Monday, March 30, 2015

My Daybook March 30, 2015

Join us at The Simple Woman!
Dear Ladies, 
Hello!  It's a beautiful morning. In the time that it's taken to write this, the sun has risen and so has my youngest daughter. I've also seen my husband off to work. I'll soon wake up the other kids and make some breakfast. My Amy was thrilled to find we have cereal. It's usually eggs or oatmeal around here. ~smile~ I hope to get outside for awhile today. It's supposed to be a perfect seventy-one degrees and sunny! Thank you Jesus!
May God grant you the desires of your heart as you delight in Him.
God bless you!
~~~~~
Outside my window...
I cannot see a thing except a few headlights on the highway. It's still early. 6:23 as I type this. 38 degrees and clear. According to weather.com, it will be 71 today and clear. Yay!


I am thinking...
of planning a spring break week after Easter.

I am thankful...
that my van is working well and gas prices have dropped again.

In the kitchen...
Lunch will be odds and ends. I really need to make a trip to the grocery store. I think I'll make some ham and beans for supper. I have a pound of Northern beans that look lonely in the drawer. 

I am wearing...
my black night dress and my fuzzy slipper boots. 

I am creating...
I sorted through some works in progress yesterday. I have the following things "in the works": an apron for me, an apron for my Amy, a tea wallet, a kick pleat for a skirt with a high slit, some Christmas ornaments, too many projects! I need to finish some things so that I can make myself a new dress.

I am going... 
nowhere until evening. Yay! Last week was full of transferring kids and husband all over the countryside for meetings and work. 4 H season is upon us, and it cannot be helped since we have only one vehicle. Yes, I need to grocery shop, but we'll make do just for the privilege of being home all day long. 

I am reading...
still... just a couple of chapters left to go.

I am looking forward to...
some free afternoons during spring break.

Around the house...
I'm going to make a list of things I want to clean and fix. I'm hoping to work on cleaning and decluttering in the mornings and relaxing during the afternoons during our break.

A favorite quote for today...
Buy at allposters.com.
“What you want is practice, practice, practice.
...I feel that every time I write a page either of prose or of verse, with real effort, even if it’s thrown into the fire the next minute, I am so much further on.”
C. S. Lewis
Author of the Chronicles of Narnia

One of my favorite things...
the mums that line my back sidewalk. Weren't they beautiful? We cut them to the ground and they are just beginning to come up again. They were the little $1.49 plants at Wal-mart two Autumns ago. I've been thrilled that they've done so well.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Since it's Holy Week, we'll have an Upper Room service Wednesday night at church and share a Passover celebration. Thursday evening, I plan to have a bread and grape juice meal with the family. When they were very small, I started doing it as a "last supper" and talking about Jesus' last supper with the disciples. On Friday, we'll have a Good Friday service at noon at church. Saturday night we'll make Resurrection cookies. It's traditional that they fail. If they turned out right, the kids would be disappointed! It's crazy what can become tradition in our family!

Have a wonderful week!
Laura
Happy at Home

Friday, March 27, 2015

Spring Diet for a Penny?

Our little Penny thinks Crocus are yummy!
Penny's 11 months old this month. It seems like she's lived with us for ages, yet it's only been nine months. She sure has turned our household upside down at times. Our previous dog, Josh, was 15 when he died. We'd forgotten how much activity and trouble a puppy can bring. She's finally calming down a bit, and we're learning to live together peacefully. Spring brought softer dirt to dig in. That made Penny happy. Just try to stop this little Doxie mix! She doesn't want to leave my mums alone either! I hope you're enjoying early signs of Spring. Before you know it, it will be Holy Week! 
Happy week ending!
Laura



Tuesday, March 24, 2015

An Open Letter to a Lady Discouraged by Poverty and Poor Living Conditions

My friend Jes, of Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth, recently received a comment on her post "Swept and Good Order" ~ The Mistress of the House. I felt compelled to respond to the comment and share it with you.

Dear Discouraged,

   I feel so glad that you chose to share your discouragement with Jes. She shared some good ideas. I know what its like not to be able to fix things up like you'd like to. Even after 28 years, most of what we own was either given to us (usually second hand) or bought second hand.

  Please don't be discouraged. You've got to get creative. Find the things that cheer you. Maybe a candle burning (often cheap at yard sales), music playing (try Pandora or Spotify on-line if you don't have a collection), the fragrance of supper simmering on the stove shouldn't be underestimated!

I find that when I think about what I can do instead of what I cannot do, it helps.

When I didn't have furniture for my living room, I baked cinnamon rolls and sold them to businesses in town for their break times. I bought my furniture from Craig's List. Perhaps there's something you could do to make a few dollars here and there.  I get to squirrel away all the money I make by selling books on-line to buy my school books and whatever I can use PayPal for.

As for hospitality,  years ago we had people over even when we had to sit on the floor,

We once went for Sunday dinner to someone's house and they served a simple bean soup with cornbread.  Inexpensive, true, but hospitality was given as they shared what they had with us, and we enjoyed our time very much. Their situation and home was similar to yours, but it was the friendship offered that I remembered.

If blogs and Pinterest discourage you, don't look at them! If you do look, just let them be jumping off points to think about what you can do with what you have available to you.

For now, think about the things you have that you do enjoy and how you might make the best of them.

Here are a couple of posts from my blog that might be encouraging to you:

40 Ways to Use it Up, Wear it Out, Make it Do, or Do Without
A Few Ways to Enjoy Homemaking

Sincerely,
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage



Wednesday
Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop
This post was featured at A Tray of Bliss Five Star Frugal.

 

Monday, March 23, 2015

My Daybook March 23, 2015

Join us at The Simple Woman!
Dear Ladies, 
Hello!  It's a beautiful morning. A bit chilly, but spring is coming! It wasn't a very productive week last week, but I'm hoping to play catch-up this week. I have much to do. Is it spring at your house yet?
May God grant you the desires of your heart as you delight in Him.
God bless you!
~~~~~
Outside my window...
a cloudy morning has dawned. I can hear the traffic from the highway and birds singing and calling to each other.

