Happy Labor Day Weekend!

 

Tiger and Penny
Yes, Tiger outweighs Penny!

Enjoy these last few days of summer.

I'll be inside in the air conditioning!

But, I've not always had it. Here's how we coped. 

We've been hovering at or above 100 degrees for too long!

I'll be back with a Sewing Through September update on Monday. Most of my sewing time today was spent fighting with the tension on my sewing machine. 

Happy Labor Day

weekend!

Laura

Harvest Lane Cottage German Apple Stuffing

    My momma always made sage dressing.  When I got married, wanting to begin a tradition of my own, I decided to do something different.  Somewhere I found a recipe for German Apple Stuffing. It became my husband’s favorite stuffing.  I am embarrassed to say that my children prefer Stove Top stuffing. Gasp! I finally decided to make a box or two for them since it's what they like, and it is a holiday! I just make a smaller batch of stuffing for Lowell and me. I always think I’m going to go back and make the Mom's sage dressing sometime, but I always make this! I hope you enjoy this stuffing like I do. 

Happy Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas!

Laura Lane of Harvest Lane Cottage

German Apple Stuffing

1 lb loaf white bread, toasted and torn in pieces
1/3 cup butter
1 medium chopped onion
1/2 c chopped celery
1/4 c chopped celery leaves
2 T chopped parsley (optional)
1/4 t salt
1/8 t pepper
2 cups milk
2 eggs, beaten slightly
2 medium Red Delicious or Gala Apples, pared and chopped
1/4-1/2 cup raisins

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 6 cup baking dish. Place bread cubes on a baking sheet and bake until dry and toasted, about 5 minutes. I sometimes just have the kids toast the bread in the toaster and tear it up small for me instead. 

2.  Transfer bread into large bowl. Lower oven temperature to 350°. 

3.  Melt butter in saucepan  Stir in onion, celery, parsley, salt and pepper. Cook 3 minutes. 

4.  Pour over bread and stir. Add milk and eggs. Stir to moisten. Gently stir in the raisins and apples. Spoon into sprayed or greased baking dish. Cover with foil.

5.  Bake one hour. Remove foil half way through baking.

    I encourage you to make a point of making or keeping little traditions with your family, friends, or even just for yourself. Sometimes we don't even know we've made a tradition until we try to stop it. ~smile~

Happy Christmassing! Keep Jesus in the front of your mind!

Laura

Holiday Prep ~ Are You Making a List?

Hello everyone!

The holidays are coming quickly. For us, they begin the third weekend of October with the Maple Leaf Festival. Next up is my husband's birthday the third week of November. We still celebrate the night started going together November 23, 1981. We were high school sweethearts. 

Thanksgiving is next, then the whirlwind of December with Advent, church activities, Christmas, and New Year's Eve.

Have you started making a list yet?
Maybe I should say lists.

Are you hosting a Thanksgiving celebration this year?

Have you made your menu?
Have you gathered your recipes?
Have you started your grocery lists?
Have you planned a cooking timeline?

Are you hosting a Christmas celebration?
The same quesitons apply, and many more.

Pour yourself a cup of eggnog, tea, coffee, or grab a Pepsi from the fridge. Sit down and start making your lists. All the planning you do now will help reduce the stress later and help you enjoy instead of endure.

God bless you!
Happy Thanks Living!

Laura
Happy at Home

~~~~~

May I suggest?

Apple Butter City Style

~~~~~

Thinking Ahead to The Holidays

 

Good day or evening to you dear reader!

 I just put in my Walmart grocery order for the week. Just before hitting checkout, I added the items needed to make my family's favorite green bean casserole recipe for Thanksgiving. Early? Yes. But. 

 There are two reasons that I ordered the items now. First, I don't have money saved up for Thanksgiving dinner at this point. This year, I plan to order a few items I need each week in order to spread out the cost of a very expensive meal. Second, with all the uncertainty in the availability of items this season, I want to do my best to prepare early not only for Thanksgiving, but after that, the Christmas season as well.

