Stretching the Budget

Hi,

if you are like most people in today's economy (I am), you are looking for frugal ways to stretch the budget.

Here are some ideas I thought were worth checking out.

This blog, One Income Family Living, has great grocery saving tips. Check it out at http://oneincomefamilyliving.blogspot.com/p/basic-grocery-saving-tips-and-ideas.html

Source: a-personaltouch.blogspot.com via Tara on Pinterest

Here's a cute gift idea around Christmas.

Source: sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net via Jen on Pinterest

Do you have old eyeglasses lying around?  Why not turn them into cute snowmen ornaments?





Do you have scrap yarn?  Why not make a pouch to hold ear buds, etc.?






There are lots of ideas, tips and guidelines for stretching your budget.   Do your research, learn to think outside the box and before you know it, you can make a few bucks go a long way.

I hope this helps!

God bless and keep you,
Sonia

PS check out the fun poll at the top of the page.

Last Rose of the Season & Remembering a Dust Storm

Hi,

you know what finger nail polish remover smells like?   Intensify that 10 times and that's what the office smelled like all day.  UGH!

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My daughter took these pics of my last red rose of the season, this afternoon.

I hear the leaves are changing color up on the mountain.  I hope to get some good pictures this weekend.

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Today, on the news, I learned there was dust storm in Oklahoma causing a pile up on the freeway.

I remember going through a dust storm, when I was a kid (1970's).

We lived out in western Kansas.  I, my sister and brothers were playing outside.  The winds were high, like they always seemed to be in Kansas.  My dad, was outside with us and he hollered "kids get inside quick!".  I asked what was wrong and he pointed to the west, and that's when I saw the wall of brown moving our way.   We all got in the house and my mom gave us each a rag to hold over our nose and mouth.  That storm hit and the winds picked up, so much we could feel it buffeting the house.  The dust crept into the house, through every slightest seam there might have been.

I'll never forget that day.

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Tuesday evening I attended the Logan County PieceMakers Quilt guild meeting.  We had a small group and only one show and tell.

This is one member's quilt top.   It was made by her great grandmother and completed in 1935.  It is made from silk ties.   Some of the silk has rotted out and she is clipping it out of the top, but keeping her great grandmother's embroidery work, and replacing the rotted pieces with silk ties her husband no longer uses.   I think it is a cool piece.

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Source: google.com via Robin on Pinterest

Don't forget to vote on my poll at the top right of the page.  :)

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Here's wishing you fabulous Friday!!

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

What it lacked in size...

Hi,

Do you remember the little cantaloupe that was found growing in a big pot outside?  

I got to taste that little jewel this morning.

note the size compared to the fork

What it lacked in size, it made up for in flavor.  I do believe it was one of the sweetest cantaloupes I've tasted.

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I don't know about you, but Christmas is one of my favorite holidays.  

How about a Christmas Ornament Swap! 

Check it out by clicking on the button below.

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Check out my Poll at the top of the page.
Please vote.

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Until next time,

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

HFD, etc...

Hello,

Let me begin with...  

Happy Fathers Day to all the dads out there!

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Here's the result for the poll I had for Ms. Owl...

Creepy looking	1 (11%)
Primitive looking with modern colors	7 (77%)
Other - please leave comment on blog of other.	1 (11%)

Thanks to those who participated!

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There are just a few more days left to enter my giveaway!  

The last day is this Wednesday, June 20th. 

Check it out at 

http://aquiltingsouthpawsthoughts.blogspot.com/2012/06/orangecha-glad-its-summer.html

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Have a great week!!

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Orangecha Glad It's Summer!

Hello!

Earlier I tried a new recipe, planning on sharing it, for this week's Recipe of the Week.

"Are you going use it?", you might ask.

Mercy No!   It was one of those recipes where you think it will be good, but when its done and you taste it, you realize you were strongly mistaken.  I'm not even going to give you the name of it, because I don't want you to take a chance with it. :)

However, my dear hubby is in the middle of preparing a blueberry pie as I type.   I will post it as the Recipe of the Week when it is done.  I taste tested the syrup David made (in the pic) and it is yummy!

