Harvest Lane Cottage

    The years that I spent homeschooling my four children were the best of my life so far. Homeschooling is so much more than school at home. We all learned, and I was able to tailor each child's studies to their interests and abilities. I had the opportunity to spend more time loving, caring for, teaching, and truly getting to know my children than some parents do in their child's entire life. That was truly a gift from my husband and God. Was it hard at times? Yes. Was it hard to live on one income? Yes. Was it totally worth it? Yes indeed.    Kirk Cameron is sharing the opportunities and educational adventure with moms and dads for the current generation. I encourage you to see it in theaters whether you have school age kids or not. Or... why not watch someone's kids for them so that they can go see it together... just mom and dad? Short Synopsis:   Families across the nation are experiencing the homeschool awakening, taking advantage of the freedom and oppo...

 Hello everyone!  It's a cool, rainy day here in southern Missouri. It is not expected to get out of the fifties, and I would really like to do a bit of baking this afternoon. I shared photos, back in March, of some mini banana bread loaves I baked. We enjoyed some, gave some to a neighbor, and froze some. It was time and ingredients well spent. I shared the photos as part of a post called   The Dignity of Every-Day Duties ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder . Miss  Carol, a dear reader, asked me to share my recipe.   So, since here in southern Missouri it's a perfect day for baking, I offer this simple recipe. I hope you enjoy it. If I can talk my Lowell into going to the store for me to buy some eggs and milk, I may bake up something else today. Would y'all be interested to have me share more recipes here? Be blessed! Laura Momma's Banana Nut Bread Laura Lane 1/2 c butter, softened 1 c sugar 1/2 t salt 3 large bananas 2 eggs 1 t baking soda 2 c all-purpose flour 1 c c...

SUMMER IS COMING! SCHOOL WILL BE OUT MAY 27TH! I haven't looked forward to summer like this in years! This gal is tired from teaching all those great little IEP kids (Individual Educational Plan). I've loved it, but my plan was to sub a couple of days a week. This has been four days a week for over three months now!  I'll miss the kids, but I look forward to getting my house clean again, clearing some clutter, spending awake time with my husband, reading, sleeping in until 6:30 or so, walking my little dog early in the morning, seeing friends, maybe taking a short trip with my man, and getting back to sewing, writing and creativity! So hang on a little longer! I know I've not written much in the last few months, but I'll be back soon. Thank you to all of you who have not given up on me. I was on assignment for the LORD. ~smile~ I"ve enjoyed loving on these kids— many of whom are just starving for attention, while also teaching them. Be watching for my summer bu...

“The unthankful heart discovers no mercies;  but the thankful heart will find,  in every hour,  some heavenly blessings.”   Henry Ward Beecher There are times in my life when I have lived near the poverty line, maybe even below it at some point. But God. Although our income was low, I always had hope in Jesus, in God, that circumstances would get better. He made a way for us when there seemed to be no way.  God used the financial troubles that my husband and I had to draw us closer to him. He helped me to understand his love and his provision. Give us this day our daily bread. He always did. We didn't go without what we truly needed. We might get really low on groceries, but he gave me creativity to make something out of what might seem like nothing. He grew me in so many ways through the years and through the hard times. "They were the best of times, they were the worst of times....". They were the best of times, because I learned to be thrifty, creative, ...

My husband used gas points to save thirty cents a gallon on gas  We ate ham and beans and froze the rest for upcoming meals. My daughter found her wedding dress at a church sale. The entire sanctuary was filled with racks of wedding dresses! She found a beautiful dress for $50. When she went up to pay, the lady said, "That was on the half off rack!" A splendid dress for only $25! My girl was thrifty and thrilled!

Photo from Pixabay It seems like it's been a really long winter here this year. We've had spring as early as February here in southern Missouri some years. I remember once, 10 or 11 years ago, we had snow on May fifth. Quite unusual. It didn't stay long, but it did get our attention.  This year, winter and spring have been battling it out. We'll have 80 degrees one day and a few days later will be in the 30s. A few weeks ago, when we thought all was well, planted a long row of phlox in our front flower bed. Unfortunately, we ended up getting really cold weather again, and they went into shock. We've cut them back and fertilize them in hopes that they will revive. They're not looking good, but maybe. Photo from Pixabay “Laura felt a warmth inside her. It was very small, but it was strong. It was steady, like a tiny light in the dark, and it burned very low but no winds could make it flicker because it would not give up.” ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder, The Long Winter H...