Money-saving Ideas in the Laundry Department

What a delightful, sunny day. Cool, crisp air and not a cloud in the sky! My clothesline is full and the neighbor's fireplace is not in use this morning.

Even in the cold winter I hang my clothes out as much as possible. The winter air gives the clothes a different scent, which is a wonderful benefit. It may take an earlier start to your laundry day to get things dry, but, to me, it is worth the effort. I try and wash clothes in order of their time required to dry. Towels - first, then on to the lighter things. Some girls have a clothes line on their porch (I have a short one) that you can keep things out of the wet weather and still get dry, eventually. I use it to keep the sun off certain clothes that may fade.

In the winter your clothes will "freeze dry". My towels will look like boards swinging in the breeze, which is rather comical to see. Sometimes things don't get dry in time before you need to bring them in. You can pop them in the dryer and it won't take long to finish. However, it seems to take the scent away. One girl I know strings a line in her dining room and, not only do her clothes get dry, but it helps to add moisture to the house. I'm not there yet. My basement has several lines that I use in the winter if it is to snowy or raining. When there is snow piled up high from plowing the driveway, I can't get to the clothesline and resort to the dryer and basement clothesline.

I've found that I can also get several uses out of one dryer sheet. If I feel that there is still some stiffness in the sheet, I'll use it over again. I've been able to use them twice at least.

As you can tell, I love hanging clothes out. It is a simple way for me to help on the energy cost in the home. Some girls make an art of it...hanging clothes in order of size...shortest to longest or graduating colors. So have fun with it. However, a word of caution. Make sure that your neighbor's fireplace smoke is blowing the other way or your clothes will smell like smoke. I hung my bed clothes out one day. Left for some errands and came home to put them back on the bed. We crawled into a bed that wreaked of smoke. We could hardly sleep it was so strong...and the neighbors are not that close! I had to rewash them in the morning.

So, find a pair of gloves that allow you to operate clothes pins, bundle up and enjoy!

I hope this fall day is enjoyable for you.

"The Holy Spirit does not come on methods but men...especially men of prayer." E. M. Bounds

"Almighty God, I am loved with everlasting love, clothed in eteranl righteousness, my peace flowing like a river, my comforts many and large, my joy and triumph unutterable, my soul lively with a knowledge of salvation, my sense of justification unclouded....All the treasures of a million worlds could not make me richer, happier, more contented, for his unsearchable riches are mine." Valley of Vision, excerpts from "Assurance"

Snow

Well we did wake up to a beautiful snow-covered lawn. Not much, but just enough. The roads were just wet, though.

My sister-in-law and I were busy again today packing and cleaning at my in-laws place. There is just so much that needs to be pitched. It is so frustrating for me. Their new place is so much smaller, but their Depression mentality is overwhelming. I just have no idea how they are going to handle so much in their new place. It is just not healthy for them. My mom-in-law is not handling the stress well. She should not be doing all that she is doing. If she would only let us just do it and relax. I am concerned for her. It makes me want to make sure that I don't leave that kind of mess for my kids.

Keeping so many things is a sickness, I think. If you are not enjoying them, what good are they when they are packed away in boxes. Let someone else enjoy it, if you are not. Live simply.

"From Calvary's cross wave upon wave of grace reaches me, deals with my sin, washes me clean, renews my heart and strengthens my will, draws out my affection, kindles a flame in my soul...consecrates my every thought, word, work and teaches me thy immeasurable love." Valley of Vision, Privileges

First Snow

Today was a picture-perfect Autumn Day--cold, blustery--sometimes it rained, then sleet, then the sun would come out. This afternoon, though, the snow came. Just briefly, then the sun came out--that's Western PA in the fall. The forcast is for enough snow to cover the grass during the night, we'll see what happens.

Daniel got to hang out with his grandma this afternoon. What a delight! It's great to watch him learning to walk. So fun!

Winter has become more difficult for me as I get a bit older. My body craves the sunshine and around here in the winter, sun is hard to come by. I have found that taking Cod Liver Oil has helped. With vitamins A & D, I find that I don't get as depressed and I usually don't get colds. However, I can't say that about this fall with the colds.

I'm beginning to slip into 'hibernation mode'. I just want to stay at home and bake cookies and quilt. It won't be long now till most everyone around here is settled in for the winter. We rarely see any of our neighbors during the winter except during snow removal times. Those almost are almost happy occasions to see that everyone is doing well. Spring will come and everyone crawls out and we visit. The rhythm of life around here.

