Weekend Reading ~ January 30

A Harvest Lane Cottage logo I used during my cancer fight.

Dear Reader,

 It's been an interesting day. Here in Southwest Missouri, they blew the tornado sirens. The storms went south of us, but the rain has been plentiful. I am going to fry some chicken in just a bit. I think I'll put some butter out on the counter to soften in case I decide to make chocolate chip cookies. My kids grew up loving rainy days. They knew momma would bake cookies, and we'd read aloud. Soup, stew or chili often simmered on the stove as well.

 

 I hope you find some ways to make your home and family cozy this weekend. My husband and I have been watching old episodes of Hometown with Erin and Ben Napier. We like their interaction, the fact that they're Christians, the little town of Laurel, Mississippi where they live, and the way they reuse old things in every home they work on. It fits well with my Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do, or Do Without mindset.

How to Make it Happen

 So here are some things you might enjoy this weekend.

• Just Do the Next Thing by Linda @ The Little Homestead
• Keeper of the House by Mrs. White @ The Legacy of Home
• Making Soup Without a Recipe by Chrystal @ Homemaking on the Homestead
• Marriage Advice from and Older Woman by me @ Harvest Lane Cottage
• Fifty Things to Do While You're at Home Right Now by Brandy @ The Prudent Homemaker

 Sending you a warm hug for your winter day.

 Laura

 Keep Calm and Keep Praying

 In God We Trust

Thrifty Things Lately at Harvest Lane Cottage #159

 

Hello everyone! 

I trust you're having a good week. If you're not, I hope you're looking on the bright side as much as you can. The picture above is one of the original headers that I had way back in the day. I started writing around 2007, and this header came along not too long afterward. A blog friend made if for me, but I just cannot remember who now. The header at the top of the page now is actually a drawing my daughter made when she was a young teen. It's a drawing of the original Harvest Lane Cottage. 

I've always been attracted to bungalows. We've lived in two, but now we live in a 1968 ranch on a quiet drive in town. When I named the first bungalow Harvest Lane Cottage, it was because it was small not because of a decorating style. Truthfully, you could probably call my decorating early American garage sale or marketplace. ~smile~ Nearly all of our furniture was purchased second hand or given to us. It's alright. I'm always looking for the thrifty alternative. 

So here are a few things I did this past week:

• Dental exam at a slide scale clinic
• Stayed home for date night, made a simple supper, and watched tv 
• Had hubby's zipper mended rather than buy new slacks
• I'm knitting a sock with yarn I bought on sale on Ebay a couple years ago.
• I am mending a dress that I made many years ago. The fabric has little holes, and I am mending them with embroidery.
• My husband and I wanted to go out to lunch, but stayed home and ate leftovers instead.
• Over a thousand pounds decluttered. Ha ha! My son sold the truck he left in our driveway!
• I used up stationery that I've had on hand for awhile. I'll be starting fresh for next month's challenge.
• I stayed home all week, because my children used my car. Three of the four are having car problems. Thank you Beth for getting me out for a bit on Thursday.

I hope you all have a relaxing but productive weekend!

Blessings,

Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

Snail Mail Excitement ~ Let's Spread Some Joy

 

Hello dear readers!

  Many of you know that I fought breast cancer during 2017-2018. I went to the cancer doctor this week, and my blood work looked good. Cancer free is a great way to be! I mention this, because I received an amazing number of cards, letters, calls, and gifts from my blog friends. The love and prayers that were poured out on me gave me so much hope and courage as I was going through those difficult months of treatment and recovery. Snail mail is truly a gift.

  I just have to tell you that I'm excited about something! I was scrolling through Instagram one day (@lauraofharvestlane), and I saw a post from @incowrimo. I was intrigued and followed the link. 

  InCoWriMo is International Correspondence Writing Month also known as February. The founder, Eric Orozco, has issued a challenge to hand write to someone every day in February. It can be sent by snail mail or hand delivered. No computers or texts. There are no other rules. 

  The whole idea excited me. I've written letters and cards on and off for years and years, but I've never kept it up consistently. Now is my time to build the habit. So I rounded up the cards, envelopes, and stationery that I have on hand. My supply is woefully low, because I wrote to a lot of people in December. Since I was homebound from early November through the Christmas, I didn't shop for Christmas cards. So, when I ran out of the ones I had, I used my regular stationery. 

