Have You Ever Had A DEBT FREE Christmas... Will You Accept the Challenge?

More Working (and Thinking) Ahead of Need:

I'm joining in the Debt Free Christmas Challenge hosted by Enemy of Debt! Thought you may find it useful and/or interesting as well!

Click the link below if you'd like to learn more!

Have You Ever Had A DEBT FREE Christmas, And Will You Accept My Challenge? | Enemy of Debt: Motivational Money Management

Working Ahead Of Need: Inspiration From Storybook Woods

Photo courtesy of Clarice @ Storybook Woods.

Our good friend, Clarice (hi Clarice !) ...

over at Storybook Woods

has a very Inspirational

post titled...

Frugal Things I Love .

I HIGHLY recommend it to you all...

(and, no, not just because she said something nice about me in it, but that was nice too ;-) !


In it Clarice offers a host of charmingly useful ideas and...

a bevy of thoughts on how to work ahead of need...

preserving nature's summer bounty to enjoy later.

She provides some fantastic links for...

making your own...


Homemade Oil Lamps...

Simple tricks for dehydrating fresh produce (I loved her pantry trick)...

Easy ways to Grow Your Own Sprouts in a Canning Jar...

and many, many more.


I must say that I was inspired to action after my visit ...

and I hope you will be too!

Faithful HOLIDAY Budgeting... It's Not Too Early to Begin

All the above photos are from Heather's Beauty That Moves Etsy Store.

Start Saving for the Holidays Now Using the...

Envelope System

Many people use the envelope system to save up the cash for their monthly bills (using money orders to pay bills that must be mailed and possibly tracked).

Heather, over at the inspiring blog...

"Beauty That Moves" has charmingly practical fabric envelopes for sale in her Etsy store.

While we are proponents of the monthly envelope system, I find it especially useful when saving for the often cash strapped winter holidays.

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Faithful Budgeting
Below is an excerpt taken from "Frugal Luxuries by the Seasons," Bantam Books, NY, 2000

"One of my favorite ways to organize my everyday and holiday expenses is to establish an envelope system. This is done by designating an envelope for each person on my holiday gift-giving list. On the outside of the envelope I write the person's name, the amount I have budgeted to spend on him or her, and any gift ideas that I might have in mind for the particular individual. Inside the envelope I put aside a designated amount to spend on that individual (and continue over the months until I've saved up enough). When I do my holiday gift shopping, I take the cash-filled envelopes (and no credit cards) and spend only what I have budgeted and put inside the envelopes."

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Box of Lettuce in Origami Pots...

Box of lettuce
Originally uploaded by smallgreengarden

Here is a picture of those Origami Pots (see post below) made from recycled paper bags instead of newsprint!

If you are small space gardening, you will be inspired by Kate's blog...

www.smallgreengarden.com

...she does amazing things with very little!

Gardens are so miraculous...don't you think?

YouTube - How to Make Origami Pots for Garden Seedlings

YouTube - How to Make Origami Pots for Garden Seedlings

Shared via AddThis

The Secret Stones: A Budget Gardening Tale

Our friend, Cindy McNatt, over at the inspiring blog...

Dirt du Jour

tells us the SIMPLE SECRET behind these concrete "STONES".

"These concrete “stones” are easy to make and work beautifully at terracing a slope.

Here is how the gardener did it: She stacked bags of dry concrete in a row, then wet down the bags for a week or until the concrete hardened. Once hard, she tore off the paper wrapping.
Then she stacked another row on top of the first, wetting the second row of concrete bags, waited for the concrete to harden and then removed the paper - and so on until she had her vegetables beds at a height that worked for her.

Easy. Cheap. Not bad looking, and entirely doable."

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Click the link below to visit Cindy's amazing blog and learn a multitude of gardening secrets and wisdoms.

Dirt Du Jour: A gardening community of passionate plant people in Southern California

Nurturning a Pioneer Spirit: De Mystifying Food Canning

Click HERE to learn more about the mundane miracle of home food canning!