With the first snow, I thought I would 'celebrate' with the season's first making of Apple Crisp. My Grandma Blair first told me about this and it's the only recipe I have from her. I was surprised to find a recipe that was about the same in our church cookbook. Dad told me that Grandma was quite a great cook and baker in her day. I wonder if her recipes were all in her head. My dad told me she used to bake the family's bread and have all the loaves sitting out on the table when he came home from school. The house smelled great I'm sure. Anyway, back to Apple Crisp. I had some Stayman apples that were HUGE and it only took three to fill a 8 in. square pan. Here's the recipe:

Apple Crisp

1 stick soft butter
-3/4 C. sugar
1/2 C. flour
Cinnamon

Grease 8 inch square baking dish. Peal and slice your favorite baking-type apple in to the baking dish. (I've used Cortland and Macintosh a lot. Most any variety will do. Some of the more sturdy types that don't lose their shape when they are cooked quite as quickly, just need to bake a bit longer). Fill about 3/4 full. Sprinkle with your family's favorite amount of cinnamon. In medium sized mixing bowl, add sugar and flour; cut in butter. Sprinkle sugar mixture over apples. Add more cinnamon to the top.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 1/2 hour. Softer apples will only need about 20-25 minutes. Should be bubbly. May be enjoyed with Cool-whip or ice cream. Great for cold winter nights or as a general prescription for a bad day.

From my Respectable Sins reading: "So the question is, Are we to give God thanks when the circumstances do not turn out as we had hoped? The answer is yes, but for a different reason, In 1 Thess. 5:18, Paul writes, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."...[Romans 8:28] tells us that for those who love God, all things work together for good...The 'good' however, is defined in verse 29 as being conformed to the image of God's Son. In other words, Paul is telling us that God intends all our circumstances, both good and bad (but in the context Paul has in mind; especially the bad ones), to be intruments of sanctification, of growing us more and more into the likeness of Jesus." from Respectable Sins, by Jerry Bridges. How important it is to learn that God is in control of each circumstance in our life and each one is for our good--being made into His likeness....even things that can be called a 'dark providence'. It seems to me that 'bad' things only seem bad to us. God is using them and he calls them 'good'. We'll see how I'm doing with this the day after the election. Or when God wants to grow me during a time of dark providence.

Growing in Christ together~

Repetance and that 'Respectable Sins' Class

It seems that God needs to teach our church family a great deal about sin--it seems we have heard sermons on the subject for the past several weeks and then there's THAT CLASS!! My 'Respectable Sins' class is revealing more and more of my yucky stuff.

We are in the midst of moving my in-laws, again...which is a long and detailed story. Suffice it to say, it has only been a year since we moved them out of their last place. They are both suffering from a depression mentality, which means they find it difficult to throw anything away. Keith and I talked about going down today to help to some things(Acts of mercy on Sunday are a good thing-WCF) and I was fine with that until I found out that he wanted to be there till late in the day. Being a Steeler fan--one who has not watched a complete game yet this season!--I was hoping to be home to watch most of the game today. Needless to say, that didn't go over very well. While getting dressed for church, I was faced with the realization of my selfishness. Keith has done some much for my family, my mom especially, and I wanted to do my own thing and relax.

On the way into church, I confessed my crappy attitude. He had talked with him mom before we left and they were only going for a short trip to the condo today and they wanted to relax. So, it looked like I was going to be able to sit and relax and watch the game afterall...well, no. The game was on a channel that we cannot get. Maybe next Monday night I'll try again.

All that to say that it seem that God is really using this class and teaching from the pulpit to convict me of a ton of stuff. We want to grow and change and become more Christ-like. In my case, it's not always pretty. Thank goodness for forgiveness; for Christ and his dying on the cross.

"Oh Lord, No day of my life has passed that has not proved me guilty in thy sight. Prayers have been uttered from a prayerless heart; ...Blessed Jesus, let me find a covert in thy appeasing wounds, Though my sins rise to heaven thy merits soar above them...Give me perpetual broken-heartedness, Keep me clinging to thy cross, flood me every moment with descending grace. Open to me the springs of divine knowledge, sparkling like crystal, flowing clear and unsullied through my wilderness of life." Valley of Vision excerpts from The Broken Heart

Cold Remedy

Thanks to my best friend, Laura, who is always looking out for me for this information. I am coughing...AGAIN! For the past two years I have been cold-free and this season I've already had two! So, Laura gave me this recipe that is cooking as I type...

