Monday, October 27, 2025

Homemade, Handmade, Heartmade Gift Ideas


Do you love a homemade Christmas? I do! Everything just seems like it means a bit more when you've put your time, effort, and care into it. Homemade, handmade, heartmade, thrifty, money saving gifts can be a blessing to the giver and the receiver. It doesn't happen overnight though. Okay, I admit it. I've been the crazy mom sewing on Christmas Eve and trying to finish wrapping. I don't want to do that anymore!


Now is the perfect time to start brainstorming what you want your Christmas to be like this year. If that is to include homemade gifts, it's never too early to start. Here are some ideas to get you going. It's easy to find tutorials on YouTube or Pinterest. I've added a few links to get you started. 


Homemade Gift Ideas

Paper Craft
~ decorated recipe cards (could add recipes and ingredients)
~ homemade greeting cards
~ scrapbook
~ family recipe book (This was a big project and a big hit with my adult kids last year.)

From the Needles
~ tribbles I love these little cotton dish scrubbies.
aprons 
~ skirt
tablet stand
~ camera bean bag
~ key chain
~ Christmas stockings
~ hair baubles
~ drawstring bags
~ kitchen curtains
~ tote bag
~ pillow cases
~ crocheted chains for hair ribbons
~ feminine necessity bag
~ tea wallet
~ socks
cape
~ camera strap
~ Bible cover
~ tissue holder

Crafted
~ ornaments
~ magnets
~ candles
~ soap
~ coasters

From the Kitchen
~ cookies
~ homemade vanilla
~ recipe scrapbook with photos or on large cards
~ bread
~ quick breads
~ homemade mixes

Acts of Service
~ all clothes ironed
~ clean out car
~ babysitting


Be creative! Your imagination and ingenuity can make a thrifty budget stretch far! 

Happy Making, 
and
Happy Christmasing!

Laura

Friday, October 24, 2025

Autumn Thoughts in Rhyme


Leaves just tinged red and gold
The slightest chill on the breeze
Sun playing hide and seek
Can we read in the tree, please?

Pulling out the recipes
for all the soups and stews
It's still dark in the morning
Just one more time—hit snooze

Crafting, cooking, reading, cleaning
Learning, planning, dreaming
Secret plans for Christmas gifts
Talking about the holidays and scheming!

Blessings,
Laura Lane

~~~~~

Memories in the making...
memories made.


0913

Thursday, October 16, 2025

An Autumn Dream


     Isn't this just dreamy?  I can just imagine the aroma of woodsmoke drifting on the air as my husband steps onto the front porch after a long day at the work...replaced, upon entering, by beef stew simmering on the stove and the house lit with fragrant cinnamon spice candles.  

     After dinner, he'd hear the familiar scritch scratch of my whisk on the bottom of our saucepan as I prepare homemade cocoa to enjoy with big fluffy marshmallows.  He'd settle into a comfortable chair by the fire and open his favorite read aloud—Little House in the Big Woods.  Ah-- a girl can dream! 

     Some of those things can come true right where we are in our humble little cottage.  Just a little work here and there and I can make this a comfortable and welcoming place for my husband and me.  It's Autumn and time for some cleaning and feathering my nest.

     God bless you all!

Laura
Choosing Contentment

Picture credit:  Feathering Your Nest newsletter from Gooseberry Patch.




~~~~~
May I suggest?
~~~~~


Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Growing in Spiritual Formation ~ Review (Giveaway)

Growing in Spiritual Formation

A new Bible study resource from Discipled Church

Created by https://discipledchurch.com/vision-mission/



    Growing in Spiritual Formation is based on the premise that spiritual growth is a very personal thing that varies from individual to individual based on many factors. Instead of a direct path of steps from point A to point Z, there are some zigs and zags based on the person's circumstances, background, personality, beliefs, and other factors. 


    Josh D, teacher and disciple-maker at Discipled Church maintains that most churchs no longer remember how to make disciples, but seek efficient ways to make faithful Jesus apprentices. It's not a personal process anymore. As he said on page vii, "...we are people designed for relationships—with others and with God—and we too often forget how our relationships and past experiences shape and influence our perspectives."


    This is a challenging study that is designed to not only bring us closer to God, but to make us truly think deeply about our relationships and how we do church. The eight week course covers an introduction and seven stages of Christian growth. The book has leaders' notes, but the book is not necessary for the study. Everything the student needs is included online. 


Each lesson starts with a video teaching. It is followed by a short writing, then a downloadable study guide. The sections include Discover (questions), Read (scripture), Consider (teaching), and finally, Reflect and Additional Notes (questions). 


Students are expected to watch the videos and do the lessons on their own before class. The class time is for discussion, prayer and such. Here's a peek at what one of the pages looks like on my smart phone. I watch my lessons on my phone then write in my book. 



 If you are a leader, there is an extra video for you to help you be prepared for class time. There are also extensive notes. The leader has additional information, but should be part of the discussion not the teacher. 

    I am still working through the study myself. It's 8 weeks long. It's intended to be done in a group setting or even a husband and wife. I am doing it alone. The book is not necessary. It's for the leaders. Everything is available with the videos online. At the time of this review, the course is just under $10. 

    I'm being challenged. I think that you'll find it a good challenge for you as well. Perhaps you'll even find that you want to lead a group.



  20% off online material  with code share20 through October 31, 2025.... Go through the checkout and enter code as a coupon.


Online access: https://grow.spiritualformation.com 

  
 #discipleship #spiritualformation
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@discipledchurch  --   Twitter

From the publisher:

Details about the study: This powerful 8-week study invites you to go beyond the surface of faith and experience genuine spiritual and emotional transformation. Explore what it means to follow Jesus and grow as his disciple. Fall deeper in love with God and with the person he has created you to be.  Includes a study guide and videos.  Created by https://discipledchurch.com/vision-mission/

Each of us is on a spiritual journey—a journey that began even before we took our first breath. It is a path shaped by life’s experiences, where we grow in faith and draw nearer to God in deeply personal and ever-changing ways. Along the way, we rediscover truths long forgotten—about who God is, and who we are meant to be. This journey is not static; it unfolds in stages of faith, through seasons of learning, serving, challenge, and joy.

In Growing in Spiritual Formation, we will explore these various stages at levels that most believers never venture. This study will challenge you to think beyond traditional perspectives on what it means to make disciples. It will introduce deeper levels of spiritual and emotional healing and freedom that many have never truly experienced. Be prepared to finally move forward in your journey as a follower of Jesus.