What I'd Like to Get Done This Week ~ February 3, 2020 ~ Updated 2/8/20

Hello!

So good of you to drop in today.  

I've been thinking of things I would like to get done over the next week or so.  You know how it is. Always something to do. So, here are some things I hope to do this week. I think I'll come back here and change the items to italics as I do them just to give myself a little encouragement along the way.

Planning: 

• menu
• grocery list ~ My sweet man did my Aldi shopping for me! I ordered some grocery items online for pick up at Walmart, too. They'll bring it right to my car Saturday at noon! I got $10 off my first order. You can try it too if you use this link:  http://r.wmt.co/v/laura_2516
• projects ~ I've got a list of ideas and it's growing!

Cooking:  

• wheat bread ~ Monday
• baked chocolate chip cookies with my eldest son
• jalapeno jelly - I'll have to put this off until next week. 

Reading:  I need to make a service announcement here. ~giggle~ I am not going to finish all of these books this week. I am merely reading a bit of all these books this week. I'm not a speed reader. I just thought I'd put them all here so that I can make some progress in each of them. This list is just to motivate me.

• YouVersion's Canonical Reading Plan. ~ Reading Jeremiah now. It's a long book!
• The Hobbit by Tolkien for my book club ~ I've listened to a a couple of chapters.
• An Island Christmas by Nancy Thayer. Yes I'm that girl who loves Christmas stories year round! I did finish this one.
• God's Will for You by Gloria Copeland ~ I've read a few pages.
• Mother Culture by Karen Andreola to pg 96
• Walden by Thoreau 
• Papa's Wife ~ read a bit on Monday

Knitting:

• Knit with friends Tuesday evening
• Finish the socks on my needles ~ All done! They're laying in my gift box waiting for Christmas.

Sewing:

• More bowl cozies ~ I made five!

Studying:

• Blogging resources

Working:  

• List two items on my Ebay
• Lots and lots of laundry! 
• Look for mending that needs to be done. I actually threw out two items that were too badly worn to be mended.

Writing:

• Work on cookbook
• Blog post planning
• Write two or more blog posts this week.

Winter Bucket List:

• Enjoy candlelight
• Prepare lamps with new wicks and oil.
• Spend a couple hours with a good book and a nice candle
• Meet a friend at the local coffee shop

If I finish all this list, I'll have been very busy indeed. I also need to spend time with my kids and do some ironing and cleaning. Thanks so much for dropping in! I'd love to hear some of your plans for this week. It's so nice to have a chat over the back fence  internet with you today!

Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
Happy at Home

~~~~~

May I suggest?

Minutes or Hours
~~~~~

Just so you know...

My access to the internet is going to be hit or miss for the next few weeks. There's going to be a gap in our home coverage as we make some changes. 

I'll try to drop in with a word or two now and then.  

May's a busy month for our family. We have extra things planned this month also. I'll share more about it all in a future post. Sorry to be so mysterious.

Until next time, keep the faith, trust the LORD, and keep praying. God will never leave you nor forsake you.

Be blessed,

Laura

Laura Lately

Laura Lately...

I am healing well from my October 10th surgery.

I've been knitting a lot. 

I knit some little hats to donate to the Shoebox Ministry of Samaritan's Purse. My church is putting boxes together. 

I've knitted soft hats for the chemo center.

After knitting so many hats,

why didn't I take any photos?

I'm beginning to think about making Christmas gifts. 

I'm thinking about learning to make little zipper bags. 

I've made cocoa with whipped cream.
I am starting to blog more.
I've been reading more. I love Christmas books. This is a Kindle book.

I have begun reviewing again. Christmas by the Sea is a favorite.
I'm trying to add my blog posts to link parties.
I've been listening to The New Testament on Bible Gateway.

I am trying to pair down our book collection. As sad as it is, we won't need many of these books again, and I don't have the room to save them for grandchildren.
I've been making some odd meals to make ends meet.
I've helped out with Republican campaigning.

I've enjoyed lunch and coffee with a few good friends.
I've been doing some things on my Fall Bucket List.
I'm getting rid of clutter.

I've been taking my little Penny down to the courthouse square to teach her to walk with a loose leash in public. She is making progress.

