Sunday, April 29, 2018

A Humble Pot of Beans and Spontaneous Hospitality



Do you remember when folks used to drop in? 

A close friend (I was in her home visiting one afternoon last week) texted me about 5:00 yesterday evening and asked if we'd like some company. I quickly checked with my husband then texted YES! Were we ready for company? No. The house wasn't company perfect. Were we ready to share an evening in spontaneous hospitality? Yes. A friend loveth at all times!

I had put a small pot of ham and beans on (only 1 lb), but I told her we'd make a big pan of cornbread and asked her family to have supper with us. She offered to bring dessert. She brought cheese and bread for grilled cheese, too. Super meal stretcher! Soon, we had four more at our table for the evening. Then, my daughter came home, and her friend and her mama stayed to visit, too. We had a houseful when we thought we'd be having a quiet evening. It was great fun. 

I loved the spontaneity of it. It reminded me of my childhood when friends and family were always welcome. If company came around dinner time, we'd just stretch whatever we had (put another bean in the pot so to speak). I miss that.

I want to try to start having folks over more often. They know I've been going through these cancer treatments. They're not going to judge my housekeeping.

Did folks just drop in for a visit when you were growing up? Do they still do that where you live?

Blessed,
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

P.S. When I searched on-line for a photo of beans, nearly every free photo available was of coffee beans! What does that say about they way Americans live these days?

Sunday, April 22, 2018

LUMP DAY 2018!

God has been so close and so faithful through this cancer battle. He has truly shown Himself to be Jehovah Sabaoth—Lord of Hosts. He has fought this battle for me. I've clung to Him in a way I never did before. I've prayed for others and for myself in a way I never did before. 

I am changed.
Thank you for praying. 


I am doing well with my treatments. This coming week is my medical week. I have treatments every three weeks. Doctor Monday. Knit night Tuesday. Chemo Wednesday. Recovery Thursday and Friday.

Just five more Herceptin chemo treatments! Surgery in the fall. Then I get to recover from that and be more "normal" whatever that means anymore. I can hardly believe that April 22nd is a year since I found the lump. Last spring I didn't know if I'd see this spring. 

Thank you Jesus I am still here!

You're all a part of that. Your faithful prayers, cards, letters, notes, gifts and encouragement have helped carry me through this year. 

My gratitude 
is from my heart.

I wish I could hug 
every one of you!

God bless you all!

Laura
Thankful to be alive



P.S. I just found out my last Herceptin treatment should be July 18th.


Saturday, April 21, 2018

A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #126

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. 

A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage
I am so glad you dropped in for a visit today—or tonight!
Please say hello! I'm always looking for new blog friends!

~~~~~
♥♥♥
~~~~~

Hello!

  Last week I was ill and didn't get my post up, so I've combined it with this week's post. Good news! I'm getting a little energy back. I'm still taking it easy, but I'm getting things done in spits, spurts, and sputters. ~grin~

  I've decided that since Tuesday night is my knit night with friends, I am going to try to make Thursdays my sewing day. I'll try to take at least a couple of hours to do mending, make charity items, and maybe even make some gifts.   

~~~~~
♥♥♥
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Here's my thrifty blessed week!
  • Spaghetti with a jar of Aldi spaghetti sauce made a meatless meal
  • Borrowed DVDs from the library for free
  • I finished two small baby quilt tops made with fabric squares from my friend. Thanks Cheryl! I need to check flannel prices at Hobby Lobby and Walmart. I need about a yard and a half to back them.
  • I cleaned out the refrigerator's freezer and threw out expired spices. It was so nice and clean afterward, it was a joy to open it for ice. I have decided to limit the amount I keep inside and bring in meats and such from the outside freezer as needed.
  • I reattached my bag holder on the Walmart all by myself. I was so proud of myself. I'm not too handy with tools. 
  • I organized my jewelry box and gave away some costume jewelry that I don't use. I then polished the shelf it was on. That lead to cleaning the shelves below. 
  • While cleaning the shelves below, I gave away nearly half of the books on the bookshelf! It was hard since I hadn't finished them all, but I realized that some were just going to sit there like they had been for the last few years. Better to let someone else enjoy them.
  • On Thursday, I mended two bath towels and hemmed my husband's jeans. They were getting tattered at the hems. They should give him several more months of wear now.
  • I redeemed Opinion Outpost points for a $5 Amazon gift card. 
  • I bought a set of circular knitting needles for me and a book for my daughter from Amazon with credit I earned from Opinion Outpost. It's the quickest way I have found to earn credits by answering surveys. If you sign up through my link, I earn a dollar for the referral, and you can earn a lot more through filling out surveys. I've cashed in about $200 in points for PayPal and Amazon credit. It's allowed me to buy some things just because I want them.
  • I am making the Sockhead hat using Bohoknits free pattern. I'm using some sock yarn that one of my new knitting friends gave me. Thanks Shelly!

That's what I've done for the last week or two.
What are you doing in your home this week?



