Happy Friday! My smile for the morning is that our pair of mallard ducks is back! I was startled by motion outside my second floor office window and saw them flying up to land on our porch roof and then make their way into our big silver maple tree out front. Last year we ended up with a nest there and I'm hoping they decide to try again.

Last Friday I started this paragraph saying "We're in for a wintery weekend...." and we sure were with that blizzard, but this weekend we're looking at a full-on WARM spring day tomorrow. That will make for perfect (but maybe a little muddy) weather for the dozen Easter Egg Hunts that are on our list.

For more outside fun for all ages there are about a half dozen Maple Syrup events around the state. Also this weekend for kids are Art Play at MIA, Lakeshore Learning free crafting and Lowe's free kid workshops.

If you missed our Wednesday email, you might want to check it out HERE for our list of Minnesota Coffee Shops with Play Areas, the Como Spring Flower Show, and some freebies and deals that are still valid. And for those 13+ the free Michael's craft class Sunday is to make decoupage decorative eggs. You can find details for all of these on our Events Page (look toward the bottom).

Have a great weekend however you spend it and see you again Monday for the next newsletter. Until then you can keep up with anything new at ThriftyMinnesota.com or on the Facebook page. Thanks for being a subscriber! I appreciate it.

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Get the details for these deals and more on the Current Great Deals Page.

Celebrate the first day of spring by picking up a FREE Rita’s Italian Ice today, March 20th! MN locations are in Apple Valley and Eagan.

Through Sunday Hy-Vee has a 99¢ sale with things like pork chops, Skippy peanut butter, Hy-Vee white bread, brats, navel oranges and more for 99¢.

Make your reservation NOW for the Crayola Experience National Crayon Day Giveaway! From 3/31 to 5/31 you can create your own free 32 crayon box by making your choice of colors on their Pick Your Pack wall.

Another new freebie is to request a FREE sample of Tesori Ayurveda Shower Gel via Send Me a Sample online or via Alexa.

It's the best Sam's Club Membership deal of the season. Get a 1 year membership for $15. That's 70% off the regular $50 price! Offer valid if you haven't had a membership in the last 6 months.

We'll add more shopping deals later today, but there are a bunch still going on and one new one that ends today is American Eagle has 60% off Clearance and FREE shipping on ALL ORDERS. Also Athleta has an EXTRA 30% off last chance items through Sunday, making discounts up to 90% off!

See everything else over on the deals page. If you ever spot a good freebie we need to include, please send it over. We all love those!