Friday's Favorite Five's

Another week has rolled on by.  It was an uneventful week here, but I was still able to find some small blessings.  They don't always have to be huge and spectacular, do they?

1.   I made a venison stew one night this week and added some carrots that I had frozen early
      last fall .  They were from our garden and were delicious.  I kept a few back to eat as a snack later,
     but discovered they were too soggy to eat fresh after being frozen.  But they sure were great in that
     stew.

2.  I took a break from the computer this week and it felt really good.  It had become a real time-
     waster. 

3.  I had orders this week for 4 dozen eggs.  That left me with none, temporarily.  I wanted to fix my
     husband a late breakfast/early lunch of scrambled eggs, and had to wait until a few were laid.  I
     went down to the coop and found three eggs.  I brought them back up to the house to prepare, and
     they were still warm.  I thought, "Now that's fresh eggs!" 

4.  We had our taxes done this week.  That is always a good thing to get over with!

5.  I got my electric bill in the mail and found that not using my dryer has really paid off!  What a
     difference in the amount owed when I don't use it.  Sometimes I would wonder if hanging my
    clothes is really worth the effort.  Now I am convinced that it is.  Always a blessing to know that
    I don't HAVE to pay these big companies my hard-earned money!

I hope you all had a wonderful week.  Share your blessings by linking up atLiving to Tell the Story.
                   
                                                                             

Frugal Living and Household Tips

I'm starting a new series here on frugal living.  Afterall, homesteading is all about living frugally.  Today, even people that don't homestead want to live more frugally.  Just what does the word frugal mean?  According to my Merriam-Webster dictionary it means thrifty or careful management, especially of money.  I think most of us are concerned about managing our money carefully.  I don't know about you, but my money doesn't come so easily.  I have to work for it, and I don't want to waste one penny of it.  I thought this would be a great place to share our frugal living tips and household tips that can help us save money.

What about all those household cleansers we buy?  They can be expensive, not to mention all the chemicals that are in them.  Does anyone here have a homemade/natural cleaning product they use?  I mopped my floor this morning.  I haven't used a mop in years.  I don't like the idea of reusing a mop after it cleans a dirty floor.  Nor do I want to buy the disposable swiffers and other products like that.  That can get costly.  I use a clean  rag or washcloth.  They can either be washed afterward or thrown away.  Quite a few years ago I had a beautiful white kitchen floor.  It got to be too dirty for me to be able to clean it myself with good results.  I hired a professional floor cleaner.  I asked him what I should use to mop with.  He told me to never use anything stronger than dish soap!  He said most floor cleaners in the store are much too harsh for your floor.  He said you really don't need to use anything but water to mop with, but if you don't like the idea of not using some kind of cleanser, then stick with a little dishsoap.  That is all I have been using ever since.  Two small drops in a bucket of hot water works great.




                                                                                     


                                                                         

Help for Acid Reflux

I know I've mentioned before that I have acid reflux.  I take prescription medication daily, which I wish I didn't have to do.  I am still believing that some day I will be able to discontinue it.  I have read all I can about home remedies and natural alternatives to treat this bothersome disease.  Here is what I have learned:

1.  Keep apple slices with you and eat one when you have a flare-up of heartburn.  For some reason,
     apples aid in stopping heartburn.

2.  Take 1 tablespoon of honey twice a day.  This aids in the regrowth of tissue, and is especially
     important in repairing damage to your esophogus.

3.  Watch what you eat.  Avoid spicy and acidic foods.  Avoid chocolate, citrus fruit and juices,
     peppermint, garlic, onions, and tomato-based foods.  Limit coffee.

4.  Drink a glass of water after every meal.  Water keeps the sphincter (the little thing that the acid
     leaks  out of )  clean, which seals the stomach, keeping acid and gas out of the esophogus.

