Giving Thanks

 

His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

A Psalm for Giving thanks. 

1 Make a joyful noise to the LoRD, all the earth!

2 Serve the Lord with gladness!

Come into his presence with singing!

3  Know that the Lord, he is God!

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4  Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

and his courts with praise!

Give thanks to him; bless his name!

5  For the Lord is good;

his steadfast love endures forever,

and his faithfulness to all generations.

I cannot improve on scripture.

Happy Thanksgiving week,

Laura

We Love Pecan Pie at Harvest Lane Cottage

 I remember as a child that I wanted to try making pecan pie. My mom always said that they were too hard to make. Perhaps they were in the olden days. Using this recipe, I think it's as easy as pie.

NOTE: This fills one standard size pie plate. For a deep dish pie, double the ingredients.

PECAN PIE

1/2 c butter, melted

1 c sugar

1 c light corn syrup

4 large eggs, beaten

1 t vanilla extract

1/4 t salt

pastry for 9" pie

1 1/3 c pecan halves or 1 1/4 c coarsely chopped pecans

Directions:  

* Combine butter, sugar, and corn syrup; cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves. (If you substitute salt for the sugar, it won't dissolve.) Cool slightly.

*Add eggs, vanilla, and salt by tempering method. Put a little of the syrup into eggs as you beat them with a fork to warm the eggs. Then add the egg mixture to the syrup stirring quickly to combine well.

*Pour filling into unbaked pastry shell. Top with pecans.

*Bake at 325 for 55 minutes or until set.

Number of Servings: 6-8

I like to use chopped pecans; my husband prefers halves. I've also used walnuts which are also delicious. I imagine you could use any kind of nuts you prefer.

My husband, Lowell's, pie crust video:

Let me know if you try it! 

Tag me on Instagram #harvestlanecottage or @harvestlanecottage.

God bless us every one.

Happy Christmas time.

Laura

NOTE: If you cannot view the pie crust video above, here's the YouTube link.

Shared at: Inspire Me Tuesday

Hope You Have a Lovely Thanksgiving Weekend!

 

The turkey has been eaten,

the sweet potatoes consumed,

the potatoes, gravy and mac & cheese enjoyed,

and the napping is in session.

Pie and putting up the tree to follow tonight.

My thoughts,

while I clean up a bit,

are turning to Christmas.

Sunday is the first.

I'll be back writing about all things 

Kringling and Christmas

for the month of December.

I love my Jesus and my family.

My thoughts and my actions are devoted to both;

but, this time of year, I'm Kringling, too.

Come back Sunday to hear about Kringling.

Be blessed!

Laura 

You might enjoy:

Regarding Santa Claus

Strategize NOW for a Stress LESS Thanksgiving

 

Happy Thanksgiving Week!  Yes, it's really here!

Some of you us may be getting a little stressed at this point. Thanksgiving is but a couple of days away. Mmmm... I'm dreaming of sweet potato casserole with lots of pecans! Oh, pinch me and wake me up! Back to planning.

• First, take a deep breath. Now, go take your turkey out of the freezer. Put it in the refrigerator to thaw slowly and safely.  Are you still reading? Stop it! Go get that turkey in the fridge and meet me back here in five minutes. ~smile~ 

• Get yourself a delicious drink, light a candle, and put on some relaxing music.  Pandora has some great Christmas music.  I like the Jim Brickman and Bing Crosby Christmas stations. Spotify has some great music, too. They let you build your own play list. 

• 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. 

• Plan your meals for each day from now until the end of the holiday 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. Example

• 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.

• Make a cooking timeline. I had to follow a timeline when my children were little, and I did most of the cooking. Now that the kids and my hubby help me cook, it's not as critical as it once was, but I still have to know what to cook when!

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!

I know it's coming fast, but pray, breathe, and believe that you can get it all done peacefully. Remember—perfect is only in magazines and books. 

This is your real life. 

Live it well by enjoying the journey.

Happy Thanksgiving preparations,

Laura

Who will be following her own advice!

Contentment, Thankfulness, Happily Ever After

Contentment...
It's definitely an out of style commodity these days.
You cannot find it in the stores on Black Friday.
It's not available online on Cyber Monday.

It is only available in one place—from one person.
Within yourself—from God.
It's available here and now.
It begins with being thankful.

Live today as though now is your happily ever after.
It is.

