This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Scotts® for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Well, it’s that time of year again — time to get the lawn looking picture perfect for spring and summer get togethers. There’s nothing I like better than having friends and family over to hang out outside and have them love the look of the yard.

First let me say I’m a big fan of Scotts and always have been. But spreading lawn food and getting it done without the fuss of measuring, loading, and all the other fun things to do was always a pain in the you know where. I never knew if I was putting on enough or too little and hated having to second guess myself.

But the Scotts company has now made this simple with Scotts® Snap® Spreader System. You just snap, lock, and go! Who won’t love that? Here’s what it does: The Snap Pac connects to the Snap Spreader so you never have to worry about cutting, opening or pouring from those heavy bags. I used to get so frustrated when I would waste lawn food because it spilled.

You also get to forget about proper flow rates. The Snap system pre-sets the flow rate so it comes out automatically without you ever having to deal with it. And toss out any concern about getting the lawn food on your driveway or walkway — the EdgeGuard feature keeps all the good stuff exactly where you want it to be — on your lawn!

And get this: When you’ve finished feeding your lawn, the Snap Pac seals itself when you remove it so you no longer have to deal with those half-empty bags in the garage or shed. Sweet!

And how about their perks program? You “like” them on Facebook and get great stuff! Here’s a link to do that right now: Snap perks on Facebook.

Take a look at this video testimonial: 

Don’t forget to “like” Scotts on Facebook: Snap perks on Facebook

Here in Tidewater Virginia we’re having weather that bounces up and down from day to day. One day it’s 65 and the next it barely makes it above freezing. I’ve got daffodils that have started to produce stalks and they won’t be ready to do that in earnest until at least mid March. Sigh.

I normally plant my veggies in GardenRack but this year we have to replace the front deck and there’s no other convenient place for it so I’ll be buying my veg from local farmers this season. But the silver lining is that it allows me to concentrate more on perennials and doing some more container gardening as well.

What new plants are you considering? When making decisions about this remember to think about sunlight and moisture. I have some hostas that do quite well in bright morning sun but would fade quickly if left in the sun during our hot afternoons. I also have a shepherd’s crook that I haven’t used in a while for container plants because it’s in a difficult area near the shade of a pine tree. The problem isn’t the lack of sunlight but the lack of water. Most of the rain ends up in the pine tree and not the plants. Time to move the crook I’m thinking.

So sit back, start perusing those seed and plant catalogs and lay out your garden on paper. Look at new plants and seeds to try and I’ll see you back here soon.

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I don’t know about you but with the economy the way it’s been for the past — yikes! — 4 years, I try to save money wherever and whenever I can. Part of my cost containment plan included getting prescriptions at Walgreens through the Express Scripts plan.

It was going along fine. And then the cart went into the ditch when Express Scripts dumped Walgreens as part of their provider network. So who is affected by this? All Walgreens pharmacy customers as well as those of you who frequent Duane Reade pharmacies in and around New York City. The sad part is that now you’re forced to go to a different pharmacist — even though you’ve established a trustful relationship with your Walgreen’s pharmacist — and you may even have to drive further to get to a participating pharmacy. So now you have to start all over and spend the gas and time to do it.

And now our military are stuck in the middle too. It’s not enough that they lay down their lives for our country. No, Express Scripts wouldn’t negotiate a separate contract with Tricare to keep the military men and women covered.

Here’s a press release that came out recently: Walgreens and Express Scripts

Now, in fairness to both sides, I must say that only patients with certain prescription insurance plans managed by Express Scripts are impacted. Find out if you’re one of them by checking with your local Walgreens pharmacist. Also take a look at the back of your prescription card – if it has Express Scripts’ name there, then you may be one of those affected. If not, you won’t be affected.

Because Walgreens is committed to helping their customers, they have developed a great program called the Prescription Savings Club at Walgreens. How does this help you and me? Like this: You can join during a special January promotion for only $5, or $10 for a family membership, and receive savings on more than 8,000 brand name and all generic medications. Did you know that more than 400 generics are available with a three-month supply for less than $1 a week? Absolutely true! Regular annual membership is $20 for an individual and $35 for a family.

And the savings don’t end at the pharmacy counter. You can save on flu shots, diabetic supplies, and even prescriptions for your pets.

Want to make sure to support Walgreens and keep up to date on the latest news? Follow Walgreens on Twitter and like Walgreens on Facebook!

Hi All:

I hope you’ve had a great holiday season. Can’t believe that Christmas has come and gone for another year.

For most of us the winter is a time to let the garden rest. The weather here has been so up and down that I saw some bulbs starting to pop up. Hmm. We still have a ton of winter to go.

I’ve started to think about what new plants I want to try this year. As many of you know, my tomato crop was chewed to the ground by squirrels. I have no earthly idea why but they feasted on the love apples.

For now, enjoy the time off from the garden but it will soon be time to plan for spring. Happy 2012!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Untitled Jersey City Project for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

As most of you know I’m a fiction writer. To write a good novel, you need to read fiction. I love the mystery genre and read lots of mystery novels as well as mystery films and TV.

And the Net is a great place to get some intrigue. I’ve just finished watching Episode 2 of the Untitled Jersey Project and have been hooked in a minute and 59 seconds.

