::Just a Reminder::

...BECAUSE I forgot to mention it in my previous post.

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You have until mid-night Saturday to join in the Soap and Scrubbie give away-- you can can click on the link to join in the chance to win
A GOOD CLEAN GIVE AWAY

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This weeks ::FRUGAL FODDER ~12~ post
So I guess since the FF post was late this week, I'll be having two posts today. 

So teach us to number our days. That we may present to you a heart of wisdom. ~Psalm 90:12~ 

::Frugal Fodder ~12~

Off in a different direction with Frugal Fodder today...

Talking more about Making Money rather than Spending or Saving.
Not making tons,as of yet; but hoping to grow that business.

I recently was chatting with E. @  Friday is Pizza, Monday Soup  I asked her a few questions about the Amazon Affiliation on her blog.  She sent me a link of a post she had written quite some time ago.  I was so grateful to get it; and found it both helpful and very informative.
You can read her article here.  It's pretty thorough.



One thing I am not interested in is a "Get Rich Quick" scheme ( I get those and they go right to the SPAM folder) or Pyramid Schemes.  I'm a just a blogger writing about our Frugal Homesteading Lifestyle and if I can make a little bit on the side to help support that, then why not?

So this little Frugal Fodder post is just that...letting you know; you may have seen ads on my blog the last week or so and I'm now an Amazon Affiliate.I know they're not pretty, so I'll be doing some clean up on the blog over the next few weeks.  Any of the ads you see for Amazon on my blog...like the one listed here;




*edited to say:  though this book doesn't list it on the cover. It specializes in patterns for TUNISIAN CROCHET.  I just realized this after reading through it and looking at the patterns. 

or  going to Amazon through the search box near the top, helps this blog to earn money.  Once you click through to Amazon and the purchase is made that day...I'll earn money for that purchase.

There are other ways that I am currently using to earn money as well.
I use SWAG BUCKS

to search and I am monetizing with Ad sense and I also have my etsy shop.  Like I said, I am not making tons. I do believe every little bit helps .

I don't know a lot about these online business opportunities--but educating yourself is key;so I read what I can and am always open to your tips and ideas.

So are you using advertising on your blog?
Are you for it or against it?  Do you find the ads distracting? Do you utilize the ads on the blogs you visit?

Just curious.
Feel free to discuss it in the comments!


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So teach us to number our days. That we may present to you a heart of wisdom. ~Psalm 90:12 ~

:: Tongue in Cheek Tuesday~Rough Draft~

So I was contacted on Sunday via Email---and was asked if I'd like to be a part of Tongue-in-Cheek Tuesday.  I was given the RULES (ie: like... THERE ARE NO RULES,REALLY) and I was given very minor details about the jist of the blogging event...Tongue in Cheek Tuesday, which happens every month, (maybe), on Tuesday, (but sometimes not).  
 In my estimation
A small, but growing group of bloggers...taking some time out to  TAKE OURSELVES A LITTLE LESS SERIOUSLY...AND JUST HAVE FUN.

Well, of course-- I said Yes!  Immediately, I was giddy. Thrilled,even!  
To be asked...yes, ASKED...to participate in Tongue in Cheek Tuesday. 

But I MUST tell you... as soon as I fired off that email, accepting my mission, the doubt began to settle on me... 

Maybe I was over zealous.

Maybe-  I should have waited a while...so as not to appear desperate.

Now that I've accepted the invitation...what to write about? You know how indecisive I can be. 

Forget indecisive!

 No. Procrastinating...that is the worst thing.  

On Tuesdays, really?!  

Not just any Tuesday...but a specified Tuesday... 

What WOULD I write about? 

Oh I know!  I could write about~~
the fact that I sometimes end my comments, signed Corn!   Bliss thinks it's funny. 

That is my

 'early blogging days--do- I- want- to- tell -people- my-real- name-?- Name' ... 

In fact, she addresses me as Corn. 
Not the first... but still a name I am called on occasion. I've been called worse. 
Rose still refers to me as Corn. 

OR!!! 
I can tell you about; when I first started to blog... I was out and out Anonymous. 
How I switched and started blogging about Home, Life, Family, and just sharing my thoughts about my days...and chickens!  How I Wasn't doing it for the money... What?! You make money blogging?! Seriously? 

OH! and I could tell you how My blog didn't show up in search engines, my URL didn't match my blog title, my family didn't know I blogged either. But then you'd see what a MESS  I was!...  

