Hi,
I wrote out a nice long entry this morning; and then, the computer did something weird and erased everything I wrote! So, rather than write it all out again, I’ll invite you to visit two blogs that I just added to my sidebar.
Gayla’s Prairie Flower Cottage
They’re two more ladies who live between Oz and the Ozarks who are down home, home loving and home schooling ladies who love the Lord.
Welcome to the list girls!
Laura
Abundantly Blessed
I’m taking a break from cleaning for a few minutes. Outside my window the squirrels are playing tag around one of the big oak trees. The oak tree in my backyard is so tall, I still have to look up into the branches from my second floor office window.
While cleaning, my little kiddles were talking about their birthdays which led to talk of Farm Girl Days which lead to talk of Fall which led to Christmas! Now I’m listening to A Partridge in a Pear Tree. I wonder if I’ll ever memorize the order of the maids a milking, lords a leaping, and nine ladies dancing?
I’m also eating a decadent snack, a fudge brownie with fudge frosting with a very virtuous glass of iced water. I’ll be back to the kitchen in just a bit. I have a lot of vegetables from the garden, ours and friends’ that are crying to be put up somehow. I think I’ll try some zucchini bread as I have lots of squash. I have lots of cucumbers and tomatoes and green peppers as well. I also want to sort yet more things for what I hope will be my last yard sale this year. I have a dear friend Sherry who is having her Last Rummage Sale. She’s moved to the country and is having it at the town house before it’s all final.
Please notice my new recipe listing in the sidebar to see a little of what happens in my kitchen.
Laura
Abundantly Blessed
My husband launched his new Saladmaster blog this week. He shared two of our favorite recipes- a delicious salad using cabbage instead of lettuce as the base and homemade coleslaw dressing.
Saladmaster is cookware (translated pots and pans etc) that you can use to cook without oil, shortening, or water. It helps keep the nutrition in your cooking. We’ve used it for over 18 years now. I think it’s one of the reasons our kids like vegetables! Anyhow, if you’re interested, you can check out his blog, SM Cooks. Do check out the salad. It’s one of our favorites. We’ve just started using the lemon and granny smith apple. It’s delicious without them as well. If you try the dressing, take note that I have only used sugar not Splenda. I’m not really sure how you would do it with stevia.
If you’re interested in Saladmaster Cookware, he can tell you all about it or even cook dinner and demonstrate how it works for you if you’re in the area.
Laura
Abundantly Blessed
I spent yesterday morning at the nearby community college with my oldest son. He’s all enrolled. They’re only waiting for the high school to send his transcript so that they can finish up his financial aid. If all goes well, it’ll all be done this week. He spent the afternoon at orientation for his new job yesterday. He’ll start that Wednesday. Life is going to get very busy very quickly for Matthew.
Just Saturday:
1. $5 Bag Sale at the Thrift Store. I’m really good at packing a bag! I spent about an hour and a half with my little kiddles searching for clothes for the family. We filled the brown paper grocery bag full! When I went to pay, the lady said, “It’s taken care of. It was the Lord.” After I realized what she was saying, I just felt overtaken by God’s grace and provision! Wow God!
2. We got the notebooks, pens, and pencils we need for the year at Walgreens for less than $5! Wow God!
3. Lowell went to Redeemed, a used bookstore that sells homeschool books and traded a couple of boxes of books that someone had given to us for the three readers that I need for Amy. He came home with $163 that I can use for other school things we need and the fees for Matthew’s enrollment at the community college! Super-Wow God!
4. Matthew got a job! Wow God!
5. When Lowell unpacked the bag, we counted 23 items including three nice dress shirts for him and something for every family member including Grandma! Wow God!
6. A free movie from Redbox for hubby and I to enjoy after the kids were in bed last night! We watched Inkheart. It was a good action movie. It was also funny in places. It’s rated PG. I do not recommend it for children, however. Too scary in places and a swear word in an early scene that was inappropriate in a PG movie were enough to keep us from allowing our children to view it. Teens and above would be fine, however.
Wow God!
And I thought it was just going to be another rainy Saturday!
Thank You God for your abundant provision just when we needed it and when I needed encouragement!
