Posted in Simple and Frugal Living

Rhonda, at down---to---earth has written an excellent article on living simply - Making the life you want.  She not only shares how she began making changes to simplify her own life, she also gives practical advice for making your own workable version of the simple life, the life you want. 

"Don't be fooled into believing that a simple life - or whatever you call it, is easy. It usually involves doing more work because you give away convenience and you trade fast for slow.  And don't live your life according to mine, think about what you want and custom make the life you want."  ~ Rhonda, down--to--earth

If like me, you want to simplify your life a bit more this year, do check out this article.  I've got a fresh page in my notebook ready to start listing ideas and plans for making the simple life I want!

1 item on my list of simple things to do this year is soapmaking. 

I also plan to do quite a bit of sewing for the home using recycled materials when at all possible.  Napkins is first on the list of things to make, and I think I have an old sheet and some other fabric that will work perfectly.  I hope to eliminate most of the paper goods we use around the house. 

I'll share more of my own simple living thoughts with you in the days to come.

Please share your own ideas or plans for simple living this year with us as well.  Leave a comment with your thoughts, or put a link to your blog post in the comments for us so we can find you!

Blessings,

Catherine

Posted in Simple and Frugal Living

I read this great list of uses for hydrogen peroxide, and thought some of you might benefit from it as well:

Ten Household Uses for Hydrogen Peroxide

I knew hydrogen peroxide was good for cleaning wounds, removing blood stains, and brushing teeth; but some of the others were complete surprises to me, and things that I needed to know!  I also had no idea that hydrogen peroxide is the same as the non-chlorine bleach that they sell in the health food stores. 

I will be putting some of these things into use in our home today ... the shower could use some peroxide, as could the laundry, and why not the houseplants, too ! 

Check out this great article at One Green Generation, you might just find a new use for that little brown bottle in the medicine cabinet; and like me decide you need to invest in a larger bottle next time!

Blessings,

Catherine

Posted in Simple and Frugal Living

Here's a tasty and inexpensive recipe from my recipe pile:

Apple Syrup

1 cup apple juice

2 cups sugar

dash cinnamon

Bring all ingredients to a boil over medium heat.  Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 10 minutes. 

Do not stir. (Not sure why, but that's what the recipe says .)

Remove from heat, and let cool for 15 minutes.

Enjoy on pancakes or waffles.

Blessings,

Catherine

Posted in Simple and Frugal Living

I've enjoyed reading your thoughts on simple living over the past week.  It has been fun and thought provoking to read your posts.  Several of you joined in on the conversation, and I thank you!  Learning from each other and seeing things from different perspectives is a great benefit from a community such as this. 

As I have read your posts and have revisited some books about simplicity on my bookshelves; I find that there are so many ways to approach this, and each of us has to find our own way.  What may be simple to me, may not be the same for you. 

I found The Garden of Simplicity  at the Simple Living Network interesting...so many different ways to see and define simple living! 

In my own life right now, I think this quote sums it up-

The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.  ~ Hans Hofmann

Thanks again to those who joined in this conversation, you have been a blessing!

I wish that I had saved the links to all your posts so I list them here.  Next time I'll see if I can manage one of those little linky things to make that easier. 

I'll leave you with the words of Thoreau....Simplify, simplify!

Many Blessings,

Catherine :)

Posted in Simple and Frugal Living

Some have said they would be interested in a conversation about living simply.  Last week I posted about participating in the simple home audit, which I am still working on in my spare time (precious little of that to be found these days).  I will post a few questions to get you thinking and the conversation rolling.  Please jump in with your own questions, answers, thoughts, ideas.  Learning from each other is what this conversation is about!   

I think the first thing we all have to decide is why we are seeking Simplicity. 

What are your reasons for wanting a more simple life? 

What does the simple life look like in your mind? 

What do you want your life to look like, and how will simplicity help you get where you want to be? 

For me, simplicity as a spiritual discipline began my journey to simple living.  I participated in a group study of Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline and Celebrating the Disciplines.  As I began to read and study simplicity, I was led to pursue this in my own life.  The chapter on simplicity in Foster's book begins with this statement: Simplicity is freedom.  That is what I seek, freedom in Christ in all aspects of my life.  According to Foster, simplicity is an inward reality that results in an outward life-style.  I first had to focus on the inside, then the outward expression came forth.  This is a journey, I have not yet "arrived", and I expect it will be an ongoing journey as I discover different aspects of simplicity that I can embrace and live out. 

Once you know why you are seeking simplicity, choose an area of focus. 

What is one area of your life that needs to be made simpler, less complicated, or busy? 

What area causes you the most stress? 

