This morning, I was reading this blog post about learning to wait. In the comment section, I stumbled upon a brilliant quote by Cindy at getalonghome.com.

She says, “If you’re unwilling to save for big purchases, and prefer to go into debt for them, you’re doomed to spend your life worrying about how to finish paying for things you’ve already worn out.”

I had to reread that at least twice because it is so profound. Her statement is so true, yet we rarely discuss debt in this way. Consumer debt (financing cars, tvs, jewelry, clothes, ect), is so common place in our society, that we don’t even think about it. I am not trying to be judgmental, trust me. Until a year ago, I thought credit was the only way to live. In the last year, God has really changed my perspective on debt and money. I really do think there is beautiful freedom in learning to save and pay cash for the things we want.

This quote just reminded me that trying to live a debt-free life really is worth it. It also gave me the motivation to keep going, even though it can get very difficult. Thanks, Cindy for the encouragement and reminder!

P.S. If you have time, check out Cindy’s blog at the link above. I really enjoyed her perspective on being a “stay-at-home-wife”.

Hello friends! I hope you are all having a lovely summer. This summer has been busier than I expected, but I am thankful for the work. Today, I took a break from work to try my hand at making some homemade cleaning products. My adventures of choice were homemade laundry detergent and homemade liquid hand soap.

I have been wanting to try both of these recipes for months, but just never got around to it. Finally we ran out of laundry detergent, and I thought, now is the time! I have linked to recipes I used above, just in case you want to give it a shot. I made half a batch of each to see if we liked them. Here is the cost breakdown for each:

Laundry Detergent
3/4 of a bar of soap, grated- I got this free with coupons
1/2 cup Borax- I got a 76oz box at Wal-Mart for 3.36 so I used approximately 17 cents worth for this batch
1/2 Baking Soda- 14 cents worth*
Total Cost- 17 cents for 12 loads or 2 cents a load Can’t beat it :) (Please excuse my less than perfect math)

*Note most homemade detergent recipes call for washing soda because it is much stronger than baking soda. I chose to use baking soda because we don’t have a lot of large stains, and we had it on hand. I would recommend using washing soda, especially if you have children. Washing soda can be found next to the Borax in the laundry isle. Also, some bloggers that I read suggest specific types of soap, but again, the major reason I am doing this is to save money, so I wanted use what we already had on hand.

All you have to do to make this is grate the soap and mix the ingredients together. Make sure to mix them really well. I will let you know if I like how it works!

Liquid Hand Soap
1/4 cup of bar soap, finely grated- I got this free with coupons
2 1/2 cups water
1/4 tbsp Glycerin -Free because I purchased this on Amazon using Swagbucks. (If you are unfamiliar with Swagbucks, see my post here).
Total cost- free

However, if you had to pay for the soap and glycerin they cost would around $1 a batch. My batch looks like it will fill about 3 bottles of hand soap, so that’s about 33 cents a bottle.

All you do to make this is mix the ingredients together in a pan on the stove over medium heat, untill the soap flakes dissolved (about 4 minutes). Let the mixture cool completely before putting it into soap dispensers.

Again, refer to the links above for more information. I really enjoyed making these products, and I love the fact that they are better for the environment and for us. The only hard part was grating the soap, which did take a good bit of time. However, considering that you can often get a bar of soap for free with coupons, I think the savings are worth the extra elbow grease.

Here are some pictures I took of the process and the finished products.

As I sit here on this beautiful Saturday morning, I am feeling very reflective. Holding my comforting warm cup of coffee as the sunlight streams in through the windows, I realize it is the little things that make this life so wonderful. How often do we miss those little things as we get swept up in the business of life? I am so grateful for this much-needed relaxation filled day.

Since moving to our new house, I have been starting my day by heading out to water my now much larger garden. Gardening has been such an amazing experience; it is hard to put it into words. It has taught me so much about who God is and how he works. I just wanted to share a few of those lessons.

1) I so often limit myself by believing I can’t do things.
I NEVER thought I could EVER grow anything, but God is showing me how much I limit myself. With a little education, some hard work, more faith than I realized, and a lot of grace, things are actually growing. How many other times have I missed out on what God wants to do in my life because I thought I couldn’t do it?

2) It is not about the end product, it is about the process.
I tell other people this all the time, but God is giving me a hands on lesson in process 101. For the first time in my life, I think I am actually learning how to enjoy the process, and not worry about the results. For me to get anything to even sprout is a miracle and major progress from where I started. Every new little change has been an exciting moment of praise. I wish I lived with more excitement about the little things.

3) Growth takes time and that time can be beautiful.
I am seeing how the plants need to time to grow the structure to support the fruit they will eventually produce. How often do I hurry through the structure building stages of my life, and just want God to get me to the “fruitful times.” I am seeing how vital those structure building times really are.

4) God is the only one who can truly make things grow
We can learn, and plan, and work as much as possible but it is ultimately God who is in control of the natural processes that make growth occur. This is true in the garden and in life. Being connected to him is the source of true growth, and he is still good in times of abundance and times of drought. He is always at work, even when it really doesn’t seem like it.

