Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Low-Spend, Dollar-Stretching Challenge - Update #4



I didn't get a chance to post my final 'low-spend' September update before the end of the month, so am doing it now. 

The end of the month didn't go as planned. We were expecting out-of-town company to come in over the weekend and stay for a week. In preparation, I went grocery shopping for fresh items, meat, and other ingredients that I would have used specifically for company meals, but, in the end, the expected company had to postpone their trip due to a situation beyond their control...so...here we are. I spent extra $$$ that I didn't need to spend, BUT, we're going into October well stocked on fresh items! Yeah!!!

We've still got a lot of grains (steel-cut and old-fashioned oats, flax meal, corn meal, oat bran, etc.), dry beans and peas, squash, and peppers in the deep-freeze, so we will continue to focus our usage on them, but the cupboards are nearly bare, so I plan to restock them soon. This will include replenishing items such as whole-wheat pasta, tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, black beans, and chili beans. I'm also looking forward to getting back to frozen fruits and vegetables (strawberries, blueberries, cauliflower, and broccoli), salmon fillets, and other foods that we've been doing without in the midst of this low-spend adventure.

Now...while I'm disappointed with how the month of September started off and ended, I do have to say that, overall, I am quite pleased because, despite all, we managed to hang on to several hundred extra dollars this month and much of that resulted from purposefully saving money at the grocery store. If I can continue to focus on using up the things that we still have on-hand (the cupboard items that we do have, the grains, dry beans and peas, squash, and peppers from the deep-freeze, and the extra items purchased towards the end of the month), we should be able to continue to save back extra $$$ in October, as well.

So...that's how our low-spend September ended. What are some of the ways that you save on grocery $$$ in your home?

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Happy Homemaker Monday - October 1, 2018




Monday, October 1, 2018

Happy Homemaker Monday - October 1, 2018

Good morning, Sweet Ladies! Happy Monday!!!


What??? It's October already??? Really??? 😲 Ohmygoodness! I've been so busy with work and trying to recover from Jubilee that I didn't even realize that the calendar pages had changed! (deep sigh) Oh, well! HAPPY OCTOBER! 🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁

How was your week and weekend? Ours was good here. Enjoyed Prairie Jubilee immensely, but am sooooo thankful that it's over! It's a lot of hard work, but it's a lot of fun, too! It was wonderful getting to see so many people that I haven't seen in awhile! Am glad that we only do this every other year, though! 😆

Granddaughter Essie @ Jubilee 2018
Today I'm joining Sandra and the other lovely ladies for Happy Homemaker Monday over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Won't you join me? 💗

Today I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom and
all of the wonderful ladies of 
Happy Homemaker Monday!
Right now I am...

... Taking a break, having breakfast, enjoying a cup of tea, and working on this post.


Am thinking...

... about the busy week ahead and wishing that things would slow down a bit. I feel like I'm on a merry-go-round and can't get off. This has GOT to change and soon!

On the breakfast plate...

... eggs and toast, manadarin oranges, and Twining's Irish Breakfast tea

The weather...

... 71 degrees and cloudy, at the moment, with a high of 82 expected. The week ahead looks warm (mid- to upper-80's for daytime highs and lows in the 70's), but, after that, cooler (highs in the lower-70's with lows in the 50's) and better chances for rain toward the end of the week.

On my reading pile...

... I have a whole pile of books that I'd like to be reading, but, at the moment, Redeemed From Poverty, Sickness, and Spiritual Death by Kenneth E. Hagin is the only one I'm working on. I just haven't had a lot of time TO read lately. 😞

On the menu this week...
Monday - chili dogs and baked potatoes
Tuesday - butter and garlic pasta, spinach salad, and homemade bread
Wednesday - corn chowder and cornbread (freezer)
Thursday - cheese scalloped potatoes, green beans, homemade bread, and mandarin oranges
Friday - chili and cornbread (freezer)
Saturday - homemade vegetable pizza
Sunday - leftovers


A Recipe To Share...

Fall Popcorn Balls from Little House on the Prairie

Fall Popcorn Balls
On my 'to do' list...