Happy Thanksgiving
from Harvest Lane Cottage,

Laura
Thankful to be alive
for my sixth Thanksgiving
since CHRIST conquered cancer in my body

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

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

GETTING READY FOR THANKSGIVING

My hubby and I went shopping for a few things today that we needed. We picked up the biggest turkey we've ever bought. We want leftovers, and our sons are big guys well over six foot! We also picked up our sweet potatoes. I'll bake them Tuesday or Wednesday morning and then mash them for sweet potato casserole. I think the whole family would scream mutiny if I forgot that casserole! While we were at the store, we picked up a few things that I just know we will need.  I'm at the same point you are, I need to finalize the menu (nearly always the same), get out my recipes, and make a final shopping list. Then I'll make my cooking schedule. This year the kids and hubby will do most of the cooking.
Blessings,
Laura

A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #89

Welcome to another thrifty week at Harvest Lane Cottage. I am glad you've found me! Each week I share my thrifty and frugal projects, ways of saving money, and my blessings from God. 

I am so glad you dropped in for a visit today—or tonight!

♥♥♥

Hey Girls!

  I'm smack dab in the middle of the busiest week of the year. I'll bet you are, too. It seems nearly everyone who plans Christmas events thinks the first week of December is the best time. So guess what the rest of us do? Yep, scurry from activity to activity. We've been busy with Bible studies, dance practice, Walk Through Bethlehem, and we still have our Tree Decorating Party, a progressive dinner, the town Christmas parade, Michael's Police Explorers' meeting, church, another dance practice, and our church's Christmas production all in the first ten days of the month—not to mention a visit from Grandpa Rick to replace a ceiling fan! Whew! Some of that isn't even on my bucket list!

  Well happy Christmas season! I hope you find time to put your feet up and sip some eggnog or cocoa and visit with your family, read a good book, or simply dream in the glow of the Christmas tree lights. God bless us every one!

Laura

Dreaming of a White Christmas  

~~~~~~

♥♥♥

~~~~~~

Here's my thrifty week:

• I invested in about six cubic feet of real estate. This sparked an interesting conversation with my youngest about cubits. She thought I was saying cubit feet. A cubit is the average length of a man's arm from elbow to fingertips if I remember right. That's what happens when you raise your kids on the Bible. ~smile~

• I ordered a gift card from Swagbucks for 2200 bucks instead of the normal 2500 bucks. The first $25 card you order each month is reduced in price. 

• I earned enough Swagbucks to get the next $25 gift card, but I'll order it in December to get it for 2200 SB. If you're interested, click to learn and earn more. (Yep, it's a link that will help me earn more SB too. It doesn't cost you a penny.)

• I earned more Swagbucks that I'm saving up to buy some nifty gift cards for my girls. Click to learn and earn more. (Yep, it's a link that will help me earn more SB too. It doesn't cost you a penny.)

• We attended the Journey to Bethlehem. An evening of positive, encouraging, uplifting entertainment for free.

• We came home and ate spaghetti noodles with butter instead of going out to eat after the Journey.

• We rented Christmas movies on Sunday afternoon for $.75 each.

• I bought two packages of tissue paper (35 sheets each) at the dollar store to be used with the gift bags we saved from last year.
• While cleaning out our filing cabinet (the source of some of the real estate), I found the packing tape and Scotch tape that I bought a couple months. I use two of the drawers for school books and extra supplies.

Money is tight this year. It often is. That's okay. I know God will show me how to make it stretch. He always does.

Well, that's my thrifty week. 
~~~~~

What are you doing in your home this week?

~~~~~

A peek into my life...
I've been listening to this amazing,
worshipful, Christmas CD by Chris Tomlin.

ADORE

♥

ღLauraღ

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

where I am on a short shoestring budget!

~~~~~

You might enjoy reading...

~~~~~

A Homemade Handmade Heartmade Christmas

~~~~~

A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #88

Welcome to another thrifty week at Harvest Lane Cottage. I am glad you've found me! Each week I share my thrifty and frugal projects, ways of saving money, and my blessings from God. 

I am so glad you dropped in for a visit today—or tonight!

♥♥♥

Hey Y'all! 

  Thanksgiving is a sweet memory now. It was a beautiful day here in Missouri with my husband and my children. We've lost many of our leaves, but we have one brilliant gold tree just outside the window. In fact, you can see it from both our dining and living room windows. It's just glorious and makes me thankful. I love Autumn colors, and I think God had that tree planted just for me. He does that kind of thing for his girls... you do know that right?

  Remember the last line of last week's thrifty post? "I can't wait to see what God's got in store!" Well it was over the top amazing!

   .