Even if all my plants died today, and I never got a single fruit or vegetable, these things would still be true. I am realizing that this garden is so much less about producing organic produce, and so much more about God calling me to himself in unexpected ways. For that, I am so grateful.

Inspired by a recent trip to Goodwill, I thought I would share a few ways to save money when shopping for non-food items such as clothing, household items, and home improvement projects.

1) Don’t be afraid of clearance racks and thrift stores, but only go when you are in the right mood.
Thrift store shopping requires extensive patience. You must be willing to hunt for treasure amidst the trash :) If you go to these stores in the wrong mood, you are just setting yourself up for disappointment.

2) Only shop at Goodwill on sale and special days.
I never knew that Goodwill has sales and specials, but they do. Check your local goodwill store for specific details, but many stores offer 1/2 off Saturdays once a month. My store also has .99 cent Wednesday, where all specially tagged clothes are only .99 cents. They also often run a deal where they give $5 off any purchase of $25 or more.

3) For larger purchases, buy gift cards from plasticjungle.com or giftcardrescue.com.
These sites offer gift cards for many retailers for anywhere from 8% to 30% off. For example, if you know you were going to buy back to school clothes from JC Penny, you could get a $50 gift card for only $42.50. That is an automatic 15% savings. Use that gift card in combination with coupons and sales, and you could really score some major deals. This strategy also works well for home improvement projects. These sites always have Lowes and Home Depot gift cards at least 8% off. For a big project, that could add up to big savings.

4) Never forget the old standby: Garage Sales and Craigslist.

5) Plan ahead: Be ready for end of season deals.
For example, if you have children, you can get amazing toy deals right after Christmas. Buy birthday presents then, and you can really save!

The motivation for this post comes from my recent shopping trip. At Goodwill, I was able to find 4 tops, a skirt, and a great dress, all for only 25.84!!! I will include some pictures, just to show that you really can find awesome almost-new clothes for a fraction of retail price. It just takes a little patience and planning :)

So rumor has it urban homesteading is the new cool and hip thing to do. For those of you yet to hear this rumor, urban homesteading is basically just a movement that encourages people to learn self-sustainable life skills such as baking from scratch, making and using homemade cleaning products, cheese making, and raising chickens/goats.

I am neither cool nor hip, but I do like trying new things. I also love the idea of becoming more self-sustainable and environmentally friendly, not to mention the money you will save when you’re making things from scratch. Homemade food is also much healthier because you are in control of the ingredients, and there are no preservatives and artificial flavors. In light of this, I declared today “Homestead Hobby Day!” I took on some tasks I had been wanting to try including:

1) Making Basic Cheese
I put mine in the fridge and it turned out like a crumbly cheese kind of like feta. I also added a pinch of garlic salt and basil (see pictures below)

2) Making Homemade Ice Cream

I have included links to the recipes I used. I also made some easy bread (that recipe can be found here). Instead of writing out the whole process, I am just posting picture highlights. I am also including garden update pictures. So far my plants are actually growing! Knock on wood :)

The finished cheese!

Bread and cheese-two of the finished products!

The moral of the story is: If I can do it, you can do it!

10 months ago, I considered myself a sub-par cook and a completely brown thumb. I am now doing things in the kitchen and garden that I NEVER thought I would be able to do. I encourage everyone to try at least one new thing a month. You might just surprise yourself :)

Honestly, lately, I have been feeling a bit discouraged. I know the old adage that “when God closes a door, he opens a window,” but recently I have been feeling like it’s taking Him an awful long time to show me where that window is :)

I know there is a plan and a purpose for me, but sometimes it is really hard to see. I thought I would share a few things that have been encouraging to me. My hope is that it will encourage you also….

I am reading an excellent book entitled, The Mindful Way through Anxiety: Break Free from Chronic Worry and Reclaim Your Life. I HIGHLY recommend it for anyone who struggles with anxiety. It has been a great help, and I am enjoying learning to practice awareness and acceptance. In Chapter 10, the authors present an excellent analogy of how to deal with thoughts and feelings. They begin explaining this analogy by asking:

Who is driving your bus?

They go on to explain that often we let our feelings “drive our bus” instead of letting our values and what we know to be important control our actions. They explain that we can visualize ourselves in the driver’s seat, guiding our bus in the direction we want it to go, regardless of how loud our feelings (the passengers) are shouting. They explain that we should not try to ignore our feelings, but rather accept them. We may be feeling sad or anxious, but we can still choose to act in ways that get us where we want to go. It is important to give ourselves grace in the times when we allow our feelings to drive for a short time.

I have found it important to understand where my feelings are coming from, and what they maybe trying to tell me; however, that does not mean I need to let them dictate my actions. This has been a powerful analogy for me, and seem to keep asking myself, “Who is driving my bus today?” Am I avoiding something out of fear? Am I doing something just so I will feel good about myself? Or, am I making decisions based on who God says I am and who He has called me to be?

