A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #40

Hey Y'all!

Did you enjoy your Memorial Day weekend? We celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary. I guess you could say it was thrifty, because we had to cancel our weekend getaway. Our van started making a noise (just had to be this weekend), so we had it looked at Saturday morning. It was something big in the wheel. Nothing thrifty about that! We had to cancel the getaway. We couldn't get it fixed until Wednesday.

• I paid $10 extra for high mileage oil. Yes, it was more expensive, but we have over 200,000 miles on our van. It's our only vehicle, so it's worth a bit more to keep it running. I want it to go at least 300,000. I speak life to it in Jesus' Name! The Scriptures say that all things are held together in Jesus. That includes my van!
• I received three review movies in the mail. Thank you, Edify! 
• I bought the Trim Healthy Mama book on Kindle. I already had it on my shelf, but it's over six hundred pages long. I thought the $15 to make it easy-to-read was a worthy investment in my health.
• I received a book, Married 'til Monday, by mistake from a review company. It's not my normal genre, so I contacted the company. They told me to keep it. I was happy not to pay postage to return it. They are going to send a copy of the correct book. 
• I ordered a review book.
• A couple of friends brought food to share... eggs, bread, peanut butter, tuna, apples, oranges... lots of good things. Thank you Ellen and Laura.
• My friend gave me a salad spinner. I've been needing one!
• Check out the free homeschooling coupon download in my sidebar.

Well, that's about it. I hope you have a very enjoyable weekend. It's been rainy but beautiful here in Southwest Missouri. How are things in your neck of the woods? What thrifty things have you done this week?

God bless!

Laura

Blessed to be a Blessing

~~~~~

May I suggest?

40 Ways to Use it Up, Wear it Out, Make it Do, or Do Without

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My Daybook May 25, 2015

Join us at The Simple Woman!

Dear Ladies, 
Hello!  It's a beautiful morning. My my it's been raining and raining and raining! It's actually flash flooding in my front yard down at what the kids call 'Coon Creek. I think they saw a raccoon down there when we first moved to the property, and the name stuck. I'm trying to keep a happy attitude about the rain. I would like it better if it would stay outside my house! It is sunny this morning. I hope it stays that way for awhile.
May God grant you the desires of your heart as you delight in Him.
God bless you!
~~~~~

For Today... May 25, 2015

Outside my window...

sunshine mixed with shadows covering my lawn and circle driveway. The trees have grown so much, I can barely see blue sky and white clouds peeking through. I want to enjoy it. The rain is supposed to return all week.

I am thinking...

about my rumbly in my tumbly. ~grin~ I'm going to make some Trim Healthy Mama pancakes as soon as my daughter's done fixing regular pancakes for the kids.

I am thankful...

for some sunshine after so much rain. 

I am wearing...

a red knit dress.

I am creating...

My husband bought me some beautiful fabric for our anniversary. If I have time, after finishing the laundry, I'll put it in the wash to prepare it for cutting. I always prewash fabrics that I will use for clothing. In fact, I still prewash nearly all the fabrics I use. Old habits die hard. ~smile~

I am going...

not far today. I may go help at the cafe if it gets busy. With such a pretty, sunny day after all this rain, it may. This weekend is the beginning of tourist season at Precious Moment's Chapel.

I am wondering...

if I can resist the coconut pie in the refrigerator. ~grin~

I am reading...

I am hoping...

that we'll be able to plant the garden this week. It's been so rainy, my husband hasn't got it in yet.

I am learning...

about the healthy way to combine protein, fat, and carbs.

In the homeschool room...
we're trying to finish things up for the year. Some subjects will carry on into summer.

A favorite quote for today...

 "The only man who makes no mistake is the man who does nothing."

~Theodore Roosevelt

A peek into one of my days...

Yes, I've been driving a lot lately. We saw this old house in a little town called Mindenmines. One has to wonder what would cause this as well as why it would be left that way.

One of my favorite things...

Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches

From the board room...

Follow Laura's board Paint It! on Pinterest.

We're planning to buy some of that color changing ceiling paint for the girls' room.

A Favorite Link

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Have a wonderful week!

