Harvest Lane Cottage

One of the things that bring stress at Christmas time is the last minute or even the last month shopping. Why not make a list right now, early in the year of the people you'd like to give to and what they might like? Next, make a list that you can carry with you when you go thrift shopping, garage saling, or shopping clearance sales. You might be surprised what you can find if you shop far ahead and keep your eyes open for gifts. Store all your treasures in a box in your closet. When it's time for gift giving, whether it's Christmas, a birthday, or just because, you'll have treasures on hand to bless the recipient. You will be blessed to give without hurting your budget or stressing over a time crunch. Ideas to get you started.... For Kids: Legos toys from historic sites polished stones from tourist shops arrows Non-fiction how-to books Picture books Classic chapter books socks and undies (Everyone needs them. ~wink~) pillows slippers mittens or g...

Mr. Sheets has asked that this message be shared if we agree with it. I agree. Please take time to read this. I know it's long. But it is IMPORTANT. Election 2016: The Christian's Dilemma Dear Fellow Believers, As you can tell from my greeting, I am writing primarily to you, the American church. I am doing so personally, not representing Dutch Sheets Ministries. Though this is longer than the blogs I normally send, please read it as an urgent, heartfelt appeal. The sense of urgency I feel is hard to put in words. I have prayed and wept much over the condition of our nation, and continue to be deeply burdened. We are so close to the precipice of a complete self-destruction—a devastation of such magnitude that it would take decades to recover. Some believe a complete recovery would never be possible. The America we have known and loved is being systematically dismantled and reshaped. Voting is a precious right and a serious responsibility; I realize it is also a...

Welcome to another thrifty week at Harvest Lane Cottage. I am honored by your visit.  Each week I share my thrifty and frugal projects, ways of saving money, and my blessings from God.  I am so glad you dropped in for a visit today—or tonight! ♥♥♥ Hi ladies!      The truth is that I've been on the run all week. I've reconnected with friends, attended our town's Maple Leaf Festival, volunteered at the Republican Headquarters, attended election judge training (my first time), took my daughter to a dentist appointment an hour away, attended a debate watch party, grocery shopped, helped with a Third Thursday craft booth my girlfriends run, and took my kids to their home school co-op meeting. So. Guess who hasn't even had time to be thrifty this week? Yep. Me. So, I am rather embarrassed as I write this.       Life happens. Sometimes it's just really busy. I left the house this morning at 8:30 and got home about 8:30. I can onl...

Please pray for our elections across the country. Please pray for the candidates. Please pray for our country to heal. As far as the presidential election.... remember we are voting for our Supreme Court justices. One Nation Under God Indivisible With Liberty and Justice for All.   Home and Garden Thursday  -    Share Your Cup Thursday   -  Create it Thursday    -   No Rules Weekend Blog Party -  Imparting Grace  -  Sitting Among Friends  Happy Weekend   Mom's the Word  -  Good Morning Monday   Mommy Moments     Amaze Me Monday   -   Living Proverbs 31   The Art of Homemaking        Modest Mondays  

Recently I read a post my dear friend Cheryl Smith of Homespun Devotions  wrote about her one word for 2015. It really struck me. Her word was PREPARE. It's an acronym you can read about here. I was struck with  her acronym PREPARE.  I took out a notecard and wrote each word. P urging,  R educing,  E liminating,  P runing,  A nticipating,  R eleasing, and  E xpectation I also copied down her quote, "He can break any chain, if we are willing to let go of what is enslaving us." God is getting ready to make some changes in our family's life. I can feel it. He spoke to me during worship one Wednesday night. I had been teetering on the edge of depression... holding on as hard as I could but feeling my fingers slip. Sad over the changes as my children grow older and near the edge of the nest. Missing their little boy and girl days. Anyway, here's what He said to me. Release their childhood. Embrace who they are now. Prepare them to...

Welcome to another thrifty week at Harvest Lane Cottage. I am honored by your visit.  Each week I share my thrifty and frugal projects, ways of saving money, and my blessings from God.  I am so glad you dropped in for a visit today—or tonight! ♥♥♥ Hello!     Last week was a major clean out in the garage, back room, and storage room. I also had a wedding the same day and didn't get my writing done. So, I've combined these two weeks into one thrifty week post.  ~~~~~ ♥♥♥ ~~~~~~ Here's my thrifty week: My husband saved us major money by fixing the faucet on our tub. He saved more major money by replacing our bathroom sink faucet. We ate from the freezer. I sewed a cute little bag from fabric I had in my stash. Wouldn't you know? I cannot find the link to the free tutorial I used nor can I find the photos! I'll have to share them later. I received a nice little journaling Bible for review. Finally, a Bible with enough...

I'm trying to read a chapter a day. So far, I've been hit or miss. Finished! Read my review. Read my review. Read my review. Read my review. Read my review. I read this one quickly!  Read my review. I'm reading this now. Read my review. This is started slow. I didn't really get into it. I lost interest and returned it to the library. Still reading. Read my review. Yes, I'm a fairly quick reader. I'm going to try to fit in an hour a day, but I will probably mostly snatch read. No, I don't know if I will make it, but I'll try. Yes, I am trying to follow the Trim Healthy Mama Plan . I've been at it for two weeks now. Five pounds down. Blessings, Laura The "Bring a Book" Mom May I suggest? My Fall Bucket List Fall Giveaway List

Melody Carlson—that's all I needed to see in the email offering me this book for review. A Christmas book by Carlson—that's even better! The Christmas Angel Project is the latest in her collection of Christmas books. I've read Christmas at Harrington's, The Christmas Shoppe, and The Christmas Joy Ride.  Who wouldn't love a small group of friends to meet with every week for a couple hours to support each other, encourage one another, and discuss a good book? Abby Wentworth is the heart of this group. She leads it and has a personal, encouraging relationship with each member.Her unexpected death left the ladies in the group shocked, mourning, and aching for her influence in their lives. There was no sense in continuing the group—but maybe one last time they should meet to open the Christmas gifts Abby left for them—finished just hours before her death. The gifts not only comfort and encourage the ladies, they spark an idea that will change their lives. Each se...

Just a little reminder for you and me— God loves us. He is for us. We can do this. ஐღLauraღஐ  ...doing what I can  with what I've got where I am  on a short shoestring budget! ~~~~~ The Art of Homemaking       Modest Mondays   Tuesdays at Our Home

This is a reprint of a guest post I wrote three years ago about a day in our homeschool life. I thought you might enjoy this peek into my past. Hello!  We're the Lane Family.  I'm Laura Lane.   My husband, Lowell, works at a church.   My eldest, Matthew, graduated in 2009.  He attended high school after being homeschooled  for 10 years.  I currently homeschool Emily, 16, Michael, 14, and Amy, 12.   We're rather relaxed, eclectic homeschoolers.  I didn't really plan it that way, but life happens  when you have a husband who is in ministry.  There's a bit of  drop everything and go when  he calls  to our life.  Two years ago, our area was devastated by what the world knows as the  Joplin, Missouri tornado.  We live about ten miles from Joplin.  A couple of days after the  tornado, my husband walked in and asked Pastor Dan w...