My Daybook ~ August 31, 2015

Read other daybooks.

 My Daybook

August 31, 2015

Outside my window... It's sunny and pretty.

I am thinking... about how to make life run more smoothly around the house.

I am thankful that... a sweet friend gave us a gift that will help ends meet.

From the kitchen... I will be doing inventory of all our food today and making some menus. I need to make our food money stretch.

I am wearing... my purple and black top and black shorts. Gasp! I rarely wear shorts or slacks. I will change to a dress before going to the grocery store later.

I am creating... a new dress. Women's Panel Dress from Common Sense Patterns.  I need to hem my new dress. I'm nearly finished after all these weeks!

I am going... to the grocery store and to pick up my husband at work this afternoon. It is much more peaceful now that my son is not working on Mondays. I feel so much calmer than I did just a month ago. 

I am reading... I finished It's Good to be Queen and my summer reading list this week. I'll soon be making my fall reading list. I'm reading 1 Corinthians on my own and one chapter of John, a Proverb, and a Psalm each day with my kids in the morning at least four days a week. I'll be starting America the Strong this week.

I am hoping... to get lots of laundry and other chores done today.

I am hearing... the air conditioner, fans and a big truck that just drove by on the highway.

Around the house... we need to clean up a bit after a weekend of making merry for my son's 16th birthday.

One of my favorite things...  lunch with friends. Anyone local want to go?

From the Board Room...

Follow Laura's board TRIM HEALTHY MAMA (S) on Pinterest.

 A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week... work, school records and plans, hem my dress, maybe paint the hallway ceiling, catch up laundry, and driving.  ~grin~ Same as last week. I didn't get it done last week. I wonder if I will this week? Hmm... this is getting to be a pattern.

My Picture Thought.... 

Sometimes the $1.58 mums at Wal-Mart really do grow when you put them in the ground!

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

What are you up to this week?

God bless!
Laura

Monday
Mom's the Word - Good Morning Monday  The Art of Homemaking   -  Living Proverbs 31 - Words with Winter- Modest Mondays -  Mom 2 Mom - Mama Moments Monday
Tuesday
Roses of Inspiration

Wednesday- 
Fluster's Creative Muster  -  Wholehearted Wednesdays  -  
 A Little R & R Raising Homemakers - A Wise Woman Builds Her Home 

Thursday 
 Home and Garden Thursday -  All Things Thursday -  Share Your Cup Thursday -  Imparting Grace - No Rules Weekend Blog Party
Friday
 A Tray of Bliss

Living in Reduced Circumstances

I read a bit of a blog a few minutes ago that made me feel rather sad. It was written by a lady living in reduced circumstances. I understand reduced circumstances. They are what our family has lived in since 2004. When it's hard to make ends meet, and you have to go without things you want to give to your loved ones or you cannot do things you want to do, it's tough. I know.

What made me feel rather sad was the gloomy feel to what she had written—the hopelessness. The dependence on the government to change her circumstances. I feel down about our circumstances, too sometimes. But I am never hopeless. 

Why?

My hope is not in a government program, or even in my husband's employment, though I do hope that his work situation improves. My hope is ultimately in Jesus Christ. If it weren't, I don't know how I would cope with life. Being of a melancholy temperament, I'm sure that despair would overtake me. Honestly, sometimes it threatens to. BUT GOD. 

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8 KJV

The NIV states it like this, "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things and at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

So, you and I need to build ourselves up in the most Holy Faith, and 

trust God to do what He says He will do. That's what it all comes down to really. Trust. 

Trust for provision. Trust for love. Trust for salvation. Trust for healing. Trust that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Trust Him.

