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Thursday, March 30, 2017

2 Thrifty Frugal Meals ~ Chicken Bone Soup and Black Bean Quickie Burritos

Dear Reader,

Being thrifty means doing with watcha got— making do, using it up, wearing it out, and doing without.  It means foregoing some costly pleasures and finding pleasure in less costly things.  As you practice thriftiness, it becomes pleasurable to find bargains, to make something useful again, or to practice self-control. Well, maybe self-control won't be pleasurable, but knowing you're saving money is pretty neat.

 Here are a couple meals that can be made inexpensively. They're both quite tasty, too.

*Chicken Bone Soup*
Sometimes, after I bake a chicken, I use the chicken bones to make soup  I just cover them with water and add a little salt.  I let them simmer awhile and look through my cupboard and fridge for other things to add.

Instructions:

 Boil chicken bones until you have a nice broth, 30 minutes to an hour.
Strain out bones and bits of meat and set aside to cool.

Add:
  chopped veggies of your choice or
  leftover potatoes and gravy or
  dumplings or
  macaroni as I did this week.
  Season with salt, pepper, and perhaps a little rosemary.

After these have simmered until soft, add the bits of chicken that you pulled off the bones.

The point is to do with whatcha got.

♥♥♥

*Black Bean Quickie Burritos*
  3 cans black beans, drained but not dry
  cumin
  oregano
  garlic powder
  onion flakes
  chili powder
  salt
  4 oz Cheddar, Monterrey Jack, or Pepper Jack cheese, shredded or chunked

Heat the beans in a skillet.  There should be just enough bean broth to keep them from sticking.  Add about a teaspoon of cumin and half a teaspoon of the remaining spices.  Adjust to taste.  When the beans are hot, mash with a potato masher.  Add cheese to the beans and stir until the cheese melts. Serve with warm tortillas or tostada shells. You can add salsa, lettuce, tomatoes, etc. if you have them. My daughter has become my Kitchen Cupboard Salsa maker.

I hope you try the recipes and let me know what you think.  I'd like you to share some of your favorite frugal meal ideas in the comments as well.  I enjoy it when readers "talk back".