But that's OK... because then I could tell you all about how I was going to get myself straightened out, Riiigh-T !  How I told everyone My name(and gender) : 

 "Hi my Name is Pat"...like I was in a 12 step program or something!  

Did I really want to drag that post out of the depths of my blog?  

Crazy--I know! 

Or I could mention the one when  I FINALLY  posted a picture of myself.  
WHAT WAS I THINKING?! that'll never work.

There IS no turning back. 

So here I am 2 years later... doing something that I've been doing all along really. Poking fun at life. Why? 
Because I'm a nervous wreck I CRACK ME UP...that's why! 

I learned a long time ago. Life is too short to be the only one taking me seriously. Just because I have a blog and I have a well rounded number of people who faithfully read whatever I throw at them... doesn't mean I've 'cut a hog in the butt'.  (or bought the most choice cut of meat...in case you were wondering) 
People are funny. 
People are gonna laugh. 
Sometimes, I just need to cut loose and 
Laugh at myself...(not nervous laughter) but  I CRACK ME UP! kind of laughter! 

Now...what to write about? 
Well I'm fairly certain....I have no idea what I'll write about.

 In the mean time you can read any number of these ladies 'Tongue in Cheek Tuesday's' posts.  
I find some of them quite funny. 

...and some of them I've not yet met ! But I can't wait. 

Kirb Appeal
Bliss Ranch
Silo Hill Farm
Mellywoods Mansion
Simply Vintageous
What We Keep
White Spray Paint
Corn In My Coffee Pot

I think this will be fun-- as soon as I relax a little and find something funny to post. 
No pressure. 


Tongue in Cheek Tuesday,

P.S.-- along with NO RULES-rules there was supposed to be a THEME or SUBJECT MATTER...uh. well, first of all. I don't generally follow ALL THE RULES. Secondly-- the topic this go-around was RESOLUTIONS. Since I don't do resolutions, I guess you can say... I've Resolved to NOT MAKE RESOLUTIONS... 

So, does this mean I've failed miserably?  Or passed with flying colors?  
Just wondering.  Cause I thought that was funny!             See?  I CRACK ME UP! 


 So teach us to number our days. That we may present to you a heart of Wisdom. ~ Psalm 90:12 

:: Stuck on Super Heroes- Partying with my Kids!

I've seemed to have a running theme lately, first I mentioned The Justice League here;
then I announced that I had a key to the Fortress of Solitude leading some to believe I was posting about my bathroom ?!
and now today... I truly am talking up the Super Heroes...and revealing more about my life... than I should probably!

You've been warned...

This past week was my favorite 5 year old's birthday---he is very much into Super Heroes

His Mom-- being One of his favorite Super Heroes-- recently started nursing school-- so I stepped up and helped with the decorations.

Do you have a piñata at your birthday parties?  We do. Have you priced an empty piñata lately? I have.  Not cheap.  I went to Dollar General the other day.  I came back with supplies in hand and THIS IS MY CREATION...

not too bad, for my first piñata!  The empty ones at the store...$12.50...mine, $3.50!!!
My daughter bought the table cloths, napkins and cupcake mixes and spray can icing... The "city scape" and "BAT signal"...was part of the table cloth going into the trash... I free handed these and taped them behind the window frame on the wall. Instant Gotham!!!

The cartoon effect was given by placing, what I call..."SPLAT" WORDS all over the place.
I made them last weekend while up watching British Comedies on T.V. with The Honey...he is a regular- walking- talking- Onomatopeia Man!

Here is what we did with  the rest of the black table cloth.  On one side I drew (w/chalk) a huge bat signal / emblem and then I cut it out and turned it over so you couldn't see the chalk. Instant party decoration!

Then while Mommy ran around getting everyone into their SUPER HERO COSTUMES... I put the finishing touches on the cupcakes. 

They were a hit. 

We represented both DC and Marvel...we're not partial. 

Superman, Spider-Man, Batman...Flash, Wonder Woman and we had about 3 Robin cupcakes (we know he's a side-kick; but a hero none-the-less) 

"GREAT GINGIVITIS, BATMAN! WHY ARE YOUR TEETH BLUE?" 

Here are the little Masked Crusaders: Robo-man (on the floor), Super Reader (in the green) Super Girl, Batman, Super-dum-Bob -The- Caped- Rebel (Refusing to wear a costume; Able to stir up a stink AND!... put out fires w/ those boots!) and Iron man (the birthday boy) 

My own 4 Heroes: Ms. Captain American-O, RojO- Iron-Man-O- and ChicO...because all the Good ones end in "O".  (No Ninja Turtles were present for today's gathering...DRATS!)

