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.
I am so glad you dropped in for a visit today—or tonight!
Do say hello!
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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)
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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.
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“Recession is when a neighbor loses his job.
Depression is when you lose yours."
Ronald Reagan
Depression is when you lose yours."
Ronald Reagan
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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.
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 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!
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What are you doing in your home this week?
ღLauraღ
...doing what I can with what I've got
where I am on a short shoestring budget!
Prayers for your dear friend!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jackie. She is doing better. Did you come to the conference? I didn't see you. Blessings, Laura
DeleteWhat a week. I posted my grocery thriftiness yesterday.
ReplyDeleteI make homemade mac & cheese the exact same way. Although I want to look at your recipe. Sometimes I like the baked kind. Oh I think I need to add it to the menu for next week. You inspire again!
Enjoy your weekend!
You know, Lynn. It's terrible. Even though I make mac and cheese from scratch. I still miss the blue box.
Delete~grin~ Ah childhood!
Laura, I am so very sorry about Ellen..Praying for her. May God bless , as only He can. May He give her family /friends peace and comfort.
ReplyDeleteThe mac n cheese, sounds really good.
I just got a $25 wal mart gift card from Swagbucks..Really helps ,doesn't it.. I have a hard time, getting up 2500 sb..ha Any tips on how you get your points?
Hi Judy,
DeleteFinally starting to get caught up after my spring break!
Thank you for your prayers for Ellen. She is still very ill. They expect her to be hospitalized for a long time.
Congratulations on the Walmart gift card. I am going to miss out on getting my gift card this month. I missed a week of working on it, so it's slowed me down. I try to get 2200 points each month since the first $25 gift card is 2200 points. As of this morning I only have 1491. I want to get enough to use for birthdays and Christmas if possible.
I answer some surveys. They kick me out of most of them. I am NOBODY's target market. ~grin~
I let the videos run sometimes.
I always answer the polls etc.
The think I've done most recently is the Sponsored Videos.
I used to feel guilty since I don't sit and watch them all, but they are getting paid a lot just to air them. They are then paying me a couple cents to spend up to five or eight minutes to watch them. No. They are getting paid for this. It's no different to me than if an advertiser pays to put a commercial on t.v., and someone leaves the room during the break.
Once in awhile something will catch my eye, and I'll watch it. But most of it's not worth watching.
Be blessed!
So sorry about your friend.
ReplyDeleteYou had a pretty good week in spite of storms and illnesses. The 59 cent eggs are the best price I have heard of lately. I would have been tempted to buy 4 or 5 dozen!
Hi Anne,
DeleteFinally starting to get caught up after my spring break!
Thank you for your prayers for Ellen. She is still very ill. They expect her to be hospitalized for a long time.
I'm praying for your friend Ellen. I hope she recovers and gets well. Hugs,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Sandi!
DeleteGreat week!
ReplyDeletePraying for Ellen, for a full and speedy recovery.
So be it!
DeletePrayers for all your intentions, my friend.
DeleteAnd I love popcorn for lunch. : )
Believe it or not, Billie Jo, I'm still catching up on email. There were about a zillion when I got back to the computer. May God bless you and give you peace as you embrace his love and truth this week!
DeleteI am continuing to pray for Ellen and believing for her healing! God bless you, sweet friend. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! Here's the latest from her husband.
DeleteUpdate on Ellen Kuentzel March 11, 2017 6:30pm
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.
I'm so sorry to hear about your friend and hope she has a full recovery. She sounds like a very strong lady. Great deal on the eggs this week! Your macaroni sounds so good! Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteHi Vickie,
DeleteFinally starting to get caught up after my spring break!
Thank you for your prayers for Ellen. She is still very ill. They expect her to be hospitalized for a long time.
Be blessed,
Laura
Hope she continues to heal, and regain her strength.!
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great blog break, and respite.
Not a lot thrifty here, I did make pasta salad out of things I had already, and I got a good buy on some mark down thin steak. It was less than hamburger per pound.
Put it in the Forman electric grill, have had a couple of meals fro it, and have enough left for one more. Paired it up with the pasta, and some veggies on the side. I used small portions to stretch the meat.
Got a buy one get one free coupon, so we had a great meal out in a picnic by the river, sub sandwiches.
Made cupcakes for the baby birthday party instead of ordering a cake.
Kept the heat off several nights, during the warmer break before winter came again, it did, no snow very very cold and windy.
Bought some twenty five cent flower seeds, just because the birds love them, and one pack of medium cooking pumpkin seeds. Hoping to decorate with them this fall.
Guess that's about it.
Hugs!
Good savings Annie. Yes, I'm finally getting to your email!
DeleteSometimes the things we don't do save us the most money!
I've been praying for your friend Ellen. Praise God for the small miracles that are happening slowly, but surely!
ReplyDeletePrayers will continue for a complete healing
Thank you Laurie. I haven't heard an update for awhile.
DeleteOh Laura, my prayers are with your sweet friend. I am glad that she is doing as well as she is after all she is going through.
ReplyDeleteYOu are doing so well getting those gift cards through Swagbucks. I know that they have helped our budget so much. Be blessed!