 Last week, I visited a small thrift shop in my town and found a set of cooling racks new in the package for just $3. I snatched them up. They will make a nice Christmas gift. Over the years, I have done much of my shopping second hand. I've found some nice sweaters, shirts, and a brand new wool coat ($2) among other things.  My family knows it, and they still enjoy the items I purchase for them.Thrifty is not just an idea for me. It is a way of life. Over the last year or so, with four surgeries and covid, I've become a bit lax; but, I sense a season coming when my thrifty ways will not just be helpful but necessary.

 I don't have a well stocked pantry. I am beginning now by buying just a few extra items at a time. I know from experience that God always provides, but I need to do my part. 

 I am also busy making birthday and Christmas gifts. I am knitting items using yarn that was given to me supplemented by a few skeins that I've purchased. I also have some sewing to do. It's time to start making my lists and getting busy with my kringling! I suggest you do the same. 

 Well, enough for now. I'm making a thrown together quiche for supper tonight with the items I have on hand.

 What are your thoughts about the coming season? Are you feeling a need to prepare what you can early?

Blessings,

Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

Doing what I can with what I've got on a shoestring budget

May I suggest?

Christmas Gifts for Children... Precedents, Disappointment, and Gratefulness

Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies

Take Time Now to Prep for the Busy Holiday Season!

These cool days of  early fall are the perfect time to prepare for the busy holiday season coming in November and December. 

Prepare double batches of soups and casseroles.  I like to do this on normal evenings as I'm preparing dinner.  It's easy to put the extra in the freezer for a busy day meal.  Just be sure to label it.  I've had a few surprises over the years.  Oh my, did I say that aloud?  ~smile~ in fact, right now, I have a container of something red in my freezer. I think it's sauce for meatloaf. I think. ~smile~

You'll find some delicious soups and stews on this list from my blog:  An Autumn Mix: Warming Up with Soups and Stews... A List of Favorites .

Begin now to prepare cookies for your family often. Bake a dozen for the family to enjoy now and freeze the rest for busy November and December days.  I often go ahead and shape the dough into balls for easy thawing and baking right on the cookie sheet.  This is a huge help when unexpected guests pop in during the holidays or you find that you need a treat to take to a gathering. This year, I plan to try some sugar free low carb cookies, too. Try some of my favorite cookies here.

Now's the time to gather ideas and make your lists.  Look at all the ideas you've come up with over the last few months.  Start making lists. Think about what you'd like the next few months to look like and start breaking it all down.

If  you're planning on making gifts, it's time to get started!

Start thrift shopping. I went for my first shopping trip this week. I found a set of Wilton's cooling racks for cookies or cakes for just $3. They are brand new in the package. With four young adults, they will be a gift for someone. You can often find new or like new items at great prices.

Well, I've given you something to think about.  Go, think, scribble a few thoughts down, and try some of my soups and cookies.  Let's take the coming months in a steady pace and enjoy it without stress. Have a terrific week!

Laura
Happy at Home
Happy to Be Alive and Cancer Free

~~~~~

May I suggest?

Are You Getting Stressed?  Thanksgiving Week Part One

~~~~~

Have You Finished Your Thanksgiving Planning Yet?

Hello everyone,

 I'm still recovering from surgery, so last night we had a planning meeting with the whole family and agreed on who would make and bring what for dinner. I am responsible for making pecan pies. My husband agreed to make my pie crusts for me Wednesday morning.

  I just finished my final grocery list for Thanksgiving. My daughters are going to shop at Aldi, Dollar General, and Walmart for the ingredients that we still need. That will be a major energy saver for me. My job this year is to plan and coordinate kitchen work. I'll help with dishes, too, along the way. We are keeping everything simple.

 Have you finished your planning? Your cooking? Is your turkey in the fridge thawing? Here's some help if you need it. Don't be afraid to ask others to bring items to contribute.

 I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving, whether you're with loved ones, friends, acquaintances, or even by yourself, there is always something to be thankful for.

 God bless you all! I'll write after the holiday.

