Harvest Lane Cottage

After you're finished baking that big batch of Christmas cookies, grab a couple cookies and relax awhile with one of these free Kindle titles.  Twas the Night Before Christmas A Visit from St. Nicholas by Clement Moore Christmas with Grandma Elsie by Martha Finley A Christmas Sermon by Robert Louis Stevenson Betty's Bright Idea; Deacon Pitkin's Farm; and the First Christmas of New England by Harriet Beecher Stowe The Spirit of Christmas by Henry Van Dyke Christmas Eve by Robert Browning The First Christmas Tree, A Story of the Forest by Henry Van Dyke A Christmas Greeting, A Series of Stories by Hans Christian Anderson Laura Savoring the Season with my Savior NOTE:  Although the links show an affiliate link, I am no longer an Amazon affiliate.

I've decided to come clean... to answer the question of how my 6'3 fifteen year-old son, Michael, grew so tall. I'm sure you've heard the story of Jack.  Well, Jack's mother didn't actually throw the beans out the window.  She sold them to me.  Thinking they were normal everyday pinto beans, I made some delicious refried beans , and Michael ate too many burritos!   If I ever see Jack's mother again, I'm going to send her a bill for all those jeans he outgrew! Blessings to you from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Laura  Michael's Little Momma Read More... A Son Can Influence a Father in a Big Way

Cold temperatures have brought thoughts of an early  winter  here in our little cottage at the edge of the Ozarks.   We have radiators that will keep us warm, but at a price.   Propane is very expensive.  Our solution is to use our wood stove.  We can buy wood at a relatively inexpensive price, but while waiting to have our chimney cleaned, we endured the Arctic Blast with our radiators turned to the lowest temperature we could. Here are some things I have done to take the chill off for our family. When you wake, put the kettle on to boil. Preheat the oven and bake something delicious. Fill the sink with hot sudsy water. Light candles.  They give off a little heat. Use space heaters. Wear layers. Snuggle under blankets on the sofa and read aloud. Keep socks and slippers or shoes on your feet. Warm cold hands under warm water. Take a hot shower. I recently read a very good article at Vickie's Kitchen and Garden about staying warm dur...

If you've not made your Thanksgiving week menu yet, perhaps you'll find something here to help you.  May God bless you as you focus on Him. It's upon us again!  Thanksgiving week is one of anticipation, excitement, and work!  Are you feeling stressed about getting it all together for the big meal?  Now is the time to think it out and make some lists. BUT-- if you're making a turkey, go put it in the fridge right now.  No really, right now!  It takes at least three days in the fridge for my turkey to thaw.  I don't even want to remember what happened the time I didn't let it thaw long enough.  Ugh!  So go now.  I'll wait for you.  I'm doing it, too.   All done? Me too. Note:   If you're reading this, and you've not got enough time for your turkey to thaw, you can thaw it in cold water in the sink, but keep changing the water regularly.  If it gets warm, it can lead to food poisoning. My next step is to p...

Why not cozy up with a cup of eggnog or cocoa and read a Christmas classic by yourself or with your loved ones this holiday season?  With these free Kindle Christmas Classics, you can be reading in minutes. The Lost Word A Christmas Legend of Long Ago by Henry Van Dyke The Abbot's Ghost, or Maurice Treherne's Temptation A Christmas Story by Louisa May Alcott The Christmas Banquet (From "Mosses from an Old Manse") by Nathaniel Hawthorne Evergreen by Richard Taylor Christmas at Pebble Creek by Vanetta Chapman Laura Capturing the Moments of the Season of Christ's Birth NOTE:  I AM NO LONGER AN AMAZON AFFILIATE.

A few things that attracted me to my husband way back in 1981... He was cute. He was Vice-president of our Junior Achievement company, the Monday Night Specials. He helped with cooking and clean-up when he visited our family's home. He didn't live for sports. He didn't hunt. Then we had sons... specifically this son... and this happened... three years ago. Now, it's happened again... but look what happened to Michael in the meantime! See that big old gun?  Michael earned the money for it and all the gear himself while working at Royal Delights and for Johnny working cattle. Results of the first hunting trip of 2014: They didn't see a single deer! Deer 1, Michael 0 Read more... Tired of Trying to Do It Yourself?

He's always "cooking up" something new in our life. Love you Lowell! Your C.S.U. Sweetheart, Laura

I'm not believing what I hear!  My kids are demanding that we take down the Fall decorations and put up Christmas decorations!  In November.  Before Thanksgiving.  Even the snow wasn't willing to wait for Fall to finish!  We still have many beautiful golden and red trees.  They look really strange with the snow. What do you think? Is it too early to take down Fall and put up Christmas decorations? I'd love to know what your thoughts about early decorating are. Blessings, Laura ~~~~~ May I suggest? September and October: Busy Days and Holiday Prep ~~~~~

I love Christmas music and books all year round.  I start listening to Christmas music in September whenever the mood strikes.  It's great nesting, baking, crafting music.   Click book cover for review. Christmas novels just make me feel like snuggling under a warm blanket and relaxing.  If it's cold enough for a blanket, it's close enough to Christmas for a good story.  I've already read Where Treetops Glisten by Tricia Goyer, Cara Putman, and Sarah Sundin, A Marriage Carol by Chris Fabry and Gary Chapman, and The Christmas Shoppe by Melody Carlson.  All three are excellent.   I liked The Christmas Shoppe so much, now I'm reading Christmas at Harringtons . What are you reading? No time? Five Ways to Find Time to Read Be blessed! Laura Fridays Unfolded  -  Sweet & Simple Fridays   -  I'm Lovin' It Party Monday  -    Literacy Musing Mondays    -   Mama Moments Mon...

All photos were taken by my daughter, Amy Lane. Copyrighted Amy Lane Photography

Have you started making a list yet? Maybe I should say lists. Are you hosting a Thanksgiving celebration this year? Have you made your menu? Have you gathered your recipes? Have you started your grocery lists? Have you planned a cooking time-line? Are you hosting a Christmas celebration? The same quesitons apply, and many more. Pour yourself a cup of eggnog, tea or grab a Coke from the fridge. Sit down and start making your lists. All the planning you do now will help reduce the stress later and help you enjoy instead of endure. God bless you! Happy Thanks Living! Laura Happy at Home ~~~~~ May I suggest? Apple Butter City Style ~~~~~