FREE TOMATO SEEDS...Seed saving instructions for beginners.

Wresta

Recently, I've been saving seeds...culling them from the fruit and vegetables we eat.


What could be more miraculous??


It is also surprisingly simple.



Now is the season to begin....


gathering, processing and saving seeds for next year's frugal and green garden.


I have found this great site that walks me through the process...

Seed saving instructions for beginners.

I began with tomatoes, but it also offers step-by-step instruction on gathering seeds...from cucumbers and cantalope to Morning Glories! I've found it a very valuable reference site!

Swedish Bride

A Swedish Bridal Suite...

a Home-Crowned Queen.... Golden Silence... Gilded Lanterns... Scented Cones...

Remnants of a bride's special day litter the sweetest of suites...

Tokens of good thoughts and love dangle for all to see & be reminded of...

Love...


the reason for all else to exist.
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Oh my goodness,

I fell in love with this pictorial by Swedish Stylist, Eva Lindh.

The pictures told a story all their own...

in need of nothing except for romantics & dreamers...

like us...

to focus on them...

to give them a voice...

to appreciate their loveliness...

to REVEL in the frugal luxury of dreams.

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A PERSONAL COMPUTER IN A VASE? IT DOES COMPUTE!

If you're budget and/or house is too small for a new home office or library....

you may want to look at this prototype for a PC in an attractive vase!




Years ago, we transformed a corner of our tiny living room into an office...

via a computer armoire.

In the near future, no furniture necessary...

just change the look of your PC!


Gizmag has covered some unusual gadgets over the years,


but a computer hidden in a vase?


This might sound like a joke, but it actually makes sense when you consider...


how digital content and media have grown...


the once-humble PC is arguably more at home in the living room...


than the study.

Currently it's in the prototype stage...


but check HERE for availability in the near future!

In Praise of the Backyard Clothesline

Vintage



"Let me be a little kinder,
Let me be a little blinder
To the faults of those around me,
Let me praise a little more."
--Edgar A. Guest, "A Creed"


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A Kindred Spirit Letter

Dear Tracey,



It began when we were newlyweds renting a four-room apartment in Birdtown--a small old section of rental homes in Lakewood. The laundromat was blocks away. Although our apartment was tiny, we enjoyed a long, open-air balcony. When our budget was tight, we would launder our clothes in the bathtub and hang them to dry on a makeshift clothesline out on the balcony.

Eventually we graduated to our own home on the near west side of Cleveland. Over the years we acquired the luxuries of a washer, dryer, dishwasher, microwave and the like. We were also proud owners of a postage-stamp-size back yard. To make life complete, we soon were the parents of three small children.



Despite all of our modern conveniences, I still love the idea of old clotheslines. My neighbor--a Yugoslavian grandmother--has a bright yellow one. All summer long there is either a hand-stitched quilt or a pretty rug drying on it. Inspired by her, I crisscrossed four long lines from our garage to our house and bought bags of wooden clothespins.



Cleveland is a funny place to have a clothesline, I think. It can be cloudy almost to the point of hearing the rumble of thunderstorms--but I will still hang up a load of laundry despite the threat of rain. Nine times out of ten the load will dry without any rain falling. Why go to all that trouble and bother? There are many reasons. For one, I know I am saving money and helping the environment by not running the dryer for at least half of the year, and clothes seem to dry fairly quickly outdoors. But the best reason is the satisfaction I feel after my seven-year-old daughter changes her sheets, and I hear her say at bedtime, "Mom, My pillow smells good!"



Sincerely,


Peggy West


Cleveland, Ohio

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The letter above is an excerpt from Frugal Luxuries, published by Bantam Books, 1997.

Growing Off the Wall...

Get Your Mind in the Gutter for Space Saving Gardening Solutions!

One of my long-time kindred spirits, Cindy McNatt, has created a lovely,

inspiring and very informative gardening blog titled...

