Friday, July 21, 2017

A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #108

Welcome to another 
Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage!

Each week I share ways I've saved money, my thrifty and frugal projects, and my blessings from God. 

A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage

I am so glad you dropped in for a visit today—or tonight!
Please say hello! I'm always looking for new blog friends!
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Hey y'all! I hope you're having a lovely week. This was a nice week for me. I got some things done, and I feel good about it. We picked our first ripe tomato this week. We haven't sliced it yet, but soon. I noticed a couple others are beginning to ripen as well. We have four jalapenos growing. My jalapeno jelly recipe takes 24. It's crazy hot, so I may look for a different recipe this year if we have a good crop. I pour it over cream cheese, and serve it with crackers. If you like things hot, give it a try. It's a great Christmas gift to make now!




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A Verse for You

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
Philippians 4:8   

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Here's my thrifty week!
  • Instead of the very expensive window air conditioner purchase we were considering, we chose to invest in two more fans to move the air in the house. It's summer. We're just going to be hot sometimes. 
  • I shower nightly and rinse off with cold well water. It brings my body temperature down so that I can fall asleep easier.
  • Cream of wheat for breakfast — good and cheap! I like it with milk and a little brown sugar. It's a nostalgic taste. I raised my kids on it.
  • Nothing beats ice water for keeping hydrated!
  • I bought chicken breasts on sale at Aldi.
  • I just couldn't cool down one evening, so I went to Walmart, bought a few items on my grocery list and chilled on their dime—well, I'm sure I had to pay for it at the cash register!
  • I mended my daughter's skirt. I had to re-sew all the seams, because it was poorly made. She really likes the skirt, so it was worth the time it took. It felt so good to sew again—even if I was just mending. I listened to the Genesis accounts of Abraham and Isaac while I was sewing. I used my new Kindle Fire.
  • Lowell talked with the lady at JC Penny's and was able to get a big discount on dress shoes. He called ahead to check if they had anything on sale, they said yes. He went over and tried them, but they didn't fit. He found some others that fit, but they weren't on sale. He talked with the sales lady, and she gave him the discount price that isn't supposed to start until this weekend. Favor of God! He saved $16 just for asking! 
  • I made a grilled sandwich with sliced tomato, a bit of fresh mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil from the garden. Oh yum!
  • $1 Coney Dogs at Sonic this week. Hubby and I ate for $4 including 2 large plain ice waters. Did you know that you can order ice water with flavors at Sonic for a fraction of the price of a soda? I especially like the sugar-free peach.
  • I had leftover yarn from my last hat. I was able to knit two extra caps for the chemo center.
  • I'm knitting a hat with white cotton yarn that my friend sent to me a few months ago. Thank you Karla!
That's my thrifty week.

What are you doing in your home this week?

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ღLauraღ
...doing what I can with what I've got
where I am on a short shoestring budget!

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Have you started thinking about Christmas yet?




Don't let it happen to you!

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29 comments:

  1. Hi Laura, looks like you had a productive week. Sewing is a job when you are having to deconstruct before you get started. I like jalapeno jelly but never made it. Enjoy that juicy red tomato!

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    1. It was a much better week. I didn't have to deconstruct the dress just reinforce seams. Be blessed!

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  2. Hi Laura!
    That's a great tip about Sonic & water. I'm glad you shared. We don't go there often, but I'll remember now!

    The heat is awful, isn't it? I've been spending the afternoons down in the basement. Even though the a/c is set for 78, the great room area is over 81. It's surrounded with windows. Ick. We've both been taking a pre-bed rinser, too. It definitely helps us cool down and sleep better.

    That's great about the shoe discount. You never know unless you ask! I always figure the worst they can say is no, but they just might say yes. We had a check lost in the mail several months ago & we decided to put a stop payment on it to the tune of $35...crazy. When I went into the bank to sign the paper, I asked if they'd be willing to waive the fee since it was our first time and not our fault. They happily did so. $35 is a lot of money!! I was thrilled.

    Stay cool and enjoy your weekend!!

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    1. I know, it is just too hot. We have to set the window ac on 71 to get any relief. I am not looking forward to the bill.

      I never thought of asking for a shoe discount before.

      I'm so glad about your stop pay. That's just too much.

      Be blessed,
      Laura

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  3. Laura, sounds like you had a great week. Your attitude makes all the difference! I do love a good late night or early morning trip to Walmart where I can browse to my hearts content. I used to go at 5 a.m. and loved it. Have a good week and stay well. Hugs/sugar

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    1. Actually, very early in the morning is a great time to go to Walmart. They used to mark down meat in the morning. I haven't been early in awhile. I'm not sure if they still do.

