What was in my hand THIS week?

Just like I've mentioned before, I really like the idea of using what you have to recycle or "up-cycle" into something else.

A recent problem? We needed curtains for the our bedroom. Not only did we need curtains but DaHubby really needs black-out curtains for the days after he works an overnight shift. But, ones from the store were still more expensive than what we wanted to part with.

Plus, we would still be using my frugal solution to curtain rods and didn't really want to invest in something expensive and then hang them from dowel rods. LOL

Meanwhile, my mom passed on a fleece blanket she had bought to keep dog hair off her couch but it wasn't working for them. We have several of these type of blankets so we put it aside. DaHubby came across it after the move...and wouldn't ya know it? It matched our bedspread perfectly!

Initially, we simply slit the blanket in two and tacked up each piece over our bedroom windows with small finish nails. Functional but not an ideal long term solution.

So, today, I had the sewing machine out for "mending day" and to make Pojke's Halloween costume. I took down the two panels DaHubby created, hemmed them and made a slot for the curtain/dowel rod, installed my 3M Command Hooks, and VOILA!

$10 no-damage curatin rods

We are renting our new place in IL since we haven't sold our former home in MI yet. And, in the interest of being good and responsible tenants, we are trying to wreck as little havoc on this house while we live here.

I've been wanting to put up curtains in the bedrooms (for starters) because it make a room feel cozier than mini-blinds. However, we didn't want to have to drill a bunch of holes and nail a bunch of curtain rod supplies into the bumpy, stucco-looking walls or window frames.

So I cruised Google last week looking for a solution...and TA DA! For $10 in dowel rods and 3M Command hooks, I give you...the Vikings new bedroom curtains!

What was in MY hand this week?

I stumbled across a post at Frugal Hacks this week from its "DeputyHeadmistress" and how she solved a home decorating/organization problem without buying a thing! *gasp*

Imagine that!

She did it with what she already had and re-purposed it.

Now, "re-purposing" is either exalted or looked down on depending on which side of the frugalness aisle you're walking these days.

But, after the last four years, we've walked the line between forced frugalness, to be able to splurge but being responsible about our resources anyways, and back to not having any other choice.

That being said, we were looking to decorate the big, bare walls in our new rental home in IL. Thinking about what had made the trip already from our home in Michigan, DaHubby remembered that we had several homemade pieces of canoe-related stuff. So, I let DaHubby decorate the living room walls.

First to go up on the wall, his handmade Inuit kayak paddles....followed by his prize wood and carbon-fiber canoe paddles in a corner.
Then, we found several hand-caned canoe seats that were going to be used on a newly-built canoe some day in the future. Instead of them sitting and collecting dust, DaHubby took them - along with several pieces of scrap wood in the garage, and made us some wall art.

Now, my living room is decorated in "early paddler," DaHubby gets to show off some of his handiwork, and I get a decorated room we all can enjoy!

And, some things I've been making...

One of my best friends turned me on to this very simple craft to spiff up plain shirts. It is also good for hiding stains on favorite shirts that the Vikings are not ready to let go of yet. LOL

Old shirts + contrasting "scrap" or bargain material + iron-on transfer web = these little beauties!

Getting Enough

How much is "enough"? How much 'til one is happy? Or, how little does one need to be content?

As I mentioned yesterday, we've been slowly shedding things and attitudes the last year or so. While it has often lightened our hearts and shown us what's truly important, we are still swimming against the tide of popular beliefs.

I've sat in different combinations of moms this last year or so hearing about how crazy someone's schedule is, how unhappy they are that their family never has time together, how they wished they could stop but just couldn't. To which my mind quietly asks "why not?"

I've listened to other moms explaining about they couldn't POSSIBLY drop this or that activity or sport to do more of the things they *know* they should be doing like mentoring/discipling their kids, praying individually and as a family, serving others as an example and/or as a family because what would their friends, neighbors, kids, etc. think!? To which my mind whispered to me "so what?"

We've had many material things taken from our hands in the last year or so which has caused us to look at what we *really* have and what we *really* need. And, given an opportunity to "splurge" around my birthday earlier this month, I struggled to supply gift ideas for something I wanted. Even after everything that's happened, there was nothing I could think of that I needed.

Then I saw this quote in a Bible study I've been doing since the beginning of the year.

"There are two ways to get enough. One is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less." - GK Chesterton.