Laura

Preaching to the Choir 

and

Myself

  

~~~~~

May I suggest?

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

~~~~~

Thank you for featuring this post Jes!

~~~~~~

Thank you Richella!

A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #44

Good day dear reader,
   I hope today finds you happy and content. God is yet good no matter what our circumstances. Ours have been lean for a couple of weeks. It gives us great incentive to be thrifty and save money. It's birthday season. That means we have extra expenses that must be absorbed into our grocery budget. We're still paying some medical expenses for our eldest son until he starts getting paychecks from his new job. It will be worth it, and he'll pay us back. It's just tight until then.

  Meals have been...shall we say creative? Filling but unusual? It's all part of using up what we have on hand. This quote from Teddy Roosevelt has served our family well over the years.

Here are some of the thrifty and frugal things we've done this week....

~ We rented a movie on Sunday for $.75 at our local video store. It's their Sunday special.
~ Leftovers for supper Sunday
~ I planned a potluck dinner for Saturday night.
~ I reviewed a book that I received for free from the publisher.
~ I asked a company to review a product for free and my request was accepted.
~ I stayed home all day Monday. Less gas used!
~ Cornbread for breakfast
~ Using up odds and ends of food
~ Decorated for birthdays with items bought at yard sales
~ Wrapped gifts with items bought at yard sales
~ Began using a DVD set that I received for review.

I hope you have a beautiful weekend and a frugal week!
Laura

My Daybook ~ August 24, 2015

Join us at The Simple Woman!

Dear Ladies, 
  Good day! So soon a week has passed again. I'm feeling the crisp promise of Autumn in the air. I get just a little over-the-top for Autumn. It's my favorite season. So many wonderful things to do, to make, to feel. I adore it!
  
I overslept this morning a bit. It can happen on chilly mornings. I had set my alarm for 6:20 a.m. I planned to oversleep a tiny bit. ~smile~ What I didn't realize is that it was set for Tuesday - Friday! So I woke up at 7:08! Oh well, I must have needed it. Now if I can just move a little quicker so that the day won't be all off! So, a quick little Daybook this morning is the result. Have a terrific week, and do let me know what you're up to and if I can pray for you.
  
May God fill you with His perfect peace and an intense awareness of His presence and His love for you this week. 
Laura

Outside my window...

Bright cheerful sunshine after a weekend of rain and a flash flood Saturday in our front yard.

View from our dining room window

I am thinking...

I am getting excited about crisp mornings and cozy evenings. 
I also was able to procure more of the books I need school last week. I used ebay and was able to use PayPal credit.  That took a big pressure off my husband. I just need to finalize plans so that I can see if there's anything else I need to find.

I am thankful...

My daughter had a fun birthday party even though there was flash flooding in the area Saturday.

View through the car window of our front yard. The water was rushing.

In the kitchen...

I need to take inventory of what we have on hand. I'm going to try to eat from what we have as much as possible though supplies are getting low. There are just too many other expenses this time of year.

I am wearing...
my black long sleeved t-shirt and my gray skirt.

I am creating...

plans. That's about it. I know you're expecting a photo of my dress. I didn't even sew last week. I was too tired when I did have the time. Sometimes I just don't feel like hauling everything out and putting it away when I'm done. Lazy I suppose. ~smile~

I am going...

to be home most of the day today. I'll bet that's a surprise to my regular readers. Mondays are usually my running days. My son changed his work schedule since school started. Now he works only one day a week. That will be much easier for me since he works on a ranch about twenty minutes from here.

Missing their little kiddle days

Clarification...
We homeschool our children. Emily is a senior and is taking two college classes, English 101 and College Orientation, in addition to her homeschool lessons. That's why I must take her to school. Fortunately, the classes she is taking are in our hometown and only about five miles away.

I am wondering...

how to put more hospitality into our schedule.

I am reading...

It's Good to Be Queen—Liz Curtis Higgs' new book. I am chipping away at it when I have a few moments to snatch.

I am hoping...

to set aside time to sew. I mean it. I really want to finish that dress I've been telling you about. I know. I know. I said that last week, too. Today I am determined to press the seams I've sewn so far.

I am looking forward to...

 more birthday parties over the next two weeks. My daughter is going to have a formal tea party to celebrate her 18th birthday. 

I am learning...

about the new writing curriculum The Power in Your Hands that I'm going to use with my 8th and 10th graders this year. 

Around the house...

laundry...laundry...laundry.... Yes. I said it last week, too. Yes. I'll probably say it next week, too...and the week after...and the week after.... I also have birthday streamers in our kitchen, dining room and living room. They will remain and be added to until birthday season is over mid-September. Then Autumn decorations will make their debut!

I am pondering...

how to make this last high school year with Emily more fun.

A favorite quote for today...

Mother Theresa of Calcutta
Wikipedia

"Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless."
~Mother Theresa

One of my favorite things...
photos of beautiful places. I will never go all the places I'd love to go, but like books, beautiful photos allow us a momentary travel to another time or place.

Follow Laura's board Beautiful Places on Pinterest.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

hitting the books with the kids.

A peek into my day...

My daughter was excited to find my husband's name during her math lesson.

