At the Cottage ~ August 4, 2023

    This post might end up to be somewhat lengthy, as it was a very full week here at the cottage!  Overall it was a good one, except for one trial, which I am happy to report is finally over. 

    A couple weeks ago, John came to me in tears.  "Heidi pulled up all my flowers out of the pot!" he cried.  I looked out the window and, sure enough, one of our dogs had pulled up the flowers that he bought and planted as his own little project using some of the money he had saved.  I quickly went to try and salvage them, seeing that two still had roots.  When I got outside, I saw all the bushes I had just planted strewn all over the yard in bits.

    Truthfully, Heidi had been getting into trouble almost since she got here.  She chased our chickens (even killed a couple) and barked and ran at the livestock when they came near our fence, which is an obvious problem on a ranch.  I hate to confess, as I know this won't sit well with many, but I had been considering rehoming her for some time.  Her friendliness was a redeeming quality, but she was so overwhelmingly full of energy that the boys didn't even want to play in the yard because she would be all over them.  This really didn't seem fair to the boys or to Heidi, both of whom just wanted to play!  When the boys played outside of the yard, riding their bikes and scooters, she barked at them the whole time.  We got her to be a good family guard dog, but she loved strangers and hid from snakes- the complete opposite of what we wanted.  

    I never liked the idea of rehoming a pet, and I kept thinking she'd eventually outgrow some of her habits, as she was still very young.  Throwing in the towel just didn't seem fair to her, even though it increasingly felt like she wasn't a good fit for our family.  "I'll just give her another chance," I kept saying.  I felt as though it was more my fault than hers for not knowing how to train her or funnel her energy, and I really felt sorry for her for that.

    Then this week, "Mom, Heidi pulled up my flowers again!  And Daddy's fern!"  Then a few mornings later, "Mom, Heidi pulled up your lantanas and another pot of flowers!"  By this point I had really had enough.  I decided that for all our sakes, including Heidi's, she needed to go to a home where she would be loved and appreciated, not just tolerated and put up with.  I advertised her, and within about three hours, someone wanted her and arranged to pick her up the next day.  Immediately, I felt a weight lifted, but I still wondered if it was the right thing to do.  I prayed that the deal would fall through if it was God's will for us to keep her.  

    The next morning, Heidi's new owner messaged me to say that he was so excited to get her and that his little boy was going to love her!  He asked if she liked canned food because that's what his older dog likes.  She never got anything like that at our house!  So really I'm just overjoyed that she is with someone who is going to give her the love and attention she needs, and she will have a better, happier life with them than she would have with us.  It was a bittersweet ending to a stressful situation.

    Besides all of that, our week was full of good things.  One day, we took a trip to the next town over to do some shopping and run some errands.  I packed drinks and snacks for the children, as I knew we were going to make a day of it.  Buying those types of foods when you are out and about is getting too expensive!  

    First we went to the grocery store, as all of their school and office supplies were on sale, plus I had a coupon for $5 off of $25 for items in those categories.  I got lots of things we needed for the year and beyond, with a total savings of $8.  I still lack a few things (I was trying to get my total as close to $25 as I could), but those things are on sale at Walmart too, so I will wait until Tax Free Weekend to pick those up.  Of course we bought groceries there, as well.  I saved $11.47 on food by shopping the sales and using coupons.

    Out in the parking lot, there was a pallet of clearance plants.  A closer look revealed that some of them were Texas everbearing fig trees!  I bought two of them.  They looked a little poorly from being in the parking lot in 100+°F, but with a little TLC they perked back up.  See the fresh growth?

    The real excitement came at our next stop.  We needed to go to Tractor Supply to pick up some dog food, and when we got inside, we heard chicks!  The Tractor Supply in our town only gets chicks in the spring and fall, so this was a surprise.  Colton and I had just discussed getting more, as many of ours are getting older and none of our hens went broody this year (which was odd).

