Tuesday, April 5, 2022

Just Who is Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage?


I'm a big city girl gone small town girl gone country and finally gone back to small town.

I live in southern Missouri between Oz and the Ozarks. 

I have four children. My daughters live at home. My twenty-four year old daughter is finishing her master's degree through online university, and my 20 year old daughter goes to Christian college. My sons live on their own nearby. The 22 year old son and my 31 year old sons live nearby. I homeschooled all of my children from the beginning through high school. My eldest son went to high school for a year and a half.

I met my Jesus when I was fifteen, and my life has never been the same.

I married my high school sweetheart almost thirty-six years ago. We started going steady my senior year of high school. You might say we're going steady permanently. ~smile~

We have a very big yellow tabby cat, Tiger. Think Garfield with a good attitude. He is actually bigger than our little Doxie mix, Penny.  

I enjoy writing, knitting, sewing, quilting, crocheting,  scrapbooking, crafting, baking, cooking, making do, and making soup. I'm currently primarily knitting since I was invited to join a group of ladies for a knit night each week. I do the other things as I have time and inspiration.

I love to read and often review books on my blog, Harvest Lane Cottage.

I like to cook from scratch, and I adore Gooseberry Patch books.  I've collected a lot of them on Paperback Swap over the years.  In fact, one of my recipes was included in Hometown Christmas, and another was included in Grilling and Campfire Cooking. My old-fashioned homemade cocoa is in Secrets from Grandma's Kitchen, too.

I don't enjoy gardening, but I do enjoy making jams and jellies. 

I enjoy writing to encourage others in their walk with Jesus, homemaking, being thrifty, homeschooling and reading. 

Fall is my absolute favorite season. It's cozy, beautiful and warm by the fire while it's nippy outside. Unfortunately, our current home doesn't have a fireplace or wood stove. That might be something that we remedy in a couple years.

I found a lump April 22, 2017. I was diagnosed in May. My husband and I spent our 31st anniversary enduring my first chemotherapy session.  Cancer attacked my body, but I am not a cancer victim. Cancer is not who I am, even though it and the subsequent treatments have  made life difficult. I am God's child. I have been told that I am cancer-free, but my treatments continue.

 I will live and not die and declare the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Psalm 118

His Hebrew name, Jehovah Sabaoth, means Lord of Hosts. He is fighting the battle for me. I must walk this out in faith and trust. Who better to trust than God himself?

Do drop me a note and introduce yourself!
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