- Monday - Plan the week ahead, do my weekly "home blessing", do laundry, figure bills and October budget
- Tuesday - Run errands (bank, pay bills, etc.), have tea with dd at friend's house, watch the grandgirls in the evening
- Wednesday - Work (school groups)
- Thursday - Work (school groups)
-Friday - Work
- Saturday - Meet up with family and friends back home to attend Missouri Town 1855's 43rd Annual Festival of Arts, Crafts, and Music
- Sunday - Church; work (afternoon)

In the craft basket...

Nothing at the moment, but am happy to say that we gave away most of the paper bead kits at Jubilee. Seems that we had more green and yellow left at the end of the day than anything else (the pinks, purples, and blues went fast), but, overall, I think they were a success. I don't know that I will ever do them again. I'm hoping to come up with something a little less labor-intensive for next time! 😄 The beads that are left will be worked into a Native American program somewhere along the way, I'm sure. Thanks, again, to everyone who helped with the paper-bead making! 

Miss Lydia Stringing Her Beautiful Pink and Purple Beads
Miss River and Miss Rain Making Their Selections
Looking forward to this week...

Any down time I can manage and meeting up with family and friends back home and attending Missouri Town's Arts, Crafts, and Music Festival

Something interesting I watched...


These Three Late Calves
I knew we had two late calves born this year, but discovered that we had THREE when I was leading a bison tour Saturday afternoon. What a surprise! Most bison calves at Prairie State Park are born in April and May. 
From the camera...

Prairie Jubilee 2018

The Cowboys

The Horses in Tall Grass

The Buffalo Hunter
The Spinner

The Tinsmith

The One-Room Schoolhouse 

Guided Tours and Tram Rides Out to See the Bison Up Close

A Buffalo-Chip Throwing Contest

The Atlatl Throw

Inside the Nature Center


Scripture passage...



Well, Ladies, that's it for this week! I pray that each and every one of you have a blessed and beautiful week ahead! And I'll see you next week! 

Until Next Time...
~Rebecca

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Birthday Calendar




Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Birthday Calendar

With having such a large family now (six children, their spouses, and 18 grands), I'll admit that it's getting harder and harder for John and I to keep up with birthdays. So, when I came across this sweet, wooden, hanging, birthday calendar from Dresslily online (for not much money), I ordered it! 😊


All the pieces are pre-cut and everything you need to assemble is included (main board, twine for hanging, wooden circles, and metal connectors). 



I used a permanent black marker to write the names, and date of birth, for John, myself, our children, their spouses, and each one of the grandchildren. 🎂


Then all I had to do was attach each circle under the proper month on the board and viola!


Now, all John and I have to do is glance at the wall to see how many birthdays are coming up in the month ahead, whose they are, and what days they fall on. No more trying to remember and figure it all out in our heads! 😟 And no more missing anyone by mistake! 😳 LOL! 😆

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Monday, September 24, 2018

Happy Homemaker Monday - September 24, 2018

Good morning! Happy Monday ! And Happy Fall! 🍁


Can you believe that this is the last Monday in September??? Wow! Where has the month gone? 😲

How was your week and weekend? Ours was good here. Accomplished quite a bit on the home front and am busy at work getting ready for Prairie Jubilee. That's about the extent of my world at the moment.


Today I'm joining Sandra and the other lovely ladies for Happy Homemaker Monday over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Join me, won't you? 💗

Today I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom and
all of the wonderful ladies of 
Happy Homemaker Monday!
Right now I am...

... finishing up breakfast and enjoying a cup of tea while I write this post; doing laundry and have already started my morning cleaning.


Am thinking...

... about my friend, Charlotte. 

A few years ago,  my world consisted of ministry (home, family, friends, hospitality, community, outreach, online ministry, writing articles for Christian women's publications, card and letter-writing, food, etc.); now, I live in a bubble (half a week at home and half a week at work). 

A week ago today I discovered that my friend, Charlotte, had passed away a few days prior and that her memorial service had been held the day before. I didn't even know she had been sick. 

The last time I had talked to Charlotte was six-months previous and, at that time, she had requested prayer for her body. There was something wrong, but, up to that point, the doctors hadn't been able to give a diagnosis. Of course, I prayed for Charlotte and thought of her often, but, not one time after that did I call or follow up with a visit to see how things were going. The woman died of pancreatic cancer. 