    "Can we please get some chicks?" John pleaded.  The answer was an easy "yes".  We decided on six Salmon Faverolle pullets (females).  I had never heard of them before, but when I Googled them and saw that they were a specialty French breed on the "watch" list, I knew I wanted them.  They grow to look so fluffy and beautiful and are supposedly one of the most docile breeds.  Here they are on their way to their new home:

    This particular Tractor Supply also has a garden center, and all of their plants were 50% off!  I felt like a kid in a candy store.  I got another rosemary plant, several bushes, and three peach trees.  We are well on our way to getting a little orchard set up.  All of these plants had been struggling too, but I've nursed them back to health.  Some of the bushes now have blooms.

    Once we got back home and unloaded everything, Colton and I decided to see if our local Tractor Supply was running any sales.  There were no plants, but we found gopher traps and bait in the clearance section (we are still fighting that war), as well as a shirt in Colton's new size and a hummingbird feeder that I will save for next year.  We even found some stain blocking primer in the brand we need for the inside of our garden shed, which is something else we had just talked about.  It was half price.

    Up in the loft, I got some crafting done.  The boys have been wanting some handkerchiefs like Colton's, so I made them some out of James's old crib sheets.   John used these sheets too, so by now they are nice and soft, gentle enough for little noses.  Cut into twelve inch squares, I ended up with eleven of them.  I serged the edges to keep it simple.

    I made some "un-paper" towels in the same way using some flannel I had.  The sticker shock the last time I purchased paper towels was motivation enough for me to make my own.  So far I only have fourteen, but I plan to make more.  I keep them in a basket on the kitchen counter.  

    John watched me as I sewed and got the giggles.  I asked him what was so funny, and he said it looked like the needle on the machine was dancing!  Wouldn't it do us a heap of good if we looked at the world through children's eyes sometimes?

    The new construction sheets I had bought for the boys' beds came in cloth bags made out of the same fabric.  They were awkwardly shaped with huge tags sewn onto the fronts and backs, so I couldn't use them as is, but because we use every part of the buffalo in this household, I took them apart and salvaged what I could.  I got two sets of velcro strips and several construction vehicles cut out.  I can use the construction vehicles as appliques, patches, or in paper crafting.  I played around with some ideas: 

    A plain gift bag embellished with a dump truck and tied with a strip of thrifted curtain "ribbon"...

    ...or a brown Kraft package tied up with twine and a dump truck gift tag for a little boy gift.

    Which is your favorite?  I think I like the tag the best.

    With all of the stress surrounding the Heidi situation this week, I got some deep cleaning done in the bedroom.  Setting things in order and taming the chaos in the form of cleaning is what I tend to do when "I am quite put out", as Lady Catherine would say.  I feel much more calm in tidy spaces and it gives me a productive way to use my energy.  I made up some dusting spray, which is similar to the wood polish I make, but diluted with water.  Most of the recipes for this online were about the same, so I just combined what I had to make my own version.

DIY Dusting Spray

1 cup distilled water
1/4 cup vinegar
2 Tablespoons olive oil
*10 - 15 drops essential oil of choice (orange, lemon, lavender, tea tree, and lemongrass are good choices for scent and cleaning ability)

Combine all the ingredients into a spray bottle and give it a good shake before spraying onto wood surfaces.  Wipe clean with a soft cloth.

*If you don't have essential oils, you can submerge orange or lemon peels in white vinegar and store in a dark place for a couple weeks to make infused, scented vinegar with extra cleaning properties.  Just give the jar a good shake every few days.

    I used 15 drops of orange and 5 drops of cinnamon (yes, I used some extra drops) for a fall-scented spray.  I don't usually jump ahead to seasons before they get here, but this summer's heat and humidity have been so brutal, I needed just a taste of my favorite season!  I used a label from JES at Mistress of the House on Etsy.  My dusting cloth was one of James's old, plain white crib sheets cut into large squares.

    I put on Homemaker's Radio and tackled my nightstand first, which is really a little bookshelf that holds all of my "girly books"- the ones on homemaking, decorating, motherhood, biblical womanhood, and marriage.  My ever-growing collection had gotten out of hand, with books piled on top and stacked sideways in the gaps.  I took everything off the shelves, dusted, and put back my favorites.  The rest will be moved to other bookshelves in the home. 

