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!

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♥♥♥

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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~

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♥♥♥

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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?

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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!

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♥♥♥

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

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 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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Homeschooling Myself ~ Paradise Lost ~ John Milton

      Oh my! How does one review a book like Paradise Lost?

     I guess one might say that it's epic. ~smile~ Interestingly enough, I have never read Paradise Lost. I took Brit Lit in high school and majored in English in college. I cannot remember it ever being assigned. Who knows why?

Paradise Lost
John Milton

     Paradise Lost begins with Satan addressing the other fallen angels, chronicles the creation of sky, earth, animals, and man, then describes life in Eden, the conversations between God and man, between the the arch angel Rafael and man, and finally the fall, and the results from the fall.

     One phrase that stuck with me is that God created man sufficient to stand and free to fall.

     It is a highly imagined, dare I say fantasized, story expounding upon a few short verses in the Bible. It is how Milton thought it all could have come about. 

     It is obvious that Milton knew his Bible. It is also obvious that he had meditated on the scriptures in great depth. While there are no doubt inaccuracies in the poem, it has greatly influence church culture.

     I read this book as part of Hillsdale College's free course on Paradise Lost. I don't think that I would have understood nearly as much without the course; because, it's sometimes hard to follow the narrative, and frankly, it is a bit boring in places.

Google Hillsdale College for the course if you'd like. I'm enjoying the courses I've taken for free. I started with A Christmas Carol, then Paradise Lost; and now, I'm studying Western Heritage from Genesis to John Locke. 

     This year, I am continuing my education. At 59, I don't care about credits or grades. This way of learning is stirring a passion for academia that has been dormant for many, many years. It feels good. 

How and what are you learning?

ஐღLauraღஐ 

...homeschooling myself on a short shoestring budget!

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Michael's Gentle Wife by Karen Andreola

 I read Michael's Gentle Wife slowly and savored it. Within a chapter or two, I felt like I was visiting dear friends when I opened the pages. The Weavers live just outside a little town called Appleton. Friends and neighbors play a central part in their lives as does the church.

They live in Blackberry Inn which they run with a widow named Emma who is the perfect grandma figure for the three young children. Guests come and go and add to the storyline.

Chapter after chapter we witness a family who truly loves the LORD and is seeking to serve him and honor him. It was a calming, relaxing read. The scenes brought back happy memories of my youth. The way the gospel and discipleship were woven in gave meaning and purpose to the novel.

Supper was be a bit late tonight. I just had to keep reading! I just finished the last page. Mrs. Andreola left me laughing and happy. 

I highly recommend this true love novel.

Be blessed!

Laura

P.S. Mr. and Mrs. Andreola are the couple who brought Charlotte Mason's writings and methods to the United States. 

Karen's Charlotte Mason Website

Karen on Facebook 

Karen's books 

I highly recommend it!

Laura

My Year in Books 2023 

Goodreads:  Laura Lane 

2024 I have finished 91 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!

Homeschooling - If God Leads You to It, God Will Lead You Through It

 

​Homeschooling was never in the plan.  Back in the early '90s, I met a couple of homeschooling families. They were a bit odd but quite nice. That was my first exposure. Later, as a member of the Conservative Book Club, I was sent a book by Raymond and Dorothy Moore called The Successful Homeschool Family Handbook.​ I also came across The Christian Home School by Gregg Harris around the same time. Soon, I was hearing Dr. Dobson talk about homeschooling with Dr. Moore on Focus on the Family. 

God just lead me to it. My Lowell agreed. We decided to do it for a year.  My family disagreed with us even though it was just kindergarten.  That was the year of Columbine. After that, my mom stopped fighting me.

I found Charlotte Mason through The Elijah Company catalogs. I read them cover to cover to learn how to homeschool and to get recommendations. I've always been a reader. That's what appealed to me about CM. I'm not sure where in the process I found Karen Andreola. Her books were invaluable to me.

Mrs. Andreola taught about Charlotte Mason's gentler way of learning. Short lessons, lots of variety, real living books, nature study, etc. It lead me to use whole books, hands-on activities, and life experiences along with our math books and such. I now have grown children aged 21 through 32. They are intelligent, self-motivated, life-long learners who know how to find information, study for themselves, discuss issues, and solve problems. 

One of my sons had the courage to fix a rather involved brake problem with my older daughter's car. I asked him how he knew what to do. His father isn't mechanically inclined with vehicles. "YouTube!" he said. He was brave enough to tear her car apart and persevere when it got hard. I am thankful and proud.

Don't be afraid. Don't get caught in workbooks only. Teach them to learn. Provide a print rich environment. Model a love of reading and learning. Do hands on things. Make God, The Bible, and church central in your life. God will lead you in the path for your children to prepare for each one's future.

