FREE STUFF ROCKS!!

Ok, so in my attempt to win a silhouette machine....I must put in this button


and say...for GREAT tutorials and a wide variety of crafts, check out www.bystephanielynn.com

wattpad.com

Ok, so maybe its not so much a place to go as much as something to do when you get there. The site is wattpad, and it is also available as an app on your smartphone. It is my lastest reading addiction, and it is fantastic! Wattpad provides you with a platform for acquiring free ebook reading material. The books on here are from all genres, and there is definitely something for everyone. Here's the catch: the authors are a diverse group of undiscovered talent. So basically, you can read some undiscovered talent that, frankly, is often better than some published works. I must admit, however, that for every good story there are probably three bad ones. Anyone can post here but if the title goes something like "omg my new stepbrother is madd hott and I think he wants me" you probably can tell its going to suck. So here are some recommendations: the author named Danae Ayusso puts Stephenie Meyer to shame. She writes amazing works across multiple genre. Some of her work is still available on wattpad. Others are partially posted with the completed work available for purchase on lulu.com.

Another of my fave works is Amber Eyes by Jolyn Palliata. She is also amazing. Read some wattpad works, save some trees and support budding authors; two good deeds at once (of course while you are soaking up some rays under your spf 100...oh wait...not everybody's as pale as me:)

Great spot to hike and picnic, Pocasset, MA

One of my favorite childhood memories is my mother taking us to "Four Ponds." Four Ponds is a conservation area in Pocasset Massachusetts. If you aren't familiar with Pocasset, it is located just over the Bourne Bridge on Cape Cod. It has a parking lot accessible on Barlow's Landing Road.

Four ponds is a gorgeous hike, with different trails based on time and difficulty. We would go there often to have a little free getaway as a child. You can choose your trail, and the trails have color-coded markers nailed to trees. There are four ponds located within the conservation area...hence the name:) Not only are there four ponds, but you can also find multiple brooks and even a mini waterfall. I mean, who doesn't love a mini waterfall? I just loved to run my fingers through the water running over the rocks. There is some wildlife in the conservation area also. Often you will see swans drifting through the pond. Also, you might find a few frogs or toads or even some little shiners swimming in the ponds.

It's nice to hike there, but be sure to dress accordingly and wear your insect repellent. It does get cooler in the forest-and don't be afraid to roll up your pantlegs and wade in the brooks!

A pizza and a beer for $3.50-Central Cafe, Middleboro

Want lunch or dinner out without breaking the bank? Located at 254 Centre st in Middleboro, the Central is the place to go to get good pizza cheap. On Mondays they offer $2 cheese pizzas all day. Add a $1.50 PBR draft and that's a whole lotta meal for a little bit of money. Being a toppings girl myself, I would prefer the half price pizza offered on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Try to hit the Central before 4:30 Because the added attraction is that my best friend Ana will offer you service with a smile. (and the pbr is $1.50 every day).

The Central is surrounded by some quaint shops, if you love a good thrift store you can walk off the pizza and hit Designer Consignment Ragz to see if you can snag a cute outfit for a fraction of the price.

So, for a nice bar room style pizza and a day of thrift, antique, and boutique shopping- hit the main drag in Middleboro...just make sure to tip my Ana well;)

Old silver beach in Falmouth...free?

So it's potentially my all time favorite beach on the Cape that you don't have to be a member to attend. The sand is gorgeous and white, the water is a bit warmer, and there are sandbars. I know they can be dangerous, but who doesn't love a good sandbar?

Old silver is pricey in terms of parking. Last year it cost $20 per day, so I am assuming it's the same or more. When I was a kid it was a steep $10, so my Gigi would cram all of us grandchildren into her Dodge Omni hatchback and we would go in that-to avoid paying for multiple cars!

Here is my fantastic solution: evening swim and a picnic dinner. Who says you have to spend all day at the beach? If you go at five pm it is free. Not only is it free, there are hardly any people there. It's great because the water is warm, the sun is setting, and you can get some peace at the beach!

Highlights from Buffalo

Well, it's been a long time because we were in Ransomville, NY for 2 1/2 weeks! So today I will not give you a local trip...but I will give you my "Ransomville top Ten."

Where is Ransomville? Well, it is about 15 miles northwest of Niagara Falls, NY. It is a large town...by land area...but I think there might be more farm animals than people.
What does one do in Ransomville? For starters, my kids go to a free summer recreation program every day from 10-3. They love it. They get to go on field trips and have fun all day with their peers. Another highlight-Johnston's Restaurant for either breakfast or Buffalo wings. It's really cheap and they have even upgraded so that they now have a credit card machine!!