Blessings from Harvest Lane Cottage,
Laura
Happy at Home

~~~~~
 May I suggest?
Written by Laura Lane at 16 comments:
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Monday, March 27, 2017

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ March 27, 2016


As I write this Sunday evening....

 The weather.... is rainy tonight.. 

 Right now I am... enjoying having my daughter Emily home from her spring break service trip.

Thinking... about what color I'd like to paint the bathroom. The ceiling should be finished tomorrow night. That means I really need to decide by the time my husband comes home from work Tuesday evening!

A quote to share...


Reverend Billy Graham

“In my Depression-era growing-up years, I suppose we Grahams on our North Carolina dairy farm bore some resemblance to the fictional Walton family on television. It’s easy to feel nostalgic about simpler times, but they obviously were not easier times. Nor were they necessarily happier times. 
What we did have back then was family solidarity. We really cared about each other, and we liked to do things together. Jesus’ word picture of a hen gathering her brood under her wing fits my mother. She saw to it that we gathered frequently and regularly–and not just around the dinner table or in front of the radio for favorite broadcasts. She gathered us around herself and my father to listen to Bible stories, to join in family prayers, and to share a sense of the presence of God.” Billy Graham  
On my reading pile... 
  • The Joy of Letting Go by Vicki Caruana
  • Ezra and Nehemiah with Bible Gateway
  • When No One Was Looking by Kim Frauli in my Kindle

Favorite blog post last week...

 Something fun to share...
I think it would be fun to paint rocks and hide them like they are doing in Bentonville, Arkansas!

Blog hopping...
I'm reading through these blogs from beginning up to the present. Look at the lower part of my sidebar to see some other blogs I read. Please let me know if I'm on your blogroll, so that I can come and visit you, too!

 On the menu for this week.... 
I've not made my menus for the week yet. I know that I'll be making chicken since I have a lot of it in my freezer!

On my to do list...
  • School records and planning
  • Balance checkbook
  • Pay bills
  • Laundry...always laundry
  • Insurance enrollment for kids
  • Try to fit in something from my bucket list
In the workbasket...
Looking forward to this week..
  • crocheting
  • sewing
  • reading
  • church
  • homeschool co-op
Looking around the house... Just finished the dishes a few minutes ago. My teens are watching Iron Man. My husband is using his computer. The clock is chiming three quarters of the hour.

 From the camera...
From left to right
Sarah Coller of Classical Homemaking
Amy Lane of Living in Faith and Fun
Lynzie Coller of Thoughts from a Young Writer
Me, Laura Lane of Harvest Lane Cottage
On my prayer list...
  • Peace of Jerusalem and Israel
  • Ellen Kuentzel, healing from Bacterial Meningitis, brain injury, fever (See update at end.)
  • My husband and children
  • Protection for law enforcement officers
Devotional... Philippians 4:4
" Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!"
Father God, I pray that each reader will be very aware of your presence today. Bless them with your love and bring them to faith and trust in you, your son Jesus the Christ, and the Holy Spirit. I ask in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Thanks for dropping by!
Please say hello.
Laura


Joining with Sandra at Happy Homemaker Monday.
Update on Ellen Kuentzel 3/27:
She is still struggling with use of her left side. She cannot stand on her own. She fatigues extremely easy, at end of the day she cannot even feed herself and sometimes at lunch she gets tired also. She has been running a 103 degree fever and it took the hospital 3 days to find out it was a bladder infection. She has pressure sores on her heels (bed sores). We were going to cut her hair but she did not want bangs so we are going to have to just comb it out, it is all tangled and matted.

Brain injuries are extremely complex and they saved her life by doing the surgery as an emergency procedure.
~~~~~
Related Posts:
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Saturday, March 25, 2017

A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #97

Welcome to another thrifty week at Harvest Lane Cottage. I am glad you've found me! Each week I share my thrifty and frugal projects, ways of saving money, and my blessings from God. 

A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage

I am so glad you dropped in for a visit today—or tonight!
Do say hello!

♥♥♥
Dear Reader,
 Some weeks I do so well at being thrifty. Other weeks just slide by without much conscious effort at saving money or resources. This was a slip by week. There's not much to it, but I hope joy this week's entry.


♥

"Finally, brethren, 
whatsoever things are true, 
whatsoever things are honest, 
whatsoever things are just, 
whatsoever things are pure, 
whatsoever things are lovely, 
whatsoever things are of good report; 
if there be any virtue, 
and if there be any praise, 
think on these things." 
Philippians 4:8
King James Version 
~~~~~
♥♥♥
~~~~~

Here's my thrifty week!
  • I brought home a bagful of yarn from our homeschool co-op. I was needing some acrylic yarn, but I just didn't want to buy it since I know so many ladies have it lying around unused. Here's what I'm making with it.

  • We enjoyed leftover cake from a party my mister had at work.
  • We had a potluck with a family from our church. They brought food to enjoy with our pot of refried beans and fixin's. We had some awesome soft tacos and burritos. Gotta love Tex Mex food!
  • This past two weeks had some big expenses, front tires for the van, car maintenance for my husband's car, and a trip to St. Louis to see my friend Laura. Hubby also had a number of expenses while I was gone. These things were big hits on the paycheck. Consequently, we ate primarily from the freezer with just a few fresh veggies and milk.
  • While visiting Laura in St. Louis, we went to the history museum and the art museum—both free! We also walked through the biting cold in order to use the free parking. Score!
  • We enjoyed a wonderful vacation with our friends at very little cost over the gas we used because of their generosity. Thank you friends! 
  • I don't know if redecorating projects are ever actually thrifty. We are trying to repaint our bathroom, and have run into trouble with the popcorn ceiling. It began to fall down in places as hubby was painting it. He's going to look at it again tomorrow and decide if it must come down or be patched. It's thrifty only because he is doing the work himself. 