You can homeschool. I highly recommend that you read Mrs. Karen Andreola's books, A Charlotte Mason Companion and Mother Culture: For a Happy Homeschool. She no longer writes her blog, Moments with Mother Culture, but you can still find a wealth of information there.  She is a wonderful resource for homeschoolers who are starting, who need some new ideas, or who need a little encouragement and mother culture. She is approachable and friendly. 

I will never regret the years I spent homeschooling. My children think for themselves. They can pursue any type of future the LORD has for them.  We were  able to give them experiences that helped them to explore their areas of interest. We did it all on a very low income with God's provision and favor. He made a way where there seemed to be no way. We stood at the crossroads, and we chose the ancient path* where the good way was and is. Someone else might say we chose the road less traveled. 

It was hard. It was good. It was worth it all. 

Be brave and courageous,

Laura Lane

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Why We Homeschool

Homeschooling the Myth and the Truth

A Day in the Life of a Homeschooler

10 Surefire Ways to Help Your Children Love Reading

9 Tips for Young Mothers from an Older Woman

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*"This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.'" Jeremiah 6:16 NIV

9 Tips for Young Mothers from an Older Woman

Enough & More to Spare by Frederick Morgan

Advice to a Young Mother

Having children is a huge responsibility that never ends just like the work never ends. Please allow me to share a few thoughts.

One ~ Try to get to bed at a decent hour, so that you can try to get some good sleep.

Two ~ Require everyone to lie down for one hour each afternoon.
They may not nap, but they must lie down. Older ones need an hour of reading each day anyway. During this time, you can rest, read, pray, or do a load of laundry, whatever will help you gear up for the second half of the day.

Three ~ Make sure you’re eating fruits and vegetables, dairy and meats, not just high carbohydrate foods. You need nutrients.

Four ~ If possible, get some time away from the children once in awhile, even if it's only to go to the grocery store by yourself.

Five ~ Arrange a date time with your hubby, even if you stay home and put the kids to bed early.

Six ~ Invest time in Godly child training. 
You might look at Above Rubies. They have free magazines and lots of articles on-line.

Seven ~ Don't give up!
It does pay off even though we can’t always see results day to day. Look for the good and seize it daily.

Eight ~ Most of all, pray pray pray pray. You can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens you.

Nine ~ Really, this should be first, spend time with God in the Bible.

Note:  If you feel depressed for an extended period, consider speaking with your husband, an older mother, or your doctor about whether you need herbal supplements or medication to help for awhile.

Blessings from Harvest Lane Cottage,
Mrs. Lane
An Older Woman
~smile~


P.S.  See the comments below for some more great advice.  Staying home is one thing that one of my readers reminded me about.  It really helps to build routine.

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May I suggest...

Reading... An Hour a Day Every Day
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#090914

Apron Strings and Little Things

Hello everyone.

 I have been sewing this week. It's part of the 52 Week Sewing Challenge that I joined last week. We were challenged to finish at least one work in progress. This apron laid dormant for a long time. A few weeks before I found the lump which turned out to be breast cancer, I began preparing one of my old worn out aprons to be used as a pattern for a new one with this garden print. I finished it Sunday evening. I used single fold bias tape to trim it with. I've never used single fold before, but I thought why not? There were 4 yards in the package instead of just 3 for double fold. I didn't realize that meant that I would have to iron all four yards in half to make it work. ~smile~ Oh well, it was easy enough, and it saved me $1 because I had to go back and purchase a second package. There wasn't quite enough to finish the neckline. Who would guess an apron would take that much? I've got some left over for another project now. I have leftover fabric, too. Any suggestions for what I should do with it?

 I've also been watching some videos about wigs. My hair just isn't growing back well after the chemotherapy. It's very thin, and it's truly bothering me. I find that I don't look like myself when I look in the mirror. I forget about it when I am talking to others, but I may need to do something to add to my self-confidence. Have any of you had experience with wigs or any advice?

 My big change this past week was that my husband and I decided to graduate our youngest daughter, Amy, from homeschooling a semester early. This allows her to go to the junior college full time this semester. After we made the decision, I cried for awhile. I started this mothering thing thirty years ago this summer. I never dreamed we'd homeschool, but I've been doing it for a quarter of a century. Crazy, huh? So, now, it's on to redefining Laura. I need to listen to the LORD and determine what my next steps are. Want to go along for the journey? I'm sure I'll write about it here.  Have you finished homeschooling or retired? How did you determine what you wanted to do next? Do you have any ideas for me?

 Well, do think about writing to me and telling me of your thoughts, ideas, and what you've been up to lately. I love it when you all write to me.

 Blessings to you all!

 Laura

Shared at I Made It Monday.