Her family tried to reach me after her death on Friday, but I was at work. I didn't recognize their cell number (figured it was a telemarketer) and didn't call them back. 

I feel terrible that I wasn't there for Charlotte (or her family) during, what had to be, the roughest and most difficult time of her life on this earth. I, mean, I'm still having a hard time believing that our last contact was six months ago. It seems like just a few weeks ago. 

I did think about Charlotte. In fact, the two weeks previous to her death, her name came to my mind multiple times. I knew I needed to call or go see her and...I would, I thought..."soon", but "soon" was too late. 

In the old days, the minute the Lord would lay someone on my heart, I would react. I would run by to see them, give them a call, or do whatever was necessary to make that contact and be obedience to the voice of the Lord. This time...I missed it. 

And that's not the first time I've missed it lately. Actually, that's the second time that I failed to be obedient to the voice of the Lord in as many weeks. I've missed it two times in a row THIS MONTH that I am fully aware of. 

Something's got to change and it's got to be within me.

I do feel bad that I wasn't there for Charlotte, but I don't grieve for her. I have absolutely no doubt of where she is today. No one loved Jesus more than Charlotte did and, even in all her human frailty, no one sought to seek and please Him more. He was her life and her total focus. And, in thinking about that, it just hit me that, yes, in my own human frailty, I missed it...I wasn't there...but He was. What joy Charlotte must be experiencing at this moment just to be in His presence!

Pray for me, Ladies. I've got to get out of this bubble that I live in and open my spiritual eyes and ears. There are a lot of hurting people out there and my heart's desire is to, truly, be the heart, hands, and feet of Jesus on this earth. I need to reevaluate my priorities, be sensitive to my Father's voice, follow His leading, wisdom, and direction at all times, be available for His service...anytime...anywhere, and be available to others, as He leads. This will only happen as I develop a heart more fully devoted to Him by spending time in His Word and seeking Him in every area. 

"Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you... (James 4:8).

On the breakfast plate...

... not my usual breakfast, but leftover tuna and noodles and Twining's Irish Breakfast tea

The weather...

... 68 degrees and cloudy, at the moment. We're supposed to reach a high of 79 degrees this afternoon and stay under mostly cloudy skies. The week-ahead-forecast promises highs in the lower-70's to lower-80's with nighttime-lows in the mid-50's to mid-60's and a few chances of rain. Am thankful to finally be able to enjoy some more fall-like weather! 🍁

On my reading pile...

I finished The Table That Speaks - Bringing Communion to Life by Kenneth W. Hagin and am working on the review, so, at the moment, I am in a lull between books.


On the menu this week...

Monday -  Italian sausage-stuffed banana peppers served over sauteed zucchini
Tuesday - homemade vegetable pizza
Wednesday - chicken fajitas
Thursday - corn chowder and cornbread
Friday - tacos
Saturday - chili and cornbread
Sunday - leftovers

On my 'to do' list...

- Monday - Plan the week ahead, do my weekly "home blessing", do laundry, wash bedding, clean the fridge
- Tuesday - Take a friend grocery shopping, get together with the bead-makers in the evening
- Wednesday - Meet oldest dil for breakfast, make food ahead for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
- Thursday - Meet up with an out-of-town friend for lunch and a visit
-Friday - Work, family in from out of town arriving
- Saturday - Work (Prairie Jubilee); company
- Sunday - Church; company

In the craft basket...

This will be the last week of paper bead-making. I'm not sure that I'm going to reach my goal of having, at least, 200 necklace kits put together, but Jubilee is Saturday and what we have when we're done tomorrow night is what we have and it will be good enough! 😊

Looking forward to this week...

Prairie Jubilee, visiting with family and friends

Something interesting I watched...

This caterpillar feeding on white crown beard...


From the camera...

Am loving my Mrs. Meyer's cleaning supplies! They're the best! <3
Scripture passage...


Well, Ladies, that's it for this week! I pray that each and every one of you have a blessed and beautiful week ahead! And I'll see you next week! 

