Happy Homemaker Monday ~ July 31, 2017

As I write ... Sunday Evening

The weather....  A little cooler... in fact it felt like fall when I went to church Sunday morning! Hope for the future!

Right now I am... listening to Joyce Meyer on YouTube. She's talking about understanding and controlling your emotions.

Thinking... I am so glad that we have blog friends. I've received innumerable notes and comments on the blog from dear ladies who encourage me and lift be continually before the throne of God. I have received so much love, so many prayers have been prayed, so many cards and gifts have filled my post box. I cannot begin to show enough thanks to all of you dear, dear, ladies. You've made going through chemotherapy so much easier, just because I know I'm not in this alone. So I offer once again my sincere thanks. I am indeed blessed among women in my own generation.

A quote to share... 

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"Just keep hitting your problems with the hammer of God's Word."

Six Things to Say On Purpose sermon, 2017 Joyce Meyer 

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 On my reading pile...  

Lessons at Blackberry Inn
by my friend Karen Andreola
Check out her Moments with Mother Culture site.

The Legacy
by Michael Phillips

Favorite blog posts last week...  

• Cheer Up Buttercup!
• Frugal July Part 4—Easiest Couponing Ever
• Front Porch Sittin'
• An Open Letter to a Lady Discouraged by Poverty and Poor Living Conditions

Something fun to share... 
I thought this was just adorable! It's on my wish list. ~smile~



On the menu for this week.... Completely tentative mind you!

• Monday... Chicken Packets from Once-A-Month Cooking by Mimi Wilson & Mary Beth Lagerborg ~ It's been so long since I made them, the kids didn't know what I was talking about. This is one of those recipes from way back in the '90's. As soon as they tasted them, they said, "Why don't you make these more often?" 
• Tuesday...  Chicken Soup with crackers or biscuits
• Wednesday...  Church Supper 
• Thursday...  Spaghetti 
• Friday...  I expect hubby & kids will eat at Marion Days. 

On my to do list... 

• My dear friend, Laura, is coming for a visit next week. I want to do a little extra cleaning. I will have to pace myself. 
• Doctor appointment to check my blood counts.

In the workbasket...  

• I really should hem my husband's jeans. They've been waiting awhile. I'm always afraid to make the cut!
• I'd also like to find some black yarn I like, or maybe a very dark gray. Perhaps I should go ahead and purchase wool or a wool blend. I think I'll look and see what Knit Picks has to offer. 

Looking forward to this week...

• Feeling better! The farther I get from chemo, the better I feel. It didn't seem to knock me down as badly this time. Thank you God!

Looking around the house... My Michael cleaned my kitchen really well this morning after the rest of us went to church. I was so blessed and happy to come home to a clean kitchen! He had been out working very, very late last night. He listened to the podcast of church. I appreciate things like that for when we cannot make it to church. He tidied up the dining room and living room, too. Acts of service is one of my love languages. It can make me cry when someone does something kind for me. Yep, tears in my eyes today!

From the camera... My Amy and her friends have been painting rocks to hide as part of a local treasure hunt.

Devotional...  Sometimes Life Isn't Very Happy

On my prayer list...

• Peace of Jerusalem and Israel
• Wisdom, health, and protection for President Trump, Vice-President Pence, and their families. 
• Healing for our country so that we may be ONE nation under God.
• Cancer will die the death in my body. My heart, brain, organs, spleen, and healthy cells will be protected. I will live and not die and declare the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Psalm 118:17

My prayer for you, my reader...

Jesus, some of these ladies come here and read every week. Some are here for the first time. It is such an honor that they take the time to read what I've written. Jesus, I ask you to wrap your arms of love around each lady (or man). I ask that you help each one to feel how much your love her. I ask that you help her to be filled with your Holy Spirit and to understand what Holy Spirit is saying to her. Guide her, provide for her, help her to do the things you've called her to do. I ask it all in the name of Jesus and by the power of the blood of Jesus. Amen.