  • I finished reading Grow in Grace, an e-book I received free for review. I'll share the review with you as soon as I finish writing it. 

 Well, that's my thrifty week. 


~~~~~
♥♥♥
~~~~~
“Happiness is not a feeling, it is a choice. 
To be happy, one must choose to be happy, 
not respond to a circumstance 
that now controls your happiness.” 
― Joyce Meyer

~♥ ~
I'm working on this one!
~~~~~
♥♥♥
~~~~~



Update on Ellen March 21, 2017 7:26 p.m.
God is so good! Ellen was able to send me a text today. Whether she typed it or not, I don't know. I feel like she is coming back from the dead—again. She has been transferred to a rehabilitation hospital. Thank you for your prayers for her. She is learning to swallow, and speaking slowly in sentences. She has a long way to go, but she is improving. Bless God!

~~~~~
♥♥♥
~~~~~

What are you doing in your home this week?

ღLauraღ
Written by Laura Lane at 28 comments:
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Wednesday, March 15, 2017

My Spring Bucket List 2017

Getting things done is often one part work and two parts focus. 
~smile~ 
My Bucket Lists help me to focus on the things that I want to do that aren't part of my daily routine. They also remind me to have a little fun and enjoy the season! I will change the listings to italics as I cross them off the list.


Here's my Spring Bucket List 2017.
  • Write my Spring Bucket List
  • Write my Spring Reading List
  • Enjoy fresh strawberries
  • Start working on school plans for next year
  • Real Estate Investing (Decluttering)
  • Go to yard sales ~smile~
  • Go to the drive-in with the kids... sort of... I sent them. Just couldn't go myself because of being sick. Maybe this summer.
  • Fill planter with flowers to enjoy outside the door... hubby did this for me.
  • Plant some spring flowers in my window box... thanks to hubby
  • Get the vegetable garden planted... a few tomatoes, peppers and basil in 5 gallon buckets will do for this year.
  • Picnic in the park
  • Ice cream run with the kids
  • Wash windows
  • Make cookies for the kids on a rainy day
  • Make strawberry jam
  • Touch up the ceiling paint in the girls' room.
  • Have Michael and his friends put up new light in the hallway
  • Double Feature Movie Night... I did this with my Amy while the others were at the drive-in.
  • Sew a new apron
  • Sew a new skirt
  • Place wildflowers throughout the house
  • Spray paint old metal cart
  • Help Emily, Michael, and Amy practice hospitality
  • Invite friends for soup and bread
  • Make Resurrection Cookies
  • Celebrate Resurrection Day
  • Invite friends for dessert
  • Pedicure ~ A Christmas gift from my hubby.
  • Knit and crochet a big pile of dishcloths for gifts.
  • Finish Emily's quilt
  • Visit my friend, Laura, in St. Louis
  • Talk to strangers
  • Paint the bathroom ~ All done! We used a Valspar paint from Lowes called Cream in My Coffee. 
  • Take a rug weaving class
  • Blow bubbles
  • Sonic happy hour run for frozen lemonade
  • Destination unknown picnic
  • Bake Ladybird Johnson's Lemon Cake
  • Try a new pie recipe—maybe an old-fashioned pie or hand pies
  • Plant Petunias

I may add or subtract as I go, but it's a start! My bucket lists inspire me and help me to enjoy life and get things done. I hope this list will inspire you to make your own list! I know some items will be passed on to my summer bucket list, but it is motivating!

What will you put on your bucket list?

Be blessed!

♥

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


Written by Laura Lane at 29 comments:
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Saturday, March 11, 2017

A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #96

Welcome to another thrifty week at Harvest Lane Cottage. I am glad you've found me! Each week I share my thrifty and frugal projects, ways of saving money, and my blessings from God. 

A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage

I am so glad you dropped in for a visit today—or tonight!
Do say hello!