5.  Apple cider vinegar is supposed to be wonderful for acid reflux sufferers.  Don't use the typical
     kind that you find in the grocery store.  Buy raw apple cider vinegar, which contains the "mother"
     of vinegar.  You will see little pieces of something floating in the vinegar.  This is the "mother"
     which has wonderful properties in it.  I can't explain it.  I usually buy the Bragg brand.  Read all
     about the health benefits of apple cider vinegar here.  Apple cider vinegar helps you digest food
     more quickly and keep stomach acid in your stomach.  Add 1 oz to a glass of water and drink daily.
    You can add a tablespoon of honey if you want to make it sweeter.  I really don't mind the taste,
    though, and actually find it refreshing.

6.  Wear loose-fitting clothes.

7.  Eat smaller meals.

8.  Don't lie down immediately after eating. 

9.  Elevate your head at night.

10. Chew gum for half an hour when you feel that burning sensation.  Chewing gets the saliva
      flowing and helps wash the acid away naturally.

11. Take gingerroot in capsule form just after you eat.

12. There are a class of herbs called "bitters."   Three of these are genetian root, wormwood, and
      goldenseal.  You can take this is capsule form or liquid extract just before eating.

13. Avoid tobacco smoke - your own or someone else's .  It relaxes the sphincter and increases acid
      production.

14. Avoid fizzy drinks.

15. Some medications aggrevate heartburn, including antideprssants and sedatives.


So there you have it.  I haven't tried all of these.  But I swear by the apple cider vinegar drink.  As always, before you take any herbs, please check with your doctor first.

Friday's Favorite Fives hosted by Living to Tell The Story

Welcome to Friday's Favourite Fives.  You can join in the fun of listing your five favourite blessings from the past week by linking up here.    Some of my blessings include:

1.  Well, this doesn't sound like a blessing, but my husband's back was acting up very badly.  (He injured it in 1994 and has had problems ever since.)  He was put on complete bed rest for the entire week.  Where's the blessing in that?  I got to have him home all week and got to take care of him!! 

2.  I enjoyed baking some cookies for my husband.  I love doing things for him. 

3.  Last Saturday (before throwing his back out) my husband and I spent the day at a local flea market where I had an Avon booth.  I didn't sell a whole lot there, but did generate some good business by handing out books.  Twice this week I received orders on my website from people who got my books at the flea market.  The total from those two sales was just under $200.00!!  That was a wonderful surprise!

4.  I have really been keeping up with my exercising, and this makes me feel so good!  I thank the Lord for my good health.

5.  A nearby town is keeping their gas prices down.  While I was down there for a hair appt, I filled my gas tank at a much lower price than what I have been paying.  That is definately a blessing!

I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Friday's Favorite Fives hosted by Living to Tell The Story

And it's Friday again.  I am writing this just before leaving for work, so it will be a quick one.  Here are my five favourite blessings from the past week.

1.  Wednesday morning I had coffee and a good visit with a wonderful friend from my old church. 
     We get together every couple of months and always have such good conversation.  She is a true
     friend.

2.  I really enjoyed the mild temperatures this week.  It seemed so nice to feel Spring in the air.  I
    know it isn't Spring yet, and we are bound to have another storm , but it was wonderful to enjoy
    it.  The sunshine was so warm and glorious.

3.  I had a sour stomach one day this week and drank a cup of steaming chamomile tea.  It was so
    relaxing and helped my stomach to settle and fee calm again.  There's nothing like hot tea to make
    you feel renewed.

4.  Thursday my husband and I did some errands together and had lunch at a little diner in the next
     town.  We enjoy trying new places to eat and decided that this one was a keeper.  It was great to
    slow down from a busy week and talk with him and enjoy a good lunch.

5.  After our lunch we browsed through a wallpaper shop.  I've mentioned before how we are
     remodeling the home office.  The next step is the wallpaper.  I knew this store had a bargain
    basement (well, it's actually on the second floor) and prayed all week that I would find something
    to my liking that was on sale.  I found it almost immediately.  I LOVE gingham, and was so happy
    to find this.  I got it for a terrific deal!!  Can't wait to see it on the walls!  And I love how God is
    interested in all aspects of our lives.  Even finding me wallpaper that I love .
   

