FRUGAL FRIDAY Handmade Gifts

Frugality is something that has occupied my mind for many years. When the Hubs was in the Navy and I stayed at home with the kiddos, things were tight. We knew it would be if I stayed home, but it was a sacrifice we took seriously. So in an effort to live off his salary, we had to be FRUGAL. Let's just say, I learned as I went. I got a copy of the book The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn and still use it as reference today. Growing up on a farm helps too. We didn't have much money then, but we always had plenty to eat, clothes and shoes, good friends, and of course one thing was abundant: LOVE. So here's a series of posts about living with less, FRUGAL FRIDAY. Feel free to leave comments and share your ideas for living abundantly with less.

Today I'm going to post a few links that inspire me. I'll try to cover different skill levels and interests. Anyone can make something homemade. Don't worry if you can't cut a straight line, they have tools that do that for you!

Check out this cute salt dough ornament. How cute would that be with Little D's handprint? Just walk through a craft store and you'll find hundreds of kits, ideas, and supplies. Some of my favorites are Joann's, Michael's, Hobby Lobby, and A. C. Moore. I wish there was one of these around the corner from Lanky Ridge, but the closest one is about one hour away. And to get to a Hobby Lobby I have to travel about two hours. It's sad, I know. You can go to the websites (all of them) and browse the project sections, or you can order supplies.

Some magazines have really great DIY crafts. You can subscribe to them, purchase them up at the grocery store, or check them out online. Here are just a few: Better Homes and Gardens, Family Fun, Country Woman Magazine, and Creating Keepsakes. Of course there are many more. Play around online, do some searches. You will be surprised at what you can find.

Food gifts are always appreciated and easy to make. They can be expensive, but try to think about the cost of ingredients when you're deciding what to make. I have made a hot cocoa mix for years that everyone seems to love and it's very simple and inexpensive to make. The presentation is what makes it great. I've used my homemade hot cocoa mix to make "Snowman Soup." You just add mini chocolate chips, mini marshmallows and some crushed candy canes. My son's sixth-grade science teacher STILL raves about that every time I see him. It's almost embarassing! Anyway, here are some great sites for food gifts: The Pioneer Woman, The Pioneer Woman's cinnamon rolls recipe makes A LOT--you could make a large batch and take care of most of your gift list. Beautifully decored jars of Country Living's Granola make great small gifts. Last year, I made homemade vanilla extract that went over very well; it takes about six weeks so you must start early. Basically anything you would love, most of your friends and family would love too.

My Grandma Seay gave all 29 of her grandchildren the same thing every year for Christmas. My sisters and I looked forward to this gift so much, it never got old. Here was the gift: some fruit (usually one apple and one orange), a few nuts, some hard candy, one piece of gum, and a small jar of homemade grape jelly. This was presented in a plain brown paper lunch bag. It was so simple, yet so thoughtful and full of love.

If you can sew, you're in great shape to make gifts! Quilted placemats or pot holders, pillows, little pincusions, these all make wonderful gifts. Comforting eye pillows are great for a mom or teacher.

How about nice little "pamper me" item like sugar scrubs?  Find lots of other neat ideas here.

I hope these ideas inspire you to evaluate your own special talents and skills and make some amazing gifts for all your friends this year. As always, please leave comments and share what you plan to make this year.

FRUGAL FRIDAY: Gift Giving

Frugality is something that has occupied my mind for many years. When the Hubs was in the Navy and I stayed at home with the kiddos, things were tight. We knew it would be if I stayed home, but it was a sacrifice we took seriously. So in an effort to live off his salary, we had to be FRUGAL. Let's just say, I learned as I went. I got a copy of the book The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn and still use it as reference today. Growing up on a farm helps too. We didn't have much money then, but we always had plenty to eat, clothes and shoes, good friends, and of course one thing was abundant: LOVE. So here's a series of posts about living with less, FRUGAL FRIDAY. Feel free to leave comments and share your ideas for living abundantly with less.

Today's edition will focus on gift giving. During this season of celebrations, abundance is prevalent. We have so much that we don't NEED anything, but every year we want more, more, more. In an effort to help you keep within your budget during the holidays, here are just a few tips that work for us. As always, feel free to add your ideas in the comments section.