♥♥♥
Dear Reader,
  It's been quite a week here at the cottage. We've had two big storms come through that had to be prayed for while appropriating the Blood of Jesus for protection. My friend Ellen, took a turn for the worse and had emergency brain surgery because she had a stroke and her brain was bleeding—all this in addition to the bacterial meningitis. That was Monday night. She is responsive now though she's in a lot of pain. I'm still praying for complete healing. I just haven't been very thrifty this week, but share I shall.

  

VERSE

"And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed." 

New King James Version (NKJV)

~~~~~
♥♥♥
~~~~~
Here's my thrifty week!

  • Fifty-nine cent eggs at Aldi—I bought two dozen
  • Hubby and I shared a meal on date night
  • Forgot something on my grocery list and couldn't make my planned supper so I made something else with the things I had on hand rather than ordering pizza.
  • I got a $25 LonghornSteak House gift card from Swagbucks. The first $25 card each month is discounted to $22 for many of the cards. My goal is to buy one each month. I'm thinking maybe Red Lobster next month. Soon I'll be buying gift cards for birthdays. I already bought one from Game Stop for my eldest son this year. He was surprised to get a cool present from mom. ~smile~ Check out the link below to see how you can save.


  • I made macaroni and cheese for lunch using macaroni I bought on sale last fall. If I remember right, it was just twenty-nine cents a bag. I mixed equal parts of butter and flour (about 3 T each) to make a roux. Then I whisked in milk until it was smooth. Next I added Kraft cheese slices and some leftover cheddar cheese bit by bit until it was smooth and the thickness I liked. Lastly, I mixed the sauce with the cooked macaroni.  Here's another homemade macaroni and cheese recipe I made up. 
  • We ate popcorn for lunch one day at my teen son's request.

Well, that's my thrifty week. 

~~~~~
♥♥♥
~~~~~
“Recession is when a neighbor loses his job. 
Depression is when you lose yours."

 Ronald Reagan
~♥ ~

~~~~~
♥♥♥
~~~~~



My dear friend Ellen Kuentzel was admitted into the hospital last week. She is in ICU. She has been diagnosed with Meningitis. She nearly died from the same thing last Spring. She then had a stroke and emergency brain surgery on Monday March 6th. Please pray for her complete recovery.
Thank you!

Update on Ellen from her husband March 11, 2017 6:30 p.m.
She stood up today and is speaking in sentences, and her left side is much less paralysed, her blood pressure is down, and soon she will be transferred out of ICU.
The bacterial meningitis is still there but she is no longer contagious. She is still on heavy antibiotics. There is flap in her throat that closes off her airway when swallowing it is partially paralysed so she is struggling but she is working very hard and is improving little bit at a time. Her brain seems to be healing OK but it will take several months to know how much recovery she will have.

 Update on Ellen March 21, 2017 7:26 p.m.
God is so good! Ellen was able to send me a text the other day. Whether she typed it or not, I don't know. I feel like she is coming back from the dead—again. She has been transferred to a rehabilitation hospital. Thank you for your prayers for her. She has a long way to go, but she is improving. Bless God!

~~~~~
♥♥♥
~~~~~

What are you doing in your home this week?

ღLauraღ
Written by Laura Lane at 35 comments:
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Thursday, March 9, 2017

Thy Thoughts Shall Be Established

While I've been a busy bee this week, 
my heart has been reaching to God. 

Lots of praying going on...

♥ for my friend Ellen who had a stroke and emergency brain surgery 
on Monday and is fighting bacterial meningitis...

♥ for my friend Cheryl's niece Kristen
who is expecting a baby and has a 
blood clot in her lung and heart troubles...

♥ for protection in storms...

♥ for loved ones to turn to Jesus...

♥ for my friends' children 
who are in trouble and need Jesus...

♥ for the families of two babies 
who died in the womb this week.

I've been pleading the Blood of Jesus
over all the situations.
♥
What can wash away my sins?
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.
♥
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.
♥

What are you praying for?