...and for your enjoyment... Here I am in my Diana Amazonian Princess outfit...

 Why?
Well, because... Really?

 Do I have to explain it?

FYI: for those of you, who have followed my blog for a long time and offered prayers and encouragement...Yes! Super-dum-Bob-The-Caped-Rebel's true identity is THE BIG "E" --my how he is growing!  He is 2 1/2 and talking great now, only he can't say 'sponge bob' he says "dum-bob" instead. Which in my opinion is appropriate. ;) 

Linking this here: 

Sunny Simple Sundays @ Sunny Simple Life

So teach us to number our days. That we may present to you a heart of Wisdom. Psalm 90:12

 

::The Fortress of Solitude ~I have the key~

This post is linked here: 

Junky Hang Ups

I had this little Key Storage I made...in 2012...can't for the life of me, FIND THE POST ABOUT IT. 

but wanted to link it up with Donna's Junky Hang Ups party

Here's the close up... isn't it junky?!

I didn't know how in the world something like this would go over here, hanging on the wall. But, when you put stuff like this on the wall (no MATTER HOW FUNCTIONAL) you leave yourself open

 for a lot of different opinions. 

Many having to do with 'red-necks'!!!

Here it is today... being used to it's full potential. 

So in this case:  I think  Junky Hang Ups is perhaps a 

double entendre.  However, it serves it's purpose---Wouldn't you agree? 

...and for those of you paying attention to the vintage pencil sharpener in ALL the photos... 

• No. I did NOT label it.
• Yes. It doubles as an excellent purse and camera bag holder (a.k.a: JUNKY HANG UP)
• AND OF COURSE!  You get extra points for noticing. :) 
• no extra points for the smarty pants who noticed the missing "B" in plumbing! ZERO POINTS!!!

So teach us to number our days. That we may present to you a heart of wisdom.~ Psalm 90:12
 

::Coop Scoop and Blooms!::

I couldn't believe it when I saw the first IRIS of the season getting ready to bloom!  This one is a transplant from last year. Already 3 flowers have come on it. It's not even the end of January, yet. 

 We've not had to travel to any Dr. appointments this year--- when we do travel, we either stay  away at The Honey's sister's home; or we get up really early and travel most of the day to and from. On those days, we don't let the chickens out.

 Gracie Chicken looking a little pale. She is finally growing her feather's back. I don't think she has been laying much. 

We've been letting them out of the chicken coop more this winter than last-- because we've had some nice days.  Chickens don't seem to mind the weather.

 George -- His feathers have filled in really nicely since September.  I don't know much about feather loss patterns in roosters; the hows and why of feather loss. But he wasn't looking so showy back in early November...he is looking nice now. 

After we killed the other Nuggets-- we had to let the last two integrate into the flock and LEARN WHERE HOME WAS; the NUGGETS didn't want to go into the coop on their own and roost. They wanted to roost in a tree or on the porch!  We had them all locked up for about 6 weeks. They move around the yard together now, share the coop...no one is being left out in the cold. They share laying boxes and everything. 

 Lucy is prettier than ever-- The other two, are nuggets that we integrated into the flock. The top one is Pearlie, the one on the right is Opal. (Bree named them!) 

These chickens are peculiar little things. They are fun to watch... I enjoy seeing them dig around the yard, stirring up the dirt and eating little bugs and things.  They are so nosy too!  If I'm in the yard, they want to be right there--they think I have something for them.

 Jayne-- You've heard of the "pecking order". Well, she is Head-Hen around here.  Doesn't she look it? 

2 chickens:  Audrey and Ethel are not pictured. They were sunning in the back yard! 

So that's some of what's been going on in and around our place this week and in the recent weeks. We've had more going on outside. I may blog about some of that in the future. For now, I'm enjoying the sunshine, warm weather, and being outside with the chickens and the Littles (a.k.a.--grandkids) :)

Don't forget, I'm having a give away. The drawing will be Feb 2--Go there. Sign up!
Give-Away here. 

Deborah Jeans Dandelion House

Shop Here:



So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 

::A Good Clean Give-Away ::

***************Drawing closed*****************


Back before Christmas I contacted Jamie at HOME MADE SOAP SUDS through her etsy shop.  I asked her for a trade. I sent her a crocheted cotton shower scrubbie from my shop  and in return she would send me a bar of soap from her shop, to try. Then , after trying her soaps, I would refer any of my shoppers to her store by placing a link in my shop! 