  This week, I bought some brown kraft paper stationery on Amazon (aff link). I plan to use stamps, markers, stickers, scrapbook paper, and Washi tape to decorate it. I hope to find some pretty floral paper as well. I'm not the most creative person, but I like to try sometimes. ~wink~ My family is still doing the shopping, but I'm going to get out and see what offerings Dollar Tree has, too. ~smile~ Their prices suit my budget quite well. 

  I'm excited about writing to my parents, my grandmother, my brothers, my cousin, even my little four year old niece. I'm also excited about writing to friends new and old. There are so many people who need encouragement. I once wrote a note to a police officer. He parked next to me, and all I had was my receipt, so I used that to write the note. He may have thought it odd, but I'm sure he appreciated the appreciation. There are always thank you notes to be written. They're not just for gifts and hospitality.

  What about you? Do you love writing and receiving snail mail? Think about joining the challenge. Email me at laura@harvestlanecottage if you'd like to exchange mailing addresses. 

  Come on, let's spread a little sunshine all over the place with happy mail!

Hoping you'll join me,

Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

Thrifty Things Lately at Harvest Lane Cottage #158

Jon Sailor Pixabay

Dear friends,

 I must say, this has been a sad week for our country. I continue to pray, and I do hope you will as well. God is still good, and God is still God. I've been in the mood to clear things out a bit this week. I really haven't done much that's thrifty other than getting stuff out of our house. Sometimes, that's enough. I am thinking about things we can do to tighten up things a bit around here. I didn't make a lot of money at my part-time job, but it was regular cash flow. ~smile~ After my surgery, the doctor just didn't need me anymore. Oh well. I am needed at home for sure! 

Here's how I've been thrifty lately:

~ Thrifty Woman's Real Estate Investment

1. 5 cubic feet of sheets given away
2. 2 blankets given away
3. Approximately 18 cubic feet of donations and trash removed from house

~ I've been cooking with zucchini that I froze last summer from the garden.

~ I made soup with leftover chicken and broth, half a bag of mixed frozen veggies, a few peeled and chopped potatoes, salt, pepper, and rosemary. You can find my Rosemary Chicken Soup recipe here. 

~ I used a little sweater shaver to remove the pills from a couple of t-shirts to get another season out of them.

~ We're still driving our 1989 Mercury Grand Marquis car.

~ Our luxury car is a 2005 Buick. 

~ We try to keep the thermostat low to keep the gas bill down.

~ I've been making cappucino drinks at home instead of picking one up when I'm at the gas station.

~ I saved money by using Scribd. I'm not an affiliate, I'm just sharing a great product.

So, there's not a lot on my list, but every bit helps. I plan to continue reducing the amount of stuff around here. It's stuffed all over, especially the garage. Slow and steady will get it done.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Blessings,

Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

Weekend Reading ~ January 16, 2021

Hello ladies,

 It's so cold here in Southern Missouri. We have a light snow on the ground, and everything is so pretty. It fell all day yesterday, but the ground was warm, and it melted on the streets. My computer is near the window, and I feel the cold seeping through. Ah, the joys of old houses. ~smile~ This is my cat Tiger.

He looks so very content cuddled up like that. I think that's what I'd like to be doing... with a cup of hazelnut cappucino from my Keurig and something to read or knit.

 If you want to relax and read for awhile, you may find a book on my winter reading list or something intersting in this weekend reading list. I do hope you have a calm weekend and find a way to destress from the crazy situation we're in here in the United States. Keep calm and keep praying. No matter what happens, we need to completely cover the country with prayer. It's going to take a long time for healing to happen regardless of the outcome.

 Thank you to all of my out of the states readers who pray for me and for our country. God bless you and your country wherever you are. May freedom, truth, and justice prevail.

 

 So here are some things you might enjoy this weekend.

• Cheering Up the Home by Mrs. White @ The Legacy of Home
• Don't Lose Your Head by Linda @ The Little Homestead
• Let's Get Started Anew 2021 - Groceries by Cheryl @ Cheryl's Frugal Corner
• God's Hand is My Pillow by Mrs. Sherman @ Home Living

And a recommended short video....

