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Greetings!
"Enjoy the little things,
for one day you may
look back and realize
they were the big things."
(Robert Brault)
After coming across this quote on the Internet recently, I've been trying to adjust my focus a bit and pay attention to the little things. You know, there's a lot of truth to what Mr. Brault said. This morning I awoke to an exuberant concert of birds chirping in the backyard, a sure sign that spring has returned to our neck of the woods. I can't think of a more joyful way to start the day!
Later, I went out for a walk with the family and discovered that many of our neighbors were out doing the same thing--just making time to enjoy the warm, sunny day with the people they love. Those are big things--those are the moments we'll remember and cherish, though they seem little and cost nothing. Let's slow down--notice the little things!
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If you haven't visited my blog this week, you missed out on some great tips. Here is some of what we talked about:
- I'm so excited to introduce you to my good friend, Lisa. Lisa is a homesteading, homeschooling momma and has a wealth of knowledge to share with us. She has agreed to bless us with her wisdom as a regular guest-blogger at Econobusters. Check out her first post "To Can or Not to Can?" and watch for future posts by Lisa.
- I received so many wonderful comments to my Works-For-Me-Wednesday post on how to organize silverware in your drawers; my idea will fit any drawer in your home and can be adapted for "junk" drawers or those containing art supplies, office supplies, or similar items.
More wonderful tips and ideas are coming next week too! |
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This Week's Recipe
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This week I'm going to break from the normal newsletter format of sharing a recipe, and just tell you what our family had for dinner yesterday. You may not think of it as particularly frugal, but five of us had a good, easy dinner, with leftovers today for lunch, for under $5.00. It was a busy "out and about" sort of day, and I was running a bit behind in the morning.
Before leaving home, I pulled out some leftover cubed ham from the freezer. (When hams are on sale, I try to pick up a good-sized one. After we have a ham dinner, I cut up what's left and freeze it, a couple of cups per batch, in plastic bags.) On my way home in the late afternoon, I picked up a package of gluten free penne from Walmart ($1.57) and a jar of Classico Alfredo Sauce with roasted red peppers ($2.08). I like the Classico brand because I re-use the jars for canning.
Once at home, I had to take a phone call. My husband cooked up the noodles, drained them, then stirred in the jar of sauce and the now-defrosted ham, and spread the whole mixture in a 9"x13" pan. He sprinkled a handful of mozzarella cheese over the top and popped it in the oven for 15 minutes or so. That was supper--and it was delicious--and for some of us it was lunch today too! A Special Announcement
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When you sign up for the April 3-4, 2009 conference, you are signed up for both The Wise Guy seminar and The Joyous Home-Making Seminar. They are 2-day, 3+ hour seminars on each day. The conference cost covers both days; Joyous Homemaking on April 3 (enjoy tutorials on making an apron, homemade soap, and basic embroidery), and The Wise Guy on April 4 (you will learn how the auto repair industry works, how mechanics get paid, how to avoid dishonest shops, what car fixes are possible to do at home, basic tools and cost, and finally a Power Point presentation on changing oil). For more detailed descriptions of each class, check out our blog post on this conference. This is a ticket conference, but our newsletter subscribers will receive a $5.00 discount using this coupon code--1408B--at sign-up! Entry cost becomes $10.00, but seats are limited. |
This Week's Tutorials
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Earlier this week I came across an interesting website: You Can Make This. There are all kinds of patterns and tutorials here--and by signing up for the site's free e-newsletter, you can download a bunch of pattern E-Books for free! I downloaded a really cute purse pattern that I'm looking forward to making. I have a bit of a weakness for colorful fabric purses--like this one that my friend gave me last year. 
So, if you're feeling crafty, this is a website you'll want to check out!
The first official day of spring was last Friday, so celebrate the arrival of this season this week with one (or all!) of these easy tutorials.
Even your youngest child can help make these adorable pipe cleaner flowers! There are also several Easter craft ideas in this post, so you can get a head start on your holiday decorating!
Jazz up your mantel or a shelf with these decorated wood blocks announcing the arrival of spring. Be sure to scroll down the page as there are two wood block ideas. This is not a tutorial exactly, but you could probably make your own by looking at the pictures.
What could be better than making your own flower napkin rings? You can adapt this idea for all seasons using any silk flower. If you do not have any silk flowers available, check your local dollar stores for this item.
Molly's Money-Saving Digest
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  In addition to all of our regular features, the third edition of Molly's Money-Saving Digest focuses on ways to make money from home, a real help to the budget as prices keep going up, up, up. Jill Hart, founder of Christian Work at Home Moms (CWAHM.com) answers the question, " Working from Home: Is It Really Possible?" Michelle Medlock Adams, a successful freelance writer with dozens of published books under her belt, shares her wisdom in So You Wanna Be a Freelance Writer? And Donna Rees shares an informative article about a homesteading family and their successful business selling natural All Soy Wax Candles. You'll also find lots of resources and ideas for starting your work-from-home business.And if you haven't already read our first two digests, you'll want to be sure and pick them up as well. |
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We Want to Hear from You!
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Molly needs your help! What would you like to see featured in this newsletter and on my blog each week? Email Editor@Econobusters.com and share your opinion with me! I want to provide you with the information you want. I can't promise that I can
Until next week! 
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Do you have something to share? Write to us at MollyGreen@Econobusters.com. All submissions become the property of Econobusters.com and The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC ("TOS") and will not be returned. Making a submission constitutes full consent to the Econobusters' Submission Guidelines and Release, and a grant of unlimited permission and continuing, non-exclusive rights for Econobusters.com and TOS, to print, publish, broadcast and use all portions of your submission, including without limitation your full name, on Econobusters.com and other Internet websites owned or operated by TOS, in Molly's Money-Saving Digest and all other electronic, digital and print publications produced, created or published by TOS in accordance with the Econobusters' Submission Guidelines and Release posted at Econobusters. TOS will make reasonable efforts to withhold personal names if requested at the time of original submission. | |
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