Homeschooling The Myth and The Truth

Hello,

As we draw near the end of the school year, I'm thinking about how my kids are getting older. Amy is 15, Michael is 17, and Emily is now 19. My oldest, Matthew, is 26.  He's out on his own now, but calls and comes by often.  It's been so neat to have the privilege of being with my children as their personalities and interests develop.  Homeschooling has been a great privilege. I wouldn't trade being a stay-at-home mom for anything.  I never made a paycheck that was worth the relationships I have with my four children.

Thank you Lowell!
Thank you God!

Laura
Thankful to be Momma

P.S.  
Big myth—your husband has to make a lot of money if you're going to stay home.
Truth—you have to stretch your money if you're going to stay home.


Mommy Monday 

Homemaking Party

A Day in the Life of a Homeschooler

This is a reprint of a guest post I wrote three years ago about a day in our homeschool life. I thought you might enjoy this peek into my past.

Hello!  We're the Lane Family.  I'm Laura Lane.   My husband, Lowell, works at a church.  

My eldest, Matthew, graduated in 2009.  He attended high school after being homeschooled 

for 10 years.  I currently homeschool Emily, 16, Michael, 14, and Amy, 12.  

We're rather relaxed, eclectic homeschoolers.  I didn't really plan it that way, but life happens 

when you have a husband who is in ministry.  There's a bit of drop everything and go when 

he calls to our life.  Two years ago, our area was devastated by what the world knows as the 

Joplin, Missouri tornado.  We live about ten miles from Joplin.  A couple of days after the 

tornado, my husband walked in and asked Pastor Dan what he could do to help.  He walked 

out with a job as the coordinator and community liaison and a plan to house volunteers in 

the vacant house next door (about 400 over the summer by his estimates).   Though we no 

longer have volunteers staying with us, the kids and I have been on call to volunteer for the 

last two years. ~smile~  Things have finally settled down giving us the chance to settle down

 into a new autumn school routine.  

This is what our school days will look like this autumn, if all goes according to plan. ~smile~

When:

We try to get most of our work done in the morning.  The first child out of bed gets the first 

chance to do math.  All of the children use Teaching Textbooks, a computer based math 

program.  There's a bit of competition between my two youngest children to see who's first.

~smile~  We eat breakfast and two children do dishes while the third goes on to start Bible.  

The others start Bible when they're done.  Math is done as the computer comes available.  

We will work all morning, then hopefully, be able to do some more creative activities in the 

afternoon.  Of course, if the lessons aren't finished, they'll have to be finished.

Where:  We homeschool all over the house.  I want my children to be lifelong learners.  

I think that allowing them a little flexibility in where they do their lessons makes them less 

resistant to learning.  I also catch them doing what I jokingly call "unauthorized learning" 

once in awhile.  You know, reading a book or studying even if it wasn't assigned.  I make 

font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , "freeserif" , serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">a big deal out of it in jest. ~smile~

How:  Much of our learning is reading based.   We read a lot of whole books.  I was attracted 

to Charlotte Mason's teachings but never followed her 100%.  We have used a combination

of textbooks, workbooks, computer programs, videos and hands-on lessons over the years. 

We're still reading a lot for Science, but my older children will start Biology this year.  History 

and Latin are video based.  Michael and Emily will do history together.  All of the children 

learn Latin together.  Spelling, grammar and writing are usually a bit more mom intensive. 

~smile~  

Why:  To put it simply, God told us to.  

I explain it all in detail in this post:  Why We Homeschool.

Helpful hints:

♥ Pray!  God cares deeply for you and for your children.  He will guide you.
♥ Read read read to your children from birth.  Keep reading even after they learn to read.
♥ As soon as they can read, require them to sit and read/look at books for thirty minutes a 

day. Perhaps after lunch.

♥ When they graduate to chapter books, increase their silent reading time to an hour a day.  

My children have become excellent readers as a result. 
♥ Don't give up!  Your family is unique.  Your homeschool will be unique.  Don't try to 

do it just like someone else.  Pick and choose ideas and find what works for your family.

What I really want you to know:  You will not be perfect in your child training, your 

homeschooling, or your homemaking.  It's okay.  Pray, research the best methods for you, 

and be flexible in your implementation.  Teaching your child to love the Lord our God 

with all their hearts, minds, souls, and strength is ultimately the goal.  

God wants that, too.  He'll help you.

Be blessed!

Laura

Laura Lane is mom to four children, ages 15-25.  She's homeschooled since 1996 and 

is married to her high school sweetheart. She writes about homemaking, saving money 

through thrifty living, homeschooling, books, her family life, and her love of God and

her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  

Spring Linky

10 Sure Fire Ways to Help Your Children Love Reading

Many of us believe that reading holds the key to learning, skills, and enjoyment. Yet, reading is not a favorite pastime for many people. I love to read. I learned young and was blessed with a teacher that read aloud to our class daily and a mother who also loved to read and read aloud to me as a youngster. Together they gave me a taste for a world beyond what I could see, hear and taste. They gave me a key to learning whatever I wanted to pursue.