Laura Lane
Harvest Lane Cottage

I'm in Awe!

Amy Lane Photography 

I am in awe of a Love 

that would choose to suffer so much for another. 

I am in awe of a Love 

that would not answer back to lies and false accusations. 

I am in awe of a Love 

that is so strong, it would not cry out for mercy when brutally struck and beaten over and over. 

I am in awe of a Love 

that would be silent when He could have stopped the torture at any moment. 

I am in awe of a Love 

that would love and ask God's forgiveness for His torturers, mockers, persecutors, and executioners because "they know not what they do."

I am in awe because He is awesome. 

I am in awe because Jesus is God's Son and He is Love.

I thank You God.

I thank You Jesus. 

 There is no way to express the gratitude I feel because I am in awe that You did this for me and for every person who will accept Your death and resurrection as payment for their sins.

I believe! Thank You for doing this so that we might have eternal life.

Amen

Just Something to Think About....

Laura

Blessed to be a Blessing

Over the Moon

041209

Surgery Update & Happy Easter

Hi,

Popping in for a minute to tell you Lowell's knee surgery went well. The doctor said he did great. He's in a lot of pain, but he's getting around in the house with a walker. The physical therapist will visit at the house daily M-F for the next week and a half. 

Thank you all for praying.

I will continue my break. Busy busy taking care of my high school sweetheart whom I married 32 years ago. In sickness and in health....

Happy Easter everyone!

Mount Carmel and the Ravens

  Hello everyone!

  I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend if you're here in the States with me, or just had a terrific weekend if you're in the big wide world. I had a quiet Thanksgiving at home with our family six. Saturday we drove up to Kansas City and had an afternoon of visiting with grandparents and Alabama football. We made a memory. Having memories and living in them are not the same though. I'm glad that God keeps us moving forward. I need to move forward.

  A couple of weeks ago a man spoke at our church about Elijah and how he was physically and emotionally exhausted after the Mount Carmel confrontation with the prophets of Baal. It struck me, that's why I've made it this far strong, and suddenly I feel so tired from the fight. BUT GOD! He brought ravens with food for Elijah. He took care of Elijah when he was weak and tired. He will bring me through. He's been sending me people to show His love, His kindness, and who have blessed me with their time, with cleaning help, with meals, with a listening ear when I was crying through everything. 

  Worn out is not a good place to be, but God is bringing me through. I'm feeling stronger thanks to the love and support of friends and family. I had not realized how isolated I'd been. Some people just didn't know how to help, some didn't want to impose or bother me, or they didn't want to make me sick, so most just kind of backed off. It took me reaching out to get the merry-go-round going in the other direction. He'll take care of you, too.

  Last week, a dear saint in our church who is in her nineties told me that each morning when her feet hit the floor, she thanks God for a sound mind and a strong body. So in the mornings, I've been trying to do the same thing. If it works for this dear lady in her nineties, who looks like she could be in a fashion magazine when she comes to church, still sings and writes poetry for the LORD, and who has even delivered short messages from the pulpit, it must work!

  Perhaps you're going through something right now—something hard. In fact, I'd be surprised if you're not. Maybe you feel isolated and tired. Don't be afraid to reach out to those around you. I just told a few people that I really need a friend right now. Find someone who you know is positive and compassionate and reach out. I think you'll be glad you did. I am.

Laura
Blessed to Be a Blessing

P.S. Christmas season is starting early this year. We're putting up our tree tonight. We've a very strict tree trimming tradition. The kids insist on it every year.



Share Your Cup

Enjoying a Less Than Perfect Thanksgiving Gathering

What do you think of when you think about Thanksgiving?

A Norman Rockwell setting?
A Waltons' Thanksgiving?
A disaster or battleground?

What if you don't feel so thankful about gathering with your relatives or a certain relative? Do you stress over pleasing them or feel irritated by them? Sadly that's the case for more people that we'd like to think. Unfortunately, not everyone has a loving family that serves our Lord. Most would say there is at least one in their family that makes holidays difficult. In fact, if you're a Christian, but you're not from a Christian family, you may be the one that makes the others uncomfortable. 