Finances are my family's area of focus at the moment.  Though we are living as simply as we know how on one income, there is more to be done.  We are working to eliminate all debt and reduce our cost of living, in order to have total freedom to be used by the Lord at any time, and in any way He should choose.  Though buying a homestead of our own someday is our dream, that too is waiting on the Lord.   If He chooses that path, we will joyfully take it; if not we will go wherever He leads.

Now, choose a course of action.

What is one thing you can do today to simplify your life?

Choose one thing, and begin today. 

My "one thing" is to record every single purchase for a while.  Not a pleasant task for one who isn't that detail oriented; but an eye opener as to where money is being spent in ways that could be eliminated.  I have found that I need to be more diligent in planning meals and grocery shopping.  Each extra trip to the store for "just one thing" adds up quickly!   

It takes time to create a habit, but once you have that one thing down, choose another area and start on that one. 

Diving in and trying to do everything at once will overwhelm you (and your family) and you may end up giving up in frustration. 

OK, those are just a few thoughts to consider.  Please join in and share your own experiences in living simply with us!

Blessings,

Catherine

Posted in Simple and Frugal Living

I love this tutorial on How to Make an Oil Lamp at down--to--earth, a blog I read frequently.  Rhonda shares so much wonderful information on living simply and deliberately.  Lots of good things on her site, so make yourself a nice cup of tea and be prepared to stay a while.   

Recently she talked about doing a Simple Home Audit, which I think is a very good idea.  Sometimes we need to stop and take stock of where we are on our journey and make some changes if needed.  I am working on doing my own personal audit, and will be posting about that as I have time.  Rhonda's audit started the same time as my husband's vacation, so I've had to put mine on the back burner for a while.   If you would like to read Rhonda's thoughts and discussion questions for this subject, scroll down to the bottom of her blog and click on Biggest Kitchen Table.   Perhaps we can have our own discussion on how we are seeking to live simply here at HSB. 

Hope you enjoy her blog as much as I do; and please share your thoughts on the Simple Home Audit and living simply with us here.

Blessings,

Catherine

Posted in Simple and Frugal Living

A lot of times we think... oh these are bad, or they are way past their prime, I can't use these... BUT if we think and are a bit creative, what wonderful surprises are just waiting to be discovered.
Speaking of, I had this large pack of cherry tomatoes. Wonderful when they are firm and fresh.  Not so great when they are soft and wrinkled.
BUT, by throwing them in my blender (with a few fresh cloves of garlic) or food processor for just a few quick pulses, I have a wonderful start to some homemade salsa, spaghetti sauce or soup, or pour into a freezer bag and keep it for another time.
Lots of wonderful possibilities. :)
Mine went into Tuesday nights spaghetti. :)
Enjoy and remember, find new uses for what you already have!

Blessings,
Chasity L. Burrell
Senior Editor Homesteadblogger
Heritage Acres Homestead

Posted in Simple and Frugal Living

I have been organizing some of my watercolor materials to take on the road with me. I have never prepared a travelling kit, but would like to have a small stash of supplies on hand that will allow me to be creative when I am inspired on the road, without having to lug around a large box of supplies. If you have ever travelled to a hotel, on an airplane, bus, road tripped, camped, or Rv-ed then you know space and weight are crucial. However, I have had the blessing of doodling when we have been camping and reviewing those doodles are more than just memories; they tell about me as a person. This is something that a camera cannot capture. Now back to my original idea. I was still left wondering how to accomplish this. I even wondered if I could accomplish this in a way that would fit in with our business.

On errand day this week, I made a stop at Michael’s to check on the price of a travel palette and I needed a bottle of masking fluid. Masking fluid is a bit pricey, but it lasts a long time. I also had on my list a Chinese water color brush for a new technique I have wanted to try. The selection at Michael’s was in terrible condition. There was a nice lady in the asile who could see me struggling and asked what I was looking for. She asked if I had a coupon. I replied no because I don’t get the newspaper. She said, “Aren’t you on the Joann’s mailing list?” This I interpreted to mean, “Aren’t you in the club?” I replied yes, but that Joann’s doesn’t carry that supplies that I need for painting. She said to me (Are you sitting down? Oh, of course you are, because you are reading this on your computer; silly me!), “You can use your Joann’s coupons here.” WHAT? That’s what a girl gets when she doesn’t read the secret club membership book!

The look on my face said it all…I was completely clueless. Sure enough, I asked and Michael’s accepts Joann’s coupons. SO, even if I don’t need a craft item, I can get my artist’s supplies and use the 40-50% off coupons! So for all of you who were in the dark like me, I am here to inform. Now, go and save, but do so within your budget, says I! What a GREAT way to end the week!

Have FUN saving even more on your art and craft supplies!

These are my thoughts.