Go to the local public library and check out a free pass to "Old Fort Niagara." It's a war fort that was built in the 1600's. Very creepy. Very fascinating. One winter there were only 11 survivors. Haunted? I think yes. If you don't have a library pass it costs about $10 for adults and $6 for children. They have activities and reenactments during the day.

Check out SNOWPARK NIAGARA. Who doesn't love snow tubing? Who doesn't love snow tubing with a handy conveyor belt that brings you to the top of the hill? I mean, for a whopping $11 for the day you can have unlimited snow tubing YEAR ROUND, as well as skating, mini golf, and playing in the snow. The skating is fascinating...the "ice" is made of plastic blocks and feels like you are truly ice skating. It was fun, but the first time I had skated in the required hockey skates. Note to self: NO TOE PICK IT IS HARD TO JUMP AND SPIN. My kids thought it was funny though. "Look my mom fell on her butt again because she forgot she has no toe pick."

Another area to hit up is Western New York's version of Canobie Lake Park. It is called Martin's Fantasy Island. It is a wonderful, inexpensive ($18 per day) amusement park that includes a water park. You can ride the slide we affectionately call "the toilet bowl" when you feel the experience of being "flushed." You can relax in the wave pool or drift around in the lazy river. Did I mention that it costs $12 less than Water Wizz...includes an entire amusement park...and has hardly any lines? Totally worth the 8 hour drive;) Not to mention the fact that it is located on the beautiful Grand Island New York, and has a KOA Kamp Ground next door. And while you are on the island, you can check out Beaver Island State Park, a beautiful location on Lake Ontario. If the "sand" wasn't dirt-you would swear you were on the ocean!!

Sorry, there's so much to do there-for so little money. For example you can go to a Bison's Game (their minor league baseball team) and be thoroughly entertained for hours. They do all different activities in between plays and have special events such as fireworks and campouts on the field.

Not to mention the beauty of the natural wonder that is Niagara Falls. The city itself truly sucks. Think "Fall River with a giant waterfall." The surrounding areas though are beautiful, fertile lands. A veggie stand on every corner and places to pick your own berries around the bend...things love to grow out there.

So, if you feel adventurous and want to venture 500 miles away. Check out these things to do in the Niagara/Buffalo area.

Shell Point Beach, Onset

Ok, so this is one of my regular haunts-the Shell Point Beach on Onset Bay. It's nice because if you get there early, you can park for free all day long. If you get there late, you are probably going to find yourself crawling up and down the sidestreets to find a parking spot.

There are many reasons why I love this spot. For one, the beach is kept very clean and well-maintained. The only problem I had with it until this year was its lack of lifeguards at the shellpoint end. However, problem has been remedied as of now. They have a lifeguard by that end of the bay!

There is plenty of room, this end of the beach rarely gets crowded, as it seems it is mostly frequented by locals who know about this hidden gem. As for the tourists, they tend to park down by the pier...where I believe you have to pay.

There are no bathrooms at this end, so go before you show up! If you are adventurous there are some woods...but the nearest bathroom is a hike.

Also, depending on the tide, there is a bit of a dropoff. There are warning signs posted. My kids know the "up to your waist" rule, but if you are with small children who tend to venture off fearlessly...or can't read...watch them closely because it gets deep all of a sudden. Now don't get me wrong, it's shallow for a ways out, but once it gets deep you will soon find yourself in over your head.

My directions go something like this: From Cranberry Highway head towards Onset Beach, go past the pier, keep going until you see a little statue of a chef and take a left...follow that to the end and take a left. Parking lot is on your right.

Ok, so my directions are lacking in clarity but it's one of those things you know how to get to...but can't explain. Look up Atlantic Ave, in Onset, MA. That will get you there.

Ashton's favorite thing to do there: Hunt for hermit crabs. He is the ultimate shell-point crabber. Once he found a hermit crab I proclaimed to be a grain of sand, until it proved me wrong by sticking its legs out and scurrying across his hand!!

My favorite thing...Mellina's Sandwiches. Look for the girl carrying the sign. It is bright yellow, you can't miss it. She will give you a menu to order a delicious sandwich or panini from...and voila it is delivered to your beach spot in no time. She walks up and down the beach, so keep an eye out for her if your picnic is lacking something. Then stop at Nana's ice cream and candy for a cone on the way home. It makes for the perfect day.

So, if you want a nice day in the sun for free, check this spot out. Bring the sunscreen, as it is very sunny and bright. Bring a couple of quarters because there are about 10 ice cream trucks that frequent there. I mean, I would say that they were the same one coming back again and again, but one is blue and some are white-so I know there are many.