Saturday, August 10, 2024

Thrifty Things Lately ~ August 10, 2024

 

  Hello dear reader! I've been thinking about whether I want to keep titling these updates as Thrifty Things Lately posts or whether I want to go back to calling them A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage. Do you have an opinion? Watch to see what I decide. I want to share each week, but sometimes, the week just gets away from me—especially now that school is about to begin again.

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♥♥♥
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“Beware of little expenses; 
a small leak will sink a great ship.” 
Benjamin Franklin

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♥♥♥
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  • I'll get paid in September a big $20 for completing my online teacher training. ~grin~ That saved the school system $80 per sub on training costs! 
  • I downloaded an audiobook from Everand to listen to while driving. It's Good Wives by Louisa May Alcott. It's the second part of Little Women. $11.99 for as many books as I care to listen to.
  • I saved money by staying home a lot.
  • We're still eating the real eggs that my friend, Sherry, gave us. 
  • I met friends at McDonalds to knit and drink those fifty-four cent senior drinks!
  • I made banana bread with almost gone bananas. It was a delicous save for the bananas that I forgot. We shared a loaf with a neighbor. He gave me the walnuts to begin with. ~smile~

  • We picked up just a few things we needed and skipped the big shopping trip this week.
  • No vacations for us. Instead, we've been taking drives in the country. We're looking for gravel roads and trying to escape Google Maps surveillance! We headed into NW Arkansas this time. We had a nice dinner at a little Mexican restaurant in Rogers called Las Palmas. 5 stars!
  • I made apple crisp from the last couple of apples that were looking unappetizing. I used up some extra topping from the last crisp I made. 
  • Friends gave us green beans. I used ham pieces and ends, an onion, and a pound of new potatoes to make a very chunky soup. 
  • I reorganized the little hall closet shelves that I use for knitting and crocheting supplies. Isn't amazing how nice it feels when you can find things. If I could just keep it nice!
  • Okra from a friend became fried okra. We ate this with two of the thick pork chops from last week's purchase. The whole meal cost less than $5 for the two of us. 


  • Last week, we deboned a $5 rotisserie chicken and froze the meat. This week, we ate sandwiches and quesadillas for three days from that one chicken.
  • The quesadillas were made from leftover chicken, leftover cheese, spices, and a package of tortillas that I bought for less than $2. 
  • I may have mentioned before that I bought a high chair for $10 on FB Marketplace. It was structurally good, but it was very dirty and stained even after the lady cleaned it. I took it home and scrubbed it with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser with Dawn. It took a bit of elbow grease, but it came out great! $6 for the erasers was a lot, but I saved a whole lot more. 
  • When I was done with the high chair, I used the same eraser, with some added soap, to scrub the bathtub. It removed stains that have been there for years! I've tried lots of products. This is the one that works! I've been doing a bit of scrubbing each time I shower. 
  • I'm knitting with blessing yarn.
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♥♥♥
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You know, I didn't do a lot this week. I was busy with other things, but you know what? Every bit counts. Some weeks I'm doing very frugal things. Some weeks I'm good if I don't spend money! This doesn't have the look the same for you as it does for me, and it doesn't have to look the same every week. Just...

Do what you can
with what you've got
where you are.

President Teddy Roosevelt

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♥♥♥
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Be strong and courageous, do not give in to fear.
 This is the time to get in God's word and pray. 

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♥♥♥
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So tell me now, what are you doing in your home?


♥♥♥♥♥


 


Wednesday, August 7, 2024

Ant Troubles


 Five ants rented an apartment.  

Five more ants moved in. 

Now they are ten ants.




Saturday, August 3, 2024

Thrifty Things Lately ~ August 3, 2024

 


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

I love knitting gifts.


