Harvest Lane Cottage

4th grade Mrs. Pamela Higgs read Little House on The Prairie to our class. Thus began my love of Little House books. After that, I saved my allowance and any other money I could scrounge or earn (remember selling pop bottles?) to get the next book. I read them all and wished for more. I still have them all. That was 45 years ago! I've read them countless times since. Little House in The Big Woods remains one of my favorites. I read or listen to it nearly every fall. When I had children, my husband would read to us! Over the last couple of weeks, I've listened to Little House in the Big Woods and Little House on the Prairie on Scribd . I love being able to listen to books while I knit or work around the house. At only $8.99 a month, I can listen to or read as many ebooks as I'd like.  If you've not yet read Little House in the Big Woods, read it to your children or read it to yourself, but read it. It's so much better than the Little House series that ran on t.v. ...

  Enjoy today! Today is always  the best day of your life!

My Grandma Mamie was a sunshine spreader! Spread sunshine all over the place and put on a happy face.  I moved to this small Southern Missouri town nearly 30 years ago. I moved from a big city and thought I was moving to Mayberry ! A lot can change in 30 years. The town has grown to about 15,000, which might seem big to some of you and small to others. Small towns are supposed to be friendly, but they will only be friendly if we are. For that matter, my dad lives in Kansas City. He grew up in a very small town in Northeast Missouri. He is small town friendly in his neighborhood! Like father like daughter, I have a personal friendliness campaign. You can, too, no matter where you live. Smile, open the door, offer to help others, talk to people—cashiers, people in line, other shoppers,  receptionists, the librarian, the man who makes your sandwich, the gas station attendant, police officers, the postman—everyone! Everyone needs a friendly word, or a smile, or even a pray...

The Christmas Swap by Melody Carlson is another must-read Christmas book! ★★★★★ From the Publisher: All Emma Daley wants this holiday season is a white Christmas. But the young teacher and struggling musician sure can't find that in sunny Arizona. Luckily, there's someone living in a perfect mountain home in the Colorado Rockies looking to make a vacation trade this year. Tyler Prescott is an in-demand songwriter and talented musician who put his own singing career on hold to write songs for celebrity acts to perform. When his mother convinces him to do a vacation trade for Christmas, he never imagined one of the houseguests would be so sweet—or so strikingly pretty. Naturally, he decides to stick around, and, to get better acquainted, he poses as the house's caretaker. But when Emma's friend Gillian discovers his true identity and sets her sights on him, things get . . . messy. My Thoughts: I just adore Melody Carlson's Christmas novellas. I've read and revi...

 I'm so excited! It came!  My first Christmas review book! The Christmas Swap by Melody Carlson She's one of my favorite Christmas novella authors. I start reading Christmas books in September. That's when publishers send them out for review. I don't mind.  (Something unpleasant must have happened there!) All better!  I enjoy reading Christmas books all year round. My little dog Penny likes to lie with me while I read. The temperatures have been getting down in the fifties here in Southern Missouri. Some of the maple trees are showing color early.  They usually get showy in early to mid-October. We'll just have to see what it all means.  Enjoy some quiet happy moments as you await the change of seasons whether it's summer to fall  or  winter to spring where you live. God bless you all! Laura Happy at Home and Falling for Autumn My hair is Winner in Glazed Mahogany by Raquel Welch.

Hello ladies,  It's feeling rather fallish this week. I do love fall, autumn, harvest time, whatever you like to call it. The crisp cool air just makes me want to cozy up, make a warm drink and read or knit while I listen to a great book. I'll be sharing my fall reading list very soon. I'm currently reading eight ~gasp~ books and knitting four socks. I need to focus! You'll see a book review coming in the next few days for Biblical Minimalism by Cheryl Smith of Cheryl Smith Ministries. There were some eye opening passages in that book.   For now, I'll share a few blog posts that caught my attention this week. I'll catch up with you soon. How to Become an Active Listener by Roxy @ Living from Glory to Glory  Old-Fashioned Cucumbers and Onions   by my husband Lowell Lane Who Needs Toilet Paper Anyway  by Grandma Donna @ Gdonna  Let's Dip Into Fall by Cheryl @ Cheryl's Frugal Corner  Super Quick, Super Cheap Laundry Detergent   by me Want to ...

I hope this Sunday finds you peaceful, restful, enjoying time with God, family, friends, and your pets.