Harvest Lane Cottage

It's time to embrace sewing again! I had great plans for the summer, but I just didn't get it done. I sewed a few things—mostly bags— and I did a fair amount of mending . September is National Sewing Month .  During September, I'd like to do something sewing related at least 5 out of 7 days each week.  I'm also going to be continuing my Out With the Old Challenge in an effort to go into fall with less stuff and more organized drawers and closets. I haven't done it every day, but I'm going to keep at it and not give up! Lastly, I'll be casting on a pair of monster socks as part of the #monsterkal . It's a knit along for monster socks or Musselburgh hats. Monster comes from Frankenstein putting leftover parts together to make his monster. This is for scraps and mini skeins. It's hosted by Sue @smcarn . Watch my Instagram page or my Ravelry page for updates on my socks.  An example of crazy or monster socks These are the colors that I've chosen. ...

  Our gift series continues with ideas for the boys in your life. There's more to life than Legos! Birthday season is almost over for us, but maybe not for you. While compiling this list, I found several things that I hope to purchase for my little grandson as he grows. This year, he'll just be four months old, so I'll refrain. ~smile~ I hope this list gives you some ideas.  Younger Kids Melissa & Doug Wooden Construction Building Set in a Box (48 pcs)  Ages 4-6 Melissa & Doug Standard Unit Solid-Wood Building Blocks With Wooden Storage Tray (60 pcs) - Classic Blocks For Toddlers Radio Flyer Classic Red Wagon The Original Big Wheel,Blue-Yellow-Red, Giant 16' Wheel Ride On Tricycle  NERF Pro Grip Football, Blue, Classic Foam Ball Older Kids and Teens NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Magnetic Marble Run - 75-Piece STEM Building Set   NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Rock Tumbler Kit – Includes Rough Gemstones, and 4 Polishing Grits, STEM Science Kit for Geology Suspend Family Game...

  Hello ladies! Recently, someone told me,  "If you don't have it,  you don't have to take care of it." That was excellent incentive to begin decluttering again. It seems like a job that never ends. ~smile~ I think it's because, as time goes by, I become more willing to let things go. So, I've challenged myself to go through a drawer, a closet, a shelf, a something every day.  Ideally, I'd like to do it until at least the end of summer. Officially— Fall begins Monday 22nd at 1:19 p.m. central time. How specific is that?   Realistically, I am going to see just how many days I can go without missing a day. I do plan to take Sundays off. You can watch my progress on Instagram @lauraofharvestlane . You can see updates on my knitting projects there as well.  Would you like to join me?  Please comment below to let me know. Let's cheer each other on!  On Instagram, you can tag me: @lauraofharvestlane  or use this hashtag: #outwiththeold  Have a...

  I was saved on January 1, 1980 while sitting in my bedroom  watching Jim Bakker of the PTL Club on a little black and white television my grandparents gave me. There was a recovered drug addict on. I recognized later that God had been working on me for awhile. I remember thinking, if God can save a drug addict, maybe he can save me, too. I prayed the sinner's prayer. Jesus did the rest.  Thank you, Jesus.  I was a sophomore in high school. Who shot J.R.? Hurricane Allen ~ I was visiting my grandparents in Los Fresnos, Texas. We fled to McAllen and stayed in a huge warehouse type building where my grandparents had a flea market stall. They sold used books. We, along with many other stall owners, camped out on the floors with lots of pillows and blankets. My grandma, grandpa, and preschool cousin were there. I remember that I had to drive one of their cars though the traffic to get there. I was so afraid. God took care of us, but it was one of the strongest hurricane...

