Our Cherry of a Day

Feel free to head over to our Hands & Hearts...for Him blog to get the full story on our fun cherry-pickin' day! (You can also click on my sidebar for the 3 most recent H & H posts at any given time.)

It's All Cherry Crisp Good!

Hidey Ho Neighbors!

Hi friends! I just looked at the date on my last post and it was two weeks ago. Wow, where has the time gone?

I'll fill you in on what's been happening in my corner of the U.S.

We have finally finished ours and Grace's rooms. They turned out just like I saw it in my head--and believe me this brain of mine doesn't let that happen too often. (off topic: does anyone else have that kind of problem?...some kind of glitch in the connection from the brain to the hand? Just wondering.)

My sister and I went to an annual neighborhood yard sale. I believe it was a 10 or so block radius. It's called Old North End Yard Sales and located in the older, Victorian neighborhood. (We are kicking ourselves for forgetting our cameras.) It was a super gorgeous day and IT WAS A BLAST! Tons of yardsales, lots of people. I think I only spent $25 and brought home a lot of stuff. Grace spent the day at her cousins', so Reva and I had the day to ourselves. We were so giddy we couldn't stand it finding bargain after bargain! I will have to round up some of the stuff and take pictures for you. We also connected with our Aunt and cousins as they were enjoying the fun too! Thanks, Reva, for a fun day with ya!
As for our weekend, the girls and I (Sunny had to work) just got back today from our family 4th of July campout that is held every year about 20 miles from Salida, CO. There were 38 or so of our immediate as well as extended families. Reva and her husband, Rick, organize it. Although Reva isn't able to go because of her health concerns (it's about 9300 ft.)--and we surely miss having her there--Rick does a great job and works throughout the year planning and preparing for the next year, especially where the kids are concerned. This year was no exception with paintball wars and water gun fights (and we're not talking pistols!) The games he plans are the highlight for the kids and they look forward with much anticipation to the next year wondering what Uncle Rick will think up next.

Everyone usually gathers around the main campfire each night talking and cutting up and just having a great time reconnecting--not to mention enjoying the s'mores, hot chocolate, rootbeer floats, ice cream cones and blackberry cobbler made in the dutch oven over the fire. (btw, I've been ignoring the scale calling me from the other room!)
I'll be posting pictures when they get uploaded.

I hope everyone had a great celebration and took a moment to remember and thank God for the privilege of being able to live in this beautiful country, blemishes and all.

God bless America!

It's All Catching Up Good!

Please be redirected to our

Heart & Hands...For Him blog

for our Frugal Fridays post.

(Hosted by Biblical Womanhood)

It's All FRUGAL FRIDAYS Good!

Leigh over at Bloggeritaville hosts Thrifty Thursday. Join in the fun by showing us your thrifty finds and signing her Mr. Linky.

This was a fun and kitschy piece of handmade 'African' art I bought at GW. The legs and arms are made of vintage Hamm's Beer caps. The bowls are tin. I'm not certain, but it looks like maybe it came from one of those crafting kits that were popular in the 60's. I originally thought I'd try and sell it, but the more it was hanging around the more I like it and decided to keep it. Definitely not a piece that everyone and their brother have. That's the way I like it!

This is a fun set of vintage salt & pepper shakers I picked up at Salv. Army. I've named them Sal and Pepe'. Hey Jenn, aka Dust Bunny Hostage, Sal and Pepe' think your Traveling Geisha is hot--oui--and were wondering if they might...hook up?

It's All Thrifty Thursday Good!

There's a new blog in town!

Introducing Hands & Heart.....for Him

We are very excited about this new blog, so I invite you to come by and check it out.

.

It is a blog about being good stewards of the gifts and talents the Lord has given us. It will contain FRUGAL ideas and how to make the best of the resources we have.

There are five of us involved in this project: Susan, Leigh Ann, Kristie, Maxine, and myself.

We hope to make it a place where you can come for EASY access of ideas on a particular topic; be that cleaning, sewing, different projects, homemade beauty items, food/grocery tips, etc.

We will not necessarily be posting every single day, then again, some days you may find multiple posts if we all have something!

We definitely welcome your comments as well as your own tips and tricks you'd like to pass on.

So, come one, come all!

There's a new blog in town!

.

It's All Stewardship Good!

Share Your Frugal Tips

{Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (written by Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:11-13 nkjv)}

{The Message Bible brings it closer to home: I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.}

This is another one of my favorite scriptures because it encourages me that no matter what I'm personally going through, or what's going on around me, I can be content and rest in Christ who gives me strength--I especially like the last statement in The Message translation: I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.

I love that. I thank God we have Him to lean on in these precarious times and with the condition of the economy.

I've realized that being frugal is one way the Lord provides for us. He gives us the wisdom, and ideas that will help cut costs here and there. Of course, it'd be much easier if money would just fall from heaven, problems solved, right?! But would it?

In light of where we are with the economy, what are some tips you can share that have helped especially during this time? Big or small, every little bit helps.

I'll start with a few of my tips:

1. I have begun a housecleaning service. My husband is a realtor...enough said. This has worked well for us and Sunny jumps in and helps when I need it. To be honest, cleaning toilets isn't the most glamourous job, but it has definitely helped put food on the table. (I can't believe I just used 'toilet' and 'food' in the same sentence!) What about childcare, baking, using your skills to bring in extra income?

How about bartering? I haven't tried this personally other than with childcare, but I have a friend who has bartered with her orthodontist. He is fixing her son's teeth, she cleans his office. (Consequently, I have benefited from her bartering as well. She offered me the job of cleaning his house.)

2. We have switched out a lot of our lights with flourescent bulbs. I wasn't big on the whiter light and I'm still not, but now they're making them more ambient.

3. One of the biggest ways we've saved money and I know I've mentioned this before, is that we've stopped eating out after church on Sunday's. Not only have we saved financially but we're eating healthier as well.

4. This might be a regional tip, but here in Flagstaff and in the Phoenix valley the Dol*lar Tree store sells Sa*ra Lee 100% whole wheat and 9-grain bread as well as hamburger/hotdog bun, bagels and raisen bread for $1.00. It's not day-old's either. The expirations date is 5-7 days out. The bread freezes well. In the grocery store the ww bread sells for $3.99 retail.

Ok, what about you. Any tips we could all use?

Be encouraged this Beautiful Monday!

It's All FRUGAL TIPS Good!