~~~~~

♥♥♥

~~~~~~

Here's my thrifty week:

~ I invested in another cubic foot of real estate. We took a box to the DAV. It's next door to the Red Racks thrift store where I bought my coat last week.

~ I earned more Swagbucks that I'm saving up to buy some nifty gift cards for my girls. I need only a few more to able to get both cards I want. Gotta keep Mrs. Kringle's secrets, you know? You can still sign up and earn gift cards from places like Starbucks, Amazon, PayPal, Bath and Body, Bass Pro, Olive Garden, Kohls, and Home Depot. There are lots of choices in various denominations. Maybe you'll find something for you. ~smile~ 

I once got a Starbucks card just for me. I used it for hot tea, and it lasted me a long time. It was so nice to know I could spoil myself just a bit without blowing the budget. Please check it out using by clicking to learn and earn more. (Yep, it's a link that will help me earn more SB too. It doesn't cost you a penny.)

~ A friend's husband brought a box of food for our Thanksgiving dinner plus a little extra. Wow! I didn't even have my turkey yet. What a big blessing! Thank you friends!

~ A friend arranged for a new-to-us refrigerator to be delivered on Monday! Wow! Praise God! We'd been limping along for several months with one that wasn't keeping things as cold as they needed to be. In fact, in the summer, we kept anything that had to be cold in the freezer—and it didn't freeze! There are not words for how much I appreciate this. Thank you Jesus! Thank you my friend!

~ Are you sitting down? You know how I have to drive my daughter to school in the next town? Some friends at church gave us a car! Emily will be able to look for a job now that she has transportation. Praise to God the Father and Jesus His Son!

I had no idea what a week it was going to be. God is full of surprises! And all I was thinking about was how to get a turkey in time to thaw it for Thanksgiving. God is definitely all about the BIG picture. I'm so glad He enjoys doing exceedingly abundantly above all we can think or ask. Sometimes He makes me feel like one of His spoiled kids. ~smile~

I was especially encouraged by all this, because I find that my Christmas budget is going to be very small this year. I am going to rely on creativity, the money in my PayPal accounts that I've made from selling thing on Etsy and Ebay, and the check I made for working as a poll judge a couple weeks ago. I know God will show me how to make it stretch. He always does.

If you're interested, I'll be adding more to my Etsy and Ebay shops this week.

Well, that's my thrifty week. 
~~~~~

What are you doing in your home this week?

~~~~~

A peek into my life...

♥

ღLauraღ

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

where I am on a short shoestring budget!


Swagbucks link has now been corrected, but you can click here if it didn't work for you. Thank you for your kindness.

~~~~~

You might enjoy reading...

~~~~~

Christmas 2016— Is This Your Year to Stop?

~~~~~

Homemaking Party
Christian Blogger Link Up
No Rules Weekend Blog Party 
Art of Homemaking
Modest Mondays
 Peaches and Salt 

Thanksgiving and Praise

There is always, always, always 

something to be thankful for.

Start your list today.

Keep it all month. 

I think you'll be surprised just how long it gets.

Happy Thanks Living!

Every Praise is to Our God!

ஐღLauraღஐ 

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

where I am on a short shoestring budget!

~~~~~

Peaches and Salt Share Your Cup
Fabulous Thanksgiving Homemaking Party

Quite a Busy Weekend

Well, ladies, it's been quite a busy weekend, hasn't it? What did you do? Visit with family? Have company at your house? Brave the Black Friday sales? I spent it at the restaurant working with my husband. Long hours on my feet left me feeling really tired and sore. The only shopping I did was late at night on-line.

Tomorrow, the kids will return from Granny and Grandpa's house. I can't wait to see them. It sounds like they have had fun this weekend.  Tomorrow will be a day of rest. Just a bit of picking up to do first. It will be good.

What do you plan to do this week?

Blessings,
Laura of Harvest Lane

Thanksgiving 2015

Take a deep breath. 

Be mindful of God. 

Whisper prayers of thanks.

It's going to be alright.

You're going to be alright.

God loves you with an eternal, personal love.

Remember the scripture you chose to focus on.

If you need one, you'll find one in Philippians.

Be kind.

Be thankful.

Enjoy the moment.

The Best Way to Have a Happy Thanksgiving

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








Homemaker Party   

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

~~~~~