That is one of the blessing for me to be married to my best friend, he is a great cook. :)

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Though it feels like summer already to most of us, the official first day of summer is eight days away.  So in honor of the much loved season I'm having a giveaway.

ORANGECHA GLAD IT'S SUMMER GIVEAWAY!!

It starts today and ends June 20th.   I will post the winner on June 21st.

Here's what you get...
1- Skinny Stax (8 pieces of 9" x 21" 100% cotton fabric)
3 - spools of coordinating Presencia cotton thread
6 - tickets with your name and address, to go into a drawing for the Butterfly Quilt, the Logan County PieceMakers Quilt Guild will be giving away in October. (pic of it below)

So what do you have to do to be entered?

1.  Be a follower or become one and leave a comment letting me know.

If you do any of the following and leave a comment for each you do,
you will get an extra chance for each one.

2.  Share this giveaway on your blog
3.  Share this giveaway on Twitter or Pinterest
4.  Share this giveaway on Facebook or Google+
5.  Share one thing you love about summer

Okay... so it begins now!  GOOD LUCK!!

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Don't forget to vote on my poll to the left about Ms. Owl.
You can see her at http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2526434180823253950#editor/target=post;postID=7521935908201221630

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Have a wonderful Wednesday!

God bless and keep you,
Sonia

Ms. Owl...

Hello,

Today has been a day of rest and spiritual rejuvenation.  It is always a good way to start a new week.

I finished my owl this afternoon.  My hubby told me she is kind of creepy looking.    To me, she's more primitive looking with modern colors.  :)

What do you think?

Creepy...
Primitive with modern colors...
Other....

Please vote on my poll to the left and leave a comment.

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 Check out Mom's Monday Mingle!

http://naptimeshopper.blogspot.com/2012/06/moms-monday-mingle-7.html


Check out I Love My Online Friends Monday Hop!

http://www.thethingswefindinside.com/2012/06/i-love-my-online-friends-monday-hop_10.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheThingsWeFindInside+%28The+Things+We+Find+Inside%29
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God bless and keep you,Sonia

WAHOO!!

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VACATION TIME!!

Out of Office email: DONE

Out of Office voice mail: DONE

Microsoft clip art

As I walked out the door at the end of the day of work, I began to sing ~ Thank God I AM FREE!~ and then I threw my hands up in the air and hollered WAHOO!

I have no major or definite plans other than flying by the seat of my pants and taking each day one at a time and see what happens.

My main goal is to relax, work on projects and enjoy my time away from the office.  

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Here's the results of my poll - Do You Take Naps

YES - during the week	1 (14%)
Yes - only on weekends	2 (28%)
Yes - each day	1 (14%)
NO - none, nada, zilch	3 (42%)

 The poll closed before I could cast my vote, but I fall in the Yes- only on weekends category.

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  Until next time...

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

This is the day...

I came home for lunch, like usual, and saw the first blooms of my mini plants.   

My sweet hubby had weeded the flowerbed for me too.

A scripture went through my mind as I looked at the beautiful new blooms.

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. ~Psalm 118:24

 

 The drawf rose I got on Mother's Day.

 

Do you see the little bee?

 

The mini rose David gave me on our anniversary.

 

Here are the dwarf marigolds, David planted from seeds.

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SURPRISE! 

When I got home this evening, there was a package on the table for me.   What a pleasant surprise! 

It was from my Mug Rug Swap Partner, Shirley.       Check it out!

Handcrafted card and lighthouse fabric

Two Mug Rugs 

(they will go nicely in my living room)

and a Thread Catcher with a pin cushion.

(already has a designated spot on my sewing table)

How cool is that?!

Didn't she do an awesome job?

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Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever. ~Psalm118:29

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Prayer, Honor and a Chance

Hello All...

Hope this finds your Monday went well.   Mine was full of wishing I was here at home working on quilting, crocheting or beading... but it went okay otherwise.

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Prayer Request...

A friend of mine, Charlotte - her day didn't go so well.  She received a call a work this morning. Her dad may have had a stroke.  He was put in the hospital and is still there.  Please lift him and her up in prayer.

  
 Do you have a prayer need?