What if you're totally stressed out about getting a meal prepared and on the table not to mention all the preparations ahead of time? 

May I encourage you to use the preprayment plan? That's praying ahead of time for situations that are coming up. Search your Bible for a verse or two that you can focus your mind and heart on while you're visiting. Make it a verse that will help you keep the Shalom perfect peace of God in your heart. If you're at home, light a candle. Sometimes glancing at a candle flickering or enjoying the fragrance can help you feel more peaceful. Soft worship music playing in the background helps too— if you can get away with it. ~smile~

Keeping our focus on God and our reasons to be thankful can help us through as we pray to hold our tongues or give a hug or an encouraging word. 

Be blessed and don't fret dear ones!

Just something to think about...

Blessings from Harvest Lane Cottage!

Laura
Keeping it simple for our Savior

Happy Independence Day and 4th of July!

Hope you have plans to celebrate the birth of our country and the Declaration of Independence. Here are some of my thoughts and memories of Independence Days past.

Independence Day Memories
Drip Drip Drip Boom!
Remembering Respect

Have a happy Independence Day, please pray for our country!

MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA! 

Laura
Thanking God for my freedom
Praying for our Country 

P.S. My husband shared this video from the History Channel with us today. Here's the link.

http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/july-4th/videos

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
I'll be back to blogging next week.
Enjoy!
Laura

2015... HAPPY

Happy... new year... new start... fresh leaf... do over... resolution... fresh start... new day... begin again... forgive and forget... goal setting... new vision... new provision... healthy eating... exercising... cleaning... organizing... Bible reading....

Whatever the new year means to you, I pray that you will seek God in a new and more committed way.  His mercies are new every morning.  New can happen any morning, any moment with God.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Every day is your new day. 
Every day is my new day.
Every day is the Lord's new day.

Let's seize it.

Blessings, 
Laura

Don't Fret! Thanksgiving's Coming Quick

If you've not made your Thanksgiving week menu yet, perhaps you'll find something here to help you.  May God bless you as you focus on Him.

It's upon us again!  Thanksgiving week is one of anticipation, excitement, and work!  Are you feeling stressed about getting it all together for the big meal?  Now is the time to think it out and make some lists. BUT-- if you're making a turkey, go put it in the fridge right now.  No really, right now!  It takes at least three days in the fridge for my turkey to thaw.  I don't even want to remember what happened the time I didn't let it thaw long enough.  Ugh!  So go now.  I'll wait for you.  I'm doing it, too.  

All done?

Me too.
Note:  If you're reading this, and you've not got enough time for your turkey to thaw, you can thaw it in cold water in the sink, but keep changing the water regularly.  If it gets warm, it can lead to food poisoning.

My next step is to plan my menu for the next few days.

Menu for Thanksgiving Week 2014

Wednesday
Breakfast - Cereal

Lunch - Peanut butter sandwiches

Dinner - Canned Clam Chowder and Crackers

Dessert - Chocolate Icebox Pie

Thanksgiving

Breakfast - To be discussed with my husband

Dinner around 1:00

Turkey, German Apple Stuffing (hubby's favorite), Stove Top stuffing (kids' favorite), potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, black and green olives, homemade rolls, and whatever my eldest son brings ~smile~

Dessert - Pumpkin pie with Cool Whip and Pecan Pie

Friday

Breakfast – cereal or oatmeal

Lunch – Sandwiches or leftovers

Dinner – We'll be working at our restaurant, Royal Delights Cafe and Bakery.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Blessings,

Laura 

Thanking my Jesus at Home

~~~~~

May I suggest?

Thoughts of Thanksgiving

~~~~~

She's Making a List

Have you started making a list yet?
Maybe I should say lists.

Are you hosting a Thanksgiving celebration this year?

Have you made your menu?
Have you gathered your recipes?
Have you started your grocery lists?
Have you planned a cooking time-line?

Are you hosting a Christmas celebration?
The same quesitons apply, and many more.

