Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Frugal Challenge - You Know It's Summer When...

We break out the snow cone machine.


I bought this about ten years ago and it was a terrific purchase. I usually only buy one or two syrups and they last all summer. Ice of course is pretty cheap. Just open the ice maker.


This is a super low cost treat the kids can share when friends come over. I don't know if you have noticed but ice cream, even popsicles are outrageously priced these days.


A pack of colorful straws from the dollar store make slirpping fun.


We also make a lot of iced tea and lemonade. It is so much cheaper than store bought drinks. If I happen to grab some on sale the kids and their friends suck them down so fast. I always keep a jug of iced tea in the fridge and make lemonade if I know they are going to have friends over. We get free lemons from the inlaws.

You know it is summer when the cute hair styles start showing up. This is my 18 year old heading to school. Last day!!


21 comments:

  1. Oh what a fun idea. I love snowcones. Hugs, Marty

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  2. Sounds like you've got the cold drinks ready for summer, I'll have an iced tea, please, when I drop by! Hugs ~ Mary

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  3. I do love snow cones. We bought a snow cone maker a couple years ago and it has already paid for itself. I buy a couple syrups when they go on sale at the end of the summer and they are still good through the next year. That saves even a little more money. It really is a great way to save money and have awesome summer treats!

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  4. What a great idea to make snowcones! I keep a pitcher of water with sliced lemons (no sugar) in the refridge and it's available every time the door opens. Also refreshing. Your kids are darling. Susan

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  5. I just bought some frozen treats for the grandkids and was appalled at the price! I should get my daughter one of those machines. ` Maureen

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  6. What a wonderful summer post! I know, isn't the price of popsicles outrageous? We make them here. I will have to look for one of those snow cone makers. I had a Snoopy one!!!!
    ; ) Kris

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  7. you are so clever, love the money saving tips, I also love what they call the messy ponytails, your daughter has really pretty hair,

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  8. Welcome summer indeed. My 30 year old daughter still wears her hair in those funky pigtales.

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  9. I wish summer would hurry up and visit us here in Oregon. It's 54 degrees and drizzling this morning. We moved up here about three and a half years ago from Southern California and sometimes I miss the sunny weather. But not the 100+ temps we used get :) But I think everyone up here is ready for some summer weather. And then we can have snowcones :)

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  10. What fun and reasonable treats for the kids. We used to have a hand cranked Snoopy SnoCone maker and the kids had a ball cranking their own ice. Love the cute summer hairstyles the kids have nowadays. xo Diana

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  11. Three cheers for sno-cones!!

    I think I need one of those machines.. I'll have to look on Amazon.

    Cute, cute and keeping cool hair-do!

    Catch ya later..
    Kerin

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  12. Your littlest one looks so cute trying to look like the bigger girls...

    We might need some warm weather before we break out the ice tea, and the snow cones.

    Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

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  13. Great Summer post!! We always make our own popsicles...add fruit to them too...our kids loved them! My husband drinks gallons of ice tea...I make sun tea with oranges. I do however buy Big Sticks if I can find them on sale...they are the best...I can't replicate them! Have a great day!!

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  14. Oh, I bet Q loves that machine!
    Brenda

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  15. That is a fun idea I will be looking for one of those while out thrifting.
    a really good drink is I made crystal light I add lemons and when I pour 1/2 glass and add a half glass of sparkling water I chose raspberry. The sparkling water a large bottle at walmart for .75 and you could use lemon ade, coolaid etc.
    Cathy

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  16. We where that same hairdo when its hot! She loos so cute. Looks like the snow cone machine is a huge hit!!

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  17. This is my kind of summer treat. Looks like you have a bunch of happy slurrping kidos!

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  18. My kids loved making snow cones too. We would use fruit juice and sometimes Koolaid to flavor them.
    I just saw your coop. It's so cute! (Ha, a cute coop! LOL!)

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  19. Hi Elaine, oh how excited my grandies would be if grandma came home with one of those machines. Sno Cones are definately a sign of summer. I always loved 'Crazy Hair Day' at school. So much fun for the kids. Your daughter's is so cute. Thanks for sharing with Share Your Cup.
    Hugs,
    Jann

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  20. Hi,
    I hadn't thought of snowcones. That's a great cool down idea.
    Thanks for sharing.

    I invite you to visit me at Harvest Lane Cottage.

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