Here's my thrifty week:

  • We did our shopping at Sam's and bought thick pork loin chops, strawberries and blueberries on sale. We didn't buy all the flashy things that caught our eyes!
  • We ate a hotdog and got a lemonade at the snack bar for $1.50 each for lunch. That's $3 plus tax for lunch for two people!
  • Upon getting home, the six pork chops were divided into 3 freezer bags. 
  • I'm knit a pair of baby booties for a friend's baby shower using some yarn that I had left over from a sock project.
  • I found a wooden baby toy at the thrift store for a dollar. Grandbaby B came over to play, and he loved it! In fact, he loved it so much, it went home with him. I will figure out how to keep some toys at Grammy's house!
  • I've been reworking a pair of socks that I knit last summer. I knit them cuff down. I normally knit toe up. Well, I miscalculated how long to knit the foot on one sock. It was at least an inch longer than the other sock and way too long for my foot! A few weeks ago I pulled out the extra stitches, and this week I'm re-knitting it to the correct length. I'm on the toe now. 
  • I manicured my nails again using products that I bought last winter. Nothing out of pocket.
  • I made strawberry jam with the strawberries that we got on sale. I had jars, lids, rings, pectin, and sugar on hand. It made 9 half pints. We've been enjoying one jar. It didn't seal properly. Too bad, nah, it's yummy! 
  • My friend gave us eggs from her chickens.
  • We went out for lunch and saved half for supper.
  • I take my insulated water cup with me everywhere.
  • I met friends at McDonald's instead of the coffee shop. That saved me a lot of money on a drink! Senior drinks at McD's start at age 55.
  • My husband made fabulous pork chops with mushrooms using sale items.
Well, that's all that I can think of for now. Have a great week, and please share what you've been up to!

Laura










Friday, August 2, 2024

My Summer Reading List August Update



Hello everyone!

My summer reading list is late! Dare I say that I have been using my spare moments to read rather than write? You caught me! Here are some of the books I plan to read over the next couple of months. As usual, I'll probably add more as they catch my eye. Please see my Goodreads account. I keep it updated regularly. Note also that many of the books that I "read" are now audiobooks. I listen while I work, sew, or knit. That's how I can enjoy so many books.

Here are the books that I'm currently reading and listening to on Everand:

This is a fun, clean, time travel story with a touch of romance and characters growing in their faith. I actually finished it yesterday.


I finished it, but I think I need to read it again. We bought the book after I listened. 


This is a World War II novel set in Great Britain. Emmy Lake is a writer for a women's magazine. It's clean.
Just finished. 

  • Them: Why We Hate Each Other by Ben Sasse. I'm listening. I think this would be enlightening for both conservatives and liberals.  I just finished.  5 stars

Here are the Bible.com plans that I'm currently reading:

  • The 40 Day New Testament Challenge ~ listening
  • Wondered by the Word ~ The Bible in a Year (Chronological) ~listening
I know that this may seem like a lot of plans at once. That's why I listen a lot. "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." (Romans 10:17)  Since I started listening to the Bible as part of YouVersion's plans back in 2012, I've been saturating myself with the word. It has changed my life in so many ways. Thank you to my friend Deb who challenged me! Do You Find Reading the Bible to Be a Challenge? 

Here are the paper books I'm currently reading: 

I'm truly enjoying this book by my friend Karen Andreola.  She was the writer who introduced me to Charlotte Mason and her whole books, hands on, narration and nature based teaching style. 
I'm still reading but nearing the end.

I found this at a library sale this week. I read a short chapter each day. I do love short chapters. They're easy for snatch reading.
Finished 


These are the books I've just received through interlibrary loan:
  • Crochet Cute Forest Friends by Sarah Zimmerman I browsed this and returned it.
  • The Cabin Faced West by Jean Fritz I read and enjoyed this.

Finally, here are a few books that just might get added as I finish a few of the books above:
  • The Poison Pen by Paige Shelton I enjoyed this book and the whole series. 
  • Toast & Jam by Sarah Owens I browsed this and returned it. The recipes are too gourmet for me.
  • The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman  I requested this on interlibrary loan. I read the first two or three pages and decided it wasn't for me. Gargoyles and hellhounds and necromancers, oh my! That's not what I thought I was getting into!
  • Blood and Bone by Don Hoesel I finished this and really liked it. It was exciting.
  • The 12 Week Year for Writers by A Trevor Thrall, Brian P. Moran, and Michael Lennington 

Can you tell that I love reading and listening? If this all seems a bit overwheming to you, know that it does to me, also, when I write it all out! Remember dear reader, as an adult, reading often means snatching up small moments here and there. Listening in the car or while doing housework, knitting, or sewing are other good times. My favorite, of course, is listening while knitting or sewing. Use your minutes!

Blessings from Harvest Lane Cottage!
Laura 

Goodreads:  Laura Lane 
2024 I have finished 76 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!