~~~~~
May the God of Shalom peace, 

nothing missing, nothing broken, nothing lacking 

bless you as you seek to love Jesus and know Jesus

with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength.

Laura

Happy at Home

~~~~~

Don't forget to share your prayer request in the comments.

~~~~~

~~~~~

May I suggest?

With Every Rising of the Sun

~~~~~

A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #43

Hello!
It seems this thrifty week centers around food. Perhaps that's because food expenses are the most flexible of spending categories.  In our budget, it's the only flexible category, because nearly all our day-to-day living expenses must come out of it. Do you find it that way at your house, too?

~ I saved a bunch of money by purchasing some curriculum on ebay.

Harvest Lane Etsy Shop

~ I saved my husband money because the things I bought totalled about $110 and didn't cost him a dime. I used my PayPal credit that I earned selling things from my Etsy shop, my ebay, and Homeschool Classifieds. Thank you Jesus!

~ I served red beans seasoned with cumin, garlic powder, oregano, minced onion, and chili powder for supper. I added a can of tomato paste about an hour before serving. A pan of cornbread and butter rounded it out for my family.

~ Amy and I made 7 1/2 pints of Dill pickles with a $2.50 mix and some vinegar and water. Amy grew the cucumbers. Nothing else is really growing in the garden this year.

~ We've eaten a lot of cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches.

~ Thrifty Trim Healthy Mama tip—use light cream cheese, cucumber slices, and half a Joseph's Lavash bread. Oh yum! I always sprinkle on a bit of salt, too. I tried using green pepper strips instead. Who never told me? Delicous!


~ Last night we had Kai Si Ming from the Trim Healthy Mama book for dinner. It's a soup made with ground beef, cabbage, onions, and spices.  It was thrifty, because I used ingredients I had on hand. I only bought the cabbage. Sometimes being thrifty is as much about using what you have as it is about saving money.

~ I bought some candles at the thrift store, tapers two for twenty-five cents and boxes of birthday candles for twenty-five cents. I also bought Amy a new purse at the same store for $1.50.

~ I ordered a new review book.

All in all, it was a pretty good week. We've had to do our fair share of making do so that we could make Amy's birthday nice. We do what we have to do. How have you been thrifty this week?

I do hope you'll talk back and let me know.
Blessings,
Laura

Cottage Seasons

Harvest Lane Cottage in the Winter

Harvest Lane Cottage
in the Spring

Summertime at the Creek

Getting in the Wood in the Fall

I'm looking forward to seeing The Cottage in the Fall again! We had low temperatures today in the '60's! That's unheard of here in Southwest Missouri in August. I sure did enjoy it though. It put me in the mood for the crisp Autumn mornings and cozy Autumn evenings. Hope you have a beautiful day....

Laura
Hoping for the Future

~~~~~

May I suggest?

Thoughts of Autumn and Fall

~~~~~

My Daybook ~ August 17, 2015

Join us at The Simple Woman!

Dear Ladies, 
  Hello again! Thank you so much for visiting me. I know your time is precious. I hope you'll take a few extra moments and say hello. I love it when readers "talk back". 
  Do you have a prayer request, I would be happy to pray for you. Remember, Jesus said, "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven." Matthew 18:19 
  May God fill you with His perfect peace and an intense awareness of His presence and His love for you this week. 
Laura

Outside my window...

A gray morning. 

I am thinking...

I need to continue to plan for the coming school year. There are still a few subjects I don't have ironed out. Speaking of ironing, I have a bunch to do! Never mind. I don't want to think about that right now. My to do list is always much longer than my day and my energy.

We have a fresh blank slate to begin a new school year.

I am thankful...

God kept us safe on the road when we took a quick trip to Kansas City to see Grandpa and Granny.

In the kitchen...

Red beans will be going in the Crock Pot with onions and chili spices for Monday's dinner.

I am wearing...
my black dress.

