An Autumn Dream

     Isn't this just dreamy?  I can just imagine the aroma of woodsmoke drifting on the air as my husband steps onto the front porch after a long day at the work...replaced, upon entering, by beef stew simmering on the stove and the house lit with fragrant cinnamon spice candles.  

     After dinner, he'd hear the familiar scritch scratch of my whisk on the bottom of our saucepan as I prepare homemade cocoa to enjoy with big fluffy marshmallows.  He'd settle into a comfortable chair by the fire and open his favorite read aloud—Little House in the Big Woods.  Ah-- a girl can dream! 

     Some of those things can come true right where we are in our humble little cottage.  Just a little work here and there and I can make this a comfortable and welcoming place for my husband and me.  It's Autumn and time for some cleaning and feathering my nest.

     God bless you all!

Laura
Choosing Contentment

Picture credit:  Feathering Your Nest newsletter from Gooseberry Patch.

~~~~~

May I suggest?

An Autumn Mix of Warming Soups and Stews

~~~~~

On Reading ~ Timeless ~ Gabrielle Meyer

Photo by Aliis Sinisalu on Unsplash

 “And reading is a wonderful thing for the mind. I have not been many places in my life. But in books, I have traveled all over the world.” 

― Roger Lea MacBride, In the Land of the Big Red Apple

This week, I'm traveling in time with Gabrielle Meyer. I'm reading her third book in the Timeless series, For a Lifetime. 

The premise of this series is that the main character lives in two different time periods simultaneously. When she is awake in one time period, she's sleeping in the other time period. She alternates between the two times and places with no loss of time in between.  It's fascinating to see each heroine develop and choose which path she will stay in when she turns 21. 

I reviewed the first book, When the Day Comes and the second,  In This Moment. Both were excellent. I recommend reading them in order. 

I know this is a bit confusing, but go look at my reviews. They'll explain better what I mean. These have been some of my favorite books since I read the first in 2022. 

Now, back to my book! I'm on page 348, and it's almost birthday time!

Enjoy your week!

Laura

Oh Dear! What Should I Do?

 Oh dear, what should I do? To paraphrase Robert Burns, "The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry." Just a few days ago, I shared my summer reading plans. It was just long enough to keep me busy all summer. Now, I find that the first book, Dead Sea Rising, by Jerry B. Jenkins has a sequel! I really want to know what's going to happen! I can read the sequel without paying anything extra on Everand.com, but I'm trying to hold off and read some of my other books. What do you think I should do?

Amazon Link

  Tracy commented on the post that she recently read an old Margery Allingham "Campion" book and thought it very good. She didn't mention the name, but I looked it up and found the first one, The Crime at Black Dudley. It's an old detective who-done-it story. Now I want to read it, too! 

Amazon Affiliate Link

  Oh, what shall I do? There's no end to interesting books to read and listen to. Do you think I should add these to the summer reading list, or shall I save them for my autumn list?

  On a newsy note, I finished a zipper bag for my Etsy shop that I plan to reopen Labor Day weekend. It's been on hold for a few years. I'm experimenting with projects to decide what I enjoy making most and researching to determine what might be best to stock up with. Do you have any suggestions?

  So many things to read, listen to, ponder about, and sew! Oh, don't forget sock knitting, too. I'm always knitting socks!

Blessings from the Cottage,

Laura

  

Summer Reading List 2025

 

 Hello everyone!

 Here we are at the beginning of another summer! 

Reading is a big part of my life. I do it every day. Every single day. If I can't sit down with a book, I always make time to listen while I'm driving or creating or working around the house. I thank God my momma read to me. I thank God my teachers read to me. They helped my imagination to grow and develop so that I see stories play out in my mind as I read or listen. 

 Please take time to read aloud to your children from very young to as old as they'll still listen. That might be older than you think. It's good for them, and it's good for you. I'll be reading to my little grandson as soon as I can get him to sit still for a couple of minutes! He's not quite two. ~smile~ There's a whole lot of world to explore, and he's busy at it.

Here's my summer reading list for 2025. I'll be honest, I always end up adding more to my lists. I'll update regularly with my progress.  

♥

BIBLE

Finish the Old Testament

with a YouVersion Bible.com reading plan.

I moved on to the New Testament!

Update 08-13:All done!

♥

FICTION

Dead Sea Rising

Jerry B Jenkins

Dr. Craig Evans, Biblical Consultant

I finished this June 2nd. 