Laura
I’ve been trying to Use it Up, Wear it Out, Make it Do, or Do Without for several years now. Here are some of the things I’ve done.
Ways to USE IT UP:
1. Toothpaste- Take the end of your toothbrush and slide it along the toothpaste tube, pushing all the toothpaste up toward the opening to get out all the last bits. If you’re at the end and want the very last bit, open the end with scissors and just put your toothbrush inside. You’ll get a few more brushings out of the tube.
2. Lotions- If you have body lotion or baby lotion setting around unused, you can use it for shaving lotion. I just put some in my hand, add a bit of water from the faucet and spread it on my skin. The razor slides smoothly. The same is true for unused hair conditioner.
3. Lipstick- Use a lip brush or cotton swab to get the last bits out of the container.
4. Unmatched dishes-either your own or garage sale finds. Use these to give food gifts to neighbors or friends. We have had single neighbors who really appreciate a single serving of soup or whatever meal we’re having. Using the mismatched items takes the worry away about getting your dishes back. When they’re returned, it’s just an added blessing.
5. Oftentimes, I have leftovers that I like to try to remake into something else. Soup is especially good for this. Leftover meat and gravy makes a great soup base.
6. If you have leftover bottles of cleaning supplies, use them!
Ways to WEAR IT OUT:
11. I tear up old towels to use as rags.
12. Wear those old tennis shoes in the creek or to mow the lawn.
13. Wear old clothes around the house; save your nicer things for going out.
14. Wear used clothes from yard sales, thrift stores, or resale stores.
19. I have brushed my teeth with baking soda sprinkled on my wet brush. I have also poured a tiny bit of peroxide over my toothbrush. I’ve not tried combining them yet.
20. I’ve used my lipstick as blush. Dot it on; then blend, blend, blend.
21. Cut up old clothes or sheets into your preferred napkin size. Zigzag stitch or hem the edges. Fold them and leave them in a basket on the table or counter. It works for baby receiving blankets, too.
22. When I make jelly, I use an old pillowcase that is clean and lint free instead of a jelly bag to hang my fruit mixture in to strain.
24. The most romantic dinners that my husband and I have had since we were married were those at home. I’d feed the kids and put them to bed early. Then, I’d either prepare something for us; or, we’d eat take out. Sometimes, we’d eat at the kitchen table or dining table, or even at a little table in our bedroom. When we lived in a second floor apartment, I’d put a tiny round table and two chairs on the balcony. Each time I’d use a nice tablecloth, candles, china or nice dishes, nice glasses or stemware. Add soft music; and, you have a wonderful setting. Give it a try!
29. Don’t go shopping for entertainment. Stay away from the mall and on-line shopping. It’s a whole lot easier to do without the latest greatest if you don’t go shopping for fun.
30. Stay home. Gas is a luxury these days; so limit trips.
35. Rethink why you eat. Really, it’s just to fill your tummy and to give you nutrition. Rice and beans can do that just as well as meat and potatoes.
The I Will Never Be the Same Again Post below was one that I reposted from last year. It was a reminder to me and anyone else going through times like this.
Blessings,
Laura
“Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will be delightful, old age will bring few regrets, and life become a beautiful success, in spite of poverty.”
~Louisa May Alcott
Marmee’s Advice in Little Women
I’m in Awe! 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….
Trusting God for Our Needs in Hard Times
“I have never thought it necessary to save for the future or look out for myself or my family except that we trust God. So, when we see someone in need, an old woman, a sick person, or a helpless infant– I freely give whatever I have at the time. I know that later, when I am in need, God will provide for me. I don’t need to look out for myself in any way other than to trust in Him.”
~George Mueller
1805-1898
Oh for that kind of faith…
a faith that is willing to give it all away for Jesus’ sake knowing that He will provide all of our needs according to His riches in glory,
a faith that trusts Him explicitly without fretting or worrying,
a faith that does not doubt His love or His provision or His timing,
a faith that is strong even when we don’t see answers to our prayers.
Faith is hoping and believing and trusting all wrapped up together. It is a gift from God. The Word says that”…faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17 This tells me that I need to not only read scripture, but read it aloud and listen to it being read aloud. I want to hear from God from His Word.
I want that Faith that is a gift from God.
How about you?
God bless!
Laura
