National Coffee Day

Today is one of my favorite "holidays", you know right up there with National Donut Day and National Puppy Day.  Today it's National Coffee Day, the day where millions of people celebrate by drinking coffee just like every other day of the year except their drinks may be FREE!

Just a few of my favorite cups from the last year. :)

For today's freebies and specials check out:

If you are an Einstein Bros Bagel club member check your email because I received a coupon for a free cup of coffee with purchase.

Chick-fil-A is giving away a free iced coffee with purchase.

Dunkin Donuts is celebrating National Coffee Day and their 66th anniversary by offering a cup of medium hot coffee for $0.66.

Krispy Kreme is offering a free cup of coffee AND a free donut. Amazing!

Once again Starbucks is not offering any coffee freebies although they will donate a coffee tree for every purchase of a cup of their new Mexico Chiapas hot coffee.

Now for my local peeps here's what's up in the Phoenix area:

Cartel Coffee Lab is offering a free large cold brew or hot coffee if you register your email with them. 

Dutch Bros. Coffee will donate $1 for every purchase to local charities.

Sip Coffee and Beer House will give out free hot coffee if you show them that you follow on Instagram or Facebook (Scottsdale or Phoenix locations).

Do you know any other freebies?  Pass them on to me.  

Now, speaking of coffee my BFF and I stopped by a new central Phoenix java spot and it was lovely.  How beautiful are these little cappucinos?  The shop is called Kream Coffee and it has a walk up bar (7am-6pm) and seating inside as well (after 10am).  And the best part is that the coffee shop is inside a beautiful store with eclectic and artistic collections called For the People.  

So whether you celebrate at home, in your car, in a coffee shop or ALL three Happy National Coffee Day!

New Fisher Price Classic Toys - Baby Rattles

I recently discovered the cutest little baby rattles that look like the oh-so-familiar classic Fisher Price toys of my youth.  I am so sad that I no longer have a baby of my own to give them to. They would have been so cute connected to rings on car seats and strollers.  Sigh.  Those days are long gone but I still bought a couple and I think they'd be the best little baby shower gifts.

I bought two of the baby rattles, they are much smaller than the original toys and a bit larger than the Christmas ornament versions.  They were $3.99 and $2.98 each.

The Rock a Stack Clacker makes clacking sounds when you shake it. It looks a little like the #740 Giant Rock a Stack but mostly like the #1050 or #627 newer versions.

Next up the Roly-Poly Chime Ball that is a tiny little version of the #165 Roly Poly Chime Ball.  It chimes a bit but mostly rattles when you shake it.

It doesn't have lithographs inside like the original, but it has the same colors.

There are three other toys too including a My First Farm, Puppy Pal Clacker, Happy Apple and a Corn Popper Rattle.  I bought mine on Amazon and I've seen them at Target too.

Vegetable Beef Soup in the Crockpot

I've got a fabulous easy-peasy crockpot recipe for this first day of Fall.  Of course it's still in the 90s here in Phoenix but we won't let that stop us from bringing out soups, jeans and long sleeves.  Well at least inside where we can turn up the A/C. :)

This recipe is a mishmash of 3 other recipes that I found online, with a bunch of changes to suit my family's preferences and what I had on hand.  Feel free to adapt it yourself too.

Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe

1 lb ground beef
4 cup beef broth
4 cup water
1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
2 stalk celery, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1-2 shallots, chopped
4-6 small red potatoes
1 package (12 oz) frozen mixed vegetables
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp seasoning salt
1 tsp salt (and more to taste)

1.Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Drain off most of the fat and place into the crockpot.  Add the rest of the ingredients.
2. Set to 3-4 hrs on high or 6-7 hrs on low.
3. Add more salt and pepper to taste.

This recipe made so much soup!  Plenty for my family and a little to share with my BFF. :)

Happy First Day of Fall!