Just Popping In...

Just popping in to say good morning, good afternoon, good evening, or good night! It's 4 H season, so much of our time has been spent taking our three not-so-little ones to meetings. My son found this strawberry pop and shared it with his sister.

Strawberry pop was one of my childhood favorites. Fanta and Shasta had their place, but it was Nehi that I liked best. An ice-cold bottle of grape or orange Nehi was refreshing, but my favorite was strawberry.

Isn't it interesting how a flavor can bring back the days of our youth? What flavors remind you of your childhood?

Time to get busy, have a beautiful week.

Laura
Feeling a bit nostalgic

My Daybook... April 27, 2015 Turkey in a Toga Recipe

Join us at The Simple Woman!

Dear Ladies,
It's now 8:42 a.m. I wrote this post in the middle of the night last night. I will be getting busy in a couple of moments, but I just wanted to say good morning. I was able to sleep a few more hours, but only after listening to the book of Job on Bible Gateway for awhile. 
God bless you!
Laura
~~~~~
Outside my window... 
 darkness and quiet. It's rarely quiet here because we live near a big highway. Not too many are driving in the wee hours of the night. It's just before 3:00 a.m.

I am thinking...

 about the love of God. I am in the book of Job right now.

I am thankful...

 that I have Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit to turn to when I feel overwhelmed or fearful. Thank you God!

I am creating...

 nothing right now. I've been doing a lot of reading in snatched moments.

In the kitchen...

 nothing's happening yet this morning. I expect I'll make eggs or oatmeal for breakfast. Tonight for supper, I'll be making Turkey in a Toga. It's a favorite at our house. When our children were small, we read A Roman Ransom aloud. This was a new recipe I tried at that time. Turkey Wraps sounded boring, so I called it Turkey in a Toga. They loved it.

Turkey in a Toga

• Wrap in a tortilla:
• Paul Newman Caesar dressing
• Romaine lettuce leaves
• leftover baked turkey
• red onion slices
• roasted red pepper pieces

I am going...

 to my study group tonight at church. We're studying Beauty by the Book.

I am reading...
several books, but today my focus will be Beauty by the Book. I've a ladies' study tonight at church, and I've not finished my homework.

I am hoping...
 to go back to sleep for awhile soon. It's now 3:04 a.m.

I am learning...
 I'm in two classes at church, Beauty by the Book by Nancy Stafford and Walk Across the Room by Bill Hybels.

In my garden...
 my Amy planted some pretty flowers, mint, and a zucchini plant.

In our homeschool...
 just continuing.

From the boardroom...
Follow Laura's board Pinned It Made It on Pinterest.
 
A favorite quote for today...

 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  
In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your path." 
Proverbs 3:5-6

A peek into my day...

A view from my computer as I look to my right.

 One of my favorite things...

  Sleeping all night long.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
  driving for 4H meetings, church Wednesday evening, a trip to the library.

Have a wonderful week!

Laura

Happy at Home

A favorite link... 

You Might Enjoy...
A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #91

Just Listed!

From my sewing machine...

Handmade Quilted Purse

Handmade Quilted Tote

Handmade Tapestry Bag

Snatch Reading in Spare Moments

On my nightstand, in my work bag, in my kitchen, in my purse, on my shelves, in my closet, in totes, in boxes, in my Kindle, in my computer... I've got books everywhere! What are you reading?

Five Ways to Find Time to Read

Idleness, Laziness, Procrastination

"Know the true value of time;
snatch, seize, and enjoy
every moment of it.
No idleness; no laziness;
no procrastination;
never put off till tomorrow
what you can do today."
~ Lord Chesterfield~

Moments get away from us so quickly.  If we truly made use of every moment, how different would our lives be?  Is it even possible? Do we need to be busy every moment?  No. After all, Our LORD is the One who said, "Be still and know that I am God." Rest and refreshment are very important as well.  If we are praying, meditating on God's word, worshiping or investing in others by listening and talking, we are still being productive. It's okay to just be. 

Just remember, all the time in the world slips by in moments.

Seize the day!

Just Something to Think About
Laura

My Daybook April 13, 2015

Join us at The Simple Woman!

Dear Ladies,
We are well into Spring here in Southwest Missouri. That means lilacs, rainy days, and 4H meetings. If you don't see me around here quite so much, it's because, with one vehicle, I'm the family driver. Please enjoy this peek into my daybook. May you have a beautiful week. 
God bless you!
Laura
~~~~~
Outside my window... 
 its a gorgeous rainy morning. I heard the rain dropping gently through the night. You know what they say, rain before seven, shine by eleven. We shall see if that happens today.

I am thinking...

 about the faithfulness of God. I was listening to Bible Gateway this morning. I enjoy listening while I am about other tasks.

I am thankful...

 that I was able to see a doctor last week. Thank you God!

I am creating...
 this blog post. ~grin~

In the kitchen...
 nothing's happening yet this morning. I expect I'll make eggs or oatmeal for breakfast. I think I'll make a simple throw together chicken soup for this lovely rainy day lunch. I'll use some leftover chicken, broth, and non-starchy veggies. 

I am going...
 to my study group tonight at church. We're studying Beauty by the Book.

I am reading...

 It's a really thick book.

I am hoping...
 for a smooth transition back into our school days.

I am learning...
 about the book of Daniel.

In my garden...
 my Amy planted some lovely lavender Creeping Phlox yesterday.

In our homeschool...
 back to the books this morning.