Leslie Valeska

~Contributing Writer~

Leslie Valeska is the lucky wife of Thomas.  With children ranging in ages from 4-16, she has had a lot of time to learn and experience much of the fine art of homemaking. She is a writer, speaker, and vintage seamstress. For FREE daily tips and a FREE E-zine on simple and frugal living visit her blog Journey to Simplicity. Need a source of encouragement, inspiration, and support on your journey to Godly womanhood? Visit Simple Journey Ministries (she has a FREE E-zine too!)

Posted in Simple and Frugal Living

When it comes to frugal living, beans just seem to come to mind, don't they?  They are so inexpensive, easy to prepare in many ways, and are also very nutritious.  It is no wonder so many use beans as a staple food in their diet. 

Our family loves beans, well my husband and I do, and all of my children did until recently, when the youngest 2 began to get picky.  Since we are living very frugally these days(the economy has done us no favors). beans are on the menu even more than normal.

My picky eaters will turn up their noses at our "regular" beans, but will eat refried beans without a negative word; and they love what they call "sweet beans", which are really those nasty canned baked beans.  Since they like "sweet beans", I thought I'd try out my grandmother's recipe for them.  My husband thinks that sweet beans are almost inedible, so I'll continue to make our regular beans for him, but from time to time I'll make the recipe below for the "sweet bean" fans in our household.

Grandma's Pinto Beans

2 cups dry pinto beans- cook in water until just tender

Add: 

1 onion, chopped

1 Tbl sugar

2 Tbl chili powder

2 Tbl molasses

1 tsp powdered dry mustard

salt to taste

Continue to cook until beans are soft.   

Grandma always served her beans with cornbread, which traditionally in our family is not sweet. 

Here's another of grandma's bean recipes.  Another one I don't make often because my husband insists that beans are one dish, chili is another, and the two don't mix !  Silly man.  Anyway, it makes a big pot of meaty, chili beans, that are quite tasty. 

Mexican Beans

Cook 2 lbs. beans until tender. 

Brown 2 lbs. ground meat

Add this to beans along with:

8 oz. taco sauce

1 can green chilis

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tbl chili powder

1 can diced tomatoes (recipe says 1 large can, I would use the 14 oz. can, I think)

2 onions, chopped

1/2 tsp cumin

salt to taste

Simmer until ready to serve. 

For our family's staple "regular beans", I soak pintos using the quick soak method on the package.   After soaking for an hour, I add more water and bring to a boil, then add the following:

salt- to taste

black pepper- quite a bit, but to taste

garlic powder- again, to taste, probably 1/2 tsp or so

liquid smoke, 1 tsp or so (optional)

1 small onion, chopped finely (to disguise it from picky little people)

Cook, over med. to low heat, adding water as needed, until very soft and the broth has thickened. 

I serve them plain, with cornbread, potatoes and a leafy green veggie for one meal, then make refried beans with the leftovers.  To do this, simply add 2 tbl. or so of one of the following into a large skillet: vegetable oil, bacon grease, or lard.  I use veg. oil these days since it is the healthiest option, the bacon grease gives the best flavor in my opinion.  Heat over med.-hi. heat until hot, add beans.  Stir and mash until most of the liquid cooks off and beans are as smooth as you like.  Now you have refried beans for side dishes, or another staple in our family- breakfast tacos.  Heat flour tortillas, add some refried beans, cheese, and eggs, bacon, or whatever you like.  Don't forget the salsa!

Hope these recipes help you plan some frugal meals for your family!

Blessings,

Catherine

Posted in Simple and Frugal Living

You have heard the expression, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” right? Well, I believe in that philosophy, but sometimes it can be hard to get your inner core to go along for the ride, know what I mean? With so many families facing financial tightness, they are realizing that every little bit helps. Last week and earlier this week I offered some tips on how you can clean out your pantry & refrigerator without wasting a penny AND saving on cleaning supplies. I recently answered the question about how to begin to build your store house when your budget is already tight. In keeping with this thought process, here is a fresh way to lower your food budget with one simple purchase to help save money.

Instead of buying 3 lemons for $1, consider buying a whole bag. You may not think you will use all these lemons, unless you actually do make lemonade frequently, but over time you will. The simplest way to keep fresh raw lemons on hand, instead of the cooked stuff that comes in a bottle, is to purchase that bag of lemons. All you need to do to store them is cut them in half and place in a small zip style freezer bag or food saver and place in your freezer. I double the protection, by placing these smaller bags in a larger zip style freezer bag. These will keep for about 6 months. They may keep longer, but I have never had them around longer than that to know the actual freezer life of frozen lemons.