The story line starts in — you got it — Jersey City at the waterfront. Now this is where it all happens. Someone is developing the Jersey City waterfront but at what expense to those around him? The Untitled Jersey City Project gets down and dirty right from the get go: pretty reporter in a car with an adversary, they’re alone on the waterfront at night, you don’t have to be Scorcese to figure out what starts to happen. And just as you’re settling in for something juicy, you’re hit with a brick — almost literally — through the window.

Untitled Jersey City Project has an interesting plot, concept and characters. The actors cast in the roles do a believable job and I’m looking forward to seeing how the rest of the story spins out.

Do yourself a favor and check out the second episode now — it’s the fastest minute and 59 in TV. 

I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I did! . Say, take a minute to post your thoughts and feedback on the video in the comments section of this blog post.  Thanks!

Hi All:

I love growing herbs but sometimes I have way more than I really need for the two of us. This isn’t a novel idea to be sure but I love using herbs in flower arrangements especially when I’m taking them to a friend.

The best herbs to use are ones that are a bit woodier in the stalk like lavender, rosemary, sage and chives. I love chives because they have a wonderful small white flower that adds a delicate touch to any bouquet.

Here’s a photo of herbs used with zinnias:

This year I planted four Roma tomato plants in the GardenRack and they grew quite well quickly sending out shoots and flowers. I looked forward to a wonderful harvest this summer and even being able to freeze some for soups and stews this winter.

Boy was I wrong.

Despite putting a nice layer of bloodmeal around the base of all four plants, the squirrels went on the offensive anyway. Hey, it isn’t like I don’t give them carte blanche at the birdfeeder. These squirrels have it good.

They betrayed and murdered (Star Wars fans anyone??) my Romas. Not only did Matt see them trotting off across the driveway with fruit in their mouths, we found the stripped branches laying on the soil. This is the first time I’ve had this happen to my tomato crops — it’s usually the hornworms that weigh in in August — and I was really disappointed.

Soon, the plants just died back and I pruned them to about 4 inches from the soil leaving the plants to remain there until frost. I didn’t want to disturb the other plants.

Yesterday I noticed that they’re sending out fresh shoots again. Hmm. I’m doubtful that they’ll flower and fruit in time before our first frost but it’s interesting to see them growing back again.

Take that you furry little scavengers.

I’ll give you an update as the fall moves on. For  now, they’re on a revival tour.

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Straight Talk for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I love a good deal. No, let me back up. I love a GREAT deal. And Straight Talk has the best deal in town.

The thing I don’t love — as ll my readers know — is a super high cell phone bill. Luckily, Straight Talk has everything you need to save money this summer. There’s never a contract or early termination fees or credit checks. And you know how your credit score can take a swan dive every time a business pings your report.

With Straight Talk you can call a friend anywhere in the US for one low monthly rate and there’s even a prepaid international long distance plan so you can keep up with your family and friends in Europe, Asia or Africa.

The nationwide coverage and reception are fantastic and you get a great choice of phones too like Kyocera, LG or Motorola.

Yup, I fell Hook, line and sinker for this deal. I’m a heavy user — like 1,000 minutes a month — and this plan still only costs me $45 a month! I can text, send pictures and even surf the web for the same low monthly rate.

You know, they say that mom knows best and you can bet I’m going to get mine in on this deal. Want to know more? Check out these vids:

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See you in Straight Talk!

If you’ve been with me for any length of time, you know I’m an advocate for trying something new in your garden every year. This year I tried a combination of lobelia and calibrachoa in one pot to see how they’d work together.

If you’ve never grown calibrachoa, it’s a trailing plant that comes in a multitude of colors. I chose the MiniFamous variety in deep purple and haven’t been disappointed. It has trailed over my pot beautifully and hasn’t stopped blooming even in the extreme heat we’ve had this summer in Virginia. Here’s a shot of how the arrangement looks:

Combine lobelia and calibrachoa for a great display

Both the lobelia — I chose blue and white — and the calibrachoa like full sun and need to be kept fairly moist especially when the temps go into the high 90s and 100s. Calibrachoa is an annual which means it will die when temps reach freezing in those climates that are Zone 7 and lower and it’s also a good ground cover because it spreads.

I’ll definitely have this plant in my garden next year.

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Straight Talk for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

it seems like every time a turnaround I’m getting nickeled and dimed by every service provider out there.  And don’t get me started about cell phones and cell phone contracts!  It seems like the fees just get higher and higher and if you need to terminate a contract early, well, you might as well just given your firstborn male child.

I was surfing the Web not long ago and found something really different:  Straight Talk 2.

What’s so different?  How about the fact that I cut my cell bill in half, didn’t need a contract, and I still get great nationwide coverage, terrific reception, and it works with perfectly with my LG phone. in short, I felt for this phone plan hook, line and sinker.

they have this great plan called the “all you need plan” that works fantastically even for heavy phone users.  For $45 a month you get a thousand minutes and texts as well as 30MB of data.  That includes calling, text in and picture messaging for no extra fee. you don’t even have to pay for 411 information calls and you know how expensive they are on some of those other networks.  This plan was so good I just had to call a friend.

you’ll never be faced with activation, reactivation, or even termination fees.  And the extra money I saved let me do some shopping … and you know how much girls love shopping.  this plan is simply everything you need.

you can even get an international long-distance plan to call frenzy all around the globe. I picked up a reconditioned phone for about $10 that had everything I needed: camera, MP3 player, and I could even hope by Bluetooth to it.

check out this U2 video to find out more: <iframe width=”425″ height=”349″ src=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/RKPihLfELWo” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>

you might even want to check out some customer testimonials: