Frugality — Janets Journal

Listings 4/5/12

Listings: Recommended Listing of Links
Resurrection Cookies: Directions & Printable Recipe
Be sure to make these with your children or grandchildren at least once. I could not make these with my girls without me crying. The cookies are absolutely delicious, but, more importantly, the story will stick with your children a long time and will help make the Resurrection story more real.

The 10 Dirtiest Things in Your Home
Lean how to clean the 10 dirtiest things in your home. I didn’t realize the bathtub is dirtier than a toilet!

Six Ways Moms Can Contribute To Their Family’s Finances and a Giveaway!!!!
A stay-at-home mom is not a drain on her husband if she is wise with what has been entrusted to her.

Easy Baking Soda Air Freshener-TUTORIAL
LOVE this!

Homemakers by Choice: Easter Resources
Homemakers by Choice has wonderful Easter resources for your family, including daily Bible reading to prepare your hearts for this holy day. I meant to post this sooner than now, but maybe you can benefit from some of these before Easter.

Heaven for Kids E-book by Randy Alcorn is free at Amazon. If you don’t have a Kindle, you can use the Kindle for PC app to read on your computer.

To Tori Spelling And All Moms Everywhere
Very encouraging short video reminding you that new life is wonderful.

Filed Under: Easter, Frugality, Homemaking, Listings, Mothers, Recipes, Recommended Books

Listings 1/23/12

23 Jan Leave a Comment

Listings: Recommended Listing of Links How to Develop Poise
I enjoyed this article so much. As a woman, it can be hard not to think with my emotions or allow them to control my actions. This is also important as a Christian, to believe the Word, not my feelings. “Poise is not something that one can demand of you. It must be your willingness and your choice. It’s an attribute that will flow from your heart–coming from your inward thoughts and transcending into your actions. I believe the most essential element to perfect composure is for one to have the control over her emotions. Take the most elegant, sophisticated woman endowed with grace and dignity but who’s emotions are not restrained? I’m afraid all the former attributes are wasted.” (HT: A Quiet Gracious Life)

How We Paid Cash for Our First Home
Crystal, from MoneySavingMom.com shares in detail how she and her husband paid cash for their first home. I’ll be honest–as a single mother, there is no way I could do this. I prefer to rent because a landlord can repair things for me that I definitely could never afford to do. (We are so blessed with a kind, generous landlord!) I still love to read articles like these; they encourage me to dream big and work hard!

Public Schools Promoting a Religion
“Christians need to understand that if a curriculum is not for Christ, it is against. If the teacher’s worldview is not for Christ, it is against Christ.”

Jesus Isn’t Safe: An Appeal To Christian Radio And Its Listeners
Great article on modern “Christian” radio. Part 2–Jesus Isn’t Safe: Meet The Golden Calf Of Christian Radio (HT: Challies)

Cakes Throughout U.S. History
Very interesting infographic on different cakes in our history.

5 Tips for Living in a Small Space {Embrace your space!}
“Don’t compare your home to other homes. You will only be jealous if you want what other people have! Concentrate on what you have, not what others have.”

Make Money Selling Books
Here is an idea for you single moms needing more income.

It’s a Girl! Documentary Film–Official Website
As a mother of 3 girls, I cannot imagine girls not being wanted. Be sure to watch the trailer for this film. “These are the three deadliest words in the world. . . The ‘It’s a Girl!’ documentary film explores the question of why are 200 million girls missing? In India, China and many other parts of the world today, girls are killed, aborted and abandoned simply because they are girls. This so-called ‘gendercide’ is the topic of Shadowline Film’s first feature length documentary film, currently in post-production.

The Stalking of the President
Very interesting details on what really killed President James A. Garfield. (HT: Challies)

Homemade Laundry Soap
I’ve seen many recipes for homemade laundry soaps, but this one looks VERY simple. I would like to try it! (HT: A Dusty Frame)

Filed Under: Christian Life, Frugality, History, Home Business, Homemaking, Homeschooling, Listings, Single Mothers

Listings 2/24/11

24 Feb Leave a Comment

Listings: Recommended Listing of Links
The Rapture Index for 2/21/11
Rapture Ready keeps a weekly index of news stories around the world that are pointing to our Savior’s imminent return. “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh (Luke 21:28).”

OneNewsNow.com
“OneNewsNow.com is the website of the American Family News Network (AFN), a national Christian news service. Our goal is to present the day’s news from a biblical perspective. We not only feature the latest breaking stories from across the United States and around the world, but also news of the challenges facing Christians in today’s society.”

The Daily–Choosing Friends Wisely
“In life we will have many types of friendships, and we need to be very wise in the way we deal with each of them. You would not want to open your heart and hand out your trust to just anyone. Choosing friends is something we must take seriously. Friendships can be downright unhealthy and affect our healthy relationships…and our walk with the Lord.”

What’s wrong with the “what does this verse mean to me” approach to interpreting the Bible?
We Christians need to interpret the Bible in the right way, by finding out what the author’s intent was when writing. In this short audio message by John MacArthur, you will find out more.

Reader Testimonial: My Money-Saving Christmas
I really loved the reader’s testimony as to how they had a good Christmas using the Money Saving Mom website, despite the fact that her husband only worked 7 months out of 24.

14 Ways to Save Money on Groceries
Some very good tips I’ve never heard!

How to Make Natural Lip Balm
This looks so easy! (Thank you, A Dusty Frame)

Filed Under: Christian Life, Current Events, Frugality, Homemaking, Listings

A New Old Camera

13 Jun 2 Comments

In my last post, I mentioned that I was making do with the inexpensive camera I already had. I got to thinking about an old camera my dear friend gave me a couple of years ago. It had given her some problems, so she decided to get a different one. Because of the problems, I did not want it and put it away. I got it out the other day and realized that it only needed a new battery and a bigger memory card. I have been greatly enjoying taking pictures with it. My old camera takes pictures faster, which is really necessary for action shots, but the “new old” camera takes beautiful close-ups, takes vivid colors, and has a larger resolution size. How foolish I feel for not realizing I had such a wonderful camera sooner! I had been praying for one, not knowing that God had already provided.

Filed Under: Frugality, Photography

Making Do

27 May 2 Comments

It isn’t about what you do without. It’s about what you do instead.”
Quoted by Edith Flowers Kilgo in The Simple Life

I have been wanting a new camera—one that takes super macro shots, breathtaking closeups of distant objects, and all around awesome pics like I see on other websites. Between ongoing doctor bills for my daughters and a slowing economy, it has not been possible for me to afford a better camera. Instead of feeling bad about it, I have felt that the Lord wanted me to just be thankful for the simple one I have and to make do with it. So I’ve made the best of my situation.

I learned to make my own macro lens by holding a magnifying glass to my camera when I take a picture.

I learned how to take better pictures of pets.

Autumn's Paws

Although I have not edited my pictures before because it seemed so complicated, I have learned to adjust color, saturation, tint, warmth to make a picture stand out more. I realized that I have software on my computer to make it simple for me.