Family Haunted House-Free Tonight

Family Haunted House located in Fresno at the Manchester Mall 1901 E. Shields is free tonight from 6-10pm,and $3 October 23-30 5-10pm and Halloween 4-10pm. There is one path with two options, the little ones called "Carry the Light" so they know not to scare them and others "Wander in the Dark." PG scary. Click HERE for details.

Craigslist

Craigslist is a website designed for locals to connect across the nation. You've probably heard about it, but never really tried it out. Craigslist has a for sale section (my favorite) that allows individuals to buy and trade from one another without any middle man (or fees). The site is free and can be used any way newspaper classifieds would be used. Craigslist is a fantastic source for garage sales, you can map out your Saturday morning before hand a maximize your time, focus on big group sales, estate sales, or sales with only baby items. If you wish to avoid all the driving, often people will let you call before hand if you are looking for something specific. Generally Craigslist is cheaper than anything you would find on ebay (because you aren't shipping anything), but more expensive than yard sales. To check out Fresno's Craiglist click HERE.

Longs Drugs/CVS on Shaw and First is moving!

Longs Drugs/CVS on Shaw and First is moving to Shaw and Fresno by October 25 and therefore they are liquidating their store. Most sales items are selling for about 2 bucks. The have all sorts of items, including holiday decorations etc. and they bring out new merchandise every day. It's worth a look in if you're nearby. I bought a Dryel self dry cleaning kit and extras for 2 bucks a piece, and some toys for Taylor for Christmas including Dora and Polly Pocket and some makeup for a dollar a piece. So "get'em while they last!"

Ghirardelli Chocolate Chip Cookies

This recipe is the best chocolate chip recipe. It's the one on the back of the bag! Easy to make just a half batch as well.

2 1/4 heaping cups flour
1 heaping tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla
2 large eggs
2 cups Semi-sweet Ghirardelli chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Stir flour, baking soda, salt in a small bowl.
in a large bowl mix cold/cool butter and sugars until creamed-can be a little lumpy. Add vanilla and eggs one at a time until incorporated. Gradually blend in dry mix. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts. Drop by tablespoon about an inch and a half apart on ungreased cookie sheet. The size of the cookie matters! It changes the texture and way it cooks if the cookie is too big.
Cook 9-11 minutes until golden brown on the edges, they will cook a little more once they are out of the oven.

100 Free Photo Prints

Fujifilm Seehere is giving away 100 free photo prints with registration. Like many photo sites they provide photo books and the like. Check it out! Shipping is not included.

I found this deal on For the Mommas, see her blog for more photo deals. You can search "photos" on her blog and see all the recent deals.

Halloween Activities

Cobb Ranch Cornfield Maze and Pumpkin Patch
Going on now until October 31 includes 6 acre maze, farm animals, farm train, playground, bounce house, concessions and shaded picnic areas. Don't forget the pumpkins!
Monday-Friday 6pm-9pm
Saturday-Sunday 11am-9pm.
Cornfield Maze admission adults $10, children $8. Parking Free
EECU is giving out one free admission at Savemarts in Fresno, I believe it comes with the paid admission of one adult.

These are just a few of the events.


Heard a good review about The Patch on First and Nees in Fresno. Pumpkins 50 cents a pound, rides $1 a piece and some free!
Free Events:

Chowchilla Halloween Treat Street October 29 starts at 5pm Chowchilla
Downtown Sanger Halloween Party October 31 6:30-8pm Sanger
Farmer Hobb's Pumpkin Grove October 14-31 times vary. Sanger
Halloween in the Tower District October 31, 4-6pm Fresno
Halloween on Pollasky Avenue Clovis
Harvest Acres Pumpkin Patch Monday-Friday 10am-8pm Saturday-Sunday 3pm-8pm Kerman
Hillcrest Pumpkin Patch 10am-5pm Reedley

Require Admission:

Bippity Boppity Boo at Storyland October 25, 3-6pm : $6 Fresno
Halloween Party at ImagineU Interactive Children's Museum October 31, 4-8pm : $3 Visalia
Stomp N Chomp at Fresno Chaffee Zoo October 24, 9am-4pm:
Adults $7 Children and Seniors $3.50
ZooBoo at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo October 23-25, 5-8pm Adults $12 Children $8

See Central California Parent Magazine for details and more activities! Check the calendar!

Fresh Produce Availability Chart

My husband took a cooking class, it's a great hobby of his. One thing that we've learn is that buying produce in season is not only healthiest, but the most affordable. Focusing on buying locally grown food also helps to support local farms. Organic products are often locally grown by small farmers and you can meet them at farmer's markets. Oddly enough, the major supermarkets in Fresno don't carry local milk, but CVS does. I'm not sure about the other drugstores. So I wanted to help out by listing the produce in season for fall, and when farmers markets take place in Fresno. Please let me know if I miss any. Thanks! The California Certified Farmers' Market site has days and times for local markets just click on Find a Market.

Shade Clothing.

Just wanted to take a minute to post about a wonderful store for modest clothing that still is very attractive. Many of their shirts go well beyond the waistline and for working women and moms this is a huge bonus due to all the bending over we do. I have been a fan of Shade for about 3-4 years and they have great semi-annual sales, so if they aren't affordable at full price, just keep an eye on the sales list. They don't have any stores in Fresno, but hopefully someday!