Thanks for dropping by!
Please say hello.
Laura

I'm always amazed just how white I look next to my husband!
I think I need a black hat. I cannot seem to keep scarves on my head.

Joining with Sandra at Happy Homemaker Monday.
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Monday

Mommy Moments  Amaze Me Monday - Mommy Monday

The Art of Homemaking    Modest Mondays Susan B. Mead 
Tuesday
Inspire Me Tuesday 
Wednesday
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Share your Cup
Fabulous Party

Holy Spirit is Amazing!

Hello friends,

As most of you know, I'm battling breast cancer. Right now I'm in chemotherapy. I pray regularly for God to protect my organs and body. I then name off every organ and system and tissue I can think of and ask God to protect them. 

One of the organs that keeps coming to my mind when I'm praying like this is to pray for my spleen. So I pray for it regularly—almost to the point it feels silly.

Well this is chemo day. I was praying this morning with Lowell and Amy. Right in the middle of the prayer for my spleen, I said, "What is a spleen anyway?" Lowell looked it up on his phone, and look at this!  

"The spleen is the organ that is responsible for both the storage and purification of red blood cells. It is positioned in the left upper abdomen, and is the largest organ of the lymphatic system.

The spleen serves a critical role in immune function because it purifies the blood and helps the immune system to recognize and attack foreign pathogens and allergens.

The spleen is composed of the red pulp and white pulp. The white pulp produces and grows immune cells as well as blood cells. On the other hand, the red pulp is responsible for purifying the blood and removing dead or old blood cells."

http://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/spleen

Holy Spirit has been prompting me to pray for this very important organ! 

Is God great or what? They found cancer in one of my lymph nodes as well as in my ducts. I'm taking an extra drug to help my bones make the kinds of blood cells I need to fight infection. I read the first paragraph and started crying. Holy Spirit does indeed prompt us to pray. Thank you Jesus!

Just had to share with someone who would "get it"!

I share it with you, because you all have been so faithful to pray, to encourage me, to send me hugs, and just make me feel loved. 

Thank you!

God is on the throne. God is healing me. Praise God!

Laura

Giving glory to God 

for He has done

great things

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"I will live and not die and declare the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." Psalm 118

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"Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it." Psalm 37:5

Classical Homemaking

Sunday Thoughts 

Grace at Home

Share Your Cup

Home Sweet Home 

Feathered Nest Friday

Art of Homemaking

Mommy Moments 

Amaze Me Monday  

Mommy Monday

Modest Mondays

Susan B. Mead

Inspire Me Tuesday 

Writer Wednesday
Fabulous Party

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ July 24, 2017

As I write ... Sunday Evening

The weather....  Hot and sunny 94° 

Right now I am... so happy that today is the half way point for my chemotherapy plan. Nine more weeks to go! It is a long journey to health. Chemotherapy is the first road of that journey. I thank God for making it possible to take this journey by providing insurance and money to get healthcare, and I thank God for the healing that is already manifesting in my body by the power of the blood of Jesus and in Jesus' name.

Thinking... I look forward to the beauty and coziness of Fall this year. Good soups and stews will be bubbling on the stove. Homemade bread and biscuits always taste yummy on the side with real butter, too. Autumn is absolutely the most wonderful time of the year! Hot tea, homemade cocoa, and a good book. Yes!

A quote to share... 

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"The power to believe a promise depends entirely on our faith in the one who promises." 

Believing Prayer by Andrew Murray 

♥♥♥♥♥ 

 On my reading pile...  

Lessons at Blackberry Inn
by my friend Karen Andreola
Check out her Moments with Mother Culture site.

The Legacy
by Michael Phillips

Favorite blog posts last week...  

• Zucchini Crazy Cake from Jes at Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth

• Dollar-S-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g, Cabinet-Clearing, Clean-Up-The-Food Project Update - Week #3 from Rebecca at Rebecca's Hearth and Home

Something fun to share...



On the menu for this week.... To be determined

On my to do list... 