  Hello everyone!      There have been so many happy things in my life lately. From celebrating my grandson's 2nd birthday to reviving some of my use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without cooking and mending skills. I'm well on my way to Kringling Christmas. I'm knitting and sewing this year.  Two little loaves made it to the freezer. The zucchini was given to us.  I'm almost done with my fingerless mitts.  These adorable little tops! I found this yarn in my stash.  I forgot I bought it for apple picking time last year. LOVE IT! I fixed my husband's glasses with a needle and nylon thread. The lense is not going anywhere now! I finished my Grape Crush Mitts. I'm knitting the second sock. These are car knitting. Lots of good things going on. Sometimes we have to look for them. What is making you happy lately? Blessings, Laura

Harvest Lane Cottage Gift Ideas Series First up Girls!   For Younger Girls Baby Doll  ~ This one comes in white and black   Candy Land   Sit and Spin Hungry Hippos   Spirograph Sewing cards Paper dolls Bubbles For Older Girls A bag filled with flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, vanilla, chocolate chips and  my chocolate chip cookie recipe . Pillowcase embroidery kit  Personalized Stationery and stamps National Geographic Microscope Science Kit Sewing box with supplies Fleece Blanket No Sew Kit Embroidery floss for friendship bracelets Puzzles Jewelry making supplies I hope these ideas will spark some for you when you next need a girl's gift.  Happy gift giving! Laura Amazon affiliate links included ~~~~~ ♥ ~~~~~ Would you like to support my site?   As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a small percentage from ANY items you place in your cart and purchase within 24 hours after going to Amazon from one of my  links .  I...

    Hello everyone! Here we are nearing the end of another summer. Since I work in the schools, I'm in that in between time of school starting and actual fall. It's a good time to wrap up the summer reading list. I did pretty well. I read and listened to more than I planned. Here are just my favorites. You may see all the books I read in my Goodreads list.  ♥ BIBLE I finished reading the Bible.  ♥ FICTION FAVORITES: Dead Sea Rising Jerry B Jenkins Dr. Craig Evans, Biblical Consultant and  Dead Sea Conspiracy   by Jerry B Jenkins ♥ Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche Nancy Springer I enjoyed this so much! She's Sherlock Holmes' little sister. Here are the others I read this summer: Enola Holmes Elegant Escapade   by Nancy Springer Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose  by Nancy Springer ♥ For a Lifetime Timeless Book 3 Gabrielle Meyer  I LOVED IT!  I've enjoyed this whole series. ♥ Every Hour Until Then   by Gabrielle Meyer Nort...

I love fall! BRING ON THE 'BER MONTHS!  I love how in August and early September we get a few cool mornings to give us hope for tomorrow— but then, we get slammed with ninety plus degree days again! I'm entering birthday season this weekend. It lasts about a month. Three of my children, my grandson, my brother, and  my brother-in-love all have birthdays this month! A week later, fall will arrive along with all the cozy joy it brings! I plan to cast on a little sweater for my grandson to celebrate the beginning of the 'ber months. I plan to use the Flax pattern by Tin Can Knits. They have an app which makes it easy to follow their patterns. Flax is free. I've already bought a few new fall decorations. I chose a couple of new garlands. I do love maple leaves. Carthage is called the Maple Leaf City, and we host the Maple Leaf Festival every October with thousands in attendance. We have so many maple trees in Carthage, it's the most beautiful time of the year.  I look f...

It was an ordinary weekday. My husband was working from home. We decided to ride together to pick up a pizza for lunch. My husband stopped on impulse for a pizza picnic in the park. Seize the day! Blessings, Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage  

  I'm joining with Joyce  from this side of the pond  for the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Click through when you're done here to read other ladies' responses. Now, for this weeks questions. 1. The midpoint of summer (believe it or not) is August 7th. Describe a perfect summer day. Have you had one this year?  A perfect summer day... Sleeping until I wake up naturally Knitting and/or sewing Reading or listening to a book A drive in the country Time with friends and/or family Bucket list activities I've not had a perfect day yet, but I've been able to do at least one of these things each day. 2. What's one thing you wish you knew before starting high school?  It's okay not to have a boyfriend or go on dates. I had my first boyfriend, and we started going steady, in November of my senior year. We're still going steady over forty years later! 3. What's something that bothers you if it's not done perfectly?  Grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Now, watch. T...