Which would you choose?

And, as things begin to improve during 2011 and 2012, Lord, let us use these additional resources You've provided wisely. Keep us from reverting back to our former paths of comsumerism and needing this and that that counts nothing to eternity.

Contemplating Simplicity

While browsing through one of DaHubby's favorite magazines, I found this book listed in a set of recommendations from the folks who generally read it.

Voluntary Simplicity was originally written in 1981 and apparently was considered quite a landmark for those looking to step back, simplify, and work towards less consumable and more sustainable lifestyles.

Now, I've made the stereotypical and generational swing from liberal young person to conservative older person. I was very interested and followed Sierra Club and Amnesty International and the like in college. I was a moderate "tree hugger" in terms of the environment. As I have (hopefully gracefully) aged, my beliefs and political leanings have changed dramatically. And, as we can see in any given day in the media, there's still MUCH polarization between the two extremes of the political spectrum.

But, while this is written from a definite "tree hugger" mentality, I think it is a very well balanced middle road and also very relevant now as our economy is shuddering from the results of overconsumption.

I haven't finished the book yet but I AM thinking about my responsiblities to my family and the earth and this book is opening my eyes up to other things we can do to simplify and enrich our lives without all the media, technology, and consumerism. And, how my heart was right about limiting all the comsumerism aimed at the Vikings.

More to come...

The 9/12 Project

The 9/12

The 9 Principles

1. America Is Good.

2. I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life.
God “The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained.” from George Washington’s first Inaugural address.

3. I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.
Honesty “I hope that I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider to be the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.” George Washington

4. The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.
Marriage/Family “It is in the love of one’s family only that heartfelt happiness is known. By a law of our nature, we cannot be happy without the endearing connections of a family.” Thomas Jefferson

5. If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.
Justice “I deem one of the essential principles of our government… equal and exact justice to all men of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political.” Thomas Jefferson

6. I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.
Life, Liberty, & The Pursuit of Happiness “Everyone has a natural right to choose that vocation in life which he thinks most likely to give him comfortable subsistence.” Thomas Jefferson

7. I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.
Charity “It is not everyone who asketh that deserveth charity; all however, are worth of the inquiry or the deserving may suffer.” George Washington

8. It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.
On your right to disagree “In a free and republican government, you cannot restrain the voice of the multitude; every man will speak as he thinks, or more properly without thinking.” George Washington

9. The government works for me. I do not answer to them, they answer to me.
Who works for whom? “I consider the people who constitute a society or a nation as the source of all authority in that nation.” Thomas Jefferson

The 12 Values

* Honesty
* Reverence
* Hope
* Thrift
* Humility
* Charity
* Sincerity
* Moderation
* Hard Work
* Courage
* Personal Responsibility
* Gratitude

Viking Ingenuity - updated

This down the street...


...has inspired *this* in my driveway! LOL


No signs. No money. But, plenty of hope. :) Wonder how long she'll sit there? LOL


Anyone need broken trucks and old clothes pins? *wink*

Later...
Flicka's figured out she needs signs plus she wants to sell all her "art work" that I save. So, I'm off to help with signs.

I'm just hoping our city's inspector doesn't see her and give us a ticket for not having a permit for a garage sale! LOL

Family Gardening Day - part one

Today was DaHubby's last final for winter semester! And, on Tuesday it's our eighth wedding anniversary. So, initially, I had planned a small, short, surprise getaway to local hotel with water park. But, when I called and they wanted $190 for the room, I could hear Dave Ramsey gettin' hysterical in my ear all the way from Tennessee! LOL

So, we decided to spend some of the money to spruce up and prep the backyard for some "stay-cation" time instead. One project per Viking - and today's was a surprise for Pojke: a sand table! I found the plans in the July/Aug 2005 copy of Family Fun magazine (I can't find an online link however). We made a few modifications and, following a trip to Lowes, construction began!

Twenty feet of 1.5 inch PVC, some "elbows", some "tees", some PVC glue, a concrete mixing tub, and some sand are all we needed.

It's tab A into slot B, dear! *wink*

It's starting to take form - corners, a couple legs...


Nearly done! Just needing the underneath support pieces...

