A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #186 ~ March 29, 2025

 

We lived in this little house that God provided for us during some extra lean times for nearly ten years. I have fond memories of using it up, wearing it out, making it do, or doing without. It's a lifestyle that works well today, too.

Hello y'all!

Oh my! What a busy week I've had. 

• Monday I worked at the junior high. 

• Tuesday, I did a lot of laundry, and I prepared for company. A couple of years ago, I invited a few friends over for a Christmas in July making party. It has developed into a monthly evening of creating gifts and working on projects for the Christmas season. I have three ladies who are old friends. We all homeschooled and raised our kids together. It's a marvelous time and so relaxed. I just love it. 

• Wednesday, I sewed a lot.

• Thursday I subbed at the high school. My daughter from Arkansas came for dinner and spent the night. 

• Friday I subbed in the same class at the high school. Friday night, I was just plain tired. We ate leftovers for supper since we were too tired to cook. My married daughter then called on FB Messenger, and we were able to visit and see our grandtoddler. It really is a miraculous age that we live in. I remember that it used to cost twenty-five cents a minute to talk with my mom long-distance. I didn't get to call her very often. The budget was too tight. Now we can communicate around the world with a few clicks. Amazing is not a big enough word for it.

Thank you for visiting today—or tonight!

Do say hello! I enjoy reading your thrifty things, your thoughts, and your ideas. 

Laura 

Here's my thrifty week:

• I mended my denim skirt again. I bought a denim dress over twenty years ago. The top part wore out. I made the dress over into a skirt. I've mended the seams on that skirt many times over the years. 

• I mended my jeans. The style has had many names over the year—clam diggers, cropped jeans, pedal pushers, capris. They're a bit cooler in the summer. The metal button had gotten loose. I tightened the fabric around it with some well place stitches.

• I sewed a key fob and a small zipper bag to try out some new swivel clasp hooks that I received for review. I used thread, fabric, and linings that I had on hand to make them. One will be a gift for sure. 

• We had a potluck for our Christmas Club craft group on Tuesday evening. We all contributed to nachos and cinnamon rolls.

• I listened to music on my free YouTube app.

• I reviewed a couple of pairs of earrings. 

• I borrowed a couple of books from the library.

• I used Duolingo to practice Spanish. The Spanish speaking population in our little town has grown dramatically over the last few years.

• My husband and I gave our son a recliner that we didn't use much anymore. It's the perfect addition to his tiny house.

• I passed on some acrylic yarn to my daughter. It was just what she needed for her granny square blanket, and it made a bit more space in my knitting cabinet.

• We bought a Dominoes pizza and got free breadsticks. We spent a bit over $8 and had two meals from it.

• Leftovers for supper Friday night instead of going out. 

• We skipped grocery shopping this week and just bought a few fill in items.

Well, that's about all I can think of right now. It was a long week. I'm off now until Tuesday. I'm looking forward to time at home. After a bit of rest, I'll get busy doing more thrifty and frugal things. 

God bless you all!

Laura

~~~~~

You may enjoy:

• Tipsy Tuesday ~ Save Your Paper Shreds!
• Top Ten Shower Gifts That No One Else Will Bring
• Burden Bearing... Don't Be a Donkey!

Once Upon a Time...

• Wondering at the Marvels of New Life ~ Spring Chicks
• Blessed Among Women in my Own Generation

A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #185 ~ March 22, 2025

 

We lived in this little house that God provided for us during some extra lean times for nearly ten years. I have fond memories of using it up, wearing it out, making it do, or doing without. It's a lifestyle that works well today, too.

Thank you for visiting today—or tonight!

Do say hello!

~~~~~

♥♥♥

~~~~~

Dear Reader,

    Hello y'all!  I'm finally back to feeling pretty good. It's been almost two weeks since I caught cold, and boy did it catch me back. ~smile~ This isn't a fancy picture post, but I did jot down some notes this week. 

    My husband is in training this weekend by Zoom call. I'm hoping to get some laundry done, a bit more organizing done in my workroom, and I hope to sew a zipper bag. I hope to reopen my Etsy shop sometime this summer or early fall. I need to take some time and build up my inventory.