    Some of my favorites:

    The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace

    The Lifegiving Home by Sally and Sarah Clarkson

    The Nesting Place by Myquillin Smith (I have her set of three and like them all!)

    My collection of Emilie Barnes books

    Cottage style decorating books, mostly vintage, but including my new Hill House Vintage by Paula Sutton.  I used to follow her when I was active on Instagram and it fed my inner cottage-loving, Anglophile heart.

    There are others that I still haven't read, but I am working on that!  I recently enjoyed both of Dana K. White's books: Decluttering at the Speed of Life and How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind.  Her advice was practical and she wrote with such humor (if you can't tell by her titles) that I laughed out loud several times.

    I limited the top of my nightstand to my one current read so I wouldn't feel overwhelmed by that "silent to-do list", as the Minimal Mom calls it.  I've chosen Mother Culture for a Happy Homeschool by Karen Andreola. 

    Have you read any of these books?  What are your recommendations in the homemaking/biblical womanhood genre?

    By the end of my cleaning spree, I had cleaned my books and nightstand, swept underneath it and behind, laundered the curtains, cleaned the inside of the windows, and wiped down the walls and baseboards on either side of the bed.  It smelled wonderful and fresh.  I didn't finish the entire room, but there is always next week.

    How was your week?  As always, I hope you enjoy a lovely weekend.

Notebook Makeovers

    As promised, I'm sharing a closer look at my Shopping Book, as well as some other notebooks I have made over in a similar way.  Be warned: I took lots of pictures!

    I have a weakness for pretty journals and stationery, but they can be so pricey in the stores.  My simple solution is to start with a basic, inexpensive notebook and decorate it myself.  I read about Annabel doing this years ago, and I have done it ever since! 

 

    This is how my notebooks started out:

    The one on the left is just a basic composition notebook.  The one on the right was actually from a promotion that one of the local businesses did for a school.  They had boxes of these left over and were just going to throw them in the trash!!!  Thankfully a friend who works for the business rescued them and I ended up with a free box.  

    Any type or size of notepad, journal, or notebook will do.  In the US, now is the time to buy these types of supplies, as we are in our back-to-school season.  I saw the composition notebooks on sale for .50 each the other day.  I plan to restock a few.

    For the outer cover of my shopping book, I used photos that I liked from a Martha Stewart gardening book that I had picked up from the thrift store for $1.  I always look at books when I go thrifting, not only for reading content, but to see if there are any that are full of lovely pictures that I might be able to use for crafting.  Again, I have to credit Annabel with this!  

    Anything can be used- magazines, calendars, catalogs, maps, and product packaging or labels that are appealing are all suitable.  Anytime I see anything pretty on paper, I will cut it out and save it for a project.  I've ended up with lots of creative material for cheap this way.

    I keep my small cut-outs in plastic sleeves (plastic zippered bags would work too).  For larger images, I just tear the whole page out if I'm not keeping the book or magazine that it's in.  Either way, I find it very relaxing to just look through all of the beautiful pictures.  

       My work station was filled with pretty things through the whole process:

    After I found pages I liked from the Martha Stewart book, I glued them onto the cover of my notebook using Scotch permanent roller dots.  I find this works better than a glue stick for keeping slick pages in place.  I covered the seam along the spine with washi tape.  I had trouble getting that to stick, so I reaffixed it with Mod Podge and that did the trick.  I used stamps and scrap cardstock to make my "Shopping List" label.

    For the inside covers, which were also previously school-themed, I used some coordinating scrapbook paper that I had on hand and embellished it with some washi tape.  I always wait for a good sale or coupon when buying these types of supplies.

    I used stamps and cut-outs to embellish the pages inside.  Stickers would work, too.  I just made sure everything was thin or flat to keep from adding too much bulk to the book.  