Laura

Happy at Home

~~~~~

You may enjoy...

A Few Ways to Enjoy Homemaking

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A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #39

Green Milkweed at Prairie State Park
© 2015 Amy Lane Photography

Dear Reader,

Oh what a week it's been! I've been on the go so much. It's just the season of life we're in. I'm struggling to keep a happy attitude about being away from home so much. My husband reminded me tonight that I choose my attitude. Yep, I was frustrated about having to go out and drive tomorrow again. I wasn't very respectful in my response. I know he's reading this today. I'm sorry Honey.

Well, anyway, I haven't been home very much, so I haven't done very much at home. Here are some of the thrifty things I've done lately.

• Mended a pair of shorts and a pair of slacks 
• I cut an old t-shirt in strips and braided the strips to make a dog toy for Penny.
• I shopped at Aldi for sale items.
• I bought two pretty dresses for Emily for a few dollars each. You'll probably see them in one of her Pretty Thrifty posts soon.
• I helped my Lowell find chicken breasts on sale for $.99 a pound.
• I said no to an optional medical test that would have cost hundreds of dollars. The doctor didn't think it was essential at this time.  God has healed the problem. 
• We attended an excellent program at Prairie State Park about nature journaling. Rebecca of Rebecca's Hearth and Home was the speaker. She put on an excellent program. My daughters and I  were given lovely nature journals and drawing pencils, and Rebecca explained how to use them to make journal entries. I even drew a little Indigo Bunting. They're tiny brilliant blue birds that look like they flew out of a Disney movie!  I sometimes see them while driving my husband to or from work.

My little dog is nudging me for my attention, so my time is about up. I do pray that you will be blessed by God to be a blessing to others, in Jesus' Name.

   

ஐღLauraღஐ

My Daybook May 18, 2015

Read other Daybooks.

FOR TODAY May 18th...

Outside My Window... 
green grass, blue sky, still air

I am thinking...

I do wish the children wouldn't bicker.

I am thankful for...
children who get along well most of the time. They're best friends for life.

From the kitchen...
I'm going to go make a chocolate muffin in a mug from the Trim Healthy Mama book.

I am wearing...
my polka dot dress. It's light and cool.

I am creating...
I haven't had time to create anything lately.

I am going...
to do my normal Monday driving.

I am reading...

Beauty by the Book, Whispers on the Dock, and Trim Healthy Mama.

I am hoping...

that the cool (for May '70's) weather continues.

I am hearing...

birds, a lawn mower, traffic on the highway.

Around the house...

the girls just finished the dishes. School books will come out in a few minutes.

One of my favorite things...

Dasani water is my favorite bottled water.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

Catching up on school paperwork... school with the kids... cleaning... sewing... cleaning... driving everyone everywhere... and decluttering for a yard sale.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

My favorite sandwich at my husband's restaurant.

You can read more Daybook entries at our hostess Peggy's blog, The Simple Woman.

God bless!

Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
Happy at Home

My Daybook... May 11, 2015

Read other Daybooks.

FOR TODAY May 11th...

Outside My Window... 
spring greens and a blue sky with puffy clouds peeking through the trees.

I am thinking...

about growing older. Tomorrow is my birthday.

I am thankful for...

A cozy safe house to sleep in.

From the kitchen...

 I'm not feeling hungry this morning. We ate too much celebrating Mother's Day. I'll have to keep the kids out of the carrot cake my husband made. It will make a nice dessert tonight. We'll eat eggs for breakfast, then I'll have to decide what else to make today. I need to make menus for the week and do some shopping.

I am wearing...

my black dress.

I am creating...

nothing today except, hopefully, this week's menu plan. I'll be doing too much going.

I am going...

I need to take my husband to work, my son to the bank, my son to work, return library books in the next town, pick up my son, pick up my husband, make a quick dinner, then go to my class tonight. I'll be in three different towns. Twice in each. Because of the times I'm required to be in each, I can't combine them. It will eat up gas big time. It also wears on me, but we only have one vehicle. I'm the family's designated driver.

I am reading...

Beauty by the Book, Walk Across the Room, Called to be Amish, and Trim Healthy Mama.

I am hoping...

to begin sorting and decluttering in preparation for listing books for sale and maybe even a yard sale.

I am hearing...

my David Nevue station on Pandora. It's soft worshipful piano music. It's playing through my ear buds as the house is still and quiet.

Around the house...

My teenagers will be homeschooling. I need to tally hours, check grammar, and do my own homework for class.