• Chemo Tuesday
• Recovery
• Work on school plans for school for coming year

In the workbasket...  

• I still need to sew flowers on the hats I knit and weave in yarn ends. I will have new hats to take to the chemo center for other patients tomorrow. They are both made with a denim blue/purple variegated yarn. One skein made a hat for me and two extras. Do you knit or crochet or sew? You might like to make hats for your local center. I finished this project this morning. I have two hats I made, at least one other hat, and a scarf or two to donate. I'll probably take a book or two to add to their bookshelf as well.

Looking forward to this week... Spending time with my friend Rebecca.

Looking around the house... I am so thankful for the extra fans we bought. They are helping keep things comfortable.

From the camera...

Carthage, Missouri Courthouse

Devotional...  Trusting God for Our Needs in Hard Times

On my prayer list...

Bishop Lloyd Naten will be having open heart surgery tonight or Tuesday morning after a heart attack. His kidneys are also failing. 

Peace of Jerusalem and Israel 

Wisdom, health, and protection for President Trump, Vice-President Pence, and their families. 

Healing for our country so that we may be ONE nation under God.

Cancer will die the death in my body. My heart, brain, organs, and healthy cells will be protected. I will live and not die and declare the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Psalm 118:17

My prayer for you, my reader...

Father God, I ask that you bring life, peace, hope, and joy to everyone who reads this blog. I pray that you will meet every need. I pray that they will feel your love. I pray that they will trust you for salvation through Jesus Christ. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen. 

Thanks for dropping by!
Please say hello.
Laura


Joining with Sandra at Happy Homemaker Monday.
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Classical Homemaking Share Your Cup Grace at Home

God Proclaims His Love Everywhere!

I see hearts everywhere! 
Every time I see a heart in nature, I know it's God telling me, "I love you."

Follow Laura's board Hearts Everywhere on Pinterest.



Share Your Cup
Classical Homemaking

A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #108

Welcome to another 

Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage!

Each week I share ways I've saved money, my thrifty and frugal projects, and my blessings from God. 

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

Please say hello! I'm always looking for new blog friends!

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Hey y'all! I hope you're having a lovely week. This was a nice week for me. I got some things done, and I feel good about it. We picked our first ripe tomato this week. We haven't sliced it yet, but soon. I noticed a couple others are beginning to ripen as well. We have four jalapenos growing. My jalapeno jelly recipe takes 24. It's crazy hot, so I may look for a different recipe this year if we have a good crop. I pour it over cream cheese, and serve it with crackers. If you like things hot, give it a try. It's a great Christmas gift to make now!

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A Verse for You

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
Philippians 4:8   

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Here's my thrifty week!

• Instead of the very expensive window air conditioner purchase we were considering, we chose to invest in two more fans to move the air in the house. It's summer. We're just going to be hot sometimes. 

• I shower nightly and rinse off with cold well water. It brings my body temperature down so that I can fall asleep easier.

• Cream of wheat for breakfast — good and cheap! I like it with milk and a little brown sugar. It's a nostalgic taste. I raised my kids on it.

• Nothing beats ice water for keeping hydrated!

• I bought chicken breasts on sale at Aldi.

• I just couldn't cool down one evening, so I went to Walmart, bought a few items on my grocery list and chilled on their dime—well, I'm sure I had to pay for it at the cash register!

• I mended my daughter's skirt. I had to re-sew all the seams, because it was poorly made. She really likes the skirt, so it was worth the time it took. It felt so good to sew again—even if I was just mending. I listened to the Genesis accounts of Abraham and Isaac while I was sewing. I used my new Kindle Fire.

• Lowell talked with the lady at JC Penny's and was able to get a big discount on dress shoes. He called ahead to check if they had anything on sale, they said yes. He went over and tried them, but they didn't fit. He found some others that fit, but they weren't on sale. He talked with the sales lady, and she gave him the discount price that isn't supposed to start until this weekend. Favor of God! He saved $16 just for asking! 