• 3 Tips for Your Daily Devotions by Pastor John Lindell @ James River Church

 Sending you a warm hug for your winter day. Here are some things right here at The Cottage that might help you feel more cozy.

• Harvest Lane Cottage Winter Reading List 2019
• Cocoa from Scratch
• Bacon Broccoli Cheddar Soup
• Hard Times, Making Do, and Doing Without... Old Fashioned Biscuits

 Blessings,

 Laura

 Keep Calm and Keep Praying

Stitching and Reading This Week ~ January 13, 2021

Stitching and Reading This Week 
January 13, 2021

Hello ladies! 

I SPEAK LIFE, PEACE, AND HOPE TO YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST!

What an interesting start to our new year. Although the world outside is frightful, I am praying that the truth will come to light and that righteousness and lawfulness will prevail. Please keep praying. It's not over yet!

I've been baking and doing a bit of housework, but I am also knitting a bit and and squeezing in a bit of reading. When do you snatch moments to read?

What's on my needles...

I just finished lengthening a hat for my son. It didn't fit him well, and his ears weren't covered. I didn't have enough yarn to lengthen it, so I chose some coordinating scrap yarn and used the helix method to make stripes. It worked great. I cannot wait to give it to him. 

I am still knitting my vanilla socks using Malabrigo sock yarn in the color Mask. I am currently working on the cuffs. I like to knit toe-up using the Fish Lips Kiss pattern for the heel. So far, every pair I've made that way has fit well.

Do you knit socks?

Have you read a good book lately?

What I'm Reading...

I'm reading The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes. It was a book chosen by my local book club. I've just started it this week. In fact, I've only read one chapter so far. It's set in the backwoods of Kentucky during the Great Depression. The main characters are a group of women who deliver books on horseback as part of Eleanor Roosevelt's traveling library. It should be interesting. 

What's on my reading pile...

You can see my Winter Reading List here.  You can see my Goodreads list here. While you're there, let's be friends!

Blessings to all of you!
Remember... keep busy.
Focus on the positive. 

Enjoy!

Have a homemade, handmade, heartmade thrifty week! 

Laura

♥♥♥

P.S  I highly recommend using Scribd. You get unlimited ebooks and audio books plus other reading materials for just one low price. $8.99 a month. You don't have to pay per book. It's all included in the one price. It's the best money I've spent this year!

If you use my link, you'll get a 2 month free trial of Scribd, and I will get a free month as well. I'm not an affiliate, it's just a neat perk that they have for their subscribers who tell their friends. I've earned 8 months free just sharing how much I love their service! You can too.

Find me online here:

Goodreads:  Laura Lane 

2021 I have finished 2 of my 50 book goal.

Ravelry:  HarvestLaneLaura

Facebook:  Harvest Lane Cottage  

Instagram: @lauraofharvestlane 

Email:  laura@harvestlanecottage.com

Address available by email

Donations by Paypal lauraofharvestlane@gmail.com 

My Winter Reading List 2021 ~ Harvest Lane Cottage

 Hello y'all! Just a quick post to share my reading list with you for winter 2021. One of the things on My Winter Bucket List is to spend an afternoon and an evening with a good book. I look forward to doing it soon. I am embarking on a new work from home position in addition to homemaking and writing.  A few of the books below are audio books from Scribd. What's on your reading list?

The Dress Shop of King Street by Ashley Clark
Book Review
Completed January 8th

Sleigh Rides and Silver Bells at the Christmas Fair by Heidi Swain
Completed January 11th. I only gave this 3 stars, because although the writing was very good, and the storyline unique, there was unnecessary bad language and in the last few minutes, premarital s-x. Therefore, I cannot recommend it.

Roots in Wood and Stone by Amanda Wen
Completed

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
Lost interest.

United States of Socialism by Dnesh D'Souza
Recommended by my father
I'm listening to it. It's pretty heavy, especially given our political situation.

The Hideaway by Laura K. Denton
I'm finished. It was a good story, but I cannot recommend it
because of premarital s-x. Not explicit, but still.

As you can see, I use Scribd a lot. You get unlimited ebooks and audio books plus sheet music, articles, and other reading materials for just one low price. $8.99 a month. You don't have to pay per book. It's all included in the one price. It's the best money I've spent this year!