1. Cut back on gift giving. It's as simple as that. When our children were very young, we decided that each would only get three gifts for Christmas. Jesus only got three, so why did they need more? Typically, one was clothes, one was a book, movie, or game, and the last was a toy they wanted. This has worked well and now Daughter S employs the same rule for Little D. Of course, other family members give them all gifts too. But only three from The Hubs and me.
2. Draw names. My large extended family began doing this in 1987 and it works beautifully. Everyone over the age of 13 goes into the draw. Younger kids typically get a small gift from each family. We set a price range, everyone brings food, and we have a wonderful time of fellowship at someone's home. We all take turns hosting it. I've done this with co-workers too. It's always fun and saves so much.
3. Give homemade gifts. We do this about every year. Some of the items The Hubs and I have made to give: scarves, placemats, baby quilts, other quilted items, jellies, baked goods, wreaths, picture frames, wooden toys, homemade vanilla extract, and so much more. I love to receive homemade items too. It's so special to have something homemade.
4. Put together hobby packs. I've given a book on knitting with needles and yarn, looms with cotton loops, model kits, jewelry making kits and lots more. I even put an Italian dinner together in a basket for my sisters once. The recipient usually appreciates that you've collected all the items needed for something specific.
5. Give experiences. A hiking trip, a visit to a local museum or park, a canoe tour of a nearby lake, the possibilities are endless. Get out and do something together, now that's truly a gift.
6. Get real. Consider how much you're spending and why. A friend who has two children once told me that they usually spend over $2,000 on Christmas gifts for the kids, each other and extended family and friends. This amount really put a strain on their budget.

Consider what you are celebrating. If you are celebrating Christmas, you're marking the birth of Christ. Does spending money help or hinder your marking it? Seriously consider this for a while.

Hope you enjoy this series. I'll cover other topics here and here and here as we go along and hopefully offer something useful to you! Again, feel free to leave comments and share your Frugal Friday tips!

FRUGAL FRIDAY: Black Friday Edition

Today's post is going to be slightly different. Here are just a few tips for smart Black Friday shopping along with some links to what I think is helpful information. Feel free to add your own comments and links too. I have shopped on Black Friday and I have stayed home on Black Friday. It depends on several factors.

1. First of all, I check the ads for various stores in my area. Since we have only a few stores in our local town, we often travel 1 to 2 hours from home to shop (not just on Black Friday). You might think that's too far, but for us it's the price we pay for living out here on Lanky Ridge. Let's just say, there's no Wal-Mart up here. There isn't even a gas station or 7-11 for about 10 miles. Anyway, I find out what good deals are out there first.
2. I make a Christmas list. This includes everyone I buy for and all those little "extras" too. For example, I usually purchase a few generic gifts for no one in particular. If I need a gift at the last minute, no one needs to run out to the store. Since my family does a big "name draw" gift every year and we set price limits; I usually know exactly who I need to buy for and how much it should cost. As of right now, I already have that list made.
3. Then I compare my list with the ads and decide if the items I plan to buy are on sale and where. This allows me to decide if the hassel of going out on Black Friday is worth it. Sometimes it is totally worth it and others not so much.
4. Take a buddy. Tag-team shopping is always helpful and fun. If there is a really long line, one person can wait in line while the other shops and then switch places. This is a common practice and I don't think it's cutting in line or anything. For me, this also helps to ground me. If I see an unexpected item, I can ask the other person if it's a good deal or not. Impulse buying is a huge problem on Black Friday.

I have gone out really early in the morning (embarrassed to say I've left home before 4:00 am a couple times). And I've gone later in the day. Around 10:00 am is a great time to go. Most of the really crazy folks are gone, the store has adjusted it's "crowd control plan" with opening more registers so lines are shorter. And in most cases, there are still good deals to be had.

So I have to keep it real and tell you, I haven't decided if I am going shopping on Black Friday this year. I'm looking at online deals as well as in store deals to determine if I can get the items on my list online. If I go, The Hubs is going with me. He's the love of my life, but not my favorite shopping partner. But with a good plan in place, and excellent communication, I think we'll be fine. And of course, it counts as a date if we have lunch out, if we go.

Here's a great article from Consumer Reports about shopping on Black Friday.

This Black Friday Ad site has links to all the chain stores and their ads. Go here to compare and make a plan.

Here's an extreme couponing blog that has lots of good shopping tips and links to coupons too.

So, if you plan well, make a list and do your homework, shopping the day after Thanksgiving can be worth it. It can also be fun. If you go, please be careful and remember, you just spent a whole day being thankful for what you have, don't act like a fool just because you can.

FRUGAL FRIDAY: General Tips

Frugality is something that has occupied my mind for many years. When the Hubs was in the Navy and I stayed at home with the kiddos, things were tight. We knew it would be if I stayed home, but it was a sacrifice we took seriously. So in an effort to live off his salary, we had to be FRUGAL. Let's just say, I learned as I went. I got a copy of the book The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn and still use it as reference today. Growing up on a farm helps too. We didn't have much money then, but we always had plenty to eat, clothes and shoes, good friends, and of course one thing was abundant: LOVE. So here's a series of posts about living with less, FRUGAL FRIDAY. Feel free to leave comments and share your ideas for living abundantly with less.

Todays tips are general in nature and cover a wide range of topics.