Until Next Time...
~Rebecca

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My Autumn Bucket List 2018




Saturday, September 22, 2018

My Autumn Bucket List 2018

Welcome Autumn 2018

Summer is officially over and, once again, my favorite season is here...AUTUMN! Warm days, cool, crisp nights, bonfires, and all things pumpkin spice...these are the things that excite me about autumn. 🍁

I have been thinking about some of the things that I'd like to do this fall and some of the things that I hope to accomplish over the course of it. I know that, in reality, I probably won't get to all of them, but having a list will certainly help me to focus on the season and remind me to enjoy it to the fullest! 🍂

“While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease" (Genesis 8:22).


My Autumn Bucket List 2018


1. Write my autumn bucket list 
2. Enjoy a juicy, red apple
3. Celebrate Prairie Jubilee at Prairie State Park
4. Make a batch of Mini Baked Pumpkin Cake Doughnuts
5. Celebrate autumn birthdays with the grandlittles
6. Attend the 43rd Annual Missouri Town 1855 Arts, Crafts, and Music Festival with my cousin, Sara
7. Pick up walnuts with the grandlittles
8. Enjoy donuts and fresh cider at the Louisburg Cider Mill
9.  Host a wiener roast
10. Visit a corn maze
11. Add a new mum to my collection
12. Lead a night hike out on the prairie
13. Go on a hayride
14. Go squatchin' with my Aunt Bev
15. Visit a pumpkin patch
16. Hike a new trail
17. Compete the following programs at work:

       A) Looking at Leaves (library program)
       B) Wild About Elk (homeschool program)
       C) Bison (library program)
       D) Big Cats (library program)
       E) Big Cats (homeschool program)

18. Go camping with my husband
19. Make s'mores
20. Pick up pecans in our backyard
21. Attend a CWC (concealed weapon class)
22. Make a pumpkin roll
23. Host a cousin's soup and bread night
24. Build a bonfire
25. Aid in working the bison at work (preparing for Jubilee, annual vet checks, and public auction)
26. Get a pedicure
27. Harvest marigold seed
28. Carve a pumpkin
29. Make a batch of Pumpkin Streusel Muffins 
30. Make a fairy jar
31. Bake a pumpkin pie
32. Visit friends at Pomme de Terre
33. Complete a 1940's WWII Ration Challenge
34. Celebrate National Bison Day at Prairie State Park
35. Lead an impromptu hike on a very frosty morning and observe frost flowers in the field
36. Enjoy frost flowers in our own backyard
37. Move the wood pile from behind our garage
38. Complete the final unit in Bible college and graduate from Rhema
39. Celebrate Thanksgiving at our youngest daughter and son-in-law's new home
40. Get blinds put up on the south-facing windows (I have them...just haven't got them up yet)

That's what's on my autumn bucket list. What's on yours? (I'd love to see your list, so feel free to share a link to it in the comments section below. Thanks!)

Until next time...

~Rebecca

Friday, September 21, 2018

Decorating For Fall

Recently, I pulled down the box of fall decorations and put some of my favorite pieces out on display. I will share some of them with you here today. 🍁
These squirrel salt and pepper shakers sit atop the microwave amidst pretty pumpkins and autumn leaves. 

This pretty wall hanging was given to me by my cousin, Sara, two autumns ago and, quite frankly, it hangs on the kitchen wall year-round. My plan was to find similar hangings for each season and change them out, but, thus far, that hasn't happened. So...autumn it is...year-round! 🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁

A View of the Shelves That Run Along the Edge of the Kitchen Window

Silk Flowers Mid Pretty Pumpkins and Autumn Leaves

"Good Morning Pumpkin"
(What a humongous cup!!! 😲)

"Be Blessed, Be Thankful"
(And I am!) 

A Pretty Glass Pumpkin

Four Mini-Plates

This is my favorite fall piece of all! This set of four mini-plates feature four different kinds of popular leaves in autumn splendor and are housed in a pretty round box that contains corrugated cardboard to keep them separated. They are the perfect size for serving individual muffins or, perhaps, a pumpkin-spice doughnut or two, and are absolutely beautiful! 🍁

Nothing makes me happier than the warm glow of a fall-scented candle on a chilly, autumn afternoon or evening! 

This is a few of my favorite autumn decorations. What are some of yours? 🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Low-Spend, Dollar-Stretching Challenge - Update #3 and Recipe For Easy Hummus