I am creating...

my new dress. That's about it. I should be able to share a photo by next week if all goes well. I know, I said that last week and the week before. I'm saying it again! ~smile~

I am going...

to take husband and kids to work, school, doctors' appointments, and parties this week as well as church, grocery shopping and the bank.... Seriously, if you have more than one vehicle, you need to stop right now and thank God. It's not easy with one. I know that when we really need another vehicle, God will provide one.

Clarification...
We homeschool our children. Emily is a senior and is taking two college classes, English 101 and College Orientation, in addition to her homeschool lessons. That's why I must take her to school. Fortunately, the classes she is taking are in our hometown and only about five miles away.

I am wondering...

still where the money for school books and tuition is going to come from... oh yeah, God! Still waiting to see. He's faithful. I've figured out how to use some of the resources I already have.

I am reading...

It's Good to Be Queen—Liz Curtis Higgs' new book. I made a big dent in it while we were in the car yesterday. It's good.

I am hoping...

to set aside time to sew. I really want to finish that dress I've been telling you about. I know. I think I said that last week, too.

I am looking forward to...
lots of birthday parties over the next three weeks. Three of my children are having birthdays.

Michael, Amy, and Emily

I am learning...

about the new writing curriculum The Power in Your Hands that I'm going to use with my 10th grader this year. I'm considering doing Spanish along with them, too.

Around the house...

laundry...laundry...laundry....

I am pondering...

how to make this last high school year with Emily more fun.

A favorite quote for today...

Portrait by Charles Jervas

"May you live all the days of your life."

Jonathan Swift

1667-1745

One of my favorite things...

FALL!
Follow Laura's board Fall -ing for Autumn on Pinterest.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

a Sonic run this afternoon for slushies, taking my son to his first day of work at his new job, a biscuits and gravy run one morning this week to celebrate the first week of school, lessons beginning, taking my daughter, Emily, to her first day of school, sewing my dress,  three birthday celebrations—one family dinner at home, a party for my soon-to-be fourteen year old Amy, and a party for a family friend's birthday. 

A peek into my day...

Making pickles Saturday evening with Amy.

~~~~~
May the God of Shalom peace, 

nothing missing, nothing broken, nothing lacking 

bless you as you seek to love Jesus 

with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength.

Laura

Happy at Home

~~~~~

Don't forget to share your prayer request in the comments.

~~~~~

May I suggest?

Thoughts of Autumn and Fall

~~~~~

My Daybook August 9, 2015

Join us at The Simple Woman!

Dear Ladies, 
Hello again! I am honored that you are interested in my daybooks. Each week I wonder at the many ladies that come and visit my humble blog. I am thankful. May God bring you strength, patience, hope, and perseverance during the days to come as many of us are preparing school lessons, preparing to send our children to school, or even sending a child off to college or trade school. The summer heat has been beating hard, but in another month or so, it will have to yield to the cooler temperatures of September. Fall is coming ladies! Hang on!

Outside my window...

It's pouring down rain. I was awakened early this morning by thunder rumbling. I love rainy mornings and rainy afternoons... well, as long as there isn't too much, I just love rain! Why? Well, actually, I remember years ago, waiting at the high school for my mom to pick me up after choir practice, and watching the rain pouring down through the window. I thought it was miserable. It had been raining a lot that spring. Suddenly, I just decided to love rainy days. It was a choice. Now I do! Rainy days are cocoa, baking cookies, reading a good book with the kids... at least that's how they used to be. Times have changed a bit as the kids have changed, but I still enjoy them.

I am thinking...

I need to continue to plan for the coming school year.

Historic Cave Springs Schoolhouse

I am thankful...

I have a home to keep me out of the rain and a minivan to drive in the rain.

In the kitchen...

I just might make a batch of cookies this afternoon.

I am wearing...
old clothes. I'll need to change if I go out. 

I am creating...

my dress. That's about it. I should be able to share a photo by next week if all goes well. I know, I said that last week! ~smile~

I am going...

Possibly nowhere! The rain is so hard, my son may not have to work this afternoon. His morning job already cancelled.

I am wondering...

where the money for school books is going to come from... oh yeah, God!

I am reading...

Trim Healthy Mama...still...it's over 600 pages.