1. Get real about your expenses. Have a family meeting and look at all the places your money goes. This may involve tracking where every dollar goes for a period of time (a week or a month should do). Do you need the long distance service on your house phone? Do you even need a house phone? The most expensive dental insurance plan (which includes orthodontics) is fine if you have children in need of braces, but for empty nesters? How about unlimited internet? High-end cable or cable at all? If you're not sure you can do without something, try a short period of time of not using it. If you decide you can live without it, you don't need it.
2. Live close to where you work. Or work close to home. I'm lucky: my commute is about ten minutes. My son moved from a low-rent home 1.5 hours from his job to a higher rent apartment 15 minutes from his job and he's saving some serious money. You could also consider the time used on other things besides sitting in a car as a bonus.
3. Garden. I've talked about this before and I truly believe that you can save so much money by doing this. Consider how much you would save if you grew 4-5 tomato plants and 1-2 zucchini plants. These could easily be in pots on a patio. Those few plants alone would provide so much fresh produce, I'm sure you would lower your grocery bill for the summer months. Throw a couple herb pots next to a sunny window and you'd be good to go.
4. Go Camping. You could go on a weekend trip, stay in a state or national park and enjoy nature and park activities for a fraction of the cost of a hotel stay. It's a cheap way to see the world. I know it's not for everyone, but we truly enjoy it. And it's not always in the middle of nowhere, either. We took our children to Washington D.C. for a week and enjoyed the sights, museums, the White House and monuments. We took the metro to within 2 blocks of our campsite at a national park. You can often find camping equipment at yard sales for big savings. These items are usually brand new or only gently used.
5. Use a mail-order pharmacy. The Hubs and I both have some medications that we take on a daily basis. Planning ahead so we don't run out saves us hundreds each year. Seriously.
6. Use your cellphone. Set reminders so you don't forget important things (like appointments where you can be charged if forgotten). Download coupons and deals on the spot. The caluculator function can help you figure unit prices in the grocery store. Write yourself a note to compare prices in different stores. These gadgets have so many neat bells & whistles!
7. Accept freebies. When someone says, "I have some clothes that I think will fit your child. Would you like them?" You should always say YES! If there are items you don't want, pass them on to someone else or donate. If you say no, that person will find another mom to give her hand-me-downs to.
8. What did Grandma do? Most people my age (40s) grew up hearing stories about the Great Depression from their parents or grandparents. There are really good lessons to be learned from the older generation. I found when my children were babies that cloth diapers weren't so bad. After all, Grandma used them on nine babies (one at a time, of course). If we just incorporated a few of those tips, we would realize at least a bit of savings. There was a lot of common sense of those stories!

Hope you enjoy this series. I'll cover other topics here and here and here as we go along and hopefully offer something useful to you! Again, feel free to leave comments and share your Frugal Friday tips!

Next week I'll change things up a bit. Frugal Friday will come a day early and I'll post some Black Friday deals for you crazy shoppers. Be sure to stop by!

FRUGAL FRIDAY: Around the House

Today's tips focus on the home and house. The Hubs and I have been very blessed and in June of 2000 we moved into our dream house. We designed it, planned it, built it, and live in it. It will probably be the last home we ever live in and that's just the way we want it. It's a modest home with four bedrooms and three bathrooms, situated right on Lanky Ridge (of course!). Nothing fancy, just right for us. Here are some of our tips on how we keep things within budget.

1. Do it yourself. We had a contractor who let us do whatever we were able to ourselves. The Hubs is an all-around handyman and plumber anyway. Me? Not so much. But I learned. I learned how to hang insulation, tack up baseboard molding and paint ceilings.We did all the painting in the house. The Hubs did all the plumbing. Any labor that you do yourself, you're not paying someone else to do it.
2. Do your own repairs. The Hubs does most of the routine maintenance on our home and cars. I said he's handy, right? His theory is, if I do right, it'll last longer. And he also notices things that need to be fixed because we're living here all the time. (or driving it)
3. Heat with wood. I know it's not practical or economical for everyone. But if possible, this will save so much money. The Hubs buys a permit each year to cut dead/fallen trees in a nearby state forest. It allows for a practially unlimited supply. Plus we have a few acres ourselves and we will cut up trees that have been downed by storms. It's weird, but he enjoys cutting, hauling, and splitting the wood. He says it helps him de-stress.
4. Watch that thermostat. Ours rarely goes below 75 in the summer or above 68 in the winter. You'll often here me say "put on a sweater if you're cold." It's reasonable to dress according to the weather. Even inside.
5. Give your house a check up. Ask your electric company about energy check ups. Some companies will come out and walk through your house to check for energy 'wasters." They will give you ideas to cut down or stop the waste. Always check your bill (phone bill, etc.) for errors and ways to save money.
6. Use a clothesline. I have one outside for sunny days and one in the basement for not-so-sunny days. In the winter with the wood stove going in the basement, the drying clothes help to moisten the dry indoor air. And I actually like the feel and smell of clothes dried naturally.
7. Forget cable tv. We have whatever channels we can pick up with that converter box thing and an antenna that's like ten years old. If you're buying something that comes over the airwaves for free, you aren't interested in saving money.
8. Use rechargeable batteries. I know they're more expensive but trust me, they will pay off in the long run.
9. Flourescent light bulbs. Again, expensive, but well worth it.

