Fields of gold

Nothing, I believe, captures the essence of life’s beauty, wisdom and enchantment, quite like nature. When I was a little girl, I spent quite a bit of time on my nana’s farm, traipsing through the woods, building forts and rafts and playing in the gully with my sister and my cousin.  In the fall, my favourite time to explore, I loved the hearing the crunch of the harvested soybean fields under my feet, climbing on top of hay bails, and admiring the colours of the surrounding trees. Spending time in the country at an early age meant that as an adult, I’ve been able to respect and appreciate the secrets that can be found in a fall day, a field or forest. It’s a great gift.

This weekend we were blessed with some of the early-fall weather one hopes for on labour day weekend.  Warm sun, low humidity.  Gentle breezes. Evenings cool enough to demand a sweater and a pair of jeans, days warm enough to do, well, just about anything you feel like.

My nana’s farm has just been sold, and this weekend I went out one last time to explore. I was accompanied by both my parents. We spent our time collecting wild elderberries for a pie, and my mom helped me pull together a nice collection of wild flowers, which I will experiment with, by drying.

We collected enough elderberries for at least 2 pies, which we will make for Thanksgiving. To preserve them, we picked off all the berries from the stems, placed them in an air-tight plastic bag along with a paper towel to absorb any moisture, and froze them.

This weekend we were also blessed with the opportunity to see some wildlife.  While we were eating dinner one evening, we looked out the window and saw a beautiful hawk, sitting at the feeder.  He wasn’t feasting on bird seed, but was eyeing a much more satisfying treat - the plump, naughty chipmunks who like to gorge themselves on, well, everything in the feeder.  

Earlier that day, as my Mom and I sat outside, reading magazines in the sun, a hummingbird buzzed between us, circling around my Mom’s head. I’d never seen a hummingbird that close-up before, and hearing its little wings whirr like a piece of machinery was a true treat.

At the farm, I also discovered a black and yellow garden spider, an orbweaver apparently common to this part of Ontario and frequently found around this time of year. It loves goldenrod, and a big patch of goldenrod is exactly where I found it.  Normally, I am deathly afraid of spiders, but somehow this majestic insect captured my attention in an awe-inspiring, rather than panic-inducing, way. Its colours, interesting web, and unique shape and size, are actually quite beautiful and fascinating.

What many of us are seeking in our lives can really be found quite easily, quite simply.  It’s easy to always want something more - a luxury vacation, new clothes, more stuff. But truly, we make life more difficult than it really needs to be. A lot of peace and fulfillment can be found in a field of goldenrod, an elderberry bush, and even, if our hearts are open enough, a spider web.

Fifty Fun, Free things to do on Valentines Day!

Believe it or not, there are lots of ways to celebrate Valentines Day with your parter that don’t involve spending heaps of money.  Think outside the box - and outside the restaurant - and you’ll find yourself surrounded with frugal opportunities for romance. This year, Valentines Day falls on a Saturday, which means you will have all day to explore fun, free activities in your neighborhood.  Here are fifty examples, with help from my blogger friends and twitter followers!

1. Go ice-skating. Take a hot thermos filled with hot chocolate with you (see recipes for frugal hot chocolate mix or peppermint hot chocolate!) Tip: sneak a little rum or Bailey’s in it for an extra treat!

2. Prepare your own “pub night” at home - enjoy delectable snacks and guilty pleasures without worrying about the cost.  For how-to instructions, click here.

3. Visit your neighbourhood Botanical Gardens. Many are free - others may cost $10 or less.

4. Go sledding.  What could be more fun than reconnecting with your fun, free-wheeling, inner child.  Wrap your arms tightly around your partner as you speed down a snow-covered hill.

5. Have a spa day at home.  Pamper each other with mani/pedis, a luxurious bath, and homemade treatments. 

6. Tea in the tub -  Wisebread suggests giving a bath and pedicure to your loved one along with a delicious cup of tea and candlelight.  

7. Make a scrapbook - another suggestion from Wisebread, but it’s one I recommend as well. We did this last Valentines day.  Gather up your cards, photos, and any little mementos or souvenirs you have from your relationship - such as tickets to plays or movies, receipts from special purchases you made, love notes, etc.  Get crafty with construction paper, stickers and markers to create a scrapbook that captures the story of your relationship.  You will have just as much fun making it as you will looking it from years to come.  