                                                                                 

I hope you all have a terrific Valentine's Day!!

A New Twist on Macaroni and Cheese

Last night I made a delicious casserole.  It was actually macaroni and cheese with a new twist.  I found the recipe in the newest "Simple and Delicious" magazine from "Taste of Home."  I sauted some minced garlic along with some  cut up zucchini and onions.  I added this to my macaroni and cheese along with a can of diced tomatoes.  (without the liquid).  I added breadcrumbs to the top.  It was a wonderful winter supper!  Once or twice a week I like to have a meatless meal.  My husband doesn't like it, but he really liked this casserole so didn't mind too much that there was no meat.

                                                                                      

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Here it is February already!  January was a good month and lots was accomplished.  Time to slow down and focus on our surroundings.  Here is this month's Daybook.  Link up at The Simple Woman.

Outside my window   the sun is shining and the snow is sparkling.  The eaves are dripping, so I know it's above freezing.

I am thinking about a flea market I will be selling at this Saturday. 

I am thankful  for a cozy home and a wonderful husband.

In the kitchen   I have dough rising for whole wheat dinner rolls.  I keep my freezer stocked with that kind of thing.

I am wearing  a pair of navy slacks, a white turtleneck, and pink cardigan sweater.

I am creating  a new recipe for dinner tonight.  A twist on the old familiar macaroni and cheese.

I am going  to look for new wallpaper later this week.

I am wondering  if I will have time to go to my favourite thrift shop this week. 

I am reading   the last book in a wonderful series called "The Country Road Chronicles", by Leisha Kelly.

I am hoping  that our pregnant goat will have a safe birth and not require our help.

I am looking forward to  warm, long summer days and spending more time outdoors.

I am learning  how to play the guitar.

Around the house  my husband is redoing my home office.  He made a beautiful new floor with wood he cut from the property, and he built a window seat and lots of shelves!

I am pondering  why so many of God's people are so distracted by the things of this world.

A favourite quote for today  is "Come unto Me all who are weary and heavy laden , and I will give you rest."  Jesus said this, and it is a wonderful invitation.

One of my favourite things is baking surprises for my husband.

A few plans for the rest of the week  include coffee with a friend I don't get together with often enough, an Avon sales meeting, lunch out with my husband, and having an Avon booth at a local flea market.

A peek into my day     

Friday's Favorite Fives hosted by Living to Tell The Story

                                                                              
This week flew by.   I have been working on so many winter projects and am getting a lot done!  But I still take time to count my blessings, even the smaller, simple ones.  Here are five from this past week.

1.    Listening to oldies.   This week while housecleaning and working on my various projects, I
       played some old records of mine.  That's right.  Record albums!  It was great listening to some
       older music.  It makes housework more fun too!

.     Surprises.  Last week I mentioned my husband starting a new floor in my home office.  Well, he
      also surprised me by making a window seat!  I have always wanted one of those.  This one opens
      up so that I can store things in it.  I can never have enough storage space!

                                                                       

3.    Blackberries.   This week I pulled some blackberries out of the freezer that we had picked out
       back last summer.  It was like tasting a little bit of summer in the middle of winter.  Tonight I
       added some to the waffle mix I whipped up for supper.  Oh, were they delicious!

4.    Bubblebath.   This week I took a bubble bath or two.  Oh so relaxing.  And smells good, too!

5.     New Customers.   This week three different people approached me about regularly buying my fresh eggs.  I was so happy!  Not only does this help out with buying the chicken feed, but it helps us get rid of all those eggs!  I haven't been able to use them up fast enough.  Those hens are really laying!

So it's been a good week.  I hope yours was too.  I would love to hear about your blessings.