Hope you enjoy this series. I'll cover other topics here and here as we go along and hopefully offer something useful to you! Again, feel free to leave comments and share your Frugal Friday tips!

FRUGAL FRIDAYS: Food

Frugality is something that has occupied my mind for many years. When the Hubs was in the Navy and I stayed at home with the kiddos, things were tight. We knew it would be if I stayed home, but it was a sacrifice we took seriously. So in an effort to live off his salary, we had to be FRUGAL. Let's just say, I learned as I went. I got a copy of the book The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn and still use it as reference today. Growing up on a farm helps too. We didn't have much money then, but we always had plenty to eat, clothes and shoes, good friends, and of course one thing was abundant: LOVE. So here's a series of posts about living with less, FRUGAL FRIDAY. Feel free to leave comments and share your ideas for living abundantly with less.

1. Cook from scratch. When you buy food arleady prepared, you're paying for someone else to fix your food. And they get to put whatever they want in it. We all know this right? I've known how to cook since I was really young, but not everyone grew up cooking with the family. If you're interested, take a cooking class, go online, and TRY new recipes. This is a good skill to teach your children too. All my kids know how to cook and they aren't afraid to try out a new recipe or cooking method. Pizza is just one of the things we cook at home. Getting help from little ones is fun too!
2. Eat healthy, whole foods. The basics are typically cheaper and they are better for you anyway. When your budget is bare-bones (like ours sometime is) you should seriously consider what you're buying and what it can do for you. For example, sodas are all fine and good, but they have NO NUTRITIONAL VALUE. Read: you don't need them. Foods that have no nutritional value are a splurge and if you can't afford it you don't need it.
3. Drink water. And I don't mean bottled. Get a re-usable water bottle or two and keep them full in the fridge. When you go somewhere, grab one and you're good-to-go. Essentially a free, renewable beverage right there in your own kitchen. Not many people use them anymore, but there are water fountains all over the place. When you're water is gone, simply refill your bottle. I often carry a small water cooler when we go on trips to refill with good-tasting "home" water.
4. Pack lunch and make coffee at home. If you also use re-useable containers and coffee mugs, that's even better. With leftovers and simple foods, you can have a great lunch, at a fraction of the cost of food purchased out. I'm fortunate there are no "coffee houses" between my home and work. But others I know are tempted.  It's really simple to make your own and take it with you. You can plan ahead and partially pack your lunch the night before. You can get your coffee mug and the coffee pot ready too.
5. Buy inexpensive meats and cook them in the slow cooker. You can take a "cheap" cut of beef or pork, cook it all day, and you'll have the best, most tender meat ever. Also check the discount meat section in your favorite store. Trust me, it's perfectly good to eat. If not, my entire family would have died of some food disease many years ago. The key is to take it home and prepare or store it right away. I often repackage meats (in useable portions) as soon as I get home from the store. I buy large packages of ground meat and repackage in 1/4 pound to 1/2 pound amounts, put it in freezer bags and freeze. We also do this with chicken breasts and pork chops.
6. Don't eat out. This goes along with # 4 above. Food prepared in the home is less expensive than food purchased already prepared. We do occasionally splurge on a restaraunt meal, but it's a special treat, not an everyday thing. We plan ahead when we travel and take food with us.
7. Garden. This is something that we have done with various success on small city "side yards" and large country back yards. We found in the city, our side yard was just perfect for growing a few tomato plants and some peppers, but not so great for carrots or potatoes. One year, the deer ate most of our veggies in our big country back yard. Don't get me started on the issues with our soil. But we have been fairly successful in growing strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes, squash/zucchini/pumpkins, watermelons, a variety of beans, and herbs. Because of time constraints of The Hubs and me, and the lack of help (kids grow up and have busy schedules), we didn't plant a garden for the last two years. We plan to again next year. Even though WE didn't grow anything, good-hearted gardener friends/family members shared these with us (all free to us): strawberries, cucumbers, tomatoes, peaches, apples, cilantro, basil, mint, squash, zucchini, green bell pepper, jalepeno peppers, and sweet potatoes.
8. Go vegetarian. Meat is generally the most expensive part of any meal. So if you skip the meat once in a while, you will save some serious money. Years ago, I suggested my family have one "no-meat" or "less-meat" dinner each week. I'll tell you, The Hubs was not totally in favor of that at first. But since then we have enjoyed some yummy beans and rice dishes, hearty soups and salads. I can happily say he's now on board with it. And the kids learned that a good meal doesn't always HAVE to include meat.

