Since I’m just about annoying everyone to pieces on the Frugal Femina Facebook page asking for votes each day, I thought I’d send out a little update on my grant application with Mom Central. c-:

5 bloggers will each receive a $2,000 grant to help further their brand in some way! That is exciting stuff. I am hoping to expand beyond Frugal Femina with a new site called Preserve Your Food–all about my personal experiences with canning food, organic gardening, beekeeping, and other fun projects I dabble in here at the farm. I wasn’t planning on sharing the site with everyone until it was more concrete, but then this grant opportunity came along, and I just couldn’t pass it up. I can’t win if I don’t try!

~ Why do you need a new site?

Food prices are rising, and I get lots of questions any time I mention that I just canned something. So I started thinking about ways to incorporate more of my personal projects/tips at Frugal Femina. I wrote out a very detailed plan of the kinds of things I wanted to share, and it just screamed at me to have its own space. I think it would be a great resource to refer back to as needed. I know it seems like it came out of nowhere, but this site was inspired by you!

~ Why do you need a grant to start a new site?

It takes some money to keep a website up and running. I have already saved up 30% of the cost for the new site but could certainly start a lot faster if I had this grant.

~ Will you leave me alone if I vote for you?!

Probably not until after April 15th, when the public voting ends. c-; I need you to vote once a day to keep me in the running!

~ Will you answer canning questions even if you don’t win the grant?

I suppose…

Just kidding! c-; I’m happy to share what I’ve learned, although I think it would be a lot more user-friendly with its own space.

~ Can you actually win?

I have to stay in the top 15 to move on to the next round of judging. Mom Central just released a list of the sites with the most votes, and I’m at #13. I would love it if you could vote each day and help bump me up a little higher on the list. It’s going to get tighter as we get closer to the end, and I will need every single vote.

~ Where do I vote?

You can vote here each day with your Facebook account. Once in a 24-hour period, to be exact. It just takes a click on the green Vote Now button. I surely do appreciate it!

• Does using coupons mean you’re poor? Read this article at Fabulessly Frugal.

• I thought this shamrock barrette tutorial at Silly Eagle Books looked easy and cute!

• Looking for a way to battle stress? Read Stephanie’s quick tip at Homegrown Cozy.

• I always think it’s helpful to take a peek at other people’s square-foot gardening plans, like this one at At Home in Georgia.

• It is pouring the rain, and that makes me want to cook up some of this Lentil and Sausage Soup from Serious Eats.

As far as actual books go, I’m currently reading The Backyard Beekeeper by Kim Flottum. It’s packed full of good information!

I have been hoping to expand Frugal Femina and launch a new site that shares some more of the personal projects I’m working on here at the farm, and I would be so grateful if you all helped make that a reality! I applied for a blogging grant through Mom Central that could get it started. Mom Central is holding public voting through April 15th. It just takes a quick click each day. You can take a look at my application and vote here. Thanks very much!

• I thought this guide to natural sweeteners at The Nourishing Gourmet was helpful.

• Check out this article at Dear Lissy about outfitting a sewing basket.

• Helpful tip on measuring partial eggs from Katie at goodLife {eats}.

• I think I need some of the homemade almond joy at Joy the Baker.

• Myra made an adorable burlap valentine’s wreath at The Casabella Project.

As far as actual books go, I’m currently reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. It is life-changing, in my opinion. I take it a chapter at a time!

Amazon is offering a free 14-song MP3 download of Valentine’s Day songs. Check out the songs here.

Want to add a special treat to your child’s class Valentine’s Day exchange? Frisch’s is now selling Valentine’s Day Kid’s Meal Cards. The cards come in a pack of eight, and each pack is only $1. Each card is good for a FREE kid’s meal, including a beverage!  No other purchase is necessary, so this is an incredible deal.

You can purchase the cards until February 14, 2011, at any Frisch’s Big Boy location, and you can use them in the dining room from February 15 – March 29, 2011.

The kiddos can choose from several different meals:

• Hamburger and fries
• Chicken fingers and fries
• Grilled cheese and fries
• Chili and spaghetti
• Italian spaghetti
• Pepperoni pizza stix
• Pancakes with bacon or sausage

Plus, all meals include a small milk or mini soft drink!You can also enter to win some of the Frisch’s coupons. One Frugal Femina reader will win 5 booklets. That gives you a total of 40 coupons to divide among your kids’ classrooms. Yay! Click on the graphic below to enter. You can follow Frisch’s Big Boy on Facebook to keep tabs on the latest deals.

This giveaway closes at 11 p.m. EST on Saturday, February 5, 2011. The winner will be chosen randomly and notified via e-mail. This giveaway is offered to US residents only.

Full Disclosure: Frisch’s gave me 40 coupons to give away to a Frugal Femina reader. I did not receive any compensation for this post. See my Disclosure Policy.

I’m guest posting today over at The Frugal Girls. I’m sharing a frugal Valentine’s Day countdown for the kiddos.

Heidi is one of my very favorite people in the world, so I think you should go take a look and have fun at her site! On a side note,  I am jealous of her sunny weather, and she is jealous of my snow. Isn’t that crazy talk?! Bring on the warm weather. Aaagggh!

Guest Post by Tracy at Having Fun Saving

I love to find deals and use coupons to help my family as well as others.  When I first started couponing, it was out of necessity to help my family survive.  Along the way, I realized I could help others at very little cost to myself…which has given me a great sense of fulfillment that I am making a positive difference in my community.

Do you have a guest post to share on recipes, crafts, homeschooling, or frugal living? E-mail Katie at frugalfemina@gmail.com for possible publication.

• I LOVED looking at this pantry makeover guest post at New Nostalgia. I wouldn’t mind being that girl! c-:

• I thought this Fitbie article on the best and worst restaurants for weight loss was very interesting. Way to go, Chick-fil-A!

• It’s not too late to jump into the Be My Valentine Marriage Challenge at Women Living Well. {And while you’re at it, get started on this 31 Days to Pray for Your Husband Flipbook.}

• I think these DIY Sweater Pillows at Brassy Apple are so cute!

• I just used my Swag Bucks to order a copy of the new Ann Voskamp book {from A Holy Experience}, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are. I’m looking forward to delving into it. You can enter to win a copy over at (in)courage. Ann has several great free printables at her site, including the 10 Points of Joyful Parenting.

This post is linked to:
~ Saturday Stumbles

• Cherie at Queen of Free is working on a series called 31 Days to Reducing Your Debt. Check it out!

• I loved looking through the different inspiration boards at Life…Your Way.

• Mom Advice shows us how to make TONS of homemade seasoning mixes.

• This recipe for Sweet Cinnamon Cornbread looks so good at Graceful Abandon.

• This article at Comin’ Home… about smiling at our hubbies certainly made me think.