At the Cottage ~ August 18, 2023

    This week flew by so quickly that I didn't once pause to write things down!  Colton started back at his school job, so we have been adjusting to the new routines.  So far, all is going well. 

    I took a trip to our local thrift store to make a donation and, of course, I looked around while I was there.  The boys went with me and took some of their spending money.  Colton's dad gives them pocket change occasionally, and James has been itching to "go buy sumpin'" so I let him take his little coffee can of coins to pick something out.  He settled on two toy trucks for $0.50.  I let John take $3 from his own coffee can (we have very sophisticated piggy banks, don't we?) so that he could pick something out too.  He bought a puzzle, a book, and a caddy for some of his art supplies.  I am thankful that our thrift store has not gone up on their prices as most places.

    I found some things, too:

    The green velvet fabric underneath my finds was also a purchase from the same trip.  It looks to be about a yard and a half of material.  My plan is to sew some throw pillow covers with it.  

    There is a larger Fido jar not pictured, as well as a few books, and a lamp.  I have been looking for a lamp for nearly a year and I finally found one I like for $10.  I plan to make over the shade once I find some fabric I like.  Waiting for just the right thing to come along means I am a slow decorator, but I end up with things I truly like and I save money in the process.

    We also took a big trip to the city for Tax Free Weekend, as planned.  I packed all our food for the day so that we wouldn't have to buy any. 

 

    This was a concoction using what I had on hand that was diet-compliant for me and Colton.  It is sort of a combo of egg, turkey, and pea salads using homemade mayonnaise.  We ate it on a bed of lettuce and it ended up being very tasty, with the correct balance of protein, fats, non-starchy vegetables, and carbs.  We liked it so well that I repeated it later in the week!  I also packed strawberries for snacks, and sandwiches, appleasauce, pretzels, and cookies for the boys.  Our travel cups plus an extra thermos of ice water kept us all hydrated.

    The stores were not nearly as crowded as I had expected, but it was clear that the rush had happened the day before (Friday), as things were pretty disheveled and picked over.  We were still able to find what we needed.  Colton was able to get work slacks, jeans, and dress shirts in his new size.  He also got a new belt and a new pair of boots.  The boys got some new clothes, too.  It was all tax free and combined with sales, so the day was a success.

    I feel like much of my week was getting everything washed, ironed, and squirreled away in its new home.  I cleaned, culled, and organized as I went.  I started working on my own closet, too, but I still have a way to go.  I do hope to write about it soon, as it has been on my heart lately to prioritize dressing up at home and looking nice for my family.  The desire is there, but putting outfits together does not come naturally for me, so it is a work in progress.

    I finally got something planted in the garden: squash!  We were unexpectedly blessed with rain on Wednesday, so Thursday when the ground was soft, I went out at first light (the only time it isn't a million degrees) and made some rows in the garden.  I got one row of yellow squash and one row of zucchini planted.

    We are low on wood chips and our wood chipper is in for repairs (is it normal for a wood chipper, a washing machine, a water heater, a well pump, and an A/C to all go out in the span of two months, right after having to replace the tires on both vehicles???), so I used what little we had left to top the rows.

    I noticed that my sister-in-law, who is our neighbor, has a big pile of old hay near her house that the animals will no longer eat.   I asked her if I could have some and she said I could take all I wanted.

    The boys and I drove over and loaded up what I could haul and I put that in between my rows.  This will keep the ground from drying out and baking.

    My little chicks are getting bigger.  They are in that awkward stage of getting their feathers and not looking so cute.  I still have six, but half were camera shy.

    My bigger chickens during the morning feeding frenzy:

    Can you spot the two guineas?

    We got ahead in many ways this week, but I think that with the shopping and unexpected expenses we've had over the last couple months, it is going to very much be a "use what you have and make do" period as we replenish what has been spent.  I am fine with this, as I am happy and content to stay busy at home.  I certainly have plenty to do!

    I hope everyone has a lovely weekend...

At the Cottage ~ August 11, 2023

    A little cloud of sorrow hung over my week, as my beloved twelve-year-old cat, Button, died.  Colton got him for me a month after we married, so he was with us right from the start.  He is greatly missed.

    I am very glad to have Ginger following me around the way Button used to.  No, she isn't Button, but her antics amuse and delight me.  She is a good little companion, getting in the middle of everything I do.  I trimmed my mint this week and set some of the clippings in jars in hopes of propagating them.  We'll see how that goes- I think I need younger, more tender cuttings.  Here she is getting a refreshing drink of mint water.

