Monday, June 30, 2014

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

Sunday, June 29, 2014

I'm Calling a Hundred!

Free Wallpaper from GooseberryPatch.com

If things begin to look messy around here, the family hears me call out, "I'm calling a hundred!" Then everyone must hurry and scurry and put away items calling out, "One!  Two! Three!"  We count to a hundred together and it makes a big difference.   It reminds me of Mrs. White's "very quick bursts of cleaning."

Hope you enjoy your day,
Blessings,
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

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May I suggest?
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No Rules January Tidy Up

Monday, June 23, 2014

From Playing with Dolls to Writing a Blog

It seems such a short time ago that my Emily was playing with dolls.
Now she's sweet sixteen and writes her own blog, 
Her Pretty Thrifty posts encourage ladies in their efforts to look lovely and fashionable on a tight budget.

Monday, June 16, 2014

A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #25

Whew!  What a busy week it's been.  What have I been doing?  Ummm... gee... uh... being a mom and a wife and helping at the restaurant and getting up in the night with a new baby!  Thrift has not been in the uppermost part of my mind this week, but I've actually made a purchase that saved more money than I've saved in the last several weeks.

I've been looking for a Dachshund for a very long time.  I want my younger children to have the puppy experience. There aren't any breeders in my area.  In looking on-line, I have found that they cost $700 and up!  The baby I've been waiting and wishing for was a major budget buster!  Not only do I not have money like that to spend on a puppy, it doesn't fit with the thrifty woman I have become. ~smile~

You may know that I've been rereading The Circle Maker.  It's about praying bold prayers.  So, I named my puppy and started praying.

According to Psalm 37:4, "Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart." We must remember that God likes to do things properly and in good order.  The "Delight yourself in the LORD" comes first.  Prayer, praise, worship, just being aware of His presence are all ways of delighting in the Lord. Being thankful to Him and recognizing His hand at work and the beauty of His creation are also ways to delight in the LORD.

Looky who God brought to me!  My own little pound puppy.  ~smile~  The mother is a full blooded Dachshund.  I met her, and she's sweet.  The father? Well, let's just say Mama's name might have been Rahab.  Oh!  Did I say that aloud?

Meet Lucy!  She's eight weeks old.  She's added a whole new dimension to our family's life.

Crazy timing?  Maybe. But, like Hannah, I can say, "For this child (puppy) I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him."  The LORD has known my heart to have a Dachshund since my pet died when I was 13.  It's been 36 years now.  The LORD has given me one of the desires of my heart.

One last thing- it bothered me just a tiny bit that she was not full Dachshund at first.  Then, the LORD reminded me that even Jesus had a little Gentile blood in him from Rahab and Ruth.  Oh how sweet God is to us.

Thank you God!
Thank you Jesus!

So, the next thrifty week post should be back to normal.  Hmmm... what exactly will normal look like with a new puppy, a new business, mothering and homemaking?

Blessings,
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

It's a Beautiful Day!

Enjoy this beautiful day, but stay away from this little plant with its three pretty leaves, poison ivy!  Yikes!


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You might enjoy...

Summer Harvest Meal with Summer Zucchini Skillet

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Thursday  Think Tank Thursdays  
 Home and Garden Thursday - I Choose Joy -  All Things Thursday  Share Your Cup Thursday 

Friday, June 6, 2014

A Thrifty Week at Harvest Lane Cottage #24


Isn't this what it's all about?

My husband and I made a decision twenty-three years ago that I would be a stay-at-home mom.  That was pretty radical in the city I lived in.  Four years later we made an even more radical decision.  We decided that I would teach our son at home.  I'm sure my family thought we were nuts.  ~smile~  Well, the proof is in the pudding, and we find that pudding with nuts is delicious!

These are my younger children, Michael, Amy (left), and Emily (right). This is not just a pose.  I see them smiling, hugging, and acting silly together often.

Love God and love others.  Those are the commandments Jesus gave us.  Jesus - the foundation and center of my kids' lives.  Brothers and sisters - best friends for life.  Those are the things that are worth it all to me.

~ I fixed the electric pencil sharpener.  It was jammed with a large piece of "lead" from a pencil.

~ My girlfriend gave me a Kombucha Scoby.  I want to make some tea with it.

~ I ordered Kombucha Revolution from Blogging for Books.  I want to learn more about making Kombucha safely.  Blogging for Books is a great way for bloggers to get review books for free.

~ I found a pair of slacks for my husband at Goodwill.

~ The sewing machine was humming.  I put darts in the back of a skirt for my daughter to make too big just right.

~ I also repaired a tea wallet.

~ I assisted my Amy in evaluating and paring down her wardrobe.  She made a list of things to hunt for at yard sales and thrift stores to supplement her clothing.

It was a good week.  What about you?  What thrifty and frugal things have you done this week?

God bless you with peace and make your salvation sure,
in Jesus' Name, Amen

Blessings,
Laura
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Shared:
Friday
Essential Fridays 
Fridays Unfolded Growing in Grace - Sweet & Simple Fridays I'm Lovin' It Party Feature Friday
Monday:
Modest Mondays - Amaze Me Monday -  Clever Chicks The Art of Homemaking -  The Scoop -  Inspire Me Monday   - A Mama's Story Mix it Up Monday - Mom's the Word - Monday Musings - Busy Mondays
Tuesday:
Take a Look Tuesday  - You're Gonna Love it Tuesday -Titus Tuesdays -  Tuesdays with a Twist Backyard Farming Connection