From the boardroom...
Follow Laura's board Pinned It Made It on Pinterest.
 
A favorite quote for today...

"Home is the nicest word there is."

Laura Ingalls Wilder

A peek into my day...

Penny

 One of my favorite things...
 Hershey's chocolate bars with almonds.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
  back to school.

Have a wonderful week!

Laura

Happy at Home

A favorite link... 

A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #37

I didn't buy much, make much, or do much this week. It was a week of alternating cleaning, relaxing, and driving my family from here to there and back here. 4 H season has started. That means a lot of driving for me and fun for the kids. It's only two months. I couldn't keep up this pace all year!

~ Excellent deals at Aldi. These comprised the majority of my grocery shopping for this week. I praise God for the specials. We're praying for blessing for our business.

• $.59 celery bunch        
•   .79 broccoli crowns (1 lb)
•   .79 sweet potatoes (3 lbs)
•   .69 baby carrots (1 lb)
•   .99 yellow onions (3 lbs)
•   .99 green pepper (3)   
•   .39 cucumbers 
•   .99 grape tomatoes

~ Yard sale season is open! My first purchase was a stick blender for a dollar. My husband had seen mine and wanted it for the cafe. He was so happy to get this one.

~ A friend brought us dozens of eggs. We've been boiling, scrambling, and frying every morning.

It was spring break, and saving wasn't my focus, though we didn't spend much. No fancy vacations for us. We just needed the break after a very long winter.

Have a great week!
Laura
Happy to be with my Family

Spring Break at The Cottage...

Good morning Ladies!

We spent the last week enjoying spring break here at the cottage... a little deep cleaning, a little going, a little relaxing, a little napping. I hadn't even realized that I'd not posted! Too busy living, I guess. ~grin~ It was so nice to have a period of just setting aside the responsibilities of homeschooling.

Today we'll enjoy worship, praise, prayer, and preaching with our church family. It will be good. I hope you've found a Bible preaching church family. It's so important.

Be blessed Ladies!

Laura
Refreshed

My Day Book April 7, 2015

Join us at The Simple Woman!

Dear Ladies,
Spring has come with beauty in Southwest Missouri. The vibrant colors make me think of how exquisite Heaven will be for our senses. Everything is new. I always think about making changes in my life during Spring. I also get tired of homeschooling. I hope that we'll be able to take some time off this summer. ~smile~ What do you look forward to in Spring?
May you have a beautiful week. 
God bless you!

~~~~~
Outside my window... 
green glorious green! Daffodils are bobbing in the breeze. The vine on the tree is growing greener as are the trees themselves. 

I am thinking...

I'm hungry!

I am thankful...

that we have a home to live in. It is a real privilege. God has blessed us beyond what we deserve in many ways. Thank you God!

In the kitchen...
My son, Michael, is frying some eggs. He does it much better than I do.

I am wearing...

my old gray skirt and an old gray t-shirt along with my black Crocs.

I am going... 
to stay home today. Hubby needed the van.

I am reading...

Around the house...

I'm going to make a list of things I want to clean and fix. We're cleaning and decluttering in the mornings and relaxing during the afternoons during our Spring break this week.

A favorite quote for today...

"Too often we compare our weaknesses with other people's strengths, only to find ourselves coming up short.  What truly matters is simply lifting our faces to heaven and asking, 'Lord, what do you think?  How do my work, my family, and my priorities look to you?'"

Tricia Goyer 

Balanced 

Chapter 1

One of my favorite things...
lilacs and they're just starting to bloom!

A few plans for the rest of the week:
no school!

Have a wonderful week!

Laura

Happy at Home

A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #36

Amy Lane Photography 2015

You know, sometimes a thrifty week isn't about the great sales you got or all the things you did. Sometimes a thrifty week is about what you didn't do. These are some of the things I didn't do this week.

I didn't...
buy a new Easter dress, shoes, and accessories...
buy new clothes for my husband or children...
go out to lunch with friends after Good Friday service...
fill Easter baskets (always from Momma and Papa not a bunny, they do get Peeps though)...
plan an elaborate meal for Easter dinner.

What I am doing...
Easter dinner
 Riblets (a gift from my father)
 Baked potatoes ($1.29 for 5 lbs on sale)
 Asparagus ($1.98 for 2 lbs on sale)
 Butter bought on sale for $1.89 a pound
 Dessert will be leftovers from the cafe.
 Sour cream and BBQ sauce are the big splurge. I just sent my daughter to buy it while I'm writing this.

Clothes
 All things we have on hand. I did send my daughter to Wal-Mart with a $15 budget to buy some dress shoes. She has only tennis shoes and flip-flops. If they cost more, she has to pay the difference from money she has saved.

So you see, it doesn't have to cost hundreds of dollars to enjoy Easter. One new thing we did this year is attend a walk through Easter program at a local church. It was magnificent.

Decorations
The girls decorated our home with flowers from the yard in their lovely spring colors of pink, white, purple, and yellow.

So, if you're feeling down about what you cannot do because of budget constraints, look around. What do you have at hand? What can you do with it? My Easter won't look traditional this year, but hey, who's it about anyway?

Bless the Lord! Jesus is risen from the dead. He died for our sins so that we, if we believe and trust in Him, may be made whole, be saved, and be reconciled to Father God. Praise the Lord!

Happy Resurrection Day!
Laura
Living the Lifestyle of the Thrifty & Frugal