P.S. I also love to pray for people. Do drop me a note if you'd like me to pray for you. See the contact form in the sidebar.






~~~~~
May I suggest...

54 comments:

  1. It's so nice to "meet" you Laura!
    {{hugs}}
    Julia, New Zealand

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  2. Hi, Laura - It's been a long time since I've commented but it is nice to get "reintroduced." Glad all is well! ~Laurel aka Snowflakes

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  3. Thank you all for your kind words. You know how much it makes my day to get comments.

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  4. Thanks for sharing about your life Laura. I look forward to following your blog. How are those chickens doing?

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  5. I'm so glad you stopped by today, Laura. It's so nice to meet a fellow blogger in the Ozarks. I live just outside Springfield. I'm also a big-city girl (originally from KC) turned small-town girl. We haven't made it all the way to the country...yet! :) Blessings! Nancy

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  6. I'm so delighted to meet you, Nancy.
    Do you know about the Palace Theater in Springfield?
    I understand that they have discounted movie prices, especially on Tuesday evenings.

    Thanks so much for taking time to "get to know me". I noticed I have a couple of updates to make. All our kitties have found new adoptive parents. Now we have chicks. I love to have hens for eggs, I love it more that my Michael, 13, takes care of them for me. ~smile~

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  7. I'm so glad you dropped by my site and left me a comment, and that through that I found your site! I get such a warm feeling when I come here! I can tell we're going to be friends. I'll be back often!

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  8. I feel the same about you, Beth. I'm glad I found your site, too. I like the way you write back to those who comment. That makes it all so much more personal and real.

    Blessings to you!
    Laura

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  9. Coming your way from Marci at Stone Cottage Adventures and happy to meet another Missouri blogger. I'm not too far away from you in Willard, MO. Happy to be a follower via GFC!

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  10. Hi Danni,

    I just Googled Willard. You're pretty close, especially since I have regular readers in Australia and the United Kingdom!

    I'm following you back.

    Blessings,
    Laura

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  11. Ha, we are very close!! We live not too far from Joplin either, the Springfield side which makes me close to some of the other readers that commented too! How fun is that!!
    Thank you for stopping by my blog. I can't wait to get to "know" you more through your blog, as I have time to read it :)
    Blessings,
    Rashel

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  12. Hi Rashel,

    It's fun to meet ladies who live nearby as well as those who live far away.
    I'll be over for a blog visit in a bit.

    Blessings,
    Laura

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  13. I LOVE your blog! I've had a little while to look around, and I leave here refreshed...both in spirit and in my primitive decor endeavors! We definitely share the same love for Jesus and the same love for primitives! God's peace be with you, my new found friend. :~)

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  14. Hi Cheryl,
    It's so good to hear from you. I'll leave you a note at your blog.
    Blessings,
    Laura

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  15. Hi Cheryl,
    It's so good to hear from you. I'll leave you a note at your blog.
    Blessings,
    Laura

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  16. Hi Laura, I'm glad I found you today. Thanks for being a beautiful testimony to our Lord. Following you via Bloglovin'. Nancy @ A Joyful Cottage.

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  17. Hello Nancy,
    I'm pleased to meet you. I am honored that you have chosen to follow me. I'm going to be over in just a bit to meet you at A Joyful Cottage.
    Have a beautiful Sunday with Jesus,
    Laura

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  18. Hi Laura,
    I appreciated your stopping by and commenting at Sweet Water and Bitter today. Harvest Lane Cottage was familiar to me, but I wanted to come over and get to know you better. I saw one of your topics is Thrifty and Frugal, which is right up my alley. In fact just this weekend I was at the fancy schmancy Millenia Mall in Orlando...in the midst of all the expensive designer stores...thinking secretly, "If my husband had driven me to the nearest Goodwill I would be 100% more excited!" :-) As soon as I get my supper started I'm coming back to look around your blog some more. ----Kim

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  19. You just made me smile, Kim. I feel the same way.

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  20. I'm delighted to be led to your blog (via your Comment on "Serving Joyfully.") I think you and I have a lot in common, so I just subscribed. :-)

    A prayer of blessing to you and your family!


    ---Kimberly

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  21. Wonderful to meet you, Laura. We have much in common. I am a city-girl turned country-girl. I also married my high school sweetheart and homeschool my children. I garden to help feed the family, but I don't love it. (It's very hard where I live - a lot of work for little payoff, but I am thankful for what I do get). I have chickens, love to write, and Jesus has changed my life, too. I hope to get to know you more.

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  22. So glad to meet you, Heather. I'll come for a visit soon. Do you know that you are set up as a no reply blogger?
    Blessings,
    Laura

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  23. I loved reading your bio! It's a pleasure to "officially" get to know you!! How fun to have a couple recipes published in Gooseberry Patch! I'll have to look yours up in the Christmas one you mentioned since I have that:)
    Blessings
    Leslie

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  24. It's good to get to know you, too, Leslie. I want to come and eat at your house!

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  25. Hi, Thanks so much for your work and sharing God's word! Visiting from the Me, Coffee, and Jesus linkup, and so glad I did. Can't wait to read more of your work.

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  26. Love your blog, looking forward to getting to know you better!

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  27. Laura: I am from Missouri ... town of Nevada. Live in Arkansas. I would love to connect with you!

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    1. I've been to Nevada. It's a nice little town Tammy. I don't know how to connect with you without an email.

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  28. You need to update this a little. You have been married for 29, almost 30 years.
    LOVE YOU, MOM,
    Amy

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  29. Laura, welcome to Thought-Provoking Thursday! Congratulations to you and your husband on the new position. I love hearing about how God has answered prayers. May this be a season of favor and growth for your family.