I am hoping...

to post a few reviews this week. I'm getting all caught up.

I am looking forward to...

Christmas Kringling!

I am learning...

more about the time of Moses in Egypt and about the Exodus.

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  a lot of laundry. I can't say how much I'll get done, but I must make progress.

I am pondering...

and praying for breakthrough for someone I love deeply.

A favorite quote for today...
“The real things haven’t changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong.”
Laura Ingalls Wilder

One of my favorite things...

COOKIES!
Follow Laura's board Cookies on Pinterest.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

preparing for next school year, sewing my dress, a day of fun with my kids Wednesday if all goes well. We didn't get a summer break this year.

A peek into my day...

Amy modeling the apron she made using the apron
Roxy from Living in Faith and Fun made for me. Thanks Roxy!

 ~~~~~
May the God of Shalom peace, 

nothing missing, nothing broken, nothing lacking 

bless you as you seek to love Jesus 

with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength.

Laura

Happy at Home

~~~~~

May I suggest?

Christmas Gifts for Children... Precedents, Disappointment, and Gratefulness

Worry Less so You Can Live More

Living Well So You Can Spend Less

~~~~~

Just Waiting All Along

Sometimes I happen to look at the sky and realize that it's been there all along...just being beautiful...while I'm so busy I don't notice. 

It's the same way with God. He's always there just waiting for me to notice.

Blessings,

Laura

At Sunset

I used to go out at sunset with my toddler boy (who now towers over me) and look at the sun setting. He would stand on a chair beside me. With our arms around each other, every night I would say, "God painted that for you!"
Now, every once in awhile, at sunset, he'll put his arm around me and say, "God painted that for you!"

My Daybook August 3, 2015

Join us at The Simple Woman!

Dear Ladies, 
Good day to you! I am honored that you are interested in my daybooks. I find it interesting to look back at some of the earlier entries and enjoy the memories or thank God for what He's brought us through. That really is the point you know, being thankful because He always does bring us through. What is He bringing you through? If you'd like me to pray for you, please leave a comment below or e-mail me at lauraofharvestlane at gmail dot com. Now, for this week's entry....

Outside my window...

It's dark. I'm writing this late Sunday night. My dear readers know that Mondays are my busy driving days. I want to be sure I don't miss our visit. It's been very hot today. I do hope the air conditioner in the car can keep up tomorrow. ~smile~

I am thinking...

I need to finalized last year's school records and continue to plan for the coming year.

I am thankful...

God has made some breakthroughs in my heart and taught me more about forgiveness and releasing past hurts. Believe it or not, my little dog Penny is someone I've had to forgive. I had such high expectations that she would be like the Dachshund I had growing up. I had to forgive her for not being like I wanted her to be. I'm learning to understand her and "love" her for who she is. 

In the kitchen...

I'm going to put a pot of pinto beans on to cook tomorrow for supper. Bean burritos with homemade refried beans are very convenient when we have evening meetings. 

I am wearing...

my nightgown. I should be in bed! 

I am creating...

my dress. That's about it. I should be able to share a photo by next week if all goes well. ~smile~

I am going...

East side West side all around the town... tomorrow won't be as bad as last week though. I spent over a hundred and twenty dollars on gas last week! I'm sure Penny's going to want a nice long walk. 

I am wondering...

how to do it all and do it better in less time.

I am reading...

I am hoping...

to post several reviews this week. 

I am looking forward to...

Christmas!

I am learning...

more about the time of Moses in Egypt and about the Exodus.

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  a lot of laundry. I can't say how much I'll get done, but I must make progress.

I am pondering...

and praying for breakthrough for someone I love deeply.

A favorite quote for today...
"Tada!" Liz Curtis Higgs
Follow Laura's board Quotes on Pinterest.

One of my favorite things...

knitting mittens for my kittens.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

preparing for next school year, sewing my dress, a day of fun with my kids Wednesday if all goes well. We didn't get a summer break this year.

A peek into my day...

 May the God of Shalom peace, 

nothing missing, nothing broken, nothing lacking 

bless you as you seek to love Jesus 

with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength.

Laura

Happy at Home

~~~~~

May I suggest?

Trusting God for Our Needs in Hard Times

~~~~~

This post was featured at Titus 2 Tuesdays!