Hope you enjoy this series. I'll cover other topics here as we go along and hopefully offer something useful to you! Again, feel free to leave comments and share your Frugal Friday tips!

FRUGAL FRIDAY: Shopping

Frugality is something that has occupied my mind for many years. When the Hubs was in the Navy and I stayed at home with the kiddos, things were tight. We knew it would be if I stayed home, but it was a sacrifice we took seriously. So in an effort to live off his salary, we had to be FRUGAL. Let's just say, I learned as I went. I got a copy of the book The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn and still use it as reference today. Growing up on a farm helps too. We didn't have much money then, but we always had plenty to eat, clothes and shoes, good friends, and of course one thing was abundant: LOVE. So here's a series of posts about living with less, FRUGAL FRIDAY. Feel free to leave comments and share your ideas for living abundantly with less.

1. Shop grocery store sales. Get those sales flyers from the newspapers or check online at your store of choice and make your shopping list accordingly. Check the loss leader sales (on the front page and the back page) and plan your menu for the week by what's on sale. It's a good idea to know what you would pay regular price, because sometimes sales can be misleading. If you match coupons up with the sales, you can do even better. 
2.  Buy in bulk. If the loss leader is chicken breast for $1.19 a pound and you have the space in your freezer, consider buying several packages and re-packaging into the amount you need for a meal. When tuna is on sale for $.39 a can, buy 20 to 40 cans. Bulk buying doesn't always have to be at the big box stores.
3. Shop at thrift stores, consignment shops, and yard sales. You can find the best deals on clothing (especially for kids), furniture, household items, craft items and more. I've recently discovered that a couple of my regular haunts have great deals on new fabric. It's often mixed in with linens and prices vary. Some thrift stores offer discounts on select days. I once found a store that offered a military discount on Tuesday, so I began stopping by just about every Tuesday to check for super good deals.

4. Dumpster dive. Well, not really. Just be on the lookout for discarded items that you could use. The Hubs just re-finished a beautiful rocking chair that Daughter P found beside the dumpster. It is just lovely and rocking that new grandson is a favorite hobby of mine! Other things we have graciously accepted that were destined for the dumpster: a twin size bed with mattress, several dressers, book cases, tents and other camping equipment, untold numbers of toys, and clothes. Don't be too good to take something that is still perfectly good to use! And don't even get me started on hand-me-downs. With two older sisters and multiple girl cousins, I practically grew up in them and I turned out perfectly fine.  And my children all enjoyed the pre-owned garment from time to time.
5. Look for interesting ways to get books cheap or free. Ah, this is a real problem for me. My appetite for reading is un-be-liev-able.  Unfortunately Daughter S is the same way. So we have to find inexpensive ways to feed our habits. Libraries are great. All the books you can read for FREE? Oh, yeah. We're in! Also, find friends or family members who enjoy a good book and exchange with them. I've recently loaned my mom a series of five books. I have several friends (including my mom and sisters) who enjoy the same kind of historical fiction I like. We trade books all the time. (Just remember to put your name in the books you loan out. I've returned books to the wrong friend because I couldn't remember who they belonged to!) Free Kindle books are also a great source for hours of reading pleasure. My Kindle was a gift from The Hubs and I LOVE it! Not only for me, but I recently found loads of kids books to download FOR FREE for Little D.

There are lots of frugal tips out there on the internet. There are even whole website focused on frugal living. Here is just one post from Patrice Lewis at Rural-Revolution that I thought was great. I WISH the internet had been readily available with I was a stay-at-home-mom! There is so much information out there about running a household, saving money, raising kids. It's overwhelming. But I certainly could have used it.

Hope you enjoy this series. I'll cover other topics here as we go along and hopefully offer something useful to you! Again, feel free to leave comments and share your Frugal Friday tips!

The View

I've been so bad about posting lately, I thought I would post some pictures from around Lanky Ridge.

The view from the mailbox at Lanky Ridge

 Same mailbox, opposite direction

An empty bluebird house with the front gone

A lovely shot of fall color

Not much, but it's the best I can do for now. Things around here are slowing down some now and hopefully, I can become a much more regular blogger now. Talk to you soon

NOT A POLITICAL POST

We have been getting so many political calls over here on Lanky Ridge. The phone rings several times every evening with one party/group/candidate vying for our vote. It's become a joke in our house.

We found out a few days ago that none of these people want to talk with a three-year-old. When the phone rings, Little D is the only one who gets excited, so we've been letting him answer. (Caller I.D. is great) A few days ago, he spent about 15 minutes talking to someone about his day. The conversation (one-sided) went something like this:

"I went to work today." (he calls day care his "work")
"It's dark outside. I can't play with my tractors outside now"
"Mama's at work, but she's on her way home now."
"I like talking to pretty girls."
"Are you coming to my house?"

And this just cracked us up. The Hubs and I decided it was probably the most interesting conversation that campaign worker had all day.

