Good Morning

Looking forward to spring.  Well, kids are back to school - I really don't know how they get up so early in the morning.  My son who is a real X-boxer, gets up at 6am every morning straight in the shower and off to school with no drama at all.  He is nearly 14, and most morning he will even make oats - he has learn by himself with a special layer of brown sugar - yum and such a great start to the day!!.  My daughter is pretty good at getting herself up in the morning - but she doesn't sleep well so a little slow on it.   Busy day today - I have to go and help out at the barn - getting it ready for more horses, which is very exciting, hope to build the racing stable up to about 20 horses this year so need to be very organized.  But more horses more $$.  I'm also working on a little project myself - just in the research stage at this point - but very exciting.  Plus my company with my sister Merino Moms has a whole new line of clothing coming - Which we can't wait to launch so all good plans in the works.  Must go as very busy today.

Caroline

Winter Break

We stress so much to make the impossible possible.  Sometimes we just need to relax and let the cards all fall into place.  My daughter left today for Florida a 24 hour bus ride with the rowing team - sure they are going to have a great time and all the stress of getting ready is going to disappear.  Her suitcase weights about 80lb - does she realize that it is like summer down there so shorts and t-shirts.  Never mind I know she is going to have a great time and make many many memories. 

Receiving a letter in the mail/post

Do you ever send a friend a letter via the post anymore?  Perhaps a card for a friends birthday?  It is so nice to receive gifts, letters or cards in the mail, instead of bills all the time!  If you have time this week write a letter to a friend or perhaps send them a pretty card.  Mail is still so very cheap and it will make someones day.  I remember 20 years ago when I was travelling around Europe - before computers and emails really took their place in the world.  I was so pleased to receive notes from home and newspaper clips etc. 

So take time today to write a quick note and post to a friend.

Caroline

Psalms 55:22

Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you.  He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.  Amen!

What's done is done; what is gone is gone. One of life's lessons is to keep moving FORWARD!!

I'm always reading and love facebook, and all the interesting information on there - you may not of realized yet but there is a lot of interesting home making, crafting, home cooking pages that you can like, then everyday you are full with a whole new book to read.  Over the last month I can't believe all the information that I have (that is free by the way).  I really want to have chickens now too - thanks everyone - I little hard when you live in a townhouse.  But maybe I can still work out a way.  I have also now know how to recycle just about everything so that is wonderful too.  Plus on Facebook, I come across this saying

What's done is done; what is gone is gone. One of life's lessons is to keep moving FORWARD!!

We have to move forward every day - sometimes it is very hard to go to sleep thinking that tomorrow will bring more bills and more costs.  I love spend the day at home and not spending any money.  At least this little saying helps!!  Have a wonderful FORWARD day everyone and keep smiling!!

 

 

Today I decided to enjoy being broke!

So it is another day in my house and instead of worrying about money, I going to try and enjoy my day.  I must say that I have learn so much over the last couple of months, about how to save on so many things.  From making your own household cleaners to some great recipes.  Plus trying to live a more simple life.  There is so much stuff out there that we don't actually need!  So much stuff that we can learn to make from scratch and enjoy all the free things in life.  Like going for a walk, talking to a friend, reading blogs and even cleaning the house. 

So today at least try and take time to enjoy your day no matter what is happening in your life.

Caroline

Great Depression Recipes

I love looking up old recipes - check these recipes out from the great depression - if you have made any of them please comment.

http://countrytimerecipes.alphamaids.com/great_depression_recipes.htm


Caroline

Balls of Energy

Love this recipe - my kids are always looking for something to snack on as they come in from school - now I can make these, freeze them and take them out just before they get in from school = Good Food

 Balls of Energy

Author/Source:

Melissa @ Onceamonthmom.com adapted from FamilyFun.go.com

Ingredients:

• 1 medium banana
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
• 3 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
• 3 tablespoons shredded coconut

Directions:

In a medium bowl, mash together the banana and peanut butter.  Stir in wheat germ.  Roll tablespoons of the mixture into balls and roll in mini chocolate chips or coconut to coat.

Freezing Directions:

Place balls on a cookie sheet and flash freeze until solid.  Transfer to gallon freezer bags.  To serve: Thaw and enjoy.  Alternatively these may be enjoyed partially frozen.

Servings: 12 balls

Full of Great Ideas: Toilet paper art on my $0 budget

What a wonderful idea - I have just moved to the USA and by the time you get new furniture you just don't have the budget to buy art all at once - so this idea is great. I can't wait to collect all the toilet rolls so I can get started!!!!!

Full of Great Ideas: Toilet paper art on my $0 budget: Have you seen the amazing pieces of art people have been making out of toilet paper rolls? They have been all over the blog world for a coup...

How to stay warm in the Winter

I have never been in such cold weather, 0oF the other day what - this is crazy!  Doesn't help that I work in a cold place too, it is indoors but not warm at all.  The other day before I went to work I dresses in layers - I think this is the only way one can stay warm as your warm body heat gets trapped between the layers, therefore keeping you warmer.  As I'm from New Zealand I'm very aware of wool and it's qualities, especially Merino Wool.  Not only is it light and comfortable you can easily add it as one layer for extra warmth.  So one way to stay warm this winter is to dress in Merino Wool, it is the only way to go.  You may pay a bit for it but it lasts for ever - I brought a top 7 years ago and still wear it all the time - it hasn't lost color or worn at all, so well worth the investment.

Caroline

Bullfrog Springs

This is a good friend - check out their blog - love what they are doing!

http://www.bullfrogsprings.blogspot.com/

The Five Love Languages

By Gary Chapman,

If you haven't read this book - it is well worth it!  Did you know that there are 5 different ways that we can express love - for example: He sends you flowers when what you really want is time to talk.  She gives you a hug when what you really need is a home-cooked meal.  Most the time we learn love from our up bringing and learning through the years.  Finding your love language and your partners can really help you understand each others love needs more.  The five love languages are:  Quality Time * Words of Affirmation * Gifts * Acts of Service * Physical Touch.  I tell you if you can figure out your partners you will notice a huge mood change too - if you are unsure of their love language you need to read the book - heaps of examples and principles that actually make sense.   Below I have put a link to the books website if you want to learn more.

http://www.5lovelanguages.com/learn-the-languages/the-five-love-languages/

Caroline

One hard week

Sometimes is just gets too hard to balance the books - this week is one of them.  I just have to watch everything I spend, but the worry is well up there.  Most companies will let you push your bills back if you call them - if you just push the bill in a draw it will be harder to arrange any payments.  But it is worth asking you may be surprised at how you can balance things.  This week is so hard as I want to pay a large bill so it is done with but it really doesn't look possible as I need to get food as well.  I have started to build up a stockpile so this will help in this area.  Which makes me realize how important it is to build a stockpile - specially in winter when you may get snowed in etc.  Plus if you can match it up with a sale and coupon you save so much.  Well I must get started and matching up my coupons and contacting some debtors.

Great Stuff for him

 I love this idea - from lookie what I did blog.  You could use this idea for everyone in your household or every room in your house.  Plus you could make a small or large board. 

http://lookiewhatidid.blogspot.com/2012/01/closet-organizer-for-him.html



Caroline