Oh dear, there is a sequel. Shall I add it or not?

07-21-25: I started it last night!

Update 8:14: LOVED IT

♥

King of the Golden River

John Ruskin

I lost interest. I will not finish it.

♥

Old Detectives Home

Omnipodge Trilogy Book 1

Mike Befelor

 I had trouble sourcing this book, so I didn't read it.

♥

Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche

Nancy Springer

6-5 Listening to audiobook

whilst knitting and sewing

6-6 Finished

I enjoyed this so much!

She's Sherlock Holmes' little sister.

♥

For a Lifetime

Timeless Book 3

Gabrielle Meyer

I picked this up from the library July 8th. 

I'm already several chapters in. 

Update: 7-15: I LOVED IT!

♥

\

The Whispered Word

Ellery Adams

I finished this 6-18.

I cannot recommend it. The story was great, but there was some light foul language and a few s.. references that I wish she'd left out.

♥

NON-FICTION

Western Heritage a Reader

Hillsdale College Press

I'm taking the Hillsdale College Western Heritage course for free.

Update 8/5: I am studying the Romans now.

♥

Oh! This was so good for understanding the atmosphere of the late '50s and early '60s in the USA.

It's about the assassination attempt while Kennedy was president elect. 

Finished on June 5th.

Trim Healthy Mama Plan

Pearl and Serene

Reading it now

♥

The Story of Science

Aristotle Leads the Way

Joy Hakim

I'm reading this now.

♥

Sink Reflections

Marla Cilley

Finished!

Books not planned but added later:

Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon

Finished books not planned but added later:

The Crime at Black Dudley by Margery Allingham ~ finished 6/10

Enola Holmes Elegant Escapade by Nancy Springer ~ finished 6/11

A Lovely Life by Melissa Michaels finished 6/26

Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose by Nancy Springer ~ finished 7/1

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie ~ finished 7/2

The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnussen ~ finished 7/13

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen ~ finished

For a Lifetime by Gabrielle Meyer ~ finished

Dead Sea Conspiracy by Jerry B Jenkins ~ finished

Every Hour Until Then by Gabrielle Meyer

Please join me! Let me know what you're reading. What do you recommend? I've been enjoying Gabrielle Meyer, Melody Carlson, Melanie Dobson, Stephenia H. McGee, and Michelle Griep among others this year. Please do write to me! 

Happy Reading and Listening!

Laura ~ Glad for Summer Break!

*Summer reading list image generated by Canva AI

A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #182 ~ March 8, 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 was so blessed by all the sweet replies I received to last week's thrifty lately post. I've decided that it's time to challenge myself to write weekly again. I'd like to publish thrifty posts on Friday or Saturday morning. I had a doctor appointment and worked a couple of days this week. I also was away from home more than I like. So, I don't have much to share this week. Nevertheless, here I am! I'll get a fresh start tomorrow (Saturday) on thrifty things to share next week. I'll add my blessings and such as well. God truly has a way of taking care of us, doesn't he? Thank you, Jesus! He's real to me. Is he real to you? I'd love to hear your thoughts on that in the comments or by contacting me directly in the sidebar.

    So, I'm realigning my focus this coming week. It's time to get serious about thrift! This past week, I did a poor job. We ate out at fast food a few times, because I let my food stocks get too low and didn't have time to do anything about it. Today, I put in a big Walmart order. I haven't done that in a few months. I've been trying to "eat down the freezer" and meat-wise, we're down to one ham bone! Yes, it's going to be ham and beans next weekend. ~smile~

Having food in the house is necessary if you're going to be thrifty. 

Please see the bottom of the post for this week's question.  I do hope you'll write to me in the comments. ~smile~

~~~~~

♥♥♥

  ~~~~~ 

A Verse for You

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." 

KJV, NKJV, ESV and many other versions

"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing."

NIV

The NIV adds some clarity in this case. I've lacked in my life, but I've not ever lacked anything that I truly needed. God always provides. The "I shall not want" indicates to me that I need to be content with the way the Lord provides for me. What are your thoughts about this?

~~~~~

♥♥♥

~~~~~

Here's my thrifty week!

• I'm still listening to The Wings of Poppy Pendleton on my Everand app. It's a deal for me since I listen to so many audiobooks for just $11.99 total a month.

• I'm reading a 1959 copy of Anne of Green Gables that was discarded years ago by the junior high in which I often work. Thursday, I was playing librarian and found a new graphic novel version sitting on the shelf. I believe much of the magic that is Anne's world is lost along with the marvelous vocabulary. Anne is so quotable!