Pour yourself a cup of eggnog, tea or grab a Coke from the fridge. Sit down and start making your lists. All the planning you do now will help reduce the stress later and help you enjoy instead of endure.

God bless you!
Happy Thanks Living!

Laura
Happy at Home

~~~~~

May I suggest?

Apple Butter City Style

~~~~~

July 4th

 Happy Independence Day!

From the National Archives

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!  I'm going to be away from my blog for a few days spending time with friends and loved ones.  I encourage you to focus on the people God's put into your life.  Does someone need a call or letter?  Valentine's Day can be a lonely time for some folks.


Enjoy your day, enjoy your week, enjoy your life!
I wish you shalom! Nothing broken, nothing missing, nothing lacking peace!


Laura
Happy

Not to Worry! There's Still Time!

I want to thank you lovely ladies who have written words of love and encouragement to me.  I find that God's love is abounding to our family in this season.  Today we had a lovely light snow.  It was just enough to cheer me.


We have about two weeks to prepare for Christmas.  I've not made nor bought a gift, save a couple of stocking stuffers and gifts for our pastors.  So much for being prepared early. ~grin~

Not to worry though.  There's still time to bake gingerbread and sugar cookies, pumpkin bread and pies, fudge and peanut brittle... still time for Christmas movies and Christmas stories... still time for our Advent wreath and The Advent Book... still time to buy gifts for those I love and perhaps even time to make a few small things.

I will put on my favorite Christmas music, make some tea, and start making a list and checking it twice!  My dear husband has promised me lunch out today.  Perhaps he will help me to think through those things that we really want to enjoy in this season. 

May God bless you as you celebrate Christmas!

Laura
Celebrating
the Goodness of God in the Land of the Living

Want to Knit Some Mittens for Your Little Kittens for Christmas?

KnitPicks Swish Worsted

Want to be knitting mittens for your little kittens for Christmas?  I learned to knit mittens a couple of years by watching a series of video tutorials from Knit Picks. I loved it, because I could stop the videos, back up and have Kelley explain it as many times as I needed.



Kelley's instructions are easy to understand.  I loved having her help me step-by-step beginning to end.  My kids loved their mittens.  They've grown and need bigger mittens this year!  


Wool mittens are so very warm.  Give it a try.  If you can knit and purl, you can do this.  I buy my supplies at Knit Picks.  I like their yarns and prices.  Their customer service is good, too, if you have a problem.  I feel so silly having to write "I am an affiliate or I am not an affiliate"; but, for Mr. Government Man, I am not an affiliate. :)

I need to order some washable wool and get busy if I'm going to be Knitting Mittens for Kittens this Christmas this year.  ~smile~

~~~~~

May I Suggest?
Three Little Kittens Need Some Mittens

 ~~~~~

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop

Independence Day, The Fourth of July, July 4th, Freedom! God Bless America!

Independence Day, The Fourth of July, July 4th  Whatever you call it, it's the symbol of American freedom.   That freedom has been paid for by the generations of Americans who have fought for it.  It's being threatened from within in a way that it's never been threatened before.  Our freedom is from God, but I encourage you to pray and fight for it in whatever ways God guides you.  We can all do something. 

Thank you to the Graphics Fairy for this image.   

To celebrate the 4th, we're going to have a barbeque, swim in our creek, and then go into town for the fireworks display.   My husband invited the interns who are serving at our church as a part of our continued Joplin Tornado rebuilding efforts. Hope 4 Joplin is still helping to repair and rebuild homes as well as providing food and supplies to those hardest hit by the tornado, the poor and needy.  If you want to be a part of that, leave me a note in the comments, and I'll write to you.

Here are some of my thoughts and memories of Independence Days past.

Independence Day Memories
Drip Drip Drip Boom!
Remembering Respect

Have a happy Independence Day, please pray for our country!

MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Laura
Thanking God for my freedom
Praying for our Country 

~~~~~

May I suggest?

Wisdom from Past American Presidents

~~~~~