Frugal Family Planner For Feb. 16

* Where can you get gorgeous note cards for just $10 per 10-pack and support a great cause? The eighth-grade specialty art class of 30 students created three types of cards (birch trees, hearts and blue dogs) that you would be proud to use next time you need a thank you, sympathy, get well or thinking of you card. Contact any Sinaloa art student or e-mail jheyer@nusd.org to order yours today (Don't delay because sale is almost over.)

* Let’s say you’re using reusable bags to tote your groceries (you smart person, you!) but you’re sick to death of using plastic bags to buy your veggies. This week, buy three sets of reusable washable produce bags and receive an extra two bags. One extra bag comes your way for purchasing one set. Mention Patch.com in “special instructions” during the Paypal process. Novato resident and grandmother Cindi Valverde made this wonderful product on her sewing machine and now she has her own small factory in China where they also make life-saving mosquito nets! Visit her website to order.

* Where can you have your child (ages 3-12) work on a free hardware-related project? At Pini’s Kids’ Club, on the third Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. This Saturday, Feb. 19, your child will make a wall-mountable coat rack while being supervised in an area near the front of the store. Pini Ace Hardware is in the Nave Shopping Center next to Grocery Outlet on South Novato Boulevard. Call 892-1577 with questions or concerns.

* Are you losing precious heat underneath your doors? My husband noticed an Arctic draft along his bare feet while using our second bathroom, which borders an unheated sunroom. He picked up a handy twin draft guard for $10.99 at Pini. (If you’re there with your child for Kid’s Club anyway, perhaps it’s a good time to pick one up).

* When it’s cold and rainy, a big pot of homemade soup is nutritious, delicious and economical. Lentil soup can be a good choice because unlike other legumes, lentils are soft and ready after boiling in some water (or chicken, beef or vegetable broth) for just 30 minutes. Chop carrots, celery, garlic and other veggies while the lentils boil and add a can of diced tomatoes, some cumin, chili powder and black pepper and my secret ingredient instead of salt – nam pla (fish sauce) sold in bottles in Asian markets for about $4. You get terrific salty flavor along with lots of Omega 3s instead of sodium. Serve with a crusty baguette from the new Rustic Bakery that just opened at 1407 Grant Ave. in Old Town and you’ve got a hot and hearty meal for a dollar or two per serving. You can click here for a recipe, but no worries if you skip anything - or add anything – soup is very forgiving.