God bless you all.
May you find peace 
and hope in our God and Savior
Jesus Christ.

~ Laura ~



Update on Ellen from her husband March 11, 2017 6:30 p.m.
She stood up today and is speaking in sentences, and her left side is much less paralysed, her blood pressure is down, and soon she will be transferred out of ICU.
The bacterial meningitis is still there but she is no longer contagious. She is still on heavy antibiotics. There is flap in her throat that closes off her airway when swallowing it is partially paralysed so she is struggling but she is working very hard and is improving little bit at a time. Her brain seems to be healing OK but it will take several months to know how much recovery she will have.

Update on Ellen March 21, 2017 7:26 p.m. 
God is so good! Ellen was able to send me a text the other day. Whether she typed it or not, I don't know. I feel like she is coming back from the dead—again. She has been transferred to a rehabilitation hospital. Thank you for your prayers for her. She has a long way to go, but she is improving. Bless God!

Update on Ellen March 21, 2017
She is still struggling with use of her left side. She cannot stand on her own. She fatigues extremely easy, at end of the day she cannot even feed herself and sometimes at lunch she gets tired also. She has been running a 103 degree fever and it took the hospital 3 days to find out it was a bladder infection. She has pressure sores on her heels (bed sores). We were going to cut her hair but she did not want bangs so we are going to have to just comb it out, it is all tangled and matted.

Brain injuries are extremely complex and they saved her life by doing the surgery as an emergency procedure.


Thank you to those who are praying for Laurie's husband, Tommy, who had pneumonia. He is doing much better and sent her thanks. He continues to have problems because of asbestos in his body and will be having further testing.



Spring Link Party
The Art of Homemaking    Modest Mondays
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Monday, March 6, 2017

My Daybook ~ March 6, 2017

______________________________

For Today
March 6, 2017

♥♥♥

♥ Looking out my window...
LOTS of wind. Hubby says that it's blowing in a storm this afternoon or this evening.

♥ I am thinking...
about God's love for us and His desire to bless us. I'm also thinking about my friend, Ellen, who is very ill with bacterial meningitis. She's in my prayers often.

♥ I am thankful...
that I now have a safe stove to cook on. Thank you Jesus for your gift through my friend Peggy and her husband.

♥ One of my favorite things...
Worthers Original hard caramel candies
♥ I am learning...
to trust the Lord more and more. 


♥ I am creating...
order out of chaos... at least that's what it feels like on Monday mornings. ~wink~ 

♥ I am wearing...
my grey slacks and black long sleeved t-shirt.

♥ I am reading...

♥ I am hoping...
that my husband gets to our little home improvement project this week. We are going to paint the bathroom. He wants to remove the popcorn from the ceiling first. We've bought the ceiling paint and scraper he needs. He'd like to paint the room a soft green.

♥ In my kitchen...
Life happened last week, and my menu changed. Here are some things that will probably make their appearance this week. 

  • Grand Greek Salad (from Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook)
  • Chicken Jalapeno Popper Soup (from Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook)
  • Lentils and Rice

♥ In the Boardroom...


♥ A Favorite to Share...
This is one of my favorite book series.
Read my review.
♥ A Quote...

♥ A moment from my week...
I'm enjoying being a contributor to The Christian Home Magazine.
It's online, and it's FREE! Y'all know how much I love free! Check it out.

~~~~~
♥
~~~~~
*Update on Ellen: She had a major stroke Monday and was taken in for emergency brain surgery Monday night. Please continue to pray!

Update on Ellen March 21, 2017 7:26 p.m.
God is so good! Ellen was able to send me a text the other day. Whether she typed it or not, I don't know. I feel like she is coming back from the dead—again. She has been transferred to a rehabilitation hospital. Thank you for your prayers for her. She has a long way to go, but she is improving. Bless God!


Thank you!

♥♥♥♥♥

 Have a wonderful week. Remember, you are loved with an everlasting love by the creator of the universe, Father God, Jesus His Son, and Holy Spirit. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you.
Laura

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