    The categories in my Shopping book are: Books, Home, Garden, Homesteading and Preparedness, Homeschool, Beauty (clothes, self-care, etc.), and Miscellaneous.  Colton, John, and James each have a section, as well.  I allotted ten pages for each category and that filled the journal.

    I tried to find images and words that went with each category.  

    For some of the pages, I used cut-outs from an old, thrifted dictionary.

home, n. one's abode or residence; dwelling-place of a man and his family...

beauty, n. an assemblage of graces or properties which command the approbation of the senses...

    In the "Homeschool" section, I used a library book card and part of an old travel atlas.

    Some of the pages have Bible verses written out:

"Home" Section

"Homesteading and Preparedness" Section

    This is the type of project that is a work-in-progress.  As I fill pages, I will decorate more.  The whole process is very leisurely for me.

    In my last post, I also shared the journal I plan to use for my boys.  Due to the sheer exhaustion that comes with having a baby, I failed miserably at writing things in their baby books.  This is my redemptive effort to start recording the special milestones they reach and the little things they say and do.  For the cover, I used a picture from a Norman Rockwell calendar layered over some scrapbook paper.

"Timeless Memories"

    The inside covers are embellished with scrapbook paper and a tag that Annabel sent me as part of a set she made for me when I was pregnant with John.  I used these tags to label baskets in the nursery that held diapers, blankets, burp cloths, nursing supplies, etc.  So they are very special.  The first page has a Bible verse:

Psalm 127:3-4

 

    For the composition books, I decorated the covers but left the insides blank for writing.  The one with lace is where I record the craft projects I want to do and the supplies I need for each one.  The floral one lists my weekly savings and homemaking accomplishments.  I have had both of these for several years and they have held up well.

    I hope this gives you some ideas of how you can turn inexpensive materials into something useful and beautiful.  Any of these would also make great personalized gifts!  Kids could even decorate their own notebooks for school- they would have something unique this way.  The possibilities are endless and once you start, you'll begin seeing potential materials everywhere.  

    Let me know if you decide to make over your own notebook or journal!

Thrifty Thursday #10 ~ Keep a List

    As I wrote last week, being frugal does not mean living a life of deprivation.  From time to time, we are going to see things we want to buy and think of things we'd like to have.  Inevitably, expenses will also come up as we manage our homes and things will need to be purchased.  In order to keep track of these wants and needs, I suggest keeping a list of them.  

   { I was recently inspired to do this by Mrs. White in her post about keeping a "wish book". }

    As it wouldn't be prudent (or possible) to buy everything we want or need all at once, making a list can help us prioritize these things and see where we need to focus our efforts.  Until our budget allows for a purchase, it is fun to dream and plan, and it can serve as extra motivation to save in the meantime. 

    Keeping a list is handy when you are on the hunt for something.  If you like to shop at thrift stores or garage sales, referring to your list can help you stay focused on what you are looking for so that you don't forget anything.  This is also a good reminder to watch for sales on the items you want so that you can avoid paying full price.  In both instances, remember that It Pays to Wait.  A list can help you do that.

    Here is my own little book I made from things I had on hand:

    I have different categories: books, home, garden, preparedness, homeschool, beauty (self-care, clothes), and miscellaneous.  I also made sections for Colton and the boys.  This is so I can write down things they need or little things that they mention they want and use that as a sort of gift guide.  If there is an occasion and I need a gift for them, or if someone else asks, I can refer to my book.

    I did get a little carried away in the decorating process, but fun is part of the point.  I am thinking of writing a crafty post...if you are interested in my process and a more detailed look inside, please let me know in the comments!

Edit: Here is a detailed look inside!

    Before I close, I want to offer a word of caution.  It is so important to be content with what we have, as opposed to longing for the things we don't.  This book isn't meant to inspire any sort of materialism, covetousness, or discontent, but rather as a fun and useful tool to help you reach your savings goals while enjoying some little pleasures along the way.  So please, enjoy this activity but let it serve you and not the other way around.  Remember to lay up your treasure in Heaven.💕

The Month in Review {February 2023}

    

    Our February was uncharacteristically warm this year.  We've all enjoyed the extra time outside and even had some open-window days.  Everything is coming to life after a sleepy winter.  Mountain laurel blooms give off such a strong, beautiful scent... 