• I'm still listening to the King James Bible on Bible.com for free. I'm almost done with the New Testament; then, I'll start again. 

• I finished knitting a pair of scrappy socks for a gift. I'll share a photo soon.

• I sewed a small project bag with leftover materials. I bought the zipper, but that was months ago. I'm finally sewing again. I hope you'll hold me accountable if I don't post some sewing once in awhile. It's easier for me to pick up my knitting needles. ~wink~

• I'm using an old nut can for a thread catcher.

• I ate leftover coleslaw for supper one evening. It wasn't a balanced meal, but it was thrifty and nutritious. 

• I received the Paula Young wigs that I ordered last week. Using PayPal credit, I spent less than $14 out of my checking account! Girl math, but I don't care. I tried both wigs on when I got them. The curly one is super curly; the straight one is super straight. I'm going to have to play with them a bit before I wear them in public! ~smile~ I spent about $25 each on them with the clearance and discount. I can't complain even if I end up just wearing them for fun once in awhile. Eventually, I want to order a couple of better quality wigs; I just always have something else I need to purchase more.

• I've been reviewing some items that I received from the Amazon Vine program. Amazon sent me an invitation last October. They send me an item for free, then I review it. I do have to pay taxes on the assigned value. It's been interesting. Some products are nice, some not so much. I get to choose from the products they offer. I guess reviewing books and items I've bought over the years paid off. They noticed. They're going to evaluate my participation at the end of March and decide if they want me to continue.

• A sweet friend, you know who you are, sent me a gift to help me redecorate my blog. So, it should get prettier around here soon!

• I'm taking a free online class about Western Heritage from Hillsdale College. I appreciate the opportunity to continue my education. I'm homeschooling me these days!

• Senior unsweet iced tea is just $.54 with tax at my local McDonalds! I drove through with my husband while we were out for a nice drive the other day. I also met a friend whom I'm teaching to knit socks and had tea, too. Just one reason to enjoy passing 55!

• I used homemade laundry detergent that I made in September. Yes, it made that much! If y'all are interested in the recipe, let me know. It's a dry powdered recipe that I made in my food processor. If you want to try a super cheap laundry detergent recipe that is quick and easy to make, I've used this recipe for years. It's great if you run out of detergent and need something fast. 

Now for this week's question, please comment!

I've been considering starting a YouTube channel.

Is that something that would interest you? 

(Insecure me asking—I don't want to be alone. Yikes! Did I write that out loud?)

Bonus question:

What have you done in your home this week?

~~~~~

♥♥♥

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♥♥♥