    I also got my last remaining rose bush weeded.  Hopefully I can get that flourishing again.  Ginger thought to help, but she was on the other side of the fence in the garden.  I managed to capture the exact moment that she realized she could no longer fit through the fence like she used to.

    Our A/C went out this week.  It had been making some funny sounds, and finally it quit working.  Colton called my dad, who came over and helped troubleshoot.  He brought a bag of beef for us that he picked up on his way!  And he included some little treats for the boys.  Just pure kindness and generosity. 

    He and Colton were able to figure out the issue but needed a part, which the local A/C repair man didn't have, but he kindly let us borrow a part from his scrap pile to get us by until we could get what we needed (different size).  My dad made some phone calls and arranged for us to be able to get the part wholesale, saving us about $100, and who knows how much by doing it all ourselves.  When we return the borrowed part, I will send cookies as a "thank you".

    I've done a little clothes shopping this week.  I had intended to wait for the Tax Free Weekend, but as I was searching online to see what sales would coincide with it, I saw that one of the children's clothing stores (The Children's Place) was running a good sale, with an extra 25% off when you sign up for their emails.  As a bonus, they were having an early tax-free special for Texas shoppers.  I ended up getting the boys several shirts in their next size up for about $4.50 each.  Shipping was free and I didn't have to fight the crowds!  I also earned some coupons for $10 off my next $20 purchase, so I am very pleased with all of that.  We still plan to go to the brick-and-mortar stores tomorrow, as Colton needs some new clothes and will have to try them on.  I'm hoping it won't be a madhouse, but I expect it will.

    I ventured into town to get some grocery specials.  We usually do our grocery shopping in the next town over, which is thirty minutes away, because our town's grocery store is so expensive.  However, they do run some good sales, so I always check the flyer.  This week, I got a ten pound bag of potatoes for $3, bananas for $0.33/lb, and a pound of ground beef for $0.99 with a coupon.  I may or may not have bought two cartons of Blue Bell ice-cream that were half off.  See?  I do buy convenience foods and treats sometimes ;)  

    Fun fact: We visited the Blue Bell (a Texas company) factory in June with some friends!  I don't have too many pictures without us in them, but here are a few:

A display case in the Blue Bell Museum

Looking out the Museum window at an old ice-cream delivery truck replica

Display case in the ice-cream parlor above the factory

    Photos were not allowed in the actual factory part.  Top secret, you know.  But we did get to see them make the ice-cream and package it from the upstairs observation deck.  The flavor that day was Cookies 'n Cream.  A good time (and ice-cream) was had by all.

    Ice-cream is certainly not part of the gut-healing program I am on right now, so my recent purchases are waiting in the freezer.  Once I finish the program, I am allowed to maintain an 80/20 balance of healthy/not-so-healthy, and boy have I been dreaming of that 20%!  I'm almost there.  This is week 8 out of 13, and I have seen so much improvement.  I had a little setback over a food that didn't agree with me and that reminder of what I used to feel like is enough to keep me from falling off the wagon once the program is over.  I've had a taste of health and energy and I'm not giving that up!  Moderation, Kelsey.  Moderation. 

    I've been saving the supplement bottles from the program since the pills came in glass amber jars.  This week I took the labels off and washed them up.  A tip for getting sticky label residue off is to coat the surface in peanut butter or almond butter and let it sit for a bit before wiping it off.  The oil in the butter is what makes it work, so you might be able to get away with just olive or vegetable oil.

    I think I will store dried herbs in the bigger ones and maybe homemade vanilla in the smaller ones.  What would you store in them?  I'm looking for some ideas.

    I want to show you how big my grocery store lettuce grew in a week's time.  I can't believe it!

    Over the last couple weeks, I have been freezing bananas that get overripe before the boys can eat them.  I flash freeze them on a pan and then put them into a bag in the freezer for smoothies.  Really this goes for any fruit that is past its prime but still good.  The boys love smoothies in the summertime and I feel good about the ingredients and no waste, so it's a win/win/win.  To the blender I add:

    -2 frozen bananas 
    -A few handfuls of frozen fruit such as strawberries, blueberries, or peaches
    -A few generous spoonfuls of plain Greek yogurt, for probiotics and creaminess
    -Milk, to cover

    I don't add any sweetener because the bananas are sweet enough.  I also add Amazing Grass green powder if I have it, which has two full servings of vegetables per scoop.  Hidden in the smoothie, the boys can't taste it.  