Oh it goes on and on between driving my daughter everywhere she needs to go!

So, it's been a time of recovery while I redeem the time as best I can.  What have YOU been up to lately?

Blessings,
Laura





Over the Moon
Homemaker Party   

Planning and Making Do... What I Hope to Get Done This Week!

Hello Ladies!

So good of you to drop in today.  

I've been thinking of things I would like to get done over the next week or so.  You know how it is. Always something to do. So, here are some things I hope to do this week. I think I'll come back here and change the items to italics as I do them just to give myself a little encouragement along the way.

Planning:

• menu   
• assignments for kids
• blog posts
• birthday dinner for my son
• projects

Cooking:  

• Birthday dinner & dessert
• Start my Kombucha tea 
• Make a sourdough starter
• Try a new dessert

Reading:  

• YouVersion's Canonical Reading Plan. I'll finish Exodus and start Leviticus. I'm way ahead of the reading plan.  Most days it calls for 3 or 4 chapters. I'm accustomed to reading or listening to several chapters at a time. Sometimes I use Bible Gateway and listen until I need to do something else. ~smile~
• I'm also reading 31 Verses to Write on Your Heart by Liz Curtis Higgs.

Sewing:

• Cut out an apron.
• Patch yet another pair of my son's jeans.  He needs a new hobby.  Tearing his jeans is not thrifty and frugal, but mending them is!  If I am inspired and have time, I'll find a little project to work on. 

Studying:

 

• Now by Sarah Coller All done. Read my review.
• Control Girl by Shannon Popkin

Working:  

• Write two reviews. One done!
• Write and submit articles to The Christian Home.
• List three two items on my Ebay
• Food cabinet—empty, wash, and organize.
• Lots of laundry! Look for mending that needs to be done.

Winter Bucket List:

• Celebrate my son's birthday
• Enjoy candlelight
• Bake some Trim Healthy Mama treats
• Help my Amy practice hospitality

If I finish all this list, I'll have been very busy indeed. I also need to spend time with my kids and do some ironing and cleaning. Thanks so much for dropping in! I'd love to hear some of your plans for this week. It's so nice to have a chat over the back fence  internet with you today!

Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
Happy at Home

~~~~~

May I suggest?

Minutes or Hours
~~~~~

Time for a Little Break

I'm feeling a bit out of sorts. 

I think I'm going to take a break 

from blogging this week.

I need to spend some extra time in prayer.

I'll be back Friday with another

Thrifty Week post.

Have a wonderful week.

Laura

Good Morning!

 

Good morning! It's not July 7th, but I thought this was a cute photo one of my kids made. I'm moving slowly this morning.

I was up late listing some items in my Ebay shop. There are some vintage items and some books.
I also updated my listings at Homeschool Classifieds.
I was too tired to check on my Etsy shop.

Why stay up so late?
I'm trying to earn some money for school books and for Emily's college dual enrollment tuition. It seems I'm always busy with my kids, my husband, the restaurant, or the house and can't get much else done during the day.

This is a delicious Sweet Coconut Chai Tea from Celestial Seasonings. It's spicy sweet with a spot of cream and  a sprinkle of stevia.

Hope you have a really good day today!
Laura

Pinned It ~ Did It

Just thought I'd show you some things we pinned and did or made this year at Harvest Lane Cottage.

Follow Laura's board Pinned It Made It on Pinterest.

Wonder what we'll do next year?

Enjoy!
Laura
Happy at Home



Shared: 
Monday Mom's the Word - Clever Chicks - Modest Mondays -  The Art of Homemaking    -  A Mama's Story  - Good Morning Monday
Homestead Barn Hop -Tuesday A Return to Loveliness  - Time to Sparkle - You're Gonna Love it Tuesday 
Wednesday
Wow Us Wednesday - Wonderful Wednesdays - - Fluster's Creative Muster 
Thursday
 Think Tank Thursdays 

D is for Do It!

Pinterest is a fun and convenient way to keep track of ideas you've found on the web.  D is for DO IT!  I need to get busy on some of those great recipes, craft ideas, and such.  Last night I tried a new laundry soap recipe that is so easy.

Find the recipe here:   onegoodthingbyjillee.com via Laura on Pinterest.