    Blessings,
    Lyli

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  30. Hi Laura,
    What a pleasant surprise!
    Just after opening your page the lovely voices of the chirping birds.
    In fact in the middle of the night i heard this voice and suddenly i was looking at my window from where this voice is coming later only i recognized that it is from inside my laptop LOL
    Nice to meet yet another woman who loves and follow Jesus Christ.
    Keep up the good work
    Keep writing
    Keep sharing
    With best regards
    ~ Philip Ariel

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    1. Your post made me smile! I am glad you enjoyed it. I may not be posting much for a couple weeks. I've got some things happening in my life that are making it hard to write. I'll tell more soon. Be blessed, and don't give up on me!

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  31. This was so sweet to read and I especially loved that you said you and your husband are going steady permanently (cute) !! You have a very positive, joy filled spirit. Bless you ~ Linda

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  32. I so much enjoy reading your blog! I am a city girl gone small town country girl. I have learned to garden and can. I grew up with no animals but our children had horses, chickens, goats, rabbits, dogs and cats. I also enjoy making jams and jelly. I accepted Jesus as my Savior and Friend at eight years old. I didn't marry my high school sweetheart but God brought a wonderful Christian man into my life who became my husband. I am encouraged when I read your blog. I written in my journal about what my day is like, weather, what I am thinking, what I am making, baking, meal plans and my plans for the week, etc. Thank you for your inspiration and joyful spirit. I am praying for your healing. Blessings to you and your family.

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  33. I'm enjoying reading your blog. :) I have a prayer requestif you don't mind... please pray for the salvation of my 3 kiddos and for a young teen Macie. :)

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    1. Hello Cindy!
      Father God, you hear the cry of this mama's heart. LORD please do whatever it takes to bring Cindy Magee's children to salvation. Help them to remember all the good that she's taught them. Help them to recognize you reaching out to them in love with the offer of salvation and with the offer of abundant life. I ask this for Macie as well. I ask it all in Jesus' name knowing that you love these four young people even more than Miss Cindy does. Bless them all with long life, godly spouses and children. Give Miss Cindy a legacy and heritage of godly offspring throughout the generations so that not one by blood or marriage or adoption or heart adoption is lost. I plead the blood of Jesus over all of her generations. Psalm 86:16 Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant.

      God bless you Cindy!
      Laura

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  34. Thank you Angela! I'll be over for a visit in just a bit!

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  35. HOLA LAURA: YA NOS CONOCEMOS, ME LLAMO ANA Y TENGO 62 AÑOS, HACE 44 AÑOS QUE ESTOY CASADA CON EL AMOR DE MI JUVENTUD, TENEMOS 9 HIJOS BIOLOGICOS Y 3 HIJOS ADOPTADOS CON NECESIDADES ESPECIALES Y SI ES LA VOLUNTAD DE DIOS, PRONTO ADOPTAREMOS MAS. HASTA AHORA TENGO 13 NIETOS Y OTRO EN CAMINO, AMO A JESUS Y TRATO DE SER SU SIERVA FIEL, AUN CON MIS IMPERFECCIONES. AMO COSER, TEJER, BORDAR, LIMPIAR MI HOGAR, HACER RICAS COMIDAS, DULCES, AMO EL INVIERNO, ES LO MEJOR PARA MI. VIVO EN BUENOS AIRES EN UNA CIUDAD MUY RUIDOSA, ME GUSTARIA MUDARME AL CAMPO, LEJOS DE TODOS CON MIS AMORES CERCA NADA MAS, ¿ALGUNA VEZ SE HARA REALIDAD? DIOS LO SABE. TE ENVIO UN ABRAZO A LA DISTANCIA Y GRACIAS POR COMPARTIR TU VIDA.

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    1. HELLO LAURA: WE ALREADY KNOW EACH OTHER, MY NAME IS ANA AND I AM 62 YEARS OLD, I HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR 44 YEARS TO THE LOVE OF MY YOUTH, WE HAVE 9 BIOLOGICAL CHILDREN AND 3 ADOPTED CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND IF IT IS GOD'S WILL, WE WILL ADOPT MORE SOON . UNTIL NOW I HAVE 13 GRANDCHILDREN AND ANOTHER ON THE WAY, I LOVE JESUS ​​AND I TRY TO BE HIS FAITHFUL SERVANT, EVEN WITH MY IMPERFECTIONS. I LOVE SEWING, KNITTING, EMBROIDERY, CLEANING MY HOME, MAKING GOOD MEALS, SWEETS, I LOVE WINTER, IT IS THE BEST FOR ME. I LIVE IN BUENOS AIRES IN A VERY NOISY CITY, I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO THE COUNTRYSIDE, FAR AWAY FROM EVERYONE WITH MY LOVES NEAR NOTHING ELSE, WILL IT EVER COME TRUE? GOD KNOWS. I SEND YOU A HUG FROM THE DISTANCE AND THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR LIFE.

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    2. Hello Ana (Sierviendo El Senor),
      I replied on your blog dear.

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  36. Hello Mrs Laura Lane! I'm Monica and I blog at Adventures in Everyday Life. I have followed you off and on over the years. I am back to blogging after a long sabbatical. Life is very different for me now than it was back then. I divorced the love of my life after 31 years of marriage. I am currently trying to reconcile that but if you read my post this morning you will see I have a very different outlook on that today. looking at these comments I'm not sure just how old this post actually is but I will be praying for you as well! I live in Central Missouri about 80 miles southwest of St. Louis in a very small community.

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    1. Hi Monica,
      I'm in southern Missouri. I tried to find your blog, but found more than one by that name. I didn't see one with a recent post. Please send me the link. ~smile~ I hope you have a lovely week!
      Warmly,
      Laura

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  37. I love this. What a loely woman and family. You serve the Lord well my lady. Bless you.

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    1. Thank you Cheryl. You are a great inspiration to me and to others who are tightening our belts even more these days.
      Warmly,
      Laura

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  38. You are a lovely Lady and I am glad for our friendship and I am so happy for your health and love for the Lord!
    Hugs, Roxy

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    1. I am thankful for your friendship, too Roxy. I will never forget our phone call just before my mastectomy. You helped me to feel able to do the next thing. You're a treasure.
      Sending you big hugs,
      Laura

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  39. Well Hello there, lovely friend! I so enjoyed this post, even though I have been a blog friend for years! It reminds me of what a very blessed woman you are. And such an inspiration to me!

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    1. I feel the same about you Billie Jo. You're a blessing in so many ways! You have made me covet a Mocha though! Maybe you're a bad influence! Tee hee!
      Hugs,
      Laura

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Thanks for writing me back!

This life only works with Jesus. The next life is a continuation of this one—make sure you spend it with Jesus. Jesus is the only way to God the Father!

Laura Lane