I am thinking...
what a blessed life I live.

I am thankful...
that God has blessed us with this home.

In the kitchen...
boiling eggs for breakfast. 

I am wearing...
My black dress with my black Crocs that I got after the tornado.

I am creating...
If I get myself moving, I'll be crocheting some dishcloths and maybe sewing an apron.

I am going... 

I went...
to my daughters' teen talent competition in Jefferson City over the weekend. They did great in interpretive dance and art. I wish their grandmas could have seen them.

I am wondering...
when I'll find time to do all I have to do.

I am reading...

I am hoping...
that spring has truly sprung. 

I am looking forward to...
choosing a few plants for the garden in a few weeks. My children are going to study gardening in 4H. I have hopes that will help them be more interested in helping with the garden this year.

I am learning...
about healing using Kenneth Hagin's Bible Faith Study Course.

Around the house...
everything in a bit of disarray, because things have been moved away from the walls. It's time for Buddy the bug man to come and spray the house. We have troubles with ants in the spring and fall. We're trying to prevent them from getting to the kitchen. They've already appeared in the bathroom. Yes. I know. Chemicals are bad for you. We have tried all kinds of things. I just cannot stand having the critters in the kitchen.

I am pondering...
how to effectively teach my 11 month old puppy to come every time we call.

A favorite quote for today...
"Too many times, we get our attention focused on the wrong thing. When it comes to healing, we consider our own bodies and the symptoms that try to attack our bodies. That is what we are thinking about and looking at, and the more we look at the symptoms, the worse we get."
Kenneth Hagin


One of my favorite things...
I enjoy my old worn out, cover and spine glued together, notes all through it, New King James Bible. In fact, I got a new study Bible, but still use my old one most of all. In fact, even the zippered cover is wearing out.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Since my plans were set aside to work at the cafe last week, I've got to hit reset and try to do the things on last week's list. We'll also watch The Grace of God. 


A peek into my day...



Have a wonderful week!
Laura
Happy at Home

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Rainy Day Thoughts

Do you love a rainy day?
These lovelies do!
Promise of beauty
A bright spot in sometimes dreary days

Hope after a long winter
God's mercies spring eternal.

Loving the last vestiges of winter and the rainy, colorful promise of spring.