I've washed two loads of laundry with it.  So far so good!

Emily made this bread a couple of days ago.  It was yummy.

Find the recipe here: lafujimama.com via Laura on Pinterest.

I encourage you to find something that looks good and give it a try this week.
D is for DO IT!

Have a blessed day,
Laura

~~~~~

May I suggest?

If You Have Two or Three Witnesses.... 

~~~~~

Linking with:
Pinned It Made It Monday

Are You Getting Stressed? Thanksgiving Week Part 1

Happy Thanksgiving Week!  Yes, really!

Okay, some of you may be getting a little stressed at this point. Thanksgiving is but a few days away.

First, take a deep breath. Now, go take your turkey out of the freezer. Put it in the refrigerator to thaw slowly and safely.  Now, get yourself a delicious drink; and, put on some relaxing music if you like.  Pandora has some great Christmas music.  Sit down with paper and pen right now and think think think.

We have a lot of control over how much tension we have in our own minds over holiday dinners. Planning is so very important. Here are some ideas that might help you:

Start with today.

Plan your meals for each day from now until the end of the weekend. Try to use the food you have on hand as much as possible to save your money for special items you will need to celebrate. Plan for a few impromptu snacks as well.  Write this out for every meal. Then make a list of every item you will need. 

Now, ask yourself a few questions. 
Where will you be for Thanksgiving?  Will you be providing the meal?  Bringing something to a dinner?  Traveling?  Needing snacks for the car?  Candles?  Decorations?  Jot down any notes you might need.

When you're done with all of this, you should have a shopping list. First, shop your pantry and freezer. Check off what you already have. You should be left with a shopping list. Check it twice and add anything else you need.

Now, plan to go to the store as soon as possible. Take your list!

Tomorrow I'll share my week's menu and my shopping list.

God bless you and de-stress you!

Laura
Happy at Home
Not in the Car

Loving the Holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas

Part 2







 Home and Garden Thursday -  Share Your Cup Thursday  

Busy Busy...Wondering Where I Am?

I've been delivering newspapers for my husband each night (weekends off-thank you Lowell) from 2:00 a.m. until around 7:00 a.m.  I finished early this morning; so, I got an extra hour of sleep when I went back to bed.  Yay!  Well, the point is that between the route, sleeping, homeschooling, housework, and trying to work on Christmas gifts, I'm not doing much else.  I'm adjusting though.  So, don't give up on me...I'll...be...back......

Christmas blessings from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Laura

Busy Busy Saturday

It was another busy Saturday. I darned a hole in a pair of pants ( first for me), made mulberry-blueberry-raspberry jam, did some cleaning, went to an icecream social to celebrate a graduation, read to the children, listened as Papa read to the children, visited with an old friend, and went to the Acoustic Music Festival. I also received news from my husband that we will soon have an addition to our family flock...a little goat named Miriam! At least she'll eat the weeds for us... a little weed eater!

Have a great week!

Laura

I Think I'm Figuring This Blog Thing Out.

I think that I'm feeling moved to keep both blogs. I tend to write some of the more "what's on my heart" things on Wordpress. I tend to write more of the homemaking and just for fun type things on Blogger. I think that perhaps this is leading from the Lord. There are, after all, different sides to each woman's personality, life, and experiences.

So, from here at Blogger, let's have fun with homemaking, cooking, and such. Just know that Jesus Christ is so much a part of me, I'm sure He'll spill over into this blog just as much. Isn't that what it's all about after all?

In the love of Christ,
Laura

Crazy Busy

That's what I'd call this week. Crazy busy. The big move is Saturday. Our dear friends, David and Joy helped this weekend. Dave brought a paint sprayer and sprayed all the walls a nice cream color. Joy helped with the yard sale and with packing china. Oh yeah, we had to make a run for the border at Taco Bell, too! I give you a hundred thank yous Joy and David!

This week we'll be painting trim white, pulling up the carpets, cleaning the wood floors, packing, cleaning at both houses, and wishing for more sleep!

Tonight, we're having a painting party from 6-9 pm. All hands are welcome.