Garlic, Honey & Lemon Tea

3 C. water
3 cloves garlic, cut in half

bring the above just to a boil. Turn off heat and add:

1/2 C honey
1/2 C fresh lemon juice
Strain
sip 1/2 c of warm tea 3 times a day.

Keep it in the frig and heat it up as you need it.

Laura says the taste is not bad either!

Thanks a ton, Laura. I'm anxious to try it.


"I will Strenthen You." Isaiah 41:10
"When called to serve or to suffer, we take inventory of our strength and find it to be less than we thought and less than we need. Do not let your heart fail when you have this promise to fall back on, for it guarantees all that you can possibly need. God has strength omnipotent, and He can communicate that strength to you, and His promise is that He will do so....My own weakness makes me shrink, but God's promise makes me brave. Lord, strengthen me according to Your Word." Charles Spurgeon, Beside Still Waters, Roy Clarke, Editor

Hazel's Last Ride...of this season

This was a beautiful Fall day. The air was crisp, but the sun was bright and the sky was clear and blue.

Since it was beautiful, I hurried to strip the bed and get things washed to hang outside, all the while praying that the wind was still coming from the east and keep the neighbor's chimney smoke away...thankfully, it was.

One day last winter, the bedclothes smelled so bad of smoke, that I could hardly sleep!! Today, however, we were spared.

After taking Keith to work, I set out to finish cutting the grass, no doubt for the season. The last two years, I was still cutting parts of the yard in November! We've had several heavy frosts, so I think I'm safe. Hazel, my John Deere, can take off her mower deck and mount up her blade for the front to be ready for snow removal.

Cutting grass has become so relaxing for me. Didn't used to be, but now that I'm used to how this yard lays, I can let my mind wander and do my praying.

Betty's yard is difficult to mow and I grumble about it each time I do it. But, I love her to death and after I'm done, I'm always glad that I've done it. She's the best neighbor!

The applesauce is put away. Every inch of space on my canning shelves is full--a happy thought. My OCD kicks in when each fruit or veggie does not have it's own space or lined up in nice rows...I have applesauce squeezed in any empty place...oh well. The shelves are full and I am sure I'll find what I need when I need to find it.


The dead or almost dead flowers were taken to the compost today, too. How sad to see the colors go. I picked more rose hips today, too.

It was a good day for getting ready for Fall.


"Sanctify and prosper my domestic devotion, instruction, discipline, example, that my house may be a nursery for heaven, my church the garden of the Lord, enriched with trees of righteousness of they planting, for thy glory." The Valley of Visions, The Family

Applesauce Day--a Reprise

Whew!! Nine hours, two bushels and 36 quarts and 1 pint and a half jars later the kitchen is clean, but full of applesauce. A happy sight. This is the most I've tried to tackle myself in one day. I'm tired, but it is a good tired. A good day's work with so much to show for it. My heart is so grateful for the ability and the "stuff" to be able to can for the family. Since I don't work outside the home, this is my job. The place has a great view, the hours are a bit odd, the pay, as in dollars, may not be much, but there is a satisfaction in the soul. Satisfaction in knowing that I am doing what God has best suited me to do.

This may sound weird, but the other day when I was using the neighbor's tiller in the garden, I had this realization. That what I am doing pleases God. In the movie, Chariots of Fire, when Eric Liddell says to his sister, "When I run, I feel His pleasure", that's the kind of moment I had. The pleasure of knowing that the King of Creation is pleased with what I am doing. It may not be some great thing, that men would consider 'great', but it is helping my husband as we take care of the family, keep order in our home and our corner of the community, doing our best to be good stewards of what has given us--being thankful and sharing His goodness.

One of the reasons I like applesauce making so much is that nothing is wasted. The skins and seeds and any other remains are put in the compost. The glorious fragrance fills the house, at least for the day, and quarts of beautiful rose-colored applesauce add a new color to my canning shelves.

Thanks to Becky at Becky's Farm I was able to can some chicken broth yesterday! She knows so much and I am very grateful.

With a thankful heart~