8. Make a slide show - Wisebread also suggests making video compilation with music.

9. Make a romantic meal together.  Wisebread had some great tips for greating atmosphere:

Whether you are in extreme northern climes and going for a romantic candlelight breakfast, or implementing a simple seafood dinner of seared scallops and shucked oysters ( London Lennies restaurant has instructional videos on both here ),  you can make the most of the experience using things you already have around the house. A pressed tablecloth, intricately folded napkins, candles galore, wine and water goblets, a specially printed menu and some specially created background music will make whatever you serve seem exceptional.

10. Whip up some luscious, yet easy, desserts - such as chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate mousse, or fondue. 

11. Rent some of your all-time favourite romantic movies - or go the opposite direction and rent the cheesiest movies you can think of, and then make fun of them then entire way through.  Make your movies special by whipping up a batch of delicious homemade snacks - see my recipes for various dips and snacks - or check out my recipes for yummy toasted almonds.

12. Have a tea-party at home. To see how, visit my post on how to host a tea party at home, or check out my post on how to make scones and cream.

Suggestions from The Simple Dollar:

13. Look for free concerts. Many communities have free Valentine’s Day concerts by municipal groups that don’t get widely publicized. Take a look at your community calendar and see what’s out there to do for free on that day.

14. Bake some cookies. Take a good chocolate chip cookie recipe - and add to it an ingredient that you know your partner will like. For example, my wife has baked me a batch of cookies before that were basically just chocolate chip cookies - but they also had cherries in them, cherries that were soaked in cherry liqueur before baking. It didn’t cost her much more than an hour or two of time and a couple dollars’ worth of ingredients, but the gift was not only delicious, but memorable.15. Do something silly. One year, we were snowed in on Valentine’s Day. What did we do? We put on some mood music, ate dinner together… and then colored. Seriously. We got out some printer paper and a box of crayons and drew pictures of various things. We gave the pictures to each other, too, and I still have mine.

16. Get refreshed. Put on pajamas, have a drink together, and relax in the most comfortable room in your home. Give each other a massage. Hold each other. Fall asleep in each other’s arms. Get a great night’s sleep. You’ll wake up the next day physically and emotionally refreshed without spending any money at all.

17. Consciously agree to save for something. Let’s say, hypothetically, you’re saving for a down payment. Instead of planning an elaborate Valentine’s Day celebration, stay at home, do some planning for this big step in your life, and put that $100 you saved into your savings account for that down payment. Apply this same principle to other “big” days in your life (birthdays, Christmas, etc.) and you’ll find yourself much closer to your big dream.

18. Volunteer. If you’re both socially conscious (and also adding in the fact that Valentine’s Day is on a Saturday this year), why not spend the day involved with a volunteer project together instead of doing the typical date thing? Help build a Habitat house. Serve a meal at the local food kitchen. Do some drudge work for a charity that matters to both of you. That way, the day means something beyond merely spending time together - and it doesn’t cost anything.

19. Organize your photos. Kaycee from In The Moment says: “One year on Valentine’s day my husband and I ended up organizing a box of photos into photo albums.  We had such a great time that we have made it a point to go through the previous year’s photos every V day.  It’s cheesy, but it’s a great walk down memory lane and usually sparks some fun conversations.”

Amy from The Finer Things suggests:

20. Make a restaurant fave at home - check out Amy’s Valentines Meal plan. She also suggests putting a fun spin on the day by making food into heart shapes.

21. Check out your public library. Not just to borrow books or movies, but for local events.  You might find an interesting talk or movie showing.

22. Visit an art gallery or museum. Find out which ones are free in your neighborhood.  For the month of February, the McRae house in Guelph is free.

23. Get back to nature. Head out for a winter walk along trails you haven’t explored.

24. Go for a fun run.  Join together with a running group or just head out the two of you.  Many running groups have weekend runs and you can pair up with a group that matches your preferred distance.  In Guelph, for example, Running Works has group runs starting at 8:00am.