    

 

{In the Garden}

    Gophers, gophers everywhere!  I haven't planted anything in the garden yet because I have to somehow get rid of the gophers first.  I had about 20 multiplying onions planted, and the gophers ate all but four.  Of my four big rosebushes, the gophers destroyed three.  I have one more climbing rose that is holding on, but it is nearly dug up daily by the dogs who are trying to get the gophers.  Just look!

    The dogs even bit off one of the main branches in all of their excitement.

    Colton buried some wire around the base of the bush and that has since kept the dogs from digging.  We also found gopher traps on clearance at Tractor Supply.   I have declared war.

{ In the Kitchen}

    I had intended to start my gut healing program this month, but after a lot of consideration, I am going to wait until school is out so that Colton can be home for it.  Delving into the course a little deeper, it looks like parts of it can be pretty intense.  With the allergy issues I've been having, I'd really rather not be alone when I introduce new foods and supplements into my diet, especially as potent as they are supposed to be. 

    I am still working my way through the pantry, using things up that need to be used and making more homemade snacks.  This month I made oatmeal raisin cookies, chocolate covered pretzels, and Rice Krispies treats.  I also made popcorn for snacks a few times.  Stored in a mason jar, popcorn will stay fresh for several days.

    Colton's grandpa celebrated his 92nd birthday this month!  Colton's dad picked him up from the nursing home for a little potluck party at his house.  Colton smoked a brisket and I baked a cake.  I would have taken pictures, but cake decorating is not my strong point- you would not have been impressed!

    I am continuing to save kitchen scraps for the dogs, chickens, and compost pile in an effort to save on feed and fertilizer.  Most scraps are what James leaves on his plate and that goes to the dogs, but vegetable trimmings or bad spots go to the chickens.  The compost pile gets egg shells and coffee grounds, paper filter and all.  I'm also trying to be less wasteful and use up or freeze things before they go bad.

{From my Bookshelf}

    I am trying to get back into the habit of reading.  It is something I really enjoy, but most often I only have snippets of time.  By evening, I can hardly keep my eyes open long enough to read more than a page or two!  So I am starting small and light.  I got out two of my back issues of Victoria magazine.  They are from February 2000 and 2001, but I feel that most of the styles are timeless.  Does it still count if I mostly just look at the pictures?

    I also picked up Mom Heart Moments by Sally Clarkson, which I received as a baby shower gift when I was pregnant with James.  It is in devotional format, each one only about half a page or so, making it perfect for when I am short on time.  I have mentioned my love of Sally Clarkson's writings before.  She is a highly gifted writer, especially in the areas of homemaking and motherhood.  This book will likely be on my nightstand all year as I work my way through it.  John made me the bookmark you see peeking out of the top.

{On my Craft Table}

    Yes, after an entire year, I am finally crafting again!  Working on my creative endeavors is so therapeutic, and I've missed it so much. 

    The first thing I made was a set of masculine cards and gift tags from a magazine my father-in-law passed on to me.  The magazine articles featured hunting in South Texas, so the pictures could not be more perfect.

    Another thing I did was cut out a bunch of lists and papers from unused sections of last year's planner.  I nearly tossed it until I remembered that we use every part of the buffalo in this household!  Now I have papers for notes, grocery lists, to do lists, etc.  Some of the lined paper with the pretty border will be used as letter writing stationery. 

    The last thing I made was a little work apron for John.  He likes to "help" Colton down at the shop, hammering nails, sawing boards, picking up screws, and other little boy things.  I used one of my old skirts and an old pair of Colton's overalls for the whole thing.  It has nice big pockets for all of John's tools.

       See the neck strap?  I just used the button placket from my skirt.  The overall buttons happily fit the holes.  I love when things come together like that!

{Ways I Saved}

    I did more thrifting and Colton is entirely to blame!  Just kidding.  He is just so kind and obliging when we go out of town to take me to all of the thrift stores,  I'm not going to object.  I found some goodies...

