Thrifty Things Lately ~ July 26, 2024

 

Welcome to another thrifty week at Harvest Lane Cottage. I am glad you've found me! Each week I will share my thrifty and frugal projects, ways of saving money, and my blessings from God. 

Here's my thrifty week:

• My Lowell has caught the thrifty bug! After pricing tomato stakes and cages at the farm store, he came home and used things he found about the house and shed: 3 hotdog poles, a pitchfork he wasn't using, an old hoe with a loose head, and some rebar! Total expenditure zero! Make it do!

• We bought strawberries, peaches, and apples on sale.

• I manicured my nails using polishes I've had quite awhile. The OPI nail strengthener and polishes go on smoothly. The Sally Hansen gel top coat gives a shiny smooth surface.

• I'm learning about sourdough.

• I'm knitting baby socks for a shower using leftover yarn.

Well, that's all for now!

What have YOU done to be thrifty this week? 

Enjoy July!

It's racing by!

Laura 

My Summer Reading List is Updated!

Hello everyone!

My summer reading list is late! Dare I say that I have been using my spare moments to read rather than write? You caught me! Here are some of the books I plan to read over the next couple of months. As usual, I'll probably add more as they catch my eye. Please see my Goodreads account. I keep it updated regularly. Note also that many of the books that I "read" are now audiobooks. I listen while I work, sew, or knit. That's how I can enjoy so many books.

Here are the books that I'm currently reading and listening to on Everand:

This is a fun, clean, time travel story with a touch of romance and characters growing in their faith. I actually finished it yesterday.

I don't have a business, but I need help to get more done!

This is a World War II novel set in Great Britain. Emmy Lake is a writer for a women's magazine. It's clean.
Just finished. 

• Them: Why We Hate Each Other by Ben Sasse. I'm listening. 

Here are the Bible.com plans that I'm currently reading:

• The 40 Day New Testament Challenge ~ listening

• Wondered by the Word ~ The Bible in a Year (Chronological) ~listening

• English Standard Bible ~ Canonical ~ I'm using the Encountering God Study Bible that I reviewed back in May. It's the New King James Version.

I know that this may seem like a lot of plans at once. That's why I listen a lot. "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." (Romans 10:17)  Since I started listening to the Bible as part of YouVersion's plans back in 2012, I've been saturating myself with the word. It has changed my life in so many ways. Thank you to my friend Deb who challenged me! Do You Find Reading the Bible to Be a Challenge? 

Here are the paper books I'm currently reading: 

I'm truly enjoying this book by my friend Karen Andreola.  She was the writer who introduced me to Charlotte Mason and her whole books, hands on, narration and nature based teaching style. 

I found this at a library sale this week. I read a short chapter each day. I do love short chapters. They're easy for snatch reading.
Finished 

These are the books I've just received through interlibrary loan:

• Crochet Cute Forest Friends by Sarah Zimmerman I browsed this and returned it.

• The Cabin Faced West by Jean Fritz I read and enjoyed this.

Finally, here are a few books that just might get added as I finish a few of the books above:

• The Poison Pen by Paige Shelton

• Toast & Jam by Sarah Owens I browsed this and returned it. The recipes weekend too gourmet for me.

• The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman

• Blood and Bone by Don Hoesel

• The 12 Week Year for Writers by A Trevor Thrall, Brian P. Moran, and Michael Lennington

Can you tell that I love reading and listening? If this all seems a bit overwheming to you, know that it does to me, also, when I write it all out! Remember dear reader, as an adult, reading often means snatching up small moments here and there. Listening in the car or while doing housework, knitting, or sewing are other good times. My favorite, of course, is listening while knitting or sewing. Use your minutes!

Blessings from Harvest Lane Cottage!

Laura 

My Year in Books 2023 

Goodreads:  Laura Lane 

2024 I have finished 70 books of my 60 book goal.

Ravelry:  HarvestLaneLaura

Facebook:  Harvest Lane Cottage  

Instagram: @lauraofharvestlane 

Email:  laura@harvestlanecottage.com

Mailing address available by email for snail mail lovers like me!

A Little Randomness ~ 1996

This week's year is 1996! Here are some memories that I have of that year in list form.

Image by Harisankar Sahoo from Pixabay

• Our son turned 5. At the time, we didn't have any other children, but he was praying for a sister.

• We made the decision to homeschool kindergarten. After lots of research, I chose to read lots of books together, and I took a lots of hands on and experiential learning approach that year.

• My husband was working for a company that had sent him to Branson, Missouri to work for four months. He lived in a condo there. 

• We bought Silver Dollar City passes. Matthew and I would often visit, and we would go to the park.

• My mother found out that her breast cancer had returned as bone cancer. This rocked my world like nothing before ever had. This began two heart wrenching years. The good is that both she and my step-dad got saved. He is still loving and serving Jesus. He was able to help me through my fight with breast cancer that I began in 2017. 

• Beanie Babies were one of the hottest toys for Christmas as was Nintendo 64. We bought Matthew a Beanie Baby. We never did buy video games for the kids.

• We bought our first computer and learned about dial up internet. I used to "Ask Jeeves" as I was learning to search.

• The first Twister film was one of the top films of the year. We watched it. Living in tornado alley, it was scary!

It was an exciting time to be alive, full of hope, some fear, and lots of prayer. I miss those days of having our little family of three and teaching my little boy and learning a whole lot in the process!

God is good through the good times and the hard times.

Blessed be the name of the LORD JESUS!

What do YOU remember about 1996?

I can't wait to read your responses.

Laura