Dirt du J0ur !

Imagine my delight when I saw this article and photograph on today's post!!

(I have the perfect wall on our southwest facing patio that will perfectly suit
a smaller version of this project!)

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Edible Transformations TM in Under 15 Minutes!

Click Here...

to see how we transformed this...



...into this!

Done in a mere 15 minutes!

At Long Last...a Winner Has Been Revealed!!

"How frugal is the chariot that bears the Human soul."

--Emily Dickenson, referring to books.
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Hello Good Souls...




A few days ago I scribbled out all your blessed names....

folded them up...

put them in a pretty crystal bowl...

and chose a name.

Dana & Daisy were chosen...


and will receive this copy of ....


"Frugal Luxuries by the Seasons"!


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I'd like to thank you all for your many kindnesses, support and friendship.


I am truly blessed to know you...


even though most of us have never met in the tangible world...


it is a lovely privilege to mingle minds, thoughts and lives with you...


via...


this miracle called the internet.


Good thoughts and blessings to each and every one of you.


Warmly,

Tracey

We're Giving Away "FRUGAL LUXURIES BY THE SEASONS" Book!

In honor of the season of Spring, we are giving away a book...


Frugal Luxuries by the Seasons!

To enter, simply leave your Favorite Frugal Luxury for Spring in the comments section of this post! We'll choose a random winner at the beginning of next week!


You're all so very creative, I'm really excited to read your favorites!!
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Charitable Luxury...

"The luxury of charity."

--Oliver Goldsmith

The following is an excerpt from "Frugal Luxuries by the Seasons, by Tracey McBride, published by Bantam Books, 2000

"Should a vine expect acknowledgment for bearing a bunch of grapes...do bees create honey in order to be thanked?" inquired Marcus Aurelius in the second century A.D. The question is rhetorical in nature, and provokes thought. Indeed, why should a person who has performed a deed or kindness look for gratitude? To do so seems to contradict the act."

Charity...

Luxury...


an Unexpected Gift!


Earlier this week, I spent a few happy hours helping an acquaintance complete a large task that she had volunteered to do for our children's school.
To show her appreciation for another pair of hands,
she surprised me with this charming bunch of Daffodils!

They were so pretty, I thought I would share them with you.
Have a lovely week end!

WHO... WILL BRING HOME THE VINTAGE GARDEN URN? FIND OUT NOW...

"Verily great grace may go with a little gift"
--Theocritus

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WHO... WILL BRING HOME THIS VINTAGE GARDEN URN?

To discover the answer...CLICK HERE
--------------

WIN THIS EASTER-EGG-FILLED-WHITE-IRON-URN

TO ENTER…


JUST CLICK HERE and it will pop you on over to...


FRUGAL LUXURIES: KINDRED SPIRITS LETTERS & RESOURCES BLOG!

Easter Fancies: Nesting Instincts of Good Fortune & Prosperity

Another way to enjoy decoupaged eggshell art.

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Click HERE to learn how to make these enchanting eggs from recycled eggshell.

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Below is an excerpt from Frugal Luxuries by the Seasons, by Tracey McBride;
published by Bantam Books, NY, NY, 2000

Easter Fancies:


A Lucky Bird’s Nest

Bird’s nests have long been symbols of good fortune and prosperity. While it’s a rare but wonderful find to uncover a real bird’s nest to use in your spring décor, you may create your own simple, attractive nests using excelsior.

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Drawing by Alexis Larson-Gibson, taken from the book Frugal Luxuries by the Seasons, by Tracey McBride;
published by Bantam Books, NY, NY, 2000.
All Rights Reserved.

Creative Recycling of the Ordinary Eggshell?

To learn how easy it is to make these charmingly ornamental Easter Eggs from recycled eggshells visit Frugal Luxuries by clicking HERE.

Festivals of Spring: THE FEAST OF SAINT PATRICK!