I truly believe that the love of reading is something that is caught not taught, but there are still things that we can do that will encourage the love of reading in our children.

~ Read to them from the time they are tiny. If they're older, start now! It's not too late to start!

~ Let them see you enjoying books— both fiction and nonfiction.

~ Read books to them that are above their reading level.

~ Keep a literature rich environment... picture books, chapter books, classics, even magazines.

~ Read from real books not just electronic devices. Let them enjoy the feel of the paper.

~ Listen to audio books—especially in the car.

~ Read to them consistently. Thirty minutes a day would do wonders!

~ Listen to them read aloud to you.

~ Afternoon silent reading— an hour a day every day. Start this during their nap or rest time. Just leave them with a pile of picture books. Require them to stay there for an hour. It's a good transition from nap times to reading times as they grow older. Mama you need that hour to recharge. They do, too, but you might not like to hear that!

~ Make rainy days special! Hot homemade cocoa or icy milk, a plate of cookies, and a good book!

Give your children or grandchildren the love of reading. Time invested now will pay off with young adults who can learn whatever they want to learn. It's the key. Help them unlock the first door.

Be blessed!

Laura
Happy at Home
Momma to Four
Voracious Homeschooled Readers

This post was featured at Pageant Wagon Publishing.

*Photo Credit Pixabay

A Great Storyteller Teaches American History—Dave Raymond's American History

Dave Raymond's American History Review

*Disclosure:  Compass Classroom affiliate.  See why below.

I really like listening to Dave Raymond teach American history.  He's a gifted storyteller. He explains things from a Christian perspective showing in detail how Christianity influenced American history. He's got incredible insight.  He's unapologetic about sharing that insight into how God worked things together for the good.  He's the kind of guy you'd like to invite to dinner. ~smile~  I just cannot say enough good things about this product.  Best of all, my kids enjoy these lectures.

Each lesson has five days of short lectures, reading assignments, and weekly quizzes.  During the second semester, students will write a research paper. Extensive instructions about choosing a topic, format, how to write it, and how to grade it are included.  Mr. Raymond takes the scary out of it.

My kids used American History I at ages 16 and 14.  They were able to do the work primarily independently.  After the fact, because I had a crazy semester and forgot about it, I realized that I missed one of the neatest activities.  The students were supposed to make an illustrated journal of different parts of American history to go along with the lessons.  It's sort of like a scrapbook of their year.  It encourages them to dig a little deeper into the things that interest them along the way.  Oops! 

THE DETAILS:
There are 26 weeks of lessons.  Each week there are five 10-minute lectures, daily tasks, readings, and weekly exams.  The students also keep a year-long journal.  A Student Reader is included on each DVD.  You get everything you need for one year of high school History credit. 

*Click here to watch the trailer, download free sample lessons, and see a list of lessons.
Dave Raymond's American History

• Formats: DVD, Download, Streaming
• Lessons: 26
• Addl Mtls: Student Reader, Teacher's Guide, Weekly Exams (PDF)
• Credit: 1 HS
• Age: 13+
• Teacher: Dave Raymond
• $89 
• 
  
• I really like the guarantee offered by Compass Cinema:

"We Like Kicking Tires.  We bet you do, too. It's such an annoyance to buy something when you're not sure it's a good fit.  To help you out, we've put complete sample lessons and downloads of full lessons for every product on our new site.  Furthermore, if you ever buy anything from us that you don't like or don't use, just send it back for a full refund.  Finally, we try to keep all our products on sale for you since we understand you may have limited resources. (Our wives homeschool, too.)"
Read my review of Volume One.  The two volumes have now been combined into one.

Compass Classroom makes video curriculum that's fun for kids, smart for moms, and easy for everyone.
*Disclosure: This is a rewrite of a previous review. At that time, Compass Classroom sent me a free DVD of their American History Volume Two lessons in exchange for an honest review.  I am affiliate with Compass Classroom.  If you should choose to purchase an item after clicking the photo link above, I will get a commission.  Your price will not change.  I am affiliate because they produce excellent products that I really like.

How Do You Know You Can Homeschool?

I wish I'd heard this years ago when we started Kindergarten!  Lee is talking about high school, but it applies to homeschooling and parenting at every stage.  Be encouraged!  You can do this!  With God!

Lee Binz explains how you can homeschool high school. 

Lee Binz, The HomeScholar, specializes in helping parents homeschool high school. Get Lee's FREE 5 part mini-course, "The 5 Biggest Mistakes Parents Make Homeschooling High School." You can find more of her freebies here:http://www.TheHomeScholar.com

Get more homeschool high school help on The HomeScholar Facebook Fan Page.

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• 10 Surefire Ways to Get Your Children to Love Reading
• 9 Tips for Young Mothers from an Older Woman
• Making Do Without Heat... Temporarily