salty the rotisserie chicken is, and personal preference. Make any necessary seasoning adjustments (i.e. more salt, pepper, herbs, etc.), remove the bay leaves, and serve immediately.

This is a recipe that you have to try! The taste is out of this world and I love to make a big batch to eat for leftovers during the week. It stores well in the fridge, about 5-6 days.

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In the 1800s, settlers were flooding into Mexico-controlled Texas. In 1835, as the war for independence in Texas began to ramp up, a group of defenders took refuge in the old mission in San Antonio. Sam Houston, the commanding general, determined that the old mission was not a defensible position and recommended that it be abandoned for a better location. The men inside the Alamo refused, holding their ground against the massive body of troops on their way from Mexico.

While the defenders held off the Mexican army, Sam Houston was busy raising support throughout Texas. Detachments were raised, but it was a race against time to see if anyone would be able to get to the old mission in time to help those who were defending it. Col. William B. Travis was in charge of the old mission, and with around 180-220 men inside, they were vastly outnumbered by the large army approaching under the command of General Santa Anna. 

Those defending the Alamo, including David Crockett and James Bowie, managed to hold off the Mexican army for 13 days. On 6 March 1836, the Mexican army breached the mission and killed everyone inside, minus a small number of women and children. Instead of burying the defenders, the Mexican army burned their bodies and their ashes buried in a grove of trees, of which the location today has been lost. 

Around 350 troops under the command of Col. James Fannin attempted to reach the defenders at the Alamo, but were unsuccessful. After their surrender to the Mexican troops, Col. Fannin and his men were executed by the Mexican army on 27 March 1836. 

The fall of the Alamo and the subsequent massacre of Col Fannin’s regiment sent shock waves throughout Texas. Afterward, at the Battle of San Jacinto, the cry “Remember the Alamo” was heard as the Texans went on to defeat Santa Anna’s army. The phrase was also used during the later Mexican-American war.

Today, the Alamo is open to visitors, sharing the story of the beginning of the war for independence in Texas.

 Books on the Alamo:

1. A Time To Stand – Walter Lord
2. The Gates of the Alamo – Stephen Harrigan
3. The Blood of Heroes: The 13-Day Struggle for the Alamo – James Donovan
4. David Crockett: The Lion of the West – Michael Wallis
5. A Line in the Sand: The Alamo in Blood and Memory – Randy W. Roberts
6. 13 Days To Glory – Lon Tinkle
7. Texan Iliad: A Military History of the Texas Revolution, 1835-1836 – Stephen L. Hardin

Movies on the Alamo:

1. The Martyrs of the Alamo (1915 – silent film)
2. Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier (1955)
3. The Last Command (1955)
4. The Alamo (1960) with John Wayne
5. The Alamo: Thirteen Days to Glory (1987)
6. The Alamo (2004)

Find Out More with MyMilitarySavings.com and Military Family & Life!

A little over a year later I raised my hand and was sworn in to serve my country. Looking back now I honestly didn’t realize what I was getting into. I didn’t really understand that we were a country getting ready to go to war. Fast forward over twenty years later, I have no regrets. I am proud to be an American!

Did you know that on December 18, 2001, the Congress designated September 11 of each year as Patriot Day and by Public Law 111-13, approved April 21, 2009, the Congress has requested the observance of September 11 as an annually recognized “National Day of Service and Remembrance.

Following the tragic events that took place on September 11, 2001, Firefighters, Police Officers, EMTs, and many others put their lives on the line to help injured victims. These patriots showed courage and perseverance. They paid the ultimate sacrifice while trying to help others.

On the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, Americans of all ages and backgrounds are invited to join and lead community service projects to honor the lives and service of those we lost on September 11.  

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May is such an important month as its Military Appreciation Month along with Mother’s Day and Military Spouse Appreciation Day!!!!

This episode we are focusing on military spouses! In, fact, I have a fellow military spouse and friend, Charlotte, whose husband is in the Army for The United Kingdom! We talk about all things military life and what it’s like to be a British military spouse!

You won’t want to miss this episode! I learned so much and I’m sure you will too.

So, grab some wine sit down, relax and enjoy 🙂

You Can Follow Charlotte on Instagram @mumma_starr

Follow us on IG @offdutyhappyhour

And Check Out Our Off Duty Happy Hour Community, You Can Find on Facebook at Military Wives Saving, Under Groups 🙂

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So, we ask the question: How soon do you begin preparing for back to school? Do you wait until right before, or do you plan throughout the summer to help offset the cost?

Right now, we have a survey question up so that we can gauge the responses. You might be curious as to why we are asking. We want to be sure that we are sharing savings and tips and tricks to help you prepare. But we want to share these when you need them. We use these responses to ensure that we are updating to the needs of our consumers – YOU!

Head over to the survey section, and answer the question today!

Lululemon 25%

Yes, I am aware they are expensive, and I am not lying when I say I am a bargain shopper. I only ever shop We Made Too Much, which is their clearance and guess what?!? You can take 25% off of that! I have scored some GREAT deals that last me years.

Foot Locker 15% 

Need new kicks? I have gotten some great deals and the added military discount is a bonus to boot…pun intended!

Abercrombie & Fitch 15%

Another favorite of mine, A & F has come a looong way since high school days and make some very nice clothes. They usually have great deals and clearance items and I have been able to stack military discount on top of that, making their clothes very affordable.

Kohls 15%

I’ll be honest, I am not much of a Kohls shopper…BUT I have heard if you shop smart you can save a lot of money here! Be sure to ask for the military discount on top of that!

Old Navy 10%

Another store I love shopping at when it comes to kids clothing!

American Eagle 15%

I love American Eagle, and I love that they give a 15% discount too…BIG SCORE!

Express 15%

My husband is a huge Express fan and when shopping sales plus military discount…you can’t beat it!

Micheals 10% & JoAnn Fabrics 15%

Crafting much? Save on craft supplies when you shop these two craft stores!

Lowe’s 10% AND Home Depot 10%

Have some house projects or improvements that need to get done? These are my two go tos and offer a military discount!

*Discounts may vary store to store and some restrictions may apply.