    I made extra one day and froze it into popsicle molds.  The boys thought this was the best treat ever!

    Hmmm...maybe I should do a cost breakdown and comparison for homemade smoothies for a Grocery Savings post...

    Upstairs in the loft, I started a few craft projects, but didn't get any finished enough for pictures.  I did get some tidying done up there, which will make completing those projects much easier and enjoyable.  I also got caught up on my ironing, finally.

    I did more deep cleaning in my bedroom, too.  I got rid of the clutter piles that had built up, dusted the rest of the furniture, washed the walls and baseboards, and laundered the bedspread.  One good thing about this heat is that my bedspread dried on the line in no time!

    Everything looks and smells so nice and fresh.  My bedroom feels like a restful retreat again.

    This cabinet holds our bedroom blankets and linens: 

    The frame on top holds a sign that my friend hand-lettered for me.  It says:

"Let the wife make the husband glad to come home and let him make her sorry to see him leave." 

- Martin Luther

    The wooden box was made by Colton's great-grandfather, and the vase belonged to his grandmother.  The vase holds dried baby's breath from a friend's wedding.  The hat, clock, and doily were thrifted.  The vast majority of décor in my home- if not all- has been acquired very inexpensively.

    There are still a few more things I'd like to do in my room, but it is mostly done.  I want to implement the Fly Lady system again, as it worked well for me when I did it before.  Colton starts back at his school nurse job on Tuesday, and John will be starting homeschool in September, so getting a good routine down is going to be crucial for keeping everything running smoothly.  

    I will be taking the week off from blogging as we adjust to our new schedules, but I will be back again on Friday!  I am also going to continue Thrifty Thursday and my Grocery Savings series on Mondays, but they will be on alternating weeks.  I have a few extra posts planned, so this will allow me to squeeze those in, as well.  I do love sharing in this space and appreciate you taking the time to read what I have written.

    I hope you have a wonderful week to come.  Happy homemaking, ladies!

Thrifty Thursday #8 ~ Frugal Decorating Principles

    With our renovations underway, I am very much in "decorating mode".  A reader recently asked me for a decorating post, and while I initially thought I didn't have much to share, I realized I do have several principles I tend to follow when it comes to adorning my home.  As my decorating has always been of a frugal nature, I thought I would share them here for Thrifty Thursday:

    Live in the Space

    My first tip is to actually live in the space you are decorating for a while.  Spend time there doing your everyday things.  This will help you see what you like about the space and what you want to change, what functions well and what doesn't.  It will also help you take note of things like natural lighting throughout the day, temperature fluctuations, and even the views out of your windows.  All of these things are going to help you determine how you want a room to look, function, and feel.  

    I know that there are things in our current home that I wanted to change right away, but due to our circumstances, I had to make do.  Some of those things I have since embraced and come to love, which means we saved a lot of time, effort, and money by not redoing them.  Other things still need improvement, but I would never have known (or known how to fix them) if I hadn't first lived and worked in the space for a good amount of time.

Find Your Style

    It's true that decorating can come with a lot of trial and error, but it will really help in making decisions if you know your overall style.  I go to Pinterest for this because it is such a huge, free resource.  Sometimes I use it as a search engine if I am looking for something in particular, but most of the time, I just mindlessly "pin" pretty images that appeal to me.  This is helpful later on because it allows me to go back through what I've pinned and see if there are any recurring themes, styles, colors, patterns, materials, etc.  I have more than one style (I think most of us have a blend), but when I look carefully at my pins, I can see similarities that overlap and tie them together.  Do I like French country?  English cottage?  Old American farmhouse?  Whatever name or label I put on my style(s), I can look through my pins and see a lot of soft, muted colors, and a mixture of floral, plaid, and ticking stripe prints.  I can see that I like natural wood and stone, and walls with bead board, vertical paneling, and board and batten.  That gives me a sort of foundation, and the more I look at what I like, the more I am able to recognize it when I go to decorate my own space (as well as see what doesn't fit in).

    Sometimes I also glean ideas from visiting other people's homes.  Maybe I'm a bit snoopy, but I take note of how things are arranged and how the home feels.  If a home feels particularly cozy, inviting, comfortable, or fresh, I try to figure out what gives it that feeling.  Is it the colors, the arrangement, the lighting, the inclusion of personal items?  If you feel inspired by a space, pay attention to those types of things.

