Friday, July 31, 2020

Thrifty Things Lately at Harvest Lane Cottage #155

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I invite you to enjoy a cuppa and browse through hundreds of posts on faith, family, thrifty homemaking and encouragement. 



Hello Dear Reader,
  
 It amazes me that we are more than halfway through the year. For me, 2020 has indeed been a Year of Optimism! Not because it's been sunshine and roses, but because Optimism, Faith, and Trust in God have been key to making it through and keeping myself upbeat and encouraging. Being optimistic also makes it much easier to share the love of Jesus, because I am not living in fear. I guess facing cancer helped me develop a faith that isn't easily shaken by circumstances, but that faith is in JESUS.

 I was about to say that it won't be long before I turn my thoughts to Christmas plans, but I've already started knitting a gift. I like homemade gifts.  I love Christmas books, Christmas music, and Christmas movies along with all of the things I do to make Christmas a special time of worshiping God for my family. I've said before that I start reading Christmas books in September. That's because I'm a reviewer, and that's when authors need help. This year, however, I found myself listening to extra Christmas books since they are usually happily ever after stories. That helped during a difficult time. Christmas music waits until sometime in October. That's when I start creating in earnest. It motivates me. Christmas movies begin sometime mid-November. BUT—as Christmas loving as I am, I don't want to see it in the stores until after Thanksgiving. I'm a bit old-fashioned still. ~smile~
 
 Well enough of my rambling. Let me share my blessings and Thrifty Things Lately...


  • Thank you Miss Helen for your PayPal gift!
  • Friends gave us cheese, cream cheese, milk, cream, green beans, zucchini, cantaloupe, potatoes, onions, lettuce, and cat fod!
  • A friend gave me a bar of homemade soap
  • I made a silly chili with things we had on hand
  • I made a lasagna with some things we had on hand
  • I found some t-shirts on sale to go with my skirts.
  • I bought Cascade pods at Dollar Tree. There were 4 in a package—cheaper than Walmart. 
  • I  made a Low-Carb Make Do Sausage and Kale Soup: half a pound of bulk pork sausage (leftover from another meal), 8 cups of water, 5 Knorr boullion cubes (the double size ones often found in the Hispanic section), salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and turmeric to taste, 4 oz cream cheese chunked up, and a bunch of kale stemmed and chopped. I boiled the ingredients then added kale to wilt. 
  • I used leftover hamburger buns from a bbq to make garlic toast in the electric skillet to go with leftovers on Sunday. 
  • I packed shredded zucchini from our garden for future zucchini cake or bread recipes. Our garden is beginning to produce. It's the first one we've had in a few years. It's not big, but it helps. 
  • I canned four pints and one half-pint of Zesty Salsa with garden produce including some peppers we froze last year. I need to clear out my freezer space. ~smile~
  • Homemade zucchini cake to celebrate my daughter's graduation
  • I made Small Batch Garlic and Dill Pickles using a video from Heart's Content Farmhouse. Oh my they were delicious! I wish I hadn't given away nearly all of my quart jars while fighting cancer. I didn't think I'd ever can again. We've moved to a house that has great soil, and the garden and gardeners (my husband and daughter) are thriving.
  • My friend, Heather, loaned me the book I need for book club. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
  • I received three books for review: Biblical Minimalism by Cheryl E. Smith, Persian Betrayal by Terry Brennan, and The Gentleman Spy Erica Vetsch. Look for reviews over the next 2-3 weeks.


It's been a different kind of summer, but it's good because God is good!

Blessings from Harvest Lane Cottage,
Laura

♥♥♥♥♥

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2020  26 Finished Books
Goal 50
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 Do not give in to fear about circumstances. God has not given us a spirt of fear but power and of love and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

 We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Philipians 4:13

 This is the time to get in God's word and pray. 

 You may give share prayer requests with me in the comments or by email.