Friday, July 26, 2024

Thrifty Things Lately ~ July 26, 2024

 



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


Here's my thrifty week:

  • My Lowell has caught the thrifty bug! After pricing tomato stakes and cages at the farm store, he came home and used things he found about the house and shed: 3 hotdog poles, a pitchfork he wasn't using, an old hoe with a loose head, and some rebar! Total expenditure zero! Make it do!


  • We bought strawberries, peaches, and apples on sale.

    • I manicured my nails using polishes I've had quite awhile. The OPI nail strengthener and polishes go on smoothly. The Sally Hansen gel top coat gives a shiny smooth surface.
  • I'm learning about sourdough.

  • I'm knitting baby socks for a shower using leftover yarn.

Well, that's all for now!
What have YOU done to be thrifty this week? 

Enjoy July!
It's racing by!

Laura 

Monday, July 22, 2024

A Little Randomness ~ 1996

This week's year is 1996! Here are some memories that I have of that year in list form.

Image by Harisankar Sahoo from Pixabay

  • Our son turned 5. At the time, we didn't have any other children, but he was praying for a sister.
  • We made the decision to homeschool kindergarten. After lots of research, I chose to read lots of books together, and I took a lots of hands on and experiential learning approach that year.
  • My husband was working for a company that had sent him to Branson, Missouri to work for four months. He lived in a condo there. 
  • We bought Silver Dollar City passes. Matthew and I would often visit, and we would go to the park.
  • My mother found out that her breast cancer had returned as bone cancer. This rocked my world like nothing before ever had. This began two heart wrenching years. The good is that both she and my step-dad got saved. He is still loving and serving Jesus. He was able to help me through my fight with breast cancer that I began in 2017. 
  • Beanie Babies were one of the hottest toys for Christmas as was Nintendo 64. We bought Matthew a Beanie Baby. We never did buy video games for the kids.
  • We bought our first computer and learned about dial up internet. I used to "Ask Jeeves" as I was learning to search.
  • The first Twister film was one of the top films of the year. We watched it. Living in tornado alley, it was scary!
It was an exciting time to be alive, full of hope, some fear, and lots of prayer. I miss those days of having our little family of three and teaching my little boy and learning a whole lot in the process!

God is good through the good times and the hard times.
Blessed be the name of the LORD JESUS!

What do YOU remember about 1996?
I can't wait to read your responses.

Laura


Sunday, July 21, 2024

Thrifty Things Lately ~ July 21, 2024



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

Here's my thrifty week:

  • I baked half a batch of chocolate chip cookies last week and half a batch this week. My husband was surprised with warm, fresh cookies twice. It stretched the ingredients. I've made these same cookies for over forty years. Stop it! Stop right now! I know you're calculating my age! Let's just say I'm Grammy to a wonderful little eleven month old grandbaby boy whom I love with all my heart. No cookies for him until Mommy says it's okay.
  • I mended two towels. I cut off the frayed edges and zigzagged around them with thread that was leftover from some given to me long ago. It was still on a wooden spool.  Although I bought like new towels at a garage sale a few months ago (luxury), I keep and mend the old ones, too. You never know when you're going to need them for something messy.
  • When we needed a quick take home lunch, my husband brought home Chinese, and we shared a meal. It was $8 for the two of us to eat. Pretty cheap for a good meal. I cannot make Chinese for that amount.
  • I'm listening to books on Everand. I pay a monthly fee of $11.99 for as many books as I want to listen to or read. It's my only subscription.
  • I borrowed books from the library this week.
  • I'm knitting a gift with leftover yarn that a friend gave me several months ago. I actually finished Friday morning!
  • I gave a friend some hand crocheted dishcloths for her birthday.
  • Fifty-four cents for a senior unsweet iced tea at McDonald's. They start at 55. Stop it! You're calculating my age, aren't you? LOL 
  • I bought a like new Polo brand oxford shirt for my husband at Goodwill. I looked it over well, and it was perfect... except that the size was mismarked! $5.99 for a shirt that was too small. I felt stupid for not realizing it was wrong. My daughter corrected my stinkin' thinkin'. It was a mistake. I'll either find someone to pass it on to or give it to another thrift store which I prefer.
  • I'm using shaving cream bought at a yard sale for a dollar. It hadn't been used.



It's been a good week. Next week will be a great week!
Be blessed and be thrifty!
Laura
Happy at Home
   

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