Homesteading in Your Neighborhood

 Come on a tour of our home to see how we homestead in the city. Then check out my article on Molly Green about creative ways that you can be a homesteader even if you live in an urban area. 

We have a small area in our yard that is suitable for a garden. We make the most of what we have with a raised garden. 

This is my line I use to hang some laundry. I also have a free standing  drying rack.

This is our shed. 

The climbing tree. 

This is the fun area where the kids like to play. 

The "river"

The "river"

I enjoy setting outside, drinking coffee and watching birds or a storm roll in. 

I love this sunny room. We use it for our pantry and various Farmhouse Decor. 

I make my own laundry detergent and dryer balls.

I enjoy making bread as well.

Various projects I am working on. 

The boys playing piano. 

Reading in our book nook. I am thankful that they enjoy activities other than computer games and TV. 

I love this picture of our home in the snow with the boys out playing. 

Thank you for visiting and I hope you enjoyed my article for Molly Green.

A Cozy Home of Peace and Rest

The sun is setting and you are snuggled on the couch with your family. You are reading from the Bible and sipping hot chocolate as the fire flickers and bounces shadows on the wall. It’s been a hectic day but a fulfilling one. You have accomplished most of what you wanted for the day, so now it’s time to relax together as a family.
Is this what the normal end to your day looks like? Or are you rushing around after finally getting the kids in bed and cleaning the house, only to fall into bed exhausted?
I want my home to be a place my family gathers at the end of a hard day for peace and rest. But how can your home be a place of peace and rest when you are not rested or you don’t feel at peace? Grab a cup of coffee and head over to Come Fill Your Cup to find out. 

Preparing for a Tornado

Tornado season is winding down for now in my part of the world. Severe weather will crank up again in the fall. Don't be unprepared for a tornado. Check out my article on MollyGreen.com and start preparing today. 

If you or your family live in Southwest Arkansas follow my weather Facebook page, Storm'NOrren.

Daily Adventures in Homeschooling

Find out some interesting things about our homeschooling life in my interview with Proverbial Homemaker.

Homemade Costumes

This is one of my favorite blog post that I have done. I love thinking of all of the memories that we have made while making costumes. I also cannot wait to share with you our costumes that we made this year!
Check out our past costumes at The Multi Taskin Mom.

I Am Taking the Challenge!

That does it! I am so overwhelmed, and  it’s my computer’s fault!!!

Actually, it’s my fault because of the amount of time I am spending on the computer. I can tell that I feel drained and stressed when I stay on the computer for hours at a time.

I always feel so much better when I am away from the computer, even if it is to do something as simple as laundry.  So why do I stay plugged in?

Read more about The Unplugged Challenge and why I decided to take it. 

http://themultitaskinmom.com/going/

 

Turn Your Closet Into A Homeschool Room

 

This is a guest post I did in January for Teach Beside Me. I thought it would be a great time to post again since everyone is getting ready for school. This post is about how I turned a walk-in closet into a school room. 

Click here to read.

Put Some Spring in Your Cleaning Step!

It has been a really cold, dark, and dreary winter! Even though it is springtime, the cold weather is probably not finished with most of us.
I am guest posting at the Multi Taskin' Mom today!

Click here to find out how I make cleaning more fun on these dreary days!

Kids Using Chore Money to Serve Others

                                   

                                   
                                         Using Chore Money to Serve Others

One Sunday a missionary visited our church to speak about the work he was doing in another country. At the end of his lesson, my children looked at me and said, "Mom, would you give us some money to give the missionary?"

On another Sunday, an announcement was made that a children's home needed food and household supplies. My children looked at me and said, "Mom, can you give us some money so we can buy something at the store to help?"

Their questions got me thinking. What are some ways that they could earn their own money to help others?

I decided to print chore cards.

 

I cut the cards out and separated them between their normal daily chores and extra chores they could do to earn donation money. I covered the cards with contact paper, punched a hole in them, and put them on a ring. I printed the tickets that can be found on the page linked above. Then I bought colored pocket pouches. The left pouch contains all of their tickets.

 

Every time they complete an extra chore they move a ticket from the left pouch to the right pouch. At the end of the week they get 10 cents for every ticket they have in the right pouch. 

                                

          They put their money in special jars that they decorated for the donation money.

Every week when they get the church bulletin, they see if there is a need at church or in the community. They write down what they would like to buy or give for that need .

Sometimes they put their money together and sometimes they donate to different things individually.

 The amount of money they get is not a lot; but, it is enough for them to know they are working for their own money in order to help others.

*They were getting $1 a week prior to this. But they had already designated that money to church contribution, savings, a charity, and spending money. Their $1 a week is now used to teach about money management.

Guest Post

          I am so honored and excited to be guest posting at Teach Beside Me today!!

          From Closet to a Homeschool Room

                                                    

             Click here to read!