Thrifting!

One thing that we thoroughly enjoy in our house is going thrifting. We like to shop at secondhand stores, garage sales, estate sales, and the like. Nothing thrills my little ones more than digging around in a pile of stuff to find a treasure. Not only does this practice keep things out of landfills, but it is also very frugal if it is done properly. This does not mean purchasing everything that you see and like, but carefully considering if you really need the item that you like. If you do not really need that item, you will only succeed in bringing one more thing into your house that you have to manage and often, clean. Who wants that?

We try to purchase many things used before we head to the stores to purchase new. This includes or clothing and housewares. To do this, we keep a list of things that we need or will soon need and then keep an eye out for them when we go thrifting. This is especially true with our clothing that we buy. Is there really a need for another red sweater when we already have one hanging in our closet? Do our children really need twenty pairs of pants when really, only a few pairs get worn on a regular basis? We try to consciously purchase things that will round out our wardrobes instead of just adding more clothes that we will have to manage. If that means keeping a list of what you have or what you need with you to refer to, then do it. I know that I have! It really helps to keep things in perspective.

The same can be applied to household goods. How many bread pans are beneficial for you to use on a regular basis and how many are just too many sitting in the cupboard? Do you really need an extra set of measuring spoons? Try to consciously buy things that you know will be used instead of just stored. Now I do have a confession, I am really guilty in this area in slipping up and buying things that we really do not need, then eventually end up having to spend the whole day purging things from our overly full drawers and cabinets. This is time wasted that could have been used either baking or playing with my little ones. On the other hand, I am sure that the thrift store is thrilled to have the items back again to sell again. I have effectively given them money to borrow their things, which leads to the last point of saving money.

Thrifting can be a great way to be a good steward of your hard earned money, if you do it right. You can pick up things for much less than they cost new. For example, yesterday I went to the Good Will and picked up a copy of Sally Fallon's "Nourishing Traditions" for $5. The MSRP is $25 on that particular book. That was a great find! This also means that you have to have an idea of what things cost to buy new. If you find a pair of pants that has a broken zipper that needs repaired, it helps to know how much that zipper will cost and if it is worth it to buy those pants at the price they are asking for them. If the pants cost $6 and the zipper is $2, unless it is a designer pair of jeans, it probably is not worth it to purchase those particular pants since new department store pants can be purchased for $10-$12 if you watch the sales. The new pants would obviously have more wear life in them than the used pair. The same goes for anything else you come across whether it be appliances, furniture, or mixing bowls. I have seen things at garage sales and estate sales selling for more than what they cost new! That is where it pays to do your homework first. Chances are, if you have done your homework, then that particular item is probably something that you need for your home and will actually use!

Now, get out there and have a great time thrifting!

Another giveaway over at Simple Mom

Another giveaway is going on over at Simple Mom that you are not going to want to miss! Jamie Martin, author of "Steady Days: A Journey Toward Professional, Intentional Motherhood," is giving away three signed copies of her book. It sounds like a great book with great advice to us moms who may need just a bit more help and encouragement in that department! Go click here to enter before Monday night!

Away for a LOOOONG time!

Sorry about that lengthy time away. It seems that just when things are going smoothly, and everything seems to be falling in place, life gets in the way. So your regular broadcasting was interrupted to let life happen....

I have been up to my ears in sewing, knitting, reading, and homeschooling. I had to take care of the housework and cooking, too :-) I wanted to stop in and post a few pics of my latest sewing project that I am so happy to carry around:

This is a bag that I made from the Phoebe bag pattern, except that I modified it a bit. I wanted the bag bigger, so I widened it. I thought that the depth was just fine and it is working great for all that I need it to do. I also added a pocket to the front and two divided pockets inside. I also lengthened the handle. This was the first time that I tried using the stiff interfacing and a magnetic snap, and except for a few frustrating spots trying to sew with that stiff interfacing (which was my own decision to add because that is what I had on hand and I wanted the bag to stand up when it was loaded with all my junk), it was easy to put together. Overall, a very nice pattern to make a very nice bag!

-

Now, my plans are to not stay away so long next time, so here is to hoping you all will come around again to see what is going on in my corner of the world!

Giveaway over at Simple Mom

I really wanted to keep this to myself to increase my chances of winning, but that is a bit selfish, so I am posting here to let you know that an awesome giveaway is going on over at Simple Mom. They are giving away a gift certificate to Lisa Leonard Designs, and who wouldn't love that? Here is the link to go to the site to comment to be in the running: http://simplemom.net/a-holiday-giveaway-lisa-leonard/comment-page-3/#comment-63488 .

Good luck!

Giveaway over at Keeper of the Home

This is a great site that I have no idea how I found but am very happy that I did! Keeper of the Home always has great posts and right now she is celebrating her 2 year anniversary! So head on over there for a giveaway she is having for either a copy of her latest e-book, Cream of the Crop: The Best of 2 Years of Blogging or for a paperback copy of her first e-book, Healthy Homemaking: One Step at a Time. While you are there, don't forget to browse around a read some of her older posts that are still very relevant, like on how to make bone broth. Does that catch your interest, or what?

Giveaway!

I wanted to keep this a secret so I could increase my chances to win, but then I was feeling a bit of guilt over being so selfish, so here it is, a giveaway over at Blue Yonder's blog:

“Looking for gifts, baby items, housewares, bedding, or mattresses? Blue Yonder is hosting a great giveaway on her site! Check it out.”

While you are there, be sure to poke around her blog and see all of the fun things she is doing this summer with her children. Don't forget to also check out her "Book of Days" for some fun with your little ones. (You'll find a link for that on the left side of the blog.)

Have fun and good luck!

Mother's Day Delight

I had a wonderful Mother's Day here. I do not expect anything fancy or any expensive gifts for Mother's Day. I enjoy just having a leisurely day with my family spending time together. We began the day with church and the sermon today focused on mothers, naturally. I loved hearing about mothers and what the Bible says on how mothers and wives are supposed to act like. Imagine my surprise when the minister quoted Proverbs 31:13 from the Message Bible:

She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing.

You can imagine my delight when I saw that verse up on the screen! I gave Hubby a nudge and let him know that I was just doing God's Will all along by buying only the best to make things for my family and spending hours doing so!

I was also delighted to get hand drawn pictures from my little ones stating that, "Mom is special because...." It was so heartwarming to see that some of the things that I do for them are really appreciated and not taken for granted. I love my job, but it is stressful at times and it is nice to be thanked every now and again for the things that I do.

We spent the rest of the day enjoying the outdoors and cleaning out our new (to us) camper to prepare it for an upcoming camping trip. I hope all you other mothers had just as great of a day celebrating Mother's Day in your own way!