Sounds great right? 
Well, we exchanged packages through the mail... She generously sent all this great stuff! 
(3 bars of soap and 1 lip balm) 

I took pictures...tried the soap and the lip-balm! Both wonderful!!!
And...then I lost my photos!!! 
Don't you hate when that happens?

FOUND 'EM! 
So because she sent EXTRA PRODUCT... I've decided to share it with one of my fortunate readers... 
I don't do give aways very often but when I do...I think it's fun! 

She sent me (besides the lip-balm which she sells in her shop and a mystery soap, that I've almost used completely!!!) 

• 1 bar of COFFEE SOAP: It contains All Natural Ingredients, (sweet almond oil, coconut oil, mango butter, Olive Oil, Palm Oil, Palm Kernal Flakes, Sodium Hydroxide, Ground Coffee, Shredded Loofah, fragrance) 
• 1 bar of Sunshine Soap: it contains; Castor, Palm, Rice Bean Oils, Shea Butter, Sodium Hydroxide, Calendula Petals, Colorant, Fragrance

I'm Including: 

• 1  -5 1/2 "  shower scrubbie : Made by me- w/ 100% cotton grown in the USA. 

Leave a comment here between NOW...AND Feb 2 (Ground Hog Day) and your name will be entered in a chance to win-- the drawing will be held on Saturday, Feb 2! 

It's pretty simple. Just leave one comment. If ,in that comment, you tell me the new name change for her product line of soaps-- you'll get another chance to win. 

The Loud Silence her blog

Homemade Soap Suds her etsy shop

Have fun with it! 
**edited to say-- please leave your email so I can contact you if it's not listed in your profile or attached to your blog! Thanks! 


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The eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth so that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. ~ 2 Chronicles 16:9

::Frugal Fodder ~11~

::NO SPEND FEBRUARY:: 

I was hoping to have a NO SPEND month  this year and my target month was January --but we never really finalized it between us. If you're going to have a NO SPEND MONTH  it helps if both Hubby and Wife are on the same page. 

So it didn't happen. 

You just can't go all WILLY-NILLY...and NOT spend money. You have to plan these things out.

Like most of you-- there was Christmas last month...and before that Thanksgiving...blah, blah, blah... all the extra cooking and baking through the holidays had my pantry looking pretty sparse. I had to re-stock that; and we had some unexpected things that needed replacing or repaired. 

It almost sounds like I'm cheating already by planning ahead. But I don't think so; you have to gear up for this. The idea is to NOT spend money for a month, especially on extras...it's simple really, but looks different for each household. 

For us it means:  

• (we) ONLY spend on NECESSARY Gas and Groceries. Ideally, if you've planned for this and stocked your pantry--that eliminates extra trips to the store; so less gas is needed too! 
• Already-- you're going to save money. 

• NO A.T.M's...The other thing in a NO Spend month--besides BILLS; whatever does get spent-- SHOULD YOU FAIL...you ONLY SPEND CASH. 

• NO EATING OUT! ... Absolutely,NONE. 
• "Did Somebody say Mc-No-Eating-Out?
• (this one hopefully will be easier for us, since we've ALMOST completely stopped this)...and we DON'T DO McD'S. (honest) 

 I'm hoping February will be a better choice for us and a success! We can put that money back-- because of course, if we're not spending; we can be eliminating some debt or save it, right?  

I'll be tracking it all and ...well, blogging about it too! 

In the mean time; I've read a couple of other blogs where the blog author's households were having NO SPEND MONTHS-- I can't think of them right off hand, except for Laura @ WhiteSprayPaint... You can read her posts here: NO SPEND JANUARY

Perhaps you're having a NO SPEND MONTH, or you've had one in the past... leave us a link in the comments below--So we can all read about your success or your fail...OR we can cheer you onward in your quest to NOT SPEND! ;) 




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I've added a few new things to the shop and have renewed some older things-- be sure stop by and check it out!

The eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. 2 Chronicles 6:19a

 

::Blue Skies Outside- Bringing Color Inside::

I'm embracing the weather outside is beautiful today.  The sun is shining. Due to the holiday,the banks are closed, the school campus is closed-- so this means No Justice League today...



I took this photo a couple of weeks ago; but, today the view from this vantage point is much the same.
Beautiful.
I love the color of the sky in this photo (it's untouched)  and a beautiful, beautiful blue.