      I had a good checkup today.

      Blessings,
      Laura

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  4. Your grilled cheese sounds wonderful. I'm going to try it.

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  5. Loved the grilled cheese idea. I think you must be feeling better. Prayed for you last night to have a great weekend.

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  6. Hi Laura, so glad you are feeling stronger.
    I read a "helpful hint" from a lady that lived in Arizona without air conditioning. She said at night she dampened a sheet with water and covered herself with it. She said she slept comfortable this way most nights.
    I haven't tried it. I live in Texas and it's hot here, maybe I should.
    Linda

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  7. Laura, my internet is down, they were supposed to repair it today, but did not. On my son's for the moment, time to go home for the night!
    It has been miserable hot and humid here, ninety six under the roof on the back porch today in the shade.

    I did get ground chuck less than half price today, I got 21 medium burgers from the two packs. I fixed them in the foreman grill, it cost less than $8.00. When the new dollar store opened, I found one bottle of A1 steak sauce for $1.00. I used a very small amount on each one. That was all the flavoring it needed. The bottle is still mostly full.
    I will freeze most of these, I prefer fresh, but did not want to freeze mark down burgers. The week before I was able to get about two same size packs for about the same price. These I did freeze whole packs, they will be for spaghetti sauce. So I was not afraid to freeze those.

    I have been getting a lot of cukes, zucchini, and a few beans from the garden. So that has helped tremendously food wise.

    We have had to replace our vehicle, I know I'd said how much problems we have had. That will hurt the budget for a very long time to come. I have kept my little old one though, and will use it too as long as I can. We are hoping to sell off the junky problem one, we have lost a great deal of time and money on this one. We won't gain anything much off that, but just hoping to rid ourselves of the misery and frustration of it.
    Still planning ways to try and pull my tightly stretched ends together!

    I hope the coming weeks are better for you! Still lifting you up in prayer!

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    1. You are so thrifty. I truly admire you Annie.

      Your friend,
      Laura

      THANK YOU FOR PRAYING!

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  8. When we were young married, 39 years ago, we did not have A/C in Florida. We used to go to the mall and sit beside the ice skating rink to cool off. It worked every time!

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  9. So glad you had a good week! Mine has been off & on. Normal for round here!
    Oh, fresh tomato sandwich, bread, blue plate mayo & a tomato! That's Heaven on earth for me!
    I pray the good days continue my friend!
    Be blessed & you are in my prayers! Laurie

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  10. You had a great week. A/c is expensive to run that's for sure -just make sure you don't get too hot. Shopping is good! We are going between fans in the windows to the a/c when it becomes unbearable. Michigan is full of humidity right now and it makes it worse. Have a great week and you are in my prayers.

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    1. I have to run the a/c right now. I don't do well when I'm overheated. I hope you can keep cool. Hugs!
      Laura

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  11. So thankful you have had such a good week, my friend. God bless you!

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    1. Bless you Cheryl. Be strong. Be Teflon. Pray and let the worries slide out off of you and onto the LORD.

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  12. Hello Laura I just found you on Vickie's Kitchen and Garden site. Really enjoyed visiting and reading. Sounds like a lovely week for you and great savings.
    Come by and visit me sometime at Cheryl's Frugal Corner. I love having new visitors as well.
    May your week be blessed

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  13. I always enjoy these thrifty posts! Yesterday I posted an old yard sale find that I am recycling once again... And I thought " I hope Laura sees this!

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    1. I'll have to take a look Antonia! I'll be over in just a bit.

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  14. Looks like a good, frugal week. Way to go. :)

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  15. I love reading about your frugal activities!
    We like using fans to supplement the AC (we live on the TX Gulf Coast, so it's super hot...about 100 today). This helps so much!
    I love planning for Christmas early, so I am thinking on it already!

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    1. My grandparents lived in Harlingen, then later my grandma lived in Houston. It is indeed hot there in the summer! Glad you're thinking ahead about Christmas.
      Blessings,
      Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

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  16. Great week Laura. I grew up on Cream of Wheat and I still love it! I hope you get cooler temps. The news said we had the hottest July ever! Hottest month ever also. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. We have gotten some cooler temps. We didn't even put the ac on today except in the bedrooms.

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Your blog friend,
Laura Lane
5 Year Cancer Survivor