Think Long Term      

    Thinking long term means first choosing timeless pieces, and secondly, investing in quality where you can afford it.  Avoiding fads and cheaply made items is going to save you money in the long run, as it eliminates the need to constantly replace, change, or upgrade in the future.  When it comes to decorating (or renovating like I am doing now), I personally don't mind spending more on foundational elements if I find something that I absolutely love and know is going to last me forever.

Shop Used

    With the above being said, there is no reason to think that "quality" always equates to "expensive".  I also understand what it is to work with a limited budget and a make-do attitude!  Except for one or two pieces of furniture, most of what I have in my home is used.  It was either thrifted, purchased on Craigslist, or bought at a garage or estate sale.  I also have lots of hand-me-down items and handmade things, even things salvaged from the dump! Generally, things used to be more well-made than they are today, so thrift and antique stores are the perfect places to score things like solid wood furniture.  Antique stores are the more expensive of the two, but in comparison to buying new, you will still come out way ahead if you find one of those "investment" pieces.  When it comes to thrift stores and garage sales, I still pay attention to quality.  If an item is sturdy and has a good shape, it can be cleaned up, repainted, recovered, and so forth.  Shopping this way is also a treasure hunt- you never know what unique things you will find to add to your home.  

    Here are a couple photos of the living room of our first home.  I absolutely loved this home, and it was decorated on a shoestring budget!  The record player, some of the books, the chicken feeder arrangement on the coffee table, and the throw blanket on the couch are the only things in these photos that were not second-hand.  Oh, and the curtains, which were $5 Walmart sheets that I sewed up to fit the windows.

Use What you Have

    I really disliked this advice as a newlywed.  When Colton and I got married, we had a mattress on the floor, a dresser with a missing drawer, and an old TV that even Goodwill wouldn't take when we wanted to get rid of it.  What, exactly, was I supposed to rearrange?  But after a few years of marriage, garage sales, and thrifting, I realized that it was good advice despite my earlier circumstances.  It can really pay to "shop your house" and rearrange for a fresh look.  Don't put yourself in a box thinking that a particular item has to stay in a room because that's where it has always been.  If you move something and don't like it, you can always move it back- no money lost!  One of the ladies who works at our local thrift store told me that she used to rearrange people's homes as a source of income.  She said her clients would always be amazed with what she could do using only the things they already had in their homes.  All they needed was a fresh set of eyes.

Paint (or Clean) It

    I don't think there is anything that makes as drastic a change as a fresh coat of paint, whether it be on furniture or walls.  This is a great option if you want a big impact, especially on a tight budget.  However, I know there are times when even a can of paint can't be afforded.  My best advice for when you aren't satisfied with something in your home but can't change it, is to simply clean it.  Yes, just clean it.  Even ugly things look better clean than dirty, and it shows that you are being a good steward of what you have been given.  A "why bother?" attitude will only build resentment, not gratitude, and we must remember that "he that is faithful in the least is faithful also in much." (Luke 16:10)  I speak from experience when I say that you will feel much better about a space after you clean it.

Double Duty

    When it comes to decorating, I like things to be both pretty and practical.  Instead of adorning my shelves with trinkets, I personally prefer displaying the attractive things I actually use.  Books, tea cups and pots, candles, oil lamps, and even home canned jars of food are some of the things I consider decor items in my home.  A pretty quilt or blanket also adds to a home's beauty.  Unsightly but useful things can be stored discreetly in thrifted wicker baskets.  (Can you see my Craigslist bargain chandelier in the reflection of my china cabinet?  This is also where I store my "everyday" dishes to free up space in my tiny kitchen.)

Curate

    I am a slow decorator.  If you apply the principles above, you either are or will be too.  I think there is a beauty that comes with carefully gathering things you like, piece by piece.  That is where the homemaking aspect comes in.  We are, after all, adoring the homes we live in, not designing a showplace for people to look at and admire.  Our homes should reflect those who dwell inside, telling the story of our lives, which naturally takes place over time. You can't find that in one trip to a big box store.  Your place will be uniquely "you" because the majority of your things will not have been mass produced.  It will be beautiful because you chose only the things you really like.  The things you waited for, saved for, hunted for, and made over will have those memories tied to them.  It won't just be a decorated house, it will be a curated home.  

    Do you have any frugal decorating tips?  What are some of your best bargain finds for your home?  Are there pieces you chose to invest in that have lasted years?