A patched together lifestyle of thrift and charm...

Feb 26, 2013

R&R at a B&B...

We're heading out...
Source
  ...to the lovely Savannah, GA.

Did I mention we're staying in a barn?  
And that My Love planned the whole thing?

oh my - stay tuned for prettiness!



Feb 24, 2013

To Be Rich...

 It is tax time here in the States... the time when we
 count our money and give 'to Caesar' that which is due.  
As I have been working on our taxes and looking over our finances - I am sobered.
  We are one of the 'the rich' in this world - no doubt.
  (Perhaps not by American standards - but by world standards!) 
   
How would God have me be more generous - more ready to share? 
Are they any changes I should be making? 
 
I want to hold all that I have with an open hand. 
I do not want my treasures to be in this world...

Feb 23, 2013

Baked Oatmeal - No Eggs or Oil...

Special diets can be a challenge.  I already eat gluten free 
(which has been an amazing 'cure' for an aggressive skin rash) - 
and now I'm avoiding meat, oils, dairy and eggs.  All this is my choice.  
I plan to return to just gluten free in a few weeks - but will probably do only
 chicken and fish for meat and try to really limit the oils.  
For now though - I need breakfast options.

 Baked oatmeal - with GF oats of course - has been a  gluten free favorite of mine... 
but alas - it has eggs, oil and milk! 
Today - I tried to make it without these 'no-no's' - and it worked!  
I made a small batch (recipe below) but I think the recipe could be doubled just fine.
No Egg, Oil or Dairy Baked Oatmeal

1 1/2 c. oatmeal (gluten free if needed)
1/2 c. brown sugar (scant!)
1 t. baking powder
1/2 c. almond milk (or other)
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/4 c. raisins (generous)
1/2 c. applesauce

Mix and place in small casserole dish.  If glass - bake at 325 degrees for approx. 30 min. till golden brown. (try 350 for metal pan)

Feb 21, 2013

Etsy Things....

I have a few Etsy shops to share with you today and a treasury inclusion.  
But first - take a peek at some of my new Easter themed listings...


 5 Easter Postcard Booklets

6+ Yards Pink Roses on White & Yellow Fabric

4" Blown Glass Egg & Box
 Now let's visit these sweet shops...

A Perfect Peace makes precious faith based mustard seed jewelry...

Holmes & Watson sells beautiful fine art prints.  
This is my favorite from their current listings...
Jenni from this team recently put together a sweet Treasury - 
"A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Takes'.   Is it not beautiful?
She was kind enough to include my 2 Green Poetry Books

Ahhh - I just love Etsy.  Thanks for allowing me this indulgence.  
Hope you saw some pretty things!



Feb 17, 2013

Testing Produces Patience...

My brethren, count it all JOY when you fall into various trials, 
 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  
James 1:2-3
Taken in Ireland
Joy! - that word is catching my attention this year.
And according to this verse - there is an up side to trials.  Our dear Savior is able to use the difficult things and persecutions of this life to help bring about a true faith - one that is perfect and complete.  Is that not something to be joyful about?   
The next verse reads:

  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

 I like the sound of that! What can you trust Jesus with today?
 
 

Feb 16, 2013

Kitchen Countertop Pantry...

Tupperware?  Plastic?  I'm discovering it's not the best for long term 
pantry storage.  That plastic smell leaks into the food after a while.  
I've decided glass will be the wave of the future for me.  
Trouble is - right now I've no good cupboard or pantry area 
that can handle the weight of all the glass.  
  I like easy access - and this little corner is my food prep area 
'cause its the only area close to the stove.  This is the 'before'...
 And after today's efforts....
bummer - this one got blurry!
 I picked up 4 canister jars at Target (under $6 each!) and used 
Mason & miscellaneous other jars to help corral my ingredients.
 Yep, right there on the kitchen counter...
This stretch of counter needed a bit of rearrange too.
  Believe it or not - this is the 'after'.  Looks a bit cluttered I know...
 I grouped in small vignettes to help calm the chaos a bit. 
Some things are 'out' because I want to remember to use them soon.
 I'm hoping some of these jars can eventually be in a  lazy susan pantry
of sorts that we'll have to create - but for now - a countertop pantry it is!
 And talk about awesome!   Don't even attempt to clean a kitchen 
area without some orange cleaner.  I think I bought this at Dollar Tree.  
The spray trigger doesn't even work right it's so cheap.  
I simply dumped some onto my wet rag to use it. 
Does it ever do a number on grease!
Linking to Saturday Night Special @ Funky Junk

Feb 14, 2013

Thrifty Thursday...

Taking a day trip - ending with dinner out with My Love today.  
My comfy & modest travelling outfit (yeah I know - I never do this - today's a first)...
 It's all 'old as the hills' - but then I'm in good company :)
silk beige under sweater - thrifted
cream St. John's Bay sweater - thrifted
black Tommy Hilfiger skirt - thrifted
scarf - thrifted or yard sale
black boots - Payless

Happy Valentine's Day to  you!!
Linking to Modest Monday




Feb 13, 2013

Homemade Valentines....

Since my family doesn't really peruse my blog - I think 
its safe to show you what I've been up to.  I'll admit -
 usually I'm lazy and buy the cards that I give to My Love.  
But this year I thought I'd exert a little energy and make one.
  ...Ditto for my dear daughter...
 These were done very quickly with minimal supplies
 that I had with me at a ladies' crafting morning.
  They do not open - they are more like oversized postcards.  
There's plenty of room to write a sentiment on the back of each one.  
And of course - I'll add a candy or cookie treat.  
So what about you?  Do you buy or make your Valentine cards?
Linking to Transformation Thursday

Feb 10, 2013

Of Light...

Photo taken on a walk thru my neighborhood.

It's a beautiful life-giving thing to brought into the Light.   
May my walk show a clear difference from the
 darkness that once enveloped me.
How thankful I am that I do not walk alone!  ~Joyce
linking to Bible Buddies at Knick of time Sonday.

Feb 9, 2013

Random Decor & Project ideas....

I'm sharing random ideas with you today that are not from 
Pinterest or (gasp) - another blog.  These were all spotted 
in the antique mall where I sell.

This unfinished piece of old needlepoint was hand stitched 
and finished with a watch chain for a handle.  
An old necklace would work too.  Cute huh?

 Don't have a photo for that cute photo frame you found?  
Scrapbook papers make neat 'pictures'.  These are 
all sporting a handwritten or script paper.

 Fill anything w/ natural or primitive potpourri for instant charm.
 You can fill anything with greens too - Sweet Annie
 in the case of this clothespin bag.
 And I'm loving the applied cheesecloth 'ribbon' and
 paper bag label to this jar candle.  Tie it up with
 string and it's the perfect 'for anything' gift.
 Thanks for stopping by!!




Feb 3, 2013

In Weakness...

And he said unto me, 'My grace is sufficient for thee:
 for my strength is made perfect in weakness.'
II Corinthians 12:9a

I found this 'baby' tree on a walk thru my neighborhood.  
The sun brought out such color - even though it's a brown time in nature.  
It's a tree that is still weak - and needs a stick to give it support to stand 
as it grows.  Many times I feel just like this tree.  But this is not a 
 bad place to be.  That's when we can allow Jesus to be our strength.
  There's no better time to run to Him.  And that's what He wants!

The rest of the verse reads...

...Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, 
that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

God bless you today!  And if I can pray for you - please contact me!
Click on 'view my complete profile'.
 Linking to Bible Buddies Link Party 

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