Flicka planning Vanna with the finished project


And, there are advantages to marrying an engineer! LOL The two small pieces in DaHubby's hands are *the ONLY scrap* left over! And, you should SEE the plans for Flicka's project tomorrow! LOL
Pojke giving it a try for the first time! And, a completely random side note...that arbor (now painted white) in the background? It was built by DaHubby...the month before our wedding! LOL We were married under it!
Stay tuned for part two - hopefully tomorrow!

Another Dave Ramsey testimony! LOL

The Happy Housewife aka Toni is on vacation this week. When she asked for volunteers to do guest posts while she was gone, I jumped at the chance to write for her as I am incredibly thankful since she is one of the reasons we're doing so well with our grocery budget right now! LOL

Well, she put the post up already tonight for her Frugal Friday post tomorrow! *big smile*

Frugal dilemma

Was shopping last night and hit upon a dilemma...

Before I leave the house, I do my usual prepwork which includes figuring out to within about a dollar how much I'm going to spend. And, with only $60 cash in my food envelope, it gets pretty specific! LOL

I need shortening this week - have been planning on making pasties for DaHubby and need it for the crust. Even at Aldis, their huge can was about $3.40. I was trying to cut corners as I go - knowing I needed to drop about $3 in costs before I was done. So, I figured I get a smaller can at a subsequent store, thus saving a buck or so.

When I got to Meijers, their smallest can was still $2.49. And, therein lies the dilemma.

The larger can at Aldis was obviously a beter deal per ounce but I was trying to cut my out-the-door costs. And, yet, it was just killin' every frugal gene in me to buy the smaller can for that price.

So, what's a frugal girl to do? Opinions?

Viking deconstruction/re-construction part 4

Well, UPS (bless their little brown hearts) just delivered my first *real* winter boots. Ugly as sin (LOL) but warm up to -40 degrees! And, even approved by DaHubby- Mr. Yooper man!

Here's Flicka playing Vanna:

But, what is making the Vikings even MORE happy? The BOXES and the butcher-paper packing material! LOL

Not sure what these will be turned into since we already have a train, a Polly house, dog houses, and a bed for Flicka's lovie.

Pumpkin pie day two

Remember the two pies I made yesterday. And, remember how I blogged here about my little pie crust troubles. Well, here are the two pies after their time in the oven:

The one on the left is the store bought crust; the one on the right is the homemade.

The one on the left is gone; we haven't tried the other yet
so no taste testing yet but at least they looked respectable! LOL

Easy and frugal last minute pie crust

With so many things to put together today (and I'm not even cooking the actual MEAL! LOL), I decided on frozen pie crusts for my pumpkin pies. As you probably know, they generally come in pairs, one spooned up inside the other. However, when I separated mine this morning, the bottom one was crushed and broken. So, of course, I scrambled online to fine a quick and easy pie crust recipe. What I found was this!

Mixing done IN the pie pan. No rolling into a perfect circle (it is this frustration that's kept me from trying before). No transferring it in one piece to the pan (the other reason). No tearing or ripping the dough en route. In other words, PERFECT for me! LOL

And, this is what it looked like pre-cooked:
Then, I'll update in an hour or so to show you how it turned out! LOL

Contemplating...the mall

With the holiday season springing itself on us earlier and earlier each year, consumer spending and conspicuous consumption are running rampant in many U.S. homes. Since we've joined the Dave Ramsey bandwagon and began "acting our wage", the holidays have been very different around here.

This year is no exception. While I've been saving for a small Christmas fund since June, I'm still making most of the gifts we're giving including the ones for the Vikings. And, we've been blessed with several hand-me-down toys that the kids will be receiving as well.

And, at some point in the last week (although I can't remember where) as I perused my usual frugal bloggy goodness, I remember reading "just skip the mall this year" and "going to the mall is NOT entertainment".

Now, I know the writer was referring to just going to the mall to hang out and mindlessly buy something to fill a day when there's nothing to do but it got me to thinking...

I'm all for skipping the mall. One thing I "caught" from my dad is the desire to try to frequent small business owners and avoid the "big box stores". But, in a community as small as ours, I've noticed that mall is something else all together.

It's our community center - a place with the space and parking for events, activities, etc. passing through the area or on the calendar to set up shop. Our mall has had animal shows, musical events, and beauty pageants. There's been 4H displays, craft shows, and scavenger hunts.

Just this weekend, I took the Vikings up there for National Family Volunteer Day. About 15 or 20 of our local community groups - ranging from Hospice at Home to the Girl Scouts to Animal Aid - were all set up at tales in one of the mall's "intersections". And, over the course of two hours, we...