    The plaid fabric above is a tablecloth that I will turn into napkins.  I think it looks very fall-ish, so the napkins will become practical, seasonal décor.  Pictured with it is a brass candlestick (I am trying to collect a little grouping of these) and a wooden stamp that I will use for autumn crafts.

    Below is a floral curtain panel.  I will use the fabric for another project (undecided, but so many options).  I always check the linens at thrift stores because they can be an inexpensive source of fabric.  You just have to think beyond its original use sometimes.  With it is a scarf in a flattering color.  It looks hot pink in the photo, but it is actually more of a deep raspberry color.  It will coordinate with many things in my wardrobe.

    I have also been searching for picture frames, as I would like to display more of our family photos around our home.  I think this is the best art, and with frames abounding in the thrift stores, it is also inexpensive.  I found these:

    The floral one is too girly for my boys, but I think it would look beautiful holding black and white photos of our ancestors.  The other two will, I think, be part of a gallery in the hallway.  I like to wonder about who donated these and who the children are in the photos.  I'm not sure if you can see, but in the photo on the left, I think the little boy looks like he just got in trouble and the girl looks like she is the reason for it!

    My last purchase was this teacup:

    I seem to have developed a good eye for English china.  It's my favorite!  When I looked at the bottom of this teacup and saw the "Made in England" stamp, I said, "I knew it!"  Being the anglophile that I am, if you ever want to sell me something, just stamp the bottom with "Made in England" and you can have my money (as long as it's in the budget 😉).

    A few other ways I saved this month were:

    I shopped sales and used coupons and rebates for my groceries. 

    I gathered eggs from my chickens.

    I bought some Valentine's Day candy at half off after the holiday.  I love chocolate truffles, so these will be savored.

    I used points I earned to buy a book from Amazon (a gift for someone).

    I found some Epsom salt bath sets on clearance.  I bought one to give to my sister-in-law and the rest will go into the "toiletries" portion of my pantry.

    My sister-in-law gave me a basket she didn't want.  I use baskets for so many things. 

    Colton brought home bags of leaves from work, which he ran through the shredder for our compost pile.

    He also gave James his first haircut!  No more Boris Johnson hair.  I clipped his little curl that he had at the nape of his neck and saved it for his baby box. ❤

    I opened the windows on fair weather days to save on electricity.

{A Few Thoughts}

    I have been blessed this month by a commitment that a friend and I made to one another.  We live hours apart so we don't get to visit as often as we'd like, but we are such kindred spirits and our fellowship is so sweet when we do get together.  Our husbands are great friends, also.  Our personalities and dispositions are so similar; our lives seem parallel in many ways.  We are both homemakers, we have been married the same amount of time, and when I found out I was pregnant with John (my eldest), God also blessed them with their first child through the miracle of adoption.  So we are able to relate to one another very well.  Our commitment is to text each other daily, circumstances and time permitting.  We share our thoughts and struggles, our triumphs and failures, our humor, and our prayer requests.  We have both remarked on how much this has helped us in our daily walk, making us more mindful of our words and actions as we encourage one another and hold each other accountable.  If you are blessed with such a friend, I would encourage you to not let distance prevent you from fellowship.  God gives us special friends, sisters in Christ, for a reason!  Reach out regularly, even if it is only via technology.

    We read a verse in church one Sunday as part of a larger passage, and it jumped off of the page at me.  I think it is so beautiful:

"How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!  If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee."

~ Psalm 139: 17-18

    A thought came to me as I was doing my ironing (these still, quiet tasks are good for prayer and pondering).  I wrote it down on one of my list papers:

It is because of Christ's love for us that he saves us from our sin, and it is because of our love for him that we flee from it and cling to him.

~

    March is just around the corner, and I'm very excited for it.  Colton has vacation time and we have some projects and trips lined up.  With him working two jobs, we have not had much time for things like that, so we have been counting down with anticipation!  I hope to share more soon.  

How was your February?  I would love to hear from you!