Special Thanks & Lots of Freebies for Veteran's Day!

I want to take the time today to remember all of our veterans who have sacrificed for our country's freedoms and security. Words don't seem enough, but... Thank You!

Special thanks to: my brother - James (Air Force), my stepson - Lee (Navy), my future son-in-law - Matt (Marines), my son-in-law - Lowell (Air Force), my father - Jim (Army) and the many other family members who have generously and courageously served in all branches of our Armed Forces. I love you all!

Applebees – free meal, Thursday, Nov. 11: Military veterans and active-duty Service Members will be able to eat free at any Applebee’s across the U.S. on Veteran’s Day, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010. There will be 7 entrées to choose from. Guests will be asked to show one or more of the following as proof of service: U.S. Uniform Services ID Card (active/reserve/retired), Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), Photograph in uniform, Wearing uniform, Veterans Organization Card (e.g., American Legion and VFW), or DD214.

Chili’s – free meal, Thursday, Nov. 11. Chili’s is offering all military veterans past and present their choice of one of 6 meals. This offer is available during business hours on November 11, 2010 at participating Chili’s in the U.S. only. Dine-in from limited menu only; beverages and gratuity not included. Veterans and active duty military simply show proof of military service. See flier for more information.

Hooters – free Meal, Thursday, Nov. 11. Hooter’s is serving up a free meal to military veterans all day on Veterans Day. Offer good for all veterans and active duty military personnel. Choose one of the new specialty items on the Hooter’s menu. Offer valid at participating Hooters only; open to all active duty and military veterans with valid military ID or proof of military service.

Outback Steakhouse – free Bloomin’ Onion and Beverage, Thursday, Nov. 11. Outback Steakhouse is honoring America’s military veterans by offering active duty military and veterans a free Bloomin’ Onion and beverage of choice (one non-alcoholic drink). This offer is available to the following Military Personnel who have one of the following forms of identifications on November 11, 2010: U.S Uniform Services Identification Card, U.S Uniform Services Retired Identification Card, Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), DD form 214 Veterans Organization Card (i.e., American Legion and VFW), Photograph in Uniform, Wearing Uniform.

Uno Chicago Grill, Thursday, Nov. 11. Uno’s is offering a free entree or individual pizza with a purchase of an entree or pizza of equal or greater value. Offer good for all military for veterans and active duty military. ID or proof of service required: Show up in uniform (if your service permits), provide military ID, show a picture of yourself in uniform, or have other ID showing proof of service.

Texas Roadhouse – free meal, Thursday, Nov. 11. Offer varies by location; our local Texas Roadhouse is offering a free meal from opening until 4pm. Other locations may vary in offer, hours, or availability. Call ahead to your local restaurant for more information.

Krispy Kreme – Free doughnut. Available only at participating Krispy Kreme stores. Offer available to all active-duty, retirees & veterans on Thursday November 11th. Be sure to call ahead to verify your local Krispy Kreme is participating.

T.G.I. Friday’s – Buy one get one free Nov 11-14. At participating locations for anyone with an old or current military ID. November 11-14.

Subway – Free Six Inch Sub. Many subway locations offer a free six inch sub to military veterans on Veteran’s Day. However, Subway restaurants are franchises, so this offer may only be available in select locations. Please contact your local Subway for more information regarding Veteran’s day specials.

Sam’s Club - Free Hugo® Canes for Veterans: Sam’s Club locations nationwide will distribute 36,000 Hugo® canes free of charge on November 10th, 11th and 12th, 2010 to U.S. military veterans in need of mobility assistance. Limited quantities available, while supplies last. Sam’s Club® Membership is not required, but proof of military service may be required. For more information, visit HugoSalutes.com.

Golden Corral – free meal, Monday Nov. 15: The 9th annual Golden Corral Military Appreciation dinner will be held on Monday, November 15, 2010 from 5 pm to 9 pm in all Golden Corral Restaurants nationwide. The free “thank you” dinner is available to any person who has ever served in the United States Military. If you are a veteran, retired, currently serving, in the National Guard or Reserves, you are invited to participate in Golden Corral’s Military Appreciation Monday dinner.

Homemade Dogfood for health & savings!

Here’s a great idea for pet lovers! My dachshund started developing some sort of allergy – scratching a lot and whatnot – so I started thinking about what she was eating and researching dog foods, etc. I found that a lot (MOST) dog foods - especially those you typically find in grocery stores - contain very little nutritional value and lots of “fillers” that can’t be digested by pups and can cause allergies. This makes them cheap to produce, but can really harm our 4-legged family members. I decided to start making homemade dog food, and found that it’s not only healthier for them, but much cheaper than buying commercial brands!

Here’s my basic recipe:

Ground beef, chicken, turkey, pork - whatever is cheapest depending on the week – check the “soon to expire” section of your grocers meat section. It’s still perfectly safe to eat, and MUCH cheaper! I mix a pound or so of whatever I happen to find on sale each week.

1 can of store brand carrots

1 can of store brand green beans

1 can of store brand potatoes (whole or diced is fine)

1 tbsp minced garlic or garlic powder (helps keep away fleas and great for their immune system and more!) Click here if you’ve heard that garlic is poisonous for dogs – that is ONLY in large quantities – which we will not use for dogfood.

On sale, all of this together can cost less than $5!

* Brown the ground meat in a big pot
* Rinse canned veggies to remove any salt that may be added
* Combine veggies with the browned meat
* Cook on medium heat until the veggies are mushy
* Mash it all together using a potato masher, spatula, whatever you have on hand.
* Remove from heat and add garlic (when cooked, it loses a lot of it’s health benefits)

You can also dry your eggshells and grind them up to add for added calcium, which is great for your pup’s bones! Add ½ teaspoon per pound of meat.

Put in an airtight container and store in your fridge until mealtime! My dogs really LOVE this recipe and the allergies have disappeared! Our older pup (slighyly overweight – shhh, don’t’ tell him I told you!) has also dropped a few pounds since I started making their food and is more energetic and playful!

It's done!!! The Marine Quilt

Yay! I finally finished my first queen-size quilt! I'm so happy, but don't really know what I'll do with myself now that it's done... oh wait, I know! I'll start another project! LOL (or finish one of the 4 or 5 I've already started and stopped) I'd love to hear your opinions, and any tips and tricks you can give me for next time!!

This has truly been a labor of love. I started it not long after my future son-in-law was sworn in as a US Marine Recruit. He finishes boot camp in just 2 weeks, and I am SO proud of him! It will probably live here until he and my daughter get married and get a place of their own. She says she wants a Treasure Chest (aka Hope Chest LOL) and it'll probably go in there with their other homemaking goodies. This is his graduation gift...

Folded to show both sides...

TaDa!!!

2 weeks from today we will be at Parris Island to see him in the MOT Run and spend a few hours of Family Day with him. On November 24, he will graduate and be a MARINE! OoRAH!!!