I'm embracing color Inside; and I've been puttering around the house today...I have 3 loads of laundry hanging on the line, blowing in the Cool January breeze (58°), the bathroom window is open, the floor freshly mopped-- the front door is open and the whole house is airing out.
Sure, it is sweater weather-- but being up puttering staves off any chill you might otherwise feel.

I previously showed you some of the things I got while out thrifting this weekend. While I was taking pictures of the slip covers-- and telling you I bought them to re-sale; The Honey decided-- he liked them! 

 So this is what I was puttering around with today... It's a bold move for me. I'll be honest. I only realized I liked color last year...I used to try so hard to be a 'white on white' person. But no...

Andy and Ann---(I forgot to show Raggedy Ann  in my thrifting post--I got her the time before last at Bargain-land) I've been needing an "Ann" of comparable size to go with Andy--- She was $1.  She needs new clothes. 

I'm still determined to re-sale the slip covers. After-all, once the settee and couch are finished--this couch and loveseat will be moving on out!  

In the mean time, I kind of liked seeing what Red would look like in my living room with the gray walls and the drop cloth curtains. Oh! and don't forget...they go so great with our vintage Red and Blue swags from my MIL's home!!!  ***You can see the BEFORES and read The 70's Called and They Want Their Lights Back! (just click the link) 

 


I think it made for an interesting change--for now.  Gave me some options to consider for pillows and things.

It was fun just playing around with it. I just wanted to show you!








***I'm linking this here:
Cozy Little House--Tweak it Tuesday








"For the eyes of the LORD  move to and fro throughout the earth so that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.~ 2 Chronicles 16:9a"

::Thrifting Haul –Etsy Shopping and More ::

We were going to have a 'No Spend' month in January. But...we never really settled on it--there were items we needed to purchase and a big bill of groceries we needed to restock since the holidays. So making plans for February...to be the official 'no spend' month for our household.

Still working on the budget and getting new items for the Etsy shop. The way Etsy bills, I won't have a bill in February if I wait until the 1st to get the store stocked. However,  I have items to go in there and these last two thrifting days were geared at stocking. So that's what I'll do!

Here is a look at some of what I've gotten lately...a lot of it was FREE too, as I gleaned while helping my daughter unpack!
Sort of like curb-shopping; but NOT. ;)

1.Basket with wooden handles—picked from the  TOSS PILE (it was broken..I’ve already glued and re-nailed it, washed the liner and am using it for story books!)
2. Ball of twine—3 bracket THINGIES –and a cast iron POT HOOK for the wood burning stove (already has come in handy…(all from Bargain Land)

3.Bread box- again picked from the donate box…My daughter just knows …she should donate to me, because I’ll do something with it! In this case, I’m repainting it and maybe will try a slide decal …OR SOMETHING …and then give it to her sister to use in her kitchen!!!
 
4.Two clocks and a wooden plaque—The one clock has a picture frame attached… it will be altered…the finish is coming off of it already, the mantle clock…won’t keep proper time…It needs some TLC also.

5.Wooden Plaque- It is vintage and has praying hands and a House Scene it says :
“Bless this house Our LORD we pray keep us safe by night and day.”  I don’t know if I’ll leave it for resale in my shop or alter it, and perhaps resale?  What do you think about this one?

6.This one and the next one are slip covers for a loveseat…I bought on my latest thrift adventure.  The Honey likes the blue and white striped one… I don’t care for either,and will not be even keeping the couch and loveseat once the other is re-upholstered. ( the lighthouse pillow is having it’s outer cover washed---I don’t do light houses but the pillow came from MIL and I just put a slip over it)
.
7. I bought both of these to re-sale…because the price was so great on them… They are both in really good condition. Will probably sell them locally, through FB or Craigslist…
8.
On the last trip I also bought some pretty glass coffee cups and a copper colander, a needle point table cloth made of cotton and another white table cloth much larger with a crocheted edge; I think it is made of cotton/linen blend, for the shop. Oh! and a folding yard stick. I’ve never seen one of those.

For me, I bought a swing arm lamp.(not pictured) It will be going in the front bedroom where my sewing machine is for TASK LIGHTING.  When there are guests …they’ll have an easy access lamp at the bedside too. So it was a dual purchase.  It had $5.00 on it… but, she only charged me about $1 for it. I also bought some pillows with a linen feel to them.

Have you done any thrifting? Are having a 'no spend' month now or in the near future?  (I know some of you are)

 I'm linking this post here:
 
@ Sunny Simple Life

"For the eyes of the LORD  move to and fro throughout the earth so that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.~ 2 Chronicles 16:9a"