~~~~~

♥♥♥

~~~~~

A Verse for You

"Seek the old paths and walk ye in them, for there you shall find rest for your souls."

Jeremiah 6:16

~~~~~

♥♥♥

~~~~~

Here's my thrifty week!

• I used bacon grease instead of butter in my biscuits when I ran out of oil. 

• I'd never heard of biscuits and sausage gravy until I moved to Southern Missouri. Girl, let me tell you! Yum!

• My son moved and needed a dresser. We gave him one that's been in our garage for too many years. That's a big space cleared in our garage and a savings for him.

• A sweet reunion with my friend, Beth, at McDonalds instead of a coffee shop saved money.

• Facebook Messenger Facetime allowed me to visit with my daughter and grandson in the next town.

• I bought some 9" ChiaoGoo circular knitting needles on Amazon. I paid full price— about $13. I'm going to use the free Cream Cabin Socks pattern from This Yellow Farm House to make some house/boot socks for a gift. I already have the yarn on hand. Are tools an expense or an investment? I guess it depends on whether you use them!

• We were planning to take a day vacation on Wednesday. My husband fell ill Tuesday night. I'm glad we were home when it happened. The flu is terrible. We saved by staying home.

• I made my Lowell some chicken soup with broth from the freezer, onions, carrots, and a chicken breast. 

• Supper of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for me while he was ill.

• I've been knitting socks with yarn that my friend, Laura, gave me.

• I hit an amazing sale at Woman Within. I ordered a white cotton cardigan sweater, two skirts, and three dresses for $130! I hope that I'm happy with the quality. One never knows when ordering online. That will most likely be all I need to buy for spring and summer. If, however, I really like the cardigan, I may order one in an additional color.

• Two more meetings at McDonalds with $.54 senior drinks. Being over 55 does have a few perks. 

• I bought a toy tool for me. It's a Magnetic Pendulum Wooden Yarn Holder that spins. It was just $17.99. I love it! I'll share more about it on my next On My Needles post. It was thrifty, because the name brand spinner is much more expensive. This one is like the one I gave my daughter for Christmas.

Have a wonderful week and think homemade!

Laura

~~~~~

You may enjoy:

• Ripples on the River
• Cherry Pits, Erma Bombeck, and Jehovah God
• Spiritual Truth From and Open Door and My Little Dog

A Very Old Biscuit Recipe

 

   This is a very old biscuit recipe. I found it in an early 1900's cookbook about 25 years ago. I made it often as my children were growing up — especially during hard times... and there were a lot of hard times. ~smile~ BUT GOD, was always good and always took care of us. We always had what we truly needed. Godliness with contentment is great gain. It took awhile to learn contentment. The time was worth it.

Old Fashioned Baking Powder Biscuits

This is my family’s favorite biscuit recipe!

 

4 c all-purpose flour

3 T baking powder

2 t salt

4 T canola oil, shortening, or lard 

1 ½ – 1 ¾ c milk

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Begin with a large bowl. Sift all the dry ingredients into the bowl and then mix it all together well with a big fork. Combine 1 ½ cups of milk with the oil. Pour it all into the dry ingredients at once. Stir until it’s all mixed in and all the flour is moistened. Add the extra ¼ cup of milk if the dough is too dry.

Now, take all the dough in your hands and put it on a baking sheet. Pat the dough into a large rectangle, keeping in mind that you want the dough about an inch thick and you’ll be cutting it into 12 equal pieces.

After you cut the dough into equal pieces, separate the biscuits by about ¼ inch. Then put them into the oven for 15 minutes. Brush the tops of the biscuits with melted butter and put them back into the oven to bake until they’re golden brown on top. Makes 12 big biscuits.

May God bless you as you are making do!

Laura

Shared at Vintage Finds Friday

Winter Reading List 2025 ~ Final Results

Winter Reading List Final Results

Still Reading:

• The Old Testament ~ I'm in II Kings.
• Trim Healthy Mama Plan 
• Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
• Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
• Western Heritage: A Reader by Hillsdale College 

FINISHED:  20 BOOKS + NEW TESTAMENT!

January 

• Paradise Lost by Jon Milton ~ See my review.
• The Christmas Tree Farm by Melody Carlson
• The Truth in Tiramisu by Rachel Bloome 
• A Guilded Age Getaway by Stephenia McGee  
• The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge 
• From Heaven by A.W. Tozer 
• The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

February

• The Conundrum of Coach 13 by John Taylor
• The Winter Ghosts by Kate Moss
• The 10:59 Assassin by Jon Milton
• Second Time Around by Melody Carlson
• The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain
• To Be Read at Dusk by Charles Dickens
• The Course of Human Events by David McCullough
• Miss Marley by Vanessa LaFaye
• Simple Pleasures by Robert Taylor
• Lighthouse: A Story of Rememberance by Robert Munsch
• The Trinity Vicarage Larceny by John Taylor

March

• The New Testament
• The Secret in Sandcastles by Rachael Bloome
• The Wings of Poppy Pendleton by Melanie Dobson
• The American Spirit by David McCullough
• 
  

I'll publish my Spring Reading List soon.

Laura

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ March 17, 2025

 

Joining with Sandra @ Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

The weather....  Sunny and 72° Can it be? The sun's going down.

Right now I am.... grateful that my husband and I ate big lunches, so I won't have to make dinner!

Thinking....  of how wonderful it is that this is spring break week.

On my reading pile.... Once again this week, the focus this week will be Bible, Anne of Green Gables, and my Western Heritage Reader for my free Hillsdale college online class. On Everand, I'll be listening to The Wings of Poppy Pendleton by Melanie Dobson. She has such a terrific imagination that builds sets and action and characters in my mind.

On my TV.... We are still watching Miss Scarlet and The Duke Season 2 on Prime Masterpiece Theater. It is a detective story set in 19th century London.

Favorite blog post last week.... Pink Sunday by Sarah at Classical Homemaking

Something fun to share.... I got to go visit my grandson today. I just love the way his little 19 month old face lights up when he sees his grammy. I've got the joy joy joy joy down in my heart. This little guy is a gift from God!

A Simple pleasure.... Knitting scrappy socks! They're my favorites.

Blog hopping.... A Rested Heart by Mrs. White at The Legacy of Home

On the menu for this week.... 

Monday ~ I don't even know! I need to make my menu.

On my to do list.... Laundry, cleaning, knitting, and catching up with old friends.

In the craft basket.... knitting of course!

Looking forward to this week.... I'm going to see my dear friend Beth tomorrow. She's been out of town for awhile.

Looking around the house.... My workroom is still messy. I wonder if I take before and after photos if that would motivate me?

From the camera.... 

Crane Creek last summer

I'd like to go again this summer.

On my prayer list.... The peace of Jerusalem. Salvation for prodigals. 

Bible verse, Devotional....

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6-7 

Today's Question:  Would you like me to start a link up for what's on our needles?

Please say hello!

Have a great week!

Laura

Spring is Coming Quickly

Spring is coming to Southern Missouri. Here's the proof!

This tree was in bloom when we decided to purchase our home.

The night before we toured the house my Amy said she wanted to have what we called a tulip tree someday.

When we drove up, I knew it was a sign from God.

The color looks so different on sunny days!

We've learned that this tree is called a 

Teacup Magnolia or a Pink Magnolia. 

I adore it.

Last year, it bloomed only one day before we had a frost that killed the blooms. It was so disappointing. 

We've been enjoying blooms this year for nearly a week.

My friend Sarah visited me. She enjoyed my tree, too.

Thank you, Sarah, for hostessing Pink Sunday. 

I hope you all have a lovely Sunday! 

May Jesus bless you as your thoughts turn often to the LORD.

Joyfully,

Laura 

A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #183 ~ March 15, 2025

 

We lived in this little house that God provided for us during some extra lean times for nearly ten years. I have fond memories of using it up, wearing it out, making it do, or doing without. It's a lifestyle that works well today, too.

Thank you for visiting today—or tonight!

Do say hello!

~~~~~

♥♥♥

~~~~~

Dear Reader,

    I spent the past week sick with a cold. I actually stayed in bed most of the day Tuesday. I cancelled my work assignment for Thursday. It was just a normal cold with stuffy nose and coughing, but it wiped me out. I had planned to get serious about thrift! The best laid plans of mice and women often go awry. A new week is ahead. I'll do better!

Once upon a time, long long ago. 

Here's the story that goes with the photo as found on my husband's Facebook account:

t

nsodSoper2102hy7a0c1607fr a8Frf2,83h26mbuhtg2 07248ge8u1f53 

"Laura made cocoa for the boys, and Michael asked her to hold his gun while he took off his boot. I caught her .... reminds me of Granny from Beverly Hillbillies. Spoon in one hand and shot gun in the other!"

~~~~~

♥♥♥

  ~~~~~ 

A Verse for You

"Seek the old paths and walk ye in them, for there you shall find rest for your souls."

Jeremiah 6:16

~~~~~

♥♥♥

~~~~~

Here's my thrifty week!

• My husband started spring yard work. He spent a few hours  getting the pile of sticks and leaves in the corner of the back yard cleaned up. It's been piling up for over a year. It changed the look of the back yard. Then, he started attacking the overgrown fence line. He burnt for quite awhile. 

• We bought food and stocked up on supplies. Yikes! What an expense. There were some things on the list that we've been out of for weeks. I was trying to have a few low cost weeks during January and February.

• I had a very stuffy nose this week. To reduce the amount of tissues, I used cut up rags part of the time then threw them away.

• I save money when I stay home. ~wink~

• I sewed a tiny bag with some scraps that I had on hand. I was hoping to use it for id and cards, but the batting I used made it too small and puffy. I'll just have to sew another card wallet. I'm practicing, using what I have, and learning. 

• I collected books from my shelf and garage to give away. Real estate investment! 2 cubic feet!

• I felt a bit better on Friday. Sarah from Classical Homemaking visited me. We exchanged some books, went out for Mexican, shopped my favorite thrift shop, then visited Little Free Libraries in town. We left books at each library, then went to a local coffee shop for lemonade of all things. We talked and talked. We don't see each other nearly enough. ~smile~ We didn't solve all the world's problems, but we got a start on them. ~giggle~ 

• I was able to restore my white sneakers to an amazing degree with a shoe cleaner I got from Amazon. That stuff really worked. It brightened the white and removed the dog mess from my shoes without water! That saved me at least $60 on buying a new pair of shoes. The one on the left above has been cleaned. Below, both have been cleaned. 

    Lots of sleep, rest and a bit of thriftiness filled my week.

What have you been up to this past week? Plans for next week?

Be blessed,

Laura

On my Needles ~ March 12, 2025

Saturday was the day that I started slowing down. Sunday, I realized I was getting sick. Monday, I was sick. Tuesday, I spent in bed. What was the problem? I caught cold. I was feeling so happy that I'd missed having a cold this winter even though others around me had colds and flu. Oh well, I suppose it happens to all of us. 

Now it's Wednesday, and I'm slowly on the mend. All this to say, it's not been a very productive week. Nevertheless, here's what's been on and off my needles this week. ~smile~

Knitting:  I haven't felt very motivated to knit this past week. Sometimes, when I figure out what the yarn is going to to, I lose interest in a project. This is the first merino wool pair of socks that I've knitted. It feels great in my hands. I'm not sure, however, how well they will wear since they have no nylon or polymide to reinforce the yarn. I shall see. ~smile~ I really like the socks. I decided to make shorty socks so that I can wear them with my tennis shoes and my casual solid purple dress. I've just begun the ribbing on the first sock. The colors pooled that way on the heel by themselves. I used the Fish Lips Kiss heel pattern as I do for most of my socks. 

Sewing:  I'm working on my bag making skills. I'm starting with fabric that I have on hand. As my skills improve, I'll begin buying fabric. Do you have a favorite place to buy whimsical or floral fabrics?

The first bag is the perfect size for a single sock or notions. I used cotton quilt batting that I quilted to the front and back of the bag. 

The second bag is one that I made using a piece of patchwork that I had leftover from making tea wallets a few years ago. I sold them on etsy at the time. I'm hoping to open my etsy shop again this fall. I used the patchwork to measure the other pieces. Looking back, I don't think that I would use the quilt batting for something this small again. It made it too bulky. It's a bit tight to use for a card wallet. I suppose I'll probably put change or stitch markers and mini scissors in it. That also means that I need to try to make a card wallet again. 

Too plain!

Old buttons to the rescue!

It's a little squishy, but it does lay flat. 

Well, that's all for this week. I'll no doubt finish the first striped sock and cast on the next sock this coming week. Beyond that? I'm not yet sure. 

Today's Questions:

1. What do you have on your needles?

2. Do you like it better when I post about my reading and stitching together? See link to an example below.

I'm about to go hunt through my stash to find out what's next!

Happy Winter ending or beginning!

Laura

Thankful for gifts from God and doing what I can with what I've got where I am!

~~~~~

 From the Archive

• Sewing Masks Like So Many of You
• On My Needles... What I'm Reading
• Apron Strings and Little Things
• A Few Ways to Enjoy Homemaking

*Image by Syssea80 from Pixabay