So in just a couple short weeks, we'll be done with all this campaign stuff. I'll be so glad. Then we can all complain about the winner and swear WE didn't vote for him

Over on  Rural Revolution, Patrice Lewis has some really good, thoughtful answers to some pressing questions about taxes and government. I thought it was truly worth sharing. She makes some really great points.

So join me in anxiously awaiting November 6th.

A Great Day Today

I had such a great day today. And I was at work! This time of year is really busy and some days I don't feel like I get anything done. Today however was not one of those days. My co-workers and I got so much work done today! We also got to spend the day in a wonderful place: Holliday Lake State Park.

Beautiful Holliday Lake State Park

It's been so warm and the flowers are blooming and the birds are singing and it's just been a wonderful week. I even had time today to get a quick hair cut on my lunch break.

Anyway, if you get a chance to get outside this weekend, you should really consider going to Holliday Lake State Park. Even though it has been very warm, the beach isn't open yet. That will happen (as always) on Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend. The campground is open and the picnic area is open and the hiking trails are open. You can also go fishing!

So I hope to see you there!

Take a Hike!

Spring is such a great time for getting outdoors and enjoying the sunshine, the warm breezes, the beauty of nature. So you should really get out and see what's out there.

No matter where you live, there is surely a park or botanical garden or natural area you could go. If you have your own wild backyard or woods, that's even better.

Some wildflowers

I live in a very rural area and there are lots of places I can go to hike or just enjoy wildflowers and wildlife. I also own property that is partially "wild." So I have plenty of room to roam. But I live near some great place to explore nature too. Like Holliday Lake State Park and the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest.

I love to walk in the woods this time of year. There are flowers blooming everywhere. One of my favorites is the Pink Lady's Slipper. It's unusual shape is very interesting and it always causes me to wonder. It's also just plain cool. You have to be really quick to see them in bloom because they don't last long. If the Mountain Laurel is blooming, the Lady's Slippers probably are too. The Mountain Laurel is more abundant and usually more visible.

Pink Lady's Slippers

These are some I found a couple years ago at Holliday Lake State Park. It is truly my favorite hiking place. It has miles of trails and a lake (of course) and camping and a beach. Just about everything you want in a park. And I'm lucky enough to go there almost every day.

Me on a good day at the park

Here I am on a really great day at the park! I'm so happy to out on the trails and not stuck in an office somewhere. It's not the best as far as "hair days" go, but it was a really great day on the trail!

I hope you will find a good trail near you and GO FOR A HIKE!! Today if possible.

Making Not Buying Experiences

Easter is a very special time. It's a time we reflect and rejoice in our Savior, Jesus Christ. I believe if you celebrate Easter, you shouldn't be offended by this.

It has always been our tradition to color eggs at Easter. I love to do that. It's so much fun with small children. I know there are many kinds of dye kits out there, but we've never used anything other than the very simplest kind. They have been about $.97 as long as I can remember.

Last year, we got a chance to color eggs with Little D. He was so amazed that we let him play with the eggs. He calls them "baby eggs." And he was able to play with the colored water and get his hands dirty. Well, maybe not dirty, but colored.

Daughter S and Little D colored eggs again this morning. I missed the excitement, but I know he really had fun. Both his hands were a nice shade of sage green.

The point is: you don't have to buy expensive things or pay a lot of money to create fun memories. We've used the same Easter baskets for years and the eggs and dye kits are very inexpensive. But we were able to create great memories over the years with our kids and now with our grandkids.

Happy Easter Everyone!

Easter Weekend Started It All

Over the weekend, I attended a baby shower for my youngest daughter. My sisters and some of our aunts gave a lovely shower with lots a good friends, great food, and wonderful fellowship. Daughter P received some very useful and fun items for the baby boy due in just a few weeks. It really got me thinking about when I was pregnant with her.

It was Easter weekend and Son J and Daughter S and I went to spend the weekend with my parents. The Hubs was out to sea for a short while and in those days I was fearless. I thought nothing of traveling with two toddlers. What could happen? I was Super Mom! Besides the baby wasn't due for another 2 months.

Easter 1993

Here we are in my parent's yard on Easter Sunday. This was back in the day when maternity dresses were made to hide the pregnancy. Weren't we cute? Do you love the forsythia bushes? They are always spectacular.

So there I was with two little bitties 3 hours away from my doctor and the Hub (my choice labor coach) out in the Atlantic Ocean playing who-knows-what kind of games. And after church and the Easter egg hunt was over and I had eaten my weight in ham, my sisters and I were sitting around and I said, "Hey that was a contraction!" Talk about freaking people out. But I didn't have another one that day and I thought it was all good. Then on Monday on the drive home (yes with two little bitties), I had two more. Then the next day, several more.

On Wednesday, I went to the doctor and found out I was having even more. They gave me some meds to slow things down and told me to take it easy and go to the hospital if they became 15 minutes apart. The Hubs came home on schedule and I though I was home free. It was just stress, everything would be fine now.

