It's almost June, so let's revisit April - trip to Baltimore Aquarium

I forgot all about my trip to the big city last month with the boy. Acck...maybe I should say teenager instead. He had some random day off from school for some reason or another so I figured it would be the perfect time to use my two free tickets to the Baltimore Aquarium .   He remembers it back when we used to have a membership there when he was younger and we went several times. (From a monetary standpoint back then, it was a better deal to buy a family membership if you planned on going there more than twice a year, than pay individual admission fees.  Plus at the time, they threw in an extra 3 months, so ended up with a 15 month membership.  So we got our money's worth.  I am sure as a loyal blog reader of mine, you remember my awesome posts from 2007 which I talked about the aquarium). 

I know better than to go during the summer during crowded tourist season,  but at least then you don't have to deal with bajillion school field trips.  But overall it wasn't that bad.  We got there around 10:30am (Baltimore is about 1.5 hours one way from the castle) and we walked around the aquarium for about an hour.  We got our hands stamped and had  lunch at Bubba Gump - seeing all those fish in the aquarium made me hungry for seafood. And we walked around all the shops at the Inner Harbor. By the time we got back to the aquarium after lunch, all the field trips had left for the day.

At the McCormick spice store in the Inner Harbor, I was drawn to their vintage spice tin collection display. Which was not for sale.

Review of Totino's New Pizzeria Rolls

One of my favorite foods (besides ketchup of course) is pizza in any way shape or form (well I do have some limits - example - you'll never find me partaking of an olive, goat cheese and spinach pizza). So when I got a chance to review Totino's new flavors of pizza snacks for free and I would be given a prize pack for myself courtesy of General Mills and MyBlogSpark, I said a big "yes please!" I was told to try all 3 new flavors which are Cheesy Garlic, Chicken Parmesan and Meatball Marinara. Unfortunately since it's such a new product the two grocery stores that I routinely shop at (Food Lion and Giant) does not carry them yet. But I was able to find 2 out of 3 flavors at another grocery store chain (Safeway) further away from the castle. They come in a 40 count package. I tried the Cheesy Garlic and Chicken Parmesan. The store either did not carry the Meatball Marinara flavor or else it's a popular flavor because I could not find them anywhere.

My favorite was the Cheesy Garlic because the cheese was actually stringy when melted (which is a good thing). They are full of cheesy, oooey gooey goodness. For those people who do not enjoy cheese - what is wrong with you?? It's good just as they are but I think they would also taste great with a tomato dipping sauce. The Chicken Parmesan didn't taste very chickeny to me, the ingredients list chicken but it must be very finely chopped. It still tasted good, but just not as I expected them to be.

As far as I know, their new line only comes in the big 40 count package. I like their smaller boxes (the 15 count snack) and would like be more likely to buy them if they came in the smaller boxes rather than the big bag. Full confession - I buy the smaller boxes - which is supposed to be 2.5 servings, but I can easily eat an entire box at one sitting. Even though they are called a snack food, I eat them as a lunch. I don't think of snack foods as something that should be warmed/cooked.

If you "like" the Totino's facebook page Totino's on Facebook, from time to time they have limited time coupons that you can use.

Disclosure: The prize pack, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills and Totino's through MyBlogSpark.

Me and Oprah Winfrey in June issue of Essence magazine

Yes, you read that right. Me and Oprah are in the June issue of Essence magazine. But we are a few pages apart. The clutter article is on page 83 if you want to leaf thru it while standing in line at the grocery store. I am glad that the article was not on the reverse side of the two McDonald's coupons that are on page 87 because I plan on cutting those babies out.

I was on the radio CJAD in Montreal today for a talk about garage sales. Ahhhh Montreal. That reminds me of a girls trip to Montreal taken years ago (pre-marriage). Met some cute French guys and ate a lot of croissants. Double yum. Montreal is just a quick 3 hour drive up the highway from upstate New York.

My Big Announcement

Ok, here it goes. My big announcement. Today is the 20th anniversary of my 30th birthday! So feel free to call in sick for work, take a vacation day and/or celebrate any way you see fit.

I know you are in disbelief - and thinking that must be a typo. How can it be the 20th anniversary of my 30th birthday since I am so young, vibrant and energetic?? Easy - just living the good life! Better living thru yardsales!

And incase you would be so inclined to send a gift to commemorate the event, what I really would like is a ticket to go see Ellen DeGeneres for her 12 Dsys of Giveaways this December (so that gives you some time to acquire a ticket for me).

What happened to April???

Well here it is May already - and so sorry for the lack of posts lately. I know I know, a day without a post from me is like a day without sunshine.

Anyhow, I will be back soon with a BIG announcement on Monday so I will definitely be posting again soon.

Scored some good buys today including vintage Mego and Mattel action figures from the 70's for .50 each.

Oh, I don't want to tire myself out so much so I will end this now. I'll be back on Monday.