• I made a grilled sandwich with sliced tomato, a bit of fresh mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil from the garden. Oh yum!

• $1 Coney Dogs at Sonic this week. Hubby and I ate for $4 including 2 large plain ice waters. Did you know that you can order ice water with flavors at Sonic for a fraction of the price of a soda? I especially like the sugar-free peach.

• I had leftover yarn from my last hat. I was able to knit two extra caps for the chemo center.

• I'm knitting a hat with white cotton yarn that my friend sent to me a few months ago. Thank you Karla!

That's my thrifty week.

What are you doing in your home this week?

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♥♥♥

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ღLauraღ

...doing what I can with what I've got

where I am on a short shoestring budget!

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Have you started thinking about Christmas yet?

Don't let it wait until December!

I had a last minute Christmas nightmare!

Don't let it happen to you!

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 Related Posts

• A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #41
• A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #42
• A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #43
• Fitting a Long-Time Wish Into a Thrifty Budget

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Classical Homemaking
Share Your Cup
Home Sweet Home
Feathered Nest Friday

Dog Tired...

Just popping in to say hello.

I'm doing pretty well.

Monday I will be half-way 

through my treatments.

I have spurts of energy, 

but sometimes

I'm just a little dog tired....

BUT GOD!

Not So Wordless Wednesday
Classical Homemaking

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ July 17, 2017

As I write ... Sunday afternoon

The weather....  Hot and sunny 

Right now I am... so glad that my adult son stopped by and spent some time with me. He said that Battle Bots was back on TV. I didn't know what it was, so he pulled up some of the little robot war games on YouTube. We watched battle after battle. Teams build little robot warriors that are meant to destroy the other warriors. It's not exactly my thing, but spending some time with my Matthew was definitely my thing. 

Thinking... I am glad this is my "good week".

A quote to share... 

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"If you think this matter is hopeless, then I can only surmise that you believe God has no control over it." 

Granny to Merrill Jean in The Icecutter's Daughter by Tracie Peterson

♥♥♥♥♥ 

 On my reading pile...  

Lessons at Blackberry Inn
by my friend Karen Andreola
Check out her Moments with Mother Culture site.

The Legacy
by Michael Phillips

Favorite blog posts last week...  

• What a Miracle Looks Like Remember Kristen and baby that we prayed for?
• The Smiling Challenge

Something fun to share...



On the menu for this week.... 

• Monday...  Hot Dogs and Macaroni and Cheese (embarrassing but true)
• Tuesday...  Take and Bake Pizza and Watermelon  
• Wednesday...  Church Supper 
• Thursday...  Chili Verde p. 29 of Once-A-Month Cooking by Mimi Wilson & Mary Beth Lagerborg ~ My copy is almost as old as our marriage! I got it back in the 1980's! Chili Verde is one of my family's all-time favorite meals. I bet all the kids will want to be home for this. 
• Friday...  Dinner out

On my to do list... 

• Finish school records from last year
• Work on plans for school for coming year

In the workbasket...  

• Need to sew flowers on hats and weave in yarn ends...may make some more flowers. 

Looking forward to this week...

• Feeling good. 
• Early morning walks with doggy to look at the garden
• Amy's girls' Bible study and watermelon feed on Tuesday night
• Staying in the air conditioning as much as possible!

Looking around the house... always lots to do. Trying to be content working in the spurts of energy I have and not wearing myself out.

From the camera...

Missing my mother-in-love on her birthday.

Devotional...  Encouragement and Comfort from God

On my prayer list...

• Peace of Jerusalem and Israel

• My friend, BJ's, husband moved to Heaven this past week. I am praying for Holy Spirit to comfort her and help her.

• Glenda has been diagnosed with colon cancer and must have surgery and chemo. 

• Wisdom, health, and protection for President Trump, Vice-President Pence, and their families. 

• Healing for our country so that we may be ONE nation under God.

• Cancer will die the death in my body. My heart, brain, organs, and healthy cells will be protected. I will live and not die and declare the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Psalm 118:17

My prayer for you, my reader...