A few days later I found myself back at the hospital in pretty serious labor. Sure enough that baby wanted out! They hooked me up to an IV and started pumping me up with all kinds of stuff. Stuff to slow the contractions, stuff to make my uterus relax, stuff to make the baby's lungs develop faster and who knows what else. Then they put me in an ambulance and sent me to Portsmouth Naval Hospital. They have a NICU there just in case they couldn't stop my labor, the baby would be in good hands.

When they wheeled me in to the labor/delivery room, I had no idea I wouldn't see the light of day for two weeks. Yep, I spent the next 14 days in the hospital flat on my back not even allowed to walk the few feet to the bathroom. When I was finally allowed to go home, it was with very strict orders on what I couldn't do. Like GET UP! So bed rest at home for another 6 weeks.

Oh yeah, remember the two toddlers that I had already birthed? They were attended to by a dear friend when they weren't with my parents. I had such good friend! (then and now) Friends took me to every doctor appointment (over 1 hour away), brought us meals three times a week, helped with the kids, cleaned my house, did our laundry, you name it!

So after all that, Daughter P was born on June 1, 1993. She weighed all of 6 pounds 14 1/4 ounces. She was very healthy and for the most part happy.

Daughter P

She was such a good baby. Of course, she had a brother and a sister to play with her, bring her stuff, pick up what she dropped, push her in the swing, laugh at her, tickle her. Anyway thinking about her baby coming soon has me thinking about her. We can't wait to meet him!

Candy! Candy!

I'm in LOVE with this candy!

It's so good. The almonds are yummy (and good for you). The chocolate is rich and creamy. The candy coating is crunchy and delicious! I've fallen in love with it!

I read the "Nutrition Facts" on the back and the serving size is ten pieces. TEN! Really? I've eaten that many just writing this article. And there are 200 calories in those 10 pieces. I won't tell anybody if you don't.

It's a good thing it only comes in an 8 ounce size. If the bag was bigger, I'd be in serious trouble.

No, what's really good is the hubs doesn't like almonds. So I get the whole bag to myself.

What's your favorite candy?

March 28, 1969

Here is a page from my Nanny's journal from the year 1969:

March 28: Clear. Roger took Carolyn to the hospital. Baby girl born about 7 O'Clock.

March 29: Clear. They sawed some logs. Lewis Morgan helped. Sandi's Birthday.

March 30: Clear. Windy. We went to church. Went to hospital to see Carolyn and baby.

March 31: Clear. Carolyn and Sarah Grace came home.

Me

 

 

 

My mom gave me this journal from 1969 a few weeks ago. It's so cool to have a window into the heart of my grandmother. She almost always reported the weather and the work done around the farm. Above, she reported that they sawed some logs. My dad, grandfather and uncle owned a sawmill. In other entries, she listed farm chores like plowing or cutting hay. Typical for the time and the woman, she rarely reported what she did in the house. Her days were filled with laundry, cleaning, cooking, canning, caring for the garden and her chickens. But you wouldn't know it from her journal. She did what was expected of her and never gave it a second thought. I miss her....

A Couple of Projects

I've recently finished up a couple of quilting projects. My Nanny taught me how to quilt years ago. She was what I call "A Real Quilter." That means she learned (like I did) by watching her mom and grandmother and she made quilts because her family needed them for warmth. It wasn't an art form like it is today. I love all quilts. Quilt shows are awesome and I enjoy seeing the old ones and the new "Artsy" ones.

Graduation Quilt for Daughter S

This one is a full-sized quilt that I started for Daughter S's high school graduation. I finished it a couple of months ago. I'm embarrassed to say that she is now a Junior in college. But better late than never. She helped design it and picked the fabrics. It fits a queen-sized bed.

Hannah's Quilt

This one is a baby quilt for baby Hannah. She is due in April and her daddy was the ring bearer at my wedding. It's so cute and the pink and brown are so popular for baby girls these days. The photo shows up a little dark-the pink is not that dark. I love doing baby quilts because they are (usually) quick and easy. And this one was done on a new quilt frame the hubs made for me out of PVC pipe. A post about that is in the works. I have to wait until I have a quilt in the frame so I can get some good photos. But it's coming, I promise.

Close-up of the fabric

Isn't it so special when you see a baby with something homemade. Either a quilted blanket or a crochet or knit blanket. And when I see tiny little crocheted booties or hats, I die a thousand deaths. What is it about babies that makes grown women die? I don't know, but it must be some primal instinct thing. How else would a woman go through labor?

Sorry about all that.

I may have just lost a few readers.

I'll never talk about that stuff again.

That's a lie.

Anyway, I just wanted to share some special projects. These two are done and now I've moved on to knitting a baby blanket (first time to knit a blanket for me) for the new grandbaby due in May. I'm about half-way through. I'm going to make him a baby quilt too.

