This weekend we’ve got a lot going on.

The Ladybug and I are heading up to Northern Virginia to visit the American Girl Store for her birthday. We’ll be meeting my sister (who is fondly and forever known to me as Cheese) and niece (the Diva), and my mother-in-law (that would be the Mimi) and other niece (whom we’ll fondly call Curls from here on out) for lunch, and shopping, and then dinner at the American Girl Bistro.

And my men are going to be staying home and cleaning up the cars and helping a friend put up a new shed and doing other manly things–like eating junk food and watching hours of Ax Men and the Mecum Auto Auction, I’m sure.

So while I’m plowing through mounds of laundry (thanks again to Mr. Fix-It for fixing our washer!!) and hiding the cookies, here’s a few of my favorite FREE things on the web right now…

Something LEARNING…

• Homeschooler? History Buff? Kids bring home a question that’s got ya stumped? Check out the awesome, amazing compilation of Early American History resources Rebecca put together over at Mom’s Mustard Seeds! They’re all free, public domain resources (at least as far as I’ve gotten through the list) and mostly original primary sources. This is good stuff, my friends. If your kids are in public schools and are not reading these in class, you really, really must go here and make sure they do. There is so much more depth to history than textbooks can ever convey! Patrick Henry’s speech to the Virginia House of Burgess in 1775 (you know, the “give me liberty or give me death” one?) gives me goosebumps and brings a tear to my eye. These are the kind of men I’m trying to raise!!

Something CREATING…

• How about this adorable Paper Fan Dress from Anna Maria Horner? The pattern, size 2–7/8, is FREE at her blog. Just scroll to the bottom of the post and click the link. We’re doing some sewing for the Ladybug for school this year, I think we’re going to try this one.
• Speaking of sewing for little girls, we’ll definitely be using the FREE MADE tutorial for a few simple skirts, too!
• Oh yes, and the Ladybug and I will be making some owls. Stuff owls, that is. We’re going to try using this FREE owl template and tutorial from Sew Little Fabric. I blew it up to 125% (it fits on an 11×17 sheet) and we’re going to free-hand our own legs/feet. We’re shooting for something like the Pottery Barn owls everyone’s raving about right now.

Something READING…

• How about FREE classic literature? You can download hundreds of classic books for FREE in the Amazon Kindle Store. Don’t have a Kindle? You don’t need one! Just click to “buy” (yes, even though they’re free you have to go through the mechanics of a purchase) and then click “Read in Kindle Cloud Reader” to read right on your computer screen, or download the FREE Kindle reading app for your computers, laptops, or cell phone. We don’t have an e-reader or tablet, but I have 102 free books in our Kindle Library.

 

{By the way, you can do the same things to read publications that you purchase for Kindle, and there are some super-great deals over there–like the fully illustrated, with dramatic reading audio book versions of some classics, like Little Women, Secret Garden, and Swiss Family Robinson for just $0.99!!}

• Don’t forget to sign up for Swagbucks to earn FREE Amazon gift cards!!

Something COOKING…

• How about a recipe from Nutmeg Nanny for Vanilla Honey Peach Butter from fresh peaches–which are in season right now and on sale at all the grocery stores! Very simple canning method in the post, or just keep it in the fridge and use within a month. (I can’t wait to make this and give it away to friends!)
• Or Crockpot Apple Butter? This easy recipe from Changing my Destiny is on our list for this Fall too!

 

What’s on your list for your house and home this Fall?