~~~~~
♥♥♥
~~~~~

May you find peace and joy this week 
regardless of  your situation.

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

~~~~~
♥♥♥
~~~~~


Thank you all for writing to me. I read every comment. I truly appreciate the support you've all given me during my treatments. If you'd like a response to your comment, please make sure that I have your email. I'm not taking time right now to copy responses onto the blog. I am having trouble keeping up. Please understand. Thanks! Laura


~~~~~
♥♥♥
~~~~~


Sunday, April 15, 2018

My Spring Reading List 2018





     I made quite a bucket list this spring. I don't expect to do everything on the list, and I don't expect to finish all of these books, but they give me some goals. 

     Do you find it hard to make time to read? Don't fret. Snatch those small moments sprinkled here and there during the week. Snatch reading is key for ladies who have young children or work outside the home. 

     Don't be without a book! For years my children would hear me tell them, as we were leaving the house, "Bring a book!" Still need suggestions? Try 5 Ways to Find Time to Read.

     I hope this list inspires you to make a list of your own. Peruse your own shelves or stacks, the library, or read some of my book reviews


I borrowed this from the coffee shop.
Finished this May 14th. Well worth the read.
I liked the rich history woven skillfully into this
story. It began slowly, but a few chapters in I was hooked.

I listened to this one on my Kindle Fire
using the text to voice feature. I like it because
I can knit while I listen. Finished 4/15.

I finished this one.

I started this awhile back,
but I forgot about it after my diagnosis.

I picked this up and borrowed it from the coffee shop.
I started reading it when I finished Shiloh Autumn.


I've finished this one already.

Making progress.

I've been reading this slowly, marking up the book
and studying as I go. It's been very helpful in
this cancer fight.

New Testament 
I'm making progress. 

I didn't finish it all, so I'll be adding some to the summer reading list!


    Saturday, April 7, 2018

    A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #125

    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. 

    A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage
    I am so glad you dropped in for a visit today—or tonight!
    Please say hello! I'm always looking for new blog friends!

    ~~~~~
    ♥♥♥
    ~~~~~

    Hello!
     I had my Herceptin chemo treatment this week. That, with a doctor appointment slowed me down quite a bit. I'm feeling better now. I'm looking forward to the time when I recover enough from all these treatments to truly be thrifty again. For now, I am doing what I can, with what I've got, where I am, and with the energy I have.
      

    ~~~~~
    ♥♥♥
    ~~~~~
    Here's my thrifty blessed week!
      • I cast on a new hat using some sock yarn that a new friend gave to me. Thank you Shelly!
      • Resurrection Day leftovers for meals on Monday and Tuesday.
      • I bought some nice healthy veggies on sale including avocados.
      • I bought a family pack of chicken breasts which my husband cooked for me. He cut each one in half lengthwise since they were so thick. Half a breast was a plentiful serving. 
      • My elder daughter made a chicken pot pie (she made up the recipe) from the leftover chicken, a few potatoes we didn't use on Easter, a few veggies from the fridge, and the leftover cooked carrots from our chicken dinner the night before.
      • A friend gave me two really nice knitting bags. Thank you Laura!
      • I bought two half gallons of fresh raw milk for just $2 each from a friend. Thanks Sarah!
      • My son took two trash bags full of his clothes to the giveaway box.
      • My younger daughter and I filled a small box with books, knitting needles, a nice little hat, a sweater, and some extra school supplies. We took it the homeschool co-op. Most of it found new homes. The rest we dropped off at the thrift store.