25. Have a carpet picnic.  Remember in Pretty Woman how Julia Roberts sprawled out in front of I Love Lucy with some champagne and strawberries? What could be more fun than a few indulgences, an indoor picnic, and some good old fashion laughs?

26. Breakfast in bed.  Treat your spouse. It’s a great way to wake-up and spend the first few hours of your day!

27. Serenade your lover with a love song using whatever talents you have - on the guitar, piano, - hey, even bongos or a recorder would do!

28. Take a long walk on the beach.  It became a cliché because everyone likes them!  Even if you live in a cold climate, a refreshing walk on a frozen beach can be really lovely.

29. Take part in a free yoga class.  It will find you refreshed, relaxed and more connected with each other.  For suggestions on how to find a free or otherwise affordable class, read my post “affordable fitness“. Or try some yoga at home.

30. Work out together. In the same post mentioned above, I discuss how to find free passes at fitness clubs.  Call around or drop-in.  Many fitness clubs will give you a free day-pass to try it out.  Search coupon booklets for free passes as well.  

31. Star gaze.  If you live in a warm climate, drive out of the city into a quiet, serene area and climb on to the back of the car, or lay down on the ground.  Make sure you are somewhere safe - beyond that, just relax and enjoy.  Curl up in a blanket to keep warm. 

32. Make a list of your happiest, funniest memories together.  

33. Make a board game.  This will take some creativity, but if you are crafty people, it can be a lot of fun.

34. Play board games. Pull out your most treasured games or maybe some classics you haven’t touched in years.  

35. Have a “diner night” with hamburgers, milkshakes and music from the 50’s.

36. Create an art project together.  If you are an artist, share your skills.  Teach your spouse how to paint.  Or have fun by making crafts or collages together.

37.  Make a “tapas menu” with yummy appetizers to graze on throughout the evening.

38. Read poetry to each other and/or write a special poem for you lover.

39. Meditate together .  Light some candles and find a peaceful, quiet place where you won’t be interrupted.  Close your eyes and focus on your breath.  Simply observe the feeling of your abdomen rising and falling.  When your attention drifts, gently guide it back towards your breath. 

40. Be photographers for a day.  Go outside and explore - find what is beautiful or interesting and snap away.  Explore different angles and distances.  Appreciate your surroundings.

41. Play a homemade trivia game.  Write down the answers to questions about yourself.  Then ask your partner the questions and see if she or he gets it right. 

42. Treat each other to a massage. Use a calming scented oil, light some candles and play some calming music to create a spa-like feeling.  For added comfort and relaxation, place a pillow under your hips and feet when you lie on your stomach, between your arms and legs when on your side, and under your knees when on your back.  Warm the sheets with electric heating pads or an electric blanket, or use a hot water bottle.

43. Dance. You don’t have to leave the house.  Just put on some favourite music and dance together.  You can have a romantic dance to “your song” but you can also put on some Michael Jackson and moon walk around the house or play some Chubby Checker and twist together.  Relax and let loose.

44. Luxuriate. Use your finest - not just for dinner, but throughout the day.  Use your fancy tea cups. Your finest bath products. The best bottle of wine you have.  Wear nice clothes.  Share and enjoy whatever luxuries you have in your own home. Whatever you have been saving, now is the time.

45. Make a compilation of your favourite Valentine’s Day tv shows.  Curl up on the couch and have a marathon.

46. Play cocktail. Whip up your favourite cocktails and some salty snacks. 

47.  Plan your future. Think about what you want for yourself and for your relationship for years to come.  List your shared goals.  Use this time to get back on track or to connect about what is important to you in the world.

48. Do some reading.  Take the day to relax, reading and relaxing to each other on the couch.  Share your favourite passages with each other.

49. Explore a new neighbourhood. Take a long walk in a part of the city you haven’t explored. Do some window shopping. Admire the architecture.  Explore new galleries, bookstores, or whatever that part of town has to offer.

50. Be together.  Whatever you do, be present.  Look into each other’s eyes. Listen to one another.  Play, tickle, and laugh. Be thankful for each other.  Truly appreciating one another and just being together, no matter what you do, won’t cost a thing.  In fact the time you’ll spend together is truly priceless.