I may not know the specific vocational step God is calling me to take, but I do know that He calls me to be faithful with everyday He gives me. For me, at this point, that means being diligent in taking care of the tasks in front of me (schoolwork and household management) and to research and pray about my next career move.

Also here are a few bible verses and quotes I have found helpful:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith….”
-Hebrews 12:1-2

“Little by little one walks far”
-Peruvian Proverb

Today, Michael and I took and impromptu trip to the large farmer’s market here in Nashville. We learned a couple of important things I thought I would pass on:

1) Pay attention to where the produce is coming from.
For example, at one of the stands a vendor was charging $2.50 a pint for strawberries that were actually from California. I found the same thing at Aldi for $1.50 a pint. Just because it is at the farmer’s market does not guarantee that it is local or organic. Be sure to ask questions!

2) Farmer’s market employees can be a valuable resource.
There is a garden center at our farmer’s market, and I was able to ask an employee a lot of questions about locally growing vegetables. We will be moving to a house with a fenced in backyard in the next few weeks, and I needed advice on what to plant in the garden I will be creating. I was able to learn what works at this point in the season for the area we live in. Don’t hesitate to get to know the people who work at your local farmer’s market; they can often provide you with a wealth of information.

3) Make sure to comparison shop.
Not all vendors are created equal. We always take a least one trip around the whole market before we make any purchases.

4) Only buy what you will realistically be able to eat.
It is so easy to get carried away when you see all that delicious fresh produce. However, getting carried away and buying more than you need almost always results in waste. If you go in with a plan of what you want to buy, it will help you prevent waste and overspending.

Friends, today I thought I would share a quick and easy recipe I have found very helpful.

We have been out of fresh fruit for the past few days, and I am committed to getting my coupon binder caught up before heading back to the store. However, I hate going even one day without at least one serving of fruit. Thankfully I had a couple of cans of pineapple stored in the pantry, and have been able to make these delicious smoothies.

A staying healthy tip: Always keep some canned fruits and frozen veggies in stock, for times when the fresh items run out. Something is better than nothing in my book :)

Anyway, I thought I would pass on the recipe we have been enjoying so much over the past few days:

Refreshing Pineapple Smoothie
1/2 cup pineapple (crushed or chucks)
1/2 skim milk
1 tsp coconut oil (or coconut if you have it)
1 tsp sweetener or more to taste (we have been using Truvia we got on sale)
5 or 6 ice cubes

You can also add orange slices if you have them. I hope you enjoy this refreshing treat! It is a great fit for a hot summer day.

Today, I would like to write about something that has been on my mind a lot lately….learning to take risks.

It seems that my journey lately has been full of risky choices. I am learning to take the risk of sacrificing tradition in order to achieve my health and financial goals. I am realizing more and more that living a healthy life is quite counter-cultural. I also had to take some relational risks in the past week. Vulnerability and honesty are risky, but they bring a beautiful depth to our relationships.

Living life as we were made to live, will always involve taking risks. Without risk, we have no need for faith. Trying to live a risk and anxiety free life will only result in bondage. I am not saying we should be foolish, actually quite the contrary. Taking well calculated and informed risks requires much more wisdom than always choosing safer but ultimately less fulfilling choices.

“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.”
-Andre Gide quotes

-Are there any changes you know you want to make in your life, but have been avoiding them out of fear?

-Are there any patterns you are stuck in because they have become the safer way?

My challenge for myself this week is to try to take a fresh look at my life with eyes of trust and faith. If God is calling me to a seemingly risky decision, I am learning to trust that He has gone before me and prepared the way. He hasn’t brought me this far to leave me now :)

Here are a couple of verses that always encourage me:

“….you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth.
4 Even to your old age and gray hairs
I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”
…Isaiah 46:3-4

“The Lord will fight for you. All you have to do is be still”
-Exodus 14:14

It’s official, I really miss blogging! This silly summer class is kicking my butt! Only 3 more weeks until the hard class is over. Also, I have dedicated tomorrow afternoon as “blog time” so I am hoping to get re-organized and get some great posts written. For today, I just wanted to share a quick quote from Erwin McManus’s book entitled Unleashed” Release The Untamed Faith Within.” I will be writing more about this book later in the week; however, for now, check out this beautiful quote that really inspired me this morning:

McManus is detailing a conversation he had with his fourteen year old son, who just said:

“Dad, I think that if I had not been raised in a Christian home, I would not be a Christian.” You can imagine the rush of emotions going through me. It took all the restraint I had to not panic and stay calm. “Why do you think that?”….Aaron continued, “I have way too many doubts and questions.” “Oh,” I said, sounding as relieved as I could. “I have those too. So what are you going to do?” I’ll never forget Aaron’s answer…..”Well, I’ve met God. So what are you supposed to do?” I affirmed, “That’s a dilemma, isn’t it?”

So many of us have put our hope in teaching our children about God rather than guiding them into an experience with God. “ (emphasis mine).

Isn’t that beautiful. Even though I don’t have children, this passage spoke deeply to me. How much do I long for my life to be characterized by actually experiencing God, not just knowing about Him.