"Cead mile failte!--One hundred thousand welcomes"
--Ancient Gaelic Greeting
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Drawing by: Alexis Larson-Gibson; published in Frugal Luxuries by the Seasons
Click here to learn how to create this Irish Linen Sachet.

Happy Feast of Saint Patrick!

In the Irish countryside, March 17--the anniversary of the death of Saint Patrick--is a day of visiting relatives and friends, and a fitting occasion to sing, feast, and partake of concerts and plays honoring the patron saint of Ireland. Most towns and cities hold a large parade in honor of the day, during which everyone wears green, for the "wearin' of the green" is a celebration of the emerald green of Ireland herself, as well as a symbol of springtime.


When I was very young, my mother would celebrate Saint Patrick's Day by speaking with an Irish brogue all day, although she is an American by birth. After our traditional Saint Patrick's day dinner of corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, and carrots, she and my father would sip Irish coffee from shamrock-encrusted Irish crystal glasses (purchased on a visit to Ireland...before I was born) while enjoying Gaelic melodies playing on the stereo. I would lie on the floor at her feet and listen as she delighted us with amusing tales about her day posing as an Irishwoman (giggling with fun at the thought that so many people had believed her brogue to be authentic) and reminisced with my father about their long ago sojourn to that ancient isle of green.

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Excerpt above taken from Frugal Luxuries by the Seasons, by Tracey McBride; published by Bantam Books, NY, NY, 2000.

Celebrating Soul Mates...our Twenty-Sixth year...

" A soulmate is someone who has locks that fit our keys, and keys to fit our locks. When we feel safe enough to open the locks, our truest selves step out and we can be completely and honestly who we are; we can be loved for who we are and not for who we're pretending to be....Our soulmate is the one who makes life come to life."
--Richard Bach

Today...

Mike and I celebrate our 26th wedding anniversary.


February 19th 1983

Mike and I on our wedding day.
This snapshot was taken by my best friend's father.
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This is a recent picture of Mike and I.
He surprised me with a gondola ride in Naples
(California...not Italy :).
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Some fleeting thoughts on marriage...

We saw the movie "Marley and Me" last night. Owen Wilson's character said something we don't hear very often in movies or on TV these days: When he and his wife were going through a very rough patch in their relationship an un-married friend was subtly urging the husband to leave. His character's response to this was (and I paraphrase) "...what's the matter with you man...you don't throw something like this away
...you mend it, don't end it."
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Of, course, this obviously doesn't apply to every situation.
That being said (in my humble opinion) it is often worth the time and trouble to mend something that was once treasured and considered valuable...if the option is available. Living as we do, in a throw-away society, is it any wonder that this simple, pragmatic wisdom is often forgotten?
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The Taste of Memories at Frugal Luxuries Food Blog!

Can Memories be Tasted?
Find out at Frugal Luxuries Food

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Make these special cookies for a Valentine's Day Treat for your loved ones & friends.

Creative Recycling of the Ordinary (tm) : Rosie's Baby Box

"Time flies...shadows fall...love's eternal over all."



You may remember this box from our holiday gift posts...
It is made from one of Rosie's shoe boxes when she was a toddler (it is now about a dozen year's old !). The pretty paper was recycled from a gift received by Katie at the same time.

Click any picture to enlarge.

I used Mod Podge(c) to attach the paper to the box...
then put another coat over the paper to preserve it.

I covered only into the inside rim...otherwise the Mod Podge(c)
becomes sticky thus rendering the box useless for storing things...
I then attached the re-purposed ribbons & faux greenery...
using a hot glue gun (these are the originals).

Here is what it looks like from the bottom and side.

This sweet little box is now a permanent addition to our collection
of family gift boxes...it has held many items over the years... from china tea sets, porcelain dolls, necklaces and bracelets, to Dior Show mascara and Happy perfume! As it is re-used from year to year it evokes sweet memories of times past and tiny toes that once wore shoes of elfin proportions.

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P.S. Today, I often find those same toes inside my own (not so elfin) shoes & boots!