Sunday, January 24, 2016

A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #51


Welcome to another thrifty week at Harvest Lane Cottage!

A lot of folks are dealing with way too much snow right now. My sister-in-law is stuck at her job at a hotel in Atlantic City, NJ. They gave her a room, and she's just staying there until things are better. Father God, I pray that you will cause the storms to dissipate, in Jesus' Name. I also ask you to send some snow our way. I want to make snow ice cream!


~ I made Candy Cane Cocoa using candy canes I bought on sale after Christmas, cocoa I had on hand, creamer leftover from the restaurant, and the $5 food processor I bought at a yard sale last summer. Out-of-pocket was probably less than fifty cents for a pint batch. It makes a thrifty drink mix that feels special. You could probably make a batch using Starlight peppermints.

~ I used the last few potatoes and an onion to make some fried potatoes. I used just a little canola oil and some butter. That's not something I usually make, but I'm using it up, wearing it out, making it do, and doing without. I served them with ham steaks that my dad gave me.

~ I received several products free for review from Amazon sellers. Somehow I crossed a threshold and became one of the top Amazon reviewers. I guess it was all the book reviews I've done over the years. A couple of weeks ago, offers started coming in nearly every week day. I've not been interested in many of the products, but I did get some nice things this week... some potpourri, a flying ball toy, and a flexible cutting board. Most likely I will just post the reviews on Amazon, but if I really like something, I may share it here, too.

~ We really needed a date night. We went out for queso at a favorite Mexican restaurant instead of going out for a whole dinner. $8 spent instead of $20.

~ I've been using homemade laundry soap all week.

~ We continued to eat out of the cupboards and freezer buying what we needed to fill in.

~ I just didn't go many places this week. That saved on gas. So did the $1.50 gas price!

~ I used a 40% off Hobby Lobby coupon on my husband's phone (no ink or paper) to buy a little ball of cotton yarn to knit some more dishcloths using Grandmother's Favorite Dishcloth pattern.

Well, that's about it. What have you been doing in your home this week?

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

31 comments:

  1. I always enjoy visiting here!
    I learn so much...
    I too enjoy the challenge of using what we have on hand.
    Plus, I strongly dislike shopping!
    Have a cozy day!

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  2. Good for you Miss Laura! I have gingerbread cooking. SMELLS SO good!

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  3. Let's see Laura,

    Eating out of the pantry and freezer as well.

    Getting ready to start back to school tomorrow.

    $1.50? Wow! Here it is still $2.13.

    My hubby refuses to try the homemade soap and would rather much spend the $10 for Tide. (I have sensitive skin and have to be careful of what products etc. to use)

    Hope and pray you have a beautiful upcoming week---keeping your sister in law in prayer.


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  4. I don't like shopping either, Billie Jo. You've honored me. Thank you!
    Laura

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  5. I completely understand about the laundry soap. If I had new clothes or allergies, I'd use whatever worked and cut costs elsewhere.

    I finally heard from my sister-in-law. She's holed up at work. They gave her a room to sleep in. It's a hotel. She says traveling isn't safe yet.

    Thank you for praying Linda!

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  6. Very thrifty. We filled up on gas for 1.49 a gallon. I like that!

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  7. Looks like you use up what you have and cook out of your freezer and pantry like I do. Good for you.

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  8. The gas prices are so nice! It really helps out -even without a deal this week for gas we did well. Have a great day -the dishcloths look very pretty!

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  9. Laura, you have done a wonderful job this week.. Really admire you.
    Praying for you and family. May God be with you and help you. also praying for your sister in law.. I heard on the weather channel how bad the snow was.. My heart goes out to them.
    Take care..
    ps the hot chocolate sounds yummy. Perfect on these winter nights.

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  10. Rats! I knew I should have bought those candy canes I saw for a dime! Candy Cane cocoa sounds delicious!