...made cards for those in hospice
...made containers to collect pennies for our local cancer service
...made welcome bags for children at the abuse shelter
...made place mats for 2 of our area nursing homes
...packed small boxes with books and such for children sick in the hospital, and
...braided materials to make chew/pull toys for dogs at the animal shelter

Free entertainment for the kids and learning about giving at the same time. Talk about a frugal lesson that ol' Dave would be proud of! LOL

So, while I understand that randomly walking through the mall wanting to be entertained or thinking I'll somehow be "fulfilled" by purchasing something is SO budget-defeating and self-deluding, and I'm not naive enough to think that the stores and the mall are hosting all this stuff out of the kindness of their wallets, I think there is still a place for going to the mall even for the frugal. At least in this neighborhood.

Post-obit follow up

We're still (somewhat) grieving the loss of Mr. Sony following his sudden death last week.

However, instead of the salt-in-the-wound insult of having to watch at 13-inch screen as it sat in front of Mr. Sony's 36+ inch self (LOL), DaHubby took a break from his studies last weekend to provide a surprise for the Vikings and I upon returning home from the Detroit area.

Before: After: The kids are thrilled. And, I'm amazed at how much bigger the living room seems. It's also easier to not miss having cable when what TV we're still watching has to be seen on that size screen *snort*

Anyone know of someone who a "tinker-er" like my grandpa was who'd want to fix something like Mr. Sony? LOL As well as a 3-person moving team who will be able to move it out of my house?

Bachelor TV - R.I.P.

Well...it was inevitable...as it is with all things.
Huge, heavy, an over 3-foot screen,
and (at the time of purchase) hugely expensive
Worked fine this morning as the kids watched PBS while I took a shower.
Then, sadly, when DaHubby turned him on after church...
*poof*
A flash on the screen
And he was gone.

He served our family well. He is survived by a 13 inch little brother and another hand-me-down cousin - one of which will be set up in the living room shortly. When all TV goes digital in February, it won't matter much because we probably will be watching it on the cousin's 16 inch screen.

Memorial gifts can be donated to the "Dave Ramsey said no credit cards; no buying new toys without cash" fund.

*wink*

Repost: And, in Viking frugal news...

(Reposting for Tackle It Tuesday)

I have the coolest, most talented hubby anywhere! LOL But, I'm a little biased I guess.

With him heading back to school full time, he was interested in having his own work space/desk to do his school work. With money being what it is around here (ala Dave Ramsey) and with the hospital bills from last month starting to arrive, it wasn't really an option to *buy* a desk.

However, in my initial post-college days when money was equally tight, my dad and I conspired to locate an inexpensive desk. So, I bought two 2-drawer file cabinets and proceeded to give my dad the dimensions of the top and the drawer clearance on the front.

My dad then made a desk top with sufficient blocking underneath that it fit exactly over top of the file cabinets making my first computer desk. It's so cool and still comfy height-wise that I still have it yet it is being held up by alternative means as I've taken the file cabinets for homeschooling in another area of the house.

So, DaHubby was in a quandry - how to make a new "bottom" for the desk top.

My smart-as-a-whip wood-workin' hubby wonder scrounged around in the garage and found a stack of wonderful wood he had gotten FREE at the end of a local garage sale in June and made THIS:


And, then we added the desktop back on:

*big smile* How cool is HE!?

(For more Tackle It Tuesday conquerings, go here.)

Too much zucchini? Try "chips"!

My 6am experiment this morning...


Too much zucchini lately (Lisa, this ring any bells from this time last year? LOL) And, while DaHubby experimented this past weekend drying a few of our first red tomatoes, he threw some slices of zucchini to see what happened. Wow!

They are like chips almost but a little bland-er, if that makes sense! LOL So, I had two H-U-G-E ones getting ready to go bad so I sliced them up, dampened a few with olive oil, spiced them up, and we'll see how they turn out!

(I used dry erase marker on the sides of the trays so I knew what tray held what.)

Something we frugal mommas have known all along...

Nice to see the mainstream media acknowledge our "geekiness" is now "cool"! LOL Check out this article from the Grand Rapids Press.

(I don't know WHERE the library is in the picture above but I want one *just* like it next to my mansion in heaven *wink*)