Working on a quilt gives me such comfort. As a child, I spent many days at my Nanny's feet under her large quilt frame while she was stitching one. From underneath, the various colors of the pieces make an amazing sight with the light coming through. It's a beautiful thing.

The Past Seven Days

All these things happened in the last seven days:

• I rode in a car for 6+ hours with a two-year-old and an eight-year-old
• I got the stomach bug that's going around
• I missed two days of work
• No one in my family made me Jell-O
• When I'm sick and no one makes me Jell-O, I get depressed
• No one called to check on me while I was at home sick
• When no one calls to check on me, I get depressed
• My boss made me feel guilty for missing work
• My daughter P and her hubby got the stomach bug and she wanted me to come over an make Jell-O for them. I couldn't because it was too far from my bathroom
• She gets depressed when she is sick and no one makes Jell-O for her
• My co-worker who is on vacation this week sent me multiple emails asking me to do stuff (since she was on vacation, she didn't know I was out sick)
• I didn't get much stuff done at work because I was only there for 2.7 day
• There is lots of stuff piled up on my desk
• When there is lots of stuff piled up on my desk, I get depressed
• My daughter S was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma (yeah!). While attempting to take a picture of her during this event, my camera broke. Really BROKE!
• The hubs and I went grocery shopping and he "helped" me with my coupons. By helping I mean he put them in his pocket and then I forgot to give them to the cashier
• My mom had minor surgery to remove some skin cancer from her face. There was a scary moment of about 2 hours that I couldn't reach her or my dad and I got freaked out (but she's ok. Dad turned his phone off and took a catnap in the waiting room. It was a long day for him)
• My mom is feeling a little depressed because her face is all bandaged (I still think she looks beautiful)
• When my mom feels bad, I get depressed
• I'm teaching a class at a women's retreat this weekend. Since I was sick, I didn't have much time to prepare for it
• When I'm not prepared for stuff, I get depressed
• I haven't cooked for my family all week
• I haven't cleaned my house all week
• I haven't done laundry all week
• When my house isn't clean and there's no clean clothes, I get depressed

I'm not kidding. I can't make this stuff up people! But next week is going to be better.

Meeting Pioneer Woman

My sister BL and I went to meet The Pioneer Woman over the weekend. She was in Virginia Beach, so we loaded up BL's two daughters and drove the 3.5 hours to have our books signed.

 Here I am waiting to meet the Pioneer Woman

Once we arrived, I sent the Hubs a text message: "We are here. I had forgotten how much it is to travel with kids." His response: "LOL."

I've been enjoying The Pioneer Woman's website for a couple years now. I gave my dad her first cookbook as a Christmas gift two years ago. I thought he would enjoy the pictures, and he has. But what I didn't expect was that he would actually try some of her recipes. He makes the brisket on page 160 all the time. 

So BL and the girls and I waited in line to meet her. After about 2.5 hours, she arrived and began signing books. When it was our turn, we were all surprised at how much time she actually talked with us. She complimented my nieces on their cute matching skirts and said they were all ready for St. Paddy's Day (which they were). She talked to us the whole time she was signing our books. We had about seven total with my dad's and my three and BL's two and the newest cookbook for my mom. I had printed a picture of my grandmother and written up a brief story of her meeting my grandfather and how they married and she moved from Norfolk to the farm. They raised nine children there. I said she is another real pioneer woman and Ree agreed!

Here we all are with Ree "The Pioneer Woman"

It was so much fun, even if the girls were a little restless after a while. Everyone in line with us was nice too. There were people from Virginia Beach and also folks who traveled to see her (like us). 

If you get a chance you should check out her website. I think I'm in love with it!

Spring is Springing

The weather has been crazy. First we had a very mild winter in Virginia. Then we had a couple late snows. Now we are having wicked thunderstorms. The one last night blew in fast and furious. It scared Little D (my 3-year-old grandson). He has a Dr. Seuss book "Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?" that has a page with thunder and lightening (use your imagination).  My daughter S (his mom) got the book out and they were looking at it so she could explain thunder and lightening. I think it helped him with his fear. Little D was looking out the window waiting for the flash of lightening! So all night, we had to read that book to him. Don't get me wrong, I love Dr. Seuss as much as the next girl, but after a while, it gets a little boring for grown ups.

What it's all about

So, this is my first post on my new blog: Life on Lanky Ridge. I have lots of ideas for this. I'll write about:

• Our family. Why won't the nest empty?
• Our perpetually unfinished projects. My quilting, knitting; John's home, etc.
• Cooking. Does the smoke alarm sound mean dinner's ready at your house too?
• Becoming grandparents in our 40s.
• Shopping. How many coupons are too many for one trip?
• Life in the country
• Our love of God, country and family

I hope you'll stop by often and get to know us. We would love for you to leave a comment too!