Thank you for praying, Debbie. Ellen still has a long road of recovery.
DeleteBe blessed!
Laura
The epligottis is what it is called...my bil nearly died from the closure...she needs to rest, Laura...keeping Ellen in prayer, along with her family.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid, with the news of my husbands health, I will be cleaning out the pantry and cupboards of canned goods and processed foods...I will give it too a family member...smiles
Have a beautiful day friend.
Thank you for praying Linda. I am out of town and just have a few minutes on a borrowed computer. I'm afraid I'm out of the loop and don't know the news of your husband's health. Perhaps when I get back, I'll be able to catch up on my blog reading. Anything I should be praying about sooner?
DeleteFather God, I do pray that you will completely heal Linda's husband from head to toe. You were tortured for our sins and for our healing. I appropriate your blood Jesus for his healing. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
God bless you both Linda!
Father God, we humbly come before you to first THANK YOU for the privilege and secondly to lay at your feet the needs of those mentioned here on Laura's blog. We know that before we can speak you will answer. THANK YOU for the answer of improvement for Laura's dear friend-Ellen. For uplifting their family and friends in the midst of this situation.
ReplyDeleteFather for all the other mentioned request of family and friends we come before you and ask you, who sees and knows all to meet these needs where they're at and to bring blessing and comfort, transformation and renewal. To bring a springtime of hope for all here. We THANK YOU and PRAISE YOU and ask these things in the mighty name of your son, JESUS~AMEN.
GOD BLESS you all :)
Your friend, Annona-Donna
I will continue to pray for your friend. Please keep us posted on her condition.
ReplyDeleteYou have had quite a week! I am so glad that your friend is recovering, and hope the best for her. #HomeMattersParty
ReplyDeleteYou saved in many different ways this week! Very inspiring! Hope your friend continues to improve.
ReplyDeleteThank you Harvest Moon!
DeletePraying that your friend recovers from so much.. Our grandson was struck down with that when he was only 9 months old and it left him totally deaf but when he was 2 he received an implant and is almost just like everyone else now with his hearing thanks to the implant and the miracle from our Lord.. Love your frugal ways.. God bless. xo
ReplyDeleteFaye, what a miracle! I'm so glad for your grandson. 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!
DeleteYour friend in Missouri, USA,
Laura
Laura,
ReplyDeleteI left Guam 19 February to be with my mother who has two kinds of cancer. A R nephrectomy was performed 24 February. I return to Guam 28. My sister's coming from Colorado for Mother's mastectomy 31 March.
I will meet my husband tonight at the St. Louis airport after being apart for 31 days. He has no clue I'm coming! I'm so excited!
Last week at Mother's I've shopped the house and cooked what we had. The crisper drawer is still full of good, hearty vegetables that have served us well over very warm days and very cold days. Mother realized she needed to make some dietary changes and that it's much better for her body and her wallet to cook and eat at home, so I've shared some old, tried and true ones I've learned and we made some new recipes I'd taken pictures of (with my iPhone) from magazines I read in doctor office waiting rooms. Delicious!
Last night I made a Lasagna-Stuffed Spaghetti Squash. Yum!
I made a Butternut Squash & Turmeric Soup. Yum!
Also with that same Butternut Squash came a Lentils & Veggie Sloppy Joe that we lettuce-wrapped.
We bought eggs at Aldi for 51 cents.
Walgreens had Mother's 100% Juice Cranberry 2/$4.
Walgreens also had Whole Bean Dunkin Donuts coffee that my DH likes for $5.99/bag. I bought every bag on the shelf.
I found pink Himalayan salt at Marshall's for $3.99/bag. I bought every bag on the shelf.
I buy my distilled water (the local water upsets my tummy) for 88 cents/gallon at Walmart. Other stores sell it for as much as nearly $3/gallon.
I filled Mother's gas tank for $2.07 before it hiked 12 cents/gallon more the next day.
I wanted six cast iron antique irons to hang my Christmas stockings from on our mantel. I found them for $6-$12 at the Midway Antiques and Flea Market. I knew they would fit inside USPS flat rate boxes and ship cheaper than taking the chance of overweight luggage. In one box, four of the irons fit along with some bags of the pink Himalayan salt and Dunkin coffee. Instead of the $88+ it would've cost, it shipped for $18-ish. The rest of the irons, coffee and salt shipped for $13-ish vs. $60! If our luggage had weighed over, it would have cost $70+. The shipping alone saved me $100+, so either way, we saved!
I brought handwork to do while in airports and on planes and waiting rooms. I have birthday cards I'm embroidering, felt snow baby ornaments, crochet, and now some Easter projects I'm making with cardstock, clear vinyl, ribbon and highlighting with "Jesus is risen indeed" on them to remember Resurrection Day.
I took dry cleaning on a Saturday and saved 25%.
*hugs*
Kelley~
Kelley,
DeleteYou always impress me. You are the queen of thrifty. May God bring healing to your mother by the power of the blood of Jesus and in His name.
Mailing the irons was brilliant! You would have paid for them many times over in your luggage.
I'm so glad you get to see your husband.
Be blessed,
Laura