Monday, July 22, 2013

A Very Berry Saturday











A maze of trees
Ice cream and berries
Country air
Running in a field of grass
Napping on the car ride home.
Saturday...Summer...Fun....

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Frugal Feats


Here are my frugal feats for the week. To see how others are stretching their dollars, pop on over to The Prudent Homemaker. She has a great group of followers that have many frugal tips.


At the grocery store this week I picked up grapes .99 a pound, two dozen eggs for .79 a dozen (limit 2), chedder cheese 1.00 a pound (after in-store coupon), and cream cheese for .88 a pack.

In the mail I received a coffee sample for my Kurieg maker.

I used my carpet cleaner to clean the carpets in the dining room and living room. I used laundry soap and water for the solution.



We had a potluck and game night with family at our house. A inexpensive evening of fun. I even got to keep the leftovers!

One afternoon when the heat was unbearable we went swimming at my sister's house. Another morning we went to cool off at the spray park down the road from our house.

I used a gift card to purchase vanilla beans. I have been dying to make real vanilla extract.



Heaven and I carpooled to work one day to save time and money on gas. We also stayed home one day to conserve gas.

My sisters and I went to a community garage sale where I found six shirts, one pair of slacks, one skirt, one dress, and for Lil Bear a winter coat. All for ten dollars! Score! I needed clothes so badly.

This week I started using conditioner every other day instead of every day. My hair does not seem to notice and I will be able to stretch the bottle twice as long.



I used aloe from my plant on a burn I received while cooking dinner one night.

Sunday I cleaned and organized my pantry. I only tossed a couple of items. Now I can see what I have and use things up before they go stale or expire.


How was your week?
Did you save any money?


Tuesday, July 16, 2013

A Simpler Time


Times are tough. They have been for a long time. Husbands are still losing jobs. Mothers are having to work part-time. It is more expensive to eat, to drive, to just live. People are losing hope.

Is there a way out of such a mess?
Yes, and it is not to spend our way out as some would like us to believe. The way out is to take inspiration from the past, from a simpler time. In order to move forward we must go back.

Back to a time of homegrown homemade meals, gently used clothing, line dried linens, walks around the block, front porch chats with neighbors, children catching fireflies, fixing things ourselves, and providing for our families without debt.

Many websites, blogs, and books abound that can teach us these forgotten arts. Read them. Enjoy them. Take that knowledge and apply it to your own life. You and your family will be much happier for it.

Learning from the past will help us all to improve our lives. Give us hope through these tough times, and help us all succeed in our journey through life. 


Linking with.....
Clever Chicks Blog Hop
 Homemaking Party

Monday, July 15, 2013

Toy Bags



My sister bought Lil Bear a bag of dino toys and a bag of toy soldiers. He loves them.....but they are everywhere. When you step on them at night, in bare feet, in the dark because you know, it's night. Ouch! Then just in the nick of time to save my poor feet I read this post by Angela at Salt of the Earth Farm. Genius! A perfect way to corral all those little critters.


I used a dinosaur print I had left over from another project. I thought it would be fitting to use since I was going to store Lil Bears dino toys in it. I have some army fatigue material I will be using for his toy soldiers . Next time I'm at the thrift store I will be on the look out for either fabric or a sheet with a car print. This one will hold his little cars.


To make, I simply cut out a fourteen by fourteen piece of fabric. At  one end, fold over and sew, forming a tube. This is where your ribbon will be threaded through. Fold fabric in half , right sides together, and sew along bottom and side. Turn right side out and thread ribbon, yarn, or string through your opening at the top and tie off. There you have it. Fill with toys and enjoy! Your feet will thank you.

Friday, July 12, 2013

Frugal Feats


Here are my frugal feats for the week. To see how others are stretching their dollars, pop in over at The Prudent Homemaker. She has a great group of followers that have many frugal tips.


Traded in Swagbucks for a five dollar Amazon gift card.

I gave my niece a Fisher Price toy for her Birthday that I bought for two dollars at the after Christmas sales. 

I was able to get some work done on my niece and grandson's Christmas blankets.



Lil Bear and I picked free blueberries from Charlotte's Blueberry Park. Afterward, we came home and baked a batch of delicious Blueberry Muffins.

Multiple families brought fireworks to our Fourth of July BBQ. Setting them off together allowed for us all to enjoy a two hour show.

Wednesday a co-worker gave me a code for a free movie from Redbox.

My sister's boyfriend treated her and I to a concert.



I finally found time to spend a few minutes in the library. I checked out books for Lil Bear and I to read this week. We used to go to the library at least once a week. I really want to get us back into the habit of doing that. Reading soothes the soul.

My local Fred Meyer emailed me coupons for Mac-n-Cheese four for a dollar, canned vegetables three for a dollar, and a three dollar off five dollar purchase of any frozen foods. They also had potatoes five pounds for fifty-nine cents.

Heaven works for Starbucks. As an employee benefit she brings home a free pound of coffee a week! I love love love coffee, so this is a big help on the budget. 

All the usual suspects.....
Took lunches to work all week.
Stayed home Sunday to conserve on gas.
Cooked most meals from scratch.

How did you save money this week?


Linking up with....
From the Farm Blog Hop 
Friday Follow Along  
TGIF Blog Hop 









Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Picture This
























A first birthday and the Fourth of July.
Homemade festive decorations and yummy food.
Babies underfoot, swimming, eating, a little bit of drinking, fireworks displayed.
Family and friends.
A beautiful memory made.


Linking with Down Home Blog Hop , Two Girls and A PartySugar and Spice Blog Hop
and Penny Pinching Party