Jesus, you are above every problem that we have. You are the source, you are the hope, you are the lover of our souls. Jesus, I pray that you will fill each reader with a sense of your presence by the Holy Spirit and with a sense of your deep love. May each seek you and love you with all his or her heart, mind, will and strength. Amen.

Thanks for dropping by!
Please say hello.
Laura


Joining with Sandra at Happy Homemaker Monday.
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Not So Wordless Wednesday Classical Homemaking

A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #107

Welcome to another Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage. I'm so glad you're here. 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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♥♥♥

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Hey y'all! 

  I'm into the second half of my recovery period now. I'm beginning to feel better. I hope that in the coming week I can get some thrifty things done. I get tired really quickly, and find I need to lie down, but I have hope for the future. ~smile~ I'm gonna do what I can with what energy I've got where I am. 

It's gotten way too hot here in southern Missouri for this gal!

  Many of you have written to me over the past few weeks saying that you haven't been very thrifty because of big bills like car repairs you have had to pay. Well, I definitely get that. We've paid some medical bills over the last couple of weeks and also a hefty for us car air conditioner bill. But hey, that's how life rolls. The key is to try to put money in an emergency fund or savings account so that when life happens, and it will, that you have cash in the bank to pay for it. The trouble comes when we put things on credit. Nothing bought on credit is a good deal. Nothing!

  The first tomato is turning yellow in our little bucket garden. Before we know it, we should be having nice, homegrown tomatoes with our meals. My personal favorite is a sliced tomato topping homemade bread with a sprinkling of salt. Nothing else—just bread, tomato, and salt. We made tomato sandwiches with Wonder Bread when I was a kid. I haven't made any bread for awhile. I think I'd like to dust off the wheat grinder and make a few loaves sometime soon.

Feed your family even if times are tough.

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A Verse for You

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  
Philippians 4:6-7   
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Here's my thrifty week!

• I got three pounds of peaches on sale at Aldi for $1.59! You can always save money shopping at Aldi over Walmart.

• Cooked at home

• Stayed at home most of the time

• Hubby left his car for a week to get it detailed. Picked it up Tuesday, because man hadn't started yet. Saved a chunk of money that hubby decided to use to get his car's air conditioner fixed with instead.

• Registered for the free trial of Amazon Prime so that I could take advantage of Prime Day.

• I bought the Kindle Fire that I've been saving for on Prime Day.

• I used $89 in Amazon gift cards that I've been earning on Opinion Outpost and Swagbucks. That left just $16 out-of-pocket for the Fire 8 with no special offers and cover that I wanted. I felt pretty good about that. I saved $34.

• My daughter bought a simpler one, too. This will be thrifty, because it will save her computer for school and work. 

•  I spent forty minutes on chat with Amazon, and they agreed to give us a $15 for her broken Kindle.

• My Lowell bought a Fire 8 for work. He saved $34, too.

• My Lowell found a nice shirt at a catalog return store for just $8.

• Slushes at Sonic for hubby and me during morning Happy Hour

• Tomatoes $.99 and mushrooms $.79 for 8 oz at Aldi this week!

• I've been rotating soap in my bathroom every day or two. I have several extra bars that I rotate. If the soap can dry completely, it will last longer. Big bars don't seem to get goopy as quickly as the smaller bars. If you don't put the soap under the faucet when you wash your hands, it lasts longer, too. Just wet your hands then use the soap. Wish I could convince my family. ~wink~

That's my thrifty week.

What are you doing in your home this week?

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♥♥♥

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ღLauraღ

...doing what I can with what I've got

where I am on a short shoestring budget!

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♥♥♥

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Have you started thinking about Christmas yet?

Christmas in July ~ Handmade Gift Ideas

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 Related Posts

• A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #37 
• A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #38
• A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #39 
• A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #40

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Amaze Me Monday - Mommy Monday

Not So Wordless Wednesday Classical Homemaking