Gotta get busy!
Laura

Slow Me Down Lord

"Slow me down, Lord. I want to be available for the minute conversation, or the gentle hug, or the quick smile. Don't let me miss those important opportunities to bless those I love."

~Emilie Barnes

Keep It Simple for Busy Women

And a Good Time was Had by All....

Everyone had a wonderful time at Farm Girl Fest. Thanks to everyone who prayed about the weather. Even though the forcast was for thunderstorms, the weather was beautiful.

Special thanks to Deb for the cinnamon rolls we got to share before we attended the little church on the premises. The rolls were wonderful!

I was absolutely amazed at how folks flocked to eat the simple ham and bean soup and fried potatoes and onions Lowell made in the dutch oven and cast iron skillet. Cooking over the wood fire really was wonderful. I think we'll have to do it again soon with friends.

Now, after a wee bit of rest, we'll be hard at work on the new home and the old.

Labor day blessings to you all!
Laura
Full of Beans!

Books, Boxes, and Baby Steps

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed when I think of all that needs to be done this month. We already had a rather busy month before we decided to move. Fortunately, my Honey was able to help me focus my thoughts a bit. One thing at a time. One day at a time. So tonight, I'm going to pack books. Just like I planned yesterday before I got overwhelmed. ~grin~ Why do I tell you this? I tell you because you might feel the very same way right now. You might think that you're the only one who ever feels this way. It's not true.

So, I'm going to take every thought captive as the Good Book says and take baby steps as Fly Lady says. I can do this bit by bit. You can do what you need to do just the same way.

I'm off to pack another box of books!

Laura
Books, Boxes, and Baby Steps

The Three Biggest Factors in Moving

For me and mine, the three biggest factors in actually physically moving are books, clothes, and papers. Why? Because we have more books, clothes, and papers than anything else. So, today I started with books. Each time we move, I start with packing books. They're easy to pack; and, with the exception of school books and a few others, I can get by without them for the month or two that they are packed. Here's how I'm sorting books this time:

1. Keep out.
2. Pack and store.
3. Paperback Swap.
4. Give away.

I've got the first bookcase sorted. I just got some boxes. I'll pack up what I've sorted, put the swap books in the swap box to be listed after the move, and then I'll be taking the give away books to the homeschool meeting.

Now, I just have eight bookcases to go!

Um... did I mention we like to read?

Blessings,
Laura
I think I'll go read now!

History Repeats Itself....

I remember when I was in college, I often found myself up late into the night studying or finishing an assignment due the next morning. Well, I have heard that history repeats itself. Tonight it did. I finished helping Matthew with his college math at about 12:15! A.M.! This is the first assignment he's had to turn in. I do hope this won't be a trend. I am a little bit old for this!

Blessings to You!
Laura

Laundry and Lessons

Hello,
I've not much to say today. I'm going to work on laundry and lessons. I'm planning on starting "school" with the kids next week.

Have a great weekend. I hope you find some great bargains at the rummage sales.

Laura

Rain or Shine?

Hi Friends,

We're having a nice sunny rainy day. Yes, sunny and rainy at the same time! The sun is shining while I listen to thunder and see the rain coming down. It's off and on, but odd weather!

Early this morning I ran some errands with the kids. Without a/c in the van, I was glad to get home before the heat really set in. I dropped my eldest off to mow a lawn for the local chiropractor. Matthew had bartered with him last week for services. I wish I was better at that. He'll do the Dr's daughter's lawn tomorrow; and, they'll be even.

Then it was off to a nearby city to shop for some clothing for my daughter at Target and Goodwill. I hadn't been to this Goodwill for years. It was like shopping at a nice store. Everything was so clean, tidy, and organized. I'll drop in again. I also stopped by the teachers' supply store, but didn't find what I needed. The public school teachers only teach 5 days a week. I need to keep records 7 days a week! Learning happens everyday around here. Lastly, we stopped for $.69 cent sodas and shared.

I came home, took a cold bath, and made lunch. This afternoon, I'll be working on record keeping again. I'm almost done. Then I get to start lesson plans for next year. I went through some books from Christian Light last night that my Friend Laura gave to me . I won't need to purchase many math and language arts books thanks to her generosity.

Thanks Laura!

Have a great summery day!
Laura