One of my favorite things...

Candles. My son gave me a big one with a holder for Mother's Day. I love red, and my daughter bought me red coffee mugs. My youngest daughter painted a picture of our cottage. I'll probably share that with you soon. My eldest told me he'll have a surprise for me later this week. My husband cooked me a delicious breakfast and terrific dinner. He ordered pizza for lunch, too. Add that carrot cake and ice cream for dessert, and you know why I'm not hungry this morning!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

Catching up on school paperwork... cleaning... sewing... cleaning...and decluttering for a yard sale.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Now, go check out the other Day Book entries at our hostess Peggy's blog, The Simple Woman.

God bless!

Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
Happy at Home

A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #38

Hello Ladies!

Can you believe another thrifty week has come and gone? Spring is in it's height of beauty. We've had quite a few of these little dandelions popping up in our side yard. Do you remember the delight they brought as children? Oh how we loved their sunny brightness and puffing at their fluffy seeds and wishing. How do you see them now, glorious or annoying? It's all in how you think about it, isn't it?

Living a thrifty and frugal lifestyle can be a challenge or a pain. We get to decide. How do you look at it? Honestly, I look at it both ways. I'm doing my best to see it as a rewarding challenge. My thriftiness allows me to be a homeschool mom, and it allows my husband to do the work he wants to do. Here are some things I did this week.


~  I received a DVD that my kids have been wanting, Everafter, for $.49 + 1 credit from Swap a DVD. You can join for free.

~ Oatmeal is always a simple low-cost breakfast.

~ My children found lots of yard sale treasures for good prices.

~ I found a new Black and Decker food processor for $5. Now I just have to figure out how to use it!

~ I found out that a book I'd like to read is available at my local library. Now I just have to wait until it is checked in.

~ My son put up a clothesline for me on the porch. I don't have poles, so this was a frugal option for me. I tried to buy clothespins at the Dollar Tree, but they only had plastic. I'll probably check either Dollar General or Wal-Mart. I'd love to buy these Classic American Clothespins someday. They're pretty pricey, but the quality would be worth it. I expect they'd be the last clothespins I'd buy. I've been through several packages of the cheaper variety.

~ A friend loaned us her rototiller. That saved us about seventy dollars. Thank you, J!

Well, that's a bit of my week. I do hope you have a lovely weekend!

Laura
Happy at Home

A Simple Lunch

Mixed greens
Roma tomatoes
Red onions
Lemon juice




I'll add a wedge of light Laughing Cow style cheese (Aldi brand) and a baked sweet potato with a teaspoon of butter for an Energizing lunch.


Be blessed!
Laura







Fabulous Party

Encouragement and Comfort from God

"Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and sympathetic?" Phil. 2:1

I think that having friends is one of God's most loving ways of giving us encouragement. Friends can give a listening ear, a word of encouragement, an understanding nod, a compassionate hug, a card or letter at just the right moment, a gentle word of reproof, just being there during a difficult time. Our best friends speak our names in prayer to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us be that kind of friends. Speak your friends' names in prayer.




Fabulous Party

Today at the Cottage...Living and Loving This Life a Little at a Time

My family is scattered today. So, for me, on this lovely day at home and about...  

A little Bible...  I listened to several Psalms on Bible Gateway. I am currently using the Geneva Bible. That's the version that the Pilgrims used.

A little errand running...  I took Lowell and Michael to work at Royal Delights.  

A little treat... lunch out with my daughter Emily of Teen for the Lord.

A little cleaning... just a general clean up. I also have been rearranging my room over the last couple of days. I still have some things to put away or declutter. 

A little cooking...  While at the restaurant, I learned that Lowell needed oatmeal and chocolate chip cookies made. So, I mixed them up and a dozen of each went into the oven before I came home. We bake them fresh as needed. They joined his cherry pie, cinnamon rolls, and more cookies. He worked late last night making two coconut meringue pies, but they sold first thing this morning.

A little reading...  I'm going to begin reading Fear and Faith. 
It's my newest review book.



A little computer time... 
 E-mail, reading a few blogs, and a little writing.

A few minutes of relaxation, no doubt with a book, then a little sleeping.

Laura
Living and loving this life a little at a time.

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