      • Our health insurance paid most of my medical bills. Thank you Jesus!
      That's my week.
      What are you doing in your home this week?



      ~~~~~
      ♥♥♥
      ~~~~~

      May you find peace and joy this week 
      regardless of  your situation.

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

      ~~~~~
      ♥♥♥
      ~~~~~


      Thank you all for writing to me. I read every comment. I truly appreciate the support you've all given me during my treatments. If you'd like a response to your comment, please make sure that I have your email. I'm not taking time right now to copy responses onto the blog. I am having trouble keeping up. Please understand. Thanks! Laura


      ~~~~~
      ♥♥♥
      ~~~~~


      Wednesday, April 4, 2018

      Why a Bucket List?

      Why a bucket list? 
      Because it can change boring and rusty 


      to beautiful and fun!


        Last summer, after my diagnosis, I made a summer bucket list to give myself some things to look forward to so that it wouldn't just be the summer of chemo. It was a short list. It was still the summer of chemo, but I did some fun things, too.

        I then made one for fall so that it wouldn't just be the fall of mastectomy surgery. I was able to do some fun things, then, too. Same with Christmas and the winter of radiation. It was all to give myself something to look forward to and to keep my mind off my treatments.

        Nearly everything on each list was for enjoyment. My lists helped me make it through a very tough year. I can hardly believe that it's been almost a year since I found the lump. Believe me, I'll never forget the moment nor the date—April 22nd, 2017. It was one of the scariest moments of my life. I knew I would never be the same. But God was there for me even in the moment and in all the moments that followed.

        God has been so good to me. I've still got months of treatments to go—IV Herceptin chemo treatments, lots of tests, at least two more surgeries, and long-term pills. But God will be with me every moment. My bucket lists will help me enjoy life along the way.

        Thank you all for being part of my prayer and encouragement team. God bless you richly!

       Hugs,
       Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

      NOW GO MAKE YOUR SPRING BUCKET LIST!
      Who cares whether you can finish it. You're sure to have fun! Don't forget to put blowing bubbles in your list!







      Monday, April 2, 2018

      Chocolate Icebox Pie ~ One of Our Family Favorites


      Chocolate Icebox Pie is a recipe that I received as a young bride. I cannot remember now for sure who gave it to me, but it went over quite well. It's quite easy to make and lends itself well to variations. 

      CHOCOLATE ICEBOX PIE


      INGREDIENTS:

      3/4 c    butter
      1 1/2 c flour
      1/2 c    chopped pecans
      8 oz     cream cheese
      12 oz   Cool Whip
      1 lg     Jello brand chocolate instant pudding (or chocolate fudge)

      pecans or shaved chocolate for sprinkling on top

      FIRST LAYER:
      • Preheat oven to 350°.
      • Melt 3/4 c of butter and put in 13 x 9 baking dish.
      • Add 1 1/2 c flour and 1/2 c chopped pecans.
      • Mix well and spread across bottom of dish.
      • Bake 20 minutes at 350°.
      • Allow to cool completely.
      SECOND LAYER:
      • Beat 8 oz softened cream cheese with 1 c powdered sugar until creamy.
      • Fold in 1 c Cool Whip and spread over crust.
      • Refrigerate while mixing the third layer.
      THIRD LAYER:
      • Mix one large or two small boxes of chocolate instant pudding with 3 cups milk. Mix until thickened.
      • Pour over second layer.
      FOURTH LAYER:
      • After pudding has set completely, put remaining Cool Whip on top. 
      • Garnish with chopped pecans or grated chocolate.
      • Refrigerate at least an hour.