Friday, June 06, 2008

And that ye study to be quiet....

...and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing." Ist Thessalonians 4:11-12


My mantel for June...the one place that no one lives in or touches or parks their wallets, eyeglasses, mail or keys! This is the new poster from Lovely Whatevers





More June Mantels and June House Tours:





http://www.enchantedtreasures.com/mantel-of-the-month/?month=6&year=2008

http://theoldpaintedcottage.wahmweb.com/store/WsPages.asp?ID=3

http://www.shabbysuite.com/articles.php?article=8




The verse I posted today reminds me that working with my own hands can prevent "want" or poverty. Money seems to go out as quickly as it comes in. Living on your income may require some imagination and some inspiration and some innovation. Resourcefulness is a great blessing. It means that we can make many things that we might have thought we could only buy. I've been to see a sight about the pioneer spirit, that shows how to make everything from your own potato chips to your own catsup (ketchup, tomato sauce) condiments, and cereal. There are a lot of things we do not have to buy, if we are trying to save money. If we buy everything, and make nothing, it is hard to keep up with the grocery bill. Even with a large income, the grocery bill comes in next highest to the rent or house payment. I am not saying women should feel obligated to do this, but that in a pinch, there are alternatives.


Studying is referred to in several places in the Bible, and it is always in reference to studying that which is good, lovely, pure, and builds the inner man.

6 comments:

The Mrs. said...

Any hints are always welcome as I am becoming more frugal. Thank you for this.
The Mrs.

Lynn said...

Good evening Lady Lydia - could you share the pioneer site that you talk of - I would love to visit it - I am trying to make as much as possible at home.
Thank you.
Lynn.

JKaye said...

Hi. Thank you for this photo of your mantle, and for your thoughts on making things. My husband recently made us something -- a new mantle! He replaced the one that was here when we bought the house, because it did not match the rest of the wood trim in the room. He used scrap pieces of wood we had left over from some other project. He is saving the wood from the old mantle to give to his son, who makes musical instruments.

Today, I have been making some curtains for one of our bedrooms out of some old but pretty flower print pillowcases. Another thing we recently did was to find some replacement parts for our old storm door, rather than buying a new door.

It makes us feel good to re-use things we already have, by repairing them or turning them into something else, rather than buying new things every time we have a need. It saves us money, and it also is so satisfying to figure out how to come up with a solution for some need.

We get encouragement from blogs such as this one to do more of these projects. Thanks.

Lydia said...

Try www.pioneerthinking.com There are a lot of products that people lived without, and it didn't do them any harm. We are actually better off eating many foods like fruits and vegetables in their natural state instead of adding sugar and so many things. I noticed at the grocery store that WIC card holders can buy Cheerios, which are more expensive. People not using the WIC (Women, Infants, Children--a type of state assistance) will not buy the expensive brand, and Cheerios is the expensive brand. If they ever get off WIC they will have to learn to buy the store brand or learn what the ingredients are to make their own cereals. If you start your children off on these refined cereals, you'll have a hard time getting them to adjust to anything else. Good old fashioned oats are still a more nutrious selection, and they can be oven toasted with other ingredients to make a granola cereal that is quite good. It does not cost as much when you buy them from a bin and put them in a bag yourself. I noticed there were several things that WIC covered, but sometimes it was the most expensive brand.

texasmcvays said...

Thank you for your frugal thoughts. We recently purchased 5 acres and now we keep our own chickens (layers).We will be buying some broilers before the end of the summer. We are getting ready to put in our large garden which we hope will provide all the veggies we need. My friends Mom is going to teach us how to can tomatoes, peaches etc... My friend just taught me how to bake bread from hand without a bread machine. Everytime I pick up a new skill I envision my grocery bill dropping and my savings account raising!Thank you for even more inspiration, I'm gonna check that pioneer thinking site now!
Rejoicing in Texas,
Kyle

candy said...

I love that white blanket with the pretty dots on your mantel. So pretty!
:)


candy