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

Monday, March 16, 2015

My Daybook March 16, 2015

Join us at The Simple Woman!
Dear Ladies, 
Hello!  What a beautiful day it's been. The sunshine and warm weather made me want to just open the windows, put show tunes on Spotify, and dance through my housework! Well, I didn't get to do much of that before I had to go to the restaurant to help my husband, but I did enjoy bopping around to some fun songs from Singing in the Rain. My kids, 13, 15, and 17 love show tunes, too. The girls joined right in. What's your day been like?
May God grant you the desires of your heart as you delight in Him.
God bless you!
~~~~~
Outside my window...
Night is slowly falling after a warm sunny day.

I am thinking...
about making some homemade cocoa!

I am thankful...
that I was able to drop everything and help my husband today. It's something I couldn't have done if I worked outside the home.

In the kitchen...
I'm going to make that cocoa!

I am wearing...
My black dress with red cherries. It reminds me of Mary Engelbreit. I made it myself a year or so ago from a pattern my friend Laura gave me for my birthday a number of years ago. It's the Women's Panel Dress from Common Sense Patterns. I've made it up 3 or 4 times now.

I am creating...
If I get myself moving, I'll be crocheting some dishcloths and maybe sewing an apron.

I am going...
to my daughters' teen talent competition in Jefferson City.

I am wondering...
whether I'll finish half of my hope to get done list.

I am reading...


I am hoping...
to finish the book and post my review in a day or two.

I am looking forward to...
Sunday. I enjoy worshiping the Lord Jesus with my church family.

I am learning...
more about forgiveness and healing.

Around the house...
I see so much to do.

I am pondering...
how to do it.

Read my review.
A favorite quote for today...
"True Christianity finds all of its doctrines in the Bible;
true Christianity does not deny any part of the Bible;
true Christianity does not add anything ot the Bible.
For many centuries the Bible has been the most available
book on the earth.  It has no hidden purpose. 
It cannot be destroyed."
 Billy Graham in Quotes
pg. 58

One of my favorite things...
I enjoy candles burning. Be sure to let them burn long enough for the entire top to liquefy prior to blowing them out. This way they will burn more completely. It's usually about an hour per inch across.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

A peek into my day...
This is our Royal Delights Philly Cheese Steak.

Have a wonderful week!
Laura
Happy at Home


Sunday, March 15, 2015

Planning and Making Do... What I Hope to Get Done This Week!


Isn't this just a lovely time of year?  My Amy loves to photograph nature.  I enjoy her artistic eye.  She sees things differently than Momma.  Isn't that just how life is?

Baking:  
- I want to make this lemon pie.
 
Reading:  
I'm plan to finish Worry Less So You Can Live More.
  I didn't finish, but I did make a bit of progress.
Sewing and Crocheting:
- Dishcloth
- I may work on my apron. I've done the piece work, I just need to put it together.

Studying:
- Trim Healthy Mama book
- Bible Faith Study Course by Kenneth Hagin

Working:
- I'll be helping Lowell as needed at our cafe and bakery, Royal Delights. We closed for winter and reopen Tuesday.
  An employee didn't show up, so I helped out for several days. 

- Homeschooling, of course.  I'm going to do some evaluations to see how much more each child needs to do this semester.

Writing:
- A post or two including a review of Worry Less.

Going:
- Lots of driving people to and from work and to and from meetings.
- I'll be going to my daughters' teen talent competition.

If I finish this list, I'll have been very busy indeed!

Laura
Happy at Home


Monday, March 9, 2015

My Daybook... March 9, 2015

Join us at The Simple Woman!
Dear Ladies, 
Good day to you! May the God of Shalom peace, nothing missing, nothing broken, nothing lacking bless your day today. Stay your mind on God today. He's the answer to every fear, worry, problem. Jesus came that you might have access to Father God's love and provision. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He came that you may have life and life more abundantly. Cry out to Jesus. He's waiting for you. His Holy Spirit is waiting to comfort and teach and lead you.
God bless you!

Outside my window...
It's a breezy warmish day. Warm after last weeks's freezing temperatures anyway. The sky is gray, but I hear birds singing. It's a sure sign of Spring to come!

I am thinking...
There is so much to do for spring cleaning. I need to make a plan.

I am thankful...
God has been making some breakthroughs in my heart and teaching me more about forgiveness and releasing past hurts.

In the kitchen...
I'm thinking about making a pot of ham and beans for supper. 

I am wearing...
my old red knit dress. I'm staying home today.

I am creating...
this blog post. That's about it. ~smile~

I am going...
nowhere today. Lots to do at home! This little girl has other ideas, though. I'm sure Penny's going to want a nice long walk. 

I am wondering...
when the first Spring flowers will pop their little heads up and bloom in my yard. We have Jonquils and a couple of Hyacinths. I saw Crocus in Memorial Park last evening. I adore their little purple blossoms.

I am reading...

I am hoping...
to finish the book and post my review in a day or two.

I am looking forward to...
seeing my Grandma Mamie. She's ninety-two and beautiful.

I am learning...
more about forgiveness.

Around the house...
I've got the general cleaning up that always needs to be done after a busy weekend. I also need to do some laundry.

I am pondering...
the brevity of my time  and what's worth my time.

A favorite quote for today...
"All you have to do is give your problems to the Lord, and everything will work out fine. 
At least it has for me. You feel like you have someone you can talk to who really cares." 
Grandma Mamie

One of my favorite things...

A few plans for the rest of the week:
I'm going to visit my grandma, my cousin and her family soon.

A peek into my day...
My husband Lowell is preparing to open our cafe and bakery at Precious Moments' Chapel next Tuesday. I guess that's a look into his day, but mine will be filled with the fun of laundry, cleaning, and teaching at home. ~smile~ No photos of that.

Have a wonderful day!
Laura
Happy at Home

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Snowy Day Treats

It's yet another snowy day in Southwest Missouri. You all know I was set on making snow ice cream this winter. I got to do that last week. It was scrumptious! This time I mixed up a can of sweetened condensed milk, a big bowl of snow, and enough milk to help the condensed milk mix throughout. It was delicious.  Here's a healthy version.

Today I'm hoping to fill a big bowl again with snow. I had my son set my metal bowl out on top of his overturned canoe so that we can get nice clean snow.  Then I want to make another Little House in the Big Woods, Laura Ingalls Wilder, inspired treat. Maple Syrup Snow Candy!  Maybe you want to try it, too.

Enjoy!
Blessings,
Laura
Happy with the snow
It is winter after all!