Harvest Lane Cottage

  A Woman Reading by Candlelight Peter Ilstead Danish artist 1908 I read a great post this morning over at Inspiration Café this morning, A Winter Blues Solution  by Marci at  Stone Cottage Adventures .  Take a look.  She asked four questions about reading.  Here are my answers. 1.  I am currently reading Carolina Gold by Dorothy Love.  Look for a review in January.  I've also started reading a non-fiction book, Jesus on Every Page. 2.  Favorite line- who can choose one?  Here's a favorite that I truly need to implement in my life-  "Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will be delightful, old age will bring few regrets, and life become a beautiful success, in spite of poverty." ~Louisa May Alcott Marmee's Advice Little Women 3.  I've reviewed 28 books this year.  I've read/list...

A week and a half ago, before the chimney had been cleaned so we could have our first fire of the year, we awoke to snow and a very cold house.  The propane had run out!  I just got up, put a kettle of water on to boil for doing breakfast dishes, set the kettle on to boil, and preheated the oven for biscuits.  The kitchen was warm. ~smile~  By evening, hubby and landlord had the propane and the woodstove ready to go. The moral of the story, do what you can, with what you've got, where you are! Laura Happy at Home

Christmas with Jesus... Always Perfect.

Emily Anne  as Mary 2012 Just think, someday my Emily Anne will be a real momma.  She loves the Lord with all her heart.  I know she will be an excellent mother to her children.  For now, she's sixteen and thinking about all the choices a sixteen year old must as she nears the end of her homeschooling career.  I pray that she will hear the voice of the Holy Spirit clearly as He leads her. Blessings, Laura

In Christ alone, I make my boast. He gives me breath.  Genesis 2:7 He gives me life. Jeremiah 10:23 He gives me hope for the future. Psalm 42:5 He gives me faith.  Hebrews 11:1 He gives me peace with my past. Romans 5:1 He gives me wisdom. Proverbs 2:1-6 He gives me love. 1 John 4:10 He gives me eternal security in insecure times. John 14:27 He gives me provision for my needs. Philipians 4:10-20 He gives me the ability to look beyond myself to care for others. John 13:34-35 He meets me where I am and takes me to where he wants me to be.  Jeremiah 6:16, Deuteronomy 31:8 In Christ alone, I make my boast. Blessings, Laura ~~~~~ May I suggest?   Be It Ever So Humble, There's No Place Like Home! ~~~~~

This Christmas... Listen to your mother. Shared:   Sweet & Simple Fridays   - Thrifty Things Friday - Weekend Blog Hop   No Rules

Every time you see a heart in nature, it's God saying, "I love you." My first memory of struggles with food was when I was in first grade.  I was a bit chubby.  I remember lying in bed and blinking my eyes to burn calories!  Yikes. I've struggled all of my life.  Well, at least until I gave up. A few months ago, my dear friend, Charity, sang this song in church.  Break Every Chain by Tasha Cobbs. That song ministered to me.  She sang it every few weeks, and the Holy Spirit began breaking the chains of food addiction off me. The day after Labor Day, I began eating according to the Trim Healthy Mama plan.  The pounds are coming off.  I began to believe the words when I sang the song with Charity.  The last Sunday in October, we sang it again.  By the end of service, I knew it was done.  The chains were broken.  I just have to walk it out now. That day was the last time I saw my dear friend.  She went home ...

Please enjoy this story that I share each year.... Source   "A Thrilling Christmas Miracle on the Frontier by 'A Pastor’s Wife'” I remember a day one winter that stands out like a boulder in my life. The weather was unusually cold; our salary had not been regularly paid and it did not meet our needs when it was. My husband was away much of the time, traveling from one district to another. Our boys were well, but my little Ruth was ailing and at best none of us were decently clothed. I patched and re -patched, with spirits sinking to the lowest ebb. The water gave out in the well and the wind blew through the cracks in the floor. The people in the parish were kind, and generous too, but the settlement was new and each family was struggling for itself. Little by little, at the time I needed it most, my faith began to waver. Early in life I was taught to take God at His word, and I thought my lesson was well learned. I had lived upon the promises in da...

 From my kitchen... Gingerbread Men... er... cookies.  My gingerbread man was rusty!  Rather than go spend extra money at the store, the thrifty option was to do with the cutters we had.  I think the children had even more fun this way!  Don't let little things get in the way of a fun time with your children.  Mine have declared gingerbread cookie making to be a new tradition!

"Life is 10% of what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it." Charles Swindoll No matter what's happening in your life, do your best to enjoy the people in your life and the blessings that God has given you. The kids put up the lights by themselves this year.  They're very cheerful. Blessings, Laura Shared: A Wise Woman

I want to thank you lovely ladies who have written words of love and encouragement to me.  I find that God's love is abounding to our family in this season.  Today we had a lovely light snow.  It was just enough to cheer me. We have about two weeks to prepare for Christmas.  I've not made nor bought a gift, save a couple of stocking stuffers and gifts for our pastors.  So much for being prepared early. ~grin~ Not to worry though.  There's still time to bake gingerbread and sugar cookies, pumpkin bread and pies, fudge and peanut brittle... still time for Christmas movies and Christmas stories... still time for our Advent wreath and The Advent Book... still time to buy gifts for those I love and perhaps even time to make a few small things. I will put on my favorite Christmas music, make some tea, and start making a list and checking it twice!  My dear husband has promised me lunch out today.  Perhaps he will help me to think through tho...

Dear Friends, I'm very reflective this year.  A month ago I lost a dear friend to Heaven.  Three weeks ago tonight, my Mother-in-Love joined her.  Mother was very much a part of our little family. I just cannot seem to get it together this year.  Not a gift purchased yet except two little stocking stuffers bought in October and gifts for our pastors. I'm embracing an imperfect Christmas and focusing on Him.  I'll make Christmas for the family.  It's just going to be a bit different this year.  And that is okay. Blessings from The Cottage, Laura

Once upon a time, I was a small child.  I know, I know, it's hard to believe, but true.  One Christmas, I wanted a Winnie the Pooh bear.  My little Dachshund, Greta, had chewed the face on my old Winnie the Pooh bear.  On Christmas Eve, Mommy told me that Santa Claus would peek in my room to be sure I was sleeping.  If I were asleep, I'd get my bear.  I lay in bed awake until past midnight.  I was frightened that Santa would catch me awake!  I remember listening to the clock down the hall strike midnight.  I knew I had to be asleep because, "He knows when you are sleeping.  He knows when you're awake.  He knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake!" Well, eventually I fell asleep, Santa peeked on me, and I got my bear the next morning! I was in 2nd grade. Blessings! Laura Lane ~~~~~ May I suggest? Who is Jesus? ~~~~~ Peaches and Salt