The best part, when you defrost these halves, they will be MUCH easier to juice! This works for any citrus fruits, so stock up on limes and oranges when they are on sale as well. Simply frugal living at its best.

These are my thoughts.

Leslie Valeska

~Contributing Writer~

Leslie Valeska is the lucky wife of Thomas.  With children ranging in ages from 4-16, she has had a lot of time to learn and experience much of the fine art of homemaking. She is a writer, speaker, and vintage seamstress. For FREE daily tips and a FREE E-zine on simple and frugal living visit her blog Journey to Simplicity. Need a source of encouragement, inspiration, and support on your journey to Godly womanhood? Visit Simple Journey Ministries (she has a FREE E-zine too!)

Posted in Simple and Frugal Living

A great way to utilize space is to go vertical, right? But there is often a cost involved (even a minimal one) for organizers in the garage. But there doesn’t have to be; it can be done for FREE!

Most of us have a collection of tote bags that are given for free from a variety of companies. Every time I renew my membership or begin a new membership to something I usually get a free tote. Often times when the hubby & I attend a conference or convention free tote bags are donated a part of the free goodies for attendees. It seems every time I attend something I get a free tote with some company’s logo on it. Before long I had a complete collection of free totes!

So, as I was doing part of my Total Home Overhaul in my Master Bedroom, I realized I had a lot of closet space being taken up by these freebies. I couldn’t seem to part with them. I have so many! At one point I actually began hanging them in my garage, thinking they were easy to grab, yet out of the way. Then it occurred to me that I could actually USE all of these AND have vertical storage in my garage and all I need to do this project are some drywall nails (which we have an abundance of).

I decided I could insert drywall nails on an angle and hang each tote separately. Then use the totes to store items that have no other specific home, such as umbrellas, rain ponchos, extra vacuum attachments, gloves, hats, outdoor toys, small gardening supplies, day trip needs (like sun block, a dry wash cloth, small bottle of powder, a package of wet wipes, etc), golf balls & tees, etc. When I need a specific item I would be able to locate the specific items immediately. No more hodge podge storage. No need for more plastic tubs and boxes (at least for these items). I use up my stash of tote bags AND get storage for FREE!

These are my thoughts.

Leslie Valeska

~Contributing Writer~

  Leslie Valeska is the lucky wife of Thomas.  With children ranging in ages from 4-16, she has had a lot of time to learn and experience much of the fine art of homemaking. She is a writer, speaker, and vintage seamstress. For FREE daily tips and a FREE E-zine on simple and frugal living visit her blog Journey to Simplicity. Need a source of encouragement, inspiration, and support on your journey to Godly womanhood? Visit Simple Journey Ministries (she has a FREE E-zine too!)

Posted in Simple and Frugal Living

For years I have been buying fruits & vegetables from a variety of resources such as farmer’s markets, roadside stands, farm stands and flea markets. As with everything, marketing is where it is at. I have had repeated emails reflecting the increase of prices at farmer’s markets and asking my opinion. Well, I can’t speak for every one of these resources; that’s my short answer.

My more detailed response is that this really depends. I too have noticed that certain farmer’s markets in my area have significantly raised their prices. Some of them are so high, they make my local upper end super market look like a bargain. I can’t say why this has changed, other than shopping at farmer’s markets are the “in thing” and people don’t keep track of prices. Most commonly people assume they are getting a good deal because all the middle men have been cut out. However, some markets in my local area still offer a good deal on fresh produce. I have also found that shopping at the end of the market day is still the best time to find those rock bottom bargains. Most recently I was actually given extra produce just because the family did not want to haul it home. This was at a small little row of farmer’s stands in a small town.

During that trip I purchased onions that cost 25 cents each. To show you the size of these fabulously sweet onions, I took a picture of one next to an average loose packed Granny Smith apple (and those are fairly large). Not a bad purchase for 25 cents, eh?

So my advice is to do three things:

1. Know your prices. Don’t over pay for your produce just so you can say you purchased your produce from a farmer’s market.
2. Shop at the end of the market day. Get your bargain attitude on and ask for a better deal. More likely than not, you will get it!
3. Be ready to walk away with nothing more than a fresh walk through a lovely market and be content. Just because you went shopping doesn’t mean you have to buy!

These are my thoughts.

Leslie Valeska

~Contributing Writer~

Leslie Valeska is the lucky wife of Thomas.  With children ranging in ages from 4-16, she has had a lot of time to learn and experience much of the fine art of homemaking. She is a writer, speaker, and vintage seamstress. For FREE daily tips and a FREE E-zine on simple and frugal living visit her blog Journey to Simplicity. Need a source of encouragement, inspiration, and support on your journey to Godly womanhood? Visit Simple Journey Ministries (she has a FREE E-zine too!)