If so, please let me know.
I will pray and ask my friends who pray to do so, as well.

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Today is...

No bizarre holiday to share with you today.

Today is in honor of something much more significant.
It is in honor of those who fell in Normandy, on D Day in 1944. 

You can learn more about D DAY by visiting http://www.dday.org/

 
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Giveaway

Alderwood Quilts June Giveaway.... 

Check out this cool mouse pad!

Giveaway : July 1st

For a chance to have this mouse pad on your desk, check out the link below.

http://alderwoodquilts.blogspot.com/2011/06/june-giveaway-mousepad.html

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Until next time...

God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1, NIV

God bless and keep you,
Sonia 

PS... don't forget to vote at the poll posted at the top of the page!

Progress and Praise

This weekend I set goals... Here is what I have accomplished.



Mug Rug

Crocheted Dish Cloth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A good start on the rings.

 

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TODAY...

Today has been dubbed "World Environment Day".   

This day was created to focus on important environment issues.  The United Nations, promotes political attention and action as well as worldwide awareness of  the environment.    "World Environment Day" is celebrated in a different city each year.

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DON'T FORGET...

Don't forget to vote on the poll at the top of the page.

Only 4 days left to vote.

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ONLY 19 MORE TO GO...

Only 19 more followers to go and then I can have a Giveaway!

Please help by sharing my blog with your readers.

Thanks!

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PRAISE...

No matter what we go through, no matter how tough, angering or sad a time may be for us, God is always with us.  He never changes, He is always near.  So praise Him in the storms of life.

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God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Lord, give me the strength and grace to face it.

I missed my youngest today.   

She was on a band trip to Hot Springs.  A day planned, full of fun, with a Skillet concert to boot.   She just called and told me she will be home around 1:00 a.m.

At one point this evening, I walked to the kitchen and a thought hit me.   It was just me and David in the house.   Our son was still at work, daughter on her trip and the house was so quiet.   I thought, is this how it's going to be when they are both moved out into their own places?   

I don't think I like the quiet.   

I know however, that the day is coming and coming sooner than I like, that I will be facing that situation.

Lord, give me the strength and grace to face it. 

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Have you hugged your kitty today?

Today is Hug Your Cat day!

June 4th actually has three bizarre holidays attached to it, but since I have a fat Tabby named Elvis, I thought I'd highlight "Hug Your Cat Day".

Not sure who came up with this "holiday" or when it originated.  Not even sure there is any factual data out there, couldn't seem to find it, but I am sure it was a cat lover who created it.   I also found out June is "Adopt A Cat Month".    

Dog lovers... sorry... but I'm sure I will come across a "Hug Your Dog Day" at some point, though...

The other two bizarre holidays assigned to today are "Old Maid's Day" and "Applesauce Cake Day".

 

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Nap Taker?

 

Do you take naps?

  

Cast your vote on the poll above.  

 

Poll ends June 10th

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Progress...

My Goals for this weekend...

1. Mug Rug - for mug rug swap
2. Crocheted dishcloth - to go with mug rug
3. 2 crocheted rings - for friend
4. Continue Hoffman Challenge project

What I have accomplished thus far...

1. Mug Rug - completed
2. Crocheted dishcloth - completed
3. 1 crocheted ring - started

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Calling for 50!

I need 19 more followers to reach my goal of 50.

When I get 50 I will start a Giveaway to celebrate!

Please share my blog with others and ask them to join us.

I thank you for your help in this challenge.  

If you have suggestions to improve my blog, please share them with me.

  

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Until next time...

 

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

 

TGIF

Finally the weekend is here!





My Goals for this weekend...

1. Mug Rug - for mug rug swap
2. Crocheted dish cloth - to go with mug rug
3. 2 crocheted rings - for friend
4. Continue Hoffman Challenge project

What I have accomplished thus far...

1. Mug Rug complete

 I will post pics, on Sunday evening, of the projects I have completed.

If you have set goals for this weekend...Good Luck getting them done!

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CURIOUS....

Do you take naps?   

Cast your vote on the poll above.  

Poll ends June 10th

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Calling for 50!