Have a great tip to share? What is your favourite idea for a fun, free Valentines Day?

Why I don’t want roses for Valentines Day

Well, okay.  It’s not as if I would be unhappy if my man walked in the door with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.  So maybe I should rephrase this post to “why I don’t expect, need, or demand roses for Valentines Day.”

Part of my apathy towards roses is, of course, the fact that the prices skyrocket on Valentines day.  But there are a host of other reasons why we should avoid them.

1. They are unoriginal.  If it’s the thought that counts, roses are one of the least thoughtful gifts you can get.  Why not use your creativity to buy or make a more meaningful gift?

2. They say nothing about you, your personal taste, who you are, or the nature of the relationship.  Instead, I suggest you find something special for your sweetheart that has more sentimental value, recognizing how you’ve grown as a couple or why you love him or her so much.

3. They are fleeting.  Roses do not last very long.  Perhaps that’s part of their charm - you have to take in their beauty before they disappear.  But consider something longer lasting - and by that I don’t mean a houseplant - I mean something memorable.  Perhaps splurge on an activity or getaway that will give you happy memories for years to come.

Case in point. Last weekend, my partner and I went snow tubing at a nearby ski and tubing resort.  We paid $36 in total and that gave us each two hours of utter childlike fun.  On a bright, sunny, wintry day, we flew down the hills together laughing our heads off.  A dozen roses on Valentines Day could cost you double that, but would not provide any of the laughter, shared memories, and sense of freedom or adventure that we enjoyed from our saturday afternoon outing.  

According to Canadian Living magazine, roses and other cut flowers cut say, “I threw caution to the wind. I did not do the sensible thing today. I send you these because today, I am thinking with my heart, not with my head.”  But there so many other ways to throw caution to the wind - many more original, exciting ways, in fact, that cost a lot less.

Moreover, splurging without the consent of your partner can either be delightful, or stressful.  If your family is struggling financially right now, having your partner spend so much money on something frivolous may cause more tension than joy.

For frugal Valentines (or anti-Valentines) craft ideas, check out Crafster - I love some of their ideas!

I am currently collecting ideas for a new post on fun, free things to do on Valentines Day.  If you have a suggestion, please email me at saverqueen - at - gmail - dot - com, or tweet me: @saverqueen.  If you are a blogger, I will link back to your blog.  Thanks!

Do you want to receive roses on Valentines day?

* Image courtesy of Canadian Living

Get fit for free!

Find fun, free entertainment in your city!  Go ice skating, hiking, jogging, or take leisurely walks in new neighbourhoods.  Some of my most favourite moments with Josh include the times we’ve spent walking and jogging in the winter.  I still recall those brisk winter runs and how refreshing they felt, even though they were tough.  We would talk to each other throughout the run and point out different restaurants or shops we wanted to try.  

Another favourite memory is the time we left the house during a huge snowstorm.  None of the roads were plowed but we were crazy enough to go out anyway.  It was a Sunday and we took a walk to get a custard tart and coffee at a nearby Portuguese bakery, and then walked through a snowy park before picking up some dumplings at another European bakery. Being out there in the snow was so romantic - there were no cars, only crazy fools like us, walking dogs or playing in the snow.

If you want to stay indoors, try a new gym for free!  Many fitness clubs give a daily or even weekly pass to try out their gym - this is especially common among the fancier, up-and-coming fitness clubs that are trying to compete for new members.  In Toronto, there are a countless number of gyms, revealing lots of opportunities to exercise for free!

Yoga and pilates need not be expensive. Yoga Space in Toronto offers community classes that are only $7 each.  They also offer Pay What You Can Yoga on Sunday evenings. They also occasionally offer free Pilates classes. If you don’t live in Toronto, ask around and look into other affordable options.  

If you’re heading out in the snow or going sledding or ice skating, bring a thermos of hot chocolate with you.  This means you can enjoy a warm treat without buying anything.  (Hint: you can slip a little Bailey’s in it, too!)

What is your favourite method of enjoying athletic activities for free?

Free & cheap entertainment - Part One

Believe it or not, entertainment can be free, and still, well, entertaining.