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  11. I have family on the east coast (Northern Virginia area). I have a cousin that hasn't seen her husband since Friday morning. He works construction and a snow removal contractor came by the job site and offered them all jobs helping remove snow. She is sad that he isn't home but she said it is hard to turn down good money in this day and age!

    Your drink mix sounds yummy! I posted my frugal things on Friday.

    Have a beautiful week!

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  12. Grab some Starlight peppermints, Anne. I bet it would still work. You could always Pinterest it for next Autumn and Winter.

    Blessings to you!
    Laura

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  13. I'm always over budget. Your blog is so encouraging with ideas to cut costs.

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  14. Helol Laura! All that snow is pretty crazy. We haven't had that much snow in a long time. We had a few warm days, so that was nice. Today's weather has been a bit weird. It was warm this morning and now the clouds have come in, with a sprinkling of snow and now it's cold. I hope everyone is safe and out of harms way of the storms.
    We have been so busy the last few weeks and this week will be about the same, but I'm trying really hard to cook at home and use what we have until pay day. There are times you have to get creative to stretch your dinners out a bit. ;) I'm very thankful gas is so cheap right now, because I've been in town everyday this last week.
    I hope you have a productive and frugal week!
    Hugs my friend!
    Amy

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  15. Oh goodness, I do hope your sister is able to get home soon! Sounds like you have been having a great week making do! Fried potatoes are always a hit at our house :) Hope you have a great week this week, and enjoy sweet sips of hot chocolate :)

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  16. I love my visits here! Such a dear blessing you are to me and to so many others. God bless you, Laura!

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  17. You are a darling, Cheryl! Popping over for a visit in a bit.

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  18. How wonderful of a week. I love your saying about making do. I sure love your blog. Blessings. Have a super week.

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  19. Hi Laura!

    Just found your lovely blog and wanted to say hi :-) I joined your followers and look forward to visiting again. Have a good evening!

    Blessings,
    Jill

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  20. Thanks for sharing your week and your tips with us, Laura! Hope you're having a happy Tuesday!

    Sarah

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  21. Hi Jill,

    I'm so happy to meet you. I noticed you have a blog. I'll be over to visit in a minute. I'm honored that you chose to follow me.

    Do enjoy your week— did you get snow? I'm longing for it. ~grin~

    Blessings,
    Laura

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  22. That cocoa sounds delicious! I managed to get some hand-me-down maternity clothes this past week. Free is great and the clothes are wonderful!

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  23. Hi Sarah,
    You're very welcome. I hope you have a wonderful week.
    Laura

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  24. It's my life Mrs. Chrissy!
    ~smile~
    Blessings,
    Laura

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  25. Hi Marty,
    Yes, I find it's the best way to save money by rotating stock. However, because of my husband being out-of-work, it's survival right now. ~grin~
    I'll be over for a visit in a few minutes. I'm pleased to hear from you!
    Blessings,
    Laura

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  26. Dear Judy,
    My SIL got home safely. I know the snow's caused a lot of trouble, but I still wish we'd get a little here. ~grin~ I finally found someone to agree with me in prayer, so I'm expecting it!

    The hot chocolate was gone within days! I will need to make more.

    ஐღLauraღஐ

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

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  27. Keep at it Shirley. Look around your house, make a list of food you have on hand and make menus, use up what you have. You can do it!

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

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  28. Mmmm.... your candy cane cocoa sounds delicious :) My husband and I enjoy a cup of hot cocoa almost every evening after supper {{smiles}}

    You are such an inspiration, sweet Laura. Thank you for sharing how you save and encouraging us to do the same. So glad to have you at Roses of Inspiration. Hugs!

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  29. Thank you, Stephanie. I so appreciate all your kind words.

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  30. This is my first visit to your site, but will be back. Found out many interesting things. I use that motto around my house a lot too. Got it from my grandmother years ago. You've inspired me to stay home and cook tomorrow. It's the best way to get things done.

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Your blog friend,
Laura Lane
5 Year Cancer Survivor