I need 19 more followers to reach my goal of 50.

When I get 50 I will start a Giveaway to celebrate!

Please share my blog with others and ask them to join us.

I thank you for your help in this challenge.  

If you have suggestions to improve my blog, please share them with me.

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Learning something new...

I found out today was National Doughnut Day.

What a day to celebrate!

I have decide to add this to my blog.   Each day is assigned a bizarre holiday.  

I think it will be fun to learn and celebrate as we want.

Doughnuts!   Who knew?

It began back in 1938 by the Salvation Army, in honor of the women who made doughnuts for the "doughboys" during World War I and World War II.   

The easiest way to get to a man is through his stomach.  Feed him well and he will know you care.   The ladies back in the 30's supplied the "sweet tooth".

So... I will be a day late, but I think I will celebrate Doughnut day tomorrow. 

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Until next time...

Remember....Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace, and your best days are never so good you are beyond the need of God's grace.

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Shining Lights

Microsoft clip art

 
I see the bad moon arising, I see trouble on the way....  

That song started going through my head this evening as the pic below shows the red moon.

 


Though my little digital cam, didn't get a good pic of the red moon, here it is.

 Later it looked like this.            

 

There is an old wives tales that states "Full moon rising clear means good weather".

Well... checked the weather channel and no rain predicted for tomorrow but rain is predicted for the rest of the week...hmmm  Guess time will tell.

I put it all in God's hands as He is the one in control of the weather.

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JUST A SIDE NOTE

I finally baked the brownies today and yes they were very good... key word being "were".  

There are a few left but they don't last long at my house.

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POLL RESULTS

Here are the Poll Results for the Best Shop Hop Quilts
Total votes = 24

 Congratulations to Sager Creek with 25% of all votes!!

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IN CLOSING

Since I posted pics of the moon tonight I thought I'd close with thoughts along those lines. 

The moon is our light during the dark hours of the day.  Magnificently created by God.

Often times we go through life and there are dark times.  This happens for everyone.  So the scripture I share tonight talks about shining lights.  Not the kind of light that comes from the moon or from a flashlight, but a  light that comes from within us.

 Let your light so shine before men, that they may  see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  Matthew 5:16

How will you let your light shine this week? 

Maybe there is someone you know, going through a dark time.  They need encouragement or help.  You may be the light they need.   Are you ready to shine?

Have a great week!

God bless and keep you,
Sonia 

A Pleasant Surprise

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This week has been a week of a heavy heart. 

The company I'm working for, has had a major reconstruction from the top to the bottom. 

Today we had to lay off 30 people.  

It was hard having to pull the time cards, hearing them being told and then facing them when they picked up their checks.  I had to tell one person, and that was hard enough; but my supervisor had the awful task of telling all the others and it was not easy for her.    

This is not the first time I have seen it happen.  It has happened a few times in the past 22 years, but it doesn't make it any easier.

BUT...on a happier note,

This morning I received a package from Pennsylvania.   Michelle, my mug rug swap partner, mailed it to me.  What a pleasant surprise and welcome break from the heaviness I have felt this week. 

 Have you ever had a Krimpet before?  They are yummy.  :)

 This mug rug and wall pocket below, fits right in at my house.

 Isn't this wall pocket cute?  Now, I need to find some dried flowers to put in it.


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THIS WEEKEND

This weekend is the "Big To Do on HWY 22".   In other words.... garage sales on HWY 22 from Barling, AR to Conway, AR or something close to that.  :)

I may just have to go treasure hunting tomorrow!    

I also plan to finish a little quilt top I started last night, as self diagnosed therapy, to help with the stress I've been feeling.   It is made of many 1" strips sewn together.  I plan to cut them again and sew them back together, creating a random pattern.   This design came to me during my therapy last night.  I plan to call it  "Changing Winds".  

OH! and brownies!  I meant to bake brownies earlier in the week.  SO that is a must for this weekend!

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IN CLOSING...

God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power.  1 Corinthians 6:14

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

P.S.  if you haven't voted yet on the Best Shop Hop Quilt, please do so.  Only 2 more days left!  You can see the quilts by clicking on the quilt tab above.