Here is a list of some free opportunities for fun in the city of Toronto.  If you’re not in Toronto, stay tuned, because I’ll have plenty of entertainment ideas that are not limited to location.  However, I do encourage those of you who do not live in the GTA to use these as ideas.  Look into your museums and galleries for local deals.  And be sure to leave a comment with your favourite idea for local entertainment!

Take advantage of the free or cheap entertainment your city has to offer - and don’t assume music, theatre and art is off limits - just seek out the best times to go. 

Toronto Symphony Orchestra

If you’re between 15 and 29 years of age, you can sign up to buy tickets to the TSO Soundcheck for only $12! The best part is, you are free to take a guest of any age.  That means you can go with your son or daughter, or anyone else who falls into that age category!

Art Gallery of Ontario

The AGO is free on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 8:30pm.  They also offer free general admission for Ontario high school students, aged 13–18, with valid school ID Tuesday to Friday, 3:30–5:30. Students and youth under the age of 18 are also offered a discount - $10 for admission.

Roy Thomson Hall

Free noon concerts in December, January and April.  On Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at 12pm, enjoy the Toronto Mass Choir: A Gospel Christmas for free!  

Royal Ontario Museum

The ROM offers some great deals!  It’s free every Wednesday from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm (excluding admission to the specially ticketed exhibitions). Admission is half price on Fridays from 4:30 to 9:30. And it is free for university students on Tuesdays!

Bata Shoe Museum

The Bata Shoe Museum offers Pay-What-You-Can Thursdays from 5pm to 8pm and student discounts for $6.

Nathan Philips Square Cavalcade of Lights

Enjoy a free concert, fireworks and ice skate on December 6, 13, and 20 from 7pm - 10pm!  On December 6th Top Three Tour will be performing, followed by Dragonette on the 13th and Serena Ryder on the 20th. Then have some fun on the skating rink while listening to popular Toronto DJ’s.

Saver Queen’s Top Pick:

Improv Classes at the Second City

Now offering a $5 drop-in class on Monday evenings (6pm - 8:30pm).  This is an amazing deal - you get a 2.5 hour class with an instructor (a full course costs $255+tax). 

This selection is the tip of the iceberg - I will be following up with many more ideas and deals soon!  

What is your favourite idea for free or cheap entertainment? (Don’t limit yourself by location - share a tip for anywhere in the world!)

A night at the movies

Who doesn’t a love a night out at the movies? Whether you’re heading out to the theatre or staying in for a cozy night at home, there are always ways to save!  Here are my top tips.

At the theatre

Choose a cheap theatre!  In Toronto, I enjoy going to the Fox - a small theatre in the beach.  Not only is it cute and cozy, it’s only $7 a ticket - plus, if you become a member, you save an extra dollar each trip!  

Get a Scene Card and earn 100 points with each movie you see.  The cards are free and you only need 1000 points (or 10 movies) to get one free adult admission or concession combo!  And the rewards just get better from there!

Take your own snacks.  Bring food from home - or pick up some snacks from a nearby grocery or convenience store.  That’s right, even convenience stores will beat the price of theatre munchies!

If you do eat at the theater, here are two suggestions to cut back on the price.  First of all, just buy a main course - like a hamburger - and skip the fries and pop.  That’s where the biggest mark up is.  Secondly, for a drink, choose a tea or coffee - these are usually within their normal price range.

"Why watch a movie when you can watch me?"

At home

Believe it or not, you can even cut back while at home!

Rent movies from itunes. They are only $4 each, with no late fees!

Make your own snacks. No need to pay full price for that microwave popcorn, salsa or queso dip- just make your own!  I have some delicious suggestions for homemade snacks. 

Avoid new releases.  New movies are not always the best movies!  Consider movies that are renowned as classics or brilliant films that you just never got around to watching! Older movies are far less expensive and many rental shops offer great prices with extended borrowing times.

Bring your movies back early. If you do rent new releases, bring them back early for a discount - many stores offer up to $1 off if you bring it back before it’s due.

Rent from the library.  A great opportunity to borrow for free!

Exchange with friends.  Do a DVD swap and exchange movies with a friend.  Chances are you both have movies you’d love to watch.