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Easy Cherry Fluffy Stuff Dessert

It's been hot here in Southern Missouri. This is a refreshing summer dessert, because it can be made ahead, chilled, and enjoyed when you're ready. No heating the kitchen. Who am I kidding? There's sweetened condensed milk in it! I could eat it any time of year, and if I'm honest, any time of day!

Oh, this was so light and delicious.  
 
I changed it up a bit and made Cherry Fluffy Stuff.
Here's what I did.

Cherry Fluffy Stuff

1 can of cherry pie filling
1 med. can crushed pineapple
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 c chopped pecans
8 oz Cool Whip of choice

In a medium size mixing bowl, I stirred together:
1 can cherry pie filling
1 medium size can crushed pineapple
1 can sweetened condensed milk 
1/2 cup chopped pecans

After this was combined well, I folded in a small container of Light Cool Whip.
I refrigerated this a couple of hours until we were ready for dessert.  Sprinkle with additional pecans if desired.

It received the Lane Family Seal of Approval.



Saturday, July 25, 2020

Weekend Reading ~ July 25, 2020


My Amy many years ago.

I'm taking time right now to use our harvest of cucumbers, zucchini and tomatoes. Please enjoy this reading list for the weekend. I hope to get back to writing regularly soon.

To the Republic for Which We Stand ~ Roxy @ Living from Glory to Glory
Recovering the Lost Art of Writing Letters ~ Elsie @ Richly Rooted
16 Hilarious Campfire Games for Adults and Families ~  Cool of the Wild
Summer Reading List @ Harvest Lane Cottage
Tipsy Tuesday # 1 @ Harvest Lane Cottage

Sunday, July 19, 2020

He's the Chain Breaker


Photo from Pixabay.com

 I think we all have a compulsion or an addiction for something. Ugh. But God...
 God is able and willing to break every chain. The hard part is walking away from the chains lying around our unfettered feet.


Photo by Beam patcharapon on Unsplash

 Cry out to Jesus. He's the God who hears. He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than we can think or ask. He is our Savior both now and for eternity.

 Want to know more? Ask me. I'll answer the best I can.

 Blessings to you all,
 Laura

Sunday, July 5, 2020

Prayer for America ~ July 2020



Dear Reader,
I ask you to pray in agreement.
Happy Independence Day 2020.
~~~~~

Father God, 
I thank you for the privilege of living in the
greatest nation in the world.
I know that Jerusalem, Israel
is your chosen capital for the world.
But you have blessed the United States
in a way that no other country in history has been blessed.

We were founded on freedom.
We were founded on Biblical principals.
We were founded on equality.

Father God, 
I thank you that you have given us a true
American president. 

President Donald Trump 
is doing everything he can to make America great again.
He is also bringing you, God, back into America.
I am thankful for that.

I ask you to bless him, his family, 
Vice-President Pence and his family,
and those who are trying to truly do what is best for 
our country and for our Christian faith.

Lord, You have been so merciful to our country.

We, as a country, have enemies.
The most dangerous enemies are those
within our own borders.
The most dangerous enemies are those
who choose to destroy our 
faith, our freedom, our social infrastructure,
our borders, our values, our work ethics, 
our marriages, our families, 
and especially our children.

There are powers that are using media, television, 
movies, magazines etc. to destroy America.
They are promoting division of every kind,
hatred, bigotry, racism, 
violence, disrespect, and every evil they can 
imagine.

Father God, 
please forgive those who have chosen
to hurt us all for their own perceived good.
Turn them from their wicked ways.
May your Holy Spirit lead them into truth
and repentance.

Father God,
please forgive us.
Forgive us who call ourselves Christians.
Forgive us for not truly following Jesus.

Father God, 
we are your people.
May each one of us who call you Father,
who call ourselves Christians,
turn from our wicked ways.
We have called on your name,
but we must repent.
We must look different than the world.

Father, forgive us for we have sinned.
Holy Spirit, please speak to each of us
individually.
Jesus, thank you for your salvation.

"For God so loved the world
that he gave his only begotten son
so that whosoever believes in Him
shall have eternal life."
John 3:16

Help us Lord!

God bless America!
Laura Lane
2020