~~~~~

ღLauraღ

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

where I am on a short shoestring budget!

~~~~~

♥♥♥

~~~~~

It's time to start saving your pennies
and your nickles and your rocks for Christmas!

~~~~~

 From the Archive

•  Five Days of Frugal Eating    
• A Simple Bridal Shower Gift With Tutorial
• A Few Ways to Enjoy Homemaking
• Frightened of God
• Favorite First Lines... Anne of Green Gables and Thoughts on Reading

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Winter Reading List ~ 2025

Winter Reading List 2025

 It's busy busy around here. I'm not putting up photos or links this time. I thought you might still like to see what I'm reading and/or planning to read in the next couple of months. 

Currently Reading:

• The Old Testament as far as I can get
• 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 
• The American Spirit by David McCullough

Planning to Read:

• The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep

Finished:

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

This is a very ambitious list. I know that I won't finish it all. I don't have massive time for reading; so, I like to listen to audiobooks while I do other things... like knitting!

So, I encourage you, make a list and check it twice. Then, snatch read if you must, but do read or listen to some good books this winter. Use your minutes!

Count your blessings!

Laura

My Spring Reading List 2024 ~ Harvest Lane Cottage

Update April 28th

Hello everyone! I've been reading and listening to a lot of books. See the list I've added on the bottom. I don't think I'm going to get everything read by the end of May. We shall see!

Happy Spring!

  I've written this post to replace my earlier winter and spring list. I had to remove some books, because I found they were not the kind of thing I want to read. I've also added some books.

~♥~

I've been reading and hearing for some that winter still has a hold in parts of the United States. It's really fighting to keep a hold on Southern Missouri.  We had to cover our Hostas, Marigolds, lettuce and spinach last night. It got down into the twenties. I'm trusting that spring will win. We'll be down in the low thirties again tonight. I'm trusting that spring will win, but in the meantime....

~♥~

 It's the ideal time to open a nonfiction book and learn a new skill, a bit of history, or how something is done. It's also an excellent time to slow down a bit while the world goes whirling by and slip into the land of make believe for a little bit. I have to admit that's my favorite kind of reading.

~♥~

  You can read in the car (but not if you're driving—unless it's an audiobook), read while waiting for appointments, read while waiting for your kids to get out of lessons, read on your lunch break, read while relaxing in a comfy chair; or, if your hands are busy like mine often are, you can listen to audio books. I listen to at least two or three audio books on Everand each month. I've also found free books on YouTube and the Libby app. Interlibrary loan is my friend, too!

  My point is, if you really want to read, you can make time even if it's only a few minutes. Snatch those moments for you!

~♥~

Here are some books that I plan to read:

Michael's Gentle Wife 

by my friend Karen Andreola

I'm reading this now.

Hanged by a Thread

ACF Bookens

~ Finished~

I cannot recommend this title. 

Writing the Cozy Mystery

Nancy J. Cohen

I'm still reading this.

Walk It Out

Tricia Goyer

I'll have to order this from the library. It may go on a future reading list.

English Standard Version
Bible
Update 4/3: I'm in First Samuel.
Update 5/12: I'm in Second Samuel.

What Happened at the Cross
by Billy Graham
*This one was excellent. I highly recommend it.

 In addition, I also read:

The Adventures of Danny Meadowmouse by Thornton Burgess

Steeped in Evil, A Tea Shop Mystery by Laura Childs

Hunting the Witness by Kate Angelo

Seams Like Murder, A Sewing Studio Mystery by Dorothy Howell

The Case of the Left-Handed Lady by Nancy Springer

The Adventure of the Cardboard Box by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

When Bad Things Happen to Good Knitters by Marion Edmonds

Chosen by Ted Dekker

Yarned and Dangerous by Sadie Hartwell

Songteller: My Life in Lyrics by Dolly Parton

Lady of Disguise by Melanie Dickerson

English Standard Version New Testament by God

Misty of Chincoteague  by Marguerite Henry

These Tangled Threads by Sarah Loudin Thomas

The Redhill Sisterhood by Catherine Louisa Pirkis

Enjoy the now, friends, whatever season is showing where you are. 

Blessings from Harvest Lane Cottage,

Laura

P.S  As you may know, I really enjoy using Everand. You get ebooks and audio books plus other reading materials, sheet music, and other things for just one low price of $11.99 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 Everand, formerly 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 15 free months just sharing how much I love their service! You can too.

Find me online here:

Goodreads:  Laura Lane 

2024 I have finished 56 books of my 60 book goal.

Ravelry:  HarvestLaneLaura

Facebook:  Harvest Lane Cottage  

Instagram: @lauraofharvestlane 

Email:  laura@harvestlanecottage.com

Mailing address available by email for snail mail lovers like me!

I Love Books and Sock Knitting

 

Hello everyone!

I have a confession to make. I've been knitting, reading, and listening to books instead of writing!

I've joined Denise @earthtonesgirl over on Instagram for the I Love Books and Sock Knitting Knit Along. Denise encouraged us to see if we could somehow match up our socks and our book. I thought that these colors coordinated pretty well. 

Yarn from West Yorkshire Spinners
Goldfinch

The yarn is from West Yorkshire Spinners. It was a Christmas gift from my friend, Laura, who saw me knitting chemo hats back in the day and invited me to join her knitting group. She and the other ladies really pulled me out of my knitting comfort zone! Eventually, my friend, Jill, told me about the Fish Lips Kiss heel pattern, and I was hooked on sock knitting! It's portable, small and finishable.

I'm listening on my Libby app.

Billy Graham was instrumental in my coming to Christ as a teen. This book shows depth and explanation far beyond the phrase, "Jesus died on the cross for your sins." 

Well ladies, I am subbing in a math class at the junior high today, so I'm off to finish getting ready.

Have a wonderful Holy Week!

Jesus Christ is risen! 

He is risen indeed!

Laura

My 2024 Spring Reading List

Find me online here:

Goodreads:  Laura Lane 

2024 I have finished 40 books of my 60 book goal.

Ravelry:  HarvestLaneLaura

Facebook:  Harvest Lane Cottage  

Instagram: @lauraofharvestlane 

Email:  laura@harvestlanecottage.com

Mailing address available by email for snail mail lovers like me!