If you use my link, you'll get a 2 month free trial of Scribd, and I will get a free month as well. I'm not an affiliate, it's just a neat perk that they have for their subscribers who tell their friends. I've earned 180 free days just sharing how much I love their service! You can too.

Blessings to you all! Seize the day! Bring a book!

Laura

Find me online here:

Laura Lane on Goodreads

2021 2 finished books.

Goal 50

HarvestLaneLaura on Ravelry

Harvest Lane Cottage on Facebook

@lauraofharvestlane on Instagram

laura@harvestlanecottage.com

Address available by email

Paypal donations to lauraofharvestlane@gmail.com 

2021

Thank you Jeff Jacobs 1990 Pixabay

2020 was a year we won't soon forget. We certainly had 2020 vision and saw things more clearly than ever before. I am so thankful that my word for the year was OPTIMISM. It was my first word of the year, and God gave it to me. I needed it! God helped me to remain optimistic and to share that optimism with people, too. I am thankful for that.

2021 doesn't have a word. I just want to enjoy it, and make the best of things whatever may come. God is with me, and with you, too if you're a Jesus believer. He's always with us, yet we often don't even notice. When we pay attention, we can see his hand in so many things and feel his presence. I spend time with him reading or listening to the Bible. When we spend time with God, we get to know him. This helps us to recognize his nature, to discern between truth an lies, and to recognize when he is using scripture or others to tell us something.

I challenge you to spend time with Jesus. Get to know his voice through the Bible so that you will recognize his voice. 

Happy 2021!

Blessings,

Laura

My Winter Bucket List 2021 ~ Updated!

MY WINTER BUCKET LIST

2021

It's a new year! I choose to rejoice in living regardless of what is going on around me. Does that mean my life is great? No, not necessarily. I'm recovering from breast surgery again. That's four years in a row. Thanks cancer. BUT GOD! He is faithful, and He has taken me through it all and brought me out happier and stronger. 

Thank you for real Jesus! 

I wrote this list to help me focus on the little things that bring me joy. 

What will you put on your list?

• X Write my Winter Bucket List. 
• X Write my Winter Reading List.
• X Put the Christmas tree away
• X Put away the Christmas decorations
• X New Year's Eve with friends 
• X Attend a friend's wedding
• X Attend a baby shower
• X Review a book
• X Smile and spread good cheer
• X Curl up with a terrific book
• X Try a new drink at the coffee shop ~ Charcoal mocha
• X Enjoy candle light
• X Make chili
• X Knit a pair of socks for a gift
• X Try a new tea ~ Honey Chamomile from Celestial Seasoning
• X Knit a bit while enjoying an old movie  
• X Help Emily and Amy practice hospitality 
• X Make snow ice cream ~ First we need a decent snow!
• X Celebrate my son's 30th birthday
• X Knit three hats to donate to the children's center and pray for the children 
• X Spend an afternoon with a book and a candle
• X Invite friends for dinner
• X Try a new low carb recipe
• X Manicure
• Knit a pair of child size gloves to donate
• X Worship Jesus under the winter stars
• Get dog's nails clipped... I put it on here 'cause it's needed to be done. I tried, she was too scared. 
• X Read an evening away with a good book ~ The Indebted Earl by Erica Vetch
• Train my little dog to window shop 
• Sew some little zipper bags
• Finish my daughter's quilt ~ It's packed somewhere! Yikes gotta find it!
• Pedicure  
• Use my teapot—white sprinkled with cherries 
• X Double feature movie night ~ Fiddler on the Roof was so long, I'm counting it!
• Knit a ear warmer headband for Emily. I am harvestlanelaura on Ravelry.com. 
• X Try a new soup ~ Cranberry beans and ham hocks. I think I'll stick to navy and northern beans
• X Lunch out with a friend ~ Enjoyed time with my friend Laura
• Gaze into the fire in our backyard fire pit.
• X Complete my winter reading list! Abandoned a book or two.

ஐღLauraღஐ 

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

on a short shoestring budget!

~~~~~

You might also enjoy...

• God's Perfect Timing
• Frightened of God...My Testimony